Author's note: Well, this was originally a plot kitten I had offered up on the VAMB forums for my fellow writers... It had other ideas. This story was inspired by the basic plotline of third season's "Sacred Ground", but I think my version is better. ;)

Legal B.S.: I only own the Rishii and all their goods. Voyager ain't mine. If it were, J/C would have been canon and I would have whacked Seven upside her arrogant Borg head a la NCIS' Gibbs a L-O-N-G time ago.

Spoilers/references: "Caretaker", "State of Flux", "Maneuvers", "Resolutions", "Basics", "Coda", "Timeless" and Jeri Taylor's "Pathways".

Rishii Pronounciations: A single "i" has an "ee" sound (i.e. Jasmi, Mandri). When at the end of a word, he double "i" and single "e" has an "ay" sound (i.e. siraii, ishrane), but in the middle of a word, it has an "eye" sound.

Rating: M, for hints of sexual content and a few instances of language. No graphic descriptions of the former.

Thanks: to Katesfire, Sira, Layne and Cori for beta services rendered, and Caffey for engineering technobabble.

Dedication: To the "priestesses" and "goddess" of the hour-my dear friends from SPA: Jazzy, Manda, Cindy (Incognito), Norms, Jenn, Dream, and Kumita. Love you ladies a ton! Enjoy your story!

Kumita's Touch

Captain's log, stardate 52152.1

It has been three days since our slipstream flight. Though the quantum drive has been dismantled and put into storage, a team from engineering is working on the variables of perhaps putting it back into use in the future...

A slight shudder under her feet, followed by a much harder one, startled Voyager's captain in the midst of her recording.

"Computer, pause recording." Kathryn Janeway leaped to her feet, heading for the door that led to the bridge. She was only halfway there before a third shudder abruptly rocked the ship, causing her to lose her balance. Thankfully she caught hold of the doorway just in time to keep from tumbling out onto the bridge head first.

"What the hell is..."

"We've dropped out of warp." Tom Paris stated the obvious, even as his fingers were flying over his control panel. When it flashed several warnings at him and made a variety of beeps, he glared at it. "And for some reason, I can't get us back into warp..."

"Janeway to Engineering. B'Elanna, what..."

"...the hell is going on with those warp engines!" B'Elanna Torres' snarl came clear through the commlink. It was obvious she was yelling at the other engineers. "Sorry, Captain. I just walked in when they went offline. We're on it, though I'm afraid it might be related to our recent slipstream flight. One was bound to conflict with the other sooner or later and I have a sneaking suspicion this is one of the aftereffects."

Kathryn rubbed a hand across her forehead. "Call me as soon as you figure out what's going on, B'Elanna."

"Will do. Torres out."

Kathryn was about to return to the ready room, but finally detoured for her chair. With a sigh, she sat down, rubbing her temples again. "Another day, another crisis," she said under her breath. She turned to look at her first officer, who was sitting to her left. "Just once, Chakotay, I'd like a break from that pattern."

"You know we'll get through it one way or another. We always do."

She gave him a look of mild exasperation. "But not always intact."

"But we'll never completely fall apart." Chakotay's serious look faded into a momentary grin. "Fate knows better than to push you too far."

"Watch it, Commander." Kathryn narrowed her eyes at him, but his grin only widened.

"Captain, we're being hailed." Harry Kim's announcement from ops interrupted the sparring between captain and first officer.

"Where's the signal coming from?"

A long pause and some trilling sounds from Ops before Harry had an answer. "It's coming from the northern hemisphere of the fourth planet." A pause, and then he added, "This is odd...scans of the planet show no signs of a warp-capable civilization."

"Are you sure the hail is coming from that planet?"

"Positive, Captain."

Kathryn exchanged a glance with Chakotay. Their scans showed a pre-warp civilization, yet they had subspace communication abilities? That was a new one. Kathryn rose to her feet. "Transfer the call to my ready room, Mr. Kim. I'll take it in there."

"Aye, Captain."

The light on her ready room console was already flashing by the time Kathryn got settled in her chair. Tapping in her access code, she completed the link.

The alien on the other end of the link had large dark eyes, lavender skin and very black hair. His ears—at least she presumed they were his ears—strangely enough reminded her of Kes. They resembled Ocampan ears, but for the fact that they looked to her upside down, the delicate tips pointing downward and behind instead of up. He squinted at her for a long moment, then a friendly smile broke out across his face.

"Ah, my screen is working properly! Greetings, Lady." He inclined his head. " I am Torut, High Magistrate of the Rishii government."

"Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager."

Torut nodded again. "Well met. I have not heard of a Federation. Whereabouts is it?"

"About 40,000 light-years from here, Magistrate."

"My word! That is a far distance. Unfortunately, we Rishii dislike the overuse of unnecessary technology, so we cannot help you if your vessel is damaged. However, should you and your crew require sustenance, you have come at an ideal time. The eastern provinces just beyond the capital are in harvest season."

"We are getting low on supplies, so that would be wonderful, Magistrate. Could a group of us arrange to beam down in a few hours?"

"'Beam down'?" Torut questioned.

"Transport," Kathryn explained.

Comprehension dawned in the Magistrate's eyes. "Ah! Understood. I am sending you the location of my estate. You may 'beam' into the central courtyard. Someone will be waiting to escort you and your crewmembers to the main hall. I look forward to meeting you in person, Captain Janeway."

"So far, it's looking good." Kathryn gazed around the table at the other members of the senior staff. "By all appearances, Magistrate Torut is willing to open trade negotiations, so as long as he's sincere, then we can use this opportunity to add to our supplies while engineering works on getting the problem with the warp drive fixed."

"Nevertheless, we should be prepared in case they are not as sincere as they appear," Tuvok pointed out.

"I do not think we will have to worry, Commander." This from Seven of Nine, who refused a chair as usual and currently stood behind Harry's chair. At Kathryn's nod, she continued. "Species 2861, who designate themselves the 'Rishii'. They have the ability to be technologically advanced, but choose not to be, except for what they call 'necessary' technology. This is limited to things such as long-range sensors, no doubt how they sensed Voyager, and subspace communications in order to trade with other species. They tend to abhor what they designate 'unnecessary use of technology', but understand that other species are dependent on it. It is probable to assume they will look at us the same way, Captain."

"Yes, the Magistrate did mention they would not be able to help us with any repairs." Kathryn turned to Joe Carey. "Mr. Carey, what are we looking at?"

"At least three to five days of repairs. We have one gel pack needing replacement; that will take no time at all. The magnetic constrictors need recalibrating, also easily done. But the fluctuation in the core's containment field is our major problem. Every time we think it's ready to go, it collapses again." Carey shook his head. "That's why I'm here. The chief insisted on staying down in engineering and trying to recalibrate it from scratch herself."

"Then I will leave you and B'Elanna to it. I'm sure between the two of you, you'll get it figured out."

"Aye, Captain."

"Commander, it will be you and I, Mr. Paris, Mr. Neelix and Ensign Harper who will be meeting with the Magistrate. Ensign Harper will be accompanying us because she has been assisting Neelix in keeping track of our supplies." He nodded and Kathryn cast a final glance around the table. Sensing that no one else had anything to bring up, she called an end to the meeting.

A few hours later, the away team materialized into an area that was a riot of color and the heady scent of too many flowers in one place. Tom bumped against something that looked like a dark blue tree, sending a shower of tiny gray blossoms down on their heads. He blushed, mumbling an apology even as he tried to brush his share of the blossoms out of his hair and then sneezed. "Barely any breathing room here. Why didn't he have us beam to somewhere less crowded?"

Kathryn silently had to agree as she watched Chakotay duck a batch of bright white overhanging blooms the size and height of Earth sunflowers. But there was little time left to look at any of the other flowers. They were no longer alone in this overgrown garden.

She immediately recognized Torut from their earlier communication. As he approached them, she could see that he was about Neelix's height and build with very black hair pulled back at the base of his neck into what appeared to be some sort of twist. His lavender skin clashed terribly with his cherry red robes of office.

The female by his side seemed almost childlike. Her hair was a spill of many shades of mocha and ebony and her large eyes were as black as Torut's hair. Oddly enough, she reminded Kathryn of Kes, but for the coloring. Her elaborate gown was a vibrant shade of ripe mango, which also clashed with her skin tone, but her smile was sweet and welcoming.

"Welcome to Rishii, Voyagers." Torut indicated his companion. "This is my Lady, Tifaili. You are very welcome to our world for as long as you wish to remain, even if that be permanent."

"We thank you for such a gracious invitation, Magistrate Torut. As I mentioned to you before, we are on a journey back to our home, so we cannot stay permanently."

"Then you may stay as long as you wish," Torut replied. "You are aware from our first communication that we frown on unnecessary use of technology here. Be sure to let your people know."

"The crew will be briefed before given permission to beam down. It's standard procedure on my ship," Kathryn assured him.

"Good! Then there should be no problems." Torut smiled broadly. "Come, it would be extremely impolite of me to leave you all standing out here. Please." He gestured to the path he and Tifaili had arrived on.

The Magistrate led the away team to his estate house and into a large, airy room. It was obviously prepared for their arrival. Two semi-circular cushioned benches faced each other with a table between them. The table was set with a tray holding a large liquid-filled dish, several square-shaped cups and various other containers and dishes, all filled with unfamiliar contents. Inside, the overpowering mix of floral scents was greatly diminished, to everyone's relief—especially Tom's. Once inside, he managed to stop sneezing.

"My apologies," Torut exclaimed after all introductions were made. "I failed to consider that your people might have more sensitive systems than ours. I should have had you transport directly into this room."

"Quite all right, Magistrate," Kathryn assured him. She glanced at Paris, but he seemed to be doing much better now that they were indoors. He managed a smile for her as they settled on the larger of the two benches and she knew he would be all right.

Torut settled Tifaili onto the smaller bench and she immediately began ladling from the large dish into the cups. "Ambassador Neelix contacted me this morning before your arrival." She handed Kathryn the first cup. "He said he wished to make us his latest specialty."

"Oh?" Kathryn cast a warning eye at Neelix. He managed a sheepish smile and shrug.

"Yes, he said it was a new brew of tea." Having served everyone else, Tifaili ladled a cup for herself and sat back, smiling at all of them. She watched Tom pick up a thin-spouted bottle and eye its contents dubiously. "That's faiit, a special sugar-syrup. It's very good, Lieutenant. Try some."

"Let him check it first, my sweet. That way he does not fall ill," Torut pointed out.

"Oh!" Tifaili cried. "Yes, go ahead." She watched with great interest as Tom scanned first the bottle in his hand, then the whole tray.

"It's all safe for us."

"Good! Then we can enjoy our tea while you talk trade with my beloved."

Tom cast the bottle of faiit one more suspicious glance. "Looks like the stuff B'Elanna uses to scour the plasma conduits," he muttered. But he poured a generous amount into his tea anyway.

Tifaili watched the pilot's actions with amusement. "I always like the first taste to be pure." She took a careful sip and her eyes widened. "Is this leola?!"

Tom winced at his first sip. "Yeah...unfortunately." His comment was more to himself than the Magistrate's Lady.

"However were you able to afford it?"

"It grows in abundance in the area of space I am from," Neelix explained. His expression showed he was beyond pleased that Tifaili loved his tea.

"Here, it is rare...and quite expensive. Since you have an abundance, would you be willing to trade for it?" Torut questioned.

Kathryn almost burst into laughter at the question, but she managed to keep her "diplomatic face". Barely. "If you find it valuable enough to trade for, Magistrate, that would be no problem at all."

"Good! Now to discuss what we can give you in return..." Between Ensign Harper, Kathryn and Torut, a long discussion finally narrowed the list down to a possibly variety of forty different kinds of produce, "as long as they are all safe for your crew to consume".

"I regret that we cannot help you with your technology," Torut added. "But it is the way of the Rishii that unnecessary technology can lead to more problems than solutions."

"We believe that over dependence in technology makes one too complacent," Tifaili remarked. "No offense meant."

Kathryn gave a little shrug. "None taken. If that is your way here, who are we to argue?"

"Exactly!" Tifaili gave the captain one of her sweet smiles. "Just as we would not look down on you for your reliance on technology. It is obviously Kumita's will that your Federation runs in that fashion."

"Kumita?" Chakotay echoed.

Tifaili brightened at the first officer's interest. "Kumita is Lady of the Universe, Commander. She sees, hears and understands all."

"Like a head goddess."

"Exactly. We have seven other deities, but Kumita is above all."

"I'd like to hear more, if it's not a forbidden subject." Kathryn smiled at Chakotay's enthusiasm.

"Not forbidden at all, Commander. In fact, while you all are here, you should visit Kumita's main temple. It is not far from here and no doubt the Shalii will welcome you and any questions you may have, as well as tell you all the ancient tales. Don't forget to have her tell you my favorite tale, in which Kumita battled the rithnit for a hundred cycles of seasons straight until finally defeating it."

Torut smiled indulgently at his Lady. "You could tell them the tale yourself, my sweet. You know it by heart."

"The Shalii tells it so much better, though," Tifaili countered. "And it has so much more impact when you see the artists' depictions of her with her battle blade."

Torut shook his head and rolled his eyes to the ceiling in a universal gesture. "Yes, my sweet."

Kathryn met her first officer's gaze with a smile of her own. She already knew he would want to visit the Temple. He'd always been fascinated with the spirituality of other worlds. "Well I know where we're going tomorrow, hmm?"

"You don't have to come, Captain."

"Actually, I wouldn't mind hearing Tifaili's favorite tale myself. It sounds rather interesting."

Meanwhile, Tom Paris had gotten Tifaili's attention with a mention of flowers. "I'll talk to Ensign Dana in biology about bringing some rose cuttings down," Tom said as he dumped a copious amount of the bright blue sugar-syrup into his second cup of tea. He'd found that the stuff made the hideous taste of boiled leola root tolerable. "Roses tend to grow anywhere, Lady Tifaili, so you should have yourself some rosebushes in no time."

"Wonderful! What colors?"

"Just about any color you want." Torut was smiling at his Lady's enthusiasm as the helmsman went on. "There is even one variety called a peace rose. Its color is similar to the color of your gown."

"This is my favorite color." Tifaili smoothed the skirt of her gown. "It is the color of the siraii, Kumita's sacred flower." She then clapped her hands. "How soon can you bring these 'roses' down? I am anxious to see them."

"As soon as we beam back to the ship, we'll start making arrangements, Lady Tifaili," Kathryn assured her. "I'll send Mr. Neelix, Ensign Dana, and a team back down with the leola root and the rose cuttings tomorrow morning. I will also inform the crew of your offer of shoreleave, Magistrate, as well as your stipulations."

Torut bowed over Kathryn's hand as she rose. "It is good to have met you, Captain. And I would like to extend an invitation to you, the Commander, and anyone who wishes to accompany you to visit Kumita's Temple on the morrow. It is one of our most beautiful places and you should have the opportunity to see it."

"I accept. And I'm sure others will as well." She exchanged a smile with Chakotay.

"Excellent. I will send word to the Shalii so that she will be prepared for your arrival." The Magistrate bid them all farewell, fascinated with the concept of what Lieutenant Paris called a "handshake", and then called one of the servants in.

"Report to the Temple and inform the Shalii that the Voyagers will be visiting on the morrow." The servant bowed quickly and hurried away.

Tifaili stirred the last of her tea. "Such a pity they won't stay, Torut."

"Now, my sweet," Torut placated. "I completely understand their position. If it were you and I and a group of our people stranded far from here, my one concern would be getting us all safely home."

"True," Tifaili relented. Then her face brightened again. "The Captain and her Commander...aren't they such a lovely pair?! I wonder if Kumita will cast a blessing upon them like she did with you and I."

"Perhaps, my sweet. Time shall tell."

Later that evening, Tom walked into engineering. He knew it was likely a futile attempt to pull B'Elanna away from her work, but he was hoping to wheedle her into coming down to Rishii and possibly touring that temple. If she didn't like the idea of visiting the temple...well, he could just ask the Magistrate where the nearest secluded beach might be.

After asking Vorik, Tom finally found the object of his search and affections hanging half out of a Jeffries tube on the upper level. He decided after another minute that he rather liked this view of her...as much as any other. "Hey, B'Elanna, you got a minute?"

A thump, a bang, and a furious Klingon curse was his answer before "Damnit, Tom! How many times have I told you NOT to sneak up on me when I'm working?"

"I said 'Hey, B'Elanna', and I'm down here. How does that count as 'sneaking'?"

A tap on his shoulder turned his attention to Joe Carey, who had his hands full with his toolbox and a gel pack tucked under his arm. "Don't bother arguing with her; she's in full 'kelpie from hell' mode right now."

"Carey, you are aware that I can hear you whispering down there. Get up here and help me finish this."

Carey rolled his eyes. "I'm coming, 'Lan."

"And don't roll your eyes at me."

Tom was the one to roll his eyes this time. "Tell her I'll come back later when she's ready to play nice with others."

"Very funny, Paris."

Tom turned, almost bumping into Neelix. "Hey, Neelix. Did you need something?"

"Neelix! You better not be in here again!"

"But Lieutenant, you are aware that I will be needing to start dinner soon..."

Tom looked over at Carey. "Um, what did I miss when I was down having tea with the purple people?"

Carey raised his voice in order to be heard over the Talaxian's protests. "One of the heating coils in his stove overheated and exploded right after you got back. He's been panicking about it ever since. He's called twice and this is the second time he's come down here. She's about ready to kill..." He happened to look up at that moment and his eyes widened. "'Lan, put that DOWN!"

"Then he better get out of here!" was the snarled answer.

"Fine, I'm leaving." Neelix scowled up in the general direction of where B'Elanna was located. "But remember that your engineers have to eat too! And I can't give them dinner without a working stove!" He turned and stormed out.

Tom shrugged. "He'll calm down. He always does."

"True," Carey remarked. "And there's always..."

"Joseph! Did I not tell you five minutes ago to get your ass up here?!"

"Yes, ma'am." Carey rolled his eyes at Tom, who suppressed a snicker.

"And don't roll your eyes at me!"

Tom was disappointed that B'Elanna refused, of course, to even set foot on Rishii; she had work to do. But he decided to go to with the command team to the Temple anyway the next morning. It was something to do and it was a chance to get planetside—and he hoped he could come up with another plan to wheedle his lover into coming with him. Harry took pity on him and decided to go along as well. He had heard enough from Neelix the night before, who had gushed about Tifaili and Torut in between periods of bemoaning his broken stove, that it piqued his interest enough to want to go.

To the surprise of quite a few, Seven of Nine also decided to go with those who planned to visit Kumita's Temple the next morning.

"The Doctor says mingling with Species 2861 will be another important step in my social development." She didn't sound particularly happy about it, but no one questioned her.

The five of them beamed down into a grassy knoll half surrounded by trees. Tom looked warily around and above his head before he took a step, but unlike Tifaili's garden, the tops of the trees were all well out of reach and nothing made him sneeze either. Just a short walk up the nearest hill sat Kumita's Temple.

The architecture was breathtaking. It could have been a palace instead of a temple. It was built out of what seemed to be white marble-like stone, but the stone had a shimmering metallic quality none of them had ever seen before. It was a good hundred meters in height and perhaps twice that in length, built in an elongated oval shape. Five pillars marked the entrance at the top of the incline.

Compared to the summery weather outside, the Temple's interior was cool, almost cold. Mingling about the huge interior were people of a variety of species, both Rishii and aliens, most unrecognizable. Many were obviously worshippers or worked in the temple, since they all wore the same clothing; the males in tunics similar to Starfleet tank tops and soft slacks in a misty gray, the females in long tunics that could pass for dresses. They gathered quite a few glances and whispers upon entering. A sudden disturbance at the other end caught Harry's attention first, but was soon noticed by the others since a clear path was being made for the three individuals as they approached the away team.

The priestesses could have been sisters. They were all Rishii, with fiery hair in varying shades of auburn, offset by their pale eyes and the Rishii lavender-hued skin. Two of them had green eyes, while the third had eyes that seemed to be on the paler side of hazel, almost caramel colored. They were all clad in the same style of dress: a white gown whose top tied around the neck, leaving the back, arms and shoulders of the wearer bare, and flowing to the floor. Each had a bronze-colored diadem resting on her brow, set with five black stones. Each also had a thick bracelet around the left upper arm, but the stones were different in each—one had black stones, one had deep violet, and one had milky orange. When they moved, they seemed to be barefoot, though it was hard to tell because most of the Rishii wore gray foot coverings that appeared sandal-like in design and the strappings often blended in with their skin tone. As one, they paused before the away team and joining hands, half-knelt and then bowed their heads before rising back to their feet.

"Welcome, Voyagers," the tallest of the trio greeted. "I am Jasmi, Shalii of Kumita's Temple."

"Cyndre," said the one to Jasmi's left, the one with the onyx-stoned bracelet on her arm and the caramel eyes. She bestowed a gentle smile upon them. "Kumita's Blessings upon you."

"Mandri," the third one said sharply. Her pale emerald eyes nailed Janeway with a look that could almost be considered challenging. Tom was the only one to notice that, while Jasmi talked, bidding them an elaborate welcome and asking if they would like a tour, Mandri's gaze slid to Chakotay, then returned almost immediately to the captain, with a definite narrowing of her eyes. He smirked to himself. Either she's regretting her priestesshood or she's figured out in two seconds what's between them, and I really don't think it's the former.

Kathryn noticed the look from the one who called herself Mandri and raised an eyebrow in return, but said nothing. If the other woman disliked her on sight, that wasn't her problem.

Seven of Nine had no such qualms. "What is your reason for giving our captain a threatening look?" she demanded.

"Seven!" Kathryn said sharply. "Drop it!"

"Do you speak to me?" Mandri challenged, though she knew very well the blonde did.

"Answer my question."

"Priestesses, my apologies. Sometimes Seven can be a little...impulsive." Kathryn turned to Seven. "Seven, I said drop it."

Seven's baby-blue eyes narrowed with irritation. "The one designated Mandri is a possible threat to you, Captain. I will not comply until she explains herself."

"Yes, you will comply. Or do you wish to be sent back to the ship?"

Captain and ex-Borg glared at each other for what seemed like an eternally long minute before the latter huffed an irate sigh. "I will comply." For now.

Kathryn turned her attention back to the priestesses. "A tour would be wonderful. This is a beautiful temple and I'd like to see more." The others echoed their agreement. Seven said nothing, but she did not disagree to the tour.

"Very well, then. Come." Jasmi turned and began to lead them further into the temple, Mandri and Cyndre flanking her. Kathryn and Chakotay were directly behind them, Tom and Harry behind them and Seven a few steps behind the others.

Elaborate paintings covered both walls, spreading all the way down to the far end, where a large statue that was obviously meant to be Kumita stood. Jasmi was leading them to the first painting on the right. It was completely black except for the center, which depicted a flaming orb, obviously a star, and rising from it, a glowing feminine figure.

"In the beginning, a dark void was all of existence. Then the first star began to form. At first, a tiny point of light, until it began to grow," Jasmi lectured. "It grew until its brightness completely filled the void, then it exploded. When the explosion cleared, the star was again a tiny point of light. After a time, it grew again, but this time stayed the size it would stay throughout its life. And out of the star's flame, Kumita was born."

"Sounds like a Trill myth I heard once," Harry remarked. At the curious looks from the priestesses, he hastened to explain. "They say their celestial goddess Astraea created all the stars in the universe, but she appeared at the same time of the creation of the first star."

Seven stared at the painting with a critical eye. "Creation myths are an example of many species' primitive beginnings, in which deities are created in order to explain the ways of nature and the universe..."

Mandri turned on Seven. "You dare to insult Kumita in Her Temple, fichala? While you are an example of a species that ruins civilizations?!"

Jasmi laid a hand on Mandri's arm at the same moment that Kathryn stepped forward. She was attempting to smile for Mandri's benefit, but they could all see the fury in her eyes. "Shalii Jasmi, will you excuse us for a moment?" At Jasmi's nod, the captain grabbed Seven by the arm and led her several meters away from the group.

"I don't know what is possessing you to behave like this, Seven..."

"I was merely stating a fact."

"...but I'm at the end of my patience. One more stunt like that—and I will have you sent back to the ship. Am I clear?"

Once more, the two glared at each other before Seven relented. "Very well." She watched the captain return to the group, making her apologies to the priestesses. Her eyes narrowed as they continued on. She did not really wish to be here, but the Doctor had insisted that mingling with Species 2861 would expand her social skills, so here she was. Despite all that, she was keeping an eye on the one designated Mandri. It was more than just her suspicions that the woman was a threat to the captain and she was determined to prove it.

"Not all of your acolytes are Rishii," Chakotay noted, watching the quiet figures they passed by.

"That is correct, Commander," Cyndre said with a smile. "Kumita accepts and cares for all under Her eyes. We long for all in the universe to realize this, but since not all will, we will accept all who come to us."

"This reminds me of recreations of the Parthenon on Earth," Tom murmured.

"You have a temple to Kumita on your homeworld?" Jasmi asked.

Tom blinked, surprised she'd heard him. "No, but it seems similar to a temple built to another goddess of one of our very ancient cultures, with the statue at the far end and these frescoes on the walls. Her name was Athena, the goddess of wisdom."

"It is likely Kumita took another incarnation to appear to your people's ancestors," Jasmi suggested with a pleased smile. "It has happened on other worlds, which is how many of our non-native acolytes are drawn here."

They were getting increasingly closer to the statue, but stopped often as Jasmi explained the story behind each of the elaborate and beautiful fresco-style paintings along the way, including Tifaili's favorite tale of Kumita's battling the evil force of demonic creatures known as the rithnit. Their artists had painted Kumita as a breathtakingly beautiful woman with high cheekbones, a spill of mahogany hair that appeared to flow nearly to her knees, and equally dark eyes. She could have passed for a painting of a human goddess, but for the Rishii lavender skin and shape of the ears.

But the beauty in the frescoes was outdone by the forty-meter tall statue at the Temple's far end. Kumita stood, a faint smile upon her lips and one hand outstretched to those she faced. The other held what was obviously a recreation of the elongated DNA-spiral shaped blade she had used in the legend of the battle of the rithnit's Fall.

"Wow." Tom's single word seemed to sum it up for everyone.

"It is but another example of..."

"Seven." Kathryn's voice was like ice. "One. more. word."

Seven looked like she was prepared to protest, but finally huffed yet another sigh of irritation and wisely did not finish her thought.

Cyndre bestowed a smile upon Tom. "Kumita is no doubt pleased by your reverence."

Tom didn't tell Cyndre what he was thinking—that the goddess reminded him very strongly of B'Elanna. But her smile grew and it seemed she guessed. "Will you be bringing your ishrane to visit the Temple?" she asked softly.

"I'll see if she's willing," Tom murmured, unable to take his eyes off the statue.

Meanwhile, the command team, accompanied by Jasmi, drew ever closer. Chakotay paused about three meters from the feet of the Goddess. "The colors are so vivid," he mused. "So lifelike, as if She could lean down and speak to us."

Kathryn gazed up at the Goddess' face, surprised at the faint chill that suddenly went down her spine. "It's an incredible work of art." She found herself wondering if she might be able to recreate the Temple in a painting when she had the time. Painting Kumita herself would be out of the question, however. She would never be able to come close to the stunning work of the Rishii artists.

She blinked, trying to break the spell of staring up at the carved face. But the deep dark eyes...eyes like Chakotay's...seemed to draw her in. She took another step forward, and darkness closed around her, a darkness that abruptly shot through with rainbow lights. An aurora borealis before her eyes...or perhaps Kumita's fiery birth from the first star... And then a voice like crystalline chimes echoed in her head.

It is time, Kathryn Janeway...

And she knew no more.