Part 1 - The return

The Delta quadrant - Five years after Voyager first encountered the Devore

The red alert klaxon woke Captain Chakotay. A second later Voyager shook with the impact of weapons fire. Cursing he scrabbled for his comm badge.

"Chakotay to the bridge. What's happening Tuvok?"

"A warship has emerged from a transwarp conduit off the port bow and fired on us Captain. They are hailing us: demanding that Voyager heave to. We are trying to outrun it but it is maintaining pursuit, and Captain," Tuvok hesitated, "the vessel appears to be Devore in origin,"

"Open fire if you have to Tuvok. I'm on my way." Chakotay struggled into his uniform pants and boots. This was no way to wake up after only two hours sleep. His tiredness abated as the adrenaline pumped through his veins and the Captain's brain kicked into gear. He wondered why Tuvok had said that the vessel only appeared to be Devore. His first officer was always precise. Chakotay picked up his jacket and headed out of his quarters towards the turbolift.

A minute later he was on the bridge. A huge black ship was clearly visible on the aft view screens. It seemed very close. Another burst of green phaser energy bounced off Voyager's shields.

"Shields at 69% Captain." reported Lieutenant Harry Kim at ops. "They seem to know where to hit us Sir."

"Why are the Devore this far from home and what the hell could they want?" Chakotay wondered aloud. "I never thought we would see them again."

"I cannot speculate as to their intentions Captain." Tuvok replied in the same tone of voice he would use if he were discussing a new staff rotation. "However it is probable that the pursuit relates to our contact five years ago. Captain, it should be noted that this ship is not following standard Devore boarding procedures nor is the communication signal consistent with the Devore Imperium. We have attempted to scan the vessel, but we were unsuccessful in penetrating the shields."

Chakotay cast aside any further hypothesising. They needed facts. "Ensign open a hailing frequency to the ship" he ordered and paused momentarily waiting for the link to be established.

"Unknown vessel please identify yourselves and end this unprovoked attack. We will return fire if necessary."

As he spoke the great black vessel fired on Voyager and the smaller ship lurched as the shields flared. Harry Kim was openly worried as he reported "Their weapons seem to be more powerful than in our previous encounters with Devore sir. Shields are now at 23%. Another hit will leave us defenseless." Looking up from his console he hesitated and then continued too quickly "Captain, the weapons signature seems to be... Borg!". The tension on the bridge immediately increased. There could be no negotiation with the Borg and surrender would mean assimilation.

"Tom, evasive manouveures, try and keep out of range of their phasers," Chakotay sounded calm as he continued to give orders, "Harry see if you can slow them down a little, target the ship's engines and fire phasers at will." Turning to Ensign Nicoletti at the tactical station, Chakotay asked quietly "Susan is there anywhere we can run to?"

"There is a nebula less than 0.2 light years from here if we can make it. It should be large enough to hide in and its emissions would disrupt sensors. But it will take at least 33 minutes to reach at maximum warp," the ensign answered quickly and completely. She had been expecting the question - after ten years in the Delta quadrant, crew members knew exactly what was required of them.

Chakotay grimaced. This was a little too uncomfortable then again there wasn't much choice. It seemed his unknown opponent wasn't going to give him any opening. "Tom set course for the nebula, full speed. Harry, report."

"Captain I have returned fire but with no effect. The ship is gaining"

Chakotay suppressed a frown.

"OK Harry let's try and really shake them up. Target engines with torpedoes, full spread, fire at will. Tom. Make sure we don't take another hit."

Voyager's torpedoes hit their mark and exploded around the pursuing ship's glowing engines.

"The ship has slowed Captain," reported Harry Kim, "and it is damaged but the shields are regenerating quickly."

"OK let's take advantage of this and make tracks for that nebula. Tom, quick as you can."

Almost before Chakotay could finish speaking another blast rocked the ship. Some of the bridge personnel were thrown to the ground as power surges shorted their consoles causing a fanfare of pops and small explosions.

Harry's voice rose through the noise "Shields are down and Voyager has taken heavy damage. There are casualty reports from decks 6 to 8. There is a possible hull breach on deck 7. I am reinforcing the structural integrity fields."

"Nicoletti where the hell did that come from?"

The ensign struggled back to her station.

"A second ship has appeared from a conduit between us and the nebula Captain." Another phaser blast shook the bridge.

Hanging onto his console, Harry Kim despairingly issued more bad news: "direct hit on the starboard nascelle. Warp engines are damaged and we are venting plasma. Engineering are trying to reroute power to the port engine."

"We are losing speed Captain" said Tom, "I can't maintain power."

Nicoletti interrupted. "Captain, the second vessel is hailing us."

A voice, which Chakotay had thought he would never hear again except in his dreams, echoed through the bridge.

"This is Janeway, Marshal of the Free Alliance privateer, Fearless. Voyager your shields have gone and your engines are damaged, power down your weapons and prepare to surrender now. Yield and prepare to be boarded." Almost as an after thought the voice added "Or die."

At that moment Chakotay knew that this must be a bad dream. The voice was undeniably that of Kathryn Janeway, former captain of Voyager, but the message was being converted from another language by the Universal translator. The familiar voice and the inconceivable demands continued, resounding in the shocked silence. "Commander Chakotay, obey my orders and live. You have one minute to comply."

"If you have any ideas Tuvok now would be a damn good time to share them. What or whom the hell are we dealing with?" asked Chakotay, unable this time to repress his astonishment. "Is it the Borg? Do they have the Captain?"

"It is extremely puzzling Captain" Tuvok understated though outwardly the Vulcan had betrayed no surprise at hearing the voice of the lost Captain. "If these ships are Borg then they have not identified themselves as such nor do the vessels appear to be Borg in any other respect. The communications we have received from them were not Borg signals."

Chakotay considered the few known facts.

Otherwise unassimilated Devore ships with what seemed to be partially Borg propulsion systems, weaponry and shields, twenty thousand light years from the Devore Imperium. Yet only five years ago the Devore had no transwarp or slipstream drive though of course they may have developed it and had never heard of the Borg. Of course if they really were Devore then perhaps it really was Captain Janeway aboard that ship, maybe she had found a way back to them but then why would she attack Voyager?

He had no answers and in the end it came down to this: Voyager and its captain had been out-gunned and out-manoeuvered. This battle was lost. Chakotay made the only decision possible.

"Tom, all stop."

Voyager came slowly to a halt and the pursuing ships slowed and positioned themselves either side of the small white ship, their dark hulls almost invisible against the space behind. A tractor beam fastened on to the smaller ship, removing any hope of a quick get away. Chakotay looked at the faces around him and tried to think of something to say and failed. Instead he addressed their attackers.

"Commander of Free Alliance vessel Fearless we are prepared to negotiate terms with you. Permission to come aboard is granted."

Tuvok immediately started issuing orders to the crew and readying them for invasion. "All crew are to implement condition yellow. Prepare to be boarded and do not engage the enemy without further orders. The Captain is negotiating the terms of our surrender. Retreat to decks 1 to 5 and 12 to 15 where there is less damage. Security teams are to prepare themselves for a possible defence but repeat do not engage the enemy without orders."

*~~~*

The crew of Voyager waited to meet their conquerors, and wondered what they would see: soldiers of the Devore or the Borg or something else. After an agonising few seconds came the unmistakable whine of transporters and on each deck dozens of soldiers materialised. Harry Kim at tactical recorded over five hundred intruders before the bridge was taken and he was captured and knocked unconscious. The rest of the bridge crew were also rapidly and brutally subdued. The invaders shackled Chakotay and Tuvok together and dragged them into the Captain's ready room. Elsewhere on the ship, individual crewmen found themselves outnumbered three to one. All hopes of mounting a defence evaporated. With no orders forthcoming from the bridge Voyager's crew were swiftly disarmed and the frightened crewmen herded down the long corridors towards the cargo bays where they were held under heavy guard.

Amongst the invaders were indeed many Devore soldiers dressed in their usual black uniforms, however not all of the boarders were Devore; a great many Delta quadrant species were present; even the Brenari telepaths so loathed by the Devore were in evidence and there were many species completely unknown to the crew. But there was one chilling commonality among the invaders: the Borg-like implants visible on many of their faces, arms and hands. Yet these soldiers were not the Borg. These were not silent, implacable, walking-dead men. They were noisy, aggressive and piratical; pushing and shouting, cursing and swearing at their prisoners. They wore no single identifiable uniform and many, apart from the Devore, seemed to have a taste for bright colours. All were heavily armed but even in their weaponry there was variety and an apparent gothic pleasure in wearing lethal looking swords and knives in addition to the more usual forms of hand weapon.

Ensign Vorik watched as a heavily manacled B'Elanna Torres was taken away, still shouting abuse at her captors. The Chief Engineer had put up a fight and two of the invading soldiers lay dead on the floor of engineering. Sheer numbers had finally overwhelmed her, yet the invaders had not seriously injured the Lieutenant despite their own losses. The Vulcan thought that this seemed surprisingly disciplined behaviour for such rowdy pirates.

Still contemplating this paradox, he was doubled over by a blow to the stomach from a creature as broad as it was tall and with no apparent facial features. A guttural voice barked "Hands behind your head you skinny bastard and get in line." The engineering crew, minus their leader, were then marched out in a line, any hesitation or slowness being met with blows. As they marched away a replacement crew from the invasion force entered main engineering.

After ten minutes walking along corridors Vorik could see a small group approaching from the opposite direction. The Voyager engineering crew were pushed against the wall of the corridor and forced to their knees by their escorts shouting and waving weapons in their faces. The soldiers had become very agitated when they spotted the approaching group.

Four figures walked smartly towards them. Vorik took a chance, and looked up to watch them pass. The two beings in front were bipedal, tall, willowy and identical in appearance, dress and movement. Quite irrationally he found himself assuming they were female although they were, in humanoid eyes, quite androgynous. They looked straight at him, their dark heads turning in perfect synchronisation and two pairs of beautiful golden eyes looked into his and then passed by.

They were followed by a brutish animal as ugly as they were beautiful, three metres tall and also bipedal but with a strong resemblance to a Terran warthog with a fleshy face and prominent tusk like teeth. Its body was covered in reddish coarse hair. The creature was lightly armoured and carried no weapons except a curved blade nearly two metres long.

Behind the brute a smaller figure appeared, dressed in a black Devore uniform. Vorik looked into her face and with disbelief registered the features of Captain Kathryn Janeway. Her red hair was cut shorter and she seemed paler and a little thinner than he remembered. Then he noticed her hand, as she lifted a tricorder like device and stopped to scan a power relay in the adjacent wall. The hand was covered with an unmistakable tracery of Borg implants. She did not seem to notice the Voyager crewmen crouching against the wall of the corridor and walked past them impassively.

After the group had passed the prisoners were hauled to their feet and pushed on towards the waiting cargo bays. A wide-eyed Crewman Ryan looked at Vorik and mouthed "Did you see her?" A heavy blow on the shoulder with the stock of a disruptor rifle put an end to any attempt to answer.

=Old friends, new aquaintances=

Captain Chakotay struggled to sit up; the weight of Tuvok's unconscious body which had been thrown on top of him and the chains around his ankles and wrists made it hard to move. The Vulcan groaned incoherently as Chakotay tried to shift him.

"Tuvok. Tuvok are you alright. Wake up Commander."

Tuvok's head was resting on the Captain's chest and Chakotay winced a little when he realised that the dampness he could feel was blood from the his first officer's head wound, soaking through his uniform jacket.

Tuvok stirred and groaned again. Chakotay spoke to him gently, "Tuvok. Try not to move. You have a head wound, it's bleeding and you may have other injuries. I'll help you." Gently he helped Tuvok to ease into a sitting position between his legs so that the Vulcan was leaning against him. Chakotay could clearly see the deep gash in the Vulcan's skull. Unfortunately with his hands chained there wasn't much the Captain could do to stem the bleeding. He hoped it was slowing.

The door to the ready room hissed open and Chakotay looked up as Captain Janeway entered her ready room for the first time in five years. She hardly looked any older than when he had last seen her. He started to smile, Then he saw the Borg implants and fear and horror wiped the smile from his face and the words from his lips. Cold blue-gray eyes regarded him without any hint of emotion. Behind her a huge ugly bipedal warthog had entered the room together with a male soldier in Devore uniform.

Janeway spoke slowly, almost clumsily, in Federation Standard English.

"Captain Chakotay your ship is mine. We will discuss the terms of your surrender." He saw her take in the condition of Tuvok. She spoke in the same slow English and with a touch of regret. "It appears that Commander Tuvok is injured."

She addressed the Devore male by her side but this time the Universal translator kicked in as she addressed him in an unfamiliar language.

"Jerholdt bring Voyager's Doctor here. Let him treat the Bridge crew and then I want him taken to the cargo bay to treat any other injuries." Her voice became lower and menacing as she continued to speak to the soldier. "And I hope Major that the Commander's injuries are not typical of how you obeyed my orders."

Jerholdt looked nervous but replied steadily. "Marshal there have been no serious injuries amongst the Voyager crew although our marines have suffered several fatalities and serious injuries." Janeway nodded slightly to acknowledged his words and turned her back as the Devore left the room. She looked at Chakotay and Tuvok and, for the first time, a hint of a warmth entered her face. She switched to English.

"You don't look very comfortable Captain. Release them Kraal." She ordered quietly.

The warthog grunted and snorted. "It is safer to keep them tied up."

Janeway smiled then and continued in a mocking voice. "Kraal could you be afraid? Or perhaps you think you cannot protect me from such fierce creatures?"

"I can protect you Kathryn from far greater dangers than these pathetic creatures" replied the Warthog grumpily, "but you always like to make my job harder."

Chakotay was surprised at the clearly affectionate tone that Kathryn used towards the unappealing creature. The brute moved with agility and grace as it bent down and took hold of the chain that joined the manacles on Tuvok's hands and ankles. With a twist of his great hands and a small grunt Kraal snapped the chain and Tuvok was able to stretch out his legs. With a similar lack of effort the great beast broke the remaining chains leaving Tuvok with a broken manacle dangling from each wrist and ankle. The brute lifted Tuvok aside from where he had rested against Chakotay, and then Chakotay's bonds were broken equally quickly. Chakotay stood, grimacing slightly as the blood returned to his limbs.

"You could have used the unlocking code rather than destroying the ship's property." said Janeway, grinning openly now at the creature.

"Yes, but I was making a point. Do you think they understood? They do not look very intelligent and it surprises me that you survived as long you did in their company. We took their ship with little effort and they do not seem to be worth the journey." replied Kraal and accompanied his words with a snort which was utterly derisive.

"Captain Chakotay, you have not impressed my colleague. But then he does not know you or this crew." She paused for a moment. "I am sorry about the manner of our reunion Chakotay but I am operating under certain constraints which made this approach necessary."

Chakotay was silent and his former captain said sharply "You don't have anything to say?". She stepped forward and placed a hand on his arm. "Chakotay you need not fear me. This ship and its crew are still important to me."

Glancing down Chakotay looked at her hand and the dull grey metal threading through it and could not stop himself from pulling away from her. He had never been able to forget his horror at being linked to a Borg hive mind.

"Are you..." his voice sounded hoarse and he steadied himself, trying to overcome the sudden dryness of his mouth, "Are you really Captain Janeway?"

Following his gaze down Janeway looked at her own hand and frowned a little, then she looked into his dark eyes and smiled the same lazy smile that he remembered so well. He remembered also how much he had missed her, missed their easy friendship, how much he had lost. Her smile became sad as she recognised the hurt on his face. Her distinctive low voice was gentle and reassuring.

"It is me Chakotay. An enhanced model perhaps, as Seven of Nine would have it, but none the less I am Kathryn Janeway former captain of the USS Voyager."

Startled again, Chakotay exclaimed "Seven of Nine! Is she with you?"

Janeway's expression darkened and she became brisk. "No. Seven is not with me. But she is the reason that I came looking for you. Look Chakotay I have a great deal to tell you but we will have time for explanations on the way back to Devore space."

Chakotay protested "Kathryn, the Devore Imperium is twenty thousand light years from here and it has taken Voyager five years and a lot of luck to travel that distance. You can't ask us to give up those gains."

Her eyes had hardened from the soft blue-grey of a few seconds before to an unyielding grey, any sympathy, real or fake, vanished from her steel-plated voice.

"I had forgotten how awkward you could be Chakotay. I am not used to having my plans questioned." Kraal snorted a little and looked unrepentant when Janeway scowled at him but the interruption seemed to calm her. She sighed and rubbed her face and said in a quieter voice. "I'm sorry Chakotay but command protocols are a little different in the Free Alliance. I'm afraid you will just have to excuse my occasional bursts of despotism."

She smiled at him reassuringly and her voice was again gentle and persuasive. "Chakotay the return journey will take just one week and, with good fortune, you, and the rest of the crew, will be home in the Alpha quadrant within two months. Trust me I am going to explain."

Ignoring Chakotay's still obvious suspicion, Janeway then knelt down to Tuvok and and hugged him carefully. "Tuvok it is wonderful to see you again old friend."

The Vulcan's face showed some alarm at the embrace despite his best efforts, as well as some discomfort from his injury, however he answered her calmly, as though meeting Janeway at some Starfleet social event. "I am gratified to see you also Marshal Janeway and to know that you are well."

Despite the situation Captain Chakotay was amused by Tuvok's extreme politeness but the Captain felt battered by the revelations and sudden changes of fortune. Kathryn had certainly retained her ability to disconcert and he could not shake the feeling that he was being manipulated. It was important to remain alert to possible opportunities, to recover some advantage. At the moment Janeway held all the cards and he could only go along with her plans whatever they might be. He made a conscious effort to look more relaxed and confident. He walked to the nearest couch and sank down and stretched out his legs and then sat back, smiling at Janeway who had now released Tuvok. She looked relieved.

Kraal was standing watching in the corner; he snorted again and muttered but his alert pose eased and he leaned his great bulk against the wall with one hand resting lightly on the huge sword that he carried.

Tuvok was still on the floor, propped against a step; he sagged slightly and Janeway immediately became concerned. "Jerholdt. Where is the Doctor?" she snapped, presumably to a communicator hidden somewhere on her uniform.

Jerholdt's communicator reply sounded a little tinny "My apologies for the delay Marshal but the Doctor has been less than co-operative."

"Well tell him Tuvok is injured and Captain Janeway says he is to come to her ready room immediately."

She heard Jerholdt repeat her words and then someone gasp. Then they heard the Doctor's voice. "What do you mean Captain Janeway. If this is a trick, it's not a very clever one. Obviously my good man no-one bothered to tell you that we lost the captain five years ago." By the end of the sentence the Doctor's tone had moved from bluster to become smug and superior. Chakotay offered a wry smile to his former captain. Some people never change was the unspoken thought. Janeway did not return the smile.

"Janeway to the Doctor."

She spoke in her most forceful command voice. "I am here in my ready room and we require your services. Now." Her voice became rougher. "In future Doctor if I give an instruction I expect immediate obedience. Deviation from this will not be tolerated and either you or one of your shipmates will be punished. Is that clear?" Not waiting for an answer she closed the comm link, "Janeway out."

There was a momentary shocked silence while Chakotay and Tuvok stared at the ex-captain. Janeway said carefully, "Chakotay it is imperative that you understand that my behaviour in front of my present crew may not be as you remember me. Please do not interfere. You may speak freely in front of Kraal and in front of my first officer Nithqref but no one else. Many of the Fearless's crew may also be trusted but as you do not know them it is better to trust no one. The Devore marines and the crew of the Revenge believe that you are unwilling prisoners and it is better that they continue to do so. To avoid any further complication I think it would be easier if Voyager's crew were also informed of the true situation on a need to know basis only."

Before Chakotay could ask what the 'true' situation was, a buzz at the door informed them of the Doctor's arrival with Jerholdt.

"Enter" said Janeway. The Doctor was pushed, complaining into the room. As he entered his gaze fell on Captain Janeway and he spluttered "Captain it is you. I can hardly believe it."

Janeway did not lift her eyes from the padd she was studying. "You do not have permission to speak Doctor. Treat your patient."

The Doctor opened his mouth and then thought better of it. He drew out his tricorder and moved to examine Tuvok.

Continuing in a voice that would freeze the feathers off a penguin, Janeway turned her attention to Jerholdt. "I want you to supervise the transfer of all healthy prisoners to the holding cells on the Fearless. We will only require a single platoon of marines to remain on Voyager after the transfer has taken place to guard any remaining sick prisoners while the Doctor attends to their injuries. You may then transport yourself and the remainder of your men back to the Revenge. Remember Major, no members of Voyager's crew are to be hurt. If any of them cause you any trouble then sedate them. When the Doctor has completed his work any prisoners remaining on Voyager will also be transferred to the holding cells. Report when you have completed the transfer and the withdrawal. Dismissed." Jerholdt turned smartly and left the room.

Janeway spoke again.

"Nithqref get here as soon as you can and please bring B'Elanna Torres with you." There was no answering voice from her communicator but she smiled and said. "I know. She's a handful."

The Doctor was finishing his treatment of Tuvok's head injury. He hesitated and looked at Janeway warily, then said "I have completed treatment of Tuvok's injury, Captain, but he should really remain under observation in sick bay for at least two days."

"Understood. Now get down to the cargo bays where the remainder of Voyager's crew are being held." As Janeway looked at him, the holographic doctor could have sworn the he felt the room get colder, "Doctor you have your orders. Please do not give me reason to be angry. Go. Commander Tuvok will be transferred in due course to the sickbay on the Fearless with the other injured prisoners." The Doctor hurried out of the ready room without another word. Smiling again, Janeway looked at her former officers, "I should have tried that approach with the Doctor years ago."

Chakotay had at last gathered his wits sufficiently to ask questions. "Captain, er I mean Marshal, what is going on here? Why are you transferring my crew to your ship as prisoners?"

"It is standard procedure. If I did not do it, Jerholdt would be suspicious and I would be endangering everyone. Listen Chakotay I will explain to you as soon as I can but I need to get the crew safely aboard the Fearless first. Suffice to say that I need your help but in return I will ensure that you and your crew get back to the Alpha quadrant."

Tuvok heard her words and noticed the phrasing. "You do not intend to return to the Alpha quadrant with us Captain?"

Quietly, she replied "My home is here in the Delta quadrant Tuvok; I have a family here. I am no longer a Starfleet captain." Both Chakotay and Tuvok felt the world slide a little further off its axis. She grinned lopsidedly. "It is one of the ironies of our lives in the Delta quadrant that Chakotay has become the Starfleet captain and I have become a rebel leader and an outsider in my own space. Lifting her chin she asked, "Would you like to see my family?" There was a mixture of determination and hesitation in her voice as though she wasn't sure that this was the right thing to do but wanted to anyway. Chakotay wondered briefly if Kraal were the lucky man and inwardly shuddered at the repellant images.

Janeway pulled a wallet out of her jacket and opened it. Inside was a picture of Seven of Nine standing with her arm around a smiling Janeway. Both women were dressed in outdoor clothing and they were standing in front of a wooden dwelling, that in the Alpha quadrant would have belonged at one time to an ancient pioneer or backwoodsman. Two small children stood in front of them.

Chakotay felt his mouth drop open again. The two children, both girls of about three and four years of age, were the spitting image of Seven of Nine except for their red hair and the lack of any apparent Borg implants. Janeway returned the picture to her jacket.

"It was taken six months ago on a trip to the back country on Kraal's home world. Two weeks later the Devore Imperium recaptured Seven of Nine. I have not seen her since. The children are with Kraal's wife in a Free Alliance colony. Chakotay I need you to help me rescue Seven before the Devore kill her."

The pain in her face and the note of pleading in her voice brought all his chivalrous instincts to the surface. He had loved this woman once and been forced to abandon her against his will. It would be nearly impossible to deny her whatever she wanted.

Another buzz at the door brought in a marine officer carrying a report. Janeway was immediately all cold efficiency and discipline. Chakotay slid back into his role of defeated commander and slumped on the couch, watching the small woman as she sat at her desk grilling the subaltern about his report.

Small wonder, Chakotay pondered, that Janeway could see no future in Starfleet. A lover of the same sex, and a former Borg at that, would damn her on two counts. The modern Starfleet expected its captains to conform to normal standards of behaviour - such stuffy and conformist attitudes had a played a large part in Chakotay's decision to leave Starfleet many years before - however even without the unconventional family issue, he knew that Janeway would have had a hard time explaining to Starfleet many of her actions in the Delta quadrant. That would have been true even five years ago, and it was plain that she had been far from inactive since. There were many possible accusations that could result in a discharge from the service if Starfleet felt so inclined. And, even if all the other matters could be ignored or glossed over, there remained the apparent Borg assimilation of the Captain. Although the assimilation process had been reversed or arrested in some way, Kathryn Janeway was to some extent undeniably Borg.

Another buzz at the door and two beautiful androgynes entered the room side by side, followed by two soldiers holding a handcuffed, gagged but still struggling B'Elanna Torres. The escorting soldiers dumped her on the floor. Janeway looked up from her reading and dismissed the subaltern and the two escorts. One of the latter could not forbear from aiming a hard kick at B'Elanna's head as she lay on the floor. The engineer slumped into unconsciousness. A sharp word from Janeway and the soldier scampered from the room apologising for his existence. It was clear to Chakotay that Janeway was feared by her Delta quadrant crew in a way that had certainly not been true when she captained Voyager. It disturbed him. Trying to be rational, he realised that like a Maquis captain, Janeway may have had to adopt many unorthodox methods; cracking heads was often the only form of discipline widely recognised. That said, she had still changed; brutality towards her crew seemed to be very out of character with the woman he had once known.

Janeway's voice interrupted his thoughts "Captain Chakotay this is Nithqref, my intelligence officer and second in command." Looking up, Chakotay could see her gesturing at the two androgynes.

Slightly embarrassed he said "I am sorry Marshal but I didn't catch which one ....".

Janeway laughed "No you misunderstand, they are Nithqref. One mind, two bodies. Nithqref is a member of the Halquine species. The Halquine have many unique abilities." She smiled gently, more like her old self. "And Nithqref has been a good friend to me." The tall beings did not say anything aloud but Chakotay could hear a voice speaking in English apparently inside his mind and from the manner in which Tuvok's eyebrow had suddenly lifted, Chakotay guessed he was having a similar experience.

"I am pleased to meet the great Captain Chakotay and you also Commander Tuvok. Kathryn has told me many things about you both."

Collecting himself Chakotay smiled as warmly as he could. "It is a pleasure for me also, Nithqref, to meet someone so obviously valued and trusted by my Captain."

Nithqref smiled - with both faces in unison.

Tuvok had made his greeting telepathically but for the sake of the two humans he then spoke aloud. "You are an entirely telepathic species without any spoken language. I find that most fascinating. How do you communicate when not within telepathic range of your crew?"

Any answer was forestalled by a groan from the engineer lying on the floor. Kraal stepped forward and hauled B'Elanna Torres upright.

"Now the pleasantries are over," he grunted, "perhaps we should do something about your little friend here." B'Elanna Torres scowled at him from behind her gag and struggled.

Janeway grinned slightly. "I should perhaps warn you Kraal, the Lieutenant is not as manageable as many of Voyager's crew."

Kraal wrinkled his nose in what Chakotay had begun to recognise as a sneer. "I do not think this little one poses much of a threat." He unlocked her chains with a key code and as they fell away the engineer unleashed her considerable pent up fury in a crushing kick to the stomach. Kraal found himself reclining on a large chair, several feet away, with the engineer starting to swing at him with his own sword. Struggling to his feet, he threw himself out of the way as the blade crashed down through the seat splitting it in two. A stream of Klingon invective rained down on him as B'Elanna prepared for another swing.

"B'Elanna drop the sword," Chakotay intervened and stepped between them. B'Elanna Torres tried to push him aside. This time he said more loudly "B'Elanna I said that's enough. Put down the sword this instant Lieutenant. That's an order." She stood swaying for a minute the sword half raised over her head. Standing between her and Kraal, Chakotay could see the half-Klingon's sense of self returning. He relaxed. The Klingon battle rage was cooling and she started to breathe more normally.

"One day Chakotay you are going to allow me to finish one of these fights" she grumbled. "You're always such a kill joy." B'Elanna then threw the sword to the floor and looked around her as if seeing the room for the first time. Her gaze lighted on Captain Janeway. Disbelief warred with hope. Hope won.

"So the rumours are true! In Kahless' name Captain." In two strides she had covered the distance, picked the ex-Captain up and tried to swing her round, only to drop her rather unceremoniously on the floor. Janeway looked up at her with a pained expression.

"No offence Captain but for a small woman you're pretty heavy" B'Elanna gasped apologetically.

Kraal had recovered by this time and infuriated by the apparent attack on Janeway, he grabbed B'Elanna Torres from behind, lifted her a metre off the ground and started to shake her.

"Put me down you great oaf" yelled the half-Klingon. "Don't you recognise an affectionate hug? No of course you don't" she taunted. "What am I saying? Who would hug a man who is a dead ringer for a warthog? I'll bet even your mother thinks twice!" Kraal shook her harder and growled with rage.

Picking herself up, Janeway gestured at Kraal to put B'Elanna down which he did reluctantly. The half-Klingon and the Warthog stood and glowered at each other.

Janeway addressed her former engineer with a little sarcasm. "Impolite as it was for you to mention my weight B'Elanna, it is true that a cyber-enhanced skeletal structure does tend to add a few pounds."

The normally fearless half-Klingon stepped back with an ill disguised look of terror. Chakotay was watching Janeway carefully and observed the pain in her expression as she reassured B'Elanna.

"I am not going to assimilate you Lieutenant and, despite the appearance, I have not been assimilated by the Borg either."

"If you were not assimilated by the Borg, Marshal Janeway, then how did you acquire those?" asked Tuvok, his eyes fixed on the implants on her hand.

At first Janeway glanced away, appearing to be annoyed by the question, then she raised her hand, examining the back of it as carefully as though it were strange to her. She half-smiled, another echo of her former easy charm. "I am what you might call a prototype" she explained. Her smile seemed to chill, losing its charm as she added, "Not a satisfactory prototype from my progenitors point of view."

"Five years ago, as you no doubt recall, the Devore were lords of all they surveyed in a very large sector of space. It didn't last. Only months after Voyager left Devore space who should arrive but the Borg and they meant business."

"The Devore are nothing if not determined and well organised militarily; they put up one hell of a fight but like most species, resistance was increasingly futile and the Borg made steady inroads in a matter of weeks. Many of the Devore colonies and slave worlds were assimilated. Just as it looked hopeless, an opportunity fell into the laps of the fortunate Devore - Seven of Nine, to be precise - looking for me." She paused, taking in the varying expressions of her prisoners. "However I think it would be better if I told you this story from the beginning and now is not the time. I need a report on Voyager's space worthiness and a repair schedule. B'Elanna. You are to work with Nithqref and report back to me in two hours."

The note of command in Janeway's voice was still so familiar and current in the chief engineer's memory that B'Elanna Torres responded "Aye Captain" as smartly as any new ensign on her first mission, turned smartly on her heel and had taken two strides towards the door before the engineer skidded to a halt just before the exit, with an apologetic look at Chakotay.

If Kathryn Janeway was amused by B'Elanna's embarrassment she hid it well. "What are you waiting for Lieutenant," she queried impatiently. "Captain Chakotay has surrendered his ship and you are under my command."

B'Elanna stared at her captain, seeking confirmation. Chakotay nodded his agreement with Janeway and B'Elanna left the ready room, muttering what sounded like an oath of some sort. The Halquine followed and further cursing could be heard as the telepath silently introduced itself to her.

"Captain Chakotay, I'm glad that you have accepted your position. We will continue our discussion at eighteen hundred hours this evening. In the meantime please accompany Commander Tuvok to sickbay. Dismissed."

Janeway's demeanour was now fully that of her new, more intimidating self, her orders to be obeyed without question. Chakotay found himself on his feet, almost propelled from his chair by Kraal, and helping Tuvok out of the room before Janeway had finished giving instructions to her sub-ordinate.

"Kraal. Captain Chakotay and Commander Tuvok are to be detained in sickbay. I want you to bring them to the briefing room at eighteen hundred. The Doctor, Neelix and B'Elanna Torres are also to be present." Kraal scowled at the last name. His stomach still ached from where the half-Klingon had kicked him. "And Kraal, no-one else apart from Nithqref and yourself is to attend, or to even know that we are meeting. Oh and see if you can find them some food."

The big beast nodded his understanding. He followed the two Voyager crewmen onto the bridge. "Here we go again," he said to them cheerfully, a suspicion of a smirk on his warty face, "determined to take us through the Haroun Nebula. I feel quite nostalgic."

"Haroun Nebula?" queried Chakotay.

"Normally a metaphor for certain death, only a lunatic would actually plan a crossing. Of course in Kathryn's case, the passage through the Haroun Nebula is historical fact and a turning point in the first Borg war!"

"Then it would appear," said Tuvok, "that Captain Janeway remains as she was in at least one respect."

"You are not reassuring me Tuvok" muttered his captain. "You are not reassuring me at all."

Part 2 - A Captain lost

When her audience were seated Katherine Janeway, Marshal of the Allianceof Free Worlds, and commander of the warship Fearless, stood up and walked over to the transparent aluminium window of the briefing room on Voyager and looked out at the stars. She was nervous. No more so than her guests she reasoned. Glancing over her shoulder she smiled reassuringly at the B'Elanna who had been uncharacteristically quiet. By contrast Neelix had been unable to stop crying or talking up until a few seconds before. He was wiping his eyes, still overcome with emotion at meeting his Captain again. She extended her smile to him and he responded with a teary grin. Slowly, she began to speak.

"It is strange to stand here looking out from this room. I had not expected to ever see Voyager, or any of you again and, if I am honest, I did not intend to try even when I finally acquired the means to do so." Janeway glanced around the room, to see the reaction of her audience range from dismay to sorrow. "Many things have happened to me in the last five years, some terrible and some wonderful. I hope that when you hear my story you will not judge too harshly and you will not feel that I should have left you alone. Whatever you may think, I can tell you now that I would not change the decisions I have made, because for me there has been one outcome of that fiasco five years ago, which makes any of the subsequent suffering worthwhile and bearable. My family. To be exact my wife and children. If I had stayed on Voyager, Seven of Nine and I would never have formed any relationship because I would not have permitted it."

There was a stir in the room at these words. B'Elanna swore gently and wonderingly, Neelix began to cry again but this time he was smiling. The Doctor was about to form words when Janeway caught his eye; he rapidly closed his mouth. Janeway continued.

"I suppose it is something of a surprise to those of you that never really knew Seven. And that probably means all of you." She could not prevent the note of recrimination that entered her tone; she gave herself a mental kick and a reminder that she was here to get their help. Needing a distraction, she walked to the replicator. "Coffee, black." When the mug appeared she picked it up and without stopping took a swig. She promptly spat it out, gasping "It's boiling!"

"I'm sorry Captain." said B'Elanna through laughter. "I should have warned you but I finally got around to repairing the damned thing."

The laughter broke the tension. Janeway grumbled "My first cup of coffee for five years and you try to kill me."

Still smirking at Kathryn's expression, it occurred to Chakotay to wonder how the Devore had survived Kathryn's withdrawal from coffee. She anticipated his question.

"Before any of you ask how I survived even a week without coffee let me tell you that I have found a wonderful Delta Quadrant substitute. Not as healthy as coffee I'll admit but it serves the same purpose." The Doctor groaned aloud.

"Sorry Doctor" Janeway said with a wicked grin. Nursing her cup of coffee, Captain Janeway slouched elegantly down into a chair at the head of the table. There was nothing of the Borg in the way she moved, the innate gracefulness and barely contained energy were exactly as her crew remembered.

"Back to my story. I'll start at the very beginning. Some of you may remember my arrest by the Devore, but Kraal and Nithqref do not. Chakotay has offered to fill in some details of things that happened after I left the ship."

=The Delta Quadrant five years earlier=

Voyager slid through the darkness, creeping away from the malaise of the Devore Imperium. Captain Janeway gazed out of her ready room window. Three weeks earlier the Captain had tricked the Devore inspectorate and helped a group of telepathic refugees to escape. She still felt the satisfaction of seeing the chief inspector's face when he realised that she had deceived him completely. Kashyk was a clever and devious man and he had not expected the forthright and open captain of the Alpha quadrant vessel to display a level of cunning of which he himself would have been proud.

Yet she knew they had been lucky. Kashyk had let them go rather than have to admit to his superiors that he had been fooled. A less arrogant or more dutiful man than Kashyk would have arrested them and faced the ridicule of his peers. She was anxious to be out of Devore space as soon as possible.

Her comm badge beeped - Harry Kim's voice - "A Devore inspection vessel has been detected at 110,000 kilometers off the starboard side Captain.

The captain walked quickly to the ready room door and entered the bridge.

"Report Mr Kim".

"The inspectorate are hailing us Captain."

"On screen Mr Kim."

The Devore Inspector Prax filled the view screen. He had been Kashyk's side kick but not half as charming as his boss.

"I have a warrant to inspect Voyager" he intoned in a dull monotone. "Prepare to be boarded."

"Where is Inspector Kashyk?" Chakotay asked.

Prax almost cracked a smile. "He is on extended leave of absence while he is investigated. Prepare for boarding."

Sighing Janeway addressed the crew. "We are to be boarded by the Devore; please co-operate......in the usual manner."

"What about Voyager's telepaths Captain?" asked Tuvok, himself a telepath.

"Somehow I don't think that the Devore are that interested this time." she replied. "However tell them all to lie low just in case."

She walked back to her ready room with Chakotay and waited for the Devore to make known their demands.

"Devore inspectors have materialised on deck one only Captain" reported Harry Kim. As he spoke four heavily armed soldiers came through the door of the ready room followed by Prax.

The inspector peered at her and smirked "Captain Janeway. I have a warrant for your arrest and detention. You will accompany us back to our vessel."

Janeway stood up. "On what grounds are you arresting me?" she asked calmly.

"Deviation from the prescribed route through Devore space" came the terse reply. "As this is a first offence, your ship may continue on its way but you, Captain Janeway, will be sent to a secure detention centre in the non-Devore Detention and Resettlement Zone"

"Wait a moment" interrupted Chakotay angrily. "What about an investigation and trial. Aren't you running away with yourself?"

"You are unfamiliar with the Devore Justice system as it is applied to gaharay. The procedure has one stage only: detention. Sentences are mandatory."

The cold grey man smirked a little more. "You are lucky that Inspector Kashyk has some very good friends or the charges would have been more serious. As it is the Inspector will have his wrist slapped for a minor omission and you will only lose your captain. Of course, were you to resist arrest then a much more interesting situation would arise, your vessel would be impounded, the crew imprisoned and the senior officers executed."

Looking out the window at the vast bulk of the Devore vessel and realising that others would have arrived in support or would be joining very soon Kathryn Janeway made the only decision she felt to be correct in the circumstances.

"Chakotay much as it pains me to agree with Inspector Prax, we have got off lightly. You are in command now and it is your responsibility to get this ship home."

"Kathryn you cannot be serious. These charges are entirely spurious...."

"They are the local law Chakotay and we knew that when we entered Devore space. Under no circumstances are you to further endanger Voyager by attempting a rescue. That is my final order. Inspector Prax if you would like to lead the way." So saying Kathryn Janeway walked out of her ready room for the last time onto the bridge. One of the Devore thugs moved up behind her and cuffed her hands behind her back. Harry Kim took a step forward.

Captain Janeway put on a brave face. "Don't worry Harry. I have been in worse situations than this. Safe journey everyone."

The Devore transporters removed the captain and her guards from the bridge and the Devore vessels moved off at high speed going to warp almost immediately.

"Pursuit course Commander?" asked Tom Paris who had already started to lay in the coordinates.

"Yes! No! Belay that order! Set course for the Alpha quadrant, impulse speed only. I'll be in the Captain's ready room. Please ask Commander Tuvok to join me as soon as possible." Chakotay left the bridge but still caught Tom Paris' parting comment.

"Yes Commander. I hope the Captain's seat is still warm."

*~~~*

Kathryn Janeway was pushed roughly off the transporter pad by the Devore thug who had been holding her. As she hit the ground her head collided with a well aimed boot and she sagged into unconsciousness. Her last thought was that today she should have been playing velocity with Seven of Nine. She hoped Seven would not be too disappointed.

*~~~*

When she came to, she groaned, her head was pounding. Disorientated, she wondered why she was apparently lying on a hard floor; then the events of her arrest came back also and she groaned again. She opened her eyes slowly, squinting at the bright light and found herself looking up at a pale-pink ceiling. Carefully she lifted herself on one elbow and looked around. She was alone though she could hear voices and shouting. She sat up. Her Federation clothes had been removed and she was now dressed in rough cloth pajamas. There was no blanket but it wasn't cold.

She was in a small cell roughly three metres long by two metres wide. A narrow bench stretched the length of one wall. The three solid walls were of some polymer which she didn't recognise. The ceiling and floor and bench were of the same material. Smooth and flawless. Nothing or no-one held in this cell had ever made a dent or a scratch on those walls. The fourth wall was a double force field and double rows of emergency power supply cells could be seen clearly on the outside. Not much hope of a power cut helping here. A single, bright, light, positioned on the other side of the force field illuminated the cell.

She stood up carefully, walked to the edge of her cell and looked out into what appeared to be a narrow unlit chasm. She could clearly see across to the far side of the chasm about 20 metres away. It was a wall of brightly illuminated prison cells just like her own. Cells were stacked on top of each other as high as she could see and when she looked down she could only see more cells. Three or four faces peered out each one. So far she had this cell to herself which, as it was barely big enough for one person, was some comfort. She also realised that her side of the chasm was probably also a wall of prison cells although she could not get near enough to the edge to see for herself.

There was a lot of shouting between the cells but without her universal translator Kathryn had no idea what any of it was about. Two guards walked up and down a narrow walkway that was suspended in the gap between the two walls of cells but not actually touching either side. The walkway could move up and down and along the chasm like an elevator.

She wondered if she was still on a ship or whether she had already arrived at the detention centre. She dismissed the latter idea. It would take three weeks for the Devore ship to return to the main centres of population and she had not been unconscious for that long. The wound on her head was still relatively new and she certainly had not been without food for three weeks. The pain in her head had subsided a bit but she could feel the dried blood at the base of her skull.

Discussions with the Brenari that she had saved from Kashyk, suggested that the detention centres were actually work camps of some sort although even the Brenari knew very little about them. Just that no one ever came back.

A loud and discordant clanging noise did not help the pain in her head. The noise continued for a few seconds; Kathryn suspected that it was a warning of some sort and probably presaged some daily event. The other prisoners seemed excited; their shouts and screams increased in volume and quantity.

She was swiftly proved correct as a small hollowed out cube,10 centimetres square, materialised on the floor at the front of the cell. The cube was filled with some clear liquid. She picked it up and sniffed. Well it didn't smell offensive. And then tasted it. Water. Realising she was quite thirsty Kathryn drank the water. She then looked more carefully at the container. It seemed quite soft especially where it had been wet. A piece broke off in her hand and she tasted it. It was food. There was insufficient taste to even concern the Starfleet geniuses who designed emergency ration bars but it was definitely food. Disciplining herself to eat the stuff she forced it down. As she did, she slowly became aware of the despairing keening noises coming from the cells around her. Looking out towards the cells opposite she quickly understood why. She could see the food cubes materialising at the front of the cells opposite, short sharp brutal fights determined who would eat and drink that day. It appeared that only one food cube was beamed to each cell regardless of the occupancy. The losers could only sit and mourn and grow weaker, further diminishing their chance of eating or drinking when the next cube arrived.

As she looked more closely she could see the desperate condition of many of the cell occupants. Many just lay motionless on the floors of their cells. Occupancy of the sole bench in each cell was again decided by the relative strength of the occupants; although this seemed to the lost Starfleet captain to be of academic concern as the floor and bench were of identical hardness.

Some hours passed without event. Kathryn wondered how the prisoners were expected to wash or answer the other calls of nature. It occurred to her that perhaps the fight for the bench was not academic after all, perhaps some receptacle would be made available but she rather suspected not. Further observation confirmed this to be the truth. All of which rather puzzled her as the cells had appeared, at least earlier in the day, to be scrupulously clean, in fact you could, and did, eat your dinner off the floor. The occupants also appeared to be clean.

After the passage of yet more time the prison lights dimmed. The cells became quieter although not much. Quarrelling and crying could still be heard. Kathryn tried to sleep but could not get comfortable on the hard bench. She had not been able to bring herself to pee or defecate on the floor but knew it was only a matter of time before it became routine.

Sleep was made harder by the noise of the moving walk ways that appeared outside the cells periodically. The guards shone strong lights into the cells as they passed and shouted at prisoners who they thought were transgressing some rule or other. Occasionally they shouted at her but she could not understand what was being said.

When the lights went up hours later it was almost a relief.

Another loud clanging noise announced the start of one of the most god awful noises Kathryn had ever heard. It set her teeth on edge.

It wasn't for some time that she was able to identify the source of the noise; until she saw a large machine traversing the wall of cells opposite, pausing at the entrance to each cell; she realised that gigantic sonic showers were moving up and down the rows of prison cells blasting everything inside the cells clean. There were several of the beasts moving over the fronts of the cells and it still seemed to take hours.

As the cleaner passed in front of her cell the force fields went down but there was no where to go as the cleaner completely covered the opening of the cell. The sonic settings were much higher than would be found on a domestic shower and the noise actually physically hurt. For several minutes the torture continued and Kathryn's head felt as if it would explode. Then the force fields went back up and the cleaner moved to the next cell.

A short while later the loud clanging noise announced the arrival of the food cube and the start of another daily cycle.

*~~~*

After 9 or 10 days Kathryn was half mad through boredom and sleep deprivation. The daily cycle revealed little more about the operation of the prison than she already knew. Careful observation had shown that prisoner transfers were accomplished by transporting directly to and from cells but she had guessed as much. Apart from that there was little to do other than watch her fellow prisoners fight, starve, go mad and die. It occurred to her that she could do with a little forced labour just to alleviate the boredom. Her inability to understand any of the languages she heard was also driving her insane.

Shortly after the daily food ration had been delivered a guard appeared outside her cell on the walkway and started gesturing to her to get on the bench. With a mixture of hope and fear she realised this was done before a prisoner was transferred to a cell to avoid nasty transporter mix ups.

Seconds later a transporter beam appeared and two forms shimmered into existence. Kathryn felt dismay. One additional prisoner might have avoided any major fights but there was definitely insufficient food for three. Two tall and impossibly slender, impossibly beautiful creatures stared into her face. Their flawless, smooth dark skins shone in the unforgiving cell lighting though their eyes were seemingly lit from within by a dark golden fire. They were apparently identical in appearance, dress and movement. They gazed at her for a moment and then blinked in perfect unison. A noise outside startled them and they looked towards it, their movements perfectly synchronised.

Kathryn was fascinated despite her fear. 'A starship captain can do better than this Janeway' she scolded herself. Smiling in what she hoped was not an offensive gesture for these people she offered the remainder of the food cube that she had been keeping for later. Miming eating the cube she offered it again and wondered which of the two beings would take the offering. To her delight they each smiled, reached out a right hand and taking one half of the bar snapped it in two. They then proceeded to eat the food exactly together. Even when the creature with the slightly smaller bar of food had finished first he (or perhaps she) continued to chew in the same rhythm as its still feeding partner. They finished chewing together and swallowed at exactly the same moment.

At that moment Kathryn heard a strange sound which seemed to be inside her head. It was a voice. She felt panic as the voice continued. At first she could not understand what it said but after a while the words became meaningful.

'I am Nithqref' it said, echoing slightly.

Oh god! I have gone mad thought Kathryn.

'No kind fellow prisoner you are not mad. I am Nithqref of the Halquine.'

Kathryn looked up quickly at her two fellow prisoners. "Which one of you is Nithqref?" she said out loud.

They both smiled and the voice in her head repeated 'I am Nithqref.' Watching her confusion, the beings took pity and added 'One mind, two bodies.'

Kathryn was astonished. In all her years as a Starfleet officer she had never encountered such a being. "Greetings Nithqref of the Halquine," she said, getting a grip on her self as she welcomed them or (was it, it!) to her cell such as it was. "I am Captain Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager."

'I think you will find it easier Captain Janeway if you think of me as Nithqref rather than attempting to classify me with your rather primitive language structures.'

Kathryn laughed aloud. "I wouldn't presume to ever classify you Nithqref. How do you understand my language, primitive as it is."

'I do not understand your language, I understand your thoughts.'

"You are reading my mind as I am speaking?"

'Yes. Does that bother you?'

"Not at the moment. I am just really grateful to be able to converse with anyone." She felt concern from the strange being.

'You must learn the prison lingua franca if you are to survive Captain Janeway.'

"Call me Kathryn. Can you teach me?"

'Not directly as I have no direct access to any language but I can help you. Give me a moment to speak to some of our fellow inmates.'

Disconcerted, Kathryn could understood why telepaths might frighten the Devore. Such abilities were outside her understanding and it was clear that the telepathic species she knew in the Alpha quadrant were not typical of those in the Delta quadrant. However she pushed the fears aside as unworthy narrow mindedness and found the smiling voice of Nithqref inside her head.

'You are a very unusual person Kathryn. Are you typical of your species?' She did not know how to answer that question. Her embarrassment communicated directly with Nithqref. The two elegant faces laughed in perfect synchronicity.

'Do not answer if it embarrasses you Kathryn. To get back to the matter of learning the local languages, I think I have found a suitable teacher for you.'

A woman's face appeared in her mind. With utter clarity, Janeway understood that the woman was dying but she did not know how she knew. "Is it true? Is she dying?" she asked Nithqref. Janeway could sense the sorrow in the Halquine's reply.

'She is dying, and will die regardless, but she wishes that her last act will be to transfer her knowledge to you. She has given her consent. She is Brenari and does not fear me, or this act. I will try and shield you from the worst of her pain but it may not be entirely possible. Do you wish to continue?'

"Are you sure that this will not hurt her?"

'It will do her no further damage Kathryn.'

Kathryn drew a deep breath "I wish you to thank her and to wish her a better life in the next world." Kathryn knew the Brenari were firm believers in an afterlife. After a few moments the face of the woman in her mind smiled.

Nithqref stood on either side of her and placed a hand on each of the captain's shoulders.

'Now I wish you to relax Kathryn and think of as little as possible'

Kathryn tried to think of nothing, staring at the vague marbled patterns in the pink surface of the synthetic cell wall. As she did so, thousands of images and words and emotions seem to play across the surface of her mind. Then she felt enormous sadness and fear and despair. Unable to prevent herself she started to cry. She felt Nithqref enfold her and the sadness seemed to be pushed away. After a few minutes the emotions faded but she knew she would never forget that despair and suffering as long as she lived.

'It is over Kathryn. Do you understand the voices around you?'

She listened to the babble of shouts and screams from the surrounding cells, and gradually came awareness what they were saying.

"Yes. More than one language I think." Her elation was swiftly snuffed out as with deepening horror she realised that not only had she acquired the languages of the dying woman but her knowledge, beliefs and memories also. She could remember the woman's suffering, the fear of her own death, then watching members of her family dying and since they were Brenari, sharing their suffering and fear also. She could feel the hope they shared that the torment would cease and the strength of their belief in better world to come. And all this was just the surface skin of the woman's mind, her immediate past, beneath were layers and layers of memories, feelings and knowledge. Janeway felt sick. It was an act of total voyeurism and she could not close the door.

'It is impossible to separate knowledge of a person's language from their wider knowledge and memories.' Nithqref interjected, trying to calm the swirl of fear and disgust in the small red-head's psyche.

"But these are not my feelings" she protested with angry desperation, writhing physically within the Halquine's grasp as though to escape from the memories she now shared.

'They will fade as you forget them just as they would have faded for her.' The Halquine hugged her and stroked her. Gradually Kathryn stopped struggling.

Still very shaken, her voice quivered as she said "It's like the Borg, I feel as though I have just assimilated someone."

Nithqref's reply was not comforting.

'The process is not dissimilar although the mechanics are different. Indeed there is some speculation that the Borg were once a telepathic race.'

Janeway shuddered with uncontrolled sobs. Nithqref continued to hold her as for the first time in many years, tears rolled down her cheeks.

Part 3 - A new Captain

Voyager - One day after Captain Janeway's arrest and detention by the Devore.

As Chakotay arrived for the briefing with the senior staff, he was aware of the hostility he would face. Tom Paris had been openly expressing the view to anyone who would listen, that it was criminal to have left the Captain with a bunch of Nazis. The crew of Voyager were more familiar than most with that period of Earth history having been forced to enact it in holodeck simulations by the Hirogen. Everyone understood the analogy between the Devore Imperium and the Third Reich.

The Devore oppressed many of the local systems and enforced their power by the ruthless use of slavery and detention camps. They particularly hated the telepathic races and relentlessly tried to eliminate them or imprison them in the many labour camps that supported the military might of the Imperium. It was likely that the Captain was being taken to just such a camp.

Chakotay knew that many of the Voyager crew would be traumatised by the loss and he had expected to have to deal with a lot of anger and distress. The Commander had never in the past had much time for Starfleet counsellors but he could certainly have used one now. Even the former Maquis crew had grown to respect the captain and B'Elanna Torres in particular was completely devastated. Janeway's support and trust over the years had restored B'Elanna's self esteem. The grieving chief engineer refused to speak to Chakotay after Janeway's arrest except in response to matters directly related to engineering operations. Tom Paris' sniping and B'Elanna's silent treatment were difficult manifestations of loss but Seven of Nine's behaviour was something else. It had not occurred to Chakotay to worry about the former Borg's reaction.

Seven of Nine had tried to kill him.

*~~~*

The previous day, soon after Captain Janeway's arrest, Chakotay and Tuvok had been seated in the Captain's ready room discussing the options when the Borg entered without announcement and spoke sharply with barely contained anger. "How do you propose to recover Captain Janeway?" A pair of icy blue eyes interrogated Chakotay and he shivered involuntarily.

"Seven it is customary to sound the door chime before entering the Captain's ready room. The current situation will be addressed at the emergency meeting in 10 minutes." Chakotay felt weary and didn't really feel like dealing with the Borg's rudeness.

Seven of Nine ignored his words. "Voyager is still on a heading for the Alpha quadrant. Why? You are abandoning her are you not" she stated.

"As I have already said this will be discussed by the senior officers, together." A little surprised at Seven of Nine's vehemence Chakotay then said more gently, "Seven, the loss of a Captain is always a tragedy for a starship and Captain Janeway was more than just a colleague, more than just a captain...."

"You speak as if she has ceased functioning. That is unacceptable." Seven was almost whispering and Chakotay realised with astonishment that the emotionless Borg was in pain. "You will change course to pursue the Devore vessel and rescue the Captain," she ordered, her voice strengthening and becoming fierce again.

Chakotay's own guilt and despair made him answer her with a conviction that he did not feel, "Seven we cannot do that. The Devore are too strong and would destroy Voyager and the crew. The captain knew this and her last order was that under no circumstances should we attempt a rescue."

"Do you believe Commander that, were the positions reversed, Captain Janeway would leave you or any crew member with the Devore?"

Chakotay blanched. That was it. The question he had not wanted to ask himself. His rational self answered that such a question was hypothetical and that he had to do what was best for the ship and the crew. Kathryn had often taken what he thought were outrageous risks with the lives of everyone on Voyager. Her self-confidence sometimes bordered on dangerous arrogance but she had the skills, abilities and courage to back up her choices. The alliance with the Borg against species 8472 exemplified both the risk taking and the brilliance.

Chakotay knew with certainty that Kathryn would not have left anyone to the justice of Devore. However he was not Kathryn Janeway. He did not believe he had the right to march Voyager's crew to almost certain death, protected only by his abilities as a captain and luck. In the Maquis he had fought many dangerous battles against heavy odds yet the risks were always carefully considered. The Maquis had too few resources to do otherwise and it was no different now. One bad decision and any hope of surviving and returning to the Alpha quadrant would be lost.

Seven of Nine still stood motionless in front of him waiting for his answer, Chakotay noticed her hands clenching. "Seven..." He paused not quite sure how to continue. "I realise that Captain Janeway meant a lot to you." This was untrue. It was a surprise to him that the Borg cared about anyone. "The captain understood the risks and put the lives of her crew and the safety of Voyager before her own life. We would be betraying that sacrifice if we disobeyed her order."

Seven of Nine answered quickly, "then do not risk Voyager commander, give me a shuttle and I will find the Captain and return her to Voyager."

Chakotay sighed and stared at his hands, resting on Kathryn's table while he sat in her chair. He felt like an interloper, giving orders in her place.

"I cannot do that Seven, we are not yet clear of Devore space and any such action by members of Voyager's crew would be considered an act of aggression. It would endanger the ship just as much as if Voyager itself were involved."

"Ensign Paris is correct." Seven's tone was icy. "You have usurped the Captain and do not wish her to return."

Tuvok moved towards her. "Seven of Nine your analysis is faulty and it is inappropriate to address the Commander in such a manner"

Chakotay stood up and leaned forward on the desk, outraged by her accusation. Before he could put his outrage into words, a Borg-powered uppercut lifted him off his feet and thumped him against the wall behind the ready room desk. Pain exploded in his face. Seven stepped neatly round the desk and picked him up, slamming him against the wall, cracking his head. Two more blows impacted on his chest and he heard a crack of bone. He screamed and lost consciousness.

Caught off-guard Tuvok was slow to react, he finally moved to pull Seven off Chakotay, urgently summoning the doctor and a security team as he went. Her hands were on the new Captain's throat, and Tuvok found it tremendously difficult preventing the ex-drone from throttling Chakotay. It took all his strength just to hold her. Eventually the security team arrived and rushed to assist the struggling Vulcan.

"Fall back" he ordered. "Phasers on heavy stun, fire on my mark!". Tuvok let go of the battling ex-drone and stepped back.

"Fire!" he ordered. The two security officers turned their phasers on Seven and fired. As the phaser blasts struck her she staggered. The impact stunned Seven just enough to allow the newly arrived Doctor to sedate her with a hypospray. Seven of Nine sank to the ground. The Doctor quickly focused his tricorder on the fallen woman.

She'll be fine," he assured with obvious relief.

"Take her to the Brig, said Tuvok calmly although he could not disguise his breathlessness. "Level ten force field and two armed guards," The security team removed Seven and Tuvok turned his attention to Chakotay and the Doctor who was now attending him, clucking disapprovingly.

"I can't do anymore here. Computer - emergency transport, two to sickbay," said the EMH. He sounded urgent.

"Is his condition serious? "Tuvok asked the Doctor.

"It will be Commander, if I stand around here gossiping." With that the Doctor and Chakotay's prone body shimmered and disappeared.

Tuvok looked at the blood staining the wall and allowed himself to admit that the current situation was disturbing.

*~~~*

The Doctor had treated Chakotay's injuries without too much trouble, three cracked ribs, a shattered jaw, a cracked skull and a ruptured kidney were dangerous if untreated but posed no great difficulty for the skills of the EMH. Chakotay was up and about the following day although he still felt some discomfort.

Chakotay now sat in the delayed senior staff meeting aware that most of his colleagues had some sympathy with Seven of Nine even if they thought her actions were extreme. He heard B'Elanna say admiringly, in a deliberately loud stage whisper, "I'll say one thing for her - she certainly stands by her friends. Who would have thought our resident ice queen had it in her?"

Chakotay called the meeting to order.

"I am going to make this brief. As you know Captain Janeway was arrested and detained by the Devore Imperium because of alleged breaches of the law governing their space. Rather than precipitate a fight which she knew we could not win, Captain Janeway agreed to surrender herself in return for Voyager's freedom."

Looking at the expressions on their faces Chakotay hesitated before finishing, "I am not going to betray the Captain by returning on a fool's mission and losing the ship and crew which she loved so much."

Tom Paris opened his mouth to protest but Chakotay spoke first. "I know some of you think this decision is cowardly or worse self-interested but your opinion matters less to me than doing what I know to be correct for Voyager and the crew. There will be no further discussion. Meeting dismissed."

The senior staff looked at each other with shock. Up to this moment they had not really believed that Chakotay would abandon the Captain.

Harry Kim managed to speak "Commander we can't just leave....." He tailed off when he saw Chakotay's expression. Tom Paris was on his feet, complete contempt stamped on his face. He was not intimidated by Chakotay's glare.

"I never took you for a coward 'Commander' Chakotay; it seems I was wrong. Of course you never really respected her did you? Perhaps you felt it was about time she gave up command to you... "

"That's enough Lieutenant Paris! Get back to your station. And that goes for the rest of you. Dismissed." Paris threw him a hate-filled look and stormed from the briefing room. The other senior staff filed out in sullen silence. Last to leave, B'Elanna Torres turned back at the door, hardly restraining the snarl that curled her lips. "How the hell are we supposed to accept this Chakotay?" she demanded angrily.

"You will accept it because I am ordering you to do so and because this is what the Captain wanted. If you can't obey me then at least obey her."

"She would not have left any of us behind Chakotay. You know that!"

He met her accusing glare. "What would you have me do?"

B'Elanna shook her head in despairing frustration. "I don't know." She scowled. "Can I ask what you are going to do about Seven of Nine? Lock her up for saying what everyone else is thinking?"

It was Chakotay's turn to scowl. The ex-drone had left his ribs sore, but she had bruised his self-esteem more with her self-righteous certainty and easy judgement. She didn't have to choose between feelings for Kathryn and the lives of one hundred and fifty people.

"That, Lieutenant, is a matter of ship's discipline and I have no intention of discussing it with you. You are dismissed."

Tuvok who was watching the encounter, experienced some disquiet as Lieutenant Torres tensed visibly and her fists clenched hard. Tuvok prepared to defend his Captain again. It would be unfortunate if physical attacks on the new captain by irate crew members were to become the norm. However Torres didn't attack her old commander; she just glared and muttered insolently "Yes Captain. I will obey!" Her tone of voice suggested that for her this was not the end of the matter. She left the room without a second glance, leaving Chakotay and Tuvok alone.

Chakotay exhaled deeply and put his head in his hands. "I think that was the hardest thing I have ever done." He sat still staring at the table and rubbing the tattoo on the side of his face. "Tuvok. Have you spoken to Seven of Nine?"

"Yes Captain. She is unrepentant and has expressed the opinion that you will not be as lucky next time."

"So what shall we do with her. Keep her in the brig forever? Even if that were possible, and I do not underestimate her ingenuity and determination, it would be a constant drain on ships morale." Chakotay looked perplexed. "I can't resolve this at the moment. Inform Seven of Nine that she is to remain in detention for sixty days and the situation will be reviewed at the end of that time. It will be necessary for her to regenerate periodically. I want her confined in Cargo bay 2 rather than making regular transfers to regenerate. I will authorise the necessary work to secure her regeneration alcove and part of the surrounding area."

Tuvok nodded and turned to go when Chakotay spoke again "Tuvok do you think it is possible that Seven of Nine is in love with Captain Janeway?" He wasn't sure why he asked. It was a foolish notion and Tuvok was the last person to have an opinion on such matters.

Tuvok had seen the distraught Borg nearly weeping, striding up and down the brig like a tiger, calling down revenge on the heads of all her crewmates. "I think, Captain, that is an entirely logical conclusion although I doubt Seven would use that terminology."

*~~~*

Six days later B'Elanna Torres was reviewing the overhaul of one of the class 2 shuttles. She and Ensign Vorik had each been working double shifts, adapting the shuttle and improving its weapons and shields using similar technology to that employed in the Delta Flyer. One adaptation which had intrigued Vorik was the installation of one of the Borg alcoves from Cargo bay 2. When he queried the Chief Engineer, B'Elanna had informed him that the project was confidential and other members of the engineering crew were not to be involved. Vorik maintained total discretion as B'Elanna knew he would.

Engineering had completed work on adapting part of cargo bay two as a secure brig. The additional Borg alcove, which was now on the shuttle, had been removed as part of this work and in the process B'Elanna learnt a great deal about Borg engineering. She applied much of her acquired knowledge to the shuttle enhancements. It rather embarrassed her, looking back at when Seven had first arrived on Voyager, at how ignorant she must have appeared to the Borg.

Seven of Nine had been transferred to the cargo bay a week earlier and access to the cargo bay was now severely restricted. Any requests to enter the cargo bay had to be routed though Tuvok. B'Elanna Torres had been in there on only one occasion, to review a minor problem with one of the force fields. The Chief Engineer was upset by the sight of Seven of Nine, slumped on the floor, entirely defeated. This was not the arrogant stubborn Borg who annoyed her so much but a very vulnerable, unhappy and lonely woman.

The Lieutenant cursed Chakotay for being so ham fisted in his dealings with Seven of Nine. Chakotay could only see the young Borg as a threat and he had never trusted her, despite the many occasions that Seven had saved Voyager. Nothing if not honest, B'Elanna had to admit that she had also been guilty of fear and narrow-mindedness. Only Captain Janeway had ever consistently shown Seven of Nine any kindness or understanding even when Seven was at her most outrageous.

However, seeing Seven in such pain solidified B'Elanna's resolve to carry out her plan. The shuttle was now ready and Torres took time to stock it with supplies she had gradually been squirreling away over the last three weeks. She had logged the shuttle as unavailable for ordinary missions while it was being overhauled. The next part of the plan was unlikely to be so easy for the half-Klingon.

B'Elanna recruited the assistance of Voyager's only child. She knew that Naomi Wildman adored Seven of Nine and had been pestering her mother to allow her to visit her friend. Everyone was amazed when the Chief Engineer started to spend some time with Voyager's youngest crew member, volunteering for babysitting duties and allowing the child unprecedented freedom.

Naomi was delighted at being allowed in engineering and being asked to assist the Chief. Not only that, B'Elanna told the child wonderful stories about Klingon heroes and heroines. Naomi's mother may have been a little concerned at the high body count in these stories but Naomi thought they were wonderful and rather thought that if she couldn't be perfect like Seven of Nine then perhaps she could be a Klingon warrior instead. She added a Bat'leth to the top of her list of desired birthday presents.

After a few days B'Elanna went to see Samantha Wildman and volunteered to arrange and supervise a visit to Seven of Nine, Naomi's mother had been unsure but Naomi was so pleased that her mother stifled her objections. B'Elanna obtained permission for Naomi and herself from Tuvok who had lifted his eyebrow but acceded to the request without any apparent hesitation. "I trust Lieutenant that you will discourage Miss Wildman from smuggling in a hacksaw." B'Elanna looked at him oddly and wondered if he suspected something.

Outside cargo bay 2 B'Elanna decided that she did not want Naomi to see the Borg in such despair and that she had to somehow make Seven act a little more in character, so she went in first, asking Naomi to wait outside. Seven of Nine was huddled in the corner of the secure area.

"Seven - you look like hell!" Not perhaps the most endearing greeting but Seven at least looked up if only to glance away almost immediately. "Seven someone wishes to visit you; I think you will appreciate the visitor." The Borg ignored her and B'Elanna felt a little desperate which quickly became anger.

"Seven I know you have been roughly treated but this attitude is not going to get you released anytime soon."

No reaction.

"Listen you pathetic excuse for a human being and a borg, Kathryn Janeway would be ashamed of you sitting there feeling sorry for yourself. Do you think that is how she would expect you to behave?"

At the mention of Janeway, Seven was on her feet, glaring at the Klingon. "How would you know what she expects Klingon? This collective abandoned Captain Janeway as easily as the Borg would terminate a damaged drone. You displayed none of that much vaunted humanity and concern for the individual, but only your selfish concern for yourselves. Do not presume to understand me Klingon."

Satisfied that an angry Seven at least looked more like herself than the sad creature she had been five minutes ago B'Elanna grinned and called out "Naomi - you may come in now."

Naomi ran in looking as cheerful as ever. Her face fell at the slightly grim surroundings of the cargo bay turned prison and at the two armed guards who were watching carefully. Then she saw Seven and brightened.

Seven was obviously bemused at her visitor but asked in a much more even voice. "Naomi Wildman why are you here?"

Naomi beamed at her and said "To visit you of course silly. I have been trying to for ages and ages but B'Elanna said she would help me." Naomi looked around. "I don't like it here. Why is Captain Chakotay keeping you here?"

Before Seven could explain Chakotay's iniquity B'Elanna interrupted hastily. "Naomi don't you have something for Seven?"

The child beamed and lifted up the padd she was carrying. "I have written a story for you all about...."

B'Elanna interrupted again hurriedly. "Er... Naomi put the padd down here in the food transfer box. Don't tell Seven the story, it will spoil the surprise." To her relief the two security guards were looking amused. B'Elanna felt a momentary guilty niggle at the deception taking place.

"Alright." the child replied a little disappointed, and then said with obvious pride "B'Elanna helped me with some of the difficult bits about engineering and encryption codes but I made up lots of the story and drew all the pictures."

Seven looked at the Klingon and there was almost a hint of amusement in her eyes; B'Elanna reddened and muttered "Just a babysitting thing." She punched the transfer button and the padd materialised on the other side of the forcefield.

Seven looked back at the child and felt warmth for the first time in three weeks. It seemed she was not entirely friendless. "Thank you Naomi Wildman. I will find the information useful. We will discuss it on your next visit."

B'Elanna grinned. "You bet you will. Come on Naomi, the bridge assistant has many other duties to perform." So saying she marched the child out.

Naomi called back as she was dragged round the corner "We can play KadisKot next time Seven and I will tell you a story about a brave Klingon princess."

Seven sat down again and felt her misery and helplessness creep back. But some of what B'Elanna had said returned to her and she straightened her back. The captain would not have liked Seven to be defeated like this.

Seven looked at the padd. The story had a title - "Seven of Nine rescues Captain Janeway." Seven began to read the story and as she read, admiration for the half-Klingon rose in her. Hidden in the story was a detailed plan of escape timed to the second.

Much other data was also hidden in the padd using Borg encryption codes that the Klingon had somehow learned, and these included specifications for the shuttle, command codes and as much information as B'Elanna had been able to find on Captain Janeway's last known whereabouts and the details of her arrest. Seven checked the time; four hours to go before the escape attempt began. The Borg memorised the contents of the padd and then deleted all the incriminating evidence. She did not want Naomi to get into trouble.

*~~~*

Seven walked to the back of her secure area one minute before zero hour and waited. Exactly on time there was an explosion outside and the cargo bay doors blew in. A fire had started in the corridor and the two security men ran to get fire extinguishers from the nearest emergency cabinet. It took them only two minutes to get the blaze under control but when they turned back to the secure area the Borg had gone. A panel was hanging from the ceiling and a hole was clearly visible.

"How did she get up there?" asked one. The other was busy summoning Tuvok, "Commander, Seven of Nine has escaped through a ceiling cavity. We are pursuing but request some back up." The two officers then fetched a box, climbed up and into the ceiling and started to look for the Borg.

Two minutes earlier, Seven of Nine materialised in the adapted shuttle where B'Elanna was busy entering lockout codes to the main computer to prevent anyone seeing the transporter log. She looked up and acknowledged the Borg. "No one knows you are here yet, I have successfully masked the transporter signal. They are all running around searching for you on deck 2, following a trail of false clues. I am going to manually jettison the shuttle in two minutes. Do not activate any of its systems for at least 15 minutes after it is jettisoned or Voyager's sensors will detect you. The only systems working on the shuttle will be inertial dampeners, shields at ten percent and minimal life support. I have installed a form of cloaking that we tried in the Maquis - it only works while the engines are off-line and the ship is using little or no power but it does at least disguise life signs and the power signatures of some systems including the inertial dampeners."

"Lieutenant Torres why are you helping me?"

B'Elanna tried to look irritable to mask her feelings "Seven don't be obtuse. The Captain meant a lot to me you know. You aren't the only one who loved her. Now get going Seven. Goodbye and good luck finding the Captain. I will try to keep them off your track as long as possible." B'Elanna moved to the door of the shuttle, she hesitated and without warning, ran back and hugged the Borg fiercely; not looking back again, the Chief Engineer then exited from the shuttle and ran at the double to the shuttle bay door controls.

A force field went up between the shuttle control area and the launch pad and B'Elanna Torres guided the manual shuttle launcher with Seven's shuttle towards the bay doors.

The launcher was intended for emergency use only and allowed malfunctioning shuttles to be ejected into space in the event of serious problems.

The bay doors opened, hopefully unobserved by any monitoring equipment. B'Elanna had worked hard to hide all these events from internal sensors and warning systems. Seconds later, the launcher catapulted the small shuttle out into space. The shuttle disappeared instantly as it was thrown out of warp. The deceleration from warp speed would have killed the Borg instantly without inertial dampeners.

B'Elanna closed the shuttle bay doors and dropped the force field. She made her way to main engineering having no doubt that Tuvok would eventually work out the sequence of events but determined to give Seven as much time as possible.

*~~~*

B'Elanna Torres stood at attention in front of Chakotay and Tuvok. Chakotay was saying "B'Elanna I cannot believe you helped her do this."

She looked him in the eye. "I more than helped her Chakotay, I thought up the plan and carried it out. Seven just did as she was told. Ensign Vorik had no knowledge of what I was planning. I told him this was a secure project, which he was to mention to no one."

"So you are going to take full responsibility for helping a prisoner to escape, sabotage, damaging ship's systems, misusing Starfleet supplies, stealing a shuttle, falsifying logs and records and causing other Starfleet personnel to also commit offences." He sounded exasperated though B'Elanna noted that there was a certain admiration underlying his voice. She had pulled off a fine Maquis style mission.

B'Elanna pressed her advantage. "Look Chakotay you can lock me up in the brig if it makes you feel better but consider this. What would you have done with her? Watched her go mad in prison? Had her sewing mail bags for twenty years? I have done you a favour. There is no reason or need to go after her. Let her go."

"There is some logic to the Lieutenant remarks, " said Tuvok, surprising everyone including himself. "Seven of Nine has been gone for three days. It would take Voyager more than five days at high warp to catch her, it will take Seven another two weeks before she comes into contact the Devore and by then we will be far from their space. It is highly unlikely that they will pursue us so far beyond their own borders."

Chakotay considered his errant chief engineer. "Why should I trust you B'Elanna. How will I know that you will not pull a stunt like this some time in the future when it suits you to disregard me?"

Torres said nothing.

"I will place a reprimand on your record. In addition you will lose you replicator privileges for six months and will be expected to attend a course on Starfleet command protocol given by Tuvok. You will also fully log all your proposed work schedules with Tuvok and these may be subject to inspection." Torres was gritting her teeth - the loss of replicator privileges for six months was a heavy blow, not to mention all the paperwork. But she knew she had got off lightly. Janeway would have scalped her.

"And" Chakotay continued, "you will bring the remaining class two shuttles up to the standard of the stolen shuttle in your own time without the assistance of your staff. If you step out of line then you will be busted back to ensign and sent to the brig. Dismissed."

Before she turned smartly to leave, B'Elanna grinned cheekily at him and her expression clearly said you know I was right. With difficulty, he prevented himself grinning in return. He watched her leave before addressing his first officer.

"Tuvok I agree that pursuing Seven is a waste of time. Log Seven of Nine as absent without leave." He then said to no-one in particular "I hope she succeeds."