Chapter IV
"Are you telling me that there isn't anything available?" Kira asked. "Major, I have to admit that it's a seller's market right now when it comes to ships," Quark remarked, "With the war on, everybody who's anybody is out to make what profit they can. Besides, why can't you use one of the runabouts?" "I'm afraid that I am not at liberty to discuss that," she countered. "Oh, really? Some sort of secret mission? Have anything to do with the visitor Doctor Bashir had the other day?" the Ferengi inquired.
"You're free to speculate if you want. But if you can't tell me where I can get a vessel, then I'll just have to find someone who can," the Major told him, turning to go. "Now, hold on a second. I never said it was impossible. Merely, that there wasn't anything to be had for any price," the bartender interjected. "What are you suggesting, that we steal something?" Nerys snapped. "These things happen. After all, you never told the Dominion about that warship you captured," Quark observed. "And would you know of something which might suit my needs?" Kira wondered.
"What, no moral outrage? Come now, Major; I expected at least some stinging commentary on how you can't believe that I would even suggest such action by a law-abiding citizen such as yourself," the Ferengi stated. "Look, either you can help me or not. I don't have time to waste," she explained. "Interesting… as it so happens, there is a vessel which might be able to travel freely wherever you'd like. And it is docked here right now. The only question is whether you'd be able to convince Captain Sisko to use it," the bartender informed her. "What's the name of the ship?" Nerys asked.
"The Xhosa," Quark asked, smiling faintly. "Captain Yates' ship? You've got to be kidding me," the Major retorted. "The Antares-class carrier is widely used, even in Cardassian space. Shouldn't be too hard for anybody using it to bluff their way around the dark corners of the quadrant," the Ferengi told her, then went back to serving his customers. Kira sighed, reflecting on the suggestion he'd made. While she had to admit that the idea did have its merits, there was no way Captain Sisko would agree to let Kasidy go along.
And she's not likely to feel inclined to loan us her ship, either, Nerys mused. Yet the alternative would be to try and take a vessel they knew nothing about, she knew. The consequences of those actions would certainly be more severe than stealing the Xhosa. She headed for the nearest lift and ascended to Ops; where she found the Captain turning over command to Jadzia, albeit unofficially. Normally, Kira knew that it was her job to take the lead during the absence of the Captain; but in this case no one was supposed to know that Sisko had even left. And while Worf is serving in the command branch of Starfleet, I feel more comfortable when he's manning our defenses, Nerys thought.
"Captain, can I have a word with you?" the Major requested. "Any news on my inquiry, Major?" he wondered. "Yes, but you aren't going to like it. Seems we aren't going to be able to beg, borrow, buy or rent anything which could get you there and back in one piece. That leaves stealing a ship," Kira reported. "I see… I had pulled up a list of the vessels currently docked with us. There aren't many we could take without arousing suspicion or offending their governments," Sisko commented. "There's the Xhosa, sir," Nerys suggested. "I doubt Kasidy will want to let us use her ship," Ben remarked. "Then we don't ask for her permission," the Major replied.
"That will certainly make her happy," the Captain stated sarcastically, "Isn't there anything else?" "I've gone so far as to appeal to Quark. This was actually his idea," she admitted. "Then maybe it was a good thing we kept him around after all, no matter what the Constable says. You'll have to get everybody off first. Odo and O'Brien can arranged for an impromptu inspection, for contraband or medical reasons. Kasidy won't like it, but I think she can live with the results," Sisko admitted. "I'll get with Odo and arrange everything," Kira declared, returning to the elevator and descending to the Promenade once more.
Although she had known what the Captain's reaction was going to be before speaking with him, Nerys didn't find it any easier to contemplate the request she was about to make. Once she came to a halt, it was a short walk to the Constable's office; where she found Odo looking over a padd. "Come to say goodbye?" he guessed, putting it down. "That and I need you to do me a favor," the Major told him. "Nerys, you know that I'm rather busy right now. I have to turn over my ongoing cases to someone I can trust, plus assign a competent officer to watch Quark…" Odo began.
"I highly doubt he's going to run amuck the minute you leave," Kira pointed out. "You can't be too careful when it comes to that Ferengi. How can I help?" the Constable asked. "We're going to need to evacuate the crew of the Xhosa," she proclaimed. "Why? Is there something wrong with it? Have you received an anonymous tip?" he wondered. "We need to use their ship for this mission and we don't have time to convince Captain Yates to let us," Nerys answered. The changeling came to his feet, astonishment clearly visible on his face as he sputtered, "You want to… steal it?"
"I know it goes against regulations. I know that as an officer of the law, you are sworn to abide by those rules in all circumstances. But I also know that you care about me and my people. And you know as well as I what happened the last time the Dominion took over Deep Space Nine," Kira observed. "If I didn't know any better, Nerys; I'd say you have a bad influence on me," Odo grumbled. "Then you'll do it?" she inquired. "Against my better judgment, yes. It won't be too hard to find some pretext to keep her off long enough for us to override her security protocols. We just need to be certain there's enough fuel for the trip and we have plenty of supplies," the Constable stated.
"Captain Sisko wants you to coordinate with Chief O'Brien on this. He feels that will make it easier to talk Kasidy into leaving her ship," Nerys added. "I'll get to work on it right away," he promised. She nodded, then stepped close and gave him a kiss. "Now what was that for? I am coming back, you know," he remarked. "Something to remember me by," Kira answered, then left the room. Despite the relative brevity of their romantic relationship, she had no desire to lose Odo now.
There was no telling what the future might bring for them and Nerys had already resolved to pursue the course they had chosen, no matter the difficulties. But a sad fact was that their jobs often required them to put their lives on the line, go along different paths and perhaps one day; never come home. The Major looked up, surprised to find her steps had led her to the entrance of the Bajoran temple. Stepping inside, she saw the familiar shape of the ark which held the Orb of Contemplation. The relic had just arrived at the request of the Captain and would remain onboard until the conclusion of the festival. Even in dire times like these, we can still find reasons to be joyful, Kira mused.
"There's nothing quite like them, is there?" a soft voice commented and she turned to find a man wearing the robes of a Prylar regarding her from the corner. "I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone was in here," she apologized. The man's face was obscured by his robes, but she could see him smile faintly as he replied, "The Orbs are the Tears of the Prophets, are they not?" "Yes… but we've known about that for centuries," Nerys replied, puzzled by the monk's behavior. "Have you ever wondered, why it is that they are the only ones who weep?" the Prylar went on, extending a hand towards the ark.
On his arm was a red band, which she didn't recall seeing before. The mark signified this man's adherence to a cult among her people that venerated the Pah-wraiths. "Who are you?" the Major demanded, edging towards the doorway. "Their joy is the source of their sorrow, Nerys. You too will know the truth of my words," he promised. She stiffened, for something about his tone sounded vaguely familiar.
"We will meet again, quite soon. You won't remember this encounter then, of course. But that doesn't really matter. All things serve the will of the Prophets. What must be shall come to pass," the Prylar proclaimed, then dissolved in a flicker of transporter energy. Kira stared at the spot where he'd stood, uncertain as to how she should react to this event. One thing she knew for certain, Sisko needed to know about this visit before his departure.