Chapter Four: Clash of Wills
"What's this about, Doctor?" Bendris spluttered, having reluctantly obeyed Bashir's summons to the infirmary. "I assure you, I've never been in better health!"
"No doubt," Bashir said dryly. "However, I didn't ask you here to talk about you. Your aide wished me to inform you that he will need to stay on board the station for several months to undergo medical treatment."
Bendris scowled. "Nonsense!" he dismissed. "Is this still about that disease he was harping on back on Trill?"
"I can't discuss my patients' conditions," Bashir told him; Shan had perhaps as good as given him permission, but he sensed this man would put stock in his own opinion over the doctor's word in any case.
"The doctor there told him he had nothing to worry about," Bendris continued as if Bashir's answer had been affirmative; "do you really mean to tell me you think you know more about Trill than they do?"
"I can't discuss my patients' conditions," Bashir repeated firmly. "However, I will tell you that it's essential that he stays here to undergo treatment."
Bendris crossed his arms. "You can't hold him against his will."
"On the contrary, sir," Bashir said evenly, "Mr Shan has expressed his wishes to stay here and accept the treatment I recommend; if you force him to leave against his will I believe it would be a case of kidnapping."
Bendris's face reddened, and for a moment he spluttered indignantly as Bashir wondered idly when the man had last had his own physical. "But that's preposterous, young man! I can't possibly stay here for three months or more."
"I never said you had to, sir," Bashir responded calmly. "But if you leave, your aide won't be going with you."
Bendris glared at him, then turned and stomped out of the infirmary without another word.
Bashir watched him go with a slight smile on his lips, then tapped his combadge. "Bashir to Odo."
"Odo here."
"You know the quarters of station guests Kelburr Bendris and Trystmar Shan?"
"I can find out; is there a problem?"
"Potentially; I have reason to believe Mr Bendris may try to force Mr Shan to leave the station against his will."
"Understood; I'll have a guard assigned to each of their quarters, and to their ship as well."
"Thank you," Bashir said, grinning to himself as he tapped his combadge to end the conversation. If Bendris meant to spirit his aide away, he wouldn't be leaving without a fight.
oOo
"Mr Bendris has just boarded his ship, sir," the security officer reported over the combadge, standing just around the corner where Bendris would take no note of him.
"Alone?" Odo confirmed.
"Aye, sir."
"Good. But we won't assume he's given up yet; keep a guard at that docking bay until he actually leaves."
"Yes, sir." Leaning against the wall, the security officer settled in to wait.
oOo
"Mr Bendris's vessel is requesting permission to leave, sir," Dax announced.
"Scan the number of lifesigns on board and check it against their crew manifest," Sisko told her.
Dax bent to work, and a moment later looked up. "No unauthorized lifesigns, sir."
Sisko nodded with a smile. "Grant them clearance, then. I guess Bashir was concerned over nothing," he added when Dax had followed his orders.
Dax pursed her lips, strangely averse to hearing Bashir criticized, however mildly. "Or all his security measures paid off."
Sisko shrugged. "Or that," he agreed, granting her the point without putting much stock in it. He yawned and stood up. "Well, I'm off duty for tonight. Good night, Old Man."
"Good night," she responded.
"Don't stay here worrying about that ship too long. It's gone, and good riddance."
Dax smiled. "Aye, sir. I won't."
oOo
Adjusted now to the day-night cycle of the station, Trystmar Shan lay in his bunk, so deeply asleep he never noticed the light of a transporter beam wash over him. A moment later, the bed was empty as if he had never been there.
Next chapter coming next week!
I proofread all my stories at least once before posting, but if you see any mistakes I might have missed, please let me know!
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