Chapter 3 - Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far!
Garak was working in the shop when the computer bleeped and alerted him to an incoming transmission. He slipped into the private area behind the counter and pressed a button on the computer.
His eyes widened in surprise at the face that appeared on the screen in front of him. "Elorem?"
The Cardassian smiled tightly. "No time for pleasantries, I'm afraid, Elim. I need to get out and fast."
Dax took a sip of her coffee as the turbolift stopped in Ops and Kira stepped off. She ordered a raktagino and walked over to Dax's console.
"Is Julian in there?" she asked quietly, motioning towards Sisko's office. Dax nodded.
"What did Sisko say when you spoke to him?" she asked.
"He's still against it," Kira replied, taking a careful sip of the hot coffee. "Do you have any idea what all this is about?"
Dax shook her head. "Not a clue. But you know Julian, always the loyal puppy."
Both women turned back to the office as the doors swished open and the doctor practically skipped down the stairs.
"What did he say?" Dax asked.
Julian grinned and clasped his hands behind his back. "He said to take the Rio Grande and be back by next week."
Later that night, the Rio Grande slowly disembarked and began its journey to Cardassia Prime.
Inside the shuttle craft, Bashir turned to Garak and folded his arms.
"Now, do you mind telling me what this is all about, Garak?"
Garak smiled slightly and kept his eyes on the computer console. "'This' being...?"
"'This' being what is likely to turn out to be some kind of wild goose chase to Cardassia!" replied Julian angrily. "Would you please tell me what is going on here?!"
The Cardassian gave an exaggerated sigh and swivelled his chair round to face Bashir.
"Last week, I received a message from a friend of mine," he began.
"This 'friend' wouldn't hae anything to do with the Obsidian Order, by any chance?" Julian asked suspiciously.
"My friend," he continued, ignoring his question, "Has a debt to pay back to some... rather powerful men, shall we say, and he needs my help."
"That's it?" Bashir asked incredulously.
Garak smiled. "Disappointed?"
"Well, yes!" he spluttered. "After all that secrecy, the bargaining with Captain Sisko and Kira... all you want is to help a friend pay back a debt? Why couldn't you just send him the money?!"
"Ah, but doing it in person is much more... considerate, wouldn't you say so, Doctor?"
Julian refused to answer. "Laying in a course for Cardassia, warp 2."
"Warp 2?" Garak questioned. "Surely this runabout can go faster than that!"
The doctor grit his teeth. "Laying in a course for Cardassia, warp 2. After all, your friend can wait a few extra hours, can't he, Garak?"
Julian should know about Garak's lies by now...
Sorry this took so long but I got stuck. Please be nice of you're going to review :)