CHAPTER 20

The Commissioners arrived at Deep Space Nine with a group of seven ships. Two ships carried the Commissioners themselves; one ship was a towing vessel; and the remaining four made up the escorts and honor guard.

As the ships arrived, Sisko thanked the Wild Rose for her service in guarding the scene. One of the escort ships officially gave Wild Rose permission to depart, and she did.

The ships carrying the Commissioners docked at the station. Sisko personally met Commissioner Young as she disembarked from her vessel. He mentioned he'd hoped that he would meet the other Commissioners as well, but Young apologized, saying that the other Commissioners wished to attend to duties with the Observer, to make sure Observer was properly secured and ready to be towed away.

Young said she had hoped to meet the rest of the investigating team. This time it was Sisko who apologized, saying that his team members were finishing up their final reports.

The time was 0940. A conference had been set, at the Commission's request, for 1400 hours. Sisko offered to take Young on a tour of the station, and Young accepted. Constable Odo silently accompanied them as their security escort. The tour went well, but Sisko felt it necessary to mention repeatedly that the station was usually considerably more crowded and the atmosphere usually a little more animated.

The tour ended just before 1100 hours. Sisko summoned Bashir, Dax and O'Brien, who all met Young with professional poise. At 1122, they all stood at attention on the Promenade as a brief honor ceremony was conducted, and the Observer was towed away, guarded by three escort ships.

Sisko doubted he would ever see Observer again.

Just before lunch, Young introduced the other Commissioners. Not waiting his turn to be introduced, Stoan approached O'Brien. O'Brien had been preparing for this moment. He offered a brief passable Vulcan salute and traditional Vulcan greeting, which Stoan accepted with a brief traditional reply. The men then bowed to each other and shook hands.

O'Brien took the liberty of introducing Stoan to Sisko, Dax and Bashir.

"Greetings," Stoan said, and nothing more.

Lunch was simple. Quark had offered to host it in his establishment on the Promenade. He silently served several protein- and vegetable-based dishes, along with a modest assortment of spices and non-intoxicating beverages. Most of the diners, it turned out, were not very hungry. The Commissioners were plainly uncomfortable discussing anything in such unsecure surroundings, and even avoided most small talk. Besides, the Commissioners were anxious to hear the results of Sisko's investigation, and they did not want to wait until 1400 hours.

Sisko begged his leave of the Commissioners so that he could be assured that the briefing room was ready for presentation of findings. Young rose, and went with Sisko.

"Commissioner?" Sisko said as Young walked next to him.

"I wish to be certain that the facilities where the briefing will take place will be secure," she said.

"I'm sure they'll be satisfactory. Your staff has already checked them over, I understand."

"People sometimes overlook things," Young said.

Sisko nodded. "Yes, they do."

The briefing area included a number of security features. A lectern was available, as was a large display. Seating appeared adequate. Fresh water was available. Young surveyed the facilities while Sisko made a few last-minute adjustments.

"This will be fine," Young announced.

"I'm glad."

"Commander, may we briefly test the security of the room?

"Of course."

"Computer, secure this area, authorization Young 8268."

"Area secure," the computer responded.

"Now, Commander Sisko, I wonder whether I might have a few words with you in confidence before we begin."

Sisko had suspected that Young had joined him so that they could have some words in private. "Yes, of course."

"I want you to understand, first of all, that this Observer incident is very serious. The future of the Gas Giant Mapping Project is at stake. Careers are at stake. Reputations are at stake. And the honor of the USS Observer and her crew is at stake."

"I understand."

"Accordingly, I caution you that unsubstantiated criticisms, personal attacks, unproven speculations of fault and the like are to be avoided."

"I know that, and so do my people."

"I can tell you, confidentially, that we Commissioners have been agonizing over this case. It has affected us emotionally and physically. We do not have anything remotely approaching an agreement as to what may have happened aboard Observer. We are earnestly hoping that you and your team can at least shed some light."

"We will try." Sisko was mildly surprised, since Young seemed to be saying that the Commission was far from deciding what story to tell the Select Council.

"Everything to be said in this room is confidential. Upon that, I must insist. After we are done here, you must never question or criticize the Commission in any way, even if you adamantly disagree with us. Indeed, after we depart, you and your officers must never discuss this matter ever again."

"We understand."

"Your security clearances for subject matter related to the USS Observer were temporary. After we leave, those clearances will be rescinded. But your obligations attendant to maintaining the confidentiality of secret information will continue."

"That comes as no surprise."

Young paused a moment. "There is also something I must ask: not demand, not require, but ask. Of you." Young suddenly found it difficult to get out the words. "Those poor souls aboard the USS Observer: when they get where they are all going, they will receive full memorial honors. Were you aware of that?"

"I assumed that would happen, yes."

"The probe team is aboard the Observer. These are officers that the Commission vetted and selected. These are the officers we trained. These are the officers who reported to us. These are the officers we came to know." Young's voice cracked. "And if these officers deliberately set about to cause this disaster, they are not deserving of the honors that are due to their shipmates. So I ask you: Do you believe that Observer's probe team conspired to cause the deaths of these people?"

Sisko took a deep breath and looked straight into Young's eyes.

"No."

Young seemed as though she might lose her composure, though she did not. She sniffed, then nodded. "But if I understand you from your earlier reports, you do expect to conclude that the explosion aboard USS Observer was due to an intention to cause her destruction?"

"No, Commissioner. The unanimous conclusion of my investigating team is that the explosion was most likely an accident."