"Have you finished?"
Odo had a cheerfuland carefree sort of ring to his voice which was quite unlike the usual sharp sarcasm that he normally addressed her with.
She pressed the last few buttons on the security console than she touched the screen which caused the screen to hum and the keyboard to spark slightly.
"Yes that should do.
The records should be gone forever.
There will be absolutely no traces of that record ever being on file, anywhere in the system.
It is completely erased".
"Excellent.
Let me double check, just to make sure".
Odo made his words extra sharp so she would know that he was in charge.
Odo scanned through all the login records as quickly as he could, he even tried alternate methods to access the files but she had indeed erased every scrap of evidence that she had ever used his security clearance in the first place.
"What was this about a Romulun Cargo Ship?"
"I never mentioned anything about a Romulun Cargo ship Commander".
"Oh yes you did.
You mentioned it the first day you arrived and you were right here in my office at the time.
I know very well that no Romulun Cargo ship has sophisticated warp speed, massive Quantum Torpedos and a cloaking device aboard their vessels. So what kind of vessel was this again? Perhaps you could enlighten me".
"It was an underground Escort ship not a Cargo Vessel like I said".
Taya turned her focus to the floor once more.
"Why lie about the type of vessel you were on?"
"I was trying to protect Garak and the others that were involved".
"Involved with what?"
The edge in his voice was getting dangerously threatening.
"It wasn't a Maquis ship, it was a Cardassian confiscated vessel, modified by the Cardassian Underground."
"The Cardassian underground and not the Maquis, how very fascinating.
So you joined the Cardassian Underground in order to escape Cardassia, rather than joining up with the Maquis.
How splendid.
It certainly makes a lot more sense because the Marquis hasn't been a threat in over 20 years."
"You knew I was lying didn't you?"
"I knew you were lying about some things but I wasn't quite clear on everything. In other words I didn't know which was a lie and which was the actual genuine article.
There were a few details that just didn't seem to add up but overall I assumed most of what you confessed to me in this office was a fabrication of some sort.
However you did tell me the truth later and you have cleared up and filled in most of the blanks.
So I appreciate that, although in the future I would suggest not to hide certain vital information like that again.
I don't like inconsistencies and I do not like when certain facts are left out and when the facts don't add up. I don't just want the whole story next time, but every time after this.
Honesty is the best policy after all and if you want to remain on good terms with me, You are going to tell me the truth, not just your truth, Garak's Truth or Quark's Truth, the truth without any over exaggerations, any fancy flourishes or any creative licencing.
Tell it how it is or you can take that Bajoran Uniform elsewhere, possibly to another station."
"Yes Constable. Are you going to report me?"
Taya squeezed her eyes and tightened her vocal chords to the point that her voice was a
painful little squeak.
"Report you for what?"
"Report me for conspiring with a Rebel force".
"It's the Cardassian Underground, they are a somewhat peaceful organization and hold no threat over this station.
They strive for peace, equality and justice upon Carassia so I'd hardly call that a rebel force.
You did join the Cardassian Underground right and not some other nefarious organization right?"
"Yes I did but only because I was desperate to get off of Cardassia.
Garak introduced me to it's existence originally, then Garak told me that the group force leader and the rest of the council members would take pity on me if I told them my story.
They didn't just pity me they had sincere empathy for my situation.
They eventually agreed to bring me here to this station."
"However did you persuade them to bring you this far? No secret organization does things for free so surely you did something in return for their services."
"Well that's just the thing I was afraid to tell you. I don't think I should even tell you now".
Odo stood up from his chair, leaned in on the dashboard of his security desk with his fingers outstretched which even though he wasn't towering over her he still was extremely intimidating to her even in this position as he loomed over his desk to look at her from the other side where she stood nervously avoiding his gaze.
"Okay I helped them modify that ship, I installed the warheads and the cloaking device.
Then they agreed to transport me here."
"You are aware that manning a unauthorized vessel with Quantum Torpedoes is a criminal offense?
War heads are classified as weapons and Cloaking devices are illegal in nearly all sectors in Alliance with the Fedaration of Planets unless used during a time of war.
What makes matters worse is that Roumulun vessel was stolen.
I should write you up and report you but I won't, not this time."
"Why not?"
"Let's just say the first friend I ever encountered was once part of the Underground as well".
"Cardassian?"
"No, Bajoran.
It was during the Bajoran Occupation if you must know.
There was a underground even back then.
I had the chance to report her to the Cardassian government but I chose not to that day.
I still don't regret doing that, not even now, after all these years and after all this time.
Don't make me regret this Taya.
Mercy is not something I pride myself in, I often use it sparingly, so please don't think you can take advantage of my empathy.
I will let this one detail slide but don't expect me to be this lenient in the future. Is that understood?"
"Yes Constable. I'll keep it mind".
"While you're at it, please don't repeat that story to anyone, It's a closed chapter in my life, a chapter I'd very much prefer to remain private."
"Stories are my specialty and that's doesn't just go for telling them, I'm good at keeping them too, so your story is safe with me."
"Good, now you will need formal training before you take off in that Bajoran uniform again.
All cadets need to learn the rules and they also need to learn how defend themselves if the situation calls for it.
This is security not special ops or Engineering.
So grab that phaser, We'll be heading to the Holodeck".
"I thought I wasn't taking off anywhere in this uniform until I learn the tools of the trade?"
There was desperate bewilderment in her expression and her voice was forced and anxiety ridden.
"I meant You won't be taking off anywhere in that uniform on any missions or other serious security details that need to be taken care of until you complete basic training.
Have you ever used a phaser before?"
"No, Not a Star Fleet regulated one".
"Then you've used a Cardassian regulated phaser, Correct?"
"Correct, Constable".
"Then you should be a few steps ahead, at least a few steps ahead of most of my cadets that join my security squad.
Most Cadet have never seen a phaser let alone know which end to use.
I conducted a small study on my new Cadets that came in and from my data 75 percent of new cadets didn't know the difference between the settings Stun and Kill which is extremely worrisome since phasers are not only dangerous and highly destructive if not used properly but also because phasers happen to be absolutely essential in this line of work, not mention for anyone who works on this station.
You do know the difference don't you?"
"There are 3 notches, Constable.
The first is Stun, the Second is a simple locking mechanism which it should be set to at all times, when it remains in the belt holster and the last notch on the bottom is Kill which should only be used for special occasions. If ther are any othee notch marks available are merely increments on the power and efficiency levels lf the phaser beam itself. That's all I know, So far".
"I'd hardly call murder to be a special occasion but your knowledge on Phaser Functionality is most impresssive.
However it's easy to forget these settings when one is under immense pressure.
One wrong move, one tiny distraction and that little fumble can lead to friendly fire, maybe even a war.
We can't risk that so that is why you'll be going through training today".
"So you can see if I work under pressure.
You know I've withstood hundreds of tests like this Constable and not once did I crack under the pressure."
"Cardassian Pressure is one thing but Bajoran Security Details is quite another."
"Perhaps I wasn't clear enough Constable but when I said pressure what I really meant was torture."
"You've been tortured that many times? Well, this isn't going to another torture session, Taya, this is just training, so thankfully there won't be any torture involved.
I admit I'm a bit of a perfectionist but I never subject my cadets to any type of torture."
"I might have to lower my expectations just a bit then".
Taya pursed her lips to the side and wickedly grinned at this remark she made.
"Oh so you have higher standards than I do, I suppose.
Impossible".
"It's not my standards that are high, Constable, it's merely the Cardassians that trained me.
I'm just glad there won't be any other equipment that's involved, at least no equipment that's going to be used on me."
"That's why we leave the settings on Stun, so no unfortunate accidents occur.
You probably think is all going to be very easy don't you?"
"Well I don't think it's going to be all that difficult but overall I think the difficulty level will be pretty normal".
"And Pray tell What difficulty is normal exactly?"
Odo's whole expression and decorum was in definite strutiny.
"It's more of a medium I guess".
"This isn't Klingon Wrestling, Taya, It's Security training.
This is basic Security training not a Klingon Martial Arts Tournament.
There's no difficulty settings, difficulty levels or difficulty preferences.
It will be as difficult as I intend it to be.
So don't think you can measure the difficulty and don't you dare think it's going to a walk in the park.
I can be very challenging If I need to be".
"Oh so it's going to be challenging now?
For a moment there I was getting worried".
"Well worry no more, Cadet.
Your level of training is set to Challenging".
"I wouldn't have it any other way Constable".