Chapter VII

"You don't know how good it is to be back among my own people," Garak commented as they were led down the hallway between a half-dozen hulking Jem'Hadar. His companions glanced at their escorts occasionally; obviously aware of how easily his brazen plan might go wrong. They were led at last to a large room, where a lone Cardassian woman sat at the far end of the table. "What do we have here?" their hostess inquired, coming to her feet.

"They claim to be spies who have escaped from the Federation, Glinn Naprem. They have a Founder with them… the outcast, Odo," the leader of their guards stated. "Really? And do you give credence to their claim, First?" the Glinn wondered. "My opinion is of no consequence," the Jem'Hadar replied. "The natural response of any servant. Who else have you notified of this development?" she inquired. "You are in command here, Glinn," the First answered.

"Yes… since my predecessor got himself captured in that ill-advised prisoner exchange those Ferengi set up, your precious Founders have not seen fit to dispatch another Vorta to take his place. And far be it for one of the leaders of the Dominion to take a stand on the plain of battle, where they might die like the rest of us," the Cardassian groused. "Glinn Naprem, obedience brings victory," the soldier stated. "And victory is life," she replied mechanically, then went on, "Escort the humans to cells. I would speak with the others alone." For a moment, the Jem'Hadar hesitated, then the alien nodded and stepped out with Sisko and Bashir in tow.

"That's quite an unusual name you have. It sounds somewhat familiar, as though I've heard it before," Garak commented once he had taken a seat. "I wouldn't be surprised. You always were a crafty one, Elim," Naprem noted. He smiled faintly before responding, "I'm afraid that you have mistaken me for someone else. While it is true that I resemble Elim Garak, I am actually an operative who has been working undercover in that identity for some time now. Of course, being stranded on a space station on the wrong side of a war forced me to do things which have hampered my efforts to aid my people in this struggle against those who would impose their viewpoints upon us. Naturally, I availed myself of the opportunity which presented itself when Odo voiced his desire to leave the detestable company of the solids and rejoin his own kind."

"A sentiment I see that you shared… so what do I call you, then?" the Glinn asked. Garak considered for a moment, then answered, "My code name was Nane." Their hostess regarded him for a moment, then turned her eyes towards Odo and remarked, "What do you have to say for yourself?" "I don't believe that I have any need to explain my presence here. My people well know my history and the reason why I have neglected to join them until now. Suffice it to say that the circumstances which influenced me to remain no longer exist," the changeling told her.

"How convenient for you that none of the Founders are present to test the veracity of your statement. And of course, an agent of the Obsidian Order would be trained to resist nearly all the interrogation techniques I have at my disposal. I suppose that leaves your companions," Naprem noted. "They are no one of consequence. You may do with them as you wish," Elim put in. "You are a good liar, Nane. But you don't fool me. I know who they are. And what is more, I know why you're here. Rest assured that Gul Dukat will be landing before the sun sets this evening," the Glinn reported.

"I look forward to making his acquaintance," the tailor replied. "Sadly, my duties prevent me from holding a formal reception for such an illustrious visitor. With the way things have been going, I'm certain the war will come to Chin'toka sooner rather than later," their hostess went on, rising and moving to one side of the room, before returning to place an object on the table. Garak couldn't believe his eyes and shook a look at Odo, who murmured, "I trust there is a reason why you're showing one of the Bajoran Orbs to us."

"This isn't one of theirs," she answered mysteriously. "I'm afraid that I don't understand. To the best of my knowledge, these artifacts can only be produced by the aliens who inhabit the wormhole in the Denorios Belt," Elim observed. "That is what the Cardassian government thinks as well. Whenever a search of our records was done recently at the request of Gul Dukat, this one turned up. Here on Chin'toka," Naprem informed them. "So why tell us about it?" the Constable wondered.

"When the time comes, the Emissary must open the ark and grasp the Orb. Only then will light return to the Celestial Temple," the Glinn stated. "You sound like one of the Bajoran prophets," he remarked. "Eilin, one of three who wrote of this time and many more like it to come," their hostess told them. "I'm not familiar with that individual," the tailor admitted. "Few people are, Nane. Even among the Bajorans, Eilin has almost been forgotten. As have her counterparts. But it is necessary for you to know and remember, in order to act. Now, if you'll excuse me…" Naprem began, hitting a button on the table.

As the doors opened and the Jem'Hadar filed in, the Glinn went on, "I have received sufficient assurances of their identities. You may release them, but do not let them leave until after Gul Dukat has safely arrived. In the meantime, I am not to be disturbed." Garak rose, his eyes straying from the ornate ark to the mysterious Glinn; then he said, "I hope that you know what you're doing. A young woman I once loved lost her life in this war. I'd hate to see something similar happen to you."

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," their hostess countered, then gestured for them to leave. It didn't take long for their guards to reach the chambers where Sisko and Bashir had been kept, at which point the leader of the sentinels barked, "You may go where you wish in the areas of the compound which are not restricted. Humans are not welcome here. It would be wise to retain one of my soldiers to avoid confrontations." "I think we'll manage," Odo assured him, at which point the Jem'Hadar stalked off.

"Let's find ourselves a cafeteria. There's a great deal we need to talk about," Garak proclaimed without relating any of the details of their discussion. They spent the next few minutes roaming the corridors until they reached a large chamber, filled with Cardassian soldiers in uniform. A few Jem'Hadar stood against the wall, watching for anything suspicious. Some of the individuals present eyed them as they went by and selected their meals, yet no one bothered to interfere with their movements. Elim took a moment to find a place where it would be hard to overhear their conversation and he could watch the exit, then began to eat his food.

"I take it things went well," Julian declared. "Your deductive skills are certainly stunning today. Otherwise, how would we have our liberty?" Garak retorted. "That woman reminded me of someone. But I can't put my finger on it," Sisko stated. "What matters is that she wants to help us," Odo informed them. "How did you find that out?" Bashir wondered. "The Glinn informed us of her intentions. I would say that I am far from being the only Cardassian who is dissatisfied with the current situation endured by our people," the tailor commented.

"What is more… she has an Orb," the changeling went on. "Could that be what Dukat is after?" Benjamin asked. "We'll probably find out when he arrives tonight," Elim assured him. "That doesn't leave us much time to prepare," the doctor noted. "This entire operation has been somewhat haphazard from the beginning. But we can hardly go back and start over, now can we?" he shot back. There was a stir near the door and Garak immediately recognized the new arrival. A few hours early, Dukat had put in an appearance. "Looks like things are about to get interesting," he observed.

The Cardassian Gul ignored the attention that was given to him as he crossed the room and once everyone had subsided, Dukat selected a plate before looking about for a seat. "Perhaps now would be a good time for us to leave," Odo suggested. However, before they could go; a soft thunk disrupted them and he realized that sitting before them was the ornate Orb ark they'd been shown. Glinn Naprem smiled down at him and commented, "I believe you know what to do next, Elim."

She walked off but by then the conversation had attracted the attention of the Gul; who marched directly over to the table and took a seat. "We were just leaving," Garak began, but Dukat countered, "Sit down or I'll insure that Sisko never leaves this room alive."