“Ah! Captain, I’m glad you finally decided to come and see this,” the doctor chided. “I don’t know why no one listens to me when I say something is very important.”

Janeway smiled at Chakotay then turned to address the doctor, “What is it that has you so concerned, Doctor?”

“This!” The doctor pulled the sheet off the deathly white body of Ensign Charlotte Craig.

“She’s dead!” Janeway exclaimed with shock.

“She was found on the holodeck, but that’s only half of it,” the doctor insisted. “She has some unusual marks on her neck.”

Janeway and Chakotay stared at the strange marks for a moment. Chakotay was finally the first to speak.

“They look like bite marks!”

“They are,” the doctor agreed. “But they couldn’t have been made by anyone here on Voyager. All known species that are capable of making these kinds of marks are not present on this ship.”

“Were the holodeck safety protocols turned off?” Janeway asked curiously.

“I don’t know,” the doctor informed them.

“I’ll have B’Elanna investigate it,” Chakotay stated. “Ensign Craig may have turned off the safety protocols on her holodeck program.”

Janeway nodded, “In the meantime, I have a dinner to go to.”

“I still don’t like this,” Chakotay insisted.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Sure you don’t want me to join you?”

“I really need you here on the Bridge. Besides, Tuvok is going to attend the dinner, too.”

“I guess I can’t think of anyone better to accompany you,” Chakotay stated with relief. “If there is anything unusual, I’m sure he will notice it.”

“You worry too much,” Janeway insisted with a smile.

“I hope you’re right. It’s just there’s something about Vladimir I don’t trust.”

‘Maybe he’s jealous,’ Janeway thought. Then she assured Chakotay once again, “I’ll be fine.”

Chapter Two

As soon as Janeway and Tuvok had beamed down to the planet a few minutes later, Tuvok scanned the area. He raised an eyebrow at the results that he saw on the tricorder.

“What is it?”  Janeway asked him with concern.

“Obviously the tricorder is not working due to atmospheric conditions or the conditions on this planet are not within the scope of our databanks.”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“The tricorder isn’t picking up any life forms,” he informed her.

Janeway frowned, “Maybe it has something to do with their buildings or technology.”

“Possibly. However, I find it very unusual that we have never met these people during the day.”

“Not you too, Tuvok?”

Just then Vladimir walked out of the large building and greeted them with a slight bow of his head, “Welcome again, Katerina. Mister Tuvok. Glad you both could make it.”

Kathryn appeared to be mesmerized with Vladimir as soon as she saw him. Their eyes met and he seemed to become the focus of her attention.

Uneasiness came over Tuvok as he studied the captain’s sudden change in behaviour. He could not ever remember her so utterly captivated with someone. He took readings of her physical state, concerned that what had affected other crew members could have affected her, but all readings showed her health as normal. He made a mental note to have a diagnostic done on his tricorder.

“This way,” Vladimir made a grandiose gesture toward the mansion. “My servant should have dinner ready soon. In the meantime, I’d like you to meet my colleagues.”

“I would like that,” Janeway smiled, not removing her eyes from Vladimir.

Tuvok studied her as they walked into the building. ‘Chakotay’s concerns may not be unfounded,’ he thought.

Janeway did not appear to be interested in their surroundings and the usual curiosity she usually exhibited around new situations and people was almost non-existent from what Tuvok could tell. The conversation she was having with their host appeared to consume her.

Tuvok visually studied the surroundings in the house. Nothing seemed unusual about the place, but something was missing. He simply could not comprehend what it was, though. Finally, he decided he was being illogical.

Back on Voyager, more crew members were showing signs of erratic behaviour. One in particular again concerned the doctor.

“Commander, my programming may appear to be malfunctioning, but I assure you, Ensign Craig is missing.”

“I thought you said she was dead?”

“She was, or she is.”

“Then someone must have taken the body, as a prank. A dead body can’t just disappear!” Chakotay insisted.

“That’s impossible! I was in Sickbay the whole time!”

“Then do you have any other suggestions on how the body could be missing?”

“I’m not sure but I have been doing some research,” the doctor informed him. “The bite marks are obviously from some creature. My autopsy showed Ensign Craig’s bodily fluids had been completely drained. Then there’s the behaviour of the crew members with the same kind of bite marks.”

“And?” Chakotay asked curiously.

“I know this is going to sound a bit odd, but I think there is something supernatural happening on this ship.”

“Doctor, you’ve been spending too much time on the holodeck,” Chakotay insisted as he turned to leave Sickbay.

The doctor quickly rushed after him, “I’m telling you, there is something happening here that science cannot explain!”

Chakotay stopped suddenly and faced the doctor once more, “Doctor, I’m going to have B’Elanna do a thorough diagnostic on you. I think your program has been running too long.”

“I can’t believe you of all people cannot consider such a possibility!”

“Look, I believe in supernatural forces, but not as you are implying, Doctor.”

“You’ve met these people. Have you seen anything unusual about them?”

Chakotay sighed, “No, I’ve only had a feeling and I can’t go on feelings alone.”

“Humour me and check to see if they have a reflection.”

Chakotay stared at him in shock. He could not believe what the doctor was suggesting, “Doctor, now I really think you have been online far too long.”

“I’m telling you, these things aren’t normal, and I cannot explain them by any scientific means.”

“OK, but I think you definitely have been running too many holo scenarios.”

“I haven’t had any time lately. I’ve been too busy trying to figure out why the crew has been behaving like lunatics.”

“Oh, I don’t know, a full moon maybe?”

“You’re humour eludes me, Commander,” the doctor replied with a frown.

“Well then, give me something I can actually work with!” Chakotay stormed out of Sickbay.

“Tom, I’m serious!” B’Elanna shouted hysterically. “Our guest changed and grew fangs!”

“B’Elanna, you were probably having a nightmare,” Tom insisted. “Didn’t you say you were asleep before you saw Yhan?”

“Yes, but I wasn’t when he tried to attack me!”

The chime to their quarters rang and Tom answered, “Come in!”

Chakotay entered their quarters, “What happened?”

“She had a nightmare.”

“It was not a nightmare!”

“Then why didn’t security find the person you supposedly knocked unconscious?” Tom asked his wife.

“I don’t know!” B’Elanna shouted. “All I know is he growled and had fangs!”

Tom grimaced as he tried to hold back a laugh, “I’m sure it was a dream.”

“Tom, I did not call you from the Bridge to patronize me!”

“There have been a lot of strange things happening lately,” Chakotay interjected, stopping the argument. “Let’s assume that it was not a dream.”

“Now you’re talking!” B’Elanna exclaimed.

“Where did the person you knocked unconscious disappear to?” Chakotay inquired.

“I don’t know. I just know, they were here and then they were gone, about as fast as I called security.”

“You believe it was Yhan who tried to attack you?”

“Yes, I’m sure of it.”

“How did he get in if the door was locked?” Tom asked. “They’re not even on the ship right now, as far as I know.”

“I don’t know!” B’Elanna replied defensively. “All I know is, he got in and his appearance had changed and he had fangs!”

“If his appearance had changed, how do you know it was him?” Tom continued to probe.

B’Elanna shook her head, “I don’t know. I can’t tell you how I know, but I’m pretty sure it was him.”

Chakotay sighed, “We’ll have to solve this later. For now, B’Elanna, you get some rest before you go on duty. Tom, when is your shift over?”

“In about twenty minutes.”

Chakotay was too tired to think and too worried about what was happening down on the planet. “When Tuvok and the captain get back, I’ll have him add this to the investigation of what is happening on this ship.”

“Fair enough,” B’Elanna replied, as she protectively crossed her arms in front of herself.

Chapter Three

Back on the planet, Janeway was still completely hypnotised by Vladimir. Tuvok reluctantly went on a tour of the premises after Janeway assured him all was well with her. Even so, he had an uneasy feeling about the situation.

Afterwards, he met one of the aliens who had attended the dinner and was informed that Janeway had gone back to the ship. It was then Tuvok sensed something was out of the ordinary.

“I’m so glad we have this time alone,” Vladimir informed Kathryn.

“So am I,” she replied. “I’ve gotten to know so much about you and your people in such a short time.”

“Has anyone ever told you what beautiful eyes you have?”

This man enthralled Kathryn, but she did not question why. “I’ve been told that. You know the last person who called me Katerina was a hologram.”

“It’s a shame that only one other person has called you that, because it’s such a lovely name.”

With those words, Vladimir began mentally possessing Kathryn’s being.

Completely entranced by him, she let him guided her to his chambers.

Once inside his private room, he kissed her deeply as he savoured the taste and smell of her. Slowly, he made his way down to her neck and she gasped when she felt his teeth go into her soft flesh.

Still possessed by him, she did not fight as he gently licked the spot he had bitten. Instead, she found his ministrations extremely intoxicating.

“Katerina, my love,” he said softly. “Your beauty surpasses those of all others.”

With those words, he laid her gently on his bed and methodically removed her clothing. As he did, he licked and kissed her inflamed skin until he reached her blazingly exposed breasts.

Kathryn gave a soft moan as he enveloped one of her breasts with his mouth. As he suckled her throbbing mound until it became hard and aroused, his hand tauntingly caressed her inner thighs until it found her moist regions.

When his tongue began to tease her swollen nipple, she arched her back in response. Then with his moist tongue, he slid across her inflamed skin to her other breast, increasing her excitement.

For a brief moment, Chakotay flashed through her mind as Vladimir’s wet tongue fiercely teased her other nipple. She wanted to break free of whatever spell she was under, but his soft seductive voice recaptured her senses.

“Soon I will make you forget about him,” Vladimir whispered, as he subdued her back under his spell. “Soon we will rule Voyager together.”

Then his moist tongue taunted her as it made its way down to her heated apex. Once there, it dived into her pulsating core as he fed on her warm moist womanhood.

Again, she released an agonizing gasp as his tongue swept inside her and savoured her heated core. She could not pull herself away from the intense drugging sensations that overwhelmed her mind and body. It was as though he could read her thoughts and knew her every desire, causing soul-shattering spasms within her.

As soon as the blood-rushing climax past, Vladimir slowly made his way back up her body, only to stop once more to savour her hot juices flowing from her neck. The sensation of his tongue running against her flesh inflamed her nerves once more, causing a resurgence of desire.

Vladimir moved his body to align his hardened appendage with her womanhood, ready to join with her.

"Katerina,” his soporific voice called to her, causing her to look directly into his mesmerizing eyes.

Once his eyes glued to hers, his full throbbing erection plunged into her very depths and began to thrust inside her. Kathryn’s breath caught in her throat as her body lustfully moved in time with his.

When he leaned over to taste her once more, her breath rushed out of her with a force she had never known before. With animal lust, his mouth drew on her life force one last time as he gyrated hard against her.

As their motion quickened, a rush of intense sensation ran through Kathryn’s body. She began to pant uncontrollably as sweet death flowed through her.

Vladimir arched up with a harsh groan of satisfaction as he exploded inside her. When it was over, Vladimir fell against her as he smiled with diabolic atonement. Holding her close, he said, “Now, you are mine, my dear Katerina.”

He released her unconscious body and covered her with one of the satin sheets on his bed. Then he quickly dressed and called for his valet.

“You called, my Lord?”

“Yes. Our plan is under way. Soon we will have control of Voyager and unlimited prey to feed upon forever.”

“Very good, Sir,” his valet replied.

“Did you get a voice copy of Captain Janeway?”

“Just as you requested,” his valet gave a slight bow.

“Good!” Vladimir slyly replied. “Send a message to Voyager. Have Janeway informed them that she will be beaming back by way of our transporters.”

“Sir, if they ask why, what shall I have the message say?”

“Voyager is always looking for ways to conserve the ship’s energy, as well as searching for other resources,” Vladimir told his valet. “I don’t think they will question it too much. If they do, have the message say she wants to see our technology. That should satisfy them, for they know their captain is a curious one.”

“And as for the visual, Sir?”

“It is malfunctioning at the moment and we only have voice transmission. That should satisfy them. In the meantime, I’ll return their captain to her quarters on Voyager and see that she is comfortable.”

“Very well,” the valet replied as he left to deliver the message.

The next morning, Kathryn woke and headed for her bathroom, feeling a bit dazed and confused about the previous night. She had no memory of returning to the ship, much less crawling into her own bed. Yet, she felt well rested.

She smiled as she observed the love bite Vladimir had given her in the mirror until panic struck her. ‘Oh, God! It wasn’t a dream! How could I have made love to a complete stranger?’

A sudden feeling of nausea came over her as she placed a hand on her stomach. ‘Wait… Something isn’t right, but the feelings he stirred in me were magnificent.’

The sick feeling passed and her mind drifted to Vladimir’s caressing hands and the overwhelming urgency she had felt as he nibbled on her neck and joined with her body. It was as though he knew exactly what she needed.

‘He has such wonderful hands and the feelings that ran through me as he made love to me!’

The chime to her quarters rang and brought her out of her thoughts as she quickly covered the mark on her neck with the collar of her robe. ‘This is the last thing I want anyone on this ship to see.’

The chime rung once more as she made certain her collar covered it. “Come in.”

“You ready for breakfast?”

“Oh, Chakotay! I’m sorry; I had forgotten that we were to have breakfast.”

“Late night?”

“No, not really.”

“You look tired.”

“I’m fine, really.”

She looked a little pale to Chakotay, but he decided not to push the issue with her. “Shall we go to breakfast?”

“Sure, why not?” Kathryn finally smiled. “Just give me time to get dressed.”

“Not a problem,” he said with a smile as he watched her leave the room to change.

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