The Even Odds's drop ship was sitting in the shuttle bay.

The ship had never looked good in the best of times. Even when they "procured" it - through some doubtful means - it was by no means new and already had some clear signs of rough usage. The state of the outside of the ship clearly showed what it had been through. Some bumpy landings and being shot at once in a while had removed much of the sheen. Nevertheless, it was a reliable ship and served them well and it definitely treated them a lot better than they treated it.

Dez took a quick glance inside the ship and there seemed to be no real damage; just a few things that had toppled off shelves or tables. He then walked around the outside of the ship inspecting it. The outside had suffered considerable damage from bits of panels that flew around the bay. It may have been a sturdy ship but there was no way it could be used the way it was; it would burn up instantly on entry. The damage would have to be fixed before the ship could be used.

For the moment however, it was far more urgent to get the systems in the shuttle bay itself working. The bay was a complete shambles though it wasn't as bad as the bridge was. Pieces of broken panels and ceiling tiles were strewn everywhere. Open electric cables sizzled all over the place. One of two of them still jumping around like an alubrian eel.

It was important to get the systems up and running as soon as possible. As well as serving the shuttle they also doubled up as back-up systems for the rest of the ship. Without them, the Even Odds was the proverbial sitting-duck.

Prees was working on some open panels in the bay, trying to salvage as much as possible. Spare parts were scarce so patching things was very important.

Taran'atar was carrying heavy objects again, under Prees's directions, while Brad was standing nearby, still keeping watch with a weapon at the ready. Dez and Facity were working nearby but at the same time they were also keeping a close eye on Taran'atar.

"I'm still not happy about this," Facity whispered to Dez. "I know you have this thing for taking in orphans but a couple of stranded Ferengi and an adventurous Friagloim are a lot different from a Jem'Hadar."

"I see something in him, Facity. He's... trying to figure himself out. I know how that feels. I've been there myself."

"You have issues, Dez," she replied, raising her eyebrows. "But you aren't a killing machine that is likely to start a murderous rampage at any time. "

"Somehow, I don't think that Taran'atar is going to do that either."

"Just remember what I said. There's a lot of things can go wrong here. Well, I'll be on the bridge," said Facity and then turned and walked off in a huff.

"Look on the bright side," Dez called after her.

"Bright side? What bright side?"

"Well, if you are right and he does go on some sort of rampage then we won't have a lot of time to feel sorry about it."

"Not funny," she said angrily. "Not funny at all."

On her way out she noticed Glessin coming in still stiff and wary-eyed. She was surprised to see him there and not a little worried. How would he react when he saw the Jem'Hadar? She left but had a nagging feeling that something didn't add up. Was it just a coincidence that he should turn up where the Jem'Hadar happened to be? After all, he wasn't prone to just wander around the corridors.

Dez also frowned a little to see Glessin in this unfamiliar locale. He too was worried about him, especially with the Jem'Hadar there.

Dez looked back over at Taran'atar. He made a decision and walked over to him.

"Taran'atar... I want to talk to you."

Taran'atar paused and then put the object he was carrying on the ground and turned back to Dez.

"Why are you here?" asked Dez.

"Why does everyone on this ship ask the same question? I am here. I am offering to help. What does it matter why?" replied Taran'atar with a small air of annoyance.

"Because none of us understand. And until we understand, we can't really trust you."

Taran'atar growled under his breath.

"I was returning to the Dominion," explained Taran'atar. "I expected to be put to death for my... deviancy."

"Really? Why would you do that? "

"Because that is the order of things. I have followed that order loyally for twenty years. I see no reason to stop now."

"Well, I see a reason," replied Dez. "I think that maybe you're starting to discover that underneath those twenty years of fighting and killing, you're actually a nice guy who just wants to help someone.

"Or maybe... you didn't really want to go home and be killed."

Suddenly, there was a flash of movement and Glessin came at Brad from a side angle with a hard punch in the face. As Brad thudded to the floor unconscious, Glessin quickly grabbed the weapon from her, spun round and pointed it right into Taran'atar's face.

"You won't need to go home to die. I'll kill you here myself," he shouted.

Everyone stopped dead, not daring to move. As Glessin held the weapon on Taran'atar his scarred hands trembled with emotion. Taran'atar was staring back not looking worried in the least.

"Glessin... what are you doing?" asked Dez, shocked.

"What you won't. I don't know why you let this animal on board in the first place. He was on one of those ships! "

"What are you talking about?" asked Taran'atar confused.

"He means... that it was the Jem'Hadar who attacked us in the first place," Dez replied.

Everyone looked at Taran'atar to see how he would react to the question.

He simply asked "Why?"

"Why what?" replied Dez.

"Why did the Jem'Hadar attack you? They would not have done so without reason."

Dez was hesitant to answer. He was worried that Taran'atar would actually agree with the attack on them. However, he felt he should be honest if he expected Taran'atar to trust them too.

"We...hmm how should I put it … 'reclaimed' some items from a world that is nominally under Dominion control, on behalf of a client," said Dez, trying to make it sound as innocuous as possible.

Taran'atar was not fooled.

"You stole from the Dominion? You are the ones who seek to die, not me. Perhaps I should help you on your way and destroy you myself."

Glessin tightened his grip on the weapon and tried to look even more threatening.

"You see?" he snapped "He's a murderer! Nothing but a filthy death machine! He killed them all."

"Killed whom Glessin?" asked Dez. "Who are you talking about?"

"All of them! Neane... Coamis... everyone on the Danasket... the entire Obsidian Order fleet... a billion Cardassians..."

As everyone watched, Glessin let years of pain flow out. He was sweating heavily and looked like he was going to break down completely at any moment.

Dez was getting worried. This situation was far more volatile than he wanted. One wrong move from either side and this could end very badly.

Taran'atar sneered at him.

"Then kill me in futile revenge - if you have the courage. I suspect that you do not."

"I never hurt anybody in my life. I was just a medic, just out of the Institute, and you killed them all!" wept Glessin.

"Do you imagine I should apologise to you?" asked Taran'atar. "That fleet's mission was to destroy the Great Link. You tried to murder the Founders. You all deserved your fate."

This is getting worse not better , thought Dez.

"You're not helping," he said to Taran'atar quietly.

Taran'atar simply ignored him and continued to focus on Glessin.

"You were insects trying to look gods in the eye. The Dominion can never be destroyed. The Link is forever!"

Dez reached out again to Glessin, treading on eggshells.

"Glessin, please. Give me the weapon. You're only going to get yourself, and maybe the rest of us, killed."

Dez reached his hand slowly out and took hold of the trembling weapon. Glessin let go of the weapon easily enough but couldn't take his eyes off Taran'atar.

The pressure released for the moment, Prees gently guided the broken Glessin away, while Pif nuzzled Brad's cheek. Taran'atar looked down at the unconscious Dosi and scoffed.

"Your security officer is pitiful," he said. "She can be knocked unconscious with one blow."

"We don't have a security officer," replied Dez with an ironic smile. "Brad is our jewellery specialist. People are usually easily intimidated by a Dosi with a gun. Well, most people anyway. "

Facity's voice came over the comm.

"Dez! Are you there? We've got a problem."

"Facity? What's wrong?"

"It's the Jem'Hadar."

"What about him?" asked Dez, staring as Taran'atar.

"Not him.

Them

. They're back. There's a Jem'Hadar ship on the sensors and it's coming right at us."