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Janeway only nodded. She very much hoped that Neelix was right about that. She took another sip, then nodded to him. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, Captain," he said, smiling.

"So, I need what you know about the Qavok Empire, and the Xorm people."

"Xorm?" Neelix said. "We've met Xorm?"

"We have," Janeway said. "Is that bad?"

"I'm not sure," he said. "I've heard only legends, since my people never got to this area of space. They are concerned with science, art, and other pleasures of life."

"More advanced than the Qavok?"

"In some areas," Neelix said. "And clearly the Xorms are the more civilized of the two races. They have never used military conquests to further their needs. But they can defend themselves if pushed."

"So you think we might be able to trust them?"

"From what I know, I'd say we could, within their own rules."

"So, what do you think we can expect of the Qavok?" she asked, taking another sip of the wonderful coffee. The temperature had dropped just enough to make it perfect.

"The Qavoks are extremely warlike, with a cultural tradition that matches their outlook of the world. They cannot be trusted, Captain."

Janeway nodded. She already knew that.

"To a Qavok defeat is not an acceptable option- not at least from their official point of view. They tend not to fight if defeat is possible. They can be quite tricky."

"Somehow, that does not surprise me, Neelix," Janeway said, smiling at her friend.

"Anything more, Captain? I have some wonderful reeds simmering on the stove for stew."

"Just one more thing," Janeway said. "How about the Lekks? You know anything about them?"

"Very little," he said. "First I ever met were the two we had the lunch for."

"No general information," Janeway asked.

Neelix thought for a moment. "I have the impression that the Lekk are a strange people. A little backward, no real strong areas. I doubt if they've been around long. More than likely since the Qavok/Xorm alliance broke apart."

"Alliance?" Janeway said, putting her coffee down and staring at Neelix. Sometimes getting straight information out of the Talaxian could be so darned annoying.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Captain," Neelix said. "Their alliance broke apart centuries ago, and I felt it made no difference now."

"You know what happened?"

Neelix shrugged. "The history goes that the more warlike Qavoks broke away centuries ago to pursue a goal of building a galactic empire of their own. Since then the two races have been at odds with each other. But the Xorms know how to defend themselves and the Qavok haven't been able to make much headway. Must get under their skin." With that, Neelix grinned.

"So maybe this Lekk system is just a little trophy they're fighting over," Janeway said.

Neelix shrugged. "I can see no other reason for the Qavok to take it over. The Lekk systems offer them nothing."

"Nothing but systems to rule," Janeway said. "And some just want to rule for the sake of ruling."

Neelix nodded. "There is always that."

"CAPTAIN," ENSIGN KIM SAID. "WE'VE GOT A problem."

Janeway pulled her gaze away from the hypnotizing effects of the revolving neutron stars and glanced around at Kim. The ensign had that worried look on his face he got every time trouble was headed their way. She had come to recognize it, and right now he was looking as worried as she had ever seen him look.

"Six Qavok warships are headed this way at top speed."

"Confirmed," Tuvok said. "Estimated time of arrival, two minutes, thirty-seven seconds."

"So much for our little scientific exchange program," Janeway said. "Mr. Paris, get us away from here. Put the binary between us and the approaching Qavok ships, then hold position. If we have to fight, I want to have some room."

"Understood," Paris said. His fingers flew over the panel in front of him.

On the main screen the images of the binary neutron star shrank. Janeway felt an odd sadness, as if she