After Voyager is severly attacked by the Kazon and one of its crewmen killed, Chakotay appeals to Janeway to start thinking more like the Maquis. Janeway knows she must strengthen Voyager's position in the quadrant and, although it's a difficult decision and is against her beliefs and training, she agrees to take steps toward a strategic alliance with leaders of several Kazon factions. When they come together for a conference, it's eminently clear that there are no rules in this region of space. Seeking an intermediary to begin talks with the Kazon, Neelix shuttles to Sobras, a planet with a Kazon settlement. There, he makes contact with an acquaintance, Jal Tersa of the Kazon-Pommar. Meanwhile, Janeway's initial meeting with Culluh and Seska is unsuccessful but Neelix is able to befriend Mabus, a governor of the Trabe, an exiled sect and bitter enemies of the Kazon. Thinking that the Trabe have compabible goals of peaceful co-existence, Janeway forms an alliance with them — with deadly results.

Charles Lucia (Mabus)
Anthony De Longis (Maje Culluh)
Martha Hackett (Seska)
Raphael Sbarge (Crewman Michael Jonas)
Larry Cedar (Jal Tersa)
John Gegunhuber (Maje Sulat)
Simon Billig (Lt. Hogan)
Mirron E. Willis (Jal Rettik)

• Crewman Jones tries to contact Seska.
  
• The Trabe used to be a wealthy society of artists and scholars. The Kazon were used as slaves, held in camps and living in poverty and filth. 30 years ago, the Kazon finally rebelled against the Trabe, stole their technology, and drove them from their homeworld.
  
• The First Majes of the Kazon Order are: Maje Minnis of the Kazon-Pommar, Maje Surat of the Kazon-Mostral, Maje Loran of the Kazon-Hobii, Maje Valek of the Kazon-Oglamar, and Maje Culluh of the Kazon-Nistrim. Maje Haron of the Kazon-Relora was previously killed by Culluh in the episode "Maneuvers".
  
• Maquis Crewman Kurt Bendera died during the Kazon attack, the third to die in Kazon attacks.