Chapter 5

Captain Chakotay was sitting in a corner of a shuttle, alone with his thoughts. The rest of the crew had not even noticed his absence, for they were all too busy re-telling the stories of their visit to DS9. Every now and then, he could have heard eruptions of laughter coming from them. That only further darkened his already gloomy mood. Perhaps part of that bad mood consisted of envy; envy because all of them had been allowed a good time, while he had merely once again run into trouble. But the better part of it was made out of worry.

The encounter with Chief O'Brien was still repeating itself within his mind. It had repeated for so many times he could already tell every tiny detail of it by heart.

After Miles had uttered his spine-chilling warning, all Chakotay could have done was to stare at him blankly, trying to take it all in.

It had taken a few seconds, during which Miles had sunk back to his seat and he had regained his ability of speech. The first thing he had done had been aiming Miles with his eyes, demanding an explanation. Chakotay was still uncertain whether he had actually asked for it, or if Miles had simply understood his questioning gaze, because O'Brien had begun talking at the same time he'd begun his line;

„Explain."

„I shouldn't have said that." It had been the Chief's first reaction, the realization he had done something wrong. Chakotay had remained silent, however, noting that that had not been enough. O'Brien had seen that, and had started biting on his lower lip. Obviously, he'd gotten into something he couldn't have really handled.

„It's…I've exaggerated, Chakotay." He'd finally spoken, „It's the alcohol. I didn't really mean it…at the price of your life, ye know. Just…she can't really always be trusted, that's all. Sometimes, she's unpredictable and could cause incidents with the Bajorans."

An ill excuse, Chakotay had seen right away. He could've heard in the Chief's voice he'd meant what he'd said before, and he had not meant a word of this. Alcohol had been affecting him, all right, but it had been propelling him to reveal his true thoughts. Some people were bad liars when drunk-O'Brien was among them.

But Chakotay was aware of one, just as he had been back then-O'Brien was not the one to go on doing something upon realizing it was wrong.

So he'd right away discerned one way to get more information about this matter from him-he'd opted for playing along. Doing his hardest to conceal his shock and impatience, Chakotay had slowly asked;

„What makes you think she can not be trusted?"

The Chief had been caught into a trap. Had he refused to speak, he knew he would've made it all the more suspicious. Had he made up a lie, Chakotay would've seen it, because he had never been among those trained in deception and lying. He'd always taken pride in his blunt honesty, but then he'd wished it perished.

Finally, after what had seemed like eternity to Chakotay, he'd opened his mouth.

„She…she'd had…I mean…she'd been…that is…" He'd let out an apologetic sighed and cast a pleading look at Chakotay, but the latter's expression had not softened. His look had taken up the steel appearance it always did when he was determined. Most people who knew him also knew they shouldn't tangle with him with that look in his eyes.

The Chief inhaled deeply, going on.

„Elizabeth can't be trusted…because she'd had…she'd had…during her assignment here…she'd had…an affair…" Chakotay's ears had bolted up-hadn't Sandra Sisko mentioned this as well? Even more eager to hear more, he'd waited for the Chief to finish.

The latter had seemed to be unable to say it all at once, but finally he'd gathered the strength to do so. With a guilty look on his face, as if he'd been betraying an oath to silence, he voiced.

„Elizabeth had had an affair with someone from the other side."

Chakotay had insisted to know more, he'd tried politely asking, even coercing the Chief into telling it to him. But O'Brien seemed to had been uncertain only about the sentence he'd said. After that, it had been his face that had taken over the look of steel. It had taken Chakotay little time to see any more persuasion would've been pointless.

So here he was now, sitting alone in the shuttle, pondering over what he'd found out and attempting to deal with it. Also attempting not to think about what he had not yet found out.

Elizabeth Bashir had had an affair with someone from 'the other side'. What had that meant? Chakotay was pretty certain that it had meant the other side in the Dominion War. On the other hand, that seemed completely ungraspable to him-Bashir was a hero of the Dominion War, known to had fought against the Dominion, on the side of the Federation…she'd even gotten medals for it more than once!

What O'Brien had told him had sounded more like a romantic holovid than like a story that could've truly happened. Still, he was certain those hadn't been the ramblings of a drunken man. True, he had not seen Miles in ages, but he could tell that the Chief had not changed that much. He was still someone the Captain knew.

Even if that had not been the case, the worm of doubt had already started chewing on Chakotay's consciousness, and it would've continued it's work anyway. This worm was doing something else as well; waking his instincts back up. If Elizabeth Bashir truly was not to be trusted, he figured, his insticts had been right. So he had no intention of turning them 'off' again. But he was going to use his mind as well. He still couldn't be certain about anything.

The only way to really find anything out now was to talk with Admiral Bashir. But somehow, he felt that wouldn't have worked. He was certain she would've somehow reassured him O'Brien had given him the wrong version of events. And he also felt she wouldn't have been honest with that. Needless to say he would've felt uncomfortable, inquiring about such a thing that was hardly still relevant. On the surface. On the inside, it was very relevant. It might, he thought, lead to the clue of why O'Brien was sure we have to keep her away from the Fire Caves.

The best way, he considered now, would've been going to talk with Sandra Sisko again. But he'd been too baffled to think of that when still on the Station. Now, it was too late-he doubted the woman would've wanted to discuss it over a comm-channle. Actually, he was sure she wouldn't have ever agreed to something like that.

Nechayev was out of question-revealing something like this to her before confirming its validity was like throwing a bomb into a square full of civillians. It was like screaming it out on all subspace bands.

Kathryn. That left him with Kathryn. He was going to talk with her. He was going to tell her everything. Kathy, his Kahty, was going to know what to do, as always, she was going to be discreet, as always…and full of support and love, as always. The simple ingeniosity of his discovery amazed him.

That made him feel a lot better, and for a second he thought he could relax during the trip back to the Victoria.

But the reminder that they were going to dock within two minutes erased option right away.

„Repeat it." There was an edge of frost in Kathryn's voice, and Chakotay complied with her request.

„After I asked him to explain, he said he'd exaggerated the matter, that he merely thought she couldn't be trusted." He inhaled, the last part still sounding eerie to him, „And then he said she'd had an affair with someone from the other side."

„And he never clarified 'other side'?" Her look pierced him and he nodded his head slowly.

Kathryn seemed to be deep in thought after this, so Chakotay let her be. Durng his recounting of the story, he'd seen disbelief and shock mixing on her face-feelings he knew all too well. Feelings whose residual traces were still on him.

No matter how hard he had tried, he hadn't succeeded in overcoming those feelings and finding a suitable solution. Every time he thought he had something, he would see how pointless and stupid that course of action would've been, and he would be forced to dismiss it. Even now, he was trying to think of something in spite of himself-but simply couldn't.

Finally, Kathryn looked back up, all feelings wiped away from her face. The only thing he saw was will in her eyes. Relief flodded him; she had thought of something. He could tell.

„Chakotay, listen to me." Her voice was cold, official. Her mission, to call it so, had begun, „I think we now have sufficent proof…at least that necessary for ourselves…to conclude there is something off with Admiral Elizabeth Bashir. But not the sort of proof that would or could be useful in court. That is the sort of proof we have yet to gather."

Chakotay felt chills coming down his spine; where they discussing a consiparcy against Admiral Bashir?

„Your job, Captain," She'd used his rank, which felt strange to his ears, „Is to supervise Admiral Bashir as closely as you can. Don't let her see it, though. Keep your eye out for every tiniest little detail that could lead us to something. Understood?"

Chakotay nodded his head. It was the only think he could've done. Guilt had nearly completely disappeared from his system, to be gradually replaced by regret. He still wanted Bashir to be proven innocent. He didn't want to have to deal with the fact he'd been all wrong and had placed his trust into a person that was not worthy of it. Even though he wouldn't have admitted it, it also had to do with the fact he didn't want to admit he was growing old.

„What are you going to do?" He couldn't help but ask. When he was part of a plan, he likde to know as much of it as possible.

Kathryn seemed to have had no problem with that. On the contrary; she forced a smile and nodded; „I'm going to do some freelance exploring. I think it's time we found out what exactly's so precious within those Fire Caves."

„How are you going to do that?" Chakotay heard himself say. He'd been here, near Bajor, even on Bajor and on DS9, and yet he had never come to possess such information. Not even Admiral Bashir knew what was it so dear to the Bajorans down there…or, he recalled, she did. According to this latest information, she did.

„I have a few ties and wires, Chakotay." Now her smile was genuine, „I do have a rather important position within the Command. And I tend to keep in touch with old friends." He didn't see what she meant, but he supposed it was not important, „Now, let's get to work. Janeway out."

Her official greeting set him back a bit, but he soon saw he shouldn't blame her. They were, after all, on official business…in a way. Not conventional…but official.

Getting up from the chair, Chakotay closed his eyes for a moment. When had his life begun to be this complicated?

Oh, he remembered. When he'd met Elizabeth Bashir.

„What is it, Miss Sparks?" Chakotay inquired.

Just during his dinner, he had been called by Helen Sparks to the Computer Core. Apparently, she had made some discovery she wished to share with him. Perhaps because he had been placed in charge of the investigation. Or because she had felt it was not important enough to disturb Admiral Bashir.

„I know that the investigation is closed, sir, but I've discovered something, and I wanted to show it to you." Sparks moved her fingers swiftly over the console, and in a few seconds, a data analysis appeared on the screen.

„What is this?" Chakotay stepped closer.

„This is the log that shows no record of anyone breaking into the ship's database. At frist, I'd thought that this was proof our suspect had covered their traces masterfully. But it isn't. I only realized it now-this log is genuine."

„What are you trying to say?" Chakotay was impatient to find out, but also dared not make any conclusions within his head. He was afraid they wouldn't have left him objective.

„I'm trying to say," Sparks was speaking rather nonchalanty, „That the data hadn't been erased from our database…it had been erased…or had disappeared from the tricoder."

Chakotay raised his eyebrow, and as Sparks turned to face him with triumph, allowed himself to ponder over this.

A few hours ago, he had actually believed that the data could have been erased by accident. But now, after the warning O'Brien had given him…as bad as it sounded to him, his mind labeled Admiral Bashir as the number one suspect.

Had she erased the data, though, she wouldn't have requested another scanning of the Caves. And she had done that.

„I was thinking, sir." Sparks interrupted his thoughts, „Even though the investigation's over…perhaps the Bajorans had erased those files…to keep some of their religious secrets or whatever. They could've hacked into out tricoder…"

It hit him suddenly-she could easily be right! That was why Admiral Bashir had ordered another scanning, then. She'd had nothing to do with the disappearance of those two files…on the contrary, she'd wanted those two files back.

That was supposed to make him feel easier, but it didn't.

He could still hear O'Brien in the back of his mind.

„Interesting theory, Captain." Admiral Bashir assessed the analysis he'd brought to her, „I think it's very much possible." Her eyes moved up to him, „Well done."

„It was Lieutenant Sparks, ma'am." Chakotay hastened to say. He didn't like taking credit for other people's work. Starfleet, he had noticed, had a habit of doing so sometimes, „She'd come up with that idea when she'd discovered the files had been erased from the tricoder, not our database."

„Excellent." Bashir placed the padd onto her desk, „I'll be sure to note that when working on the promotions list."

Chakotay nodded with a forced smile. When he'd last stood here, in this office, he had regarded Admiral Bashir as a strong, determined woman with integrity and capability. He'd regarded her with respect.

He couldn't say that all of that respect had been erased. But now, as his gaze rested upon her, he didn't see her as a woman sitting at a Starfleet desk with her head high up. What he saw now was a young Lieutenant, in the arms of…someone from the other side. A woman who had had an affair with the enemy. And Chief O'Brien's warning echoed within his skull.

„Is something on your mind, Captain?" He was taken aback by the quick way she'd seen this. It had taken her perhaps five seconds during which he had been silent.

For a moment, he had this urge to tell everything straight into her face, and demand a straight explanation. However, he repressed it. He knew that Elizabeth Bashir had the capability to avoid the truth once more. So, he chose a sharper way.

„Nothing, Admiral. I'm just tired from the visit to DS9 yesterday."

„Ah." A slight shadow passed over her face, but she also managed a small smile, „What was it like, Captain?" ¸

Chakotay saw his opportunity here; the opportunity to take careful mental notes of her reactions to her past. So, satisfied with himself, he began.

„Well, I certainly got a lot of greetings for you." Her expression remained unchanged, even though a flicker of pain entered her dark eyes, „Miles O'Brien sent his regards."

She beamed, her smile again being ever so slight.

„Miles. Julian used to be his best friend." She was referring to her late husband with a tad less remorse than he would've expected, „How is he? And his family?"

„They live on Bajor." Chakotay went on, „Kirayoshi is at school…and Molly is getting married."

„Married?" Elizabeth's smile grew, „Little Molly O'Brien? I'd never have guessed…To whom?"

„A Bajoran…" He'd wanted to say his name, but the change on Bashir's face indicated he had said enough. It wasn't really disapproval…more like disappointment.

„Quark also spoke very fondly of you." Chakotay hurried before she dismissed him, „Said you were one of the few clothed females he'd ever truly respected."

She laughed, with an echo of sadness, „Quark would say that…after I broke his nose in his bar once." Chakotay decided it was smarter not to inquire about that any further, „Does he still have…the lobes for his business?"

He nodded; „Oh, yes. He keeps it running smoothly. And he still serves Romulan Ale."

„That is excellent…you'd be surprised to know how many Starfleet people crave for that drink."

He chuckled; „I ordered it myself, Admiral. And I think O'Brien had too…he must've been on a leave as well, because he was not exactly sober." But alcohol had not induced him to be delusional, he said to himself…it had made him be more open than he had intended to be. He wondered whether Bashir would've spoken so casually of O'Brien had she known what he had told him.

„Don't be so certain." She shook her head, grinning, „I've seen him drunk on duty more than once or twice…although that's not something he is ever going to brag about."

Chakotay racked his brains to think of something, anything else that might provoke a reaction within the Admiral. All of this…up to now…had been normal. And he didn't see a subtle way to mention her affair. Gritting his teeth, he went for his last chance.

„I also met Sandra Sisko."

He knew he'd hit the bullseye before Elizabeth said a word. She had been about to get up from her chair, but now she froze, her smile disappearing and her expression turning into stone. All emotion drained from her eyes, making them look dark and dangerous.

Vengeful. And she remembers. Never forgets. Fascinating, but dangerous.

„Sisko?" She repeated slowly, almost at a whisper. Storing this information into his mind, Chakotay went on as casually as he could.

„Yes, Jake Sisko's wife. She said her husband knew you." He halted his breathing, observing carefully.

Bashir kept staring in front of herself coldly; „Yes. Yes, he knew me. And I knew him. And his father." She nearly spat out the last part, finally getting up and walking to the window. He could no longer see her face, but he did not believe that mattered that much. Even though he was truly compelled to go on with this, he knew she would see right through him then. So, he decided drawing back was the smartest thing to do.

„Well, I'd better go, Admiral. I have to tell Miss Sparks the news." He said.

„Fine." She nodded her head, „And Captain…we will not be transporting to Bajor again. The Bajorans have decided to give up all charges. We'll be returning home tomorrow."

Chakotay nodded, thinking of what she must have told those poor people.

„Dismissed." The Admiral's voice sent him out of the ready room icily. On his way to the Computer Core, he couldn't shake off the feeling that, in spite of every precaution he'd taken, she'd seen that he knew something. Or sensed it.

„Of course I remember." Jake Sisko said grimly, „One person I could never forget."

„How so?" Kathryn Janeway raised her eyebrows.

„She is one of the few of those people still alive. She and myself…and Chief O'Brien. Worf, too, now that I think of it." Those people meant the people he'd known on DS9 thirteen years ago.

Kathryn nodded her head; „All right. Then you won't mind answering a question or two."

„About her?" His eyebrows raised in surprise, „No, I won't. Go ahead and ask."

„What was she like on DS9?" She decided to begin with fundamental inquiries.

Jake shrugged his shoulders; „She was a Lieutenant. Young. Fierce-tempered. Had trouble with staying in line…obeying orders. Sometimes she could get narcisstic…but wasn't really like that. She was confident. Pretty, too. Broke Quark's nose when he got drunk and…tred something."

„Trouble with obeying orders?" Kathryn repeated, more to herself than to him, „Had she ever disobeyed direct orders?"

„Yes." His frank and straight response surprised her a bit. But it didn't seem unlikely to her, „It was with the Maquis. My father…Captain Sisko…" Pain splashed over his face at the mention, „He'd placed her in charge of an away team. They were supposed to locate Calvin Hudson and take him hostage. They were supposed not to injure or kill anyone." He swallowed, „But Elizabeth had killed one and injured six." Again he showed signs of aggitation, „During…questioning. She was never demoted, because my father didn't want to do that…for some reason. He had probably still had hopes for her."

Well place hoped, some could say, Kathryn thought. She was Admiral Bashir now. That was definitely an advancement.

„Why were they sent for Hudson?" She knew that this could be completely insignificant, but this was an exceptionary mission. They were pursuing the unsignificant.

„Because Gul Dukat had been abducted." Jake's tone was matter-of-fact, as if she was supposed to have known that. Her eyebrows raised.

„Was I supposed to know that, Jake?"

For a moment he stared at her, then he blinked and looked down.

„No…no…of course not. I'm sorry, Admiral Janeway."

Kahtryn leaned in, coming closer to the screen.

„Jake, the reason I called you is because there's a situation…an incident going on on Bajor." His eyes darted back up, „Concerning Elizabeth Bashir."

He said nothing, even though he did open his mouth for a moment. He soon closed them back, however.

„Go on." He spoke firmly.

„Jake…I'll be frank with you. What I need to know is whether Admiral Bashir had had an affair with someone from the other side during the Dominion War."

Jake bolted, literally, looking at her wide-eyed with surprise. It took him a few moments to recover.

„How…how do you know? Of that?" His gaze sharpened, „Have you been talking with Sandra?"

Kathryn shook her head; „No. Miles O'Brien."

And she recounted the story Chakotay had told her to Jake Sisko.

It had left an impact on him; he was evidently overwhelmed. She gave him some time to take it all in, in spite of her impatience to find out more.

Finally, the young man's eyes took on a focused look and faced hers.

„Admiral Janeway…what I am about to tell you is not for the public. I am only divulging it to you because this is an extraordinary situation, and because you used to be a friend of my father's."

Kathryn bobbed her head, and from Jake's mouth poured the tale that was going to mark her life forever.

Chakotay had spent the entire day doing nothing. It was frustrating, really, knowing that something big was going on and that he was part of it; yet he could do nothing about it because he was not yet even certain what it really was. The fact he had nothing to do made him think of it, and he detested that.

He'd tried thinking of something useful, of Elizabeth Bashir and her affair, of the Fire Caves, but that only gave him a headache. He knew too little to make any real colnclusions. The sole thing he could do was to guess, and each time he made a good guess to be faced with the possiblity he was completely wrong.

Finally, he had decided to get some rest and take a nap. He'd just been dimming the lights when his computer beeped. Incoming transmission.

Unsure whether to be glad or angry, he headed over and began receiving it.

„Chakotay." It was Kathryn. Immediately, he concluded he was glad she'd interrupted him.

„Kathy." He sat down. The look on her face was grim. He could only guess whether it was because she had acquired no information, or because she had acquired bad sort of it.

„Now is not the time for pleasantries, Chakotay. I have discovered something of grave importance." Her voice was sharp, „However, you will have to keep it secret."

„Even from Starfleet Command?" He asked.

„Even from them. We'll have to resolve this alone." Color drained from Chakotay's face. Kathryn was working behind the Command's back? The news had to be extremely unpleasant then. He tried to brace himself for them.

„Tell me." He said, attempting to sound firm and composed.

She did, and what she told him left him swept off his feet. For a moment, he actually felt dizzy. But the thought of his duty made him recover quickly. Or at least hide his huge shock.

He could tell Kathryn understood, that she was shocked too. But they had to remain focused. They had to---

„We have to stop her."