Vaughn, Ro, Macen, and T'Kir assembled in DS9's secure briefing room. It was small and claustrophobic. The room was reminiscent of the briefing room in the original NCC-1701 USS Enterprise. Vaughn and Ro were here to present a report on Starfleet Intelligence's latest intel coming out of Cardassia. From the head of the table, Vaughn began his presentation.

"The Cardassian Union now posses three distinct major political parties. Smaller one issue parties have arisen as well but these three address the needs of the nation as a whole." Vaughn waited for the impact of his statements to sink in, "This is a far cry from eight years ago when there was one party. Point in fact it wasn't even a party it was merely the ruling junta."

"The Democrats are the newest party. At one time they possessed a membership of 90% of the Cardassian populace. That figure has been drastically reduced. They now rank as having 37% of the voting population in their pocket. This is the party of change and reform. It is largely comprised of the youth and idealists and former dissidents." Vaughn explained, "Now, the Monarchists are the oldest party. Their's is the smallest of the major party with 21% of voters adhering to their cause. Only their alliance with the Democrats ushered them into power. Combined, the Democrats and the Monarchists outnumber the third party but separately they cannot win a majority."

Seeing that his audience was attentive and settled into his lecture, Vaughn pressed on, "The Unionists are the single largest party in the Cardassian political scene. With 42% of the vote, they can win a clear majority and form a government. They cater to the military, the wealthy, and the disaffected with democracy. Their numbers are strong and they're expected to keep growing." Vaughn paused, "This party endorses xenophobia, unrestricted warfare, and expansion through force. In short people, if this party attains power we'll have a return to the troika of the High Command, the Obsidian Order, and the Detepa Council."

Vaughn sat down and waited expectantly. Macen had to comment, "Nice job, Elias. It seems I've taught you something after all."

"You taught me?" Vaughn scoffed, "I don't think so. That delivery was the result of decades of experience."

"Decades of hanging around me, you mean." Macen chuckled, "How many briefings have you seen me give?"

"Too many." Vaughn heaved a heavy sigh.

Macen groaned, "Here we go."

"I'll refrain." Vaughn begrudgingly promised, "For the sake of the mission."

"If you two are done?" Ro pointedly asked, "Could we wrap this up?"

"Of course, Dear Laren, I hang on every word." Macen vowed.

Ro gazed at T'Kir. T'Kir shook her head, "I wash him and wash him but he's still a filthy beast. Ain't nothin' I can do with him."

"Riiiight." Ro said, "To begin, recent reports indicate that a foreign power or powers is aiding the Cardassian Unionists. It seems the movement's wealthier participants aren't much in the way of being contributors. They've been hoarding their latinum and the party's been starved of cash. Quite recently though that all changed. Suddenly the Unionist party's coffers are full and no one knows where the funding is coming from."

"Gul Maret," Ro divulged, "the party's nominal leader is now engaged in a five day whistle stop tour of the Cardassian reaches. He's stumping in order to get the party's platform message out before the coronation."

"The Cardassian Militia ordered Maret and his Keldan-class cruiser to the Cardassian Farside but Maret refused to go and the Militia is in no shape to stop him." Ro reported with a hint of satisfaction, "Even after eight years of rebuilding, the Cardassian fleet is still a shell of what it had been before the Dominion War. The added danger is that most of the military is loyal to Maret's cause. If he's handled roughly, the soldiers may decide that he's a martyr and revolt."

At this point, Vaughn interjected, "To complicate these matters are reports that our mutual 'friend' has been recently seen in the DMZ and some say he's the mastermind behind Maret."

Macen's jaw tightened. Even after nine months the merest mention of Sindis made Macen rage. Sindis had broken virtually every brittle bone in Vaughn's body and left him for dead. Then he'd beaten Macen to an inch of his life. Macen had neither forgiven nor forgotten.

Sindis literally wanted to conquer the galaxy and was doing so one solar system at a time. He'd made considerable in-roads surrounding the Federation. Macen literally wanted to stop him by any means necessary. And the more necessary the means the better.

It had once been joked in the halls of the SID HQ that if you wanted to tally a lot of collateral damage, assign Macen to the case. That was all well and fine to joke about but that assessment covered times when Macen was reasonably collected. Now, the situation was different. Anger had suffused every portion of Macen's psyche and he was holding on to it, storing it for the appropriate day.

Macen stuffed his anger back into the recesses of his soul, "We'll deal with Sindis on a different day, Elias. Right now there's a little girl who's been ripped away from her family. We need to find her and then administer some good old fashioned Cardassian justice."

Ro and Vaughn exchanged a flicker of a worried glance. This could spell trouble.

Macen and T'Kir rose. Macen shook Vaughn's hand, "Thank you for everything. If we get her back in time it'll be because of you."

T'Kir said her goodbyes and they left. Afterwards, Ro looked to Vaughn, "Good old fashioned Cardassian justice?"

"The government could authorise it and it would be legal." Vaughn mused, "I wonder what he's up to?"

"Trouble." Ro groused, "He's going to be knee deep in trouble."

"We can only hope for the best." Vaughn sighed, "Come on, make a stop by Ops. We could both use a cup of coffee and the replicator up there has some of Chief O'Brien's favourite blends programmed into it."

Ro smiled, "I remember the Chief's coffee. It was legendary aboard the Enterprise."

"Then join me for a cup." Vaughn grinned.

"I think I will." Ro's smile blossomed.


The Obsidian slipped free of DS9's Lower Pylon 3 and sailed off into the night of space. They swiftly crossed the imaginary meridian that divided Bajoran space from Cardassian space. As they crossed they were immediately hailed.

The listening post that had detected them was located in the nearby Kilrah system. It was a nearly vacant system filled only with asteroids and cometary fragments. The listening post was stationed within the asteroid field.

During the Dominion War the field also based interceptors that flew out to harass Allied ships travelling to and from the front lines. Between natural attrition and being targeted by six squadrons of Federation fighters, the interceptors were destroyed. The post, however, remained.

After transmitting their ID, the Obsidian received clearance to traverse Cardassian territory. Federation starships rarely navigated Union space any more. All of the military units had to be alerted to the Obsidian's presence or there might be an accidental weapons release when the surveyor encountered a Cardassian cruiser.

Vaughn had been entirely correct when he surmised that the Outbound Ventures' ship and crew would be acting purely under Cardassian law. Macen's vast knowledge of the arcane strictures of pre-constitutional law could very well be useless now. Post-constitutional lawmakers had tried to do away with some of the ghastlier facets of the penal code. What that meant for the investigative team had yet to be learned.


Amanda Forger returned to her office after a session with the Council of Five. This ultra secret cabal were the true power behind Federation security. Comprised of Alynna Nechayev, Director of Starfleet Intelligence; Robert Tavar Johnson, Starfleet's Diplomatic Envoy; Edward Noyce, Chief of Starfleet Security; Edward Jellico, the Alpha Quadrant Theatre Commander; and Forger herself. This group shaped security policies for the C-in-C of Starfleet and the Federation President. The group generally functioned smoothly but occasionally a personal agenda or two would crop up and create friction.

Jellico had been a source of constant irritation regarding the SID. Ever since the division had been conceived he had opposed it and constantly manoeuvred to dismantle it. His most recent effort was failing miserably and that just irritated him all the more.

Jellico had pushed through an initiative to pare down the SID in areas of operation where it overlapped with Starfleet Intelligence. All of the SID's assets and agents were now civilians. Except for Forger and her aide, Ambril Delori, all of the Starfleet personnel had been reassigned.

Forger's meeting with the Council had been to brief them of Macen's mission. Jellico had revealed that he'd dispatched Bob Johnson to Cardassia. Johnson would establish Starfleet's response to the developing situation in the Union.

Forger could see trouble ahead. Personally, Johnson and Macen got on well. Operationally there were occasional conflicts and from what Vaughn had reported to her there could be trouble ahead.


The ship travelled through Union space at a leisurely warp 2. Although time was of the essence, Macen didn't want to go hurtling into a squadron of Galor VI-class cruisers without an opportunity to demonstrate that they weren't aggressors. He hadn't accepted this contract just to foolishly rush about and get killed.

The 2nd watch had relieved the SID team members so they had fanned out across the ship to enjoy some free time. Macen retreated to his Ready Room. He'd pulled up all the files that Starfleet had on the Cardassian Union's justice system. The bridge swiftly informed him that he had an incoming message from Admiral Forger.

Macen accepted the call and was soon looking at Forger's image, "Hello Amanda."

Forger looked serious, "Brin, Bob Johnson has been dispatched to Cardassia."

Macen was disappointed, "I'd hoped to do this without Starfleet's interference."

"Bob is just there to represent the Federation. He isn't there to participate in events." Forger assured him.

"He'll be travelling aboard the Intrepid won't he?" Macen enquired.

"Of course." Forger responded.

"Neither Jim McKinley nor Bob Johnson are afraid to act when they see a perceived injustice. This could spell trouble." Macen predicted.

"Hopefully it won't." Forger said wishfully.

"I'll wait and see." Macen reserved judgement, "Is there anything else?"

"Not at this time." Forger replied, "I'm off duty in twenty minutes and I have plans for the evening."

"Enjoy yourself." Macen urged, "And since I'm already off duty, I'm going to track down my wife and see what mischief she's up to."

Forger smiled, "Night, Brin." The screen went dark. Macen queried the computer as to T'Kir's whereabouts and then set out to join her.


T'Kir and Grace could be found in the Rec Room. They were sitting on a couch facing a hologram of a fire in a faux fireplace. Behind the illusion a space heater was mounted in the wall and it blew out heat. Despite the heat T'Kir wore a cable knit sweater.

"The fire is toasty." Grace opined, "I can't believe that you're still wearing a sweater."

"Blame it on my genes." T'Kir complained, "My ancestors evolved on a desert world. I was born and raised on a jungle world."

T'Kir waved her hand, shooing away the distractions, "Enough about me. What about you? You visited Gerrit Gren's cousin on DS9. How was it? How is he?"

Grace smiled. Gerrit Gren was Radil's deputy. They'd served in the Bajoran Resistance together. He'd remained on Bajor while she'd gone off to serve as a mercenary. Gerrit joined the Militia and became a constable.

"Aran is doing well." Grace answered, "Our time was brief but very romantic. He may not be well travelled but he's got a down to earth sensuality about him and a fresh spirit that can't be contained. He's very charming and more than a little precocious."

"So when do we take him to bed?" T'Kir enthused.

"'We' don't." Grace rebutted, "And I'm going to take my time."

"Oh foo!" T'Kir pouted.

"I do have a date planned with him for two weeks from now." Grace revealed, "We're spending two days and nights in the Kendra province."

"Oh boy," T'Kir rubbed her hands together, "Ian Delaney on one hand, Gerrit Aran on the other. Two years ago you didn't know where the field was and now you're playing it!"

Grace bowed from the waist and Macen walked in, "Did I miss something?"

"Lots!" T'Kir enthused, "If you're nice to me I may tell you what's happened so far."

"I may have an idea or two in that area." Macen grinned.

T'Kir concentrated and then a naughty smile formed on her lips, "I like what you're thinking. Definitely get back to me on this."

"Okay change of topic." Grace announced, "Are you frinxing nuts? How can you trust Annika Ryst…Celeste Rockford or whatever the hell her name is now?"

Macen smiled, "I can trust her because she's become Celeste Rockford."

"Okay." Grace frowned, "That went over my head."

T'Kir squeezed her hand, "It's like this, Honey. When the Angosians psychologically conditioned her they created an ability to so fully compartmentalise her mind that she can actually form separate personalities for cover identities and aliases."

"Get outta here." Grace retorted.

"It's true." Macen assured her, "The various personas can be reintegrated with the core personality at a later date. Starfleet counsellors reintegrated Daggit and the Angosian commandos that joined Starfleet before they could serve on the front lines."

"Is Ryst aware of this?" Grace asked.

"Annika Ryst manages the personalities." T'Kir reveals. "She's chosen to be Celeste Rockford."

"Why Rockford?" Grace wondered, "What's so special about her?"

T'Kir looked to Macen for guidance. He explained, "Rockford is honest, honourable, dedicated, loyal, and committed to aiding her fellow sentients. These are all things Annika Ryst remembers being in her past and she misses them. It's important for her to be Rockford. Billions of lives depend upon it."

Grace looked dubious, "That's cryptic."

Macen shrugged, "It is what it is."

"Okay." Grace grew concerned, "Is she up for visits from her teammates?"

T'Kir smiled, "She'd appreciate it more than you can know."

"Having been ostracised by most of the team twice before myself, I think I can relate." Grace said and rose, "I think I'll drop by now. Bye."

"See ya at dinner." T'Kir called after her.

Macen plopped down on the couch, "You wanted to discuss some of my ideas?"

"Yah!" T'Kir enthused as she snuggled up to him.


In her quarters, Radil sat at her comp/comm and spoke with Abby Collins. Collins was melancholy, "Being on vacation without you just isn't any fun. I have three more weeks of leave and I've been planning on spending it with you."

Radil tried to console her, "That's the nature of our business. You knew this would happen if you took the posting aboard the Indomitable."

"I only did it because it was the only way to prove you weren't just another infatuation." Collins shot back.

"Take heart, my Love, you have good news to wait for." Radil smiled.

"This isn't going to be another DTR is it?" Collins asked.

Radil was puzzled by the reference, "DTR?"

"Determine The Relationship talk." Collins sighed, "We have a lot of those."

"Yes, it is." Radil informed her, "But like I said, you're getting something that you want."

"What?" Collins eagerly enquired.

"You have to wait until I'm there to tell you." Radil insisted.

"So how long is your mission going to last?" Collins changed tactics.

"One way or another, everything will be settled in a week." Radil predicted.

"I got your earlier message." Collins confided, "Did Macen really allow Annika Ryst to join the team?"

"Yep." Radil confirmed it, "That he did."

"How does that make you feel?" Collins wondered, "She was the enemy."

"I'm not sure how to react." Radil admitted, "I want to hate her but really, when you think about it, she's in exactly the same place I was in when I joined up."

"I was also a mercenary that worked for the Orion Syndicate and yet Macen let me in when Rab accidentally kidnapped me." Radil said. Her brow furrowed and she plunged on, "It's really strange. Ryst's had more than a name change. Rockford has a new attitude and a whole new demeanour." She summed it up with, "It's like she's a whole new person."

"Maybe she is." Collins commented, "The rest of the SID team feels like you're a whole new person. Maybe this Rockford is too. I just wish you luck in dealing with her."

Radil grinned, "You need the luck. You never know how a DTR is going to turn out."

Collins blew her a raspberry and then said good night. Radil returned the wish, knowing that it was past midnight where Collins was. The screen went dark and Radil sighed. She wanted to be with Collins too.


Dracas and Gantz shared the ship's sauna. They had just finished a sparring session and were luxuriating in the muscle soothing steam. Gantz decided to break the silence.

"You seem awfully fond of Galen 3." He commented.

"I am." Dracas admitted it.

"I hope it's not an attraction because one, the boy ain't interested, and two, you have a good thing going with Stan Guthrie. I'd hate to see you mess that up."

Dracas was both surprised and pleased by Gantz's concern, "Have no fears Gantz. I view Galen 3 as I would a younger sibling. Furthermore I would do nothing to jeopardise my relationship with Stan."

"A younger brother, huh?" Gantz whistled, "I'd hate to see what happens to whoever hurts him."

"No," Dracas grew dark, "you wouldn't."

"So where do you think your younger brother would be right now?" Gantz grinned.

Dracas smiled, "Wherever Tessa is right now, Galen 3 will be found nearby."


Tessa stood alone in the cargo bay. She was poised and positioned to burst into movement. She wore a skintight outfit that literally left nothing to the imagination. What was revealed was that Felix had designed her to be anatomically correct.

She took a deep "breath" and slowly let it out and then music began pouring out of recessed speakers and she launched into song and dance. The music was that of a pop princess from the 22nd century. The dance was primitive and feral. The song, seductive.

Galen 3 walked into this. He was mesmerised. There was no embarrassment or ogling on his part. He took genuine delight in the performance.

Tessa came to the end of the routine. She stood in silence with her head bowed, reflecting upon her performance. There had been imperfections in her vocals and she'd been off on her movements. T'Kir had once explained to her that imperfections were part of life and in fact made an experience unique to that individual. She was proud of her effort and quite satisfied with it.

The sound of clapping startled her. She looked up to see Galen 3 applauding her. There was a distinct sense of pride in his eyes. That confused Tessa.

"Galen!" Tessa raised her voice, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to… I mean I wondered if… I wanted to know how you were…" Galen 3 fumbled, "I mean 'Hi'."

"Hi yourself." Tessa's fists went to her hips, "That still doesn't answer my question."

Galen 3 squirmed and then he asked, "Why did you drop the numeric from my name?"

That derailed Tessa's irritation, "Oh. Well, you're the only Galen that I know so I don't see the point in constantly referring to you as the third Galen in a row."

"Thank you." Galen 3 offered her a shy smile, "At least I think so."

"Why are you here?" Tessa repeated.

Galen 3 nervously ran a hand through his hair, "I just wanted to find out if you were doing anything."

"I was." Tessa remarked, "Now I don't know."

"Would you like to hang out with me?" Galen 3 asked.

"I have to ask T'Kir a few things and then we can get together. After you eat dinner, okay?" Tessa suggested.

Galen wore a grateful smile, "Thanks. I'll see you later."

"Bye." Tessa said and then disappeared.

Galen left the cargo bay, his spirits buoyed.


Tessa reappeared in the Rec Room. Macen and T'Kir were still seated at the couch. T'Kir took one look at Tessa's attire and grinned.

"Yeow." T'Kir said, "Hot mama!"

Tessa looked down and then folded her arms across her chest and nodded with a blink and her clothes became her typical scrubs. T'Kir laughed, "Did you learn that from a particular genie?"

Tessa was flabbergasted, "How'd you know?"

"I am the endless fount of pop culture trivia." T'Kir declared.

"I believe you." Tessa admitted.

"What's up, Sweetie?" T'Kir enquired, "You look like somethin's on your mind."

"Galen 3 is on my mind." Tessa confessed.

Macen and T'Kir exchanged a knowing look. Tessa panicked, "What?"

"We'll get to that, Honey." T'Kir assured her, "What about Galen 3?"

"He tracked me down just to find out what I was doing and if I wanted company." Tessa gushed, "Why would he do that?"

"Well, Lovebug, Galen 3 has a crush on you." T'Kir revealed.

"On me?" Tessa couldn't believe it, "Why me? What about Hannah?"

"Hannah's an infatuation." T'Kir explained, "She's safe because she's unattainable. He thinks you're closer to the ground and therefore accessible."

"I don't understand." Tessa confessed.

"Do you like Galen 3?" T'Kir asked.

"Of course." Tessa immediately responded.

"Then hang out with him and see if anything develops." T'Kir urged.

"What could happen?" Tessa asked, "I'm a hologram."

"Wait and see." T'Kir replied, "Trust me."

"Okay." Tessa sceptically agreed.

"So now what?" T'Kir asked.

"Now I do some research into what people do on a date." Tessa revealed.

"Good thinking." T'Kir encouraged her, "Good luck."

"Thanks." Tessa said and walked out of the Rec Room.

After she had left T'Kir looked to Macen, "Our baby is growing up."

Macen smiled, "Happens to everyone."

"Hold me." She said. Macen wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled in close.


Rockford was busy unpacking. She'd already explored her quarters and had determined where everything was. It was Spartan compared to her runabout but it was far closer to what she'd lived in since the Tarsus Wars. She'd finished unpacking her toiletries and her undergarments. Now she was tackling her wardrobe.

The door chimed and Rockford instructed the computer to open it. Hannah Grace was revealed to be waiting on the other side of the door. A wry grin appeared on Rockford's face, "Come to shoot me?"

Grace looked embarrassed, "I'm sorry about that."

"I would have done it too so don't worry about it." Rockford reassured her, "Care to come in?"

"Sure." Grace entered and her eyes swept the room. She saw all the clothes and her eyes widened, "Oh my God! You have terrific taste! How did you manage to get all of these clothes?"

"Being a private eye can be very profitable." Rockford grinned.

"I guess." Grace breathed.

Rockford bit her lower lip, "Is this a purely social call or do you have a beef with me?"

"Social call. I've decided to give you a second chance." Grace revealed.

"Thanks. Any particular reason?" Rockford wondered.

"I've betrayed the Captain and the team twice. Both times their lives were jeopardised because of it." Grace divulged, "I was given a second and a third chance. I didn't deserve either one but I was handed them. I can do no less for you."

Rockford was touched, "That's so sweet."

Grace was going to protest but she was pre-empted by the door chime. Once again, Rockford bid the door to open. Outside was Radil. Rockford motioned for her to enter and she stepped inside.

Eying Grace she smiled, "Here to do the same thing I am?"

"Probably." Grace replied, "I already said my peace so you're up."

Radil met Rockford's eyes, "I don't hold any grudges and I'm going to give you your shot at being on this team. I was given the same opportunity so I can't withhold it from you. Make no mistake about it though, you turn on us and I will find a way to kill you, augmentation or no augmentation. See you at dinner."

With that, Radil departed. Rockford turned to Grace, "At least she's honest."

Grace frowned, "Possibly her only virtue."