Tuvok sat in the ready room and peered at the view screen. It had taken several attempts but he finally found a high ranking Vizi official willing to talk to him candidly about Voyager's current crisis.

"This is unacceptable," the official said. "Spada has been disbanded. We have imprisoned their leaders. They must not be allowed to reform."

Tuvok cocked his head. "It appears they have reformed aboard this vessel. That is also unacceptable."

"Agreed."

Tuvok leaned forward. "I need to know the basic schematics of your weapons technology so we may attempt to disarm whatever explosive material these Spada members have placed on board. Once that is done, our security teams can bring this to an end and Voyager can continue her journey."

The Vizi official shook his head. "We cannot share our interplanetary defense technology. Allowing you to access that information would leave the Alliance vulnerable."

"But we do not pose a threat to the Alliance. You agreed to give Voyager secure passage through your space. You have breached this agreement since it is your citizens who are now the aggressive party. The lives of this crew are at stake. We need that information to rescue them."

"It would be suicide to allow anyone other than Alliance members to have information on how to infiltrate our defenses. If Voyager is captured and that information is acquired it would be a death sentence to us."

Tuvok put a finger against his forehead. "As opposed to the one this crew is currently facing? That is an unlikely scenario. Since you refuse to give us what we need, what then, may I ask, are you willing to do to help rectify this situation?"

"Our battle fleet will arrive in hour. We will board your vessel, neutralize the arms and take the rebels into custody. Prepare for our ships to approach and our task teams will take control of the situation."

Tuvok sat up straight. "I am afraid I can not permit you to board Voyager without an exchange of appropriate information. You are equally unfamiliar with our ship and your efforts may detonate the Spada explosives unintentionally or cause irreparable harm to this vessel. If you will not work together with us, we will have to resolve the situation on our own."

"That, Mr. Tuvok, is not an option. It is imperative that the Spada are caught and returned to us. To not do so would encourage more displays of aggression towards our people."

"At this time, the display of aggression has been made towards my people, not the Alliance. As a matter of policy, we will hand over any Spada personnel who remain after the situation is resolved by us."

"Unacceptable, Mr. Tuvok. You are in our space. You must submit to our law. Prepare for our battle fleet to arrive."

Tuvok cocked an eyebrow as he said, "I do not recognize a need to yield to your authority in this matter. Voyager may be in your space but she is a sovereign vessel. It is your citizens who boarded without permission and we have quite enough of them without adding to the population. Any attempt to do this on your part will be viewed as a hostile act. I respectfully request that you do not force us to add to our security measures at this time."

"Denied. Our Vizian fleet will be there in one hour. Cooperate or Voyager's crew will be deemed associates of Spada and dealt with accordingly. One hour, Mr. Tuvok. One hour."