Chapter 8

Seven paced the space in front of the Borg alcoves impatiently, wondering what was taking the captain so long.

She was still reeling from everything she had learned from Axum and Species 8472, and she was impatient to transmit her knowledge to the captain. Seven had summoned her over an hour ago, and had had to find various tasks to keep herself occupied while she waited. Luckily, the ongoing processing of Voyager had provided her with the task of helping some of the crew inventory the contents of the cargo bays. Neelix had left many things behind, including food items, and Seven could not help but feel a pang at the thought of her friend. His absence had left a strange void.

At last Captain Janeway turned the corner and walked into Cargo Bay Two. "Well, Seven, I'm here, what have you got?" She asked as she came to an abrupt halt at the main alcove console, carrying with her a wisp of air.

"Thank you for coming, Captain, I realize this is a busy time for you." The process of transferring the crew to the docking station was already underway, and Janeway herself had just returned from the docking station where she had met with Admiral Hayes and some other Starfleet officials.

"What is it?" The captain pressed with an acknowledging nod. She appeared out of breath and distracted, as if she had somewhere else she would rather be. Seven had an intuition that the somewhere in question was the Justice Inquirer General brig.

"I am happy to report that I have made contact with the Borg Resistance."

The captain huffed out a breath in surprise. "You have? You're certain it was the Resistance?"

"The modifications Icheb and I have made to the transceiver were successful." Seven frowned. "I am still uncertain as to how it happened. However, I have made contact with Axum."

The captain's brows rose, and Seven couldn't tell if it was from amusement, doubt or apprehension. "Axum," she repeated.

"From Unimatrix 0."

The captain nodded almost imperceptibly. "I remember him." She leaned her elbows on the console with unfeigned curiosity. "What did he say?"

Seven related the bulk of her conversation with Axum, ignoring the captain's knowing expression, but quickly moved on to what she had learned from her telepathic connection with a member of Species 8472. "They have shown me how they can manipulate our space-time to transport matter from one location to another. However, the process is taxing of their resources and energy, and they have strict stipulations regarding when and how this process is to be used. According to Axum, and my own telepathic exchange with a member of Species 8472, they are willing to make use of this technology for us if Starfleet is willing to join the fight against the Borg Collective. A show of good faith, as it were."

The captain raised a sarcastic eyebrow. "Couldn't Species 8472 have told us they had this ability when we last met? It would have saved us the spectacular headache of dealing with a version of myself from the future."

"As I said, the process is taxing and they have strict policies-"

Janeway raised her hand to stop her as she nodded. "I heard you."

"Doesn't this improve our odds of a successful endeavor?" Seven prompted. "More importantly, it would mean that a starship could travel there and back in an instant, ridding Starfleet of the issues surrounding launching another long-term expedition."

Janeway pushed herself off of the console. "True. Well, Seven, you have done a remarkable thing here. I'll inform the admiralty of this new development – when I spoke to Hayes earlier he was interested in meeting with you to discuss some options. I'm sure this will only increase Starfleet Command's interest. I'll keep you posted about a time for this meeting."

On that she spun on her heels and left, and Seven stared after her for several seconds, stunned that she would leave it at that. The conversation felt unfinished, and yet the captain was already turning around the corner.

Seven walked after Janeway and caught up in the corridor. "Captain!"

Janeway paused and turned on her heels. "Was there something else?"

Seven frowned. "I don't understand. You have always been eager to help the Resistance before. Why aren't you more eager now? Now that we actually have a chance at defeating the Borg once and for all?"

Janeway shook her head apologetically as she retraced her steps to shorten the distance between them. "I'm sorry, Seven, I think what you're trying to achieve is truly remarkable. But the truth is, I'm not the one you need to convince anymore."

Seven's frown deepened. "Perhaps not. However your opinion matters to me regardless."

The captain's expression softened, and she reached out to touch her upper arm. "I'm excited for you, Seven, I know you shared a special connection with the drones from Unimatrix 0, and I know how important this mission is for you. But it would be irresponsible of me to set out on a new, possibly long-term journey, now. In fact, I've just been granted some personal leave."

Seven frowned. "How long will you be away?"

"I don't know. Two to four weeks, probably. However long it takes to help Chakotay out of this mess."

"I see."

The captain gave her an apologetic smile before pulling back her hand and stepping away.

"Captain!" Seven called again, with an intuition about the motives behind the captain's desire to stay near Earth. "When you see him, tell Chakotay that… Tell him that I wish him well."

Janeway's expression was one of guarded curiosity. "How do you know that's where I'm going?"

"A reasonable assumption."

Janeway gave a small smile, though there was an emotion behind it that Seven could not quite decipher. "I'll tell him."

Seven gave a nod, and returned to her alcove.

ooooOoooo

The temporary cell Chakotay had been assigned was just slightly larger than Voyager's brig. Most of the small space was taken up by the bed, a small desk and a chair. Luckily the lavatory was enclosed within its own small room, and included a sonic shower. His cell was surrounded by three others, but they were all empty.

Too bad, he told himself wryly, he'd been looking forward to conversing with some fellow criminals.

Chakotay had only been in there five hours twenty-two minutes so far, but he was already going stir crazy. He found himself pacing restlessly (he could cross from one side of the room to the other in four steps, he'd found), unable to stop himself from wondering what his crewmates and friends were doing at that exact moment. He had heard something about some kind of welcoming celebration aboard the docking station, so he assumed most of them were there, marveling at the fact that Kathryn had truly seen them through and brought them home.

What was she doing right now, he wondered? Was she toasting the crew's safe return with Starfleet's finest? She certainly deserved it, the recognition, the reward of seeing her crew safe and happy. She had never given up, and he admired her all the more for it. He found genuine (if somewhat bittersweet) pleasure in picturing them celebrating, making plans for the future. Such thoughts helped remind him that he had truly done the right thing by bargaining away his freedom for the others.

Had Seven been able to interface her alcove with the synaptic transceiver at last? Part of him felt guilty for not giving her any kind of explanation for his actions. She deserved better than to be brushed aside, but hopefully one day she would see that it was for the best. He was only doing what was best for them both, even if that meant breaking his promise to her.

What did that say about his commitment to her that he'd let her go so easily, at the first hint of difficulty, while he couldn't bring himself to do the same for Kathryn? Somehow it didn't seem fair, to either of them.

His first instinct had been to keep Kathryn at bay too – to not let her partake in his shame, for her own good, much like he'd done with Seven. And yet, Kathryn would not leave, even when given the chance. He wasn't sure if it was her personal strand of stubbornness, her Starfleet values that no one should be left behind, or their friendship that made her refuse to let him go, but he was touched and annoyed in equal measure by her refusal to let him deal with this on his own.

He couldn't help but compare her stubborn determination to stick by him no matter what, with Seven's apparent indifference. It wasn't fair to compare – he knew Seven was anything but indifferent – and he reprimanded himself for doing so. But at the same time, a part of him was relieved, because it was unequivocal proof that what he and Seven had felt for each other had not been love. Or at least, not the kind he aspired to, or wished for Seven.

The hissing of the cellblock's door sliding open caught Chakotay's ear, and soon enough the young ensign who had escorted him off Voyager appeared on the other side of the force field that closed off Chakotay's cell.

"Mr. Chakotay," Ensign Tagashi greeted, her voice kind in spite of her solemn bearing, "can I get you anything while you wait for your legal representative? They should be here soon."

Chakotay studied her. She was young, but her calm demeanor made her look older, wiser. It was subtle, but it looked to him as though she might have some Vulcan heritage. He wondered if one had to have a special ability to control one's emotions to work for the Justice Inquirer General. "No, thanks."

"Have you been told about what to expect while you await your trial?"

"Yeah." Meals three times a day, scheduled meetings with a legal representative provided by Starfleet and one hour of exercise every day. He could write and send messages whenever he wanted to if he so desired. He didn't. Though he supposed he'd have to tell Takayla eventually.

"Very well," Ensign Tagashi replied as she took her turn observing him. Just as she was about to turn on her heels, she stopped herself, and looked at him curiously. "Can I ask you something, sir?"

Chakotay wondered whether her 'sir' was the Starfleet kind, used to address a senior officer, or the polite kind, used to address a stranger. Either way he was surprised by the amount of respect she infused into the word. "Of course. Hopefully I can answer."

"What made you decide to join Captain Janeway's crew, all those years ago?"

Chakotay couldn't help staring at her in surprise. Apparently she knew about Voyager's history, and that told him she took her duty seriously enough to go beyond her assignments. He looked at her with renewed interest.

"Instinct. With a little help from my spirit guide. And," he added with a crooked smile, "a little help from Captain Janeway. She can be rather persuasive." He smiled sadly to himself as he remembered those early days, how easily she had charmed him with her determination, her childlike enthusiasm for scientific discoveries, and her fairness when it came to dealing with his crew. Especially after she had recognized B'Elanna's value as an engineer.

Tagashi nodded as she studied him a while longer. "Do you regret it? Would you rather have kept your ship if you could have?"

Chakotay put his hands on his hips out of habit. "No. I don't regret my actions that day. And even if I did, I've always found it more useful to think in terms of George Bernard Shaw's philosophy: 'We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.' Wouldn't you agree?"

She considered it solemnly for a moment before she gave a nod. "I would."

"Actually, Ensign, there is one thing you could get me, if the offer still stands," he said after a moment.

"Yes?"

"Some books would be appreciated."

"Books?"

He gave a small smile. "To read. I need something to do or I'll go out of my mind."

"Oh yes, of course. I'll see what I can do." She gave a curt, embarrassed nod, and left the way she came.

Chakotay sat down on his bed with a sigh. Having nothing else to do, he lay down on his back to stare at the ceiling. It was a bland grey, just as colorless as everything else Starfleet minds ever decorated. Couldn't Starfleet have come up with something more cheerful? Like polka dots? He smiled sadly at the recollection before he let his thoughts return to his comrades and friends, trying to picture what they must be doing. Kathryn in particular was a recurring star in his thoughts. It was like the silence of his cell continually spoke of her, taunting him with questions and regrets.

"A little ensign told me you were in need of some reading material."

There was no mistaking that voice, that drawl. Kathryn! Chakotay sprang to his feet so quickly the motion made him lightheaded.

As if summoned by his thoughts, he found her standing on the other side of the force field, looking at him with a sad half smile. She looked tired, and her dismay at seeing him behind virtual bars was written all over her face. He wished more than anything that he could do something to take it away, and replace it with the joy she should be feeling at stepping back on Earth ground for the first time in seven years.

"I thought you'd still be on the docking station, I didn't think the crew's transfer would go this quickly," he commented.

"I made my escape as soon as I could. I brought you some of your things. Ensign Tagashi told me it was alright for you to have them."

Chakotay's heart swelled when she pulled out his medicine bundle from the bag she was carrying, and a book.

"This better be a book that's going to last me for a while," he commented drily, raising a sarcastic eyebrow to hide how moved he was by her thoughtfulness.

She replied with a caustic smile of her own as she held the book up to show him the cover.

"The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri," he read out loud, at once recognizing her well-used copy of The Inferno. The gesture, and the symbolism of her letting him borrow this book again, made it impossible for him to swallow the sudden lump in his throat.

"Seemed appropriate, given your current situation," she replied with a wry smile, and Chakotay snorted, relieved to diffuse the sudden heaviness of his heart.

She gestured for the security officer who stood by to come and open the force field. The officer punched the control panel and a hole opened in the middle of the field. Kathryn handed Chakotay the items and he took them, taking a second to squeeze her palms gratefully. Her eyes met his briefly before she pulled back her hands. Once the force field reintegrated, she stepped closer so that she could lower her voice.

"Have you met your legal representative yet?" She asked with concern.

"No, not yet."

She looked around, as if to make sure that no one was listening. Chakotay would have thought it amusing under different circumstances. "I have to confess, Chakotay, I don't like this."

"Neither do I, but I thought we'd already gone over this," Chakotay replied, fully serious again, and ready to go for Round 2 if need be.

"I've been speaking to Admiral Hayes and a couple of other people at Starfleet Command, and no one seems to know where the push to uphold the warrant to arrest the Maquis on Voyager came from."

"So?"

She shook her head. "I don't know," she whispered. "I feel as though there's something wrong here, but I can't put my finger on it."

Chakotay frowned at this. He'd always been a strong believer in intuition, and Kathryn's was usually spot on. "Okay, so… what does that mean, exactly?"

"I don't know. But I would feel more comfortable if I were present when you meet your legal representative. Admiral Hayes mentioned that you have a right to request your own counselor, if the one provided isn't suitable. I'm thinking we should use whatever time we have before your trial to find you someone outside of the system. Just in case this turns out to be more of a circus than a legal procedure."

Chakotay frowned curiously. "What do you mean?"

She shook her head again. "I don't know. Again, it's just a hunch." She let a derisive smile touch her lips as she rubbed her forehead wearily. "Or maybe I'm just being paranoid."

Chakotay's curiosity only grew at this; what did she know that he didn't? He could still remember how his instincts had flared up when he'd first seen Admiral Larks, and maybe Kathryn had sensed something as well.

"My point is," she resumed, "we need to find someone trustworthy to represent you at the trial."

"There is someone I know."

Kathryn latched onto it, her eyes widening with undisguised hope. "Who?"

"Captain Kathryn Janeway."

She startled and stared at him, eyes wide. "I'm touched to have your vote of confidence that I could do this, Chakotay, but – and I mean this with the utmost respect – are you out of your mind?"

"I don't think so. Who better to talk on my behalf than the person who knows me best? Who better than the captain I served under these last seven years?"

She stared at him a while longer, considering, but then she shook her head. "No. You know I'll testify on your behalf, but I think I'm more help to you if I'm not directly involved. That way I can investigate outside of the usual channels. If I can find out who was pushing to have the Maquis punished- what?" She asked when she noticed his smile.

Chakotay shook his head, still smiling. "I didn't know you had such a fondness for detective work."

She replied in kind. "Only in this particular case. I've already requested some personal leave to work on this."

That surprised him, that she would put her duty aside for him. He refused to let himself think about the implications. "What about Voyager?"

"It'll be fine for a few weeks." She gazed at him for a moment with an expression he knew meant she had more to say, but wasn't sure how to broach the subject.

"What?" He asked to save her the trouble.

"Before I transported off the docking station, I ran into B'Elanna, and she mentioned your sister, Takayla. She said she's some sort of a defense attorney on your home world."

Chakotay let out a long sigh, shaking his head. "I wish B'Elanna hadn't told you that."

"Why not?"

"I can't ask Takayla to represent me. We're… not that close right now. We need to find someone else."

He could tell that Kathryn had about a thousand questions, but Chakotay didn't really want to talk about any of it right now. So he changed the subject. "So, what am I missing up there?" He asked as he went to place the bundle and the book carefully onto the small desk.

It took a second for Kathryn to accept the change of topic, but in the end she didn't push the issue. "There's a bit of a party on the docking station, but I think it's just a decoy to ensure that the crew won't riot against being forced to remain on board as long as they need to, when they're so close to being home they can practically smell the ozone."

Chakotay nodded, unable to keep his wistfulness from tainting his smile. Kathryn went on.

"What else? Well, Seven's hellbent on sending Voyager on to its new mission to join the Borg Resistance! She's had some success with retroengineering the transceiver and contacting her old friends from Unimatrix 0, and I'm afraid it's going to her head."

"Good. I'm glad."

She blinked, as if his words had literally shocked her. "I admit, I'm surprised you think so."

Chakotay gave a small shrug. "I mean it. Seven is exactly where she needs to be, doing what she does best. I wouldn't have it any other way."

There was a long beat of a suddenly heavy silence as the surprise in her gaze shifted into something else that he couldn't quite identify, something insistent and deep.

"Wouldn't you?" She breathed, her words just loud enough to make it to his ears, her gaze intent. Before he could respond, or truly grasp what it was that she was asking, she shook herself and returned to her wry tone. "Well, part of me wishes she would do it on someone else's ship. We just got back, I think the crew should be able to enjoy it before we set off to hunt down Borg again!"

His ears still ringing from her breathless comment and the raw emotion in her tone, Chakotay returned to stand directly in front of her, the force field the only thing standing between them. In his mind, the answer to her question was yes, he would have it another way, but probably not in the way she was thinking.

Because a part of him was relieved to realize that his relationship with Seven couldn't go on. And even though the honorable part of him balked at that, as he stared into Kathryn's eyes he was reminded just where that relief came from. It came from that hidden room in his heart where Kathryn had made herself at home years ago. A squatter that he never truly wanted to get rid of. For a while he'd believed her gone, but now he realized he had only pulled a curtain around that little room to hide her from view. She had never left. He knew it as clear as day that his heart had been hers practically from the moment she'd entreated him to join her crew.

Despite her light tone, her expression was somewhere between entreating him to forget her slip and some kind of apprehensive curiosity. He frowned and shifted on his feet as he placed his hands on his hips.

"Kathryn, you know I'm not one to run around the bush, so let me save you the trouble of saying whatever it is that's burning on your tongue right now: this… thing… with Seven," his frown deepened at the inadequacy of his words and he shook his head, "well, we never got to the point where it was even worth labeling. In fact, what I'm trying to say, is that we never really got to a point where we were anything more than two people dating. It was probably doomed to fail from the start. I see that clearer than ever, now."

She was still watching him intently, her expression guarded, and it unnerved him that he couldn't tell what she was thinking. After what felt like an eternity, she gave a small, validating, nod. "Why? Why was it doomed?"

If she had asked him this question in a universe where he wasn't behind bars and facing life in prison, he would have told her the truth. No matter if she didn't return his feelings. Consequences be damned. But now, under these circumstances, he couldn't – wouldn't – do that to her. His realization came too late. He couldn't find it in himself to ask of Kathryn what he'd refused to ask of Seven – to wait for him. It would be selfish and cruel for him to do so, even if she didn't return his feelings.

Chakotay was saved from coming up with an answer when the cellblock doors opened and loud footsteps echoed down the corridor, distracting both of them. Kathryn took a subtle step back just before the intruders appeared in Chakotay's line of sight.

His legal representative was here, and he wasn't alone.

oooOooo

Mea walked in step with Lieutenant Commander Piosa, Mr. Chakotay's assigned legal representative, while Admiral Larks himself brought up the rear. Part of her had been surprised that Piosa, of all of the legal representatives working for the Justice Inquirer's Office, had been assigned to this case, since his strength was in interplanetary economic law. If you wanted someone to deal with fraudulent Ferengi, he was your officer of choice, but he would not necessarily have been Mea's choice for treason charges.

However, her surprise passed quickly when she recalled the way Admiral Larks had spoken of the Maquis. Clearly he had made little effort to assign a decent defense counselor. And that had stirred something in her, it had awoken a powerful need to rectify such unjust treatment. This was not the Starfleet that she loved and admired. Mea didn't want to jump to conclusions, but was it possible that Admiral Larks actually meant to sabotage Mr. Chakotay's chances of a fair hearing? Her aunt's voice echoed in her head – as it usually did when she wondered about the depths of human emotions, including her own – and reminded her that, of course, it was possible. But why? Mea didn't believe Larks was hot-headed enough (even by human standards) to do something like this unless there was more to gain from it. But what could it be? What possible motive could he have to treat Mr. Chakotay this way? Monetary gains had not been an issue on Earth for centuries. It could be advantageous in other Federation-controlled worlds, but…

As their group walked through the cellblock doors and stepped into the corridor leading to Mr. Chakotay's cell, Mea immediately noticed Captain Janeway take a guilty step away from the force field, and the flustered confusion in both Janeway's and Chakotay's expressions. She cursed her timing, clearly they had interrupted a private conversation of some importance. It wasn't Mea's place to speculate as to the nature of Mr. Chakotay's relationship with Captain Janeway, but the quality of their friendship was noticeable even to a stranger – she had seen it even in the first moments aboard Voyager. And just now, that startled step backwards of Janeway's had been eloquent. Though in all fairness, Mea seemed to be the only one to have noticed among her party.

When they came level with Chakotay and Janeway, Commander Piosa introduced himself and Mea took a step back. It was her duty to be present for such meetings – it was a formality that she had to comply with – and though usually she found them rather tedious, this one was of some interest.

Admiral Larks soon stepped forward to reintroduce himself, and Mea observed the exchange with interest. The way Larks, Chakotay, and even Janeway, held themselves spoke volumes about their respective impressions of the other. Where the Voyager officers stood with calm resolution, straight-backed and chins held high, the admiral's demeanor was subtly overbearing. To Mea's trained eye, the glint in his eyes and the way he held himself spoke of some triumph, and of the same eagerness she had witnessed in his expression before. But there was something else too, underneath it all. There was a well-concealed, deeply-rooted fear, a panic, almost, that had Mea burn with curiosity. What was it about this particular prisoner that unsettled him so? It strengthened her resolve to get to the bottom of it.

"I have to confess," the admiral was saying, his tone sarcastic, "I'm surprised that the both of you actually followed through with your orders."

Janeway inhaled slowly, tiredly. "We're all Starfleet officers."

"Well, not anymore," Larks replied with the ghost of a smile.

Before Captain Janeway had a chance to counter, Mr. Chakotay raised his chin and leveled a cool glare at the admiral. "I'm sure you didn't come all the way down here only to gloat, Admiral, so speak your mind so that my counselor and I can get on with our private session."

Larks shifted on his feet, his smile looking a little forced now, and the fear spilled through the cracks slightly. He smoothed down the front of his uniform. "I just came to welcome you to our humble facilities. And to say, 'I look forward to seeing you in court.'"

"Will you be part of the proceedings, then?" Captain Janeway asked lightly, though her expression was apprehensive.

Larks smiled again. "As a matter of fact, I am, Captain. I will be prosecuting this case myself."

Mea's eyes widened. Though it was not unprecedented, in all the months she had served at the Justice Inquirer's Office, Admiral Larks had never prosecuted a case himself.

Captain Janeway looked startled, but the notion didn't seem to trouble Chakotay. "Well, in this case, I will see you in court, Admiral," he replied while he held the admiral's stare. It lasted for a few long seconds until the admiral turned to Captain Janeway. "Well, I hope you enjoy your personal leave, Captain."

He was about to leave when Janeway's voice interrupted, her eyebrows raised high. "News travels faster at Starfleet Command than it does aboard my ship! How did you know I was taking personal leave?"

The admiral's overbearing mask cracked a little more at the suspicion behind Captain Janeway's question. "Well, it's like you said: news travel fast. Anyway, I'm sure I'll see you both again soon." He turned on his heels and walked away and through the cellblock doors.

Mea released the breath she hadn't known she was holding.

"Well…" Commander Piosa mumbled uncomfortably, shifting on his feet and clearing his throat at the palpable tension that the admiral had left in his wake.

Chakotay returned his attention to Captain Janeway and they shared a look. "I'm beginning to understand what you meant…" He straightened. "Captain," he said more formally for Piosa's benefit, "I know you have other things to do – that search you mentioned before? It seems to be of some urgency, now."

"I agree," Janeway said as she gazed worriedly in the direction the admiral had just left. She returned her attention to Chakotay and he gave her a small smile.

"Thank you for the book."

A kind of understanding seemed to pass between them and the captain nodded. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Chakotay nodded, and then looked straight at Mea. She straightened instinctively. "Ensign Tagashi, would you be so good as to escort Captain Janeway?"

Mea was as surprised by the request as Janeway appeared to be. "Of course. Captain?"

The captain threw one last frowning look at Chakotay before she turned to Mea. "Lead the way, Ensign."

As they made their way away from the cells, Janeway shook her head in frustration. "That man clearly has something up his sleeve…" She muttered as they passed the cellblock doors and stepped into the short staircase leading to ground level.

"Yes, I know," Mea replied, assuming she was speaking of Admiral Larks.

Janeway stopped and it took a second for Mea to realize that she was no longer next to her. "What?"

"What?" Mea repeated in confusion.

"What did you say?"

Mea felt flustered and for once she just could not hide it. "I apologize, Captain, I thought you were talking to me, I-" She shook her head in embarrassment. 'Of course you weren't talking to me,' she chided herself.

Janeway's expression turned into a mix of amused cynicism and intense curiosity. "But you agreed with me. What do you know? And does Chakotay know you know…" she added to herself as she threw a look over her shoulder toward the cellblock doors.

Mea shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't actually know anything for certain. It's just a hunch. Well, a hunch based on empirical observations of the admiral's behavior and language over the last few days. I've never known him to be so..."

"What?"

Mea shook her head. "Interested. As in, clearly, he has some vested interests in seeing Mr. Chakotay punished. But I don't know what those interests could be."

Captain Janeway placed a hand on Mea's shoulder and gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you, Ensign. That confirms my own intuitions." She stepped away and resumed making her way towards the hall, but Mea shook herself out of her star-struck immobility and called her to a stop.

"Wait, Captain," she started as she caught up to her so that she could lower her voice. "I'd like to help, if I can. I'm not in a position to confront the admiral, but I know there's something wrong here, and I've always believed that my duty is about doing the right thing."

Janeway's grateful smile softened into a gentler expression. "Thank you, Ensign, but this whole thing has already cost this good officer his rank," she said with a nod towards the cellblocks, "I wouldn't want you to risk yours. I know he wouldn't want that either."

Before Mea could reply that she would rather lose this job and uphold Starfleet's values of justice and honor than do nothing and save her own skin, the captain spoke again. "But there is one thing you can do, Ensign."

"Of course."

"I'm going away for a few days, can you keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't lose hope?"

It was unexpectedly personal, and Mea startled, but she gave a determined nod. "I believe I can manage that, Captain."

Janeway gave her another grateful smile before she turned on her heels and went on her way.

oooOooo