Disclaimer: see chapter one.
Chapter Two
Hoon's Apartment:
The big Gorn found his human friend hard at work at the computer terminal as he appeared from his sleep chamber one morning to get breakfast.
"You're up bright and early," he hissed softly coming over to see what was on the screen. "Intriguing," he noted.
"I have been doing some research into Earth's history," he began thoughtfully. "Especially to do with the French Resistance from whom the Maquis took their name. The French pronunciation is ma'ki; the term "maqui" comes from the French term "maquis" meaning "a small mountain, covered with weeds", which in turn comes from the Corsican term "macchia", meaning "dense, deep forest" or "thick vegetation". It was an expression used for privateers when, fleeing from the authorities, as they would seek refuge in the mountains of Corsica," he paused in his narrative to read the data on the screen. "In France, the term was first used to refer to a group of guerrillas of the French resistance against the German occupation of France during World War II. The term also became synonymous with the anti-Franco guerrillas in Spain. Many Spanish maquis also participated in the French resistance movement. Initially they were composed of men who had escaped into the mountains to avoid conscription into Vichy France's Service du travail obligatoire (STO) to provide forced labour for Germany; what had started out as loose groups of individuals became increasingly organized; initially fighting only to remain free, these bands eventually became active resistance groups," he explained carefully. "It appears that Cardassia, the Federation and Starfleet – for the most part – are making the same mistake about the Maquis that the Nazi Gestapo made," he informed softly.
"What was that?"Hoon asked quietly; his facet eyes a pale blue/white.
"They treated the Maquis as a complete organisation, each cell accountable to a central command. The British knew better and used it accordingly," warming to his subject. "Each cell was a separate unit accountable only to each person within that cell and their cause; which was to undermine the Nazi's from getting a permanent foothold within their country that the Germany army occupied, but especially helping the Allied forces during their invasion of Normandy."
"Go on," he encouraged.
"The Maquis knew they couldn't drive the Germans out, not without outside help, but they could keep them off balance."
"What made you look into this, Chakotay," Hoon asked.
"It was an event that happened on Voyager, when the Hirogen invaded our ship and used the holodecks to simulate their hunts," he stood and began to pace the space, standing still to look out the apartment windows at the scene outside from time to time. "One of these scenarios was of the French town of St. Claire during the Second World War, just after the D-Day landings. The Captain played the role of a cell leader, owner of the local nightclub. The British Broadcasting Company would give out a weather report and each cell would write it down," pausing again to take in his quiet audience of one, having turned from the window.
"Was that a secret message; the weather report?"
"Yes, or part of it; some messages had a cryptic line such as 'the crow will sing three times in the morning' or any other pre-arranged messages that were read in a continuous flow over the British airwaves', but the messages weren't the same for every cell."
"Intriguing," noted Hoon, his eyes almost their normal green/blue hue.
"Every cell was sent a special code and with it, they could extract their unique message from the whole report. It would give them the movements of the Allied Forces as they advanced through France and what was needed from the Maquis to aide a successful assault on the enemy."
"How do you think this will help now?"
"I'm not sure. But I have to try to make people see sense. In that each Maquis cell – like our French counterpart – was accountable only to themselves and the area they operated in," his frown creasing his tattoo. "Or everything that the Maquis fought for in the DMZ will be worthless and in vain."
"Not in vain, Chakotay," another voice said, moving into the room.
"Alyxx!" he exclaimed surprised and pleased to see her there. He moved towards her and took her into his embrace, holding her close in a welcoming hug.
"Do you think this information will convince anyone or Teero specifically?"
"I do not know, Suaig," he said sadly, still holding the Trill female close to him. "And for once I don't really care what he thinks anymore. He's done enough to blight my life as it is."
"Do you really believe that?" asked Alyxx Darkka, her voice a little muffed; she eased herself away from against him, yet stayed within the circle of his arms and looked up at him. "Well do you?"
"I'm trying too," he admitted quietly with a smile. She responded with a soft knowing smile of her own.
"Hmm! Is that rumbling your stomach or mine?" she asked, grinning.
"Time for some breakfast," said Suaig Hoon; with that the three friends trooped into the kitchen together for a hearty breakfast filled with good food and laughter, along with an exchange of news.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Mak'ala Caverns:
Chakotay sat cross-legged at the pool's edge and listened to the gentle sing-song of the symbionts in the milky white waters. He felt nervous as he waited for Ezri Dax and Alyxx Darkka to join him, but they appeared to be taking their time in speaking with the Guardians.
'If that was what they were doing,' he thought to himself, hearing the symbionts song deepen and the waters turn a pale blue. He looked up to where he knew the two females should appear from, but there was no sign of them. He breathed deep to calm his growing sense of panic.
//They will come// spoke a voice in his mind softly.
"When?" he asked quietly, closing his eyes, head bowed.
//Swim with us?// their voices eager.
"Not this time," he responded gently, a quiet smile playing around his expressive mouth. Chakotay recalled what Julian Bashir had told him about his first time in the pools over nine months ago; that for someone with no telepathic or ESP abilities his link with the symbionts had been remarkable and unique and totally unexpected, for a human.
"Many Trills never experience what you did, even those who are joined. Intriguing," said Dr. Bashir. "This going to require further medical study," he'd said, looking at his tricorder data.
"I'm not a lab rat!"
"Of course not! I didn't mean it that way, Chakotay," he frowned and then noted the grin on the tattooed male's face. "You!" he admonished laughingly and then went back to checking his tricorder readings.
Chakotay smiled now at the memory his eyes still closed sitting in a meditative pose beside the pool, thus he was not aware that the waters were now a bright flashing blue as the symbionts communicated with each other, their song something only he could hear within his subconscious.
//Open your thoughts Shikasha// they sang to him gently.
Ezri Dax and Alyxx Darkka watched from a discreet distance as the human male was enveloped by the symbionts song, showing as a white/blue glow around the male's seated form; yet both females were aware that it was only because they were part of the communications circle that they could see the aura around the man. Quietly they waited, watching and listening as their human friend relived some traumatic events in his past and not necessarily in chronological order. They moved forward at a gentle pace when he became agitated, his body shaking with deep emotions of hurt and pain. Neither female knew what he was seeing, but they sensed his denials and anguish. A sound escaped his once silent lips as they sat down one each side of him, yet they didn't touch. If he sensed their presence he gave no visible signs of it.
"Please!" his voice filled with his pain, eyes still closed. Dax and Darkka looked at each other with Chakotay sitting between them and reached for each others hands encircling the male, yet still without physically touching him.
Suddenly a shuddering sob racked the male's form and he held onto their arms that encircled in front of him bringing them fully into the communications link. Both joined Trills added their voices to the link allowing him to pick them out from the choral choir in his mind, guiding him out of the maze of memories that assaulted his confused senses; Memories of his time with the Maquis and Starfleet both before Voyager and during their Delta Quadrant journey. His time with the Vori and how they'd manipulated him into joining their fight against the Kradin beasts. He shuddered at the sharpness of the images.
//Hold it// urged a soft voice. //Now wrap it up in the dark blanket of your anger// He followed the instructions and soon he was throwing the resulting ball away from him, yet it bounced back.
//Catch it, hold it. Understand it// the soft voice advised. He did so, feeling hot tears course down his cheeks and then he put the ball into a hole in his memory. //Now leave it there// the voice said; he realised the voice was Dax, its greater experience and wisdom in life helping him to deal with the hurt and pain. //It is part of your past and thus part of you, but do not let it colour your future//
His memories moved to another time of manipulation, how at first he'd tried to fight the Vulcan off, but the Security Chief's superior mental intellect proved too strong for Chakotay to overcome and thus he'd come under Teero's influence. As the scene in the Ready Room played in his mind he tried to block it out.
//Let it play// he was advised quietly. //Don't resist it// the voice this time was that of Darkka. Yet he wanted to resist so tried harder.
//This is the past, that cannot be changed// said Dax its tone a quiet reprimand. But still he tried to fight the memory to change it or to stop it altogether.
//Shikasha stop fighting// the tone of voice so like his father's so surprised him, that he did as he was told. He could feel two hands rubbing his back in a circular motion which was very comforting; watching events of that day play in his mind; giving Tuvok the faulty phaser to shoot Janeway with, watching her face at the thought of being killed by her two closest 'friends'; His mocking laughter and ordering her back to her cell – the Brig. The look in her eyes when he retrieved her from the Brig to give back her command was one that was burned into his soul forever.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, the words inadequate to wipe away her fear and distrust of him, and yet he kept saying it mentally.
//You have nothing to be sorry for, Shikasha//
"No? I should have tried harder to fight him," his voice quiet and hurt.
//You did fight//
"And lost," his tone bitter, tasting the foulness he associated with Teero in his mouth.
//Did you?// The question so startled him that he opened his eyes and took a deep breath whilst taking in the sight of the pale blue pulsing water of the symbiont pool.
"Did you loose?" the voice asked again; he recognised the voice as Alyxx who sat to his right, thus he turned to look at her. The greenness of her eyes bore into him, he let her explore him, feeling no fear or threat from her in doing so; his mind even followed her inwards as she searched him, assessed him, evaluated him. After a while he was once again looking into her green eyes, he smiled and sighed softly. Chakotay knew he'd just taken one very emotional rollercoaster ride through his memories and deepest thoughts, his fears and self reprimands and although he was physically tired from the emotional strain of it all, he'd never felt so clearheaded.
"Time for you to rest," said Ezri Dax, from the other side of him. The two females helped him to his feet and aided his walk to the sleep chamber that the Guardians had prepared for his use. He slept soundly for the rest of that day; the symbionts song still singing to him aiding his acceptance of what had actually happened in the Janeway family apartment during his imprisonment there and not what he'd falsely believed had taken place and who was really responsible for it – Teero.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
His report about Professor Fen's dig was now complete, having used his notes along with those of the other members of the dig and their detailed drawings of the site to compile his analyse along with using local historical documents also. He realised archaeological digs had not changed much from their conception in the late 20th Century.
The technology had changed that allowed them to 'see' into the ground and their computing power also, but basically how they excavated such sites was still done in the same way as had been done on Earth, from about the 1900's, especially from Howard Carter's time – the man who'd discovered the tomb of the lost pharaoh boy king Tutankhamen.
"Finished?" asked the voice of his friend, putting a mug of his favourite tea into his hands.
"Thanks, Alyxx," he sighed and drank deeply.
"How are you feeling?" she asked quietly.
"Well," smiling at her, as he closed down the computer terminal having saved his report. "I'll take this round to the Professor later," he said extracting the data chip.
"Chakotay! You haven't answered my question," she admonished him.
"What question was that?"
"You know very well what question," her tone and stance telling him to stop teasing. He moved to the apartment windows and looked out at the enclosed garden area, yet his mind was elsewhere. It had been two days since he'd been at the caves of Mak'ala and his emotional rollercoaster ride with the symbionts; he'd also been avoiding the follow up sessions with Ezri Dax or the Guardians, realising that is what his friend was asking him about. Alyxx Darkka stood watching the subtle signs in his body and thus gave him the space he needed. When she saw him take a deep breath and then expel it, she joined him, her voice speaking his name as a gentle caress and a question.
"Whilst at the pools I felt so sure and clear, now I feel as though I've muddied the waters," he said carefully still looking out the window at the dancing native flowers as the wind played around the enclosed space. Alyxx watched his face as reflected in the glass window pane.
"The strong wind is playing havoc in this area and with the newly opened flowers. I'm always surprised they manage to survive and keep flowering beautifully."
"Are we talking about plants or me?" he asked amused.
"What do you think?" she asked in return, causing him to laugh.
"You sound just like Boothby," grinning at her. "He used plants to help people see things in themselves," his voice a little sad.
"You miss him," she noted quietly. "It's been said the Academy grounds don't flourish like they use to, now that he's gone."
"Do you mean the plants or the cadets?" he teased softly, yet his sadness was there for the man he'd known in his academy days.
"Both," was her single worded reply. The com-system computer beeped, alerting them to an incoming message. Chakotay checked and saw it was a new letter from Earth; Tom and B'Elanna's usual correspondence to him or so he thought at first.
"This is early? I haven't replied to their last letter yet," he noted puzzled.
"Let me see," joining him. "It's from Admiral Paris. Want me to open it?" she asked, he nodded and waited anxiously for her to tell him what it said. "Interesting," she commented, intriguing him so that he took a look for himself.
"An art exhibition?" puzzled. "What would I have to do with that?"
"Looks like its been doing the rounds and each time always two days out of Jupiter Station," she said quietly, the significance of that fact wasn't lost on either of them, yet they didn't voice it.
"Where is its next stop?"
"The Parliamentary exhibition halls here on Trillus Prime in three days time," she read softly. "I'll have to ask father about it and see if we can get a private viewing."
"Why?"
"Didn't you note who the artists is?" she asked, pointing out the name on the poster advert.
"Oh!"
"Oh, indeed!" she said agreeing with his sentiment on the subject.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Parliamentary Exhibition Halls:
Chakotay stood with Azar Rohin and watched the touring crew setting up the paintings ready for the exhibition that would be opened by President Lunzi the following day. The crew were mainly comprised of Bajorians with one or two Humans added to the mix. It felt strange to see and not be seen, as the pair stood behind the false wall, suddenly his view was blocked by a large canvas being put up almost on his nose. Azar smiled.
"A bit disconcerting, yes?" he said quietly, his hand on Chakotay's shoulder.
"A bit," he acknowledged with a quiet smile, his heart still hammering away in his chest. "How long do we wait?" he asked, trying to keep the quiver out of his voice. Rohin didn't need to reply as a strident voice called across the large hall, causing his heart to begin hammering again.
"Not there," she said, "How many times do I need to remind you," she admonished, carefully taking down the canvas that had just been hung. Chakotay found himself looking at the woman, taking in the fact that she was so unlike her sister in a physical way that it startled him, but her mannerism – the tilt of the chin, the inner fire in her eyes, the way she carried herself all spoke one name: Janeway.
"This picture must be opposite the main entrance way. Is that clear?" she ordered, her tone strangely made a smile appear on his lips as it was so typical of the other Janeway that he knew.
"Everything alright?" asked a male voice that had Chakotay go cold. He felt Azar's hand squeeze his shoulder companionably, he accepted the comfort that had been silently given; as the owner of the voice walked over to the human female. The Bajorian males features were unmistakable – Teero.
He stood close to the female and the wall, and although he knew the man couldn't see him, Chakotay took a physical step away from him, as it still felt too close for comfort.
"Every time they always forget where that piece has to go," she said her tone angry watching the crew with the picture, rather than look at Teero.
"And as always you put them right," his tone again made Chakotay go cold; there was something sinister and insincere about his voice, but Phoebe Janeway turned and smiled at him.
"Let's go," he whispered to Rohin, who acknowledged him with a nod and they left the area.
It wasn't until they'd almost reached Rohin's home that Chakotay spoke:
"He made me feel physically sick," he said, putting a hand on his stomach as if he wanted to retch there and then. "The look in her eyes," he couldn't continue, feeling his stomach heave at the thought.
"Let's get inside, Chakotay," Azar advised, leading the way into his house.
"You look positively green, My Friend," Alyxx said, concerned and teasing. Azar just pointed the human male in the right direction and it wasn't long after that, that they heard him retching.
"Alyxx; leave him be," he father warned her, stalling her from joining the human male. Sofian Ven disappeared into the kitchen and returned not long after a rather pale looking Chakotay emerged from the bathroom and sat down. He shakily took the spoon she gave him, and then she sat beside him with a bowl of broth from which he carefully ate, allowing it to settle his empty stomach.
"Better?" she asked, once he'd empty the bowl. He nodded, still feeling a little shaky. "I have some more for later, if you feel up to it," she gently told him.
"Thanks, Sofian," smiling weakly. She and Azar left the two friends together.
"That bad?" Alyxx asked quietly; his eyes closed, he nodded his reply. "I'm sorry, Chakotay......" his hand holding her wrist stalled her further words.
"No, Alyxx," his dark eyes gazed deep into her green ones. "No, you have done nothing wrong. I just wasn't expecting such a strong physical reaction to the man and the look she gave him," his voice growing quieter, he leaned back into the sofa on which they both sat his hand still around her wrist. "She is in love with him," his tone both resigned and surprised.
"No wonder you reacted so physically."
"My gut tells me the idea is revolting," taking a deep breath to quell the bile from rising again. "But I can't deny what I saw," sighing, letting his friend go. "One thing I do know. She is not the woman from my 'luxury' prison," his voice strong and sure. The two friends looked at each other wondering as to the full extent of the web of lies and half-truths that Teero had woven around him – Chakotay – and Janeway, and to what end?
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Paris' Home San Francisco:
The newscaster was describing events taking place on Trillus Prime and who was attending the opening of the Art Exhibition at the Parliamentary Halls.
"Well viewers, I can say that is a well attended event and just look at all these dignitaries," the camera's view comes up onto the screen, panning across the many high officials. "Dressed in their regal finery they make quite a spectacle. For ordinary Trills this Art Event won't be open until tomorrow, until then dear viewers enjoy our sneak preview," he continued to drone on, whilst the Paris' sorted out their little daughter who having found her feet was rushing around the house and generally not giving her parents a moments peace.
"MIRAL!" her father shouted at her. "Come here! Now!" he ordered; the little girl stopped abruptly and smiled at her father, who realised he had a battle of wills going on here.
"Now folks, here comes President Lunzi, flanked by her government officials..."
"Miral," her father called again, but she ran off. Paris sighed exasperated, holding onto the nightgown he was trying to get his little girl into. She came hurtling into the room and tried to run past her father, but he managed to grab her and lift her giggling into his arms, cuddling her close.
"Grrr! You are a little rascal," he told her. "Now let's get you ready for bed," he said sitting down, still holding the child tight.
"Oh, pretty!" noticing the people on the active view screen.
"Yes, pretty," he echoed, moving her into position to get her day clothes off.
".....Now viewers we'll go inside and view the Janeway art..." That announcement got Tom's attention; he held Miral still on his lap and watched as the cameras entered the large domed hall of the Parliamentary building. The first painting that caught his eye was the one right opposite the entrance.
"Kathryn," he breathed, feeling drawn into the woman's blue eyes. "B'Elanna!" he called, engrossed in the view on the screen.
"Have you got, Miral...." she asked coming into the room, her voice trailed as she also looked at the newscast and sat carefully beside her husband and daughter.
"This woman is really talented, viewers, should this art exhibition reach your neck of the neighbourhood, I advise you give it a look see, so time to meet the lovely lady herself," the view moving to where the woman in question stood, meeting all the Trill officials, but it was the male standing slightly behind her that grabbed their attention.
"Teero!" B'Elanna said through gritted teeth. As if sensing her parents anger Miral sat still and watched also, intrigued by all the colourful garments and the strange sounding names.
"...Trills Ambassador to Earth is here along with his wife and daughter, I believe, but who's the male with her?"
"Tay!" shouted Miral. "Uncle Tay!" she said again.
"Indeed it is. What is he wearing?" Tom asked amused. "Looks like Chief 'Tay'."
"I'd forgotten how handsome he is," whispered, Torres softly, watching the male dressed in full winter styled Native American dress, his dark, silver touched hair reaching to his shoulders and adorned with a few feathers on the same side as his tattoo.
"Looks like he's upset, Teero," Tom commented, taking in the Bajorian's startled expression. B'Elanna smiled at her husband, exchanging a knowing look with him.
"Er. Might I have a word with you, Commander Chakotay?" asked the newscaster as startled by the man's attire as by his presence, drawing him away from the artist and the Bajorian.
"You were first officer on the Voyager during her seven year trek through the Delta Quadrant. What was it like working under the command of – the now Admiral Janeway?
"The same as working for any courageous and dedicated Starfleet Captain," he responded.
"Nice save, Chakotay," grinned Thomas Paris.
"I must say it is a surprise to see you here. It was said that you and Seven had settled on Vulcan. Is the lady here?"
"I haven't seen Seven for quite a while," he said quietly.
"Will she be joining you? How long have you been on Trillus Prime?" the newscaster's voice excited, for him this was the scoop of the century as far as he was concerned. A Trill female joined them and tucked her arm into the Amerindian's.
"Cmdr. Chakotay is my guest. And you are here to record this Art Exhibition. So record, Sir," she forcefully told him and led her friend away from the cameras.
"Well folks looks like a mystery has been solved as to the whereabouts of Voyager's elusive First Officer, but for now that is another story....."
Tom turned off the newscast and they stared at the blank screen for a moment. He sighed deeply. Miral turned to look at her father.
"Uncle Tay!" she said enquiringly.
"Yes that's your Uncle 'Tay'," he said, cuddling her close.
"Kathryn!" Torres exclaimed. Tom frowned at his wife. "She would have seen that and she believes...." leaving the thought unsaid.
"Oh hell," Paris muttered. "Nothing we can do about it. It's Dad's problem. Now time for little rascals to be in bed," he admonished his daughter and carried her out of the room and up to her bedroom; leaving the half-Klingon female still staring worriedly into space.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Trillus Prime – Mak'ala:
Later that day relaxing in the large open garden at Rohin's home watching the sun beginning to set, setting the sky ablaze with glorious colours of reds and gold's, sat the two friends still wearing their cultural garb.
"I'm glad you did your follow-up sessions with Ezri," sipping her cool drink of grape juice.
"You practically bullied me to," he said and grinned to take the sting out of his tone. He returned his dark eyes to the sky. "I'm also grateful to Azar for allowing us to both enter and leave via that false wall entrance. I'd hate to think what I would have done on seeing 'that' picture of Kathryn."
"It would have still required Teero's trigger words, Chakotay," she reminded him.
"I know, but still," sighing, he drank the last dregs of his grape juice. "Alyxx is that false wall modern?" he asked, playing with the stem of his glass.
"You're not the first to ask that," she smiled moving to sit closer to him and nestle against him. He put his arm around her and held her tight against his torso. "In answer to your question, it is as old as the building itself. No one really knows why it was built in that manner."
"It is beautifully incorporated into that tower shaped domed hall. You wouldn't know it was there, had not Azar taken me into the staff entrance," he said, wrapping his arms around her.
"Are you trying to squeeze me to death?" she asked a smile in her voice.
"Sorry," kissing the top of her head and easing his embrace, yet not letting her go. "I wonder what Teero will do now?" he asked softly, feeling the Trill female ease away from him so she could look at him.
"Why do you ask, Chakotay? You've beaten him."
"Have I? True I didn't respond to his Bajorian chant or whatever it was. But he is still free and what sort of hold does he have on Phoebe Janeway and perhaps more importantly, why?"
"Let's cross those bridges if and when they appear," she said, settling back against him. Together they watched the sunset at peace with each other, letting the cares of the day wash over them. The future looked somewhat brighter than it had when he'd first arrived and he had a lot to be grateful for, not least the help he'd received from the native peoples here, plus one Gorn.