Kes to the X2 Power
by Rob Morris

The Candle in Tuvok's window danced wildly. The flames spread everywhere, but nothing burned, and no force-field could contain or smother it. Then, before the shocked eyes of the Voyager Crew, the flames coalesced into a familiar, welcome form. Tom Paris, wearing an overcoat for an Earth-bound sequence of his 'Captain Proton' holo-novel, immediately gave it to Tuvok, to cover her with. There was  concern, to be sure, but mostly real joy. Few held greater joy than the Doctor. Like a Phoenix of old, Kes had been returned to them at last.

In Sickbay, she saw the Hologram's bald pate, and asked a question. damned odd question.

"Professor Xavier?"

The Doctor continued his readings.

"Xavier? Hmm. Not a bad name. You know, I never did get around to selecting one. All right, lets start, Kes. Where have you been, since discorporating, five years back?"
 

"Has it been--that long?"

"Yes, yes. It has. We've made all kinds of wonderful progress, which Security Officer Neelix will be more than happy..."

"Neelix? Head Of Security?"

"Well, its a long story. We lost many crewmembers, when the Borg Queen came for Seven--oh, she's another story."

"I know who Aanika is, Doctor. Continue."

"Oh, right. You were here briefly-well, Neelix became Security, Tom is in Charge of Replication Technology Maintenance- a MUCH  bigger job than it sounds-Harry Kim has Paris's old position, and Naomi has Harry's. She's quite bright, you know."

Kes smiled.

"I know. Replicators?"

"The one and only thing that we took away from the Borg Queen War. They're a devil to maintain, but Lt. Commander Paris--Yes, I know--does a passably competent job. Raised the standard of living here, freeing Neelix from the galley-and vice-versa. Oh, a minor ship's official to see us."

Kes was taken aback by the eyepatch that Captain Janeway sported. But she made it work. She could make anything work.

"Captain? Your Eye?"

"The nerves need time, Kes. The Doctor is working on a compatible prosthetic that can't be used against me by any Borg-types. Besides, the bitch may have taken my eye, but I took her whole damned collective!"

Kes laughed, but then, for no reason, shouted out; "WHO DARES?!"

She apologized, and said that she had felt an odd pull. When she left, she began to familiarize herself with her friends again. Belanna and Tom were on the holodeck, so she went to see them. Neelix and Tuvok she would talk to later.

On the Bridge, Naomi checked their heading, and the general vicinity. The Science Officer asked her a question.

"Why is everyone so excited about this woman's return? I fail to comprehend."

"Seven, she's Kes!"

"That is not a logical answer."

"Is so."

"Is...Naomi, please do not start that again."

On the holodeck, the seemingly endless adventures of Captain Proton played, with Belanna as Proton's sidekick, Galaxy Gal. She was crouched underneath a desk, waiting to free Captain Proton, upon whom the villain had slapped a will-sapping helmet, that looked like nothing more than a ruby-quartz visor. He caused a weapon to come out of the wall, and aimed it at Tom/Proton. Kes shrieked, but couldn't understand why.

"Get that weapon away from him--Scott!!"

Casually, Kes telekinetically destroyed the weapon and the holo-villian. Belanna looked out from beneath her desk.

"Tom, you have a feeling she doesn't get this simulation?"

"Belanna-why are you under there? What about your claustrophobia?"

Torres laughed.

"Kes, I could hardly be Chief Engineer with a fear of closed spaces!"

Kes looked lost. She then felt the tug again.

"WHO DARES!!!??"

Tom and Belanna pretended to understand, but reported their findings to the ship's counselor. Kes left to find Neelix. Along the way, she had a memorable encounter with Chakotay.

"Hey, you're looking good!  I..."

"Don't hand me that, Mister! You think this wild-man, crazy act is going to make the pretty redhead fall in with you? Jump at your call, have secret rendevouses? Well, here's news, BUB! Said redhead was here before you, and she knows the ropes, better than you could hope to. Back off."

"Kes,  I just..."

"Sheathe your claws, little man! This Phoenix is not impressed."

Again, a call was made to the ship's counselor, and again Kes made a cry.
 

"WHO DARES!?"

She found Neelix, a box under each arm.

"Neelix? How have you been?"

"Oh, fine. I'm just keeping my eye on yo---a recently discovered security threat. You never know where they will pop up."

"So you don't trust me."

"Well, I wouldn't say that. You..."

"Going to turn me over to the Shi'ar?"

"Are they like the Krenim?"

"I murdered 5 billion. What makes you think I won't kill you?"

"Um. You--once loved me?"

"Oh, God. Neelix. I'm so...WHO DARES SUMMON ME!?"

"Er, the Ships Counselor?"

Kes calmed.

"No. But that's probably a good idea, nevertheless. Forgive me?"

"How DARE you ask that. Of course I forgive you. That you're alive brightens my whole existence, Kes."

She kissed him, and left.

"Mind you, though, it does make security work a trifle difficult."

Kes couldn't believe her eyes.

"You---Are The Ship's Counselor?"

"Given my so-far inoperable paralysis, it seemed the logical thing to do. I am slowly learning the ropes, as it were."

In her mind, Kes started healing Tuvok's injuries, the legacy of a hideous neural disruptor. She did it slowly, so as not to upset him.

"What--is your chief concern?"

It was almost laughable. Tuvok was reading directly from the counseling manual.

"Well, I'm having memories of another person. I dream that I stole her life, stole her one true love, murdered a whole world, and threatened the cosmos itself."

'And--how do you feel about this?"

If Kes had been in better spirits, she would have told him to be himself, and ditch the book. The memories, despite their absurdity, haunted her, and she wanted to tell her friend, not a counselor.  But just then, the tug she had felt became irresistible.

"WHO DARES SUMMON ME? WHO? GREYDARKJEAN! GREYDARKJEAN! WHO DAAAAAARRREEESSSS!!!!"

As all of her friends watched, Kes discorporated again. There was a silent feeling of heartbreak. Then, Tuvok stood up, quite healed.

"Hmm. Captain. I will no longer be able to function as ship's counselor. I will be in my quarters, awaiting reassignment."

Out of respect to Tuvok, the crew did not cheer in his presence.

As Kes felt her body reform, she looked in horror at herself-she was the murdering monster again-worse, another monster, with a face like hewn granite, stared back at her. It was this evil which had summoned her evil back. Kes was, for the moment, subsumed in a sea of despair. Again, her imperious cry rang out.

"WHO DARES  SUMMON DARK PHOENIX?!!!!"

The evil one spoke.

"I....Darkseid."

Lost within the miasma of hate, Kes swore to swim out and punish this Lord of Misrule. But before she blacked out inside Dark Phoenix, she said one more word :

"Voyager."

On that ship, Tuvok's candle was relit, awaiting another day-and that day would come.