[posted 10/6/97]

Authors' Notes 
============ 
    This is a Star Wars/Voyager crossover story.  It is our idea for Kes leaving Voyager.  She's a good character, and we
wanted to give her a send-off worthy of the one who finally got good hair and decent clothes. 
    The Star Wars aspect of the story occurs after Kevin J. Anderson's novel, "DarkSaber".  In our story, Wedge Antilles and
Qwi Xux are no longer together.  Mara has completed her Jedi training, and has joined the New Republic military, achieving the
rank of Major.  Wedge is still a General, in command of the 'Yavaris II', and Mara is his First Officer.  The 'Yavaris' as you
may remember from the "Jedi Academy Trilogy", also by Anderson, was a Nebulon-B Escort Frigate.  We retired this ship and
invented the 'Yavaris II', a Mon Calamari Star Cruiser.  The relationship between Wedge and Mara is similar to the current
Janeway/Chakotay relationship (pre-"Scorpion").  It's very formal with lots of looks and sneaking glances at each other,
different from the current Tom and B'Elanna relationship which has a lot of verbal sparring and is very informal. Admiral Daala
has reclaimed her command and is still trying to conquer the galaxy. 
    The Voyager aspect of the story deals with budding relationships between several crew members: Paris and Torres, Harry
and Kes, Kathryn and Chakotay, Carey and Wildman.  The song, "Strangers in the Night", played by the band in the holodeck
is by Frank Sinatra. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

Dedication:  This story is dedicated to our friends and fellow Parisites, Jess Ferroni and Serena, and to John Ormes. 

Disclaimer:  Star Trek and its characters are owned by Paramount.  Star Wars and its characters are owned by Lucasfilm. 
Miranda Wildman, Ensign Peter Hawkes, Alan Kaplan, Wilma Isaacs, Nate Westin, Adam Sams, Randall "Randy" Coe,
Kristin "Kris" Schwarte, William "Bill" Clayton, Barbara "Barb" Conkling, Felicia Blair, Alyssa Storm, the 'Yavaris II' and the
'Manarai Terrace' are owned by us.  John Ormes and Karina Arroyo own themselves.  No infringement is intended, nor will
any profit be made from the writing of this story, so please don't sue us.  (1) We don't have any money.  (2) It's good publicity
for you.  (3) It's *free* publicity.  This story may be archived or distributed, as long as the disclaimer and authors' notes are
kept attached.  Comments, good and bad, are welcome and appreciated at: Mara_J_Antilles@hotmail.com or
yoda359@hotmail.com 

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Love Me, Then Leave Me 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
By: Claire and Josh Daniels, (c) 1997 

 "Here's the ship's status report you asked for, Major," the ensign handed her the data pad. 
 "Thank you, Ensign," she said, taking the data pad and examining it.  All systems read nominal.  *Still, it's better not to leave
anything to chance.* 
    Mara Jade sat in her command chair on board the Star Cruiser 'Yavaris II'.  It was a comfortable chair, for the most part;
she'd ridden in worse.  It wouldn't be so bad if the chair hadn't been made for a species of a different build.  It was typical of
the Mon Calamari Star Cruisers.  The chairs were the least of the ergonomic flaws on the ship.  She found the gesture-operated
control panels almost impossible to work with, and the fuzzy, warped holographic displays, keyed for a totally different vision
spectrum, were unnerving. 
    But the ship could fight.  It had an incredible weapons array, and could take much punishment before biting it.  And to Mara,
that was all that really mattered.  When you got to be the Emperor's Hand, you learned to live without luxuries, but that was
many years ago, far behind her.  Mara was with the New Republic now.  She was a Major on the side of the Emperor's
greatest enemies, on the side of the man she had been instructed to kill; serving under one who, long ago, had helped to destroy
Imperial Death Stars and crush the Imperial Fleet. . . 
    That man walked through the door.  General Wedge Antilles, commander of the 'Yavaris II', stepped out of his ready room. 
    The ensign who had just handed her the data pad instantly snapped erect. 
 "General on the bridge!" he barked. 
 "At ease, Ensign.  Lieutenant," he said as he pointed at Aves, who was sitting at the helm, "you have the bridge.  Major, I'd like
to see you in my ready room." 
 "Certainly, sir," she said. 
   Mara suppressed a grimace as she walked across the bridge.  *Oh, great!  This'll be *bunches* of fun.  The thrills are just
*killing* me.* Mara groaned silently as she passed through the door. 
  

                                  * * * * *

 "You wanted to see me, sir?" Mara asked as she entered the ready room.  She stood with her feet together and her hands
clasped behind her back. 
 "Yes.  Have a seat," Wedge said, gesturing to the couch. 
    Mara took a seat on one end of the couch, crossing her legs.  She looked at him and said, "I'm not going to like this, am I?" 
    His sea green eyes met her emerald ones. 
 "I'm afraid not," he replied as he took a seat behind his desk and handed her a data pad. "Crew evaluation reports." 
    Mara stifled a groan as she took the pad from him.  Of all the duties that came with her rank as first officer, this was her least
favorite. 
 "First, Lieutenant Wilma Isaacs.  She's a fine officer..." Wedge's voice trailed off as he looked at Mara.  She had a sour
expression on her face.  "I take it you have a differing opinion?" 
 "I heard her chew out some junior officers for talking in the Mess Hall, and she nearly bit Nate Westin's head off for getting
grease on the hydrospanner when he was fixing the hyperdrive motivator.  So, yes, I do have a differing opinion.  She's
neurotic." 
 "Noted.  We can discuss what to do with her later.  How about Ensign Alan Kaplan?" he asked. 
 "He's brown-nosing you big-time.  I think he's hoping for a promotion." 
    Aves' voice cut through the comlink.  "General to the bridge!" 
 "On my way, Lieutenant." 
  

                                  * * * * *

 "Report!" Wedge said as he and Mara stepped out onto the bridge. 
 "We detected a Star Destroyer dropping out of lightspeed five hundred thousand kilometers from our present position,"
Kaplan said. 
    *If you want a promotion out of me, Ensign, you're going to have to do a lot better than that,*  Wedge thought. 
 "Class?" Mara asked. 
 "Victory, ma'am," he replied. 
 "Red Alert.  All hands to battle stations.  Begin angling deflector shields.  Major, prepare to deploy the fighters." 
 "Aye, sir." 
    Wedge took his seat next to Mara. 
 "Sir, the destroyer is moving closer," Kaplan reported. 
 "Arm the weapons and be ready to fire on my mark." 
 "Aye, s-" 
    Kaplan never had a chance to finish the sentence.  In an instant, the space around the 'Yavaris II' exploded in brilliant green
turbolaser fire.  With incredible speed, the Star Destroyer began to move into an attack posture.  The Imperial ship was already
launching its TIE fighters, their twin ion engines, for which they were named, roaring as the tiny ships dove and maneuvered
around the Star Cruiser. 
    The bridge of the 'Yavaris II' rocked and shook, and Wedge and Mara fought to keep in their seats. 
 "Damage report!" Wedge barked. 
 "We have damage to the front shields," Isaacs' nasal voice came in over the intercom, "but the hull is still holding.  The power
generators for the turbolasers on the starboard bow are off line, and we've lost some maneuvering thrusters." 
 "Jade to Hangar Bay!" Mara shouted over the comlink. "Deploy all fighters!  Repeat, deploy all fighters!" 
 "Helm, take evasive action!" Wedge commanded. "Ensign Kaplan, return fire!' 
    The 'Yavaris II' slowly righted itself and brought its own turbolasers to bear against the Star Destroyer.  Fighters poured out
of its hangar bay and engaged the enemy TIEs.  The Star Destroyer continued to advance and maneuver with speed that was
thought to be impossible for its class. 
    "How the hell did they get it to move so fast?" Wedge said in shock, "A Victory-class Star Destroyer with that type of engine
efficiency is unheard of!" 
 "They must have overhauled the engine systems!" Mara said, "Who knows *what* else that thing can do?!" 
 "I don't know," Wedge responded, "but something tells me we're about to find out!" 
    The Star Destroyer fired a full volley of concussion missiles at the bridge of the 'Yavaris II'. Mara was thrown from her seat,
and the other crewmen fought to maintain balance.  Kaplan wasn't that lucky.  An energy discharge erupted from his panel and
struck him square in the chest.  It raked over his body as he shrieked with pain, his fingers spasmodically gripping the panel until
his knuckles turned white.  His whole panel exploded in flames, and Kaplan was thrown across the bridge, landing solidly
against the wall adjacent to the turbolift with a muffled grunt as he connected and collapsed to the floor. 
    Ensign Kristin Schwarte ran to him, knelt beside his body and checked for vital signs. 
 "He's dead!" she shouted in shock.  The bridge rocked from another explosion and she too, fell to the deck. 
    Wedge reached out a hand to Mara, helping her to her seat. 
 "Switch to backup shielding around the bridge!" he barked, "I want full ion cannon and turbolaser bombardment!" 
    Mara gave some orders of her own. 
 "Rogue group, Gold group, Green group, all fighters: I want you to concentrate fire on the deflector shield generators and the
solar ionization reactor!  Shoot any TIE that gets in your way, but focus on your primary targets." 
    The squad leaders acknowledged, and commenced their attack.  Combined with the 'Yavaris II's' turbolasers and ion
cannons, the X-wings, A-wings, and B-wings converged on their targets.  The Star Cruiser's weapons weakened the shields,
electronics, and the hull of the Victory Star Destroyer.  Most of the TIEs had either gone for refueling or had been destroyed. 
    Not long after, a deflector-shield generator dome burst into a sphere of flame.  Another followed.  The New Republic Star
Cruiser and starfighters pounded mercilessly away at the Imperial ship.  In half an hour it was all over. 
  
  

                                  * * * * *

    The large Star Cruiser held its position in the black vacuum of space.  The ship was not typical of most common spacecraft. 
It shared the flowing, organic shape of Mon Calamari starships.  The aquatic, fish-like Mon Calamari considered their ships to
be as much works of art as they are weapons of war.  Whether it was one or the other, the 'Yavaris II' had taken a real
beating, and there was more to be done on board than sit and admire its beauty. 
 "Here's the complete damage report, General," Lieutenant Isaacs said, handing a pad to Wedge, "I hope our present condition
is clear as crystal now." she said condescendingly. 
 "Thank you, Lieutenant," Wedge returned.  Burning stars, this woman was annoying, and Wedge could barely suppress a
grimace.  He was beginning to see what Mara had meant in their earlier discussion.  He scanned the data pad.  The damage
was bad, alright, but not irreparable.  Even Isaacs, for all she was worth, could have it repaired in a few days at the least. 
"Station," he commanded.  Lieutenant Isaacs went back to her panel. 
 "General, we should contact Coruscant and report this," Aves suggested. 
 "Right," Wedge acknowledged. "Major, get on the HoloNet channels and patch me through to Imperial Palace." 
 "Aye, sir," she replied.  Mara worked her control panel, and in a few moments, she had a response.  "I've established contact
with Admiral Drayson at Imperial Palace." 
 "On holotable," Wedge commanded.  The table at the center of the bridge in front of the transparisteel raised a circular section
in its center, and an image materialized, suspended, above it.  The holovid coalesced into the familiar form of Admiral Drayson. 
To Wedge, it still looked blurred and warped. 
 *Someday, I'm going to have someone retune the display controls on that damned holotable,* Wedge silently vowed.  The
display would look fine to a Mon Calamarian.  The trouble was, Wedge wasn't Mon Calamarian. 
 "Greetings, General," Drayson's small image said. "What do you have to report?" 
 "Bad news, I'm afraid," Wedge responded.  "The 'Yavaris II' has been attacked by a Victory Star Destroyer, and has
sustained moderate damage and casualties." 
 "Was it Imperial?" Drayson asked. 
 "Definitely.  The ship didn't send out a hail, but it used TIE fighters, and our examination of the debris indicates the ship was
definitely registered with the Empire.  What strikes me odd is the fact that they were so hostile.  We never got a chance to fight:
they dropped out of lightspeed, immediately advanced on us, and fired.  Our ship had already taken significant damage before
we could even return fire." 
 "I find it hard to believe," the Admiral said skeptically, "that a ship as powerful as the 'Yavaris II' had such a rough time with a
starship that's over forty years old, half the size, and with no where near the weapons or maneuvering capabilities of a Star
Cruiser." 
 "Sir," Wedge said, "judging from the battle and our analysis of the debris, we think this Star Destroyer was severely modified." 
 "Modified? How?" the Admiral inquired. 
 "Their engine systems were obviously completely overhauled, and I wouldn't be surprised if they took out some of the
superstructure to increase fuel efficiency and maneuverability.  The shield strength was greatly increased to make up for the
weakened hull, and the ship was very well armed.  The weapon systems were in optimal condition and more varied than the
standard complement carried by a stock Victory Star Destroyer." 
 "They were pretty much the same modifications that the Alliance made to Dreadnaughts in order to turn out Assault Frigates,"
Mara put in. 
 "All in all, I'd say that this destroyer could compete with a Mon Cal Cruiser, maybe even an Imperial Star Destroyer if they had
a skilled commander," Wedge said. 
    Drayson's image frowned and his forehead furrowed with thought.  These past few weeks had obviously been tough on him
as well as everyone else. 
 "The Empire has been testing New Republic military resolve for months now," Drayson said finally.  "Admiral Daala and
Pellaeon have been sending Star Destroyers into New Republic border sectors without any warning.  They go in, attack the first
target they see, and make a bee-line for Imperial space.  What's odd is that they'd choose to do a hit-and-fade assault using
Star Destroyers..." 
 "We've seen it before, Admiral," Mara added.  "During Grand Admiral Thrawn's campaign, the Empire pulled that stunt at
Bpfaash." 
 "Yes," Admiral Drayson said, reminiscing, "but I don't think that the Empire has any strategists with tactics of Thrawn's caliber. 
It is the opinion of Admiral Ackbar, Senator Bel Iblis, and myself that Daala is merely testing us to see what we'll do if
attacked.  She's toying with us." 
 "Agreed," Wedge comported, "but what do we do about it?" 
 "By analyzing Daala's attack patterns, we think we've determined her next target sector.  I want the 'Yavaris II' to set course
for the Bvengi Sector and patrol the area.  You are free to defend yourself if attacked, but don't go looking for a fight; we can't
afford to lose the 'Yavaris II'." 
 "Understood, sir," Wedge said. 
 "One more thing," Drayson said.  "You said you'd taken a beating.  How long do you think repairs will take?" 
 "Hold on a minute," Wedge said, turning his attention to Isaacs.  "Lieutenant?" 
 "All damage should be repaired by the time we reach Bvengi," she responded. 
 "We'll have it fixed before we arrive, Admiral," Wedge said. 
 "Good," Drayson said.  "Set course for Bvengi, and may the Force be with you." The holovid dematerialized as the holotable
shut down. 
 "Well, it seems we have our orders.  Lieutenant Isaacs, see to damage control.  Ensign Conkling, set course for Bvengi, and
make the jump to hyperspace.  Major, you have the bridge; I'll be in my ready room." 
    All went to their assigned duties.  Isaacs allocated damage control teams to various ship systems.  Wedge walked through
the door into his ready room.  Mara checked status to make sure all was in order.  Conkling plotted a course for Bvengi, and
Aves pulled back the control levers.  The stars streamed into starlines, and soon the 'Yavaris II' was flying through the mottled
sky of hyperspace.
  

                                  * * * * *

  
 "Hi," Harry said, as he approached Kes and kissed her on the lips.  She was waiting for him at the entrance to the Mess Hall. 
"Sorry I'm late." 
 "That's okay.  Where are Tom and B'Elanna?  I thought they were going to join us." 
 "The Captain wants them to make repairs in Engineering.  We took some damage after the last battle." 
 "Oh.  Well, it looks like it's just the two of us." 
 "That's fine by me," Harry replied with a sly smile. 
    Kes blushed.  She was still getting used to their relationship.  It was still a little strange sometimes to think of Harry as her
boyfriend.  The two of them got something to eat.  It didn't look very appetizing.  It was bright orange with purple polka dots. 
Harry hoped that he wouldn't be in danger of his life for eating it, but he figured he was in good hands since Kes was there. 
Kes.  A small part of him still couldn't believe that they were together.  He was happier with her than he'd ever been with
Libby.  Things were finally working out for him.  Maybe being stuck out in the Delta Quadrant wasn't so bad after all.  He
tasted a small bite of his food. 
 "It's pretty decent," he remarked. 
 "I wonder how things are going in Engineering." 
  

                                  * * * * *

 "I didn't think they were ever going to leave us alone," B'Elanna said. 
 "Yeah.  That was a pretty good manuevering thrust.  Think I should try it again?" 
 "No," B'Elanna said, sounding annoyed.  "Tom, my warp core can't take all the abuse your 'maneuvering thrusts' are giving it." 
    Tom grinned seductively at her.  "Well, I'll just have to work it a little harder, and maybe it'll get used to them." 
     "I don't think so.  Sorry, Tom, but you don't have the stamina to work it hard enough." 
 "Are you sure we're still talking about 'Voyager's' warp core?" 
   B'Elanna was about to bite out a sharp retort, but before she could open her mouth, the Captain's voice came over the ship's
intercom.  "All senior officers report to the conference room." 
  

                                  * * * * *

 "I called this meeting to give you some information," Janeway said.  "We have officially left Borg space.  We are resuming our
course for the Alpha Quadrant." 
    Each member of the senior staff heaved a silent sigh of relief.  They were no longer in Borg space, which meant less
likelihood of an attack.  Of course, they were still in danger and would have to keep their guard up, but it was better odds than
they had before. 
 "B'Elanna," Janeway asked, "what is the status of Engineering?" 
 "Tom and I are almost done fixing the warp core and nav array, and I've got teams on the repairs.  They should be done in a
couple of days." 
 "Harry?" Janeway inquired. 
 "All the sensors are functioning nominally, Captain.  I made a few modifications to increase efficiency." 
 "Good.  Tuvok?" 
 "All weapons systems are in working order, Captain." 
 "Kes?" 
 "Sick Bay is prepared, Captain.  We're running a little low on some supplies, though." 
 "B'Elanna can we coax a little more power out of the power grid to replicate some supplies for Sick Bay?  I don't want to be
stuck if we get another attack." 
 "We should be able to, Captain," B'Elanna replied. 
    Janeway nodded.  "Neelix?" 
 "The Mess Hall is prepared, Captain.  We have plenty of supplies," he responded in a cheerful tone. 
 "Excellent.  Commander, do you have anything to add?" 
 "Everyone, stay alert.  Harry, I want long range sensors on passive scan.  B'Elanna, you and Tom work on fixing the problems
with the warp core and nav array.  I don't want to be sitting ducks if we meet up with 8-4-7-2.  Everyone else, follow your
respective duty shifts."  Chakotay looked back at Janeway to indicate he was finished. 
 "Dismissed." 
    Each of the senior officers reported to their respective departments to prepare 'Voyager' for any company they might run
into. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Mara was sleeping peacefully.  She was sitting at a table on the balcony of the 'Manarai Terrace', one of her favorite
restaurants on Coruscant.  It overlooked the peaks of the Manarai Mountains.  Her green satin dress accented her eyes. It was
strapless and her red-gold hair hung loose, blowing in the gentle breeze.  She heard a voice in her ear. 
 "A beautiful woman should never have to eat alone." 
    She turned to look at him, but she already knew who it was.  General Wedge Antilles was standing in front of her.  He was
dressed in his uniform. 
 "Would you like to dance?" he asked. 
 "I would love to," she replied.  They moved away from the table and began to dance.  She looked into his sea green eyes.  He
looked at her intently and bent his head to kiss her...    "Major, I  need to see you in my ready room," Wedge's voice came
over the com link. 
     "On my way, sir," Mara said, shutting off the intercom and feeling the heat rise into her cheeks.  She was thankful that he
hadn't used the HoloNet, or he would have seen her blushing at being caught dreaming about him.  Groaning as she dragged
herself out of bed, she changed into her uniform.  *This had better be good,* she thought, annoyed at the General's timing.  He
had ruined a perfectly good dream. 
    Wedge looked up from his seat behind his desk as the door opened and Mara Jade entered.  Her uniform was slightly
rumpled, and he couldn't help but notice that her red-gold hair was tousled.  He thought it made her incredibly sexy, but he
quickly pushed that thought from his mind, remembering that she had the Force and could read his thoughts whenever she
wanted.  He only hoped she was too tired to try. 
 "Sorry to wake you up," he said apologetically. 
 "That's okay," Mara replied, stifling a yawn.  She hoped she looked more awake than she felt. 
 "We got a message from Coruscant." 
 "Another one?" 
     "Yes.  We've got a little more information."  He tapped a few keys on a data pad.  Immediately, a holovid appeared above
the general's desk.  The display showed a star map of the border regions between the New Republic and the Empire.  It also
showed an encrypted transmission that had been intercepted by a listening station and relayed to the 'Yavaris II'.  Even though
Mara had once been the Emperor's Hand, the encryption sequence was unfamiliar to her. 
 "Intelligence has tracked some signals coming out of Imperial space.  They haven't decrypted them all yet, but from what
they've deciphered so far, there is definitely a high probability of Star Destroyers at Bvengi.  I want the repair schedule stepped
up so that we're ready for anything once we get there."  Several blips appeared on the display, representing Imperial ships.  It
was unclear as to their exact destination, but their course was definitely near Bvengi.  The partially decoded movement orders
didn't specify the class of ships, the number, or their mission, but Mara's gut told her it was trouble. 
 "Understood.  What's our ETA?" 
 "Four days.  I also want you to coordinate the memorial service for Ensign Kaplan." 
 "Aye, sir.  Anything else?" 
 "No.  That's all for now.  You should go back to your quarters and get some sleep.  You look exhausted."  Mara thought she
saw a hint of concern in his sea green eyes. 
 "I am tired," she admitted, stifling a yawn for the second time since she had entered his ready room. 
 "Well, get some rest," he said, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. 
 "I plan to."  Mara hesitated a moment. "Permission to speak freely?" she asked. 
 "Granted." 
 "You look just as exhausted as I do.  Maybe you should follow your own advice." 
 "I'll take that into consideration." 
    Mara rose from her seat on the couch.  "Goodnight, General," she said. 
 "We're not being formal now, Mara.  You can call me Wedge." 
 "Okay...Wedge.  Goodnight." 
 "Goodnight, Mara," he replied with a tired smile. 
    Mara crawled back into her bed, not even bothering to change out of her uniform.  She was so tired, she couldn't keep her
eyes open.  She drifted off to sleep hoping to finish her dream where she left off. 
    In his ready room, Wedge was going over reports.  He yawned for the third time in two minutes.  *Maybe,* he thought, *it's
time to take Mara's advice.*  He left his ready room and headed for his quarters.  When he got there, he changed out of his
uniform and put on a pair of shorts.  After he brushed his teeth, he flopped onto his bed.  His head had barely hit the pillow for
before he fell into an exhausted sleep. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Wedge sat in the front row, Mara seated next to him and Aves next to her.  Next to Aves sat Wilma Isaacs, her cheeks wet
with tears.  Behind them sat Kristin Schwarte, Randy Coe, Nate Westin, John Ormes, Bill Clayton and Barb Conkling.  Their
faces were somber though they weren't shedding any tears.  Adam Sams was standing in the front of the transparisteel,
delivering a eulogy for the deceased Ensign Kaplan.  Kaplan's body, in full uniform was laid out behind him. 
 "Alan Kaplan was my best friend," Sams said, tears glistening in his eyes.  "We trained together and he was a good man.  He
knew the true meaning of courage, of sacrificing everything for a cause you believed in.  In all my traveling, on all the worlds I've
visited, I never knew a better man.  I'm sure that if he were here today, he would be glad that we defeated that damned Star
Destroyer, he would...", Sams broke off, hyperventilating.  After a while, he regained his composure.  "He would want us to
keep on fighting, to not give up until the Empire was finally defeated.  He would want us to live for him."  Sams finished,
indicating that it was Wedge's turn to speak. 
 "Ensign Alan Kaplan," he began, "was the epitomy of courage and martyrdom.  He gave his life so that a new world could
exist.  He was happy to give anything for the New Republic, and in the end he paid the final price.  We can't let his death have
been in vain.  We must defeat the Empire for Alan.  That is what he would have wanted.  May you rest in peace, Ensign
Kaplan, you served us well." 
    Wedge returned to his seat.  A junior officer began to play "Taps" on his bugle.  All stood at attention, and saluted Kaplan
for the last time.  As the medical droid tapped some keys on his panel, rivers of tears blubbered down the faces of Sams and
Isaacs.  Sams lip trembled, but he remained stiff, unmoving.  Behind the transparisteel, a wall of energized particles began to
sweep across the chamber.  As the energy wall touched Kaplan's feet, they were gradually vaporized.  The barrier swept
slowly across the chamber as Kaplan gradually faded away.  At last, the energy wall consumed the ensign's head, and finished
its journey across the vaporization chamber.  The junior officer ceased his playing, and all dropped their hands to their sides.  It
was at that point that Isaacs and Sams broke down completely, collapsing to the floor in convulsive sobs.  None could
approach to comfort them, and the two sat, embracing each other, as if rooted to the deck plates. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Most of the crew had gone to the Mess Hall for the wake.  Kris Schwarte, Randy Coe, Nate Westin, John Ormes, Bill
Clayton and Barb Conkling were seated at a table talking quietly. 
 "Well," Kris said, tucking a strand of her sandy blond hair behind her ear, "that's over." 
 "Boy, am I glad," Randy remarked, relief showing in his bluish-gray eyes. 
 "It was a nice service," Bill added. 
 "Very," agreed Barb.  "I almost lost it when the General was talking, and I didn't even *like* Kaplan that much." 
    Kris looked over and saw that Nate had a look of despair on his face.  "We're sorry, Nate, we didn't know that Alan was a
friend of yours." 
 "He wasn't," Nate replied.  "I'm just thinking of having to work in Engineering with Isaacs after this.  She's gonna be even more
neurotic than usual, and Sams...I'll be lucky if they don't drive me insane." 
 "What's the deal with Isaacs anyway?" Randy wondered out loud. 
     "You don't know her back story, do you?" John asked.  Randy shook his head. 
 "She was a Basic teacher on the planet Palmetto.  She taught for twenty-four years  until the Imperials took all of her students
hostage in the middle of her lesson, then blew up her school.  She was almost executed on the spot when she attacked one of
the stormtroopers with a lightpen," John finished. 
 "Why did she attack him with a lightpen?" Randy asked. 
 "He stepped on a flower her mother had given her before she died and she flipped.  This is just a rumor, but I hear she's been
in therapy for alcohol addiction.  The New Republic needed her skills, so they rehabilitated her, but if she falls off the wagon
again, rehab doesn't want her back." 
 "Great," Randy said sarcastically, "My life is in the hands of a time bomb waiting to explode." 
 "I know what you mean," John replied in the same sarcastic tone.  "Makes me feel safer already." 
    Nate Westin looked absolutely miserable.  Kris shot him a look of sympathy.  "How are the repairs going?  That battle must
have messed us up pretty good," she said, changing the subject. 
 "We're working on it.  Some of the X-wings got pretty banged up, but don't worry, guys," he said turning to Randy and John,
"I'm taking care of the X-Wing repairs myself.  Isaacs is busy with the rest of the ship's repairs." 
    Both John and Randy relaxed visibly.  "I hope that they're all fixed up before we run into anymore trouble.  Having my panel
explode in my face is not an experience I'd like to repeat," Randy replied, stroking his red beard. 
 "Why not?" Kris said in a joking tone, "It would probably improve your looks." 
    Randy looked directly at Kris, an amused look playing across his face.  "Maybe then you'd go out with me." 
 "Not a chance," she replied, eyes dancing. 
    Randy didn't reply, he just ran his hand over his smoothly shaven head.  Bill stole a look at Barb, who rolled her hazel eyes. 
They knew that Randy was interested in Kris, and although she denied having any interest, Barb somehow felt the feeling was
mutual. 
 "Come on, you two," Bill said, "you're almost as bad as Antilles and Jade." 
 "I have no idea what you're talking about, Bill," Kris said innocently, a blank expression on her face, but there was a
mischievous glint in her light green eyes. 
 "Speaking of the General and the Major," Nate said, running a hand through his dark brown hair, "what's the deal with those
two, anyway?" 
 "Yeah," Barb said, "they're always stealing looks at each other and quickly looking away when the other catches them.  You
should have seen them when she was thrown out of her seat in the attack.  He held out his hand to help her up, and it could
have been my imagination, but I thought he let his hand linger a little longer than necessary." 
 "It's completely obvious to everyone that they're perfect for each other, so why don't they just do it?" Kris wondered aloud. 
 "They're afraid they might be going against protocol," Bill said, "and I can't blame them.  Would *you* want Admiral Ackbar
and Mon Mothma quizzing you about *your* love life?" 
    Kris blushed to the roots of her hair.  That was definitely one experience she wouldn't want to have.  At the look on her face,
Barb broke into a fit of giggles, causing her reddish brown curls to bob up and down.  John managed to keep a straight face,
but it took effort. 
 "I bet it'd make a great story," Randy teased. 
 "It probably would," Kris replied, "assuming you were ever going to hear it." 
    Randy winked at her.  "Oh well, can't blame a guy for trying." 
 "Well, I hate to leave when the conversation's getting so good,"  Nate said rising to his feet and looking directly at Kris and
Randy, "but I've got to get down to Engineering before Isaacs, or she'll blow a gasket." 
 "We're still on for that game of sabaac, right?" Randy asked. 
 "Definitely.  I'll need it after spending fourteen hours with the most annoying voice in the fleet," Nate said as he headed out of
the Mess Hall with a wave. 
    The five of them stayed behind and talked a little while longer before each of them left for their respective duty shifts. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Janeway and Chakotay were sitting in his quarters, having dinner.  Kathryn had been a little surprised, albeit pleasantly, when
he had invited her to join him.  She had almost said no, but she had really wanted to spend some time alone with him.  She may
be the Captain, but she wasn't going to sacrifice her happiness and the best thing to ever happen to her because Starfleet might
frown upon it if they ever got home.  As she had said once before, they were a long way from Starfleet. 
 "You're quiet," Chakotay said.  "Is there something wrong?" 
 "No," she answered with a serene smile.  "I was just thinking." 
 "About?" 
 "About how nice it is to just sit and have dinner together.  Thank you for inviting me." 
 "You're welcome." 
 "Chakotay," she said, then stopped, not quite sure how to continue.  She decided on the direct approach.  "I've been doing
some thinking lately, and I've made a decision." 
    Chakotay looked at her for a few moments before breaking the silence.  "What decision have you made?" 
 "I don't want to deprive myself of being happy simply because Starfleet might frown on a relationship between us.  We're a
long way from Starfleet, and some rules were made to be broken," she finished with a smile. 
    Chakotay returned her smile with one of his own.  Reaching across the table, he captured her hand in his.  They were going
to have a very interesting report if they ever got back to Starfleet Command. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Tom and Harry were on the holodeck.  They had just put the finishing touches on a new program, and were now waiting for
Kes and B'Elanna to join them so they could run it.  They finally met them, and Tom and Harry's eyes nearly popped out of
their sockets.  Kes was wearing a blue dress with a matching wrap, and B'Elanna was wearing a black, sleeveless form-fitting
dress. 
 "Good evening, Tom, Harry," Kes greeted the guys as she and B'Elanna came up to the doors of Holodeck 2. 
 "Hi," Harry replied, kissing Kes on the lips.  He turned to B'Elanna.  "Hey, B'Elanna, glad you could make it." 
 "I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see this new program of yours." 
 "Evening, Ladies," Tom said, extending his hand to B'Elanna.  She took it and he brought it up to his lips and kissed it. 
B'Elanna felt herself blushing, and fought the urge to yank her hand away. 
 "So," Kes said sensing B'Elanna's discomfort, "when do we get to see this impressive new program of yours?" 
 "Right now," Tom replied as he slipped B'Elanna's hand into the crook of his arm. 
    The four of them entered the holodeck and Kes and B'Elanna looked around in surprise.  They were in an elegant dinner
club.  There was a huge dance floor in the middle of the room with a enormous chandelier hanging over it.  Around the dance
floor, there were two tiers of tables and chairs.  Tom led them to a table on the first tier.  He pulled out a chair for B'Elanna to
sit on, and Harry did the same for Kes. 
 "I'm impressed," B'Elanna said as a waiter came by and put a glass of champagne in front of each of them. 
 "This program is wonderful, Harry," Kes said leaning over to kiss him. 
    It was Harry's turn to blush.  "Tom did most of it.  I only helped a little." 
 "You did just as much work as I did.  To enchanted evenings," he said as he raised his glass. 
 "Here, here," replied Harry and Kes in unison. 
 "Here, here," B'Elanna said attempting to keep her tone light. 
    B'Elanna sipped her champagne and tried to concentrate as Tom and Harry talked with Kes about the finer points of
programming a holodeck.  She was relaxing a little, and just started to think she'd be okay when the band started to play
"Strangers in the Night". 
 "Would you like to dance?" Harry asked Kes. 
 "I would love to." 
 "Come on, B'Elanna," Tom said taking her hand and pulling her to her feet, "let's dance." 
 "I don't think..." 
 "It'll be fun," he said cutting her off and pulling her onto the dance floor with him. 
    B'Elanna sneaked a look at Harry and Kes.  He was holding her close to him, and he leaned down to kiss her.  B'Elanna
looked away, feeling like a spy.  They looked so happy.  Just once, she wanted to feel loved, she wanted someone to look at
her the way Harry looked at Kes.  She felt Tom's arms tighten around her, his hand resting on the small of her back.  She
looked up at him and her breath caught.  Tom bent his head and covered her lips with his.  Inside, B'Elanna smiled.  She had
gotten her wish. 
 

                                  * * * * *

 "Lieutenant," the young female ensign at Operations said, "I've picked up a ship dropping out of warp." 
 "Distance?" Tuvok asked. 
 "Two hundred thousand kilometers and closing, sir." 
 "Tuvok to Captain Janeway," he said, pressing his commbadge. 
 "Janeway here." 
 "You must come to the Bridge, Captain," he replied, "we have picked up a ship." 
 "On my way.  Have all senior officers report to the bridge.  Janeway out." 
    Minutes later, Janeway and Chakotay arrived on the bridge.  Tom and Harry arrived shortly after. 
 "Report," she said. 
 "We picked up the ship as it dropped out of warp," Tuvok stated. 
 "Can you identify the vessel?" Janeway asked. 
 "No," Tuvok replied.  "The vessel is of unkown origin, but it is 1.6 kilometers in length, and looks to be very well armed." 
 "On screen," Janeway ordered. 
    Tuvok tapped his console, and the ship appeared on the viewscreen.  It was, as Tuvok reported, huge, easily three to four
times the size of 'Voyager'.  Even at this magnification, Janeway and Chakotay could see the numerous weapons emplacements
on the wedge-shaped hull.  A huge tower was mounted at the stern (obviously the bridge) topped by ominous-looking domes. 
The ship was moving towards 'Voyager', like a hungry wolf on the hunt. 
   The Northwest Passage had only been free of Borg activity because the more powerful Species 8-4-7-2, inhabited the
region.  The thought of a race more powerful than either species made Janeway cringe.  Sweat ran in rivulets down Janeway's
face and back.  Her hands shook.  She new exactly what she was feeling.  Fear.  The alien ship had obviously been designed to
instill that very emotion into any beholder. 
 "What is their present postion?" Chakotay asked, his face paling slightly. 
 "One hundred thousand kilometers and closing," answered the ensign. 
 "Yellow alert," Janeway said anxiously. 
 "Captain," Paris said with growing anxiety, "they're increasing speed.  They are taking on an offensive posture." 
 "Hail them!" Janeway ordered. 
    Harry worked his console.  He tapped the sequence of commands in a few times, then looked up in frustration. 
 "They're not responding." Harry said darkly. 
    The sky exploded in green fire as energy beams suddenly lanced toward 'Voyager' from the warship.  The beams exploded
on 'Voyager''s hull, sending the little ship reeling.  Janeway was knocked to the floor, and Chakotay tumbled also.  Tom
struggled to remain stationary at the helm. 
 "Damage report!" Janeway shouted over the din. 
 "Captain!" B'Elanna replied over the comm with curiosity.  "This is amazing!  We've suffered no physical damage at all, but
we're having power failures all over the ship!" 
 "How is that possible if they never hit us!" Chakotay asked with frustration. 
 "My theory," B'Elanna hypothesized, "is that those energy beams are ionized particle waves.  Their purpose must be to disable
electronic systems without physically damaging the target, so it can be captured intact." 
 "This is all very nice, B'Elanna, " Chakotay snapped, "but the question is, what can you do about it?" 
 "I can have power restored in a few minutes. Stand by."  She signed off. 
 "If they are using that type of weaponry," Tuvok said to Janeway, "it is likely that they will try to beam aboard." 
 "Understood," she replied.  "Have security teams standing by on all decks." 
    Suddenly, the ship shook gently.  Warning alarms went off all over the bridge.  Tom had the problem diagnosed immediately.

 "We're caught in some kind of tractor beam!" he said.  "It's pulling us into a docking bay of some sort on the ventral side." 
 "Captain," Harry said, "we're being hailed." 
 "On screen!" Janeway ordered. 
    Harry complied and entered a few commands.  The image of a young, beautiful woman in an olive-green uniform appeared
on the viewscreen.  Her copper hair fell down her back in cascades, framing the finely carved features of her face.  Her green
eyes shone like Romulan disruptor beams.  Her lips barely moved as she spoke. 
 "I am Admiral Daala," the woman said, "of the Imperial Star Destroyer 'Kraken'.  You are trespassing in Imperial space. 
Surrender and prepare to be boarded." 
 "I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship 'Voyager'-" 
 "I did not ask who you are or where you came from, *Captain*," Daala retorted haughtily.  "That information makes no
difference to me.  Surrender and prepare to be boarded.  Now!  You should be thankful that I did not destroy your ship on
sight."  The image faded. 
 "Cheerful people, aren't they?" Tom cracked. 
 "Captain," B'Elanna said over the comm, "I have power restored to weapons sysytems, the shields will take a little more
work." 
 "Thank you, B'Elanna," Janeway said.  "Now can you tell us how to get out of this tractor beam!" 
 "It seems to be a very primitive beam, by Federation standards.  The targeting system is simply indiscriminate; it will lock onto
the first thing in its path." 
 "Captain," Harry said, "if we could put another object in the path of the beam, we might be able to get it to release its lock on
us." 
    Janeway picked up on it in an instant.  "Mr. Tuvok, fire three photon torpedoes into the path of the beam.  Mr. Paris, I want
you to break away at full impulse on my mark." 
 "Torpedoes ready, Captain," Tuvok said. 
 "Do it!" Janeway said with a low, dark tone in her voice. 
  The torpedoes flashed from the aft launchers and shot into space.  They changed direction and headed straight for the path of
the invisible tractor beam.  As the torpedoes entered the beam's path, they suddenly increased speed, heading straight for the
docking bay. 
 "Mark!" Janeway shouted.  Tom punched it.  The ship sped away from the 'Kraken' at incredible speed.  The torpedoes
continued their path and landed solidly on the Star Destroyer's tractor beam projectors.  Several projectors exploded on
impact with the photons, their explosions destroying more projectors.  In a few seconds, the 'Kraken's' tractoring ability had
been neutralized.                                                             Harry glanced at his console, then looked up.  "Captain," he said, "the
Star Destroyer is hailing us again." 
 "On screen," Janeway said calmly. 
    The image of Admiral Daala appeared on the viewscreen once again.  Her hair was slightly disheveled and her eyes burned
with malice. 
 "Captain," she said, "you've just made a bad mistake.  The Empire will not stand for this.  You will pay for the attack on my
ship with your lives.  This is *war*, Janeway!  You *will* suffer!  I can promise you that."  The image faded, once again
showing the giant Star Destroyer. 
 "Captain," Tuvok said, "I am detecting thirty-or-so small starships being launched from the 'Kraken'.  They are converging on
our position." 
 "B'Elanna," Chakotay said over the comm, "how soon can you have those shields up?  We've got more company!" 
 "It's still going to be a while, yet," the engineer answered.  "I'll have damage control teams standing by." 
    The starships dove and swerved through the vacuum of space toward 'Voyager', their engines roaring.  They were essentially
two hexagonal wings, covered with solar arrays, attached to a circular command pod.  Bright green beams flashed from two
weapons emplacements beneath the cockpit.  Without its shields, 'Voyager' was completely vulnerable against the attacking
swarm. 
 "Lasers," Harry said. 
 "What?" Janeway asked. 
 "They're using laser weapons," Harry clarified.  "They're extremely primitive, and not very accurate, but without our shields, it
doesn't matter much." 
 "Given the primitive nature," Tuvok added, "of their tractor beam system, the severe damage caused by only three torpedoes,
and the fact that they preferred to tractor us in rather than beam over boarding parties, it may be possible that this 'Empire' is
not as advanced as we first believed." 
    The ship rocked and shook as the lasers impacted with the hull.  The swooping fighters pulled up and came around for
another pass. 
 "Nice information, Tuvok," Chakotay said with vexation, "but how do we stop them?" 
 "My readings indicate," Tuvok said, "that these fighters are powered by a twin-ion-engine drive and have no shielding
whatsoever.  One hit should be enough to destroy them, but they are extremely maneuverable, enough so to make a target lock
impossible." 
 "Very well, Mr. Tuvok," Janeway said.  "Fire all phasers!" 
    Tuvok complied.  Bright-orange energy lanced out from 'Voyager''s twelve phaser banks.  The phaser beams raked the
surrounding area of space, catching the swarming fighters in their path.  The tiny ships exploded in a flaming sphere, scattering
the debris everywhere.  But the rest of the fighters were still on their toes, evading the deadly light.  'Voyager' shifted its position
and moved to attack the 'Kraken'.  The phasers slammed solidly into the ship's hull, causing significant damage.  The 'Kraken'
fired its immense turbolasers.  The green energy found 'Voyager''s hull and sent the little ship reeling. 
 "We have damage in the Engineering Section!" Harry said.  "We've lost plasma conduits all over the ship!" 
 "B'Elanna!" Janeway shouted, fighting to remain stable.  "Damage Report!" 
 "That was definitely *not* an ionized particle wave!" B'Elanna said.  "Those blasts are roasting us!  Without our shields, the hull
can't take this type of damage!" 
 "Understood, "Janeway said.  "How long till we have our shields again?" 
 "I was almost done fixing it!" B'Elanna said with clearly Klingon fury.  "Admiral Daala just set me back thirty minutes!  Six
plasma conduits blew out in Engineering, so I'll have to do this on reduced staff!" 
 "Have all injured personnel report to Sick Bay.  Janeway out!  Mr. Paris, you'll have to do some fancy flying if we're going to
get out of this one!" 
    Tom already knew that.  He was building up a sweat as it was. 
 "Aye, Captain," he acknowledged. 
    'Voyager' evaded as many blasts as it could.  The little ship dodged and danced like a frenzied animal fleeing a predator. 
 *Well,* Janeway thought, *this is going to be a *long* day.* 
  

                                  * * * * *

 "Samantha, what can we do for you?" Kes asked as she entered Sick Bay. 
 "I cut my hand," Samantha replied. 
 "Let me take care of it for you," Kes said as she gave her a hypo of antibiotic and ran a dermal regenerator over her hand. 
"There.  Good as new." 
 "Thanks, Kes." 
    The doors to Sick Bay opened and twenty wounded crew members came in. 
 "Ensign," said the Doctor, "we need a few extra hands.  You've been drafted." 
     The Doctor and Kes rushed forward to take an injured Peter Hawkes from Joe Carey. 
 "What happened?" Kes asked. 
 "A console exploded.  He pushed me out of the way." 
 "You're hurt, too," Kes said. 
 "It's nothing," Carey replied. 
    Sam came up next to Kes.  "What do you want me to do?" she asked. 
 "Handle the minor injuries," Kes said.  "Take care of Lieutenant Carey first, I'm sure B'Elanna probably needs him for repairs
in Engineering."  Kes hurried off to help the Doctor with Hawkes. 
 "Come on, Lieutenant," Sam said picking up a tricorder and a PADD and heading over to a biobed.  Carey reluctantly
followed her. 
    Samantha studied him as she waited for the reading from the tricorder.  His handsome face was sad and his hazel eyes were
troubled.  He kept looking across the room to where Kes and the Doctor were working on Hawkes.  The tricorder beeped,
and Samantha searched for the correct hypospray.  She pressed it into his neck and picked up the dermal regenerator. 
 "I'm sure he'll be okay," she said running it over his hand.  "He's a tough guy." 
 "I should have monitored the readings more closely." 
 "Blaming yourself won't help him," Samantha said quietly. 
     "You're right," he said, sighing in frustration. 
    She snapped off the dermal regenerator.  "Better?" 
 "Much.  Thanks," he said with a weak smile. 
 "You're welcome," she said, returning his smile.  As he got off the biobed and turned to leave, she touched his arm.  "Don't
worry," she said, looking into his eyes.  He nodded, then turned and left with a wave.  Samantha got to work on the next
person. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Aves pushed forward on the control levers just as the counter reached zero.  The starlines faded back into stars as the
'Yavaris II' emerged from hyperspace.  The huge vessel slowed and finally stopped. 
 "Now entering Bvengi Sector," Conkling said. 
 "General," Clayton said from the sensor station, "I'm picking up two ships in our immediate vicinity.  One is a light cruiser of
unkown origin, and the other is..."  He tapped a few keys to identify the other ship's transponder signal.  "It's the 'Kraken'," he
said darkly. 
 "Let's see it," Wedge said.  A three-dimensional representation of the two ships appeared on the holotable.  The smaller ship
was of a class Wedge had never seen before.  It wasn't Imperial or Republic, or any model of independent starships around the
galaxy.  Whatever it was, the 'Kraken's' well-known form was unmistakable, and it was pounding the poor ship. 
 "Status of the other ship," Mara ordered. 
 "Its shields are off-line, as are a number of other power systems," Clayton said.  "Its hull can't take much more punishment." 
    Wedge thought for a minute.  If he followed his first impulse and helped the unknown ship, he might spark an all-out assault
from Daala or Pellaeon, but if he didn't, hundreds of people would be killed, and the little ship would be destroyed.  Wedge
mentally wrestled with his emotions and his reasoning.  He came to a decision... 
 "Helm, bring us in on full power.  Set an intercept course for the 'Kraken' and prepare to take evasive action.  Captain, go to
battle stations and deploy all fighers.  Ensign Schwarte, fire at will." 
    His commands sent the bridge into a bustle of activity as all went to their assigned duties.  The holotable showed ship status
at full Red Alert.  Displays showed the deflectors angling.  Fighter squadrons were being scrambled, and pilots hurried to get to
the hangar bay.  Schwarte began to take shots at the 'Kraken' with turbolasers and ion cannons. 
 Wedge looked around, satisfied.  *Well, here we go again!* 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Randy Coe ran down to the hangar bay as soon as he heard the order.  He ran into the locker room and slipped on his
flightsuit.  Ever since Antilles had been made General, Randy had taken over as the leader of Rogue Squadron.  His wingmen
were dependable and worked well under pressure.  He would trust any of them with his life, except one: Karina Arroyo, a
green apple who had just joined the squadron.  Randy wondered how she ever got through the Academy.  She couldn't hit a
black tauntaun against a snowbank, and her piloting skills were questionable.  Still, even she could be a good pilot if she wanted
to be. 
    Randy went down to the hangar bay proper.  All around him, fighters were being fueled and prepped for launch.  Astromech
droids were being lowered into their sockets behind the cockpits of X-wing fighters.  Randy walked over to his own X-wing,
only to be intercepted by John Ormes. 
 "Hey, John!" Randy called.  "How's it going?" 
 "Pretty good," John answered.  The kid had always been quiet and withdrawn.  That was because he was the youngest
member of Rogue Squadron.  But youngest or not, he was a natural shot, and his piloting skills could compete with that of the
legendary Luke Skywalker. 
 "Good," Randy answered, "get to your ship.  I want the whole squadron ready to launch in three minutes." 
    John went to carry out his orders and to inform, the rest of Rogue Squadron.  As he turned around, Randy called back to
him. 
 "John!" he said.  "May the Force be with you!" 
 "You too," John answered back. 
    Randy got to his fighter to find his astromech already in its socket.  The tech informed him that the X-wing was fueled and
prepped for launch.  He climbed the ladder to enter the cockpit.  Some techs promptly removed the ladder as Randy keyed in
the startup sequence, adding the whine of his engines to the din of the other fighters in the hangar bay.  His transparisteel closed
slowly, and the cockpit pressurized. 
 "Rogue Leader to Control," Coe said.  "Request permission for launch." 
 "This is Control," a female voice said into the comm.  "Permission granted.  Proceed at will, Rogue Leader." 
    Randy activated the repulsorlift drives and retracted the landing gear.  Genlty, he guided the starfighter out of the bay and into
space.  Bringing his fighter about, he examined the scene before him.  The 'Kraken' was still pounding the little ship.  A few
other X-wings were out here already, and Randy could see the shapes of B-wings and A-wings in the vacuum of space.  All of
his squadron reported in.  They were ready to move. 
 "All right, let's do it!" Coe said over the comm.  "Lock S-foils in attack position!" 
    Rogue Squadron went to full power, blasting off into the fray.  TIEs were all over the place, their twin lasers blazing, ready to
blow them to bits.  According to Randy's readings, the mystery ship had regained shields, and was pounding away at the
'Kraken' with a vengeance, paying no attention to the turbolasers pummeling the spaceframe. 
 "Rogue Leader," Ormes's voice came in over the channel," this is Rogue Two.  I'm detecting four coming your way, bearing:
058 mark 357.  Watch yourself." 
 "I see them," Randy said, turning around in his seat.  Four TIEs were coming in a diamond formation, their engines roaring
through the black vacuum of space.  Randy turned his fighter around and swerved to avoid deadly laser fire.  He got one of
them in his sights and let loose with his four laser cannons.  The bright-orange fire caught the TIE square in the transparisteel,
Destroying it in a spectacular display of fireworks.  Randy got another TIE down while the transparisteel was still adjusting to
the sudden flash of light.  The leader and his wingman were still on him, blasting away.  Randy tried his best to shake them, but
failed.  He was prepared to die. 
    Then, a familiar New Republic X-wing swooped down from above and fired its top laser cannons.  The TIEs sticking Randy
exploded in showers of flame, and the X-wing pulled up to avoid a collision. 
 "Thanks, John," Randy said, breathless.  "I owe you one!" 
 "Don't mention it," John said.  He turned his attention back to the battle.  It was looking good.  Almost all of the TIEs were
down for the count, leaving only a dozen or so left.  The alien ship was still pounding at the 'Kraken', giving Daala a real good
kick in the pants. 
    Then he saw the TIE interceptors pour out of the 'Kraken's' foreward launch bay.  The howl of the upgraded engines, the
blistering speed, and ominous dagger-shaped wings had been known and feared by almost every starfighter pilot in the New
Republic.  The interceptors were faster, more maneuverable, and had firepower that rivaled an X-wing.  The deadly ships were
already joining the fight. 
 "Watch it, Rogue Six!" Randy's voice came in over the comm.  "You have interceptors on your tail!" 
 "I don't see any fighters!" Karina said.  "My scopes read negative!  Where the hell are they?!" 
 Pick up your visual scanning, Arroyo!" Ormes shouted. 
 "I see them!" Karina said triumphantly. 
 "Good!" Ormes said.  "Now get *away* from them!" 
    Karina maneuvered her X-wing sloppily away from the shooting interceptors.  The interceptors matched her movements
effortlessly, and the leader fired, hitting one of her fusion thrust engines.  Arroyo tried again to move her X-wing away, but with
one engine down, her moves were even more sluggish. 
 "I can't shake them!" Karina shouted in panic.  "I've lost one engine and there's smoke in my cockpit!"  *I knew I should have
gone for Engineering... even *with* Isaacs in charge!* 
    Just then, her luck ran out.  One of the interceptors managed to get a lock on her and fired.  The four laser blasts raked
across the cockpit, ripping through shields and hull.  The X-wing exploded in a giant sphere of flame, catching two interceptors
in the blast. 
    John turned from the display, suddenly feeling very nauseous.  Being a starfighter pilot might be fun, but he was constantly
reminded of one thing.  War is *never* pleasant... for *anyone*. 
  

                                  * * * * *

 "The unknown ship has just destroyed one of the 'Kraken's' deflector-shield domes," Clayton cheerfully reported from his
position at sensors.  "The ship regained its shield capacity a few minutes ago." 
 "Good," Wedge said.  "Ms. Schwarte, let's give them a helping hand." 
 "Aye, sir," Schwarte said.  The 'Yavaris II' fired its turbolasers, scoring solid hits on the 'Kraken's' starboard side.  With
another volley, the flight-launch control center was destroyed.  The smaller ship continued to hammer into the 'Kraken's' rear,
damaging the Star Destroyer's sublight engines. 
 "General," Mara said in a vexed tone, "the 'Kraken' is hailing us." 
 "On holotable," 
    The holotable switched from the image of the battle to Daala's cold, hardened face.  Behind her, Wedge could see her bridge
had suffered major damage.  Panels were in flames, and work crews scrambled to put them out.  The deadly beauty of Daala's
own face was marred by soot and a rather ugly gash on her left cheek.  Her eyes still held the same contempt and hatred. 
 "General, I *demand* to know why you are giving aid to the alien vessel.  This is strictly  an Imperial affair!  It is none of
*your* business!" she bit out. 
 "On the contrary, *Admiral*.  Your presence here *makes* it my business!  It ceased to be strictly Imperial when you violated
New Republic space!  Your ship is practically crippled.  You will withdraw at once!"  Wedge retorted, his voice just as cold. 
Mara looked at him, covering her surprise.  She had never seen him so adamant. 
    Daala seemed to consider her options briefly.  Mara knew she was surprised by the ferocity of Wedge's reply.  Daala knew
it wasn't a good idea to cross Wedge, and she couldn't afford to lose the 'Kraken', so she decided to cut her losses.  "Very
well.  You have won this time, General, but this isn't over!"  Her eyes narrowed and her face darkened.  "I promise you,
General, there *will* be a next time."  The holo showed the battle again as Daala closed the transmission. 
    The 'Kraken' turned around like a wounded animal, moving away from the mysterious ship.  Its hyperdrive engines kicked in,
and the Star Destroyer fled into the vast realm of hyperspace, leaving its TIE fighters behind.  Wedge breathed a huge sigh of
relief. 
 "Call back all fighters once the TIEs are gone,"  he turned to Mara.  "Hail the other vessel.  Let's see if they need more help." 
  

                                  * * * * *

 "Captain, we're being hailed," Harry said. 
 "On screen." 
    The bridge crew watched as the image of a man in his middle thirties with dark brown hair and sea green eyes appeared on
the viewscreen.  Sitting beside him was a beautiful woman in her late twenties with red-gold hair and intense emerald green
eyes. 
 "I am General Wedge Antilles of the New Republic Star Cruiser 'Yavaris II'," Wedge introduced himself.  "Do you require
further assistance?" 
 "I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship 'Voyager'," Janeway replied.  "We are making repairs and do not
require assistance with them.  However, we are unfamiliar with this area of space and wish to ask you some questions that may
help us to avoid any other...confrontations with Admiral Daala." 
 "We would be happy to speak with you, Captain.  We know quite a bit of information about this sector, and would be pleased
to share it with you." 
 "Thank you, General.  We would be pleased to have the meeting aboard my ship." 
 "That is acceptable, Captain.  We can take a shuttle over." 
 "That won't be necessary, General.  We have our own means of transportation.  Report to the following coordinates at 1930, 
and we will transport you aboard 'Voyager'."  She turned to Harry.  "Mr. Kim, transmit the coordinates to the 'Yavaris II'." 
 "Aye, Captain.  Transmitting coordinates now." 
 "We've received the coordinates, sir," the woman seated beside him informed Wedge. 
 "Thank you, Captain."  He turned his attention back to the viewscreen.  "We will see you at 1930, Captain." 
 "We'll be looking forward to it, General," Janeway responded.  "'Voyager' out." 
iss my kids.  Why am I here?*  Mara felt sorry for him.  She knew how it felt to be alone. 
 "This is Ensign Samantha Wildman.  She works in Stellar Cartography."  Mara touched her mind. 
    *Hey, the General's pretty cute.* 
    *Oh, no you don't,* Mara thought.  Then she got an idea.  *He's not cute," Mara thought at Samantha, *he's hideous.  Yep,
definitely hideous.* 
    *No, wait.  He's not cute, he's hideous.  Yep, definitely hideous,* Samantha thought. 
    *You'd look better with Carey,* Mara thought at her. 
    *I'd look better with Carey.  Carey?!  Where the hell did that come from?* Samantha wondered. 
 "This is Neelix, our Morale officer, cook and Ambassador."  Mara took one look at him and absolutely *had* to know what
he was thinking. 
    *I just can't wait to impress our new guests with my culinary skills!* 
    *I hope his cooking's better than Lando's,* Mara thought. 
      "This is Ensign Harry Kim, my Operations officer."  Mara read his thoughts. 
    *I'm so glad I found Kes.  I'm so happy, I still can't believe it.* 
 "This is Kes, she works in Sick Bay with the Doctor, and she also works in the Airponics Bay."  Mara reached out. 
    *I've been waiting for you to get to me, Major Jade,* Kes thought at her. 
    *You have?* 
    *Yes, I have read your thoughts.  I think you're right about Carey and Wildman, by the way.* 
    *Are you a Jedi?*  Mara asked.  She wanted to ask more, but Captain Janeway had begun to speak about 'Voyager', and
Mara wanted to get all the information she could.  Janeway told Wedge and Mara how they ended up in the Delta Quadrant, of
their decision to destroy the Caretaker's array, and went on to explain their confrontations with the various species of they'd
met on their journey: the Kazon, the Vidiians, the Swarm, the Borg, the Nyrians and Species 8-4-7-2.  Wedge and Mara both
listened with rapt interest. 
 "That's quite a story, Captain," Wedge said. 
 "Thank you," Janeway said.  "Now I'd like you to tell me a little about yourself, about this 'Empire' and the New Republic." 
 "Certainly, Captain," Wedge said.  "The New Republic is at war with the Galactic Empire, an interplanetary government that
rules by fear.  The Republic used to be an organized rebellion against the Empire when they had control of the galaxy.  For a
while, it seemed as if the Empire would win; they had a full starfleet of modern Imperial-class Star Destroyers, like the 'Kraken',
while all we had were jerry-rigged, modified, outdated starships.  We were using ships and starfighters that had been in service
for over three decades.  They also had enough resources to build *two* Death Stars," he said with a barely suppressed
shudder. 
 "Death Stars?" Tuvok asked. 
 "Battle stations," Mara explained.  "Extremely powerful superweapons the size of a Class IV Moon, with enough firepower to
destroy a whole planet instantly.  They also had enough turbolasers to challenge the whole Rebel starfleet." 
    The senior staff looked at them with an expression of absolute horror.  The thought of such a weapon made their blood chill. 
 "Don't worry," Mara said uneasily.  "They were both destroyed.  But not before taking two planets with them." 
 "The tide really started to turn when the Mon Calamari, an aquatic species the Empire enslaved, joined the Rebel Alliance. 
They built huge shipyards in orbit above their planet of Calamari, where they constructed our Star Cruisers," Wedge said,
gesturing out the window to the 'Yavaris II'.  "Admiral Ackbar, who is now Supreme Commander of the New Republic
Starfleet, also worked closely with the Verpine to develop the B-wing heavy assault starfighter." 
  "The real decisive victory was the Battle of Endor," Mara added.  "That was when the Alliance destroyed the second Death
Star.  The Emperor was killed while the station was under attack, and the Rebels devastated the Imperial fleet, destroying their
flagship, the Super Star Destroyer 'Executor'."  Mara looked a bit pale as she recounted these events.  It seemed there was
something traumatic about the incident. 
 "How did the Empire come to be?" Janeway asked. 
 "First, let me give you a bit of background," Mara answered.  "Before the Empire or the New Republic was the Old Republic."

 "*Old* Republic?" Tuvok inquired. 
 "Yes," Mara said, "a democratic interplanetary government ruled by the Senate, the High Council, and the Chief of State.  It
lasted roughly 25,000 years and maintained peace and justice throughout the galaxy, by means of the Jedi Knights." 
 "Jedi?" Kes asked. 
 "The Jedi Knights were the mediators of justice and peace in the Old Republic.  Their weapon of choice was the lightsaber,
although Jedi Masters seldom had need for them.  They drew incredible power from the Force." 
 "What is a lightsaber?" BElanna asked. 
 "This," Mara said, unhooking her own from her belt.  She held it up and ignited it.  The blue-white blade shot out from the
handle to a perfect length of one meter.  Everyone stared in wonder at the unusual weapon. 
 "The lightsaber is not as random or clumsy as a blaster," Mara said.  "It is an elegant weapon for a more civilized era.  The
lightsaber also has more utility than a blaster because it can be used as a survival tool.  It can also deflect energy bolts."  Mara
closed down her lightsaber and hooked it back onto her belt.  "As I was saying, Jedi Masters seldom used these weapons,
because they could defend themselves with the Force." 
 "The Force?" Tuvok interrupted again. 
    Mara tried not to look vexed.  "The Force is an energy field created by all living things.  It binds the galaxy together.  The
Jedi believed that the Force also controled the destinies of each living thing.  I still believe it." 
 "You said that the Jedi Knights could draw power from the Force," Tuvok said.  "What type of power?" 
 "For one thing, they gained incredible psionic abilities, including telepathy and telekinesis.  Some Jedi Knights, and practically
all Jedi Masters, had premonitions and could see the future to a limited extent.  They also had healing abilities-" 
 "Excuse me," Janeway said," but what is the difference between a Jedi Knight and a Jedi Master?" 
 "A Jedi Master is simply one who has mastered the ability to use the Force, who has been recognized by the entire Jedi
community as a master," Mara said.  "As I was saying, they also had healing abilities.  Dark Jedi had other abilities." 
 "Dark Jedi?" Kes asked. 
 "Jedi who have turned to the Dark Side of the Force," Mara explained.  "Evil Jedi.  The Emperor was a Dark Jedi, as was his
second-in-command, Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith.  Both were masters of the Dark Side, as was the Jedi Master Joruus
C'Baoth, a cloned, mad Jedi.  The Dark Jedi had the ability to shoot lightning from their hands, to twist and reform minds to
their own liking, and to choke the life out of someone without even touching them.  Some had abilities beyond most human
comprehension." 
 "Were they more powerful?" Chakotay asked. 
 "No," Mara said, "but the Dark Side is more seductive.  Theoretically, a Dark Jedi is just as powerful as a good Jedi, but how
they get their power varies.  A Dark Jedi derives his power through hate instead of love, through fear instead of hope, through
aggression instead of peace.  The Dark Side has very little power itself; it is simply turning one's own weaknesses against them."

 "How do you know all this?" Tuvok asked. 
    Mara looked suddenly pale, and her hand shook visibly.  "I was one," she confessed.  "I used to draw from the Dark Side of
the Force, but just because one turns to the Dark Side doesn't mean they can't turn back."  Everyone just stared at her, they
were obviously uncomfortable. 
    Mara straightened and color began to return to her face.  "Anyway," she continued, "you wanted to know how the Empire
started.  Well, about thirty years ago, the Clone Wars broke out when the Old Republic and the Jedi Knights had to fight the
products of their cloning experiments.  These wars were extremely bloody, and spelled the beginning of the end for the
Republic.  In the higher levels of the Old Republic Senate, corruption spread throughout the ruling bodies of the government. 
This paved the way for Senator Palpatine to take more power on himself.  He brought us out of the Clone Wars alright.  Then
he declared himself Emperor and established the New Order, the Empire.  He took over what was left of the Old Republic
Starfleet and contracted private manufacturers to build a new, more powerful fleet for him. 
 "With the help of his assistant," Mara went on, "Darth Vader, he hunted down and destroyed the Jedi Knights, leaving only two
Jedi Masters left.  The Empire enslaved worlds all over the galaxy.  Almost every company was nationalized.  He was
extremely prejudiced against women and nonhumans.  At the height of his power, the Emperor followed the proposal of Grand
Moff Tarkin and ordered the construction of the Death Star.  It was to be a symbol of his absolute power and unlimited
resources. 
 "Fortunately for the galaxy," Wedge added, "a number of senators from the Old Republic, including Bail Organa, Mon
Mothma, and Garm Bel Iblis, sensed the changing political winds and made cells, pockets of resistance, which evolved into the
Rebel Alliance.  Endor was our most decisive victory.  The Imperial Fleet broke apart into different factions.  A month later,
Mon Mothma, the official leader of the Alliance, declared the end of the Rebellion and the beginning of the New Republic." 
 "That is a very interesting story," Janeway said.  "But why are you still at war with the Empire if they lost?" 
 "They only lost control of the galaxy," Wedge said.  "The Empire is far from defeated, and the New Republic has fallen on hard
times these past eight years.  Three years ago, Grand Admiral Thrawn, a brilliant Imperial strategist, made a campaign that
nearly toppled the New Republic.  He built up a huge fleet and an army of clone stormtroopers, at the same time recruiting the
mad Jedi Joruus C'Baoth as his ally.  The New Republic Council had some internal difficulties and was caught completely
off-guard.  It took all we had to defeat him." 
 "Then," Mara said, "came the resurrected Emperor.  The Empire cloned him, and he united many of the Imperial factions, while
planning an assault on the Mon Calamari and a campaign to retake Coruscant, the capital of both Republics and the Empire. 
Fortunately, the Jedi Master Luke Skywalker put an end to it." 
 "Recently, Admiral Daala and Pellaeon killed the leaders of the other Imperial factions, and joined the others under their
command.  We also had a bit of trouble with the Hutt crime clans, trying to build a copy of the original Death Star, but it was
taken care of.  Daala and Pellaeon are our main problem now," Mara finished. 
 "What about the Borg and Species 8-4-7-2?  Their territory is very close to this sector, and both have proven to be aggressive
and hostile species," Janeway said. 
 "Borg and 8-4-7-2..." Wedge wondered aloud, his brow furrowing in thought.  "Oh, you must mean the species that come in
the cubes and bio-ships.  We've met up with them, but we drive them away.  They're no match for us." 
    Shock registered on the faces of 'Voyager's' crew seated around the conference table, with the exception of Tuvok, of
course.  He merely raised an eyebrow in Vulcan fashion. 
 "They're no match for you?" B'Elanna asked, curiosity replacing her shock.  "What kind of weapons do you use?" 
 "The 'Yavaris II' is equipped with forty-eight turbolasers, twenty ion cannons, six tractor beam projectors and three squadrons
of twelve starfighters each," Wedge supplied. 
 "That's great," B'Elanna said.  "What are they?" 
 "A turbolaser is an extremely powerful form of laser cannon.  It's used on military starships over 100 meters in length.  They
require multiperson crews and huge generators for power, but they easily slice through the shields and hull of most starships,"
Wedge said.  "Daala used them against your ship."  He looked at Mara indicating that she should explain about the ion cannons.

 "Ion cannons," Mara began, "are specialized versions of laser cannons.  They fire ionized particle waves-" 
 "That disable the shield and electronic systems of the target starship," B'Elanna finished.   "So that's what the energy beams
Daala was using were." 
 "It also explains why we didn't suffer any physical damage," Tom added. 
 "Exactly," Mara said.  "Ion cannons are used to disable a starship so it can be captured intact." 
 "I'm sure you're all familiar with tractor beams," Wedge said with a grin. 
 "You could say that," Harry remarked, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. 
 "The 'Yavaris II' carries three types of starfighters," Wedge continued.  "The A-wings are interceptor fighters that carry two
laser cannons and two concussion missile launchers with a magazine of three missiles each." 
 "Concussion missiles?" Tom asked. 
 "Concussion missiles are physical weapons that can be carried by any starship.  They are short-range, but have higher
destructive capabilities than regular laser cannons and can go through energy shielding."  Wedge looked around before
continuing.  "B-wing fighters are heavy assault fighters equipped with two laser cannons, three ion cannons and two proton
torpedo launchers, carrying a magazine of four missiles each.  They're not very fast or maneuverable, but they are heavily
shielded and pack more firepower than many Imperial patrol ships.  The last type of fighter we use are X-wing fighters.  They
are general purpose fighters armed with four laser cannons and two proton torpedo launchers, carrying a magazine of three
missiles each.  They are highly maneuverable and very well shielded.  They're able to take quite a beating without a serious loss
of performance. They are also equipped with an astromech droid to calculate the jump to hyperspace." 
 "Hyperspace?" Janeway asked. 
 "Hyperdrive is a technology we use to travel between starsystems," Mara explained.  "We use hyperdrive to jump into an
alternate universe known as hyperspace, where we can travel faster than light.  But travel through hyperspace can be
dangerous; objects in our universe, or "real-space" create mass shadows in hyperspace.  Without precise calculations from a
navcomputer or an astromech droid, a ship traveling in hyperspace can strike one of these mass shadows.  A ship colliding with
a mass shadow is almost always destroyed." 
 "Excuse me," B'Elanna asked, "but is a 'droid' like an android or what?" 
 "Yes," Wedge explained, "a droid is a type of android used for many purposes.  We have droids for almost any task you can
think of in the New Republic: astromech droids, protocol droids, repair droids, med droids, media droids... the list goes on and
on.  Do you have any droids in the Federation?" 
 "Only one in service," Janeway said, "back in the Alpha Quadrant.  Unfortunately, the Federation has not made many advances
in robotics.  A civilian scientist, Dr. Noonien Soong, made two androids, and one had to be deactivated and disassembled
because he was too dangerous.  The other is now an officer in Starfleet, but recently, a Federation scientist wanted to dismantle
him for research.  He refused, and the case raised some serious questions about his civil rights.  His name is Data." 
    Wedge nodded in understanding.  "Reminds me about the way things are in the New Republic right now.  Droids are
discriminated against on practically every planet, and recently droids' rights activists have started to make a stand.  I guess
nothing changes no matter which side of the galaxy you're on." 
    Janeway put on her most diplomatic, respectful smile and adressed Wedge.  "General, I was wondering if you would like a
brief tour of 'Voyager' and then perhaps you and Major Jade would like to join us for dinner." 
    Wedge turned to Mara for her opinion.  Her face registered agreement.  "We would be honored, Captain, if you would
show us your ship," Wedge answered. 
 "Certainly, General," Janeway said.  She led them out of the conference room to the bridge. 
 *Maybe,* Janeway thought, *we've finally met up with a race that won't shoot us on sight or befriend us only to use us for
their own advantage.*  At least, that was what Janeway hoped. 
 

                                  * * * * *

    The rest of the crew went back to work while Wedge and Mara followed Janeway, Chakotay and Tuvok out of the room. 
They went through a door to exit the Conference Room, where they had first "beamed in" to.  The door led to a circular room
with many displays and control panels.  In the center of the room were two comfortable-looking chairs, with additional seats on
either side.  Crewman were walking around purposefully, going about their respective duties.  The new arrivals knew were they
were immediately 
 "This our bridge," Janeway said when they arrived.  "It's not overly huge, but it serves its purpose well.  From here, we control
almost every function of our ship, including communications, navigation, flight control, sensors, operations, limited engineering,
and complete weapons control."  She moved her hand to a large screen on the center of the forward wall.  "This is the main
viewscreen, where we view communiques and optical data, but it can be configured to display almost any information." 
    Wedge and Mara nodded and looked around.  "Impressive, Captain," Wedge said.  "Our Star Cruisers use holographic
displays to convey information.  I am impressed at your space efficiency.  On the 'Yavaris II', our bridge is easily three times the
size of yours to control the same systems.  Our turbolasers are not controlled directly like your weapons; we simply assign
targets to the firing crews, meaning our weapons are far less precise." 
 "Our computers," Janeway said, "have bioneural circuitry, which are stored in bioneural gelpacks.  The bioneural circuitry
increases the processing speed, and they have a longer life, with lower maintenance than a standard Optical Data Network, or
ODN.  However, the system is also susceptible to viruses."  Janeway briefly remembered the disaster with Neelix's cheese. 
 "Let's continue with the tour," Chakotay said.  He led them to a turbolift door at the rear of the bridge.  They stepped inside the
lift.  Mara expected him to key in their destination, but he placed his hands behind his back. 
 "Engineering," Chakotay commanded. 
  The lift made a muted trilling sound, and Mara felt a slight change in inertia.  They were moving downward. 
 *A voice-activated user-interface,* Mara thought.  *Nice!*  She kept her face clear of any expression of surprise. 
    Wedge, however, wasn't as skilled at controlling his expressions. 
    Janeway noticed the General's look of curiosity and quickly explained.  "Almost everything on this ship has an oral
user-interface.  You can work practically any function via voice commands.  Useful, but not always practical." 
    The lift stopped and the doors slid open with a light *swoosh*.  They stepped into a large, multi-leveled room, which was
abuzz with activity.  Crewmen in gold uniforms moved about the many consoles, running diagnostics and taking readings.  In the
center of the room, rising up several levels to the high-domed ceiling above was a cylindrical, glowing column.  Colors swirled
about in its depths, ranging from cerulean blue to lavenders and lilacs.  It reminded Mara of the ch'hala trees in Imperial Palace
on Coruscant, whose bark change color when ever pressure was applied to it.  She had a pretty good idea of where she was. 
   "This is Engineering," Janeway explained.  "The column you see in the middle is our warp core.  We use a matter/antimatter
reaction power source.  The antimatter is contained within an electromagnetic field.  By controlled annihilation of deuterium by
anti-hydrogen atoms, we can create enormous amounts of power.  The mediator in this reaction is a dilithium crystal, the only
material we know of which is unreactive to anti-hydrogen when subject to high-frequency EM fields.  The EM fields render the
structure "porous" to anti-hydrogen, which allows the antimatter to pass through the crystal without actually coming into contact
with it.  The warp core produces enough power to run the whole ship, with the power being transmitted through the Energy
Plasma Grid via EPS power taps.  A small amount of this power is bled off to the warp nacelles, which, when energized, alter
the geometry of the fabric of space around 'Voyager', creating a warp field and allowing us to travel faster than light." 
 "In effect," Chakotay said, "we are halfway inside an alternate universe called subspace.  An Earth scientist named Albert
Einstein theorized that faster-than-light travel in our universe is impossible, so we're going where the rules are slightly different,
so to speak." 
 "In sublight," Janeway continued, "we use more traditional fusion engines.  Since our phasers, our energy weapons that we use,
only travel at lightspeed, they are ineffective and even dangerous at warp, we can't use them.  However, our photon torpedoes
can be used since they maintain a limited warp field for faster than light travel." 
    Wedge and Mara watched as engineers scurried back and forth, working on various systems.  Mara instantly wished that
Isaacs' team ran as efficiently. 
 "Our sublight engines," Wedge explained, "are almost the same units, but your warp drive is most imressive technology.  How
do you measure the performance of warp dive?" 
 "The speed a ship is going at warp is translated into warp factors," Chakotay said.  "The higher the factor, the greater the
speed.  Warp factors range from Warp Factor One, the speed of light, to Warp Factor Ten, or infinite velocity.  A ship at
Warp Ten would be everywhere in the universe simultaneously at infinite speed.  Tom Paris did achieve this speed, but there
were... unpleasant side-effects."  Everyone looked like they were trying to surpress a grimace. 
 "Our hyperdrive," Wedge explained, "has performance ratings for each drive measured in 'Classes'.  The higher the Class, the
better the drive.  We have no real scale for measuring the speed of ships in hyperspace, just the amount of time it takes to travel
between two systems with a partcular drive.  No fighting can take place in hyperspace."  Wedge seemed relieved about that
last remark.  "We also have a kind of propulsion called repulsorlift drive for moving in a planetary atmosphere.  The drive repels
against the planet's gravity and the flight ceiling varies with the unit.  Most ships have them for atmospheric take-off and
landing." 
   Janeway nodded with interest.  "Perhaps we could look into your hyperdrive ratings and come up with a speed rating for
ships in hyperspace." 
 "Perhaps," Mara said.  "I was wondering if you could explain more about the type of weapons you use." 
    Tuvok went on to explain.  "We use specialized versions of lasers, called phasers, as our main weapon.  We carry both
ship-mounted and hand-held versions, as well as those mounted on our shuttles.  Our ship has twelve banks of phasers,
designated Type-X.  These banks are placed around our hull, allowing us to fire from any direction.  Our hand-held versions
range from personal Type-I hand phaser to the Type-V anti-starship compression-phaser rifle.  Our shuttles, though usually
unarmed, can be equipped with either Type-IV or Type-V phasers.  All are extremely powerful weapons, capable of pinpoint
targeting and instantaneous recharging. 
 "Our photon torpedoes are essentially a long, cylindrical tube that contains minute packets of matter and antimatter, separated
by magnetic fields.  Upon impact, the fields collapse, causing an explosion of great destructive power.  They are propelled by a
warp field.  We have four launchers on 'Voyager': two foreward and two aft.  However, we have been running low on
torpedoes since we cannot replace them." 
    Mara nodded.  *Very interesting,* she thought. 
    Janeway led them back to the lift and said, "Sick Bay".  The lift began to move again.  In no time, they stepped into a
hallway, were Janeway led them to a large, functional room with Spartan decorations and good illumination.  This was definitely
a Medical Section. 
     "These are our medical facilities," Janeway said.  "We are capable of treating many illnesses, from food poisoning to
Andronesian encephalitis.  Sick Bay is capable of handling dozens of cases at once, and we use some of the most advanced
tools." 
    Janeway pointed to a table by a bed.  "First of all," she said, "the patient is placed on a biobed that constantly monitors their
condition.  The patient is diagnosed by a medical tricorder, a scanning device.  They can then be treated with either drugs,
instruments, or both, depending on the situation.  Wounds are healed with anabolic protoplasers or dermal regenerators.  Our
ship is fully stocked with medication of all sorts.  Patients can also be resuscitated by cortical stimulators or other means." 
 "Very impressive, Captain," Mara said, "but where is your Chief Surgeon?" 
    Janeway nodded and gave a wry smile.  "Computer," she said and got an acknowledging beep, "activate the Emergency
Medical Holographic Program." 
    A bald man in a blue uniform appeared beside Janeway.  "Please state the nature of the medical emergency," he said. 
 "This is our Chief Medical Officer, "Janeway said.  "He is a holographic program designed as a temporary replacement until we
can get a new doctor.  Our original doctor was killed when we first got out here, so he is our doctor now."  She turned and
faced the Doctor.  "Doctor, these are our new arrivals, General Wedge Antilles and Major Mara Jade, of the New Republic
Star Cruiser 'Yavaris II'." 
    The Doctor held out his hand and shook each of theirs.  "How do you do," he said cordially.  "I am programmed to adapt to
different situations.  Like the Captain said, I am a holographic program, and the holoprojector equipment in Sick Bay doesn't
exist all over the ship.  However, I do have an autonomous holo-emitter that allows me to go practically anywhere.  I don't have
a name yet, but I'm in the process of choosing one." 
 "Where is the rest of the medical staff?" Wedge asked.  "Aren't there any nurses?" 
 "About the only nurse I have," the Doctor said, "is Kes, the Ocampan.  Many of the staff were killed when we first got to the
Delta Quadrant.  She is an extraordinary physician.  She absorbs material extremely quickly.  In time, I am confident that she
will soon be as skilled as I am, despite the fact that she is only three-years-old." 
    Mara and Wedge looked at the Doctor in shock.  "Three?" Wedge said. 
 "Ocampans have a very short lifespan," Janeway said.  "They only live to the age of nine." 
    Tuvok then piped up.  "Ocampans also have great psionic skills.  Kes has shown some amazing abilities, that well surpass
Vulcan telepathic skills.  Since I am the only one with similar abilities on board, I have been training her mind with various
excercises." 
 "You mean," Mara asked, "you're a telepath, as well?" 
    Tuvok nodded.  "All Vulcans have some telepathic skills, however they are somewhat limited by the standards of other
races." 
    Mara took in every iota of information.  *This is getting more interesting by the minute,* she thought. 
 "The Doctor," Chakotay said, getting back to the original subject, "is an extremely skilled physician.  However, his bedside
manner leaves much to be desired." 
    The Doctor looked at him with resentment.  "Am I excused now, Captain?" he asked. 
 "Yes," Janeway said, "you are excused." 
 "Well," he said, "it was nice meeting you.  Good day."  With that, he vanished. 
 "The Doctor was always complaining about how people never turned him off when they left Sick Bay," Janeway said.  "So,
B'Elanna programmed him with the ability to turn himself off.  He also has an autonomous emitter, which allows him to move
freely about the ship instead of having to transfer himself via the computer.  Ifyou're both ready, we can continue."  Mara and
Wedge both nodded. 
    They boarded the turbolift once more to go to the holodeck. 
    Mara found the holodeck fascinating.  A holodeck, as Janeway had called it, would dramatically increase morale, and the
variety of calisthetics and training programs showed promise for more practical purposes.  Their final stop was the Mess Hall,
where Neelix had prepared a smattering of different foods, including *grubjy* steak, spiced with the infamous leola root.  In
fact, almost every dish had leola root in it one way or another, whether it be a spice, a garnish, a key ingredient, or even the
main food.  Janeway, Chakotay and Tuvok sat at a table with Wedge and Mara.  Neelix came over to their table to refill
glasses. 
 "How is everything?" he asked Wedge. 
 "It's wonderful, thank you," Wedge replied.  "This has an interesting taste.  What's in it?" 
 "That would be leola root," Neelix replied.  "It's the best source of nutrition in the Delta Quadrant." 
 "It's very good," Mara agreed.  "It would be very well received back on Coruscant." 
 "I'm so happy you like it," Neelix said cheerfully. 
    Janeway, Chakotay and Tuvok exchanged a look, the same thing going through each of their minds.  Finally, a way to get rid
of the leola root.  If this didn't boost morale, nothing would.  Across the room, Kes sat with Harry, Tom, B'Elanna, Samantha
Wildman and Joe Carey. 
 "So, what do you think?" Harry asked his companions. 
 "They don't mean any trouble," Kes said.  "They want to help us." 
 "I'd like to get my hands on their engines," B'Elanna said. 
 "I'll bet you would," Tom said.  He was rewarded with a glare from B'Elanna. 
 "Yeah," Carey said, oblivious to the two of them.  "What do you suppose they run on?  And those weapons?  Man, if we had
those we could blast 8-4-7-2 right out of the sky." 
    Tom exchanged a look with Samantha, Harry and Kes.  When B'Elanna and Joe got started on engines, they could talk
forever.  Back on the other side of the room, Janeway, Chakotay and Tuvok were chatting with Mara and Wedge about the
capabilities of the 'Yavaris II'. 
 "Our ship is one of the most advanced in the New Republic fleet," Wedge said, "but I wish it ran as well and as efficiently as
yours." 
 "Perhaps we can arrange that, General," Janeway said.  "We would be more than willing to discuss a technology trade with
you." 
 "I will have to contact our Chief of State.  She makes all the decisions of that nature." 
 "Very well," Janeway replied.  "I would be pleased to negotiate a trade with her." 
 "Excellent," Mara said.  "We will contact her when we get back to the 'Yavaris II'.  I'm sure that she will be elated at the idea
of a trade with you." 
    The rest of the meal continued with pleasant conversation.  Mara probed each of their minds, and concluded that the crew of
'Voyager' meant them no harm.  In fact, Janeway genuinely wanted to help them. 
  

                                  * * * * *

 "Major," Wedge said once they were back aboard the 'Yavaris II', "join me in my ready room." 
 "Yes, sir," Mara acknowledged, and followed him through the door. 
    Wedge sat down at his desk and Mara took her usual seat on the couch facing him.  He tapped a few buttons and Leia's
image appeared on the holovid. 
 "General," she said, "what a surprise.  Is there something I can help you with?" 
 "Actually, there is.  We came into contact with another ship.  We caught Daala preparing to board and capture them.  We
successfully defeated her attempt, and were invited over to the other ship.  They are lost in this region of space.  They gave us a
tour of their vessel.  She's not as big as the 'Yavaris II', but she's powerful.  Their Captain is interested in a possible technology
trade with the New Republic." 
 "A technology trade?" Leia repeated. 
 "Yes," Wedge responded. 
 "Can they be trusted?" 
    Wedge looked to Mara, indicating that she should be the one to answer that question.  "Yes, I believe so," Mara answered. 
"I probed their minds, and I found no animosity there.  I did discover that one of the crew has extraordinary powers.  She may
be a candidate for the Academy on Yavin."  Wedge looked at her with slight surprise. 
 "Luke would probably be interested.  Do they have anything useful they can offer us?" 
 "Absolutely," Wedge replied.  "Their technology is highly advanced in some areas, while in others we are the more advanced. 
I think we could be beneficial to each other." 
 "Han and I will leave in the 'Falcon' to rendezvous with the 'Yavaris II' first thing in the morning." 
 "Excellent," Wedge acknowledged.  "I'm transmitting our coordinates to you now." 
 "I've received them," Leia replied.  "We'll see you tomorrow." 
 "Tomorrow.  Good night, Leia," Wedge said, and closed the channel. 
    He closed down the holovid and turned to Mara.  "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked. 
 "I couldn't find a proper time to mention it," Mara answered.  "I was going to put it in my report, but seeing that you had me
speak to Leia before I was able to give you my report, there was no convenient time to reveal that information.  Besides, I
wanted to talk to Kes in private, without her crewmates around to pressure her.  I also wanted to give her the test for Jedi
potential, which I haven't found time for." 
    Wedge nodded in satisfaction.  "Very well," he told her.  "Get some sleep.  I'll have your report on my desk in the morning. 
Dismissed." 
    Mara acknowledged with a nod and left the room. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    There was a flash of light as the tiny ship emerged from hyperspace.  The tiny, saucer-shaped freighter sped toward the
coordinates were two other ships had already gathered.  The light of Bvengi's bright sun shone on the well-worn, rusted hull of
the freighter. 
    The freighter passed the smaller of the two ships and approached the huge, aerodynamically streamlined cruiser.  While
passing by the smaller vessel, the crew of the freighter marveled at the unfamiliar design, indicating advanced technology. 
Though only the size of a light cruiser, they knew it packed enough power to put a Star Destroyer to flight. 
 "'Millenium Falcon' to 'Yavaris II'," Han said over the comm frequency, "requesting permission to dock." 
 "Permission to dock granted, 'Millenium Falcon'," responded a flight control operator.  "Approach Docking Bay, and cut your
engines.  We'll tractor you in and then you can switch to repulsorlifts." 
 "Acknowledged, Control," Han said.  "We are starting our approach... now." 
    Han punched the controls an the 'Falcon' sped toward the Docking Bay of the 'Yavaris II'.  As they neared it, Han ordered
his co-pilot, Chewbacca, to reduce engine power. 
 "Back her off nice and easy, Chewie," Han said.  "Cut it off gradually."  Chewie gave an acknowledging growl, and the 'Falcon'
slowed as it was caught by guiding hand of the tractor beam.  As they were reeled in, Han brought the repulsorlifts online and
began the landing cycle. 
    A full escort of New Republic troopers was there to greet them as they came down the exit ramp.  Wedge and Mara were
right in front to welcome them. 
 "Madame Chief of State, Captain Solo," Wedge greeted them.  "Welcome to the 'Yavaris II'." 
    Leia and Han went down the ramp, followed by Threepio, Artoo, and Chewie.  "I'm pleased to be here, General," Leia
answered.  "Is there anything else I should know about the situation?" 
 "Well," Wedge said as they moved out of the Docking Bay and down the corridor, "the captain of the ship is a Captain
Kathryn Janeway.  Their ship is called the 'Voyager', and they are from the other side of the galaxy, what we call the Unkown
Regions.  They want information about this sector, and are interested in a technology trade, as well." 
 "Are they trustworthy?" Han asked Mara. 
 "I believe so," Mara answered.  "I probed their minds, and I didn't detect any hostility or deception." 
 "What did you sense?" Leia asked. 
 "I sensed caution from most of them," Mara said.  "The Captain and her top officers mostly hoped that we weren't anybody
who would pretend to help them, but only try to take advantage in the end." 
 "Well!  I don't know where they would get that idea!" Threepio exclaimed in his typical prissy voice.  He had always figured
that most people considered the New Republic a benevolent, trustworthy government. 
 "Judging from the account of their journey," Wedge said, "they haven't had much luck in this quadrant." 
    They finally arrived on the bridge, where the proper full salute was given to the Chief of State and her husband.  They then
proceeded into the Wedge's ready room and locked the door. 
 "You talked to me about them considering a technology trade," Leia said.  "Do they have anything to offer us?" 
 "Oh, yes!" Wedge said.  He looked at Mara, as if silently asking her to explain. 
    Mara took her cue and began to explain their technology.  "For one thing, they have machines, called replicators, that will
create food practically out of thin air.  They have huge rooms called holodecks, which are capable of simulating any
environment.  This would greatly boost morale, and also can be used for training and calisthetics.  Their Sick Bay is also
equipped with a holographic physician, which performs much better than any of our med-droids." 
 "How does their physician do anything if he's a hologram?" Han asked.  "He's not even real!" 
 "From what I heard," Mara explained, "their holograms are not merely images.  They are surrounded by special force-fields,
which give them substance.  In fact, all of the holodeck walls are covered with a force-field when active that keeps the
crewmember in a 'treadmill' effect, meaning a practically endless room."  She continued.  "Their weapons are marvels of
engineering.  They only have twelve banks of energy weapons, but they are powerful enough to chase off an Imperial Star
Destroyer.  They also have a plant called leola root, which is the model of a nutritional diet."  Mara told them about the other
fascinating technologies being offered by the crew of the mysterious ship. 
    Artoo broke into a series of ecstatic beeps and whistles, which Threepio translated.  "Artoo says that what you're describing
sounds like a fantasy."  Chewie growled an agreement. 
 "If hadn't seen it with my own eyes," Wedge said, "I'd say it was a fantasy, too.  But this isn't a fantasy, it's*real*."  Han could
tell he was very serious. 
    Leia turned to Mara and her voice took on a more serious tone.  "You said something about a possible Jedi candidate?" 
    Mara nodded.  "Their nurse, Kes.  She is an alien that joined their crew when they came out here.  From what I gathered,
she is an Ocampan, a race that lives only nine years.  The physician took particular pride in telling about her learning abilities. 
The crew also mentioned something about psionic abilities.  When Captain Janeway and the senior staff first greeted us, I
probed everyone's mind, including hers.  I was startled by how strong her mind was.  She sensed my probe, and I knew it.  In
fact, she communicated back.  I feel that she has an enormous affinity to the Force."  Mara paused then continued reporting her
findings.  "There is also their security officer, Tuvok.  He is an alien, a Vulcan.  He said that all of their race have innate, but
limited telepathic skills.  I have a feeling that he might have Jedi potential, but I'm not sure." 
 "Have you tested either of them?" Leia asked. 
    Mara shook her head.  "I didn't have time to conduct the test.  Besides, I wanted to ask them in private.  They may or may
not want to go to the praxeum, even if they do have the potential."  Leia nodded her understanding. 
    Wedge suddenly clapped his hand to his forehead.  "Where are my manners?" he asked aloud.  "We've been talking so much
about business that I forgot to show you your quarters!" 
 "Slipping a little, are we?" Han teased, while Chewie gave an urf-urf-urf chuckle.  "They say memory is the first thing to go." 
 "Believe me," Mara said, "if you were on the same ship with Wilma Isaacs, you'd be in the psychiatric ward of Imperial Palace
in no time."  They all laughed. 
 "Come," Wedge said, "let me show you your accomadations." 
  

                                  * * * * *

    The quarters that Wedge led them to were spacious and comfortable, literally fit for royalty.  Guards were posted at the door
at all hours, and the doors themselves were magnetically sealed steelcrete.  The suite was locked with a retina scan, voice print,
keycard, and a sixteen-digit access code.  Such security measures were typical for a ship carrying the Chief of State of the
New Republic. 
    Leia had no interest in relaxing in her quarters until this business was settled.  As soon as their luggage was moved into their
suite, Han, Leia, and Threepio went to the bridge, leaving Artoo and Chewie with the task of unpacking. 
    Leia was greeted with a formal salute from Wedge when she stepped onto the bridge. 
 "I will need to contact the Senate," she informed Wedge. 
 "Feel free to use my ready room," he replied. 
    Leia, Han and Threepio entered Wedge's ready room.  Leia sat down at the desk and tapped a few keys on one of the
panels.  An image of Mon Mothma appeared on the holotable. 
 "Leia," Mon Mothma greeted her.  "Is there something I can do for you?" 
 "Yes, there is.  General Antilles has made contact with a ship called 'Voyager'.  They wish to make a technology trade with the
New Republic.  Call a meeting of the Senate and get back to me.  We need to take a vote." 
 "I will contact you once all of the members have arrived," Mon Mothma replied.  She cut the transmission. 
 "Now, we wait," Leia told her husband. 
hnology are we talking about?" 
    Leia allowed herself a smile smile as she gave her explaination.  "We are talking about a ship wth only twelve banks of
energy weapons, but it can scare a Star Destroyer enough to make it flee.  We are talking about a ship with some of the most
sophisticated shielding and sensor technology the New Republic has ever seen, with computers that outrank ours in sheer speed
and capacity.  Add to that some of the most advanced medical facilities that lack nothing short of a bacta tank.  They have
machines which are far more advanced than our food processors; they will make food out of bulk matter, with no need to carry
space-consuming foodstuffs.  Their holographic technology is far ahead of ours; their holograms actually have substance, they
are not just reflected three-dimensional images.  Their engines are efficient and powerful, and they use an extraordinarily
sophisticated form of interstellar transportation.  They are willing to share some secrets, but not others." 
    Bel Iblis, and the rest of the Council, was impressed.  The senator sat down and the silence was Leia's cue to continue. 
 "If there are no further questions, I suggest we put this to a vote," said the Chief of State.  "Al in favor of a technology trade
with the United Federation of Planets, say 'Aye'.  All opposed, say 'Nay'."  She went around the room asking the members of
the Council for their votes.  All were in favor except Fey'lya, whose vote was overruled by the majority.  Leia nodded and let
out a brief sigh. 
    She smiled.  "Well then, if there is no further business, I will meet with Captain Janeway to begin the negotiations.  I declare
this meeting adjourned."  She shut down the holovid and closed er eyes in relief. 
 *That went well,* she thought.  *For once.* 
  

                                  * * * * *

"Has there been any contact with the 'Voyager' since I arrived?" Leia asked. 
 "Negative, Madame Chief of State," Mara responded, "they are awaiting our signal." 
    Leia nodded her head slightly.  "Then I suggest we give them one.  Hail the 'Voyager'."  Leia stepped to the holotable and
waited, while Mara opened a channel to the ''Voyager'.  The holotable activated, raising the central platform, while the lights
dimmed.  Above the platform was the image of an attractive woman in her forties with auburn hair and gentle eyes.  Leia knew
that this had to be the Captain Kathryn Janeway of whom Wedge had spoken. 
    The woman spoke.  "Greetings, 'Yavaris II'," she said in a dry, diplomatic voice.  "What can I do for you?" 
 "Captain Janeway, I presume?" Leia asked and received an affirmative nod.  "I am Leia Organa Solo, Chief of State of the
New Republic.  I have looked forward to meeting you, Captain." 
    Janeway gave a polite nod.  "As have I, Madame Chief of State," Janeway said, smiling. 
 "General Antilles tells me you are interested in a technology trade," Leia said.  Captain Janeway gave an answering nod. 
 "We are very much interested, Madame Chief of State," Janeway said respectfully.  "I would be very honored if you would
come aboard and see if we can work something out." 
    Leia nodded.  "I would love to come aboard, for you see, I am also very interested in what you have to offer.  I heard of
your scuffle with Admiral Daala.  I believe that we can work out a deal which would be mutually beneficial to us all.  However,
you must understand that we have concerns for my safety." 
 "You may bring over as many bodyguards as you feel necessary," Janeway responded understandingly.  "Take any precautions
you need to ensure your safety." 
 "Captain," Leia said, "I appreciate your willingness to comply.  However, the risk is still too great.  My apologies." 
 "I understand," Janeway said. 
 "But," Leia said, "I would have no trouble if you and your senior staff transported to the 'Yavaris II'.  We would appreciate
holding the meeting on a New Republic ship." 
    Janeway nodded in approval.  "Very well, Madame Chief of State.  My senior staff and I will transport aboard at 1645 to
the coordinates we are transmitting on this frequency."  Leia noticed a small holographic window which displayed a large bank
of numeric data. 
 "Excellent," Leia said.  "We have received your coordinates.  I look forward to seeing you aboard." 
    Captain Janeway laughed.  "As do I," she said smiling.  "Until then, Madame Chief of State, "'Voyager' out!" 
    The holotable deactivated as the transmission was cut off.  The platform sunk back into the center of the table, and Leia let
out a long sigh.  That conversation was more pleasant than most of her diplomatic engagements and, for once, she *didn't*
have a bad feeling about this. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Janeway and her senior staff felt the tingling sensation characteristic of having your atoms broken apart and reassembled
again.  The Captain, Chakotay, Tuvok, Tom, B'Elanna, Harry and Kes, who insisted on going so she could speak with Mara
Jade, materialized inside a huge room decked with terminals, display panels, and chairs.  Crewmen bustled around, going about
their respective duties.  In the center of the room were two command chairs facing a large, clear viewport which gave an
astounding view of space.  A few meters in front of the chairs was a large table with some controls on it. 
    Their hosts stood facing them, smiling as they marveled at the enormity of the bridge.  Mara and Wedge stood next to a
dark-haired, gentle woman in flowing white robes, whom Janeway recognized as Chief of State Leia Organa Solo.  Beside the
Chief of State was a cocky, slightly unkempt-looking man in well-worn breeches and a black vest, who carried a pistol at his
belt.  At his side was a tall, furry humanoid who wore a metal sash that reminded her of the ceremonial pieces that some
Klingons wore.  The furry creature carried what looked like a metal crossbow.  Next to him stood a shiny, golden android with
a vaguely humanoid shape.  Beside him was a small, barrel-shaped android with three legs on wheels.  The Chief of State
smiled warmly and welcomed them. 
 "Welcome to the 'Yavaris II', Captain."  She stepped forward and gave a slight nod.  Janeway took a step toward her and
returned the gesture.  "I have looked forward to meeting you, Captain." 
 "As have I, Madame Chief of State," Janeway said.  She turned to Wedge and Mara and held out her hand.  "General, Major,
I can't tell you how good it is to see you again." 
 "The pleasure is all mine, Captain," Wedge said.  He took each of their hands in turn, as did Mara. 
    When Mara came to Kes, she reached out through the Force to touch her mind.  *I'd like to speak with you later,* she
thought. 
 *When?* Kes asked.  *Where?* 
 *Not now,* came Mara's response.  *After the meeting.  Have the Vulcan come with you.* 
    Leia went on to introduce the other four present.  "Now, Captain.  If you'll allow me to introduce my husband, Captain Han
Solo, and his companion and copilot, Chewbacca the Wookie."  Solo reached shook Janeway's hand and murmured a quick
"How-do-you-do?".  It was obvious that he wasn't used to diplomatic functions.  Chewbacca just let out a muffled growl as
Janeway shook his hairy paw. 
    The golden robot spoke up in a prissy voice.  "He says that he is very pleased to make your acquaintence.  Allow me to
introduce myself.  I am See-Threepio, Human-Cyborg Relations.  And this is my counterpart, Artoo-Detoo."  The little robot
bleeped and whistled cheerfully.  "He expresses his salutations as well." 
    The crew gave their greetings to the two droids.  Organa Solo took the opportunity to press on.  "If we've all said our
greetings, now is the time to move onto business.  Please follow me." 
    Leia led to them to the rear of the bridge and through a set of doors into what was obviously a readyroom.  It was much
larger and more luxurious than Janeway's own readyroom.  A long table and several chairs were set up at far side of the room,
with a computer console at every seat.  Leia led them their and beckonned for them to sit down.  A New Republic escort
waited on either side of the Chief of State, with another pair of guards inside the door.  Leia took a seat at the head  of the
table, with her husband sitting next to her.  Adjacent to them were Mara and Wedge, then came Chewie and Threepio.  Artoo
rolled to the emtpy seat beside Threepio and plugged into the terminal, through a port in the table leg.  Janeway and Chakotay
sat in the two seats at the foot of the table.  Then came Paris and B'Elanna.  Next came Tuvok and Harry.  Kes took the seat
opposite Artoo at Harry's side. 
    At Leia's seat was a shiny brass bell, perfectly formed and rounded, with a ringer beside it.  She took up the ringer and
tapped the bell six times, pausing a little after every two rings.  The bell gave beautiful, crystal clear tones that silenced any
conversation that might have been present in the room.  Leia put down the ringer and spoke. 
 "This meeting is now in session," she said.  "We all know why we are here--to discuss a technology trade between the New
Republic and the United Federation of Planets.  I have already spoken at great length with the New Republc Senate, and they
have agreed, by a majority vote, to allow these talks to proceed.  And now, without further ado, let's get right down to it."  She
looked over her guests, her gaze briefly lingering on the alien female with long blond hair.  She was sure that this was Kes the
Ocampan that Mara told her about.  Her gaze then flicked back to Janeway.  "Captain Janeway, what are you interested in
offering the New Republic?"  She activated the computer terminals at everyone's seat.  The screen displayed a word processing
program. 
    Janeway sat up a bit straighter.  "I am the only Federation Captain in the Delta Quadrant.  No other Starfleet Captain has
come this far.  Therefore, I have full authority to represent the United Federation of Planets.  Normally our Prime Directive
forbids contact with under-developed cultures,  though I would hardly call the New Republic under-developed.  I am,
however, forbidden from giving you technology that would grant you a decisive edge in your current war with the Galactic
Empire.  Therefore, I am prohibited from giving you our transporter technology. 
 "However," she continued, "I can offer you other things."  She turned to her staff.  "My senior staff and I have decided on what
we are willing to offer you." 
    B'Elanna sat up and addressed the New Republic representatives.  "The Engineering Department offers you our holographic
technology.  We realize that ours is far more sophisticated than your own technology and that it is commonly used throughout
the New Republic.  We will also throw in a fully capable copy of our own Emergency Medical Holographic physician.  The
program is capable of skill beyond what is humanly possible and will be of great use." 
    Tom piped up before she could continue.  "On a side note, I'd like to personally offer you our complete stock of leola root." 
'Voyager's' senior staff looked at him as if he had no understanding of tact or subtlety whatsoever, but given his track record
with the Maquis they shouldn't have been that surprised.  He continued.  "It's supposedly the best source of nutrition in the
quadrant, and, since you're at war, you'll need all the nutrition you can get." 
    Leia nodded enthusiastically and made notes on her terminal.  "An excellent offer.  Please continue." 
    Tom gave a look as though he were surprised they actually agreed.  To him, it was like a starving planet buying a shipment of
hemlock.  He quickly brushed the look aside and gestured for Harry to take his turn. 
 "We are also prepared to give you our food replication technology.  The replicator unit will come preprogrammed with all the
recipes in our database, including two favorites from each of the senior staff and whatever Neelix has developed over the
years.  We are also prepared to give you sensor equipment and our bionueral computer technology, as well as our tricorders,
which are far more efficient and compact than whatever equivalent machinery you use." 
    The look on Leia's face told him she was most pleased with how the trade was going so far.  She made more notes, as did
Mara, Wedge, and the droids.  Chewbacca and Han sat there, looking like strangers in a strange land. 
    Tuvok sat up and took his turn to address the Chief of State.  "From the Security and Tactical Departments," he said in a flat,
emotionless voice, "we offer you our phaser technology.  This doesn't violate the Prime Directive because you have blasters and
turbolasers, however our phasers are significantly more powerful and efficient.  Though they are not so much more efficient that
they give you a decisive combat edge against the Empire.  You will receive the full line of personal phasers as well as
shipmounted versions.  You will also receive photon torpedoes, which are slightly more powerful than your heavy bombs.  In
addition to our weapons, we are willing to offer our shielding technology which is more powerful and more efficient than your
own shields.  There will also be no need for you to have two types of shields as you do now."  He looked to Kes who sat up
straighter.  She appeared uneasy, as if she was somehow preoccupied.  She kept looking in the direction of the Chief of State
and Mara Jade.  The Chief of State looked toward her to signal her to speak, but Mara just stared back, as if similarly
preoccupied.  Kes collected herself and spoke. 
 "From the Medical Department," she said steadily, "we are willing to offer you our full database of medical knowledge,
including any recent breakthroughs we might have made.  In addition, we are willing to give a sample of all the drugs and
medications we have stocked.  Also we will give our tools, including medical tricorders, dermal regenerators, hyposprays,
biobeds, anabolic protoplasers, and much more."  She looked to Janeway. 
 "That is our offer for this technology trade, "Janeway said.  "My crew will assist in all of the refits that will be made on the
'Yavaris II'.  We would like to hear what you will give us in return."  Leia looked very pleased by the deal Janeway had offered
her.  She made her final notes on her terminal and turned to Wedge.  The General sat up, grinned reflexively, and addressed
'Voyager's' crew. 
 "We are aware that your resources are limited.  You are a long way from any one of your bases and your energy supply, most
of all, must be conserved.  Our engineers have discovered a way to modify your antimatter reactor to function on substances
other than deuterium and anti-hydrogen.  In fact, after these modifications, you will be able to use almost any type of fuel." 
B'Elanna perked up like a thirsty plant in a refreshing summer rain.  She wanted to burst forth with a million questions, but
Janeway looked at her and she immediately restrained herself. 
    Janeway, obviously pleased so far, nodded for them to continue. 
    Han Solo spoke up next, a little uncomfortable at addressing an audience.  "Um... We've run some tests and developed a
scale for measuring the speed of a ship in hyperspace.  It turns out that, according to our calculations, hyperdrive is a faster way
for you people to get home.  We are willing to give you a Class One hyperdrive unit, modified to run from your unique power
source.  You will also have a navicomputer, fully programmed with all our known jump coordinates.  However, if your Stellar
Cartography Department will work with our astronomers, we can pinpoint a safe course through hyperspace in no time." 
  Everyone looked as if they couldn't believe their ears.  They would be going home.  They wouldn't wait until they were old and
feeble from age and have their grandchildren run the ship, they would be home soon, maybe within months.  And this wouldn't
be a one-shot deal either, they could come back and visit the Delta Quadrant anytime they wished.  It was better than a
dream-come-true.  It was real. 
    Mara spoke up next.  "We are willing to give you our ion cannon technology.  Since we know you have no need of
turbolasers, we are not offering them to you.  The ion cannons will be of great use to you if you need another combat option. 
We will also reload your torpedo launchers and restock your supplies with all the types of warheads available to us.  We know
you have been running short on shuttles lately, so we are offering four 'Lambda'-class shuttles."  Janeway thought that was more
than acceptable, but she was too stunned to respond.  Artoo bleeped and Threepio dutifully translated. 
 "Artoo says that we are willing to offer *our* medical technology in the way of artificial limbs and bionics, which are far more
advanced than your equivalent techniques."  Kes looked very pleased, but she was still preoccupied, as if something else were
consuming her attention... 
 "We will also fully restock any supplies you may need.  This is our offer.  Do you find it acceptable?" Leia asked. 
    Janeway smiled.  "*Most* acceptable, Madame Chief of State.  We will gladly accept your offer.  That is, if you will accept
ours." 
 "Of course, Captain.  I would not turn down a deal this good.  If I did, I don't think I'd hold my position very long."  Both
women gave a wry laugh and they set to work putting the trade agreement in writing.  They worked their terminals with lightning
speed.  There were some minor disagreements in wording and such, but it was all straightened out.  The finished document was
sent via HoloNet and reviewed by the Senate.  It was ratified by unanimous vote.  Leia and Janeway then put their thumbs on
the respective scanning devices in their terminals.  The document floated above the table with the Senate Seal of Ratification
and the thumbscans of both Captain Kathryn Janeway and Chief of State Leia Organa Solo.  It was now reality. 
 "It was a pleasure doing business with you, Captain," Leia said standing up.  She took the ringer and tapped the bell in the
same sequence that she had at the start of the meeting.  "I officially declare this meeting adjourned!"  Everyone shook each
other's hand and most were turning to leave the room.  Mara kept looking at Kes, who looked back and turned her gaze
away.  Kes approached Janeway. 
 "Captain, I'd like to have some time to speak to Major Jade alone, if that's all right," she asked kindly. 
 "Of course, Kes," Janeway said. 
 "Thank you."  Kes beckoned to Tuvok. 
 "Ah, Kes," Tuvok said in his logical voice.  "How may I assist you?" 
 "Follow me, Tuvok," she said. 
 "Where are we going?" he demanded. 
 "No time to explain, just follow."  Kes turned to Mara and followed her past the guards and out the door. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Kes and Tuvok followed Mara Jade out of the ready room and across the bridge.  Mara stepped into the turbolift and held
the door open for them.  They both stepped inside and the doors *swooshed* behind them.  Kes had wanted the opportunity
to speak to Mara from the moment she had detected the woman's mind probe in 'Voyager's' conference room.  She couldn't
guess how she had tapped such abilities.  Mara was biologically human, and very few humans showed any type of psionic
capabilities.  Kes was also uneasy about following her to an unknown destination for an unknown purpose.  Was this a trap? 
Kes pushed aside her fears and waited for the turbolift to reach their destination. 
    Tuvok wasn't so trusting.  He reached out a hand toward the control panel and halted the turbolift.  He turned toward Mara
Jade with his dark eyes. 
 "Major," he said in a slightly harsh, impatient tone, "I wish to know where you are taking us and why, and I wish to know
now.  We will travel no farther until you have answered me." 
    With an invisible hand, Mara reached out through the Force and touched the control to resume their progress.  Tuvok turned
in as much shock as a Vulcan could express to stare at the panel that had operated seemingly of itself.  He stopped the turbolift
again and turned back to Mara, pulling a phaser from his belt. 
 "Who are you?" he said in a low voice, leveling the phaser at Mara.  Kes stared at them both, afraid that a firefight would start.

 * That would be really nice, to have a New Republic officer shot by our own Chief of Security after we just forged a
technology trade with them.*  Right now, she was afraid for them both. 
    Mara calmly regarded Tuvok's drawn weapon before addressing him.  "I'm Major Mara Jade, First Officer on board the
'Yavaris II'," she answered.  "Who else did you think I was?" 
 "Tell us where we are going and why.  *Now*." Tuvok said, his voice deadly calm and emotionless.  He raised his phaser to
aim at her chest.  "Or I *will* fire." 
    Mara pointed to the phaser and said, "That isn't necessary.  You will put your weapon away."  Kes thought she felt a flicker
of *something*, but she couldn't put her finger on what it was or where it came from. 
    Tuvok looked suddenly dazed.  "This isn't necassary," he said in a flat, calm voice.  "I will put away my weapon."  Kes
stared at him, confused as he strangely repeated what she had just said.  Tuvok returned the phaser to his belt. 
    Mara continued, lowering her arm to her side.  "As for our destination and why we're going there, we are going to my
quarters.  You will find out why when we get there."  Kes felt the flicker again. 
    Tuvok nodded.  "We will find out why when we get there." 
 "Have the turbolift resume it's destination," Mara said with a slight edge of command.  Tuvok nodded and worked the controls
to get the turbolift moving again.  Kes felt the flicker... and figured out what it was.  Mara Jade was somehow using her powers
to manipulate Tuvok.  It was frightening to Kes.  She knew from experience that Tuvok's mind was nearly impregnable from all
the mental barriers he placed around it, and even though she herself had effortlessly broken through all those barriers before,
when she had been possessed by the Warlord Ti'ren, who had pushed her mind from its more relaxed applications to the very
limits of its capabilities, but for a *human* to manipulate a powerful mind such as Tuvok's so easily... it was unheard of.  How
could she possess such power? 
    The *swoosh* of the turbolift doors interrupted her thoughts.  They had arrived at their destination.  They walked out into a
wide corridor which had much less activity than the bridge.  Crewman walked up and down the corridor talking to each other. 
Doors lined the walls all along the corridor.  These were obviously crew quarters and, judging from the spacing between the
doors, probably the quarters of high-ranking officers.  Mara led them down the hall to a door with a brass plaque proclaiming
her residence there.  She entered the security code to her quarters and the door opened for them.  She led them inside and
gestured for them to have a seat on a comfortable-looking couch.  She ordered three drinks from the food processor and took
a seat herself on a plush, self-conforming, pseudo-leather chair. 
    Kes finally found her nerve.  "Major," she said uneasily, "I would like to know what you have done to Tuvok." 
    Tuvok looked at her in surprise.  "I do not know what you are referring to, Kes," he said.  "I do not recall anything unusual
that occured between the Major and myself." 
    Kes looked at him as if he were crazy.  "You mean you don't remember *anything* about what happened in the turbolift? 
How you stopped the car and Mara started it again with her mind, or how you drew your phaser on her and she manipulated
you into putting it away?" 
 "I recall no such event," Tuvok said, not a little confused. 
 "He recalls nothing because that is what I intended," Mara said.  "Don't worry, Kes.  He is fine."  Tuvok stared at her, even
more confused than before. 
 "Alright," Kes began, "Next question: how can you do this?  Humans have no inate psionic talents, and I know that one cannot
control Tuvok's mind easily.  How do you command such power?" 
    Mara sipped her hot drink and smiled slightly.  "Do you remember what I told you about the Jedi Knights?"  Kes nodded
and suddenly realization struck like a meteor against the hull. 
 "You mean... You're a...?" 
    Mara nodded.  "I am a Jedi Knight.  It isn't something I always mention to people I meet.  You remember how I told you of
the fall of the Old Republic and the Jedi?"  Kes nodded.  "Well," Mara went on, "what I didn't tell you was that the Jedi are
rising again.  The Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, one of my old opponents, is seeing to that." 
 "I remember the name," Kes said vaguely.  "Wasn't he the one who you said stopped the resurrected Emperor?" 
    Mara nodded.  "I told you that only two Jedi Masters were left after the Emperor's great purge.  Skywalker was not one of
them.  Those two Masters were Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda, Skywalker's teachers, both of them are deceased. 
Skywalker was the son of a very powerful Jedi Knight named Anakin Skywalker." 
    Tuvok nodded, drawing a conclusion.  "So Skywalker's father was killed in the purge." 
    Mara shook her head.  "Skywalker's father *became* part of the purge.  He fell to the Dark Side and became the
Emperor's chief vassal, changing his name to Darth Vader."  Kes gasped in shock, but Tuvok just cocked an eyebrow. 
 "So what happened to Skywalker?" Kes asked. 
 "Obi-Wan Kenobi knew as the Emperor did that any children of Anakin Skywalker would become a threat to him.  So for his
own safety, he and his twin sister were seperated and hidden from their father when they were born.  Luke was taken to be
raised on the remote backwater planet of Tatooine, while his sister was raised by the Senator Bail Organa as a Princess of the
Royal House of Alderaan."  Kes interrupted before she could continue. 
 "Chief of State Leia Organa Solo?  *That's* his sister?!" 
    Mara nodded.  "The same.  Those two, along with Han Solo have been some of the greatest heroes of the Rebel Alliance
and the New Republic." 
 "I thought I sensed something about her," Kes said distantly.  "I don't know what it was, but it was *different*." 
 "Your insight serves you well," Mara said. 
    Tuvok spoke up.  "You said that Luke Skywalker was one of your old opponents.  Why?" 
    Mara looked at them uneasily and stared into her drink as if searching for an answer.  "Because," she began, "I was
instructed to kill him.  I was the Emperor's Hand.  Through the Force, I heard his call from anywhere in the galaxy, and I made
sure his will was enforced.  I was instructed to kill Luke upon the Emperor's death.  I thought it was because Luke killed the
Emperor, but it turned out that Vader killed the Emperor after Luke defeated his father in lightsaber combat.  Anakin
Skywalker returned from the Dark Side and threw the Emperor down the power core of the Death Star.  Skywalker's father
died shortly thereafter.  I was instructed to kill Luke as a last vengeance against Vader, but we've reconciled our differences. 
 "As I was saying," she said, going back to the original topic, "Luke is establishing a new order of Jedi Knights.  He believes the
Republic can't survive without the Jedi and I believe it, as do many.  With the help of the Council, he has established a Jedi
'praxeum' on the fourth moon of the planet Yavin, a system not far from here.  He's already had a number of Jedi Knights
graduate from the Academy.  Which brings us to why I want to talk to you." 
    Kes stared at her uneasily.  "What about?" 
    Mara sipped some more of her drink.  "As a Jedi Knight, I must always be on the lookout for possible Jedi candidates, for
those who have the potential to use the Force.  The Emperor's purge was not as complete as he'd have liked to believe.  While
he and Vader killed almost all of the Jedi Knights, they did not eliminate their descendants or families.  The potential to use the
Force often runs in a family bloodline, or it could spontaneously develop in any individual.  Some species, however, have a
natural affinity to the Force.  Thus, Master Skywalker conducted his Jedi search.  That same search goes on." 
 "And what does this have to do with us?" Tuvok asked. 
 "She thinks that we have the ability to use the Force," Kes said.  "But she is more interested in me as a candidate for the
academy than you." 
    Mara had already felt the tendril of thought that had probed her mind for the answer that was about to surface.  A rather
primitive technique, but effective and most impressive for one who was never properly trained.  "That is correct," Mara said,
smiling proudly at Kes's abilities.  I'm wondering, if you truly have the potential, if you would be interested in going to the
'praxeum' to learn how to use your powers." 
    Tuvok spoke up.  "May I point out, that I am already training Kes in her mental abilities on board 'Voyager'." 
    Mara looked with sympathy at Tuvok, as if she didn't know quite what to say without insulting him.  "Mr. Tuvok, I
understand what you've been doing with Kes's training, but... from what I've seen, the disciplines you've taught her are very
primitive.  She has so much potential.  There is only so much you can teach her.  Master Skywalker is an experienced
instructor.  He can show her how to take full advantage of her abilities." 
 "May I also point out," Tuvok went on with not the slightest sign of hurt pride, "that on past occasions Kes has been given the
opportunity to take full advantage of her powers.  Those opportunities have always ended up with someone hurt or killed due
to lack of control." 
 "She will *learn* control," Mara insisted.  "Every student must learn control, if they are to truly use their abilities.  Without
control, your powers are useless." 
    Kes spoke up.  She knew she was interrupting, but she couldn't let either her mentor or this woman decide her future for
her.  "Excuse me," she said, "but this is *my* decision, right?" 
    Mara and Tuvok looked up from their arguing.  "Yes, of course it is," they said in unison. 
 "Mara," Kes asked, "you said that the mission of the Jedi was to defend the New Republic?"  Mara nodded, and Kes
continued.  "Would I be bound to New Republic space in any way?  Would I be allowed to leave and see the galaxy for
myself?" 
 "Of couse you could," Mara said, "as long as you adhere to the Jedi Code and serve the Force.  Since we made contact with
'Voyager', I think that the mission of the Jedi has changed.  I think that the whole galaxy needs the Jedi.  You could be the first
of our ranks to go out among the distant stars and teach those with the potential to use the Force."  Kes nodded in
understanding. 
 "If she has the potential," Tuvok pointed out.  "How can you be sure that she *can* use this Force?" 
 "First of all, by her reputation for psionic abilities," Mara said.  "Like I said, some races have a natural affinity for using the
Force." 
 "Suppose those abilities are just inate psionic talents?" Tuvok asked. 
 "They might be," Mara admitted, "but I don't think so.  When I first came aboard 'Voyager', I probed everyone's mind to see if
your intentions were hostile.  When I reached her mind, I sensed *enormous* potential for using the Force." 
    Kes looked at Tuvok and said, "I felt her probe on the other crew members before she got to to me.  When she probed my
mind, I...communicated with her.  She was impressed.  She asked if I was a Jedi, but I didn't have another opportunity to talk
to her until now." 
 "I admit," Mara said, "it wasn't a very accurate appraisal of her potential, but I have one test to perform just to be sure." 
    Tuvok looked skeptical.  "And what does it involve?" 
 "You both know about reflexes, don't you?"  Kes and Tuvok nodded.  "Good," Mara continued, "because the test I'm going to
give you involves your telepathic reflexes.  When you hit your knee in the right place, it jerks, right?  Well, Master Skywalker
found that if you probe someone's mind in the right place, and that person has Jedi potential, they will give a telekinetic shove to
the one giving the test.  I can indirectly guess your potential by the force of the shove." 
 "Will we be in danger in any way?" Tuvok asked. 
 "No," Mara said.  "I have a feeling it is I who will be in danger.  Do you agree to be tested?" 
    Kes and Tuvok both nodded, and she gestured for them to stand.  Mara rose from her chair and stood facing Tuvok.  She
put her hands on his head and reached out through the Force.  She searched in the area of primitive emotions, raw instinct,
searching for the nub Skywalker had taught her to find.  She found it and *pushed*. 
    Nothing happened.  There was no force pushing her backwards, nothing.  She tried again, and again.  But nothing
happened.  She put her hands to her side. 
 "I'm sorry," she said to Tuvok, "but you have no potential.  It appears your telepathy is an inate psionic talent of your species." 
 "Are you certain?" Tuvok asked. 
 "Yes," Mara answered, "I am.  Your turn, Kes."  She walked over to Kes and put her hands on the Ocampan's head. 
    Kes reached out with her own tendril of thought.  *I'm scared,* she said. 
    Mara smiled at her and thought back, *Don't be.  It'll be fine.*  Mara then reached out through the Force and searched the
primitive areas of Kes's mind for that small nub.  She found it, pushed- 
    And flew across the room.  It was as if a rancor had body-slammed her.  Mara sailed through the air and connected with the
opposite wall.  She fell to the ground, gasping for breath.  Kes and Tuvok ran to her side and helped her to stand.  Mara finally
found her breath. 
    Kes looked at the young woman in shock.  "I'm sorry," she said hysterically, "I didn't do anything!  What happened?" 
 "You're right," Mara said.  "You didn't do anything.  Like I told you it's a reflex.  You didn't *have* to do anything.  I knew
this would happen going in.  Little did I know that your potential would be so strong."  She stifled a groan and used a Jedi pain
control technique to ease her suffering. 
 "Are you all right?" Tuvok asked. 
    Mara nodded.  "Fine.  But this means that Kes *definitely* has Jedi potential.  She is very strong in the Force, perhaps even
stronger than Kyp Durron." 
    Kes and Tuvok looked at her.  "Who?" they asked in unison. 
 "Kyp Durron," Mara said.  "One of Master Skywalker's students, and perhaps the one with the most Jedi potential
documented.  Kes either equals or exceeds him, no doubt about it."  She turned to Kes and smiled.  "Kes, you have enormous
potential for using the Force.  I'd like it very much if you would come to the Jedi 'praxeum' on Yavin." 
    Kes looked at Tuvok and thought of all her friends here: Harry, B'Elanna, Tom, everyone.  The thought of leaving them was
devastating.  But if she would really learn to use her powers, to use them for the good of all beings... 
 "I'll have to think about," Kes said. 
   Mara nodded.  "Let me know if you decide to go.  The 'Yavaris II' is due to deliver supplies to Yavin anyway.  We could
drop you off."  She looked at them both.  "I think you both need to be getting back to your ship now.  The refits will be starting
soon." 
    They both nodded, took their leave of Mara Jade and exited her quarters.  Mara sat back down in her chair.  Her Jedi
search had been fruitful. 


                                  * * * * *

    The refits to the 'Yavaris II' were complete, and 'Voyager' had received the shipments of equipment that were needed. 
B'Elanna was anxious and eager to get the 'Vovager's' refits underway.  The last of the engineering teams from the 'Yavaris II'
had arrived to assist, including, B'Elanna was told, the Chief Engineer. 
    The engineering team walked through the door, led by a woman with straight blond hair and gray eyes.  Something struck
B'Elanna odd about her.  She tried to walk in a conservative manner and failed miserably.  She looked like she was practicing
the stingray shuffle whenever she took a step.  She reprimanded the team following her and harshly told them to stop talking,
even though B'Elanna had heard conversation about relavant topics.  She reminded her of a school teacher.  The woman
looked around until her gaze finally fell on B'Elanna.  She shuffled over to where B'Elanna stood by a bank of consoles, and
gave a nauseating grin. 
 "Hello," she said.  Her voice was the most annoying thing B'Elanna had ever heard.  She annunciated every single syllable of
whatever she said.  She struck B'Elanna as neurotic, slightly crazed, and somehow prone to ballistics.  The woman continued to
speak.  "I am Lieutenant Wilma Isaacs.  I am Chief Engineer on the 'Yavaris II'.  I have the last team to assist wth the refits. 
May I speak to whoever is in charge here?  Do you know where he is or what he's doing?" 
 "You're looking right at her.  I'm Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, Chief Engineer on 'Voyager'." 
 "Ohh!" Isaacs said, wringing her hands in the air.  "I'm terribly sorry.  I didn't mean to insult you.  But what are you doing
here?  Why are you standing here doing nothing?  You should be supervising your other engineers, seeing if they're doing their
job correctly!  My God, who knows what they're doing right now!  Don't you have any sense of responsibility?!" 
    B'Elanna was getting very annoyed with the woman, but she held her temper in check.  Few had the guts to talk to her in
such a manner.  But if Isaacs had only known what happened to Carey when he got on her nerves... "Well," she said, somehow
keeping calm, "I was running a diagnostic to see if the new ion cannons were at optimal parameters.  Then I was going to see
our reactor modifications to see if we *can* actually use other fuel.  As for my engineering staff, I've worked with them for over
three years.  I have faith in their abilities, and I trust them to do the jobs I assigned them correctly.  I believe you're the team
who will help us install the new hyperdirve unit?" 
    Isaacs nodded.  "We're the ones!  Have you unloaded the supplies from the cargo bay?" 
 "They were unloaded and brought here twenty minutes ago," B'Elanna said.  She began walking toward the warp reactor core,
around which all the equipment waited.  "We need you to tell us what to do with all this stuff." 
    Isaacs turned to B'Elanna with a look of resentment.  "This is the most sophisticated technology we have in the galaxy,"
Isaacs snapped, "and you have the *nerve* to call it stuff.  We are installing a Class One hyperdrive unit onto your ship, for
crying out loud!  How can you be so ungrateful!" 
    B'Elanna took a long, deep breath.  One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six... "Well, Lieutenant,"she said with a voice that had a
slightly harder edge to it, but not enough to be noticed.  "We really don't know what to do with it.  I pressume that's what
you're here for." 
 "It certainly is!" Isaacs said, shaking off what had just happened as if it had never occured.  "Let's get to work." 
    The next few hours were grueling.  The first thing they did was integrate the navicomputer module into the ship's bioneural
circuitry.  Isaacs breathed down her team's necks constantly.  She was their shadow, always watching what they were doing,
but not doing any real work heself.  She would ream them up one side and down the other for the slightest mistake.  She
treated them as if they were morons, with no capability to think for themselves.  Her team was made of good engineers. 
B'Elanna could tell.  They were competent, some were even brilliant, but they were like chicks who weren't allowed to leave
the nest, never allowed to spread their wings, to try something new.  They were prisoners who lived in constant fear of ever
making a mistake. 
    They then had to install the hyperdrive motivator unit.  B'Elanna had to work personally with the woman, and so did Carey,
the poor soul.  He didn't deserve this.  B'Elanna was working the console, preparing to get the motivator online and write a
startup program.  Carey got stuck as Isaacs' caddy.  Carey was a good engineer, a candidate for the job of Chief Engineer
before she was.  But because she was in the position of authority, he was stuck with a humiliating, insultingly simple task of
handing her the tools she needed. 
 "Would you please pass the hydrospanner, H-Y-D-R-O-S-P-A-N-N-E-R?"  Carey handed her the appropriate tool and
Isaacs frowned at him.  "There is grease on this hydrospanner.  Do you have any respect for your things?  I don't think so,
considering how you treat someone else's.  Do you know how hard it it to get grease of this?"  She was nearly shouting,
brandishing the hydrospanner like some ancient weapon of war.  Her eyes were hard as lead.  "Last time Nate Westin got
grease on it, and I was up till 0300 cleaning it!" 
    B'Elanna looked up from her console.  Carey was shocked, he didn't know what to say.  He finally found his tongue.  "There
was  grease on that tool before I touched it.  I don't really see what difference it makes, ma'am.  This is a mechanical tool,
performance should be  unnaffected-" 
 "But it's *GREASY*!" Isaacs shouted.  "Don't you understand Basic?!  And it was *not* greasy when you got it!  You ruined
it!  You incompetent grease-monkey!!"  Around them all of Isaacs team cringed, as if they knew what came next.  The whole
engineering team on 'Voyager' stared at the altercation.  Carey was shocked.  B'Elanna got up from her console. 
 "Ma'am," Carey said carefully, "believe me when I say I didn't put any grease on that tool, and the fact that it's greasy doesn't
matter-" 
 "Why should I believe anything you say!" Isaacs shouted, her voice livid.  "You're lying trash!  This tool was *CLEAN*, and
now it's dirty!  And it does matter, it matters to me!" 
 "Ma'am, I tell you again-" 
 "SHUT UP!!!"  Isaacs screamed, she raised the hydrospanner as if to strike him.  B'Elanna was faster.  She went to her,
twisted the hydrospanner out of her grip, and spoke with a hard, loud voice. 
 "Isaacs," she shouted calmly over the din, "that's *enough*!"  She locked Isaacs with a gaze that was stern, unwavering. 
Isaacs seemed intimidated.  "I will not allow you to ream one of *my* staff up one side and down the other.  There was grease
on the tool.  So what?!  Your ballistics are completely uncalled for!" 
 "You don't understand," Isaacs said in a suddenly calm voice, "what trouble it is to get grease off those tools." 
 "The tools will be *used*," B'Elanna said.  "Getting them dirty is innevitable.  If you're afraid to roll up your sleeves, I don't see
how you can be in this line of work.  Furthermore, *you* don't understand how much trouble it is *for you* when you insult
*my* engineering staff.  I'm sure that General Antilles and Major Jade would *love* to hear my appraisal of your work." 
 "You have no right to talk to me that way!" Isaacs said to B'Elanna.  B'Elanna hardened her gaze and her voice. 
 "Yes, I do!" she said.  "You are on *my* ship and you are supposed to be *assisting* with the refits, not *hindering* them.  I
have no need of this behavior, I have no need of your 'help', and if I need a babysitter for my engineers, which I don't, I'll call
Neelix!  Now get out of my Engineering Section!" 
    Isaacs looked at B'Elanna, her mouth agape.  "You can't do that!  I'm the only one who can show you how to do the refits! 
You *need* me!" 
 "I don't think that's true," B'Elanna said.  "I'm pretty sure, despite your opinion of them, that the rest of your staff is quite
capable of showing us what we need to know about the hyperdrive.  Nate Westin is pefectly capable of coordinating your
team.  And as for *needing* you, right now, I need you just as I much as I need one of Neelix's leola root dishes!  Get out
before I call Security!" 
    Isaacs spun on her heel and stormed toward the door, a look of absolute fury on her face.  As the door slid shut behind her,
everyone in Main Engineering gave an ecstatic applause, but all B'Elanna could do was stand there, and hope this wouldn't
damage their relations with the new Republic. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    The door to Kes' quarters chimed.  "Come in," she called. 
 "Hi," Harry said as he entered the room.  He kissed her and smiled brightly, but his smile faded when he saw the look on her
face.  "What is it?" he asked. 
 "I have something to tell you," she replied. 
 "Okay," he said, "I'm listening." 
 "I spoke to Major Jade the other day," she began. 
 "And?" Harry prompted. 
 "And she tested me for Jedi potential.  She says I'm very strong in the Force and she wants me to think about going to the
'praxeum' on Yavin IV," Kes finished, looking at Harry uncertainly. 
    Harry was silent for a few moments, but finally he spoke.  "What do you want to do?" he asked softly. 
     "I don't want to leave you...but I want to learn how to use my powers.  Mara says I can return to 'Voyager' once my training
is complete.  She says I could be the first of the Jedi to go among the rest of the galaxy teaching those with the potential how to
use their powers.  What do you think I should do?" 
 "I don't want you to leave, either, Kes.  We just got together.  There are so many things we haven't done, but you have to do
what you feel is best for you.  I love you, Kes, and whatever you decide, I'll stand behind you." 
    He pulled Kes into his arms and held her close.  Kes hugged him and once again noted how lucky she was to have found a
man like Harry. 
  

                                  * * * * *

     "What can I do for you, Kes?" Janeway asked.  She and Kes were seated on the couch in her ready room. 
 "I spoke to Major Jade." 
 "What about?" 
 "About the Jedi.  She determined that I have great potential, and she wants me to think about attending the 'praxeum' on Yavin
IV." 
 "I see," Janeway said, a look of understanding on her face.  "Have you mentioned this to Harry?" 
    Kes nodded.  "He said that whatever I decide, he'll stand behind me." 
 "What are you going to do?" 
 "I'm not sure.  I don't *want* to leave 'Voyager'.  You're like my family, but I want to learn to use my powers.  Mara said I
can return to 'Voyager' once my training is completed and I can train others in the ways of the Force." 
 "It sounds like something worth doing, Kes," Janeway said.  "That is, if you really want to." 
 "I do, Captain, but I don't want to leave you all.  What will the Doctor do in Sick Bay?  Who will be his assistant?" 
 "I'm sure we could find him one as capable as you, Kes." 
 "What about Harry?  What will he do?" 
 "Harry will wait for you, Kes.  He loves you." 
 "He loved Libby, too." 
 "This is different.  Star Fleet thinks we're dead.  She's probably moved on with her life." 
 "He'll be lonely." 
 "He's got Tom and B'Elanna.  They'll take care of him." 
 "I suppose you're right, Captain.  I'll do it." 
    Janeway reached out and hugged her.  "I'm so happy for you, Kes.  I know you've always wanted this.  You'd better go and
tell Harry you've made your decision." 
    Kes nodded and left.                                                            "Come in," Harry said in answer to the chime of his door.  Kes
entered his quarters. 
 "I've made a decision," she said after she kissed him hello. 
 "You're going." 
 "Yes," she replied. 
 "If it's what you want, it's what I want," he answered. 
 "It's what I want," she said, "but I'm going to miss you so much." 
 "I'll miss you, too, but it's not forever.  You'll be back." 
    Kes hugged him tight then straightened up.  "I guess I'd better tell the 'Yavaris II' they'll have another passenger." 
  

                                  * * * * *

    The door to Wedge's ready room chimed.  "Come in," he said.  The door opened to admit Mara Jade.  She looked awfully
happy about something.  Her emerald green eyes sparkled with a brilliance he rarely saw, but one that was becoming more
frequent since she had been assigned on board the 'Yavaris II'. 
 "What is it?" he asked, unable to contain his curiosity any longer. 
 "I just got a transmission from 'Voyager', she said.  "We've got a new passenger." 
 "Who?" he wondered. 
 "Kes.  She has decided to attend the 'praxeum'."  Mara smiled triumphantly. 
 "That's wonderful news," Wedge said in an excited tone.  Mara's good mood was contagious.  "Do Han and Leia know?  And
what about Luke?" 
 "I've sent a message to Yavin, and I informed Han and Leia personally." 
 "Good." 
 "There's more," she said, her eyes sparkling even more now. 
 "More?" 
     "It seems that Neelix, 'Voyager's' Morale Officer among other things, has decided to throw a party this evening.  It's a
combination going away party for Kes and celebration of the technology trade.  Captain Janeway has invited several members
of the crew to attend along with Han, Leia, Chewie, Threepio and Artoo." 
 "Tell Captain Janeway we'll be there." 
 "I already have.  There's one thing though..." she hesitated. 
 "What is it?" 
 "It's a formal party." 
 "Oh," Wedge said stifling a grimace.  "I'll bet Han and Chewie are just *loving* this." 
 "Well, you know Han," she offered. 
 "Yeah," he said with a grin, "I do.  What time is the party?" 
 "1800."  She handed him a data pad.  "They'll beam us over from these coordinates." 
 "Excellent.  Who is attending?" 
 "You and I.  Then there's Han, Leia, Chewie, Threepio, Artoo, Isaacs, Sams, Schwarte, Conkling, Clayton, Coe, Ormes and
Westin; and Blair and Storm, of course." 
   Wedge nodded his approval.  "Of course," he said with a smile.  He knew as well as the rest of the crew that John Ormes
had the world's biggest crush on Felicia Blair, a blond-haired, 
blue-eyed beauty who worked in Engineering, and Nate Westin had his heart set on Alyssa Storm, also an engineer, but she
had auburn hair and sapphire blue eyes.  Both women seemed equally as interested in Ormes and Westin.  He was glad they'd
been able to find someone.  Life on a starship could get lonely.  He looked at Mara.  She must be lonely, too.  The New
Republic didn't *forbid* a commanding officer to get involved with one of his subordinates, but they didn't exactly kick up their
heels when it happened, either.  He wondered what Mara would do if he made a move.  He made up his mind to find out when
they returned to Coruscant.  "Is there anything else?" he asked. 
   "I told Kes she could beam over before we depart in the morning.  I thought she would want time to say goodbye to
everyone, especially Ensign Kim.  He's her boyfriend, you know." 
    Wedge nodded.  "That's fine," he said. 
 "Well, I guess I'd better get ready for the party.  I'll see you later." 
 "I look forward to it." 
  

                                  * * * * *

    The guests from the 'Yavaris II' arrived on the transporter pad and were lead to Holodeck 2 where Tom and Harry had
helped Neelix to create a magnificent program for the "Party of the Millenium", as Neelix had called it.  They entered the
holodeck and Han, Leia and the rest of those attending from the 'Yavaris II' looked around in awe.  The holodeck had been
transformed into a Victorian mansion.  There were two staircases leading up to a second tier of the house.  The main entryway
where they now stood was made of dark cherry wood.  There were enormous tapestries hanging on the walls and they could
hear the litling tones of a band coming from the east.  A servant came up to them.  He was impeccably dressed in a topcoat and
tails. 
 "Ah, distinguished guests," he said.  "Please follow me.  The Captain is expecting you." 
    They followed him into the ballroom where 'Voyager's' crew had already gathered.  The ballroom was exquisitely done.  It
was white marble with huge pillars that extended from ceiling to floor.  There was an enormous dance floor in the center of the
room with a brilliant crystal chandelier hanging over it.  French doors opened from the ballroom out into a courtyard.  In the
center of the courtyard, there was a large pond with a fountain in the center.  Water lillies floated in the pond and the rest of the
courtyard was adorned with statues. 
    Kathryn and Chakotay came over to greet them.  Kathryn wore a cadet blue gown which matched her eyes perfectly.  A
matching wrap was draped over her bare shoulders.  Her hair was elegantly coiffed in a french twist.  "I'm glad you could make
it, Madame Chief of State," she said.  "Welcome aboard 'Voyager'." 
 "Welcome, Madame Chief of State," Chakotay said.  "It's a pleasure to see you again."  Chakotay wore his dress uniform.  He
felt a little strange wearing it, it had been put away for so long. 
 "Thank you, Captain, Commander," Leia replied graciously.  She had agreed to allow Chewbacca and 'Voyager's' security
team to protect her so she could attend the party.  "This 'holodeck', I believe you called it, is a wonder."  She wore a white
sleeveless gown and a white cape was draped across her shoulders.  Her hair was braided and arranged in a crown on the top
of her head. 
 Han opened his mouth to speak, but for some reason, he was unable to form a coherent sentence.  It was difficult for him to
believe that all of their surroundings, which looked so incredibly real, were holograms. Han wore his own dress uniform at
Leia's insistance.  Various medals adorned it.  Chewbacca stood beside him, wearing a golden sash.  Beside Chewbacca stood
Threepio and Artoo, who both looked like they had been buffed to perfection.  Behind them stood Wedge, wearing his dress
uniform, and Mara, dressed in a long emerald green dress.  It was sleeveless and had a slit up the back.  Unlike Leia and
Kathryn, though, Mara had elected to leave her shoulders bare.  Her fiery hair was piled in curls at the crown of her head and
tendrils framed her face. 
 "General, Major," Kathryn greeted them, "it's a pleasure to see you both again." 
 "It's a pleasure to be here, Captain," Wedge replied.  "This is a big moment for the New Republic.  Never before have we met
a race of people so technologically advanced." 
 "Thank you, General," Janeway said. 
 "I hear that Kes is going back to Yavin IV with you," Chakotay said to Mara. 
 "Yes.  She wishes to learn how to use her powers.  Don't worry, Commander," Mara added reassuringly, "Kes will be back
once her training is complete." 
    Kathryn turned to the next of the guests from the 'Yavaris II'.  "Welcome aboard 'Voyager'," she said warmly. 
 "Thank you, Captain," replied John Ormes.  He, too was wearing his dress uniform.  "I'm Lieutenant John Ormes of Rogue
Squadron.  This is my companion for the evening, Felicia Blair.  She works in Engineering." 
    Janeway looked at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman standing beside Lieutenant Ormes.  She was tastefully clad in a pale
pink chiffon dress.  It had a halter neckline and it set her eyes off beautifully. 
 "It's lovely to meet you both," Janeway replied.  "You're fine officers." 
 "Thank you, Captain," they replied in unison. 
 "Enjoy the party," Kathryn said as she left to introduce herself to the other guests from the 'Yavaris II'. 
    On the other side of the room, the crew of 'Voyager' was introducing themselves to the guests.  B'Elanna walked up to Nate
Westin and started a conversation with him and his companion for the evening, Alyssa Storm.  Tom stood on the other side of
the room with Harry and Kes, looking longingly at B'Elanna.  Her short, cheongsam dress was gold satin and had black designs
running through it.  It showed off her legs rather nicely. 
    Harry looked over at Tom.  "Why don't you go over and ask her to dance?" he suggested. 
 "She'd probably turn me down," Tom replied, clearly miserable. 
 "Maybe not," Kes put in. "She seemed to be having fun the *last* time you asked her to dance." 
 "You're right," Tom said and made his way across the room.  After greeting Nate and Alyssa, he lead B'Elanna off to the
dance floor. 
    Randy Coe and Bill Clayton, both wearing their dress uniforms were standing off to one side of room with Kris Schwarte
and Barb Conkling.  Kris was wearing a red strapless dress and Barb was dressed in purple. 
 "So, what do you guys think?" asked Kris in a conspiratorial whisper. 
 "Think about what?" Randy inquired. 
 "The General and the Major," Kris said, motioning to where they were standing. 
 "Twenty credits says he asks her to dance," Bill said. 
 "Yeah, and twenty more say she'll turn him down," Randy responded sarcastically. 
 "You don't think they'll ever cross the line?" Barb asked. 
 "No way," Randy replied. 
 "How can you be so sure?" Barb wanted to know. 
 "Because I'm usually right," Randy said matter of factly. 
     "A little sure of ourself, aren't we?" Kris countered. 
 "Okay, I'll prove it.  If I were to ask you to dance right now, I know exactly what you'd say." 
 "Are you sure about that?" Kris asked. 
 "Absolutely," Randy replied confidently. 
 "Okay then, ask me," Kris challenged.  Randy was so sure of himself that he missed Kris winking conspiritorially at Barb, but
Bill caught it.  *Oh boy,* he thought, *this was gonna be good.* 
 "Do you want to dance?" Randy asked, preparing to pounce when she said no. 
 "Okay," Kris replied. 
 "See!  I *told* you she would-"  Randy turned to Kris.  "What did you say?" he asked. 
 "I said, 'okay'.  See, you *don't* know everything."  Kris smiled knowingly at Barb and Bill as she led a flustered Randy onto
the dance floor.  Barb and Bill shook their heads, sharing a laugh before they joined their friends. 
    Joe Carey came up beside Samantha Wildman.  She was wearing a burgundy velvet gown.  It was simple but elegant.  Her
blond hair was pulled into a sophisticated twist at the nape of her neck.  Tendrils hung to her shoulders, framing her face.  She
was beautiful.  Carey looked out at the couples dancing on the dance floor: the Captain and Chakotay, the Chief of State and
her husband, Harry and Kes, Tom and B'Elanna, the General and the Major, Randy and Kris, Barb and Bill, John and Felicia,
Nate and Alyssa, Isaacs and Sams.  Even the Doctor had a companion.  He decided that he couldn't go on living in the past
anymore.  His wife had probably moved on, and it was about time that he did, too.  Samantha looked at him and smiled. 
 "Would you like to dance?" he asked. 
 "I'd love to," Samantha replied as he lead her out onto the dance floor. 
    The party continued well into the evening.  Leia, Han, Chebacca, Threepio and Artoo approached Captain Janeway while
she and Chakotay were taking a break from the dancing. 
 "I would like to thank you for your hospitality, Captain," Leia said. 
 "Are you leaving so soon?" Janeway asked. 
 "I'm afraid so," Leia replied.  I must be getting back to Coruscant.  Besides, I have three children who are probably causing all
sorts of mischief for my aide right about now." 
 "I understand, Madame Chief of State," Janeway said with a sympathetic smile.  "I am honored that you were able to see our
ship." 
 "Thank you, Captain," Leia replied.  "I bid you and your crew goodbye.  If you are ever in the Coruscant system, please stop
by and visit us at Imperial Palace." 
 "I will most definitely look you up, Madame Chief of State," Janeway said.  The rest of them said their farewells and Janeway
arranged for Leia and her entourage to be beamed back over to the 'Yavaris II'.  No one noticed that Harry and Kes had also
left the party.  They had gone back to Kes' quarters where they could say their own private goodbyes to each other. 
 The next day, Kes said her final farewell to 'Voyager' and beamed aboard the 'Yavaris II'.  Captain Janeway noticed Harry
manning Operations, trying to cover his sadness as he watched the ship depart on the main viewer.  She knew that she needn't
worry about him, though.  Tom and B'Elanna would cheer him up. 
 fighter pilot then, but he was one of the few who had gone up against the massive battle station and lived. 
He still remembered Dodonna's briefing before the attack, and his own outburst of pessimism. 
    The abandoned base now served as a training center from which to restore the Jedi Knights.  It was run by his former
wingman and close friend, Luke Skywalker, the one who made the shot which destroyed the Death Star.  Wedge smoothed his
brow and looked around at the bridge crew.  Little had he known then that he would be in command of his own ship. 
 "Prepare to orbit the planet," he ordered.  "Maximum velocity." 
    The 'Yavaris II' sped around the huge gas giant planet and soon the rain forest moon of Yavin IV was in view.  Wedge was
about to send out a hail to the planet, immediately Kes began to groan and clutch her forehead.  Then, suddenly, she bolted
upright, her face filled with dread. 
 "Oh, no!" she said, quietly but gravely.  Then it appeared. 
    In an instant, a tiny point of light flashed as a ship emerged from hyperspace.  The ship approached them at full speed,
despite its bruised and battered condition.  Everyone on the bridge stared in shock at the enormous, wedge-shaped vessel. 
They knew the ship very well.  It was the 'Kraken'. 
    Mara began barking orders immediately.  "Activate the new decflector grids!  Get the turbolasers charging and the new
weapons online!  Helm, take evasive action!" 
    People scrambed to get to their stations.  The holotable activated to show a view of the battle.  Wedge could already see
that the 'Kraken' was launching TIE squadrons. 
 "Inform the hangar bay to launch all fighters, at once," he said.  "Prepare to-" 
 "We are being hailed," Mara cut him off.  "It's the 'Kraken'." 
 "On holotable." 
    The holotable's displays changed from a view of the growing battle to the familiar image of Admiral Daala.  Her face was
even harder and colder than usual.  Her eyes blazed with green fire.  Her copper hair flowed down her back like molten metal. 
Behind her, Wedge could see through the holocam, was the seated form of Pellaeon, Grand Admiral Thrawn's
second-in-command. 
 "General Antilles," Daala bit out, "You have been warned once before!  Now it is time to pay the price!  We know that you
have dealt with the alien ship called 'Voyager' and we know of your little technology trade.  I am not willing to discuss anything
other than the terms of your surrender!  If I can't capture your ship and its precious technology, I will destroy it!  I want your
ship!  Now, are you going to be nice and *give* it to us, or do we have to *take* it?" 
    Mara looked over to Wedge, her eyes pleading with his to allow her to speak.  Wedge nodded and they both looked back
to the holotable. 
 "You want our ship?" Mara retorted.  "Well guess what? You won't *get* it! You can't *have* it!  Now I suggest that you
leave the system before we blow you right out of the sky!" 
 "Who are you?" Daala demanded.  "Who the *hell* do you think you are to speak to me in such a manner?" 
 "Who the hell do I think I am?" Mara repeated.  "I'll *tell* you who I am!  Few in the Empire knew of me, but those who did
reffered to me as the Emperor's Hand, and you have just bought yourself and your crew a one-way ticket straight to hell!" 
Mara abruptly cut off the transmission, but not before a look of absolute horror registered on Admiral Daala's face.  Wedge
looked proudly at Mara then turned back to the battle. 
 "Ms. Schwarte," he said.  "Fire all phasers!" 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Admiral Daala had just had the transmission cut off in her face.  No one had ever had the nerve to do that to her.  She would
normally have been insulted, but her mind was somewhere else. 
 *'Emperor's Hand'!* she thought.  Could it be that this Rebel officer, this Jedi vermin, was an equal to Darth Vader?  In that
case, she knew that she could not hope to win.  It was better to go down fighting. 
    She turned her emerald gaze to an ensign at the tactical station.  "Begin a full-scale bombardment," she said coldly.  "Fire all
turbolas-" 
    Before Daala could finish the command, brilliant red-orange energy lanced out from the 'Yavaris II' to strike the 'Kraken'
directly on their turbolaser targeting systems.  The ship rocked and shook.  the Star Cruiser fired again and again, striking the
flight launch control station and their deflector shield domes.  The bridge of the 'Kraken' was showered in sparks.  Control
panels erupted and burst into flames, leaving crews scrambling to put them out.  Display panels were hanging by their own
wires.  The bombardment then subsided a little. 
 "What the hell was that?!" Pellaeon shouted. 
 "These are the same weapons that 'Voyager used against us," the ensign said. 
 "Have damage-control crews repair damaged systems," Daala said.  "Especially turbolaser targeting systems." 
 "More bad news," the ensign said. 
 "What?" Daala and Pellaeon asked in unison. 
 "Their turbolasers just came back online." 
 "Fire at will!" Daala said 
 "But our targeting-" the ensign tried to explain. 
 "I don't care!" Daala said.  "Tell the gunners to shoot at any Rebel craft they can see." 
    The ensign was all too glad to ablige. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    The 'Kraken' opened its full firepower onto the 'Yavaris II', all sixty of its turbolasers blaring with discharged energy.  The
bridge rocked and shook as crewmen were thrown from their seats.  Mara looked at Wedge and wondered if she had really
screwed up this time. 
 "Damage reports coming in from all decks," Clayton shouted over the din.  "We have several deflector shield generators
down.  Most of the rest are still operational.  Shields and hull holding, for the most part.  Engineering is trying to repair what
they can.  The Medical Department is backed up with casualties." 
    Kes' face suddenly went pale.  She got up and walked to the holotable, just staring at it, her eyes focusing on the starfighter
battle being displayed, her ears listening to the comm traffic. 
    All of a sudden she shouted into the voice pickup, "Rogue Leader, Rogue Two, watch it!  You have three of them coming up
on your tails!" 
    Randy Coe's voice sounded confused.  "Who is this?  And I don't see any -- whoa!"  The display showed them both
swerving out of the way of the oncoming TIEs, then blast them into space dust.  "Thanks, ... whoever you are!" 
    Kes put down the voice pickup and raced toward the turbolift.  She turned as the door opened for her.  "I'm going down to
the medical section," she said.  "No one knows how to use that new equipment more than me, and they need some help down
there." 
 "Right," Mara said as the Jedi candidate disappeared throught the doors.  Would she ever cease to amaze? 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Down in Engineering, Isaacs was gathering up some equipment and putting it into a tool-box.  Sams was doing the same. 
Isaacs had not forgotten how B'Elanna Torres had chewed her out a few days ago.  She had been withdrawn, bitter, insulted. 
As usual, she took it out on everyone in her department. 
    Nate Westin came up to her.  "What are you doing?" he asked. 
 "What does it look like I'm doing?" she answered in a condescending voice.  "I'm going to repair one of those shield generators
that are damaged.  I am ordering all of you to make teams of two or three and repair the rest of them." 
 "Why?" Westin asked.  "We only have at least a hundred more.  We could just take those offline and divert the power to the
others." 
    Isaacs went into another one of her ballistic fits.  She slapped him across the face and shouted, "Don't question me, just *do*
it!  That's a direct order!"  She grabbed Sams by the wrist and headed toward the access tunnels.  Nate Westin felt his stinging
cheek. 
 *No more,* he decided.  He had made up his mind.  He would disobey the Chief Engineer.  *Then, I should think about how
to write a request that the General drop her off for Jedi mental healing on Yavin.* 
  

                                  * * * * *

    Isaacs and Sams crawled through the cramped acess tunnels, lugging their tools behind them.  Isaacs just couldn't understand
why people were so nasty to her.  She was ony making sure that they did everything right.  If she wasn't there, who knows
what could go wrong.  That was how it was on Palmetto in her Basic class... 
    Sams pitied himself.  He just couldn't understand why he was Isaacs second-in-command.  Actually, no one was in
command under Isaacs, but even if he had any authority, he'd never use it.  He had no idea how any of this stuff worked.  He
didn't know any principles of Engineering or other modern technology.  Being a farmboy on a distant backwater planet in the
PMS-223 star-system would do that to you.  Hell, he even handwrote his own reports!  Why Isaacs would promote him to
that high of a position always baffled him.  Maybe it was because he never questioned her orders, and he was always quiet
during repairs.  Hell, maybe it was because she liked his handwriting! 
    They finally reached the shield generator in the access tunnel.  it opened up into a larger room where they could spread out
their equipment and get to work.  From his pocket, Sams pulled out an antique stopwatch so he could measure their efficiency
in his report.  Isaacs was starting to ask for tools and mumble to herself as she worked on the generator. 
 "Hydrospanner," she said, asking for the tool.  Sams didn't respond, just staring out the small viewport.  "Hydrospanner!" she
said again, a bit vexed.  Sams then pointed out the viewport. 
    Isaacs could make out the double-hulled shaped of an Imperial TIE Bomber, a craft meant to deliver heavy ordinance
against ground bases or capital ships.  Judging by its movements, it was out of control, and carrying a lot of mass, indicating a
near-full payload.  She jumped up in alarm then crawled as fast as she could toward the hatch they had came through.  She
slammed her palm on the control, sealing the hatch.  Then she turned to Sams. 
 "Seal the other hatch!" she screamed.  "We have to seal this compartment before the Bomber collides with us!" 
 "What about us?" Sams asked.  Isaacs crawled back toward the hatch he was next to. 
    Again she slapped her palm on the control.  The hatch closed and the compartment sealed.  Sams stopped his watch just as
the TIE Bomber collided with their compartment.  A fiery explosion ensued, breaching the hull and sending everything into the
hollow vacuum of space. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    The whole Engineering Department felt the explosion.  Westin looked at his damage-control console and saw that the section
Isaacs and Sams had been working in was breached.  It flashed a dark red, like the color of blood.  It would take the
department at least a five days in space suits to repair it.  Westin immediately thumbed on the comlink. 
 "Isaacs, are you there?" he asked.  "Sams!  Can you hear me?"  There was no response.  Westin knew that there was no other
explanation. 
    The General's voice came over the comlink.  "Isaacs," Wedge shouted, "I need more shields!  If you don't get them soon,
we're all space dust!" 
 "Sir," Nate answered a bit uneasily at speaking to a flag officer, "this is Lieutenant Nate Westin.  Isaacs and Sams are gone. 
The compartment they were working in was destroyed." 
 "Well, then, Westin," Wedge said, "it looks like you're the new Chief Engineer.  Now how about some more shields!" 
 "I think I may be able to get shield strength back up by taking the damaged generator offline and boosting power to the
remaining generators," Nate said, looking to his control terminals.  Isaacs might have known something about engineering, but
her subordinates knew just as much, if not more than she did. 
 "Don't lecture me, Lieutenant," Wedge said, "just do it!"  The General deactivated his comlink.  Nate turned to the Engineering
Staff with a look of seriousness in his eye. 
 "Alright," he said loudly, "listen up!  Isaacs and Sams are dead.  According to the General, *I* am the knew Chief Engineer. 
The General says he needs shields, and he needs them *now*!  I am not going to send any of you to repair the damaged
generators, there's no time.  So here's what we'll do..."  Nate then went into a slew of technobabble, a language understood by
everyone in Engineering.  He felt confidence build in his heart as it pounded faster.  He had never felt so good. 
  

                                  * * * * *

    The bridge of the 'Yavaris II' was a hive of activity.  Wedge and Mara were giving orders constantly.  The comlinks were
constantly busy, filling the air with requests and status reports.  People were constantly coming back to their duty stations as
they were discharged from the Medical Section, where Kes was taking charge of the wounded and doing a damned good job
of it. 
    Still, the 'Kraken' remained like a wedge-shaped, hungry, metallic monster, pounding them with turbolaser blasts.  Wedge
had seen Daala like this before, at the Battle of Maw in the Kessel system.  She was extremely overzealous, and at times it
worked to her enemy's advantage, but sometimes, it didn't. 
    Bill Clayton looked at his station and addressed Wedge.  "Our shields are within optimal levels again, but I don't know how
long they can stand the strain." 
    Wedge let out a small, quiet sigh of relief.  "Good job, Westin," he breathed. 
 "General!" Schwarte said, looking out the bridge transparisteel.  "Look!"  As Schwarte pointed, the huge Imperial Star
Destroyer turned around and sped from the scene, fleeing to hyperspace.  The bridge crew gave a cheer that was joined over
the intercom by the Engineering staff.  Kes came back via the turbolift and smiled at Wedge and Mara.  Once again, Admiral
Daala had been put to flight. 


                                  * * * * *

    Kes said nothing as the 'Lambda'-class shuttle approached the surface of the forest moon.  She stared out the viewport at
the dazzling beauty of the rainforest.  She had never seen anything like it in the Ocampans underground city or on the barren
surface of her homeworld.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Kes gazed at the magnificent temples supposedly built by the ancient
Massassi race four thousand years ago.  She had experienced few things more magnificent. 
    Mara piloted the shuttle, while Wedge sat in the copilot seat.  Kes looked at them and smiled.  They had done a lot for her,
made her feel important.  They had given her the chance to discover who she really was, and the chance to learn how to use her
abilities to the best advantage of the whole galaxy. 
    The shuttle approached one temple which stood taller and more majestic than all the others.  Planet rise was already
shedding the reflected light of the sun down on the forest moon.  Kes could make out the small landing pad in front of the
temple where they would set down.  The landing commenced smoothly and efficiently.  The three of them were waiting by the
exit ramp of the shuttle.  Kes took a deep breath as Wedge lowered the ramp with a hiss of escaping air.  He descended the
ramp, Mara at his side, and Kes followed them down. 
    Standing in front of them was a young man wearing a utilitarian brown robe of course fabric.  At his belt was a lightsaber,
slightly different in style than the one Mara had showed the crew of 'Voyager'.  He had sharp blue eyes and dirty-blond hair. 
He raised a hand in greeting and clasped Wedge and Mara's outstretched palms in turn.  Kes could feel an aura of calm
serenity around him, and could tell that this is one who never loses his composure. 
 "Wedge!" he said in a friendly voice.  "Mara!  Good to see ya!"  How ya doing?" 
 "Oh," Wedge said modestly, "just fine.  Admiral Daala showed up when we arrived.  We drove her off, but hey, you already
knew that, right?" 
    Mara piped up, "Of course he did!  He's a Jedi Master, you know!" 
 "Well, it's great to see you both!"  He turned to Kes and she shyly held out her hand and nodded. 
 "Master Skywalker?" she said politely.  "I'm Kes of the Federation starship 'Voyager'." 
    Luke nodded.  "My sister told me to expect you.  Welcome to the Jedi 'praxeum', Kes."  He reached his hands toward her
head, then stopped.  "Even tough Mara tested you already, and I do trust her," he added quickly, noticing Mara Jade's smug
look, "I would like to test you again just to be sure." 
 "Master Skywalker," Kes said, a little afraid, "I don't think you want to do that.  You might hurt yourself." 
 "She's right, Luke," Mara said sharply.  "When I tested her, I was slammed against the wall in my quarters.  I don't think there's
any doubt that she has the potential.  If you want to retest her, fine, but if I were you, I'd use the crystal-sheet paddles." 
    Luke took his hands away and Kes gave him a confused look.  *Crystal-sheet paddles?* she asked silently, reaching toward
his mind with a tendril of thought.  Luke smiled and nodded. 
 "No, Mara," he said.  "I think I trust you.  I don't need to retest her."  He turned back to Kes, beckoning the three of them to
follow him inside the Great Temple.  Kes followed at his side and Wedge and Mara took up the rear.  Luke put his arm over
Kes's shoulder in a friendly gesture and spoke to her softly. 
 "Do you truly wish to become a Jedi, Kes?"  he asked.  Kes nodded and he continued.  "Then there are some things you must
learn.  The first thing is patience.  I already sense that your own patience is very limited.  However, all things come to those who
wait for them." 
 "Master Skywalker," Kes said, "I'm afraid that I don't have that long to wait.  My race has a very short lifespan.  You may not
believe this, but I am three-years-old.  I will only live to be nine, and there is someone I love that I'd like to get back to before
I'm old and feeble." 
    Luke smiled and there was a gleam in his eye.  "The Force can work in many wondrous ways, Kes," he said.  "I think you'll
find that you have longer to wait than you think."  He turned to a group of people assembled before them.  All wore the same
brown Jedi robe as he. 
 "I am sure you will be a great Jedi Knight, Kes," Luke said. 
 "I will try, Master Skywalker," Kes said.  All of a sudden, Luke's face showed a bit of harshness in it, and he spoke in a hard
tone. 
 "No!  Do or do not!  There is no try!"  Luke said to her, then smiled and chuckled jokingly as his face took on a warm
expression once again.  "These are my students... former students," he corrected.  "I get so attached to them that I forget that
most of them have graduated.  Why don't you go introduce yourself.  Go on."  Luke turned back to Wedge and Mara, who
stood smiling at the new student. 
 "You think she'll make a good Jedi?" Wedge asked. 
 "I'm certain of it," Luke said.  "Where are you both off to now?" 
 "Coruscant," Wedge answered.  "We have to drop off all this new technology to the New Republic before Daala can get her
paws on it." 
    Luke nodded.  "You might want to wish Kes good-bye before you leave," he said.  Mara and Wedge walked over to Kes,
who was engaged in conversation with the Jedi Knights Kirana Ti and Cilghal.  Kes turned to face them and smiled. 
 "We have to be going to Coruscant to drop off the new technology," Wedge said.  "We want to wish you well before we
leave."  He smiled and held out his hand.  "Good-bye, Kes." 
 "Good-bye, General," she said back.  Then she shook Mara's hand. 
 "Good luck with your training, Kes," Mara said.  "I'm sure you'll make a fine Jedi." 
 "Thank you, Major," Kes said. "For everything." 
    As Mara and Wedge left the temple and walked out to the landing pad, Kes smiled, feeling the confidence within her.  She
could *feel* that this was right, she knew that this was her destiny.  And she knew that she would be back. 
 *I think I'm going to like it here,* Kes tought to herself.  *And I will return to you, Harry.  Soon.  I promise.* 
  

                                  * * * * *

  
    Mara sat at a table on the balcony of the 'Manarai Terrace' on Coruscant.  Her green satin dress was strapless and her hair
hung loose, blowing in the breeze.  She felt a presence behind her and before she even reached out with the Force, she knew
who it was. 
 "A beautiful woman should never have to eat alone," Wedge said, smiling at Mara. 
    Mara returned his smile. 
 "Would you like to dance?" he asked. 
 "I would love to," she replied as he took her hand and led her away from the table. 
    He looked into her eyes as they danced to the lilting tones coming from the band inside.  He bent his head and brushed his
lips over hers.  Mara responded to his kiss then pulled away and looked up at him. 
 "Wedge," she asked, "where did you get that line?" 
 "The pilot on Voyager," he said.  "Tom Paris said he used it on their Chief Engineer.  Worked like a charm.  Why?" 
   "Just checking," she said, smiling again as he pulled her back into his arms. 
    It occurred to Mara as she was dancing in Wedge's arms that her dream on board the 'Yavaris II' hadn't been a dream at all,
but rather a Force vision.  She wondered how many other Force visions she would have about herself and Wedge, but right
now, she was content just to live out this one. 

The End