Disclaimer: Paramount Studios and the estate of Gene Roddenberry own copyright of all things Star Trek. The original plot is my own as are any characters created specifically for this story.

Will Riker had by now joined the increasingly large group in Colonel Kira's office. He voiced the question on everyone's minds. Everyone, but Picard's that is,

'Where did the Cardassians get the Archon? It couldn't have been from Beta III. It's clear to hell and gone over the other side of the Federation. It would take them days, even at maximum warp to get there. And a Daedalus class ship could never maintain that kind of speed for any length of time anyway!'

'I would assume that the Cardassians, if indeed it is they who have control of the vessel and that still has not been absolutely proven, have upgraded the engineering systems to current standards.'

'Yes, but even so. Cardassian technology in significantly lower than ours and.. But we're missing something. Data didn't you say that the Archon was destroyed?'

'No sir, I said believed destroyed. In 2167 by the computer Landru. There is an important difference..'

'Of course', broke in Picard, fearing another onslaught of information from the golden skinned android, 'besides Number One, the facts speak for themselves. Our instrument readings all confirm that the vessel was the U.S.S. Archon, Daedalus class starship.

Question. How did the Cardassians get their hands on it?'

'Maybe via the Yriddians again. Or blind luck. Or any number of sources who might have informed them of the existence of a Federation starship which they could put to their own use.' Odo cut in, 'Might I suggest a course of action? That we allow Jaglom Shrek a free hand, but keep him, and his ship, under surveillance. I believe there is an old Earth saying, something along the lines of 'Give a man enough rope and he'll hang himself' which would practically do our jobs for us. He will unwittingly act as our agent and betray all his contacts.'

'Agreed.' Picard and Kira both spoke together. They looked at each other. Kira spoke first. 'I'm sorry Captain. I've spent too long as the ranking officer on the station. Of course I defer to you, as the senior Starfleet officer present.'

'Thank you, Colonel. But in matters internal to DS9 I want you to remain in charge. Only in overall strategic decisions, or while onboard the Enterprise, would I expect to have sole command.' He smiled. 'Thank you Captain. Odo, make it so.' Kira grinned.

The Enterprise contingent returned to the ship.

'Kira to Captain Picard.' Jolted out of his reverie, Picard tapped his communicator briskly, 'Picard here.' They listened intently; 'Captain, Jaglom Shrek has just requested docking clearance for DS9. I thought you would wish to be informed.' Riker's eyes narrowed. 'Yes, thank you Colonel. I'm on my way.' Picard stood, and pulled his uniform tunic down at the hem, in the manner that had become habit to him.

'Come on Will, the game's afoot, as Mr. Data would say.' He turned to leave. 'Or Sherlock Holmes', replied Riker grinning. 'Yes', Picard eyed him thoughtfully. Then turned on his heel and left the room. He entered the turbolift and commanded, 'Deck Six.'

They exited the turbolift as it stopped and made their way swiftly to Transporter Room Three. Along the way Picard acknowledged the nods of the crew that they passed. Although salutes were now long outmoded, it was a mark of respect to the commanding officer, in recognition of his rank.

They reached the transporter room, and mounted the pedestal. 'Operations Centre, DS9, Ensign.' Picard commanded, 'Energize'.

They emerged into a hive of activity. Kira beckoned them over to her console to view the developments. 'Captain, Commander', she indicated her console, 'Shrek is due to dock in one minute. Hence the rush of activity. He always does this. Appears right on our doorstep, requesting clearance. Probably so that we don't have time to set up the proper checks on his cargo. Odo is waiting for him in the cargo area.'

'Won't he suspect something? Surely the presence of the station's Head of Security would warn him of any danger.' Riker was surprised. 'Not really Commander, Odo's the anti-grav unit.' The dark eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. Picard laughed aloud at his confusion. 'My fault Number One. Perhaps I forgot to mention that Odo is a shape-shifter?'

'Yes', Riker drawled suspiciously, 'you did.'

They watched on the monitors as Shrek's ship docked and its cargo was unloaded. Then there was a long pause. During which time Riker took the opportunity to study Kira more closely. She was a Bajoran of course. Riker didn't have a high success rate with Bajoran women. Which given that Ro Larin was the only one he had ever known, was not really surprising.

He liked what he saw. She was tall, though obviously, not as tall as he was. She had, he observed appreciatively, a full figure under her uniform. But of her personality, he had seen very little. A factor he realized would soon have to be corrected. 'Something wrong Commander?' He blinked. 'I'm slipping!'

'No, nothing Colonel', he took the plunge, 'I was just wondering if you were free for dinner tonight?' Picard unobtrusively raised his eyes to the heavens. 'Not again!' He returned his attention to her reply. '.. but I'm afraid I must decline. Sorry.'

Both officers took a moment to let the answer sink in. If anything Jean-Luc was more surprised than Will Riker. He had never known Will to miss before. But apparently, there was a first time for everything. 'Er.. um.. that's fine Colonel. Just thought I'd ask, that's all.' Riker stumbled a response, clearly still recovering from the shock of a rejection.

Picard saw an indicator flash on Kira's board. 'If I could interrupt your love-life a moment Commander', he began with a barely suppressed smile, 'I believe Constable Odo is trying to contact us.' They all turned their attention to the display. A written message appeared scrolling down the screen.

'Good', said Kira, 'Shrek has completed unloading and is onboard DS9. Odo is on his way up to report in person.'

'Not still as an anti-grav unit?' Queried Riker, attempting to recover lost ground. 'No, he couldn't manage the turbo-lift', shot back Kira. Will gave up, defeated. Clearly, for once he had met his match.

They sat waiting for Odo's appearance. It took rather longer than they expected, but eventually he appeared.

'Ah, it's my good friend Doctor Bashir, and accompanied by two lovely ladies.' Garak was on good form, Bashir noted. 'Your flattery won't work on them Garak', he responded 'they are too sensible to fall for that line of patter.'

'Leave him alone', protested Troi, 'I think he's doing fine as he is!' Bashir gave up. Not for the first time did he realize the one truth about flattery and women. Laying it on with a trowel always worked. Funny, but whenever he got out his trowel he just ended up digging holes! Which generally proved very difficult to extricate himself from.

'So my good friend Doctor Bashir, to what do I owe the pleasure of such lovely company, and yourself?' Bashir ignored the attempted slight, knowing it to be either accidental, or humorously intended. Garak was unusual in this respect. Being a Cardassian without a single malicious bone in his body, that is. 'Clothing of course, plain, simple, Garak', he responded with a smile. Garak's eyes twinkled, mischievously.

'Of course Doctor', he replied, returning the smile, 'a new suit perhaps? You may remember I tried to tempt you once before, but you were not interested.' Bashir tensed. The last time, indeed the only time Garak had actually attempted to sell him clothing, specifically a suit, he had become embroiled in a very messy situation. Could a similar circumstance be to what Garak now referred? He responded carefully, 'Is it the same suit as last time Garak? Same cloth, same cut, same size?'

'Ah, we do understand one another! Yes, exactly the same. Perhaps you would care for a fitting, when your shift ends this evening maybe, at 1900 hours perhaps?' Bashir regarded him; 'Yes, that would be fine Garak, thank you. And now. The ladies? We must not forget our manners must we?'

'Ah yes, dear ladies', Garak enthused, 'please look around, anything you desire can be purchased, or made to your requirements if desired.' Deanna and Beverly were not slow in accepting the offer. They spent fully half an hour rummaging through Garak's stock. Even Garak was taken aback at the length of time they took in selecting the cloth they wanted. They returned - eventually - both heavily laden with cloth. Troi was first to speak,

'I'm exhausted. Garak, where have you been? This is a wonderful shop! Don't you agree Beverly?' Crusher was glowing. 'Absolutely, I must speak to Jean-Luc about coming here more often!' Troi shot her a glance; 'Beverly!' Crusher regarded her innocently, 'Just joking Deanna. Now what do we owe you for all this?' She inquired, turning her attention to Garak. 'Absolutely nothing ladies. Everything is free.'

'Don't you believe him', cut in Bashir, 'he just deducts Starfleet bills from the rent he pays on the Promenade. But he says all that to make a good impression on the ladies.'

'Don't be so cynical Julian', replied Troi, 'I just think it's a very nice gesture. Come on. We must leave Garak in peace; he'll have his hands full making that lot up into dresses for Beverly and me. Besides, you promised to show me the wormhole.' She grabbed his arm and dragged him away. He let her. At least if she led the way, he reasoned, he couldn't do anything wrong. Well, that was the theory anyway.

'I have to be going now anyway. Have fun you two!' Beverly grinned as she walked away. Troi glared darkly after her. As they exited the turbo-lift Troi cried out, 'It's beautiful. I don't know how I missed it on our last visit here!' She turned to Bashir, on impulse slipping an arm around his waist as they walked together. He swallowed nervously, and similarly slipped his arm around her.

'Tonight then', murmured Shrek, 'we will meet in the tailor Garak's shop. It's all arranged.'

The tall, cowled figure simply nodded and strode purposefully away. With his back to their table Quark stiffened. He felt sure there was something familiar about that walk, something almost.. military! The realization caught him off-guard, and he nearly dropped his tray, spilling a few drops on a seated Nausicaan. Who was not pleased. Quark spent the next few minutes making hurried apologies, and attempting to save himself from dismemberment.

He then threw his tray to Rom, who caught it clumsily, 'Take care of things Rom, I'll only be a few minutes. And make sure you keep your hands out of the till!'

'Brother', Rom complained, 'as if I would!'

'You would, but you won't!' Quark retorted and stalked out of the bar. He needed to see Odo quickly. Quark was not an informer. But trouble was bad for business. And Quark was a Ferengi. A good one. Although a good Ferengi was not always a good person, in this case the two met. Quark didn't like it.

He liked it even less when he reached Odo's office, only to find him gone. 'Never around when you want him, always when you don't!' He muttered aggravated. 'Were you looking for me?' A voice right behind him startled him out of his thoughts. He spun around. Odo, Kira and the two Enterprise officers were stood right behind him. 'Er, no, just browsing.' He replied. 'Browsing', repeated Riker, 'in a security office window?'

'Quark!' Odo spoke sharply. Quark eyed Riker. He did not like Riker. For one thing, he was too tall. Also much too good at the dabo tables. 'All right, all right. I just saw Gul Evek with Jaglom Shrek. They were making plans to meet in Garak's shop tonight.'

'Oh really? And what were they planning to do there, buy a new suit each?' Odo was not impressed. 'How would I know? Anyway I've told you now. Why I don't know!' With that he pushed his way past them and disappeared back to his beloved bar. 'So, Evek is on the station', mused Odo, 'now what would make it worth him taking a risk like that?'

'Hold on Odo', Kira cut across his thoughts, 'now let me get this straight. You actually believe that little troll?' She was not impressed. 'Yes, what reason does he have to lie?' Odo regarded her; 'Does he need one?' She growled. Odo regarded her; 'Even Quark does.'

Bashir seemed relieved for the assistance in avoiding Kira's anger any further. Quite how she had discovered he knew of the night's pending meeting at Garak's he was unsure, but that she was displeased he was in no doubt; 'Er, yes, yes. Thank you Constable.' He related the content of his conversation with Garak to the assembled team. As he finished Picard pursed his lips. 'This Evek, is he local to this sector Colonel?'

'No Captain, in fact quite frankly I don't really know where he is supposed to be based at the moment. He's been moving quite regularly to different outposts at intervals over the past two years or so.'

'Hmmm. Tell me some of his previous postings during that time span.' Picard folded his arms across his chest and regarded her. 'Sector 21505, Sector 21630..' His head sunk lower. 'Merde, deep merde!' Kira queried him; 'What's wrong Captain?'

'Remember the Argus Array Will? Someone had been using it to spy on various Federation installations?' Riker nodded; 'Yes, DS5, Starbase 47, Utopia Planitia..'

'And the Idara Colony. Will, 21506 is only across the border from Cardassian space. As is 21629. The Idara Colony is in 21506, and 21629 has...' They both growled. 'Deep Space 5. Damnit!'

'Would somebody mind explaining the significance of all this, please?' Inquired an increasingly irate Kira. 'Oh, I apologize Colonel', replied Picard. He related the details of a previous mission to her, concluding, 'so as you can see, Gul Evek just happens to have been posted in very interesting sectors at exactly the wrong time. All the stations being monitored, barring the fleetyards of Utopia Planitia, are in far flung sectors of Federation space. And they all deal with the development of new spaceships. Which is very worrying', he repeated, 'very worrying!'

He stood, looking thoughtful, 'Number One, Colonel Kira, would you come with me please?' He led them back to Kira's office. 'With your permission, Colonel?' He indicated Kira's padd. Kira simply nodded. 'Computer, recognize Picard, Jean-Luc, Captain.'

'Identification verified.'

'Open a secure channel to Admiral Thomas Henry. Priority One clearance.' He waited. The Starfleet seal disappeared from the screen to be replaced with Admiral Henry's worried features. 'Yes, Jean-Luc? What news do you have?'

'Not good Admiral. It appears that the Cardassians were behind the reprogramming of the Argus Array, reported as a distinct possibility in my log of Stardate 47392.4. As you may recall, according to Lieutenant Worf's report, we encountered a Galor Class Cardassian warship whilst investigating the array's imaging records.

However, we were not informed of the identity of the individual we spoke with commanding that vessel. I now believe that person to have been a Gul Evek.

It transpires that he has been posted in adjacent sectors of Cardassian space on no less than three occasions to locations, which the array had been reprogrammed to observe. As was reported to Starfleet at the time, they all dealt with new starship Research & Development.

He has also been sighted recently here on DS9. Apparently arranging a meeting with an Yriddian, Jaglom Shrek. We currently suspect Shrek of being the initial informant regarding the Galaxy Class element. He has close ties with the Ferengi, who you will recall were instrumental in the incident Commander Riker reported at Surplus Depot Zed 15. It may be that they stumbled across something and sold the information to the Yriddian.

I would be grateful if you could inform me as to whether the locations of the remaining Galaxy Class segments could be discovered from any of the sources scanned during the Argus Array incident I mentioned.'

Henry quickly accessed the files. He returned looking perturbed. He passed his hand over his face. 'From Utopia Planitia he could have got everything he needed of course. However, the security there is as tight as I can make it. Which is tight. The same is true of Starbase 47 also.

The Idara Colony and Deep Space Five concern me more. While security is still tight at DS5, it could be better. And the colony has a local Federation contingent overseeing the facility. I believe that is the weak link. Although the data available from Idara is not extensive by any means it would serve two important purposes;

Firstly, to corroborate the Yriddian's story, and, secondly, to provide other clues of where to look for further data.

Good work Jean-Luc. Continue until we know exactly how bad the situation is, and how it can be reversed. Henry out.'

A fade to black and the Starfleet seal and replaced his face once more.

Will Riker stopped with a jolt. He called out,

'I'll catch you up in a minute.' The word he'd heard was 'Imzadi', he was almost positive. He hadn't needed to see the look on the younger officer's face to confirm his suspicions. He knew the look, and the accompanying emotion, all too well himself.

'Can I help?' He inquired. 'What? Sorry?' Bashir drew himself up hastily, 'I'm sorry Commander, I didn't see you..'

'Relax, I just thought you looked like someone who needed a bit of help that's all. My name, by the way is Will, not Commander', he commented reprovingly, 'but I'll let it pass if you tell me where you heard that word.' Bashir blinked. 'Word? I'm sorry, I don't..'

'Imzadi.' Bashir's face fell. 'Hmmm. It means 'just good friends' doesn't it?'

''Beloved', actually. Which somehow makes it worse. Am I right in assuming that the person of Deanna Troi has, once again, succeeded in unwittingly capturing another human male's heart?' Sympathetic. 'Yes', with feeling, 'tell me Will.. I'm being rude.. my name is Julian', they shook hands. 'Tell me', he repeated, 'how did you know?'

'Been there, seen it, still there, still can't believe it. Deanna and I go back a long way. To when she was a student and I was a fresh young Starfleet graduate. We had some good times. But I decided my career was more important, and we drifted apart. It was only when we met again on the Enterprise that we found that our friendship was still as strong. And I heard that horrible word for the first time.

Imzadi.'

'Forever!' They chorused, and burst out laughing. 'Well', began Bashir, 'with me it was..'

'Let me guess', cut in Riker, 'upon greeting the bridge crew of a visiting starship, you find yourself attracted to a beautiful dark-haired vision. You then get informed that she is Betazoid. You panic, thinking that she can read your thoughts. You begin to talk to yourself, the word 'Help' is probably used. Afterwards the object of your desire approaches you and you find that she is not so frightening after all. In fact she is far too easy to talk to. You think you may be becoming romantically involved with...'

'Enough, enough! And then, as per usual, the world comes crashing around your head, your carefully laid plans, so much stellar debris. Tell me one thing though. How do you cope?'

Riker looked straight at him, his face stone, 'You don't.'

'Hmm. But Comm... Will, she is so...' he looked up at Riker. 'Deanna!' Will called over Julian's shoulder, far too forcefully. Julian took the warning and shut up. 'Hello Will, what are you two doing here?'

'Talking, just talking.' Innocent. Far too innocent. She raised an eyebrow quizzically in his direction. 'Oh yes? What about?' Two could play at that game. Julian let his native cowardice control him. He was out of his depth here, he could see.

'Not going are you Julian?' Riker. 'Er..' 'YES!' his mind shouted. 'No of course he isn't.' Troi. Julian gave up. 'To answer your question', Julian, nearly catatonic with fear, looked at Will. 'For God's sake, leave it!' His brain screamed, now in panic mode.

'We were discussing inter-species mating rituals, a topic Mr. Data informs me you are very interested in.' Concluded Riker, grinning broadly. 'Mr. Data', stated Troi icily, 'is mistaken.'

'Shame!' It was out before his brain could halt it. He began faking a violent coughing fit. He turned to walk away, ostensibly to get something from his dispensary for the cough. It did not work. He felt his arm pulled by Troi. 'Sorry Julian, I didn't quite get that?'

'Er, I said 'shame', that such a sophisticated android could not be made to be able to interpret human emotions and comments more accurately, the current obvious misunderstanding presumably having arisen from a joke at some time, that Mr. Data interpreted as a serious comment. That's all.'

Will Riker raised his eyebrows behind Deanna's back. He applauded silently. She turned round suddenly. 'Something wrong with your hands Will?' He smiled benignly. 'No, no, just a slight itch. Perhaps a skin inflammation.'

'I could take a look at it if you wish?' Bashir jumped at the chance to escape; 'That's most kind Doctor,' he held out his hand to his side, 'shall we?' They both strolled off together, the sweat trickling down both backs in equal quantities. But they made the turbo-lift in safety. Will turned to Bashir.

'Next time Julian, I may not be there. Be warned. Nice line in response though. I liked that. Very good thinking, which with a mouth like yours is probably the only reason you're still here at all!'

'Excuse me', Deanna turned to face the speaker, 'Counsellor Troi isn't it. Hi, I'm Kira Nerys.' Troi regarded the Bajoran officer. 'Er, call me Deanna', she responded. 'Forgive me Coun.. Deanna, but you seemed a little distracted. A certain young doctor perhaps?' Deanna looked sharply at her. 'You're not part Betazoid are you?' A shake of the head, 'then how?'

'Simple. I just passed Commander Riker and Doctor Bashir heading away from this direction. Riker looked puzzled. And I've seen that look on Julian's face far too often by now not to recognize it instantly. So, what happened?' Deanna told her the whole sorry tale. The visit to the docking pylon, to view the wormhole, holding hands, the near miss of a kiss. And the memories of Will flooding back, just at the wrong time,

'.. and I'm afraid Julian took it the wrong way', she concluded sadly. 'Probably', agreed Kira, not very helpfully, 'look, if you want to get inside the head of Bashir, there is only one person on this station who can really help..'

Lieutenant Ezri Dax. A Trill. Had lived a total of eight lifetimes, so far. But this was a new one on her. 'Tell me again, the bit about finding Julian, what was it? Interesting?' She fought to keep the surprise out of her voice. Sadly, being a Trill, having seen so much before, she hadn't much experience with the emotion. Consequently, she failed. Badly. 'I said', Troi repeated, irritated, although she wasn't sure why, 'intriguing. I've never met somebody before who seems so, well scared of women.'

'Oh, he's scared all right. To parody an old Earth saying, 'A slap a day keeps the Doctor away', permanently. But I do have to thank you. For some reason Julian attached himself, metaphorically speaking of course, to me on sight. Since our first meeting he has been trying to get me to agree to a deeper relationship. And I don't want it!' Too forceful. Deanna's professional interest was piqued.

'Why not?' Dax squinted. 'Well, I, er.. I don't really know to be honest.' Troi looked at her. 'Ezri, he's a good person. Give him a chance. You may find yourself in for a shock.'

'Undoubtedly! But we were talking about you, not me!' She turned the topic away from herself, thankful. 'But you are a far more interesting subject. I have absolutely no desire to muscle in on someone else's territory, so I think..'

'Julian', interrupted Dax, 'is not, repeat not 'my territory'. He's just a good friend.' Deanna blanched visibly. 'Oops.'

'What do you mean 'oops'?' The reply was a little slow; 'Well, um, when I said that I wished us to remain Imzadi to each other, that was Julian's reaction. He muttered, 'Just good friends', in a half disgusted, half resigned, voice. That was the last I saw of him. He disappeared shortly after. I think I know what he meant now. That's probably all he ever hears.'

'Good guess.' Troi stood. 'I'd better find him. Where are his quarters?' Dax told her, with some misgivings. Troi left her, and paced quickly to a nearby turbolift.

'Ensign Sonya Gomez, reporting for duty, sir.' Geordie LaForge, caught off guard, sat up too quickly. He caught his head on the ceiling of the narrow Jeffries Tube and swore. Evidently, sending Gomez to report to him personally had been someone's whimsical idea of a joke. He thought he knew whose. He gingerly rubbed his head where he had caught it on the roof of the Jeffries tube.

'Dammit Ensign, don't sneak up on me that way. Pass me that tricorder', he growled, 'Welcome home, by the way!' Thinking at the same time, 'Will Riker, you die. Slowly!'

'Well, I heard that the Enterprise was in dire need of an Ensign who knew her way around anti-matter flow regula...' She smiled; 'Damn, bad news travels fast! But it is old news. Data and I have just completed that repair. Now there's just the small problem of putting the plasma back into phase after inertial distortions. And that..'

'I thought that was what this box of tricks', she tapped the mid range phase adjuster, which had been the centre of Geordie's concentration for longer than he could remember, 'was for? Wasn't it?' he scowled. 'Yeah, but it ain't working right! And I can't see why!'

'Here, let me.' She took the magnifying viewer off Geordie and held it in front of her eyes, directed at the panel. Frowning, she adjusted the focus. Then, 'There!' Triumphant, 'see it?' She handed the viewer over, 'you had the magnification set too high. And because of that you missed that crack, it's nearly a tenth of a millimetre in width, and four long!'

Geordie threw down the viewer in disgust. She was right, and he'd been on this particular problem a solid six hours. Six hours too long of course, he now realized. He should have let someone else, someone fresher, take on this job. But no, they were his engines, his babies, and he wanted to take care of them when they were sick. A strange man was Geordie.

They took less than five minutes to complete repairs now that they knew what to do. Then Geordie tapped his communicator, 'LaForge to Lieutenant Barclay. Fire 'em up Reg. Should be O.K. now. LaForge out.' To Gomez, 'Come on Sonya, I owe you a drink for that in Ten Forward.' She turned to make her way out of the cramped space. As she did so, he came behind her, and, because of their close proximity, he found himself realizing that she had a very attractive figure. 'Snap out of it, Geordie. Sonya Gomez is trouble you most definitely do not need!' He told himself severely shaking his head. This was getting him nowhere, very fast.

'Quickly, you're late', Garak bundled him inside, and they're due any second now!' Bashir grinned; 'Gul Evek and Jaglom Shrek, you mean?'

'How did you.. never mind, come in, quickly!' He caught Julian by the shoulder and literally propelled him through a pair of curtains into one of his fitting rooms. 'And stay quiet, they're due any..' His voice cut off, 'Ah gentlemen, so kind of you to grace me with your presence.' A rough Cardassian voice responded, 'Pah, being with these humans too long has made you soft Garak! Go, and we will call if we want you. The Yriddian and I have business.'

'As you wish', replied Garak. Bashir heard the sound of walking towards the door of the shop. It opened and then slid shut behind Garak. He realized he was on his own, with two very dangerous individuals conducting a secret meeting not twenty feet from where he stood. His heart sounded as if it would burst out of his ears. For the first time he realized what he was involved in, and was afraid.

He listened intently, but, despite the belief that they were alone, the two conspirators spoke in hushed voices. A careful ear could still make out the throaty rasp of the Yriddian Jaglom Shrek, and the Cardassian, Gul Evek. However, the specifics of the conversation were inaudible.

Suddenly the voices grew louder,

'No, you can't..' Pleading. 'Oh, but I can, and I'm going to!' Satisfied. 'But why? I've told you everything I know!' Cowering. 'Exactly! I know what you know. Your contacts. Your knowledge, times, places, people. You have been so very helpful.. strange that your very thoroughness should be your downfall.' Malevolent.

'You..' Whining. 'Yes, I no longer have any need of your assistance. In fact from now on you can only be a liability, a loose end. Untidy. And I am known for my dislike of mess.'

There was a burst of noise, a blood-curdling scream, and a thud. A hiss of a sliding door as the assailant fled before discovery. His training took over and Julian bolted from his hiding place. A quick scan of Shrek's remains, for all that remained of him was a residue on the floor revealed what was already apparent. Especially given what Julian noticed thrown in the corner. He swore. A Varon-T Disruptor. Outlawed for its use of a particularly lengthy and tortuous method of molecular disruption. Jaglom Shrek had died in agony. Bashir tapped his communicator.

'Security Alert. Bashir to Odo, Shrek is dead, by a Varon-T disruptor at the hands of Gul Evek.' He cursed. 'Acknowledged. Odo out.' The coldness of the response goaded Bashir. 'Odo, didn't you..' He was annoyed. 'Yes, our main lead is dead. Thank you Doctor.' The customary bleep terminated any further discussion.