Soon Fergus arrived via a Starfleet vessel that was acting as a courier to Earth. Fergus was transported to Griffon and William transported to the courier to make it back to Earth.

Harry spoke to Krim once more before he left. "Good luck. Give me a report when you've reorganized, Aldos."

"Of course, Harry. I will contact you via Mirror Relay if anything becomes urgent."

"Good. You may also want to think about a stop at Risa or another paradise planet for a stopover. It has been a stressful few months for the crew."

"I'll consider it. It has been only a few short months since our launch, though it seems longer."

Harry sighed. "True. Maybe I should stop off at a resort planet. Bruce, Off."

When the Bruce arrived at Vulcan, Harry and his CMO transported down. The four Bajoran former prisoners were all healthy and very ready to return to Bajor.

The last patient was also ready. Harry met her in a garden attached to the clinic. "Hello."

The woman had been returned to her Cardassian image. "Hello, Sir Harry Potter." She stood up. "I am told that I have you to thank for my retrieval?"

Harry shrugged. "I got you out." He looked her over. "You look much more alive than when I dropped you off."

Iliana Ghemor replied drily, "I imagine so. I was a pathetic creature then."

Harry replied, "Not so much pathetic as horribly misused. You have been physically healed, at least?"

Iliana nodded. "Physically and mentally. Vulcans are remarkably good at assisting with mental recovery."

"Yes. I do think that if you were anything other than Cardassian, it would have taken longer. Cardassians seem to be inculcated with a certain pragmatic toughness, culturally at least." Harry's tone was bland.

Iliana smirked a tiny bit. "That seems almost complimentary."

"Not really," Harry disagreed. "It's more just an observation. It might make it harder for other races to feel empathy. But I understand that there is no real 'acceptable' weakness for Cardassians."

Iliana shrugged. "I cannot disagree. But I think that Humans can be the same."

Harry chuckled. "Humans can be anything from the most empathic and sympathetic creatures you'll ever see and the most vicious and unrelenting. And that can be the same person. I wouldn't suggest counting on a Human to be predictable."

Iliana looked at Harry archly. "Really?"

Harry replied, "Oh, yes. We're psychotically inconsistent."

"I would need to see proof."

Harry said, "Oh, I'll show you. But anyway. Are you ready to head back to Bajoran space? Once there, we can work on reaching your father."

Iliana gathered her bags. "Reaching family members is important, but I'll also need to plan the murder of Skrain Dukat."

Harry moved to help her. "Well, you can do that as well. But I have plans to do that once the Cardassian Empire decides he has no more value to them."

Iliana paused and looked at Harry. His nonchalant attitude threw her. "You have plans for Dukat?"

Harry finally shrunk her bags and summoned them. "He hired someone to kidnap my retainers and friends. After I killed the hirelings or turned them over to the Klingon government, I decided Dukat needed killing at my convenience. A later conversation implied that he had acted in the interest of the Obsidian Order, who had changed their mind when the caper failed. I get the sense he was attempting to act with initiative so as to be seen in a more positive light." Harry looked at the suddenly startled woman. "So if you get him first, I only ask that his death be humiliating." He handed the miniature bags to the woman.

She looked at them and then said, "If you get him first, make certain it's painful."

"I'll do my best." The two left her quarters with a sense of mutual purpose.

The Bruce was midway between Vulcan and Deep Space 9 when the call came in.

Dawkins called Harry from the Bridge. "Bridge to Commodore."

"Go ahead."

"We've got a Mirror Relay call coming in from Deep Space 9."

Harry looked up from his screen. "Okay. Put It through."

His small screen popped up with the image of Kira Nerys. "Major. How are you doing?"

The almost perfect image showed her smile. "I'm doing alright. I was just retrieved from being kidnapped. But I've gotten used to that kind of thing."

Harry was surprised. "Who and why?"

She sighed. "The Cardassians. In order to discredit a popular politician who is a moderate and doesn't support the military rule of Cardassia."

Harry shook his head slightly. "Who did they have in their sights?"

She looked at him with some intent and said, "Legate Tekeny Ghemor."

Harry sat back. "The one whose daughter was surgically and mentally modified to look and think she was you."

"Yes."

Harry asked, "Where is he now?"

"On Deep Space 9. The sting was a success. But when I was retrieved, we also brought him. We've arranged for a neutral third party world to take care of him."

"But you want to reunite them."

"Yes."

Harry smiled. "You are in luck. I happen to be bringing back a successfully recovered Iliana Ghemor to Deep Space 9. We'll be there in 6 to 7 days."

"You can't come faster?" she asked.

"The Bruce has a warp drive which maxes out at Warp 8.70 and cruises at max 8.26. And Ollie Blake has been working his arse off to give me that. With how far Vulcan is to DS9, the best I can do is about 14 days."

Kira looked torn and then resigned. "Well, at least you're not following the Warp 5 limit."

Harry snorted. "Yeah. That would have meant almost two months. I wasn't going to do that."

Kira smirked and then became more serious. "Can you get her on? I would prefer to wait until she's here but I like this man. I almost wish he was my father, the way they were trying to convince me."

Harry was almost shocked. Kira Nerys was not one who treated any Cardassian well. She barely tolerated Garek. "Well, I'll ask her and contact you back. How about it?"

"Great. Thank you."

"Mirror Relay, Off."

Harry girded himself and then contacted Sal. "Potter to Ramirez."

"Go ahead, Commodore."

"Can you please ask our guest, Ms. Ghemor, to come to my ready room?"

"Aye, Commodore."

"Thank you. Potter out."

Harry was at the small window in his office when Iliana arrived. He turned to call out, "Enter" when the chime sounded.

"Ms. Ghemor. How has your visit been?"

She smiled slightly. "I appreciate that you've ensured my quarters were warm enough. I find that I am missing the heat of Vulcan. But overall, it has been as pleasant as can be expected." She sat in the chair Harry indicated even as he was sitting.

Harry looked at her. "While your presence in my office could be to provide an amusing diversion, that isn't why I invited you here. I called you here as regards your father."

She stilled. "Oh?" Harry nodded and then explained as best he could. He could see the anger at her family being manipulated so. "What am I to do about it?"

Harry replied, "Nothing. But the time is not ripe for your father's voice to be heard. He is going into a temporary exile until it is safe to return. One wish he has expressed: He dearly wishes to see, speak to, and embrace the daughter he hasn't seen in so long."

Iliana looked at Harry for a long moment. "He hasn't been told I am coming?" Harry knew that she was feigning the mild interest. He could see how this was affecting her, muted reactions notwithstanding.

"No. Major Kira called me to get in touch with you – I hadn't told her yet you were returning. Now she knows and is arranging for him to be on an open connection. My question is: Would you like to talk to your father?"

Iliana looked at Harry and said, "Yes. Yes. I would like to talk to my father."

Harry nodded. "You have a view screen in your quarters. You can return to your quarters and then, very soon, I will patch through the mirror relay. There is no time limit for the connection and it can be opened again at your convenience. It isn't quite as clear as subspace communications but there is no delay, no matter how far. So there is no concern for power requirements despite us being 22 light years away or so."

She stood up. "I thank you for your assistance with this. I will be ready when you are."

"Good. How about one hour?"

"That is fine."

Harry smiled. "You can talk to him about Aesop. He has to have something to do while he's waiting for our ship to arrive." Harry had given her the book to learn Human morality.

It was hours later when Harry was, once again, at his desk. "Bridge to Commodore."

"Go ahead."

"We've got a Mirror Relay for you. The link was sent back to the Bridge just now."

"Send it."

The image on Harry's screen changed. He was now looking at a Cardassian who appeared slightly older than others he had met. "I am Sir Harry Potter, Captain of the BSS Bruce."

"I am Tekeny Ghemor."

"Legate."

"Captain Potter, I wanted to speak to you directly."

"How can I help you?"

"I wanted to speak to you so that I could give you my personal thanks. Iliana told me of how she was rescued, why, and what was done after. From her story, I now owe you debt which is almost insurmountable." The man was very sincere.

Harry knew that it would be impolitic to wave off the idea – wizards understood debts. "I will think on what you might be able to do to repay me. But don't worry. Among my people, such debts can be put aside for as long as both parties are willing without any threat to either party's honor. For the moment, I have no need for any service from you and no family for you to save. If that changes, I will inform you."

Ghemor nodded. "Thank you." He paused. "How long until your ship arrives?"

Harry tapped his comm. badge. "Potter to Bridge."

"Go ahead."

"Estimated time to Deep Space 9?"

"5 days 25 hours Bajoran time."

Harry glanced at the Cardassian's slightly disappointed look. "How long before we can safely increase speed to maximum without us needing major repairs?"

"Stand by."

It took a few moments. "Chief Engineer Blake says we can increase speed in 3 days. It won't change it a lot, but we can shave off a third of a day or so."

"Acknowledged. Log the following order: I hereby authorize any means to decrease our arrival time as long as it does not create long term damage. Ms. Ghemor's father is waiting for his long lost little girl and I'd like to get them together as fast as possible."

There was a pause. "I understand, Cap'n. I'll work with Ollie and see what we ken do."

"Thanks. Potter, Out." He looked back at Ghemor. "Feel free to ask Nerys to put you through to Iliana anytime until our arrival."

"Thank you." Ghemor then cocked his head. "Your man sounded like he is willing to push your ship to follow your order."

Harry replied, "Likely true."

"Why? What is the comfort of one Cardassian man to him, or to you?" Ghemor asked, sounding truly confused.

Harry replied, "Cardassian has nothing to do with it. He's a father who has a daughter. Even I, who have not had children, know that some relationships are sacred."

Ghemor looked thoughtful and finally said, "Thank you."

Harry replied, "You're welcome. Bruce, Out." Harry disconnected the call.

In the end, they were able to shave off a few hours. Kira Nerys brought the man over and Harry was honored to have seen the two family members coming together.

Kira Nerys also observed. She had tears in her eyes as well. Once the two Cardassians had sufficient time Harry observed, "Other than the Cardassian/Bajoran thing, you two could be sisters."

Iliana and Kira scoffed. Tekeny stood back and, after a moment, said, "No. He's right."

Matters did get settled and the two Cardassians were sent off to the neutral third party. Iliana and Harry had a private moment to reiterate their agreement before the two Cardassians were sent off for their safety.

Harry went to visit Commander Sisko. He found the man at his office. "Sir Harry. Welcome back to Deep Space 9."

Harry replied, "Thank you. I wanted to check in and see what progress has been made as regards the Dominion."

Sisko replied, "Not much. You know of the Dominion's little 'test'?"

Harry replied, "Yes. I thought it sounded a bit too much of laboratory procedure. You can bet there are more tests."

Sisko replied, "I agree. The Defiant patrols regularly to see what we can of what's being planned. As a rule, we move under cloak. But we haven't seen the Dominion act directly."

Harry considered that. "Well, I know the Odyssey detected an anti-proton scan. We guessed that might be effective in locating a cloaked ship."

Sisko replied, "It was, or so it seemed, during our little test."

"Have you informed the Romulans?"

Sisko said with humor, "The Subcommander they assigned to manage the device informed them, I am certain."

Harry was curious. "How is that working out?"

Sisko gave a minute shrug. "She's not the most cordial. But she did as asked before returning to Romulus in the aftermath."

Harry was surprised. "What about the cloaking device?"

Sisko said with a tight smile, "It was left in our possession so it could be used."

Harry was shocked. "That was incredibly generous of the Romulan Empire."

"As long as we inform them of what we find in the Gamma quadrant, they will allow our use of it."

"You've continued telling them, I assume."

"Of course," Sisko said. "It would be stupid to do otherwise."

Harry smirked. "I know governments seem to be able to be stupid when they think it's in their best interest or they'll get one over on a rival. The Federation seems a bit better, but it's still run by bureaucrats."

Sisko gave another microshrug and microsmirk. "And how are your endeavors?"

Harry replied, "Well enough. I traveled with Griffon to establish the new colony at Secarus IV. She did as well as expected and better. She is doing some shakedown before the next scheduled operation."

"That sounds promising."

"Yeah. I also set up a new trading relationship near Cestus III."

Sisko observed, "That's on the other side of the Federation – a very long way from here."

"Yes. We had observers during our pickup who were curious as to our intentions. I smoothed it out."

"And who were these observers?" Sisko asked.

Harry replied casually, "The Gorn."

Sisko stilled and asked with an almost incredulous tone, "The Gorn?"

"Yes. The Gorn. They wanted to make certain such large ship wasn't going against them. They were also seeing if Cestus III was being left. I explained that neither were true – we were only picking up a small number of our people. And then I finagled a visit to their ship. And then I set up a trade they felt was equitable."

Sisko asked curiously, "What are you trading and what are you getting?"

"I'm getting Gorn meridor, which is – I am told – similar to Romulan ale but not illegal. They're getting rats."

"Rats?" Sisko asked incredulously.

Harry calmly explained, "Yes. Rats; Earth-type brown rats to be particular. Cestus was infested with rats before Humans perfected ways to transport supplies without infestations. And rats have been traveling with us for thousands of years. The rats aren't in the cities, but the countryside has a significant population. My agent catches them and then transports them to the Gorn, who consider them a tasty food."

Sisko shuddered and Harry rolled his eyes. Harry continued, "Gorn are descended from snakes and lizards and are cold-blooded. We only transport them if if the rodents are healthy and unpoisoned. In fact, we're considering trying to set up a farm for them, but Cestus has laws on the books from when rats were considered pests only. So that will take some time."

Sisko said, "They could take the rats you're transporting and breed them."

"They could," Harry answered, "but then the rats' diet would be different and not taste the same. They like them just as they are. Or so we were assured by the Gorn that came back after my first delivery."

Sisko finally asked, "Do you mind if I mentioned this to Starfleet?"

Harry shrugged. "I'm sure my agent has told them already, considering the Gorn come to Cestus to pick up the rats. But I suppose you can also inform them directly."

Sisko said, "Thank you." He paused and asked, "How long will you be in the area?"

Harry replied, "I'm going to go and look at where Voyager disappeared."

Sisko sighed. "There has already been an extensive search. We haven't given up hope. But Voyager was also at least the third ship that disappeared from that same area."

Harry sighed himself. "I know. But I met the Captain and I even put enchantments on the ship, to help collect deuterium and other gasses used for the warp drive. She had the same enchantments as several other ships that are just fine. But somehow Voyager disappearing seems more … personal. I just have to look for myself."

Sisko looked at Harry for a long moment. "Well, it's your ship. If you find anything …"

"I'll let you know." Harry paused. "And once I've done that, I plan on starting my search for a magical planet, or at least a place where magical plants can grow. I need to start securing the magical heritage of any descendants. And I still have to find alternates to plant and animal ingredients that don't exist here for potions. That's going to take years."

Sisko was surprised. "A tall order."

"Yes. But I figure I better start working on it."

"If I can help, let me know. I will ask the Federation about allowing you to see all descriptions of all planets, even the restricted ones. There might be a magical planet which was too dangerous for regular people but which might suit your purposes."

"I appreciate that." Harry stood up. "I'll be here for a couple of days before I start off. I assume I can have my crew members enjoy the facilities?"

"Of course." Sisko stood as well. "Deep Space 9 is always welcoming of visitors."