Chapter 3

Voyager followed the warship to Earth, all the while scanning and registering information. Janeway didn't like what she saw; heavy defenses, more warships, little in the way of the peaceful space ports meant for trade, recreation and repair until they were deep into Federation space. And even here it seemed that larger parts of the ports they passed seemed to be in use as repair and docking facilities than she remembered.

None of the ships they met hailed them, nor did they themselves initiate any contact on their way to Earth. It was four days until they arrived in Sector 1, and still no one had really spoken to them, after the little conversation on that first evening.

They established orbit around Earth. The Harrier hailed them, saying a few words of farewell, then it left orbit.

Starfleet Command had ordered Janeway to beam down with her senior officers. They arrived in the transporter room together. Admiral Simonis was there to meet them.

After Janeway introduced her officers, he indicated Tuvok and Kim. "These are your only Starfleet officers?"

"These are all my Starfleet officers," Janeway said. "That's what we all agreed on 26 years ago, and that's what we have been."

Admiral Simonis harumph'ed. "I would like to see you and your original Starfleet crew in the briefing room. The others can wait in Conference room three."

Janeway didn't like this one bit, but she did not think an argument here in the transporter room would do her any good. She nodded to Chakotay and the group split up.

Chakotay and the others were led into a conference room and left to themselves. There was a computer console on the table, Leena and Torres went straight to it. They were almost surprised to find it worked, but quickly found out almost all files had been locked under security codes.

"Anything more important that the public newscasts is locked, Commander," B'Elanna reported.

"The newscasts might still tell us something, B'Elanna," Chakotay said. "Let's try a keyword search on the breakdown of the Cardassian-Federation treaty, starting with when we were pulled into the Delta quadrant."

Over the next couple of hours, the Voyager officers pieced together the events that led to the current disorder in the quadrant.

Starting only months after they had left, the news began to report minor incidents. The first sign of major trouble came a few months later -a joined Tal Shiar/Obsidian Order expedition to the Gamma quadrant which turned into disaster for both, Dominion infiltration in several key positions in many governments.

The Klingons attempted an invasion into Cardassian space, claiming the Cardassians were infiltrated by the Founders. Some months later, the Klingon High Council leader, Gowron, was discovered to be a Founder, himself. A high Federation official was uncovered as a Changeling, on Earth.

Over the next five years, reports of Dominion activity increased. Governments that had been stable for decades fell, border incidents occurred between every major power in this part of the Galaxy. Nationalist and xenophobic groups sprang up and flourished.

The Cardassian civil government, which had formed after the demise of the Obsidian Order, lasted no more than a few months. Right-wing extremists, joined by what was left of the Obsidian Order, held a successful coup. They broke with the Federation.

The Klingons, who had taken a foothold in that region of space as well, prepared to dig themselves in.

The Maquis, squished now between three factions, not counting the Dominion on the other side of the wormhole, appealed to the Federation. The Federation admitted the situation was tight for the colonies in what had been the demilitarised zone, but there were rumors of large Romulan build-up close to the Neutral Zone, and the Klingon border was restless, although the treaty with the Klingons was still officially in effect. After much delay, they finally sent an outdated Constellation class cruiser and gave orders to Deep Space Nine to help defend the zone with the Defiant.

The Cardassians, who had tried once to attack the Dominion in the Gamma quadrant, now tried to stop them on this end of the wormhole. They crossed the border at the same time the Romulans crossed the Neutral Zone.

Bajor and DS9 sent out a call for help, but the Federation sent their forces to meet the Romulans, sending Bajor their regrets and a promise of more support as soon as the Romulan threat had been taken care of.

Bajor, feeling betrayed, cut their ties with the Federation. As the Federation tried to recall their personnel from DS9, Sisko and most of his crew refused to withdraw. Turning to the Maquis and playing on the warrior nature of the Klingons, a joint force of the Maquis, Bajor, DS9 and the Klingons beat off the attack, but Federation ties were never restored.

Soon after, the Klingons left what little they held in the zone, as they were recalled to their own planet.

There was little information about the internal politics of the Klingon, Romulan or Cardassian empires, but many planets of the Federation pulled out. For the first time in over two centuries the number of Federation members dropped, as few new applications were made and fewer were granted.

After five years, the Alpha quadrant was in turmoil, with open war between the Federation and the Cardassians, and the Klingons and Romulans, and no two factions allied for more than a single battle.

Admiral Simonis looked at Janeway. After a short talk to the three of them, Tuvok and Kim had been dismissed.

"So, if I understand correctly, you are asking us to accept the commissions of these Maquis, a Cardassian, and a -a hologram?"

"Yes."

Simonis looked at his console.

"I can _try_ to convince the Council to acquit the Maquis. But I doubt they will allow a Cardassian to walk freely on Earth."

Janeway couldn't believe what she was hearing. She hadn't expected the Admiral to let the commissions stand -not the way things were run, now- but she was not going to stand for her crew to be detained. And now this.

While the Maquis crew had been wanted by the Federation when she left -that was why she'd gone after them in the first place- Leena had no outstanding warrants or any trouble with the Federation at all. She told Simonis just that.

He looked a little uncomfortable, but only a little. "There's a war going on. Cardassians in the Federation are kept under close observation."

Janeway got up and put her hands on his desk, leaning forward. "Are you saying the Federation is holding Cardassians in camps?"

Simonis held up his hand, trying to get her to sit down again, but Janeway refused to back off. He hesitated. "We don't like it, either, but the war..."

Janeway was appalled. *Why is it that every time I think I've heard all of it, it gets worse?*

"Incarcerating people for their race, that hasn't happened since the Federation was founded. Nothing _like_ it has happened on Earth since the Bell riots of 2024!"

Simonis put up his hand again. Janeway straightened, but did not sit back down.

"Please. I will do my best for your crew. That is all I can promise. I'll let you return to your ship, you'll stay in Station orbit until a decision has been reached," the Admiral told her. He saw Janeway's eyes flash in anger and added, "Don't do anything foolish."

Janeway just stared at him. Simonis gave a short nod. "Dismissed."

Without a further word, Janeway turned and stalked out of the room.