The Other Torres | A Star Trek Fanfiction *Book 1*

Heroes and Demons-Chapter 32

"Captain's log, stardate 48693.2. We've altered course to investigate some unusually intense photonic activity in a nearby protostar. Lieutenant Torres and I are beaming aboard samples for further analysis." said Janeway.

[Engineering]

"Containment field is active. We're ready for transport." said B'Elanna. "Energise." said Janeway. Glowing orange gas fills a container. "That's strange. Both containers should have been filled." comments B'Elanna. "Here's the problem. A slight breach in the annular confinement beam." said Janeway looking at one of the screens. "I'm aborting transport. Okay, let's try that again. Energising." said B'Elanna.

Both containers fill this time. "All right. I'll get a complete phase spectrum analysis on this as soon as possible." said B'Elanna. "If this photonic matter works as well as I think, it could boost the efficiency of our power converters fifteen percent." said Janeway. "I'd say more like twenty." replied B'Elanna offhandedly. "How long will it take to finish the preliminary analysis?" asked Janeway. "Um, six hours. Maybe more." said B'Elanna. "I'd like to get it sooner than that. I believe Ensign Kim and your sister are off duty. Could you use their help?" asked Janeway. "Can you convince them to give up their free time?" asked B'Elanna, she knew her sister was far too stubborn to willingly give up her free time.

"I think I might be able to. Janeway to Kim, Janeway to Amanda." Janeway tapped her combadge, there was no reponse from either of them. "That's odd. Computer, locate Ensign Kim and Commander Torres." said Janeway. "Unable to comply. Ensign Kim and Commander Torres are not aboard the ship." said the Computer.

B'Elanna and Janeway looked at each other.

[Bridge]

"Sensor logs show no record of any unauthorised transporter activity and all shuttlecraft are accounted for. If Ensign Kim and Commander Torres left the ship, they did not do so by conventional means." said Tuvok, Tom was listening in, he wanted to know if Amanda and Harry were alright. "His last shift ended four hours ago, and he was scheduled for time on holodeck two when he went off duty. No one has seen him since and Amanda, her shift ended around the same time." said Chakotay. "Scan the holodeck." said Janeway, she sees Tuvok scan but knows somethings wrong. "What's the matter?" Janeway asked. "There is significant interference in the holodeck. I cannot obtain a clear scan." replied Tuvok. "Is it a system malfunction?" asked Janeway. "I do not believe so." said Tuvok. "Commander." said Janeway nodding to Chakotay.

[Outside Holodeck two]

"The holodeck is definitely active. There appears to be a programme in progress." said Tuvok. "Can you shut it down?" asked Chakotay. "Manual overrides are not functioning. I cannot terminate the programme." replied Tuvok. "All right, let's go in." said Chakotay, not having a better idea.

[Holodeck - Forest]

Night time. Frogs are calling. "Computer, identify programme." said Chakotay looking around. "The programme in progress is a holonovel based on the epic Earth poem Beowulf." the Computer confirmed. "Beowulf?" asked Tuvok. "An ancient English epic, set in sixth century Denmark, if I remember correctly. It's about a hero named Beowulf who fights a creature that's terrorising a kingdom and murdering its subjects. Monsters and swordplay. That sort of thing." replied Chakotay. "I'm not detecting any life signs but there's still considerable interference." said Tuvok. "I can't determine the source." said Chakotay.

A spear flies past and stick into a tree. "Speak as a friend or stand challenged." said Freya one of the characters. "Computer, delete character." said Tuvok, Freya didn't disappear. "The holodeck command systems must not be functioning either." comments Chakotay. "We must also consider the possibility that the safety programmes are malfunctioning as well." said Tuvok. "I am Freya, shield maiden, daughter of King Hrothgar. I hold this guard post against any intruders who would bear us harm, so declare yourselves. I will hear your answer before you march any further through this land." Freya said. "We have no desire to trespass. However, we are on an urgent mission, so if you would allow us to continue, we would appreciate it." said Tuvok, he was trying to reason with a hologram. "What land do you call home? Your faces tell me you are not men of the Danes. Are you kinsmen of Beowulf and his guardess, the Miss Amanda?" Freya asked. "Yes. We are Beowulf's kinsmen and friends with Amanda. My name is Chakotay and this is Tuvok. Have you seen Beowulf?" asked Chakotay.