about a week after Toil and Trouble

Neelix smiled as he looked at the three boxes of Margolayan goose eggs. The Captain had initially resisted his pleas to stop at Margolay Prime, but in the end had agreed. They had spent yesterday gathering supplies--mostly perishables that he was planning to use in the next day or so. Today he would treat the crew to real fresh-eggs. He had been in the ship's database and had read how human's liked their eggs. He was going to serve scrambled eggs--plain and with additions like cheese and fungi.

He started the gas grill and prepared his pans as the first diners came in. He carefully cracked the first egg over the pan. As the runny interior splashed into the pan a noxious odor spread from the kitchen to the dining hall.

As Neelix quickly stepped back from the odor, he knocked over one box and managed to break most of the eggs in it.

The early diners were fleeing the dining hall with the odor chasing after them.

By the time a young Ensign from engineering had shut the air-exchange-system on deck 2 down, the smell was everywhere. Rotten eggs permeated throughout the deck. It was then a matter of releasing the contaminated air into the vacuum of space--removing the putrid odor of hydrogen sulfide from the ship.

Several hours later, wearing protective clothing and masks, security and engineering personnel removed the remainder of the eggs and prepared them for disposal: while others scrubbed down the walls and cleaned the furniture.

"Captain," B'Elanna announced an hour after the initial incident. "There is no way Voyager's waste-systems can handle all those eggs. We run a risk of the hydrogen sulfide being converted into sulfuric acid—and that would eat through the pipes."

"Agreed. We're too close to the Narbezian system so we can't jettison the eggs. Have them placed in transporter two. We'll beam them off near a star when we leave." The Captain turned toward her computer screen. "Doc?"

"Three of the crew suffered from headaches: they've been treated and released. Ensign Bell suffered some minor lung damage. I'm holding him in sickbay for observation. The others on deck 2 at the time of the accident are fine. A number did feel nauseous--a common enough reaction to the smell of hydrogen sulfide. All in all, I'd say we were very lucky there weren't more casualties."

Janeway turned to Neelix, who was still looking a little greener than usual. "Neelix, these eggs?"

"I've never had anything like this happen before, Captain. Margolayan goose eggs are renowned in the sector. I'm so sorry Captain. I mean... If there is anything I can do?"

"Neelix, it wasn't your fault." Janeway turned toward B'Elanna. "We'd better check the refrigeration units too."

"Aye Captain."

"How long until deck 2 is usable?"

"We hope to have the air completely exchanged by fifteen-hundred hours. Though the smell may linger for a while. The quantities will be within recommended safe limits. The smell may not be. We've had complaints of the smell on other decks." B'Elanna frowned deeper as she continued. "I've got teams working on that too--we didn't completely contain the gas on deck 2. Again all the quantities are within the safe limits. We're lucky Ensign Bell had the presence of mind to shut down the air exchange--or the whole ship might be reeking."

Janeway nodded. "Write him up for an accommodation. Because of the... incident, I've made some changes to the away-team. B'Elanna I need you to stay on the ship--Commander Chakotay will still command the away-team. Neelix, I'd like you to examine all the perishables we picked up on Margolay, just in case."

"Captain," Chakotay's voice said over her combadge. "We're receiving a message from the Narbezian government."

"I'll be there." She left the briefing room and stood by her chair. She felt, rather than saw the Commander glance at her.

Captain Janeway faced the viewscreen to look at the speaker. "I'm Minister Vilart," the older woman said. "Narbezian Minister of Trade."

"I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Voyager. We would like permission to enter orbit around Narbezia and to come to surface to trade."

The greenish-yellow Trade Minister nodded. "We've been notified of your coming. What kind of trade were you considering?"

"We would like to trade for supplies and materials."

"Captain, if you would send me a list of items you would be offering in trade."

"Madam Minister, we'll transmit the list immediately." She motioned for Harry to send it. "We'll have an away-team land to meet with you and see what is available for trade."

The Minister smiled. "We look forward to meeting with your delegation. I've just sent a list of traders presently on the planet and their wares. Will you be offering shore leave to your crew?"

"I would like to."

"I can make the necessary arrangements here. Captain Janeway, we look forward to meeting you. I've also sent landing instructions for where we will receive your team. Vilart out." The screen turned brilliant maroon with a centered logo in a strange script before fading to the familiar star field.

Janeway smiled slightly, now if the rest of their time at Narbezia went so well. She glanced at her First Officer, who was already looking at her. Their eyes held for a split second. She turned away, noting her increased heart rate. "Commander, have your away-team prepare for departure in an hour." She hoped her voice sounded normal--she couldn't tell.

"Aye, Captain." A little obvious, he thought, but no one else seemed to have noticed. He watched as she went to her ready room.

She was interrupted by the arrival of Neelix. "Captain, according to the list of traders the Narbezian's sent, there's a Talaxian dealer on the planet. I may be able to restock my supplies of Leola root."

"Leola root isn't common in this sector."

"No Captain, it's not. This may be my last time to resupply for a long while."

She didn't smile. "It's going to be expensive, because it's so rare?"

"Very likely Captain. I..." He looked very disappointed. "We've only had minimal luck growing it in the hydroponics bay. I've always been able to buy or find it on the planets we've visited." He paused. "I understand Captain. We would be better off resupplying with more of something less expensive. Leola root is a luxury we will have to do without."

"I'm afraid so, Neelix. I'm pleased that you are willing to make this sacrifice for your fellow crewmembers."

"Captain, I am honored to do so."

"Thank-you, Neelix." She watched Neelix leave and her First Officer enter. He also watched Neelix leave.

"Commander?"

"Captain, the away-team is ready, we can leave anytime." He looked back at the closed door. "Captain, what did you say to Neelix?"

"He just told me that Leola root was too expensive a luxury. He won't be resupplying on Narbezia."

"That's too bad. I was really looking forward to a slice of leola root pie." His grin belied the words.

She looked at him. "Commander, good luck with the Narbezians. If you are interested, there's still a small supply. I'll request that Neelix bake one for your return."

The Captain glanced up from the year end reports at the sound of her combadge chirping.

"Captain, the local atmospheric disturbances are making it difficult to keep a transporter lock on the away-team." B'Elanna said.

"How long?" Janeway replied

"We're working on it in transporter room one--nothing difficult—just time consuming. It'll take about an hour and twenty minutes to calibrate them."

"Very good, keep me informed. Voyager to shuttle."

"Chakotay here, Captain?"

"We're having problems with the transporters. B'Elanna expects to have them recalibrated in about an hour and twenty minutes."

"Oh well, Captain. At present speed, we expect to land in twenty-five minutes. Chakotay out."

She looked back at the report and sniffed. "Damn, the smell of sulfur is here too. Computer, increase air-exchange-rate in Captain's ready room by ten percent."

Chakotay guided the shuttle to the landing site, making last minute adjustments for wind direction and speed. He landed the craft near the waiting Narbezians. He found it curious that they had flown over several busy spaceports, but were landing out in the middle of nowhere. "Secure shuttle. Lieutenant Hargrove, I want you to remain on board, just in case." There was something wrong, or was there. Chakotay was tempted to put his uncertainty down to delta-quadrant paranoia.

The three other members of the away-team gathered at the rear, and the quartet exited the shuttle. Minister Vilart and an escort were waiting for them.

"Welcome to Narbezia, Commander Chakotay."

"Thank-you Madam Minister."

"If you would follow me, we have a reception in your honor planned, and then we will give you a guided tour of the markets.

The Narbezians set off at a brisk pace, Chakotay and the away-team right behind them. They were headed for a small grove of trees and some hills, where the trail narrowed.

Lieutenant Forrest was flirting with Ensign Moog. "This is exactly the location I would use for Royston."

"I hope we don't do Richard. We should do something more cheerful. Another murdered king play. No." Joan Moog (the set designer for Macbeth) replied.

"But the location is perfect--Stanley's troops over there on that hill, Henry's behind the hills, and poor Richard's here." He looked around the grove as they entered. "This is a perfect place for an ambush. Good cover, blocked view... Commander is something wrong?" Mike Forrest had nearly walked into the Commander.

"I don't know." There wasn't time for anything else as a phaser blast exploded the stump they were standing next to. The away-team dropped to the ground and pulled out their phasers. "Damn, Away-team to Voyager." The place was still. "Voyager, are you there?"

"Voyager here, Commander is something wrong?"

"The Narbezians just ambushed us."

"Get back to the shuttle: transporters are still not able to cut through the atmospheric disturbances." Tuvok's voice was calm, unlike the surrounding trees, which erupted with phaser fire.

The others heard the message. The grove of trees was a good ambush site. They couldn't see beyond the trees, and the shuttle was blocked from view. "Some reception." Chakotay muttered. "Mike and I will provide covering fire, you two when you get to that rock back there, cover for us." He looked at Lieutenant Forrest. "Go." They started firing randomly as the other two ran back to the rock. Ensign Moog signaled them, and started firing her phaser into the woods, her partner joined in the fire.

Chakotay nodded and they started running. Phaser fire erupted around them, but no blasts came near them. About eight steps from the rock, a blast hit right in front of the Commander. He dove to the ground. When he tried to stand, he realized that in the process he had managed to twist his ankle.

Mike Forrest returned. "Commander let me help."

Chakotay shook his head. "Get back to the shuttle and communicate with Voyager. I'll be fine--once the transporters are on line. Help me to the rock." They made their way to the rock slowly, on the ground. "Lieutenant," Chakotay added, "Let me know when the shuttle takes off. Oh and let me have your combadge." Forrest handed him the badge, puzzled. "Now get going." He grabbed his phaser and positioned himself behind the rock. "That's an order. Go!" He started firing into the woods as the other three members of the away-team bolted toward the shuttle. When they had cleared the grove of trees, the Commander quickly removed his own combadge and pinned it on the inside of his pant leg by his good ankle and pinned Forrest's to his chest. He started firing again.

"Shuttle to Commander Chakotay, we've lifted off," Hargrove announced over his combadge.

"Very good--contact Voyager and get back to the ship." Chakotay's voice responded. "Chakotay out."

"Shuttle to Voyager..."

Chakotay smiled, he figured that B'Elanna would have the transporters reset within half an hour. He rubbed his ankle, then made sure his hidden combadge was firmly attached. The rock was a lousy defensive position, but either the Narbezians were lousy shots or were after hostages. He fired toward the source of phaser fire. There was flash of light and he was unconscious.

When he came to seconds or minutes later, he was surrounded by ten Narbezian soldiers.

"Hello, you wouldn't by any chance have a doctor?" Chakotay looked around while rubbing his head. No response. "No. I didn't think so." He sat there about a minute. "Do you speak at all?"

A yellow Narbezian with braided green hair approached from the grove of trees. "Remove his combadge." He ordered one of the soldiers. "Commander Chakotay, your team escaped--but you knew that. You, however, are far greater prize than we could have hoped for."

"Captain Xykator, it's a pleasure to see you again too," Chakotay's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "I gather you're not a simple freighter Captain?"

"Actually Commander, it's General Xykator."

"Well, congratulations on the promotion."

The general scowled at the Commander. "Our friends tell us you are important--we'll find out how much your Captain needs you." He signaled the soldiers. "Escort this man to the presidential palace. Commander, it's been a pleasure to see you again. Enjoy your stay on Narbezia." Narbezians were equally capable of sarcasm. One of the soldiers prodded Chakotay to stand. Groaning he did, and then limped along with his escort.

Janeway frowned as the shuttlecraft sent the message. "Damn," she said, not caring if the crew heard. She tapped her comm-badge. "B'Elanna how soon until the transporters will be ready?"

"About fifteen minutes Captain."

"The Narbezians ambushed the away-team. They've captured the Commander."

"Shit. Sorry Captain. The others?"

"They were able to get back to the shuttle. Any chance..."

"We may be able to cut a minute or two off."

"Captain," Tuvok cut in. "We are receiving a message from the Narbezian government."

She grimaced, took her usual bridge stance, hands on her hips. "On screen."

"Captain Janeway, I'm President Tajzeel," the Narbezian president smirked as he calmly sat behind his desk.

"Mr. President. You are holding one of my crew. We want him back. NOW."

"Now, now Captain Janeway. Don't get testy. We'll return him." He paused. "After we arrange a suitable trade."

"I want to see him. To make sure he is all right."

"That can be arranged." The president signaled someone and the Commander hobbled in.

"Captain," he grinned--but his voice was full of pain.

She kept her voice calm, "Commander, are you all right?" Obviously he wasn't: she needed to kill some time.

"Yea, I'm fine. Except for the ankle--I don't know if it's sprained or broken. Hurts like hell though."

"Captain," the president cut in. "I hate to break up this happy reunion, but we need to negotiate. What are you willing to trade for the return of your Commander."

"I'll have to consult with my staff. Give me ten minutes, Mr. President."

"Five. President Tajzeel out."

The screen went blank.

"Any suggestions?" She asked Tom and Tuvok.

"Captain, Starfleet policy is very specific on the paying of ransom..."

"Mr. Tuvok, I have no intention of paying any ransom--we just need to stall for time, until the transporters are ready. I want to string them along without committing to anything. Tuvok, at the end of the five minutes I'll talk with Narbezians. I want a transporter lock on the Commander, so when the transporters are on line we can beam him out."

"Yes Captain."

"Tom, set a course out of here warp 8: as soon as the Commander and shuttle are back on board--we're leaving. Harry, I want continuous scans--we don't need any unexpected company. How long till the shuttle docks?"

"Ten minutes, Captain." Harry answered glancing at the data. "No sign of any other ship in the area."

"Good," was the Captain's reply. She typed something into her terminal--B'Elanna responded that she would send the signal announcing when the transporters were ready through the computer. She looked at some other data, while working on her plan.

"Captain, it's been five minutes." Tuvok was calm, as always.

"On screen. Mr. President, what kind of trade are we talking about."

"Captain Janeway, I'd hoped you were willing to be reasonable. I have friends who tell me you have some remarkable technology. We would like it."

"Well, I don't know if the Commander is worth that much." She heard Tom laugh. Too bad she didn't have anything to throw at him. "We have some nice phasers..."

"Captain. I'm talking about the technology unique to your ship. I told you, I have some good friends who know what your ship is capable of."

As the president was speaking, Neelix ran onto the bridge. "Captain, Captain. I heard.... Oh." He noticed he was interrupting.

Janeway looked at him and smiled briefly--he had just given her an idea. Frowning, she turned back to the Narbezian--obviously their friends hadn't told him everything about their technology. "Mr. President. I am not prepared to negotiate with our unique technology. You have three minutes to rethink your offer. I'm sorry Commander, but to make an omelet one must break some eggs." She signaled Tuvok to cut the transmission. "We have three minutes, Harry...." She quickly explained what he was to do. Grinning he quickly left. "B'Elanna, how soon?" She asked her comm-badge.

"Captain minutes--no more than six. We're running the calibration check now."

"Good, Harry will explain to you the plan." She looked quickly at Tuvok, then Tom. Tuvok wouldn't do--he was too honest, especially without time to prepare. Tom... Tom could be dangerous.

She stated to the crew. "We still need to stall for a few more minutes. No one over-react to whatever I may say. Mr. Tuvok on screen. Ah. Mr. President, have you reconsidered?"

"Captain, I have it on good authority that the last thing you want is..."

"Mr. President, we do have some remarkable technology. Including an emanation ray. We are not prepared to negotiate for Commander Chakotay's return, nor are we willing to leave him in your hands. I recommend you release him to us now. You won't like the consequences." Her terminal blinked. She quickly looked down and noted that the shuttle had just completed docking. Looking back at the screen, it was obvious she had flustered the president. He had stood to chat with someone off screen--the sound was muted. Chakotay was still there--he was grinning. Janeway had to stop herself from smiling. She hoped they didn't notice his grin. She quickly shook her head: he noticed and tried to frown.

The president turned back to the screen. "Captain, you don't have such technology." He was calling her bluff. Now to prove she wasn't.

"Mr. President. I don't know your source of information, but obviously it isn't that good. Mr. Paris. You are hereby promoted to acting First Officer. Ensign James, would you please take the Commander's place at the conn." She hoped Paris caught on before he said anything.

"Aye, aye Captain." Paris stood and swaggered arrogantly to the Commander's chair. He knew a con game when he heard one. He turned to look at the screen and with a wry grin, "Captain, it will be a pleasure to serve under you." He also had the pleasure of seeing the Commander wince and hear her sharp intake of breath. Tom quickly sat down. Even though his promotion was only for a few seconds, he would enjoy it. He noticed she had a message on her screen. "Captain."

She glared at him, and then glanced at her screen. She nodded. B'Elanna was ready. "Last chance Mr. President." She said coolly. When the president hesitated, she continued. "Lieutenant Torres, activate."

The bridge crew watched as Commander Chakotay was transformed into thousands of twinkling lights to be replaced by one of Neelix's eggs. For a split second it hovered over the floor.... then fell and smashed. The look of horror and nausea on the President caused Tom to laugh.

"Mr. President. I warned you. I think you should open a window. Ensign James take us out of here, warp 8." After the screen returned to the field of stars, she turned to Paris. "Lieutenant. Thank-you for an over-done performance. Janeway to sickbay. How's the Commander?"

"Captain, he's suffering from a sprained ankle. Apparently he had to walk some distance on it. It'll take several hours for the tendons to heal. Otherwise he's fine." The Doc sounded as pompous as ever. "He's taking it very well. He's still laughing."

For that matter, so were most the bridge crew.

"Any sign of the Narbezian fleet?" Janeway asked the Ensign who had taken Harry's place.

"No Captain. Nothing," she said trying not to smile.

Tom grinned.

Commander Chakotay slid off the bio-bed and put his weight on his foot. "I'm fine Doc." He said as he walked across the sickbay and back.

"None the less, Commander. I want you to take it easy--no hover ball games or Klingon exercise programs for several days."

"Yes Doctor."

"And I want to see you again in 48 hours."

"Aye, aye Doctor."

"Commander, you may leave. Oh! I have a message for you, from the Captain." He pointed to his terminal. "It made no sense to me when I received it."

Chakotay looked at it and laughed. He was still grinning as he left.

Doc looked at the brief message again.

Kes leaned over and looked at it. "The last one back's a rotten egg???"