Duty to Cardassia Supersedes All - One Among So Many

A Plain And Simple Report

A little over a week after returning to the station from her stay in Kelan-Lesana Province, Melset received an encoded message from Garak; at recognizing the complexity of the code he had used, she smiled in anticipation. One of our favorite games, my dear Garak: devising codes and challenging each other to break them.

The message turned out to be the information she had requested and, as Garak had already told her, it was quite straightforward, so she settled down to read his findings on Kirit Meydar of Ubari Province who was to arrive in Rhondak City with his family.

His ancestors were merchants in the Bajoran colony of Ereta in Saranji Province, which was founded roughly 900 years ago, nearly at the same time as Reljakani.

235 years after, Prylar Orenas' vision and prophecy resulted in the abandonment of all Bajoran colonies on Prime and elsewhere and the return of their populations to Bajor. Meydar's extended family? Some families returned to Bajor, two remained in Saranji Province and one moved to Reljakani. (classified information)

Other families also stayed, were absorbed into the local populations within a few generations. The only signs of this interbreeding were and are variations in phenotype, such as hair color ranging from nearly blond to the normal jet black, more variation in eye color, finer features, not as tall as standard. You need but take a look at yourself, Melset.

The Reljakani branch of the Meydars belonged to the Vekessai Thar'Saya, the caste of priests. Back then the Bringers of Light were worshiped in Kelan Province. Order ethnologists believe this superstition to have been a holdover from the time of Bajoran presence. (Classified)

Roughly 410 years later, Central Command's and The Order's joint project was to force the Kelani to join the mainstream by means of the alleged Lissepian attack as Central Command needed more personnel because of ongoing conflicts.

This ethnicity rejected warfare. They were spiritual, yet anything but backward in technological or cultural achievements, but preserved their traditions which were at variance with the mainstream, according to an addendum only accessible to the Order.

The members of their government were killed, the administrative center of Samagaltayi, the old capital, was destroyed. The Kelani religion was to be eradicated by removing everyone and everything associated with it; cities and villages were given Cardassian names even before reconstruction was initiated; the distinctive Kelani style of building disappeared.

One of the priests was a member of the Meydar family line and died with his peers during the attack. Apparently his elder sons were also killed, as they are neither listed among the evacuees, nor in the census taken a year later. His youngest son, an architect, was evacuated to Loo'Wess with his family. This detail is remarkable as families were separated to facilitate re-education by preventing familial support in the attempt to preserve the old ways.

I found an evaluation stating that he and his wife had fully adapted to the mainstream within less than a year; possibly they were among those who had left Kelan Province to work in Loo'Wess for some years, had already adopted standard Cardassian norms before returning to their home province.

Their children? Re-education was a matter of routine due to the highly refined methods of Order-trained instructors.

The records are unremarkable from this point on; no members of the Meydar family returned to Kelan Province. Today the family consists of officials, instructors, doctors, archons, the full range of professions, except for the military, at least there are no records to this effect. As to tracing those members who have survived The Defeat, a census of the Union's population cannot be effected until we have established a modicum of stability in roughly five or six years.

After you have read this, delete the file. I have eliminated all traces of my research and of having sent results to you.

In yet another code, Garak informed her, "My dear Melset, duty obliges me to spend two days on Terok Nor for negotiations; arrival in three weeks. You will be informed of further details then. Be strong. Garak out."

After reading the account, Melset did as directed, then gazed out the viewport, lost in thought; after what Vedek Serad had told her when the last group of returnees had arrived on Deep Space 9, none of this came as a surprise to her.

When the station's rotation moved her section of the habitat ring to a certain position, she tried to see the star at the center of the Cardassian system, remembered Garak telling her that he had often done so during the years of his exile, hoping against hope that he would finally be forgiven, recalled, and after years of hoping in vain, had found slight comfort in at least being able to see Cardassia's sun. Melset fought against the homesickness she felt. A life away from Cardassia is no life at all for one of us, but at least I can return every now and then, much in contrast to Garak during his exile... With a shrug, she turned away to get ready for her shift at SFHS. Now all I need is the information about Meydar the Bajoran whom the Prefect sent to my quarters.

An Unexpected Request

Kira was having lunch during a short break, a raktajino and a portion of Idanian spice pudding when she saw Melset walk past, look over at the Replimat and turn away at seeing all the tables were occupied.

That Cardassian is always friendly and admittedly is good company. She waved, saw her look over, "Gul Melset, join me; there's place at my table."

The reaction was a smile of pleasure, "You are most kind, Commander!"

Ignoring the stares of the other guests, Melset got herself a cup of redleaf and a serving of hasperat; when someone moved to block her way to Kira's table, she politely asked the civilian in Bajoran to let her through then thanked him when he drew closer to the table he shared with some friends.

"Very busy here, too," she sat down to eat, explaining, "At SFHS we are having lunch in shifts as urgent requests are pouring in. One notification is processed, two new ones and some advisories arrive. We may have to do a double shift again."

"Same in Ops, minus the double shift. Changes in regulations, last-minute demands for systems checks due yesterday."

Melset recognized the phrasing as an exaggeration. "It never fails, does it. The usual insanity of organization as humans would say..."

When they had finished, Kira remarked, "I don't mean my comment to be intrusive, but I've just realized I've never seen a Cardassian rush through a meal, no matter what the situation, much in contrast to humans."

"We have experienced so many periods of famine in the course of our history, even in my own childhood, that we savor whatever we have. To 'wolf it down' as humans say, would show disregard for the good that the..." Melset abruptly fell silent. Pretending embarrassment, she carefully watched the Bajoran's response to her apparent slip-up before continuing. "... it would not be appropriate, reveal weakness and a lack of control as well as familial circumstances. Keeping up appearances is essential, especially in public."

Kira had given her a quick, astonished glance, but did not address what she had just heard.

They finished their meal in silence, then still sat together for some minutes, watching the activity on the promenade before returning to their respective duties.

It was nearly a week later that Melset came into OPs, accompanied by Chief Remosi who had contacted the Commander after she had spoken to him. Preceding her to the door, he let her enter first then followed her in.

"Commander Kira." Melset saluted.

Kira looked at the two inquiringly, then asked, "Has there been an incident?"

"No," he explained, "Gul Melset requested I be present during this conversation."

I wonder what this is about; she normally is secretive, prefers one-on-one exchanges. She gestured at her to sit down then looked at Remosi. "Chief Remosi, we both fought for Bajor; forget about Federation formalities and just take a seat," Kira said. Remosi sat down next to Melset.

"Commander Kira, I require information. Both you and Chief Remosi were members of the Resistance, may have reliable sources; perhaps you can find out or even know the fate of a certain individual."

Immediately, Kira was alert, eyed the Cardassian woman suspiciously before saying, "If your government is searching for members of the Resistance who attacked Cardassian installations during the Occupation, let me remind you..."

Melset lifted her hands, palm outwards, fingers together in a conciliatory gesture, "No Commander, by no means! Those times are past. We have far more urgent concerns and, more importantly, would never risk destroying the hint of goodwill that is very slowly developing due to cooperation. My request is indeed in connection with the Occupation, but not with the Resistance. It is a personal affair."

"Commander," Remosi added, "I already know what she is trying to find out. In fact, her request may help us trace more victims of Cardassian atrocities as well as the perpetrators of crimes committed during the Occupation."

A quick nod and Kira asked, "Then what is the information you want?" When she looked at the Cardassian, her eyes glittered with resentment at the recollections that had surfaced.

"You may have heard about the Reymac incident, Commander Kira." Melset said in Bajoran, "A fellow Gul and I were transferred to Prefect Dukat's command for a little under three days; our mission was to rectify the situation."

"Yes, I have. It saw the loss of a group of resistance fighters, four of whom I knew well. Go on."

"I will give you the little information I have, Commander. Prefect Dukat ordered a Bajoran servant, Meydar Tano, to see to my quarters, as well as offer ... certain services which I rejected. His home village was destroyed after ores were discovered in the region. Most of his fellow villagers, both women and men, became forced labor in that new mine, some were sent to Terok Nor to work in ore processing. A few other women...and even one or two men..." Melset hesitated. How to address something so inconceivable to my own people, and a thoroughly distasteful aspect of the Occupation....

Kira's voice reflected the disgust she felt when she continued for the Cardassian, "...provided your forces stationed here with 'comfort' in the absence of their own wives and husbands. Since when is one of you hesitant about speaking of such well-known facts?"

The reply was calm, "Not known outside of Terok Nor, Commander Kira. No one on Cardassia knew about it, only those stationed here. This specific element of the Occupation was never public knowledge; our population as well as personnel off-station only heard praise for the occupying forces' efforts in furthering the cultural and industrial development of the Bajoran people and Bajor. I was not expecting these... things at arriving on station."

"Do continue, Gul Melset. You will understand that, for us, this subject is extremely disturbing, to put it mildly, as it evokes memories of other horrors we can neither forget nor forgive."

"I had him see to my quarters, nothing else, but gave him what he might have earned under different circumstances. Meydar was indeed very attractive, tall, athletic build, curly blond hair, blue eyes, pleasant voice... Prefect Dukat apparently had plans of his own, especially after our first conflicts regarding station policy."

Kira waited, staring at the woman; her memories of the Occupation, her own mother's fate and the atrocities committed by Melset's peers had her consider the Cardassian in her office with revulsion, but then reminded herself, No, this snake didn't participate in massacres and excesses on my world, never was stationed on Deep Space 9. Navri told me what he had heard about her from Yarim and Serad; I myself saw her interact with Serad and the returnees; she ignores comments and slights, always remains calm and respectful; at the Replimat, when someone purposely blocked her way, she politely asked him in Bajoran to let her pass, then thanked him for doing so, surprising both him and his friends.... Trying for a neutral tone, she asked, "Interesting story, but what do you really want to know?"

"Commander Kira, Chief Remosi, what happened to him after I left? He was taken from his family, did not know where his wife and children were; his farm, the entire village were gone. Nothing left but a hill of slag and poisoned soil mixed with the remains of homes next to that mine. Be assured I have no nefarious plans, only want to know: have he and his family survived?"

"Apparently the consequences of The Defeat have made some of you finally understand the evil of what you did to so many of us and also to inhabitants of other worlds," was Kira's reaction. Vedek Navri told me about Orenas' vision, the prophesy which foretold the events which have recently unfolded.

"So it would seem, and at times it is one individual who makes you realize the injustice of what was done." The Cardassian inclined her head very slightly before saying, her voice very soft, "Vedek Serad told me: 'All has been repaid, even to the very last element.'"

Kira and Remosi exchanged glances. "Where was Meydar from?"

"His form of Bajoran indicated he was a native of Rakantha."

"The Shakaar operated in Dahkur. I'll see what I can find out; after Withdrawal, a number of fighters who had left their home provinces returned to help in rebuilding. Meydar Tano, a farmer..."

"Our group was active in Hedrikspool, but most of our cells were in contact, managed to remain so even after the occupying forces drastically stepped up surveillance," Remosi looked over at Kira, nodded slightly to indicate that the request presented no risk.

"It may be difficult to find out what happened to him as so many hundreds, if not thousands of our people shared a fate similar to Meydar's, and worse." The conversation was ended when Kira got up, saying, "We will see what we can do, Gul Melset."

"It was very kind of you to let me speak to you about this matter, Commander Kira." The Cardassian made the Bajoran gesture of thankfulness before leaving with the Security Chief.

Kira settled at her desk again; in a gesture which had become an unconscious habit, she took The Emissary's baseball which had its place on her desk, waiting for him. Kira and her fellow Bajorans firmly believed he would return to the station someday, and she would once again be his second-in-command... serve The Emissary of the Prophets who would protect Bajor forever. She held it, gazing at it absently, pensively.

I have to ask one of the Bajorans who was on-station towards the end of the Occupation; this sounds strangely familiar... Wait a minute: Remosi is still in contact with a fellow fighter named Eneg Szolt ... I'm not sure, but it could be he belonged to one of the Rakantha cells. He might know and if not, he may know someone who does. She contacted Remosi at once.

Eneg Szolt

Roughly four days later, the Commander visited SFHS as had become her habit when she had specific information or wanted to see which projects were currently being developed. SFHS was even according assistance to some areas on Bajor which were still recovering from the Occupation as the Dominion war had delayed deliveries of necessary equipment. Kira suspected who was most likely demanding this support.

"Is Gul Melset here?"

"She is in the main office."

Selon sensed Kira's tension, but put it down to stress. In this third year after the Dominion War, numerous planets and entire systems were still severely impacted by the consequences of the past conflict; at SFHS and even at OPs requests for assistance were the main subject of most communications.

"Gul Melset, the Commander wants to talk to you."

"Of course, I can make the time," she replied, saved the document on which she was working and got up when Kira entered.

"I have to make this brief, Melset. Remosi's friend, Eneg Szolt, is on-station today and has agreed to meet you. Be prepared for hostility, however: his attitude towards Cardassians is extremely negative to put it mildly, so there may be verbal attacks. That is why I have asked Rendon to be present."

"I understand; only some days ago, my inquiry took you unawares, awakened traumatic recollections; it certainly will be no different in Eneg's case, especially when confronted by one of us. That is why I have opted for civilian clothing rather than uniform. As to verbal attacks, Commander, we are systematically trained to cope with such things."

"Just that you know what to expect. An hour from now?"

"Yes. Daryn and Roval will cover for me." This was a routine procedure, and each of the nest of four, as well as the rest of staff, knew that any favor would be repaid in kind.

An hour later, Rendon accompanied Melset to the ready room where Remosi was already waiting with his contact.

"I have a request: No UT. I would prefer hearing Eneg's report in Bajoran. A direct account conveys far more than the standard transposition."

Remosi and Rendon exchanged uncomfortable glances.

She turned to speak directly to Eneg, who was looking at her with unconcealed dislike, "Eneg, if you speak slowly in the beginning, I will be able to understand, may only have to ask for one word or another."

An unwilling nod was the answer. With a contemptuous expression, he shifted to sit more comfortably, expecting a barrage of questions.

"I am grateful that you have agreed to this, Eneg, especially as I know what recollections a Cardassian evokes. My query has to do with the Occupation, but does not pose any threat, neither to you nor to other Bajorans. You have my word."

"For all that's worth. There's plenty to be said about the Occupation and the word of Cardássians."

"I am well aware of that," was her reply. "Six years before Withdrawal, I was placed under Prefect Dukat's command to liberate the Reymac. Had quarters on-station for three days and..."

With a disdainful laugh, Eneg interrupted her, "...and were assigned a Bajoran servant. Tell me, snake, did you enjoy him? All of us know that members of Central Command were offered or free to select a shrinecrawler for service and... entertainment."

"No, he only took care of my quarters. What you imply? Never."

"Don't lie, snake! You spoonheads used servants for your own pleasure, both males and females."

Rendon interrupted, "Eneg, she is telling the truth. I know her. She spent a year in our village, had been sentenced to death by Bajoran for proposing an alliance between our peoples, learned about us and our ways, even integrated into our community."

Melset ignored the slurs, "He told me he was a farmer. His village, everything he and his fellows had known, was destroyed to open a strip mine. They were forced to work in that mine and the ore-processing center, some kept as comfort personnel." She briefly looked away, "His name was Meydar Tano and all I want to know is whether he has survived, returned to his family, and has been rewarded by the Prophets." This phrasing is a risk, but Rendon and Remosi are here.

A moment of stunned silence, then an angry tirade. "You damn Cardássian reptile! What is his fate to you? Or do you suddenly regret not having made use of him? No risk for you! Had you become gravid, you could have had your bastard removed!" He was enraged, his eyes hate-filled when he continued, "You killed us like vermin, spoke of us as such, planned to slaughter every last one of us; you plundered and destroyed our shrines and monasteries to crush our faith, killed vedeks and anyone who openly believed; you derided our ways. Our women were raped by your soldiers, their husbands forced to watch, to make them give your agents information about our cells, our operations! Your doctors used us in experiments, gave our children inoculations under the pretext of protecting them from illness, but in reality you sterilized them! Everyone on Bajor knows of or personally experienced the atrocities you murdering, genocidal bastards sired by the Pagh-Wraiths themselves committed and why. Our world... to be colonized by your people once we were gone! Regrettably the Dominion did not have the time to complete its extermination of your kind!" He interrupted his tirade to get his breath back.

"Why I care..." She said quietly, countering the hatred in his eyes; she knew that if there had been no witnesses, he might have attacked her, forcing her to fight back, thus giving him an excuse to describe her as a 'typical murderous reptile'. "I saw he was a good man, forced into a life he did not deserve, that none of his people deserved..." Her voice faded.

Sarcastically, aggressively he added, "Since when have you vipers become so caring and compassionate? Looks like The Defeat has taught you something after all."

"Yes, it did. Eneg, your people's offering us, your enemy, help was unexpected, thus greatly valued. You have our lasting gratitude. Cardassians do not forget." She inclined her head slightly in a gesture of respect.

Her lack of reaction to his insults and open hatred made him uneasy. "Now that actually sounds sincere, you scaly abomination. What was it again that you asked me? Make it quick. I don't want to continue breathing the same air as you for much longer."

Demanding she repeat her previous question was an insult by her people's standards, "What happened to Meydar Tano, to his family?"

"What do you think, Cardi? The usual. He is dead, no thanks to Dukat who had him interrogated, then publicly executed in front of the shrine. His family? Don't know. Killed in a so-called accident, or sent to another mine? Only the Prophets know." A burst of angry laughter, "Or perhaps I should make up some information for your agents to analyze? They were always snooping around for so-called evidence. Your interrogators on Terok Nor? Find them."

With that, Eneg got up to part from his fellow Bajorans with the words, "May you walk with the Prophets," then went to the door saying, "My transport is due in half an hour. Can't be soon enough," and left without a backwards glance.

The door slid shut behind him. For some minutes, Remosi, Melset and Rendon sat together in silence, the Bajorans uncomfortable, the Cardassian stunned at learning of Meydar's fate.

Melset avoided looking at the others. "Executed. But he did nothing wrong, his answer to my question? Nothing classified. On Prime and elsewhere, the use of Bajoran workers in the most hazardous tasks was known and accepted under guise of 'bringing them up to our level of civilization.'"

Remosi said in a very low voice, "It would appear that you will indeed have to find one of those agents Eneg mentioned to obtain the complete story."

"So it would seem. I am most grateful for the information I did get." When she got up, the others joined her. "I have to return to SFHS. Better get back to work before someone is sent in here to check whether we have ended up eliminating each other," was Melset's comment.

"Drastically phrased, Cardássian," commented Rendon. "At least you know part of what happened. Regrettably, the information was not what I know you had wanted to hear."

A mute nod was the answer and, in silence, they left, demonstratively walked along the Promenade together before going to their respective stations.

Injustice, Intrigues, and an Interrogation

While waiting for Garak to arrive, Melset felt slightly apprehensive. Eneg's words "there were three interrogators on Terok Nor. Find them," uttered with hatred and contempt came to mind. I'll know soon enough. Fortunately, this is my day off. For once, she was thankful SFHS accorded employees two free days a week; usually, she did not make use of them, considering this an indulgence suited for better times, not for the present with so many worlds struggling to reconstruct, and in need of assistance to do so.

The doors to the airlock rolled aside, and like the others, she waited for arrivals to disembark. As usual, Garak was among the last, looked around quickly, spotted her and came over to her at once, like one employee meeting another.

"Organizer Garak, welcome to Deep Space 9," she inclined her head very slightly in welcome.

"It is most kind of you to meet me here," Garak indicated a bow.

Noticing no one was looking over at them, they discreetly touched palms before going to the guest quarters accorded Garak. He stared at the door, looked around and muttered, "My old quarters. The Commander has a strange sense of humor."

"Or perhaps she only wants to offer you familiar surroundings to make you feel at home?"

For a moment, Garak's expression was haunted, "No good recollections in connection with this place, only exile, the desperate wish to return home..." And the long, humiliating struggle to recover from addiction to the implant.

"My quarters then?"

Garak set down his bags in the rooms assigned him, then accompanied Melset to her quarters; on the way, she gave him a report on progress, developments on-station to which he listened with great interest.

"It would appear some attitudes have changed as far as I have heard."

"Indeed, but mainly due to my work at SFHS, periodic meetings with the Commander, and, remarkably, Vedek Navri who was contacted by his peers, Serad and Yarim. However, our "nest of four vipers" is still the target of slightly unkind remarks when the speakers think we cannot hear them; we ignore what is said. Confrontations would be counterproductive."

"Speaking of remarks, I was informed that the interview with Eneg was quite interesting, to put it mildly."

"Not all that productive either, especially as I already knew each single insult," a forced smile, but then, "however, he told me that Meydar is dead and advised me to track down the agents who were on-station at the time and conducted interrogations."

"I regret to inform you that you have enjoined with one of them, my dear; this is the information I alluded to at the end of our last conversation."

"You were briefly stationed here for some months before..."

"My being exiled for an incident that occurred on Cardassia," Garak finished the sentence for her. "You should be given the information on what happened..."

Iniquity

After the Reymac had been recaptured, the Bajoran captives taken prisoner, Guls Melset and Renor returned to the fleet under Gul Jasad.

The Prefect sat in his office, observing activity in OPs, but found his thoughts constantly returning to Gul Melset. That one presumes to criticize the way I run this station. Tells me to my face that it is unwise to have Bajoran servants on-station instead of Cardassian personnel. Doesn't she understand it is important for Bajorans to see an example of true civilization in order to learn? He remembered inviting her to inspect the station for weak points of which Bajoran terrorists could make use, then realized, Most likely she has seen one of the... mistresses some of the higher-ranking officers have taken. A closely-guarded secret. After all, my officers and soldiers are far from home and their families, in a hazardous area, under constant danger of attacks... they need this... comfort for the sake of morale. And I sent her that Bajoran man! He smiled, thinking, If she has used him as I hoped she would, she will hardly risk mentioning this specific element in her report because if she does, that... hypocritical Kelani will be in my hands.

At least one hazard can be eliminated easily enough... "Thrax, have Meydar Tano arrested immediately."

"On which grounds?"

"That is of no importance. But if you feel you must know: subverting our efforts to bring Bajor up to our level of civilization and attempting to corrupt an officer. His interrogation is to be effected without delay. Prefect Dukat out."

Meydar was cleaning an officer's quarters when security entered.

"You are under arrest for seditious activities."

The Bajoran was overcome by sheer terror at hearing these words, yet neither protested nor put up a struggle, knowing that both were in vain. He as well as his compatriots had seen this happen more than once. Arrest, imprisonment then disappearance, or, hours or even days later, the order to witness yet another public execution on the Promenade, usually effected near the shrine; the Prefect had once said contemptuously, "This will offer the condemned a shortcut on their way to their Prophets."

He began praying for strength and fortitude under his breath, taking care that his captors heard nothing. A short stay in the brig among others who were waiting to hear what would happen to them, then he was removed, stripped, given the standard prisoner's overall before transferal to another area for interrogation.

At being taken into the chamber where the questioning was to take place, he saw himself facing a Cardassian male in civilian clothing; his appearance was unremarkable, but his clear blue eyes were his most salient feature, icy, piercing, as though he could read his victim's very thoughts, and yet, terrifyingly, they were as expressionless as his features.

One of the guards gave the interrogator a data rod, saying "Get a confession out of this servant. The Prefect has demanded his arrest: he is suspected of subversive activities."

The Cardassian rose and went over to the guards to accept the prisoner, "You may depart," then via intercomm demanded the presence of an assistant, apparently a civilian, who entered at once, "Reduce illumination to Cardassian standard."

As soon as this was done, a single light was activated and aimed directly at the prisoner who was nearly blinded by its intensity, whereas his interrogator stayed in the shadows which seemed even darker, even more ominous than before.

Suddenly, the interrogator struck the prisoner a heavy blow to the solar plexus, throwing him onto the chair, struggling to breathe normally. The assistant closed the straps around Meydar's arms, legs, waist and around his neck, stood back.

"So, my Bajoran friend. Tell me why you were brought here. In detail. I am waiting. If you confess at once, it will be less unpleasant for you. Now: What were you doing in the Gul's quarters?" The interrogator sat down, fixing him with an expressionless, nearly unblinking stare that was frightening in its intensity.

"Served an officer, Gul Melset," his answer was calm, even.

"Did you speak with her?"

The Bajoran met his interrogator's glance. "She asked me why I was here, not on my farm. I don't know how she knew what I used to be."

Direct glance, not forced, but open, honest. "Continue."

"I said the village had been destroyed to make place for an open mine. My fellow villagers worked there, or here in ore processing, a few as comfort personnel," Meydar recounted as though giving a report that did not concern him.

"And?" The interrogator leaned forward.

"I said nothing else."

"Her reaction?"

"None. When she left she gave me three strips of latinum as compensation."

"For what?"

"Lost income. She did not make use of me... for comfort."

"Why? Did she say?"

"Said her people have strict moral codes. The latinum was for my family." His intonation showed the surprise he had felt then and felt even now.

"Where is it?"

"A fellow villager knows where my family is. He has already left and will see that they get it."

"And?"

"Nothing else. I swear this by the Prophets. There is nothing else." Meydar tried unsuccessfully to escape the interrogator's gaze. It was worse, more terrifying than any physical abuse could have been.

His interrogator seemed totally relaxed as long hours of silent staring interspersed by questioning passed by; he asked the same questions again and again, but cleverly changed their phrasing to entrap him in contradictions. A short break followed.

Meydar hoped against all hope that he would be released, but, once again, he was returned to that chair and immobilized, questioned yet again while the eyes of his interrogator seemed to pierce his very being.

"There is something you are concealing. I am waiting," the Cardassian's voice was subtly threatening.

"There isn't! I have told you everything," Meydar's voice reflected his exhaustion, desperation and fear of further interrogative procedures.

His interrogator rose, slowly walked around as though in thought, approached him every now and then, stood in front of him, stared at him expressionlessly for some time before asking him the same questions yet again.

"I swear I have told you everything!" the Bajoran cried out.

"Come on, my friend," he said soothingly, as though to a frightened child, "I know there is more. What were her questions? What were your answers? I want the truth. You will go free if there is nothing incriminating."

"There is no more! I have told you every last word, both hers and mine! May the Prophets be my witnesses to the fact!"

"Ah, your Prophets are but a manifestation of blatant superstition, figments of your imagination that certainly won't help you in this situation. Give me the truth!" An intonation of patience, gentle urging.

After another six hours, Meydar finally broke, nearly weeping. "I confess to whatever you want. I cannot tell you more as there is nothing, nothing at all. I... confess."

"Then sign the confession."

Meydar did so. He had no more strength to resist.

"Guards!"

Two soldiers entered at once.

"Take him to the brig. His sentence will be pronounced this evening."

They dragged the Bajoran out of the interrogation chamber, back to the brig.

Once alone, Garak leaned back in his chair, frowning. He was hiding nothing at all. Yet another forced confession, he thought, disgusted by this specific procedure. A Bajoran would never lie and yet swear by the Prophets, too superstitious for that... and I have the training to recognize at once when someone is lying to me. That is why I did not resort to physical abuse - he was telling me the truth. But... I had to do my duty. He felt no satisfaction as he usually did after a detailed and successful interrogation, only distaste for the officer who had demanded it.

Shortly after, the Prefect came into his office, strutted over to face him. "Excellent work, as to be expected from an interrogator of your caliber," was his comment that did not quite conceal the resentment he harbored for Garak.

The interrogator took the risk of stating, "It was little more than a forced confession. That man is innocent of any seditious activities."

Dukat pounced on the interrogator's personal verdict, exactly as Garak had hoped. "Ah, is he? Then it might have been far more productive to question the officer involved, to discover the reason for her inquiry."

"It would appear you wish to have her interrogated, as well? In that case you will have to present an exceedingly well-founded basis justifying both your suspicion and your demand to convince Central Command that action must be taken. She is a Cardassian officer, Prefect Dukat," Garak said with an undertone of contempt. "It is well conceivable this is an attempt to..." he left the rest of the sentence unsaid, knowing Dukat would understand what he was implying and take the bait.

Dukat's glare was murderous, "So I was right."

"About what?"

"She is one of yours."

"Who?"

"Gul Melset, who else?"

"No. She is a member of Central Command. Her attending courses with the Order, as attested in her CV, was due to her desire to serve Cardassia to the best of her abilities. She has excellent instincts and has a remarkable eye for even minuscule details; the supplementary courses only enhanced and focused Melset's talents. It is an unspoken fact that Bajoran servants, both male and female, are frequently forced into service beyond that of simply seeing to quarters." His intonation was contemptuous.

Dukat decided not to pursue the matter any further as insistence would have presented a point of attack for this operative, who had already proven himself exceedingly perceptive and thus dangerous more than once. No, he did not want to end up like his father had. She will pay, one way or the other. Arrested on my ship? Cooperation with the Order. Her promotion to Gul? Arranged by the Order. Now sent here to assist in recapturing the Reymac, she seemingly has evaluated everything comprehensively, passed on the information. Those agents of the Order insinuate themselves everywhere, like voles, except that voles can be destroyed at will.

Garak observed the Prefect carefully, analyzing his attitude. He had already gone through Melset's report, subsequently passed it on to the Order. "She consistently uses her abilities and training to serve Cardassia, is an exemplary officer. After she was arrested on your cruiser, she was interrogated in detail. That she returned to continue serving the Union is proof of her integrity."

No answer, except for carefully disguised outrage.

With a slight bow, Garak said, "As stated, Meydar has confessed."

Without another word, the Prefect left; minutes later, Garak went back to his own office. Have to notify Tain and Entek at once that the Prefect is taking aim at our operative-in-training.

That same evening, Meydar was executed on the Promenade, in front of the shrine, in the presence of select Bajoran workers for attempting to discredit policy, corrupt a patriotic and dedicated officer... Dukat watched, his attitude as usual: arrogant, self-satisfied.

"I could see what the rationale behind this display was. The officer was out of reach, thus an innocent Bajoran servant paid the price. Meydar went to his death in silence, proudly, prepared to meet his Prophets who would reward him... these are the pitiful facts. It is questionable whether his family has survived the slaughter at the end of the Occupation, only think of what happened at Gallitep and the other labor camps; however, if they are still alive they can be found."

"Meydar only said what was expected of him, why he was on-station and where he came from." The woman was perturbed. "What was done to him, Garak, that is not true Cardassian justice!"

"Those two or three days you spent on Terok Nor were not enough to reveal the procedures instituted by the Prefect, my dear. Bajorans were randomly accused and executed for far less to serve as examples meant to terrorize their peers into submission. That was the way the Prefect did things. I must not forget: he actually expected the Bajorans to love him for his ceaseless, fatherly devotion to their advancement, as he considered his actions. He was... short-sighted... delusional."

Melset said nothing, only recalled her time on Terok Nor, the Prefect's attitude towards her, his peremptory dismissal of her suggestions. "Overconfidence and more ambition than patriotism... he saw the station as his private domain, not that of Central Command and of the Cardassian people. Whoever doubted the system he had instituted was made to pay."

Indeed." Garak nodded. "Consider this for a moment, Melset: Meydar did not perform his duty to the Prefect's satisfaction," was Garak's sneering statement.

Understanding the hint, she said slowly, "He was sent to my quarters to give the Prefect the possibility to compromise and discredit me, potentially invalidate my report. 'Commit a crime together - face a firing squad together...'"

"Exactly. This would have enabled Dukat to pressure you into modifying your report; this in turn would have put you in his hands as he could have made it appear you had modified it to conceal your own actions, exposed you as morally corrupt, unreliable, and a disgrace to Cardassia. Dukat planned to cover up his own deeds and those of his peers on your costs. And Meydar? Too risky to let him live as he would have mentioned your rejection of sexual exploitation of Bajorans to his peers."

The Order received my detailed reports, the plain and simple and above all objective truth about the more dubious aspects of service on Terok Nor, only one of many factors which finally had Dukat lose his position as Prefect. The officer who showed me the way when I pretended to be lost most likely told him that I had seen Naprem and her child.

Another disturbing realization...The agent who betrayed my mission when I was on Bajor was directed to do so by him; Dukat was still Prefect then... She looked at Garak, eyes slightly widened,"When my mission was initiated I was taken to Terok Nor, then left on Bajor; Dukat thought his chance had come to liquidate a witness of the depravity on his station, so that agent was ordered to betray me, and did. She paid the price, but he effectively concealed his involvement in this matter... on her cost."

"Very good, my dear!" Garak's expression did not match the levity of his words. "And as a result of this betrayal Rendon was determined to kill you as he had other Cardassians, both civilians and militaries, nearly did so, thinking you were a plant. As you indeed were. But for Vedek Serad's timely intercession..."

Melset briefly closed her eyes, controlled her reaction to this information.

For some seconds, Garak gently placed his hands on her shoulders before saying, "Let's return to current and far more relevant affairs, my dear. I must not forget to inform you about this: Rendon, Kira and... your friend Eneg are looking to find out whether any members of Meydar's family are alive."

She reached up, touched Garak's hand, interlaced her fingers with his in a sign of trust and for the comfort she would never have admitted to needing after finally learning the truth about Dukat's treachery. "We'll never be free of the past. We were involved in so many missions, plots, intrigues, all in the name of Duty to Cardassia..."

Wordlessly, he sat down next to her, took out a handful of data rods which he put on the table, then turned to her. "For SFHS. What we are doing now, all of us, is truly duty to Cardassia, whereas before? The line between serving the purposes of those in power and serving the interests of the Union had become so blurred as to make them indiscernible."

Before leaving for his own quarters, he said, "Gul Melset, I will return to quarters to prepare for the negotiations tomorrow. The information you have given me about the latest deliveries of humanitarian aid will come in useful."

Downtime And Diverse Information

When Garak came to her quarters that evening, she was already waiting for him, wearing one of the dresses she had brought from Kelan Province, her hair in one braid. She inclined her head in greeting, "Welcome, Garak. Negotiations have been successfully concluded, I assume?"

"I greet you, Melset. Your assumption as to the outcome is correct. The delivery of essential parts for the factories has been approved as they cannot be modified for the production of weapons," he said formally, briefly adopting the formal language they used when interacting in official meetings.

The woman made a gesture of approval, then said, "And you, my dear Elim, I have been informed that you paid a visit to SFHS in my absence."

"I was requested to do so by my fellow organizers. In the report which has already been submitted, I stated that the quality of the team's work is up to our own norms as to efficiency and dedication of personnel."

"Did you tell them?"

"I have had years to observe interactions among humans, and would not disappoint that team by not informing them about my impression of their work. They were quite pleased."

"We only had two shifts today," she remarked with an intonation that implied relief, "far more quiet than in the past few weeks."

"Has the good doctor been monitoring your activities again?" Bashir told me you have repeatedly done four shifts, then slept in your office after a sonic shower and a meal, only to resume work upon awakening. He found out by chance, marched into that room. Apparently you two had a quite heated discussion. Regrettably, there are no listening devices in that area...

"With exactly the same dedication as he did yours after a certain... incident. I have the impression he doesn't trust us."

Her exasperated intonation had Garak suppress an amused smile. "He does mean well, you know, but has no idea of the lengths to which one of us will go for the sake of Cardassia."

"As he once phrased it, 'you're not just running yourself into the ground, but tunneling right into it.' Humans have quite amusing descriptions at times, use nearly as many images as we do, but more basic ones."

"I suggest we we get ready to go to the Replimat." He looked at her, "No need to change clothing or hairstyle, the civilian look is acceptable." He smirked, "It makes us seem less threatening than if we wear military attire. Remember the regova incident? Not the slightest suspicion." With a slight smile, he added, "We will have the late evening and tomorrow morning to ourselves, my dear. I have already made arrangements with your team who agreed that you should have some downtime with friends."

She turned to him, responding with a hiss and a touch to his hands before they left for the Promenade.

To her surprise, he headed for a table meant for a larger group. "No, this is the correct one, just wait."

After some minutes Dax, Bashir and the Commander arrived to join them.

"You're already here; good that you could make it," said Ezri. "There has been so much to do, we all need a few hours of distraction."

"It is surprising to see you here. You said that you never wanted to leave Cardassia again, Organizer Garak," said Kira.

"Ah, my dear Commander, as Deep Space 9 is considered neutral ground, I will be obliged to come here repeatedly in the course of negotiations. But, and this is the difference, I know I can return within days."

"That would make it far easier," Kira agreed. How he has changed; his voice, his gestures and expression...

"I must admit to having taken the liberty of inviting a member of the committee with whom we negotiated for parts," Garak explained in a low voice. "Ah, there he is!"

A Starfleet officer came up to their table, saluted and said, "Lt. Delios reporting for duty."

Taken by surprise, Melset stared at him in disbelief before saluting him in turn. "Lt. Delios, I am indeed pleased to see you. No offense meant, but I never expected you to join Starfleet!"

"SFHS is working at improving the situation of worlds that sustained damage during the Dominion War so I have registered for service with SFHS - Earth; you will remember that I am not cut out to be a member of the military, thus chose this branch and was sent to observe the negotiations as part of my training. Organizer Garak remembered your mentioning my name, so invited me as you and I had cooperated."

No one noticed Melset's slight hand motions. [Clever, to have our mixed group meet at the Replimat, in plain view of station residents. Cardassians, humans, a Bajoran, a Trill]

[A surprising combination; quite unexpected for the others here, isn't it?] was Garak's response while he spoke to Delios, explaining some details.

[And enjoying each other's company. We are under covert observation.]

"No, don't go to the replicator. Look who's coming," said Commander Kira when Delios glanced over at it.

Muttering about having been persuaded to serve customers outside of his bar, Quark and two of his employees came over with the assortment of dishes Kira, Dax and Garak had selected. The group was delighted when they saw what was being placed in the center of the table: specialties from their respective home worlds, but carefully chosen to be edible for everyone.

"Quark, your reputation for excellent service is well-earned: you have outdone yourself yet again," Garak said loudly enough for the customers of the Replimat to hear. "As always, you deserve every strip of latinum you demanded."

A toothy grin was the answer, then the whispered words, "One businessman helping another."

The group began sharing anecdotes, both amusing and serious incidents, developments on their home worlds, their own projects, laughing, reminiscing, planning... For a brief time the war and its outcome were forgotten, relegated to the back of everyone's mind.

As most of them had early shifts the next day, they parted some hours later.

Talking quietly, Melset and Garak went to her quarters. "This meeting was like a short period of R&R. Who suggested it anyway?"

"Friends who wanted to spend some hours socializing, enjoying some downtime together and spontaneously decided to invite us as well; remember that Kira, Damar and I helped free Cardassia from Dominion rule, and you work here. This has changed some attitudes. That extended dinner may seem like self-indulgence with so much to be done at present, but you must admit you appreciated it, as did I."

"Indeed, it was pleasant to meet outside of work." She added, "And yet, for us something like this is inconceivable; we are taught from early childhood on that duty always has priority; even the simplest of enjoyments are reserved for the time when we have fulfilled our respective tasks."

"Those present had an off-shift anyway, a respite from duty, which means it was not neglected."

"That is a typical Federation argument. Duty is a constant," was the rejoinder.

"They are trying to influence us into becoming like them, haven't you noticed?"

"Ah, are they?"

"I am beginning to think that an Alliance with the Federation would be an excellent idea, don't you agree, my dear?"

"Garak, you can't be serious. That would mean the extinction of our way, the loss of our culture, everything that once made Cardassia great and will make it great again. The Federation expects member planets to adopt its ideals, its ethics and laws. Only think of their reactions towards Ferengi or us, or even their attitude towards the beliefs of Bajorans."

"Those are but minor concerns," He brushed her protest aside. "Consider the advantages, my dear. You appreciate offworld contact. That would be intensified. Imagine: We would have multiple Starfleet bases on Cardassia, not only the one. Federation goods would become accessible to all of us. Perhaps, after some time, schools and even a university would be founded to give our young people a choice between systems! An ideal situation!"

"And we would inevitably become dependent on these things, grow weak, be re-educated in accordance with Federation norms, seduced by Federation wealth and philosophy. Never! The very idea is treasonous!"

"I only request you keep an open mind about this, my dear Iníki; do reconsider: you may soon find yourself modifying your attitude towards my proposal," he mock-entreated, enjoying the argument and anticipating the pleasure of spending some hours with his enjoined...

The next morning, the door chime activated. Garak quickly slipped into the bedroom, prepared to listen.

"Enter."

"Gul Melset? I have been requested by Eneg's friend Remosi to give this to you."

"Mesro, you have my gratitude." From his hiding place Garak heard her moving about then, "You have braved the viper's nest. This is for the project you value most."

"Walk with your Bringers of Light." Garak could recognize from the timbre of the Bajoran's voice that Mesro was smiling.

"And may you walk with the Prophets."

The door slid shut. At once Garak came out to join her. "What in all of the Union was that? Acceptance and expression of such blatant superstition by a Cardassian officer, a member of Central Command and of the Order."

"Necessary to gather information. No pretense of tolerance, of trust, no details," she stated as she held up a data rod which she put into the terminal. The message was short and to the point:

"Cardássian, we have contacted our comrades in the district where Meydar's family lived and beyond as well. No success in tracing any of Meydar's family members. It was not for lack of trying. Draw your own conclusions. Eneg Szolt out."

The screen went dark.

When he saw her expression, Garak said gently, "My dear Iníki, what is past is past, is immutable, much as we may regret this fact in so many cases. Our respective careers have seen us doing things that were horrific by any standards and yet we never had any doubts while obeying our orders, believed what we did was essential to support the Union we had sworn to uphold at all costs. We were constantly assured by our superiors that our efforts were advancing Cardassia's interests."

"While at SFCEEI, I was told by a Bajoran stationed there: 'If only your leaders had asked. We would have helped you, would have instructed you in our methods as the Prophets state that to help someone in need is a sacred duty. There was no need to very nearly destroy our culture, our lives." The woman fell silent for some moments, continued, "We first analyzed the defensive capabilities of the planets which possessed resources we needed, entered into contact with amenable individuals and the government, established bases... then invaded."

"And the civilian population at home never learned the truth about what was being done, by which means widespread extreme poverty and starvation were at least marginally alleviated."

"Purely military and Order affairs."

"Indeed. But to change the subject, there is a detail you should know. In the course of their research into the fate of Meydar's family, Rendon Tabor and his contacts made a quite intriguing discovery in Relaketh Province; a family of Bajorans of the surname 'Méresáti', formerly members of the farmer's D'jarra. You might find it fascinating to analyze the significance of this remarkable coincidence: consider accentuation, evolution of language. Rendon Tevren could not reach you before he left for Bajor."

The answer was a nod. Navri did not exaggerate when he compared Cardassian and Bajoran history to the most complex of webs, inextricably interwoven. Melset got up, went to the viewport, looked out, and was joined by Garak who followed the direction of her gaze. "That star..." he murmured. "How often did I look at it during the years of exile..."

"The star of our home system. Cardassia." She pronounced the name with longing and love.

"And we serve her with every breath we take, in all we do." She felt Garak slip an arm around her shoulders, leaned against him very slightly, deriving comfort from both the thought and the physical contact.

Within minutes, the star disappeared from sight as the station slowly revolved...