Title: Phoenix Rising: Fall 5/5
Author: Jessica
E-mail Address: Jessa5@aol.com
Size: 79K
Version: final
Category: A, U; K/T, K/f
Rating: PG
Teaser: On a Voyager that is run by the children of the original crew, where
protocol is disregarded and a 22-year-old can be a commander, Harry Kim
has settled into life as a Captain.  And though it seems to his impressionable
crew that his life is complete, there is a deep sadness that lurks inside . . 
. 

See part one for disclaimers.

Phoenix Rising
by Jessica Fisher

The ship rocked dangerously, and sparks flew from the engineering console on
the Bridge.  "Hull breaches decks six, eight, three, and twelve!" Michael
reported from Ops, shouting over the hissing of ruptured relays.  "We can't
seal them off -- the containment fields are nonfunctional!"

"Shields down to 2%," came Naomi's voice from the tactical station.  "We've
lost phasers!"

"Warp core breach imminent," the computer's calm voice reported.

"Bridge to engineering," Janice called.  "Carey, what's going on down there?"

"Sir, Carey's dead," came the frightened voice of a young woman.  Naomi
blanched -- Carey had been a father to her her entire life.  She redirected
her attention to the console before her.  "I don't know what to do!"

"We need to eject the core -- get all your people out of engineering and lock
it off!"

"I can't!  The controls aren't responding!"

"Warp core breach in ten seconds," interrupted the computer.

"Hull breach deck two!"

"Nine."

"Shields are gone!"

"Eight."

"Transferring all available power to-"

"Seven."

"-engineering, maybe they can get a containment-"

"Six."

"-field up!"

"Five."

"It's still not responding!"

"Four."

"Life support is going offline!"

"Three."

"Hull breach deck five!"

"Two."

"Life support is nonfunctional!"

"One."

"Hull breach deck one!"

"God save us."

***

Harry glanced up as a bright explosion lit up the sky.  No, it couldn't have
been, they couldn't have- "Kim to Voyager!  Respond!"  His hail was met with
silence, not even the static that meant the communications system was 
offline. 
Voyager was gone.

He ran blindly on, heading into the mountains surrounding the city.  He ran
for what seemed like an eternity, not knowing if the guards were still chasing
him, not really caring either.  He ran until he collapsed on the ground in
exhaustion, his entire being focussed on drawing air into his lungs, then
releasing it.  In, out.  In, out.

Groaning, he rolled to one side and was met with a view of an opening in the
rock face of the mountain.  A cave -- maybe he could find shelter, evade the
troops that might still be chasing him.  Harry dragged himself into the
opening, feeling the rock cold and unyeilding beneath him.  It was a good
place to die.  *Today is a good day to die,* a vague memory spoke in his 
mind. 
Die.  To die, to finally be relieved of the pain he'd carried with him for so
long.  It would all be over.

Then why, he wondered, am I hiding from the guards?  He answered himself
thoughtlessly -- because I'd rather kill myself than die like B'Elanna did. 
With that thought, Harry passed out.

***

INTERLUDE

"He is not dead."

"He sleeps."

"He wants to die."

"We are capable of aid."

"We shall aid him."

Harry awoke to the odd voices of the figures in black robes surrounding him.

"He wakes."

"He wonders."

"Who are you?" Harry asked, confused.

"We will help you."

"We can change time."

"We will move you to your former self."

"When your goal is accomplished, you will be taken back to the present."

"What goal have you?"

"I don't understand.  You want to send me back in time?  To do something?  How
does that help *you*?"

"We can aid."

"We must aid."

"Where shall we take you?"

"What is your desire?"

*My desire?  Who are these people?  Messing with the timeline is dangerous. 
But maybe if I could go back a few days, maybe avoid Kezval, then maybe . . 
.* 
After all, what did he have to lose?  "I want to save Voyager and her crew."

"It shall be done."  The figures reached their hands over him, and a bright
white light engulfed him, burning, searing, and then--

***