From the safety of the hidden spaceport, the captain of the alien ship took a healthy swig of golang draught as he read the damage report. All in all, it wasn't bad. Some external hull damage, one nacelle fried, some internal circuits blown. Nothing that a few weeks in drydock couldn't fix. "Satisfactory," he said. "All in all, most satisfactory."

His wife scowled at him. "Did we get paid?"

He nodded. "The fee has been deposited. Our employer was most pleased with our attack on Voyager. We did just the right amount of damage-enough to be convincing, without requiring extensive repairs. It served his purposes well-apparently they have accepted the Vidiians' explanation for everything. And better still, it made up for the way Vostre bungled his job with that derelict ship." He set the mug down and pulled her into his lap. "We can expect more jobs in the future."

She ran her hands through his hair and smiled suggestively. "And Voyager," she purred. "We will get to attack Voyager again?"

He loved the feel of her, the scent of her. Even after five years, there was nothing he wouldn't do for her. "We will," he promised. "Whether we're hired to or not. You'll have your revenge."

Epilogue

Kes studied the three giant banners hanging from the rafters of the Great Hall of the People. The silvery-gray symbol of the Sodality, looking more spider-like than ever at a distance, was flanked by the blue and white banner of the Federation on one side and the newly created green and white banner of Ocampa on the other. She wondered if anyone other than herself actually liked it.

The green background was the color of grass and leaves and carried the promise of fertility, growth and rebirth. It was the color Ocampans had dreamed of during all their years underground, and still dreamed of even now. The white symbol in the center was, in Kes's opinion, a bit of serendipity. The Ocampan pictograph for Life had always been one of her favorites. She had always thought it an elegant representation of the Ocampan philosophy-life should be balanced between the physical and the mental, between the past and the future, happiness and sorrow, good and bad. When she learned that Humans regarded it as a depiction of an unending, unbroken, immeasurable unit of time called infinity, she had been pleased. Life was like that, unending and repeating.

Her people had never had a national symbol before; they had never needed such a thing. But the Vidiian protocol officer had almost had a stroke when he learned this, and to appease him she had designed one. Vertris and Mairel professed to like it, but she didn't think they really understood its significance. This is our statement to the galaxy, she thought with satisfaction. We stand for life.

"It's lovely," a voice beside her said, and she turned to find the EMH-no, Dr. Zimmerman-standing beside her. She had barely seen him, since he had left on Odyssey almost as soon as he had reached Ocampa. Impulsively she slipped her arm through his.

"It is, isn't it?" she said.

"The banner's nice, but I meant you." He smiled at her. "You look wonderful."

He was seeing her through the filter of affection, she knew. She was no longer the young girl he remembered, but he still perceived her that way. "It's the clothes," she said, indicating the satiny pink pants and tunic. "Captain Janeway let me replicate them. It was odd, not to have to worry about replicator rations."

"Not on the new Voyager." He looked into her face intently. "I can't get over how well you seem. Given the Ocampa life span, I had resigned myself to never seeing you again until you contacted Tuvok."

She patted his arm. "I'll tell you all about it later. You'll be interested, from a medical perspective." Then she inclined her head to the right, indicating a man standing across the room. "Who is that, talking to Harry?"

"The Haakonian envoy." His voice became dry. "The Vidiians don't have formal diplomatic relations with any of the worlds in this region, but the Haakonians are apparently very interested in this development. They sent a special envoy to witness the ceremony." He lowered his voice. "I believe Mr. Neelix is doing his utmost to avoid him."

"Poor Neelix. Coming home is getting more and more complicated for him." Then she smiled. "Ah. There is Dr. Pel." Denara had just entered the room, wearing a simple dark blue dress and looking a bit overwhelmed. "She looks like she could use a friend."

He kissed her cheek. "I'll see you later."

The room was filling up rapidly. Every Councilor-Delegate of the Sodality was in attendance, with their wives, as well as certain invited private citizens. The Vidiians were dressed in a broad pallet of colors, apparently breaking away from the blacks and grays that characterized their fashion for years. The senior staff from both Federation ships circulated in their bright white dress uniforms, and the effect was like a living rainbow.

Then she spotted Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres. B'Elanna looked distinctly uncomfortable, and Kes hurried over to join them. "I'm so glad you're here," she said. "I know it's an effort."

B'Elanna glanced around. "It's harder than I thought. It's been years, after all. You wouldn't think that just being around Vidiians would give me the creeps."

Kes stifled a smile at her choice of words. Living with Tom had clearly affected her vocabulary. "After what you went through, it's not surprising. But it means a lot to me to see you here."

"Uh-oh," Tom said suddenly. "Unescorted Romulan alert." To Kes, he said apologetically, "Will you excuse us? The Captain doesn't want Prolak wandering around without one of us nearby. But she doesn't want him to realize we're all keeping an eye on him."

"Go," she said, smiling. "I'll see you both at dinner."

They hurried toward Prolak, and she turned the other direction, and promptly bumped into the Haakonian envoy. "I'm sorry," she said.

"No, it was my fault. I was hoping to be introduced to that striking woman." He smiled. "Forgive me. I am Kre Netal, representative of the Haakonian Hegemony."

"Kes," she said. "Of the Ocampan delegation."

"Yes, I know." He smiled pleasantly. "You are one of the architects of this new alliance."

Despite his pleasant smile, she felt on edge. "Do you have concerns about it?"

His smile broadened. "I am merely an observer. We know very little about the Federation, you see. When Voyager was in this part of space before, we had no direct contact. To tell you the truth," he said, lowering his voice, "I am absolutely fascinated by all the different worlds the Federation encompasses. How many are there?"

"You'd have to ask one of them, but I believe over two hundred."

"Really?" He blinked. "That many. Are the Humans dominant over the others, or are they simply the warrior class?"

This was beginning to feel like something other than small talk, and she didn't like it. At her age, she no longer had to tolerate things she didn't like. "This really is something you should discuss with them, although some of your assumptions are incorrect. You might want to speak with Ambassador Diaza. I'm sure you'd enjoy it." Then she smiled sweetly. "Would you excuse me, please? I must speak with..." looking around frantically, she hit upon the most likely target, "Mupano Tar."

Making her escape, she quickly crossed the room to where the philanthropist was surrounded by several other Vidiians, none of whom she recognized. He smiled broadly at her approach and gently disengaged himself from the gaggle to devote himself to her. "Thank you," he said in a low voice. "The media, you know. Always looking for a story."

"I wanted to say thank you," Kes said. "I have a feeling none of this would be happening without your support."

He waved a hand in the air. "When something benefits Vidiia, I'm interested. If it benefits another people as well, I'm very interested."

"That's very generous of you."

"Not really," he said modestly. "My motivation is purely selfish. I want to see Vidiia restored. Before the Phage, we were the center of civilization in this part of space. Oh, the Trabe liked to claim they were, but they were pretenders. No one could match us for our art, our science, our social awareness.

"Look around," he invited-no, instructed, his voice becoming deep and resonant. "This magnificent hall has stood on this site since before the Phage struck. It's been expanded and refurbished over time, or at least it was until a few hundred years ago. It is the pinnacle of our culture, combining aesthetics with science, and all of it for the people. Some day, possibly even in my lifetime, we'll be capable of this kind of greatness again."

He paused, and then smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. Sometimes I get carried away."

"No apology necessary," she assured him. "You have a vision for your people. I understand that."

"Of course you do," he said thoughtfully. "This alliance wouldn't be happening without you, would it? Vertris was right-you don't have a title, but you're the real power."

She shook her head. "I'm just one voice."

"You're more than that," he said. "You should consider accepting a title. You can get much more accomplished that way, I'm learning."

"Excuse me," one of Dop's aides interrupted them diffidently. "Could I ask you both to come to the dais? We're going to begin."

Kes followed the young man to the large platform that had been erected directly under the three giant banners in the center of the room. Since she was not an official representative of Ocampa, she would not be a signatory to the Treaty, but she had been invited to be one of the witnesses. It took a few moments to get everyone situated, and Kes looked out at the assembled crowd.

It was easy to pick out the familiar faces, since the white Starfleet uniforms stood out against the other colors. Captain Janeway stood near the front, with Chakotay next to her in a dark civilian suit. They made a striking couple, Kes thought, although the Captain still looked uneasy with her surroundings. Despite her acquiescence, Kes knew the Captain didn't trust the Vidiians.

Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, Kes thought. There is so much at stake here, for the Ocampans, for the Vidiians, and perhaps even for the Federation, that we all need to work if we are to succeed. Perhaps the problems of the past few days would turn out to be a blessing in the long run-something that brought the three factions together in a common goal more than anything else could have.

She hoped so. More than anything else in her life, she hoped so.

President Dop took the podium, and the room fell silent for his introductory address. He recognized all the dignitaries present and thanked them for coming. "We are assembled on this momentous occasion to enter into a treaty of alliance with two great peoples: our near neighbor, the Ocampans, and our distant friend, the United Federation of Planets. By coming together to build a new colony, a new world, we are each affirming our dedication to tolerance, to mutual respect and most of all, to peace. May time prove that a new chapter in Vidiian history began today, at this moment, with this agreement-a chapter in which we once again live in harmony with our neighbors and with ourselves."

With that, he left the podium and took his place at the table with Ambassador Diaza and Vertris. Dop picked up the first of three pads in front of him and, with a flourish, pressed his thumbprint against the screen. He handed the padd to Vertris, who did likewise and gave it to Diaza.

The Federation ambassador then passed the padd to Kes. She took it, knowing she held her people's future in her hands. With a smile, she pressed her thumb with all her strength. Come what may, they were all committed now. The New Earth Colony was a reality at last.

-the end-

Authors' Note: Thanks to Diane B. and Rocky for their detailed editing. Invidium and its propensity for nucleosynthesis were featured in the 3rd season TNG episode "Hollow Pursuits," by Sally Caves, perhaps best remembered for introducing Reg Barkley.