by Various
"On screen."
The image of Sook filled the viewscreen. He looked calmer and a good deal happier than when she had last seen him, when he had just managed to take control of the Relka and Sinimar Arkathi had escaped to who knew where. "Captain Janeway. It's good to see you again."
"And you, Sook. Should I address you as Commander now?" Janeway asked.
Sook fidgeted. "I suppose so, since I am now the commander. Thank you for your help, both with Arkathi and now somehow managing to find us a way home. I don't know how, but we've just received information that - "
"Makes you trust the fiery ball," smiled Janeway. "You're welcome. What have you done with the V'enah we returned to you? It was our understanding that you would welcome them."
Young Sook was positively grinning now. From offscreen, Janeway heard a familiar voice answer in his stead.
"So he has, Captain."
Sook widened the image and Janeway now saw that Marisha was seated beside him. The former slave's injuries had been completely healed. She now wore a formfitting jumpsuit that was similar in style to that worn by the Voyager crew, but was silver and gold in color. She looked relaxed, calm, in control. When her eyes met Janeway's, Marisha smiled widely. She and Sook exchanged an amused glance.
"Hello, Captain Janeway."
"Marisha. I see you're a man of your word, Commander Sook. Am I to understand that Marisha is now your second-in-command?"
"She is," said Sook. "I could think of no better way to show that I am determined to facilitate equality among both races. She has a lot of learning to do, but as you know, she's more than capable."
Janeway turned her attention to Marisha. "How are your crewmates doing?"
"We are all doing well, thank you." Marisha hesitated. "We are so grateful for all you have done for us - for all of us, Todanians and V'enah alike. All suffered under Arkathi, and now, we are all free. I am so pleased that you have been able to find the others a way home."
"The others? You're not going?"
Marisha shook her close-cropped head. "No."
Slightly worried, Janeway asked, "Is this your decision alone?"
"I know what you are thinking, and no, this is something that we all agreed on."
"You have seen perhaps the worst of our people in Arkathi," said Sook. "But that does not mean that he was the only one of his kind. Back in our home sector, it would be impossible for V'enah and Todanians to interact as we are doing here, on the Relka. We are a small number, Captain. Here, we can act as individuals. But millions of Todanians still own millions of V'enah, and we cannot liberate them on our own."
Disappointment knifed through Janeway. She had hoped mat the reconciled, integrated crew of the Relka could take their lesson back to their worlds.
"But Sook, that's how it always starts," she said softly. "One person with a vision."
Marisha glanced down for a moment. When she looked up again, tears sparkled in her purple eyes.
"You speak truth, Captain Janeway. But what I am about to say is true, too. We have fought our battles, we V'enah and Todanians. We have made peace amongst ourselves. We do not wish to lose that precious beginning, have it trod underneath the careless, brutal feet of those who would espouse the way things have always been. Rest assured, Captain, if I and Sook can come to the conclusion that we have reached, others will, too. For now, though, I am weary of fighting. I want to explore this thing called freedom, to walk on soft... grass?"
She turned to Sook, seeking confirmation of the word. He nodded, smiling.
'To walk on soft grass, and see the open sky. I want that for everyone here, and if we settle on this planet, we can have that. We can form a new society, one in which the old designations have no meaning. We will not be V'enah or Todanians first of all - we will simply be people. And ... we will not be alone."
To Janeway's utter amazement, her bridge was visited a second time by Leader. She felt its thoughts in her head again, and knew that the rest of her bridge crew did as well.
Captain. We will also decline your gracious offer of a way home. This voyage has been a remarkable one for myself and my crew. We have been moved by what we have witnessed here. We have found, some of us to our utmost surprise, that we enjoy interacting with other species. At least on a limited basis. We have a great deal to offer these people, and they have chosen to accept our help.
"What happens when you decide you need a break from them?" asked Chakotay.
Leader turned to "address" him. It is a large sector, and we have the technology to retreat when we need to. We will have the ability to leave and return as we see fit. But we are committed to being therefore the settlers to assist them, when they ask for it.
Janeway could hardly believe what she was hearing. "One thing I had hoped for when we started on this strange journey was that feuding species would put aside their differences and learn to work together. I could not have imagined such a harmonious outcome. In the words of the sailors of old on my planet, I wish you godspeed."
And to you, Captain. I am sorry that you won't be returning home yourself.
Janeway wondered how Leader could have known that, then relaxed. It was hard to keep anything from a telepath. More than likely, Leader also knew about Q, and was choosing to respect her silence. "We'll get home, one day," she reassured it. He nodded, bowed, and then his image slowly faded. "Captain," said Marisha, "there is one to whom I would like to say a personal good-bye, if I may."
Janeway knew who that someone was. "Of course. You may transport over here at once."
Unexpectedly, Marisha shook her head. "No. Thank you. I would simply like to speak to her."
"Harry, route Marisha to Astrometrics." She turned to face die screen. "Best of luck with this brave new world you're creating, Marisha. No one deserves peace more than you and your crew." "Thank you, Captain."
"Hello, Seven."
The unexpected voice startled Seven. She turned to see Marisha on the small viewscreen. She didn't know what to say.
"Marisha," she replied at length.
"I've just finished talking with your captain." Marisha told Seven of the decision to stay on the planet. Seven agreed with the logic of the decision, but was surprised to hear that the Ones Who Will Not Be Named had also offered to stay and assist them. When Marisha had finished, she hesitated. "Seven, I wanted to thank you."
Seven frowned. "I did very little."
"That's not true. It was one thing to hear whispers of an uprising, a promise of freedom, from me. The V'enah were used to that. It was quite another thing for them to meet a member of another species who agreed with me. Who could see clearly the injustice being done, without having her vision being clouded."
Seven thought about it. "I do see your point. I am gratified that I was able to be of assistance. Was there anything else you wanted?"
Even as she spoke the words, hearing them cold, crisp, and precise in her own ears, she wished she dared speak what she really felt. She wanted to thank Marisha too, for the gift the V'enah woman had given her. It had felt good to be passionate about something, to want to fight for a cause that was so obviously the right one. The sensation Seven felt inside was an exquisite, heady one. She understood now why revolutionaries were so often willing to give their lives for what they believed in. Somehow, the cost seemed infinitesimal compared to what was at stake.
She was glad Marisha had not had to perform such drastic action, however. She longed to say how much Marisha had meant to her, even though they had known one another for such a brief time. Her mind went back to the first time they had met, when Marisha had tossed aside the posture of a submissive slave like an old coat, lifting her head and meeting Seven's gaze with a fire Seven had never before encountered but to which she responded immediately. Something had ripped through Seven at that moment, and she would never be the same. Seven of Nine felt again that sensation of righteous anger sweeping through her like a tide, tempered now by the knowledge that that goal, that dream of freedom,
had been achieved.
How quickly Marisha had learned. She was intelligent and compassionate. She and the enlightened Sook would make a fine leader of this blended group of adventurers.
Marisha searched her gaze, seemed about to speak, then merely shook her head.
"No, I suppose there isn't. Good-bye, Seven." She extended a slender hand to terminate the conversation. "Wait," Seven said, urgency flooding her voice. Marisha glanced up sharply. "Marisha ... it is not logical, but it is true ... I feel a connection with you."
Her face softened. "I feel it too, Seven. As if we were somehow kin, though that cannot be possible."
"There is a kinship that transcends blood" said Seven, knowing deep in her heart that the words were true. "We have that kinship. The common bond of an unjust imprisonment and a painful liberation."
"I wish you could come with us," Marisha blurted. For the briefest instant, Seven considered it. She knew Janeway would let her go, if Seven truly felt this was where she wanted to be. But she could not leave Voyager. She belonged here now. It was home.
"I cannot," she said, regretfully. "Nor can you come I with us."
Sadly, Marisha shook her dark head. "We need to plant our feet somewhere solid. Most of the V'enah have never seen the sky, or walked on soil. Including me. I want that, Seven. I can't tell you how much."
"You don't have to," said Seven. She could see it in the other woman's eyes. "I wish you good luck," she said more formally, standing straight. Withdrawing the connection.
"Thank you. And you as well. I hope you find your home soon, as we have found ours. Good-bye, Seven. Sister."
Then Seven was looking at a blank screen. She was glad that Marisha had terminated the conversation, because she did not want the other woman to see the tears that suddenly, unexpectedly, welled in Seven of Nine's blue eyes.
Chapter 4
Most of the other ships had long gone, but a few wished to make formal good-byes. The Lamorians in particular had a long, drawn-out ceremony involving Commander Chakotay. He asked for, and was granted, permission to retire to his quarters to complete the farewell ritual. Janeway had no desire to have her bridge viewscreen taken up for what could conceivably be hours while the Lamorians dotted every I and crossed every T.
While she waited for him to return, she received a transmission from Kelmar. Kim put it onscreen.
"It's good to see you, Kelmar. I'm pleased your ship survived the last battle against Arkathi."
"I understand he was never captured or killed," said Kelmar. "A pity. He was against you from the beginning, Captain. We were alert to his treacherous nature early on, when he contacted me and tried to play the two of us against one another."
This revelation disturbed Janeway. "I wish you had told me earlier, Kelmar. The Kuluuk might not have had to die."
Kelmar did not seem disturbed by her comment. "You were aware of his nature even without my alerting you to it, Captain. Nothing I could have said would have accomplished anything to help the unfortunate Kuluuk. A man is not a criminal until he has committed a crime. And you must remember, we were not too certain of you early on in our travels, either. You had befriended the Nenlar, who had cause to hate us."
He was smiling, as if he was pleased about something. Janeway hoped she didn't know what it was. "I hope you are not taking pleasure in their deaths," she said.
Kelmar laughed aloud. "Hardly," he said, "as they are not dead." He motioned, and both Ara and Torar came into Janeway's vision.
She gaped. "You're alive! Thank goodness! What happened?"
"Commander Kelmar transported us aboard the Nivvika in the very nick of time, putting his own ship at risk," said Torar. "A truly noble gesture, considering that he knew who we were all along."
Janeway's confusion must have shown on her face, for the Nenlar and Kelmar all suddenly laughed. "Remember I told you that there were terrorists among the Nenlar?" said Kelmar. "Ara and Torar are close to the top of that list."
"What?" exclaimed Janeway. "You two are terrorists?"
"Were," said Ara. "Never again. And with any luck, soon there will be no such thing as Nenlar terrorists."
"We are going to return to Nenlar space," said Kelmar. "There's a chance it might be dangerous, but when you have two of the highest-ranking members of the Nenlar terrorist groups vouching for you, you feel a bit safer."
Genuinely shocked, Janeway stared at Ara and Torar. "What happened to your Nenlar timidity?"
"It is still there," Ara reassured her. "We have to battle with it every day."
"I never imagined you two would be the terrorists Kelmar spoke of," said Janeway.
"If we and Kelmar can return to Nenlar space together," said Torar, "we can perhaps teach the rest of my people that there is nothing to fear anymore from the ludka. I know it is difficult for you to comprehend, Captain, but we do not enjoy terrorist activities. It goes against everything in Nenlar nature. We did it only because we truly believed that we had no alternative. I know the key people in the organization well, and if they can be convinced that there is nothing to hate about the ludka, we will all be only too happy to turn our attention to peaceful, less frightening pursuits."
Janeway shook her head. It was almost inconceivable to her, but she had served in Starfleet long enough to know that not every species - in fact, very few - thought about and reacted to things the way humans did. She wanted to believe Ara and Torar, but they had lied to her, and the ludka, already.
"Kelmar, I feel compelled to point out that you are one ship, heading into Nenlar space. You'll be quite vulnerable. And while I would love to trust Ara and Torar, they have misrepresented themselves before."
"Although Kelmar knew who we were, it was we who chose to reveal our identities first. We did not need to reveal ourselves at all, Captain," Torar pointed out. "Nor did the ludka need to risk themselves to come to our aid. The fact that they placed hundreds of ludka lives in jeopardy in order to save two Nenlar lives was not lost upon us. It will not be lost upon my people, either. We fought to prevent wrongs. We will not continue to harm people who have expressed such a willingness to befriend us."
"The past is the past." Janeway was aware that she was gaping at Kelmar. He threw back his head and laughed heartily. "Oh, Captain, hearts will not be changed overnight. I know that. And I'm certain that even Torar and Ara will clash with us from time to time. But that is so insignificant, compared with the riches peace has to offer. I'm willing to risk it. Thank you, Captain. We wish you the best of luck on your own journey home."
The Nivvika terminated the signal, and Janeway watched the huge ludka vessel follow the receding ball of fire.
Only one ship now remained. "Hail them," she told Kirn.
The ugly, mottled visage of the Hirogen Alpha filled the screen. Janeway took a deep breath, determined to try one last time.
"Alpha, I would like to take this opportunity to once again urge you to utilize our holographic technology. I know you understand the benefits, and - "
"Yes," said the Alpha, completely unexpectedly. "If you will transport it over, we will welcome it"
Janeway and Chakotay exchanged pleased glances. "Kim, get on it. Alpha, within a few moments you'll be in receipt of the technology. May I ask why this sudden change of heart?"
"It was pathetically easy for prey to frame us," grumbled the Alpha. "Our reputation may strike fear into the hearts of prey, but it also a liability. I had not realized we were so ... predictable. Had it not been for your ability to look more deeply into the situation, I am certain that we would have been killed. I have no wish to die for something I did not do, Captain. Perhaps if we learn to use this holographic technology for our hunts, we will not be so easy a target for others' hatred."
She could see it materialize in the far corner of the viewscreen. The Alpha glanced back, then returned his attention to Janeway.
"The transport of your holographic technology was successful," he said. "We thank you for it."
"I hope it wil
l prove useful, and that you have many fine hunts with it," said Janeway.
The Alpha inclined his head. "As I said, we also owe you thanks for coming to our defense when the rest of the caravan would have enjoyed opening fire upon us."
"We believe in serving justice and in clearing the innocent," said Janeway. "I'm only sorry that Sinimar Arkathi escaped without having to account for his actions."
The Alpha shrugged. "It is of no importance to us. We will soon be in our own space. Again, thank you."
Janeway settled into her chair and watched the Hirogen ship disappear as it leaped into warp. The turbolift door hissed open and Chakotay entered.
"The Lamorians are gone," he said.
"You sound tired," she observed.
He smiled slightly. "I am. I enjoy ceremony as much as the next person, but even I would go insane if I had to live in that culture. How did the rest of our farewells go?"
