Chapter 10
Garak's
Garak watched Julian as he deactivated the screen he had been using. "My dear Doctor, how are we going to reach the station by 12:00 local time tomorrow?" he questioned.
Julian just turned and gave him one of his infuriating grins.
"When is Kelas getting here?" Julian just asked, ignoring Garak's prior question.
Garak checked the Chrono, "in about twenty minutes."
Julian just nodded and stood from the desk.
"Time for tea then," Julian said before sweeping from the room.
Garak just followed the alien; the only indication of his annoyance was his gritted teeth.
Garak kept sending Julian side-eyed looks, punctuated by his frequent, irritated 'harrumphs.' Despite his obvious attempts to provoke a reaction, Julian remained calmly focused on his tea, a hint of smugness in his demeanour. Garak couldn't help but feel a pang of irritation. 'I'm not sure if I like this new and improved Julian,' he thought.
Garak glanced at the chrono. 'I wonder how much longer Kelas will be?' He fidgeted subtly in his chair, trying to hide his impatience.
The front door creaked open, followed by the sound of Asha's excited voice and Kelas's low rumble in response. Garak stood in anticipation as they entered the room.
For the first time, Julian looked worried, his eyes flicking between Asha and Garak. He needed Kelas's expertise as a medical doctor but was unsure how much to reveal to Asha due to the potential danger from his pursuer.
"Asha, my dear, I thought you were in classes all day today?" Garak inquired, masking his concern with a casual tone.
"Oh, there was a plumbing leak, so we were sent home until it's repaired," Asha replied, shifting on her feet, her eyes darting between the adults.
"What's going on?" she asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
"Julian's about to explain how we are getting to the station by 12:00 tomorrow," Garak said blithely, enjoying a bit of petty revenge on Julian for his earlier teasing.
Julian shrugged, clapped his hands together, and rubbed them, ready to get down to business. "You already know I am not human," he began.
The others nodded.
"Well, due to our nature, we can manipulate certain quantum effects," Julian continued, adopting a professorial tone.
"What does that mean?" Asha asked, looking confused.
"I agree with Asha, what does that mean, quantum effects?" Kelas added gruffly.
Julian moved to the kitchen doorway and placed his hand over an invisible key he had previously set. Grinning at the three Cardassians, he concentrated and released the energy to activate a quantum portal. The faint scent of ozone filled the room as the portal sprang to life, filling the doorway with shimmering blue light.
Asha and Kelas gasped audibly, jerking their heads behind them when they realised the entry doorway was similarly filled with the blue energy. "What?" Kelas whispered.
Garak, a trained operative, controlled his response, though his eyes widened slightly, and his neck ridges flared delicately in shock.
Julian noticed and grinned even more broadly, looking almost demonic in the shimmering light. "One particularly useful application of this ability is creating portals between two fixed points," Julian explained, stepping through the portal and disappearing.
"Whoa!" Asha exclaimed, darting her head between the two portals.
"He's disappeared," Kelas pointed out, his finger trembling slightly.
Garak's mind went blank, trying to process what he was witnessing.
"And here I am," Julian announced, striding out of the opposite portal.
Despite expecting it, Asha screamed in alarm. Kelas jumped, and Asha's face and neck ridges flushed blue in embarrassment.
Julian grinned unrepentantly, his eyes sparkling with an expectant look.
"Julian. Did you make a wormhole in my house?" Garak asked slowly.
"Yep!"
"But how is that even possible?" gasped Kelas, still bewildered.
"Quantum manipulation," Julian replied succinctly. "When some of my people reach a certain age, they gain enough control over their quantum life force to create portals between fixed points." He reached out and extinguished the portals, plunging the room back into its usual dim lighting.
"And this is how we're reaching the station by 12:00?" Garak asked, seating himself casually on the settee, affecting a nonchalant pose. He was pleased to see Julian huff in annoyance.
Julian took a seat opposite Garak and indicated for Asha and Kelas to sit. "Possibly. I will be using this method, but there's something I need to discuss with you first." He took a deep breath. "I must set a key at the location I want to travel to. I set the keys in these doorways for demonstration purposes."
"And you have such a portal on the station?" Garak asked.
"Right. I have several on the station. There's one in a maintenance corridor, which should be private enough for me to use."
"I see you are using the singular. I thought you wanted my help with your investigation?" Garak quizzed.
"I do, Garak," Julian sighed, rising abruptly to pace the room. The other three Cardassians watched him curiously.
"This is the tricky bit, and why I wanted Kelas here," Julian explained, his stride quickening. "No Cardassian has used these portals before."
"Yes," Julian confirmed. He smiled at Garak, tugging at his hair and spinning around.
Kelas and Asha's heads swung between the two men like spectators at a tennis match.
"Julian," Garak stood and caught his hands, guiding him back into his seat. "I don't understand your agitation," he said. "Explain."
"Right," Julian sighed, taking deep breaths. "This part is confidential." He waited until he received nods of understanding. "We, my people, were abandoned on Earth millennia ago. To ensure our survival, the Primes decided we should develop relationships with select humans. Over the centuries, they have become our chroniclers."
Julian swallowed, his knee bobbing. "When we first developed portal abilities, a human volunteered to go through. Unfortunately, the experience caused heart failure."
At Julian's explanation, Kelas looked worried, watching Garak's expression.
"It caused too much stress on the human body. Luckily, medical attention was readily available, and the man recovered," Julian said with a slight smile.
Asha looked relieved.
"Ah! I am starting to see why I am here," Kelas said, a hint of anger in his voice. He didn't like where this conversation was going, especially since Garak had already indicated his willingness to help Julian.
Julian held up his hands. "Wait. It's not as cut and dried as you suppose, Kelas. We've expanded our relationships to include a Vulcan and Klingon, both of whom successfully passed through the portal without undue stress. The Vulcan found it disorienting, while the Klingon found it invigorating," Julian grinned at the memory.
"We found that if a human is sedated, they too can safely pass through the portal," Julian added.
"And you wanted Kelas here as you are going to suggest I go through this portal?" Garak asked speculatively.
"Exactly," Julian quietly confessed. He sat back, waiting for Garak to think.
"Why don't I go through?" Asha suggested to the silent room.
"NO!" Kelas and Garak said loudly in unison.
"Hey, hear me out!" Asha protested, looking offended. "I am younger and healthier than Garak. Surely it would be safer for me to try the portal," she calmly suggested.
Julian silently agreed but left the decision to Garak.
Garak looked thunderous at the suggestion. Kelas stroked his chin thoughtfully, looking speculatively at Julian.
"I am fit and healthy," Asha said, her tone even. "Julian, what makes using the portals so stressful?"
Julian looked at Asha and was struck by how incredibly young she was. Sometimes he forgets how fearless the young can be. He has the grace to send a remorseful look to Garak, who just pursed his lips, tension around his eyes obvious.
Leaning forward he lays out the physical sensation of travelling through the portals, how it can feel like your body is stretched thin, to the point you feel you might pull apart. How you are sprung back together, and you tumble and spin through a glittering star scape of swirling lights. How your mouth can go as dry as a desert and you can't pull in a breath.
Julian explained all this in a calm voice, before leaning back in his seat.
Asha's eye ridges pull into a puzzled expression. "If it is so terrible, why do you travel by the portals?"
"Oh no, we love it and think it's the best fun," Julian couldn't help grinning at her. "that's just how the Watcher's described the sensations."
Garak looked at Julian with interest. "Who are the watchers?" he asked, his keen eyes observed Julian closely.
"Ah, that's what we call our chroniclers. They have their own institution where they train," Julian explained, impatience displayed in the crease between his brows and unconscious flick of his fingers.
Kelas watched Asha and was pleased to see she was at least considering Julian's words. She was correct in her observation that she was fitter than Garak. Kelas gave Garak a considering look. On the other hand, Garak had obsidian order training. One of the toughest regimes on Cardassia.
Kelas thought about the pros and cons of this possible experiment Julian was suggesting, his worn fingers absently stroked the cushion beside him.
"You're a doctor, what do you think their reaction would be?" Kelas asked, deciding to cut to the heart of the matter.
Julian rocked slightly in his seat. He licked his lips and fidgeted. "I think it is survivable for a Cardassian," Julian said.
"I personally wasn't involved with any of the experiments with the portals. I have read the literature, and it seems to indicate that species all have their individual reactions to the portal." Julian just shrugged. He thought everything should work out, but that was a guess based on his study on Cardassian physiology, not observable data.
Kelas nodded slowly in contemplation.
"I still think I should try it first. Was there any data on age cohorts?" Asha said.
"There may be a correlation with better results in younger humans," Julian replied, before holding his hand up to halt Asha's excitement. "But, in Vulcan's the older they are, the less effected they become," Julian had to point out in good faith.
"Probably due to having better emotional control as they get older," Garak added, having more experience with Vulcan's, than either of Kelas or Asha.
"That's what we speculated too," Julian said nodding.
Kelas trained his attention back on Julian, taking in the young-looking human. He had read numerous papers by Doctor Julian Bashir on medical advancements over the years, ever since learning of Garak's relationship with the alien doctor. By most standards, Julian was a medical genius.
"In your medical opinion, what do you think the chances are of a Cardassian passing through your portal uninjured?" Kelas asked bluntly.
A contemplative stillness settled over Julian as he met Kelas's watchful gaze. Leaning forward, he steepled his fingers. "Based on my knowledge of various species' physiologies, I believe there is an 80% chance of a healthy Cardassian passing through the portal uninjured. There's a 20% chance of side effects due to dissonance between the visual and auditory cortex, and less than 1% chance of catastrophic failure to the cardiovascular system," Julian stated calmly.
Kelas observed Julian's strange alien expression—raised shoulders and outstretched hands, palms up. A quick glance at Garak showed that he could at least parse Julian's body language. Although not entirely reassured by Julian's estimations, Kelas noted the release of tension in Garak's neck ridges and the softening of his mouth.
Nodding to himself, Kelas turned to Asha. "It's up to you, Asha. I think it will be safe enough for you to try."
Asha nodded eagerly, her eyes gleaming in the dull light of the sitting room. "Yes, I would like to try it."
Sighing and shaking his head, Garak nodded in silent consent. Asha clapped her hands once and bounced on her seat, while Julian shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"Okay, Asha, I suggest you calm down," Julian said, switching to his serious medical professional tone. Reaching down beside his chair, he pulled up his medical bag. Opening the case with nimble fingers, he took out some sensor pads and his tricorder, the others watching with interest.
"These sensors will monitor your vital signs while you're in the portal," Julian explained, demonstrating the blue sticky discs to Asha and her de facto parents.
Julian passed the sensors to Kelas with instructions to attach them to Asha's temples, the major artery in her neck, and her chest to monitor heart and lung function. With deft fingers, Kelas fixed the sensors to Asha's skin, blushing minimally as he secured the final sensor just within the edges of her tunic.
Julian opened his tricorder and adjusted some settings before handing it to Kelas. "Are the readings in the nominal range for Asha?"
"Asha, your heart rate and oxygen intake are a little high. Can you try to calm down?" Kelas suggested gently.
With an exasperated glower, Asha reluctantly closed her eyes, leaned back in her chair, and tried to regulate her breathing. Silence blanketed the room as Julian and Kelas watched the display screen intently. Garak coolly observed his lover, friend, and daughter, occasionally glancing at the empty doorway to the kitchen.
"Okay, Asha, that looks good," Kelas said in his soft, deep voice.
"Asha, you won't be able to breathe in the portal; there's no air," Julian explained. "Take three deep breaths and exhale slowly as you travel through." Julian's eyes were intense as he ensured Asha understood his instructions. "The more relaxed you are, the better. It can be disorienting, but it will only last 8 seconds."
"Do you understand?"
Asha nodded mutely.
"Any questions?" Julian asked, looking at the three Cardassians.
"It takes 8 seconds to travel between the kitchen and the hall?" Garak asked, squinting at the doors only three meters apart.
Julian rubbed his forehead. "Yes. It always takes exactly 7.7825 seconds to travel through the portals, regardless of the physical distance," he explained, hoping no one would ask for more detail.
"Weird," Asha commented, still excited despite her normalised pulse and breathing.
"And no one has gotten lost in these portals?" Garak asked, his concern for Asha revealing a vulnerability he found uncomfortable.
Kelas frowned at Garak, while Julian's eyes softened. He placed a warm hand over Garak's, the heat a reminder of Julian's alien nature. Garak didn't pull away.
"No, never," Julian said softly, his expression turning rueful. "But we've never done extensive experiments, for obvious reasons." He squeezed Garak's hand briefly before withdrawing his own.
Garak nodded, accepting Julian's words. He turned his attention to Asha, studying the young woman before him. The memories of the bold, determined girl he had first met all those years ago came flooding back—how she had faced adversity head-on and adapted to life on Cardassia, far from the world of her birth.
Taking a deep breath, Garak spoke with quiet authority. "You are to follow Doctor Bashir's instructions exactly."
Asha's excitement was palpable as she received her father's consent to proceed with the experiment.
Julian guided Asha to the empty doorway. "Remember the breathing pattern," he reminded her, demonstrating again. "Count backwards from eight as you step through the portal. Stay calm and still."
"Do you understand?" Julian asked, seeking final confirmation.
"Yes," Asha breathed out, her voice steady despite the anticipation coursing through her.
Julian reached out, his hand resting on the warm wooden frame of the door. With a slight concentration, he sent out a pulse of his quantum life force. The quantum life force was essential to the long life and abilities of Julian's people.
Asha thought she saw a faint blue spark flicker from Julian's hand a moment before the portal sprang to life. Up close, the portal shimmered like a liquid surface, reminiscent of a water feature she had once seen on Bajor—rippling in the breeze, backlit with a soft blue light.
As Asha inhaled, she became aware of the faint scent of ozone in the air. She frowned, her gaze shifting to Julian, suspecting the strange scent emanated from him.
"When you're ready, take three deep breaths and step through the portal," Julian instructed quietly, his voice calm yet charged with the gravity of the moment.
Asha extended her hand toward the glowing portal, her long grey fingers dipping into the shimmering surface. "Oh!" She gasped softly, surprised by the tingling sensation that danced across her skin. It wasn't wet as she had expected; instead, it felt like tiny sparks were skittering along her nerves.
Focusing her mind, Asha took three deep breaths, steadying herself. Then, with a final glance back at Garak and Julian, she stepped through the portal.