Disclaimer: Paramount owns all. I'm just playing.

Summary: Hidden truths begin to emerge.

~~~

"It must have been incredible, finding out about the life of someone who was you, but wasn't you", B'Elanna said, gazing from one man to the other.

"It was a very unusual experience", Chakotay said. He glanced around the mess hall, where the three of them had gathered to exchange news. It had taken some time to explain their odd adventure to B'Elanna. Some people, he'd reflected, may have assumed he and Tom had shared a delusion. B'Elanna had instead analyzed the scientific credibility of their story, and concluded it was possible that many such multiple realities existed. Having satisfied the engineer within, she quickly began questioning them about the people they'd met, and how their experiences and relationships had differed.

Tom grimaced. "That's putting it mildly."

"And you and I were a couple in this reality?" B'Elanna's lips curved up as she looked at the pilot, despite her obvious attempts to keep a straight face.

"Married, actually".

B'Elanna let out a guffaw of laughter. "Sorry", she said sheepishly, covering her mouth. "I'm sure it made perfect sense, somehow."

"I'm sure it did", Tom agreed. "And you know another thing?" He cocked one eyebrow at her. "You looked really good in that Starfleet uniform. Much better than I would have expected. I don't know if was the colour that suited you best, or just those snug fitting pants."

B'Elanna scowled at him then. "Urgh", she said. "Not so funny."

Chakotay rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Speaking of snug-fitting clothes", he said, "did we tell you they had a Borg on board?"

"A Borg? Now I know you two were hallucinating."

"But us being married was more believable?" Tom said with a grin. "That's sweet."

With great restraint, B'Elanna resisted the urge to poke out her tongue. "What were they doing with a Borg? Was it a prisoner?"

"Nope. Crewmember. Kathryn said they liberated her from the collective."

"Mmm", B'Elanna said, her tone skeptical. "Well, I always thought Kathryn Janeway had a crazy streak in her somewhere." She frowned at Chakotay. "So what exactly does tight clothing have to do with the Borg?"

Tom and Chakotay shared a meaningful glance.

"What?" B'Elanna said. "What was that look?"

"This might be hard to explain", Tom said. "If you imagine-"

He halted his explanation as the door to the mess hall slid open. Doctor Zimmerman stepped inside. On sighting the group, he smiled wearily at them and wandered over to the table.

"Hey Doc", Tom said. "Sit down. How's Kes?"

B'Elanna, who was waiting for the rest of the story, shot him a dirty look. Tom, for his part, seemed to be vaguely relieved about the doctor's arrival.

Zimmerman pulled out a chair and sank into it.

"As far as I can tell, she's just sleeping at the moment. Whatever happened to her, it seems her body wants to recover before she's ready to face it."

"That must have been some meditation session", Tom said.

Chakotay rolled his eyes. "What would you know about mental exertion, Paris?"

"I've heard of it. Apparently it can be dangerous, in large doses", Tom said.

B'Elanna glanced from one to the other. She suspected their levity was for the doctor's benefit. Still, she couldn't help noticing that something seemed to have changed between the two men. There had always been tension between them, right from their first encounter. During their time in the Delta Quadrant their differences had hardened into open animosity. Falling in love with the same woman hadn't helped matters, either. Now however, there was a definite undercurrent of friendship to their bantering. B'Elanna wondered just what had happened on their journey to mend the rift between them.

"I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation", Louis said. "Please, go on."

B'Elanna grinned. "Yeah, Tom, please go on."

Tom shot a quick look at Chakotay, and cleared his throat. "Actually, I think we finished that story."

"Hogan said something earlier, about Tuvok going AWOL", Chakotay said.

B'Elanna gave him a hard look, then nodded. "That's what we heard. No one seems to know with whom, or where he's going."

"Maybe there's a streak of craziness in the old Vulcan, too", Tom said.

"I don't imagine so", Chakotay replied. "He must be up to something serious, if he's really absconded."

"Maybe he's found out something else about who talked to the Cardassians", Louis said.

Tom nodded slowly. "Well, we know that Lamond was directly responsible for betraying those on the shuttle."

"Kes says she saw the transmission in a vision", Louis said. As usual when he spoke about the young Ocampan his voice was soft. "And Kathryn managed to find a copy of it, before someone stole it from her apartment."

"We know Seska was involved", Chakotay added, "but we don't know who else Lamond was working with."

B'Elanna frowned, thinking it over. "When Hogan and I were collecting supplies we ran into a woman from another cell. She told me that the whole incident with his son was also a lie."

"He was, but not by the Maquis. Starfleet fired on one of their own shuttles while they were trying to stop a raid on the station. Someone covered up what really happened. Obviously they did a good job, if his own family don't know the truth."

Chakotay nodded. "It sounds like Lamond is being manipulated by someone else. Someone who needed an actor who hated the Maquis enough to betray and kill them."

"And to not care about Harry being caught in the crossfire", Louis added.

"If what I've heard about Lamond is right", B'Elanna said, "he would have thought Harry was selling out Starfleet by working with the Maquis in the first place."

"That's what they said about Kathryn at the debriefing too", Louis said.

A shadow crossed Tom's face then. "That she betrayed Starfleet by cooperating with the Maquis?" He snorted derisively. "That's ridiculous."

"They did find out it was her idea to trade the specs", Louis replied. "Then they implied that it was her duty to have tried to steal them."

"Admiral Groot has made his dislike of Kathryn very obvious", Chakotay added.

B'Elanna bobbed her head in agreement. "Then maybe he's the one influencing Lamond."

"It had to be more than one person, though", Louis objected. "The cover up of what really happened to Lamond's son couldn't have been arranged by one person working alone. The same goes for whoever stole Kathryn's evidence. And whoever has been spying on her and passing on information."

Tom paled at that, but no one seemed to notice.

"I agree", Chakotay said. "In addition, the fact that Groot has been openly attacking Kathryn makes it less likely he's the real enemy here. It's too obvious. Whoever is really pulling the strings must be someone behind the scenes."

Louis rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly. "We seem to go around in circles trying to figure this out."

"Well, we need to figure it out, and soon", Chakotay said. "Our time is running out."

"Why? Are we nearly at the Olbäk system?"

"We're four hours away. But I didn't mean that, Doc. The Federation's situation with the Cardassians is getting worse. They're still trying to keep the real state of affairs out of the media, but anyone who knows will say that the peace is deteriorating."

"Do you think they'll revoke the treaty?"

"If they do", Chakotay said quietly, "Seska will retreat behind their lines, and we'll never be able to reach her."

"The Federation will close ranks too", B'Elanna agreed. "They like to crow about their precious principles, but when it comes to war, they'll fight to win."

Louis glanced at them both. "What will happen to the Maquis cells then, if another war breaks out?"

B'Elanna bit her lip, but didn't reply. Louis shifted his gaze to Chakotay, who also looked down at his hands. Eventually Tom answered for them.

"Who knows?" he said. "This is what they've wanted. They've only been fighting because no one would help them to defend their homes and their people. Some might try and join up to Starfleet again, though I suspect they'll be wary after what happened before. Some might take the chance to slip away. Some will try and fight on their own. In any case," he finished softly, "if war comes, none of us will be happy about it. But at least we won't be fighting alone."

Louis didn't reply, moved by the quiet conviction in the young man's voice. He noticed that B'Elanna was watching Tom closely, with what looked like admiration in her gaze. Chakotay too didn't seem surprised that Tom's declaration had shifted from "them" to "we", or that he had spoken for them. He merely nodded, his face suddenly crumpling with a fatigue the doctor hadn't seen for a long time.

"We'll fight them, Doc", he said, "we'll fight."

~~~

Kathryn was in a surprisingly good mood.

She had ordered her pilot to set a course for the Olbäk system, which they would reach in just over three hours. None of her senior staff had questioned the order, or her claim she was acting on newly received Starfleet intelligence. To her amazement, even Lieutenant Kumuda had remained silent. She still suspected the young woman was hiding something. It couldn't be a coincidence that her chief of Security had been suddenly recalled and replaced with Lamond's. But Kumuda had merely nodded to show her assent, then continued with a series of tactical drills she'd been running her new staff through. Kathryn sighed and sank back into the command chair. Whatever Tuvok had found out, she had to trust him that there would be some answers waiting for her.

Then there had been another message from the Potemkin. The small ship they had been chasing had re-emerged from the spatial anomaly it had hidden within. The Potemkin had pursued them, and damaged both engines. But when they'd tractored the ship, their boarding party found it empty. Scans suggested that the two occupants had beamed away, but they were unable to trace the signals, which had somehow been scrambled. Could Chakotay have been one of these men? The Potemkin's Captain seemed to think so, believing the rumours that he had been aboard Deep Space Nine, where the ship had been stolen from. If that was true, Kathryn found his message oddly reassuring. If Chakotay had been aboard the small ship, she'd no doubt he could have found a way to evade capture. But where would he be now? Who was the man he was travelling with? And what were they doing that was worth the risk of venturing onto a Federation station?

The voice of Ensign Cook, her operations officer, broke into her thoughts.

"Captain", she reported. "Long range sensors have detected another ship."

Kathryn's hands instinctively tightened onto her arm rests, but she masked the gesture with a show of false confidence. Could this be the Liberty? Was that why Tuvok had sent her here?

"Configuration?" she said calmly.

"It's a Federation ship. A runabout. I think it's heading towards the Olbäk system."

"I need more details than that, Ensign".

Cook's slim fingers flew over the console.

"Captain, I don't recognise the signature, but it matches the description of a ship that's listed as wanted."

Kathryn felt her stomach tighten, but again forced herself to stay calm. She turned in her chair towards the Security console.

"Kumuda?" She glanced at the younger woman, asking for confirmation.

"Cook is correct, Captain. It's the same runabout which transported Mr Tuvok away from Earth three days ago."

Now Kathryn could feel her heart rate increasing. Tuvok was here? Did that mean there was nothing in the Olbäk system itself? Had he just intended to use it as a rendezvous point? What had he found that he needed to tell her so urgently?

"Maintain speed and heading", she snapped. "Cavitt, you have the bridge."

As Kathryn strode towards her ready room, she sensed Kumuda watching her carefully. She wasn't surprised when her door chimed moments later, and the young woman entered.

"Captain, I wish to talk to you."

She found herself grinning tightly. "I thought you might."

At that one of Kumuda's eyebrows shot upwards. "Oh? May I ask why?"

"I think we both know that you haven't been completely honest with me."

"About what?"

"About who you really are. And who you're working for."

Kathryn could see Kumuda's jaw muscle clenching, and wondered if she'd hit the right nerve.

"Would you like to sit down?"

"I prefer to stand".

"As you wish."

Kumuda stood at ease, with her hands clasped behind her back. For some reason her stiffness reminded Kathryn of the first time Harry Kim had come into her ready room, green and nervous. The memory brought a stab of familiar pain, and she steeled herself, trying to ignore it.

"You are correct, Captain. I'm not who you think I am." The other woman took a deep breath before continuing. "I am breaking a number of cardinal rules by even mentioning this to you, Captain. But given our situation, I think I have no choice but to confide in you, and to ask for your help."

Kathryn was surprised at that, but tried not to show it.

"My help?"

"Captain", Kumuda continued smoothly, "are you aware of an organisation called Section 31?"

Kathryn drew in sharp breath. Section 31 – the Federation's equivalent of the Cardassian Obsidian order and the Romulan Tal Shiar – was only a rumour, one whispered about behind closed doors. No one could prove their existence, and any past attempts by well meaning Starfleet officers to infiltrate or expose the organisation had only left more questions than answers.

"I see you are", she went on dryly. "Good. That saves me a lot of time avoiding that old argument about the ends justifying the means."

Kathryn's eyes narrowed. If Section 31 had been involved in this conspiracy, that explained a lot. The mysterious resources of their enemy, their ability to cover their tracks, to manipulate others and then to disappear back into the ether.

"If what I've heard is true", she responded, "the behavior of Section 31 is inimical to the principles of the Federation."

If she was expecting an argument, she wasn't going to get one. Kumuda merely nodded.

"Quite", she agreed calmly. "We work in the dark places. We do what needs to be done. And we are not accountable, to you, or to anyone else."

Kathryn remained silent, allowing her to go on.

"The incident at Jotham Four was most disruptive to Federation relations with the Cardassians. We are not ready for another war. It is not in our best interests for it to start, yet."

"Yet?"

"There are those who believe that another war with the Cardassians is inevitable."

"I don't believe in inevitability."

A small smile played around the edge of Kumuda's lips. "No, I don't suppose you do. In any case, Section 31 has been attempting to find those responsible and silence them."

At her calm declaration, Kathryn couldn't help but utter a small gasp.

"But I had proof that Euan Lamond was responsible for betraying those men and women", she objected. "I was going to push for a public hearing. Are you telling me Section 31 stole that evidence?"

"Captain, we don't want a public hearing. Airing the Federation's dirty laundry for all the sector to see is hardly consistent with our desire to smooth over the troubles caused by this episode."

Kathryn could feel herself growing angry at Kumuda's bland words for the callous murder of her friends.

"In fact", Kumuda continued, "we were grateful for your investigation. It enabled us to sit back and allow you, and the resourceful Mr Tuvok, to lead us to the culprits." She frowned. "Mr Lamond, however, appears to have as many enemies as he does friends in high places. Furthermore, his instability made him easy to manipulate, but too hard to control. That's something we didn't count on."

Kathryn stared at the other woman, forcing herself to stay calm. Kumuda, she realised, must have tracked the computer activity within her room on the Tanazaki. That was how she knew Kathryn had found evidence linking Lamond to the shuttle explosion. She also, Kathryn suspected, was the one who copied Kathryn's letter to Chakotay and gave it to Groot to use at her debriefing.

"Now you've been sent along on this mission, to keep an eye on me?" Kathryn said coolly.

"Yes", Kumuda agreed. "But don't you see, Captain, we share the same goals. We also want to catch the Cardassians responsible."

"And silence them?"

"Yes."

"I'm not planning to murder them", Kathryn said icily, "I want to bring them to justice."

"Don't you think they deserve death for what they've done?"

Kathryn let out a short humourless laugh. "I'm not going to have that old argument with you, either." She appraised the young woman for a moment. "So, why do you want my help?"

Kumuda shrugged. "Our informant told us there was an abandoned Cardassian base in this system. That's where those responsible have gone to ground. My orders were to accompany you, and take advantage of the situation to outmaneuver the Cardassians."

Kathryn frowned at her euphemism, but didn't interrupt.

"Now the situation has changed. I was not expecting Mr Tuvok to arrive. I can not complete my mission if he interferes."

Kathryn considered her words doubtfully. Given what Kumuda had said thus far, her explanation was far from convincing. Why would Tuvok's arrival complicate matters beyond her ability to adapt? There must be something further she wanted. Still, it would suit her purposes to play along as if she'd been swayed.

"Alright. But why should I help you? There are many people in the Federation who'd thank me if I brought you in, and exposed what you, and Section 31 have done."

"I don't think they'd believe you. In any case, I'd escape before you brought me to justice, as you would put it."

Kathryn couldn't help but be slightly impressed with the cool frankness Kumuda exuded.

"The fact that you might get away doesn't give me much of an incentive not to try", she pointed out.

"True," Kumuda agreed. "But I can offer you another incentive."

Kathryn's brow furrowed. "Are you trying to bargain with me?"

"I'm just making you an offer."

Kathryn was silent, considering her words. Surely she didn't expect that Kathryn would let her simply beam down to the planet, kill the Cardassians and Seska, and carry on her merry way? What trick was she hiding up her sleeve?

"Let's hear it", she said.

"I know we're supposed to be tracking your Maquis friends. In particular, your boyfriend."

Kathryn shot her an icy glare, thinking again of the letter Kumuda had stolen, but didn't respond.

"Section 31 gave the false information about the shuttle explosion to Starfleet - the footage, as well as the data indicating Chakotay betrayed his cell. They do actually think your Chakotay was responsible". She smiled thinly. "Though they didn't seem to require much convincing."

"You set him up?" Kathryn snorted. "And this is your bargaining chip?"

"I can prove he didn't betray his comrades", Kumuda said quietly. "I can prove that Captain Lamond, bitter at the death of his son, made a deal with a Cardassian renegade to seek revenge. We blame the two individuals – Lamond and Seska. Their governments can disown their actions. There won't be strategic consequences. Chakotay's warrant is repealed. End of story."

"You set him up. Why change your tune now?"

"Because circumstances have changed, Captain".

Kathryn shook her head. "He's already a wanted man for his previous actions in the Maquis. This wouldn't change that."

"Can't you imagine the headlines? 'Brave freedom fighter, wrongfully accused'. You know community sympathy has been in the Maquis' favour. That's why Starfleet were so keen to publicize his dastardly actions at Jotham Four."

"It's not enough."

Kumuda regarded her thoughtfully for a moment. "I can have all the warrants repealed", she said. "We can arrange an amnesty for him and his crewmates."

Kathryn stared at her, taken aback. "You can do that?"

"It might take some finagling, but yes, I can."

Kathryn was silent, thinking it over. What kind of power did this woman have at her fingertips, to suggest such a thing? She couldn't agree to Kumuda's proposal, that much was clear. No matter how tempting it was to free Chakotay and B'Elanna from their pursuers, she couldn't be a party to this deception – a deception that had already taken the lives of Harry and sixteen other friends. But she could play along, and wait for her chance to snare the agent later.

"I need to think about it", she said softly.

Kumuda nodded sharply. "Three hours until we reach Olbäk", she said calmly, then strode from the room.

Kathryn's illusion of cheerfulness had definitely evaporated. To be able to free Chakotay from his past- to be the instrument that could give him a second chance. It was too cruel a suggestion, and definitely too tempting. She sank her head down onto her desk, fighting a sudden and irrational desire to cry.

~~~

When Kes woke her eyes snapped open with such suddenness that Louis Zimmerman nearly jumped out of his chair. She sat bolt upright, the medical blanket sliding swiftly from her chest.

"Harry!" she cried.

Zimmerman flipped open his tricorder and began scanning her.

"Welcome back", he said softly.

Kes stared about the room, blinking rapidly, as if trying to remember where she was. Her breathing slowed as she gulped at the air.

"Am I in sickbay?"

"You've been unconscious. Take it easy." He rested one palm on her shoulder and tried to coax her into lying back down. "You need to rest."

"I feel like I've slept for days", she said, shaking of his hand, and trying to peer at the instrument he held. "What happened to me? Am I injured?"

"No, you weren't", Louis said, closing the tricorder, "I'm not sure what happened. Hogan found you in the hydroponics bay. You were lying on the floor, unconscious."

"How long?"

"You've been out for about twenty six hours."

Kes blinked at him slowly, her blue eyes wide. "I see", she said quietly. She shook her head, a familiar look of determination colouring her features. "I feel fine now. Can I leave? I have to talk to B'Elanna."

She moved to swing her legs off the bed, but Zimmerman was quicker still.

"Wait! You can't run off until I know exactly what happened to you. What were you doing in the hydroponics bay?"

Kes watched him for a moment before responding. "Replanting thyme", she said shortly.

Louis stared back in confusion. "Replanting time?" he echoed, his fingers involuntarily stretching towards the tricorder again.

"It had been planted with the herbs that needed no water. The stems were getting woody, so I moved it to a wetter pot."

Louis let out a breath of relief. "Oh, thyme."

Kes eyed him curiously, but didn't respond.

"Then what happened?" he prompted.

Kes' teeth clenched at the memory. "I felt myself becoming dizzy, so I sat down on the floor. Then I had another vision."

Her voice had dropped to almost a whisper. Louis found himself leaning closer towards her. He caught himself, sitting down on the edge of the bed instead. Kes' face was paling as she remembered. One had formed into a tight fist, while the other clutched at the blanket. Glancing down at it, Louis gently untangled her fingers from the cloth, then enclosed Kes' small fingers between his hands.

"What did you see?"

"I saw a room, some kind of control room. There were six Cardassian soldiers. And then I saw another small room, where they were holding a prisoner."

She gazed up at him, her eyes flashing. "I have to talk to B'Elanna."

"What for?"

"I know where it is. What I was seeing, I know where it is. We have to go there."

Kes pulled her hand free from his grasp and tried to push past him.

"Slow down", he said.

"I know she wants to find Chakotay and Tom", she continued, "but this is more important. We have to-"

"Wait", Louis said, resting both hands on her shoulders. "We've found them already. They're both fine."

A stream of crackle came over the comm system, followed by Chakotay's voice. "All hands take your stations," he said. "We've sighted another ship heading towards the system. Be alert, people."

"Where are we going?" Kes demanded, trying to push his hands away.

"Apparently one of Tom's contacts gave them some information on Deep Space Nine. We're heading for the Olbäk system."

At that Kes stopped struggling. "Oh", she said. "Good. That's where it is. That's where we have to go. We have to rescue him, Louis."

Louis stared at her, puzzled. "Rescue who?"

"Their prisoner. I saw him."

Suddenly conscious he was clutching her soft arms beneath his fingers, Louis loosened his grip.

"Saw who?"

Kes' eyes flickered with a strange light. "Harry", she said. "I saw Harry."

~~~

end of part twenty nine

~ read part thirty ~

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