Once free of the three cooperators, Ba'el and Saavik went to their real destination. The house they were looking for was as new as the rest of them and wasn't much larger or taller. It was also built in the same standard white and beige concrete most of the buildings have been rebuilt. The old stones and elaborate mosaics that had once welcomed the visitors were gone, and only some colorful paintings and added decorations in the main façade had replaced them.
As they neared the place, some words crudely painted at one wall got their attention. They could not understand Cardassian script, but they had made out one word: Federation.
Out of curiosity, Ba'el took out a tricorder she was carrying, scanned the words and the two of them waited expectantly for the translation. "Stop the new occupation. The Federation is now invading us. Resist." Their eyes met, but they made no comment aloud. Yes, there were still many wounds to heal.
The two Federation officers, with the new revelation present in their mind, stood by the main doors of the house they were looking for and pressed the bell. Only a red light tilting on the accompanying panel told them they had been acknowledged. They had to wait for a few minutes before someone came directly to open the door. It was a middle-aged Cardassian man dressed in an elegant hand-made suit who welcomed them with a bright grin and a sparkle in his eyes.
"What an unexpected visit!" he cheerfully exclaimed. "Please come in, my old friends!"
He stepped back to let them go in and bowing lightly stretched his hand to show them the way. Saavik inclined her head in return as the half Klingon just grunted. They both went in. As the man closed the door behind him, he took a quick glance to the desert streets outside. Saavik and Ba'el were waiting for him; he took the lead immediately and guided them towards the house's interiors all the while rambling without really saying anything.
The reptilian man took them to an ornamented large room dominated by a big oval table and two smaller ones at each side. The sparse light that let the room folded in shadows and the warm colors were meant to make people feel welcome, but both visitors would have preferred a better lit place. Their host stood by the door once it shut behind him, and instinctually Saavik tensed; she had already assessed it was the only entrance. He was still warmly smiling at them and there was hardly a change in his voice or his expression as he abandoned his idly monologue to ask what he really intended to.
"This is really an unexpected visit, and I haven't decided yet if it is one I welcome." He shifted his gaze to lock eyes with Saavik. "You obviously aren't here to visit an old friend, are you, Admiral? Besides, we can hardly be considered friends."
Saavik did not react in anyway, even if it was true she had always considered the Cardassian's unreadable smile annoying. However, the younger officer's temper flared easier. She immediately bared her teeth in anger. She didn't get any further, though, since their host turned to look at her as he finished his sentence and laughed lightly at seeing her reaction.
"Ah, lieutenant Ba'el, always so protective! But there is nothing wrong in what I said."
"Nothing wrong," Saavik nodded; she noted Ba'el straining to control herself beside her, her hand lingering very close to the blade she kept with her. "We have never been friends, Garak," she agreed, "but you have been a good ally. You have been very helpful to the Federation and that is something we will always be grateful for."
In spite of the Vulcan's seriousness, the former spy broke into a loud laugh, immensely amused.
"Ha! But you aren't here to award me with a medal!" he replied.
At that moment, he walked forward, leaving the door in direction to the table.
Saavik did not relax yet. She answered curtly, "No, we are not."
"A pity. It would look so well in my jacket, don't you think?" he mocked as he turned to caress his costume. "Something to drink?" he offered.
None of them answered, but accompanied him to the table.
"Please, sit. We'll share a glass of Rokassa juice, good drink, a relaxing one, for occasions as the one we have at hand." He moved to a nearby furniture to pick up the juice; he took three globes too.
The two officers took the offered seat, however they could not feign the relaxed atmosphere their host seemed so interested in creating. Ba'el tried to smile, but his still gritted teeth only formed a grimace; she eyed the glass with suspicion. Saavik studied the globe before her; it was of a beautiful blue crystal and had some Cardassian letters carved on it; again, she couldn't read them out.
Garak sat down too and filled the glasses to his hosts. "So tell me, Admiral, why are you here?"
Saavik went straight to the point, "A fellow Admiral of the Romulan Fleet has gone missing. I wonder if you happen to have heard of it."
Garak chuckled; he sipped his drink. "Did you hear I retired?"
Saavik's penetrating stare drilled on him. The Cardassian man met her eyes unflinchingly, still an amused glint in them. The three of them stayed silent and still for a moment; finally, he conceded, "Never heard of it."
He drank from his globe again and rested on his chair. Ba'el's eyes hardened and her hand pressed her own globe tighter. However, Garak hadn't finished. Again, he flashed them a smile. "Heard of other people, though. Some former colleagues; happens from time to time. They disappear, or suddenly have an accident, or suffer a heart attack…" Garak stopped to muse. "A few of them, lately."
Now the two Starfleet officers were listening with eager interest.
"Do you know that several Cardassian scientists have died lately too?" A brief pause; another sip. "Not that any of these has anything to do with your missing Admiral. I wonder why the Federation would care about a Romulan. Are you really intimating that much?"
His grin really annoyed Saavik that time, but she kept herself under control. Ba'el did react, glaring at him even more. She disliked the disdainful way most people spoke about the Romulans, as if they were all evil. There was someting in Garak's tone that implied it. Or maybe she just imagined it, because she was also prejudiced againts him. It made her pause. Both women made no comment.
Garak gave up. "Ok, I don't remember either of you being really talkative." He went back to his talk. "Any interest in Cardassian scientists? Because I know of someone who can tell you about that."
Saavik eyed her drink before looking up to Garak again. Ba'el didn't waste any time, though. "Who?" she snapped before Saavik could open her mouth.
"Aren't you asking me what I want in exchange first?" Garak lightly asked.
"We thought you would volunteer," Saavik dryly answered as she arched her eyes.
"Oh, and I would!" the former spy cheerfully exclaimed; he added, "If you volunteer back."
Again, Ba'el's eyes narrowed and she leaned dangerously forward. However, Saavik played calmly with her glass. "Of course," she agreed.
Garak's easy smile broadened. "A name," he offered: "Relnak."