AN: Salutations and bienvenue! I come bearing a new chapter from the time before the Hades took flight! Today, we will meet the Medusa's new Jem'Hadar officer!

"I'm glad to hear it Captain Valek." Zevil said as he handed the Cardassian a padd, "This has all the information on your new crewman that you will need. He is currently waiting aboard my ship for you to pick him up after the meeting is over."

Valek took the padd, planning to read it fully later, but at least read off the new officer's name. "Tama'Tix. Well I look forward to meeting him."

"I hate to ask," Sutim said, interrupting the two higher ranked officers massaging her forehead ridges, already foreseeing the problems this was going to cause, "but you said you had another task for us, sir?"

"I do indeed, Commander," Zevil said, his voice showing civility toward the insubordinate officer, "The stations First Officer, Commander Karen Andrews, has asked that I help her inform the members of the conference that the meeting time will be pushed back because Captain Kurland has been detained.

"I've already informed the representatives about the delay, with the exception of Staas for obvious reasons, but they have asked for a few things while they wait." Zevil told them, and he grimaced as he continued to say, "But due to Brigadier General J'Vasa's presences here, I have found that I can't complete those tasks."

"I know she's very…forward, sir," Valrek said, trying to choose his words carefully to not offend the Admiral, "But surely you can make your feelings, or lack thereof, known to the Brigadier General."

"You don't think I've tried that?" Zevil asked incredulously, brows raised to emphasize his point, "Every time I try, I can feel murderous thoughts just coming off of her in waves and I would rather not start a blood feud with the friend and ally to the Houses of Martok, Mogh, and J'mpok.

"Just one of those alone could shatter the uneasy pseudo peace we've been lucky enough to gain with the Empire." Zevil said as he mimicked Sutim's earlier move by rubbing his forehead, "I would much prefer not to tell Admiral Quinn and the Admiralty that our cease fire has ended over a Klingon General getting her heart broken."

"That would be bad…and embarrassing…for everyone." Sutim said with a grimace, understanding where the elder Zevil was coming from.

"Not to mention the millions that would die from a renewed conflict with the Klingon Empire." Valrek said, also grimacing at the thought. He and his crew had been on the front lines during the war, and he was not exaggerating. Some were even saying that the fighting was even worse than the Klingon war of 2256.

"Exactly, and if I send one of my crew, they will be accosted like my Second Officer was on your way here." Zevil said, wiping his hand down his face as he stopped massaging his forehead, giving an apologetic look to them "Which is why I have to ask your indulgence and help me help the Ambassadors. If we can get them in an agreeable frame of mind, maybe that will help them decide to join the Taskforce we're trying to create to fight the Borg Advance."

"Of course, we'd be glad to help, Admiral Zevil." Valrek told the younger officer, giving him a reassuring smile, "As soon as you give me the details on what the Ambassadors need, I'll have my crew on it. 'An enemy is much easier to deal with-"

"'If you have friends to take them down with you.'" Zevil finished the saying of the former Cardassian spy, much to the other Cardassian's surprise. Zevil smiled at the Captains shock, "I met Garak a few years before I went to the Academy. He was meeting my father about getting some of my people's ecosystem cleaners for Cardassia Prime."

"He does get around." Valrek said to the Admiral with a matching smile. Garak not only got around, but he also had a way of making an impression on people, an odd trait for a spy. "So, what have the Ambassadors requested?"

Zevil picked up a padd from next to him and began to read off a list, "The Deferi Ambassador has asked that we reserve a holo-suite for him a Quark's, but given the proprietors history, and Ferengi business practices, I highly doubt that it will be a simple matter." He said with a roll of the eyes.

"Best have Gelres and T'Puk deal with Quark." Valek said with a decisive head nod, "Gelres will know how to jump through whatever Rule of Acquisition hurtles he'll throw up for them to deal with and T'Puk will act as her representative because of Gelres's suspended business license."

"Not to mention that the doc might have something that will either paralyze or put the little bastard to sleep." Sumit commented, causing the Admiral to raise an eyebrow at Valek.

"She's only exaggerating, sir." Valek hurriedly tried to reassure him, kicking his first officer under the table when she began to mumble 'not really', "What's next Admiral?"

Not looking reassured at all, Zevil continued down the list, "Captain Shon of the Belfast, who will speaking on behalf of the Federation wishes to discuss security options and countermeasures, just in case the delegates get violent or, Valix forbid, an assassination attempt is made."

"Dosrix." Said both CO's of the Medusa, not even needing to think about it. At Zevils raised eyebrow, Valek explained. "While his methods are a tad…extreme, Dosrix is by far the best there is at keeping everyone safe." He did not, however, add 'whether they want him to or not'.

"If you think that's best, Captain, I will not argue with you. I put my faith in your capable hands." Zevil said with a nod of his head before saying the next item on the list. "Ambassador S'taass still needs to be informed, but I doubt that he'll want anything from us that he can't have Brigadier General J'Vasa and her crew do for him."

"I can deal with him." Said Sutim, more than a little reluctantly, "But it's a tossup if he'll even want to deal with me. They might have been forced to join the Empire, but the Gorn have jumped head long into its culture and practices."

"I have no doubt in my mind that you will succeed, number one." Valek tried to reassure her, before turning back to Zevil, "I suppose that leaves the Ambassador from my people's government. Who did the Detapa council send?"

"Ambassador Rugan Skyl," Zevil read off the padd and Valek pulled a grimace, "I take it you've met your people's Ambassador?"

"Unfortunately." Valek said wirily, using one hand to message the side of his head, "True diplomacy is still a new concept for my people and the Ambassador is of the old school. Let me guess, he asked for something offensively attached to the memory of the Occupation?"

"I don't know actually." Zevil said a little sheepishly, "I had to cut our meeting short with a promise that I would be sending someone to take any requests while he waited, due to the fact that I saw J'vasa marching toward me. The last I saw of him he was at the Replimat on the promenade."

"Then I'll go and ask him and see what the odious man wants." Said Valek, sounding as reluctant as his first officer before saying with false cheer, "It might be good for our new officer to see how a Starfleet officer deals with a difficult problem, diplomatically."

"Then let us meet that new officer." Zevil said as he stood up, tapping his badge as he did so, "Zevil to transporter room one."

"Transporter room one here, what can we do for you Admiral?" Answered a voice over the Admirals combadge.

"Please inform and send over our guest from the Dominion to my coordinates, along with his luggage." Zevil ordered.

"Yes, sir right away. Transporter room one out." The voice said and a few moments later, the form of a Jem'Hadar materialized on the other side of the table and a chest like object appeared on it as well.

He looked like a typical Jem'Hadar: grey-scaled skin, rounded nose, spikes along his jaw and crest-like forehead, and a tube sticking out of his neck. What was atypical about this Jem'Hadar, was his uniform: It was black and trimmed in a deep purple, and on his chest was a badge that looked like a combination of both the Starfleet arrow and the Dominion symbol.

"I am Tama'Tix, former Third to First Tomtana'ix." The Jem'Hadar informed the three officers as he looked at the two officers he had yet to meet before turning to Zevil, "These are to be my commanding officers, Honored First?"

"Indeed, Tama'Tix," Zevil told him, "This is Captain Kulor Valek, your First, and Commander Sutim Vakema, his Second, but while we respect your culture, I would ask that you follow Starfleet protocol."

"Of course, Hon- Admiral." Tama'Tix said with a slight bow, correcting himself before he called Zevil by the title he would have if he was in the Dominion. He then turned to Valek and bowed to him respectfully, "Captain, it is an honor to meet you. I look forward to learning from you."

Tama'Tix's respectful behavior surprised Valek. From what he had heard, from both Garek and Starfleet files, Jem'Hadar were more often than not brash and arrogant, more akin to Klingons ('Although you should never say that with a Klingon in the room Kulor.' Garek had warned him).

But this one was polite and respectful. He was a little rigid and formal, but he was treating them like a Starfleet officer would treat them and not as a bloodthirsty Dominion soldier. Valek, ever the optimist, choose to see this as a good sign and gave a similar bow to his new crewmember.

"Welcome aboard, Tama'Tix, I look forward to serving with you." Valek said to the Jem'Hadar as they both rose from their bows, "Your first assignment is to shadow me as we not only inform one of the Ambassadors of today's conference about a delay, but to also see if we can help them with anything that they might need."

"Understood, Fir-Captain." Said Tama'Tix, catching himself again on almost mislabeling Valek, before turning to the chest on the table, "but before we go, I will need to take this to my quarters."

"Why and what is it?" Valek asked a little skeptically. It had a, clearly, Dominion design and Valek was sure that he had seen it somewhere before.

"Ah, I had almost forgotten about that, thank you Tama'Tix," Zevil said chagrined, "As I am sure you are aware, Captain, Jem'Hadar require ketracel white to live and function. While through the work of Dr. Bashier, we have been able to produce a good facsimile, the addictive's in the genuine article are still needed.

"And even though the Dominion has sent one of their soldiers, they refused to send us the formula," Zevil couldn't help but roll his eyes and Valek had to agree with the sentiment, "however they have sent this modified replicator chest that will replicate only enough of the ketracel white to get him though the day."

"And if a situation presents itself where he can't get his daily dosage?" Asked Sutim ever the skeptic to Valek's optimism, "I've read about the side effects of ketracel white withdrawal and I would be remis in my duties as Fist Officer if I didn't ask, sir."

"Of course, Commander," Zevil said with a nod, "In a pinch, our formula will work, but he will need Dominion made ketracel white. And with that I will conclude this meeting, please keep me informed of you and your peoples progress and I will have Commander Andrews inform you when Captain Kurland is back."

"Yes sir." Said Valek as he and Sutim stood to attention.

Zevil then turned to Tama'Tix, "It has been a pleasure to meet you Tama'Tix, or I should say Ensign Tama'Tix, and I look forward to serving with you and hope that this leads to a new working relationship with the Dominion."

"That is in the Founder's hands now, Admiral." The new Starfleet Ensign said seriously, but he seemed to relent in his stance by saying, "However, before I boarded your ship, Founder Odo wanted to convey that he would be open to an alliance, but the other Founders do not feel the same as of yet."

"One voice can make all the difference, Ensign, it just depends on who's talking." Zevil said with a smile, and taking this for the dismissal it was, Valek, Sutim, and Tama'Tix walked out of the room.

"Well, now what do we do Captain?" Asked Sutim, positive she was not going to like the answer.

"We do as Admiral Zevil has asked." Valek said as he took the replicator chest from Tama'Tix and handed it to his number one, "Starting with you informing the crew on what we are going to be doing for the conference. I'm going to go see what Skyl wants, given that he's waited this long, I'm sure he's going to ask for a moon or the Kai's first-born child."

"And I guess you want me to take this thing?" Sutim asked as she took hold of the device by the handles at the either side of it. "Where should I put it?"

"Put it in Otis's old quarters." Valek said, referring to their former Tactical officer that had retired. "We'll show our new Ensign where it is a little later." He then turned to Tama'Tix, "Shall we Ensign Tama'Tix?"

"I am ready to serve, Captain." The Jem'Hadar answered promptly, "I have taken my dosage of white today and am ready to learn."

"Good!" Valek said with a cheery smile as he and Tama'Tix parted from the Commander and made their way to the promenade and toward the little eateries there. "Your first lesson will be in Starfleet diplomacy. More specifically, in dealing with a difficult Ambassador."

"You have nothing to fear captain," Tama'Tix said as he put a hand to where is Dominion Polaron pistol rested on his hip, "I am prepared."

"Okay, the first part of that lesson is that Starfleet does not shoot diplomats!" Valek said quickly, then he thought about his words and said, "Unless they shoot first and we stun them only. Starfleet and the Federations ultimate goal is peaceful coexistence with all the galaxy, and we can't do that if everyone is dead…there's probably an old Cardassian proverb in there somewhere."

"You are not exactly what I expected when the Founder informed me of your people." The former Dominion soldier stated, his tone sounding confused. "You are more…welcoming then I would have imagined."

"I would hope so." Valek said as they neared the Replimat, "We've come a long way from the Cardassians of twenty years ago. It's funny you mention Odo, though, I actually know-"

"Kulor?" Said a voice coming from one of the tables at their destination, cutting Valek off.

Valek looked to the voice and was shocked at who he saw sitting there, though anyone of the previous command staff probably wouldn't be. "Councilor Garek?!"

Sitting there in all his enigmatic glory, was Councilor Elim Garek, formerly of the Obsidian Order and a former 'simple tailor'. "What a wonderful surprise! Now I don't want to alarm you, Kulor, but do you know that you have Jem'Hadar following you?"

AN: I love that the Victory is Life update replaced Skyl with Garek, he was one of my favorite characters of DS9.

I decided to give Tama'Tix (good Gandhi I am going to have someone give him a nickname!) the Federation uniform you Dominion player gets if you join their faction, just letting you know in case the description confused you guys.

I promise that next chapter that we will meet the Medusa's intrepid crew, I would have had them in this chapter, but it would have run waaay too long.

Till next time, I bid you adieu!