Cross Walker

1

First Officer's Personal log:

I have just awakened from a troubling dream or vision. I am not positive which it was.

As in my vision quests, I was walking in the land of my grandfathers. As I wandered through the beautiful countryside, I saw my animal guide, Wolf. She approached me. She seemed agitated.

She stopped in front of me and whispered to me to sit down. She spoke of other animal guides, giving me insights into problems some of the crew members were having.

I thought she was finished when she searched the surrounding landscape. However, she looked deeply into my eyes.

"Hear me!" she growled. "Captain Janeway is not your life mate. You must not get too close to her. You are in danger. I know you ponder a life with her. It is a very unwise thing to pursue."

She took a deep breath and continued through clenched teeth, "There is another. One you have never considered. I am afraid she is to be your life mate. She will be hard to win. You will think you have lost all. Bring her to me. I hope you will be able to introduce her to her animal guide as you did with Janeway."

"But, who is she? Why not Janeway? How will I care for anyone more than I do Kathryn? I have met everyone of the crew. There is no one who interests me." I told her shaking my head.

"I know what is in your heart for Janeway. I also wanted her for you but I am constrained. The cross walker insists you must seek the other." Wolf's voice was a low guttural sound.

"What do you mean, you are constrained? The cross walker, who is he?"

Wolf looked fearfully beyond me and gasped. "I have told him as you ordered. Leave me alone!"

I turned but saw nothing. "What is it?"

As Wolf turned quickly, she repeated. "You must seek the other." She ran into the deep wood.

"What other? Wolf, I don't understand. Please come back. Help me understand! Who is she? How will I know her?" I stood staring into the darkness where Wolf had gone. She had never left me before without comforting, peaceful words.

As I stood there another voice flowed over me. "I will guide you. Tears in the night are the raindrops just before the sunshine in the morning." I had never heard that voice so clearly before. I think I had heard it when I was very young before I got my animal guide. I vaguely remember a time when the voice kept me from stepping on a snake coiled and ready to strike. I had not thought of the voice for many years.

I heard the words and I was instantly at peace. A second later I was bolt upright in bed.

The peace of that moment is fading. In its place was a nagging sense of loss. I wanted to contact Wolf, but I was sure I would only hear the same thing. I am not sure how I know but I do. Without the guidance of Wolf I can't even go to Kathryn. How am I going to act when I am around her? She will know something is wrong.

Chakotay got out of bed. He replicated a cup of tea. He stood looking into the expanse of space and pondered his options. He had been able to hide his thoughts and emotions almost as if he were a Vulcan. He knew that if this vision were true, he would succeed despite the twist on his heart. He had lived long enough to know that his emotions could change and that they were not always to be trusted or obeyed.

"Very well!" he said out loud. "I will seek her."

Putting the cup down on the table, he said, "Computer, list the names of female crew members, except the captain, B'Elanna, and Seven." He was sure about the captain. He was also sure about the other two although he didn't know exactly why.

"Listing complete" was the response.

Slowly Chakotay looked over the list. Twenty minutes later his wake-up call sounded. So far none of the women meant any more to him than before the dream.

He decided to look at one more entry before taking his sonic shower. The next person was Ensign Annalisa Larson. As he stared at the screen, he heard or felt or sensed the word "yes!" Chakotay felt conflicting emotions, dread and excitement. Annalisa was a pleasant looking young woman. She was an ensign in security. The only thing he could recall about her personally was that she was quiet and reserved. Tuvok had never faulted her work. He saw by her record that she had a commendation for bravery under fire. She saved three other crew members during a conflict with the Kazon even though she was wounded herself. She had graduated the academy three years before joining Voyager.

Chakotay entered the sonic shower with his head almost spinning. A junior officer? How could she be the one? Captain Janeway and he had discussed the Star Fleet rule about fraternization. She was not a stickler on that rule except with regard to herself, but he had not tried to bend it.

"This is ridiculous! Stupid! Impossible! What I am thinking?" He spoke his thoughts out loud against the hum of the shower.

But against the backdrop of his confused, tangled thoughts, he could hear the voice. It drowned out everything else with wordless peace. It was the right thing to do. He was certain. He would seek her out at the first possible moment.

After Chakotay reached the bridge, he wanted to forget his dream and the quest to seek out Ensign Larson. He tried to lose himself in the routine of duty.

Captain Janeway broke in on his revelry. "Commander, are you with us this morning? You have said no more than three words in the last five hours."

"Yes, Captain, I am with you. I didn't sleep very well last night. I'm sorry I am a poor conversationalist today. I hope my job performance hasn't suffered as a result," Chakotay answered.

"Of course not, Chakotay. Would you like to leave early? You have been working hard lately. Maybe you should take some holodeck time."

"No, thank you, Captain, I'll be fine." His voice was strained.

"I must insist, Commander," she persisted. "You look pale and tired. In fact, I want you to report to the doctor and then take the next two days off."

Before he could argue, the captain interrupted with "That is an order, Commander."

"Aye, Captain," he said and left the bridge.

He reported to the doctor and received a clean bill of health. The doctor noted that he was suffering from minor fatigue and suggested that Chakotay rest. Afterward, he wanted to return to the bridge but remembering Kathryn's order, he went to the mess hall.

There was only a small number of the crew in the mess hall at that time of the day. Chakotay ordered the special of the day from Neelix. He didn't usually order a meal like this in the middle of the day, but his stomach told him that he had forgotten to eat anything in the morning. Looking around the room for a place to sit, he saw Ensign Larson eating alone, reading. Before he could stop himself, he stood in front the ensign.

"May I join you, Ensign?" he asked.

"Why, yes, Commander. It would be an honor." She put down her PADD. Her gray eyes were round with surprise and concern. "Is there something you need?"

"At ease, Ensign. I would just like your company for while, unless you don't have the time. I wouldn't want to keep you from your duties." He sat down across the table for her.

"Oh no. I'm not on duty for the next two rotations." She fiddled with her food as she fell silent.

Chakotay studied her without staring for a few minutes as he, too, ate his meal quietly. The ensign was a fair woman of average height. Her blond hair was coiled around her head in a style that reminded him of women in Norse mythology from ancient Earth.

"Ensign Larson, where are you from? Earth, I assume?"

"Most of my family lives St. Paul-Minneapolis. I am of Norwegian blood. My ancestors went to America to obtain land and to find freedom of religion. I am happy to say they were very successful in finding the latter but not the former." She offered this with a smile of pride.

"Land, hey? My ancestors were forced to move to a new planet. Although my father's side of my family came from central America, my mother's family called the old American southwest my home."

"My grandfather, the one who moved to America, in the late 1800s, moved to Arizona. He felt more of a call to be a missionary than a farmer. I remember reading a journal that my grandfather wrote after he came to live in Arizona. He may have met some of your people. He came to love them very much. He tried to bring the Savior's love to them but few listened. He said that they relied so heavily on their "guides" that they always chose a different way. He shed many tears over them in prayer but he wrote at the end of his life that he didn't mind the tears he shed over the people of Arizona. God told him tears in the night are the raindrops just before the sunshine in the morning."

Chakotay dropped his fork upon hearing the words of her grandfather. He felt his hair stand on end, wanting to tell about his dream, knowing it was too soon. He composed himself, picked up his utensil and resumed eating.

"Is something the matter, Sir?" Ensign Larson inquired. She had noticed. "I hope I have not offended you by speaking so freely."

"No, no, I'm fine. Just a little indigestion, I guess. And I'm not offended." He smiled as he changed the focus of the conversation. "I am sometimes amazed that we don't all get more indigestion from Neelix's concoctions."

Annalisa laughed, nodding her head in agreement. "I miss my mother's cooking. Have you ever eaten lutefisk? If you ate it, you would probably think Neelix had cooked it. It is Norse cooking at its best and worst all at once." Her eyes softened with the remembrance.

"I can't say that I have. But maybe you would replicate me some sometime?" The look on his face belied the casualness of the comment.

"I could try and I am not as domestic as my mother was." Annalisa chuckled self-depreciatingly. "My mother was a great cook. She didn't rely on replicators, either."

"Ensign Larson, I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?"

"Yes, but please call me, Annalisa," she said warmly.

"Annalisa, since we both are off duty, why don't we visit the holodeck?" Chakotay had just thought of a way to get to know her better. "Talking about Arizona has made me a bit homesick for my maternal family home. Would you come with me to my part of the desert Southwest?" When she didn't respond, he said, "Or choose one of your holo-programs. You do have some favorites, don't you?"

Annalisa hesitated for a moment before replying. "I do, but I'm not sure you would enjoy the visit. It is hard to explain, but my favorite is not the usual holo-program."

"I didn't know there is a usual program," was his response.

"You see, my favorite is one I wrote based on the journal my ancient grandfather wrote. Our family passed a copy of this journal down to each and every child. I could almost recite the whole thing from memory. My grandfather was such a godly, loving man. I have one old picture of my grandfather in front of the small mission cabin he build in the desert near a spring." She paused to find the right words. "It is very Christian, and my grandfather would talk to you about our Lord, Jesus. He would probably relate to you as a Native American and try to convince you to convert."

Chakotay laughed out loud. Then he sobered. "I mean no offense, Annalisa. I am sure that I can handle hearing the preaching of an old missionary. I would not be upset. I have never been in a holo-program with this format. I would be very interested to see the time period from his perspective."

"If that is the way you feel, I would be happy to share it with you sometime. However, I will have to make some minor adjustments before you do. A few of things are too personal. I would, however, love to see what you have programmed."

He nodded as he got up from the chair. "Would you like to go to the holodeck right now? I think I can get a holodeck now. I haven't used my ration for a long time."

"To be honest, I haven't used mine in a while either," she replied then agreed, "Yes, I would like to."

Chakotay made the arrangements for the holodeck. As they stepped through the door, they entered a hot, rocky landscape. The sky above them was clear and very bright. She caught her breath as she looked around.

Chakotay saw the wonder in her eyes. Annalisa started to walk to the nearest rock formation. She was like a child in a candy store. She was able to find all of the wonders that he knew were there. He had never brought any one here who responded this way.

As she asked many questions about the markings and area, she walked and looked. He could tell that she knew something about the area already. The time passed quickly. He had never enjoyed the holo-program like this.

After more than hour she began to slow. She began to look as if she were searching for something. "Is there a bit of shade where I can sit?" Her face was pale.

He motioned to an out-cropping which could provide some shade. She headed there as fast as she could.

"I am sorry. I need to sit down in the shade for a little bit. I'm not used to the heat and sun as I once was. I used to be able spend hours out here. Is there any water?"

"I always have water with me." He handed her a flask. As she lifted it to her lips, he began to apologize. "I lost track of the time. I usually have stopped in this place long before this. I am so sorry for your discomfort. We can go to sickbay if you are ill. I wouldn't want you be get heat stroke on the holodeck."

He was about to end the program when she touched for his arm and exclaimed, "Oh, no! I'm just a little tired and thirsty. The water is helping already. Please, let's just sit down for while." She sat leaning against a large stone in the shade.

Chakotay was reluctant but when he saw that color was coming back to her face, he sat in the shade with her. He opened his mouth to apologize again.

"No, Commander Chakotay, I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here. I have not been in this part of Arizona since before I left for the academy. My family is in the mid-west where Father is a chaplain for the police force in St. Paul-Minneapolis. He left the Arizona area police to move closer to the rest of my siblings. Most of them didn't love this land the way I do. I had plans to retire here."

"Well, you certainly seemed at home here, at least until you were overcome by the heat."

"I have never left for the desert without water before. Please don't tell my grandfather if you do come to my holo-program. I don't like being scolded even by a holographic grandfather," she said sheepishly.

"You have my word, if you promise not to tell my grandfather that I didn't notice your need for water sooner. I understand you reluctance to be scolded by a grandfather. My own grandfather is part of this program. Would you like to meet him? He is not easy for most people to understand, but I think you will like each other."

"Could I really? I would love too!" Annalisa stood up quickly. The action was too sudden. She became light headed and began to sway.

Chakotay caught her before she fell and helped her to the ground again.

"You are not ready for a walk just yet. In fact I think you are not well. The visit will have to wait. Computer, end program!" They were both sitting on the floor of the holo-deck grid. Chakotay helped her to her feet and keeping his arm around her waist, he escorted her to sickbay.

"Ensign Larson is a bit dehydrated." He informed the doctor.

"Lie down over here, Ensign." The doctor pointed to one the biobeds. The commander helped her to the table.

"I will be all right." Embarrassed, she tried to get up.

"You will be all right if you just lie back down, so that I might examine you. Commander, you may leave." The doctor took charge of his patient.

Annalisa did not want Chakotay to leave but she would not say so. She lay back down and submitted to the doctor's examination.

"No, I'll stay until I know how she is," Chakotay spoke to the doctor. He then asked her, "Unless you would prefer that I left?"

She looked at him beseechingly and motioned for him to stay. He stood to the side while the doctor finished ministering to her.

After examining her, the doctor proclaimed that Annalisa was only moderately dehydrated. He gave her a large container of fluid to drink with orders to drink more later. And when she had finished, the doctor told her that she could go back to her quarters if she had an escort. Chakotay agreed to escort her.

"Thank you, sir," she said as they reached her door.

"Please call me Chakotay," he insisted. "At least when we are off duty."

"Chakotay," she repeated as she smiled. "It will be hard to break the habit."

"I understand," he smiled back. "I will leave you now." He turned to go.

"Would you like to come in for a while, Chakotay?" she invited quietly as the door opened to her command.

"I would," he said as he followed her into her living area.

Annalisa invited Chakotay to sit down. She brought them both some water. She said, "Doctor's orders." She sat back in the chair opposite his.

"Are you feeling all right, now?"

"Yes," she sighed as she leaned back in the chair. "I'm embarrassed about the whole thing. I am sorry it happened the way it did."

"Please don't be. Up until you fell ill, I would say the time was one of most enjoyable I have spent with anyone else in that program. Mind you, I don't invite many to join me, but the ones I have invited never appreciated it as much as you seemed to."

"It was so good to be home even if were in the holodeck. You have captured a part I only vaguely remember. My grandfather took me to that place when I was very small. It is only a few miles from where my ancient grandfather first came to Arizona." Her eyes closed with the memory of it.

"Isn't strange that we would find out we were familiar with the same area after traveling so far from it? It became a second home to me while I was at the Academy. My uncle and maternal grandfather still live there. I wonder if our ancient grandfathers ever met."

She spoke wistfully, "I wondered that too, and if we will ever find a way back home for real."

"I must believe we will. I'm sure my sanity would leave if I thought we would never be back." Changing the subject he asked, "Are you ready for a meal? You didn't eat much our last meal, and you have been active."

"Hmm. . . I guess I am hungry. I hadn't really noticed until you mentioned it. But I can just bring something back here. That is what I usually do for my last meal of the day." Annalisa didn't know how take the commander's interest in her.

"I could go to the mess hall for you if you are not up to going - I don't want to impose on you any longer." There seemed to something in his voice that in suggested that he was reluctant to leave.

"You are not imposing. Just let me freshen up. I would like to join you."

Both of the officers were quiet as they proceeded to the mess hall. Upon entering they went straight to the mess line. Annalisa carefully looked over each item. Neelix was always concocting something new and nearly always exotic. She lifted a lid from a large kettle. Inside the kettle was soup. After sniffing the aroma, Annalisa served herself a bowl.

Chakotay spoke up from beside her. "You seem especially brave tonight, Ensign. Not many take such a large portion Neelix's soup at first."

She smiled, "I'm not usually brave. But the soup smells very much like my mother's vegetable soup, and I have learned never to judge a soup by its color." The soup was lavender with various pieces of blue and red vegetables in it.

Chakotay smelled the soup and proceeded to take a bowl himself. He led her to an empty table near the large window.

She sat in the chair he pulled out for her. He sat down opposite her, and out of courtesy he waited for her to begin eating. Instead of eating right away, she bowed her head. After a few moments she picked up spoon, scooped up some soup and took bite.

"Oh, this is quite good! I do believe I taste something like garlic." She began to eat with relish.

Chakotay didn't say or do anything for a moment; his eyes asked a question that he could not bring himself to ask aloud at the moment. He then picked up his spoon to sample the soup. He expression turned to one of delighted surprise.

"It is good! It is very like my grandmother's soup, and I agree it tastes of garlic. I hope he has more of what ever it is. This batch won't last long." He, too, began to eat. The two enjoyed their meal in silence.

Chakotay put his spoon down and said, "I'm going back for seconds. Would you like some more?"

"Just little more, please. And would you compliment Neelix for me? We must reinforce this kind of successful cuisine as much as possible." She handed him her bowl.

When he returned, he said, "Neelix is beaming from the compliment. He tells me that there is more in cold storage, too." He put her bowl in front of her and sat down.

He hesitated before asking, "May I ask why you bowed your head before eating?"

"I was giving thanks." She said this simply but she saw that he was still not understanding her meaning, she added. "I am a believer in Christ Jesus. I was thanking him for his provision and for this special treat."

"The soup is something special, but Neelix is the one to be thanked."

"That is why I wanted to compliment him, but I didn't mean the treat was the soup. I meant your company and the visit to your holo-home."

Something deep inside Chakotay was touched by this simple admission from the young ensign. "I have not met many followers of Jesus. It is such an ancient religion."

"Commander, with all due respect, are not your beliefs ancient as well?" She looked into his eyes without blinking.

Chakotay slowly smiled meeting her gaze, "You are right. Has your family been followers long?"

"The history of our faith goes back as for as Martin Luther in the 1500th century on earth. There were probably believers before that but the records of my family's faith journey begin then. Oh, I am sure that some of my family didn't believe even then, but love for God runs deep in my family." She held her head up as if expecting a negative remark from Chakotay. "I know that since the exploration of deep space, many have considered the Christian faith obsolete, but through the centuries there have been many who have said the same for various other reasons. Jesus said there would be trials of our faith, but through him we would overcome."

Chakotay pondered for a moment before speaking. "My people too have faced trials. The ancient religions have all faced troubles."

"Again with due respect, it isn't quite the same. Mine is not really a religion - I have a living faith. I think of religion as man's way to try to reach God. Christianity is God's way of reaching man. I have put my faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus." She told him calmly yet with strong conviction as she emphasized her statement by putting her hand over her heart.

The commander had never heard anyone talk like this. The Christian religion had always seemed cold and rigid to him. Annalisa was as fervent as any of his people were. She was the one the dream voice had shown him. It confused him because her faith was so different from his. He could only guess that she might be persuaded to join him in his way. Wolf wanted him to help her find her animal guide. He knew instinctively that she would not be pleased to be asked if she wanted a guide. This woman still did not touch his heart, but he felt that he had missed much by failing to get to know her better.

"Maybe you can tell me about your beliefs later." Chakotay stood up. "Would you like to meet my grandfather tonight?"

"Thank you, I would like to wait until another time. I'm a little more fatigued than I thought I was. I think I will go back to quarters now." She also got up from her chair.

"I am sorry. Our holodeck visit must have worn you out ."

"There is no need for regrets. I am glad that you asked. We will just have to do it later."

"Please let me walk with you."

She nodded and went to the door and into the hallway.

As they walked, Chakotay asked, "Annalisa, what about tomorrow? I have been given time off duty. Do you have plans for your time off, or could we find something to do together?"

"I really don't have any specific plans. I usually spend my time off reading. My holo-programs have been making me a little homesick, so I haven't been there for a while until today," she told him quietly.

"Why don't we find a holo-program that is so different that we will both be diverted. How about dinner in Acapulco? Climbing the Alps? Swimming the English Channel?" He smiled at his choices of scenarios.

"Well, Commander, most of your choices require too much energy for my liking, but I have never been to Acapulco before."

The commander grinned, "I was hoping that you were not in the mood for exercise other than a little dancing. Which is why I mentioned the other places."

"Very clever strategy," she teased.

"Well then, I'll see when I can schedule the holo-deck tomorrow. I will let you know the time. Good night, Annalisa."

"Good night, Chakotay."

Chakotay lay in his bed thinking over the past day. Annalisa was so unique in her views. He was intrigued by her quiet faith. He was also surprised that he wanted to spend the next day her. He could hardly believe that he invited her to dinner in Acapulco. Where had the idea come from? He smiled to himself. He had always liked the small café on the quiet beach out there, and with that thought he drifted off to sleep.

In the morning the comm beeped first then she heard, "Ensign Larson, this is Chakotay."

"Yes."

"I have reserved the holodeck for several hours. We will be able to start at 1600 hours, if you agree. Also I would like to go 'summer casual' if you don't mind."

"I think I can find something." She started mentally to sort through what she had with her.

"Oh and this place hasn't changed much in two hundred years."

"I guess that helps narrow it down for me."

"Good, I'll come by for you about 1530."

"I'll be ready, Chakotay."

2

Chakotay was a little uncomfortable with the attention he was getting from the crew members he passed on his way to Annalisa's door. He was dressed in western jeans and a light blue chambray shirt. He wished he had waited to change.

He arrived at her door promptly at 1530. Annalisa had been sitting waiting for least 20 minutes. She jumped at the sound of the door chime.

"Come in," she called to him.

As Chakotay entered the room, his chest tightened. He was unprepared for her transformation. Annalisa stood before him in a flowing sea green dress. The fabric was iridescent; it looked like the sea. The style was reminiscent of a Grecian gown he had once seen in an ancient illustration. It was sleeveless with a round neck. A gold cord, which was attached at the shoulder, crossed over her chest, wound around her waist a few times and was tied to the side. Her golden hair hung down, flowing over shoulders and nearly to her waist. It was held away from her face with sea green clips. Her face was slightly flushed.

"I hope I chose the right thing to wear." She fingered the material nervously.

"You look wonderful," he said the words slowly with emphasis on each one.

"Thank you," was all she said.

"Shall we go?" He made a sweeping gesture with his hand toward the door.

As the pair walked to the holodeck, they made even more of an impact than Chakotay had alone. He realized that he was glad that she was with him for the evening. He moved a little closer to her, putting his hand lightly on the small of her back. He surprised that he suddenly felt territorial. She was very attractive out of uniform. He even wished he had suggested she wear a coat. He wanted no one else to look at her, especially in the way he had earlier. It was a relief to him when they reached the holodeck. Annalisa was nearly out of breath. She wondered why he walked so fast to get there.

After he had entered the program and initiated it, they walked through the door. It was a moonlit place. A tiny building stood before them. It could have been called a shanty. Multi-colored paint peeled back from its dirty gray walls. From the shanty came a cheery light and even cheerier music. There was a sign above the door which read "La Nina".

Noticing her glance at the sign he said, "It got is name nearly 200 years ago. It was the only business to survive a class-5 hurricane during a weather phenomenon by the same name. No has wanted to change the name since. Thought it was good luck, I guess."

Once they were inside a short, wiry man greeted them. "Chakotay, mi amigo, it is good to see you again. You must introduce me to this beautiful senorita." The man reached for her hand, lifted it to his mouth and kissed it. He looked to be of Mestizo descent. He was dressed in white with a red scarf about his neck. His smile was large and full of holes.

"Fildelfo, it is good to see you too. I would like to introduce you to Annalisa Larson. I hope my table is available." Chakotay was, again, surprised to feel almost jealous of the holographic waiter.

"This way, Senor." Fildelfo led them to a table next to the biggest window.

"Bring us a bottle of wine while we wait for our meal," Chakotay ordered, then asked her, "I took the liberty of ordering dinner. I had Neelix replicate my favorite meal. I hope you don't mind."

"No, I don't mind in the least." She smiled.

The waiter brought the bottle of wine to the table. He poured wine for them both. After the waiter left, Annalisa quietly asked, "Is this holographic?"

"No, I ordered it from Neelix, too. Why? Don't you like this kind? I should have asked you before I ordered it. I'm sorry." He apologized.

"No, it's not the wine. It's just that I don't drink much."

"You don't have to have any. I don't think I'll have much tonight. Your company is intoxicating enough." The words were not what he had intended to say, but he found that they true.

"I'll try not to let your words go to my head either, Commander." She was blushing.

He was going to admonish to her to call him Chakotay when he saw a teasing look in her eyes. He chuckled.

As she lifted her glass, she saw Neelix enter the room. He was carrying a tray of steaming food. He headed straight for their table.

"Ensign Larson. Commander Chakotay, here is your meal just as you ordered. I was tempted to add a few of my own spices but I restrained myself this time."

"Thank you, Neelix, I appreciate your self-control. This looks just the way I like it." Chakotay was relieved. "Thank you for taking the time to do this."

"My pleasure. Ms. Larson is one of my favorite people to cook for, and when you mentioned she was to eat with you, I wanted the meal to be perfect. I will leave you two alone now."

They both expressed their gratitude to the Talaxian as he left.

This time Chakotay waited while Annalisa bowed her head to pray. He used the brief time to study the young woman before him. Even in the dim light of the cantina her hair shimmered with gold lights as if the sun was shining on it. It cascaded over her shoulders, moving to nearly cover her from view. He wanted to stroke it, to feel the strands in his fingers. He could hardly keep from leaning over the table to touch her head as it was bent over her hands. Then she lifted her eyes to his. He was the first glance away.

As they began to eat, Chakotay waited for her reaction the food. She chewed with obvious enjoyment. "This is incredibly delicious. What is it called?" she asked as she took another forkful.

"Three cheese enchilada," Her enjoyment made him happy with his choice. "My mother's own creation."

"I wish I could tell her how wonderful I think it is." Her face showed regret as she saw his face suddenly sober. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean say to something so dumb."

"You didn't say anything dumb. I was just wishing that you could do the same thing. Home sometimes seems closer in these programs, but always out of reach." He picked up his fork and began to eat in silence.

In the next few minutes as they ate, a reflective stillness came over them. Both of them were lost in thoughts of home and family. The quiet was broken when Fildelfo came to the table.

"Amigo, do you have any requests for our musicians? They are eager to play for you." He bowed slightly as he gestured toward the band on the other side of the room.

"They know my taste. Let them choose. We will enjoy anything they play, Fildelfo." Chakotay smiled at the proprietor.

"Very well, Senor, I will have them play something romantic. You will want to dance, no?" Without waiting for an answer, he walked toward the musicians.

"They play tolerably well." He chuckled. "I hope you'll join me on the dance floor later?"

"I'm not sure I know how any more. I haven't danced since the Academy and only twice then. I would probably step on your toes." She tried to make her refusal graciously.

"I have reinforced toes in these boots." The commander grinned at his joke. "Besides if you follow my lead, I'm sure that we'll do fine. I'm a brilliant instructor."

She smiled at his teasing and nodded. "I'm sure that you are. Very well, I will dance but only after I finish every bite of this wonderful meal."

"It's a deal." He resumed eating.

A little later a waiter came to their table with a tray of desserts. Annalisa followed Chakotay's lead in choosing a small dish containing a small pastry.

To the question in her eyes, he said, "it is 'tamales de dulces', a sweet tamale."

"It's good, too. Thank you, Chakotay, for this feast."

"My pleasure." He held her glance for second. "My pleasure." He repeated before he dropped his eyes toward his dessert.

Annalisa felt her face redden again in response to his comment. She was happy when he started to eat the sweet. His simple words were full of meaning. She felt uneasy. She prayed silently as she finished eating that her Lord would guard her heart.

Chakotay pushed his dish away and picked up his wineglass. After drinking its contents and putting down the glass, he stood up offering his hand to Annalisa. "Shall we?"

She took his hand and stood. It was only a few feet to the tiny dance floor. The band began a lovely ballad as they stepped onto the old planking. Chakotay held out his arms to her. She moved closer resting her left hand on his right shoulder. As he put his one hand at her waist, he took her other hand in his and began dancing. She tried to concentrate on the few steps she had learned. She felt awkward and stiff.

"Relax! I'll guide you, Anna." He spoke softly as he pulled her closer to him. No one before except her grandfather had ever shortened her name like that without provoking her anger. However the emotion she was experiencing was far from anger. She could feel a warm envelope of desire surround her. Her whole body strained to be even closer to him. Chakotay brought her hand to his chest and laid his cheek on hers. The dance flowed around them as they barely moved to the music. Chakotay could not refrain from caressing her silken hair.

Annalisa sighed with pleasure and reached her free hand up to the back of his head. She wanted the joy of touching his hair. Through the fog of erotic sensations, she felt Chakotay stiffen slightly before pulling her even closer. He began to plant soft kisses on her cheek and neck. Suddenly she realized how far she had let herself go. Gently, but firmly she pushed away from Chakotay.

He stood with his hands at his sides, fists clenched. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Commander. I think I'd better leave." She hung her head and would not look into his eyes.

She started toward the door when he grabbed her arm. "I think we need to talk about what just happened. Let's walk on the beach for a while. Maybe it will clear our heads."

"Okay, for a while." She reluctantly followed Chakotay out the back door of the cantina and across the patio. When they reached the roughly hewn rock steps, he offered his hand to guide her down to the beach. Hesitantly she took his hand. At the bottom of the stairs the beach was white in the moonlight. Instead of releasing her hand Chakotay laced his fingers with hers and began to walk on the sand.

They walked not speaking for a few minutes until they came to a large piece of driftwood. "Let's sit down here." He said waiting for her to be seated before he sat down.

He let go of her hand. He toyed with the right way to start the conversation. He seldom experienced the force of longing he had a few minutes before on the dance floor. Even thinking about it brought back the yearning. He stared ahead of him at the shimmering water. He was sure that she had responded the same way. What made her stop? Was she concerned about fraternization?

"I'm sorry, Anna." His voice was a whisper. "I didn't mean to push you."

"You didn't push." Her voice sounded near tears. "I walked into your arms. I wanted you to continue. I was the one who should have stopped us sooner." Tears began slide down her face. Annalisa put her hands over her face.

"What we experienced was not wrong. I am not ashamed to tell you that you are a very desirable woman, and you needn't worry about protocols." He touched her shoulder. "We can be discreet."

"You don't understand, Chakotay." Her look pleaded with him to listen. "My parents taught me about sanctity of marriage and intimacy. They were both virgins when they got married. They told me of the wonderful gift it was, to be able to give to one another something they had never shared anyone else. I want to share that with only one, the man I marry."

She took a deep breath and continued. "I was close to ruining the precious for a time of pleasure. You aren't a believer. In the Holy Word I am told many times that earthly pleasures are fleeting and to run from this sort of thing. I think we should not be together like this again. I have enjoyed your company. You have been most kind to show me your holo-programs, but I think we would be wise to stop this now."

As Chakotay listened, he suddenly felt ashamed in a way he had never felt before. It was as if he had been caught trying to steal the gift she had been saving. He had never felt any guilt like it before. He was suddenly glad she had stopped them. He had great respect for her. He would make it up to her.

"Anna," He picked her hand from her lap, holding it very lightly. "I promise it will never happen again. Only, please, I want to know you better. I want to be your friend. Besides you still haven't visited my grandfather." He tried to lighten the mood.

Annalisa was subdued and did not respond for several moments. She searched her soul for a reason to say yes, but she was uneasy about her fleshly inclination toward Chakotay. She was obviously naive about male and female relationships. She was fighting a battle; her soul might even be in jeopardy. It seemed that way at least.

"I trust your word, Chakotay." She hesitated.

He heard the unspoken word, "But?" He said it for her.

"But I am not sure about me. I am ashamed of myself. I allowed you to think I was ready to give something when I wasn't. I am so sorry." She pulled her hand away and clasped both her hands together tightly. "We are so different, our beliefs, our backgrounds, our cultures. I would like to be your friend, too. But will we able to be just friends?" She gazed into his eyes, trying to read his answer there first.

"I will be your friend." He emphasized the last word as if it were a vow. "And only a friend if that is your wish. I think I understand your concerns. Let's agree to be friends." He offered his right hand to seal the agreement. She grasped his hand with hers.

"Good!" He stood to his feet and helped her to hers. "Computer, end program." The quaint scene faded and the holo-deck grid appeared in its place.

As they walked down the corridor toward her lodgings, he asked quietly, "Shall we visit my grandfather in the morning?"

"In the morning? No, it is the seventh day. I attend services in the morning on the seventh day."

Her statement puzzled Chakotay. "Seventh day? Services? I don't understand."

"Pardon me. I'm not trying to be obscure. The Holy Word commands believers to remember the Sabbath -seventh day- to keep it holy. As there are no other believers on board, I have established a routine of spending time every seven days in worship and meditation. I have a small space in my quarters dedicated as a chapel." She hoped she had explained enough.

Before he could change his mind, he asked simply, "Do you ever invite anyone to join you?"

"I have," she looked down at the floor, "but no one has accepted the invitation."

"Perhaps you have not invited the right person." He fell short of asking for the invitation.

She looked into his eyes, searching for any mocking. When she saw that he was serious, she spoke softly, "You may join me if you'd like."

He smiled. "I would like, thank you. What time?"

"0930 hours." They had stopped in front of her door. She said, "Thank you for the evening." She extended her hand to him.

"You have given me many things to think about, and I am sure that tomorrow will equally thought provoking." He looked at her small hand as he took it his own. Her touch was soft yet there was strength in it, too. He squeezed her hand gently and released it. "Good night, Anna." He turned and walked away from down the hall.

"God's speed," she said quietly to his retreating back and entered her room.

---

Annalisa was very nervous as she prepared for the service. She had always hoped for someone to join her but she never thought it would Commander Chakotay. She decided one thing even before she retired for the night. She would not change her routine. Still the decision did not calm her anxiety.

Sleep did not come quickly. After she drifted off to sleep, her dreams were chaotic and unsettling. She could not sleep soundly. After she had been tossing around for a few hours, she got out of her bed. She walked to the other room. Sitting on her sofa with her feet beneath her, she searched the stars for patterns.

"Here I am again, Lord. I am afraid I will fail. I have never had anyone come to service before. I guess I thought someone might accept my invitation some day, but never someone such as Commander Chakotay. Should I change my plans? Show me what to do." She prayed. As she quieted her spirit, she began to be reminded that it was not her work but His.

"Forgive me, Lord. I know I can do nothing without you. Nothing will happen unless you do it. Please send Your Spirit. Help me be your servant." As she continued to humble herself before the Lord, the apprehension lifted. She decided to go ahead with her previous plans.

Checking the time she found that it was 0700 hours. Because she was going to get up at 0730, she began preparations early. She had programmed her grandfather's sermons, so that she could view them on her video display unit. She had been viewing a series of messages on living for Christ. Although it seemed to be a strange one for a visitor, she would trust the Lord's direction.

As was her routine, Annalisa donned a white robe that her mother had made for her. She knew that Annalisa would most likely be the only Christian on board. Thinking the robe would remind her of home and her Lutheran church, she designed it after one that Annalisa had admired in a church history book. The robe flowed straight from the gathered shoulders. The long sleeves came to a point at the back of her hands. The only ornamentation was a simple blue stole that hung around her neck down to her waist. She wore her hair loose, leaving it to hang down her back.

Annalisa spent the time before Chakotay came in prayer. She was concluding her prayer when the door tone sounded.

"Come in."

Chakotay felt uncertain as he entered the room. Indeed he was not expecting to see Annalisa so appareled. He was surprised at his reaction to the simple look of the ensign. He pushed down any emotions except interest in the service. This was no time to think about her that way.

"Good morning, Annalisa." His smile was casual. "I hope I'm not late."

"Good morning, Commander. You are just in time. Please come, sit over here." She pointed toward the chairs she had pulled up in front in the view screen. She sat down next to him.

"I start the time with prayer. I usually sing a few songs. Lastly I view on of the prerecorded sermons of my grandfather's and end with prayer." She paused in her explanation, "I must admit I am nervous about you being here."

"Please don't be. I am not here to find fault. I have no basis for comparison. I have never been in a Christian service. Just go on as usual, Anna." He tried to ease her apprehension.

"Thank you, I will try." She then bowed her head and prayed aloud. "Father, God of the universes, I want to thank you for a friend to share this time with. Thank you, too, for the safety of this ship and crew. Please continue to give Captain Janeway and rest of the senior officers the wisdom needed to meet our needs and to get us safely home. Make our hearts open to your word and today's teaching. In the wonderful name of your son, Jesus, amen."

The ensign tapped the controls and began the program. Pictured before them was a large open auditorium filled with about three hundred people. A group of eight stood on a raised platform in front of the crowd. Music filled the room. The eight began to lead the congregation in singing. The song was not familiar to Chakotay. The words were displayed at the bottom of the picture.

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand-
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
And the burden of the day.

Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears
Two wonders I confess-
My sinful self my only shame
My glory all the cross.

Chakotay listened to the clear soprano voice of Ensign Larson as she sang the old song. His emotions began to long for a home in the present wilderness. The look on the young woman's face told him that she believed the words to the song.

As the music faded, he gave his attention back to the view screen. An older man ascended the stairs. He stopped in the middle of the stage. He wore a blue robe trimmed in white and gold. The robe was like the one Annalisa was wearing except it was much more ornate than hers.

As he spoke, the whole hall quieted. "I will begin by reading from the book of Romans.

'If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf be reconciled to God.''

The speaker put down his book and began to teach the people about the importance of being ambassadors for Christ. Chakotay felt at a loss to understand the strength and force of the man's passion. He turned to watch Annalisa's reaction. He found that she was listening intently, forgetting him entirely. As the man spoke of becoming friends with unbelievers, he posed the question, "Have any of you spent time with your unbelieving friends with no motive but to really know them, to find out their pain, their joy, their ambition? Or have you merely thought of them as heathen or potential converts? Christ was a friend to those who needed a friend. He loved before he was loved."

Annalisa's expression became pained. She was anguished over what he said. Tears filled her eyes and slipped down her cheeks. And as the sermon ended, she sat staring forward for several moments.

Quietly she began to pray. "Lord, I am sorry that my motives have not been yours. Forgive me my, sometimes, superior attitude toward others. Show me what you want me to do. In Jesus' name, amen."

Chakotay was uncomfortable not knowing what to do next. He shifted in the chair. Chakotay's movement brought Annalisa out of her reverie. She smiled shyly and dried her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Commander. I don't usually get this emotional. I just realized a lack in myself." She reached to turn off the computer.

"Don't apologize. Your grandfather is a powerful speaker. It was an honor to hear him."

"Thank you for coming, Commander. I hope you feel free to come again sometime."

"I just might do that. Now pardon my ignorance but is your service finished?"

"Yes."

"In that case, I would like to suggest a picnic lunch on the holodeck at my grandfather's cabin."

"I would like that. Would you excuse me for a minute while I change?"

He nodded his agreement. After she left the room, Chakotay surveyed the living space more closely. There were several pictures of what he thought must be her family. One showed her standing next to her grandfather at her Starfleet graduation ceremony. He radiated with pride, standing with his arm around her shoulders. Seeing all the members of her family gave Chakotay a deep sense of loneliness. He had little family left. The thought came to him that her family was all but lost to her, also.

Annalisa returned to the room. She had changed back to her uniform. Her hair was back in tight coils. Her demeanor was calm. Only her eyes showed any sign of tears.

After they entered the mess hall and Chakotay went to retrieve their lunch, Annalisa went over to a table where B'Elanna Torres and Tom Paris were sitting.

"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt your meal, but I have a request of Lieutenant Torres."

Torres was curious, "By all means, ask me."

"Does the invitation still stand, the one to teach me that game you told me about. I'm sorry I can't remember what you called it. I am also sorry that I didn't accept before." Annalisa smiled disarmingly. "I have always disliked new games. I guess I didn't like being at a disadvantage. I don't like to lose." She added honestly.

"Of course! I would love you to teach "E' Dano'. Tom could even help you by being your partner. I won't need one." B'Elanna spoke with confidence.

Tom Paris added, "Maybe you'll lose this time, B'Elanna."

"Let me know when you have time, Lieutenant Torres."

"Please call me, B'Elanna, Ensign."

"Annalisa, my name is Annalisa." She turned to see Chakotay approaching. "See you both later." As she joined him in the middle to the room, she overheard Torres' surprised statement, "I never thought she would want to play anything with me."

As both of them walked toward the holodeck, she pondered Torres' words.

"I heard what B'Elanna said. She is very sensitive about her heritage. I am sure she has misunderstood you," he tried to reassure Annalisa.

"I'm not so sure that I didn't come across to her that way. I don't feel that way but I was intimidated by her." She frowned, then shook her head and whispered, "Lord, forgive me."

Chakotay changed the subject. "I have reprogrammed our entry point so that we will be closer to the cabin. That way you will not have to walk so far in the heat. I want no repeat of yesterday."

"Thank you."

They entered the holodeck. The cabin was only about 100 meters away. Annalisa stopped and turned around 360 degrees. Again he could see that she was enthralled. When she had stopped turning, he took hold of her arm and guided toward the small cabin.

When he touched her, she jumped a bit then she gave a short laugh. "I'm almost unable to get enough of this place. It startles me how much I miss it when I come back. Again thank you for letting me come here with you, Chakotay." Her face shined with gratitude.

"Your enjoyment multiplies my own," he responded as they reached the cabin's tiny porch. There was an old chair on the porch. In the chair was a sleeping old man. Chakotay put his hand on the old man's shoulder. The old one looked up at his grandson and smiled his welcome. The old man spoke a greeting in a different tongue. Annalisa was surprised to understand most of it. It must have been from her grandfather's journal.

"Grandfather, this is my friend, Annalisa Larson." Chakotay introduced them. "Annalisa, my grandfather."

Grandfather took Annalisa's hand and peered deeply into her eyes. "You have the eyes of the morning dove."

"My grandfather always called me his little gray dove." Her eyes suddenly filled with tears of remembrance.

Grandfather dropped her hand and turned to Chakotay. Grandfather spoke again in their tongue, warning Chakotay about what could happen to his heart at the hands of this little dove. Chakotay laughed and spoke in English. "Grandfather, we must not insult our guest. She doesn't understand our language. I apologize for our impolite slip into our native tongue."

"I accept your apology, but I do understand some of your language." Her glance was mischievous. She chuckled when Chakotay flushed with astonishment and some embarrassment.

"You are full of surprises, aren't you? I will be much more careful from now on," he said as he turned to the door of the cabin. "Let's go inside out of the heat to eat our lunch. Grandfather, you may continue your nap if you would like."

Grandfather nodded as he returned to his chair and his nap.

Chakotay opened the door for Annalisa and followed her into the room. A small stove stood against the far wall. Every other wall was covered with many Native American artifacts. In the middle of the room a small table and three chairs stood on an exquisitely woven rug. Hanging under one of the windows was a bag made of animal hide.

Chakotay pulled out one of the chairs for her to sit on. She sat down but continued to look at the bag with curiosity.

"That bag is Grandfather's medicine bundle. It is one of the most beautiful you will ever see," he answered her unasked question.

"It is rare," she agreed.

"Are you hungry yet? Neelix's soup should still be hot."

"Let's eat!" She began to open the bundle Neelix had prepared for them. When everything was ready, she bowed her head, praying silently again.

Chakotay was strangely affected as he watched her lips move without sound. At least she is consistent, he thought. I'll bet she is praying for me. He didn't know how he knew that.

They began their meal quietly, both of them uncertain as to what to say. Soon, however, Annalisa began to ask about Chakotay's grandfather. Chakotay answered each question. She was fascinated by story of his grandfather. As they finished the meal, they fell into a companionable silence.

Chakotay was about to suggest they go for short walk when the comm signal sounded. "Senior officers to the bridge."

"Computer, end program." The Arizona desert disappeared. Chakotay turned to Annalisa and said, "I'll have to get back to you later."

"I understand," She motioned for him to go ahead. Annalisa watched the first officer as he left the room. She slowly followed him through the door. Her mind was buzzing with conflicting thoughts. She wanted to pray for him, knowing his need of the Savior. On the other hand, because of her strong attraction to Chakotay, she knew she must pray for her own moral strength to remain steadfast.

"Lord," she prayed silently, "he doesn't believe in You. Move on his heart; draw him to you with your love. I know my heart is becoming more involved than it should. I need your grace to know the next step. Keep me true. Only you can keep me from falling." By the time she reached her rooms, her troubled mind was at peace. God had the control. He would carry her through.

3

Upon exiting the turbolift, Chakotay noticed the other officers were there ahead of him. "Pardon me, Captain. I hope I'm not late?" He joined the group standing next to the captain.

"No, Chakotay, most of us were already here." She greeted the first officer then spoke to the whole group. "We are nearing a M-class planet. The information from the scans is very impressive. All scans show earth-like atmosphere, lush vegetation, and no life signs other than few smaller animals. There is no sign of the planet being inhabited, no signs of any civilization. I want to send an away team to explore and to bring back anything we might use for food."

The captain turned to Tuvok, "Choose a couple of security officers to accompany the team." Addressing Neelix, she answered his unspoken question. "I want you to set up an area so that we can examine the vegetation when the team sends it back."

"Chakotay, you will lead the mission. Take whomever you wish. Dismissed."

On his way to the turbolift, Chakotay paused at the tactical station and spoke to Tuvok. "I would like to have Ensigns Pak and Larson go with us to the surface."

"Very well," the Vulcan's replied.

Chakotay assembled the away team in the transporter room. Each of the ten members carried the necessary equipment to forage for food, including a large satchel for bringing back whatever they found. The two security officers carried phaser rifles in addition.

The first officer gave the command to energize. The crew materialized seconds later on the planet's surface. Almost in unison the team gasped in awe at the beauty around them. Trees, which hung heavy with fragrant fruit, stood close by in every direction. There were bushes of all different shapes and colors lining vague meandering paths. On these shrubs were a variety of bright berries, seed pods and fruit. The scent of flowers also overwhelmed the senses.

After a few silent moments, Chakotay spoke softly. "It looks like the Garden of Eden."

Members of the team voiced their agreement. Crewman Dempsey said, "I just hope we don't find the serpent." The group laughed, then sobered as Chakotay began to give orders for gathering the harvest.

"I want to split up into two groups so that we can get a better idea of the scope and amount of vegetation here. Mark these coordinates. Meet back here in two hours.

Ensign Pak, you are the security for the first group. Dempsey, O' Donald, Palmer and Dix are with Pak. Survey this immediate area. Pick as many different samples as you can. The rest of you come with me. We will go a couple hundred meters that direction."

Chakotay took the lead and as security Annalisa covered the rear. The group walked quietly, observing the landscape and foliage. Ensign Larson's awareness was heightened. She felt an increasing sense of dread. When Commander Chakotay signaled them to start picking the fruit, Annalisa approached the first officer.

"Commander, something isn't right here," she said in a near whisper.

"My tricorder shows nothing unusual. What have you found, Ensign?"

"I can find no physical signs. I just have sense of foreboding. Maybe it is just too perfect. Permission to go on a little farther."

"Permission granted, Ensign, only don't go farther then another hundred meters. I don't want us spread to thin."

"Aye, Commander!" She went deeper into the beautiful jungle. With every step she became tenser. She felt she was being watched but every scan that she made showed no evidence of any life form. She tried to figure out why she was so nervous. She sent up a prayer for wisdom and discernment. Immediately it dawned on her. The presence she felt was the presence of evil.

"Lord, protect us," she prayed as before her eyes appeared a being bathed in a cold, cheerless light. It reached toward her with something that looked like a weapon, a large hook with fiery barbs attached. She turned and began to run back toward the others. As she came within a few meters of where she had left them, she heard phaser fire.

Surrounding the team was many of the creatures she had just run from. Each of the crew was starring at a different one of the beings with phasers drawn. Annalisa lifted her rifle to cover her crewmates. She fired but the phaser had no effect on the creatures. Suddenly each of the beings somehow launched the fiery barbs towards crewmember closest to it. Each of the weapons hit one of the crew except her. The one that came in her direction stopped as if it had hit a force field. It fizzled at her feet. The rest of the crew was not physically hurt by the darts, but they looked stunned, and each crewmember dropped his produce bag and phaser.

"Commander Chakotay," she called to the first officer. He did not respond. He began to follow the being in front of him as it moved into the dense forest. The rest did the same. She ran to the commander and grabbed his arm, trying to restrain him.

"Leave me alone, Ensign." He shook her hand off and continued to walk after the creature. As the rest of group passed her, she tried to stop them but they pushed her aside too.

"Commander, where are you going?" She ran to catch up with him. "What are you doing?"

"I'm following my animal guide," he told her flatly. Startled by the revelation from Chakotay, she stepped aside. As the rest of the team passed, she felt for her comm badge to call the ship, but it was gone. It must have fallen off when she was running though brush. She rubbed her head, trying to think of what to do.

"Pray," a voice spoke very close to her ear. She turned around trying to see the source of the voice. A tall, young man in white stood next to her.

"Who are you? Who are they?" She demanded to know.

"I am a servant of the Lord sent to protect you. They are followers of the evil one."

"Are you an angel?" She whispered the question.

"I have been called an angel or a ministering spirit. I am your guardian spirit. This is a wicked holding place. It is not a place for mortals. You must pray. You must do battle with these evil ones for your friends or they will die here." He touched her shoulder as she started to tremble.

"Daughter of the King, do not be afraid. Remember; Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. The Lord is the Lord of this universe too. He is your strength. He is your shield. Pray and believe. He has overcome and you will too." His words filled her with some confusion.

In panic she dropped to her knees. As she began to petition her God, she was filled with renewed faith. The longer she prayed the more power came over her. She knew she must do as the guardian said. She must fight for the freedom of her people. Rising from her knees, she hurriedly went after the rest of the team.

They had walked for a while when they were joined by the other part of the away team. They were following after the same kind of beings. Soon they came to a rock wall. There was an opening in the ragged wall. Each creature led the crewmember they had barbed through the opening in turn. Annalisa followed the group into the cave. The area inside was large. And as her eyes adjusted to the dimness, she could see her crewmates walking into smaller openings in the wall of the big cave.

Ensign Larson followed after Commander Chakotay. He walked woodenly toward the back of the smaller cave. The light in the cave came from phosphorescent rocks in the walls. When her eyes were better adjusted, she looked around her quickly. The creature was in a far corner and Chakotay had found a place to sit about three meters from it. The being seemed to be saying something to the commander, but the ensign could not hear what was being communicated. The evil one glanced at her occasionally as Annalisa examined the rest of the cave.

Scattered over the floor of the cave were many artifacts and bones. It seemed many had died in the cave. Annalisa picked up a few of the artifacts and put them in her satchel. She came closer to Chakotay. Leaning down toward him she put her hand on his shoulder. She tried to shake him out of the trance he seemed to be in.

Receiving no response, she spoke into his ear. "Commander Chakotay, we must get back to the ship. We are in danger here."

He shrugged off her hand and angrily snapped, "My animal guide is speaking. I cannot leave."

When the entity then spoke something that sounded like an order. Chakotay nearly screamed at her. "Get out, now."

Astounded by the force of his words, she decided to leave to check the rest of the crew. First she reached over the first officer's shoulder and took his comm badge. The next cave held Ensign Pak. He was seated in the lotus position with an odd smile on his face.

"What do you see, Ensign Pak?" she asked quietly.

"The holy Buddha." The reply was simple.

This cave was also littered with remains, as were all of the rest. Each crewmember was seeing a religious or spiritual being. None could respond more than few words before the creature there became angered. She stood outside the caves in the light of sun. Her body began to tremble. The power and confidence of the time of prayer were leaving. She lifted up her voice in prayer once more. As she did she again heard her guardian say, "Courage, mighty warrior, you are not alone."

The angel stood just behind her left shoulder. "The King will never leave you or forsake you. Remember his Word. It is your greatest weapon in the conflict ahead."

"I needed a reminder, thank you. And thanks be to God!" She pushed her shoulders back. "What do I do next? I am only one."

"There is a legion here to protect you, but you must use the armor of God. The master has given you the plan already. You must believe and follow."

She quieted her spirit to hear the Lord's plan again. Taking a deep breath, she uttered, "If the Lord be for me, who can be against me?" Leaving the cave area, she hurried to the transporter coordinates. She activated Chakotay's comm badge. "Larson to transporter room. One to beam up."

"Ensign, where have you been? Where are the others? We have been trying a reach all of you for some time," the voice of Tuvok questioned.

"Commander, I will answer your questions on board. Also beam up the food bags and phasers that are in this area."

"Energizing."

The ensign materialized in the transporter room with a mound of weapons and food surrounding her. The security officer stepped forward, but before he could speak, Annalisa said, "I must talk to the captain."

"She is on her way." Tuvok told her. "She will meet us in the next room."

The two had just seated themselves when the Captain Janeway and Ensign Kim came into the room. Janeway sat next to Annalisa, her face showing much concern. "Where is the rest of the away team?"

"They are in caves on the planet. It is inhabited by spirits, evil spirits."

"Spirits? There is no sign of any life forms but small animals on the planet." Tuvok stated.

"I'm trying to explain. There are many spirits beings on the planet. They are non-corporeal. They are not energy. They are spiritual. They have somehow overpowered the crew. Each one of the crew believes that they are in the presence of a deity or spiritual master. None of them seem able to leave where they sit."

"In addition I have found evidence that many others have died in these caves." She took a breath to steady her and reached for her satchel. "I found these in the caves and there are many other things like them down there."

"Tuvok, we must send a security team help them."

"Pardon my interruption, Captain, but they will all end up the same way. Our weapons are completely useless. Phasers have no effect."

"Did you notice any weakness, any way we can free the crew?" Captain inquired impatiently.

"Yes, Captain, I know their weakness. That is why I am here now. I am wearing the right armor and I have the correct weapons at my disposal." The ensign lowered her eyes. She then raised her glance to meet the captain's. "'The weapons I fight with are not of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.'"

"I don't understand," Janeway shook her head in confusion.

"I must fight them with spiritual weapons. God sent a guardian spirit, angel if you will, to help me. He will not do my fighting, I must. After the crew is free, they will able to be beamed aboard."

"How can you fight an enemy that could captured nine others. I think you have been deceived with the others."

"Please let me do this. I can take one crewman with me. He can monitor my safety without being affected. He can establish a transporter link so that when they are free, you beam them abroad."

"What crewman?" the captain asked.

"The Doctor," Tuvok stated.

"Yes!" Annalisa said. "He is not flesh and blood. The spirits cannot influence him."

"Logical," nodded the Vulcan.

Captain Janeway rose from her seat and began to pace. "It doesn't make any sense. How can I order that kind of rescue?"

"Captain, I have Ensign Larson's tricorder reading from the caves. The only life signs are those of the crewmen. Also there is evidence of the bones the ensign mentioned but no signs of any other life or energy. I would recommend that the Doctor examine her for indication of hallucination."

Annalisa opened her mouth to object but though better of it. "I will go to sickbay immediately, if you wish, Captain."

"Do it," was the reply.

In the sickbay, with the captain and Tuvok waiting to the side, the EMH examined the ensign thoroughly. "I find no evidence of hallucinations. There are signs of stress but no more than to be expected from what she has been through."

"In that case, it seems we have no better choice at the moment. Doctor, we will need you to accompany Ensign Larson to the surface. You will see to the beaming up of the crew once they are released."

---

Back on the planet in front of the caves, the Doctor and Ensign Larson materialized.

"This way, Doctor." Annalisa entered the opening. She sensed an even stronger presence of evil than before.

She headed for the cave where she left Chakotay but her guardian spirit stopped her. "You must not begin the battle there. The Master has a different plan. Start over there." He pointed to the passageway on the opposite side of cavern.

Here, too, the evil presence was stronger than when she left. It seemed that being had grown in size and power. Chains seemed to be wound around the crewman, Ensign Pak.

Fear began to rise up in her heart when she heard the voice side her say "Fear not, daughter of the Master, not all is as it seems." Her heart rate began to steady as she focused on the words of the guardian.

"Forgive me, Father," she prayed. "I need your grace and power." Before her the evil one began to squirm and shrink.

"You, wicked one of the enemy, let this man free in the name of the Son of the Most High," she commanded with authority.

The beast dropped the end of the chain that he had been holding. And as he did, the chain about Pak fall to the ground. Annalisa ran over to Pak to help him to his feet. Pak steadied himself and looked around him.

"Where is the holy Buddha?" he asked.

"It was not Buddha. It was a lying spirit. You have to get back to the ship."

She turned to the doctor as she pushed the other ensign toward the entrance of the cave. "Contact the ship to beam him up while I go to the next cave."

Ensign Larson paused to seek guidance as to where to go next, while in the back of her mind she was worrying about Chakotay. She entered the next hole in the rock face. The being there was speaking to Crewman Dix. Dix was bound with what looked a length of silk cloth. From a distance it appeared to be soft and fragile, but as Larson came closer she saw that it was strong and rigid. Dix was smiling as she listened to the beast.

Annalisa asked Dix, "What is happening to you?"

"I am learning how to gain the wisdom of the ages. The ascended master is giving me much wisdom." Even as she spoke, Dix was distracted, trying to listen to the disguised demon. She turned back her full attention to the being.

Larson straightened up and spoke to the being directly. "Release her in the name of the true Master, Jesus of Nazareth."

The beast changed its focus to Annalisa. "You are weak. You can be defeated." It pointed to Crewmen Dix and said, "She belongs to me."

Ensign Larson bowed her head for a moment. She needed to know how to go on. She then lifted her head. "I am weak in my own strength but I come in the power of the Lord. Let her go."

The demon released its hold on the bindings and disappeared. The restricting cloth was gone too. Dix looked around her confused and disoriented. "The master, where is he?"

"Come, I'll explain later. The Doctor will help you get back to Voyager." Larson helped the woman to her feet and out of the cave. After handing Dix to the care of the Doctor, Annalisa returned to the cavern.

Cave after cave brought a much similar battle. Ensign Larson began to feel confidence and a little pride. She was winning, she would save her team, and the Lord was on her side. The only cave left was the one in which Chakotay was held captive. She stepped toward that opening when she saw several hideous forms in front of the passageway. She did not hesitate but continued toward them.

One of beings moved forward, "You are presumptuous. We have the man you admire. We know you desire him. You have lusted after him. You are not worthy for this fight. Your motives are self-serving." As he finished his taunts, he grabbed her, throwing her to the ground. She fought back but she was ineffective against the monster. Over and over she was pummeled and battered by the strong creature. She felt herself losing ground when she heard a voice speaking to her spirit. She had forgotten where her strength came from. "My Lord, help me!"

She heard the words, "Use the sword of the spirit!"

The words of the psalmist came to her. She began to speak.

If you make the Most High your dwelling-
Even the Lord, who is your refuge-
Then no harm will befall you,
No disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
To guard you in all your ways,
They will lift you up in their hands,
So that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

The beast that had been fighting her fell back screaming and disappeared. Her guardian lifted her from the ground. Annalisa looked again at the entrance to the place where Chakotay was. The beings that had stood there before were gone. She breathed a sigh of relief. Her body ached severely but she ignored the pain.

The Doctor reentered the cavern. He came to stand next to her. "Are you all right, Ensign?" He noticed her dirty, disheveled appearance.

"I will be fine, Doctor. Come with me to help Commander Chakotay."

As she entered she could not see the beast that had been there before. Going farther into cave, she saw an old man standing in the back.

"Grandfather, what are doing here?" The man held out his arms to her. She started toward him when she felt a tug on her arm.

"Annalisa, no. Do not be deceived. It is a demon not your grandfather." As the guardian spoke the man changed before her eyes. The spirit cowered back to the wall. Pure hate showed from his dead eyes.

The young woman dropped to her knees weeping. The Doctor stepped toward her.

"Are you injured, Ensign?" He touched her shoulder.

"No, Doctor, but I must pray." Annalisa glanced at the physician through a curtain of tears. The Doctor stepped back, not understanding what was happening.

The ensign prayed fervently for forgiveness and cleansing. "I was almost defeated once more. You have saved me from myself again. Thank you, Father. I was proud of my efforts and forgot who empowered me. I am nothing without you. Please help me free my friend Chakotay." She hung head in remorse. Slowly she felt the burden of guilt and despair lift from her. She stood to her feet, swiped at her eyes with her sleeve and turned toward the being at the wall.

The beast stared at her with great malevolence. He began to taunt her for her failure. "You are so arrogant. But you have no strength. Your friend will die because of you."

"In Jesus' name, shut up! You are a liar and a deceiver. Leave this place now." She faced the being with renewed strength. The spirit flinched but did not leave. Annalisa bowed her head again, asking for guidance.

"My Lord dealt with your master on the cross. You must obey in His victorious name." As she spoke the words, her guardian stepped in front of her with fiery sword drawn. He struck the beast with the sword and the beast was gone.

Annalisa walked to where the first officer was sitting on the ground. No chain or shackles were in view. Chakotay moved his shoulders as if they were stiff. He struggled to his feet as she reached him.

"Are you all right, Commander?" She inquired.

"I think so." He answered rather weakly.

The Doctor joined them with his medical tricorder activated. He surveyed Chakotay with the device before stating, "He will be fine with a little rest." With the Doctor's help she bought Chakotay out of the cave.

"I think we all need to return to Voyager. Larson to Voyager, three to beam up." Annalisa touched her comm badge.

The captain was in the transporter room when they arrived. Her relief was evident. "Chakotay, I'm glad you are back. And Ensign Larson, we are all grateful to you. I would like to see you all in the conference room in an hour. The rest of the away team will be there."

4

She had taken a sonic shower and changed her uniform before coming to the meeting. She had felt grimy and almost contaminated after the time on the planet. The team was seated around the conference table when Annalisa arrived, even Chakotay. They stood at attention as she entered the room. She felt her face become red, and she wanted to run from the room when the captain took her arm. Janeway led her to a chair next to head of the table.

"Be seated everyone." Janeway smiled. "Ensign Larson is uneasy with this attention, but I am sure I speak for everyone on the ship when I say that we are indebted to you for your insight into this situation. I do not know what might have happened to our crew if you had not been so discerning. Thank you, Annalisa."

The room erupted in applause. Annalisa's eyes filled with tears and her face flamed even hotter. As the clapping ceased all eyes were on her, waiting for her to speak.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. After a few tries she found her voice. "Thank you for your greeting. But please I am not the one to thank. The honor goes to God. He was the one who gave me the ability to do the fighting. I nearly fell for the same devious tactics. God used His Word and my guardian to save me from myself. I am not a heroine. I am merely a weak vessel the Lord used." She sat back in her chair with a soft sigh.

The captain spoke, "Well, Ensign, we are obliged nonetheless. For the record I would like to hear from each of you what happened to you on this planet. Ensign Pak, please give us your report."

Pak was very serious as he began, "I was nearly finished filling my satchel with fruit when I saw something behind some bushes. What I saw at first was hideous and ugly. I saw the thing raise what looked like a weapon. It fired. I returned fire with my phaser. The beam went through the creature." He stopped to take breath.

"The weapon hit me. I was not prepared for what happened nest." He glanced around the room and was met with nods of agreement. "The creature was gone. Before me stood the Holy Buddha. He beckoned for me to come to him. I was filled a wonderful serenity. I followed him."

"A few times I remember Ensign Larson trying to talk to me. I didn't want to talk to her; I wanted to listen to Buddha. Abruptly a battle broke around me. Then the Holy Buddha was gone, and the awful creature was there in his place. Ensign Larson was fighting the thing. She was dressed in something like brilliant armor. I couldn't move it was as if I was bound with chains. When fight was over, the ensign was alone and I could get up. Thank you, Annalisa."

Each of the team had similar tales. Annalisa fidgeted in her chair. She was thinking about the near failure, about her fear and about her pride. Chakotay was the last speak. She couldn't meet his gaze. She looked down at the table.

"When we first landed on the planet, Ensign Larson was uneasy about something. She told that me something wasn't right. I dismissed her concern, letting her go a few meters ahead to investigate to humor her. I wished that I had listened. After a few minutes of picking seed pods from a large shrub, I too saw a being, at first malicious looking. But after I was hit with the "weapon" I saw only my animal guide. It bid me follow. I wanted to do nothing else; I was compelled."

"In the cave Annalisa also tried to get my attention. I remember being very angry with her. I ordered her to leave. Later when she returned, my animal guide began taunting her. I was not sure why. I was not able to understand."

Annalisa lifted her head in surprise and met his eyes. He spoke directly to her. "You fell to your knees. I thought that you were hurt, but when you did, the room filled with bright beings, beautiful but obviously powerful. They surrounded you. I looked back to where my guide had been. There stood the same malevolent, dark creature I had first seen in the forest. It was holding a chain. I tried to back away, but I was shackled with the chain it had in its grasp. You finally stood up. You were instantly attired in armor, the likes of which I have never seen. You were holding a luminous shield. The beast threw volley after volley of its weapons at you. Each one hit the shield and fell sputtering to the ground. The creature's hatred radiated all through the cave. As you spoke, the expression of the being changed to utter terror. One of the bright beings raised his sword to the beast. With one blow the thing was gone, and so were chains that held me. You saved my life. I am in your debt." Annalisa could not bear to see the intensity of his look, so she again dropped her eyes to the table in front of her.

Janeway stood. "I am not sure that we will able to come up with a suitable token of our gratitude, but the senior staff and I are ready to try."

Annalisa emotions were overwhelming. She spoke in a whisper. "Captain?"

"What is it, Ensign?"

"I am unexpectedly weary. I would like permission to go to my quarters."

"I am so sorry, by all means, rest. Someone will escort you." The captain looked around the room.

"Please, no one needs to do that." The ensign stood to her feet. "I will go by myself, by your leave." When Janeway nodded, the young woman walked toward to door. She was almost through the opening when her legs seemed to lose their strength. She grabbed the jamb to stay upright.

Janeway opened her mouth to speak, but Chakotay had already moved to Annalisa's side. With his arm about her waist, he turned back to the captain; "I'll take her to sickbay, Captain." Without waiting for Janeway's response, he helped Annalisa out of the door and strode toward sickbay.

Annalisa tried to resist the arm he held around her, "Please, Commander, I just want to go to my room."

Chakotay stood still, gripping her tighter. "We are going to see the doctor."

She pushed against him for another second, then she began to sway. He caught her before she fell to the floor. He continued toward the sickbay with her in his arms. She was unconscious for only a couple of seconds.

As she regained her senses and opened her eyes, she spoke weakly. "Will you please take me to my quarters? I am so embarrassed. I don't want to go like this when I know I just need rest."

"I would like to oblige you, but we need to know what is wrong." Chakotay said firmly.

Annalisa turned her face toward his shoulder to hide the tears of frustration and fatigue that came to her eyes. Chakotay could feel their warm wetness on his skin through his uniform. "I'm sorry, Anna. Everything will be all right." He spoke softly into her ear.

The doctor met them at the entrance to sickbay. He had been notified of their coming. "Put her down over here, Commander." He began to examine her with the various medical gadgets at his disposal. "You are suffering from severe exhaustion, some bruises and contusions and mild dehydration. I have taken care of the minor injuries. But you must have complete rest for least the next 24 hours. I am going to administer a sedative. You will stay here until I release you." The medic reached for a hypo-spray but Annalisa stopped him.

"I want to rest in my own bed. Please, Commander, I can follow the doctor's instruction there." She pleaded with Chakotay as she tried to rise for the biobed. He gently pushed her shoulders back on the bed.

"Doctor, I could see to it that Ensign Larson gets to her quarters. I could even give her the sedative when we get there. I think we can be accommodating given the reason she so worn out."

"Very well, if you take full responsibility." The Doctor was reluctant but handed the hypo-spray instrument to the commander. "I would suggest you wait for a few minutes before you take her there. She does need to regain a little bit of strength to make it."

After about ten minutes on the bed, the doctor said that she was ready to leave, "Go directly to your quarters, Ensign."

"I will." She agreed as she slowly sat up. As she put her feet on the deck, Chakotay came to her side and took her arm. They walked steadily to the turbolift and then down the corridor to her rooms.

"Anna, why don't you get ready and into bed before I give you the sedative? I'll wait here until you tell me you are done." He motioned toward her bedroom. Annalisa walked lethargically into the other room, and the door closed behind her. Chakotay paced anxiously. He felt guilty that she was suffering because of him. Why had he not listened to her about the danger? Why hadn't his animal guide aided him as Anna's guardian had aided her? Her God was powerful. Chakotay wondered why this God of hers bothered to help them when only she believed in Him.

"I'm ready." He heard her voice muffled by the door between them. The door opened as he reached it. He saw Annalisa lying in the bed, her yellow hair down from its coils. She was holding the blanket up under her chin. His chest tightened again causing him to exhale quickly. She looked so vulnerable, so fragile, so pale and so desirable. He mentally shook himself. He must remember his promise to her to be just her friend.

"I'll give you the hypo-spray and then I'll leave you to rest." Chakotay came to the side of the bed and administered the soporific. He waited for it to work. He could see her features begin to relax.

Her eyelids started to droop when she groggily protested, "But I forgot to pray. Must pray. I can't sleep until . . ." Her speech stopped. She was asleep.

"Your master won't mind. You can pray another time. Sleep well, mighty warrior." He whispered softly. Despite his resolve he did not resist the urge to bend over her and kiss her. Then he left.

---

Twelve hours later the door tone sounded and she called out "Come in."

Captain Janeway entered the room. Annalisa got up. The captain said, "Please sit down. I only came to see how you are doing. I see that Neelix did bring you a meal." She smiled her approval, particularly with the fact that most of the food had been eaten.

"Yes, Captain Janeway, I am much better, rested. The food Neelix brought was very good. Thank you." The ensign smiled back at the captain. "May I have your permission to go sickbay?" she held up her hand when a look of concern darkened the captain's face. "I merely want get the Doctor's approval to leave my room. He told me twenty-four hours rest. I am feeling great, but I'm not going to go against his orders."

"I have no problem with that. In fact I'll go with you. I have something else to discuss with you, and it will depend partially on his opinion."

During their stroll to the sickbay, the crew members they passed greeted her with a new enthusiasm. Their respect and admiration was evident in the words and gestures of greeting.

In the infirmary the Doctor made a thorough examinations before speaking. "Ensign Larson, you have made good progress since last night. You will be ready for duty tomorrow."

"Doctor, may I leave my room at all today? I don't plan to exert myself, I just would like to go the mess hall for my next meal and maybe a small walk to stretch my legs." She waited for his answer.

"Yes, I suppose under those circumstances you may leave your quarters. But I certainly don't want you to overdo anything. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Doctor. I will do as you say. Thank you." She jumped down from the table with energy.

Janeway and Annalisa left the sickbay smiling.

"Well, Ensign, I am glad that the Doctor shares your opinion of your health. Because of that I want to tell what the senior officers and I are planning for tomorrow evening. Neelix is preparing a buffet reception for you in the mess hall. The away team and many others of the crew want to show their gratitude to you. I also have something in mind."

Annalisa spoke up, "Are you sure that it is necessary? I'm not comfortable with the idea."

"Annalisa, would you want to honor Tuvok or Chakotay or Pak, if they had done what you did?" Janeway looked seriously into Larson's eyes.

"I would, Captain." She let out a soft sigh before she continued. "I would like your consent to speak freely to group who gather. I want to make them grasp what happened on that planet."

"Fine, you have earned that right. I will see you there at 1900 hours tomorrow." The captain turned to go to the bridge.

"Aye, Captain."

Larson walked casually back to her quarters. Her strength was definitely restored. She even felt like singing, but satisfied herself with a soft hum. As she rounded the corner closest to her rooms, she spotted Chakotay standing outside her door. He seemed agitated and worried. He had obviously tried her door chime.

"Commander, here I am," she called down the hall. Chakotay turned and his expression changed from worry to confusion to relief.

"What are you doing? The Doctor said that you needed at least 24 hours rest." He looked stern as he asked the question.

"I have just been to see him. He gave me a clean bill of health. As long as I don't over do it, I am allowed out of my quarters today," she explained cheerfully with no hint of the fatigue of the night before.

Chakotay took a deep breath and admitted gently, "I was worried when you didn't answer the door. Are you really feeling better? Are you sure you got enough rest? Have you eaten?" His voice was filled with concern.

"I am fine and well rested. Neelix brought me some food a while ago. It was delicious, by the way. Neelix is on the verge of spoiling me. He must have found a good recipe data file." Her voice sounded strong and alert. She touched the keypad to open her door. "Would you like to come in for a moment? I would like to show you something I found this morning."

The commander nodded and followed her through the door.

"Chakotay, I wanted thank you for your help last night. I'm still a little embarrassed by my weakness, but after I read my Bible this morning I found something in the early history of the Israelites that reminded me of my experience." She picked up a book; it looked old but in good condition. "When I am discouraged and want to feel close to my grandfather, I read his Bible. There are notes he made. I can almost hear his voice just like when I was a little girl, and he would read to me from this Bible."

She held the book gently, caressing the cover before opening it to a place marked by a ribbon. She motioned to Chakotay to sit down as she sat on one of the chairs. She laid the open Bible on her lap as she started to tell the story. "There was a prophet of the Most High named Elijah. The king of Israel was a weak, wicked king named Ahab. His wife was a worshiper of the false god Baal. Elijah was a mighty prophet. It didn't rain for three and a half years upon his word."

"Another time he challenged 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to a contest on Mt. Carmel. He stood before all of the prophets, the king and the people of Israel and said, 'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.'"

"He told of his proposal. Each side would prepare a sacrificial bull as an offering but not set fire to it. He said, 'You call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers with fire - he is God.' The people thought that it was a good idea."

"The prophets of Baal and Asherah went first. They prepared the bull, built the pile of wood and began to call out of their god. They called on his name from morning until noon 'Oh, Baal, answer us! There was no response. They danced, they shouted, they slashed themselves with swords and spears until their blood flowed. They continued their frantic ministrations until the time of the evening sacrifice. But no one answered."

"All the while Elijah taunted them. 'Maybe he is asleep or busy or on vacation.'"

"Finally it was Elijah's turn. He built an altar with twelve stones and dug a trench around it. After placing wood on the altar and the sacrifice on the wood, he ordered 4 large jars of water to be poured on the offering and the wood three times. The water ran down around the altar and into the trench."

"Elijah stepped forward at the time of the evening offering and began to pray. 'O, Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me so there people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.'"

Annalisa stopped a moment in her telling to meet Chakotay's eyes. He was listening intently. Stories of the ancients always fascinated him.

She began her narrative again. "Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also the licked up the water in the trench. All the people prostrated themselves, crying out, 'The Lord - he is God! The Lord - he is God!' The people rounded up the false prophets and slaughtered them in the valley."

"Elijah prayed an end to the drought. The Lord answered and then gave Elijah the power to run ahead of the king to Jezreel. There the king told his pagan wife, Jezebel, the news. She pronounced a curse upon Elijah."

"He was so afraid of her he ran for his life into the desert. Mind you, he had started and ended a drought by the power of God. He had defeated 850 false prophets by the power of God, but he was afraid of just one woman."

"He sat in the shade of a bush and prayed that he would die. He was ready to give up. He felt sorry for himself. He felt that he was the only one who followed God. He was so tired from all that had happened he laid down and fell asleep."

"God sent an angel to feed him and give him water as he rested for two days. After his rest he traveled to another place where the Lord made Himself known to Elijah. He let him know that he was not alone. The Lord had reserved 7000 men who had not bowed to Baal."

She closed her Bible and put it on the table. "I don't think of myself as a prophet, but I am God's servant, and I tried to be his instrument down on that planet. I do often feel very alone in my faith. That and the physical exhaustion made me feel really sorry for myself; I didn't want to even talk about it. I surely didn't want recognition." She was humbled by the knowledge of her near abandonment of her Lord. She looked down at her hands in shame.

Breathing deeply, Annalisa spoke once more. "However, my Lord doesn't let go of me, just as he didn't let go of the prophet, Elijah. Yesterday after I callapsed he used 'angels' like yourself and Neelix to minister to me." Chakotay chuckled at the image of Neelix and himself as angels.

"I'm serious," she said. "You and the others helped me so that I could again see that I will never be deserted by Him. Thank you, Chakotay, you have been a friend in need."

"You're welcome, Anna." All at once he could not find the right words to say what he wanted to. He got up from the chair, went to porthole window and gazed into the space beyond. He wanted to understand this faith of hers. The belief of his people had been with him so long, but it did not always help him the way he would like. But he couldn't turn from their ways, could he? Finally he sat down again. "You seem to have found what you need in that book. If the God of the Bible is real, he seems to be with you strongly. I don't know what to think or believe."

"You can ask me anything you would like to know. If I don't know the answer, we can try to find it together. Please don't laugh, but maybe we could have a Bible study together." She was feeling bold as she spoke.

"I'm not laughing," he smiled slightly. "And I might just take you up on the invitation."

"That would be wonderful, Chakotay!" The light of pleasure that came into her eyes was nearly more than he could deal with.

"I want to ask you for a favor first. I am almost certain you will not agree but I have to ask." He leaned forward in the chair.

"What is it?" she questioned solemnly.

"I would like you to come on a vision quest with me. I want you to meet my animal guide. Earlier I would have tried to help you find one for yourself but now I would never do that. I know you have no need of one." He felt chagrined as if he were asking her to betray someone but he went on, "Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but the reason I am asking is because my animal guide requested it." He didn't look at her while waiting for her to speak.

"Chakotay, I think it would be wrong for me to do what you are asking. But as your friend I will pray about it and see what my 'guide' says." She reached over and touched his arm. "I will be praying for you continually that my God will make himself known to you."

"Well, thank you for not saying no immediately. And I hope your prayers are not wasted on me." He rose and walked to the door. "Goodbye, Annalisa. I will see you later." The door hissed closed after him.

Annalisa went to her small prayer cubicle. She knelt and began to pray. "Father God, I am unsure about what to do now. Chakotay is looking for answers. You are the answer for him. But he wants me to come on this vision quest. What should I do? Please show me." She stayed on her knees praying for the captain and the crew and praying for wisdom for when she spoke the people at the reception tomorrow. Sometime later she arose with her peace renewed.

She touched the PADD in front of her that contained her ancient grandfather's dairy. There was an entry she remembered reading. It might help her right now. Annalisa searched for quite a long time before the passage she wanted appeared on the device. She was right. Her grandfather had gone a vision quest once. He had done so with much trepidation. The word was clear about its condemnation of familiar spirits. He had fasted and prayed before hand. The Indian who had invited him was certain that grandfather would not be able to resist once he met one of animal guides. The native had been wrong, of course. In fact as a result of the quest the native renounced his guide and embraced Christ. There was an old photographic image of the man and her grandfather standing in front of the old man's hut, smiling, obviously happy to be together.

Annalisa put the PADD down. She stared ahead of her, unseeing. It was still unclear what she would do, but she was ready.

On the bridge Chakotay was distracted as he went about his duties. He did his work as usual but his mind was still mulling over what Annalisa and he had talked about. He had been wrong to ask her to go on the vision quest. His conscience plagued him on that account. By the end of his duty shift he planned to take back his invitation and apologize to her. He would do so after the ceremony tomorrow. It seemed that a burden was gone from his shoulders.

That night another dream came to him. It began the same as the other, with him walking in the land of his people. He saw Wolf in the distance. Again she was agitated, pacing back and forth. As he drew closer he could see that she had a chain around her neck. She could only moved in a small circle.

Her appearance was changed since he had last dreamed too. She was no longer sleek and strong; her coat was matted and ragged. She strained at the tether and growled at him. "See what you have done! Why didn't you bring her to me? She would have come because of you. I could have won. I could have been freed." She lifted her head and howled. His flesh crawled at the sound.

"But Wolf, I couldn't ask her to disobey her beliefs. She saved my life." He tried to explain. Then he asked, "Why are you chained this way?"

The animal stared at him with cold hatred. "I have always been chained. You have not seen them. You are chained, too. The cross walker, the woman's master holds the key." Chakotay looked at his arms and there were shackles on them.

"Where did these come from?" He tried to shake them off.

Wolf laughed a cheerless laugh. Then she looked behind her with great loathing. Chakotay looked up and saw a young man coming from behind a rock, in his hand he held the end of the chain.

The commander watched as the young man came closer to him. The man reached his hand out to Chakotay. The hand was scarred at the wrist. He spoke, "This wound was meant for you. I took it in your stead, my son. I want to be your Guide. I have kept this one from harming you." He pointed to Wolf who slunk back from his glance. "But now it is time for you to seek me. I have great and wonderful plans for you. My daughter is praying for you. As you know she is a mighty warrior in prayer."

The voice Chakotay knew; it was the one which had guided when he was young and imparted peace to his heart. Chakotay only needed to look into the man's eyes to see a kind of love radiate from them that he didn't know could exist. He began to understand that chain was of his own making. He was also keenly aware of his own soul in a way he had never been. He saw the many times when in his life, selfishness and willfulness had ruled him and bound him. He had followed a way that had seemed right, but now he could see that it had been a lie. His life had nothing to offer in order to earn this man's love. Now that he faced this perfect man/God, he saw that his lack. He sensed guilt; great, overwhelming guilt. Chakotay fell on his face on the ground. He was afraid to look up now that he knew his own condition and that the Man knew it too.

"Chakotay, your sin was dealt with on my cross. The chain of sin was broken. My love and forgiveness is a gift, one you need only reach out to take."

Chakotay's mind could not comprehend a gift so freely and lovingly given. He felt a hand touch his shoulder. He lifted his head to see the Man again. The love was still in his eyes, greater than before. It was pleading with him to surrender his life. Chakotay held out his fettered hands to the Man. As the Man touched them, the fetters fell off.

Suddenly Chakotay was awake with his hands stretched out in front of him. He rubbed his wrists; they still felt as if they were in irons. What had happened to him? Had Anna's Master really come to him in a dream? He felt again the guilt. He knew now he was a sinful man. He had prided himself in being better than most men. He had followed his own code well enough. But this God/man had shown him differently. What should I do now? His thoughts almost formed a prayer. The answer was simple. Talk to Annalisa.

He would talk to her as soon as he was able. No! He changed his mind. He would wait until after the ceremonies tonight. His wake-up call had not sounded yet but he was suddenly ready to meet the day. The memory of the love he saw in the God/man's eyes gave him hope.

5

Annalisa was putting the final touches on her preparations for the reception when she heard the door chime. She bid the person to enter. Commander Tuvok was standing outside the door.

"Commander, may I help you?" Surprise registered on her face.

"Actually, Ensign, I am here to escort you to the reception. As your immediate superior officer, it is my honor to do so." He bowed slightly. "It is nearly time to begin. Are you ready?"

She smiled at the Vulcan, "Why, yes, I am."

When they arrived at the mess hall, she was shocked to see so many individuals. As she and Tuvok entered the room, everyone became quiet at first then they all began to clap. Larson stood just inside the door, her face red but with a wide grin spreading across it. At this moment she was not uneasy about the applause. She would be able to give the honor to her Lord soon enough. She felt so much a part of this crew; they had become her family. Thankfulness filled her heart that she had been used to save their lives. Tears stung but she blinked them away.

As the noise died down, the captain moved through the crowd to her. Janeway took her by the arm and led her to a table set at the far end of the room. There were other tables arranged so that all faced that one. As she past closest to the kitchen, wonderful aromas assailed her senses. A large table was all but overflowing with food. Neelix stood beaming behind the table; he loved to provide a feast such as this.

Captain Janeway indicated which seat for Annalisa to use. She was to sit to the captain's left. The captain stood behind her chair and called the group to order. "Crew members of Voyager, as you all know we are gathered to honor one of our own." She put her arm around Annalisa's shoulder. "Ensign Annalisa Larson is our guest of honor." The group applauded again.

Janeway raised her hand to quiet them. "Please be seated." She ordered with a smile. Then looking down at Larson she continued. "We are in your debt. We want to take time to show you who glad we are to have you here. To thank you on behalf of the away team, Commander Chakotay has something to say."

The captain sat down as Chakotay stood. Smiling he surveyed the assembly and finally rested his gaze on Annalisa. "I have no doubt that we would not be here in celebration if Ensign Larson had not been with us on the mission to that planet. She distinguished herself with her insight and bravery. I think, however, that it is the faith she has in her God and his power that made the greatest impact against the beings of that world. Thank you, Ensign Annalisa Larson, for being willing to fight an enemy with weapons none of the rest of us had and for being a willing instrument in the hand of your God. Furthermore, I personally would like to thank your God for his help."

The tears that had threatened before now coursed down Annalisa's cheeks. Her heart nearly burst with joy to hear her Lord acknowledged so publicly by Chakotay. It was the best reward she could have imagined.

The silence was palatable as Chakotay sat down. The captain seemed to struggle with what to say next as she stood. She glanced at the buffet table and Neelix. "I think we should all sample the food our inventive cook has prepared. Neelix, do you have any instructions for us?"

"Yes, Captain, I do. Ensign Larson had mentioned some of her favorite Nordic foods. Well, Ensign, I have replicated lefsa and lutefisk for you. I must say the taste is very similar to Talaxian tog bread and xincuop. Please come to the buffet and enjoy the feast."

"If I may, Captain, I know there is something else that the ensign would enjoy before we begin to eat." The commander stopped both Janeway and Larson from leaving the table. Captain Janeway was curious so she nodded her permission. "Ensign Larson always says 'grace', I think it is called, before she eats. I think we should join her tonight. Will you lead us in prayer?" He turned to see the grateful look on Annalisa's face.

Annalisa bowed her head but lifted her hands in front of her. "Merciful God, I wish to thank you for your gifts of life, friends and this food prepared so carefully by Mr. Neelix. This thanks is given in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen."

She heard soft murmurs of "Amen" around her. It was a beautiful sound, one she had not heard for a long while. The captain motioned for her to lead the way to sideboard.

Neelix was there to insist she fill her plate with a taste of everything. The food looked very appetizing. After reaching the end of the table, she carefully maneuvered back to her place. She settled in her chair and waited for the rest of the people to their food. The captain was the first one back to her seat followed by Chakotay.

"Please, there is no need for you to wait to eat. Let's not stand on ceremony tonight, Annalisa." The captain punctuated her words by picking up her fork and taking a bite. Annalisa began her meal with the lutefisk and lefsa. She was pleasantly surprised to find that it was just like her mother's. Neelix had been watching for her reaction. She beamed at him with appreciation. He was greatly pleased and began to serve the rest with gusto.

Annalisa sat enjoying the food and the responses of the others, as they tasted the Nordic dishes. Chakotay grimaced as he tasted, chewed and swallowed a bite of lutefisk. She tried to stifle a chuckle but was not successful.

"I heard that." He said as he reached for his water glass. After the drink, he continued, "I guess this is proof I have no Scandinavian blood."

"My father was Scandinavian but he still disliked lutefisk. You either like it or you don't." She grinned as she took another bite. Swallowing she said, "I'll take it off your hands if you would like."

"Here you are, Ensign." Chakotay lifted the fish from his plate to hers.

"Thank you, Commander."

Chakotay lowered his voice and leaned toward her, "Anna, I would like to ask you something, but this is not the place. Could I come to your quarters for a few minutes after this?" He seemed to be almost apprehensive.

She was herself a little nervous about him coming but she trusted him. Plus she did want to tell how happy his speech made her "Yes, I would like to talk to you, too." She told him in equally quiet tone of voice.

Everyone was finishing his or her meal, when the captain tapped her water glass and stood to her feet. "It looks as though as it time for the ceremony to began. Unless, Ensign, you are not done with your meal." She gave Annalisa an inquiring glance. The ensign indicated that she was indeed finished.

"The senior staff and I have decided to honor Ensign Annalisa Larson, not only with another commendation but with a field promotion. Ensign, would you please stand?" Janeway smiled at the astonished expression on Annalisa's face.

Tuvok handed the captain a small box. The captain removed a junior lieutenant's pip from the container and attached it to Larson's collar. "Mr. Neelix, it is time for our toast."

The Talaxian began to pour wine for the assembly. When all were served, Captain Janeway raised her glass. "To Lieutenant Annalisa Larson, to her bravery and insight, her example is inspiration to us all. Salute'" The entire group lifted their glasses. There were murmurs of "Here! Here!" before all of them drink the wine. The captain remained standing as the rest were seated.

"Lieutenant Larson has asked for a few minutes to speak to you." She sat down while motioning for Annalisa to stand.

Larson rose to her feet. For a moment she merely surveyed the faces of the crew who were gathered. They were all smiling encouragingly up at her. She was very happy at that minute to be there. "Thank you for all of the kind things you have said. I am glad that I was present on the planet. However I am even more grateful that my Lord and God was there with me. I am nothing without him. It was his power and his weapons that saved all of us on the away team. It was only with his help that kept me from falling victim to their dominion. My Lord is the one we should be honoring right now. I want this lieutenant's pip to remind us all who the victor truly is." There was a reflective silence after she sat down.

As the reception wound down, Larson stood between Janeway and Chakotay talking. Crew members filed by registering their congratulations. Several of them quietly asked if they could join her for her seventh day service. Annalisa enthusiastically agreed; her delight apparent on her face. Words of praise for her bravery meant nothing in comparison to the desire of some to be with her on Seventh Day.

Nearly all the crew had left the room. Lt. Larson was a little tired but buoyant emotionally. Janeway tilted her head toward Annalisa's and said, "I want express again my thanks and congratulations for a job well done. Also I want to say good night." She bowed slightly before she left.

"Good night, Captain, and thank you," Larson replied sincerely.

Since the room was nearly empty, she knew it was time to go. She still wanted to thank Neelix for his part in the festivities. As she moved to where Neelix was clearing a table, Chakotay followed, keeping at a discrete distance because he didn't want to intrude.

"Mr. Neelix, I will always be grateful to you for your efforts tonight. You are an inventive chef. The lutefisk and lefsa were so close to my mother's, I half expected to see her in the kitchen." Annalisa took his hand in both of hers. Neelix looked if he had received a medal.

"You are most welcome, Lieutenant Larson. I will keep the recipes on file for you. If you are ever homesick for them, just let me know." The Talaxian beamed with pleasure.

She thanked him again and turned to leave. Chakotay was near the door, waiting for her. She smiled as she approached him. He allowed her to go before him through the doorway.

"Chakotay, I can't tell how much it meant to me to have you say what you did about my Lord. You are a good friend. And I think you are near to being His friend, too." She touched his forearm.

His face brightened with a smile, but he did not speak. They continued until they came to her door. She touched the keypad and the door swished open. "Join me, please," she said as she went to her sofa and sat down.

After he sat down beside her, he was silent for a time. He was struggling for the right words. "I guess I will start by giving you this." He produced a small drawstring bundle and held it out to her. Annalisa took it and loosened string. She tipped the contents into her hand. She gasped in delight as she discovered a stone attached to chain. The round stone was a flat piece Rybonian blood silver about 4 centimeters in diameter and less than one centimeter thick. One side was flat and smooth. However when she turned it over, she discovered carving on that side of the stone. It was a Chi Rho of deep red. Rybonian blood silver has a distinctive property. It comes from the mine, smooth and dark shiny silver in color, but when it is carved if a heated tool, the carving is blood red in color. Chakotay had saved the rare stone for a long while. Seeing the joy on Annalisa's face made him glad he had taken the time to carve it and give it to her.

"O, thank you, Chakotay! It is exquisite." Her eyes filled with tears. "How did you know to carve this design?" She put the chain around her neck and then held the stone to look at it again.

"I did research into the history of the ancient church. I found out about the symbol, Chi Rho and that was one of earliest monograms for Christ. It's very possible that it used to mark secret worship places for Christians in the Roman catacombs." He admitted simply.

Almost unaware of what she was doing, she hugged him. She did not linger however. She sat against the sofa back to regain her composure. "You said that you had something to tell me," She said expectantly.

He nodded but waited for a few seconds before he spoke. At the same time he turned toward her and said, "I had a dream last night. I would like share it with you because I think you can help me understand it." He proceeded to tell her dream. He left nothing unsaid. He told her about the God/man and his expression of love, the sin chains and the burden of guilt. As he ended the account, his voice was choked; teardrops ran down his face.

"Anna, is His love real? Could I be forgiven? It seems too much to hope and yet I do." He hung his head, hardly noticing tears as they landed on his hands.

"Yes, a thousand times yes! Chakotay, the Master died to remove the guilt and penalty for sin. He wants you to be clean from all this." She laid her hand on his shoulder. "You need only pray and submit yourself to Him. He says whoever comes to Him with a contrite heart will not be cast away."

"But my life has been so full of selfish choices. I lef