II

The Crimson Shadow

Obsidian Command, Cardassia City, Cardassia Prime; October 2371

'I seem to recall that we have had this discussion before,' Korinas said with pointed sarcasm. 'You always were sentimental about the Bajorans, Garak. Your time amongst them has made you even more starry-eyed.'

Garak stared back at her coldly. Brun looked up at the ceiling, and Surjak shifted nervously in his seat. Tain just smiled. Garak's exile, and the circumstances surrounding it, had, since his return, been a taboo subject amongst the Order elite. If Tain was now happy to have Garak back, the unspoken theory went, then everyone else was too.

Eventually, Brun cleared his throat. 'That was uncalled-for, Amela,' he said mildly.

She scowled at him. 'And your tendency towards hero-worship was always revolting, Erak.'

Brun was a famously equable man, but it was clear that even his easy temper was not going to stand for that. Garak put a hand on his arm. 'Let it pass, Erak,' he said and turned to address Korinas. 'While I find your appetite for revenge laudable, Korinas, may I remind you that we have more immediate problems than retaking Bajor? I take it you have bothered to acquaint yourself with the contents of the communication from Starfleet requesting the immediate surrender of Odo to the Bajorans? And how about this one from the Romulan Senate, with much the same request, but with a threat of war attached to it?' He threw the two files across the table at her.

'All the more reason for us to make a show of strength immediately.' She stopped addressing Garak, making her appeal directly to Tain. 'Withdrawing from Bajor was the greatest humiliation Cardassia has ever experienced.' She glanced at Garak briefly, as if to imply his culpability in this. 'This is our chance to demonstrate just how strong we are again.'

Tain, as usual, had been completely silent during the proceedings, although they were all constantly conscious of his brooding presence. He remained as he had been throughout, eyes half-closed, leaning back in his chair.

'Korinas,' Garak said, with the voice of a man who would soon start speaking in words of one syllable, 'We now have at our disposal the largest military fleet ever assembled. We have control of the resources of two major empires. And you want our first priority to be annexing Bajor?' His voice dripped scorn. 'That's not a show of strength - it's a temper tantrum.'

Tain burst out laughing. They all watched him warily, uncertain how to handle this particular piece of unpredictable behaviour. None of them tried to speak, and when Tain calmed himself down, he said, wiping his eyes, 'Well, Elim, stop keeping us guessing. What have you got in mind?'

Garak turned to Tain. 'Our biggest fear has to be that the Romulans sign some sort of treaty with the Federation in an attempt to match our strength. It's by no means a natural alliance, and it's one that will take time to emerge. So I want to get in first.'

Surjak frowned. 'But diplomatic relations with Romulus have been getting more and more tense since we refused to give them Odo and the stasis technology. Surely you're not going to hand that over?'

Garak gave him an irritated look. 'Don't be ridiculous - it's only through Odo that we control the Dominion fleets. We're going to give the Romulans something else to worry about, and then - magnanimous as we are - we're going to offer them all the help they need from the combined fleets.'

'And what exactly are we giving the Romulans to worry about?' prompted Brun quietly, one finger rubbing an eye ridge.

'A war, Brun. Against a serious opponent. Which we enter - and the conquests of which we share.'

Brun raised his eyes upwards and sighed. 'Come on, Garak, stop being so coy.'

Garak beamed around the room. 'How do you all feel about controlling half of the Klingon Empire?'

Akreth Memorial Grounds, North Western District, Cardassia City, Cardassia Prime; October 2371

Garak sat on a park bench, legs stretched out in front of him, completely relaxed, reading. Across the park his younger daughter Carissa was playing with some other children. Next to him sat his older daughter, Peyta, legs curled under her, completely engrossed in the enigma tale Dereliction, which he had bought for her that morning. He put down his own reading, a report of the interrogation of a gul from the old military that one of his juniors had just completed, and peered over her shoulder to see how far she was in the plot. The main character, having spent most of the book covering up a crime his wife had committed, was about to get a rather nasty comeuppance.

Garak smiled in anticipation and looked to see how Carissa was doing. She seemed to be happy, having found four other children to organize. Not for the first time, he reflected how much like her mother she was becoming.

'Ouch,' said Peyta, under her breath.

Garak looked back down at her. 'Have you reached the bit with the..?' he asked.

'Yes,' she said emphatically.

'And the..? He gestured.

'Oh yes.' She looked up at him, caught his expression, and they both laughed. She rested her head against him and turned back to the book. He put his arm fondly around her and carried on watching what was going on around him.

The park they were in was very close to the University and was a popular haunt for students. At one point, as a young, newly-recruited agent, Garak had spent a lot of time here, around people still immature enough to be indiscreet about their opinions in public places. For one highly profitable, unexpectedly enjoyable term, he had even gone undercover as a student. These days he came here because he liked the spot, and it was close to his home. He still occasionally overheard something worth knowing.

The people passed him by, and he watched them with the practiced eye of an expert observer, not distracted but only comforted by the presence of his daughter at his side. He cast his gaze farther afield, past his other daughter's campaign to bring order to this small part of the Union, and saw that a small crowd was gathering at the far end of the park.

I should take a look at that, he thought. Regretfully, he tapped Peyta's arm and she shifted away.

'Keep an eye on your sister for a moment,' he murmured. 'I want to see what's so interesting over there.' He stood up but took the time to bend down and plant a kiss on the top of her head.

He passed Carissa and hesitated, but she waved him on impatiently, so he carried on his way towards the group of people. Someone was giving some sort of public lecture. The crowd around listened politely but did not interrupt or heckle. There was not much of a tradition of open-air debate on Cardassia Prime.

The talk turned out to be a curious mixture of anti-military ranting and somewhat restrained remarks about the Obsidian Order. As he listened, Garak realized that something about the speaker was familiar. Where have I heard that voice before? he thought and shifted through the crowd to get a better look at the speaker, who turned out to be a young woman in her early twenties. Well, well, well. Now, what can she be doing back on Cardassia Prime, I wonder?

The speaker came to the end of her talk. After a polite smattering of applause, the crowd quietly dispersed. Garak moved forwards and came to a stop right in front of the speaker, who was pulling together her notes.

'Tela Rekelen,' he said.

The woman's head shot up. 'You!' she said when she recognized him. 'So you made it back home after all. I am glad.'

'And you also, I see.' He smiled.

She nodded. 'Once the military went out of power, we thought it was time to come back and make our opinions heard.'

'And are you having much success?' They began to walk together.

'Surprisingly, yes. I'd thought that with Tain in charge we'd soon find ourselves muzzled, but it doesn't seem to have happened. Maybe Tain doesn't fear a civilian opposition as much as the military did.'

Believe me, my dear, we have the situation well under control, Garak thought dryly. 'Maybe not,' was all he said.

'Well, he has no need to. All we want is some serious debate, some real discussion about civilian rights; a genuine change in the way our government operates...'

Change? Well, there's the rub. 'Tell me, my dear, whatever happened to your friend Hogue and the estimable Dr Lang?'

'Hogue is back home too - he has a teaching post at the University.' Garak filed that one away for investigation. 'Doctor Lang isn't back yet, but we hope she'll feel safe enough to return soon. She's rather more suspicious of the new regime.'

Sensible woman. They stopped walking, it becoming clear that they were heading in different directions. A girl of about eleven came running up. 'Father!' she hissed. 'You're standing in the way!'

Garak raised his hands in contrition and smiled ruefully at Rekelen. 'My younger daughter Carissa,' he explained, 'merely tolerates me.'

Rekelen laughed. 'I didn't know you were a family man,' she said as they withdrew slightly from Carissa's territory.

'Very much so,' said Garak. 'My older daughter,' he added, pointing at the bench where Peyta was still absorbed in her book. 'Well, Miss Rekelen, it was very good to see you again.'

'I'm glad you're back with your family,' she said warmly.

'Thank you,' he replied, then drew out a small chip from his pocket. 'And here - if there's anything you think I can do to help, please contact me.'

She took the chip then looked at him guardedly. 'What precisely is it that you do, Mister Garak?'

He smiled. 'I'm a civil servant,' he said, 'At the Ministry of Information.' He caught her slight frown; well, she recognizes that euphemism at least, he thought. Perhaps she's sharper than I'd thought. She may be useful.

She pocketed the chip. 'Thank you,' she said. 'That might be very useful.' And then she went off towards the University. Garak went and sat back down next to his daughter.

'Who was that?' said Peyta, not looking up from her book.

'And I thought you were engrossed in your reading,' he replied.

'You asked me to keep an eye on Carissa. I couldn't help but keep an eye on you too.' She closed the book and smiled up at him. 'Finished,' she said. 'And I liked it more than Collusion.'

'That's something we'll have to discuss later,' he said, feigning displeasure.

'So who was that woman, then?'

'Just someone I knew on Deep Space Nine,' he answered. She seemed to be satisfied.

The sun began to set. 'Come on,' he said, 'It's time to go. I think you'll have more success persuading Carissa to come than I will.'

As they walked towards Carissa, Peyta took his arm. 'I'm glad you're back,' she said quietly but fiercely. Very, very few people had said that to him, but somehow Peyta managed to say it every day.

'And I'm glad to be back with you,' he replied, squeezing her arm tightly in return.

Deep Space Nine; Stardate 49011.4 [January 2372]

It had been an uncertain and confusing day, one that they had only been able to observe and not alter. Around them the universe was changing, as if the strings were being pulled by some powerful puppeteer, and they could do nothing about it. At 02.41, a report had come in from Starfleet Intelligence.

'Do I really need to know this, Dax?' Sisko muttered into his pillow.

'I think you do, Benjamin,' she said through the com. 'It seems the Klingons have assassinated a Romulan senator.'

He was out of bed in seconds, down in Ops in minutes. 'What the hell's happened, old man?' he demanded.

She glanced up from the report she was monitoring. 'It appears that a Senator Meral had been meeting her opposite number from the Klingon government on Qo'Nos. Just as her shuttle left Klingon space, it exploded.'

'Meral was one of the most pro-Klingon voices in the Romulan senate,' Sisko mused. 'Do we know yet if it was sabotage?'

'The Klingons are flatly denying any involvement,' Kira answered. 'There's been no response as yet from the Romulans. I'm guessing the Tal Shiar are investigating.'

At 16.26 the Romulans' ominous silence was broken. They confirmed that the cause of the explosion had been sabotage, that the device used bore the unmistakeable mark of Klingon technology and that, as a result, they were formally declaring war on the Klingon Empire.

'I don't understand this,' said Dax. 'Why would the Klingons assassinate a Romulan senator? Why plunge the Empire into war? And why are the Romulans so ready to accept that it's sabotage?'

It was only as the afternoon wore into evening that Starfleet Intelligence picked up enough information to put together the whole story. Apart from the incriminating evidence of the explosive, Tal Shiar investigations of the wreckage had also discovered the remains of official, and highly secret, Klingon state documents outlining the plans for an invasion of Romulan space.

'Meral must have got her hands on those documents somehow, so they blew up the ship to get rid of the evidence.' Kira shook her head. 'Bit of a risky game. They must have been desperate.'

'It still doesn't make sense,' Dax repeated determinedly. 'Why would the Empire want a war against the Romulans?'

'Come on, old man,' Sisko said. 'Their mutual loathing is the stuff of legend. Why would the Empire not want a war against the Romulans? With the Cardassian Union so much stronger, perhaps they felt they needed to consolidate some territory. And if I was in their shoes, I wouldn't try to take it from the Cardassians. Not now.'

She sighed, only half-convinced, and they went back to monitoring the transmissions from Starfleet Intelligence, who were tracking the mobilization of both fleets.

At 25.13, the final inexplicable event of the whole incomprehensible day happened. A report came in that the combined Cardassian and Jem'Hadar fleet appeared also to be preparing for war. Just after this, Kira picked up an official transmission from Cardassia Prime. Enabran Tain was addressing his people.

'Since this morning's ignominious events, my colleagues and I have been in close contact with the Romulan Senate to offer our condolences and our support...'

'There's your explanation why the Romulans have been so ready to accept it was sabotage, Dax,' said Kira. 'They've had Tain and Garak whispering sweet nothings in their collective ear all day.'

Sisko raised a hand to quieten her.

'...and bearing in mind our recent successful combined operation in the Gamma Quadrant and the close ties forged between our two nations as a result,' Tain was saying, 'The Cardassian Union has pledged to assist the Romulan Empire in its pursuit of justice. Such blatant aggression as has been shown today cannot pass unchecked. This is a glorious day for our empire, as we forge a new alliance based on co-operation, as we demonstrate to all in the quadrant that the Cardassian nation...'

Sisko cut the transmission as it degenerated into the usual bombast. 'So the Klingons find themselves facing an attack from the combined strength of three nations,' he murmured.

'At least it isn't Bajor,' said Kira passionately.

'No,' agreed Sisko thoughtfully. 'It isn't. But it should have been.'

'I'm not complaining!' she answered.

'Neither am I, Major. But why do I get the feeling that this entire day has been choreographed from start to finish?'

'Who cares?' she answered frankly. 'Bajor has some breathing space - and the Federation no longer have to worry about just how much protection you'd give us. We're all of us a little bit safer tonight.'

Dax spoke at last. 'Unless we're Klingons,' she pointed out quietly.

Special Ops Section, Ministry of Information, Central District, Cardassia City, Cardassia Prime; February 2372

Garak had personally, and with great care, designed the specifications for this set of rooms, but this was the first time he had come to see them. Security had, of course, been his prime consideration, but he had attempted to make the area as pleasant as possible for its unusual resident. Two rooms were private, but the third was exposed to visitors - with a force field firmly providing a fourth wall. The new tenant had moved in a few days earlier and Garak addressed him now through the force field.

'Odo!' he said warmly. 'I'm sorry I've not been a more attentive host. I trust your new accommodation is to your liking?'

Odo stared back at him with revulsion. 'Please don't feel too bad about neglecting me, Garak. I can imagine just how easily genocide, coups, and bloodbaths can fill the day. And with your sideline in torturing friends, I can't think how you manage to sleep at night at all.'

Garak smiled. 'Well, when the days are so busy, it's never a problem dropping off. I had the reverse problem on the station, of course. So yes, Odo, I'm very happy to be home - thank you for asking.'

'I can't imagine a ticket home that has ever been so bloodstained. What's the tally now, Garak? Are you counting the Great Link as one murder, or would you feel that didn't do justice to your achievement?'

Garak raised his hands. 'Please, Odo, you're becoming hysterical. I simply came by to make sure that you were comfortable here.'

'Comfortable?'

'I've tried my best, but it's difficult to judge what someone else would like. I'll be away for a little while, but do request anything from one of my aides - they'll be glad to oblige.'

'How about your head on a spike and return passage to Deep Space Nine?'

'Daytrips are out of the question, I'm afraid, and I rather suspect there's a queue for your first request.' He paused. 'I'll be visiting the station at the end of the week. I'll pass on your regards to the crew, if you'd like.'

Odo stared at him in disbelief, and it was a little while before he could contain his rage enough to answer. 'Get out of here, Garak. And don't come near me again.'

Deep Space Nine; February 2372

'I swear, if he smirks just once, I'll punch him.' Dax's normally serene face was livid, and she pulled viciously at her dress uniform.

'Get in line,' muttered Kira.

'When I think what the Cardassians are doing to the Klingon colonies...' Dax continued.

Bashir frowned. 'That's hardly Garak's fault, is it? I mean, the Klingons did start this war.'

Dax looked at him in amazement. 'Julian, that's hardly the point! The counter-offensive has been merciless. You've seen what's been happening - we all have. You know full well that the Jem'Hadar are slaughtering anybody they capture! You're a doctor, for pity's sake - how can you defend that?'

'Jadzia, I'm not defending anybody. I just don't think you can blame one man for the military policy of an entire empire. And the Romulans are involved in this war too.'

Kira exploded. 'How can you talk like this! What about Odo - a colleague, someone you worked with! Garak is directly responsible for what's happened to him...'

Sisko cut through the debate, speaking softly. 'This conversation ends now. You'll all welcome Garak as you would welcome the representative of any other foreign government. Whatever you - or I, for that matter - think of him, or his government's conduct of the war, you keep that to yourselves. Do I make myself clear?'

His senior officers subsided just in time. The airlock opened, and their guest arrived, flanked by bodyguards, and with his arm linked through that of a Cardassian girl of about sixteen. He exuded power, Sisko thought, and it suited him.

'Legate Garak,' he said. 'Welcome back to Deep Space Nine.'

'Captain Sisko! It's good to see you again. May I congratulate you on your promotion?'

Sisko nodded slightly in acknowledgement, shaking the offered hand and only just suppressing the shudder the contact engendered.  'And may I congratulate you on yours, Legate?'

Garak gestured a little dismissively. 'Merely a resumption of prior responsibilities.'

Sisko didn't show his surprise at this revelation but frowned inwardly. We had an Obsidian Order legate on this station for three years, and Starfleet Intelligence didn't know? Why the hell do we even bother?

'Allow me to introduce my daughter Peyta, Captain,' Garak was saying. 'This is Peyta's first trip outside of Cardassian space.'

Nor did I know he had a family, Sisko reflected, realizing acutely just how little they had managed to find out about their erstwhile resident Cardassian. She looks about Jake's age. Just think, all that time, and we could have been swapping baby stories.

'Delighted to meet you,' he said to the girl.

She smiled back a little nervously and answered, 'Thank you. It's good to be here.'

Garak greeted Dax and Kira, both of whom spoke to him through gritted teeth, but his hand hadn't left his daughter's arm, Sisko noticed. And now Garak's attention turned to Doctor Bashir.

'My dear Doctor,' he said, grasping the man's hand warmly. 'It really is a great pleasure to see you again.'

'It's good to see you again, Garak - oops, Legate, I should say,' Julian answered.

'Plain, simple 'Garak' is just fine, Doctor,' he replied, and they both laughed.

Sisko watched this exchange through narrowed eyes. He had never been keen on their familiarity, even when he was able to exert some control over an exiled Garak anxious for protection. The thought of his youngest and most inexperienced officer still apparently fascinated by a powerful and probably inimical Garak was more than displeasing - it was damn disturbing.

He broke up the little reunion. 'Legate,' he murmured, 'Allow me to escort you to your quarters...' He manoeuvred himself between Garak and the doctor, forcing Bashir to walk with Peyta, who now formed a barrier between them and Kira and Dax. He focused on trying to make small talk in what he was finding fairly bizarre circumstances. Damn it, most men don't end up talking galactic politics with their tailor - at least, not on a professional basis...

***

Garak appeared to thrive on all this, Sisko noted, as he glanced at the time and thought longingly of dinner. What other diplomat would meet with three officers from other governments by himself? There was meant to be some sort of psychological gain in fielding more personnel than your opposite number. Garak didn't appear to have noticed he was supposed to feel disadvantaged.

Not that he needed any support, Sisko thought grudgingly. Garak's grasp of detail had been formidable, his negotiation skills redoubtable. He was light years ahead of any of the lackeys from Central Command that had been Sisko's former points of contact with the Cardassian government. He had none of Dukat's tendency to try to threaten his way out of corners, none of the intransigence of the other guls that it had previously been Sisko's lot to deal with. It baffled Sisko that someone of such manifest ability had been left to languish on DS9 - based on his experiences with other Cardassian officials, it was clear that Cardassia did not produce people like Garak as a matter of course.

Whatever it was that you did to get yourself kicked out, Sisko thought, it must really have pissed off a lot of very powerful people. This he found very easy to believe. Garak had a tendency to irritate him within minutes.

He was now, interminably as it seemed to Sisko, reading through the final draft of an agreement over trade routes through two Federation systems bordering Cardassian space. He had already forced several concessions from the Federation on this issue - never mind his successes earlier that morning over joint action against Maquis activity. From trade negotiations to military policy to questions of diplomatic protocol, Garak had spent the last two days outclassing Sisko, Kira and Dax at every turn.

And he's not even head of state, thought Sisko. What the hell must Tain be like?

Garak's face creased into a frown as he read part of the document extremely closely. Come on, Garak, I'm starving, thought Sisko, raising his eyebrows at Dax, who grimaced in return. We've given you everything you want. Just sign the damn thing and we can all get out of here.

Garak finally put down the document. 'I'm satisfied this is all in order,' he murmured, appending his authorization. Sisko and his team sighed in relief. 'There's just one more thing I'd like to discuss, Captain.'

Three sets of shoulders slumped. 'Please, Legate,' Sisko said wearily. 'Do go ahead.'

He glanced at each of them in turn, and smiled infuriatingly. 'Captain, so far relations between the Federation and our new government on Cardassia have been nothing but cordial. But I need to advise you that you and your allies,' he nodded at Kira, 'are seriously jeopardizing this happy state of affairs.' He paused.

'In what way, Legate?' Sisko rumbled.

'On a weekly basis now, we receive communiqués from the Bajoran government - supported by the Federation - requesting the return of Constable Odo.' He shook his head. 'Really, Captain, I don't understand what these are all about. As I said, our government has been nothing but friendly towards yours. Today, for example, has been most profitable on all sides. But this constant repetition of a single theme is beginning to prove most irritating - offensive, even. This could so easily all degenerate into an unpleasant game of tit-for-tat; you demand the return of something from us - we demand the return of something from you. This station, for example.'

'That sounds very much like a threat, Legate,' Sisko replied. 'We stop requesting the return of Odo, you don't bother DS9.'

'There's no threat, Captain. There isn't one I can realistically offer. And that's the point: there really is nothing we can do. Odo is with us of his own free will. If he wanted to come back, he would do so.'

'Then why haven't you let us talk to him?' Kira demanded.

Garak was genuinely surprised. 'Has he not been in touch?' He looked at each of the three officers in turn. 'Well, that is something of a puzzle, I must say. He always seemed quite at home here on the station. Again, Major, all I can do is to assure you there have been no restrictions whatsoever on Odo's activities. He's free to come and go, contact - or ignore - whomsoever he chooses. If he's decided he wants no communication with the station or the Bajoran authorities, well...' He shrugged. 'I'm very sorry for you all, but that's really Odo's affair.'

Kira's jaw had dropped open. 'You seriously expect us to believe that?' she said.

'Odo worked for the Cardassian Union long before he did for the Bajorans, Major. Maybe he's decided he prefers our way of working after all. I must emphasize - Odo is very happy on Cardassia Prime. Besides, as the one remaining Founder, he has responsibilities of a...' he paused, trying to think of the right word, 'theological nature to the Vorta and the Jem'Hadar. His new role is keeping him very busy. Perhaps that's why you've had no contact from him?'

Kira's anger grew throughout this little speech. 'You murdered his entire race, and now you're holding him hostage - that's the truth of all this, Garak! Odo would never desert his post...'

Garak stood up. 'Thankfully, I am no longer obliged to listen to you rant, Major. As far as the Cardassian Union is concerned, this matter is now closed.'

Kira stood up to face him, clearly not in agreement at all, but as she opened her mouth to speak, the com chimed and Bashir's voice sounded through the room. 'Captain, I think you'd better come to the infirmary. I have Garak's daughter here.'

***

Bashir looked up from the tissue regenerator as Garak burst into the infirmary. He came to a screeching halt next to his daughter and grabbed her hand. Sisko and Kira were close behind.

'Peyta, what happened?' Garak cried softly, touching her cheek. 'Are you all right? I'll never forgive myself...'

Peyta shook him off gently. 'It's all right,' she said sturdily. 'I just got a couple of bruises.'

Garak glanced up at Bashir. 'Doctor, what happened?'

Bashir put the final touches to Peyta's arm. 'It appears some Klingon refugees decided to take out their frustrations on a passing Cardassian just outside the Replimat,' he said quietly.

'I'm really all right, father,' Peyta said putting her hand on his arm. 'My bodyguard had it under control in seconds. I just got jostled and tripped up, that's all...'

Garak's eyes blazed and he turned on Sisko. 'My daughter was attacked on the Promenade..? Captain, this is disgraceful!'

Sisko nodded. 'You're quite right, Legate, I can't apologize enough,' he said, in what he hoped was a soothing voice.

'Still,' Kira added pointedly, 'You can sympathize with these people lashing out at a Cardassian. And security on the Promenade just isn't what it used to be.'

Sisko waited for the explosion, but it didn't come. I must remember this man isn't Dukat, he reflected. Garak simply turned back to his daughter. 'If you go back to our quarters, my dear, I'll be with you in about five minutes,' he murmured. She nodded; he kissed her very gently on her cheek, then she disappeared, with a smile back at him.

Garak turned to Kira and said very calmly, 'Major, if you ever attempt to discuss politics in front of my daughter again, I shall cause a diplomatic incident the scale of which this sector has never seen. Do you understand?'

Kira's eyes blazed and she rounded on him. 'I guess you don't want her to hear the truth, do you? That you and your Obsidian Order colleagues are just a bunch of gangsters...'

'Of course, the Bajorans always were happy to put children in the front line...' Garak said coolly.

'Garak!' exclaimed Bashir.

Sisko cut in, raising his hand. This wasn't a diplomatic incident yet, but it would be one within seconds at this rate. 'Major, you're way out of line.'

Kira glanced at Sisko's hardened face and swallowed. She turned back to Garak, jutting out her chin. 'Please accept my apologies, Legate,' she ground out.

Garak smiled silkily. 'Naturally, Major.'

Somehow she managed not to take a swing at him. Thank God, thought Sisko fervently, that he's leaving tomorrow.

***

Sisko wasn't entirely happy until the Cardassian ship had passed out of sensor range. He breathed out a very long sigh and then turned to speak to Kira. Out of the frying pan...

'Major, could you join me in my ready room for a moment?' he said quietly.

She exchanged a puzzled look with Dax, then followed him. 'What is it, Captain?'

She wasn't going to like this, not one bit. 'Starfleet informed me this morning that we will no longer be adding our support to the Bajoran government's requests for the return of Odo.'

Her eyes widened in shock. 'You've got to be joking...'

'I wish I was. They've accepted that Odo has made the decision to work again for his old masters - '

'Odo would never do that!'

'You and I know that, Major, but we're not the ones that need convincing. Whatever we may think, any further requests will have to come from Bajor alone. And that isn't something I would recommend, bearing in mind Cardassia's current military strength.'

She shook her head in disgust. 'So Starfleet just bowed to his threats after all. Well, I guess Bajor can sleep soundly tonight, knowing we have such powerful protectors watching over us. You know that this is just the start? How long do you think it'll be before the Cardassians decide to settle some old scores against Bajor? Just how much leeway is the Federation prepared to give them?'

His eyes glittered. 'If I had my way, Major, we'd be in there now. But the sad fact is, the powers that be don't think one man is worth going to war over. We'll just have to live with that - for the moment.'

Ministry of Information; Central District; Cardassia City, Cardassia Prime; May 2372

Give Korinas her due, Garak reflected, she had faced the executioner resolutely. Surjak on the other hand - well, he'd never really had any nerve. Garak hadn't expected him to weep so much, however. It had been rather embarrassing.

'No doubt who ran the show in that particular love nest,' Brun had murmured to Garak, as the duo fell to the ground dead. 'You've got to wonder what Korinas was doing with the little runt.'

'Have you seen her husband?' Garak sniffed.

'Not yet,' Brun said. 'He's up next.' Cuckoldry was a capital offence on Cardassia Prime these days. The family was an important part of Tain's personal political philosophy, and threatening the framework of marriage, whether through infidelity or failure to retain the loyalty of one's spouse, was a serious misdemeanour in his eyes, striking, as it did, at the heart of Cardassian society. And for Order officers who did not live up to these standards, there certainly could be no mercy.

The night was poised to turn into day; the air held its breath in anticipation of dawn. They waited so that Brun could take a look at the unfortunate husband then headed back inside, not even bothering to stay to see his fate. They strode along the nondescript corridors of the Ministry, junior staff pressing against the walls to let them pass, and discussed the latest successes on the front. The fleets of the three empires had pushed past the Klingon forces as if they were nothing more than children's toys, entering and securing system after system.

'At this rate we'll reach Qo'Nos before the end of the year,' Garak said with satisfaction.

'And our plans when we get there?' Brun asked as they stepped into the lift.

Garak shrugged. 'The pleasure is in the hunt and not the kill, Brun,' he murmured.

'I've missed your particular brand of evasiveness and affectation.'

'And I've missed your admiration.' Garak pushed his hand against the security panel outside his office. 'I've been meaning to ask you,' he continued, as they entered his office, 'However did you find out about Korinas and Surjak? I would have thought that she at least would have had the sense to be discreet.'

Brun paused a moment before replying, waiting for Garak to perform a sweep for monitoring devices. People who became complacent about their offices had a tendency to end up like Korinas and Surjak. 'Excellent agent called Memad,' he finally said, when Garak nodded the all-clear. 'First-rate operative - always seems to prise out that extra detail that makes all the difference.'

Garak nodded his recognition at the name. 'Yes, I remember him. He's mostly internal affairs, isn't he? Hasn't done much off-world?'

Brun shook his head. 'He got a lot of experience while you were away. Took on a lot of the Romulan business. He brokered the deal with the Tal Shiar.'

'Well,' said Garak bitterly, 'I'm glad to hear someone benefited from my absence.' He reached into the cabinet for a bottle and two glasses, placing them on his desk with a rather peevish clatter.

Brun looked at him affectionately. 'Doesn't have anything like your flair, though, does he? That whole scheme was full of holes. If you hadn't popped up with that Changeling we'd be fried.'

Garak smiled broadly. 'I was brilliant, wasn't I?'

'Course you were. Now stop preening and get that bottle open. It's not every day we purge the Order. I need a drink.'

Grinning, Garak poured a glass of kanar and handed the bottle to Brun, who poured one in return. Then they swapped glasses, the traditional gesture of trust and comradeship, and each man drank deeply.

Garak poured them each a refill then raised his glass. 'To friendship, Erak,' he said.

His old partner in crime looked confused. 'What are you talking about now?'

Garak smiled. 'It's an Earth custom I learnt on DS9, from a friend I made there. It's called a toast. You lift up your glass, like this,' he guided Brun's hand, 'And then we tap our glasses together like this - and then you say what the drink is honouring. So - to friendship.'

'I'll go with that,' said Brun easily, tapping his glass against Garak's. 'To friendship, Elim. And an enduringly successful partnership.'

They drank deeply again. Brun's mouth twitched. 'Close friend, was he, Elim?'

Garak sighed. 'Alas, not close enough.'

'Well,' said Brun comfortingly, topping up their glasses. 'You know, sometimes you just have to live with disappointment.'

The sun rose in that second, pouring white light into the room. Elim Garak and Erak Brun, who had been friends for over thirty years and were now, after Enabran Tain, the two most powerful men in the quadrant, took one look at each other and dissolved into laughter.