His ship shuddered around him, his men cried in panic, and Gul Dulac stewed. Discipline was lacking. On the screen before him, over the shoulders of his helm and navigation officers, he watched a schematic of his ship was displayed, with a collection of green dots gathered at one end of a hallway, and a collection of blue gathered in a nearby room. Red dots began to appear.
"Vidians have breached the hull." His first officer, Glinn Morcet reported from a station beside him, Dulac shot him a glare, irritated by the tone of anxiety in his voice. "Defense team is engaging, and drawing them aft." He watched as dozens of red dots began to move in the direction of the green ones. A quartet of green dots suddenly intersected the red ones, two of the invaders turned grey, even as the green dots did the same, one by one.
"What happened there?" Dulac demanded.
"It appears a pair of our conscripts decided to rush in and face death, rather than face harvesting." Morcet replied, derision had replaced his earlier fear. "The Vidians harvested them."
"Remind the defense team Controllers they are not to allow our conscripts to slaughter themselves just yet. immobilize them with pain if need be." He ordered. "Stand by assault teams.I want their transporter room seized and the toxin deployed into their ventilation system, before th second ship has time to realize we have boarded them. These vermin have hounded us long enough, it's time for their extermination."
"The Haakonians are continuing to mass their forces but are not engaging." Morcet announced.
"A pity the Vidians have such a taste for Haakonians." Dulac mused, "Imagine their surprise when they discovered our warp signature was not the Haakonian transport they imagined, still it will give our conscripts a bit more motivation to defend us." He steepled his fingers and leaned back in his chair. "Order the assault teams to advance." He waved at the view screen "Send in the conscripts and seal them all off. Show me exterior view." He watched the second Vidian ship maneuvering around. "Restore power to weapons, target their grappling clamps. Fire "
He frowned as his Navigator's first shots went wide but reminded himself that he had been forced to assign his more capable officers to oversee the conscripts and man the boarding party. After over a year in this place, his resources were spread thin. He nodded as the phaser blasts found their target.
"Assault team reports they have secured the Vidian transporter room!" Morcet shouted, "They have transported the neurotoxin to the bridge and are targeting the second Vidian ship now."
"Engine room and bridge." Dulac ordered, "Order our own transporter room to interface with theirs."
"We are reading the Neurotoxin beginning to spread throughout the ship we are attached to, but t second Vidian ship is preparing to fire- Sir, I read incoming warp signatures!"
"The Haakonians?" Dulac demanded, "If they attack now while we are locked in a death grip with these Vidians..."
"... Federation?" Morcet double checked his readings, "A federation starship."
The vast secondary hull of a Nebula class starship appeared between the second Vidian ship and his, absorbing their fire on it's shields. Morcet blinked momentarily as he realized the Saucer section appeared to be missing.
"Vidian ships, this is the Federation Starship Hera." A dark skinned human appeared on his screen. "Stand down and withdraw, or we will be forced to open fire."
"Blast!" Dulac hissed, "Quickly, transporter room, lock on to our assault force and beam them off the Vidian ship!"
"Sir? It's nearly ours-"
"DO IT" Dulac shouted half leaping from his chair, "That Federation ship outguns us three to one, and they'll never approve of our methods, beam them back now." He moved to Morcet's console, "Initiate a plasma overload on the deck where the conscripts are fighting the Vidians, now!"
. *. *.
"The second Vidian ship is not responding to hails," Commander Data announced from his station. The battle bridge of the Hera was considerably smaller than the main bridge and he stood across from Lieutenant Tsu Her station combined helm, sensors and many features of Operations, while his combined Tactical, communications and several others. Behind both were a bank of three additional stations, including one manned by Lieutenant Lefler. Geordie sat restlessly in the Captain's chair between them both. He rose and approached the screen.
"Vidians are breaking off. The first is decoupling from the Cardassian ship and preparing for warp." Tsu glanced at her readings, "I'm afraid we still can't tell what's going on with the Cardassians, it's covered in a cloud of radiation." On the screen a gout of fire erupted from the stricken vessel as the Vidians pulled free. The Cardassian ship lurched sideways, suddenly and fired into the Vidian ship's underside. Lurching in response with secondary explosions erupting as well, the Cardassian ship pulled clear just in time to avoid sharing in the Vidian ships demise as it exploded.
"The remaining ship has gone to warp." Tsu reported neutrally as Laforge stared in dismay. Data came up behind him.
"Hail the Cardassians." Laforge ordered, but the Cardassians were evidently one step ahead.
"Federation ship." A Cardassian Captain appeared in the viewer looking down at them. "I am Gul Dulac. Your intervention is timely, though surprising. Those... creatures... were attempting to harvest my crew."
"I'm Captain Laforge of the starship Hera." Geordie answered, "Glad we could help. We have engineering teams standing by, and we can treat wounded on our ship."
"Forgive me.. Captain.. " Dulac replied. Geordie fingered his four Commander's pips unconsciously as the Cardassian's gaze seemed to linger over them, "I am unfamiliar with the configuration of your vessel."
"We performed a saucer seperation in order to come to your aid without interfering with another ongoing rescue effort." Geordie explained. "And as you may have noticed I hold the rank of Commander, but I've been given a field promotion to command the Hera. The Federation flagship, the Enterprise, is also present in this sector aiding in our other mission."
"Ah, I see. " Dulac replied, "Well I'm sure we can take care of our own." Dulac continued, "And I'm afraid that as a defense against the Vidians we've irradiated our outer hull to prevent beaming, so transport is not advisable. May I ask what you are doing on this side of the galaxy?"
"We got here the same way you did about two months ago." Geordie told him, "While we are looking for a way home we've been trying to locate some of the other ships that were brought here, and have made contact with some of the local governments. We were contacted by the Haakonians who requested aid with unknown ships raiding their colonies."
"No doubt the Vidians." Dulac replied knowingly. "The two ships we defeated are among their most powerful, perhaps today's events will deter future... incursions. The Haakonians are numerous, but they would have been hard pressed to repel superior ships."
"Well, as a matter of fact, that's why they asked us for help." Laforge replied, "They were concerned about.. well.. you." He gazed at the Gul. "Your ship has been spotted in the area of several ships that have gone missing."
"We were attempting to exit Vidian controlled space while they pursued us." Dulac replied evenly. "Is it your implication that we were responsible for something, untoward?"
"Well we're not making any implications." Laforge replied, "It looks like you've been here for some time and had a rough go of it. We'd like to help if we can. We are allies after all."
"We are in need of a number of supplies and a base of support from which we can make repairs, restock supplies, and consider settlement." The Gul replied, "I had not considered a journey home to be feasible, with our vessels capabilities."
"Well it might look a little more feasible with some help. The Enterprise is hosting some talks in the Talax system." Geordie announced. "I've been asked to extend an invitation to you and your crew."
Dulac considered.
"We will accompany you." He declared, "As representatives of the Cardassian Union we will be heard in these discussions."
Geordie nodded and and closed the channel.
"Captain, I was getting some pretty strange readings from their ship." Lefler announced examining the Engineering console. "I was getting together a damage repair crew in case they accepted our assistance, and it almost looks like the surge in their EPS conduit was directed, it disrupted radiation enough for us to catch some life form readings that were not Cardassian." She looked up, "Most like Haakonian and Vidian."
Geordie looked at Data.
"The Vidians were likely a boarding party." Data replied, "But the Cardassians appear to have denied having had any contact with the Haakonians."
Geordie frowned, then looked up at Lefler."You're certain?" He asked her.
"I recorded my scans the scans I took. " She told him "Law 11, take notes before a project."
"Have they finished post shakedown on the Penacook?" Lefler nodded slowly. He turned to Data. ""She's docked in the aft shuttlebay. Maybe if we back track along their flight path before their warp trail degrades we can figure out what they've been up to." Data nodded. "Assemble your team, but head out on a course towards the Ocampans and then circle back when we are out of range." He returned to his command chair. "I don't want our new friends thinking we are suspicious of them."
.*.*.
"Captain I can't say I'm comfortable with this.", Chakotay told Picard as they proceeded down the corridor. "She spent months with us learning about the Maquis. If we ever get back-"
"If we ever get back, you'll have Tuvok and Starfleet security to deal with." Picard said wryly, pausing at the door and turning, "And I can't imagine the other Maquis will be pleased at how easily their organization was penetrated Commander, I'm not so certain if I were in your position, I'd be so eager to get back at all."
Chakotay paused as Picard entered and said "Well I'm glad your sense of humor seems to be returning."
Seska stood before them in her cell. The Doctor had restored her natural Cardassian physiology, though she wore the drab grey clothes of a prisoner.
"You found a Cardassian ship." She guessed. Picard nodded. She sighed. "I wasn't looking forward to spending the next few decades in your brig." She glanced coyly at Chakotay. "I wondered if you'd come by to visit from time to time."
"Fat chance." Chakotay replied "Now that you've show your true self I can't believe I was ever attracted to you."
"Such bigotry from a Starfleet officer." Seska taunted him.
"I was talking about the espionage." Chakotay replied. "If I had my way, you'd never leave that cell." He paused, "But your right, we found a Cardassian ship just over a week ago. She's arriving today to participate in some important talks. Our treaty requires we turn you over to the Cardassian authorities."
"As a Cardassian citizen?" Seska said as the forcefield deactivated.
"As a Maquis agent." Picard told her. "We are releasing you as a show of good faith." He moved closer to her. "I trust you understand the circumstances of our predicament now. Whatever your mission was before, it's over now." Seska shrugged.
"My mission " She told him, "Could have been to encourage the Maquis to destabilize the region." She turned to Chakotay, "Maybe we wanted the peace to fail. Maybe you played right into their hands. Did you ever consider that?" Chakotay rolled his eyes.
"I'm sure you were fighting for the cause of justice the entire time." He replied sarcastically, "Sure you were assigned to betray us, but you've always had doubts about your government, and the occupation of Bajor. Over time and after a visit from three ghosts you came to believe in our cause, is that about it?" He motioned for her to proceed as Captain Picard led them out.
"I suppose there's nothing I can say that will make you believe me." Seska said bitterly. "If your feelings for me are so easily set aside, maybe they were as real as my Bajoran face."
"You're embarrassing yourself." Chakotay said. the brig was only a corroder away from a transporter room. Seska whirled on Chakotay, who put his hand on his phaser.
"For you." She hissed. "Do you think feelings come easily for someone who has been trained in espionage? Someone loyal enough to her people to let them mutilate her and send her to live among their mortal enemies? Do you think this kind of honesty comes easily?" Chakotay was actually taken aback. He watched as her expression faltered momentarily, and then she turned away. "I know it's over." She hissed back at him, facing the open doors to the transporter room where Picard waited expectantly, "If I never see you again, I just thought you should know." She stalked into the Transporter room, leaving him dumbfounded in the corridor.
. *. *.
"To be honest." Chakotay said tossing back his drink, "I don't know whether she meant it, or if she just didn't know when to quit." Guinan refilled his drink from a bottle in the table they shared, as he sat in ten forward. he raised the glass appraisingly. "You know... I have to go back on duty in an hour." Guinan reached into her robes and pulled out a hypospray. She placed it on the table.
"The miracles of modern medicine." She told him.
"A guy could get real cynical about your profession in these modern times." Chakotay said glancing at the hypospray. " if he wanted to."
"Well it's not something I would recommend regularly." Guinan told him. They sat before one of the large windows in Ten Forward. Through the window, he watched with many others in the room as the Hera performed the reintegration procedure to reconnect her saucer section. "But we do live in interesting times."
She glanced meaningfully around her at a number of Ocampans in ten forward, a small group from the Haakonians in one corner and Talaxians in another. Chakotay raised a glass to a woman at the bar, she and the man she was with returned his salute.
"Tell me about it." He replied, "I just toasted Amelia Earhart."
"Who?" Guinan cocked her head. Chakotay shook his head.
"She's one of the 37's." He explained, "Something of a legend back on Earth, she arrived yesterday with their delegation aboard the Val Jean."
"Ah the people in the capsules." Guinan commented "One minute they are on Earth, the next they are on an alien world 400 years in the future." She nodded at a table of Talaxians that were sitting silently. "Something in common with our New friends I think "
"One minute they are being bombed by their enemy, the next, they awaken years later on an alien starship with those same enemies trying to apologize for murdering them." Chakotay commented. "I think it's a good thing you mostly serve synthehol. Lieutenant Commander Tuvok is going to need a few days off after this."
"How many opportunities do you really get in life, for a second chance like this." Guinan commented. "I understand we can only recover a fraction of those killed in the blast."
"And they have nowhere to go back to." Chakotay observed, "Part of me thinks the Captain is crazy for letting us get involved at all, and then inviting them on top of it." He gestured at the Cardassian ship in the distance. "She beamed away less than an hour ago, and she'll be returning this afternoon as part of the Cardassian delegation."
"Maybe if we can do some good out here, it will make the pain we suffered and the friends we've lost, seem worthwhile." Guinan replied. Chakotay sipped his drink at that.
"Maybe for some it's time to let the wounds heal." He replied, "Time to focus on what we have, and how far we have yet to go." Guinan nodded. "But that takes a measure of trust, in others, I guess, and in ourselves. I don't know Captain Laforge particularly well, but I admire what he's doing over there on the Hera, building a crew, honoring his mother's legacy, and Captain Ransom too, with the Equinox, Bellanna tells me she's starting to feel like she has a place over there, like, maybe rejoining Starfleet isn't so bad." He chuckled, "She still checks in on the Val Jean though. She wants to try a idea for using the transporters and replicators refit and upgrade the whole EPS network outside of a drydock."
"I can appreciate that." She replied, "As someone who also had her home taken from her, who was also forced to acclimate to a new reality, I can say that there are times, when we cling to who we were, in order to make that great leap, into who we might become."
. *. *.
Picard's ready room chirped. "Come." He answered as he placed his empty cup into the replicator for recycling. He turned and was surprised to see Lieutenant Ro. "Laren." He said turning and straightening his uniform. He reached for a padd on his desk, "I was just preparing to greet the delegates-"
"I asked Chakotay to assign me new quarters." Ro told him from where she stood. Picard frowned.
"Was there something the matter with the quarters you were assigned?" He asked carefully. She crossed her arms and he moved to sit back at his desk.
"They were her quarters." She replied "I should never have accepted them in the first place." Picard gazed at Ro. "I realize that you had nothing to do with it, and that Chakotay was just rearranging assignments to make room for the Occampans. I didn't want to say anything at the time, but I've become uncomfortable and we've found someone who has a better reason to live near sickbay." Picard bristled.
"The turbolift are fully capable of transporting someone anywhere on the ship in moments." He replied, "I don't expect senior officers to simply shop around for quarters."
"Captain I.. I don't think it's appropriate that I remain on the Enterprise." Ro answered, "I'd be happy to make quarters on the Val Jean, assuming I am still expected to command her."
"''Expected' to-' Laren what are you saying?" Picard demanded rising, "We agreed-" He stopped as he saw her shoulders shaking. He found his fists clenching and forced himself to take a breath. Ro squared her shoulders, seeming irritated and faced him.
"Captain, Jean Luc," she corrected herself, then she stopped. "I don't even know what to call you anymore, I don't know what I want to be called." She said carefully.
Picard set his jaw.
"So this is about us." He said stiffly. "You find our relationship to be innappropriate."
"Don't you?" She demanded, "I mean honestly, Jean Luc, don't you? Isn't that why we have been hiding it?"
"If you want me to declare my affections before the entire crew of four starships, I will do so." Picard snapped. "We have nothing to be ashamed of."
"Well maybe I think I do." Ro snapped. "I'm living in her quarters for the Prophets sake! I'm.. I'm in a relationship with a man I deeply respect!" Picard stared at her.
"I'm afraid you'll need to explain that last part to me again." He said wryly.
"When I abandoned the Enterprise to join the Maquis, Starfleet put me up for court martial." Ro told him, "There were warrants out for my arrest, I was branded a traitor."
'You were on a difficult mission." Picard told her, "We all played our parts, and I am fully aware of the extenuating circumstances."
"I know you are now." She answered, "But you weren't then. I know you absolutely shouldn't be, but I know that there is little in the galaxy that can deter you once you take an interest in something, and so I'm sure you are fully aware of the details of my mission." She sounded bitter. "I'm sure you might even have told yourself you were helping me maintain my cover through all of this, since the crew might find it a little far fetched that suddenly all was forgiven." She looked at him, "But I knew I hurt you then, and I've had to live with that. When I saw you hurting.. I just wanted to help." She put her hands on her hips and turned away.
Picard reached for his PADD. "Perhaps we can talk about this later..."
"There can't be a later, Jean Luc, I'm sorry." Ro told him putting her hands on one of the chairs before her. "When we first.. began spending time together, I wanted to make things right between us. I wanted things to go back to how they used to be, but I didn't want to give up what they had become, for me." She looked at him. "and I told myself, that I was helping you."
He stood motionless. He felt as if the shoe were dropping in slow motion as she continued. "I could see you grieving and alone, and I wanted to help you feel less alone. It felt wrong, but everything felt wrong anyway. I accepted things I shouldn't have accepted and I've put you in a terrible position." Picard frowned, she let the rest out in a rush "I can't pretend I'm helping not helping anymore, this can't become more than it was. We can't take this any further. I need space." Picard barked a laugh.
"Space." He replied, "You've been deployed for most of the time we have been out here. It seems we've all the space we could have asked for, and yet it still seems to have become rather crowded." He looked at her. "Beverly and I had a deep and meaningful friendship, at times we thought perhaps it could be more, but that time is passed, she's gone, she's dead." He slammed a hand down on his desk. "This is neither the proper time nor the place to discuss this."
"There is no proper time to discuss the improper." Ro replied. "Look if you want me to take off in Neelix's ship, and never hear from me again, if you want me stay on the array with the Vulcans I'll do it, if my presence here is going to be a reminder of a mistake, then-"
"You were not a mistake." Picard told her angrily, "Never. You are a blessing, a comfort. You are a dear friend." He circled around the desk and took her hands. She stared at them. "Laren, I understand what you are saying. I want you to know I care very deeply for you." She looked up reluctantly. "I'm sorry if I have caused you harm."
"You've been more... there for me, than anyone else in my life." Ro told him. She bowed her head and let him embrace her. "I just don't know what I'm doing here any more."
"You're exhausted." He told her, patting her back, "I know. I've felt it too." She seemed to give up resisting and sobbed. "It's alright." Picard said with relief. "Everything will be alright."
. *. *.
"Neelix." Kes said as she embraced the Talaxian, "It's time to go." She let him go, and he sniffled. "I'm sorry, but I've made up my mind. I want to be friends, and I hope you can respect that."
"I know, and I'm happy for you." Neelix replied, "It seems you've finally found your place on this journey, not just as an emissary for your people, but as a healer." He sighed, "It's just been a difficult time for me, these past few weeks." She looked sympathetic.
"The talks seemed like they went well." She commented as they began walking. They were in the Main Shuttlebay of the Hera just outside his shuttle, and Kes had a duffle bag of belongings she had collected. Most of them were, in fact, gifts he had given her over the past several weeks.
Neelix nodded at her comment.
"My people are calling me a hero." He sighed, "But I feel like such a fraud."
"Doctor Zimmerman describes a hero as a literary figure who is forced by circumstances to venture out into unknown lands, who returns from his journeys to grant a boon to his people." Kes told him touching his arm. "That sounds like you."
"But I didn't do anything." Neelix protested, "All those brave Talaxians who fought and died to defend our worlds from the Haakonians, they're the heroes." He looked at her. "It was the Haakonian who conceived the bomb in the first place, that developed the protocol to reconstitute his victims, it was Mr. Barclay, Commander Data and Captain Laforge who made it work. I'm no hero."
"You were the ambassador to these people, that brought them together, and you were the one who set aside your own feelings to help make it happen." Kes replied as they entered the turbolift.
"Shuttlebay 4." Neelix said, before she could announce her destination. She looked at him confused.
"Neelix," She said, "The Hera only has three shuttlebays." He smiled as the doors opened and gestured. She stepped out into a hallway facing a set of double doors each with a circular window. They parted with a hiss and revealed a busy lounge. Kes entered, somewhat confused, she saw the Main Shuttlebay visible through windows on either side of the Lounge. She turned back to Neelix. "I don't understand."
"This is Shuttlebay Four Kes." Neelix said. "The Hera has other crew lounges, similar to the Enterprise, but Captain. Laforge has agreed to put me in charge of not just running a lounge, but creating a location." He stepped forward and looked around. A trio of crew members were at a table with an Occampan, and a half dozen or so sat at the bar. From a set of doors opposite them a pair of Cardassians entered. "This will be a place for the crew to get away from the rigors of space travel and their daily work, it will become the social hub of this starship." He pulled Kes over to one of the windows.
"You mean like Ten Forward?" Kes asked.
"No not like- well yes, I suppose, but this will be mine." Neelix said. "I actually offered my services to Guinan and she suggested I make my own way, so here we are." He gestured down to the window at an expanse of cargo bay below. "Ensign Torres has a team that will be installing rudimentary Holo emitters below, so that we can convert that area for use in recreational sports the crew can play." Kes had no idea what he was talking about but attempted to be supportive. "And instead of the traditional replicator fare, why I plan to offer fresh food, fruits and vegetables grown onboard and collected from the various worlds we encounter. We will be a place to entertain visitors arriving on board, traders, coming to exchange their goods, and historic observances and personal celebrations observed by the crew!" He beamed at her. She was starting to get the idea.
"That's exciting!" She said. Neelix nodded. "I thought you would be busy in your role as ambassador and guide."
"Well perhaps from time to time I suppose." Neelix answered, "And I have asked Captain. Laforge for a seat on the bridge. The Enterprise has three, why not the Hera!"
"Why not!" She answered, and Neelix continued,
"The Captain said he would look into it, but in the mean time, what am I to do when we are between systems?" He spread his arms. "During the day to day activities of the ship, with this new trading opportunity, this is where the action will be, right? People coming, and going, living out their lives. This more my style I think. Being a hero is so much to live up to, but being chef, or a host? Well that's just hard work." He took her hands. "I wanted you to see this so you would know that I'll be okay, Kes." Kes looked at his hands and then hugged him.
"I'll visit whenever I'm onboard." She promised.
"and I will look forward to it!" Neelix said into her shoulder. "I think we will both be with this fleet for some time, with many adventures ahead of us."
. *. *.
Seska watched the Talaxian embrace the Ocampan. Glinn Morcet accompanied her. She gestured to a seat.
"At least our escorts agreed to wait outside." The Glinn complained, "Watching us as though we were going to steal something. They wouldn't even let us touch so much as a control console."
"Watching me." Seska commented. "I am of course an untrustworthy spy. Give me access to a PADD and I could no doubt steal all the federation's secrets." She settled into a lounge chair. "Funny how they forget that their chief of security was too." Morcet looked confused. "On the Enterprise I mean."
"It is a stroke of the greatest fortune to have been found by you, Aunt Seska." Morcet replied, "Under Dulac's command we've lost most of our senior officers, and more than a few of them after voicing their disagreements with his plans. He didn't take the criticism well when his failures became undeniable." He leaned close, "If the Federation ever finds out about his last blunder-"
"Now now." Seska said stopping him, "While we are likely safe from prying eyes, we have other priorities."
"Why are we here, any way." Morcet asked, "The talks are nearly over, Gul Dulac has committed us to accompanying this.. Federation parade through the Delta Quadrant in exchange for some spare deuterium and salvaged parts."
"You should take a lesson from those parts." Seska told him, "They bear a a warning from our kin who came before. We are not the only Cardassians who were brought here." Morcet huffed. "Nephew." She warned, "Dulac knows to seek advantage, and at the moment, the only friends we have here, are the federation." She gestured at the Occampan and the Talaxian evidently saying goodbye as the Occampan left. "But if the Federation is good at one thing, it seems to be making friends where they don't belong."
"We spent over a year out here and found nothing but trouble." Morcet grumbled. "We lost a lot of good men."
"Good evening." The Talaxian had made his way over. "My name is Neelix, welcome to Shuttlebay Four!" He looked at them expectantly and Seska smiled with as much charm as she was able.
"Why hello Neelix." She said, "I remember you from the transporter room on the Enterprise." Neelix faltered.
"Yes, well, nasty business that seemed." He said. "No one ever quite explained it to me. I'm glad to see you are feeling better."
"Thank you." She said sincerely, "It's been very difficult to fit in, here, as an outsider. It feels good to be back among my people, and yet.." She looked around, "It seems that good friends are more important than ever."
"I heartily agree!" Neelix said. "I hope this place will become a refuge for any soul who finds their way inside." He beamed hopefully at the Glinn. Morcet stretched his face into the appropriate shape, perhaps a touch too wide.
"Now we aren't entirely... familiar with the options here, do you happen to have a menu?" The Talaxian nodded and produced a PADD She took it with a smile and made a show of scrolling through it. "So much to choose from!" She exclaimed. "May we have a moment?" Neelix beamed.
"Of course!" He answered, "I'm happy to have you as some of my first customers. Welcome aboard!" He shuffled off to greet a couple just coming in.
Seska rolled her eyes, reaching down she activated a hidden device strapped to her thigh. The PADD scrolled Cardassian symbols for a moment and then returned to the menu.
"I am beginning to see some of the benefits of having new friends.' Morcet observed.
"Continue talking to avoid suspicion." She told her nephew, "Tell me about your journey here, tell me... just how unhappy IS the crew with Gul Dulac..."