Creek Johnson and Nance Hurt
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Disclaimer: We are but fleas on the elephants' posterior that is Paramount. No infringement on their rights is intended. We hope none is taken.
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Their footfalls echoed in the silence of the empty corridors as they were led through the Palace. The rather solemn cleric stopped before an imposing set of doors and paused before accessing the panel and ushering Odo and his escort through. "Prylar Jeck's office is the second door to the left," he said and quietly slipped back out. Odo found himself in what would by any standard be considered an impressive room. Circular in design, row upon row of shelving radiated out from the center of the room holding what must have been the largest collection of texts he had ever seen in print. Set in polished marble on the floor, in the center of the room, below a stained glass dome, lay an inlaid map of the planet. The dome above was decorated to represent the heavens and in the center was a representation of the wormhole, or, he thought, the Celestial Temple, to put it in a Bajoran religious context. He heard his escort's quick intake of breath and turned to find the young Lieutenant staring transfixed at the dome.
"Your first visit I take it?" he asked.
"Yes, Sir," replied Temis Laru. "I've heard rumors, of course, but I never thought…"
"Go on," urged Odo gently. "I doubt I can get into too much trouble here."
After a momentary hesitation, Temis stepped further into the library his eyes never leaving the ceiling. With a shake of his head, Odo went in search of the Librarian. He didn't have far to look. He had only taken a few steps when a tall, thin, man with a beak like nose approached.
"May I help you?" asked the man.
"Prylar Jeck?"
"I am." He looked at Odo in the peculiar way of the seriously myopic. "You…you must be Mr. Odo! Forgive me for staring," he said taking a step closer. "I've always wanted to meet you, but as you can imagine the opportunity never presented itself."
"Hardly surprising," remarked Odo. "Considering our respective positions. I was hoping to speak to you about the late Nokis Orr."
"So, you said," replied Jeck leading them to his office. "A tragic loss, of course, but I do not know that I can be of much help."
"You never know," said Odo.
He watched as Jeck first offered him a seat before realizing every surface upon which someone could sit was presently covered in texts of one form or another. With a muttered apology, Jeck cleared off a chair. He stood uncertainly looking for an empty place to stack the books, before placing them in his own chair behind his desk. "I thought," said the librarian attempting to sit and clearly evidencing genuine surprise to find a stack of books in his chair. "That Nokis death was by natural causes, I had no idea there was an official investigation." He picked up the stack from the chair and again looked for a place to move them.
"There isn't. There are just a few things that have arisen from his unexpected demise that require an explanation."
"Oh dear," mused the Librarian. He finally gave up and sat, seemingly content to hold the books in his lap. "Yes, I can see that there might be. What do you wish to know?"
"I understand," began Odo. "That Nokis was here on the night he died?"
"Yes. Yes he was."
"Could you tell me what he was working on?"
"I don't know really," replied the Librarian. "He never said."
"But, he was using the library's resources was he not?"
"Yes, most certainly."
"And you don't know what resources he was using?" asked Odo.
"Oh! I see," replied Jeck. "Yes, he was looking into some of the more obscure works of the Golden Age poets and philosophers: Sharbren, Taraleon, Batarabna, and a few others."
"Looking for what?"
"That I really have no idea," remarked the Librarian candidly. "I'm sorry, I never ask why. My curiosity simply does not extend much beyond my own research."
"I see," replied Odo. "I do not suppose you could allow me to see the texts he was working with?"
"Sorry, no." Odo noted Jeck seemed to be sincerely apologetic. "You see, access to the library collection is only granted through permission from the Kai. While we do on occasion allow tours, access to this facility is generally strictly regulated. Most of the texts here are irreplaceable."
"I understand. Perhaps you can tell me if there was anything unusual about Nokis the last night he was here? Anything at all?"
Jeck leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers. "Nokis had come in around 22:00. He collected the texts he had been using and went to sit at one of the study tables near the windows. I was working in my office…"
"Do you usually work such late hours?"
"Oh my yes. But it's not what I consider work. When I'm not asleep or at prayers, I am usually here."
"I see," replied Odo. "You were saying?"
"It must have been around 01:00 or a little after when I decided it was time to seek out my bed. I came out and Nokis was still at work. He stood to speak to me. I asked if he had found what he was looking for…he looked down…then said that yes he believed he had."
"And then?" asked Odo. "Did he say anything about what he had found?"
"No," replied the Librarian blinking profoundly as though just coming out of a sleep. "He just left."
"Left? Did he say where?"
"No. He just left."
"I see," said Odo standing. "Well, thank you."
"Not much help, I'm afraid," replied Jeck leading Odo out into the library. As they wandered through the stacks, a thought occurred to Odo.
"Nokis," he said. "Left behind a message. Four lines of what appears to be poetry. I never had the opportunity to make much of a study of Bajoran literature. Do you think you might be able to place where the lines came from?"
"I can certainly try," Jeck assured him. "What were they?"
"I'm not sure of the order, but it sounds something along the lines of: Until the heavens are in harmonious agreement the struggle shall continue. When the world is plunged into absolute night, the child that truly knows its father shall be the key. The warriors in the shadows will dance the dance of eternal conflict. Only then must the children of the darkness and the children of light complete the circle. Does any of this sound familiar?"
Jeck slowed his pace as he thought of the information Odo had just given him. Rather than continuing on to the center of the library, he wandered into the next isle of shelving muttering to himself. Suppressing a smile, Odo followed without a word.
"The phrasing sounds a bit as though it comes from the late Tanaibrian period," muttered Jeck his eyes scanning the shelves, his finger wandering over titles. "Although the reference to the shadow warriors is a bit puzzling as it doesn't usually appear in that type of arrangement until earlier in the start of the Golden Age."
They turned another corner. "Taraleon?" continued Jeck. "But no, too early for references to celestial movements and his work is all about disorder. Sharbren? Perhaps…." He stopped as his attention was drawn to the sight of Temis standing in the center of the library, his mouth hanging open as he stared at the skylight. "Oh dear," he muttered with a click of his tongue. "This will never do."
Odo followed as Jeck set off in pursuit of an unwanted trespasser within his domain. "Young Man!" Jeck called out.
"It's quite all right," remarked Odo reassuringly. "Lieutenant Temis is with me."
"Ah," remarked the Librarian only slightly mollified.
After expressing his thanks, Odo took his charge by the arm and gently steered him out of the library.
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Tosko Fudan settled himself in the chair with as much dignity as possible and contemplated the belligerent man standing in front of him. That he found himself trapped in a corner was hardly surprising, he was growing used to being in tight corners. He eyed Blankman for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. It most likely would be a rather easy thing to overpower this Terran, but getting away from him and getting safely off the Station were two different issues. No, he thought, I'll have to try and talk my way out of this one. "Mr. Blankman," he said eventually. "Are you married?"
"What the hell does that have to do with anything?" demanded Jack.
"Everything," replied Fudan.
"If this is some sort of custody thing…" began Jack.
"I assure you it is not." Fudan cut him off with a gesture. "What kind of father would I be if I simply abandoned my child out of spite for her mother? No, I left my child in your custody in order to save her life."
"Yeah, right," commented Jack. "Cut the crap. Tell me the truth, or I'll call Security and let's see if you're more honest with them?"
"Very well." Fudan straightened up in his seat and assumed the air of a man who had reached the end of the line. "I see I have no choice, I will tell you the truth."
"Good," replied Jack. "Let's start with your name."
"Surely…"
"Name."
Fudan had hoped to avoid having to give his name, but realizing it would be an easy matter for Jack to discover the information, decided he had no choice. It wasn't as though it was his real name after all and acquiring a second set of forged papers should not be too difficult. "Tosko Fudan," he said eventually.
"Right, Mr. Fudan," said Jack skeptically. "Why are you here and why did you try to leave me holding the bag, so to speak?"
"I am here because someone is trying to kill me. I left the child with you in order to save her life."
"Oh, Please."
"It is the absolute truth," swore Fudan staring Jack straight in the eye. "Two days ago an attempt was made on my life, I managed to escape with the child. My wife was not as fortunate."
"How convenient for her," scoffed Jack. "And how convenient for you?"
"You are a hard man, Mr. Blankman," replied Fudan allowing a hint of sorrow to color his voice. He thought of shedding a tear but realized it would be a bit too much. "I see you require proof."
"You bet I do."
"Very well, then. It happened the day before yesterday, your time. Cardassia Prime Interplanetary Transport Station, if you would care to check the Security logs, you will find two men opened fire in the main terminal at precisely 19:35, killing one woman. And in case you are about to tell me anyone would have access to that information, let me further state, the woman…my wife…was wearing a red dress and her body was found outside departure gate #5."
"So you say."
"I'm a hunted man, Mr. Blankman," continued Fudan earnestly. "It's a risk my wife and I were prepared to take, but how can I ask that of my child? What kind of life would that be for her?"
"And," continued Jack. "You know as well as I do that particular type of information would take time to confirm. What do you propose I do with you in the meantime? You don't seriously expect me to just let you waltz out of here knowing full well you'll just find someplace else to dump your unwanted child?"
"You wound me, Sir," protested Fudan. He reached out and caressed the child's face while he stalled for time. This Terran was as a tough one. There had to be some way… his eyes rested on the business card holder placed on the edge of the desk. Information Broker? Of course… "Mr. Blankman," he said. "Am I to understand that you buy and sell information?"
"I think," replied Jack. "I know everything I need to know about you, Mr. Fudan."
"Perhaps," continued Fudan. "And then again perhaps not. Perhaps we can come to some type of arrangement?"
"I'm fascinated," commented Jack. "Truly. Exactly what type of arrangement do you have in mind?"
"Just this. Are you aware of the Cardassian custom whereby a dying man passes all his secrets on to his children?"
"I've heard of it."
"Good. What I propose is this: all I require from you is a place to lie low for a couple of days until I can safely transport my child and I off the Station and in return I will tell you all my secrets."
"And what good will your secrets be to me?"
"Perhaps nothing," replied Fudan. "But if you do not provide a place for us, we will both be dead and I will not have the opportunity to pass my secrets on to my daughter."
For the life of him, Jack couldn't think of an answer to Fudan's proposal. Fudan was lying, he was convinced of it, but there was the child. He looked at the child, with her solemn eyes and found himself inexplicably drawn to accept the proposal.
"Let me ask you this?" he said. "As you propose what is essentially a business deal, just what exactly is the nature of your secrets? What could you possibly know that would drive someone to want to kill you?"
"I," replied Fudan leaning across the desk and speaking in a low voice. "Can tell you about every surviving member of the Obsidian Order currently alive and living within Cardassian space."
So, that was it, thought Jack. Not on the run from the law, but from the Obsidian Order. "And what makes you think I don't already know everything I care to about the Obsidian Order?" he asked.
"Consider this a down payment," replied Fudan, he picked up a padd from off the desk and typed a bit of information. Without a word he passed it over to Jack.
Jack looked at the padd. It contained a single name and an address. Damn, he thought, whomever this Fudan fellow was he certainly knew his stuff. There were several governments who would love to get their hands on Hast Spraga – and most would pay handsomely for the information. He nodded in agreement.
"Fine," he replied. "You have a deal. But let me make myself absolutely clear on one thing."
"Yes?"
"You even look like you're going to double cross me and I will personally turn you over to the Cardassian Authorities."
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Emerging from the Palace, Odo squinted in the late afternoon sun. The visit to Prylar Jeck had been somewhat helpful, but there were still far too many questions without answers for his liking. He wondered idly if Kira had any better success with her end of the investigation. He became aware of Temis Laru at his side. "Sir?" asked Temis hesitantly.
"Yes?"
"I…ah…I just wanted to say thank you for allowing me time in the Library."
"You're welcome," he replied. "Tell me something, Lieutenant. If I were to go from here to the old Kai's Palace, which would be the most direct route?"
"The most direct route," ventured Temis. "Would be round the side of the Palace and through the gardens."
"Can you show me?"
"Yes, Sir." Temis lead him around the broad verandahs bordering the building. "Sir," he asked. "May I ask you something?"
"Certainly."
"You think Nokis Orr was murdered don't you?"
Odo looked at his companion closely. "And what makes you say that?" he asked.
The young man blushed at the question. "It's just," he replied. "It's just that, well, the others from the funeral seemed to think Nokis was crazy, but you apparently don't. Then your visit to Prylar Jeck and now wanting to go to the Heretic's palace - you act as though you think there was something not right about the night he died."
"Do you?" asked Odo.
"Frankly, I think you are right," confessed Temis. "These are the gardens." Odo looked at the wide expanse of greenery that lay spread out before them. A central path cut through the dense growth and at the far end lay the ruins of what had once been the home of Kai Winn. Odo stepped out from under the cover of the building and glanced up. High in the sky, just barely visible against the pale blue of daylight he could make out the pale shape of the five moons. They were closer in alignment as the Convergence drew near.
"When the heavens are in harmonious agreement," he said softly to himself.
"Sir?" asked Temis.
"Nothing," replied Odo.
"Did you just say?" asked Temis. "When the heavens are in harmonious agreement?"
"Yes. Why? Does it mean something to you?"
Temis remained silent until they had drawn close to a place where the path widened. Here the gardens opened up a bit as a small stream flowed over an artificial waterfall. Temis sat on the nearby bench. "Yes, Sir," he replied. "I heard Nokis quote it once."
Odo stared at his companion for a moment before sitting next to him on the bench. "You knew Nokis Orr?"
"Yes, Sir," replied Temis. "I was the one who brought the ghost to his attention."
"How?"
"I've known Nokis since I was a boy," explained the young Lieutenant. "My father was a friend of his and greatly respected his opinion. My regular patrol includes the ruins of the Heretic's palace. When I became aware that there was something…unusual…going on there late at night, I initially tried to bring it to the attention of my superiors, but they didn't believe me. I mentioned it to Nokis just in passing and to my surprise, he was very interested in what I had experienced. So much so, he had me take him there one night."
"And what had you experienced?" asked Odo. He waited in silence as Temis relayed the story of the discovery of the ghost and of his experiences on the night Nokis had attempted to speak with the being.
"On the way home," continued Temis. "He said a couple of things that did not make sense at the time."
"Such as?" asked Odo.
"He mentioned that the voice of the…I don't even know what to call it anymore…ghost…creature…that the voice was familiar, but he couldn't place it."
"And the other things that didn't make sense?"
"Well," replied Temis. "I'm not sure exactly what, but they were fragments of something. When the heavens are in harmonious alignment was one thing he said. Then he said something about children."
"Could it have been: Only then must the children of light and the children of darkness complete the circle?" asked Odo.
"No. It was about someone's children. It was a name. Anholt? Andrew? An something. As I said it didn't make a lot of sense at the time."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," said Odo. Still more pieces to add to the puzzle. He glanced skyward once again. The day was fast approaching night and he was suddenly filled with a desire to leave the Capital. "Come on then," he said standing and setting off down the path once again. "Show me where this…visitation…took place."
They had only made it as far as the next turn on the path when they came upon a gaunt man wearing rather shabby gardening clothes. Odo was about to pass without giving the man a further glance when Temis stopped suddenly and bowed his head in reverence.
"Gentlemen," the man said. With a sad smile he placed his hand gently on Temis' head and uttered a short blessing. He looked up at Odo with a look that mixed amusement with curiosity. "You must be Odo," he remarked.
"And you are?"
"I-Ko Nye," the man replied. "And these are my gardens."
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Kendra Military Headquarters was a hive of activity. Jake sat at one of the tables in the mess hall and wondered how many of the diners had been called back from leave in order to work on recovering his sister. If any of the officers presently in the Mess Hall resented the cancellation of their leave they failed to show any evidence of it in their behavior. As a matter of fact, he and Kira, appeared to be the object of quite a lot of their attention, a circumstance Kira appeared to be totally oblivious to, just as his father had seemed to grow oblivious to the attention given to him in his role of Emissary. Jake envied both Kira and his father in that respect, he had never grown used to being the Emissary's son, even having lived on Bajor for two years, it still made him self conscious, not too unlike wearing someone else's clothes. "So," asked Kira. "Have you told Kasidy yet?"
Jake had the grace to look somewhat shamefaced. "No," he replied. "There wasn't time at first…when…when we didn't know it was a kidnapping. And now, well, Cestus III is three weeks away, I'm hoping this will be nothing but a bad memory by the time she gets back."
Kira glanced at her companion. "It will be okay, Jake," she assured him. "I don't know if this business in the Transport Center has anything to do with Sarah, but if it turns out that it does, our kidnappers may have just made their first mistake."
"I hope you are right."
"We'll soon find out," remarked Kira pointing over Jake's shoulder with her fork. "Here comes Dhek."
"Colonel. Mr. Sisko," said Dhek sitting down at their table.
"What news?" asked Jake.
"Well, a report has just come in from Musilla. The Musilla Militia have interviewed some more of Silur Ang's friends. They report nothing that we hadn't already found out with the exception that she had recently become involved with a group calling themselves the Children of Anjohl. Only problem is that no one seems to know much about them or what they stand for."
"Bajor's full of groups no one seems to know much about or what they stand for," remarked Kira. "Can your people find out if it's just a students group, or does it have a broader membership?"
"They're checking on that now," replied Dhek.
"What about the second woman?" asked Jake.
Dhek drew a deep breath. "You're not going to like this," she warned.
"Probably not," agreed Kira. "But let's hear it anyway."
"We've traced the transporter records on the second woman and it appears she transported in from Musilla at precisely 09:25 that morning with her child."
"Name?"
"That's what you're not going to like," continued Dhek. "According to the logs, her name is Silur Ang."
"Excuse me?" asked Jake. "Did you just say…?"
"Silur Ang," repeated Kira. "I suspected as much when I saw her come out of the waste management facility. It's an old Resistance trick."
"We do, however," ventured Dhek. "Have a clearer picture of her." Dhek produced a padd and handed it to Kira. "This was taken from a security camera just outside the arrival transporter platforms."
Kira glanced at the padd. It showed a clear picture of a rather nondescript Bajoran woman. She was of approximately the same build and complexion as the deceased Silur Ang and though their facial features were similar, if you were to see them side by side you would be able to tell them apart. But at a distance…or in a crowed public area such as a transport terminal…they would be almost indistinguishable. Unfortunately, the picture did not include a clear view of the child's face.
She handed the padd to Jake. "And you have no idea who she really is?" she asked Dhek.
"Not yet," replied Dhek with a shake of her head. "We're checking with the Musilla Authorities now. But, as we don't know if she's even from Musilla, it may be a dead end."
"Huna Chin," said Jake unexpectedly.
"You might also check to see where she went when she left here…" remarked Kira. "Excuse me? Jake?"
"I know her!" said Jake, his voice rising with excitement. "Her name is Huna Chin." He handed the padd back to Dhek.
"How do you know her?" asked Kira. She suddenly wished Odo were back in Kendra. He would be better equipped to deal with the situation now that things were starting to gel.
"She's a graduate student at Kendra University," explained Jake. "She's helped me with some research I've been doing for an idea I have for a book. She's somewhat of an expert in Bajoran legends. You should be able to trace her through the University's Department of Ancient Studies."
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What the hell am I doing, thought Jack as he stood in the small hallway. He glanced back into the reception area. Fudan was still sitting in the chair talking softly to the child. Jack wondered idly what Gus would make of this situation and realized with a shrug that Gus would think he was a damn fool. Maybe he was, he thought with a mental sigh, then again, maybe he wasn't. He thought of the child. There was something about that child that just brooked no argument. Damn fool indeed, to be taken in by a little kid with doe eyes. Well, he thought, there was no going back now. He quickly morphed the end of his arm into a large valise and returned to the reception area. "Here," he said placing the valise on the desk. He opened it with his free hand. "Put the kid in here."
"What?" asked Fudan clearly puzzled.
"Do you want to be seen traipsing about the habitat ring with a child in your arms?" asked Jack.
"I see," replied Fudan lifting the child and attempting to hand it to Jack.
"Just put her in," insisted Jack refusing to touch the child.
"She won't bite."
"No, but I will."
"Very well," replied Fudan with a shrug. As he reached out, the child's body stiffened as though she would resist. Her somber eyes seemed to bore holes into Jacks. With a tentative hand, she reached out to grasp the lip of the valise and Jack resisted the urge to suck in his breath as a feeling not unlike an electrical surge passed quickly through his body. For a moment the child remained still until a slow smile crossed her face. Offering no further resistance, Fudan was able to place her gently within. Damn fool indeed, though Jack, looking down upon the child now snuggled gently within the valise.
"That's some kid," he remarked.
Fudan merely shrugged. "She takes after her mother," he replied. "Where do you intend to take us?"
"Well, you can't stay here," Jack assured him. "I've arranged quarters. Think of it as a safe house. Now, come on."
With one hand on the bag and the other grasping Fudan firmly by the arm, Jack steered them to the turbo lifts. Across the Promenade, holoimager in hand, Quark was busy snapping as many pictures as he could. With a satisfied smile on his face, he returned to the bar.
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"Walk with me," said the Kai, taking Odo by the arm and strolling off down a side path. Odo glanced first at I-Ko's hand on his arm, and then back, Temis followed at a respectful distance. He couldn't recall ever having been touched in such a casual manner by any Bajoran other than Kira. Even Dr. Mora, in all the years he had known him, had never made a practice of casual contact unless it was to draw his attention to something and for a moment, Odo did not know how to respond. "I understand," continued the Kai completely unaware he had done anything out of the ordinary. "That you visited the Library. I trust Prylar Jeck was of assistance?" "Yes," replied Odo. "He was very helpful."
"I'm glad. Please forgive me for asking, but I was not aware you were interested in matters spiritual."
"I'm not." Odo waited to see if his comment elicited a response. I-Ko merely nodded in understanding.
"A temporal matter then?" asked the Kai. "It is one of the finest collections of manuscripts in the Sector."
"Actually," replied Odo keeping a close eye on I-Ko. "I'm looking into the activities of Nokis Orr on the night he died. Some questions have arisen that require an explanation."
"A tragic loss." I-Ko's face gave away nothing. "Nokis was a good man. May he walk with the Prophets."
"Indeed. May I ask, Eminence, what was the nature of the work Nokis was doing?"
"Why do you suppose I would know?"
For the first time, Odo detected a hint of hesitation on the face of the Kai. "Well," he replied. "It is my understanding that access to your library for research purposes is only granted with your permission. As Nokis appeared to have complete access to the library no matter the time of day, I can only assume, he was working on something with your knowledge and perhaps your blessing?"
The Kai stopped their progress and for a moment Odo thought would terminate the interview. He was surprised when I-Ko laughed and gently patted his arm. "I sometimes think," continued the Kai casually attempting to draw Odo's attention to one of the plants. "That we are never closest to the Prophets than when out among nature. I'm curious, where do you look for your gods?"
Odo looked at I-Ko trying to find any hint of mockery or disdain in his features and found none. "I do not have any gods," he replied cautiously. "And you are evading the question."
"Am I?" asked the Kai. "Having no gods must make life difficult for you."
"Not any more difficult than anyone else I know, believer or not," replied Odo wondering where this line of questioning was going to lead. "I seem to recall that Nokis Orr was no great believer in the Prophets."
"No, he was not. But he did believe in some things. What do you believe in, Odo?"
The question caught Odo off guard for a moment. Before his return to the Link, he would have automatically declared his belief in Justice. Now, he was not sure. "I believe," he said eventually. "In nothing but the truth."
"Truth is a harsh master, Odo," replied the Kai. "But hardly a god. I do not envy you."
"I do not imagine you would," said Odo. "But what does this have to do with Nokis Orr?"
"Nokis was also interested in the truth," observed I-Ko. "And yes, he was working for me." The bell in the University tower tolled the hour. In the distance, they could hear voices. "Time for evening prayer," remarked the Kai. "I must be going."
"One thing, Eminence," said Odo. "You admit Nokis was working for you. May I ask the nature of the job?"
"On the night Winn went missing," replied the Kai without any hint of rancor at being pressed for an answer. "Something of mine also went missing. Nokis was attempting to recover it for me, that is all." He gave Odo's arm a final squeeze before releasing him and turning to go.
"May I ask what?" Odo called after him.
"No," replied the Kai not bothering to turn around. "But you will know when you see it."