DESECRATION

CHAPTER ONE

CATEGORY: VOY J/C P/T

RATING: R

DISCLAIMER: Are you as tired of reading this as I am of writing it? Paramount and the ViaBorg own it all. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. And, to be honest, as long as I have my stories…being a mindless drone ain't so bad.

AUTHOR: LadyChakotay

SUMMARY: This is your basic had a bad week and needed someone to take it out on story. It's nothing like the light-hearted, romantic stories I have written in the past. So if you don't like the average 'the ship has been taking over and the aliens aren't too nice' saga, read no further. This tale is rated R for violence and some sexual content. (No, there is no rape.) There is some J/C and P/T, perhaps it's one redeeming feature.

DESECRATION Chapter 1

It started out like any other day on Voyager. Captain Kathryn Janeway walked across her bridge and took her seat on the command level. Her uniform was crisp, impeccable; her appearance poised and immaculate. Her auburn hair was pulled into an elegant ponytail at the base of her neck, not a strand out of place. Her black boots gleamed, shined to perfection. She was the textbook description of a polished Starfleet Captain.

She glanced around the bridge at her crew. They had become so much more to her than just her 'crew'. They were her friends; each one dear to her in his or her own individual way. Each one unique and irreplaceable. While being lost in the far end of the galaxy, they had found each other and formed an unlikely family. And it meant more to her than just about anything.

Commander Chakotay was seated in his chair to Janeway's left. She had asked the former Maquis leader to be her first officer when they were flung into the Delta Quadrant and, through necessity, agreed to combine their two crews. The relationship was not without its hardships at the beginning and they had disagreed on more than one occasion. But Janeway had grown to trust and value Chakotay over the past three years that he served under her command. She had come to see him as a gentle, compassionate man. The darkly handsome officer had become her best friend, always putting her needs before his own. He balanced her out as no one ever had, both professionally and personally. Her affection for him was beyond measure and she would trust him with her very life.

Directly in front of her at the helm was Tom Paris. The cocky, sandy-haired pilot was the son of Janeway's mentor, Admiral Owen Paris. But Tom had earned his own distinction in her life. He flew her ship as if Voyager were just an extension of his own body. His expert, precise piloting had saved their lives more times than she could count. But even more valuable to her than that was Tom's ability to acknowledge her as a person and a woman without disrespecting the captain. He made her laugh and relax in ways that only he could. He had become one of her favorite people. She was extremely proud of the officer he had become and often found herself hoping that she'd had something to do with it.

At the engineering station to Janeway's right, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres worked her console with stubborn determination. When they were first thrown together the captain thought the Klingon/human hybrid to be a defiant, unstable malcontent. When Commander Chakotay had first suggested Torres for the position of Chief Engineer, Janeway was doubtful the young woman could handle it. But since that time she had proven herself a hundred times over. She was a brilliant engineer and they all owed their lives to her on more than one occasion. And, as Janeway soon learned, she was not only a fiercely loyal officer but a wonderful friend as well. She seemed to have found a home among Voyager's crew, a place to belong.

Tuvok, her Vulcan Security Officer, was behind her to her right. He worked his station at tactical with the normal expressionless visage and quiet efficiency that went with being Vulcan. Janeway had served with Tuvok for years before they were assigned to Voyager. He had become her close friend and most trusted advisor. She counted on him to keep her morally balanced when she wasn't sure she could see the right path on her own. Despite the fact that he was a disciplined practitioner of the Kolinahr, Janeway had learned to read the emotional undertones of his subtle gestures. She knew that he cherished her as much as she did him, as much as a Vulcan could possibly 

cherish anyone. He gave her firm footing at a time in her life that was anything but stable. He was her oldest friend.

Ensign Harry Kim was to the left of Tuvok manning the Ops station. The handsome young Asian was one of the most kindhearted people on the ship. Voyager was Harry's first posting as a graduate fresh from the academy. Their maiden voyage was his first mission. Janeway took a liking to the youthful, green ensign right from the start. Harry had grown infinitely as both an officer and a man. His loyalty to his captain was nothing short of astonishing. Hero worship in its purest form. Janeway knew that he would gladly give his life for her in an instant. And she felt the same way about him.

"Captain…" Chakotay called softly, pulling Janeway from her silent musings, "Something on your mind? You look a million light years away." His forehead furrowed with concern, slightly distorting the tribal tattoo above his left eye. Janeway could trace that marking from memory. It was so undeniably Chakotay.

"It's nothing, Commander." She smiled warmly at him, resting a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"If you're sure…" he answered, trying to ignore the way her smile made his heart race.

"I'm sure. Everything's fine," she said confidently.

That's because she had no idea what was about to happen. She had no way of knowing that a day that began with feelings of security and quiet reflection would later end up being classified as her worst nightmare.

One hour later…

Captain Janeway was sitting at her desk in her ready room. She had turned the bridge over to Chakotay and retreated to her sanctuary to read reports. She was just about to start on her second cup of coffee.

When all hell broke loose.

"Captain Janeway to the bridge!" Chakotay's voice came over her combadge. She knew him well enough to sense the apprehension in his voice.

Something was wrong.

She snapped immediately into command mode. She was on her feet in an instant, moving with purpose to the door.

"Report," she ordered, the command issued before she'd even fully emerged onto the bridge.

"We've been surrounded by four alien vessels, Captain. They didn't drop out of warp until they were almost right on top of us. That's why our sensors didn't detect them sooner," Chakotay reported.

Janeway looked at the image on the view screen and a large knot formed in the pit of her stomach. The alien ships were enormous, each at least twice the size of Voyager. They were heavily armored like warships. There were four of them all right. And they were holding their positions, strategically spaced around Voyager. There would be no clear path of escape should the need arise - and she feared it would. They were obviously out gunned.

"Hail them, Mr. Kim."

"Actually, they're hailing us, Captain," he answered, his hands working rapidly over his console.

She nodded slightly. "On screen."

Almost immediately the face of an unfamiliar alien replaced the warships on the large view screen. Janeway stifled a gasp, shocked at the sight before her. The being was humanoid for the most part. It had long hair such a dark shade of purple it was almost black. It's narrow, almond shaped eyes and knife-slash thin lips were a dark violet-blue, in harsh contrast to the ghostly white skin that covered its face. Even through the view screen she could see that its pupils were not circular but narrow vertical slits - like a cat's eyes. It had fanged teeth that reminded Janeway of old Earth vampire movies. The creature had a sadistic, predatory essence about it that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. She found it absurdly unnerving.

The alien moved its hands as it spoke revealing a thumb and three fingers topped with large, wicked looking black claws. Only the pinky finger was missing. An eerie chill ran up her spine. Janeway bit down on her lower lip, trying desperately not to let the horror he evoked in her show on her face.

A series of clicks and grunts could be heard from the alien as the universal translator struggled to decipher the unfamiliar language. When it finally came through in Federation Standard the voice was distinctly male. It rang out across the bridge with an illusory resonance. It was a voice unlike any she had heard before, unreal and dreamlike. Nightmarish, actually.

"I am Kirov, High Commander of the Variquian Battalion. Explain why you are trespassing in our space!" he demanded.

"I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. I apologize for any transgression, High Commander. We were unaware that this part of space was claimed by anyone," she said reasonably. She was counting on good old -fashioned diplomacy to get them out of this one. She knew if they had to fight their way out they wouldn't stand a chance.

"What are you doing here, Captain?" he snarled, emphasizing on the word captain as if it were a title Janeway clearly did not deserve. As though it disgusted him to address her as such. A low growl escaped his throat and his sharp teeth could be seen beneath his curled lip.

Janeway stood before the view screen, back ramrod straight, shoulders pulled back and head held high. She refused to cower before this ghoulish-looking being. She noticed that Chakotay had assumed his protective stance just behind her left shoulder, his hands clasped behind his back.

"We're from another part of the galaxy," she replied, looking straight into his monstrous eyes. "We're just trying to get home. We mean you no harm."

Kirov's head dropped back as malicious laughter rolled from his open mouth, providing the bridge crew with a threatening revelation of his sharp, glistening teeth. "You mean us no harm?" he scoffed. He turned to face the other ghastly aliens standing behind him on his bridge. "You may relax, men. The insignificant female captain of this feeble starship says they mean us no harm."

A cackling chorus of heinous laughter rang out from the alien crew.

He turned and looked directly into the view screen and to Janeway it seemed his violet eyes straight into her. "Thank you for that clarification, Captain. We were quivering in our boots with fear."

Janeway swallowed the lump of bile that had worked its way up her throat. She felt an involuntary shudder travel up her spine. Diplomacy would not be the answer this time. She needed to come up with a plan, and fast.

"I am wondering, High Commander, if it would be possible to negotiate passage through your space," she attempted.

"I'm afraid that will be impossible, Captain. You see, you have already violated our laws by being here without authorization."

"But we already explained that," Chakotay defended. "As the Captain said, we didn't know…"

"Enough!" Kirov snapped, cutting him off. "You have committed a violation. You will now pay for it. The price, of course, is your ship and crew. Lower your shields and prepare to be boarded."

"I won't do that!" Janeway fired back.

"Then you will die," he hissed.

"Not today." Janeway went straight into action, signaling Ensign Kim to cut the transmission.

"Red Alert! All hands to battle stations!" Chakotay ordered. The emergency klaxons sounded immediately and the flashing red lights cast a crimson glow across the bridge.

"Mr. Paris, can you get us out of here?" the captain asked, moving in to stand behind him at the helm.

Tom's hands flew masterfully over his console. The nervous tension he felt didn't show as he worked the controls of the 1.5 million metric ton starship. "I think so, Captain, but it's gonna be a tight squeeze."

Janeway felt the deck move beneath her feet as Paris began to maneuver between two of the war ships. Then suddenly the ship lurched back hard. There was no warning, no time to brace herself. She felt her body slam into Paris as they were both hurled against the view screen. Excruciating pain shot through her right arm and she heard the distinct sounds of bones snapping. She landed on top of Paris and, for several seconds, was too dazed to move.

Tuvok struggled to maintain his hold on the console. "They have locked on with a tractor beam, Captain. The other three ships are charging weapons," the Vulcan said evenly.

"Can you disable that tractor beam, Torres?" Chakotay called, pulling himself to his feet. He moved immediately to assist the captain.

"I'm trying to remodulate the shields. With any luck it'll deflect the tractor beam," Torres answered without looking up from her controls.

Janeway grimaced and stifled a moan as Chakotay's strong arms hoisted her to her feet. A quick visual scan of the bridge told her that Harry Kim was unconscious on the deck and being tended to by Ensign Taylor. Paris had a good sized gash on the back of his head, probably where her body struck him she thought. He was making his way back to his seat. Everyone else appeared to be shaken, but otherwise fine.

"Bridge to sickbay. Prepare for an emergency transport. Ensign Kim is injured," Chakotay called, glancing over at Harry. His body immediately shimmered and disappeared. Chakotay then returned his attention to Janeway.

"Kathryn, you're hurt," he said, gesturing to the way she was cradling her arm.

"I'm fine, Commander," she lied, doing her best to ignore the pain that radiated through her now useless limb.

"Captain!" called Torres, shock evident in her voice. "I wasn't able to deflect the tractor beam. The other three ships have locked on as well, only… it isn't just a tractor beam."

"What do you mean, B'Elanna? What is it?" Janeway demanded, moving to Torres's side.

"It's some kind of energy beam. It's draining our shields!"

"Shields down to 72 and falling," Tuvok reported. "At the current rate of decline we will be without shields in approximately 2 minutes."

Janeway didn't know which she found more maddening; the fact that Tuvok's voice was as calm and composed as if he were reciting Vulcan poetry, or the fact that in the middle of a crisis situation, she would even notice or be annoyed at his unruffled demeanor.

"Suggestions?" Janeway looked around at her senior officers. They were out numbered and out gunned. Her training and experience had taught her that when diplomacy fails, there are only two options: fight or flight. Flight was impossible due to the powerful tractor beam. Voyager simply could not move. And as for fight…how do you 

fight an enemy that has surrounded you with four ships at least twice the size of yours when your shields are failing and your ship is immobile? She didn't know if it was the intense pain from her arm fogging her judgment, but for the first time since they were pulled into the Delta Quadrant Captain Janeway had no tricks up her sleeve. No orders to give that would help her crew pull off a miraculous escape.

She actually felt helpless. It was a position she loathed.

"Captain, if we try to attack it is doubtless that they will destroy our weapons array as well, leaving us completely defenseless," came Tuvok's stoic voice. "The odds are that a battle would result in our destruction. The logical course of action would be to surrender, appear to cooperate with the aliens and attempt to formulate a plan for escape."

Janeway regarded him with a raised eye brow for a few seconds and then replied, "Mr. Tuvok, this is one time I'm glad I'm not Vulcan. I don't have to be logical." She moved gracefully across her bridge, hands on her hips. "I will not surrender. If Kirov wants this ship, he'll have to kill me to get it! We fight!"

Janeway caught Chakotay's grin of approval in the corner of her eye. "Tuvok, ready photon torpedoes and prepare to fire at the sources of those beams. B'Elanna, start working on a way to reinforce our shields. Chakotay, take Harry's station." She moved toward the conn. "Tom, stay alert. As soon as we find a way to disable that tractor beam I want you to…"

"Captain, I can't reinforce the shields. Those beams are sucking the energy out faster than I can find ways to replace it." B'Elanna's voice was as close to panic as it came. "The shields have failed!"

"Reroute auxiliary power to-" was all the captain was able to get out before the blast knocked her off her feet. The ship rocked and shuddered under the strain.

Chakotay had no warning, no time to shield himself before the ops console exploded in his face. He felt the pain first in his hands and then on his face as the white- hot debris seared and tore at his flesh. The blast threw him brutally into the wall behind him, his head cracking as it took most of the blow. He slid down the wall, his knees no longer strong enough to support him.

Janeway slammed into the unforgiving deck, her injured arm taking the full force of the fall. A shriek of pain tore from her throat as she felt a shard of broken bone pierce her flesh. She felt the warm dampness spreading, blood oozing down her arm and staining her uniform. She struggled to stay conscious. "What the hell was that?" she rasped.

"Hull breach on decks 9 and 10. They have blown the shuttle bay doors off, Captain," Tuvok reported. His console beeped in alarm. "I'm detecting several small alien shuttle craft landing in our shuttle bay." He looked Janeway straight in the eyes with his usual detached manner and then said the four words that strike the deepest terror in any captain's heart.

"We are being boarded."