Federation No More: Civil War Chapter Seventy-Three

Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok, Paris and Neelix arrived on the surface of the desert planet. The heat was stifling. Janeway had never felt anything like it before. Neelix began to look around, and in the distance, he could see what appeared to be a camp. He led the others in that direction. Soon, a crowd of aliens could be seen. They were curious; who could be visiting them?

"Are they the Ocampa?", Janeway asked.

"They are the Kazon Ogla", replied Neelix.

"I thought you said the Ocampa had our people".

"The Kazon can lead us to the Ocampa".

Suddenly, the crowd moved toward them.

"Greetings!", a smiling Neelix said. "It is good to see you again!".

Without warning, the Kazon lifted Neelix into the air, and carried him toward their camp. The others had no choice but to follow.

"I wish to speak to Jaben!", said Neelix. "Your wise and honourable leader!".

Once they were within the boundaries of the camp, Neelix was placed on his feet. Meanwhile, the phasers were taken off the others. These were handed to another Kazon as he emerged from one of the buildings. He stuffed them into his belt. Neelix seemed slightly nervous when this man emerged.

"Ah, Jaben! I must apologise for taking your water!".

Jaben, the Kazon leader, stared Neelix in the eye.

"This man told us you could help us", said Janeway. "Two of our people are here. He said the Ocampa had them".

"And if we were to help you, what would we get in exchange?", asked Jaben.

Janeway activated her communicator.

"Janeway to Voyager. Energise!".

Seconds later, two huge containers were beamed down to the planet's surface.

"Look, Jaben!", said Neelix. "They have a technology that produces water from thin air!".

Jaben was intrigued.

"This truly is a wonder", he said. "But what would a race with such technology need with my help".

"If you help us find the Ocampa, we'll give you all the water you need", said Janeway.

"You want to find the Ocampa? She is Ocampa!".

Jaben pointed to a young-looking woman who was standing in the shadows, barely able to see out of one of her eyes because of bruising. She appeared to be scared out of her wits.

"What would you want with them?", asked Jaben. "They make poor slaves, and only live for seven years! They are useless! However, I am very interested in gaining this technology of yours".

"If you don't want her, then let us have this scrawny wretch!", said Neelix.

"She is of no use to us", said Jaben. "So she would be of no use to you!".

Then, Neelix reached into his tunic. Pulling out a small phaser, he grabbed Jaben's arm, and held the phaser at his head. Immediately, the Kazon hordes got to their feet, weapons ready.

"Take one more step and he dies!", Neelix threatened.

Chakotay moved over and took their weapons from Jaben's belt. Neelix then pushed him away, and motioned over to the Ocampa girl. Then, pointing his phaser at the huge water containers, he fired at each one, sending the Kazon hordes rushing over with any sort of bucket they could find, trying to save any of the water.

"Captain, I strongly suggest you get us out of here!", said Neelix.

Janeway contacted the Voyager. Seconds later, they were gone, leaving the annoyed Kazon behind them.

 

After checking his uniform, Doctor Bashir left the Infirmary and headed out to the Promenade. He looked around, and to him, things seemed very different. All over the place, he saw men and women here for the peace talks. He never thought he would see several Jem'Hadar warriors on Deep Space Nine. Then, something that hadn't changed approached him: his lunching partner, Garak.

"Doctor! It's good to see you again! How is your business doing?".

"It's going well", Bashir replied. "And how about yours?".

Garak looked around sheepishly before giving his answer.

"And what business is that? The tailoring business, or the spying business?".

Bashir laughed. It was an old joke that they had played ever since the Federation took control of Deep Space Nine.

"My business is doing better than ever", said Garak. "Business has been booming since the peace talks began. But I can't help but think something isn't quite right here".

"Like what?".

"We know little of this Dominion organization, and yet, most of the governments in the Alpha Quadrant are treating them like a long-lost relative!".

"I know what you mean".

"There is an old saying on Cardassia, Doctor. 'Enemies do not make good bedfellows!'".

"I get the point!".

"Anyway, I must be about my business, Doctor. Lunch, the usual time, tomorrow?".

"As always".

Garak then walked on ahead. Bashir then began to think. Perhaps Garak could be right about the Dominion. He hoped, however, that these fears could be wrong.

 

Having been back to the shuttle to assess its damage, Kira returned to the garden, and found a rather annoyed-looking Odo crouched down, rock in his hand.

"Is everything alright?", she asked.

"No. It is not. For the past two hours, I have been changing myself, becoming the various forms of everything in this garden".

"And?".

"And I'm no closer than I was before. I have no idea what it is to be a rock, or a tree, or anything here!".

"Then why are you changing into these things?".

"Because that is what being a Changeling is all about!".

"Anyway, while you try all this out, I'm going to try and contact someone, see if we can get a lift out of here".

Then, the female changeling appeared.

"We would be grateful if you didn't, Major. For centuries we have valued our privacy, our isolation. If you made contact with the outside, they may discover our whereabouts".

"Alright then".

The changeling then left them alone. As soon as she was gone, Kira went towards the direction of the shuttle.

"I'd better get on with it".

"But she asked you not to send a transmission", said Odo.

"Don't worry. Back when I was with the resistance on Bajor I learned to disguise transmissions. I taught the technique to Sisko. If he's out there, he should be able to pick it up".

"Very well then, Major. But please, do as she says".