Thus They Died
By Dana Quell

	The snow fell gently around the couple that shivered from the 
cold, swirling with the wind and playing tricks on the eyes.  Neither 
paid attention to it, but they both knew subconsciously that this 
change in the weather would, at least partly, define their future.  All 
they were concerned about was each other.
	The woman huddled in the man's strong embrace, a final means of 
accepting their fate and what it brought.  The man didn't mind; hell, 
he'd been waiting for her to accept the idea of them together for 
years.  Still, an embrace was an embrace.
	It grew colder and colder, and still they waited in silence for 
something to happen.  They were expecting their deaths, but still hoped 
for their dedicated crew to rescue them.
	Their doom pounded in their ears in the form of a delicate 
snowflake hitting the ground and joining with the others.  They 
tightened their embrace as it grew colder.  Sleep weighted down their 
eyelids, and, though at first they fought it, they began their descent 
into unconsciousness.  Accepting their fate, their final thoughts were 
of their beloved.  Thus they died, cold but not alone.
	The crackle of a forgotten system came five minutes too late.  
{Captain Janeway?.......  Commander Chakotay?...... please.... in.  Are 
you.....?  If..... there.... please respond.}
	Nothing but the silence of a cold winter responded.