Chapter Twenty-three: The Worst Laid Plans

Kira stares at her console after closing the channel with Chris. The recording Ezri shared on the bridge prepared her for Chris' mood, but theirs was a difficult conversation nonetheless.

Am I giving him false hope?

Kira sighs heavily as she stands to return to the bridge. Her short walk from the ready room is traveled at a slow, thoughtful pace. She's not at all happy with the odds of getting Chris out unscathed, so his recorded words haunt her.

Willing to die? For my sake?

Kira huffs as her slow steps pause. She closes her eyes and runs a hand through her hair.

He damn near did after that stunt in the cargo bay. He claims he didn't think before pushing me clear, but that's bullshit. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Kira cares about Chris—her reactions have proven that much—but obviously not the way he cares about her. She sifts through their short conversation, trying to decide if she crossed the line between encouragement… and leading him on.

I hope I didn't give him the wrong idea. I probably shouldn't have contacted him at all.

Staring at the door to the bridge, Kira tries to focus on the task at hand.

That cruiser has to be stopped.

After what the founder shared, Kira can only hope there's a cruiser left when its shields go down.

Kira is well aware that starship battles are violent affairs. There's no doubt that deflector shields offer significant protection, but it's not uncommon for vessels to suffer severe damage, even casualties, well before they collapse. She's no expert in starship design, but she knows a balance is struck between shield strength, hull thickness, and core structure. Ships are designed to survive more punishment than it takes to deplete fully charged shields, but how will one fare through the battering of a second, fully independent deflector grid?

Cardassian ships are tough—hopefully tough enough.

Kira takes a deep breath and releases it slowly.

But if we try 'delicate' and they make a run for it…

Kira chews her lip and wrings her hands. She hasn't forgotten what else is at stake.

Maybe we should blow 'em to hell while we have the chance.

Kira flinches at the thought. She steps to the bridge door quickly, hoping to leave it behind. Though Chris' feelings for her are inconvenient, the man is counting on her to return a favor.

He's earned it. The Prophets expect it.

The bridge door slides open. The fate of many will be decided soon enough.

Stepping onto the bridge, Kira is taken aback by the scene in front of her.

Eris glares from the viewscreen. "I want answers, lieutenant!"

Ezri crosses her arms defiantly. "For the third time: you'll have to wait!"

"What the hell is going on?!" Kira joins the fray, surprising even herself with the intensity of her outburst.

"Colonel," Eris's angry eyes follow Kira as she steps into view. "It has come to my attention that you've found the ship you came for—and that there's a Founder on board. We demand an explanation!"

After everything leading up to this point, including an emotional conversation with a man whose very survival is in question, Kira is in no mood for petty arguments and has absolutely no stomach for feigning diplomacy.

"You demand?" Kira says angrily. "Is this a joke? Tell me… how did this 'come to your attention'?"

Kira knows the answer to the question, but she wants to see if the Vorta will acknowledge it or feign ignorance. Very quickly however, she decides she'd rather yell at Eris than listen to her. As soon as Eris opens her mouth, Kira jumps right back down her throat.

"I don't need a word from you!" Kira makes a grand, dismissive sweep with her arm. "I know damn well where we are, and I know damn well that your listening posts have intercepted everything! You know at least as much as we do! You don't need an explanation; you just want to watch us flounder in diplomatic bullshit. Lady… I don't have time for it!"

The bridge is deathly quiet save for soft beeps from consoles.

Eris' angry expression slowly morphs into a grin. "Very well, colonel. I do grow tired of the 'floundering' from time to time. And I must say… I was deeply touched by your conversation with this 'expendable' civilian. After your performance, I find it very interesting you're willing to throw his life away."

Kira's eye twitches. "You know the stakes. You heard the Founder yourself. He's the one…"

"I do know the stakes," Eris says with an intense stare. "If it weren't for the stakes, we might question your motives." Her smug grin slowly returns. "Let me ask you this, colonel. Does your man know you're trading his life for another?"

Kira hesitates. "We hope to get both of…"

"Does he know, colonel?" Eris asks firmly.

Kira takes a deep breath and narrows her eyes. "He does."

"Ooh," Eris smiles. "You're colder than I thought. Splendid."

Kira ignores Eris' comment as she takes her seat in the captain's chair. "So. Do we have a 'real' problem here, or are you done wasting our time?"

"We most certainly have a problem. You may be willing to trade the life of your civilian to neutralize that vessel, but your present plan of action is unacceptable. The risk to the Founder is too great."

"There aren't any options here, Eris."

"I'd like very much to know what 'options' you've cared to explore!"

"You've heard our transmissions. I'm relying on intelligence from your 'god'. I assume you can respect that."

"A god he may be, but we have several more prepared to study the situation and consider alternatives. What does your Federation say?" Eris pauses to await an answer. Her warped grin returns when Kira doesn't have one. "Do they even know you're here?"

Ambassador Ross is aware that the Defiant passed through the wormhole in pursuit of the Cardassian ship, but Kira doesn't know, and honestly doesn't care, about anyone beyond that. With the Treaty of Bajor in place, Starfleet would form a committee or task force to investigate the situation before taking action. There's no time for it, much like there was no time to ask Starfleet's approval before giving chase in the Defiant. Being in command of Deep Space Nine gives Kira some latitude, but not to violate a treaty that ended a war that crippled the Federation. History will ultimately determine if they're heroes or fools.

Eris smiles when Kira once again fails to reply. "Such audacity. I could learn to like you, colonel. Federation officers are usually so… 'by-the-book'."

Kira rolls her eyes. "Time is short, Eris, but if you can propose something to stop this ship with a better chance of safely recovering both our men… I'm willing to wait."

"Of course," Eris nods. "To that end, I'd like a private conversation with the Founder."

Kira scoffs loudly.

"However," Eris continues. "I won't pretend that it would be as we're relying on your man's communication device. So… let's all share a nice chat, shall we?"

Kira props her elbow on her armrest and rests her chin on her hand. She's not against looking for an alternative plan, but she has a feeling she's not going to like whatever the Dominion comes up with. The odds for Chris and the Founder are equally poor at this point, and any option the Dominion presents may swing the odds significantly in the Founder's favor. However, if there's a chance they can come up with something promising that the Founder hasn't considered, she's prepared to play along.

Without answering the Vorta directly, Kira turns to Ezri. "Dax, raise Chris and make sure it's safe for them to talk."

"Aye, sir"

"Eris," Kira says as she turns back to the monitor. "I'd like to make a couple things clear before we get started."

Chris stares at the ceiling above the bed in their hideout on the Cardassian cruiser. He's been experiencing a range of emotions since talking with Nerys: depression, because his odds of survival are still poor; embarrassment, because Carl overheard his entire conversation with Nerys; and strangely… happiness.

Nerys didn't necessarily say anything endearing, but he fixates on how 'not full of hatred' her voice had been. After the horrible dreams he's had recently, that counts for a great deal.

She may as well have said "I don't love you," but she said it like she cared.

The more Chris puts a positive spin on Kira's opinion of him, the more he dreads the next time they speak.

Oh my god… I spilled my guts. I was crying. How do I talk to her after that?

As Chris dwells on impending awkwardness, his combadge beeps to signal an incoming communication.

Shit. What the hell do I say?

"Defiant to Chris."

He cringes at first, but Chris opens his eyes and raises an eyebrow as he realizes the voice isn't Kira's, but Ezri's.

"Ezri?" Chris responds hesitantly. "Where's Nerys?"

"She's… 'discussing' some things with a Vorta right now." Ezri lowers her voice to a whisper. "They don't get along too well."

"A Vorta?" Chris sits up on the edge of the bed. "Is that going to be a problem? I mean… are you guys safe?"

"We are," Ezri responds pleasantly to the expression of concern. "Actually, they're… cooperating—if you can call it that."

"I know the brunt of the threat is to their people, but… I guess that surprises me."

"Yeah, well…" Ezri whispers. "It's not been pretty. The Vorta's not happy we hadn't told her we found you, or that there's a Founder on board."

"I can imagine."

"You sound better, Chris. We were worried about you."

"About that…" Chris says sheepishly. "I've been under a lot of stress, and…"

"Absolutely!" Ezri agrees. "You still are. No need to explain. And… I'm sorry for tapping into your combadge."

"It's OK; I understand why you did it. But… I said some things—earlier and just a bit ago. I'm a little embarrassed. Did everyone on the bridge…?"

"No. Of course not. Only Kira and myself heard the feed from your badge and she left the bridge before contacting you. Chris, you've been facing life and death situations; I doubt you had that back home."

"No, I can't say that I…"

"Then don't worry about it," Ezri says resolutely. "But we'll definitely have to talk about it later. As of right now… the Vorta doesn't like our plan and wants to talk things over with Carl—I mean the Founder." Ezri whispers again. "She doesn't like us calling him 'Carl'."

Chris scoffs. "OK. I can step in the other room in a second. Did she… say anything after we talked? I mean… I feel like an idiot."

"I'm sure you're overreacting," Ezri says. "And no, we haven't had a chance to talk about it. I had the 'pleasure' of talking to the Vorta while Kira was off the bridge. She had to jump right in when she got back."

"I see. Thanks."

"Hey, Carl?" Chris says as he walks into the main room of their hideout. "A Vorta wants to talk to you."

"I heard," Carl grins as Chris sets his combadge on the table.

"Ezri?" Chris says after rolling his eyes at Carl. "We're ready on this end."

"OK," Ezri replies. "I'll see if they've finished arguing."

While Ezri checks, Carl leans over to Chris and whispers. "Try to relax, you are overreacting."

Chris sighs and drops into his seat. He feels extremely anxious about joining Nerys in this discussion.

Sure… relax. Focus on the life and death thing. Ignore the heart in my throat thing. Just… relax…

"How are you holding up, Chris?" Kira asks suddenly.

"I'm, uh…" Chris flounders. He knew she'd be on the line, but he didn't expect Kira's first words to address him directly. "I'm doing better. Thanks."

"Glad to hear it."

"Patching the Vorta in now," Ezri reports.

Chris rubs his forehead and pushes out a short breath.

"Founder," Eris begins as soon as she's connected. "I must express my extreme regret for the dreadful situation in which you've been placed. It pains me that you're at the mercy of this Federation crew."

"Let me be clear, Eris," Carl says, having quickly recognized the voice. "It was my own zeal that allowed me to board this ship, and my own misfortune that confined me to it. Likewise, it seems fortune alone is responsible for sending this human to share my predicament." Carl nods to Chris. "Without that development, there would've been no search for this vessel, and we'd have no means of communication at our disposal. I ask that you respect the unique set of circumstances in which we find ourselves. I expect you to fully cooperate with the Defiant's crew."

"But I…" Eris pauses to abandon an argumentative tone. "Of Course, Founder."

"The Defiant's commander took us at our word, but it appears you need reassurances that our options are truly limited at this point."

"I only wish to explore every possibility before allowing them to put you in such danger."

"Of course," Carl replies. "Please allow me to… is there something on your mind, Chris?"

Having made a gesture that implied a question, Chris clears his throat and whispers to Carl. "Isn't she the first Vorta the Federation encountered?"

"I am," Eris replies shortly, reminding Chris that all of them can hear him.

"Oh. Um… so you're the one who pretended to be a prisoner of the Jem'Hadar when Quark and Sisko were captured?"

"And?" Eris asks expectantly.

"Um… nothing… I guess," Chris says softly. "I just…remembered and… sorry, Carl. I'll keep my mouth shut."

"Please do," Eris adds impolitely. "And would you please stop using that atrocious name for the Founder."

"I gave him permission to use it," Carl says firmly.

"Very well, Founder," Eris says apologetically. "Please continue."

Chris doesn't want to put his foot in his mouth again, so he sits quietly while Carl and the others talk. Besides, he's already heard this lecture. Shuttles, exits, shields… the whole deal. Kira and Eris ask similar questions to what Chris had before, as well as several others that never occurred to him. Carl, however, quickly demonstrates that he's considered nearly every possibility himself. Other ideas, like when Chris made some 'creative' suggestions, are similarly discounted.

As Carl, Kira, and Eris drone on, Chris' thoughts linger on Nerys. Just listening to her, he can't believe how indifferent he'd felt, not even an hour ago, about fighting for any chance to see her again. He'd surrendered to the fact that she will always be waiting for Odo's return and that being around her on the station would only torment him—like his recent nightmares. But… knowing that she cares, even a little, has rekindled the excitement and wonder of leading a life in this time. He's painfully aware of the priorities in this scenario, but he wants nothing more than to be back on the station with Nerys. It may not be how he wants it to be, but he'll take any connection with her he can get. Chris tunes back in to the conversation, listening for any new shred of hope to cling to.

"You heard the colonel, Founder," Eris pleads. "There's no guarantee the ship will survive the effort to lower its shields by force."

"Both of us understand that risk," Carl replies. "But do you have any alternatives we've not yet considered?"

"There has to be something! Can we…" Eris pauses to think. "Can we revisit the escape pods? You said they're sealed, but do they still function?"

"Yes," Carl answers, "but the controls in the pods themselves have been disabled. We couldn't…"

"Not both of you, no," Eris points out, "but one of you could…"

"Now wait a minute," Kira raises her voice, "I know where you're going with this."

"Colonel," Eris says calmly. "If it's possible to use one of the vessel's transporters to place the founder in a pod, your civilian could…"

"He has a name," Kira snaps. "I'd appreciate you use it."

"Chris then, I believe it is, could launch the Founder's pod manually. The Defiant could recover him before the enemy crew reacts, and your man would be no worse off."

"Hardly," Kira answers in disbelief. "Assuming they don't detect the transport, the crew would definitely know someone launched the pod. They'd find him before we could take the shields down. Launching that pod is a death sentence."

Chris gulps.

"For what it's worth," Carl says, "I've sabotaged some internal sensors—including those that would detect a transport."

"That doesn't really matter," Kira scoffs. "They'd still know as soon as he launches the pod."

"Even if they weren't," Carl says ominously, "I should note that when the Defiant attacks this vessel, Dominion forces will move to intercept you. Their interest would be to assist in destroying this vessel… without concern for Chris' extraction."

"Founder," Eris says with feigned ignorance. "If the Defiant had you in custody, we would never..."

"You would," Carl cuts her short. "Especially if you arrive with an imposing force, which I'd also expect."

"Don't worry," Kira interjects. "I wouldn't trust her for one second. But this is still pointless."

"Founder," Eris says. "I'm perplexed. Why are you…?"

"Because," Carl doesn't let Eris finish her question, "like I've already said, if it weren't for this man's presence, we wouldn't have this opportunity. We owe him the same chance of escape for this reason alone, but also because… I consider him a friend."

Surprised, Chris smiles at Carl and nods a reciprocating sentiment.

"With all due respect," Kira says. "I don't trust you either."

"Understandable," Carl replies.

"Well then," Eris sighs with frustration. "It seems as though we're back at the beginning."

"Maybe not," Chris braves rejoining the conversation. "What if we…"

Eris scoffs. "I have no interest in anything you have to add to this discussion."

"But… I think you're on to something. Carl and I ruled the pods out earlier, but you reminded me that the situation's different now."

Kira can't believe Chris is suggesting something so reckless. "You can't be serious!"

"Hold on, there's a difference…" Chris continues. "Instead of just Carl, we load as many books into pods as we can. There's twenty escape pods on the deck we looked at. If that's enough to hold all the books for one of the bioweapon components, that should remove the threat to the Founders. I bet I could launch 'em all before the crew even knows what's happening. The Defiant just has to recover Carl and destroy the rest of the pods."

"Interesting…" Eris says, "but I don't really see the difference."

"I don't either," Kira says. "That's a worse idea, Chris. Not only do you broadcast your presence, but you expose yourself to fire while trying to launch twenty pods!"

"I believe I see his intent," Carl says. "If the crew believes their payload is compromised, they may abandon the mission."

"Yes… that," Chris says as he nods though only Carl can see him.

"Even if you can launch them all, and even if they do give up the mission," Kira's says with palpable frustration, "they will still kill you."

Chris gulps and looks to Carl.

"Colonel," Carl says with confidence, "I believe this plan is plausible."

"Plausible?" Kira argues. "I need something a helluva lot better than 'plausible' before I'll think sending him to run through open corridors of a hostile ship is a good idea."

Carl clarifies his assertion. "The manual launch controls for the pods are closely grouped, ten on each side of the ship. I can take steps to hinder access to that deck to ensure Chris has time to complete his task."

"And what about after that? He just waits to get shot?"

"Of course not," Chris says, obviously lacking Carl's confidence but still committed to the idea, "Carl and I can look over the layout again. We'll find a good place for me to hide after I'm done."

"I don't like it. There's a lot of 'ifs' in this idea," Kira says. "Big ones."

"If the crew surrenders after their payload is compromised," Carl says, "the risk to Chris is greatly reduced."

"Another 'if'. What if they don't?" Kira fires back.

"Then his chances are similar to what they are now."

"But…" Kira begins.

Eris rejoins the discussion. "Colonel, once you engage the vessel, we can move to intercept and assist with the shields in the event the crew does not surrender."

"So kind of you," Kira's sarcasm is thick. "But how do I know you won't just destroy the ship in case one component out of three isn't good enough for you?"

"To that end," Carl says, "I will be in the last pod Chris launches, not the first. If something goes wrong, I will share Chris' fate."

"But, Founder…" the Vorta objects strongly.

Kira is beside herself. "That still doesn't address…"

"Colonel," Carl says, "If Chris successfully launches my escape pod, I will be in command of the Dominion forces as soon as they arrive."

"You forget that I don't trust you," Kira's frustration is growing. "And…"

"But I do," Chris says. "I trust him, Nerys. He's already saved my life."

"That's not good enough for me, Chris," Kira says. "And I still don't like your chances once they know you're on board. Why not have the Founder launch the escape pods? He can change into something ten times as fast—and he'd be a hell of a lot better at hiding."

"Nerys," Chris leans closer to the combadge on the table and speaks softly. "I know that you're really here to save Odo." His brief pause is met with silence. He continues. "But… we're also trying to prevent another war. I know you don't like this plan, but letting Carl get hurt would be bad for everyone. You know how I feel about you. I want to make it back to the station more than anything—but a war won't break out if I don't. Let me do this."

After Chris stops speaking, all four remain silent. Chris and Carl stare at the combadge.

"Carl," Kira says softly. "You make sure you do everything you can to give him enough time."

"I will."

"Eris," Kira says, "like it or not, we're going to have to start this off by opening fire. To have any chance of recovering the Founder and eliminating the bioweapon, we need to persuade them to drop out of warp."

"Of course," Eris replies.

"I'd appreciate it if you could do as you said and get here as fast as possible once we engage, just in case we do need to wear down their shields. Beam weapons only; torpedoes would cause too much hull and structural damage."

"Understood."

"Understand something else. If it gets to a point where we can't recover Chris and that ship is still a threat… I make the call to…" Kira clears her throat and takes a breath, "to do what we have to do."

Chris is moved by Nerys' difficulty in considering his death. He takes a deep breath of his own and wipes the corners of his eyes.

"I appreciate your situation, colonel," Eris says, "but the entire population of our leadership is at stake. We'll allow for every opportunity to recover your man, as the Founder requests, but in the end… we will do what we must."

"I guess that's the best I'm going to get," Kira concedes. "The next steps are yours, you two. Take the time you need to make this happen right, but let us know the instant anything changes. If the crew figures out what you're doing, we want to start hitting those shields as soon as possible."

"We'll begin preparations immediately," Carl says.

"We'll let you know when we're ready," Chris adds. "This'll work, Nerys."

"It better, Chris," Kira responds. "I don't want to have to kill you."