Back at the hotel, Duxeal and Metaxa met up with Woof and Ecurb. "How are you, Ecurb?" inquired Duxeal.
"I'm fine, thanks," replied Ecurb "It'll take more than a couple of thugs to put me down. Any progress with your suspect?"
Duxeal and Metaxa looked at each other and then back to their friends. Duxeal told them of the events at McCools bar and how Isla Deluxe had been coerced into divulging the Orion Syndicate's plan, codename Project Icarus—the meltdown of the Federation.
Woof and Ecurb looked at each other in astonishment, surprised that the Orion Syndicate had the gall to take on the Federation.
At length, Duxeal asked Ecurb if he had any unusual experiences while at the Ferengi Trade and Commerce convention on Earth. He could not think of any, but as Duxeal was about to ask another question, Ecurb interrupted him by saying, "Wait a minute. As I was waiting for the lift on my floor to take me down to the conference room, a young lady stepped out of the lift and accidentally, as she put it, sprayed perfume in my face. I thought nothing about it as it only stung my eyes for a few moments. She was full of apologies, and I let the matter rest. A splash of cold water and I was fine"
"Then that's how they started off the chain reaction of infection!" exclaimed Duxeal, with excitement in his voice.
"Cunning devils" added Woof Maccu, "By the Sword of Kahless, these pa'taks will pay. It's only by good fortune that our medical team found an antidote in time."
"How is the good doctor?" inquired Duxeal, remembering his Cardassian friend, and the good times they shared.
"He's recovering, and back on Earth being looked after by his good lady wife," answered Woof.
"Stargazer not with you, Woof", asked Metaxa, noticing her absence.
"She was not infected, so did not qualify for sick leave" replied Woof, with a hint of sadness in his voice. Then he added "She will be joining us for a short vacation when she can get away"