The bridge of the Orion was spic and span, as clean as the day she was built. Her crew was turned out with their boots newly polished and those that had hair had combed it even more neatly than usual. Captain Hughes glanced around at them with a mixture of approval and amusement.

"This ought to satisfy our friends," Hughes said, making no attempt to conceal his grin. It was not widely shared. Lieutenant K'vas Chell and Ensign T'Lara never smiled, of course, much less grinned. Andorians and Vulcans didn't grin while on assignment. Ensign Reeva, the tiny Arcadian pilot, gave a quiet smile. Lon Hadal, the conn officer, merely shrugged. Even Saden's lips were tight.

"I'd like you all to remember that this Cardassian will be your commander for the next three days," the captain said unnecessarily. "Needless to say, our Cardassian friends will have high expectations... and I wouldn't be surprised if they have some mischief planned. But I'm confident everything will go according to plan. This is supposed to be an educational experience, after all."

Silence.

"Captain," Chell said, "this could be a mistake. We don't know anything about these people beyond ancient history and the fact that they've been nothing but hostile this past century."

Andorians, Captain Hughes thought with a slight chuckle. Suspicious as hell, and K'vas was no exception. It was why he made such a good security officer. Nonetheless Hughes couldn't resist a jibe: "I'm sure you can handle one Cardassian for a few days, Lieutenant."
Chell straightened. "Aye, sir."

Shaking his head, Captain Hughes sat in his chair. In the two years he'd known Chell, the Andorian had never once laughed at a single one of his jokes. No mean feat, that. Even T'Lara had been known to crack a smile. Captain Hughes smiled and addressed Reeva, the pilot. "Set a course for the Cardassian border," he said. "Bearing three-one-three mark four. Warp five."

"Aye, sir," Ensign Reeva said.

"Engage."

The bridge of the Gavran was always clean, but on Gul Narat's orders it had been made to fit the very definition of 'pristine'. His two Glinns were not as enthusiastic about it as he would have liked, but neither had complained about being set to the task of removing every particle of dust and every single finerprint from the consoles, and that was what mattered to him.

He could do without their approval, but he would have obedience.

Now they both stood to attention before him, hair even more neatly brushed than usual, backs straight and shoulders back, watching him attentively for his orders. He smiled. "Glinn Vekal," he said. If it was possible, she straightened even further, attention heightened. Briefly, Gul Narat wondered if that was possible. He knew full well that Glinn Vekal saw, heard and remembered everything. Regardless, he continued: "You've read everything we know about how these starships operate. You're not to make any mistakes. You're going to be an ambassador for the Cardassian Union." He paused, and offered her a smile. "Do you think you can handle that?"

"I'll make every effort, Gul," she answered with a pointed dip of the head.

Gul Narat let the non-answer slide and smiled again. He held out his hand and opened it, revealing the silvery object he held there. It was a small rod, four centimetres long and half a centimetre wide. Glinn Vekal almost managed to keep a blank expression, but her mouth twitched. The movement was too small to tell whether it would have formed a smile or a frown. Gul Narat met her eyes. She knew what it was, of course. "Will we need this?" he asked in a low voice.

"Of course not, Gul." Her voice was level even as she held his stare, something few of his subordinates could do. Gul Narat ignored her tone and scrutinised her face instead. There was no defiance there, only calm acceptance. He nodded again.

"Very good. On the Orion, I expect you to follow every order the captain gives you. I don't think I need to remind you that this is going to be a peaceful mission."

Another rather pointed dip of the head, accompanied by a slight smile indicating in the politest possible way that only an idiot would think she needed to be reminded, and Glinn Vekal returned to attention. Gul Narat nodded. He gave her one of his famous looks, the kind that communicated paragraphs of orders to her. It was not as effective as verbal communication but infinitely faster. Glinn Vekal accepted her dismissal with a slight bend at the waist, just barely leaning forward, the movement almost lost as she stepped around Gul Narat and left the bridge.

Silence.

Gul Narat waited a few seconds, and then addressed his remaining Glinn. "I expect you to act as a guide for this Starfleet officer. Show him around. Assist him if necessary. We want to make this a pleasant exchange, after all."

Glinn Ledrec bowed his head. It was a deeper, briefer dip than Glinn Vekal's. "Shall I also keep an eye on him?" he asked. A polite way of asking whether this Starfleet officer was to be kept under constant surveillance.

"No," Gul Narat answered, "absolutely not. He's to be our guest, not a prisoner. And I expect you and the crew to give him your full respect and cooperation."

"I obey, Gul." A bow that included the shoulders, this time. Then Ledrec paused. "Gul Narat, may I ask why we were chosen for this exchange?"

Gul Narat narrowed his eyes. "I was not informed," he said lightly. "And even if I were, I don't see why I should share command decisions with you."

"Then may I ask why Glinn Vekal is to be sent to the Orion?"

"Those are my orders," Gul Narat said. "Your only concern is to have them carried out." He paused. "But if it comes down to a fight, I would rather have you on board." He deliberately didn't clarify what he meant by that statement. "Are we in position at the Federation border?"

"Yes, Gul."

"Good." He gave Glinn Ledrec a look, and the other bowed at the waist and left the bridge as well. Gul Narat smiled to himself and sat down in his chair, awaiting the Starfleet officer.