DS9: Book by its Cover Chapter Four
From the first glimpse of the compelling Cardassian watching him, on the day Julian arrived on Deep Space 9, he had been fascinated. For Julian the Cardassian's were easy to understand. They showed the Galaxy exactly who they were and yet the other species always seemed to be surprised when they acted on their instincts. Which were usually signposted in neon before they took any action.
To really understand the people all you had to do was read the 'Never Ending Sacrifice', it told you all you ever need to know. Julian had once sat through a 21 hour live reading of the novel in Gul Trelax's private Salon. Julian had been the arm candy of an up-and-coming Obsidian Order agent calling himself at the time 'Jorik Varn', undercover as the cultural attaché to Gul Trelax. He was trying to get Julian to spill scientific secrets from the Science Institute Julian had been working for at the time QuantumTech Innovations Institute or QTII for short.
Oh, what fun he had, playing with Agent Varn. Julian the world-weary scientist and the agent playing at being an ingenue.
Julian had never been quite sure if Agent Varn's mission was to steal research from QTII or if Julian had been identified as moderately difficult mark for the young agent to practice on. He was about 26, Julian recalled. Ridiculously young for an Obsidian Order field agent to be sent on a foreign post. Julian supposed the latter, an apparently harmless subject for the agent to 'wet his feet on'. Of course, this was before the boarder war with the Federation, so the young agents' handlers didn't recognise the opportunity before them.
He followed that agents career as best he could, being based in the federation as he was. He always had a little chuckle imagining what the agent would say if he ever found out he had a Remnant within his arms. Especially how hard he tried to get his hands on one of Julian's people, later in his career.
Varn had taken him to the reading to impress the cynical Julian (though that wasn't the name he was using at the time either), who was pretending to be a cultural snob. Julian suspected that Agent Varn had taken him there hoping that he would be bord to death and Agent Varn could steal Julian's access codes to QTII. But sitting in that Salon, listening to the novel, and watching Agent Varn ply his craft, had been a masterclass in the Cardassian people's psyche.
The reading, for all its intended purposes, had been a window into the soul of Cardassian culture. The subtlety and nuance in every aspect of the novel, the meticulous repetition of story arcs intertwined with minute changes to reflect Cardassia's evolution, and the unwavering dedication to their family, home, and government—all these elements fascinated Julian and reflected how Cardassian's operated in the wider world.
No doubt many humans would find the story uninteresting and indecipherable. But Julian keenly observed the other Cardassian's in the room, how they took such meaning and satisfaction from the work. Yes, that secret Agent Varn had done Julian an immense favour that night. Giving Julian a look into the heart of the Cardassian people.
'The Never Ending Sacrifice' had struck a chord with Julian in a profound way. The Repetitive Epic served as a microcosm reflecting Julian's perception of time. Throughout history, empires rose and fell, religions and fashions cycled endlessly, and yet, the essence of humanity remained constant. It was a perpetual repetition that Julian took comfort in. The majority of people, across different civilizations and species, yearned for the same fundamental desires – to find love, build a family, and embrace the comforting continuity of days resembling each other.
Julian found himself astonished and humbled during his initial travels beyond his home planet. Encounter after encounter with beings from distant stars revealed a surprising truth – the commonality that transcended diverse worlds. It appeared to be a universal constant, reminding Julian of the shared aspirations and pursuits that bound sentient beings together across the vast expanse of the cosmos.
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This is what Agent Varn had shown him that night.
Of course, he paid Agent Varn back in kind. He wondered if he took away as much knowledge of the human race, as Julian did of the Cardassian's. Julian with his perfect recall often liked to remember the supressed look of horror on young Varn's face when Julian introduced him to 21st century Hallmark movies. In his darkest hours, Julian will often recall the 15-hour Christmas Movie marathon, he subjected Agent Varn too, and cry with laughter at the memory. From that experience Julian had learned what a Cardassian looks like when enduring the nine circles of hell.
Julian always felt that he offered that young Cardassian the most valuable education an alien operative could possibly have. For teaching him patience and forbearing alone, must have stood him good stead in his career. He did eventually take pity on him and carelessly left some work on cloaking devices, behind a moderately difficult firewall on his personal computer.
The information was completely useless of course. One of the post graduate students working on the project, just would not read the operation manual on the Quantum Interference Generator and this naturally resulted in the subsequent data produced for the project being worthless.
Oh well, disappointment was also a valuable lesson to learn.
This encounter started Julian's fascination with Cardassian's and why he was so intrigued by Garak.
Whose name he found by literally propping up Quark's bar and gossiping enthusiastically with the bar keep. Ferengi will tell you anything you wanted to know if you will spend copious amounts on over priced fruity drinks. With Julian's physiology it was near impossible for him to get drunk or stay drunk if he did manage the feat.
Julian could have probably gotten the information from the station security files, but why risk being caught when getting the desired information, the old-fashioned way was so much more enjoyable. Besides he learnt so much about the inhabitants that night. Chief O'Brien's love for historical holo-programs and Morn's encyclopaedic knowledge of dirty jokes.
So the mysterious Garak, was a tailor and reported by Quark as being a spy. Julian thought he was probably a senior agent for the Obsidian Order. But he wouldn't know for sure until he met him in person. The glimpse of him that Julian had gotten hinted at familiarity, there was something in his stance and the set of his shoulder that tickled his memory.
It was difficult to gauge how old the man was. When Cardassian's reached middle age, a range between 40 to 90 years old, they seemed to barely age at all. If they didn't succumb to a violent end in their prime, they could live to 162 years on average.
If Julian could get a genetic sample he could find out a lot about him. Getting the sample would be the difficulty. Unlike humans, Cardassian's didn't shed their equivalent of DNA. He would need a tissue sample for that. But bodily fluids were unique to each Cardassian, another valuable detail he discovered from that long ago Obsidian Agent Varn. That would probably be easier to get and would be enough to start identifying the man.
Julian decided that the easiest way to get his sample was from saliva. He just had to get Garak to come and have a drink with him. His cover as an harmless augment was progressing well. So he didn't think Garak was wise to him yet.
Julian had made sure to confide in Quark, in his apparent inebriated state that he was a Remnant. A dangerous super soldier 'grrr!' and then fell about laughing. Quark took the bait and happily shared this latest piece of gossip to all and sundry, including Garak.
Julian had been across Quark's bending Chief O'Brien's ear about the benefits of racket ball. He did have an almost clear view of Garak when Quark was telling him all about Julian. Julian's hearing was exceptional, but not good enough to hear across a crowded bar. But he did see Quark say his name. He also saw Garak's masterful display of disinterest in the news. But there was a particular stillness of anticipation held in his body, followed by the subtle release of tension when he was given the information he was fishing for.
It was these subtle indicators that hinted at the Cardassian being an agent or ex-agent and not part of the military, as Quark speculated.
What the federation failed to understand about Remnants was that their quasi leader, the Prime, hadn't forbidden them not to share information with anyone. Just that they couldn't share any information with the Federation that they didn't already possess. So the fact they were genetically engineered super soldiers, they could tell who they liked. But how they procreated, for example, was still a mystery, so they keep mum.
There actual only command was don't scare the mortals. That was one headache nobody wanted. Julian had personally seen the affect of fear could have on a group of humans and it wasn't pretty. The history books were full of terrible pogroms and genocide of any group seen as 'other'. It was true that the Remnants could survive nearly any injury, including injuries that would be fatal to humans, due to their quantum life-force. But there were some deaths they couldn't come back from, like a beheading. It was in all Remnants interest that Humans and the greater Galaxy didn't come to fear them.
Hence, some of the Remnants tended to going around shouting 'look at me' I am a scary super soldier 'Grrr! Grrr! Hsss!" looking about as dangerous as a tribble. The Federation citizens meeting these Remnants start to thinking why are we scared of these beings, there harmless? Thus allowing the majority of the Remnants a quiet peaceful life, getting on with living and having families. Focusing on their various passion projects from Ironwork to Sub-Space mechanics.
That was meant to be Julian's path this time round, be born, go to medical school and help people, all nice and anonymous until Richard Bashir opened his big mouth. Julian still felt angry with his stepfather about this betrayal. So instead of life of medical research, Julian decided to lean into the 'Look at Me. I'm harmless!' trope. It didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun on the way.
All Remnants were born with a love of just living. An exuberance for meeting new people and the acquisition of knowledge for knowledge's sake. Left to their own devices they weren't particularly power hungry either. Sure, it sounds fun to be worshipped as a God. It starts off as feasts and orgies and the next thing you know, you're hip deep in scheming high priests planning to bury you alive in secret tombs. Most Remnants learn this at a relatively young age, you only have to live through a few senseless bloody wars to lose the taste for blood or violence.
Julian was thankful to the Progenitors for creating them with this endless love of life. To be able to bare the passing of time, through understanding the cyclical nature of time. To appreciate and love the mortals around him. To grieve when they died and to take joy again in the knowledge that their progeny continues down the ages. To meet a great-great-grandson of a dear friend and realise they have the same colour eyes or the love of the same terrible love songs.
Yes, Julian was thankful to be alive on Deep Space 9 at this moment in time, with the delightful prospect of meeting an attractive Cardassian.
Besides he was still a doctor and there were benefits to frontier medicine. Novelty for one. Societal rules tended to be a little laxer when you were Operating at the edges of Federation space too. Where else would he meet a Cardassian, Ferengi and a Bajoran all in the same place.
LunchJulian was a little puzzled that Garak hadn't approached him yet. He had carefully put his plan in action. Pretending he didn't notice Garak watching him from the shadows. When Garak put himself in Julian's path, Julian acted startled yet intrigued to perfection. Shooting sidelong looks at the Cardassian and flushing when Garak caught him looking.
He had pranced by his shop a dozen times, smiling and eager to chat to all the other shop owners. Julian was careful to add just the right amount of desperation, of eagerness, flirting with anyone single and breathing. He followed this up with solitary meals at Quark's or the Replimat, looking wistful, hoping another person would take pity on him and join him. Projecting just the right amount of vulnerability to tempt an Obsidian Order agent.
Julian was having fun, he hadn't had to stretch his clandestine muscles since his reawakening. Here on DS9, at the edge of Federation space was the perfect place to get some practice in, and on a Cardassian too.
He pondered on the identity of Garak, the longer it took the man to make contact with him, the higher Julian estimated his skill at espionage. He was obviously good at what he did and had learnt the lesson on patience unlike the very young Agent Varn. All those years ago.
Julian wasn't an impatient man, he had all the time in the world to attract Garak's attention. But he was pleased when he noticed Garrett following him after passing his shop today.
A delightful thrill of excitement spiralled down his spine as he set down his lunch and drink at his table. He chose this seat as one of Quark's employees sat across the aisle from Julian, who luckily was wearing a garish jacket, that happened to be just reflective enough to alert Julian when the Cardassian approached.
Julian's heart skipped a beat when the figure reflected in the Ferengi's jacket, paused. Obviously Garak must be getting food or drink. The murmured conversation of the other patrons there that day, disguised Garak's foot steps as he approached. Julian allowed himself a quick wicked grin as he anticipated getting his saliva sample. 'Right, remember what Ian used to say, centre yourself, breath out, and project the thoughts and emotions you want the audience to see. AND GO!' Julian thought as Garak hovered behind him, waiting for Julian to notice him.
Julian concentrated on his breath, ignoring Garak. The anticipation was like electric currents across his skin, his senses hummed. Garak was now close enough that he could hear the brush of cloth as he moved. The subtle shift in weight, the only sing of Garak's impatience at not being acknowledged.
Garak coughed. Julian acted startled, making sure to give him a wide eyed look of alarm and just a soupçon of interest. And they were off.
Oh he was very good indeed, Julian thought as Garak flattered and flirted with Julian. Every word chosen to throw off an inexperienced new Doctor he was supposed to be, just starting out on his career. Garak didn't know how lucky he actually was to get the very experienced Remnant Julian Bashir instead. He is sure in hindsight, Garak would appreciate Julian's skill at subterfuge
Julian could already tell they were going to have the absolute best fun together.
Julian studied the Cardassian's face as he played the ingénue to Garak's lothario. 'Yes' Julian thought, he does look familiar. A strong face filled with character, not handsome by Cardassia's standards. But such bright and intelligent eyes he had.
Julian had a hyperthymesia memory also known as an autobiographical memory. His ancient Progenitors had designed Remnants this way, it shortened training considerably if you only had to show your soldiers something once.
Julian flicked through every face of every Cardassian he had ever met. Comparing them to Garak. Until he stopped on Jorik Varn. 'No! It couldn't be, could it?' Julian wondered.
Varn had only been 26 at the time he met Julian, still considered very young by Obsidian Order standards. Julian had managed to keep track on the young agent after they parted, the benefit of knowing one of the Galaxies best computer programmers, who had given Julian a worm to plant in his report on cloaking devices.
Julian flicked to a slightly blurry image of Varn when he had been about sixty, he had gotten from his little worm.
Yes the mature Varn, bore an even stronger resemblance to Garak, a strong body, A cunning mind. A certain look about the eyes and mouth. Julian was positive that Garak and Varn were related. Were they father and son or uncle and nephew? Julian really wanted that saliva sample now.
It was thinking of Varn that brought the realisation to Julian's mind that the station would be uncomfortable cold for Garak. Julian made sure no worry appeared on his face. The station was kept at 23C, a compromise due to the different aliens living on board. He wondered how Garak was coping. Julian couldn't help his instincts as a doctor come to the fore, and wondered if being continually cold put the Cardassian's body under stress. Maybe when he knows him better he can ask.
Julian refocuses his attention back on to what Garak is saying.
Julian admired the pure artistry of the Cardassian as he made a dramatic show of looking around and saying, "In fact, an actual Remnant?"
Julian caught the flicker of uncertainty in Garak's eyes, the subtle colour shift in his eye ridges at Julian's loud confirmation of his status as a 'Remnant'. It amused Julian watching Garak gauge the other customer's reaction to Julian's announcement and how a good number of them were now riveted to their conversation. It must make the Cardassian nervous to be so obviously observed when he was used to plying his craft in the shadows.
Julian made sure to warn Garak, "That I am the most dangerous and cunning foe you will ever meet," after all it's not Julian's fault if Garak doesn't believe him.
Julian studied Garak and was pleased when he saw how disconcerted he had made the Cardassian with his emotional display.
'Did he distract him enough?' Julian thought.
Julian gave Garak a few minutes to eat and compose himself.
When Julian judged that the time was right, he abruptly stood from his seat. Forcing Garak to stand too if he didn't want to be in a position of weakness.
Julian let himself feel a genuine feeling of anticipation and attraction when Garak caressed his shoulder and whispered in his ear.
What a wonderful meeting. The best part of the lunch was that he had so disarmed Garak, he had left the detritus of his lunch, ripe for the picking. Through a classic diversion tactic of dropping his cutlery to the floor, making a spectacle of himself, Julian was able to palm his fork and hide Garak's cup.
Perfect! He should have enough to get a readable sample to see if Garak was related to Varn. He wasn't sure if Garak's possible relationship to Varn will alter Julian's plans for Garak. He will wait for the test results before making any decisions.
Julian hurried back to his office in the infirmary so he can stash his bounty from lunch, for further analysis. But first he was off to the Command Center.
Command CenterThe lift platform hasn't even stopped when Julian bounded into the Command Center, ensuring he garners everyone present attention. Julian makes a bee line to Chief O'Brien who is busily working at one of the engineering consoles, uniform sleeves pushed up to his elbows.
The lights flashed through Cardassian symbols and highlighting sections of a schematic of the station. Someone had stuck inaccurate translations above many of the symbols. Julian could speak and read three of the most important Cardassian languages: Military, Standard and High Cardassian, a language reserved for the politicians and intellectuals. Too bad no one had asked Julian if spoke any other languages. It was a weakness that the universal translator encouraged. It was a valuable lesson that the Chief's people would soon learn, Julian thought with a smirk.
"You won't believe who just sat next to me at the Replimat," He eagerly tells the Chief. Miles ignores Julian and continues working, informing Major Kira that the pylon will be shut down for the next 48 hours.
This was exactly what Julian expected. Raising his voice to an almost fever pitch he cries, "the spy, Garak. Out of the blue, just comes right up to me and introduces himself." Julian ensures to look around excitedly to see if anyone is paying attention.
He catches Commander Sisko's interest, "We don't know for a fact that Garak is a spy Doctor," he warns Julian. Julian chases after Sisko as the man walks to another console, "He is, you should have heard him," he insists enthusiastically. "He made contact with me of all people!" he desperately persuades them. Jadzia looks at Julian's antics sceptically. While the commander continues to read his pad, barely paying attention, while Julian bounces around the command center like a puppy yapping for attention and pets.
"What do you think he might want from you Julian," Jadzia says with a poorly hidden smile on her face, deciding to get some fun out of Julian, to enliven a boring shift of scheduled maintenance. Ben gives his old friend a quelling look for purposefully encouraging the enthusiastic doctor. "Federation medical secrets. Or maybe," Julian pauses dramatically here. Eyes huge with possibilities, "he wants to seduce me to get the secrets of the Remnants from me," Kira snorts unflatteringly at this suggestion, and gives Julian a disgusted 'YOU!' look, as if she can't imagine anyone in the entire Galaxy wanting to seduce Julian, as she strolls around the Command Center checking on the work of the officers under her command.
Not a surprising response from Kira as Julian had purposefully said some uncouth words to her about the excitement of working frontier medicine in the middle of nowhere. He basically insulted her home to her face. Resulting in Kira's anger and dislike. Which was the purpose of the comment and Julian's continued goal to be a non-threatening Remnant. Hard to think of Julian as a threat when you considered him to be an idiot.
Jadzia out right laughs at the idea. Sisko sighs, and Chief O'Brien grimaces and looks like he wants to smash his face into his console. Julian mimics looking slightly dejected at their reactions, but then rallies. "Don't you worry, Sir. He won't get anything out of me," Julian finishes with determination and performs one of his patented fake karate chops. Here the Chief does actually bang his head on the console.
"After all I am a Remnant, practically designed for espionage and warfare," he enthusiastically tells everyone. "I am sure you are right, Doctor," Sisko indulges the doctor.
Going back over to the Chief, "I am sure Chief O'Brien can set up a monitoring device on me," Julian suggests eagerly. Chief O'Brien rolls his eyes hard at this suggestion. Julian turns back to Sisko, "Just in case he is up to something," Julian says hopefully.
"I don't think that will be necessary doctor," Sisko replies sternly, his patience starting to wear thin. Sisko was coming around to having Bashir on board the station, he was a good doctor. But a little of Bashir went a long way, as the saying went. "Just be cautious in your interactions," he advised. Julian was pleased with the crew's reaction to his news. But the soldier in him was somewhat contemptuous at their responses. Did they really think that Garak was harmless? Julian had spotted that the Cardassian was an Obsidian Order agent from the first moment he saw Garak.
Ben had been suspicious too when he heard about the Cardassian remaining on the station. Star Fleet security had done a thorough review of Garak and didn't find anything that pointed to him being a spy for Cardassia's Central Command. Ever since the war with Cardassia Star Fleet had maintained a close watch on their military operations and any military agents they could identify.
He had consulted with Major Kira as soon as he came aboard the station. He reasoned that the Bajoran's would have a vested interest in identifying any spies in their midst. But Kira's contacts had come up with nothing suspicious. Garak had appeared on the station twenty months before the occupation had ended. He was an excellent tailor, naturally most of his customers were Cardassian. But any Bajorans he dealt with, he had been professional and unusually polite. The Cardassian wasn't particularly liked, more like tolerated by the inhabitants of the station. Of course, he had one advantage over other Cardassian's as far as the Bajorans were concerned: the despised Gul Dukat obviously hated the Cardassian tailor.
Just then Major Kira who had been intently watch one of the screens on a console, called out that there was a small craft acting erratically in DS9's airspace. And the Command Center staff jumped into action. Jadzia quickly swung back to her station and calling up the Stations sensor readings. Chief O'Brien cleared the maintenance details from his screen and brought up the various station defences.
"Dax, what can you tell me about the ship?" Sisko urgently asked. The noise level jumped in the Command center as various officers focused on their duty station, preparing information that they could provide to their commander as soon as he asked for it.
Julian's work was done here. When they found out about Garak's seduction of him later, he will take great pleasure in saying 'I told you so.' One the hand he was pleased that everyone was accepting his persona as a harmless, slightly annoying, inexperienced doctor. On the other hand, Start Fleet was all 'Danger, Danger, Power Mad Remnants are on the loose,' yet the entire senior staff completely overlooked the fact that he was a genetically engineered soldiers and therefor must have the requisite skills that go along with that moniker. Julian shook his head at the contrary emotions he was experiencing on the subject. It just goes to show that the Prime truly understood the mortals as it seemed his grand scheme was working just as he predicted.
Julian quickly left the others to their work and hopped back on to the lift platform, the noise from the Command Center slowly receding as the lift dropped down to the floor below. Besides Julian was eager to get back to the samples he had gotten from Garak that lunch time.
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