DISCLAIMER: Paramount owns Kashyk and all known species of the galaxy. This story is mine. Please do not post anywhere else without my express permission.
RATING: [PG-13]
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Part One
THE face that appeared on the viewscreen was familiar.
"Kir!" exclaimed Kathryn Janeway.
Clearly there was nothing wrong, because the Brenari was smiling broadly.
"You are about to enter our space, and my people and I should like to extend our hospitality."
"Your space?"
"Yes, indeed, Captain. We have a new home. And it is all thanks to you. We have much to tell you. We also have some property to return."
"Property?"
"Your shuttlecraft."
This was greeted by smiles all round on the bridge. Kathryn reflected that it was the most heartening news they had had in a long while.
Some seven hours later, accompanied by Tuvok and Tom Paris, who was piloting the shuttle, Kathryn left Voyager for the planet's surface.
As they came in to land, she could see a sizeable settlement beneath them: buildings of honey-cloured stone set among lawns and gardens.
Tom put down the shuttle on a large green area. From the air it had looked like grass, but they discovered on landing that it was a herb, which, when crushed, released a faint spicy aroma into the warm air. Kir and his wife, and the rest of the little group of refugees were waiting for them. There was much excited talk, and hugging, and shaking of hands.
"You will meet some more of our people later. For now, let us go inside for refreshments."
Kir gestured to a nearby building, larger than the others Kathryn had noticed, but built of the same pale gold stone and surrounded by brightly-flowering shrubs.
Soon they were sitting in a comfortable room with long windows that opened onto a paved terrace. Beyond, the gardens stretched to a tall hedge. Kathryn could hear the gentle sound of a fountain.
A smiling Brenari woman served the visitors with cool drinks and a sweet, grape-like fruit. Kathryn looked at her companions. Tom was clearly enjoying himself, and Tuvok gave a small lift of the eyebrow that she knew meant approval.
She turned to their host. "Kir, what did you mean when you said 'more of our people'?"
"I said there was much to tell you. A new wormhole has opened up in Devore space. Doubtless it cannot last for long, but our people are managing to come through in quite large numbers. There are almost a thousand living here on New Brenar."
As if the word Devore held no meaning for her, Kathryn asked "And the original inhabitants? Surely a planet this beautiful couldn't have been uninhabited."
"No indeed, but the indigenous population has proved most accommodating."
She was silent as she pondered the changed fortunes of the man who sat next to her.
"What are you thinking?" he asked.
"Don't you know?"
"My dear Captain, no. Emphatically no. We never read another's thoughts without permission. Except when it is necessary."
"I have never been able to understand how it is possible not to."
"You ask that only because this faculty is strange to you. But, consider your own species. There are certain impulses or urges that you learn to control. It is rather like ..."
"Toilet training," said Tom Paris.
"Well, yes," laughed Kir. "That is not what I was going to say, but it is the perfect analogy. Besides," he went on, turning back to Kathryn. "If we read everyone's thoughts indiscriminately, the result would be chaos, and ultimately madness."
He offered her some more of the sweet fruits.
"I should like you and your crew to spend some time with us, if you are in agreement. We can never repay our debt to you, but we can at least ensure that you and your crew enjoy a memorable Christmas. And no, Captain, I did not read your mind. I heard Mr Paris telling my son about the festival. I am guilty of no more than eavesdropping."
Kathryn said that she would have to consult with her senior officers, but she had already made up her mind that they would take a week or so to enjoy the delights of New Brenar. She had her own reasons for wishing she were ten parsecs away, but would not allow her personal sadness to deprive her crew of a much-needed holiday.
No one had yet mentioned Kashyk, and she did not want to be the first to do so. She had not spoken of him to anyone (would not speak of him) since that terrible parting, but had pressed the hurt tightly to her, as if to staunch the bleeding of a wound. She had begun to think of him less often, but from the moment Kir appeared on the viewscreen, the memory of Kashyk's kiss, and his betrayal, was again uppermost in her mind, and she bled afresh.
End of Part One
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