Finally, the order came: All non-Bajorans were to retreat as staying might be considered a violation of the Prime Directive. Harry made a call to Bajor and then went to see Sisko. "So. Evacuation?"
Sisko nodded. "However, there are difficulties because not all Federation technology can be removed within the time we have available. It makes it difficult the take everything that belongs to us."
Harry saw that Sisko was using that and so didn't offer to help. "The civilians will have to go."
"Yes. All non-Bajorans, and quite a number of Bajorans who are married to Starfleet personnel."
Harry nodded. "I'm sorry, but I will be evacuating with the civilians – the King still has me in detention for my stunt with the Cardassia IV situation. I can't stay and help."
"What help do you think we might need?" Sisko asked archly.
Harry chuckled darkly. "I think I have a sense of what you're willing to do. But as things stand, I must travel to Bajor and retrieve the unused portions of the Granger Seed Bank. The Glen Lyon will be back in two hours – coordinate with her captain for how many he can take. The elves and I can utilize the elves' cabin alone." They had a magical tent. He would take one of the elves to set up while the other took their quarters down.
Sisko nodded. "Thank you. A lot of civilians will want to get away."
"I know." Harry didn't like to retreat, but King Charles had been clear: For the moment, do not allow himself or his retainers to be put into jeopardy or get directly involved.
The Glen Lyon quickly moved to Bajor, over the Institute. Harry and the elves were on the pads. The First Officer's voice came through. "Sir Harry. The scanners read a mob outside of the Institute, though no one has entered yet. The Bajoran Director has locked down the facility."
"Beam me and Dobby down – be prepared to beam us back with the Director as well."
"Aye, Sir Harry."
Harry and Dobby were down a moment later. "How do things go, Director Redro?"
The Bajoran woman was fairly calm. "I've locked the computer and all local machines down. There hasn't been weapons fire because there are no non-Bajorans on-site – until you showed up. But it's been a strictly low-tech confrontation. I would prefer to get out of here."
"As soon as we remove the Granger Bank."
Redro Urjea fumed a bit about that, but not toward the Earthlings. Her people were being short-sighted and it made her angry. "Very well."
If anyone else had tried, it would have taken hours. But they had a trunk and they had magic: All seeds were moved into magical stasis within forty minutes.
"Okay. The Granger Seed Bank has been secured. Are you ready to go?"
Redro went to a panel and hit a few keys. She also entered a vocal command with password. "Anti-theft and anti-piracy measures will come up in one minute. Coming back will be a hassle, but I will return." Dr. Redro said it with certainty
"I'm sure you will." Harry tapped his badge. "Three to beam up."
Harry and the others appeared on the transporter pads. They knew that behind them, on the surface, alarms would be sounding within twenty seconds. After thirty seconds of the alarm sounding, several force-fields and lockouts would activate. Those could only be turned off with a code entered at a particular panel on the planet only accessible at a particular location which could only be reached by transporter.
Harry had been overly impressed with the idea when the Institute was being planned and the designer had indulged him with the over-complicated security.
Nevertheless, the Institute was now secure and USS Glen Lyon was moving to Deep Space 9 to take on as many civilians as it could hold. Harry had released the Glen Lyon from any obligations to him other than to allow him on board as was protocol for an emergency. This had been laid out in the contract which put it in the Bajor system working with the Botanical Institute and, nominally, him and the elves.
The major concern Harry had was what would happen when things got resolved. If matters were left as they were, the Botanical Institute would suffer greatly. Even if things got turned around, the agreement with Starfleet had been interrupted through no fault of Starfleet. The Glen Lyon could be reassigned regardless.
The USS Glen Lyon could hold a hundred and fifty extra if you were willing to cram them in. Harry would, on Commander Sisko's request, taken in Jake Sisko, Keiko O'Brien, and her daughter Molly. Dobby and Winky were actually excited at the chance to watch over the children.
He received his first set of guests. "Keiko. Molly. Welcome to Casa Potter. Your room is ready." He motioned toward the tent, which both were familiar with. After they entered Harry said, "I'm sorry I couldn't use the main tent – that wasn't taken down until we were almost leaving. As a result, we have fewer rooms. So you and Molly will have to share."
Keiko smiled at him. "That's fine. I'm sure Molly will enjoy sleeping with mommy."
Harry chuckled, "But will mommy enjoy sleeping with a toddler?"
When a nervous Jake was welcomed and shown into the tent, Harry had an opportunity to amuse himself. "This is normally my bedroom, you'll be in here."
Jake looked around. "Where will you sleep?" Harry grinned and pointed to an area with a blanket. "Isn't that kind of small?"
Harry grinned and transformed into his ferret animagus form. Using that, the small bedding was more than enough. Jake stared. "Wow. Cool."
Harry changed back. "I don't get enough chances to use it. So it works out for me. If you need anything call for Dobby who's taking care of us. Winky is caring for Mrs. O'Brien and Molly."
"Mrs. O'Brien is here?" Jake asked nervously.
"In the other room."
"Oh."
Harry grinned. "Yeah."
Harry left the teenager to settle in. He left the tent and sent a request through the comm system for word when it was convenient. He sat down at the desk which normally was unused and called up whatever status reports were deemed okay to publish to his diplomatic log in.
A civilian had a very limited access on a starship. He and his elves, with diplomatic access, could see more. The ship's crew could see the most.
Keiko came out a bit later. "How is Molly?"
She smirked. "I've drafted Jake to watch and play with her. She's doing alright."
Harry chuckled. "That's a good use of resources."
"I want to go out and find out what I can."
Harry said, "You can log in and see what can be found. You might get more than me having reserve status in Starfleet." He stood up so that Keiko could sit down.
Ultimately, no more information was available to her than to him.
Keiko finally sat back. "What now?" She was obviously worried about her husband and his comrades.
Harry shrugged. "It's a matter of hurry up and wait. We did the hurry up." He considered for a long moment. "Let me put a call through." Harry reminded the Operations Chief (the Captain and First Officer were too busy) that there was a store of old Earth movies he had put into the Glen Lyon's database.
The holodeck couldn't hold more than thirty (it was a small deck) but as a means of distracting the passengers it could be useful.
Dobby and Winky finally appeared after having rested – Harry had ordered them to rest and they had complied.
"Okay, guys. Everything seems okay here, you can go and see if you can help the crew care for the extra people from Deep Space 9. Use the Federation replicators and the ship's supplies as much as possible – it isn't our responsibility to entertain. If something is needed of ours, use your best judgment."
"Yes, Master Harry," both elves echoed before exiting their quarters.
Two days later, the Glen Lyon was sent a message: The crisis was over and the Bajorans were returning to a more neutral or pro-Federation stance. Keiko, reading the messages from her husband, solemnly informed Harry, as well as the other Bajoran civilians, that Li Nalas had died fighting against the anti-alien movement on Bajor.
Harry considered the man likely was almost happy to die – he hadn't expected to survive Cardassia IV and hadn't comfortable being a symbol. Now he would be a martyr.
On the return trip to Bajoran space, Harry went and found Dr. Redro. "How can I help you, Sir Harry?" the woman asked.
Harry sat down across from her and cast a muffliato. "No one can hear us outside of a background noise."
Redro's eyes widened. "Interesting."
Harry sighed. "We need to talk about the official response to being forced to withdraw the Granger Seed Bank because of anti-Alien movement."
Reldo sighed. "I would hope that neither you nor our patrons believe that the members of the Institute in any way supported those feelings or actions."
"No, we know you didn't. The problem is that the contract has been interrupted. It's less of an issue with me and the royals and more how Starfleet is going to deal with it. The Glen Lyon's mission is based on that relationship having been created and continuing. Now it will only be that I haven't gotten my own ship yet that is keeping the Glen Lyon in system."
Redro considered that. "Will the Federation, or Starfleet, become obstructive?"
"I don't think so. But at the same time I am a bit offended at how cavalierly we were ordered away. King Charles, the Royal Household, and I have done everything we can to help Bajor recover from occupation. And we're not representing the Federation, which is hard for some people to remember. I do not want to stop the work, but I really want to tweak those who listened to the man responsible."
"Do we know who is responsible?" she asked.
Harry had spoken to Sisko over a secure line. "The Alliance for Global Unity, which fronted the Circle, was discredited. Privately, Jaro is being forced to remove himself from political office and will be under a form of house arrest. The information that the Circle was being armed by the Cardassians didn't sit well with loyal Bajorans."
Redro was a loyal Bajoran. "He should be hung as a traitor."
Harry said, "His downfall was complete. His 'house arrest' will be less 'house' and more 'arrest', I have been assured. But making too loud of a stink would be politically divisive and neither the Federation nor the Provisional Government wants that."
"So what do you want to do?" Redro asked.
"How much do you need the Seed Bank at this point?"
She considered that. "Most of the useful crop seeds were gotten already. There have been a number of Bajoran plants destroyed by the Cardassians which are on the road to recovery using Earth seeds in conjunction with genetic modification. Those processes are already being worked on – closing the main offices down didn't stop all laboratories."
"And future needs?"
Redro asked, "Will we still have access to the information about seeds that are available?"
"The database, yes."
"Then as long as we can request and transport seeds as needed, there is no real reason why the Granger Seed Bank has to be stored at Bajor. It was a matter of prestige that many worlds were contacting us for access. Bajor is closer than Earth for many of those worlds."
Harry sighed. "The question is: Should I suggest modifying that? Will it change the work being done to help Bajor recover?"
Redro Urjea was a loyal Bajoran and so she did not want to be responsible for anything which reflected badly on Bajor. But she was also a bit righteous herself and was willing to make the politicians pay something. "Whatever is decided, the work will go on."
Harry sighed. "Thank you. I will send the report to King Charles to get his input. You should send your own report." Harry would also ask to be taken out of detention … his presence might have helped Sisko during the recent crisis. And Harry hated being kept out of the action.
They returned to Deep Space 9 and Harry ensured the Institute staff had been returned as well. Unlocking the Institute was just as complicated as Harry had envisioned making it.
Harry got the details from the command staff on the attempted takeover. General Krim had been the man who had been charged with the takeover, but when he was convinced of the truth, he had immediately accepted defeat and submitted his resignation for accepting the order.
Harry was curious. "Where is he now?"
Sisko gave one of his eye-shrugs. "I don't know – I hadn't paid attention."
Harry nodded. "I worked with him a bit … he seemed pretty honorable to me, or as honorable as he was allowed to be by his circumstances."
Sisko considered that. "I would have to say that is an accurate observation of his character, at least from my experience. When he withdrew, he complimented Li Nalas on the campaign that he led against the takeover. His praise seemed sincere."
"I thought Li Nalas died in defense during the takeover," Harry commented.
"One of the Militia members who disagreed with the surrender attempted to kill me. Li immediately moved to protect me with his body and died for his efforts. He acted knowing what would happen." Sisko added with a wry tone, "He chuckled before he died, telling me he was off the hook after all."
Harry replied solemnly, "A good and noble man. He had personal demons, but that didn't change his character."
Sisko nodded. "As I told Chief O'Brien when we were discussing what occurred: Li Nalas was the hero of the Bajoran resistance, performed acts of extraordinary bravery and honor, and died in the defense of their freedom. That is what the history books on Bajor will say and that is how I will remember him to any who ask."
Harry nodded; he understood the point Sisko was making. "Still, I think I'm going to chase of Krim. I hope he lands on his feet. If he ends up having to play the sacrifice, I may offer him a job."
Sisko looked at Harry. "A job?"
Harry smirked. "I am close to finishing the requirements of pilot training, and have the resources allotted to me in exchange for what I brought back to Britain and Earth as well as selling a few items here and there. I will need someone trustworthy to oversee the building of what will be my ship. Krim seems like a trustworthy and pragmatic man."
Sisko gave his mild objection. "He was on the other side of the conflict against the Federation."
Harry nodded. "I know. Have you ever heard of an American politician named Simon Cameron?"
"No. Who was he?" Sisko asked. American meant old Earth, twentieth century or earlier.
"He was a businessman and politician during the nineteenth century, Lincoln's Secretary of War during the Civil War. He had a definition of an honest politician which I think fits Krim. The only reason I know Cameron's name is that I looked him up after seeing his definition."
"Oh? And what was his definition of an honest politician?" Sisko asked with some small eager interest.
"An honest politician is one who, when bought, stays bought."
Sisko looked at Harry for a long moment, and then burst into laughter. For some reason, it struck him as inordinately funny given recent circumstances. Harry nodded at the Commander and went back to his quarters to start searching for the General.
Harry took a subspace call from Buckingham Palace. "Sir Harry."
"Majesty. You're looking well," Harry said to the king.
"Thank you. You are as well. Now, I've read the reports. Do you have anything to add?"
"No, Sir. Everything I know was sent."
"Good." Charles paused. "I am considering having you send the Granger Seed Bank to Vulcan."
"Vulcan?" Harry asked.
"Vulcan. According to the Director of the Botanical Institute at Bajor, they have accessed most of what they need. Anything further can be sent later. At the same time, the Science Directorate on Vulcan has expressed interest in studying the plants that were previously known on Earth that are suited to a desert climate."
Harry considered that. "There can't be than many plants that became extinct of that type. The deserts were the furthest from impact and such fauna is much hardier than flowers and food crops. How much can there be?"
Charles looked at a screen. "72 species of cacti, 14 succulent plants, 19 low-water trees, and a number of others."
"That many, Sir?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Yes. The Vulcan Science Directorate has a botanical institution and can store as many seeds as needed. If anyone asks, tell them that Bajor no longer needed to hold the Seed Bank but it could be used to better effect on Vulcan."
"Yes, Sir. I will do as you ask."
Charles nodded and then pauised. "Hey! You've stopped calling me Majesty and King Charles every sentence!"
"Yes, Sir," Harry said wryly. "You can thank Dr. Bashir."
"Oh?" Charles asked.
"Yes. He pointed out that even in the time I was from, one called the sovereign Majesty once when they met them each day and then Sir or Ma'am thereafter. He was successful in finding the book of etiquette detailing such from my own library computer. The excessive Majesties and Highnesses were from medieval times and considered archaic. Bashir got me to brush up on my knowledge of etiquette from the time I gave the Royal family my oath. As a result, I have moderated my speech patterns when dealing with matters Royal."
Charles grinned. "Thank God. That was getting tedious, even if we had decided to indulge you."
"Sorry, Your Majesty," Harry said with a bit of cheek.
"Right." Charles laughed and then became a bit more serious. "I've considered your request as regards becoming involved in security situations in the future."
"Oh?" Harry replied cautiously.
"On my order to retreat in case of possible trouble: I probably should have allowed you to use your best judgment. Your assistance would likely have been valuable to Commander Sisko given your skillset. I am therefore forwarding an official modification of orders to you, a copy to Sisko. You may, at your discretion or at the request of the local Federation or Starfleet authority, become involved in any security matter which is deemed to lend itself to the use of your skills to resolve. In such cases where you accept, you will follow the directions of said authority unless it directly violates another oath you have already given."
Harry considered that for a long moment. He decided that would work. "Thank you, Sir. I appreciate that – staying out of immediate matters is not my best skill."
"I know. Be prepared to send your retainers to deliver the Granger Seed Bank – I don't see a need to send you."
"Understood, Sir."
"Have a good day, Sir Harry. New Buckingham, Out."
