Stellar Storms/Paradox

Standard Disclaimers

Illyrina and Interference

Stellar Storms

"Captain." Chakotay acknowledged as he entered the turbolift.

She turned to look at him, and flushed when his eyes met hers. She turned away to stare at the door. She stood there, not willing to give into the desire to face him again. Fortunately (or unfortunately) the lift stopped, and they ignored each other as B'Elanna entered.

"Captain, Commander." She too turned to face the door, and smiled. 'Who did they think they were fooling, anyway.'

At the bridge, Janeway acknowledged everybody and retreated to her ready room.

#

#

Kathryn Janeway stood at her window seeing nothing. This was ridiculous, she thought. She couldn't spend the rest of the trip or her life avoiding the man. She smiled. She didn't want to avoid him--and that was what bothered her. Could she completely complicate her, no their lives, and still retain the crews confidence and loyalty.

As Kes had noted, the atmosphere between the two of them did affect the mood of the ship. She chortled, and wondered what would happen when they did become involved.

*When.* She realized that she had made her decision--a while back.

How would *that mood* affect the ship. The thought made her laugh--especially when this bizarre image of the ship flashed in her mind.

She turned back to her desk--she didn't have time for contemplation. "Back to business. Captain's Log Stardate 50***. We've entered orbit around the Qua-tar homeworld. I've made our preliminary request for a meeting with the Quatarin. We are waiting for a reply.

"Today Lucy and Edmund Rogers told me that they are expecting a child. The second child on Voyager will be born in seven months. I'm in the process of forming a committee to work on the needs children will place on Voyager. Samantha Wildman has agreed to chair this committee."

She leaned back in her chair. What a day. It started with the announcement about the child, a fire in Neelix's kitchen--he had been trying to make Quatarian cherries flambe, then a problem with the air filtration system on deck 8, and the day was only half over. Despite the fire, the cherry flambe thing had been rather good. She laughed. She had gone to the kitchen to *talk* with Neelix, he had served her the remains, and all she did was warn him to be more careful. There was hope for him as a cook yet.

Her comm-badge chirped. "Captain, you're being hailed."

"Very good, ensign. Send the message to my ready room." She unconsciously straightened her uniform as she turned to face the small screen.

"Captain Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager, I am First Minister Forind. Welcome to Qua-tar."

"Thank-you, First Minister Forind."

"You have requested a meeting with our Quatarin. May I ask why?"

"I've been asked by Illyrina, to request a meeting with the Quatarin to discuss the possibility of opening peace negotiations on Voyager."

The minister looked startled, but recovered quickly. "Interesting. Captain, I will have to get back to you on such a meeting. I have authorized your ship to remain in orbit. Captain Janeway, I will contact you again tomorrow morning. Interesting." He looked very thoughtful as he signed off.

"Promising, at least they didn't order us out."

#

#

The message arrived two hours into her shift the next morning. First Minister Forind informed her of the details for her meeting with the Quatarin.

She had decided that Tuvok would also attend the meeting. There was a reason that Star Fleet assigned Betazoids to diplomatic missions. Kes had better telepathic powers than Tuvok, but he had experience and a calming influence, especially on her. She notified the Vulcan they would be beaming down in an hour, and then notified her First Officer.

#

#

The Quatarin's receiving chambers were modestly furnished. Nothing gaudy or even remotely ornate. Captain Janeway stood by a chair--tapping her fingers on the back.

Tuvok, as ever, was calm--he had looked around the room, analyzed it, and was now standing behind her waiting. He heard the approaching footsteps before the Captain. They were both ready when the doors opened and First Minister Forind entered.

"Captain Janeway, salutations. If you and Lieutenant Tuvok would accompany me."

They entered a large meeting room, but there were only two others in it. Forind bowed to the older of the two, and then introduced their guests. "My lord, this is Captain Kathryn Janeway and Lieutenant Tuvok of the Federation Starship Voyager." The other man was introduced as Minister Glosnyth

Janeway noticed two things about the Quatarin: first he looked ancient, second he was very quiet. Minister Glosnyth on the other hand seemed to wear a perpetual scowl.

They sat down at the large table. Minister Forind handed both her and Tuvok a small hand held computer. She read what was on the screen. 'If nothing else, the Quatarians were efficient,' she thought. It was their conditions for the negotiations. She was surprised by how short and simple it was.

Minister Glosnyth was still scowling when she finished reading. He started speaking. "Captain, as you can see we are prepared to negotiate. We need to look over your ship to see that the minimum requirements are met for our security teams and staff."

"Minister Glosnyth, I would be willing for your chief of security to meet with Mr. Tuvok and go over necessary arrangements, but we do not have the facilities to accommodate more than 2 delegates from each side."

"That is intolerable." Glosnyth would have continued, except the Quatarin raised his hand.

He spoke quietly. "Captain, I look forward to seeing my niece again. Minister Glosnyth will arrange for our Chief of Security to go over our security needs. What other changes do you need to make."

"Quatarin, the number of delegates is my biggest concern. We can handle everything else you've requested." She noticed that Glosnyth was still glowering. "We must contact your niece for her opinion." That really caused the minister to look angry--Janeway ignored him. "You wish to hold the negotiations on the far side of the Akirpa System." She looked slightly embarrassed. "We don't have accurate star charts of Qua-tar Territories."

Forind responded this time. "That won't be a problem. We have arranged for the charts to be transferred to your ship. We would like Voyager to arrive at Akirpa first, with the delegates arriving in three days. As you can imagine, both sides will be very paranoid--we think it is best that only one small ship from each side approaches Voyager. Then both fleets remove themselves to pre-arranged sites."

"I agree. Gentlemen, Voyager is on a long journey, we are only willing to donate a week for the negotiations. I am pleased that so far both sides are willing. I think we should contact Illyrina and make the final arrangements."

Glosnyth stood as he started to speak again. "I think you should contact her from here."

"Very well." She knew that wasn't the response he expected. "While you arrange for your Chief of Security to join us, I will contact Illyrina."

First Minister Forind arranged for an aide to escort Janeway to the communications room. It was a five minute walk, through a building that was like almost every government building she had ever been in. The same smells, the same security personnel, the same confusing layouts, and the same feeling of importance.

Captain Janeway transmitted the code words and then the arrangements on the frequency given her by Illyrina several weeks ago. She then sat back and waited fifteen minutes for the response. A smile crossed her face--Illyrina and her council probably had been waiting ever since Voyager had arrived at Qua-tar.

The answer was an affirmative.

"Gentlemen, the conditions have been accepted," she announced as she returned to the meeting room. The others acknowledged her announcement, even Minister Glosnyth seemed resigned. The Quatarian Chief of Security had joined the group in her absence and was discussing something with Tuvok. "Quatarin, Ministers, we have a lot to do before leaving orbit. We will see you in three days, at Akirpa." She turned to Tuvok, who with the Chief of Security, joined her.

Janeway was pleased as she gave the orders to beam back to Voyager. There was a lot to do in the next seventy two hours: move the ship, prepare security, make arrangements for living quarters for their guests, and a whole lot else.

She walked purposefully to her ready room. Tuvok would see to security and escort the Quatarian Chief of Security on a tour of Voyager. Kes was responsible for arranging for quarters for the delegates. In her ready room she pulled up her tentative agenda and started to adjust it, fitting in the wishes of both parties.

She put down her coffee, when her comm-badge chirped. "Janeway here."

"Captain, the Quatarian Chief of Security is beaming back to the surface."

"Very good Tuvok." She stretched and walked to the bridge. The beta shift crew looked at her expectantly. "Mr. Hamilton," set a course to the Akirpa System. Warp four."

"Yes Captain."

"Engage. What is our estimated time of arrival?"

"Nine hours and fourteen minutes, Captain."

"Very good, carry on."

She returned to her ready room, where she worked solid for three more hours, before fatigue caught up with her. She rubbed her eyes and decided not to continue. She'd have the Doc on her case if she pulled another all night work session. Beta shift was almost over--she stopped long enough to check on their status and then left for her quarters.

#

#

She entered her darkened quarters, "Computer increase illumination to twenty percent." She walked over to her replicator, calculating how many rations she had. "Hot chocolate blend KJ2." Just a hint of cinnamon. She took the cup and sat down on her couch.

On the table where she placed her cup, was a single red rose. She smiled as she picked it up.

#

#

Akirpa was a ternary system. The three stars were all middle aged stars of average size and intensity. What made the system unique, was that the three stars were closer together than normal. There were 12 planets--none inhabitable, the largest was Akirpa 5 a Class A (gas giant) planet.

The Quatarians had selected this system for several reasons--primarily because it was remote. The specific location was just past the 12th planet in the system. A little insignificant piece of rock, especially when compared to the 6 large gaseous planets.

#

#

Captain Janeway sat in her ready-room enjoying a 30 second break from work. She turned back to her data padd. Tuvok's report on the security arrangements was dry and concise. He could tell more into one paragraph than most humans could do in five. Kes's report on living arrangements was more enjoyable. Janeway was not surprised at how easy it had been to 'convince' the crew to share their quarters--even if only temporarily. .

Her comm-badge chirped.

"Captain," it was Chakotay--she smiled. "We have detected an unidentified ship in the Akirpa System. It has not responded to our hail."

"I'll be right there." She walked out to the bridge and took her seat. "Report."

"Captain, we're only intermittently able to detect it. The high ionization in the system is interfering with our scanners." Harry continued to fuss with his terminal.

B'Elanna also worked at hers, both working to adjust the scanners to find the ship."

The diplomats would be arriving in a couple of hours. Janeway looked at B'Elanna. "Would getting closer help?"

"Yes, Captain. It would. But I thought we were to remain here until the negotiations were complete."

"I was thinking of a shuttle. B'Elanna, you and Harry make the adjustments to the shuttlecraft, Commander, Tom--in my ready room. Tuvok you have the bridge."

She pulled up a chart of the system and the other two gathered around. "This will be an away team mission. We have no idea who may be on this ship. See if you can identify that ship and then have them leave." They looked at the map as the computer attempted to show the position of the intruding ship.

#

#

Tom Paris sat at the controls running the pre-flight. Like most good pilots, there was a element of paranoia that crept into his check. He had already inspected the outside, checking for unexplained anythings. He finished checking the hydraulics and was now working on the electronic systems. His general rule of thumb was if the pre-flight took less than one hour he had forgotten something. He looked at the list on the terminal--he never did a pre-flight from memory either. He checked off the last three items and sat back to wait for the Commander.

His mind began to wander back to the alpha quadrant. The amount of grief he had caused his friends, and yes his family. When they first arrived in the delta-quadrant, he figured he had the least motivation of all the crew to get home. But recently...

"Uhh, Lieutenant, if you don't mind, we do need to leave soon." Chakotay interrupted his thoughts as he came aboard.

#

#

The arrangements for the transfer of delegates to Voyager, reminded Janeway of an old Moliere play. Illyrina and Admiral Tallyranth were beamed to transporter 1, where a security team would escort them to their quarters. The Quatarin and the 2 ministers--she silently swore at this breach in the arrangements--were beamed to transporter 3, while Kes scrambled to find a room for the third member of the party. Janeway would greet both delegations at the opening talks.

Being stuck in the Delta Quadrant did have a few advantages: right now one was they didn't have to wear those grotesque dress uniforms. She wasn't about to authorize the use of replicator rations on something so...Dreadful. There had been rumors for sometime before this mission began that Star Fleet was redesigning uniforms--she wondered if they had.

#

#

She greeted Illyrina and Admiral Tallyranth--the first arrivals--and quietly told them that the Quatarin's party consisted of three. Admiral Tallyranth grunted and started to say something, but Illyrina interrupted him.

"Let me guess, Minister Glosnyth. I'm not surprised. We'll let them have three." She stiffened and Janeway followed her glance. The other delegation had arrived.

#

#

Tom flicked some switches. They were about to pass Akirpa 4, the planet where the ship was last spotted So far the sensors hadn't detected anything. He looked at the chart displayed on the console and plotted the ship's course. "Well, here goes. It is nineteen hundred forty-five hours. All systems nominal. Commencing scan." He flicked a few switches. "Well, well. Commander, I think we just hit pay dirt. Putting it on screen now." They both looked at the screen and the ship--just slightly smaller than the shuttle just *sitting* there. Tom grinned. "This could be fun. Preliminary scans indicate the ship has minimal weaponry and shields. There are two humanoids--Quatarian."

Chakotay flicked a switch to open a hailing channel. "This is Commander Chakotay of the starship Voyager. You are in a restricted area."

"No response, sir. But we are being scanned. Response coming in. Sir. Audio only."

"This is the ship Gimkelina. We're from the Qua-tar Free Press Association. Is it true that top level negotiations are taking place aboard your ship?"

Paris laughed. "Now I know why you are here." Chakotay glared at him.

"You are in a restricted area. Please leave." Chakotay avoided their question and then any future questions by bringing the weapons on line.

"That got their attention, Commander. They're leaving."

"Follow them out, at a discrete distance." He then sent a message to Voyager.

#

#

Janeway watched as the five delegates stood behind their chairs. No one seemed to be willing to sit first. She looked at Tuvok, who just raised an eyebrow. "Well shall we sit and get started." She sat down. Someone had to be first. The others slowly followed. This promised to be an interesting meeting. "I'd like to welcome you to Voyager again."

"Captain," Minister Glosnyth stood. "I ask, what is you hope to gain by these talks?"

She glared at him. He was going to be a problem. "Mr. Minister, nothing what so ever--except that where we are from, peace is very important. I have offered Voyager as the site for these talks in hope that a peaceful agreement can be reached. But we are also on a long journey and shall only remain here a short time." She looked around the table.

Admiral Tallyranth rose. "When we agreed to this meeting, certain conditions were set. Yet when we arrive, we discover that the side that set all the conditions, didn't bother to follow them. I must insist that the Quatarin be allowed only one aide or that we be allowed another."

"That's ridiculous," Glosnyth stood again. "You can not expect the Quatarin to be attended by..."

"Gentlemen, sit down. I thought we had settled this earlier. Tonight's meeting is so that we can go over tomorrow's agenda. But before we begin--I need to inform you that we sent one of our shuttle craft to the Akirpa System to find an unidentified ship."

Minister Glosnyth rose again. "Captain, the conditions of no ships within the seventy thousand kilometer radius were to have been applied to your ships as well."

Janeway smiled at him, "We needed to find out who it was and politely ask them to leave. The conditions also included that Voyager not move from this location. Since we are responsible for security..." Glosnyth sat down.

"I have given each of you a padd with the tomorrow's agenda, please take a few seconds to look at it." She looked around the table. She had remembered the reason why she had very carefully avoided becoming involved in diplomatic missions. They gave her a headache. She rubbed her temple. "Is the agenda acceptable?" She looked at the Quatarin who nodded as did Illyrina. She noticed that Minister Glosnyth was unhappy--still. "We'll reconvene tomorrow morning."

In the hall, she turned to Tuvok. "I'll be in sick bay.

"Captain is everything OK."

"I have a headache."

As she walked toward sick-bay, she hoped Kes was there. The Doc was starting to nag her about her stress levels again. So was Kes, but at least she wasn't sarcastic about it.

Fortunately Kes was there, the Doc usually had a better 'bed-side-manner' in her presence.

"Captain, this is another of your tension headaches, you really should find time for an examination. We can do more than just treat them these days."

Janeway could cite this speech from memory.

"With proper preventative care, involving relaxation techniques..." When he stopped, she realized that she had been saying his speech with him. She started to laugh--so did Kes. The Doc stood there puzzled. He finally administered the analgesic and left-in a huff--something she still didn't expect from a hologram--even though she knew better.

#

#

"Lieutenant, we're being hailed." Harry announced.

"On screen," B'Elanna took a deep breath.

"Federation starship Voyager, I'm Admiral Timorth of the Quatarian fleet. We have detected two ships in the system."

"Yes Admiral. We detected a ship there, and sent one of our shuttlecraft to identify it. It was from the Qua-tar Free Press Association."

"We should have been notified. This situation makes us uneasy. Do we expect any other violations?"

"Admiral Timorth, Voyager is responsible for security. We saw a possible threat, and made the decision on how to best deal with it. Would you rather have an unidentified ship hiding in the system?"

"We would hate for the negotiations to end before they begin because of such high handedness. Timorth out."

B'Elanna had a few choice Klingon words in mind--instead she just counted to ten, three times before she sat down. So far she had kept her temper.

"Uhh, Lieutenant," Harry said. "The other side is hailing us."

She growled quietly. "On screen. This is Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres of ..."

"I'm Captain Aleena of the Quatarina, we have two complaints. We have detected two ships in the Akirpa System and why have you been communicating with the Quatarian Fleet?"

B'Elanna gritted her teeth and proceeded to give an expanded explanation. All the time wondering why she hadn't just done an universal broadcast.

Not that Quatarians were unreasonable, just paranoid.

#

#

Neelix had carefully prepared B'Elanna's breakfast. Fresh Quatarian fowl eggs--over easy with replicated sausage. As morale officer he felt it was his duty to try to keep her in a good mood. She entered and smiled when Neelix handed her breakfast. "Thanks Neelix."

"Not at all Lieutenant, I hear you've been doing a great job."

"Whoever your sources are Neelix, you might want to find some new ones."

He leaned over confidentially, "I hear the Captain was also impressed. She's been having problems with the delegates. Neither side is willing to trust the other."

"That sounds familiar."

"That's exactly what I told her...You'd better eat your breakfast. I've got customers." He'd just noticed a line developing behind B'Elanna.

#

#

Janeway and Tuvok were waiting when the delegates arrived. She rubbed her forehead in anticipation of the headache she expected. She had stopped by sick bay to convince the Doc to give her some medication to take with her. He hadn't been pleased and had started his stress prevention lecture again.

The delegates entered, Glosnyth was still glowering. They exchange short greetings as they sat down.

"Good morning," Janeway said. "First on our agenda is..."

"Captain," Glosnyth stood. "I hear your ship was in contact with *her* fleet last night."

"Actually we were contacted by both fleets." Janeway continued calmly. "They wanted to know about the ships in the system. Lieutenant Torres explained the situation. And I told you last night, if you remember." It was going to be a long day. "Now, the agenda."

#

#

Tom leaned back in his chair. It had been a long night--they had herded the other ship out of the area--twice it had tried to double back. They had watched it on their sensors until it left the area. Tom sat back and started to hum as he flicked the controls. "Shuttle to Voyager." He changed frequencies and tried again.

"Something wrong?" the Commander asked as he sat down.

"Communications aren't getting through." They both read the data from the sensors. "Increased ionization." Tom plotted a new course around the ionization.

"I show the ionization is interfering with the sensor array as well."

"Readjusting course."

#

#

B'Elanna spent the morning in the ready room, working on engineering reports. She'd rather face a core breach than another Quatarian right now, she thought as she calculated the engine efficiency differential for the past month and compared it to the previous three. Not bad she thought as she looked at the results. Well if nothing else, she would have this month's reports in on time. She started to write.

Harry stood at his station, his eyes searching the room. It had been a very boring beginning three hours to his shift. Even B'Elanna had found a reason to leave, though writing reports was only a little more interesting than staring at the same data he'd been gathering for the past three days. 'Well, well,' he thought. 'It's not the same, increased ionization in the system again. The levels had fluctuated since their arrival. They'd been high when they arrived, and had over the next 2 days steadily decreased--now they were increasing again.' He tapped his comm-badge. "Bridge to stellar."

"Delaney here. What's up?"

"Jenny, the system ionization levels are increasing. Are you noting that?"

"Just a second." There was a pause.

"Yes. Harry we're also monitoring a change in the shell temperature of the star Akirpa gamma. We're still analyzing the data. Could you increase the sensor sweeps in the area."

"Very well, Bridge out." He looked back down at the terminal. They were starting to have the same problems tracking the shuttle as they'd had with the press ship earlier. They were also five minutes late reporting in. Probably the ionization. He tried a couple of times to contact the shuttle using different filters. Nothing. He tapped his comm-badge again. "Bridge to Torres. We've lost communication with the shuttle."

"I'll be there."

B'Elanna walked over to Harry's station and looked at the data. "Pull up the data from when we arrived. Run a comparison." She tapped her comm-badge. "Bridge to stellar. Is this by any chance a cyclic event?"

Jenny Delaney responded, "Could be Lieutenant. We're still analyzing it."

"Keep us informed."

"Yes, Lieutenant."

"The ionization is affecting all scans of the area." Harry flicked a couple of buttons. "We've lost all contact with the shuttle. Look at this."

"Stellar to Bridge. I'm on my way to the bridge. Jenny out."

Jenny Delaney joined them several minutes later at Harry's station. "We've been analyzing the data, it looks like it is a cyclic event, we calculate it occurs every five-and-a-half days. The event is shielded from our sensors because of the ionization--but it is some kind of stellar flare resulting in a plasma wind."

"The shuttle?" B'Elanna asked.

"Probably blown off course. We've been calculating a possible path." Jenny went to the science station--with it's larger screen. The other 2 followed. She pulled up a display. "Based upon their last known position and our estimates on direction and speed of the wind...There is a large class A planet in this path. It's gravitational forces may be enough to pull them out of the wind."

#

#

Tom swore loudly as he struggled with the controls. The worst of the tumbling was over, he had managed to regain the stabilizers, but almost everything else was not working. The initial event had caught both of them unprepared. The Commander had been thrown from his chair, Tom had managed to hang on to his chair as the shuttle had tumbled. He continued to mutter curses under his breath as he struggled to bring some of the shuttle's systems back on-line. He felt the shuttle change direction--some other force was at work. Instinctively he realized that it was some sort of gravitational pull. Struggling with the stabilizers and tail rudder, he managed to fight the shuttle to enter an orbit around whatever planet they had passed. It beat drifting.

He had a nasty cut on his arm that needed tending and he heard the Commander groan behind him. When he felt the shuttle was, for the moment, safely in orbit, he found the first aide kit. His arm hurt, but Chakotay had a cut on the back of his head that was still bleeding.

"Sit still, Commander. Put your hand here--hold this in place." He left Chakotay holding a gauze pad on his wound. Tom grabbed a tricorder and scanned the shuttle. The rough ride may have shaken up everything else, but at least the hull was intact.

#

#

"We'll need to let the two fleets know," B'Elanna said as she looked at the incoming data. Still too much ionization.

"I don't think they'll like it. They weren't too happy before."

"I know. Damn. Try combining the signals here. Anything?"

"Nothing." Harry replied.

"Wait," Jenny Delaney said. "It's gone." She replayed the data. "This blip in the data--It looks like a Federation signature. But it's too short to make a positive identification."

"If it's them, it could look like they're in orbit around the Class A planet, Akirpa 5. Harry, concentrate sensors scans on this area. And start planning a search and rescue mission."

"B'Elanna, I don't think our friends out there will be happy with that plan."

B'Elanna smiled, "What they don't know...Harry, open a channel to Illyrina's fleet. This is Lieutenant Torres of the Federation Starship Voyager."

The Quatarina's Captain appeared on the screen. Torres continued quickly. "The shuttle we sent to the Akirpa System has had an accident. We are planning a rescue mission now."

The voice of the Qua-tar fleet admiral cut in, "I knew it. You are in league with Illyrina. I view this as a hostile act."

The Quatarina's Captain responded angrily, "This has been a set up--you're in league with the Quatarin."

"Excuse me," B'Elanna interrupted. "I'm worried about two of our crew. I had hoped that you're...I had hoped that we could agree to a rescue mission. But, our shuttle are sturdy and the crew members are both very good--we may wait until your leaders return to you. Voyager out." She turned to Harry and Jenny who were looking at her as if she was nuts. "Harry, run the calculations for using the cloaking device, Jenny plot a course--the shuttle will need to de-cloak at least once to refuel."

#

#

Janeway rubbed her forehead. Two hours and her head was already splitting. Even the medication she had cajoled out of Doc hadn't worked. She closed her eyes to block the light.

"Captain, are you all right?" Tuvok asked quietly.

She shook her head and opened her eyes--everybody was staring at her.

"Perhaps we should break for a couple of hours. I would like to discuss some of the issues raised." Illyrina looked around--the others agreed.

"Very good. We'll meet back here in three hours." The meeting broke. Janeway and Tuvok waited until the others had left.

"I'll be in sick-bay."

"Yes, Captain."

There was a lot of activity in Sick-bay, Kes and the Doc were preparing an emergency medical kit. Janeway stood in the door, looking puzzled and in pain.

"Captain," Kes said. "Come in. Your head again?"

The Captain nodded.

"Sit down." Kes pulled out a tricorder. "Computer, dim lights seventy-five percent."

"What's going on?" Janeway asked.

"I'd say a migraine." Kes started to turn, but turned back. "When did it begin."

"A couple of hours ago. Why?"

Kes left her sitting there and went to talk to the Doc who was still working on the field kit. He looked surprised, but nodded his head. Kes then filled a hypospray and returned to the Captain. "This should help. Captain, I'm going to the bridge--I'll tell you what's happening on our way."

Kathryn Janeway listened with a mixture of emotions as Kes filled her in on the shuttle accident and some of the plans for the rescue mission.

"After the complaints we received last night, I would think the fleet commanders wouldn't approve of a rescue mission." Janeway commented.

"When B'Elanna informed them of our plans--they did refuse. So Harry is attaching the cloaking device to a shuttle as we speak."

Janeway stopped. "Cloaking device. Creative."

Kes sensed some of her turmoil. "You've always been willing to try *creative* solutions in rescues and other situations." They started walking again.

"Do we risk the negotiations..

"Captain, no one will know."

"And B'Elanna wants to conduct a field test of her cloaking device." They arrived at the turbolift. "Bridge."

"Captain. How you doing?"

"I'm fine. My head feels much better." She continued to stare at the lift door.

Kes smiled. Humans could be so hard to comprehend.

"Captain," B'Elanna greeted her in surprise.

"Lieutenant, in my ready room."

"Yes Captain."

Janeway turned and looked at B'Elanna as the ready room door shut. "Lieutenant, a very interesting solution to a difficult situation."

"Thank-you Captain."

She nodded. "Who's on your team?"

"Jenny Delaney is working on a route, Harry, Carey, and Hogan are working on the cloaking device, Kes will come, Hamilton and Reis will be pilots."

"You do leave me short of pilots."

"We may need the second pilot for the other shuttle."

"When do you expect to be ready."

"By twelve hundred hours. That gives us four days."

"Four days?"

"Stellar tells us the phenomenon is caused by the gravitational pull of the 3 stars on each other--it apparently happens every five-and-a-half days."

"I'd like to meet with your team--15 minutes. I have a couple of hours before the negotiations start again."

"Very good Captain." B'Elanna smiled. The Captain had a history of moving heaven and earth to rescue her crew. "We're in shuttle bay 2."

#

#

Tom lay under the console swearing quietly. He pulled out the paneling and looked. Pretty much what he suspected. They were in bit of situation. His inspection of the rest of the ship had been even less promising. The engines were off line, the hydraulics were damaged, and the electronic systems were a mess. He'd managed to re-establish the environmental systems and was now working on communication systems. The computer was down.

He heard the Commander grunt. "Everything OK?"

"Yea, fine." Chakotay flicked a switch. A blurry image appeared on the screen.

Paris crawled out to look. "Some sensor capability." He looked at the data. "We're still flying pretty much blind. The communication systems are a real mess." He looked at the Commander in concern. "How's the head?"

"Fine." He rubbed the back of his head again.

Paris worked a couple more switches. "A few more hours and the rescue party will be here." The switches had no effect, so he started to crawl under console again.

"Don't get your hopes up. Neither Quatarian fleet was pleased with us being here in the first place."

Paris stopped. "Pessimist. Sir. I can think of several reasons for them to ignore the Quatarian fleets." He smiled at his number one reason, but said, "How about we can't afford to lose anymore shuttles." He crawled out from under the console again and grabbed the medical tricorder. "Sit still, sir." He grimaced.

"What are you doing Lieutenant?"

"Sir, you've had a head injury."

"I know, I also have a headache."

"Sir, I think you should stay seated."

"We don't have time, and as you so elegantly pointed out, we can't afford to lose this shuttle." He started to stand, but dizziness forced him to sit down again.

#

#

Shuttle bay 2 was remarkably calm. Kes, Jenny and the 2 pilots were loading supplies. The others were finishing checking the connections on the cloaking device and preparing to run the tests. The Captain and Torres entered. Janeway had informed Tuvok of what was going on. It was hard to tell if he approved or not. He had just lifted a eyebrow and assumed bridge command.

"Ensign Kim," Janeway looked at Torres. B'Elanna was leading the shuttle rescue. He walked over. "Ensign Kim, you'll be in command of the bridge."

"Captain?"

"Harry, if B'Elanna is leading the rescue mission, I need someone to be in command of the bridge during her absence."

Harry stood there stunned for what seemed minutes. "Thank-you Captain."

It was all Janeway could do not to smile. "Now B'Elanna, explain to me your plans."

#

#

Harry had felt so out of place sitting in either of the command chairs, that he decided to remain standing at his ops console. "Shuttle prepare for departure."

"Engaging cloaking device, ready for departure" B'Elanna's voice responded.

"Opening shuttle bay two doors." From this point on the shuttle would maintain radio silence. "Continuous scans." This was also going to be the most comprehensive field test of the cloaking device to date.

#

#

B'Elanna watched as the bay doors closed behind them. She looked at Ensign Hamilton, who was her shuttle pilot. Everybody else was seated in the back. "Set course for Akirpa 3, ahead warp one."

"Yes, Lieutenant. All systems nominal. Course set for Akirpa 3."

Akirpa 3 was the first planet in the system they would reach--in three hours. There they would need to decloak and refill their anti-matter supplies. Akirpa 3 had a very active atmosphere, which would help keep the shuttle hidden from prying eyes. From Akirpa 3 it was 2.5 hours to Akirpa 5 and where they hoped the damaged shuttle was.

#

#

Paris walked to the back of the shuttle. In the past hour or so the Commander had started feeling the effects of the bump on his head. He was starting to pass in and out of consciousness.

The shuttle was going nowhere fast too. He had managed to regain some of the sensors long enough to calculate where they were. The orbit would start decaying in a week. They'd be rescued well before then (Tom hoped). Repairs were slow. He'd been able to re-establish the impulse engine. But had to divert power from that to keep the Environmental systems running. Shields were at 50 percent. And communications was still down. It had been several hours since the accident.

"Commander, stay awake."

"Yes, Lieutenant."

"I'm in enough trouble, don't do this to me," Paris pleaded--with a grin on his face.

"What are you talking about."

Tom had spent the past hour talking to the Commander in an attempt to keep him from passing into unconsciousness again. He was running out of conversation material.

"I've already damaged a shuttle--actually several. But *she'll* really make my life miserable if anything happens to you." This got the response Tom was hoping for. His smile became bigger.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, I don't know. What did you think I was talking about?"

#

#

Janeway and Tuvok entered the meeting room. They were a few minutes early--no one else had arrived. She rubbed her head more out of frustration than pain. She poured herself a glass of water.

Illyrina entered, looking tired. "Captain Janeway. I'm afraid this isn't working. There's too much ill will..."

"Ill will. That's an understatement." Minister Glosnyth had entered behind her. He and Illyrina stood and glared at each other. She turned first--Janeway noticed she was close to tears.

"Do you want peace or not?" Janeway asked both. They both nodded. "Then maybe you should talk about it?" Having no idea what *it* was. "Mr. Tuvok, would you please inform the other delegates the meeting time has been delayed."

"Yes Captain." He left.

The trio stood, Janeway was uncomfortable with the situation--but it was obvious that until the personal disagreement between these two was resolved, there would be no peace agreement.

After a couple of very strained minutes, it was also obvious they weren't going to talk.

"We can't continue until you talk to each other."

Glosnyth walked toward the door, he started speaking with his back toward them. "Ten years ago it was decided that a 15 year old female child was not an appropriate choice to be ruler, so her Uncle was chosen to be Quatarin. Unfortunately it was not a popular choice. Enough of the Nobility were against that choice. The child was raised by one of the more powerful families and eventually civil war broke out. And the child--young woman became a leader in the opposition. Families divided over the issue of succession. My son, four years ago, resigned his commission and joined the opposition." He stopped. "He died four months ago in battle."

"Leaving a six-month old child who will never know her father," Illyrina continued. "Why do you think I wanted this meeting."

Glosnyth looked at her. "I have a granddaughter?"

Illyrina smiled slightly. "Her name is Allisiya. We've tried to keep her existence a secret, because she could be a political target."

Glosnyth sat down. "Allisiya. I knew about you and my son, but not..."

Illyrina moved toward her father-in-law. Captain Janeway decided that she would do well to leave, which she did quietly--leaving the two alone.

Tuvok stood outside the door. "Captain?"

"For the first time I think this may actually work. Where are the others?"

"They arrived a few minutes ago. They seemed to know what was going on."

"I'll fill you in. Maybe Neelix has something interesting in the galley."

#

#

B'Elanna glanced at the chronometer for the fifth time in 15 minutes. They were about to enter orbit around Akirpa 5. Ionization levels were still high. It was going to be difficult to locate the missing shuttle and for anyone to detect that there were two shuttles. "Deactivating cloaking device. Standard orbit and complete scans of the area." The rest of her team had started to gather their equipment.

"Lieutenant, I found them. Setting intercept course."

"Very good. Hail them. Can you tell what shape they're in?"

"They're both alive, but the shuttle is a mess. They aren't answering the hail."

"We'll beam in anyway, Kes, Reis, Hogan, Carey, you're with me. Ensign."

Ensign Hamilton nodded as he readied the transporter.

"Energize." They flickered out of sight and found themselves in the other shuttle.

#

#

Paris checked the vitals of Chakotay for the third time in the two hours he'd been unconscious. As he turned to return to work, he watched the rescue team materialize. "What took you so long?"

Kes took her medical kit and examined Chakotay, the others started analyzing the shuttle.

"Leave it to you to wreck another shuttle and cause havoc on Voyager's command structure." B'Elanna examined the shuttle console.

"What can I say. I've managed to restore the impulse engines--but they pull too much energy."

"Hogan--is this thing repairable?"

"Yes, Lieutenant. It'll take us a couple of hours. I don't think we'll have warp capabilities though."

"Very good. Tom, you can handle the cloaking device?"

"So that's how you got here? Yes, I've done it many times during testing."

"Good, you, Kes, and Chakotay will beam back to the other shuttle and return to Voyager. We'll follow as soon as we can. Ensign Hamilton can fill you in on the details."

Back on the other shuttle, Kes had set up a temporary bio-bed and Tom had helped her place the commander on it. The anti-matter was refilled, and they started the return trip to Akirpa 3.

#

#

Harry sat in the commander's chair, waiting for the returning shuttle's signal. The earliest expected arrival time had been an hour ago. He looked at the monitor again. There it was, two staccato hisses, followed by three. "Prepare shuttle bay two for landing." He noticed the rest of the bridge crew relax.

This could be interesting. The shuttle wouldn't decloak until just before entering the shuttle bay. There--just as it entered the bay. "Welcome back."

"Prepare for emergency medical transport. Two to beam to sick-bay," Kes's voice said. "It's nice to be back. Energize."

#

#

Janeway listened and watched as the five delegates discussed some of the finer points of arranging a permanent cease fire. Minister Glosnyth had yet to smile, but he no longer voiced an objection every three minutes. She felt Tuvok tap her on the shoulder.

"Captain." He passed her his padd with a message from Ensign Kim that the rescue shuttle had returned. Both Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Paris were alive and in sick-bay. She noticed that Harry hadn't given any details, this caused her a little concern.

She turned her attention back to the conversation in time to here them discuss breaking for the evening. Surprised she looked at the chronometer, 2100 hours.

#

#

The Doc and Kes completed their examination of the Commander. Doc turned to Tom who had waited. "He's going to be fine. He should regain consciousness in a few hours. You should get some sleep."

"Don't worry Doc, I will," Tom replied. "I'm waiting for someone. Shouldn't someone stay with him?"

"Either Kes or I will. Unless...Is there someone?"

Tom grinned. He noticed Kes smiling too. So he wasn't the only one to have noticed. The Doc looked at both of them, he rarely heard ship's gossip. He turned his attention back to Chakotay.

The doors slid open. Kes and the Doc were busy with the Commander, but Tom saw Captain Janeway come in.

"Captain, he's unconscious, but Doc says he'll be fine."

"Tom. How are you?"

"I've been better." He watched her closely and grinned. "Captain, permission to speak freely."

She looked at him suspiciously, "Yes?"

"Captain, in the time we've been here, you've earned the crew's trust and respect." He watched her react slightly. "I don't think there is anybody on board this ship who would be unhappy if you decide to have a personal life." He took advantage of her confusion and left.

She stood there, leave it to Paris to notice everything.

Kes turned, "Captain. Just the person we need. We'd like you to stay and talk to him."

Kathryn walked over.

Kes pulled the Doc away. "Come on Doc." She smiled at his puzzled look. "You're the one who suggested we find someone close to him."

The holodoc turned back to look, but Kes kept him moving. He smiled. "Well, well. You need to keep me better informed."

Kathryn listened to them leave, and entwined her fingers in Chakotay's hand. "The negotiations are going well." She stopped. "Commander, it's very difficult to carry on an one sided conversation, especially when I would like to see and hear your response." She paused for a long while. "What did you and Tom talk about?"

She chatted about what had happened in the negotiations, Neelix's latest culinary creations, how B'Elanna had planned the rescue mission, and whatever else she could think of.

The lights dimmed and she noticed that Kes has brought her a stool to sit on. She leaned over him, running her fingers through his hair. She sat down and after just sitting and staring, for a what seemed hours, she fell asleep, her head on his chest.

#

#

She woke with a start, sick bay was dark. She was aware that he was conscious, his fingers were caressing her face. She didn't move for several seconds. Finally she lifted her head and gazed at his face. She shivered. "Hi. It's good to see you awake. How do you feel?"

His fingers continued to caress her face as he waited a moment before speaking. "My head is splitting, but otherwise I feel fine." He paused. "I could get use to this."

"Use to what?"

"Waking up with you beside me."

She felt a wave of heat pass through her as she blushed.

Smiling at her discomfort, he changed the subject, "So how are the negotiations going?"

"They're going well. We meet again in the morning." She leaned down and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. She didn't resist, but after a couple of seconds, he released her.

"You should get some sleep," he said quietly. "I love you, Kathryn."

She smiled at him. "I love you too." She started to turn. "Dinner tomorrow night, nineteen hundred hours." She laughed, she had just used her 'Captain's orders' voice. "Please."

"Aye-aye, Captain." He grinned at her.

#

#

The Doc, unobserved, in his office, smiled as he watched the Captain leave sick-bay. For medical reasons--maybe he didn't need to worry about her stress levels after all.

#

#

Kathryn Janeway had slept only three hours, when the alarm went off. It was going to be another multiple-cups-of-coffee morning. She smiled as she thought of why she had only slept three hours. She had to force herself to get up and not think about anything else but getting going. After a cup of coffee, she made her way to the dining hall. Maybe Neelix had something worthy of being called breakfast. 'That isn't fair,' she thought. 'He really is trying. If he would only forget about his precious leola root.'

"Good morning, Captain." Kes greeted her. "We have leola root pancakes or Ocampan oatmeal. I recommend the oatmeal. Doc is going to release Commander Chakotay later this morning--with strict instructions to take the day off." Kes smiled at her and continued stirring the pot of oatmeal.

The oatmeal was blue. The pancakes were made with leola root. Tough choices, she thought. "I'll try the oatmeal today."

"Good morning, Captain. Here's my monthly report on crew morale." Neelix handed the captain a data padd, just before handing her a bowl of oatmeal. She juggled both items. Then he shoved a large bowl of cherries in front of her. "We also have fresh Quatarian cherries. Kes's bushes are producing them in great quantities."

Janeway nodded, placed the bowl of oatmeal on the counter, and took a handful of the yellowish-pink fruit which actually did resemble cherries in size and flavor. She grabbed another cup of coffee, loaded everything on a tray, and found a table.

#

#

Tuvok was waiting in the meeting room when she arrived. "Good morning Captain."

"Lieutenant." She went to the replicator and ordered another cup of coffee. "Where are the others?"

"According to the security teams assigned to the delegates, they spent the night here. They apparently returned about two hours after we left."

Janeway smiled. "Good. I hope they aren't as tired as I am."

He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Yes, Captain." He started to work on his data padd. No point in wasting the time.

Janeway had started reading the last of the monthly reports, when a message arrived from Illyrina about half an hour later. Janeway listened as the security guard relayed the message over his comm-badge. The delegates would rejoin her and Mr. Tuvok in three hours. They right now wanted to continue negotiations on their own. Janeway smiled--this seemed like a positive sign that they were going to be successful.

"I'll be on the bridge," she informed Mr. Tuvok.

She entered the bridge and looked around. Harry was sitting in the Commander's chair looking at various displays. He turned quickly. "Captain, welcome back to the bridge," he said as he stood.

"Ensign, relax. Report on the other shuttle?"

"We've just re-established communications twenty minutes ago. Captain. We expect them in five hours. They don't have warp."

"Carry on Ensign. I'm only here a few hours. I'll be in my ready room."

#

#

"We've decided on the conditions for a cease fire," the Quatarin said to Captain Janeway as they entered the meeting room several hours later.

"That's great." She took the data padd he handed her. Considering their past diplomatic history in the Delta Quadrant--it was fantastic.

"We still have a great many issues to work out, but I really think this time we'll be successful. I must thank-you for offering your ship."

You're welcome." She smiled as she sat down. She glanced at the data padd. The Quatarians had accomplished a lot on their own. More than she expected. They were already discussing peace terms and succession to the thrown.

Illyrina stood. "Captain Janeway and Lieutenant Tuvok, we would like to thank-you for your patience and use of your ship. Even though we finished our negotiations without you; without you they would never have occurred." She smiled. "Quatarillian starts in a month--this is one of our holiest festivals. It is our wish to be able to make the announcement then." She looked at Janeway, "There is no chance that we could convince you to stay an additional month." When the Captain shook her head, Illyrina continued. "We didn't think so."

"All we did was provide a neutral place to meet. You did the work. Congratulations, may this peace last."

"Thank-you Captain," Minister Forind added. "We still need to discuss the terms with our respected councils. We have agreed to exchange emissaries. Minister Glosnyth will accompany Illyrina, and Admiral Tallyranth will accompany us. And now Captain, we must be leaving. We have much to do in the next four weeks."

Janeway nodded. "I'll arrange for your ships to pick you up."

The others left, leaving her, Tuvok and Illyrina in the room. Illyrina looked at Tuvok, who then turned to Janeway. "Excuse me Captain." He then quietly left.

"Captain, I want you to know how much I, we appreciate what you have done." She reached into her pocket and took something out. "Here this is for you." She handed Kathryn a small cloisonnŽ sphere.

Kathryn looked at it. "It's gorgeous. But I..." Illyrina shook her head as Kathryn started to hand it back.

"No, it's yours."

She smiled. "I'll keep it to remember this meeting and Qua-tar."

Illyrina smiled and looked a little uncomfortable. "It's a Lemarisa. It's customary to give one to a couple as they begin their life together. Captain, may your journey be quiet, and may you find what you seek." She too left, leaving Kathryn Janeway staring at the sphere.

#

#

Kathryn sat in her quarters, reading the last of the monthly reports--Neelix's report on crew morale. He hadn't quite grasped how to present his report--and they were always humorous. Unintentionally so. They were still fun to read, and because of that she saved his to read last. Crew morale had improved--Neelix attributed that to amongst other things: a lack of Kazon in the sector; and the fact that they hadn't become entangled in a battle for several months. Kes obviously hadn't talked to him about her theory on crew morale--which was just as well, considering...

She looked at the Lemarisa. She wondered how Illyrina had known--she never did get a chance to ask: the Quatarians had left several hours ago. There had been no formalities in the departure, they had said good-bye, and wished each other good-luck. And that had been that. When the damaged shuttle had been safely docked an hour and a half later, she had ordered Voyager back on course to the Alpha Quadrant.

The doorchime interrupted her train of thought.

"Enter." She said as she stood.

"Captain." Chakotay stepped into her quarters.

"How are you feeling?" She tried very hard to stay calm. She moved toward her window.

"That depends..."

She started to say something, but instead she watched his reflection, his eyes in particular. They were watching her.

She took a deep breath. "So what did you do all day?" Any topic while she recomposed herself.

"I read reports. What's for dinner." He grinned. He'd learned to recognize when she was nervous.

"I had planned on using the replicator--so anything."

Chakotay moved to stand behind her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he whispered, "Kathryn, I don't think the replicator has what I want."

She stiffened as he kissed her neck--but didn't move away.

"Chakotay..." The amount of emotion she exposed in that one word surprised her. In his reflection, she saw the surprise in his eyes and then something else. She turned to face him and stared into his eyes. His eyes stared back, asking...

She raised her hand and their fingers entwined, as their lips met...

#

#

Kathryn lay staring at her ceiling. She was too much the scientist to think seriously about the strange fate that had brought them together. But right now she did wonder.

She felt him shift beside her.

"You awake?" she asked.

"No."

"Oh, that's too bad. Sleep well."

He laughed.

#

#

Kathryn Janeway entered the bridge for the start of alpha shift. "Good morning, Captain." Tom said cheerily.

"Lieutenant." She wasn't exactly smiling, but she frowned quickly. Had Paris just winked at her? She looked around. No one else seemed to have noticed anything. Tom appeared hard at work at something. She sat down in her chair and steeled herself for what would be the hardest part of the morning.

Tom was going over the previous shift's navigation logs. Nothing interesting in the logs. He needed an excuse to be up when the Commander arrived. He grinned. A little anomaly--nothing major, but an excuse. He stood and went to Harry's station.

Harry watched his friend come over. "What's up Tom?"

"A little glitch in the nav logs--would you check the ops logs for 2305 hours last night."

Harry scanned through the logs, and stepped aside to allow Tom to read them. He wondered what Tom was up to.

Commander Chakotay entered and sat down quickly. Tom watched with interest. The Captain was very stiff and neither said good-morning to each other. He thanked Harry and returned to his seat, casting a quick look at his commanding officers.

"Everything OK Mr. Paris?" the Captain asked.

"Yes ma'm. Just a little glitch in the navigation log. Nothing important." He grinned as he sat down. He owed himself a prime rib dinner. Maybe he could convince Jenny Delaney to join him.

Harry wondered what Tom had really wanted. He read the log--nothing there of interest. He glanced at Tom, and out of the corner of his eye caught the look the Captain gave her First Officer. His eyes returned to his console, as he muttered to himself, "It's about time."

PARADOX

"First Officer's log, stardate 50***. For the third straight day we're operating with one third the normal crew compliment. The Quatarian Flu epidemic continues to affect every department. We've been reassigning people to engineering and the bridge in order to keep Voyager operational. Everybody is serving double or triple shifts, which unfortunately increases their chances of getting sick. Today Lieutenant Paris reported in sick and was relieved. The Captain is still confined to her quarters. Lieutenants Torres and Tuvok are apparently unaffected. Sick bay is full with the more severe cases. All the others have been confined to quarters--Kes stops in to check on each patient twice a day." He stopped recording when the ready room chimes rung. "Enter."

"Commander, Doc wants me to check on you too." Kes held up her medical tricorder.

"I'm fine."

"Commander, you are getting over a rather serious flu. Just because you didn't get a sick as everybody else..."

"Very well, make it quick."

She waved the tricorder over him. "You still have a depressed lymphocyte count. I suppose I can't ask you to take it easy.

"I'll stop by to see the Captain between 19 and 20 hundred hours. By the way, I caught her trying to read reports this morning."

"Did you expect otherwise?"

"No."

"Status of the rest of the crew."

"Commander, today there were only four new cases--that's the second day the number of new cases has decreased. Doc believes the worst is over--probably. Ensign Kim should be able to report back to duty in 2 days. And we expect most to be able return to duty within nine days."

"Very good. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. It seems to be affecting the humans mostly."

"I suppose I can't ask you to take it easy."

She laughed. "But I am planning to take several days off when everyone is well."

He grinned. "Good enough. I'll see you later." He wondered where she found the energy.

Only an hour to go before his sixteen hour shift was over.

#

#

Kathryn Janeway sat at her desk, trying to keep her eyes focused and balancing herself with one hand to keep from falling out of her chair. She felt lousy. She had a splitting headache; she was dizzy and exhausted.

She had been doing this all day. Sleeping for several hours, trying to work for fifteen to thirty minutes and then sleeping again. She swayed slightly as she looked at her chronometer. She started to clean-up but gave up after a couple of minutes and dragged herself back to her bed. She buried herself under her covers and for probably the hundredth time that day wished for a complete body transplant.

She failed to hear her doors swoosh open as Chakotay entered her quarters, carrying a bowl of soup. He looked around her room and smiled. She had tried to work again--he wondered if she had accomplished anything. He walked into her darkened bedroom, put down the bowl, and sat down beside the lump buried under all the blankets. He then peeked under the covers. "How you doing?" Her scowl was answer enough, especially since she was also suffering from laryngitis. "I brought you some dinner." Kathryn grunted and he helped her to sit up, her feet dangling over the edge of her bed.

He pulled a small table over, placed the bowl on it, and as she started to sip the soup, he removed his shoes and knelt on the bed behind her and started to massage her shoulders. He felt her relax. "We're still operating with a skeleton crew, but Doc feels that in about a week most of his patients will have recovered enough to return to duty. Otherwise it was another uneventful day in the delta quadrant."

She tried to say something. She had lost her voice, finally, the previous afternoon. It was so damn inconvenient. She picked up her data padd and typed.

Chakotay read over her shoulder and smiled. "Me, I'm doing fine. Tired, but I'll survive." He nibbled on her ear, but stopped when she tried to elbow him. "Yea, you're right. You need your rest." Fortunately for him, she felt too miserable to put any force behind the elbow she tried to again jam into his ribs.

She had finished her soup, so he moved the table away. She then crawled back under her covers. Food made her feel a little better.

"Don't fall asleep yet, Kes said she would be by soon." He was answered with a noncommittal grunt. "That's probably her," he added when the chimes rang. He slipped his shoes back on, before calling out, "Enter."

Kes entered. "Commander. Good, I see she ate something." She took the tricorder and scanned her patient. "Captain, you still have a temperature. Vocal chords are still inflamed."

She handed the Captain her data padd. "How do you feel--and don't write fine." After a couple of seconds Kathryn finished typing, and Kes took the padd back. "Hmm." She entered the data in her own padd, then administered an analgesic. "Captain you need to rest. And drink more water. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Night."

Chakotay followed her out to the Captain's sitting room. "Commander--believe it or not, she is improving. She did have a more severe case than many of the others, but we won't need to move her to sick bay. In fact she should start really improving tomorrow."

"Thanks Kes."

"Good night Commander." She left.

Chakotay returned to Kathryn. She was curled up under the blankets again. He leaned down, found her face and kissed her good night. Darkening the room completely he returned to the sitting room, and spent seven minutes tidying up. Then he too left.

He had only walked half the distance to his own door when his comm-badge chirped.

"Tuvok to Commander Chakotay. Please report to the bridge."

"On my way. Chakotay out." Damn.

#

#

The bridge was very active when he arrived. B'Elanna was scurrying between the engineering, science, and ops stations. She stopped at each station long enough to scan the incoming data and then enter new instructions.

"Report," the Commander requested.

"Commander, we have detected what appears to be a wormhole of our port side. It just appeared." B'Elanna said.

He pulled up the data on his terminal. "B'Elanna?"

"It looks like another micro-hole. This is one of the smallest we've come across. I'm adjusting our scanning beams."

The bridge quieted down as B'Elanna made the final adjustments. "It's very unstable, but it does lead to the alpha quadrant. There is no phase shift--it opens to the present. But, there's no way we can fit the ship in." There was a collective sigh--even though no one had expected differently.

"Options?" Chakotay asked.

"Commander," B'Elanna offered. "I recommend we send the probe."

After their first experience with a worm hole, the Captain had asked B'Elanna and Harry to modify a probe to carry a message from Voyager through a small worm hole. The Captain had allowed each member of the crew--if they had wanted--to record a short one-minute message to be included with her message about Voyager's history. The opening part of the message was to be recorded when needed--so that it was current.

"Very good. Prepare the probe--I'll talk with the Captain." He'd have to leave the bridge to do that. "Mr. Tuvok, you have the bridge."

#

#

Kathryn was asleep when he returned to her room. He hated to wake her, but...

"Kathryn." He shook her shoulder through the pile of blankets. "Captain." He heard her angry grunt. "We've found a micro-wormhole."

She sat up--too quickly. After a second to recover from the dizziness, she indicated that he should tell her more.

As he told her, he pulled the data up on a padd. She tried to read, but even the excitement couldn't keep her eyes focused, but she still managed to enter something.

"Captain," he continued. She stopped him, by shoving her padd into his hands. He read her instructions for him to record a new opening, telling the stardate, their position, and what has happened in the past 1.5 months.

"Very good, Captain." She took the padd and typed some more.

He looked on. "Yes, Kathryn, I'll tell you what happens. No, we haven 't announced it. But considering the speed rumors fly through the ship, everyone will know in an hour. By the way, should I include everything that has happened in the past 1.5 months?" He grinned. She was in no shape to retort or retaliate. But she did smile. The first time she'd smiled in a couple of days.

"I've got to get going. You must be feeling better." She looked at him, puzzled. "You're smiling. Night again."

#

#

The message was audio only--this allowed more space so that each crewmember could also include a personal message. Most of the crew had done so. Chakotay glanced down the list. One video had been included, Kathryn had given Samantha Wildman permission to include a film of of her child. He also noticed that several had made changes in the past year. Most noticeably the Captain, herself.

He sat down and went through the logs for the past 1.5 months, picking out the memorable items--mainly the Quatarian peace negotiations. He had also gathered the star charts of the Quatarian territories. His opening would be fairly short.

#

#

They launched the probe at 0200 hours. The other end of the micro-worm-hole had shifted again, and their end was showing increased instability. The bridge crew silently watched the probe enter the hole and disappear. The ship would wait and see if perhaps they received a response.

#

#

Chakotay was half asleep when a voice woke him two hours later. It was from his comm-badge.

"Bridge to Commander Chakotay."

"Chakotay here."

"The worm-hole just closed sir."

"Very good, Lieutenant Rogers, set a course back to the alpha quadrant at warp 6."

It was going to be another short night. Only three hours before he was scheduled to return to duty.

#

#

In the Alpha Quadrant--somewhere near the Cuellar System--Cardassian Empire:

#

#

The probe noisily entered the alpha quadrant, it was programmed to send out a signal every 15 seconds. It floated alone for 18 hours, before it was detected.

#

#

"Captain, we have picked up a Federation signal."

The Cardassian Captain, looked up from his reports. "Coming from..."

"The Cuellar System, it is well within Cardassian space, sir."

"Change our heading, I will notify the fleet commander of our change."

"Sir."

Twenty two minutes later the beacon was on board a Cardassian vessel.

"Captain, it is a Federation probe. There is a message contained within." the Engineering Chief said over the communication system.

"Very good. Have the message sent to my ready room." Gul Bordat sat back in his chair and waited for the message. His terminal beeped when the transfer was complete. He started to listen. He sat up quickly. How could he forget that name, Chakotay. Four years and three months ago, Gul Bordat had been humiliated and had barely managed to keep his rank after an embarrassing encounter with the Maquis--that human had been responsible. And now he was serving on a Federation ship. He shut the message off.

"Glin Makak, get me a secure channel to Central Command."

#

#

The Federation Signal Beacon was sent to Cardassia Prime, Gul Bordat told that this was extremely sensitive information and sent back out on patrol.

#

#

In a small room, located somewhere in the heart of the Headquarters of the Central Command, three Cardassians silently listened to Voyager's message.

"This has possibilities," the older one said when the message finished. Najen looked at the other two. "Our government has been looking for a way to embarrass Star Fleet and thus the Federation. We can request a meeting with them and file a complaint. This commander is apparently not the only terrorist serving aboard this Federation ship. And several are in key positions and have unlimited access to Star Fleet technology."

"What about the distance? If the information is correct they are too far away to be of any consequence." Legate Tralek said.

"We don't know if that is true--and what if they find a way back, like the probe."

The third Cardassian stood. "There is another consideration--a matter of security. On that message, their Captain talks about a Cardassian agent. We at the Obsidian Order do not want the Federation or the Maquis to know how successfully we have infiltrated both organizations. This could seriously compromise our intelligence gathering efforts. This Cardassian agent was involved in a very complex and still ongoing operation. Even though she is no longer involved, there can be no mention of it. You cannot use the message, unless you remove all mention of this Seska."

"But if we manipulate the message, the Federation will suspect that something was deleted." Najen complained.

The third Cardassian looked at both administrators. "We have very capable technicians. And classified techniques. You cannot use the message unless all mention of Seska is removed. I'll bring the message back in two days. If your technicians can detect our *tampering* then cancel your plan." The senior Obsidian Order official retrieved the message disk and left.

#

#

In fourteen hours, Obsidian Order technicians had modified the message. They then spent the next twenty trying to determine if the *tampering* could be detected.

Satisfied that the work was perfect, the official returned to the room and again the three listened to message. Then the two Central Command officials had their technicians examine the disk. They found no sign of tampering. Within 16 hours, the Cardassian government filed a formal complaint with Star Fleet about aide being given to the Maquis, a recognized terrorist organization.

#

#

Alpha Quadrant--Deep Space 9:

Captain Sisko stared at the message that had just come through. Every known classification system had apparently been used to send it to DS9. 'Top level meeting scheduled on DS9 in twenty-four hours,' he read. 'Meeting is classified top secret, and only security personnel need to know.'

"Damn."

Top level, classified meetings caused a lot of problems and everybody usually knew anyway. All the message said was that Cardassian officials had requested a meeting with Star Fleet and some admiral was on his or her way. No names or even what the meeting was about.

#

#

Twenty-hours later, after settling the two Cardassian ambassadors into their suites, Captain Sisko and his security officers were in transporter room one, awaiting the appearance of one of Star Fleets top admirals. Sisko had to admit being startled at the choice to negotiate with the Cardassians. And a little bit nervous, he had been one of the toughest instructors at the Academy. It seemed every Star Fleet officer told tales about barely passing one of Admiral Paris's courses.

"Admiral Paris, welcome to Deep Space Nine."

"Thank-you Captain Sisko. I believe you know Lieutenant Commander Deanna Troi. She will be assisting me in the meetings. Have they arrived?"

"Yes sir. An hour ago. Sir, it has been difficult to set up security for these meetings, as we have not been informed what arrangements or facilities are needed."

"Don't worry Captain, the Cardassians are being very close-mouthed about what they want." He laughed. "We don't know either. I was asked to attend because I happened to be in the area. And they wanted a meeting right away. And now Captain, before I face the Cardassian Delegation, I would like to put my feet up."

"Sir."

#

#

The senior Cardassian ambassador spoke first after introductions were made. "Admiral, no offense. But we were expecting Admiral Necheyev."

"She is involved in other matters." Paris replied.

"Then we must file another complaint. Again, no offense Admiral, but considering the topic of this meeting, we would like to request another Star Fleet representative."

Admiral Paris looked surprise. "If you wish to request another Star Fleet representative...I can appoint Captain Sisko here."

"No. Perhaps the Admiral wishes to contact Star Fleet?"

"Legate Orkek. You wish to file a complaint about Star Fleet aiding the Maquis. If you are willing to wait a few days, I can request that someone else be sent. If you will excuse me, I will go make that request." He started to leave.

"Admiral Paris, wait." Orkek said. "My instructions are to do this quickly. We will withdraw our complaint, if a note is entered into the record of our reservations about your conflict of interest."

Admiral Paris looked at Troi, hoping she might be able to make more sense out of all this. She shook her head.

"Legate Orkek, we accept--but tell me what conflict of interest?"

Orkek looked at the Admiral. "I see. Our respective governments are working on a need to know basis--so no one knows anything. I will inform you, but not out here. Shall we start the meeting."

The 2 Cardassians, Admiral Paris, and Deanna Troi entered the meeting room, leaving a puzzled Captain Sisko.

"What connection does Admiral Paris have with the Maquis or the Cardassians?" Sisko asked Odo.

"His son was on Voyager when the ship disappeared. He was assisting with the capture of a Maquis cell he used to serve with."

"I remember, but that was almost three years ago. I wonder what the Cardassians want."

"They are working on a need to know basis. None of my usual sources of information know anything."

#

#

"Legate Orkek, what is this all about?" Admiral Paris asked.

"Admiral Paris, we have information that a Federation Ship is providing access to Star Fleet technology and assistance to the Maquis." Orkek paused for affect. "Voyager."

Admiral Paris controlled his reaction, but his voice carried a menace. "Voyager disappeared almost three years ago. The crew is presumed dead."

"Several days ago, a patrol ship found a probe carrying a message from Voyager." Orkek raised a hand to stop the protest. "It is a very recent message, and yes there is a message from your son." He signaled the other Cardassian to play the message. They turned to look at a small view screen that had been set up special for this meeting.

They listened as Commander Chakotay introduced the message and reported Voyager's current position and recent events. Then came Captain Janeway's report of the two years of hell Voyager had been through. She described in detail how they came to the Delta Quadrant and her decision to combine the two crews. (Here the two Cardassians smiled and Admiral Paris grimaced.) There was a brief description of their various attempts to return home. She summarized their contacts with the various alien cultures. There was information on the Vidiians and even more on the Kazon. She went over Michael Jonas's defection from Voyager ((ed. please, I'm not suffering a memory lapse)), the various battles with the Kazon and then how Lieutenant Tom Paris had gone undercover in an attempt to uncover a spy on Voyager who was feeding information to the Kazon, it had turned out to be Michael Jonas. Captain Janeway had even mentioned how the Kazon were able to capture Voyager and their heroic attempts to recover the ship. They then listened to some of the crew messages.

Admiral Paris listened with rapt interest. Here was someone actually praising his son--something new to him.

Troi watched the Admiral with interest. She sensed his turmoil--personal vs professional. The message itself was interesting, and could be damaging to Star Fleet--considering that relations between the Federation and Cardassia were usually borderline or worse. That was also the feeling she got from the two Cardassian Ambassadors.

"As you can see Admiral, there are a number of known Maquis terrorists on board this ship--including the First Officer and Chief of Engineering. Image our surprise at such a situation, especially after recent promises made by Star Fleet?"

"According to this, Voyager is in the Delta Quadrant. They're not exactly a threat to Cardassia."

"None-the-less, this is a clear violation."

"Legate Orkek, Captain Janeway and her crew are more likely to receive Star Fleet's highest honors than condemnation."

"Admiral Paris, my government is willing to use this as a propaganda tool. If we have to. We would rather meet under friendlier circumstances to re-negotiate certain items that we are unhappy with. We could conveniently forget that we saw this message..."

Admiral Paris groaned inwardly. Blackmail--unfortunately the Cardassians were perfectly capable of using it as a propaganda tool. He would need to have the message disk verified and communicate with the Federation Council.

"May I have the original disk, so that our technicians can go over it." Admiral Paris sat as the two Cardassians conferred. Orkek handed him the original.

"Admiral Paris, Commander Troi. We will wait for your response. You have forty-eight hours." The two Cardassians left.

Troi looked concerned. "Admiral?"

He looked up. "Sisko has some very capable engineers on his staff. I'll talk to him--but first I need to talk with the Federation Council. Commander, what are your impressions on this?"

"Admiral, the Cardassians believe the message to be real. The message itself--remarkable. After what Voyager's been through: the ship is still flying, the Maquis crew have been so completely integrated...I feel the message is probably real. Admiral, is it possible for me to have a copy?"

"I'll arrange for one to be delivered."

#

#

Admiral Paris groaned as he closed his message with Star Fleet Headquarters. He'd heard rumors that they were negotiating with the Romulans to try to prevent a Cardassian-Romulan alliance. The Cardassians could take the message out of context and really make a mess out Federation-Romulan relations.

His thoughts turned to more personal matters. And one reason he figured the message was real. The Cardassians could not have come up with a more unlikely scenario than his son serving as a lieutenant onboard Voyager and as a member of the senior staff. He really wished it was true--Tom had always shown great potential--he just had been to lazy to do anything.

His thoughts were interrupted by the signal indicating a incoming message.

#

#

Deanna Troi watched only part of the nearly 3 hour message again. She couldn't place it--but there was something wrong. She finally asked the computer to print a transcript of the crew lists and Captain's message. She then pulled up the data from Voyager's last mission. Most of it was classified--but the Admiral had given her special clearance. She read what little there was and pulled up information on the Maquis ship Voyager had been sent to capture, and then finally data collected from the Badlands from just before and after Voyager's disappearance.

After another two hours of comparing and analyzing, she had to quit. Dinner followed with something chocolate and maybe she'd have the energy to continue.

#

#

It was zero two hundred hours when Deanna woke up with a start. "Computer, increase illumination to forty percent." The lights came up and she stumbled out of her bed. Something had finally clicked, and she now had an idea of what had been bothering her about the message. She pulled up the transcripts. "Computer, find all references to Michael Jonas and list them separately."

Sure enough, he was mentioned several times after his initial defection as still being aboard Voyager.

"Computer, compare list of Maquis ship to the list of the Maquis crew of Voyager. List discrepancies." There were several. "Compare list of discrepancies and the name Michael Jonas with intelligence reports on Cardassian activities from stardate 48*** to when Voyager left Deep Space 9."

"Working," the computer responded. "Comparison will take twelve minutes and thiry-three seconds."

"Also find later references in intelligence files on the Maquis for the list of discrepancies."

"Working. Comparison will take seven minutes and fifteen seconds."

She sat back and waited.

"Second comparison list ready. Three of the four names are referred to after Voyager disappeared. Tajer Bokredeth was arrested Stardate 49***, Randall...."

"Computer, which name is not referred to."

"Seska, a Bajoran female."

"Find all references to Seska in the database."

"Working, search will take five hours and forty one minutes. First comparison is complete. All names are mentioned."

"Display findings for Seska."

"List complete. There are fifty two references."

Deanna Troi read through the list quickly, nothing unusual. Seska was seen at some bar on some day, escaped from a Cardassian prisoner transport ship. Very much a typical Maquis. But one of the names Troi recognized.

"Computer show record on Foreth."

"Foreth, arrested Stardate 49*** by Federation Security. Committed suicide two days later. Charges included spying for Cardassia, sabotage..."

That's enough." Curious. 'What was Seska doing meeting with a Cardassian agent and more than once.' She had two thoughts, Seska didn't know, or Seska was also a Cardassian agent.

Deanna yawned. It was after 0300 hours. Her brain was starting to slow down.

"Computer leave a message with Admiral Paris requesting a meeting. Wake me at 0630 hours."

#

#

"Ah, Commander Troi. I'm sorry that I've had to postpone our meeting, twice. This business has become complicated. You said you had some new information."

"Yes Admiral. If I may. Computer pull up files Troi alpha 1 through 7. I think I have evidence that the files were tampered with. I ran a comparison of the list of the Maquis crew from the message with Star Fleet Intelligence. There were four descrepancies. Only one is not referred to again in the computer. A Bajoran woman, Seska. The computer records several meetings with Foreth. He was arrested a year ago. Apparently he was a Cardassian agent."

"This is not proof."

"No sir. Here are parts of the transcripts to the message. Computer display file Troi alpha 5 and 6. In number five, Captain Janeway talks about one of the crew giving equipment to the Kazon. He soon after defected to the Kazon. She calls him Mr. Jonas. Later--like about a year, he is referred to again as secretly giving information to the Kazon. Your son was responsible for uncovering the fact that Mr. Jonas was sending information from Voyager to the Kazon. This would be a little hard to do since he was supposedly already with the Kazon..."

"Interesting." The Admiral pulled up the technical report he had just received on the message. "Very interesting. Good job Commander. Sisko's staff was able to determine that some of the message was computer generated. It seems the Cardassians have a new technique for forging voice patterns. I need to send a message to the Federation Council." Again. The Council was very unhappy about the whole thing and were looking for an excuse to declare the message a fake. His opinion would not count much--especially since he personally wanted the message to be true.

He sent the technical report, Commander Troi's report and data, and his own appraisal. He also included Troi's assessment that the two Cardassian ambassadors believed the message to be true.

He only had to wait a few hours. The Federation Council's orders were short and very specific.

#

#

Admiral Paris looked at the two Cardassian ambassadors. "We have determined that the message is a forgery--we have found evidence of tampering, and that much if not all the message was created by a computer. We are not willing to re-negotiate anything." He raised his hand to stop Orkek's interruption. "We also have evidence that a Cardassian agent was on board the Maquis ship--I'm sure you would not like for anyone else to know that. I have here some of our evidence of tampering, spying, sabotage, and other activities carried out by Cardassian Intelligence against the Federation, clearly forbidden in various treaties and agreements between our two governments." He handed Orkek the report. "So unless you have something else to complain about, this meeting is adjourned." The Admiral and Troi watched the two Cardassians leave--neither ambassador looked pleased. Admiral Paris stood there watching. Thank-god he was close to retiring.

"Admiral, do you really think the message is a forgery?" Troi had sensed his unhappiness with the Federation Council decision.

"I don't know. But I don't think the Cardassians could have created the Lieutenant Tom Paris of the message. I hope it's true. Tom deserves his own chance--not one I forced him into." The Admiral looked far away, but returned to the present quickly. "Commander Troi, that was a very astute observation. Everybody was busy with the technical aspects, you saw the inconsistency in the story."

"Thank-you, sir. Sir, what will happen to the message?"

"It'll be classified top secret and filed away somewhere."

"And the families?"

He shook his head. And again thought of his upcoming retirement.

#

#

Back in the Delta Quadrant--several days later.

Tom sat at his table at Sandrines and watched Harry warm up the crowd for him. He smiled when he saw Jenny Delaney enter. He stood as she stopped at his table. "Hello Jenny, it's been awhile."

She looked at him, "And whose fault is that Tom Paris?"

"Jenny, I mean--she's your sister...Perhaps we should continue this conversation elsewhere?"

"What conversation?" She moved on to join a group at the other end of the bar.

Harry grinned. Tom and Jenny's on-again, off-again affair was legendary throughout the ship. Apparently it was off again. He returned to the game and finished beating his opponent.

The Captain entered, and looked around for an opponent. There weren't too many pool players on the ship willing to play against the Captain. Harry was reluctant, even though he was feeling smug after just winning his third game in a row.

She glanced around the room, she had just finished reading the last report, was feeling grumpy, and just sick-and-tired of her quarters. Creaming someone in a round of eight ball would improve her mood. And Tom seemed to have lost interest in the game. She felt a hand on her back. "That had better be a challenge for a round of eight ball, Commander." She whispered without looking.

"But of course Captain." He grinned. *What else could it possibly be,* his eyes flashed when she turned. "I hadn't realized the Doctor had allowed you to leave your quarters."

"He hasn't. You can break first."

Harry watched with interest. He glanced quickly at Tom--he was also watching, then walked over to join Tom.

"Tom, you're the only one who has any chance of beating her," Harry commented as they watched the Captain sink the last ball.

"Not tonight. Anyway this game is more interesting to watch."

"I agree." Both grinned. Neither were commenting on the skill of the players. They watched as the two started a new game.

Janeway looked at the layout on the table and was calculating her next shot when she put her cue down and pressed her hands against her forehead.

"Are you all right, Captain?"

"I'll be all right. I've just overdone it. Can we replay this game at a later date?"

"Of course, are you sure you're all right?"

"I'll be fine," she said. Sandrine's patrons were watching. Then quietly she whispered, "Let's see if you can find a better excuse to leave in about half an hour." She would have grinned. Then at her previous volume she continued. "I'd better leave before the Doc finds out I was here. Good-night Commander."

"Good-night Captain." Chakotay wandered over to a table and sat by himself.

Tom glanced at Jenny again--she was pointedly ignoring him. She'd had lots of practice. Harry noticed his friend was not in a social mood and was about to leave, when B'Elanna joined them.

"So who'd the Captain beat tonight?"

"She was playing Commander Chakotay, but they didn't finish. She's still suffering the effects of the flu."

"Oh. She looked fine when I passed her just now in the hall." B'Elanna sipped her drink. "She was even smiling."

Tom and Harry glanced at each other, then at the Commander. Both smiled.

B'Elanna watched them as she put her drink down. "What do you figure, 20 minutes? Half an hour before Chakotay leaves?"

Harry laughed. "We're awful. We really should find ourselves another hobby." He paused. "Do you think anybody else has noticed?"

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