5
The Defiant crossed the border into Cardassian space, all sensors operating at peak capacity, scanning continually for ships. Kira stood on her bridge with Bashir and Taranna, watching as her helm officer manuevered them into the gravitational influence of a small moon that would help mask their warp signature.
She waited.
"Incoming hail, sir," the com reported, and Kira felt a distinct stab of relief.
"On screen," she ordered.
There was a moment before Garak's face appeared on the view screen, and when she saw him, Kira smiled. He smiled in return.
"Ah, Captain. So good to see you again. Are you ready?"
"Absolutely," Kira said with a smile. "Bashir and I will be beaming over as well."
"Of course," the Cardassian replied. "It would be a shame to have come all this way and not see each other face to face."
Kira smiled.
"We'll be there shortly."
She nodded at the com officer and the screen returned to its previous view of the barren moon rotating slowly beneath them.
"Ro, you have the bridge," she said to her security chief.
"Yes, sir," the other Bajoran replied as Kira, Bashir, and Taranna headed for the lift.
They made their way to the transporter room and, within moments, were standing on the bridge of Garak's personal ship. The Cardassian greeted both Kira and Bashir warmly, then looked back at the young woman standing just behind Kira. His eyes widened slightly and he turned his attention to Bashir.
"Doctor, your ability to work miracles never ceases to amaze me," he said.
"I do my best," Bashir replied with a half-smile, half-smirk.
They were interrupted by the appearance of two more Cardassians on the small bridge, and Kira realized fully what Garak meant. She came face to face with Alath and Eraas Deram for the first time, and was stunned by what Bashir had pulled off. Taranna looked remarkably like Alath, but Bashir had tweaked some of her features to resemble Eraas as well.
"Ah, here we are," Garak said. "Alath, Eraas, meet Taranna." He beckoned to the young woman and she stepped forward somewhat hesitantly. "My dear, your parents."
Both Eraas and Alath were smiling as they gripped Taranna's hand and bid her hello for the first time. The girl looked somewhat overwhelmed, and Kira could scarcely blame her.
"It's fortunate that my government suddenly needs the services of two of the Union's most prominent engineers," Garak said, his eyes twinkling.
"Who just happen to live on one of the border colonies," Kira said.
"And who happened to be friends of yours, which meant that you could come and personally see them back to Cardassia Prime," Bashir put in.
Garak nodded.
"It would be insulting of me to ask such distinguished professionals to arrange their own transport," he said.
"What about Gul Tekar?", Kira asked. "How are you going to keep him from accidentally meeting Taranna?"
Garak gave her a surprised look that she had come to know over the years; he wasn't surprised at all, and was delighting in what he was about to tell her.
"Why, Captain, didn't you hear? There was a terrible accident about ten days ago. Tekar's personal shuttle had an engine malfunction and was regretably destroyed."
Kira crossed her arms, shaking her head, fighting down the smile on her lips.
"What about the scientists in the Retros system?", Bashir asked.
"We've found some most fascinating dilithium deposits in a nearby system for some of them to study. Others have been quietly removed from their posts and imprisoned for war crimes."
"I take it the Cardassian people won't ever hear about that?", Kira asked.
"My dear Captain, I would hate to expose their research to other inquiring Cardassian minds, who may think that the idea, at least, is sound."
Kira knew that Garak meant that.
"Good," she said. "Now, we'd better be getting back to the Defiant and out of here. The last thing we need is another Cardassian ship picking us up and wondering why we're meeting with you."
"Agreed," said Garak.
Kira turned to Taranna, who was standing with her new parents.
"Take care of yourself," she said with a smile.
Taranna nodded.
"I will," she said, then hesitated before stepping forward and giving Kira then Bashir each a brief hug. "Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome," Kira replied. "And I wouldn't be surprised if we met again someday."
Taranna smiled.
"I'd like that," she said.
Kira nodded and tapped her combadge.
"Kira to Defiant. Two to beam up."
The bridge of Garak's ship disappeared and was replaced by the familiar view of her own bridge. She took a moment to look at the view screen, at the image of the Cardassian ship hanging in space before them, then turned to her helm officer.
"Take us home," she said.
