Chapter Six

The Delta Flyer dashed through space, surrounded by a blue tunnel of light and energy that accompanied a transwarp flight. From the cockpit of the Flyer, her occupants could see no stars, no space – just an amazing whirl of blue that surrounded the ship and went for an infinity both ahead and behind.

Those who had never experienced transwarp flight were enthralled. "It is amazing," Riker said in awe from the helm. "It's an experience so different from warp travel, but the fundamental principles are the same."

From his post above the helm, Data said, "In fact, Commander, the principle of the transwarp drive is slightly different from the principle of warp drive. Instead of creating a bubble of subspace around the ship, the transwarp coil focuses subspace into a tunnel, removing the vessel entirely from real space."

Riker smiled. "I know the principle, Data. But on paper it sounds like a really minimal change – a simple calculation – but in reality it is so very different, both to achieve and to experience." He shook his head. "Warp travel will never be completely obsolete, but I wonder how many young Starfleet officers will get used to this psychedelic version of space travel instead of the streaking stars."

"Hopefully we'll get a chance to find out," Janeway said. "In the meantime, we've got friends to meet at Ronara. We need a medic for one, just in case we run into trouble."

"Trouble. We've already run into trouble, Admiral," Ro commented sarcastically. "The question isn't whether or not we'll run into more, it's how much we're going to find at the end of this outrageous trip."

"Well then, Lieutenant, our rendezvous on Ronara will make sure that we can get ourselves back out of it again," Janeway answered.

"Welcome to Ronara Prime," Riker said as they dropped out of the transwarp corridor and into normal space. The stars blinked at the ship and Riker sighed. "I was a little nervous that we'd never see real stars again."

Janeway grinned. "The engine works, Commander, don't worry about that." She worked on her control panel. "Chakotay, can you find us someplace out of the way to put down? Close enough to the main city to be in walking distance, preferably." She sat back and glanced at Picard. "Time to change out of these uniforms," she said, gesturing to herself and Chakotay. She stood and headed for the back.

Chakotay stood and moved up to the helm, next to Riker. "There's a clearing that seems relatively abandoned about six miles outside of the city limits," he said, pointing to the computer screen. "It's the best place I see."

Riker nodded, setting the course, then he glanced up at Chakotay. "I've been meaning to ask you," he said, his focus still on the panel. "How long have you and Janeway been involved?"

Chakotay glanced down at the back of Riker's head. "She said it was a recent development," he said. "It is."

"That's not what I meant," Riker said. He turned the chair so he was facing Chakotay. "Deanna and I have been in a relationship for just the last few years, after a very interesting mission which brought out some long repressed feelings. But we'd been involved for long before that – despite all that happened between us, we always gravitated back to one another eventually." He turned back to the console. "There are different levels of involvement," he said. "What with her being your superior and you two being on opposite sides…"

Chakotay nodded. "Since we met." Riker turned back with a grin and a raised eyebrow, and Chakotay shrugged. "It would never have happened then. She had a fiancée, I was the enemy, and she was my direct superior. Both of us were… well aware of the responsibilities that came with our positions in the command staff and as the senior officers of a ship that was lost as far away from home as we were." Chakotay shrugged. "I have to go get out of this uniform," he said under his breath, leaving Riker alone at the conn.

Ro replaced him down over Riker's shoulder. "What was that all about?"

Riker glanced at her, wary. "Women and relationships."

"Ah," Ro said with a laugh. "I won't touch that one." Riker silently sighed in relief, not wanting to have that conversation with Ro. "But I have another question for you that you're not going to want to answer." Riker kept his focus on the ground as the Flyer neared the clearing that Chakotay had pointed out, the ship settling down to rest. Ro grasped the chair for leverage as he settled the ship to the ground, then he turned to face her. "What were you going to say about me?"

"What?" Riker asked, confused.

"Ten years ago, Riker. When Geordi and I were thought dead, but were wandering the ship out of phase with the universe? You asked to be the person who would give my eulogy. You said it 'wasn't easy' to come up with what you were going to say. And then Geordi tells me that the Enterprise crew held a memorial service for the Maquis and you spoke about me?" Ro glared at him. "What did you say, Will?"

"Ah…" Riker glanced up at the back of the cockpit, looking for help. Data was oblivious and Picard wasn't paying any attention. Janeway and Chakotay were nowhere to be seen. He turned back to Ro, one hand lightly stroking his beard. "Can I get back to you on that one?"

At the back, Janeway and Chakotay emerged, wearing civilian clothing. "All right, people, time to find Tuvok and the Doctor and then find out way into Ronara's database for information on Rebecca Sullivan. Shall we?"

"Yes!" Riker exclaimed, a bit too excitedly, pushing past Ro.

She glared after him. "I suppose I'll never know."

"This bar brings back bad memories," Ro said quietly to Picard as they walked in. She gestured subtly to a table on the far right. "We sat there and discussed the mission that ended in my betrayal." She pointed at the bar. "That's where I got recruited by the Maquis." She sighed. "I need to put the past behind me."

"The past is what makes you who you are," Picard whispered. "Don't forget it, but always keep it in perspective."

Behind them, Janeway came in, wearing a hooded cloak that shielded her face. She glanced around the bar before picking out a pair of people that looked out of place, sitting in a booth on the far left. "They're here," she whispered. "Picard, Ro with me. The rest of you, look innocuous."

"What I do best," Riker said with a grin, moseying over towards the bar with Chakotay in tow.

Janeway slipped into the booth next to Tuvok, taking a second to rest her hand on the Vulcan's shoulder and squeeze. "It's good to see you, Tuvok." Picard and Ro slid in next to the Doctor.

"And you, Admiral," Tuvok said. "The Doctor gave me your message. I understand the mission risks and requirements."

"Bless you, Tuvok," Janeway said. She turned to the Doctor. "Ready to get court-martialed?"

"As I'll ever be," he said shortly. "Admiral, thank you. Whether or not all this works out, you've given me and all holograms a fighting chance for rights. But Admiral, whether or not that was even an issue, I'd still be here supporting you. You're the captain, and you always will be."

Janeway smiled, a sad and soulful smile that reached her eyes. "Thank you, Doctor. That means more than you will ever know." She pointed at her companions. "This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise, and Lieutenant Ro Laren – a former Maquis."

Tuvok nodded at each of them. "Captain Picard, it is an honor to meet you. Lieutenant Ro, it is agreeable to see you again."

Ro raised an eyebrow at him. "You were a Starfleet spy? I wouldn't have pegged you for the type."

Janeway interrupted. "Let's save the Maquis reunion for another time, shall we? Tuvok, do you have the information we need?"

"Yes. The computer access station that you need to access this planet's primary computer system is two blocks down on the same road this bar is on." He reached into his pocket and removed a Starfleet-issue padd. "This contains the passcodes required to get into the system and search for whatever information it is that you require." Tuvok stood. "The Doctor will be remaining here with you, I understand. I will return to Vulcan and await your signal."

Janeway hugged the Vulcan, who stood stoically and endured it. "Thank you, Tuvok. Good luck."

"And you, Admiral. Live long and prosper," Tuvok started the traditional Vulcan farewell, holding his hand out, splitting his fingers apart.

"Peace and long life, Tuvok." Tuvok slipped anonymously out of the bar. Janeway turned to her companions. She handed the padd with the passcodes to Ro. "Ro, take Data and Riker to the computer facility. Find anything you can about Rebecca Sullivan, preferably her last known residence. Starfleet didn't keep track of her after her release."

"Right," Ro nodded. She slipped out of the booth and over to the bar, tapping on Riker's shoulder. Both of them made their way out of the bar while Chakotay moved to join them at the booth.

He slid in beside Janeway. "An interesting place they have here," he commented quietly. He glanced at the Doctor, who was eyeing them both. "Yes, Doctor?" Chakotay asked.

"Why did you not tell any members of your crew that you had begun a relationship?" the Doctor asked. "I didn't know, and from the reactions I saw of them on Jake Sisko's last broadcast, I gather that no one else did either."

Janeway and Chakotay glanced at each other. "It wouldn't have been appropriate until after the Maquis trial was finished," Janeway admitted. She glanced at Chakotay. "Tuvok didn't mention anything about it. I think he might have guessed. He always did know more than anyone thought he did."

"Oh. Well… may I be the first from Voyager's crew to offer my congratulations to you both. Admiral, Commander. I am very happy for you both," the Doctor said with a wide smile.

Picard stood. "I'm sure they are pleased to have your approval, Doctor. But right now, we need to get out of here before we attract some unnecessary attention. Let's get back to the Flyer." Janeway and Chakotay nodded, and the four of them departed, glancing at each of the other patrons, headed back to their shuttle.

"Data, where exactly are we going?" asked Riker, Ro leading them both with the map that Tuvok had left on the padd.

"The city has a primary computer access facility managed by Starfleet. It contains records for the Demilitarized Zone and may have the information we need on the location of Rebecca Sullivan that the records on Earth did not," Data answered. "Commander Tuvok has provided passwords we will need to access the records." Ro turned back to them both, indicating they should be quiet. They walked up close to her.

"It's over there," she said quietly. "I see two Starfleet security guards on the outside, we can bet there are at least five inside." She paused, taking a second to glance at the padd and then back at the compound. "It says there's a staff of about twenty. How do you want to do this?"

Riker shrugged. "The easy way. We ask." He gestured to Data. "Keep your head down, Ro. You're still a wanted criminal. Come on, Data."

Ro shook her head. "They're still looking for me?"

Riker glanced at her. "Remember that Janeway used your name during her staged breakout from San Francisco. I really doubt that Starfleet Security overlooked that. I wouldn't be surprised if your face is on every most wanted bulletin from here to Cardassia."

Ro grimaced. "Great." Both of them stopped and watched as Data walked up to the security guard.

"Excuse me, sir, but I require access to this facility," Data said. "Is there a sign-in area where I can be given temporary access?" The security guard looked at him, and then gestured behind him to a door that led to a small room. Data turned and waved Riker and Ro forward, Ro being careful to shield her face from the guards. They slipped into the room, the guard's eyes following them suspiciously.

"I don't think this is going to work," Ro whispered harshly.

Data ignored her, signing a name on a computer screen. Riker glanced over his shoulder. "Sherlock Holmes? Data, I don't think that is going to fool anyone."

Data continued forward into the facility. "It does not need to fool them, merely allow us access." The three of them crouched in the room, a line of computer terminals on one wall. Data's hands flew over the computer, inputting Tuvok's codes and downloading the information he needed. "Processing… strange. This computer terminal is refusing my access. It accepted the passwords."

Riker glanced around him and his eyes caught two Starfleet security guards in the next room, looking at them through the window. "I think they're on to us, Data," he whispered. He took a second to look at them again and noted that they were both pointing at Ro. "Hurry Data, they've seen Ro."

Ro slouched down next to the computer, pulling a phaser out of her belt. "We're going to have to fight our way out of this," she said as she fiddled with the phaser, setting it to a high stun setting.

Riker crouched next to her, setting his own phaser. He tapped his combadge quietly. "Riker to Delta Flyer," he whispered. "Captain Picard, come in." They waited with bated breath, but all that came back was static.

Data turned to them. "They have terminated my computer access and are jamming communications and transporters. I was unable to access the files on Rebecca Sullivan. They are also preparing to lock down the facility. We must leave now."

Riker nodded quickly, glancing around the room and picking out the goldshirts. "Which way, Data?"

Data removed a tricorder from his pocket and analyzed it for a few seconds. Then he leaned in close. "There is a back entrance, but there are guards between us and it. The front entrance is also guarded, but more heavily. Either way, we must fight our way out of this facility."

Ro swore. "I should have stayed behind," she said. "Damn it." She glanced up and over the computer as two guards from the front began to move in towards them. "All right, Data. Let's get out of here." Nodding once at Riker, both of them popped up from behind the terminal and shot one of the two guards. The beams of energy struck each of the first two guards and they fell to the floor.

"This way," Data said. Moving in a low crouch, the three of them moved down the hall towards the back door. Phaser fire began to fill the facility as the guards responded to the shooting, blasts of energy striking computer interfaces. One computer exploded as it was struck by a phaser blast. Ro spun behind her, working on instinct, and shot a guard who had popped out behind them just as he loosed a blast of his own which buzzed above Riker's head.

"Thanks," Riker said. Then he popped his head out to respond to the fire that was still coming after them. At the end of the row they were in, Data pointed to a door.

"The back exit is through that room, Commander."

"All right, Data. You go first; Ro and I will lay down suppression fire. Once you're in there, get access to the computer system and create some kind of distraction before the whole city is after us."

"Yes, sir." Data ran forward in a crouch, firing his phaser as he moved. Ro and Riker both stood at once and fired random blasts of energy towards where the fire was coming from, pinning whoever was back there down for long enough for Data to get through. Then they both moved forward slowly.

In the next room through the door, Riker could see Data working at a computer. Suddenly, all the lights went out. "Go!" he hissed and both he and Ro moved into a sprint, diving through the door at the other end. Once they were inside, Data fired his phaser through the door they had come several times, stunning another guard, and then hit a control panel and the door slid shut.

"We must keep moving," Data said. "They have called for reinforcements from the primary Federation facility on this continent."

"They already outnumber us seven to one," Ro grumped. "Who do they think we are, anyway? Li Nalis reincarnated?" All three of them moved out of the small room and into a corridor that led towards a back entrance. Sprinting forwards, they burst out into daylight, phaser fire coming from above them, security guards with rifles making a last ditch attempt to capture them.

Riker slapped his combadge. "Riker to Delta Flyer, we need an emergency beam out!" Grabbing Ro and Data, he thrust them into a collection of bushes to give them a little cover as he heard numerous footsteps coming down the path behind them, and then, to his great relief, he felt his body dematerialize.

"I still think you've lost your mind, La Forge," DeSoto said flatly. "And I suspect Lisa is never going to forgive you for stealing the transwarp coil out from under her nose."

"I understand, sir, but you have to believe me," Geordi said, meeting DeSoto's eyes levelly. "We meant no harm to you or the Hood. I served aboard this ship under you for years, sir. I wouldn't do anything to damage her."

He stopped as DeSoto's combadge crackled. "Neeley to DeSoto, we've just received a message from Starfleet Security. Ro Laren has been spotted in a facility on Ronara Prime attempting to access the Federation computer mainframe with two unidentified accomplices. Admiral Nechayev has ordered us to Ronara to pursue."

DeSoto took a long look at La Forge. Then he nodded, slowly. "All right, Lisa. I want you to find two more officers on Earth – Doctor Beverly Crusher and Commander Deanna Troi, and bring them both aboard. As soon as we have them, set a course for Ronara at maximum warp." He glanced at La Forge. "Will this interfere with your plans?"

Geordi shook his head. "No, sir. It should actually be beneficial."

"Good." DeSoto sighed. "Well, this is certainly more interesting than a six month shakedown cruise."

"So, we don't have the information we need and I highly doubt we'll be able to get into another Federation facility again," Ro said. "I should have known better than to show my face in a Federation facility with so many guards."

Janeway sighed. "We need access to the Federation computer mainframe in this sector to find out what happened to Rebecca Sullivan," she said. "Does anyone have any ideas?" The room was silent as Picard and Riker glanced at each other, Data sat silently next to the Doctor, and Ro stood leaning up against the shuttle hull with her hands clasped together.

"Maybe I could try accessing the information," the Doctor said. "They would have no reason to suspect me."

"The problem, Doctor, is that they've certainly now voided the passcodes Tuvok acquired for us to use. We'd have to get new codes for access. It also won't take them long to realize the Ro's accomplices were both Enterprise crewmen and they'll void all of our authorization codes," Picard said. "We're going to need another access into the Federation computer mainframe, one that isn't exactly legal."

Ro suddenly burst out laughing. Everyone turned to her incredulously as she tried to recover her self-control. "I have…" she burst out laughing again, waving at them and trying to recover. Breathing heavily, she finally spoke clearly. "I have an idea," she said. "But I'm afraid it's going to cost a lot."

Data glanced at her. "We have no money, Lieutenant."

"Not money. Well, maybe, but I think I can avoid it. No, this is going to cost me my dignity," she said. The Doctor turned to Chakotay who shrugged, but Riker leaned in.

"Is that all? Can I watch?"

Ro shot him a dirty look. Then she sighed. "I need an open communications line to Deep Space Nine and some… more revealing clothing," she said flatly.

The other occupants of the room glanced at each other uncomfortably. The Doctor was the first to respond. "Revealing clothing? Why is that?" Riker and Picard shared a glance while Janeway looked at Chakotay dubiously.

Ro shrugged. "I'm going to seduce a Ferengi over subspace. It'll help speed up the process."

"You look good, Ro," Riker said, admiringly.

Ro glared at him. "Commander," she said sweetly, "Do you remember Commander Keiran MacDuff?"

Riker's face fell. "Yes," he said slowly.

"Good," Ro said. "So do I. And that memory is something I still treasure… forever," she said sarcastically. "Lay off." Riker nodded slowly and took a seat, being careful to look in the other direction.

Janeway leaned in towards Riker. "What was that all about?" she asked, curious. Riker looked up at her, his eyes flat and unfriendly. "Nevermind," Janeway said with a smile. "I'll just ask Ro later." She turned back to Chakotay. Riker sighed, muttering something under his breath.

"Let's just get this over with," Ro groaned. "Data, can you open a channel to DS9? The intended recipient is Quark, the station bartender." Data nodded and tapped his console and Ro put on her best fake smile as Quark's face appeared on the small screen she was sitting front of.

"Hi Quark," she said sweetly. "I was just thinking of you and decided to call. How are you?" Ro shifted so that she could be clearly seen from Quark's viewer.

"Hello there, whoever you are," Quark said, leeringly. "I remember you, you were the woman who threatened to kill me last week." He leaned in. "Do you know you're even more beautiful than I remember?"

Behind her Ro could hear Chakotay and Riker both begin to lose their composure, but a single look from Janeway shut them both up. Data looked on, curious, while the Doctor and Picard both stayed safely away, up near the front of the Flyer, talking quietly amongst themselves.

"You know, Quark, I think you're just about the handsomest Ferengi I've ever seen, and that saying a lot – you know how attracted I am to Ferengi." She smiled into the screen. "If you're willing to help me, just one more time, I might share my name with you."

"Ooh…" the Ferengi trilled his tongue, ogling Ro. "All right, but this time I get one of your names first, before I give you the information." He eyed her slowly. "Is this a secure channel?"

"Of course it is, you wonderful man." Ro tapped the side of her face. "All right. One name, and then the information, and then the second name. Sound fair to you?" She shifted her body again, drawing attention away from her face.

"Hmm… you have a deal!" Quark exclaimed. "Assuming this also buys me a visit and dinner – I'll even pay."

"How generous," Ro cooed at him. "My one name is Talia, it's pretty isn't it." She smiled into the camera, far too exaggerated to be real.

"It's very pretty, my dear. Is that your first name or your last name?" Ro shrugged, accentuating her bare shoulders. "Oh, I like you," Quark laughed. "Very well. What do you need to know?"

"Oh, nothing too important. I'm looking for an old friend of mine, Rebecca Sullivan." Her eyes widened into the screen. "She's pretty too, you know," she said, tapping her lip.

"I'll bet she is, with friends like you," Quark said leeringly. "Just a second, my dear Talia." Quark's face disappeared and she could hear his information datarods clinking together quietly. She sighed, and then Quark's face came back. "Here she is. Rebecca Sullivan – she's living on the Federation Hakton VII colony in the demilitarized zone." Quark grinned into the camera. "You'll find her in the main city there, my dear."

Ro smiled genuinely, for the first time during the whole exchange. "Thank you, Quark," she said. "I promise, you'll be well rewarded for your efforts." Then she cut the channel and her head fell back as she slumped in the chair. "I can't believe I just did that," she said.

Janeway handed Ro her Starfleet-issue uniform jacket, which she slipped on over her tiny shirt appreciatively. Janeway raised an eyebrow at Ro, questioningly. "What did you mean when you said he'd be well rewarded?"

Ro grinned wickedly. "Do you remember when he asked me if the transmission was secure?" she asked. Janeway nodded. "I lied."

Quark laughed as the screen went dark. She cut me off again, and I don't even care! What a woman. He chuckled happily as he went about putting away his illegal datarods and shutting down his illicit link into the Federation database. He whistled as he worked, as best he could whistle, thinking of Talia.

It was awfully late – Quark was being cautious, what with Kira always looking over his shoulder – and he had carefully secured his end of the transmission, protecting his link into the Federation database and his transmission to Talia. Suddenly, all the lights in the bar went off at once.

Fifteen security guards stormed into Quarks carrying phaser rifles. At the lead was Kira, wearing her grey-on-black Starfleet captain's uniform, smiling condescendingly at Quark. "What did I do?" Quark asked, cowering on the floor under a table as the guards all took aim.

Kira knelt down beside him. "I know as well as Odo did that you make all kinds of illegal transactions and have an illegal tap on the Federation database, but neither of us could ever prove it, Quark. You were always too cautious, too careful. Now I can." Kira smiled. "Take him to holding."

Quark stood up on his feet, waving his hands angrily. "I secured the transmission! There was no leak! You couldn't possibly know anything of the sort! You've been illegally tapping my transmissions! I'm going to call Starfleet Command and have your commission rescinded! I'll have you imprisoned! I'll call the Nagus, the Ferengi Alliance will not stand for this kind of mistreatment!"

Kira smirked widely. "Oh, I'd love to see that. Quark, who abused and tormented his little brother for all those years of his life, calling him now because his brother is the Grand Nagus to get him out of a well-deserved prison sentence? I don't think so, Quark. But, if you do, record it so I can keep a copy?" Kira smiled. "Maybe you secured the transmission, but did the person on the other end?"

Quark's hands fell down by his sides. "She set me up," he said, shocked. "I don't believe it."

"Oh, don't worry Quark," Kira said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's not a long prison term. Only, say, a week in a holding cell, and then we'll send you back to your bar. Deep Space Nine wouldn't be Deep Space Nine without Quark's, after all."

"What about when I broke you out of prison when the Dominion was going to execute you?" Quark demanded. "You owe me!"

Kira pointed at the security guards, who moved in to take him away. She leaned in. "That's why it's a week and not ten years, Quark," she whispered. Then she turned her back and strolled out of Quarks.

The guards took Quark and threw him into a cell. "I don't believe it, thrown into a holding cell and there's not even Odo to keep me company," he complained. He sighed, thinking of Talia. "I can't believe she set me up."

He lay back on the hard bunk, staring at the ceiling. "When I get out of here, I'm calling my brother and having him add a two-hundred and eighty-sixth rule to the Rules of Acquisition," he said to himself. "Never help a Bajoran female. They might be pretty, but they've all got the soul of a FCA tax collector." He sighed, shaking his head. "He's married to one, after all. He'll understand."