Day 3

The skeleton crew of Voyager was provided with accommodations in space dock, where the Mawasi sought to meet any expressed need. In the time-line finally established by the temporal explosion, the Mawasi were rapidly losing outposts to the Krenim Imperium. The Krenim conquered surrounding star systems and no one had yet developed a defense to the chronoton torpedoes. Upon arriving with Voyager, the Mawasi who witnessed the explosion of the time ship provided their government with chronoton shielding. In a matter of days the Mawasi outposts were entirely shielded from attack.

A jubilant chancellor invited Captain Janeway and her crew to a banquet in their honor. They were taken by shuttle to Shantix Five, the fifth planet in the binary system, where they were escorted into a large atrium. Shantix Five was terraformed, and the palatial rooms of the Governing House were designed partly with architecture and partly out with the terraformed rock. The rock walls and ceiling rounded out to a layered glass structure through which, the planetary rings were distorted like a kaleidoscope.

"Captain Janeway." The chancellor's voice bellowed against the atrium's walls. The small but rotund leader briskly walked down a glass staircase that could hardly be distinguished from the multi-faceted design.

Following his voice, Kathryn turned about the room until she saw him descending the stairs. "Ah, Chancellor Bergo, it is an honor to make your acquaintance. Allow me to present to you my crew." As he approached she named off her small party. "Commander Chakotay, Lieutenant's Paris and Torres, Ensign Kim, and Mr. Neelix." Tuvok was in a Nihydron medical facility, and Seven and the Doctor chose to accompany him.

With arms wide, the chancellor replied, "Welcome, Welcome! Please follow me, the party awaits you." The chancellor took Kathryn by her hand and guided her to another staircase that opened out into a glass and marble banquet hall that seated approximately one hundred people. He ushered the captain, followed by her awed crew, to the head table.

Chancellor Bergo spoke in his grandest voice, "I'm am pleased to announce to the Mawasi Court and the People's Representatives, Captain Kathryn Janeway and the crew of the Starship Voyager.

Bergo's enthusiasm was matched by the crowd's boisterous response.

Kathryn rolled her eyes at Chakotay. A brief, one dimple, smirk revealed that he shared the same sentiment, but his face changed to a more serious expression which told her to pay attention to the chancellor. When she turned back to their host, she realized that he was expecting her to address the room.

Her Starfleet diplomacy training took over, but as Kathryn spoke she tried not to pay attention to how disconnected she felt from the room. They were celebrating, but she was dying inside. This event took time away from repairing Voyager and finding her crew.

Throughout the night Bergo introduced her about the room as if she were his date, at least as the debutant of the hour. Here or there he'd make reference to the help they were going to provide Voyager, and Kathryn tried to get as many precise answers as possible without spoiling his festive mood.

Chakotay watched carefully and reflected on how Kathryn had changed. Her familiar white suit hung loosely off her gaunt frame, revealing how much she had lost during his absence. He could even see the taut muscles in her neck that gave away when she was clenching her teeth. As he watched the muscle action, he noticed something else. A burn. Obviously, Kathryn had received some dermal regeneration treatments, but the skin was still slightly discolored and a slightly different texture. He saw it first on her neck and then looking more closely he followed the lines on her hand and her forearm. His eyes widened as he wondered how much of her beautiful body was badly burned.

As if she felt his stare, Kathryn turned and caught him. She shifted uncomfortably to avoid his gaze and quickly sought out more of the small talk that had been previously making her ill.

Kathryn didn't sound the same to Chakotay either. She lost her careful diplomatic charm and at times was too abrasive with their hosts. Her best effort couldn't hide from his sight that she had been burned far beneath the skin. The last year had stolen Kathryn's ability to see the wonder of the glass palace and hope for the future.

In the Nihydron medical facility, Tuvok opened his eyes while Seven watched him from his bedside.

The Doctor was conferring with the Nihydron surgical specialist.

Studying the console, the Nihydron physician remarked, "The patient is responding more rapidly to the cellular regenerative therapy than the average Nihydron."

The EMH replied, "Yes, that is typical of his species, Vulcans are resilient. So, may we discuss a time schedule for his return to Voyager?"

"I keep all patients for at least five days. Even with his rapid recovery, he will benefit from our nutrient rich eye washes, and I want him to receive the full benefit of that treatment."

Slowly, Tuvok's sight became clearer. As it did, he saw Seven watching him. "It is good to see you," he said quietly.

Seven smiled gently and replied, "And it is good to be seen."

Tuvok astutely noticed a surveillance camera fixed on them. He glanced from it to Seven.

She answered, "It appears the Nihydron are watchful of strangers, but I suspect particularly those that are companions of the Borg."

Tuvok replied wryly, "That is understandable to most, 'liberated Borg' sounds like an oxymoron."