Chapter 4
The market place was busy as B'Elanna searched for the supplies that were needed to keep their ship together. She grumbled to herself as she sorted through parts carelessly tossed in a large metal bin. Unfortunately most of the merchants didn't carry baling wire and duct tape.
A voice from the past interrupted her search, "Hey! Maquis!"
She turned to see Harry Kim making his way through the throng. When he finally stood in front of her, she extended her hand cautiously, not knowing whether to expect wrist restraints or a handshake. She received neither. Harry ignored her hand and pulled her into a warm hug.
"I heard you were here. Geez, it's great to see you, B'Elanna."
"It's good to see you too, Starfleet," she murmured as she returned his embrace.
"How long are you going to be here? Are you okay? The reports say that the Maquis have been taking a beating," he asked worriedly.
"We've had our share of battles, but mostly we do reconnaissance work. Chakotay is the leader of a cell . " she stopped quickly, realizing that she was talking to a Starfleet officer and not her friend.
For his part, Harry looked uncomfortable too. "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked. Just forget I said anything, okay?"
"Okay," she agreed. "How have you been, Starfleet? Not exactly a cushy assignment."
"It's not that bad, really. Tom's here and Seven and the Doc and Neelix. I could have done a lot worse," he answered. "And I'm in charge, really in charge; that's kind of a new experience for me." He smiled, "It beats the Gamma shift!"
"Well, then, congratulations are in order! Can I buy you a drink?"
"Sure, there's a place right around the corner. Come on," he said as grabbed her arm and guided her away from the busy stall.
The bar was dim and the drinks watered down but at least it wasn't Nik's Place, B'Elanna thought as she sat with Harry.
As if reading her mind, Harry asked, "Have you seen Tom yet?"
"Yeah, we were in there last night."
"He's got quite an establishment. This place here is his biggest rival but they just can't understand that they could win a little more customer loyalty with some honesty. Tom insists on a fair game, for the most part." B'Elanna seemed to be ignoring him so Harry tried another tactic. "Are you going to be around a while? I know Tom would like the chance to spend some time with you."
This time he got a reaction. "I don't think so, Harry, and I'm very sure that Tom will be just as happy to see me go as I will be to get off this rock."
"No he wouldn't, B'Elanna. He's missed you . a lot." Harry protested.
"Well, I can't help that . he'll get over it."
After a brief silence, Harry asked, "Is it Chakotay? Is something going on between you two?"
"That's not really any of your business, is it?" she retorted sharply.
"No, I guess not . I mean . I saw Tom waiting for you and I just assumed . "
B'Elanna stared at her hands for a long moment before she said, "Harry, have you ever worshipped someone from afar? Someone who was so good and kind that you knew they could never be interested in someone as flawed as you? And this someone pulled you out of scrape after scrape and never asked for anything in return, just your friendship? And then one day, he . that someone needed more than your friendship. He needed something that you could give him . and you supposed that it was love you were giving and being given . . . " She stopped and looked up at him, asking him to understand. "Have you ever been there, Harry?" B'Elanna asked softly.
"No, I don't guess I have."
She looked down into her drink.
"Well, I have. He needs me, Harry. And his work is important. The Cardassians have to be defeated, and so does the Dominion. We have to do this and we can. Even if we're just the insect constantly poking at them, we're distracting them and making the Federation's job a little easier."
"But what about Tom?"
"That's over." She dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. "It was just an infatuation anyway. It would never have worked. Particularly after he was welcomed back into the fold and I was sent to a Federation prison," she added bitterly.
"But Tom wouldn't have let that happen! He was . "
Harry's explanation was interrupted by Chakotay's arrival. B'Elanna looked uncomfortable, as if she thought she'd been caught in a compromising position.
"Well, Harry! It's good to see you! It's Lieutenant Kim now, I see! Congratulations!" Chakotay's enthusiastic greeting was tinged with concern over finding his chief engineer in a tête-à-tête with a Starfleet officer.
"It's good to see you too, Commander. How have you been?" Harry was careful not to ask where, just how.
"We've kept ourselves busy, haven't we, B'Elanna?" He gave her a cautious look before continuing, "How do you like your new command?"
"It's probably not what I would have chosen for my first real command, but it's okay. I have friends here and that makes it a lot easier."
"I understand you arrested a friend of mine last night. Chiff, a Bolian. Any chance I could talk to him for a few minutes?" Chakotay asked cautiously.
"Sorry, Co . uh . Chakotay, he's being transported to a Starfleet ship for questioning."
"Is he answering any questions?" The Maquis captain asked in a casual tone.
Harry stiffened noticeably. "I'm afraid I don't have that information, sir. If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my office. It was good seeing you, B'Elanna, and you too, Chakotay." That said, he hurried off.
***
The next night Tom and Harry again sat side by side at the bar, misery and company. Harry was still wearing his uniform. Tom was still drinking scotch, albeit watered down a little, but he hadn't said a word. His countenance was sullen. The late night meeting with B'Elanna had dredged up feelings that had been buried pretty deep.
Harry sat there sympathetically, glancing at Tom from time to time, and letting his mind wander to the events earlier that day. He was puzzled, wondering just what it was that Chakotay wanted with his prisoner. Chiff had been unwilling to say anything about the information he had, and Admiral Janeway had just had him transported to a waiting starship.
A black cloud seemed to have settled over the place and even Neelix seemed to have lost some of his exuberance. Chakotay's entrance just served to make the atmosphere gloomier.
"Tom," Chakotay began, "I'd like to talk to you . . . alone." The look he gave Harry bordered on insulting. Harry was Starfleet, and Chakotay had no use for Starfleet right now.
After a long look, Tom nodded and motioned towards his office in the snug, a small enclosed area behind the bar. Chakotay ordered synthehol for himself and followed Tom. The room held a desk, a tiny round table against the wall and two chairs. Setting his drink down on the table, Tom pulled out one of the chairs and motioned for Chakotay to take the other.
"I need your help, Tom. I think you have the information that I was supposed to get from Chiff. Those security codes would allow us to get to the heart of Cardassia and really do some damage." His voice held the conviction of his words and Tom recognized that he truly believed in his cause. It didn't matter.
"Chakotay, I have no intention of helping you. Like I said last night, this bar is neutral territory. Leave your war outside." Tom gave him a cold, determined stare.
"Paris, you and I both know that half the people in here are dealing in illegal goods or transport codes. You can't possibly believe that the war is -outside- your bar." Chakotay answered angrily.
"Most of my customers are willing to respect my neutrality and leave me out of their transactions."
Chakotay tried another tactic. "Is this because B'Elanna is with me now instead of you?"
Tom gave him a withering look. "B'Elanna is a grown woman; who she chooses to sleep with is her business, not mine."
Intrigued, Chakotay realized that he had hit a nerve. He decided to press on and see where this led. "I guess she got another look at the kind of man you are and decided that I had more to offer."
Tom calmly leaned back in his chair and replied insolently, "Well, then I guess you two deserve each other."
Irritated that Tom hadn't risen to the bait Chakotay answered, "Look, we're both wanted by the Federation. How long do you think it will take Janeway to trump up an excuse to arrest us, even in neutral territory? Those codes would get B'Elanna out of here too, before Starfleet drags us off. You don't want her to wind up in a Federation penal colony do you?"
"I don't have any control over where she winds up. I'm completely neutral, remember?" Tom's quiet answer belied the tension building in him.
A familiar, gravely, voice intruded on their conversation. "Gentlemen, may I be so bold as to interrupt?" Neelix had apparently been distracted long enough for the Admiral to slip behind the bar and into Tom's office.
Chakotay had heard she was on the planet, but forewarning did not prevent the surge of anger he felt at seeing Admiral Kathryn Janeway for the first time in over a year. Her betrayal was still a raw wound, and the pain of it almost cracked his falsely calm exterior; almost, but not quite.
"Of course, Admiral," Tom replied, keeping a tight control, "we were finished with our conversation anyway. What can I get you to drink?" Tom asked the question as he rose to his feet, relinquishing his seat to his former captain.
"A glass of wine would be nice, thank you," she answered never taking her eyes off Chakotay.
Tom nodded and left while Kathryn Janeway sat and faced her former second- in-command and friend. The uncomfortable silence was finally broken by her soft words, "How have you been, Chakotay?"
"Living on the edge as always, Kathryn. What about you?"
"This war against the Dominion has everyone at Starfleet working around the clock. We could use a few lucky breaks about now," she answered grimly.
"This "war" began a long time ago, Kathryn, and could have been over long before the Dominion ever got involved if Starfleet had listened to the Maquis." His words held the bitterness he still felt.
"Chakotay, you can't look at this so narrowly. Starfleet was trying to prevent a war and keep casualties to a minimum. I'm sorry that your homeworld was destroyed but that's the way it had to be. According to the information we had at the time that was the least costly route to peace." Her color was rising but she kept her voice low.
"So now my family, my world, is just considered 'collateral damage', nothing more?"
"I consider it a tragedy, Chakotay, but I don't know how it could have been prevented."
"By destroying Cardassia when the Federation had a chance." He answered fiercely.
"Alright, maybe we should have, but we didn't and now we need to get to the heart of Cardassia and rectify that mistake." She stared at the table, her hands balled into angry fists. "Do you have those security codes?" Kathryn Janeway was no longer being subtle.
"No, I don't. Why don't you ask your protégé? I'm willing to bet that Paris has them. He has no intention of giving them to me. Maybe you can persuade him." His voice was caustic.
Kathryn looked at him warily, trying to assess the veracity of his words. She glanced up to see Tom Paris at her elbow with a glass of wine. He set it in front of her and left without a word. Her eyes followed him.
"Tom Paris," she said softly, "why would he have the codes?"
"I think Chiff gave them to Paris before your people grabbed him, since you obviously didn't find them on him."
"Alright, I'll talk to Tom." She took a sip of her wine before looking at Chakotay again. "I'm sorry things turned out this way. I was working to get all of you pardoned when you escaped from Deep Space Nine. I think I might have succeeded with a little more time."
"And during that time we would have rotted in prison waiting for the Cardassians to take over one planet after another - with the Dominion's help. And I'm sure the Cardassians would have offered us positions of great importance in their fleet since we were enemies of Starfleet." His voice dripped with sarcasm.
"We wouldn't have allowed that to happen," she protested.
"Oh yes, just like you didn't allow Deep Space Nine to be taken over by the Cardassians again."
"The Federation regained control of Deep Space Nine. It was a calculated move."
"Tell that to the Bajorans."
"Look, I'm not going to sit here and discuss war strategies with you. Starfleet would still be willing to discuss a pardon if you turned your resources over to us now. You would still have to spend some time in a Federation penal colony but I would be willing to testify on behalf of your crew."
He listened in disbelief. Her voice was smooth as silk as she suggested that he betray his ideals and turn himself and his crew in to Starfleet.
"I'm Maquis, Admiral. I'm surprised you're sullying yourself by having a drink with me in a neutral bar. But I am not a traitor and I will not turn my resources over to Starfleet. You fight this war however you see fit and I will continue my fight however I see fit. You see, I don't mind getting my hands dirty." When he was sure that his parting shot had hit home, Chakotay rose and walked away leaving Janeway sitting in stunned silence.
***
The older Starfleet officer who had accompanied Janeway was back in the bar that second night also. His name was unpronounceable but translated as "Fishlock". Tom kept an eye on him as he did all strangers but this Andorian seemed to fade into the shadows and was quickly dismissed as non- threatening.
The soft music of the piano quieted the crowd as the Doc began an introduction to a suite of songs from "Sweeney Todd," another 20th century Broadway musical. It seemed the trip down Broadway would last at least one more day.
Seven began to sing,
Nothing's gonna harm you.
Not while I'm around.
Nothing's gonna harm you, no sir.
Not while I'm around.
Demons are prowling ev'ry where. Now a days..
Her clear voice soon had everyone in the room quietly reflecting on the days when safety had been taken for granted.
A strangled cry from the shadows was all the warning that the patrons received. Lt. Fishlock seemed to spring from his corner like an angry tiger and his prey was Seven of Nine. "Borg!" he screamed, "Borg! How can you sing about demons when you are the demon that has destroyed so many worlds." His hands were around her throat and the suddenness of the attack left her momentarily defenseless as he tightened his grip.
The crash of the piano and the screams of the patrons brought Tom quickly into the main area of the bar. Chakotay had already begun to try to free Seven from the man's powerful grip while others just stared in disbelief. He delivered a blow to the back of Fishlock's head. A second blow finally had the attacker reeling and he staggered back, turning to face Chakotay now. Shaking his head to clear it the Andorian aimed true and had delivered a powerful blow before Tom could grab his arms in an effort to control him.
"She deserves to die," the angry Andorian screamed. "She is Borg. They do nothing but destroy and assimilate. She deserves to die for what she did to my family!"
Chakotay answered him, still wheezing from the blow, "She's a human being who was victimized by the Borg. She deserves a chance to live just like all races."
"She's a Borg, her race should be destroyed, just like the Cardassians and the Dominion and the Breen and the Maquis. None of them has a right to live" the man screamed his condemnations. "You are murderers, all of you."
Tom raised his voice so he could be heard over the screams, "What the hell are you talking about, Fishlock? Get a hold of yourself."
"You are harboring criminals here, Paris. You have a Borg and the Maquis. All of them are wanted by the Federation. All of them are criminals and you are too . for protecting them." he accused Tom.
Chakotay answered him, "You've obviously lost a lot, Lieutenant, but that doesn't give you the right to condemn others to death. Revenge is never going to solve anything, it just leads to more killing and makes us all barbarians."
"You are the barbarian," Fishlock spat back at him while struggling to free his arms from Tom's grip.
Seven was on her feet again and began to speak, but Chakotay silenced her with a look. "We're not barbarians, in spite of the Starfleet propaganda. We are fighting for freedom from the oppression of the Cardassians. They're the barbarians, the ones who want to subject the rest of the galaxy to their rule. But even barbarians have a right to autonomy. Each world deserves the opportunity to rule itself, to make it's own laws and enjoy it's own resources. We're fighting to stop the Dominion from destroying all the worlds in this quadrant. And they will," his voice had a chill in it.
The noise had drawn Janeway and a young ensign out of Tom's office where they'd been conferring. Together they stared at the spectacle before them. Tom Paris was obviously holding a Starfleet officer against his will and Chakotay appeared to be the aggressor. Janeway had heard the end of Chakotay's impassioned plea and angrily asked, "What's going on here?" as the ensign pulled out her weapon and trained it on the Maquis captain.
It was Lt. Kim who answered. He'd followed Tom in from the casino area and had been observing the fracas while helping Seven to her feet. "Lt. Fishlock attacked Seven without provocation, Admiral. His behavior was totally out of line."
Harry was rewarded with a glare. That was not the information that the Admiral wanted to hear. It was obvious, however, that she was outnumbered. The murmurs of the crowd supported Kim's story. Her look silenced them. "Alright," she spoke with practiced authority, "Lieutenant Kim, get Fishlock back to the barracks and confine him until I can question him. Ensign Birca, go with him."
"Yes, Admiral," the two officers replied as they took control of the still enraged Andorian.
"Don't touch me," he said to Kim. "You're one of them. I can still smell the Borg on you."
"Lieutenant," Janeway warned, "right now I'm sending you to your quarters to be confined. I can easily change that to the brig."
Even in his righteous fury he was a Starfleet officer. Lt. Fishlock stopped himself from saying anything further and, nodding to his commanding officer, allowed the others to lead him off.
Admiral Janeway took Chakotay aside. "I think this demonstrates that tensions are running extremely high. You and your people would be safer in Federation hands. I can't guarantee that there won't be more incidents like this as the Alliance get closer to Cardassia."
"You can't control your own officers, Kathryn, what makes you think you can control this Alliance of yours? No, we are independent and we wish to remain independent. We will fight this war our own way and the Alliance," he said the word as if it were a curse, " had better stay out of our way!"
The market place was busy as B'Elanna searched for the supplies that were needed to keep their ship together. She grumbled to herself as she sorted through parts carelessly tossed in a large metal bin. Unfortunately most of the merchants didn't carry baling wire and duct tape.
A voice from the past interrupted her search, "Hey! Maquis!"
She turned to see Harry Kim making his way through the throng. When he finally stood in front of her, she extended her hand cautiously, not knowing whether to expect wrist restraints or a handshake. She received neither. Harry ignored her hand and pulled her into a warm hug.
"I heard you were here. Geez, it's great to see you, B'Elanna."
"It's good to see you too, Starfleet," she murmured as she returned his embrace.
"How long are you going to be here? Are you okay? The reports say that the Maquis have been taking a beating," he asked worriedly.
"We've had our share of battles, but mostly we do reconnaissance work. Chakotay is the leader of a cell . " she stopped quickly, realizing that she was talking to a Starfleet officer and not her friend.
For his part, Harry looked uncomfortable too. "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked. Just forget I said anything, okay?"
"Okay," she agreed. "How have you been, Starfleet? Not exactly a cushy assignment."
"It's not that bad, really. Tom's here and Seven and the Doc and Neelix. I could have done a lot worse," he answered. "And I'm in charge, really in charge; that's kind of a new experience for me." He smiled, "It beats the Gamma shift!"
"Well, then, congratulations are in order! Can I buy you a drink?"
"Sure, there's a place right around the corner. Come on," he said as grabbed her arm and guided her away from the busy stall.
The bar was dim and the drinks watered down but at least it wasn't Nik's Place, B'Elanna thought as she sat with Harry.
As if reading her mind, Harry asked, "Have you seen Tom yet?"
"Yeah, we were in there last night."
"He's got quite an establishment. This place here is his biggest rival but they just can't understand that they could win a little more customer loyalty with some honesty. Tom insists on a fair game, for the most part." B'Elanna seemed to be ignoring him so Harry tried another tactic. "Are you going to be around a while? I know Tom would like the chance to spend some time with you."
This time he got a reaction. "I don't think so, Harry, and I'm very sure that Tom will be just as happy to see me go as I will be to get off this rock."
"No he wouldn't, B'Elanna. He's missed you . a lot." Harry protested.
"Well, I can't help that . he'll get over it."
After a brief silence, Harry asked, "Is it Chakotay? Is something going on between you two?"
"That's not really any of your business, is it?" she retorted sharply.
"No, I guess not . I mean . I saw Tom waiting for you and I just assumed . "
B'Elanna stared at her hands for a long moment before she said, "Harry, have you ever worshipped someone from afar? Someone who was so good and kind that you knew they could never be interested in someone as flawed as you? And this someone pulled you out of scrape after scrape and never asked for anything in return, just your friendship? And then one day, he . that someone needed more than your friendship. He needed something that you could give him . and you supposed that it was love you were giving and being given . . . " She stopped and looked up at him, asking him to understand. "Have you ever been there, Harry?" B'Elanna asked softly.
"No, I don't guess I have."
She looked down into her drink.
"Well, I have. He needs me, Harry. And his work is important. The Cardassians have to be defeated, and so does the Dominion. We have to do this and we can. Even if we're just the insect constantly poking at them, we're distracting them and making the Federation's job a little easier."
"But what about Tom?"
"That's over." She dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. "It was just an infatuation anyway. It would never have worked. Particularly after he was welcomed back into the fold and I was sent to a Federation prison," she added bitterly.
"But Tom wouldn't have let that happen! He was . "
Harry's explanation was interrupted by Chakotay's arrival. B'Elanna looked uncomfortable, as if she thought she'd been caught in a compromising position.
"Well, Harry! It's good to see you! It's Lieutenant Kim now, I see! Congratulations!" Chakotay's enthusiastic greeting was tinged with concern over finding his chief engineer in a tête-à-tête with a Starfleet officer.
"It's good to see you too, Commander. How have you been?" Harry was careful not to ask where, just how.
"We've kept ourselves busy, haven't we, B'Elanna?" He gave her a cautious look before continuing, "How do you like your new command?"
"It's probably not what I would have chosen for my first real command, but it's okay. I have friends here and that makes it a lot easier."
"I understand you arrested a friend of mine last night. Chiff, a Bolian. Any chance I could talk to him for a few minutes?" Chakotay asked cautiously.
"Sorry, Co . uh . Chakotay, he's being transported to a Starfleet ship for questioning."
"Is he answering any questions?" The Maquis captain asked in a casual tone.
Harry stiffened noticeably. "I'm afraid I don't have that information, sir. If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my office. It was good seeing you, B'Elanna, and you too, Chakotay." That said, he hurried off.
***
The next night Tom and Harry again sat side by side at the bar, misery and company. Harry was still wearing his uniform. Tom was still drinking scotch, albeit watered down a little, but he hadn't said a word. His countenance was sullen. The late night meeting with B'Elanna had dredged up feelings that had been buried pretty deep.
Harry sat there sympathetically, glancing at Tom from time to time, and letting his mind wander to the events earlier that day. He was puzzled, wondering just what it was that Chakotay wanted with his prisoner. Chiff had been unwilling to say anything about the information he had, and Admiral Janeway had just had him transported to a waiting starship.
A black cloud seemed to have settled over the place and even Neelix seemed to have lost some of his exuberance. Chakotay's entrance just served to make the atmosphere gloomier.
"Tom," Chakotay began, "I'd like to talk to you . . . alone." The look he gave Harry bordered on insulting. Harry was Starfleet, and Chakotay had no use for Starfleet right now.
After a long look, Tom nodded and motioned towards his office in the snug, a small enclosed area behind the bar. Chakotay ordered synthehol for himself and followed Tom. The room held a desk, a tiny round table against the wall and two chairs. Setting his drink down on the table, Tom pulled out one of the chairs and motioned for Chakotay to take the other.
"I need your help, Tom. I think you have the information that I was supposed to get from Chiff. Those security codes would allow us to get to the heart of Cardassia and really do some damage." His voice held the conviction of his words and Tom recognized that he truly believed in his cause. It didn't matter.
"Chakotay, I have no intention of helping you. Like I said last night, this bar is neutral territory. Leave your war outside." Tom gave him a cold, determined stare.
"Paris, you and I both know that half the people in here are dealing in illegal goods or transport codes. You can't possibly believe that the war is -outside- your bar." Chakotay answered angrily.
"Most of my customers are willing to respect my neutrality and leave me out of their transactions."
Chakotay tried another tactic. "Is this because B'Elanna is with me now instead of you?"
Tom gave him a withering look. "B'Elanna is a grown woman; who she chooses to sleep with is her business, not mine."
Intrigued, Chakotay realized that he had hit a nerve. He decided to press on and see where this led. "I guess she got another look at the kind of man you are and decided that I had more to offer."
Tom calmly leaned back in his chair and replied insolently, "Well, then I guess you two deserve each other."
Irritated that Tom hadn't risen to the bait Chakotay answered, "Look, we're both wanted by the Federation. How long do you think it will take Janeway to trump up an excuse to arrest us, even in neutral territory? Those codes would get B'Elanna out of here too, before Starfleet drags us off. You don't want her to wind up in a Federation penal colony do you?"
"I don't have any control over where she winds up. I'm completely neutral, remember?" Tom's quiet answer belied the tension building in him.
A familiar, gravely, voice intruded on their conversation. "Gentlemen, may I be so bold as to interrupt?" Neelix had apparently been distracted long enough for the Admiral to slip behind the bar and into Tom's office.
Chakotay had heard she was on the planet, but forewarning did not prevent the surge of anger he felt at seeing Admiral Kathryn Janeway for the first time in over a year. Her betrayal was still a raw wound, and the pain of it almost cracked his falsely calm exterior; almost, but not quite.
"Of course, Admiral," Tom replied, keeping a tight control, "we were finished with our conversation anyway. What can I get you to drink?" Tom asked the question as he rose to his feet, relinquishing his seat to his former captain.
"A glass of wine would be nice, thank you," she answered never taking her eyes off Chakotay.
Tom nodded and left while Kathryn Janeway sat and faced her former second- in-command and friend. The uncomfortable silence was finally broken by her soft words, "How have you been, Chakotay?"
"Living on the edge as always, Kathryn. What about you?"
"This war against the Dominion has everyone at Starfleet working around the clock. We could use a few lucky breaks about now," she answered grimly.
"This "war" began a long time ago, Kathryn, and could have been over long before the Dominion ever got involved if Starfleet had listened to the Maquis." His words held the bitterness he still felt.
"Chakotay, you can't look at this so narrowly. Starfleet was trying to prevent a war and keep casualties to a minimum. I'm sorry that your homeworld was destroyed but that's the way it had to be. According to the information we had at the time that was the least costly route to peace." Her color was rising but she kept her voice low.
"So now my family, my world, is just considered 'collateral damage', nothing more?"
"I consider it a tragedy, Chakotay, but I don't know how it could have been prevented."
"By destroying Cardassia when the Federation had a chance." He answered fiercely.
"Alright, maybe we should have, but we didn't and now we need to get to the heart of Cardassia and rectify that mistake." She stared at the table, her hands balled into angry fists. "Do you have those security codes?" Kathryn Janeway was no longer being subtle.
"No, I don't. Why don't you ask your protégé? I'm willing to bet that Paris has them. He has no intention of giving them to me. Maybe you can persuade him." His voice was caustic.
Kathryn looked at him warily, trying to assess the veracity of his words. She glanced up to see Tom Paris at her elbow with a glass of wine. He set it in front of her and left without a word. Her eyes followed him.
"Tom Paris," she said softly, "why would he have the codes?"
"I think Chiff gave them to Paris before your people grabbed him, since you obviously didn't find them on him."
"Alright, I'll talk to Tom." She took a sip of her wine before looking at Chakotay again. "I'm sorry things turned out this way. I was working to get all of you pardoned when you escaped from Deep Space Nine. I think I might have succeeded with a little more time."
"And during that time we would have rotted in prison waiting for the Cardassians to take over one planet after another - with the Dominion's help. And I'm sure the Cardassians would have offered us positions of great importance in their fleet since we were enemies of Starfleet." His voice dripped with sarcasm.
"We wouldn't have allowed that to happen," she protested.
"Oh yes, just like you didn't allow Deep Space Nine to be taken over by the Cardassians again."
"The Federation regained control of Deep Space Nine. It was a calculated move."
"Tell that to the Bajorans."
"Look, I'm not going to sit here and discuss war strategies with you. Starfleet would still be willing to discuss a pardon if you turned your resources over to us now. You would still have to spend some time in a Federation penal colony but I would be willing to testify on behalf of your crew."
He listened in disbelief. Her voice was smooth as silk as she suggested that he betray his ideals and turn himself and his crew in to Starfleet.
"I'm Maquis, Admiral. I'm surprised you're sullying yourself by having a drink with me in a neutral bar. But I am not a traitor and I will not turn my resources over to Starfleet. You fight this war however you see fit and I will continue my fight however I see fit. You see, I don't mind getting my hands dirty." When he was sure that his parting shot had hit home, Chakotay rose and walked away leaving Janeway sitting in stunned silence.
***
The older Starfleet officer who had accompanied Janeway was back in the bar that second night also. His name was unpronounceable but translated as "Fishlock". Tom kept an eye on him as he did all strangers but this Andorian seemed to fade into the shadows and was quickly dismissed as non- threatening.
The soft music of the piano quieted the crowd as the Doc began an introduction to a suite of songs from "Sweeney Todd," another 20th century Broadway musical. It seemed the trip down Broadway would last at least one more day.
Seven began to sing,
Nothing's gonna harm you.
Not while I'm around.
Nothing's gonna harm you, no sir.
Not while I'm around.
Demons are prowling ev'ry where. Now a days..
Her clear voice soon had everyone in the room quietly reflecting on the days when safety had been taken for granted.
A strangled cry from the shadows was all the warning that the patrons received. Lt. Fishlock seemed to spring from his corner like an angry tiger and his prey was Seven of Nine. "Borg!" he screamed, "Borg! How can you sing about demons when you are the demon that has destroyed so many worlds." His hands were around her throat and the suddenness of the attack left her momentarily defenseless as he tightened his grip.
The crash of the piano and the screams of the patrons brought Tom quickly into the main area of the bar. Chakotay had already begun to try to free Seven from the man's powerful grip while others just stared in disbelief. He delivered a blow to the back of Fishlock's head. A second blow finally had the attacker reeling and he staggered back, turning to face Chakotay now. Shaking his head to clear it the Andorian aimed true and had delivered a powerful blow before Tom could grab his arms in an effort to control him.
"She deserves to die," the angry Andorian screamed. "She is Borg. They do nothing but destroy and assimilate. She deserves to die for what she did to my family!"
Chakotay answered him, still wheezing from the blow, "She's a human being who was victimized by the Borg. She deserves a chance to live just like all races."
"She's a Borg, her race should be destroyed, just like the Cardassians and the Dominion and the Breen and the Maquis. None of them has a right to live" the man screamed his condemnations. "You are murderers, all of you."
Tom raised his voice so he could be heard over the screams, "What the hell are you talking about, Fishlock? Get a hold of yourself."
"You are harboring criminals here, Paris. You have a Borg and the Maquis. All of them are wanted by the Federation. All of them are criminals and you are too . for protecting them." he accused Tom.
Chakotay answered him, "You've obviously lost a lot, Lieutenant, but that doesn't give you the right to condemn others to death. Revenge is never going to solve anything, it just leads to more killing and makes us all barbarians."
"You are the barbarian," Fishlock spat back at him while struggling to free his arms from Tom's grip.
Seven was on her feet again and began to speak, but Chakotay silenced her with a look. "We're not barbarians, in spite of the Starfleet propaganda. We are fighting for freedom from the oppression of the Cardassians. They're the barbarians, the ones who want to subject the rest of the galaxy to their rule. But even barbarians have a right to autonomy. Each world deserves the opportunity to rule itself, to make it's own laws and enjoy it's own resources. We're fighting to stop the Dominion from destroying all the worlds in this quadrant. And they will," his voice had a chill in it.
The noise had drawn Janeway and a young ensign out of Tom's office where they'd been conferring. Together they stared at the spectacle before them. Tom Paris was obviously holding a Starfleet officer against his will and Chakotay appeared to be the aggressor. Janeway had heard the end of Chakotay's impassioned plea and angrily asked, "What's going on here?" as the ensign pulled out her weapon and trained it on the Maquis captain.
It was Lt. Kim who answered. He'd followed Tom in from the casino area and had been observing the fracas while helping Seven to her feet. "Lt. Fishlock attacked Seven without provocation, Admiral. His behavior was totally out of line."
Harry was rewarded with a glare. That was not the information that the Admiral wanted to hear. It was obvious, however, that she was outnumbered. The murmurs of the crowd supported Kim's story. Her look silenced them. "Alright," she spoke with practiced authority, "Lieutenant Kim, get Fishlock back to the barracks and confine him until I can question him. Ensign Birca, go with him."
"Yes, Admiral," the two officers replied as they took control of the still enraged Andorian.
"Don't touch me," he said to Kim. "You're one of them. I can still smell the Borg on you."
"Lieutenant," Janeway warned, "right now I'm sending you to your quarters to be confined. I can easily change that to the brig."
Even in his righteous fury he was a Starfleet officer. Lt. Fishlock stopped himself from saying anything further and, nodding to his commanding officer, allowed the others to lead him off.
Admiral Janeway took Chakotay aside. "I think this demonstrates that tensions are running extremely high. You and your people would be safer in Federation hands. I can't guarantee that there won't be more incidents like this as the Alliance get closer to Cardassia."
"You can't control your own officers, Kathryn, what makes you think you can control this Alliance of yours? No, we are independent and we wish to remain independent. We will fight this war our own way and the Alliance," he said the word as if it were a curse, " had better stay out of our way!"