#but seriously it was a terrible idea

[shsy7573]

We’re in This Together - Ch. 8

For more info or chapter index, see overview post

DISCLAIMER: I do not own own Voyager or any of the characters in this fic (except for the aliens. Those were my creation.)

*This story is not beta-read and has not been edited or proof-read in any way! This was just something I threw together over the past three days and decided to post as my first entry on this site!*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER EIGHT

Even though they had left the ruins, the Captain didn’t think she’d be able to get the image of the Arachnoman attacking its friend out of her mind. Not for a long, long time. She was grateful when B’Elanna told her that she’d only heard what happened. Kathryn didn’t want her Chief Engineer to be going through what she was.

It was hard to tell if the nausea was from the venom in her system, or from the sign of the creature’s remains. Either way, it was taking all of the Captain’s willpower to keep it down. She couldn’t afford to lose the little amount of food that she had inside her.

Somewhere along the path, B’Elanna had looped an arm around the Captain’s waits for support. All the walking had seriously irritated her ankle, and she could practically feel her foot swelling inside her shoe.

Long story short, neither one of them was doing great. What else was new?

They continued walking. For three and a half hours all they did was walk. Staggering onward down the long, winding, endless tunnel. They pushed onward though, renewed by a new sense of hope as the floor seemed to slope upwards. And even though the incline made their journey harder to bear, neither one dared complain.

So far, the tunnel had shifted directions twice. Looping once until it seemed they were going the same direction they’d come from, and then again a little further down the path, putting them back the way they were originally headed. After that, the ground had become more uneven. Weaving up and down in varying degrees of steepness as they walked. But even as it did, there was no question to the fact that they were travelling upwards.

Now, though, the ground levelled out as they came across yet another cave. About a metre in, the ground beneath their feet slanted down in an almost completely vertical drop. The bottom of the pit was over fifty feet down, creating a large, vast canyon between both sides of the cave.

Tall, flat pillars of stone spanned the gap of the cavern, creating an imperfect path of stepping stones across the great expanse. The distance between each pillar was just narrow enough to be able to jump from one to the next… or at least, narrow enough for an Arachnoman to jump from one pillar to the next. A human and a half-klingon, though, that was a different story.

“Are you kidding me!” B’Elanna yelled, her voice echoing down the canyon walls, before bouncing up the other side, and curling back across the roof of the cave. The amplified noise sent a fresh racket of agony pulsating through the Captain’s head, and she raised an instinctive hand towards her ear.

“There’s got to be another way across.” Kathryn reasoned, looking around the cave for any sign of a bridge or an outstretched ledge.

“Why would there be?! The Arachno-stupid-aliens wouldn’t need it! So there would be no viable reason for them to—“

“—There!” Janeway exclaimed, pointing down the side of the canyon.

Now, it was worth noting that the length of the chasm far exceeded the length of that singular cavern, with each side of the cave pressing right up against the canyon’s edge. Almost to the point where there was no distinction between the two as the canyon expanded onwards.

Almost.

At the border of the canyon and the cave, there was a lip just big enough for a foothold. It seemed to run all the way along the edge of the canyon, before going out of sign behind a bend in the wall. And, not too far from the wall of the cave, was a very small, very thin bridge running from one side of the ravine to the other.

A way a cross.

“Oh.” B’Elanna startled, “oh, there is.”

They looked at each other, each sporting a hopeful, optimistic gaze. A smile broke across the Lieutenant’s face, and the Captain’s expression quickly mirrored it. With a renewed spark ignited in their hearts, they made their way towards the wall.

B’Elanna allowed the Captain to go first, professing that she didn’t have too good of a track record with climbing. Accepting this, Kathryn slowly inched her way onto the narrow ledge. Even with her back pressed firmly against the cave wall, her toes still poked out into the open air.

Halfway to their destination, her brain reminded her that she was not as fit as she was when they’d gone rock climbing, and one bout of dizziness could send her hurtling off the edge. That wasn’t even considering how hard it would be to cross the bridge.

For a moment, Janeway’s hope began to dwindle.

“Maybe this was a bad idea.”

“Oh it definitely was a bad idea!” B’Elanna exclaimed, keeping her eyes trained on the far side of the ravine. She refused to look down. “Unfortunately, it’s our only idea.”

The Captain sighed, continuing to shuffle down the ledge. The engineer had a point, there.

Far too soon for the Captain’s liking, they made it to the bridge. It didn’t look as tiny as it had from the cavern, but it still wasn’t a promising sight.

B’Elanna, immediately seeing the issue, looked back and forth between her hesitant Captain and the bridge.

“Ohh… yeah, this was a bad idea.”

Janeway looked back at B’Elanna, a mischievous glint in her eye as she responded. “It’s our only idea.”

The Captain took one determined step onto the bridge. The fast movement made her world spin for one terrifying moment, before she restabled herself. She shot her Chief Engineer a winning smile, which did not go very well received.

“You’re gonna fall!”

“I am not gonna fall! Watch!” She took another step. Now, she was completely off the wall, and balancing on the bridge, which was just barely wider than one of her shoes.

“Captain!”

“Relax!”

“I am not relaxed!” B’Elanna yelled. Although, despite herself, she found her smile returning. This was completely dangerous. Extremely reckless. But oh, so Janeway. It was ridiculous.

She watched as her Captain took another step. Bringing the foot from behind all the way around and setting it in front of the other. Her arms swayed as she did so, allowing her to keep her balance as she repeated the process with the next foot.

“Wait for me!” B’Elanna said, forcing her own body away from the safety of the ledge. “Someone has to be there to catch you!”

“I’m not gonna fall!”

“If you say so!”

Not two minutes later, Janeway did, indeed, almost fall. A fresh bout of dizziness flooded over her as she looked up from her feet to see how much father they had to go. Her body tipped, and her arms flailed as her feet lost their hold.

In the fog of her mind, she didn’t even process what was happening until it was over. B’Elanna reached forward and grabbed the woman’s backpack, pulling her back on the ledge.

They were silent for a moment, remaining still as both women regained their nerves.

“Told you you were gonna fall.”

“I didn’t fall.”

“You were falling!”

“But I didn’t fall!”

If B’E’lanna wasn’t using her arms to balance, she’d facepalm. Instead, she settled for a deep, loud exhale, “You’re the worst!”

“Careful! Wouldn’t want you to be hanged for insubordination.”

The Lieutenant rolled her eyes, but didn’t say anything as they continued their perilous shuffle across the Madman’s Tightrope.

-

Half an hour later, the pair reached the over side of the cave. The minute they were able to step away from the canyon’s walls, they collapsed.

Also immediately, B’Elanna started giggling. “You are so lucky I was with you.”

“I was fine!”

“You nearly feel like four times!”

“Actually, it was five times.”

“That’s not any better!” The Lieutenant laughed, all the terror she had felt over the past thirty minutes coming out as one, big fit of humour.

The Captain listened to the engineer’s laughs for a moment before responding, “we made it didn’t we?”

“Barely!”

Unable to help herself, Kathryn joined in with a few chuckles of her own. “Yeah, we’ll, I suppose I could have been a little more careful”

“You think?!” B’Elanna cackled, looking at her Captain with wide, exasperated eyes.

Their joy carried on for a few more moments before it was indubitably cut short by the far too familiar sound of scuttling.

In an instant, they were on their feet, phaser’s drawn. This sound was more urgent, much faster. If either of them had to guess, they’d say that a couple of the Arachnomen had heard them.

Four aliens came running out of the tunnels, their eyes blazing in desperation as they spotted the Captain and her Chief Engineer.

“Food!” They hissed, all at different increments as they charged.

B’Elanna fired her phaser at the two on the right, while the Captain focused her fire towards the ones on the left. The former, having a much clearer head and far better health currently, was able to subdue hers in a matter of seconds. Janeway, however, was interrupted by another dizzying spell at the quick, sporadic movements of the creatures, and the harsh noise of the phaser fire. She managed to down one, but the other was a different story.

The spider lunged at Kathryn, and B’Elanna jumped forward into action. She pushed her Captain out of the way, making herself the target of the creature’s attack instead. It rammed her to the ground, ramming her head hard against the floor. For a moment her world spun, leaving just enough of an opening for the Arachnoman to slice its pincers across her chest.

As B’Elanna cried out in pain, Janeway felt her world click back into focus. With a fuller sense of clarity than she had in days, she reached for her phaser. It had skittered out of her grip, and was dangling dangerously over the edge of the chasm. The Captain of Voyager wrapped her fingers around the device, and turned it towards the alien attacking her friend. With two flicks of the trigger, it was on the ground.

Kathryn shoved herself off the ground, grabbing the limp body of the Arachnoman and pulling it off her Lieutenant.

“B’Elanna!” She cried, a paralysing fear twisting in her gut as she looked at the downed woman.

Torres groaned in response, slurring out a murmur of incomprehensible words. Not wasting any time, Janeway unzipped B’Elanna’s backpack and pulled out the med kit. She worked quickly, using the trauma kit to repair the chest wound with fairly decent efficiency. It was strange. All day she’d been feeling uncoordinated and out of it. But right now, when her friend and colleague was in need, her focus was obsolete.

After she’d finished with the chest wound, which took approximately twenty minutes, she shoved the med kit back in the bag, and heaved B’Elanna over her shoulder. The Lieutenant was still conscious, but she was disoriented and groggy, with a sea of confusion layered across her face.

Time seemed to pass in a blur as the Captain carried her crewman. Inwardly, she was kicking herself. This was her fault. B’Elanna had jumped in to save her, and now she was hurt. What if it was really serious? What if she dies because Kathryn was too out of it to shoot a phaser?!

Janeway shook her head. She couldn’t worry about that now. All that mattered was getting B’Elanna somewhere safe so she could more thoroughly examine her.

-

B’Elanna groaned as she slowly came back to her senses. The world came back into focus, the slush in her head separated into coherent thoughts, and she was able to make out the world around her. As she tried to sit up, a roaring pain in her head protested with great intensity.

A pair of hands gently pressed the woman back to the ground.

“Lie down, B’Elanna. It’s alright. We’re safe.”

Torres looked over to see Janeway hovered over her. Her eyes warm and her gaze gentle as she lowered her friend back down.

“What happened?” B’Elanna croaked, bringing a hand up to massage her forehead.

Janeway’s eyes darkened for a moment, but her smile and warmth remained. “You hit your head. I think you might have a concussion.”

The half-klingon groaned, that would explain the headache. And the confusion. And the kind of out-of-it feeling she had.

“How long ago?”

“Three hours.”

B’Elanna nodded, and allowed her eyes to wander around the area. She realised they were no longer by the cavern, nor were they in one of the tunnels. Instead, the area around them looked like a little cave, way smaller than any of the places they’d stayed in before.

“Where…?” She breathed, trailing off as the word rattled her brain.

“A small cave, about an hour from the canyon. It seemed a good enough place to spend the night.”

As the pain in her head subsided, B’Elanna tried again to sit up. This time, the Captain helped her. Bringing her up slowly so as to not aggravate her headache, then leaning the Lieutenant’s body against her own.

“I don’t remember walking for an hour,” the Chief Engineer remarked, getting a better look of the cave they were in.

It turns out it wasn’t as small as she thought. The walls were close together, but it was tall. The Captain and herself were posted on top of a ledge about halfway up the wall. “And I don’t remember climbing up here.”

Janeway smiled, “that’s because you didn’t. I carried you.”

This got B’Elanna’s attention. She snapped her head towards the woman, the quick action causing her world to tilt for a moment. She didn’t care though, she was too surprised.

“You carried me?! For an hour?!”

“And up the ledge, yes.” Janeway added, helpfully.

Torres sputtered, looking at the clearly exhausted, sickly, fever-ridden figure of her Captain. “B-But you’re sick! That’s not even— How—?”

Kathryn held up a hand, an amused expression settling on her face. “I’m a Captain, remember? My crew comes first.”

B’Elanna was still shocked as she looked away, gaze turning out infront of her.

“That’s some superhero level shit, right there!”

Kathryn ran her hand soothingly across B’Elanna’s back. “Why don’t you eat some of your rations, then get to bed.”

“Bed? But I just slept for like—“

“You weren’t asleep. You just weren’t aware. You still need to rest, because unlike me, you may actually feel better after a good night’s sleep.”

Although it was difficult for Torres to wrap her head around, she decided it would be best to listen to her Captain.

“You’ll still wake me up when it’s my shift, right?”

“Of course. It would be unwise not to. I’m not so far gone yet that I can’t use my judgement.”

B’Elanna nodded, a far away look in her eyes as a set of rations was delicately placed in her lap.

“Eat, Lieutenant, then sleep. You’ve been through quite a lot today.”

The half-klingon complied, chewing mechanically on her rations, before settling down to sleep. Her head unashamedly nestled in the Captain’s lap. Just as she was about to close her eyes, Kathryn spoke again.

“And… B’Elanna.”

The girl in question looked up.

“Thank you.”

The engineer smiled, and closed her eyes.

[blumineck]

It's possible that some of these aren't, like, the /best/ idea...

(Jokes aside, if you want a proper discussion of how to transport/carry bows, there's one up on my patreon now!)

[cowboygideon]

So insane reading about Kev's skills from the perspective of someone who'd played with him before his hand was broken. Like yes Neil was obsessed with him and yes he knew he played differently with his right than his left—but reading it from JEAN'S perspective?? Life changing stuff. When he said the Ravens' defense forgot what Kev was like before he switched hands? I lost my mind.

[welcometogrouchland]

(ID in alt) I literally said I was gonna post this month's ago and then never had the wherewithal to describe it and so I didn't Lmao (said with pain). But since I'm thinking of opening my commissions I figured I should remind ppl that I. Yknow. Can draw.

Lots of Steph here (I had major art block making all of these and my brain worms for her kept me going) + some sprinkles of stephcass for Cass nation to enjoy!

[mycological-mariner]

First day of Pride and I just want to shine a light on all the trans people who are unable to transition, especially those who aren’t fresh faced university grads. Those who don’t live in a supportive or even just accepting home or community. Those who aren’t well off, those who aren’t good at or popular enough to crowd fund. Those who can’t afford transitioning. Those who can’t even transition socially or need to stay in the closet for your safety. Those who rely on benefits or unforgiving jobs to just pay the bills. Having to hear day in and day out you’re just GNC, that your pre-transition body is “ugly” and the ways you can express your gender are “cringe.” Every trans person who’s been told they aren’t “trying hard enough”. Those trans people who won’t even get to imagine transitioning for years.

I see you. I love you. You’re so undervalued and under appreciated in a world where being a white, well off 20 year old on HRT and getting surgery is more common to see than people who work full time and just don’t have that privilege. It sucks, so much. But you are loved and you are seen.

Happy Pride Month to trans people who aren’t where they want to be. The world is better with you in it. We all need each other.

[greyedian]

MAN I'm seriously so sad about season 2. Bc I wish act 2 had the same emotional impact on me as it appears to have on so many others. But rn I'm just somewhere between unable to care and actively annoyed by some of those writing decisions. Seriously the more I think about it the less I like it.

[devilemon]

fuck you *yumes ur old woman*

[deardoomedworld]

Maybe the real communist book club is the friends we made along the way the one we accidentally started for a ten year old Estonian novel that's out of print

[gabbingwaves]

Jiyan's most dire foe yet: A sapient bubble.

[deoidesign]

Look at these stickers my brain is literally so huge. God. I love them so much.

I hadn't tried to do a sticker sheet at home before because I knew it would be difficult, and I was right! Getting the cut lines to line up with the print was super hard and there were many failed attempts, but it was so worth it I'm so happy with them!!!

This sticker sheet is for my patrons this month ^^

[huginsmemory]

When they were like write for yourself and your dick and you're like Okay! And then you see some very specific trends...

[danzainosolitude]

Once again I read fanfiction that seems to have been precisely written to deal psychic damage to me.

[farawayforyou]

A man gazes at me in the mirror

I don't know who he is

But one thing is for certain

He's not me

His gaze is cold, calculated

His looks are sharp

Like what I see

But it's not me

He receives endless praise

Adoring friends and lovers alike

But that's not me

For a fluid may sit still

He flys like the river, carefree of what's to come.

[sskk-manifesto]

Atsushi's back in the game!!! ۶( ˆ o ˆ )

[pekoeboo]

crying because i'm thinking about the Nuance involved with my characters and their backstories and the complexities of good intentions vs selfish behavior causing harm to others and i CANT EXPLAIN ALL OF THIS via art or writing. HOW are people supposed to know how complex and deep these characters are if i dont draw or write it out tho!!!!!! ugh

[orchidbreezefc]

oh shit malevolent 29 went public i guess it's time to reveal my new previously-patron-only project!!!

bg for those unaware: each malevolent episode is first released on the patreon in 5 chapters. most chapters end in a decision for arthur (the first one was whether to shoot eddie in the first scene or try to reason with him, for example), and the patrons vote on what he chooses.

these choices are presented by an entity that sounds like john, whom we call booth!john because we envision him in a soundbooth handling the recordings. his bit is cut from the public episodes, but kayne has alluded to the polls and they seem to be what arthur means by the "gut feelings" that compel him to a certain course of action.

ANYWAY, WITH ALL THAT ESTABLISHED, the patreon poll for ch.143 (hide from collins in the crowd or try to trap him in the caboose and decouple it?) was so heavily debated that people started writing poetry about the whole affair, so my hand was forced aaaaand i started making limericks lmao

i've made one for every chapter since, and plan to continue doing them until i, uh, stop. enjoy my first batch of now-legally-publishable malimericks (malevericks?):

from 143:

there once was a murderer loose and some choices from voices in booths will you try to lay low or go derail your foe? because ruth wants you in the caboose  

[note: ruth is a patron who was VERY in favor of the caboose option lol]

our boys are in trouble once more (or so says the COC lore) the butcher draws near should we run or stay here? let's just hope he's not outside the door

[note: collins is a character from harlan’s previous call of cthulhu campaign!]

choose: scylla, charybdis, or circe? we could go sit back down with percy we also could try to face this murder guy but we don't know: will harlan have mercy?

lovers of violence rejoice! seems we'll get it whatever our choice do you vote for what's smart or just go with your heart? me, i just want 'caboose' in john's voice

144:

there once was a man bound for york whose options then came to a fork cut the car in the back or jump onto the track you--wait THAT'S the choice??? i can't make a limerick about that what the fuck

145:

if this little maneuver had failed arthur told john they just could have bailed good thing their attack sent the butcher off track because arthur just almost got railed

bonus:

it's not your choice or his choice, kayne said (though who knows what goes through that guy's head) the patreon poll has a big story role but it might be to leave arthur dead