Investigations

Part twenty two of "Little blue world" - an AU series
by Jinny W
September 2001

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

Summary: Kathryn is debriefed while Chakotay meets my favourite Cardassian.

~~~

Kathryn Janeway, personal log

When I saw that little blue world from the Tanazaki's window about a week ago it seemed the most beautiful sight in the galaxy. How quickly have its bureaucrats, its Admirals, its stale featureless clean buildings come to stifle that sense of joy. I've spent the past week being debriefed. My work journals bear the tedious details. Here I want to record my sense of relief that it is finally over. Today is the last day of hearings.

Today we will be covering the final details of our arrival in the Alpha Quadrant, our meeting with Lamond, the destruction of the shuttle. Today I will present my case against him. He will be forced to answer for what he has done.


Kathryn toggled off the recording and sank back in her chair. Even the thought of Lamond made her furious. She had managed to avoid speaking to him more than was necessary on their journey back. He knew she had filed a complaint against him but seemed unconcerned. Since their return to earth she had only seen him once, walking with a crewmember in the grounds of headquarters. She'd assumed he had been debriefed already, privately.

The very word now made her feel drained. Apart from catching up with family, the only thing she'd managed to accomplish this week was to contact Harry's parents and Sam's husband. For both she had little to say other than to express her sorrow and regret. For neither could she provide answers that made sense of their loss.

She sighed and reached over to pick up her uniform jacket which lay draped over the back of the couch. She'd been putting it on every morning this week and every morning it felt more uncomfortable than the last. She was sure it was her imagination, but the once snug garment now didn't sit quite properly on her shoulders. After shrugging it on she rose and began to gather together the padds which held her notes. For the duration of the hearings she and Tuvok had been lodging at the same hotel and had walked together to headquarters every morning. No doubt he'd be here soon.

Thanks mostly to B'Elanna's tutorage her efforts to access the Tanazaki's main computer had been successful. A few hours before they reached Earth's solar system she managed to download fragments of deleted files - the transmission logs of Lamond's conversation with the Cardassian ship. Kathryn couldn't prove what Kes saw, that Lamond had been speaking to Seska. She could prove that he contacted the Cardassian ship once almost immediately after her crew beamed aboard, then a second time, presumably after their conversation with Nechayev.

Kathryn frowned, shuffling among the pile of padds for the data chip containing the transmission logs. Surely it was here on her desk? She reviewed the files last night before bed. After a hurried search of the room she returned to her terminal and called up the master copy of the file. Nothing. Just as she was letting fly a string of expletives her door chimed.

"Come", she snapped.

The door opened to reveal Tuvok, who nodded his head in greeting as he stepped in to her apartment.

"Something's wrong. I can't find some of my data", she said.

"I expected as much."

She stopped digging through the pile of padds. "Oh? Why?"

"This morning just prior to my departure I attempted to gather together my own notes for today's session. I am missing two kiloquads of information, including the backup recordings of the transmissions you recovered from the Tanazaki."

"Yours is gone too? I don't like the sound of this, Tuvok."

"Indeed. At first I suspected I might have misplaced the information, however unlikely that might be. The only other possibility is that somebody has taken the data. Given that your copy is also missing, it seems the most likely scenario."

Kathryn rested her hands on her hips. "I really don't like the sound of that. Who?"

"Someone who does not wish our information to be made public."

"Lamond?"

"Perhaps. Or perhaps merely someone who is sympathetic to his situation."

Kathryn thought for a moment. "We can't make our case against him without the proof. We'll just look paranoid."

"Or like Maquis sympathisers. Perhaps that was the aim."

Kathryn eyed him, her mind racing. "Do you think it's possible someone else from Starfleet was involved?"

"However unpleasant the notion", Tuvok said, "it seems unlikely Captain Lamond could execute these thefts acting alone."

"Right. But if we don't know who's involved how do we know who to trust? How can we report this and expect them to thoroughly investigate?"

Tuvok nodded. "Of course, I will be conducting my own investigation. After all, my own room was burgled."

She smiled thinly at that. "Of course. They should have know you'd take it personally." She glanced at the chronometer on her desk. "We'd better hurry or we'll be late."

As they made their way to the door Tuvok said, "I'm surprised to see you so eager to begin, Captain. You haven't seemed particularly comfortable this week."

"Tuvok", she said, "the sooner we get this damn thing started the sooner it will all be over. With or without those tapes, I'm going to find a way to nail Lamond up for what he's done."

"Indeed?" said Tuvok. "In that case, it will be my pleasure to provide the nails."

Kathryn laughed, feeling a rush of fondness for her old friend. "Tuvok, that's the nicest thing anyone has said to me all week."

~~~

Chakotay tried to press himself back against the row of garments, as though somehow the gaudy fabric could camouflage him. Even here at the back of the tailor's small shop he felt oddly exposed. He and Tom had arrived on Deep Space Nine two hours earlier after hitching a ride on a small transport ship. They'd managed to make their way unobtrusively onto the station itself, then had worked their way up to the promenade. On the crowded station avoiding security - and the station's legendary shape shifting security chief - proved to be easier than Chakotay had feared. If anything, this made him more nervous. Despite Tom's cheerful confidence his gut kept warning him that this could easily be a trap.

On the other hand, Starfleet generally didn't expect wanted members of the Maquis to appear on their space stations. Such a bold move probably gave them a better chance than if they'd blundered from system to system trying to track down the Cardassian ship. Still, they were taking a chance. The transport ship which brought them here would be staying docked for three days while its engines were overhauled. They would have to find alternative transport once their meeting ended.

Curiously enough the Cardassian tailor didn't seem at all surprised to see them. Either that or he was well practiced at hiding his feelings. Once inside the shop Tom took him aside and they began a hurried conversation. Their hushed tones barely reached Chakotay, although they stood only meters away.

Despite the seven day journey they'd just spent together he was still unsure how much he really trusted Tom Paris. Tom had refused to tell him more about this contact, where he knew him from or why he would be disposed to help them. Instead he brushed off Chakotay's questions with typically glib responses.

He had to admit that Tom had actually been good company on the trip over. After the first few claustrophobic days the two of them settled into a routine in which even their bickering took on a friendly, comfortable tone. Eleven weeks ago, Chakotay's initial impression of the younger man had not been favourable. He was headstrong, selfish, impetuous and undisciplined. Their time on the Liberty increased his appreciation for Tom's piloting skills, but little more. He would have been tempted to write off the young man altogether if it hadn't been for Kathryn and B'Elanna's obvious respect for him.

Now that they shared a purpose he found Tom's flippant nature much less annoying. His use of humour seemed defensive and at odd moments Chakotay could sense the vulnerability it concealed. He suspected that B'Elanna's explanation may have been correct - Tom was jealous of him. Not just because of his relationship with Kathryn but because he admired Chakotay's clear sense of purpose. When he set his mind to achieving something, Tom's cavalier attitude faded somewhat and Chakotay could glimpse the capable young man beneath. Just how reliable he would be remained to be seen.

He straightened, shaking off his reverie as Tom brought the Cardassian towards him.

"Mr. Paris tells me that you need my help".

The man's tone was light. Chakotay stared at him, ten different questions simultaneously presenting themselves. Who was this man? How had he ended up working as a tailor, of all things, on a Federation space station? How did he know Tom Paris? And why would Tom think he could help them? He considered his reply carefully before speaking.

"We're looking for information. If you can provide it, then yes, we need your help. If you can't, then I'd rather not waste my time, or yours."

To his surprise the Cardassian laughed. "That's what I like about your kind", he said, "you can be so diplomatic when you need to be."

Tom stepped forward slightly. "This is Garak", he said. "Garak, Chakotay."

Chakotay bobbed his head, a gesture the Cardassian mimicked. "What do you mean, my kind?"

Garak smiled. "Mr. Paris has been... careful in his choice of words, as always. But even if I didn't recognise you from the newsfile, I'd know what you are, if not who."

Chakotay stared at him, dimly aware that he was gaping. He'd never met a Cardassian with a sense of humour before. "What I am?"

"You are a hunter", Garak said mildly. "And you are also the hunted."

Chakotay continued to stare, too surprised to ask which newsfile he was referring to. "Can you help us?" he said instead.

"Mr. Paris tells me you need information about the Cardassian warship which attacked and destroyed a Starfleet shuttle in the Jotham system. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"You should know there is no such incident on the public record."

"I know."

Garak glanced at Tom. "And despite my delight at seeing Mr. Paris again, I'm curious that you chose to come to a Federation station. You are a wanted man."

"As you said, this incident isn't on the official record. We need help from someone who has access to unofficial records."

"I see. And why do you think I would want to help you?"

Despite his irritation at the Cardassian's caginess Chakotay sensed this was an important test.

"To be honest, I don't know why you in particular would want to help us. But I need that information. That ship killed seventeen of my people. I plan to find who's responsible and to make sure they pay."

He could sense Tom glancing at him in surprise, whether at his quiet vehemence or his unthinking inclusion of Harry in the death toll as one of "his people", he couldn't tell. The Cardassian nodded at him in silent approval.

"I will tell you what I know, on the understanding that you tell no one where you acquired this information." At Chakotay's nod Garak continued. "The destruction of the shuttle was not authorised by the government or the military. The ship's commander, one Gul Trefek, was acting independently." He tilted his head slightly. "Would it mean anything to you if I said that two strangers had come aboard and given instructions to the captain?" He eyed them each in turn. "One human male and one Cardassian woman?"

"What? A Cardassian woman?" Tom blurted. He glanced at Chakotay. "It couldn't be Seska. Could it?"

"I'd believe anything of her," Chakotay said.

"Ah", Garak said quietly, "I see you are familiar with them. Good."

Chakotay frowned. "We've had... dealings with Seska and Jonas, the human, before. That doesn't explain how the Cardassians found out that members of the Maquis would be on the shuttle. We know that Jonas knew nothing about it. As for Seska, we didn't know she was anywhere near here."

"Now we come to the interesting part. Are either of you acquainted with a Ferengi debt collector by the name of Rogan?"

"Ferengi?" Tom said, "What would the Ferengi have to gain by getting involved in this?"

"Lamond!" Chakotay barked. "It was Lamond. Damn it!"

Tom stared at him in astonishment. Chakotay lowered his voice. "Kathryn knew that Lamond had a gambling problem. He'd taken time off for therapy. When we saw he was in commend of the ship we assumed he'd been cured."

Garak smiled at him again. "Apparently he was. Just not of that particular problem."

Tom still looked confused. "I don't understand."

"Trefek, or Jonas, or Seska must have paid Lamond for the information", Chakotay said.

"But how did they find him in the first place? Or how did he find them?"

Chakotay shrugged. "Maybe he'd already made his position known to them before this incident."

"It is also possible," Garak added, "that he may have done it for the pleasure of it. As well as the money."

"The pleasure?"

"According to Starfleet records his son was killed by other Maquis raiders not long ago. How do your people say it... he has a chip on his neck."

"His shoulder", Chakotay said. "How do you know what the Starfleet records say?"

Garak beamed enigmatically. "Ah", he said, "that's a very good question, too."

Chakotay frowned at his evasiveness, but Tom didn't seem at all surprised. "So Lamond let it be known to some Cardassian agent that he was willing to break the rules to punish the Maquis", Tom said. "And when Kathryn told him about the amnesty plan, he must have informed his contact straight away."

"In any case", Garak said, "if I were you, I would leave Deep Space Nine fairly quickly."

"Oh?" Tom said. "And where would you go? Hypothetically speaking, of course."

"Of course," Garak nodded. "I've heard that the Olbäk system is a lovely place to take a holiday."

Tom grinned at him. "Never been there myself."

Chakotay rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I wonder if Kathryn knows about this?"

Tom thought about the conversation he'd had with Harry and B'Elanna during their last night on the Liberty. The Klingon woman had commented that while he didn't think Starfleet was all it was made out to be, Kathryn still believed the organisation had integrity. What would she think now? Would she feel betrayed? Especially considering the fact that if Starfleet was punishing Lamond - if they even knew of his involvement - they were doing it very quietly.

"Kathryn Janeway?" Garak said.

"Yes."

"Your Captain is on a vendetta of her own."

"Against whom?" Tom said.

Garak smiled again as he motioned them towards the door. "Against Starfleet, of course."

~~~

As their three faces stared blankly back at her, Kathryn felt, not for the first time this week, that it didn't matter much what she actually had to say to the panel. Admiral Groot seemed the most hostile of the three. Nechayev was her usual frosty self, but fair, while Admiral Mendez had so far appeared content to sit back and listen.

"I understand your anger, Captain Janeway", Nechayev said, "and your zeal in this matter is commendable. But you must understand that we have no proof of these events."

"If you check the transmission records of the Tanazaki-"

Groot waved her to silence. "Yes, yes, so you said. We would find a recording of Captain Lamond, a highly decorated and respected officer, contacting a Cardassian warship to speak with a former member of the Maquis who is actually a Cardassian."

"Captain, I'm sure you understand our skepticism", Mendez said in her softly accented voice. "If you could only prove to us that Captain Lamond was in any way involved we would be happy to investigate the matter further. As it is, we have nothing but your word."

Kathryn shook her head. The looks on their faces when she'd mentioned the missing data chip spoke volumes. She had not mentioned Tuvok's copy, or his plans for an investigation of his own. Apparently her own credibility was under question. She'd need to get that proof back to make her case stick.

Nechayev continued. "The deaths of Mr. Kim and the Maquis crewmembers are regrettable. But in the interest of Federation-Cardassian relations we must be very careful about the kind of allegations that are made."

"The Cardassians did destroy that shuttle. There's no doubt about that."

"True, but Captain, I don't think you appreciate the wider implications of this issue."

Kathryn glared coolly at Groot. "Perhaps you could enlighten me."

"We are, at present, in a difficult situation with the Cardassians. There are even some who are speaking of another war. I'm sure that you can understand that given heightened tensions, the Maquis issue must be treated most delicately. We cannot allow it to be the spark that ignites another conflict."

"Perhaps you were unaware, Captain, given your recent absence, that community sympathy for the Maquis cause has been growing", Nechayev added. "There was a regrettable incident three weeks ago, on Cirrous Three in the demilitarized zone, in which a Cardassian soldier opened fire during a peaceful demonstration."

"I hadn't heard that."

"There are some who have started to consider the Maquis heroes. We don't want to feed those flames by highlighting the deaths - however tragic - of a group of Maquis who were trying to lay down their weapons", Groot said. "We would be feeding the flames of discontent by presenting the public with instant martyrs. Symbols which would provoke more unrest."

"They're people, Admiral Groot, not symbols."

"Our decision on this matter is final. Your protests have been duly noted."

Nechayev continued smoothly, as though they had just been distracted by a discussion about the weather. "Now, Captain, Admiral Groot has several final questions for you. Perhaps if we move along we will be able to end this session a little earlier today."

Kathryn gritted her teeth, but nodded. "Go ahead," she said calmly.

"There is still the outstanding matter of the transwarp drive. We have an outline of its capabilities in a document prepared, I believe, by Mr. Kim."

"Yes, that's right."

Groot scanned the padd in front of him. "Captain, at any stage did you personally view the specifications for this engine design?"

"Yes, I did."

"Did you assist Mr. Kim with the compiling of these notes?"

"No. He did that himself, with the aid of the Maquis engineer."

Groot glanced down at his notes again. "Yes, one B'Elanna Torres. Captain, did you ever, at any stage, make a copy of these engine specs?"

She frowned. "A copy? No."

"Did you ever attempt to make such a copy?"

"No."

"But you did see them".

"Yes."

Groot cleared his throat, then shot a none-too-subtle look at his companions on the panel.

"Then may I ask, why not?"

"Excuse me?"

"Captain", Mendez said softly, "you are a scientist. You must have appreciated how advanced this technology is, and how much interest the Federation would have in its applications."

"I did, yes."

"Let me see if I have this right", Groot said. "You did see these plans, and you understood their worth, but you didn't attempt to make your own copy of them?"

"No, I didn't."

"Instead, you went along with the Maquis leader's plan to use these specifications to trade for the free passage of former members of his cell. Is that correct?"

Kathryn fell silent for a moment, considering her response. "I agreed with his assessment that Starfleet would consider the plans valuable enough to arrange a trade. I understood that this was their only bargaining chip once we returned to the Alpha Quadrant."

"It would not have been, had you made a copy of the plans. Did you think about that?"

"I can't honestly say I thought about it."

"In fact Captain", Groot pressed on, "isn't it true that this trade was actually your own idea? Upon realising that the Liberty could not use the transwarp drive due to its age and condition, you suggested to Mr. Chakotay that Starfleet might be willing to bargain for the specifications. Is that not true?"

"How did you-"

"Answer the question, Captain."

"Yes. It was my idea."

The Admirals exchanged glances again.

"Perhaps you could explain your motivation to us, Captain. Personally, I'm a little confused by your decision," Groot said.

"I had spent time with this crew. I became familiar with many of them on a personal level", Kathryn said carefully. "And as a consequence, I became aware that several wanted to leave the Maquis, but were afraid of the consequences. If they simply turned themselves in, they knew they would be arrested."

Nechayev nodded. "So you encouraged them to leave."

"Some of them had come to realise they had made the wrong decision. Some had nothing left to fight for. They felt... abandoned. If the threat of arrest wasn't hanging over their heads, I saw they could try to make new lives for themselves. To leave their violent pasts behind them. That seemed an admirable desire."

Groot furrowed his brow. "Forgive me Captain, but it sounds as though you didn't think they should be punished for their actions."

Kathryn stared at him, unsure how to respond.

"Captain", Mendez said, "you said you saw these specifications. Could you reproduce them?"

"No", she lied smoothly. "I'm afraid my own reading of the files was cursory at best."

"I see."

Groot glanced at his notes again. "Captain, I have another question for you. You said in your deposition that the Liberty discovered the wormhole back to the Alpha Quadrant during the fifth week of your journey."

"That's correct."

"Yet the Liberty did not return until almost three weeks later. Why?"

"I was in command of the Liberty at the time. As I explained in my written report, we found the wormhole while we were chasing a Kazon ship, in an effort to recover two of the Maquis who had been abducted. It was during this pursuit that we discovered that Seska was in fact a Cardassian and had been colluding with the Kazon. We rescued Chakotay and then we returned to the wormhole. By that time another-"

Nechayev interrupted her. "Excuse me, Captain. You said you were in command of the Liberty?"

"Yes."

"Captain" Groot said silkily, "I don't believe you mentioned that in your report."

"As I explained previously, Chakotay and I were both responsible for the crew. He had made me his de-facto first officer. In his absence, I commanded the ship."

Both Mendez and Nechayev stared at her in surprise. "You commanded the Maquis crew?" Mendez said.

"With my Starfleet officers among them, yes, I did."

"And they obeyed you?"

"For the most part. After I broke somebody's nose, anyway."

"Captain, forgive me, but I'm surprised you didn't mention this earlier," Groot said.

"I didn't see that it was relevant."

Groot narrowed his eyes at her. "Is there anything else you haven't told us because you didn't think it was relevant?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, Sir."

"Then let me be blunt, Captain. Tell me about your relationship with the Maquis leader."

Kathryn met his cold stare with her own. "As I said, we co-operated in order to facilitate the integration of our crews."

"Yes, so you said. What about your personal relationship with this man?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Your personal relationship, Captain. He's a man, you're a woman. I'm sure you understand my question."

Mendez interjected. "I'm not sure this is an appropriate line of questioning."

"I disagree. Captain Janeway colluded with the Maquis in order to present their amnesty deal. By not attempting to copy the engine specifications she essentially withheld valuable information from the Federation. And I would suggest she has allowed her personal feelings to influence her conduct in these matters. So I ask you again Captain, tell me about your relationship with this man."

"Captain, you don't have to answer that question if you'd rather not," Mendez said.

"No, I'll answer it. I have not behaved inappropriately, if that's what you are suggesting, Sir. Chakotay and I were forced to work together by circumstances. Over a period of time we did develop a friendship, of a sort. But I hardly think that's unusual, given our situation."

Groot smiled thinly. "I'd like to play you part of a recording, Captain." He slid a data chip into his terminal. "Computer, begin playback".

"I don't know when I'll see you again. After the debriefing I'll be sent off on another mission. If I survive the debriefing, that is".

Kathryn felt a shock course through her body. This was her voice, her words, the recording she had made for Chakotay. Admiral Groot watched her grimly as the letter continued.

"I thought about taking some time off, coming to find you, but I'm not sure that's what you want. What either of us wants. Whatever happens, I just wanted you to know that I'm going to miss you."

Kathryn felt her face beginning to flush, but she forced herself to stay calm. Whatever the Admiral was up to, this was hardly incriminating evidence of wrongdoing on her part.

"When she gets back, you tell that crazy Klingon engineer of yours to take care of you for me. And know that everytime I'm stuck in a cramped, over crowded, under powered, thirty year old ship far from home, I'll be reminded of you, Chakotay. I'll never forget you."

The Admiral toggled off the playback and raised his eyebrows at her. "Friends, Captain?" His voice dripped with sarcasm. "'I'm going to miss you'? 'I'll never forget you'?"

With some effort Kathryn bit back an angry reply. Had Lamond been monitoring all the activity on her computer terminal? That would certainly explain how someone knew she had accessed his communication records. "My personal correspondence is my own business", she said tightly. "And it proves nothing."

"I agree", Mendez said.

"Captain, your recording mentioned a meeting. Do you intend to meet with Chakotay sometime in the future?"

"No."

"You have no rendezvous scheduled?"

"We have not planned a meeting, no."

Groot leaned forward slightly. "But you would like to meet up with him again?"

Kathryn ground her teeth together and fought down another wave of anger. To her relief Mendez spoke instead.

"If Captain Janeway says she has no meeting planned, I don't see how that's relevant."

"It's relevant because it reveals a pattern of behaviour."

Mendez thinned her lips in disapproval. "Admiral, if you have a case to make, we can discuss the matter later when we're making our report."

Groot seemed about to argue, but merely nodded.

"Captain", Nechayev said, "I'm suspending these proceedings. You're free to go."

Kathryn nodded, not trusting herself to speak. And B'Elanna had been worried she would tell these people about their cloaking device! She suppressed a small smile at the thought.

Groot's mission was clear - he intended to argue that her allegiance to Starfleet had wavered. Well, she thought to herself, let him try. She had nothing to hide. Or did she? She thought again of the cloaking device. As the door to the conference room slid shut behind her she realised that, three weeks later, she had finally answered Chakotay's question.

I didn't tell them, she said to herself. I won't tell them. And what was more, she realised, she didn't even feel a glimmer of regret at the thought.

~~~

end of part twenty two


~ read part twenty three ~

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