Commander Lakahn found himself in the hot, dark transport room of the Gavran with a tall, male Cardassian looking down his rather formidable nose at him. "Glinn Ledrec," the giant said, introducing himself with the slightest dip of the head. It was a large head, with a square jaw and heavy features. "No time for formalities, I'm afraid," he continued. "We've just received an emergency call for help from the Ytrem system. A Cardassian station is under some kind of attack. At the moment, Gul Narat is discussing the situation with his superiors, but he's quite anxious to meet you. If you'll follow me..." Glinn Ledrec gave Lakahn the same sort of half-bow Vekal had given, and then led him out of the transport room.
The Cardassian walked briskly. Lakahn had to struggle to keep up. Added to the fact that the temperature was uncomfortably high, and he was sweating by the time he reached the bridge. Discreetly he wiped a drop from his brow. It was more the heat than the exercise; as a Starfleet officer Lakahn was very fit, but he was used to the pleasantly cool atmosphere of the Orion. This was like a sauna. He remembered Glinn Vekal's comment aboard the Orion and had to chuckle.
The bridge of the Gavran was large and spacious and dark. A raised platform, a foot high and four wide, ran around the back and sides of the bridge. In the centre of the room, also raised, was a large chair with consoles to either side. Behind it and off to the sides were two larger consoles, set so a Cardassian or a tall human could stand behind them. Lakhan turned to ask Glinn Ledrec if one of these was his, but the large Cardassian was gone and the door to the bridge was closed.
A polite cough sounded from behind him, and Lakhan turned to see a young-looking Cardassian standing in one of the other doorways leading off the bridge.
"Gul Narat?" Lakahn asked to be polite, without really expecting an affirmative answer.
But the Cardassian nodded.
He was short. That was Lakahn's first impression of the Cardassian Gul. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting –a towering, terrifying man, Vekal's reptilian hardness intensified. The stories of the Occupation flashed through his mind and Lakahn had to suppress a shudder. Undoubtedly some part of his subconscious had expected Gul Narat to be cold, intimidating, with cruel black eyes and a perpetual sneer on his face.
Instead, he was a rather small, affable man with a disarming smile. Unlike the cold harshness of Vekal's features, the ridges around Gul Narat's eyes were round and his eyes were just darker than the colour of molten chocolate. They showed nothing but welcome. "Ah," Gul Narat said. "Commander Lakahn; welcome aboard." Lakahn was thrown, for the second time that day, by a Cardassian's voice; Gul Narat's was light and unconcerned and his eyes sparkled as if Lakahn were the only person in the world worth meeting.
"It's a pleasure to be here, sir." Still a bit overwhelmed, Lakahn dipped his head as he'd seen Glinn Vekal do.
Gul Narat smiled and returned the gesture. "The pleasure's all mine, I assure you. But I'm afraid I have to start our acquaintance with an apology, Commander. I'd intended to welcome you on board with a bottle of kanar, but as you can see-" he sighed in some frustration "-there has been a most unfortunate incident in Cardassian space on a station called Keltok Nor. As the closest warship, naturally, we are called on to investigate."
"An incident?" Lakahn repeated, startled. He wasn't sure, but if he remembered the area maps correctly, the nearest Cardassian station was four or five light-years away. What sort of an 'incident' could pull the Gavran that far away, with such urgency, in the middle of what must surely be one of the most important events in sealing the peace treaty?
Gul Narat gave a wry smile. "Apparently, one that is of the utmost importance to the Union. When I have details, Commander, you will be informed."
"The timing of this is quite a coincidence," Lakahn observed. "Sir."
A nod. "It most certainly is, Commander." Pause. "Surely you don't think me naive enough not to have thought of that? On Cardassia we have a saying," he explained. "'Coincidences happen all the time, and they should never be trusted'. I for one wouldn't be very surprised if this were someone's brilliant idea of undermining the treaty; but we have our orders. They will be followed.
"On that note," the shorter Cardassian continued, "we will arrive at Keltok Nor within the hour. I suggest you spend the time familiarising yourself with the ship, Commander. Glinn Ledrec will show you your quarters and explain your duties." Gul Narat turned aside and sat in his chair just as the door opened, revealing the large Glinn. Lakahn hesitated. He was used to being dismissed verbally, and it took him a second and a curious glance from Gul Narat to figure out what he was to do. Somewhat sheepishly, he left the bridge and followed Glinn Ledrec through the narrow, hot passages of the ship.