Chapter Text
Dr. Bashir,
I hope this letter finds you well. I admit I have been hoping to correspond with you sooner, but the grid here remains inconsistent and hardly a day goes by when I do not collapse into bed exhausted with barely the energy to fold my clothes, let alone compose a coherent message for a man of your intellect. You needn’t trouble yourself as to my health. I admit it is exceedingly good considering—the exhaustion is merely a side effect of the constant work.
But it is good work! I never minded being a tailor, though it was filled with its share of frivolities. It is self-evident that this present work is more important. I dreaded rebuilding, dreaded replacing the Cardassia I had loved for so long. Now that I am here and doing the work, it is not at all like I imagined it would be. I find that my love, rather than diminishing, has only expanded. Perhaps this is what being a parent feels like. I suspect I am unlikely to find out.
Quite to my surprise I find I’ve been named Third Administrator of the Paldar Sector in Cardassia City. Suddenly my work is much less physical, and I am much more able to write. The food is still terrible, and housing is still in short supply. It may take some years yet, but I am hopeful this new Cardassia will birth just as many full-lipped poets as the last.
When we last saw one another, you touched my shoulder and said you hoped we would see each other again. I confess, Doctor, that I didn’t really believe it likely, at least not in the near future, and certainly not imminently. However, recently in the administrative office there’s been talk of a Starfleet aid program, and I allowed myself a tiny sliver of hope that you of all people would be drawn to such an assignment. The Dr. Julian Bashir I know seemed always interested in saving as many people as he could, nevermind if they really deserved it. Cardassia has quite a few who could use such a doctor’s touch.
It is unlikely to be easy. The planet after all remains horribly scarred in ways both seen and unseen. However, I have always tried to impress upon you that patience has its rewards. Should you find yourself on Cardassia Prime, I would find it highly pleasurable to see you once again. Perhaps lunch?
Elim Garak
3rd Administrator, Paldar Sector, Cardassia City
Miles,
I’ve tried opening this letter a half dozen times with questions about your students and Keiko’s work and Molly and Yoshi, and I do want to know how they’re all doing, but the fact of the matter is that I have news I have to tell you! I received a message from Cardassia.
Quark says to inform you that this means Morn won the betting pool. Your bet was apparently a whole three days too early. You guessed better than me; I was afraid he wouldn’t write at all, after our last conversation. It’s not as if they were going to restore the power grid just so we could argue about literature over a long-distance lunch. Morn told me not to lose hope, which at the time I thought was kind, if a bit naive. I didn’t realize he had an ulterior motive.
Well, it turns out you and Morn were both right. Garak wrote to me, and he wants me to come to Cardassia! Starfleet’s organizing a relief team and I’m applying immediately for a transfer. He said it would be highly pleasurable to see me again. He mentioned hope three times, not even sarcastically! You said once that people either love me or hate me. Well, I know Garak’s never hated me, not really, so that only leaves one option, doesn’t it? And now he’s asked me to come home with him. I know it won’t be easy, but I think it will be worth it.
Now I’ve just got to get Kira to approve the transfer.
Julian
Et’esa -
Excellent work on the Okara street project. Community engagement is already surpassing expectations, and our team has been complimented by Second Administrator Gundar. I assured her that this was all your doing, and she told me to pass her compliments along. She doesn’t often go to public forums, so she likely doesn’t grasp the amount of work you’ve put in to help us get actionable feedback.
After your enthusiastic encouragement (perhaps better described as bullying), I did send that message. It’s been a week and nothing yet. I am hopeful he’s waiting to reply until he has something to tell me, but perhaps being home has made me soft.
Please let me know if there are any updates on Topal. He’s been out of the office too frequently and I’m beginning to worry about him.
Garak
Garak -
Of course, the Second Administrator wouldn’t know what those forums are like! Attendance is paltry, and then the folks who do show up often have the most absurd suggestions and concerns. Do you remember when that old man was desperately worried the building reconstruction was going to remove a pile of rocks? He said he felt particularly attached to the pile! It would depress me if it hadn’t been so confusing. Sometimes I remember that when I’m trying to fall asleep, and I get so worked up I need to get a glass of water. Thank Gundar for her compliments next time you see her and don’t under any circumstances suggest she ought to join us next time. She doesn’t have the patience, and I think her anger would outweigh any potential comedic benefit.
A slow reply is not necessarily bad! Give it time; he hasn’t heard from you in half a year.
Topal finally came in today. His mother’s case of grey lung has advanced quickly and unpredictably. I strongly encouraged him to take as much time as he needed to help her. The paperwork for his leave is on your desk.
Et’esa
Julian,
To answer the questions you didn’t ask: Keiko is researching nutritional yield for worlds affected by Dominion radiation, and Molly and Yoshi are smarter than all the cadets put together. (I don’t know how anyone could stand you while you were at the Academy; if you were anything like these cadets, you must have been even more insufferable then.)
You’ve always understood Garak better than I have. Better than anyone really, except apparently Morn. If he’s who you want (Garak, that is, not Morn), then I want you to be happy with him. But I’m laying down some rules:
- You are not allowed to die on Cardassia. If you want a snowball’s chance in hell of improving my opinion of Cardassians, dying there isn’t the way to go about it.
- If you sleep with Garak, I don’t want to hear about it. If you are scheming up a way to sleep with him, don’t tell me about it. I’ve already learned more than I ever wanted to about Cardassian anatomy, thanks to you.
- If he hurts you, you leave. That, you do tell me about.
The invitation to come to Earth still stands. I don’t know much about repetitive epics, but I do know a pub with a dartboard and decent drinks. You can even bring Garak, if you think you can get him away from the planet, but he can’t come over for dinner. I promised him that.
Miles
P.S. from Keiko: Congratulations!
Patient: Elim Garak
Managing Physician: Dr. Kelas Parmak
Patient presented with several bullae and keloids on torso, indicative of progressed case of Teivol's Syndrome. Patient cited work schedule for delay in seeking treatment. Prescribed 5CC Antibimide daily. Patient refused pain management regimen for syndrome-associated headaches.
REASSIGNMENT REQUEST FORM
NAME: Bashir, Julian S.
RANK: Lieutenant
CURRENT POSTING: Chief Medical Officer, Deep Space 9
COMMANDING OFFICER: Colonel Kira Nerys, Bajoran Militia
REQUESTED ASSIGNMENT: Federation Aid Corps, Starfleet Supplementary Personnel Division
Approved, Colonel Kira, Bajoran Liaison Officer, Deep Space 9
Approved, Rear Admiral Klein, Starfleet Command Office of Personnel
Et’esa -
There is evidence in front of my eyes, and yet I can hardly believe it. He will be on his way to Cardassia shortly. (Don’t ask how I know.) Your encouragement made all the difference.
If you have it in you to do one more favor… I was thinking that it might be prudent to retain one or two of the doctors in the Capital who have some experience with Cardassian physiology. They would be able to advise and train their fellow officers before they are shipped out on assignment. This I think would be quite helpful; it’s always easiest for Federation types to learn from those most like themselves, wouldn’t you agree? But I suppose this is coming across as a bit of a non sequitur. I’ll leave the aid management to those assigned to the duty, like your dear cousin Kronim… Nevermind there is only one doctor with experience in Cardassian Physiology… Kronim will figure that part out later.
Back to the subject at hand: I feel almost ecstatic. Who knew that an old man could be compelled to hope so foolishly. I blame you.
Garak
Third Administrator Garak,
You certainly must be fatigued if you aren’t even folding your clothes. When I show up with wrinkles in my uniform from sitting in a shuttle for hours, I expect not to hear a word about it. That’s right—I’ve applied for a transfer with the aid program! I have never refused to care for someone, even when it was far from easy, and even if patience was never quite as rewarding as I hoped. I’m a doctor; I’m not going to be put off by scars, even the invisible ones. I’m honored you want to share Cardassia with me.
Besides, I’m probably the only doctor in the fleet with experience treating Cardassians, and certainly the only one well-versed in Cardassian literature. It would be cruel of me to refuse to go. The state of food and housing may be miserable, but that won’t stop some brave citizen from writing about it. I am sure your new Cardassia will birth many poets and equally certain that you’ll demand I read all of them. I look forward to discussing them over lunch, even if that lunch is Starfleet rations. Did you know I designed an improved ration bar while I was at the Academy? I’ll replicate some to show you.
I assume you’ll ignore this part, but I do hope you are finding time to see a doctor, even if your health is “exceedingly good considering.” Exhaustion is nothing to ignore, especially with the high risk of malnourishment and viral illnesses. In case you would prefer a familiar physician, it would be my honor to have you as my first official patient on the planet. All you have to do to deserve it is ask. I’ll pass along my arrival details as soon as they are arranged. I want to make sure you’re around for a long time, after all. What would I do on Cardassia without you?
We’ll talk more when I arrive. We have a lot of catching up to do.
Julian
Doctor -
I promise I won’t say a thing against your looks when I see you. I know you to be somewhat vain in this area, so I am rather loath to admit my certainty that it will be a wonderful sight to see you again, wrinkles and all. I do hope you mean it about patience, as much will be asked of you. Cardassia is not an easy place to love, now more than ever.
I can hardly bring myself to be excited by a new and different ration bar, though I will endeavor to muster the enthusiasm on your account. I assume of course this “improved” ration is sweeter and more suited to human tastes. Personally, I find myself missing fish juice, which I cannot imagine was the flavor profile you designed. Perhaps, though, your tastes have changed since your Academy days. As for literature, I plan to bring along an old favorite. Literature does so improve upon rereading. Details are caught that were missed on the first attempt, and perhaps a fuller appreciation can be reached.
In regards to my health, consider the invitation to ignore you acknowledged and accepted. Moreover, please don’t worry on my account; there are those who require your medical brilliance with much more urgency. More than anything, I find I am becoming all of a sudden quite old. While of course age brings reverent respect, etc. I do miss the physicality of youth. Let’s put that topic to bed for now, though I find myself returning to it like a particularly stubborn itch.
I can hardly believe that I will see you again so soon. And in fact until such time, I will remain skeptical of your imminent arrival. However, we must plan for futures which we cannot fathom, and in this vein I humbly ask you to meet me in Union Square at the fifth bell in eight days. You bring your Federaji ration bars, and I will bring the literature.
Garak
Notice of Public Health Concern, Cardassian Central Health Authority
This is a notice to all Sector Level Administrators of a developing risk to public health and wellbeing. Please be advised that an outbreak of Letrial Fever has developed in the Northern Ifal Province.
Letrial Fever has not posed a serious health risk to Cardassian citizens since the 2255 pandemic. While at this time there is no reason to believe the current outbreak will be as serious or widespread, the situation on the ground remains dynamic, and the emergence of more pathogenic or more virulent variants may pose serious problems if early spread is not contained.
As Sector Level Administrators we would like to encourage good hygiene in your district and prioritize projects providing housing and clean water for those who may at this time not have consistent access. Through collective action, we can safeguard the future of Cardassia.
Thank you for your cooperation.
FEDERATION AID CORPS, STARFLEET SUPPLEMENTARY PERSONNEL DIVISION REASSIGNMENT NOTICE
NAME: Bashir, Julian S.
RANK: Lieutenant
CURRENT POSTING: Paldar Sector, Cardassia City
REPORTING TO: Lieutenant Commander Aravik
NEW POSTING: Nekar, Ifal Province
REPORTING TO: Doctor Ladra Gallek
TRANSFER RATIONALE: Redistribution of non-Cardassian medical personnel in response to reported cases of Letrial Fever. Refer to your supervisor for disease pathology and treatment plan.