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Canaan Land Part Six.

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All of life's big moments are made of little ones put together. Sometimes the genius lies in the small moments.

===Captain's Cabin, Voyager...

B'Elanna lay wide awake, watching the star light through the window of their quarters, wondering how long they would all be together. Their two children, K'Karn and Gretchen who was seven months old lay sleeping next to her, Kathryn curled up protectively around them. B'Elanna watched them, her family as they slept and felt herself sink into a rage-filled despair. They should have never returned! If this is what they were fighting for, trying with all their strength and talents to return to,then it wasn't worth it. Keko stirred, whimpering in his sleep. B'Elanna turned and rubbed his back in gentle circles arranging herself to be able to soothe her son. For that brief moment there was only Kathryn and the children. All was at peace. Keko settled down and she did too, her arm gently draped over her boy. Kathryn stirred slightly and fell back to a restless sleep, the worry she wore all day smoothed by sleep. B'Elanna made up her mind at that moment. She would die if she had to for her children and for Kathryn. She would die for Voyager and this crew if it was required. She could do not less. Her resolve made she drifted into a light sleep.

===Geron-Ayala Cabin, Voyager...

Geron rolled over and felt for Gregor, his hand seeking what was not there. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, not spying his lover anywhere in the room. Rising, he walked into the living room and after a moment or two, spotted Greg sitting on the couch in the dark. "Gregor?"

"I'm here, Gerry." He patted the couch and Geron walked over, allowing himself to be pulled into Greg's arms. They settled down for a moment in silence.

"Greg?"

"Hmmm?"

"What is going to happen to us?"

For a moment Ayala was silent and then he leaned down and kissed Geron softly on the lips. "I don't know, Geron. I just know they will have to kill me to take me away from you." Gregor kissed Geron again and tightened his embrace resting his cheek on Geron's head. "Go to sleep, Gerry. I'm here. Its ok."

The silence of the room settled over them as they both sat together waiting for the next day to come.

===Neelix Cabin, Voyager...

Neelix stared out the small window in his quarters and thought for the millionth time that he was very far from home. There was no one here who would look like him or believe like him and he had never felt this lonely before. They had taken the Commander, an action that had chilled his heart. He was under house arrest someone told him. How could this be? What kind of people were these Federationists? What kind of new terror had he traded his old terror for?

===Vulcan Diplomatic Shuttle enroute to DS9...

The Vulcan Ambassador meditated in the light of the view port as the diplomatic shuttle hurried on its way to the rendezvous point where Gretchen Janeway would join them. He thought of her husband whom he had met twice and sighed. It was hard to consider how...illogical some actions were these days. There was an odd conservatism at roam in the Federation and the actions of some were incomprehensible to him. He was aware that this was probably the case with Voyager.

It was a cause of great pride to him that Voyager had made it back from her terrors so far away. That is was not to others was beyond his comprehension. He cleared his mind and concentrated, letting the age old techniques of his people purge his heart of superfluous emotionalism so that he could act as he must in the days ahead. More was at stake here than the well-being of a single ship and crew. The heart and soul of the Federation and all that it purported to stand for hung in the balance of the next few days.

===Paris Home, San Francisco...

Owen Paris sipped his drink and watched his holographic fire burning in his holographic fire place. The house was empty. Lisa had the night off and he was alone. Miriam had left him to do who the hell knows what. Phone calls, angry and accusing from his son-in-law, James still rang in his ears. Kathleen had gone with her mother. Fool girl. Even his sensible one, Moira had taken up the cause. He sighed and debated getting another drink.

They didn't know Star Fleet like he did. They didn't really know the *Federation* like he did. They couldn't possibly understand how the game was played, the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few. He hadn't become the third heart beat from the top by being a fool. Tom should have been by his side. Tom was *supposed* to be his legacy to the Paris legend. He snorted and lay his head back. "Shit."

That boy had never done a thing he was told from the day he was born. Not one damned fucking thing. Now he was back and ...what? He, Owen Paris Fucking Star Fleet Fucking Admiral was supposed to go running out to DS9? No fuckin' way.

The people who were *really* in charge were taking care of the whole damned thing. He would not be a party to any damned rescue. Those days of the cavalry riding in to rescue the settlers were long past. Thank god. He rose from his chair and walked to the wet bar near the window. He poured his glass full of bourbon and toasted the crashing surf on the rocks just below his house. "To Neptune, god of the sea!" Taking a deep swallow he luxuriated in the burning of the liquor as it slipped down his throat and pooled in his stomach. Raising his glass he toasted the gods again. "To the gods of heaven and earth! At least you fuckers knew to kill your own kids when they needed it."

For a second the sentiment pinged at his heart and then he pushed it away. He was too damned drunk to soften now. He knew what he was doing. He was on the side of the winners. Let the losers go to Bajor. They won't change a thing. "The wind is blowing the wrong way, Miriam. Its like the man said, you don't have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." He giggled and picked up the bottle, heading back to his chair and collapsing into it. He would get damned dead drunk tonight. Yessiree, old Owen Paris sure knew which way the wind was blowing...

===On a frontier planet...

Beyvahl met contacts at the old bar that had been a listening post for the Maquis for years during the war. A dozen men, old and dear comrades were waiting for him and they listened their faces paled with anger. For two hours they talked, plotting a diagram of their actions and when they were done they left to go speak to a dozen more and they, a dozen more after that. As Beyvahl rose to leave, a big man, tall and good looking rose and walked over to the table. For a moment Bey blinked as he stared at the big dark man shifting his feet back and forth before him. "May I talk to you?"

Bey looked at him and hesitated.

"Please. I couldn't help overhearing part of what you were discussing. My name is Torres, Roberto Torres. I think my daughter, B'Elanna may be on Voyager."

===A little later

They waited for Nayib to come and pick them up. He had been on a mission of the same type nearby and would take Bey with him for the trip to Bajor. The timer was on and the plan was in motion. All they had to do was leave themselves. Three days of calls and meetings were going to pay off dividends. Bey sat across from Roberto and mused over his appearance. He reminded him of himself and his brothers and he thought about how B'Elanna had come to be a part of their family. "I thought you were in Star Fleet."

Torres glanced up from his coffee cup and smiled wanly. "I was but it lost its glow for me. I am a commercial pilot now. I have my own business."

"You left her when she was young."

"I know. Its the biggest regret of my life. I just didn't know how to take care of her. And her mother..." Torres sighed deeply. "You had to know her mother."

"So I'm told." A faint smile lightened Bey's face.

Torres smiled a rueful smile and then sighed again. Resolve formed on his handsome features and he met Bey's eyes levelly. "I failed my daughter once before,when she really needed me. I can't make that up. But I can help her now. For what its worth I have never stopped loving her. I want to help her."

"Well I think we might be able to use you, Mr. Torres. It might get... interesting once we get near Bajor."

Torres smiled, something of B'Elanna appearing around his eyes. "Sounds like my kind of fun."

===On a shuttle to Bajor...

Miriam sipped her tea stroking Kathleen's hair as she lay across the seats, her head in her mother's lap. They would pass the halfway mark to Bajor soon. Soon they would see Tom. Of that she had no doubt. If she ever returned there she would not be leaving without her son. The Federation be damned. Maria stood in the doorway watching Miriam and smiled softly. She liked this woman, this smart, strong and womanly mother. She owed her greatly. Without her she would have never known of her son's fate. How could she repay her? What could she ever do that would be even a small representation of what she owed? Maria didn't know but she would think about it. For as far as she was concerned Miriam and her daughters and Maria and her family were as one. Forever.

===DS9...

They began to take the crew off in small numbers ostensibly for health screenings. Star Fleet were being returned but not Maquis. By the time they were down to a handful of Maquis it began to dawn on them that they were being selected. Maquis were going in but they weren't coming out. Geron stood in the observation deck, staring out the window his heart thundering. Gregor had been taken in the first batch. He hadn't come back. He said he would die before they would ever be separated again. He pressed his face against the pane and despaired. They would come for him next.

=0=

Canaan Land Part Seven.

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===Voyager, Transporter Room One...

When they came for the last five Maquis Kathryn and Tuvok were waiting. Ringing them were ten security guards including Tom. They had no weapons and when the Enterprise security forces stepped on to the ship armed and ready for confrontation that is what they got.

"Get the hell off my ship. You aren't taking any more Maquis away," she snarled her back as stiff as a rod. B'Elanna moved to stand next to her and Seven as well. Tom stepped closer his eyes flickering over the armed men searching for a weakness where none existed.

"Captain, we are here to take the last of your crew for health screening." The Lieutenant in charge stepped forward his manner placating.

"You will get them when you give me back all the others."

"They are still being checked, Captain."

"For three days?"

For a moment, there was no sound and then the Lieutenant nodded to his men. They stepped forward and Kathryn dropped one followed by another from Seven and one by Tom. That is when they fired. Phaser blasts filled the room and in seconds all the combatants on the side of Voyager were down. The crew of security men moved among the stunned bodies and carefully pulled from the pile every Maquis crewman, dragging them to the middle of the floor. Standing over them like a wolf over a fresh kill, the Lieutenant beamed them over to DS9.

Tom felt himself come through the nausea, dizziness and disorientation of being stunned in time to see a security guard sling Kathryn Janeway over his shoulder. He staggered to his feet, his voice slurred and lunged at the man just as he vanished in a transporter beam. Security men moved among the stunned crew administering hypos and nudging them awake. Tom helped Batehart and Wildman to their feet and noticed that Gerron and the others were gone. There were no more Maquis on board Voyager. No Maquis left but him.

Carey lunged for a security guard but Tom caught him holding him back as his own heart beat with revenge. "You are not to challenge us again."

Another Lieutenant had assumed charge and glared at the remaining Voyager crew with something close to hatred.

"Where have you taken Captain Janeway?" Tuvok said his voice winded.

"Where she belongs. The brig on the Enterprise."

With that they called for transport and vanished into thin air.

===Voyager, that same day...

Harry and Seven had assumed the care of B'Elanna and Kathryn's children, taking them into their cabin and enlisting other crew to help. Tom managed his own children, terrified to let them out of his sight as he waited for the other shoe to drop. *Surely* they would come for him next. *Surely*. They had taken to sleeping in the same bed, the children afraid to sleep alone in their rooms. They did their best, nightmares and anxiety becoming their sleeping companions. Every night Tom lay on the bed fully dressed just in case, as many of his children in his arms as he could accommodate and he would stare out the view port at Enterprise.

Chakotay. Caged. It was inconceivable. It nauseated him and robbed him of his control. More than once he had to excuse himself and go into the bathroom to pull himself together. The waiting, the waiting...it was excruciating. They had to be toying with him. That must be it. Keep them all off balance and then...and then, what? It was beyond him. He pulled his children closer and settled back to rest. He had to be strong for his kids, for Chakotay, for everyone...

===On board the USS Carey Hill...

After three transfers, Gretchen Janeway made the beam over to the small science ship, Carey Hill. Received with cordiality, she was shown her small quarters where she settled in. Dinner that night would be with the crew and one other civilian passenger due to be transferred to a larger Star Fleet vessel two days after Gretchen. Walking to the small mess hall, she filled her coffee cup and took a piece of berry pie, walking to a table near the view port. Sipping it, she noticed a tall blonde woman, very blue eyes, her honey hair swept up into a bun. She smiled and the woman smiled back. "You must be Gretchen Janeway," the blond said cordially.

"Yes. And you are...?"

The blond picked up her cup and moved to Gretchen's table. Nodding at a chair she smiled. "I'm Sonya Hanson-Miller."

Gretchen smiled back, gesturing for her to sit. "I thought I recognized you. Why would the science advisor to the Federation High Council, indeed the President of the Federation be doing out here on this small little ship?"

Sonya laughed, a musical sound and grinned. "I am off to check out some findings for a possible new energy source on some new worlds that have been explored since the treaty."

"I see. So, is your family all in science or are you their shining star?"

"No, actually, my brother and his wife were quite well-known in science until they disappeared when I was a young girl."

"Really? May I ask who they were?"

"Their name was Hanson. They had a daughter, Annika."

===The Enterprise Brig...

Kathryn Janeway rubbed her sore head and sat, stilled by the blow of a phaser blast. Every part of her ached. Hearing a noise, she looked up into the sympathetic eyes of Gregor Ayala who occupied the cell across from her. "Captain."

"Mr. Ayala."

"They got you too, huh?"

"Yes. They did."

"I take it you resisted." Kathryn smiled slightly.

"Yes, ma'am." He sighed and moved closer to the screen.

"Are you all right?"

"Physically. The rest? I'm not so sure." She rubbed her face and stood on shaky legs

"Captain, did they take Geron?" Ayala's voice cracked as he stood stiffly his hands clenched into fists.

She nodded her eyes sympathetic. "They took B'Elanna too."

Gregor closed his eyes letting out a breath. For a moment he stood still and then he looked at her again. "Welcome to hell, Captain."

===Enterprise, Ambassadorial Quarters...

Chakotay paced for the third day, nearly in a frenzy of anxiety. No one even bothered to come anymore. He knew he was being monitored by computer so why should they waste the time? He stopped, some deep well of hell emerging within his soul and came to a decision. If they would not come to him he would bring them. With cold purpose and a steely eye, he turned and began to methodically destroy the quarters he was confined in. In a matter of minutes security entered the room and subdued him after a titanic struggle with locking restraints. A hypo spray was administered and he was carried to Sick Bay where he was placed fully restrained into a seclusion cell specially designed for out-of-control patients. Beverly Crusher watched them lock the door, her stomach turning and threw her tricorder across the room.

/First, do no harm...do no harm...do no harm/

It howled through her mind tearing at her soul. She turned and ran from the Sick Bay on her way to the Bridge.

===Captain's Ready Room, Enterprise...

Chime.

Beverly Crusher didn't wait for Picard to grant access. She stormed in and stopped before his desk, her fury filling the room.

"Come in." Picard said wryly.

"Jean-Luc, what are we doing?"

He schooled his face to an utter lack of emotion. "I was under the opinion that we were doing our jobs."

Beverly leaned down on Picard's desk invading his space and jostling his carefully maintained control. "Are we, Jean-Luc? Did you know that Commander Chakotay is in the security room in Sick Bay, sedated and restrained?"

Picard leaned forward. "Are you aware that he destroyed his quarters?"

"Can you blame him?" She pulled back and walked to the window staring at Voyager just beyond. "Wouldn't you?"

Picard rose and walked to stand next to her. "Yes. I would."

She turned to him. "This isn't right, Jean-Luc. We should be *celebrating* this return not *dismantling* it."

Picard turned and picked up the padd he had thrown down on his desk when she walked through his door. On it, in some kind of synchronized order were precise instructions to do *exactly* that. First, capture Chakotay, then the Maquis, then deal with any renegade Star Fleet personnel and finally, after containing the threat any further resistance might pose arrest the Borg and Tom Paris. He showed it to Crusher, watching the cascade of emotions cross her face. She looked at him flabbergasted. "Why!"

"I have no idea." He paused for a moment then took the padd dropping it on the desk and commed for Commander Data. Data came into the room his face impassive as he awaited instructions. "Mr. Data, I want you to accompany Dr. Crusher to Sick Bay and help her revive Commander Chakotay. When that is accomplished I would like you to beam him and yourself directly to my Ready Room." Data nodded and looked at Crusher who flashed a grateful smile at Jean-Luc. Turning to leave he bade them pause. "Not a word. Is that clear?"

They both nodded and left the room. He stared at the door for a long moment and then at the padd on his desk. With a sigh and a sense of cleanliness he had not felt since he received his orders, he turned to comm Commander Riker.

"Riker here."

"Will, go to the brig and beam both yourself and Captain Janeway to my Ready Room. No one is to know and there is to be no record of it in the logs." After a brief pause, Riker acknowledged and signed off, a slight chuckle in his voice. Picard allowed himself a very small grin before turning to the console before him. Sitting down he called up the securest and most encrypted transmission line he could create. It was time to find out what was happening and he had a few friends of his own. They owed him and now he would collect. With visions of his time on Dorvan V hanging over him he sent a message to a highly placed official in the Federation High Council. Settling back to wait, he sighed. Maybe, just maybe he could make up to Chakotay the debt that he owed all his people. Just maybe there would be one less sin on his soul. Even if that were not possible he no longer was a player in this travesty of justice.

===At a rendezvous point in space...

The Star Fleet Science Vessel Carey Hill rendezvous with the diplomatic shuttle from Vulcan was flawless and the transfer made without any problems. Gretchen smiled at her friend, T'Pel and raised her hand in the traditional Vulcan greeting. "Live long and prosper, T'Pel. I am beyond words in my gratitude for this moment."

She raised her own slender hand and returned the salutation. "It is I who am honored by your presence. If you will follow me I will introduce you to the Ambassador."

She walked behind T'Pel, once again marveling at her grace and carriage until they reached the main sitting area of the shuttle. The old Vulcan rose and gave his salute to her. Gretchen returned it and turned to the woman behind her. "Ambassador, T'Pel, I would like you to meet Sonya Hanson-Miller, the aunt of a member of Voyager's crew."

=0=

Canaan Land Part Eight.

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===San Francisco, Star Fleet HQ...

Owen Paris was puttering around his office, a slight sluggish tone to his muscles from his escapade with the bottle last night. He grinned. Even a hypo couldn't dull *all* the effect of that much booze. He organized the work on his desk and commed the classified news link that only officers of his rank and designation were privy to. For days he has been able to keep track of what was really happening to Voyager. They were going to bury her, make her disappear. She was a threat. The balance achieved in the Federation and the new order that grew out of the last war it could not be disturbed by new elements or old wounds being re-examined.

He mused on the Non-Aligned Worlds that were becoming a powerful alliance, one that the Federation needed to court. He hated them. They had to court these people who once actively fought against them. Some of the families had members on Voyager. One of them in particular was the cause of all of Voyager's woes. He, Owen Paris would personally attend this man's execution. This man would pay the price of all their sins. This man would pay the price of the Federation and Star Fleet's shame. The Maquis would *be* destroyed. All of them. Even if it took forever. Even if they fled as they did into the Non-Aligned Worlds space, they would get them all eventually. It was part of the pact, the commitment they had made. The honor of Star Fleet would be avenged and the focus of it all, Chakotay of Dorvan V would pay the ultimate price. He sat enjoying his thoughts when the comm link chimed. Tapping it idly he replied mechanically, his eyes still far away.

"Admiral," a deep voice intoned. Paris sat straight up. The red light next to link open flashed indicating a secured line.

"Yes, John," he answered a frown forming on his face. "What's wrong."

"I have just been informed that Jean-Luc Picard has made inquiries."

Paris sucked in a deep breath. "What kind?"

"Inquiries as to who is behind the current... situation... regarding the return of Voyager."

"I see."

For a moment there was silence.

"You are to go to DS9, Paris. You are to contain the problem and report directly back to me. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir."

The transmission ended as abruptly. For a moment Paris sat quietly pondering the problem and then he hit the comm button. "Yes, Admiral." His Vulcan secretary responded.

"Get my shuttle ready. I am leaving for DS9." He flicked the comm link off and sat back his fingers laced tightly. /Well, it looks like I will be seeing Tom after all./

===Enterprise, Sick Bay...

The door cracked open and he blinked his eyes, a haze of fogginess covering his vision like gauze. A gentle hand, a woman's hand touched his face and then his neck feeling for his pulse. Chakotay lurched back and found strong hands gripping his shoulders. A blur of voices gentle and soothing filled his ears as a hypo was pressed against his neck. He pulled away from it but it was too late. The medicine already was circulating through his body and he lay back, closing his eyes.

===Voyager...

Tom Paris walked down the hallway to his cabin. His children were with others. He had to go there and think. All day long he had quietly made plans against the moment he would disappear. Star Fleet crew would take the children, promising with deep sincerity that they would protect them no matter what. If there was a chance that they would be let go the children would be sent to Dorvan, to Chakotay's family to be raised. He commed the door and stepped in brushing a tear from his cheek as he went to the desk and commed his personal log. The light flickered, breaking the darkness, as he sat gathering his thoughts. Finally, after encrypting it carefully he began. "Personal log, stardate...it doesn't matter. This is my last will and testament. I want it known that my children are to go to their grandparents on Dorvan V to be raised there in keeping with the wishes of my husband, Chakotay and myself."

===Somewhere on Enterprise...

Chakotay blinked his eyes, the fog lifting from them as he stared at the haloed shadows standing over him.

"Remove the restraints please, Data." A woman's soft voice spoke and strong hands broke the locks in two. For a moment Chakotay just blinked. The locks were broken. By someone's hands. Just then the same hands gently pulled him to his feet, one resting on his elbow to steady him.

Chakotay stared into odd yellow eyes, speechlessly confused as he felt strength pulse back through his body. "How did you do that?" he asked, stupidly.

"What, sir?" Data replied easily a slight smile quirking the corners of his mouth.

Chakotay gazed at the woman, a doctor, and blinked.

"How did he do that?" he asked her.

She smiled. "Mr. Data is an android."

For a moment Chakotay tried to process the information and then he just shook his head. Crusher placed a hand on his shoulder smiling. "Its ok, Commander. The Captain wishes to see you."

Chakotay blinked and nodded as Data commed the computer for transport. As they vanished Beverly Crusher felt a hundred years younger. Without a backward glance,she turned and stepped away, closing the door behind her.

===Captain's Ready Room, Enterprise..

Data and Chakotay materialized in the Captain's Ready Room. Chakotay blinked, still groggy from the sedative and its antidote. His eyes came to rest on Kathryn Janeway who had risen from her chair and rushed to him. Taking him by the arms she peered fearfully at him. "Chakotay. Are you all right?"

"Kathryn." Chakotay pulled her into a tight embrace holding her as closely and securely as he could. For a long time there was no sound and then Kathryn stepped back. He gazed at her, his expression a mixture of terror and rage. "What the hell is going on? Where is Tom? The kids? Our crew?"

She cut him off, tugging him to sit in a chair next to hers. "Its a long story, Chakotay. Suffice it to say that everyone is safe for now."

He relaxed marginally. Captain Picard rose from his desk and walked to the replicator. "Can I get you something, Commander?"

Chakotay blinked, his relief releasing waves of nausea throughout his body. "Um, tea I think."

Picard turned and ordered. He took the cup and handed it to the Commander, returning to his seat. Chakotay sipped the hot liquid, his senses returning and glanced at Kathryn, then Picard. "What the *hell* is going on here?"

===Somewhere in space, heading for DS9...

Owen Paris sat next to a window as his ship flashed through space. They had countermanded his orders giving him the fastest ship possible. The plan was coming apart. There was the possibility that others would know of Voyager's existence. If that happened there would be hell to pay. Someone knew and others were beginning to know. He thought of Miriam.

/Fuck you, Owen./

For a moment a flash of alarm ripped through him and he squirmed in his seat.

/Yes, fuck me, Miriam. You may have just succeeded./

===On a shuttle nearing Bajor...

A gentle hand shook Maria awake as dark brown eyes smiled at her.

"Maria, we are approaching Bajor." Ro Laren waited until Maria was clearly awake before handing her a cup of tea.

"Thank you, darling." Maria sipped the hot liquid and sighed. "We are close. My son is nearby and Miriam's and a lot of sons and daughters. It is a great day, Ro. No one can stop us now."

Ro smiled. "I would never want to be in your path, Maria if you ever really wanted to go somewhere."

"That is why I love you like a daughter. You are a very smart girl." Maria chuckled.

Ro snorted and smiled. Turning, she walked into the hall to wake everyone up. It would be very busy, very soon.

===Space Station Gamma Gamma Delta...

"Lieutenant, that is the thirty-fourth ship that has passed through our sector in thirty-six hours."

"I am aware of that, O'Hara."

The watch commander stared at the roster as ten more ships signaled their presence and their authorization to come into this sector of space. He sighed. It was weird. Damned weird. Why were this many ships heading for Bajor? "I don't get it. But they have diplomatic immunity. We can't do a damned thing about it." He glanced down at O'Hara.

"Send a message to Star Fleet HQ. Tell them that there is a huge volume of shuttle and small ship traffic all covered by diplomatic immunity granted by the Non-Aligned Worlds converging on what appears to be Bajor."

O'Hara nodded and began to work out the message for transmission. As he did six more ships bearing diplomatic status beaconed the station for passage.

===First Officer's Cabin, Voyager...

Tom finished his recording and sighed shutting off the computer. He rose wearily, his tension aching in every joint and stood in the middle of the room remembering all the good times they had together. He turned to leave when he froze marginally aware that a transporter beam had him dead to rights. Without a sound Tom Paris vanished into thin air.

=0=

Canaan Land Part Nine

=0=

===Station Gamma Gamma Beta...

O'Hara tapped a stylus against a padd as he read through the statistics of the last 49 hours. Exactly 102 shuttles, private craft, transports and ships of commerce all carrying legitimate and verified documents of diplomatic status had crossed their beacons heading for Bajor. He tapped the comm line again searching the flow of news messages that could explain the convergence of that many people from the next door alliance. It was worrisome. Damned worrisome. Add to that the communications blackout of DS9 and the rerouting of Enterprise and four smaller ships to the Bajor region and it seemed like something terrible was going to happen. He broke out in a chill, the fear of another war filling him with resolve.

Looking around and sensing he was the only person monitoring the communications array he used every skill he could and encrypted a message to his older brother, a veteran of the last war. Don was severely injured from that last conflagration but had become a major historian and writer of that period. He commanded a lot of respect and had connections in the media, Star Fleet and the government. He wrote his message, the memories of his brother's suffering as fresh in his mind as the day he and his parents had walked into the hospital. They had seen Don just transferred from Star Fleet medical ships, nearly unrecognizable lying on a biobed, tubes and devices everywhere.

He had entered Star Fleet to make sure he made a difference and now sitting here with this swirling around he made up his mind to tell someone no matter the consequences to himself. No family, no *one* should ever suffer like they all did. With a deep resolve and a clear conscience, Liam O'Hara sent the message.

===On a shuttle above Bajor...

The diplomatic shuttle from Dorvan V went into orbit around Bajor, its lovely surface visible from space. Maria stared down, Ro at her side their arms linked. Her daughters were preparing their things, ready to beam down to the planet to do battle.

"Its lovely, isn't it?" Ro sighed.

"Yes. Do you miss not living here full time?" Maria asked linking her fingers with Ro's.

"No, actually. Too many bad memories yet." Laren turned and grinned at Maria. "You saved me you know, you and your family from bitterness and loneliness and despair."

Maria squeezed her hand. "We truly became blessed when you came to us, Ro. Always remember that."

Ro smiled and looked back at her home world. "How long before the shuttles appear do you imagine?"

"Knowing your husband they will appear to the second."

Maria smiled. "My Beyvahl, he always was the punctual one."

Ro laughed and turned smiling at Neera. "I thought you were."

"Only after noontime." Neera smiled. "We are all ready now, Mama."

Maria looked at her daughters, Neera the intense and quiet one, Layla the fierce one, Khola the deep thinker and smiled. They would not fail. Beyvahl and Nayib were nearby, she knew it and her husband, she could feel his spirit too. The gods were with them. They would not fail today.

Miriam stood in the doorway, her daughters standing beside her and Maria laughed. "You know, I don't think the Federation has learned even yet that when a woman makes up her mind nothing but a phaser can stop her." With huge smiles they walked to the transporter room and their rendezvous with the forces of justice on Bajor.

===DS9...

"Deep Space Nine, this is Captain Sisko of the Defiant. I am requesting permission to dock."

"Defiant, this is DS9. Permission denied."

For a moment Benjamin Sisko blinked. "Deep Space 9, this is Captain Benjamin Sisko. Explain."

"Permission is denied, Captain. You are to go to Bajor, assume a parking orbit and await further orders."

"By *whose* authority?"

"Star Fleet Command, sir. I'm sorry. I can't tell you more than that."

With that, DS9 cut transmission. Sisko turned and stared at Worf, the Klingon as perplexed and surprised as he was. For a moment he just sat thinking and then he decided what to do. "Helm, lay in a course for Bajor. Something is going on and I am going to find out what the *hell* it is."

===Near Station Gamma Gamma Beta...

One hundred and two ships crossed forbidden space and headed for Deep Space 9. Almost immediately they were hailed by the station and told to turn back. The flotilla commanded by a fast and well-shielded shuttle from Dorvan V told them they were proceeding to DS9 intending to take up stationary orbits. The command center of the station repeated the order to turn back. Beyvahl glanced at Roberto Torres and grinned. "Time to play chicken don't you think?"

Roberto grinned, his dimples flashing as he nodded. "Tell them to fuck off. Diplomatically of course."

Bey chuckled. "I like your style, Torres." He touched the communications panel. "DS9, this is the diplomatic shuttle from Dorvan V. We are all proceeding to your station to take up stationary orbits. If you wish to fire upon us or impede us in any way remember that we are carrying diplomatic papers. Any attempt by you to harm even one of us might be taken as a hostility consummate to a declaration of war. Shuttle 54D1 out." He flicked off the comm button and settled back, watching his brother fly the craft closer, a long and wide line of comrades behind them. Hundreds of people and more than a hundred ships were flying into the mouth of the dragon. They would see hell before they would be the first to blink.

===On a diplomatic shuttle enroute to DS9...

The old Vulcan was sipping his tea when a young man came to him and told him that they were nearing Space Station Gamma Gamma Beta. He nodded. It would not be far from there to DS9 and the confluence of evil that threatened to destroy them all. He leaned back in his chair and cleared his mind. It had been a long time since he had seen service like this. He found himself filled with anticipation.

===DS9, A holding cell...

B'Elanna paced, the others in the holding cell long since given up on telling her to sit down. It was cramped and nerve-wracking. Somewhere Kathryn was in danger. Somewhere her children were alone. She knew, she *knew* Kathryn was caged, perhaps the brig on Enterprise. They wouldn't let her stay not after resisting. She sighed her despair alternating with extremes of rage she had not felt in years. It would be the end of her if something did not happen soon. Something, *anything* had to be better than this.

===Another cell on DS9...

"Please, Geron, eat something. You need to."

"I can't. Thanks, Chell."

The Bolian sighed. "You *know* Gregor is all right."

"Do we, Chell?"

"Geron, please, keep up your strength. Maybe you will need it to help Gregor."

"He said he would have to be killed before we would ever be separated."

"I don't believe he is dead and you *owe* it to him to be healthy so that when we have our chance to escape or get out of here you can." He extended the plate to the young man again.

Geron sighed and took it offering a feeble smile.

Chell relaxed and squeezed Geron's arm. "Don't despair. Even if Star Fleet can't hear us the gods do. We are not alone, Gerry. Remember that."

Chell turned and went back to tend to the others. Geron gazed at him fondly and sighed closing his eyes. If anything happened to Gregor it didn't matter what gods were doing anywhere. There would be nothing left of him without Gregor. With great effort, Geron began to eat.

===A private home, Mars...

Don O'Hara read the message from his brother and frowned. This was not good. He turned to his wife and licked his lips. "T'Lau, I am going to have to do something here, take a chance."

His wife turned her serene gaze from their baby to her husband. The thread that ran between them, that silver lifeline filled with emotion as Don remembered the terrors of his past. "Do what you believe is best, husband. You know I will support you."

He nodded, wishing for the thousandth time he could smile and show the emotion that she always aroused in him. He knew she would not 'approve' but he felt it anyway. The wounds had made it impossible to show on the outside all the wonder he felt from his marriage. He gave it to her with his mind. Turning to the console once again he commed some friends in the media.

===Somewhere, coming to consciousness...

Tom came aware in a flash as he coalesced once again. With a blinding fear and rage he struck out wildly, bodies flying and hands grabbing. It was quick and brutish and terrible. Then it was over and there was nothing but blessed oblivion.

=0=

Canaan Land Part Ten

=0=

===Station Gamma Gamma Beta...

The Vulcan diplomatic shuttle had been gone for a short time when a message beeped at Liam O'Hara's terminal. He opened it and smiled feeling much better. It was his brother's acknowledgement of his letter. Now maybe someone would tell him just the *what the hell* was going on. He stared at the tally of diplomatic craft he had begun when it was clear something was up. Over 220 ships were headed for Bajor. Damn. He would give a helluva lot of money to be on DS9 right now. Or maybe not.

===Voyager, Observation lounge...

Naomi Wildman, showing signs of stress nevertheless did her best to care for the children in the room. Neelix was due shortly to spell her. Thank god for her godfather. What would life be like without her precious and loving Neelix? Gretchen Janeway, barely eight months old was fussing and so she picked her up and started toward the replicator for a bottle. K'Karn colored at the table with the quads. Other small children including the Seven-Kims and six from different families played nearby. She made it halfway there when a humming sound filled the room. All of the children looked up in time to see Naomi's stricken face. She was awash with energy and then she and Gretchen disappeared. The silence was devastating.

Then it happened again.

The six children on the floor disappeared. The Seven-Kim kids, their screams breaking the silence shimmered and vanished. Tim and Andrew jumped up shivering and clutching each other. Chakotay and Tom, knocking their chairs over ran to the spot where the children had vanished. Looking back at their brothers, Chakotay and Tom shimmered vanishing from sight.

"Chakotay!" Andrew screamed and screamed as Tim stood paralyzed with fright. He turned to Tim and shimmered, vanishing. All was silent for a moment and then Tim, gathering his wits turned to the only child left but him, Keko Janeway-Torres. "Come to me, Keko! Hurry!" He held out his arms. Keko jumped down and started forward just as Tim shimmered and vanished. The little boy, three years old and alone, stopped short, blinking his dazed little brown eyes. "Timmy?"

There was no answer. He broke into tears, his fingers in his mouth. "I want my mommy!" Then he shimmered and disappeared.

For a long time there was only the sound of silence and then the door opened as Uncle Neelix came in, his usual happy banter running as he carried ice cream in a carrier. He stopped short in the quiet room staring dumbfounded at the emptiness. "Naomi?" Fear pulsed through him and then he turned to the window. Surrounding the station in synchronous orbit were hundreds of small ships. They filled the viewport. More and more joined them and they shimmered in the light of the station. He stood there a long time staring and then he too shimmered and disappeared, the container in his hands falling to the floor. It broke open, ice cream spilling out. Ice cream that no one was left to eat.

===DS9...

Commander Kira frowned and paced. The tension was intense and everyone kept their eyes on their consoles. Odo sat nearby watching out the window at the extraordinary sight of so many ships surrounding them and they were, surrounded that is. Each ship carried authentic diplomatic status not only for the ship but for its passengers. There were hundreds of ships and maybe thousands of people. No one dared breath.

===Bajor Chamber of Ministers, Bajor...

"Ambassador Maria?"

She turned and gazed upon the face of a very beautiful and serene woman. Smiling, Maria rose, pulling her lace shawl closer to her body. "The Council will be honored to meet with you now."

"I would like to bring the women with me also. They are important to what I wish to say."

The woman nodded and stepped aside graciously steering them all into the imposing meeting room. As they walked forward, their backs straight and their eyes level the big doors closed behind them.

===On a shuttle above DS9...

"Dorvan Diplomatic shuttle, this is the Federation Star Ship Enterprise."

Beyvahl stopped coordinating the information flooding his console and turned to the front of the shuttle. Nayib pressed the button activating a voice only line. "Dorvan Diplomatic shuttle here, Enterprise."

"Sir, our Captain requests your presence at a face to face meeting here on Enterprise to commence at once to discuss matters of mutual interest."

Nayib looked at Bey skeptically. Roberto frowned. "We will send you my coordinates and lower our shields long enough for you to beam me over. Shuttle out."

"Bey! You can't trust them!" Nayib sat a look of alarm on his face.

"Maybe. But how will we know unless we try? If they break their word you know what to do. Transmit the coordinates, Nayib."

For a moment he sat defiantly and then Nayib sighed deeply complying with the request. Bey rose and leaned over kissing Nayib on the forehead. "Remember, brother, the idea is to get them out without bloodshed. We are at odds here and more is at stake than just our brother. The truth of our treaties and the very soul of our people hang in the balance. It is a small thing I am doing."

Nayib nodded, his throat tight. He squeezed Bey's arm and lowered the shields. Bey shimmered and disappeared. Nayib raised the shields and began to pray that he didn't just lose another brother.

===Bajor, at that very moment...

The sun shown brightly on Bajor as people went about their business. Lives had picked up and the population rebuilt after years of horror and war. Bajor had finally found full admittance to the Federation, the Prophets finding such an alliance feasible at last. Commerce, love, illness, learning, all this continued as the people went about their daily lives unaware that nearby a drama that could change their lives forever was coming to a head.

===On the Enterprise...

He materialized in a room facing a fish tank. For a moment he froze and then he turned slowly around steeled to face anything. Beyvahl was a big man, well over six feet and muscular. Dark hair streaked with gray and intense dark brown eyes added to his overall impressive appearance. He was big, handsome, strong and bore a tattoo on his forehead.

Just like his brother.

Chakotay stood nearby trembling with emotion. Bey...he was here...his brother, Beyvahl had survived and he was here.

Bey turned completely and his eyes fell on Chakotay. For a moment his heart squeezed and he felt faint. Then his ears were filled with a wailing sound of such emotion that it chilled him. If he had been more aware of himself he would have known it was coming from his own lips. "Chakotay!" He staggered forward his legs suddenly weak and was met halfway by his brother. He grabbed him in a stranglehold, an embrace that could not be broken and the two brothers stood sobbing together in the middle of the room. For a long time there was no sound and then Bey broke the embrace holding Chakotay at arms length checking him with his eyes and hands. "Are you well, brother?" he gasped.

Chakotay, too shaken to speak nodded. Bey pulled him in, kissing his cheek and sighed deeply. He didn't notice anyone else. He didn't notice the tears running down his cheeks. He didn't care. He only cared about Chakotay.

===Coming to consciousness again...

A wet cloth covered his forehead and someone nearby was working on his arm. It felt broken. His body ached and he was sore in specific spots. God, he just wanted to die. "Lie still. You are with friends."

A woman's voice. He relaxed. "Who are you?" His voice was slurred.

"I am Mela from Dorvan V. You don't know me but I was Maquis once."

"Why are you here?"

"To rescue you, silly." A beautiful dark-eyed woman leaned over and replaced his cool cloth. "Lay still. You beat a few of us up when you materialized. I am repairing you."

"God! I hurt someone?"

She pushed him flat. "Nothing that can't be fixed. Relax."

He did, falling into a light exhausted sleep.

===DS9...

"Commander!"

Kira moved quickly to tactical. "What is it?"

"The shuttles! They have locked on to the people on Voyager! They are beaming them away!"

She studied the screen and sighed deeply. "Well, that will teach Enterprise to not guard against transporters." She turned and grinned at Odo. Odo grinned back. "Captain Picard must be getting old."

===Enterprise Bridge...

"Commander! The shuttles! They are beaming people off Voyager! There

... there are no crew left on board her."

Will Riker calmly rose and walked toward the conn, a slow smile crossing his face. "Thank you, Ensign. I will go tell the Captain. I am sure that he will be disturbed to hear this news." With a huge smile on his face, Will Riker walked to the Ready Room of his Captain. At that exact moment, the Diplomatic shuttle from Vulcan sent out a hailing message to DS9 for docking instructions.

Tbc