Disclaimer: Paramount clearly owns all the characters. Copyright: Paramount

Big thank you to northernexposure for her beta read and for her encouragement.

Warning: Not graphic at all, but contains suggestions that some may find disturbing. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of alien doctors experimenting then this story isn't for you.

Chapter One

"Get the station administrator on screen now."

Despite the calm manner of its delivery, the sense of urgency infusing the first officer's order was unmistakable. Kim was already on task before Chakotay had finished his sentence and the tension that had already been building on the bridge in the last few minutes rose another notch.

"I've got him, sir. Channel open."

The pale face of the bushy haired and bearded hulk of a man filled the viewscreen. He had the height and possibly the weight of a Nausicaan, but the lack of discernible musculature gave him a sort of squidgy, pillow-like appearance.

"Good evening, Commander. How can I help you?"

"A few minutes ago our captain and chief engineer's bio-signatures suddenly disappeared from our sensors - it appears they are no longer on your station. At the same time we detected signs of a ship using cloaking technology. With that in mind we're obviously concerned about our crew member's whereabouts and their safety."

There was a pause while the administrator's eyes flickered to the side, presumably to another monitor. "And what do you want me to do about it?"

Chakotay's grip on the back of Paris's chair tightened, but his tone remained even. "We're asking for your help in locating them."

"Look, Commander…" he looked away again for a second, "Chakotay, this is a very busy station, and I am a busy man. I'm sure you have the resources to search for them yourself, with your impressive vessel and undoubtedly advanced sensors. Perhaps it's simply a communication malfunction."

Chakotay moved out from his position slightly to the right of Paris's chair to stand centre bridge. "All our systems are functioning perfectly." He turned and motioned to Tuvok and Kim as he continued speaking, "Our chief of security, Commander Tuvok and our operations officer are beaming to your location, they'll be with you in a few minutes." Both men were already boarding the turbolift.

"I'm still not sure what you expect me to do here."

"I'm presuming that you're interested in maintaining the good reputation of your trading station; that you want visitors to believe they are safe when they're using your facility. Visitors who've all paid the substantial 'donation' you require for docking. So I'm sure you'll do everything you can to help us find our captain and chief engineer."

The administrator appeared unmoved. "You were given a copy of our disclaimer when you completed the docking procedure. You use our communal facilities at your own risk – obviously. I can't stop people transporting off the station any more than I can stop them using cloaking technology."

"I presume you monitor transporter activity? Keep a log?"

"You presume correctly, Commander."

"Well Commander Tuvok will need to see it. As well as your surveillance recordings."

The administrator cocked his head to one side and arched a bushy eyebrow. "Our log will only show the location and destination of any transport – if there was one. It won't prove anything. How do you know they didn't go willingly? Two beautiful women in search of some… companionship?"

He certainly remembers them then, thought Chakotay. He succeeded in keeping the greater part of the contempt he was feeling for this man out of his voice as he responded.

"Neither our captain nor our chief engineer would leave the station without contacting us. We have strict protocols we observe on away missions."

The voluminous administrator gave a dismissive shrug and closed the channel.