Author's Note:

A big thanks goes out to all those who have fav'd, alerted and/or reviewed this story! Your interest is motivational! :)

Chapter 3

The Bridge crew monitored the progress of the transport on the main viewscreen, watching the shuttle materialize and the two unexpected visitors exit the ship. As soon as the Tarians had taken the Voyager crew hostage, Captain Janeway was on her feet asking for options. A small residue of the space dust the Tarian scientists used during the operation lingered within the cargo bay interfering with their targeting scanners which nullified their ability to use the transporters. The scanners could be reconfigured, but Janeway's intuition told her there wouldn't be enough time.

She had Voyager hail the Tarian High Command who appeared to be genuinely shocked but could offer no more than reassurances that they were not involved in the events transpiring on her ship. While she believed their claim, the days spent in diplomatic negotiations had given her a gauge of the Tarian's personalities and she suspected they were not telling her the whole truth.

Within seconds of witnessing the flash bang explosion, she gave command of the Bridge to Chakotay and was in the turbo lift with Tuvok, her Chief of Security, heading toward deck eight where they met up with a security crew outside of Cargo Bay One. As the doors opened, her blood ran cold at the scene before her. Every Tarian laying on the floor, lifeless, her crew held at bay by the blue-skinned alien wielding an unknown energy weapon and the human woman who had stepped out of the shuttle pointing a pistol directly at Seven's head.

"…tell me why I shouldn't kill you."

"Because she didn't bring you here," Janeway declared, striding confidently into the cargo bay with Tuvok and the security team flanking her. She wanted to get the woman's attention on her and away from Seven, and do it without any more bloodshed.

As soon as the unfamiliar voice sounded out from behind, Shepard quickly stepped to the side facing the new threat, but never letting the barrel of her pistol waver from the blonde's head. "And who the hell are you?"

Forcibly reining in her concern, Janeway focused her attention on the wildcard in the room, the woman holding the pistol. "I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation. You are on my ship."

With battle-honed precision Shepard assessed the unarmed woman and her armed companions, some of which were species she never seen before in Council space. "So you're the one who hijacked my shuttle!" she said accusingly. Right now she didn't give a damn about where they originated, she just wanted to get the hell off of this ship with Liara and back onto an Alliance vessel.

"Yes, but it wasn't a hijacking," Janeway said, keeping her tone neutral and non-combative. "Bringing you here was an accident."

"Don't lie!" Shepard snapped. "This was not an accident!"

Years of experience in Starfleet and then the Delta Quadrant had given Janeway an almost innate instinct for recognizing when a still body was actually dead. Glancing down at the lifeless form lying at Seven's feet, she was grimly reminded that the only way to save her crew was to defuse the unpredictably volatile situation as quickly as possible. "I assure you that our part in bringing you here was accidental."

"Your assurances mean nothing. We are still here against our will."

"And we would like to correct that," Janeway replied, "but first I need you to put your weapon away."

Shepard glanced at the five figures surrounding their Captain, each pointing a small pistol-like weapon at her or Liara. "With your attack dogs so eagerly waiting to shoot us?" she spat, her tone harsh with barely suppressed rage. "I think not."

"Hasn't there been enough bloodshed already?" Janeway responded casually, clearly not fazed by the woman's attitude. Then she raised her right hand, making a vague gesture, and the security detail holstered their phasers.

"Now please, I'd like to continue this conversation, but you'll need to put your weapon away." Unlike her earlier request, this time Janeway's voice was more forceful.

"Why should we trust you?" Shepard challenged, now aiming her pistol at the Federation Captain.

Janeway signaled her crew to remain stationary as she moved further into the room, in a direct line toward the pistol pointed at her. "I understand your concern," she said evenly. "We were contacted by the Tarians who asked for our assistance retrieving one of their shuttles from the nebula. Obviously, we were misled about the shuttle's ownership."

"Tarians?" Liara said questioningly. The blue wisps of biotic energy had receded, but continued to twirl around her right arm as she slowly made her way to the Spectre's side, never taking her gaze off of the passive Voyager crew. "It sounds as though you were misled about more than just the shuttle."

"That is how they identified themselves to us," Seven stated, her eyes focusing on the pistol that was pointed at her captain as she mirrored Liara's movements, bringing herself closer to Janeway.

The Spectre smiled without humor. "Convenient story."

"Shepard," Liara chided, "the Batarians were willing to kill their crew."

The redhead's eyes drilled into the Asari, who met the heated look with cool reserve and an arched eyebrow.

"Fine," Shepard grumbled turning her gaze back toward Janeway as she roughly holstered her pistol, an act that admitted her lover made a valid point without actually saying as much. "We'll hear you out."

Janeway gave a short nod of her head in acknowledgement, then addressed Liara. "I need you to deactivate your weapon, as well."

"You're kidding, right?" Shepard scoffed.

"In these situations, I find 'kidding' to be counterproductive."

"She's an Asari!"

Brows furrowing, Janeway asked, "Seven?" She was hoping the ex-Borg with her vast knowledge of species throughout the quadrants might recognize the name.

Seven tilted her head, studying Liara. "I am unfamiliar with Asari or what that may signify," she said, a barely perceptible tone of frustration lingered beneath her words. Not knowing was generally dissatisfying, but being unable to give her captain the information she requested was dissatisfying on another level. It bordered on feeling inadequate.

"It means she's a biotic!" Shepard exclaimed.

Seeing the perplexed look in the Captain's eyes, Liara added, "It means that my ability is biological, not based in technology."

"I see," Janeway said. She had seen many life forms with unique traits over the years—telepathy, shape-shifting, symbiosis—and was intrigued by the idea of being introduced to something new, but in lieu of the unorthodox situation, she tempered her curiosity with practicality. "Well, I assume you can turn it off?"

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Liara's lips. "Yes, Captain." Then, the violet energy swirling around her arm faded away.

"Good. Now, let's go somewhere more comfortable and talk."

…(/\)...

After being ushered through a short maze of corridors and riding the elevator-like turbo lift to a new level, Shepard and Liara were directed into a small room and seated at an oblong conference table with Captain Janeway, Tuvok, and Seven. The security personnel escorting them through the ship had remained in the corridor just outside the doors, standing guard.

Once the introductions, or reintroductions in some cases, had been made, Shepard addressed the three strangers seated across from her. "How did you get our shuttle into your cargo bay?" It may not have been the most pressing issue, but idling in a gas nebula one moment and being docked in a ship's cargo bay the next, was a feat she had trouble deciphering.

Seven's implant arched slightly, then she glanced at Janeway who was seated on her right side. The older woman nodded, giving her silent assent for the ex-Borg to explain. "Our transporter technology is able to dematerialize an object into energy, transmit it to a target point and then reassemble the object to its original pattern and structure."

Liara leaned forward, with both of hands lying flat on the table top, looking intrigued. "I have never heard of such technology," she confessed.

"You haven't?" Shepard asked, equally fascinated by the new tech and the fact that her lover had no information on it. "Not even from the Salarians?"

Liara shook her head. "No."

Just as she answered, the conference room doors on her left opened and three unfamiliar figures entered the room.

"That's because it does not exist in our universe," said the first of two Batarians that walked through the door, with Chakotay trailing a step behind.

"You invited more of them on your ship?!" Shepard spat accusingly, immediately rising to her feet, pushing her chair violently behind her as though expecting a physical fight. Liara was only a split-second slower to stand, flanking her lover's right side, eyes zeroing in on the newcomers.

The Batarian who spoke wore a flowing burgundy tunic which hung low, barely skimming the floor. The regal garment was crafted from a material that had a soft drape and shimmering surface, like silk velvet, with sleeves that were cut narrow at the shoulder and wide at the wrist. Ornate embroidery lined the cuffs and hemlines with abstract golden designs, reminding Shepard of the Roman Catholic dalmatics she had seen while visiting Vatican City on Earth. The Batarian obviously held a position of power and his refined wardrobe reflected that status.

As soon as the Batarians entered the room, Seven tensed, preparing herself should anything occur. Janeway detected her agitation and took a second to reach out with her hand, touching the blonde's arm briefly in appeasement before tilting her head inquisitively, eyeballing Shepard and Liara's reactions. Even through the disruption, she remained seated, her demeanor calm and collected, and then she smiled politely at the Spectre and Asari before waving her left hand toward the Batarian who had spoken. "This is Ambassador Kahlash. I invited him to join us. He requested our help initially and says he can shed some light on this situation."

Liara saw the muscle jump in Shepard's jaw and knew she was holding back a curse with the greatest of effort.

"Ambassador," Janeway said, beginning the introduction process, "this is-"

"We know who she is," the second Batarian sneered, interrupting the Captain and then stepping in front of the Ambassador to get closer to the Spectre.

"And I know what you are," Shepard retorted. Grinding her teeth to curb her mounting anger, she contemplated launching herself across the conference table to give the man his due.

"The esteemed Admiral Shepard of the Systems Alliance," the Batarian continued, taking no notice of the Spectre's jibe or unpredictable fury. "The hero of the Citadel. The savior of the galaxy. The Butcher of Torfan."

"Draen, enough," Kahlash snapped, giving his colleague a withering look. "If you cannot hold your tongue, then return to the colony."

Looking suitably admonished, Draen lowered his gaze to the floor and stepped backward until he settled at his original position behind the Ambassador.

Kahlash took a deep breath, letting some of the tension drain out of the room, then focused his attention on the group around the table. "I apologize, Captain… and Admiral Shepard. Our intent here is peaceful, though it would seem that our past conflicts still hold sway with some of my people."

Ignoring the Ambassador's attempted reparation, Liara brought the conversation back to the statement that startled her the most. "What did you mean when you said that the technology does not exist in our universe?"

"Where the hell are we?" Shepard asked, following her lover's lead. For the first time, she entertained the idea that the "Federation" and unfamiliar species on the ship weren't just unknowns from beyond the Rim, but rather, were something entirely different.

"I'd like to hear your answer, too, Ambassador," Janeway said as she leaned back in her chair. Any warmth had gone from her tone, replaced with something harder, firmer, more commanding. It was clear that she and her crew had been pulled into some, as of yet, unidentified conflict. To say she wasn't happy would have been an understatement.

Kahlash opened his mouth as though to answer Shepard's question, but hesitated, his four eyes darting around the room, assessing each figure. Then, after an internal debate, he sighed and nodded his head. "I will tell you what I can of our story."

Draen shot a heated look at Kahlash, his hands clenching at his sides, but he said nothing.

Eyes narrowing in scrutiny, Janeway forcibly curbed her natural inclination to investigate her guest's obvious knowledge of each other, instead with a nonchalance and diplomatic ease born of years in Starfleet, she said, "Please, join us at the table. I believe the mood may be less combustible once we are all seated."

While those standing took their seats, Janeway's gaze found Chakotay's and she gave a slight nod which he knew from years as her First Officer that he was being dismissed in order to take command of the Bridge.

Once he left and the doors closed, Ambassador Kahlash began. "This may be difficult, but I ask you all to suspend your disbelief until I have told you our whole story. We established our colony eight years ago, shortly after a tragic event, an explosion on the scale of a supernova which destroyed one of our star systems and ended the lives of 300,000 of our people."

"The Alpha Relay," Liara mused.

"Yes. After the destruction of the Alpha Relay we sent ships to explore that quadrant of space, but instead of finding any survivors, we found a spatial anomaly. A rift, if you will, into to this universe. We studied the phenomenon for months, but the Batarian Hegemony never invested much into the sciences, so our resources were limited. Eventually, with the Reaper invasion looming over us, we became desperate. We sent ships into the gas nebula, but as soon as they entered, the rift closed. Three weeks passed, the rift re-opened and our ships returned."

"A wormhole," Janeway stated firmly.

"And a stable one, at that, Captain. Or at least, partially stable."

Genuinely intrigued, Janeway said, "Partially stable?"

"The pathway is stable, but even after eight years of study, determining when the rift will open or close still remains a mystery."

Liara tilted her head thoughtfully. "Over the years there have been rumors about a group of Batarians who defected from the Hegemony and started a colony of their own. Nobody ever knew the exact location though."

"To put so few of the pieces together so quickly," the Ambassador said, a rueful smile curling on his lips, "I'm impressed."

Pursing her lips in irritation, Shepard said, "Just tell us what happened."

Kahlash contemplated the Spectre momentarily, then continued his story. "As a high-ranking member of the Batarian Science Ministry, I was to oversee any information and projects that tied to Reapers, directly or indirectly. Part of my research also involved studying Commander Shepard's exploits. I was one of the few who believed your predictions about the Reaper invasion. I knew it wasn't a matter of if, but a matter of when and I began to prepare."

"Who are these Reapers?" Tuvok asked. As Chief of Security, if there was another threat out there, it was no surprise that he wanted to know about it.

Shepard let out a short, harsh laugh. "A sentient machine race that was hell-bent on destroying organic life in our universe."

"That sounds vaguely familiar," Janeway muttered to herself.

Although barely above a whisper, Seven's enhanced hearing picked up the dry comment and she turned her head towards her captain, arching her optical implant imperiously.

Janeway caught the ex-Borg's reaction and smiled sheepishly.

Not satisfied with the lack of information about a possible hostile race, Tuvok inquired further. "Are you still at war with them?"

Shepard shook her head. "No. The Reapers were defeated."

Janeway placed her hand on the table and gave a slight nod of her head, both of which were a silent signal to her Chief of Security. From it, he knew that even though the answer to his question was brief and to the point, any further investigation could be done at a later time.

"As you and Dr. T'Soni know," Kahlash said, "the Reaper's began their invasion in the Vular System, near the heart of Batarian space, and quickly advanced on Khar'shan, our home world. Reaper spies sabotaged Hegemony defenses, allowing our navy to be crushed as easily as if it had never existed and sealing the doomed fate of my people."

"But you were able to establish a colony," Liara commented.

"Desperation is a powerful motivator. During those three weeks that the ship had been stranded, they explored the surrounding area and discovered a planet suitable for colonization. This information was only known to myself and those aboard the ship. After their return, I worked tirelessly to get as many of my people as possible to other side of the rift."

Fascinated by this new piece of historical information, Liara asked, "What about the Hegemony?"

"We never told them."

"I assume the Hegemony is a ruling branch of your government," Janeway inquired, somewhat taken aback. She was starting to compare the information being given now to what she had been told during her diplomatic talks.

"No longer," Draen said, as he folded his arms in front of his chest, making no attempt to disguise his irritation with the red-headed woman sitting across from him.

If Shepard was bothered by his dogmatic, angry stare, Seven could not tell. It was as though the Tarian was beneath her notice which seemed only to infuriate him more.

"The Batarian Hegemony was a totalitarian entity that had its hand in every aspect of a Batarian's life," Kahlash said, attempting to give a more detailed account of their past. "Their oppressive regime supported a corrupt and amoral caste system that was built on a foundation of slavery, and where social isolation was reinforced by dictating that only government-approved news entered or left Batarian space. It ended when the Reapers annihilated my home world."

The Ambassador hesitated, obviously troubled by the subject matter, and took a deep, calming breath. Then, almost wistfully, he added, "The discovery of the rift may have come after a great tragedy, but many of our people thought of it as their salvation."

"Why did you introduce yourselves to us as Tarians instead of Batarians," Janeway demanded, disgruntled by the idea that she had been lied to.

"We did not deceive you, Captain," Kahlash explained, as though reading the Captain's mind. "We were starting a new colony, breaking away from the old ways. We wanted to distinguish ourselves in more than just deeds, so we chose a new name for ourselves."

"How did you evade the Reapers?" Liara asked, her thoughts racing with theories and possibilities. "They would have detected the rift or at the very least noticed all of your ships fleeing to the same quadrant of space."

"The universe, both of them, seems to have a sense of irony," Kahlash said. "The rift, which is in the Viper Nebula closed just before the Reapers invaded the Vular system and remained closed for six months. When it re-opened, the Reapers had moved on from Batarian space."

"Six months is a long time to be disconnected from your chain of supply," Seven stated.

"By that time, New Bahak, our colony, had over 2000 inhabitants and we were nearly self-sufficient."

Liara raised an inquisitive brow. "Nearly?"

"Our ships, like all ships from our universe, are equipped with the standard FTL drive, which is powered by eezo. This universe does not have eezo or an equivalent. Or at least, we have yet to find it." The Ambassador's gaze scanned the table, assessing whether or not to divulge the next piece of information. "We are still in the process of converting over to the spaceflight technology of this universe. So for now, when the rift is open, we send scout ships through. They return when they have amassed the specified amount of eezo."

Before the Voyager crew could ask the obvious question, Liara offered an explanation. "In our universe, eezo, or element zero, is a rare material that, when subjected to an electrical current, releases dark energy which can be manipulated into a mass effect field, raising or lowering the mass of all objects within that field. From what we know, this element is generated when solid matter, such as a planet, is affected by the energy of a star going supernova."

Seven was impressed by how quickly the Asari adapted to the idea of being in a different universe. "In the cargo bay, I felt a gravitational distortion. Are you able to manipulate these fields, as well?"

"Yes," Liara said, nodding her head slightly. "My ability, something we term as biotics, allows me to generate and control mass effect fields."

The Spectre rolled her eyes, an outward expression of her mild but rapidly growing annoyance with this whole situation, specifically the Batarians sitting across the table from her. "So you survived the Reaper invasion by hiding in another universe. Bravo. Why the hell did you bring us here?!"

Kahlash met the Spectre's ill-tempered gaze. "We didn't, Admiral. The men you killed were part of a dissident group. One that wants to return to the ways of the Hegemony." Then, his eyes panned across the room, addressing the rest of those seated around the table. "Right now, the rift is closed and we have no idea when it will open. We heard about Voyager and its unique technology months ago, so we reached out, hoping that their transporters could breach the rift and bring through a shipment of eezo. Obviously, this group found out about our plan and intervened with their own agenda."

"And what is their agenda?" Shepard said, her tone sounding like incrimination.

"I have no idea, Admiral."

"Isn't that convenient? And here I thought they were your opposition."

"What I do know is that it would have taken a lot of planning and resources to get you to the correct co-ordinates at the correct time to be transported here. But why bring you here at all?" the Ambassador questioned, hurling his own silent allegations. "Perhaps there is something special about your shuttle? Or on your shuttle?"

When the Spectre made no move to answer the question, Kahlash added, "Or perhaps they were simply after you. After all, we both know about your sordid history with my people."

Shepard was immediately on her feet, her mouth twisting into a snarl. "And I know all about your people's sordid past!"

The Ambassador stood, his four eyes bearing down on the woman across from the table with blatant animosity. "You know nothing, human!"

"Don't I?" the Spectre said, resentment and spite seething within each of her words. "Let me tell you what I know, Kahlash!"

Liara was the next to stand, placing her left hand on her lover's forearm, trying to soothe the rapidly rising tension now permeating the room. "Shepard, please…"

"Ambassador Kahlash! Admiral Shepard!" Janeway said in her command voice as she stood, attempting to gain control of the conversation that had been so easily derailed. It was obvious that the history between the parties at the table was contentious, and before she could broker any kind of cooperation, she would need to know more details.

"I apologize, Captain," Kahlash said, bowing his head. "Apparently, I, too, still feel the sting of old wounds."

Shepard said nothing, though her green eyes were fuming.

"I suggest we reconvene tomorrow after we've all had some time to cool down."

Kahlash nodded in agreement.

"Tuvok, please escort the Ambassador Kahlash and Draen to the transporter room."

The Chief of Security, who was also on his feet, nodded, then proceeded to direct the two Tarians out the room.

After the doors closed, Shepard turned toward Liara. "You knew about their colony?"

"I heard rumors, but nothing definitive. Certainly not this."

"But you neglected to tell me?" Shepard said, sounding accusatory.

"There was nothing to tell. It was all shadows and whispers."

"Funny. That just happens to be your particular brand of currency."

"Shepard," Liara admonished, "there was nothing substantial. All of the rumors pointed towards a peaceful colony focused on rebuilding outside of the Hegemony's influence."

"So you did know more, you just chose not to tell me."

"And why would I do that, Admiral?" Liara challenged. "What possible reason could I have for keeping unsubstantiated rumors about Batarians from you?" The tone of her voice made it clear to all in the room that the question was rhetorical.

Janeway fought the urge to roll her eyes and instead cleared her throat hoping it was loud enough to politely interrupt the two guests before their argument turned into something more heated. Being referee to another verbal altercation was not especially enticing to her.

Shepard glanced at the Captain, then at Seven before her eyes returned to Liara. "We'll talk about this later."

"Of course," Liara said sweetly as she sat down. "And we'll also take the opportunity to talk about your outing with Miranda on Terra Nova, since it fits the topic of avoided conversations."

Shepard blinked. "You know about Terra Nova?"

"What do you think, Admiral?"

Seven's icy blue gaze narrowed slightly. Even she was chilled by the Asari's unassuming comment which sounded more like a warning even though the smile never left her lips.

Frowning, Shepard raked her fingers roughly through her short, red hair. Then, she shook her head and followed the Asari's lead, returning to her chair. "So what now, Captain?" she asked, as though the charged few moments had never happened.

Janeway took a moment to settle her thoughts, then sat down. "Well, with the rift closed, it seems you are stranded here for the time being. Do you have any idea why the Tarians would target you?"

"No. But in my universe, Batarian's are no more than pirates and mercenaries. There's no telling what their motivation might be."

Janeway's eyes flicked between the Spectre and Asari, her instincts were saying that there was more to the story, a lot more. "Okay. For now let's not focus on the why and instead focus on what we are going to do." Her instincts also said that now was not the time to push for information. "I'll have my people look into this rift and see what they can discover."

"Captain," Liara said, "I may be able to offer some assistance with the research."

"Any help is appreciated, Dr. T'Soni. Seven, I'd like you to coordinate pulling all of the data together."

"Of course, Captain."

"We will do everything we can to get you back home."

Tilting her head skeptically, Shepard asked, "So you're really going to help us?"

"Yes, but I'm also imposing some restrictions while you're on my ship. You'll have your own quarters but limited access to Voyager's systems and your whereabouts will be monitored at all times."

"Sounds reasonable."

"Right now though, I'd like to suggest a visit to our sickbay, so our doctor can examine your injuries. That head wound looks painful."

"I've had worse."

Liara's left hand reached out, gently squeezing her lover's forearm. When the Spectre looked over, the Asari's expression softened. "Shepard…"

"Fine," the redhead muttered, but the twinkle in her eyes betrayed her playfulness. "There is no resisting you."

"I know," Liara said, a big grin appearing in her lips before she leaned over to peck the Spectre on the cheek. "And you love it."

Shepard flashed the Asari an adoring smile.

Janeway, who up until now had only seen the Spectre's barely contained rage and irritation, was simultaneously surprised and encouraged by the genuineness of her affectionate display. Glancing over at Seven, she noticed the ex-Borg watching the interaction with equal fascination. She hoped the shift in temperament was a positive sign and that the task of returning her guests to their proper universe wouldn't be as difficult as she originally assumed.

Time will tell, she thought to herself. Providing we don't run out of it.