Chapter Text
During their transit, which fortunately was uneventful, Melset and her staff kept to themselves while preparing contingency plans to win some time; however, shortly after departure, Azin and his compatriot were informed that their home world had also been the target of Dominion attacks which had caused widespread damage. They opted to return to Kobheria at once after contacting their Secret Service which arranged for their return and new postings. In fact, a Khobeerian freighter rendezvoused with the starship within a day.
For Talik the news was far better: Lissepia had escaped the effects of the past war, all except for strongly localized damage which was already being repaired. Upon receiving this information, he offered, “Gul, if you wish, I will remain in your service for three more C-Standard years, by then reconstruction in the Union will be well under way. I have already contacted my commander on Lissepia; he has expressed no reservations. My reassignment is to be effected at the end of that period.”
“Most positive news, Talik. This will make initiating processes easier as you know all procedures and can assist the others should problems arise in the beginning.” She considered him for some moments, remembering their time at SFCCEI, “and you are a most impressive bodyguard indeed.” Furthermore you have become a reliable friend and an advisor I am glad to have at my side.
After about ten days, they arrived at Deep Space 9. From the little Melset could see from the docking ring, a lot had changed since her last stay on the station, facing her first deployment for the Order.
Two Bajoran officers were already waiting for them when they came out of the passage with some other arrivals. For a moment, Melset, taken unawares, stared at them, then quickly rallied. Why be surprised? This station is now Bajoran with a Federation presence!
“Welcome to Deep Space 9, I am Commander Kira.” Kira gestured at the tall, dark-skinned Bajoran male next to her, “And this is Security Chief Remosi.”
“I am Gul Melset,” then, indicating the Lissepian, “Major Talik is my colleague and former bodyguard at SFCCEI and will be a member of the SFHS team.”
The two officers, the Bajoran and the Cardassian, briefly considered one another before Melset said, “I wish to thank you and your people for agreeing to host a branch of SFHS on your station with a Cardassian as one of its three organizers. Above all, you have my, our gratitude for your people’s generosity in face of the past.”
“At present, everyone is working for peace and, in many cases, for reconstruction,” was Kira’s answer, “The bureau of SFHS is scheduled to open in a little under four weeks. I have been told that you will spend three days on station before going to Cardassia to gather data on the situation?”
A nod was the reply, then, “Aid for other worlds in this sector which have suffered damage due to the war will also be organized here to simplify matters, shorten supply lines.” Melset’s voice became very soft, “The Alliance with the Dominion made all of my efforts at SFCCEI futile. Perhaps now …” she fell silent.
The Bajoran looked at her pensively, thinking. She reminds me of someone, but I can’t quite place it.
“If you come to OPS with us, there are some details you have to know.”
With Kira in the lead and Remosi following, they walked through the Promenade; on the way, Melset and Talik looked around interestedly; the station was very different to how it had been during the Occupation; it was brightly lit, somewhat chilly by Cardassian standards, no more Bajoran section, but, not unexpectedly, a shrine, various peoples on station, no guards on the Promenade, a wide range of shops…. In fact, much like SFCCEI, or even Starfleet Headquarters except for the shops.
When the group reached the Commander’s office, Remosi left.
“Please, sit down.” Kira said, “You may have been informed that the offices of SFHS are nearly ready. Staff is scheduled to arrive in three weeks while you, Gul Melset, are still on Cardassia; by the time you return, work will already have been initiated. In case of urgent messages before then, they can be sent to my office. You already know that you and all fifteen staff are assigned quarters on the same level and area of the habitat ring.”
“Chief Remosi has expressed security concerns; you and the other staff will be issued commbadges as is the case with all personnel on this station; as long as you and your colleagues are here, at SFHS, Security Chief Remosi and his staff are responsible for your safety.”
“I was equipped with a transponder when I was a recruit and will give Chief Remosi its frequency. It is most kind of you and the Chief to ensure our safety, Commander.”
“Cardassians are not very popular anywhere on Bajor or its installations right now, to borrow an Earth expression.” She continued, “Commander Chandler has already seen to formalities, so the only one left is for you and Major Talik to report to the medical department for your physical.”
“May as well get it over with at once.”
Talik left with her after saluting the Commander.
“Dr Bashir? Gul Iníki Melset reporting.”
He turned to see the new station Cardassian as he called her, enter then wait near the door.
“New members of the station’s crew, and that is what you are as an employee of SFHS, undergo routine examinations upon arrival and at half-yearly intervals.”
“Central Command had the same procedure,” While talking to him, she removed her armour.
After half an hour, Bashir said, “You check out fine, except for high levels of stress hormones. I strongly advise you to get as much rest as possible before leaving for your home system.” Sure you will. I know your kind. Door to quarters closes and you’ll be at the annex, preparing files and whatever you need until you report for transit, he thought, resignedly.
There was no reply apart from, “When I return from Cardassia in four weeks, I’ll report back to you. From your expression it would appear you have registered something or another.”
“Nothing pathological, only an implant whose removal would kill you within seconds. My source told me that his own, nearly identical to yours, is of Order provenance.”
This was unexpected; Melset stared at him for a moment; Bashir did not mention the name of his informant, but she knew.
After a moment of thought, he went to his supply room, took something out of a pigeon-hole then said, “Take these along. They will make coping with the impact of what you will experience easier, but not compromise your ability to fulfil your duties. Trust me, you will need the help.” The doctor gave her a small box.
She glared at it resentfully. “Is this really necessary, Dr. Bashir?”
The doctor’s reaction was exasperated. “Look, Melset, I’ve just about had it with Cardassian pride and ‘we cope with everything on our own, need no assistance’! You are concealing that you are under severe emotional pressure, but it registers; you were on Earth, but saw reports, heard comments, no doubt suffered personal losses. Those reports are nothing compared to what will confront you in a few days. If I had any say in the matter, I would not even authorize your immediate departure for that hell-hole your planet has become.” Dr Bashir continued, “But as you are going, I can at least offer some support. And, please, do me a favour when you get there.”
“Yes, doctor?” Gul Melset’s expression was neutral.
“When you meet Garak, give him my regards. I miss the lunches.”
“I most certainly will.” Melset walked out and nodded at Talik. Garak is alive and on Cardassia. The thought was reassuring.
Talik entered, shrugging in resignation.
“Gul Melset?” A Bajoran officer came over. “I am to give you these; they arrived for you yesterday and contain information about conditions on Soukara, Quinor and Pentath.”
“Thank you,” She made the Bajoran gesture of thanks.
Taken unawares, the officer briefly hesitated before answering, “The Commander said you will no doubt want to begin your analyses and evaluations at once.”
The reaction was a nod as she gazed at the data rods she held.
When Talik returned and joined her, Security Chief Remosi came over, “In the meantime, you and Major Talik can go to your quarters. A transport is leaving for Cardassia Prime three days from now; passage has been secured for you. Major Darol will notify you when it docks. Garak has been contacted and notified of your ETA.” He struck his commbadge. “Major Darol, report to security.”
A Bajoran officer entered moments later. “Darol reporting.”
“Accompany Gul Melset and Major Talik to their quarters and,” he indicated Melset, “see there are no incidents on the way.”
“Understood.” He turned to the group, “Come.”
She took in the station’s atmosphere, comparing it to how it had formerly been as they walked along the promenade. “The station has changed for the better.”
Darol gave her a sideways glance. “Since when?”
“Since the end of the Occupation.”
Her words surprised him into asking, “You did not approve?”
“No.” For the next six years, she would have to interact with both the station Bajorans and other residents, so admitting to what she had seen and realized in Nevaris Village could make establishing contacts easier as her comments would be shared. “The system, the exploitation, I saw it, at the time thought it justified, but later understood that propaganda had influenced me, hidden the truth about what was being done, and the truth about your people.”
“An interesting statement, coming from a Cardássian.”
“Here we are.” The door slid open when he entered a code. Melset went in, briefly stood in the middle of the living area. The Cardassian layout and architecture made her feel at home. Main room, bedroom, sonics, replicator, communit, standard furnishing … “This is generous, I expected basic crew quarters.”
“You and your colleagues will be on station for six years, so the Commander has assigned you and the other staff standard quarters in the same area of the station; your property is already here; I will notify you when your transport arrives in three days.” Darol added, “A word of warning: watch your back when you go out. Cardassians are bitterly hated by many of us as Gul Dukat fought against the Emissary. Wear this and do not hesitate to use it.” He handed her a commbadge.
“Tell the Chief I greatly appreciate his concern.”
With a nod, the officer left with Talik. “The other personnel will also be issued badges upon arrival.”
When the door slid shut, she opened her bags, noticed that they had been searched but carefully repacked. She took out her clothing as well as the cache of latinum put aside during her time on Earth at Gart’s advice. Her requirements had been minimal, with free room and board at SFCCEI Melset had hardly needed anything. Cardassians were not used to luxury, though the wealthy had immense residences, safe houses, access to goods unaffordable for the average citizen. In the beginning of her stay on Earth the fact she was expected to have more than three sets of clothing including a uniform had been astonishing. And here, on the station? Large quarters, for her future colleagues as well.
Pensively, Melset sat back on her heels, considered the supplementary goods she had brought as well as the latinum. Only a drop in the ocean, but could make a difference to someone who has lost everything.
The Cardassian put the few decorative articles she owned in place, the holograph of Loo’Wess in the living area. All this, it is gone, is ruins, some areas a wasteland…
The thought of being met by a member of the Order at her return to Cardassia made for a sense of normalcy. As we most likely already know each other, cooperation will be that much easier.
This is new… When Melset went into the bedroom, she saw the symbol of the Celestial Temple on the wall, complete with a small home shrine. It looked slightly out of place in a basically Cardassian area. No, I will not request it be removed … This detail will be registered, then discussed among the station Bajorans. Nevaris Village … how quickly any information was spread throughout neighbouring villages, like wildfire, as her human contacts had expressed it.
After some hours of rest she inspected the data carriers lying next to the annex. Let’s see what they contain. Quickly, she checked their contents, frowned: the situation was an unmitigated catastrophe. May as well establish a spreadsheet of factors to be considered: areas, status, survivors, requirements, aid accorded, then enter the first sets of data. That will save time as the basic plan can be used for other worlds too.