“You’re doing all you can, Captain,” Kira said finally. “The Bajoran people are grateful for the cooperation of Starfleet and the Federation in resolving this matter. And I personally am grateful for your involvement.”
Mello sighed. She got up from her chair and walked around the table to stand in front of Kira. “Colonel…I know the crime that’s been committed can’t be minimized. What happened to Shakaar—and to Bajor—is heinous. The first minister’s murder is a blow to all of us. Tensions between both our governments are high, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Bajor may not want to join the Federation now. I don’t think any of us really knows what the future will bring. Those concerns, however, I’ll leave to the politicians and the diplomats. Right now I’m interested in only one thing: bringing the assassin to justice. We’re on this hunt together,” Mello emphasized, grabbing Kira’s shoulders. “We’re on the same side, Nerys. I hope you believe that.”
“I do, Elaine,” Kira said. “But as you say, we’re on a course toward an uncertain future. No matter what happens, my people will never be the same again after this. I’llnever be the same. And, more to the point, I’ve come to realize that this voyage could turn out to be the last joint mission between Starfleet and the Militia…and I just don’t know whether to be saddened by that or relieved.”
“I understand,” Mello said after a moment. “I don’t envy you your position, Nerys. You must feel adrift, and alone. But I want you to know that while you’re on my ship, you’re among friends. We’re here to help, Colonel,” she repeated, studying Kira’s face carefully. “How long has it been since you last slept?”
Kira shrugged. “Probably too long.”
“Nothing seems likely to change for the next few hours. Why don’t you get some rest. I’ll see to it you have complete access to our mission data so you can examine it at your convenience.” Mello tapped her combadge and summoned her first officer back to the briefing room. When he stepped through the doors, she continued, “Commander Montenegro will escort you to your quarters. Anything you need, let him know.”
“Thank you again, Captain. I think I would like some time alone. But if anything new comes up—”
“I’ll alert you immediately, rest assured. Now get out of here,” Mello said with a smile.
The corner of Kira’s mouth lifted and she turned to go. Following Montenegro back out onto Gryphon’s bridge, Kira saw several eyes turn in her direction as she crossed the deck toward the turbolift. She was unable even to guess at the thoughts behind the looks she received, and that troubled her.
“Deck five,” Montenegro said aloud as they entered the lift. As their descent began, Kira noticed out of the corner of her eye that like the bridge crew, the first officer was stealing glances at her. “Is something wrong, Commander?”
Montenegro started, embarrassed. “Uh, no, sir. I just wanted to say…I’m sorry about First Minister Shakaar. I liked him.”
“Really?” Kira asked as the lift slowed to a stop. She suddenly recalled that Skakaar had fled the turmoil he’d orchestrated during the Cardassian negotiations by becoming Captain Mello’s guest aboard Gryphonfor a few days as the ship patrolled the Bajoran system. “What did you like about him?”
“His enthusiasm, mostly,” Montenegro said as they exited the lift and started side by side down a corridor. Crewmen nodded to the first officer as they passed. “He seemed curious about everything to do with the ship. And when he talked about Bajor joining the Federation, his face would just light up. He even mentioned he was working on a proposal to allow Starfleet to establish a shipyard within the Bajoran system.”
“Really?” Kira said. A shipyard! When was he going to spring that one on Bajor? And what else was he planning?“I had no idea. What else did he say?”
“To be honest, I didn’t get to speak with him much. He spent most of his time with Captain Mello.” Kira thought she detected a slight edge in Montenegro’s voice as he said his captain’s name, but it was gone almost immediately. “I was on duty when the captain showed him the bridge, and most of my impressions are from meeting him then. Ah, here we are.” Montenegro stopped in front of a pair of doors and manipulated the touchpad next to it. The doors parted, and he gestured for Kira to enter.
The VIP cabin was enormous, bigger than anything analogous on Deep Space 9, whose accommodations were designed by and for Cardassians. Bright and luxurious by contrast, these quarters were lavishly furnished and softly lit. Vases of flowers filled the cool air with a sweet scent. Huge viewports sloped toward the Gryphon’s bow along one wall, and through them Kira could see the stars streaking toward her at warp. Nothing at all like the cramped, windowless, utilitarian cabins she was accustomed to aboard Defiant.
“I can’t stay here,” Kira said.
Montenegro’s brow furrowed. “Would you like an upgrade, Colonel? I’m sure I could arrange—”
“An upgrade?”She remembered all the compliments she’d received during the last couple of months from visiting dignitaries to the station, remarking on Bajoran hospitality. But if thiswas typical of how they’d traveled to Deep Space 9…“Commander, I hope I don’t seem ungrateful, but all I really need is a bed, a workstation, and a head. All this is a bit…much.”
Montenegro looked at her as if she’d just said the last thing he ever expected to hear. “I think we have something like that,” he said hesitantly. “But it has a replicator.”
Kira smiled. “I’m not a savage,Commander. Lead the way.”
13
Dax signaled at Vaughn’s quarters. No answer came. She tried again, and again the chime went unanswered. “Sir, it’s Dax,” she said in a raised voice. “I need to speak with you.”
Silence again, which made Dax’s frustration grow. She was debating whether or not to order Chao to beam her directly inside the cabin when she heard Vaughn’s voice.
“Come.”
The doors parted. She looked inside before entering. Like all the rooms on Defiant,the C.O.’s cabin was smaller in comparison to its counterparts on most other Federation starships, albeit a little larger than the crew’s quarters on board. Vaughn was sitting on the edge of the room’s single bunk, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees, hands folded. His uniform jacket was tossed over the chair by his desk. He looks,Dax thought, as if he hasn’t slept in days.
“In or out, Lieutenant,” he said when Dax hesitated a second too long.
Dax entered and waited until the doors hissed shut behind her. “Pardon the intrusion, sir. But I need to speak with you about the current situation aboardship.”
“Which situation is that, Dax?” Vaughn asked wearily, lowering his head. He was looking at the combadge he held in his hand.
“I think you know what I’m talking about, sir,” Dax said, unable to keep the edge out of her voice.
“And I think you’ve forgotten that what you’re talking about isn’t open to discussion,” Vaughn said without looking up.
“Be that as it may,” Dax said, “we’re going to talk about it. Now.”
Vaughn looked up. “Excuse me?”
“Sir, you can throw me in the brig after I’m done if you want, but I’m going to have my say, and you’re going to listen.”
Vaughn laughed quietly. “You think getting in touch with your inner Curzon is going to make me put up with this? You’re dismissed, Lieutenant.”