ALLIANCES
Episode 30

Part E

 

During the sumptuous dinner, attended by Mabus, Neelix, Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok, and another, Mabus explains the history of the Trabe and their conflict with the Kazon sects.

Mabus: "I was eight years old when it started. I wasn't even particularly aware of the Kazon. They lived in restricted areas the children weren't allowed to go near. I didn't know they lived in poverty and filth. I didn't know they were persecuted by the Trabe police. I was told they were violent and dangerous, and had to be kept isolated so they wouldn't get loose and kill us, which is exactly what they did. But we brought it on ourselves. The Trabe treated them like animals, fenced them in, encouraged them to fight amongst themselves so they wouldn't turn on us, and sat by while they turned into a violent angry army. When they finally realised we were their true enemy we didn't stand a chance. I was luckier than most. My friend's father grabbed me and took me with his family to one of the starships that managed to escape. I can still remember: it happened so fast. One minute I was a happy child playing in a field, the next an orphan, exiled in space." Janeway: "It strikes me that in many ways we're in the same predicament: separated from the lives that we knew, searching for home." Mabus: "A goal you may well achieve, Captain. But the Kazon have refused to allow us to find a new homeworld. Every time we try to settle somewhere they attack and drive us away. We're scattered, like nomads, with no home and little hope." Chakotay: "It happened over thirty years ago, and the Kazon are still trying to punish you. Mabus: "Remarkable, isn't it? Most of the Trabe who persecuted the Kazon are either dead or old men by now. Most of us were children when the uprising occurred, and our children are innocent, but the Kazons' desire for revenge is as strong as ever."

In his quarters Jonas has established contact with a Kazon-Nistrim officer called Rettick.
Rettick: "How are you able to transmit to us without your crew knowing it?" Jonas: "Well, that's for me to worry about. Let's just say that I'm very familiar with communications protocols. Now, will you let me talk to Seska?" Rettick: "Not without some proof you can be trusted."
Jonas: "She and I knew each other for a long time. She knows that I can be trusted. Just let me talk to her." Rettick: "I'll convey your message. Contact me tomorrow and I'll let you know if she's willing to talk to you." He ends contact.

Janeway's Ready Room. Neelix: "Before the uprising the Trabe were known as a highly evolved species. They produced scholars, artists who were widely admired, and their technology was among the finest in the Quadrant. No one really knew about the Kazon and how they were being treated." Janeway: "Why not? Holding another culture in virtual slavery isn't the kind of thing that would go unnoticed." Neelix: "You have to understand the Trabe were rich and powerful. They manipulated information about the conditions on their planet, and no one wanted to risk offending them and losing opportunities for trade." Chakotay: "It seems to me that they've learned their lesson. Mabus and their people have freely acknowledged that they were responsible for what happened to them." Tuvok: "Still, I do not see that it is a particularly good idea to form an alliance with the blood enemies of the Kazon. We risk uniting all the factions against us." Janeway: "The only thing the Kazon agree on now is that we are their common enemy. It's hard to imagine it getting much worse." Chakotay: "The Trabe have a lot of ships and a lot of weapons in their convoy. I think this alliance would be better than none at all." Janeway: "I'd rather not be in the position of making an alliance at all, but that might be a luxury we simply don't have. My gut tells me we don't have any friends among the Kazon. As for the Trabe, I believe that people have a capacity to change. It's always been Starfleet's policy to deal with new species on the basis of openness and trust until proven otherwise."

In Sickbay the Doctor, assisted by Kes, is finishing off his examination and treatment of the Trabe incarcerated with Mabus and Neelix.

Janeway enters. standard doors Mabus: "Captain, glad to see you. I want to thank you for the use of your medical facilities. We have very few doctors." Doctor: "Everyone seems to be in generally good condition. Malnutrition is the most common problems but it's easily alleviated with bionutrient supplements." Janeway: "Thank you, Doctor. How much longer do you need?" Doctor: "I'd say less than an hour."

Janeway to Mabus: "Will you walk with me?"
Mabus: "Of course."
Mabus and Janeway leave Sickbay together. standard doors They walk along the corridor together.

Janeway: "I've been thinking about our conversation at dinner, about the things we share. And it seems to me we could be of mutual benefit to each other." Mabus: "Go on." Janeway: "What would you say to the possibility of our joining forces - my starship and your convoy?" Mabus: "We would be a stronger force if we did that." Janeway: "We could travel together for as long as it's advantageous to both of us. Maybe we'll find a way out of Kazon territory, and you could settle on a new homeworld." Mabus: "It's a reasonable idea, Captain. I have no objection. But it would only benefit your group and mine. There are other Trabe who wouldn't enjoy the same protection. I wonder if you might consider a somewhat more bold plan." Janeway: "Tell me." Mabus: "Together Voyager and the Trabe would be a force to be reckoned with. Suppose we took advantage of that, and asked the representatives of all the Kazon factions to join us at the bargaining table?" Janeway: "In order to achieve what?" Mabus: "Peace. Together we represent a stabilising force in this part of the Quadrant. Bring the factions together, convince them that an end to violence would be in everyone's best interest. Think about it. I believe it could work."

At the control console, Culluh receives a message.

Culluh: "It's a message from Voyager. They've formed an alliance with the Trabe!" Seska: "The Trabe!" Culluh: "They're calling for a conference of all First Majes. How could this have happened?!" Seska puts a hand on her hip. Angrily: "It happened because you let Voyager slip away, right into the hands of the Trabe, by insisting on that ridiculous exchange of crews." Culluh: "I could not let the negotiations be dictated by that woman!" Seska: "That's becoming a tired refrain, Culluh. One day that attitude will be your undoing." Culluh: "Watch your tongue!" Seska: "Or what? I'm carrying your child. I don't think you'd do anything to jeopardise him." Hesitantly Culluh reaches out a hand in awe to touch her pregnant belly but Seska moves away before he can do so. Seska: "We can still turn this to our advantage. We have a crewman on Voyager who's willing to provide information to us. There's long-term potential in that arrangement. We mustn't lose sight of it." Culluh: "You're not suggesting we go to this conference? That we come running like a Calogan dog when the Federations call?" Seska: "Could you risk being the only Maje who doesn't attend? Of course you'll go, and listen. Nothing should be negotiated there, not at the point of a Federation weapon, but you can learn a great deal, assess the mood of the other Majes, find out the strength of the Trabe convoy." Culluh: "You may be right." Seska cuddles up to him to help her as she maneuvers him into deciding what she wants him to decide: "You can come out of this a hero. You can use this conference to unite the factions, eradicate the Trabe once and for all, and take Voyager as a trophy."

Culluh believes the future she portrays and is excited. He is unaware that she has manipulated him into making the decisions she wanted.

Janeway: "Captain's log, stardate 49342.5. Neelix has returned from Sobras where he learned a disturbing piece of information that may require us to rethink our plans." Neelix's news is discussed in Janeway's Ready Room. Neelix: "He was a Takrit, a band of mercenaries that operates in this system." Tuvok: "What was he doing when the Kazon-Pommar arrested him?" Neelix: "My contact on the planet said that he was making a sketch of the conference site and, believe me, the Takrit are not known for their art." Chakotay: "Who sent him?" Neelix: "That's as much information as I got." Janeway: "So someone wants to sabotage this conference." Chakotay: "One of the Majes." Neelix: "Why miss a chance to wipe out your rivals while they're together in one room." Tuvok: "If that is true, then one of them will undoubtedly try to leave before the meeting is finished." Chakotay: "Captain, I think you should consider not going to the conference." Janeway: "No. If I can help bring stability to this Quadrant I'm not going to walk away because of a rumour." Neelix: "A rumour that must be taken seriously nonetheless." Janeway: "Agreed. Commander, monitor all the Kazon vessels carefully. Look out for any suspicious ship movement near the surface. Keep us on a constant transporter lock so that we can beam out at the first hint of trouble. Tuvok, Neelix, you're with me."

Kazon graphic web work by me. About the Kazon graphic / How to use the image map (pop-up)