Jean Luc sat back down on the floor and put his knees to his chest. That had to be it. Bolerov was getting reinforcements. He was positive Andrei knew the implications of having a Dominion presence back in the alpha quadrant. Hostages, in this situation, would have been irrelevent. He found himself reminiscing of his days on the Stargazer and 'Crash' Bolerov's straightforward ways. Jean Luc was so deep in thought he didn't notice someone else scooting towards him on the floor.
"Penny for your thoughts," the wiry haired Admiral Callis quipped with a smile.
Picard shook his head clear from the memories. "I'm afraid you'd feel shortchanged," Picard replied.
The viewscreen they had been observing the Warlords maneuvers on flashed back to life with large images of Gelnon and Magrid in the center. Gelnon was smiling widely; as though he had just won some competition. Magrid, on the other hand, looked visibly disheartened. "I do hope everyone's comfortable," he said sarcastically.
Councilman Elim Gerak stood up and faced the screen. The look on his face was indignant. "Some of us ARE elected officials, you know. I demand to know the reasoning for our imprisonment." He put his hands on his hips.
As Ross looked up from his end of the conversation, for a moment, he looked visibly hurt by the look in Gerak's eyes. "We're... changing our government... for awhile." He said slowly.
Gasps and whispers filled the holding room. When the conversations died down, Gerak cocked his head. "What do you mean, 'changing our government'?"
Gelnon cleared his throat. "It means the Detapa Council will be disbanding for a time." More gasps and rumblings came from the room, which apparently met with Gelnon's satisfaction. "We have determined it would be best if the Cardassian government had a single voice with which to interact with the Dominion. Perhaps, one day, we will allow Cardassia to have a more representative government... but for now, this is best for everyone."
Gerak voiced the outrage prevelent in the holding room. "The Cardassian people won't stand for it! Ross, what are you doing? Don't your realize how many of our people suffered and died to free us from these... these... monsters?" He clenched his fists in rage. Gerak remembered; he was there. He was part of the resistance movement that eventually retook the government building... the very building they were being held hostage in now. He remebered how many of his friends and family had paid the ultimate price to free their precious world from Dominion rule. The fact that an elected official would willingly hand their Union back to these people was unconscionable.
Ross grew indignant. "And where were you when the Obsidian Order usurped our government? Oh, yes... with the Federation! You have no room to talk, Gerak. You deserted your people. I'm trying to protect them."
Gerak's eyes glared. "How DARE you? When Cardassia needed me, I came back. I risked my life... my friends risked their lives... we all lost so much... and it was all because of THEM!" He pointed to Gelnon and the Jem'Hadar in the room with them. "And you would DARE chastise me? You're not fit to be a Cardassian, let alone a leader of Cardassians." The other Cardassians in the room were becoming incensed as Gerak's words reached their ears.
Gelnon interrupted with a wave of his hand. "Guards, silence him." The largest Jem'Hadar soldier, who had been moving closer to Gerak during his talk, motioned for two others to follow him. Gerak watched the three approach him with their weapons drawn. Gerak's look of rage was replaced by proud defiance as he stood tall, waiting for them to fire. The others in the room stared in shock as the Jem'Hadar drew nearer.
Picard stood up quickly. "Wait!" He urged. "This won't help you."
Gelnon raised his hand. The Jem'Hadar stopped their advance. "What do you mean, Picard?" He asked impatiently.
Picard, drawing from years of diplomatic experience in tense situations, calmed himself and walked slowly over to Gerak. "I have seen at least part of your fleet. I have seen enough to surmize you don't have enough resources yet to quell an uprising of the Cardassian people. That is why you started with the government."
Gelnon raised an eyebrow. His expression of impatience turned to interest. "Your point is?"
Picard smiled broadly. Without saying a word, Gelnon had proven Picard correct. "My point, Gelnon, is this; if you do anything to Councilman Gerak, he'll become a martyr. His entire district will rise up against you."
Gerak turned abruptly to Picard, who had successfully guessed his hidden reason for defiance. "Picard, what are you doing?"
Without even looking at Gerak, he gently raised his hand to him to silence him. "Now, I'd be willing to bet you don't have the forces here to repel a revolt of tens of thousands, do you?"
Gelnon had watched the brief exchange between Picard and Gerak with great interest. He had to admit, he didn't see the strategy in Gerak's defiance, but Picard did. Obviously, killing Gerak would be a mistake... for now. He waved his hand towards the advancing Jem'Hadar. Nodding, they quietly dispursed back to their original positions. "We will soon enough... especially now that we can, once again, count the Cardassian military among our own. I suggest you help Councilman Gerak hold his tongue in the future. Next time, I won't bother holding the guards back."
Gerak shot Tegril a look of disgust. "Traitor..." he grunted from behind gnashed teeth. The viewscreen went blank. Gerak quickly turned to Picard. "Why did you stop them, Picard? When word of my death got out..."
Picard interrupted him by putting a hand on his shoulder. "When word of your death got out, the revolt would have killed thousands, possibly tens of thousands of people... and Cardassia would have lost a great leader." Picard smiled warmly.
With a deep breath, the look of anger left Gerak's face. "True." He agreed with a smile.
Picard lowered his voice. "And, if my guess is correct, Captain Bolerov is already formulating a reprisal of his own. Your people will be free soon enough."
Gerak whispered back, "I hope you're right, Admiral."