Mora Arsinoe, head ducked in what she hoped was an inconspicuous manner, walked quickly through the corridors of the Valjean. She had let her long black hair loose
in front of her shoulders so that it would partially obstruct the view of her face.
Paranoid? It was a definite possibility, but Arsinoe wasn't about to take any chances of being especially noticeable as she quickened her pace through the halls.

She rounded a corner and stepped out of a busy corridor into a nearly deserted one.
With a quick glance over her shoulder she slid down the hall in what she hoped was a silent manner. At the end of the dark hall she knelt down next to a panel which open
to reveal the entrance to a Jeffries tube. Arsinoe slipped inside, on hands and knees, and closed the small door behind her.

After a short distance, she arrived at a small panel filled with lights and switches that still made absolutely no sense to the young ensign who had never become accustomed to the technology that was far removed from her native world. Mora knew how to do only one thing with the intricate panel, something that she really shouldn't have known. Slowly she removed a small silver cylinder from her pocket
and inserted it into an opening in the panel. Biting her lip in concentration, Mora tweaked at a few wires and then pressed a few glowing buttons, hoping that she hadn't
made a mistake that would give away, to a much more experienced officer, the transmission that she was about to make.

Suddenly, to Mora's great relief a small holographic screen leapt up from the cylinder, displaying the rough and slightly grizzled face of an older human man.

"Verifying security...." the man said as he concentrated on something off of screen.

"Verified." He finally looked up to see Mora's face, which was being projected on a small planet very far away. "Good to see you, kid. You made it on safely? Not a 'fugitive' yet or anything, are you?"

"No Markus, I'm fine. No one has any idea. There was even enough confusion when I came on board that no one noticed that I beamed in."

"Good, kid. Glad to hear it. Now," the man's startlingly blue and too youthful eyes narrowed slightly, "why have you risked contacting me. There is not much more I can
do for you for now. The oath will soon be fulfilled and your switch into the Federation's service hasn't been noticed."

"I know," Mora's voice shook, "All of that has been fine. I'm the only one who knows. But, my lack of engineering skills... or technology survival skills at least, are going to be noticed soon. Simple things I can handle, day to day things, but anything with this blasted computer and... I'm lost. And I'm starting to get assignments where it may show. I've been teaching myself more in my free time, like
you said, but... until I can really catch up with all that I supposedly learned, I'm going to need your help."

Markus ran his fingers through his short white hair, his indecision obvious. Finally, he nodded in agreement. "I'll help you for a short time more, but then we must cease contact until the time comes. If we are ever discovered..." he shuddered visibly. "What is it that you need me to do?"

"Thank you, Markus," Mora cried softly, "I promise there won't be much more. All I need you to do is to dig into the backgrounds of the senior staff of this ship.
Apparently they aren't all as trustworthy as me." She laughed hollowly. "Can you do it?"

"It shouldn't be hard," the older man replied. "A few background checks, with the contacts I have..." he shook his head ruefully, "No problem, kid."

"Thank you," Mora repeated. "My first officer, for some reason, decided that I was the only member of security that could be trusted to check up on everyone else, and I
can't blow things now. Um, okay, the names of the members I want you to check are: Kaye Xenia Rafko, Ruk Takei, Emallia Janor, Aleana Lan, Tenjou Utena, Nu'Daq (he's a
Klingon), and Katja (she's a half Klingon-half Trill). And," Mora stopped for a second and thought, "I want you to run a check on a few other officers as well. One, Catava Okal, two, Leget, some Cardassian that is on our ship, and three, Veena Pari... I haven't met her yet, but I think she's my roommate. Oh! And, there's some woman named Morgan who showed up a few days ago. I overheard the head security officer talking about her. I think she's part Vulcan, part human... though I don't think anyone knows anything else about her."

"Quite a list," Markus responded, "And throw in your Captain and first officer, you have a huge number of Klingons and Trills on board... very odd. But, I will look up the list for you, though I'm not guaranteeing anything. Check back with me in two days time and I'll let you know what I have."

"Okay," Mora nodded, "I will. Thanks."

"You're welcome, kid," Markus said with a sigh, "as always. Good luck."

The screen winked off suddenly, leaving a blue glow in Mora's vision, and an empty, lonely spot in Mora's heart for the man who had nearly adopted her after her parents' untimely death. Fighting tears, she forced herself to concentrate. She carefully retrieved the small cylinder from the intricate wires and buttons. She deposited it back into a pocket and slid down the Jeffries tube in the opposite direction from where she had come, in hopes to throw someone off her trail, just in case. She slid
out of Jeffries tube one deck down, and into another deserted hallway. Readjusting her black hair in front of her black eyes, with a hand that was too suntanned for someone who had spent the last few years on ships and in classrooms, she walked back down the hall to her quarters, trying to quickly swallow the emotions and fears that
haunted her days.

**** Xenia Rafko ****

I woke up and realized immediately I was not alone; Nu'Daq's arm was draped loosely over my stomach. I
rolled over, gently nudging him so that I could get more comfortable. From here, I could see the table,
which was covered with some PADDs and mugs - obvious signs of a late night.

I pushed the covers aside gently as not to wake Nu'Daq and got to my feet. I felt much, much better, but I
was still having problems with my breathing.

I was so glad that Okal had not made a big deal out of my breathing problems; so far, I had been able to keep
the fact that my lungs were not functioning properly from public knowledge. At least now I could blame it
on the knife wound.

I put on my robe and walked into the bathroom and stared at myself in the mirror. The face looking back
at me scared me. The healthy face of five years ago was gone, replaced with this... I don't know, but I
had the Cardassians to thank for all of it.

I wondered about Tenjou and her medical history. It was similar to my own and I wondered if she had been
subjected to the same types of experiments when she was a child.

I heard a groan from the next room and knowing that Nu'Daq would wake if he did not find me next to him, I
immediately found the drugs I was looking for, injected myself, and went back to bed. His eyes were
already open as I slid under the covers.

"You didn't have to stay," I told him.

"I wanted to make sure you didn't go anywhere."

"Where am I going to go?" I asked teasingly.

"With you, anything is possible," he growled back. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down
gently.

"Thank you," I told Nu'Daq.

"You're welcome."

"Nu'Daq, on the holodeck, you said," I paused for a second. "You said that there were other ways to have a
family. Why would you say such a thing?"

"I was thinking about our last argument," he said. "It was on my mind and how I was unfair to you. We do not
need children of our own to be happy. In retrospect, it was not fair to blame you for something that was
not your doing."

"No," I cupped his jaw with my hand. "I shouldn't have left so quickly. I just couldn't think straight and I
should not have run."

"We share the blame equally but now nothing will keep us apart."

I really liked the thought of that, of being able to spend the rest of my life with this man. We had issues
still to resolve but at least we had crossed one major hurdle. I just didn't want to tell him that I was
still sick; we would deal with that when we had to.

"Nu'Daq," I said. "You never told me about Okal's friend."

"You should not worry about that," he said, his face growing dark.

"What do you know?" I demanded, but Nu'Daq silenced me with a kiss. He was very gentle and sweet, obviously
paying attention to my injury.

It was only later, when we lay there, that I realized Nu'Daq had never answered my question. I knew now that
there was something about Okal's friend, Taite, that Nu'Daq didn't want me to know.

**** Tenjou Utena ****

The Valjean had only left Deep Space Nine a few days ago, and already Utena's life had fallen into a new routine. She would wake up, and go on duty. Once duty ended, she'd stop at the holodeck and work out for a while. Then she'd return to her quarters.

There she would reply to a message that would be waiting from her father, and reply to it. There was no change in her mother's condition, and Utena decided that was probably a good thing.

Anything the young pilot did after that usually depended on how tired she was. So far, she'd been getting plenty of sleep; a luxury she hadn't known since before she was in the Academy. Even the nightmares had stopped for a while.

<Maybe it's because we're on the way to the peace talks,> Utena mused, while her hands unconsciously punched in commands that started a diagnostic. <And the fact that there are no Cardassians around. Thank the Prophets.>

Her thoughts returned to her mother, and her current condition. She hated to be away from her parents at a time like this, but she knew she couldn't abandon her duty. Especially if the end of this mission meant a cure for her
mother. She sighed.

The pilot's ears registered the sound of a turbolift opening, but being that both the Commander and Captain were on the Bridge, she didn't turn around to acknowledge it.

"Ensign Leget reporting for duty Sir!" She heard a voice bark out. "Do you have any orders for me?"

Utena raised an eyebrow to herself. She didn't remember reading that name on the crew roster. She turned around, curiosity piqued.

Standing before Worf was a Cardassian in a Starfleet uniform. She tensed up. <What the HELL is going on?!> Her mind began reeling, and she briefly wondered if she was having a nightmare. Cardassians were bad. Cardassians
were the enemy. They weren't supposed to be in Starfleet!

She looked to Worf. His face seemed impassive as he stared at the 'ensign.' Jadzia's eyes widened perceptively, and she turned to Worf, awaiting his reaction. At the nearby Tactical station, Nu'Daq did not bother hiding a scowl.

The Bridge became eerily silent. Leget seemed to realize this, and looked around the Bridge.

She brought her gaze back to Leget just in time to meet his eyes. Their gazes locked for a moment; it was all the time she needed. Her eyes narrowing, she glared at him, as if in challenge. She kept her eyes fixed on him; she wouldn't back down to a Cardassian. After a moment, he looked away.

Utena glared at the side of his face a moment longer, then turned back to her post, fuming.

***** Jadzia Dax *****

Of all the....!

Jadzia's mouth dropped as she stared at the Cardassian
standing in front of her and Worf. This was insane, absolutely insane. Who the hell had thought of putting a Cardassian on a ship crewed mostly by Bajorans and
Klingons?

She turned to stare at the helm officer, Lieutenant Tenjou, who looked as if she were in a state of shock. Jadzia looked around the Bridge and she could see that everyone was stunned by the arrival of this... Ensign Leget.

Jadzia took a deep breath. The Cardassian looked completely pleased with himself, very relaxed, and very aware of the reaction he had sparked among those
around him.

Jadzia turned to face Lieutenant Nu'Daq. He stood there, absolutely impassive, arms behind his back. She opened her mouth to ask Nu'Daq to escort the Cardassian off of the Bridge but than thought better of it; this particular Cardassian *was* wearing a Starfleet uniform.

"Welcome aboard," Jadzia said in a falsely cheerful tone. "I am Jadzia Dax, First Officer of the Valjean."

"I apologize for being late," the Cardassian looked about the Bridge. "But I was, um, held up at Deep Space Nine and was unable to board with the rest of the crew."

"That is quite all right," Jadzia looked around. Worf still seemed like he was in a state of shock, so she took command of the situation immediately. She turned around and barked at everyone, "What are you staring at? Everyone get to work."

There was another pause and then everyone, including the surly Tenjou, turned back to their tasks. Jadzia looked up at the Tactical station, "Lieutenant, I need your assistance."

Nu'Daq was immediately at Jadzia's side, his upper lip curling in obvious dislike of the Cardassian.

"Please see to it that Ensign Leget is assigned quarters," Jadzia said in a low voice. "Ensign, this is Lieutenant Nu'Daq, our chief of security. I understand from your work order, you will be in our security department, so you will take your orders directly from Lieutenant Nu'Daq."

Nu'Daq did not extend a greeting to the Cardassian nor
did Jadzia expect him.

"Lieutenant, you will review your department's expectations with Ensign Leget. Also, schedule him for a tour of the ship and also for his physical," Jadzia continued.

"Yes, sir," Nu'Daq said. "You will come with me,
Ensign."

The Klingon and Cardassian, an odd couple, exited the
Bridge. Jadzia slumped into her chair, utterly exhausted by this most recent twist in circumstances.

"What next?" she wondered out loud. Then Tenjou turned from the helm, her face absolutely livid. "Is something the matter, Lieutenant?"

The young Bajoran woman looked as if she wanted to say something but then decided not to. Jadzia sighed; she
completely sympathized. It would not be easy having a Cardassian on board.

"We need to talk," Jadzia said to Worf in a low voice. "And we need to talk right away."

**** Leget ****

Before leaving with Nu'Daq Leget looks at the bridge crew and begins to speak. Addressing Jadzia first.:

"With all due respect sir, I have already been assigned quarters. The security team that met me at the transporter room took me to them. Permission to speak freely sir."

"Granted!" Jadzia replies.

Leget begins to speak as he looks about the bridge.

"Ladies and gentlemen I know how you all must feel. This is a crew of mostly Bajorans and Klingons who have learned to hate Cardassians. Frankly I am not on the best of terms with my government either. Sirs, (he says looking at
Worf and Jadzia) if you look at my file you will find a hatred that I have for my government as well. When I graduated first in my class at the Academy, I was offered my pick of any vessel to begin my service on, I chose this one, because of all of the Bajorans aboard it. You see I owe something to all of you, something that can never be repaid."

As Leget spoke you can hear genuine feelings in his voice, a feeling of sorrow. Leget is definitely like no other Cardassian you have ever known. With all that being said Leget left the bridge with Nu'Daq.

*** Nu'Daq ****

Nu'Daq woke up once again next to Xenia. It was a warm and nice feeling to sleep next to another person, especially if you love that person.

The computer buzzed. "The time is 0800 hours".

Time to get on duty. Nu'Daq got up from bed and started to get dressed. He could hear Xenia mumbling. He went to her side and kissed her on the cheek.

"Good morning my love".

She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"Are you leaving?", she asked.

"Yes, I have to get back on duty."

She looked at the time. "Is it that late?"

Nu'Daq nodded. He got up and looked at her. "How about you? How are you feeling?"

She sat up in bed. "Just fine. I even think I'll try and work a couple of hours in the sickbay today."

Nu'Daq wasn't sure this was a good idea. "Are you sure? You still look a bit fragile."

Xenia tilted her head. "Yes, I'm sure. And I promise you I will get back in bed, if I feel any worse."

Nu'Daq kissed her again and left.

He headed for the bridge. On the way he wondered what had happened during the meeting between the Captain and Commander Dax and the Romulans. It should be over by now. He could feel the Valjean was still sitting tight,
they were not moving. Hmmm, he would know, when he was supposed to know. A bit annoying, but that was life in Starfleet.

He entered the bridge and assumed his position at Tactical. He performed his routine scans and saw, that the Romulan ship was still lying dead ahead, quiet as a black night on Qo'noS.

He started to go through the logs of the night. His ears recognized the sound of the turbolift opening, but didn't take notice of it. Suddenly a strange scent came to him. It was a scent of a Cardassian. At the same moment as he raised his head, he heard the harsh but familiar voice. But even then the sight surprised him. In the middle of the bridge a Cardassian in a Starfleet uniform was standing attention. He addressed the Captain and from the looks of it he was supposed to serve on the Valjean - in the
security department.

The whole bridge went silent. Everyone seemed to realize the awkwardness of the situation.

"Lieutenant, I need your assistance." Dax was talking to Nu'Daq. He went down to them, the dislike towards the Cardassian was obvious on his face. But he was an officer, so he couldn't react upon that. He ignored the ensign
and awaited instructions from the XO. He got his orders, escort this ensign Leget to his quarters and arrange a tour of the ship and an appointment in sickbay.

He motioned for the turbolift, but before he entered it, ensign Leget seemed to feel the need to adress the crew of the bridge with a speech. Nu'Daq was _not_ impressed.

As they entered the turbolift, Nu'Daq felt the dislike inside him grow. He was standing there next to a Cardassian and had to tolerate it.

"Computer, stop turbolift." He felt the turbo lift come to a halt and turned towards Leget. Leget looked a bit confused. Nu'Daq grabbed him by the collar and pressed him against the wall. "Know this, Cardassian. I don't like
Cardassians and never will. I don't trust Cardassians and never will. Behave yourself on this ship, or you will have to deal with me. And trust me, you wouldn't want that! One step on the wrong side towards any crew member...", Nu'Daq hesitated and his thoughts went to Xenia before he continued... "and I will kill you without regards to Starfleet regulations. Just be happy this is not a Klingon ship. If so, you would have been dead by now."

Nu'Daq let go of ensign Leget. Leget didn't look worried or intimidated to Nu'Daq's dismay. "Computer, resume."

The turbo lift began to move, and within seconds they had reached their destination, ensign Leget's quarters. Nu'Daq motioned him to enter.

"As you know these are your quarters. Report to sickbay by the end of the day for your physical examination. And report to ensign Arsinoe, she will show you around the ship. As for your duties in security, I will have to look on the work roster. I will contact you shortly." Nu'Daq turned and left without another word.

**** Leget ****

Before Nu'Daq re-started the turbolift Leget responded to his threatening. Leget speaks with as much disdain as Nu'Daq avowed, hoping a show of force would impress the Klingon.

"Look Klingon! Last time I checked we were on the same side, despite what planet we are from. If you touch me again without a good reason I'll press charges and have you thrown away in the Brig."

With that the turbolift resumed.

*** Veena Pari ***

Veena ruffled up her hair and carefully stepped over the clothes on the floor of her quarters. She didn't want to ruin any of her new roomate's belongings before she even met her, that would not be a very good start. Pari stepped
outside of her room and looked around in the corridor. She was now dressed nicely in civilian clothing-a small Bajoran dress over loose pants.

"I suppose I shall explore the ship." Veena thought to herself, hoping in her efforts to come across other officers that might be able to help her become more acquainted with the ship. Pari slowly walked down the hall and made her way to the turbo-lift. The doors opened and there stood Nu'Daq and beside him a young Cardassian. Pari's eyes widened. She was flabbergasted. Her mouth opened, almost to say something, but no words could come out. Veena reached up and grabbed her small Bajoran earring in her right ear and rubbed it, something she often did when she was nervous.

**** Xenia Rafko ****

I crawled out of bed sometime around 0900 hours, feeling very relaxed. I ordered a raktajino from the replicator and then enjoyed it, while reading a holonovel that I had started months ago but had never really had a chance to seriously read.

I did feel well enough to go to sickbay today and check on the status there. I was eager to meet the staff (finally!) and get acquainted with my office. Also, I had not started the crew physicals back on DS9 like I had planned, so I needed to start getting those scheduled.

I got dressed and pulled my hair back and tried to pinch some color into my cheeks. Then it was out to sickbay.

I wasn't even really sure how to get to the sickbay; the last time I had been there, I had been absolutely out of my mind with pain and also terrified that Bashir would find out what else was wrong with me.

On the way, I bumped into a Bajoran ensign I had not seen before.

"Careful there," I told her. She looked at me nervously, tugging at her earring, making me very aware that I had not worn my earring in years since my foster parents had frowned on the practice.

"There's a Cardassian on board," she blurted out. "I just saw him in the turbolift. He's wearing a Starfleet uniform."

"What?" I exclaimed. "That can't be right!"

"It is," the ensign said earnestly. "I saw him. There is no mistake."

I looked at the ensign; she had no reason to lie to me. And she looked nervous, very nervous.

"What is your name?" I asked gently, trying to put her at ease.

"Veena Pari," she said.

"It's nice to meet you," I extended my hand. "I'm Xenia Rafko."

Veena still looked a bit unnerved.

"Where was this Cardassian?" I asked, feeling years of anger building up inside of me.

"In the turbolift. With the Chief of Security."

Nu'Daq knew there was a Cardassian on board and he had not told me? All of a sudden, I felt sick to my stomach, my earlier contentment gone.

"Thank you for the information," I told Veena; there was no reason to blame the poor girl for the sudden appearance of a Cardassian on board.

I managed to keep my temper long enough to get to sickbay and into my private office. I was out of breath as I sat down but I didn't yet know where the medical supplies were.

"Rafko to Nu'Daq."

There was a brief pause.

"Nu'Daq here. Where are you?"

"In sickbay."

"Are you all right?"

"Yes," I took a deep breath in an attempt to keep myself on an even keel. "Is there a Cardassian on board?"

There was silence and then, "Yes, I just walked him to his quarters."

"When were you going to tell me?"

"I just found out myself."

"Whose bright idea was this?" I asked.

"I do not know. Do not upset yourself."

I sat there fuming. Easy for him to say! The Cardassians hadn't ruined his life, hadn't killed his parents or experimented on him. And now because of what they did to me, I could never hope for a family of my own and I would have to take drugs for the rest of my life just to keep the rest of me from deteriorating. And if Nu'Daq ever found out, I knew he would leave. Who wanted a defective mate anyway?

"Xenia?" Nu'Daq's voice was very soft. "We'll talk tonight. Is that all right?"

"I'm not going to calm down," I answered. I could hear Nu'Daq sigh.

"I will talk to you tonight," he said firmly.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair. A Cardassian on board... the Maquis in me began to contemplate all the terrible things that could possibly, accidentally befall a Cardassian officer. My breath started to come out in short gasps and I felt light-headed. The last thing I needed was to pass out on the account of some Cardassian.

I got up from my chair and opened some cabinets, looking for a hypospray. I found the drug I was looking for and injected it into my neck. And that's when I remembered something else.

"Rafko to Okal."

"Okal here. How are you?"

"I have a favor to ask you."

"Yes?"

"Are you free tomorrow night?"

"I think so, yes. Why?"

"Come to sickbay. I have something I need your help with."

**** Laizia Rozhenko ****

It had been a long couple days for Laizia. After Nu'Daq had rescued her and Dr. Rafko, she had clung to her mother for six hours straight until finally Rafko had sedated her so she could sleep. When she awoke again, she had been alone. A check of the computer told her both her parents were on the bridge. Then the realization that she was hungry crept over her. Replicating the biggest chocolate dish she could find, she took it with her to the Jeffries tube that ran past the family quarters. "Because if I make a mess, Lam're will get mad," she said to herself before
starting to eat it.

Sometime later, the Jeffries tube door suddenly swung open. Laizia jumped, spilling some of the fudge onto her hands. When she saw it was Nu'Daq, she scowled at him for interrupting.

"Laizia, what are you doing here?" the big Klingon
demanded.

"Nothing," she said quickly.

"Does your mom and dad know that you are here?"

"Yes" she said hesitantly.

"So you don't mind if I call them?" Nu'Daq motioned to reach for the computer panel across the hall. Laizia
quickly lunged out after him to catch him. "No, don't
do that."

Nu'Daq stopped and looked at her. "So this means they
don't know?"

Laizia reluctantly shook her head. "Not directly. But
in a way they said it was OK."

Nu'Daq was confused. "What do you mean?"

Laizia gave him a Look as though he were Kang. "Vavoy always says 'If you are upset at something, you need
to cool down before you act. Cool heads act more wisely than hot ones.' And nothing cools you better than ice cream. Do you want to try?" She retrieved her bowl of ice cream and offered it up to the security chief.

Reluctantly, he bent down to try it.

"Are you going to tell vavoy?" she asked after he had
finished the ice cream.

Nu'Daq eyed her for a long moment. "No, but then you must promise me to throw away the rest of the ice cream, wash yourself and go straight back to your room."

Laizia promised and immediately headed back to her quarters, though once inside, she snuck two more bites
with the most chocolate on them before recycling the rest back into the replicator. Then she went to wash her face and hands.

*later that evening*

Laizia, who was trying to study a schoolpadd Keiko O'Brien had given her before she left, heard her parents' voices before they entered the quarters.

"I still can't believe it, Worf....they put a *Cardassian* on this crew...."

"It was not my idea, Jadzia."

"I know that. I just--can't believe they would make such an assignment for him."

Laizia jumped up, abandoning her padd. Both her parents hugged her, then Laizia looked up at them. Her vavoy looked stoic as usual but Lam're seemed both worried and irritated. "Lam're?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Why's there a Cardassian on our ship?"

**** Leget ****

After Nu'Daq had dropped him back off at his quarters Leget decided to unpack his things. There was no reason to move about the ship just yet. He also was having second thoughts about choosing this ship for his first assignment. Leget begins to talk to himself as he unpacks:

"Why did I choose this ship? It is a fine ship and it's crew is equally accomplished. However, what was I thinking? A Bajoran could never forgive a
Cardassian."

As Leget talked to himself he lost track of time, before he knew it the computer was telling him to report to Sick Bay for his physical. Leget sighs to himself and proceeds to Sick Bay.

Leget's trip to Sick Bay is uneventful. He has a couple of run-ins with various crew members. All responding to him in the same way, with distaste and disdain. Leget arrives at Sick Bay seeing Dr. Rafko in her office. Leget walks up to her and says:

"Dr. Rafko I presume."

After saying this he snaps to attention.

"Ensign Leget reporting as ordered sir!"

**** Xenia Rafko ****

"Dr. Rafko I presume."

My head snapped up and there *he* was.

"Ensign Leget reporting as ordered, sir!" the Cardassian said, immediately snapping to attention.

I swallowed hard; I hadn't expected to see the Cardassian so soon. There were all sorts of thoughts running through my head and I really, really wanted to call security to the sickbay and escort this, this pata'q to the brig.

I used to tell Nu'Daq to count to ten whenever his temper got the better of him so I decided to take my own advice. After a few seconds, I stood up.

"At ease, Ensign," I said, trying to keep my voice from cracking. Through the glass walls of my office, I could see various members of my medical staff gathering, all of them looking at me curiously.

As a young medical student, I had taken a vow to heal
all, regardless of politics and other barriers that separate people. At the time, it had been very easy for me to make that vow because I had been so idealistic.

But that was before... before I had learned how the Cardassians had irreversibly ruined my life and before I had joined the Maquis. And when I was in the Maquis, I healed, but I destroyed also.

I took a shallow breath. I had a duty to perform this
man's physical, no matter my personal feelings.

"Let's get started, shall we?" I brushed past him and into the sickbay. "There's nothing to see here,people."

My medical staff dispersed and I turned to the Cardassian - I could not bring myself to refer to him by name - and indicated the biobed.

"Have a seat," I said. I picked up my tricorder. "Don't worry. This will be painless and quick. I just need it for Starfleet's records."

He nodded but I could tell he was regarding me with the same suspicion that I had for him. After all, I was a Bajoran doctor; I could easily give him an overdose of a drug and that would be it... it could be done so easily.

I turned on the tricorder, "Okay, let's see what we have here."

**** Nu'Daq ****

Nu'Daq was calm on the outside, but furious on the inside.

Who got the strange idea of putting a Cardassian ensign onboard a ship full of Bajorans and Klingons. There was something strange here. Nu'Daq went into the turbo lift. "Bridge".

The lift started moving. On the way Nu'Daq kept thinking
about this new Cardassian. This meant trouble. He thought about contacting Xenia. How would she feel, when she found out? After what the Cardassians had done to her. Nu'Daq actually didn't know for sure, Xenia had never been very informative about her childhood and her life during the occupation of Bajor. But he knew, that the Cardassians were responsible for her infertility - a thing, which must be very hard to bear for a woman.

The doors of the turbo lift opened, and Nu'Daq re-entered the bridge. The captain and Commander Dax were nowhere to be seen, they probably went into the captain's ready room to discuss the recent events. Romulan spies, kidnappings, Changelings, a Cardassian crew member - plenty of topics to
discuss.

Nu'Daq assumed his place at Tactical. Now was the time to find out more about this ensign Leget. Who was he? Why was he here? Nu'Daq worked for some time digging through databases, and he did learn a lot.

Leget was born on Cardassia Prime as the son of a high ranking military officer and an ambassador. He entered the Obsidian Order at the age of 18 and was stationed on Empok Nor during the occupation of Bajor. After several years he was arrested by the Obsidian Order and convicted of treason.

However, strangely enough he was not sentenced to death, as one might have expected. Instead he was sent into exile, and for some reason he chose the world of his enemies, Earth, and not a neutral planet.

On Earth he made several attempts at getting into Starfleet Academy, but it wasn't until he petitioned the Federation Council that he was accepted into the Academy.

And fresh out of the Academy he chose the Valjean as his assignment. The Valjean, who just happened to be on her way to the peace talks, the peace talks who determine the fate of the Alpha Quadrant.

"Interesting", Nu'Daq mumbled to himself..... He was looking at Leget's time right after his arrival on Earth. There was a period of 3 weeks, where no records of his whereabouts were to find. Nu'Daq looked everywhere, but
nothing. As if he hadn't existed for 3 weeks.

"Interesting...."

At that moment his comm badge chirped. It was Xenia. She had heard about the Cardassian. Nu'Daq worried about her. In her present condition it was not good for her to get upset - and at the sight of a Cardassian she would definitely be upset. Hopefully she wouldn't be in sickbay, when Leget reported for his physical examination.....

Nu'Daq was interrupted by a beeping from his security console.

"What is this? Someone made an unauthorized transmission. From a Jeffries Tube on Deck 16, section 4? A very deserted one?"

Unfortunately there was no trace of either the transmission nor the person who made it. Another spy? Hmmm. Nu'Daq didn't want this to happen again. Time to tighten the security measurements once again. Would it never end? It took Nu'Daq some time to pinpoint the frequency used, it was hidden well. And it certainly was a sophisticated piece of technology that was used to mask the signal. But not sophisticated enough.

Nu'Daq was able to find the resonance frequency used and set up the scanners to detect any new transmissions. He coupled the sub space scanner to the environmental controls to gather a sample of the pheromones of anyone transmitting on that frequency. From the constituents of those he would be able to identify a person trying to make a transmission like that again. He wouldn't use the internal scanners to identify the person, he or she probably anticipated that..... But this way there was no
chance of escaping....

Nu'Daq smiled. Only one thing left: Better put up a local detection device in the Jeffries Tube 16,4. You never knew, maybe he or she would use the same location again. Nu'Daq pulled out the drawer and picked up the detection device. Starfleet issue. Not the best, but it would have to do.

After all, it was not imperative to his plan, just a added bonus. Nu'Daq went into the turbo lift and went to deck 16. He went all the way down and entered the Jeffries tube at section 4. He took the detection device, which was not bigger than a walnut, and hid it in the vicinity of the computer junction.

"That oughta do it".

Content with himself Nu'Daq exited the Jeffries tube and headed for the turbo lift.

On the way there he bumped into a human lieutenant. It was Taite, Okal's "boyfriend" and an old acquaintance of Nu'Daq's. Immediately memories started flashing into Nu'Daq's head. What Xenia didn't know was that Nu'Daq after
her leaving actually had found another woman. A human girl he fell in love with. And she felt the same way about him.

They had met on Betazed. Nu'Daq's ship had been sent to escort a Klingon ambassador on his visit to Betazed. During one of his off duty periods he had gone into the wild outside of the main city to meditate. He had been sitting there, when this young girl accidentally had disturbed his meditation by starting to sing a happy tune without having seen him. He had gotten up preparing to shout at the intruder, but as he saw her he was unable to speak. It started with dinner, but soon evolved into a passionate relationship. Her name was Lalaith, and she was the daughter of a human entrepreneur on Betazed. They had been very much in love, and Nu'Daq was happy for the first time since his time with Xenia. He had requested a leave of absence from his duties, and for the next three months he spent all his time with Lalaith on Betazed.

But there had been trouble on the horizon. Lalaith's family was opposed to their daughter seeing a Klingon. Especially her brother Taite. At that time he had just finished the Academy and was stationed on Betazed. He put a lot of pressure on Lalaith to break of her relationship with Nu'Daq. But she refused. Eventually the family gave her the choice: Break of her affair with Nu'Daq or never see her family again. And that's what ended their relationship.

Nu'Daq had broken it off for her. He didn't want to be the reason why she could not see her family ever again. Before he left to resume his duties inthe Imperial Klingon Forces he had gone to Taite and promised him to make him pay for his actions. And now he was here, on this ship.

Nu'Daq was back together with Xenia now, as it was supposed to be and always had been. The pain of having to leave Lalaith was cooled down. But he could still feel the anger towards Taite within him. Taite hadn't seen him, so Nu'Daq went up to him and put his hand on Taite's shoulder.

"Stop, you pat'aq."

Taite turned around and looked Nu'Daq straight in the eye.

"I'm not afraid of you, Klingon."

Nu'Daq grinned. "You ought to be, because we have a score to settle. And we will. Right here. Right now."

Nu'Daq let go of Taite and took a step back.

"Come on, you coward. Let's see if your will to fight is as big as your mouth."

"It is", Taite replied, "it is."

And he turned towards Nu'Daq. They looked like two tigers, ready to jump each other right there. And they would have, if they hadn't been interrupted by a loud cry.

"What is going on here? What are you doing?" It was Okal, who had just exited the turbo lift next to them. They both looked at her.

"It is of no concern to you, Okal", Nu'Daq growled at her.

"It sure is. You two guys have been at each other's throats since you met. You obviously know each other. And I demand to know how and why. Taite, tell me."

But he was silent. Okal moved in between them. "I don't want the two of you fighting. Not on this ship. Come with me Taite. You promised me dinner, and I won't let an angry Klingon ruin that."

She gave Nu'Daq an angry look. Nu'Daq just looked at Taite.

"Some other time. I won't let you get away."

And without waiting for his answer he entered the turbo lift and returned to the bridge. His only worry was, that if Taite told Okal, she would most certainly tell Xenia. And how would she react? But Okal was his friend, he couldn't threaten her to keep silent. Perhaps Taite didn't tell her, perhaps he was at least a little bit ashamed at his actions. Nu'Daq hoped so.....

Go to part 17

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