Chapter 8

Julian was comfortable laying on the grey couch in Garak's living room, head resting on a feather pillow that he had taken from his own stores. He was waiting for Garak to finish the morning's work.

He had gone for a walk early in the morning, the heat was still cool from the typical night time chill on Cardassia, the lingering smell of dust in the air wasn't too strong. Asha had shown him the weather channel the first evening he arrived, where the predicted dust levels were displayed.

He took full advantage of the empty house and used a portal to natural spring pool he had discovered centuries earlier. It was refreshing to wash the dust from his body, and he wasn't using Garak's valuable resources. He wondered if the Cardassian's knew of his ability if they would consider him cheating.

The first night in Garak's house, he had made a priority to set his key, into the frame of the door to his room, as well as a few choice locations in the house and then further afield in the city. From years of experience, you never knew when a handy portal would come in useful.

Now refreshed he was trying to relax, while he waited for Garak to return.

His mind kept returning to Asha's comment about lipstick. It was worrying him, but he didn't want to examine the thoughts the question evoked in his mind.

Hence to distract himself, he was looking at the latest research on Ferengi treatments for dementia. All their research was behind a pay wall, as expected, but it seemed to work for them.

Julian's people had the resources and the cunning to negotiate a licencing agreement that allowed them access to the research in their fields of interest. It was well worth the fee. The Ferengi scientist had such a unique way of looking at problems.

It was the one area where truthfulness and honesty had a monetary rewards to prevent disreputable actors purchasing the results that suited their own goals.

His mind would wander to Garak, as he checked the Chrono. He respected the Cardassian's skill and knowledge. But he was a keen observer himself, and he had noticed Garak's speculative looks the previous day.

Julian worried exactly in what direction Garak's instincts were taking him.

He realised that he could be influenced by unconscious bias, no matter how he tried to protect himself from such errors of reasoning.

Julian shifted in position, getting comfortable, and redirected his attention back to the article.

'The lipstick,' his thoughts drifted again.

What could it mean? The nascent idea kept slipping from his grasp.

At the time he hadn't thought how anachronistic using the lipstick to write on his mirror was. Most everyone on the station knew how much Julian and Miles enjoyed historical holo-deck programmes. Even though they had been thoroughly sanitised for modern sensibilities.

Somehow, he didn't think most people would enjoy a truly authentic historic experience, though Miles might be an exception, he pondered.

When he was a student, he had belonged to a gaming club, when his memories of his former life started to resurface, he had incorporated historically accurate elements to his games.

The majority of his fellow gamers hadn't been impressed with his upgrades and there had been a vote to remove his more accurate embellishments, particularly the smells. He had been particularly annoyed when they wanted to remove the vibrant colours from his holo-worlds, due the myth that everyone wore brown and inhabited a perpetual dull world with out any bright colours in ancient history.

The ancient world and the Middle Ages had been practically gaudy.

Julian was just contemplating getting a cool cider from his stores when he heard the front door open and close.

He sat up on the couch in anticipation.

"Garak!"

Garak appeared in the doorway, holding a bright cloth bag. He looked well in his sombre suit, in charcoal grey, with accents in a vibrant blue. He looked good, Julian admired.

"I brought us some lunch, my dear Doctor." Garak walked to the dining table, with Julian dutifully following him. Garak left the bag on the table, while he went to the food prep room.

Julian, nosily rifled through the bag. The surprisingly good bread, that Garak's household seemed to favour, as well as a jar of something. He took the jar out of the bag and held it up to the light so that he could examine it more closely.

It looked like a type of yellow pickles. There wasn't an ingredients label on the jar, just an inscription of the store it was purchased from.

"Ah, I see you found the pickles, I have brought a favourite Cardassian protein source that would resemble earth cheese, it pairs well with this spring kanar, a much lighter vintage than the traditional winter kanar," Garak explained as he placed two mismatched plates on the table, a cutting board and various utensils.

Garak went to a cabinet in the room and removed two delicate looking glasses and set them on the table to complete the setting.

The domestic scene was finalised when Garak expertly began slicing the bread. "Traditionally, you add the pickles first, followed by the protein," Garak demonstrated by deftly making the sandwich before cutting it in triangles. He remembered Julian had preferred that format.

Julian accepted the plate and watched Garak make his own lunch, while he poured the kanar into the waiting glasses, the liquid paler and less viscous than the kanar he had tried before.

"Of course, there are heathens who insist that you place the protein fist and then the pickles."

Julian frowned and the look of exaggerated outrage on Garak's. "Isn't That the same thing," Julian said puzzled.

Garak gasped and clasped his chest as if it had been pierced with an arrow. "Don't mention such blasphemy in this house," Garak whispered.

Julian laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. "Remind me to tell you about scones one day," Julian grinned happily at the other man before taking a bite of the sandwich.

The flavour was intense, the pickles strong and he could feel tears gather in his eyes before the balancing flavour of the protein hit. He continued to chew before swallowing. "An intense flavour profile, but I could come to appreciate it, I think," Julian opined.

Garak looked pleased at Julian's reaction before taking a sip of the refreshing kanar.

The two friends ate and caught up on the day, Julian told Garak about his exploration of the neighbourhood, while Garak recounted numerous tales of his day in the Depak council.

Once the meal was finished, Garak made them a cup of tea and directed Julian to the more comfortable chairs in the sitting room.

Garak frowned at the unfamiliar pillow on the couch, it's gaudy yellow flower design contrasting with the refined charcoal grey fabric of the furniture.

"Oh, it's my pillow, I brought it with me," Julian quickly explained at Garak's pointed look at the offending object in his immaculate room.

"Ah," Garak said, wondering just how much luggage Julian brought with him. He didn't think shuttles usually allowed excess luggage of their passengers, especially those sitting in the cheap seats.

"My friend, I have arranged for some free time, so that I can dedicated it to your case," Garak said with a serious look. "Why don't you tell me first what avenues of investigation you have tried."

Julian sighed and nodded. This was why after all he had come to his old friend Garak. It's just Julian had been enjoying his free time on planet. The first free time he had as himself in nearly twenty years.

"Seriously I haven't gotten far at all," Julian said looked demoralised. "In regard to the access to my computer system, they used a basic automated bot linked with an AI. The only way I was able to defeat it was by disconnecting my computer systems from Star Fleet data network entirely. But as seen on the Okanogan, they tracked me down and physically changed out the hardware.

Julian began to explain what he had done to track down his stalker. He had run into dead ends tracing back through the data network. The best he had been able to do was avoid them, for six months, by using the Vulcan's science institutes network.

But either the AI they were using was extremely powerful or they learnt his tricks, as the second time he used Vulcan to avoid his pursuers, it only took them three months to be able to gain access to his ships computers.

Julian rubbed and pulled his hair in frustration. The once defined curls, started to become a disarrayed mess.

Garak was alarmed to hear of the ability of this mysterious person stalking Julian. He knew Julian downplayed his abilities. But he personally witnessed the innate sense Julian seemed to have for data networks. This indicated a frightening skill level of their opponent.

Garak took a sip of his tea. "Has there been any changes in their behaviour over the last eight years?"

"Yeah, they stopped messing with my patients records," Julian stated.

Garak looked at surprise at this information. "Interesting, any ideas why?" Garak thought of one glaring reason.

"I only surmised that it was because of the deaths of my crew," Julian shrugged, his mouth turned down. There was a spark of anger in his eyes.

"They want to trash my career and reputation," Julian said solemnly. "I don't think they realised by messing with my results it could have such serious repercussions." Julian's knee had started to jitter. He reached out for his cup, just so his hands had something to do. "Maybe they didn't mind if one patient died, but eighty-seven, is well, mass murder."

"I agree with your conclusion," Garak nodded. "But it is a strange reaction, as if your patients weren't real people, before they died," Garak said. He didn't react when he noticed Julian's unnatural stillness at his words. "I would have thought it was obvious, that if you interfered with a doctor's work that the natural result would be someone's death," Garak concluded.

"It's definitely worrying," Julian said before taking a sip from his cup, using it to hid his features from his perceptive friend. His thoughts worriedly went back to the lipstick. A terrible thought was trying to take shape in his mind. He desperately tried to reject it.

Garak saw that Julian was becoming upset from this line of questioning, so he diverted the conversation.

"You know they were on board Deep Space Nine, as they were in your quarters. What have you discovered about them physically?" Garak quickly said.

"Argh! Nothing," Julian exclaimed, tension clear in his shoulders and arms.

"When I was living on the station, both Odo and Miles, looked into it for me," Julian said, frustration clear in his voice. "I have looked through hours upon hours of security footage," Julian said. "I didn't recognise anyone." Julian slumped back in the chair, he grabbed up his pillow and hugged it tight.

"The only indicator I ever found of their presence was the blurry security footage, that I noticed outside my quarters, it lasted for approximately fifty minutes," Julian wearily said.

Garak was just about to ask another question, when Julian held up a hand, fingers splayed.

"Before you ask, yes, I tried running it through the latest image enhancers. I even put it through the Obsidian Order's data analysis," Julian said with a speaking look.

Garak itched to ask Julian, just exactly how he had managed that, but he needed to focus on the case and not be distracted from the various mysteries that surrounded Julian.

"And my former colleagues found nothing?"

Shaking his head, "I know, shocking isn't it," Julian replied.

This was surprising, the Obsidian Order had, had one of the best cyber units of all clandestine organisation, except for one. He gave Julian a hard look. There seemed to be one glaring hole in Julian's investigation.

"What of your own security experts?" Garak said.

Julian turned his gaze away for a moment before returning his eyes to Garak's face. He gave a one shoulder shrug. "I didn't ask them," Julian's stubborn chin rose in defiance, daring Garak to comment. "It seemed such a trivial problem to bother them with," he said.

Garak was pleased to see Julian starting to look agitated. An indicator that he was now seeing the blind spot in his investigation.

"To summarise: your stalker has been able to avoid all of your traps, to go completely unnoticed on the station. Break in to your entertainment systems using various Star Fleet maintenance codes or medical overrides," Garak watched Julian's expression carefully.

Julian nodded, he had a sneaking suspicion where the Cardassian was heading with his questions, his palms became damp with his mounting anxiety. He wondered if he could escape Garak's notice, if he surreptitiously wiped his hands on his trousers.

"What about when they were on the Okanogan, to change out your computers?"

Julian breathed a quiet sigh of relief, shoulders drooping. "They didn't," he said. "There was a maintenance order to replace both systems, signed by the department of engineering, a Captain Jordan."

"It was a Lieutenant and a Yeoman, who did the work. I checked both of their Starfleet files. Nothing. I didn't recognise them. I sent them a follow up survey on the work they did on the Okanogan. My computers had a maintenance ticket to exchange them due to faulty fibre optic relays."

Garak nodded.

"Captain Jordan is an officer in Star Fleet, I looked him up. I didn't recognise the man and I had never crossed paths with him before."

"Ah!" Garak's expression had changed to one of sympathy.

This did not ease Julian's mind.

"Would you like another cup of tea?" Garak said, he wanted to ease the tension between the two men, especially as he did not think Julian would appreciate his next line of questioning.

Julian just blinked. His mouth felt a bit dry. "Tea, yes!"

Garak stood gracefully and went to prepare the tea.

Julian followed Garak out to the bright food prep room, painted a cool white, a contrast to the dark and shadowed living room.

Julian was momentarily delighted when Garak filled what appeared to be an electric kettle, he hadn't seen one since his student days.

He grinned at Garak and complimented the appliance. Garak explained that the kettle used less energy than the replicator and for the simple practice of heating water, was superior for tea making. Julian whole heartedly agreed.

Not wanting to think of his troubles he diverted Garak's attention with talk of Asha.

"So, how are you finding being a father," Julian said with a smirking grin.

Garak frowned subtly. "More difficult than I imagined." Garak pulled down a clean teapot and brought out a tea caddy. "She was only twelve when she came to live with me," Garak reminisced while putting two heaped scoops of tea in the pot.

"A very biddable child at first." Garak leant against the white stone counter top. "Then she reached fifteen and seemed to change overnight," Garak sighed.

Julian chuckled in delight, his eyes gleamed as he imagined his unflappable friend having to deal with a hormonal teenager.

"Yes, the vagaries of a teenage girl seem to be a universal constant," Julian teased.

Garak looked at his friend sharply. "You have the sound of a man with experience of teenage daughters," Garak said with suspicion.

Julian grinned at Garak. "Maybe," he said, face in a wide eyed innocent expression.

"Harrumph!" Garak turned his attention back to the kettle, which had just beeped for his attention. He removed the kettle from it's stand and poured the boiling liquid over the tea leaves.

Steam infused the air between them, the delicate scent of the tea, brought back memories of their time spent on the station.

He bustled about the little room, setting a tea tray ready to bring their drink back to the main room of the house.

Garak lifted the tray with ease and exited the room.

Julian sighed knowing that their break was almost over.

With reluctant footsteps he followed Garak.

Garak had generously allowed Julian a thirty minute reprieve.

The two old friends spent that time gossiping about old friends and acquaintances from their Deep Space Nine days.

Julian expressed some concern over Nerys's single state. When they had been on the station she had, had several lovers over the years. There was of course Odo at the end of the war too.

Though a person could have a fulfilling life without a romantic partner, Nery's didn't seem to have many physically friends on the station either. When they commed each other, their conversation centred around the improvements on the station.

Of course, there was plenty he wasn't telling Nerys, so maybe he wasn't in the loop.

But Garak didn't seem to have any extra intelligence on their Bajoran friend.

Julian's thoughts drifted back to Nerys, she must have been told of his new status as a Bajoran citizen and of his diplomatic immunity. He can't help but worry about what the other woman must think of him now.

He was after all on the station to basically spy on the Bajoran people for his leaders.

He hoped she would understand.

Garak noisily placed his now empty cup on the tray, drawing Julian from his thoughts. He looked at his own cup and saw that it was empty. Sighing he put his empty cup back on the tray.

"You know when we were on the station, no matter how hard I tried, I could never catch how you got your data on Cardassia," Garak said with a piercing look with his blue eyes. "Or the ease with which, you circumnavigated Star Fleet security protocols."

Julian squirmed in his seat, his heart rate picked up.

"You were even able to get into my quarters to 'play your little jokes,' not one camera or sensor detected you." Garak stopped talking and just leant back in his chair looking relaxed and comfortable in his home.

Julian swallowed, a lump forming in his throat, eyes focused on some point behind Garak.

Julian took a deep breath and breathed all his tension out of his body. He leant back in his own chair, his body holding a certain insouciant pose. Face relaxed, where a moment ago his jaw was tense.

Garak blinked, but otherwise showed no outward sign of his surprise at Julian's sudden change in demeanour. Julian was now a perfect mirror to Garak. He could only conjecture that Julian was trying to protect himself from Garak!

He wondered what could be so terrible that he couldn't even bare the thought that the threat might be from an internal foe, from amongst his own people.

Garak continued to study Julian, noting the subtle yet telling signs of distress in his old friend. Julian's body language, normally so composed, was now a tapestry of tension and barely suppressed anxiety, even while the other man maintained a nonchalant repose.

"Julian, it seems to me that you have explored every avenue except the one that is most uncomfortable for you to consider," Garak said gently, his eyes never leaving Julian's face. "What if your stalker is someone from your own people?"

Julian stiffened, his eyes widening in shock and denial. "No," he whispered, shaking his head. "That's impossible. You don't know our code, Garak. Such actions would be... unthinkable. We are genetically engineered Soldiers, we naturally follow a strict hierarchy. It is forbidden to fight amongst ourselves," Julian explained an earnest expression on his face. His eyes told a different story of desperate denial.

"Further we must never draw attention to ourselves. They caused the death of 87 Star Fleet crew" Julian's voice was hushed, face pale, his skin, clammy.

Garak nodded, acknowledging the weight of Julian's words. "I understand, my friend. But think about it. Your stalker has displayed a level of skill and determination that matches your own. They've breached security systems, manipulated Starfleet records, and have even caused the deaths of your patients, all without being detected. Who else but one of your own people could possess such abilities?"

"And was not the first words to me, was that you were retiring, and all of your people were coming into the light?" Garak tilted his head slightly, he reached out and placed his cool grey hand over Julian's brown hand. He wasn't sure, but he thought Julian's hand might be cooler than normal. It was difficult to tell with aliens.

Julian's face twisted in a mix of anger and despair. "But why? Why would one of my own people do this? It's forbidden! A vendetta of this nature... it would be anathema to everything we stand for."

Garak leaned forward, his voice soft but insistent. "Desperation, jealousy, a personal grudge—who can say? Sometimes, even the most disciplined individuals can be driven to irrational actions under the right circumstances."

Julian's eyes were haunted as he absorbed Garak's words. "But our society is built on loyalty and unity. To break that would be..."

"A betrayal of the highest order," Garak finished for him. "Yes, it would be. But consider this: perhaps your stalker believes they are acting out of a twisted sense of duty or justice. They might see you as a threat to their ideals or to someone they care about."

Julian's mind raced, memories flashing of his time among his people, the strict codes they lived by the unspoken bonds of trust and loyalty. Could one of them truly be behind this? The very idea was abhorrent, yet he couldn't deny the logic in Garak's reasoning.

Garak watched Julian closely, seeing the internal struggle play out on his friend's face. "I know this is difficult to accept, Julian. But if we are to find your stalker, we must consider every possibility, no matter how painful."

Julian closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, there was a new determination there, a readiness to face whatever truth might come. "Alright, Garak. Let's explore this possibility. But if it is one of my own..."

"We'll deal with it," Garak said firmly. "Together."

Julian nodded, the weight of Garak's words settling over him like a mantle. He didn't know where this path would lead, but he knew he wouldn't be walking it alone. With Garak by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope amid the darkness of his fears.

Garak offered a reassuring smile, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "Now, let's finish our tea and get to work. We have much to uncover, and I have a feeling the answers are closer than we think."

As they sipped their tea in silence, both men were lost in their thoughts, steeling themselves for the difficult journey ahead.