"I am their spokesperson," Kubus interrupted, clearly perturbed at the implication that it was otherwise. Kubus interrupted, clearly perturbed at the implication that it was otherwise.

"Kubus, this is no time for your posturing! You just said yourself the Bajorans would rather have you murdered than listen to a word you say. I need to know, in your estimation, who I can contact, whose voice might make a difference among the rebels."

"The Kai, of course," Kubus said, still sulking. Kubus said, still sulking. "But now that Prylar Bek is...gone...I couldn't tell you how to reach her." "But now that Prylar Bek is...gone...I couldn't tell you how to reach her."

"Not a religious leader," Dukat said. "Someone with political clout, someone-"

"Don't think for a moment that the kai does not have political clout!" Kubus said. Kubus said.

"Shall I ask one of the other members of the cabinet?" Dukat asked, with false patience. "Perhaps Kan Nion, or Somah Trac?" The secretary's dislike of some of his Bajoran colleagues was amusingly pronounced, and Dukat often brought up his political rivals' names in order to get results from the taciturn Kubus.

"I suppose if you're looking for a secular voice...there is always Kalem Apren, of the Kendra Valley. Many are still quite loyal to him, or so I'm told. In fact, if you were were to ask Kan Nion, he would undoubtedly tell you the same thing." to ask Kan Nion, he would undoubtedly tell you the same thing."

"Get me in touch with Kalem Apren immediately, then."

"But, Dukat! I can't risk going to the surface! I told you, if I so much as-"

"He can't be reached by comm?"

"I...don't know."

"There is no need for you to speak to him yourself," Dukat said impatiently. "Simply patch him through to me."

Kubus was still hesitant, and Dukat changed his tone.

"Get me in contact with this man-I don't care how-and I will see to it that you are relocated to Cardassia Prime, where you will be protected."

"A Bajoran, on Cardassia Prime? Do you honestly think I would be any safer there than-"

"Yes," Dukat said. "Think of it, Kubus. You would be a celebrity-an example to the Cardassian people's cause!" Dukat felt quite pleased with the image as he saw it; for if Kubus was controlled carefully enough, Dukat was sure that he could do much on his homeworld to promote Cardassia's position here. Dukat's Dukat's position here. position here.

But there was another reason the idea appealed to him: Kell had never cared for the secretary, and there was a pleasantly perverse symmetry to Kubus's exile to Prime. After all, Kell had forced Dukat to take in that fallen operative from the Order, who had turned out to be the very man the prefect held responsible for the death of his father, long ago. And while Dukat was powerless to exact revenge, he thought it was only fitting to burden Central Command with the responsibility for protecting a Bajoran national who symbolized the benefits of continuing the annexation.

On the screen, Kubus hesitated. "Yes," "Yes," he finally said. he finally said. "I'll find a way to contact him." "I'll find a way to contact him."

Dukat's door chimed just as he said it, and he absently pressed the panel to admit his visitor. One of the officers from Ops appeared in the door, and Dukat gestured him inside as he ended the call with Kubus.

"More reports of sabotage on the surface, sir. A worker revolt at a mill in Rakantha Province-sixteen Cardassian guards killed. The facility is burning as we speak-"

Dukat let his head sink for a nearly imperceptible beat before snapping to attention again, to redeploy troops to the region-but his forces were simply spread too thin. Should he even bother to contact Central Command about this? Should he wait for the Bajorans to forget about the so-called massacre, for the unrest to die back down to manageable levels? But Dukat did not believe that they would "forget." For an instant, he was taken back, to the first time he had ever come to Bajor. A Bajoran man from his memory reminded him; permanent grudges, he'd said. They were like Dukat himself, that way. Maybe it was something Dukat had started to forget, in recent years. Maybe he'd forgotten it when he'd ordered the execution of the resistance cell in Kendra, so excited was he at the opportunity to get at the son of the kai...

He stopped to consider the possibility that the execution of that cell could have been as grave an error as he had ever made. It had only fueled the resistance, where Dukat had expected to deter them. It was all he could do now to contain the aftermath. But if it had been a mistake, it did no good to acknowledge it as such. No good except perhaps to learn from it, to use the lesson in a future he hoped he could secure for himself.

Vaughn had been stationed on Starbase 621 for a few months now, analyzing starship movement along the Tzenkethi border, but he had maintained his Cardassian contact sporadically over the past few years. Tonight, the man had contacted him with urgency in his voice, and now Vaughn interrupted him somewhat against his better judgment, to ask him a question that had been plaguing him for a very long time.

"Gul Russol," he said carefully, hoping against hope that he would not accidentally offend the man. He had upheld the relationship with Russol for over two years, but had never quite been able to figure out his motives. "I don't understand why you would choose to share this information with me. Why are you-"

"I told you, Commander. I oppose my world's current government. Besides the never-ending violence, the annexation of Bajor is a symptom of the disease that has infected our entire social consciousness. My world will eventually be forced to withdraw from Bajor, and when it happens, we will experience an economic depression, among other things. Cardassia has become too dependent upon Bajor and worlds like it. We will never pursue research into self-sustaining resources unless we are forced to do so. I believe that our economy will have a better chance to rebound if we withdraw sooner rather than later. Additionally-"

"So, you have no particular sympathy for the Bajoran people?"

"No," Russol said flatly. Russol said flatly. "The Bajorans are a violent and uncivilized people. I prefer to maintain my distance from them." "The Bajorans are a violent and uncivilized people. I prefer to maintain my distance from them."

Vaughn suppressed a frown-he'd met few Cardassians who weren't dramatically xenophobic. It was a wonder this Russol had even deigned to speak to a human. But this admission seemed to at last confirm for Vaughn that the man was genuine in his pleas for help; if he had claimed to empathize with the Bajorans, Vaughn would have had much more difficulty swallowing the man's story. "I see," he said. "Go on."

"The announcements my government plans to make on Bajor are absolutely false," Russol told him. Russol told him. "They are a ruse, meant to distract the Bajorans from survey teams, who are working even as we speak to determine what is left of Bajor's resources, and how best to efficiently extract them. My government wishes to bleed Bajor dry of all useful elements, and then abruptly leave. This would be devastating to the long-term economic situation of my world-my people are in denial regarding the current state of Bajoran exports." "They are a ruse, meant to distract the Bajorans from survey teams, who are working even as we speak to determine what is left of Bajor's resources, and how best to efficiently extract them. My government wishes to bleed Bajor dry of all useful elements, and then abruptly leave. This would be devastating to the long-term economic situation of my world-my people are in denial regarding the current state of Bajoran exports."

"To say nothing of what it will do to Bajor," Vaughn said glibly.

Russol ignored the comment. "Once the Bajorans realize they are being lied to-and they will realize it, no matter how shortsighted and foolish they may be-the violence on that world will only increase. But my government will refuse to abandon it, despite how bad it gets. It has become a matter of pride for them. And there will be terrible repercussions for the Union." "Once the Bajorans realize they are being lied to-and they will realize it, no matter how shortsighted and foolish they may be-the violence on that world will only increase. But my government will refuse to abandon it, despite how bad it gets. It has become a matter of pride for them. And there will be terrible repercussions for the Union."

"What exactly is it that you would have the Federation do about it?" Vaughn asked.

The man on the other end of the line was clearly troubled. "I don't know the full extent of your...Prime Directive...your rules and charters," "I don't know the full extent of your...Prime Directive...your rules and charters," he admitted. he admitted. "But I imagine there are at least two feasible options. The first is for Starfleet to remove the Cardassian presence from Bajor...by force." "But I imagine there are at least two feasible options. The first is for Starfleet to remove the Cardassian presence from Bajor...by force." He stopped speaking, looking glum. He stopped speaking, looking glum. "That option could be quick, but it would certainly be bloody. As I see it, however, it could also have much larger consequences. My people are not likely to back down from the insult, and the conflict could easily lead to full-scale war between our two governments." "That option could be quick, but it would certainly be bloody. As I see it, however, it could also have much larger consequences. My people are not likely to back down from the insult, and the conflict could easily lead to full-scale war between our two governments."

Vaughn nodded, understanding Russol's logic. Nobody wanted more war between the Cardassian Union and the Federation. The border conflicts between those bodies had been brutal, and Vaughn suspected Russol was a veteran of at least a few of the skirmishes. "What is the second option?"

"The second option is for you to...somehow deliver this message to the Bajoran people. Someone in charge, I suppose, though I don't know much regarding their civilian government..."

"They don't have much of one," Vaughn told him. "But I do believe I can reach a few influential Bajorans who might have the means to pass the word around. Exactly what part of this message do you want to be revealed to them?"

"All of it!" Russol exclaimed. Russol exclaimed. "Tell them...they must not accept the offer of a new Bajoran government! Their resistance fighters must not turn themselves in! They must...they must continue to fight. They must fight harder than they've ever fought, because they actually have a chance of winning this time!" "Tell them...they must not accept the offer of a new Bajoran government! Their resistance fighters must not turn themselves in! They must...they must continue to fight. They must fight harder than they've ever fought, because they actually have a chance of winning this time!"

Vaughn would have been doubtful of this man's motives if it had not been for the raw sincerity that colored his voice and expression. Russol was torn. He was betraying his own people with what he was trying to do, but he had been pushed over the edge, and he knew of no other way to fight for what he believed in.

Russol spoke again, his voice lower. "I can see that you are taken aback," "I can see that you are taken aback," he said, with a touch of defensiveness. he said, with a touch of defensiveness. "I know I am a traitor. But I have come to see that the lives of a few more soldiers are worth the preservation of my world's integrity. This is the definition of war, and the reason that we fight. Cardassians believe deeply in the struggle for the greater good, Vaughn. I wish for peace in the long run, but...I have come to believe that peace must sometimes be achieved through violence." "I know I am a traitor. But I have come to see that the lives of a few more soldiers are worth the preservation of my world's integrity. This is the definition of war, and the reason that we fight. Cardassians believe deeply in the struggle for the greater good, Vaughn. I wish for peace in the long run, but...I have come to believe that peace must sometimes be achieved through violence."

Vaughn was speechless for a long moment. Finally, he spoke. "You say you don't know much of the Federation's charter," he said. "I can tell you right now that there may be problems with what you have just proposed. You will recall that my government has a treaty with yours. I don't know if I can permissibly deliver this kind of information to your enemies."

Russol looked crestfallen. "But...you have confirmation that my people seek to deceive the Bajorans. Is that not just cause for your government to intervene on the Bajorans' behalf?" "But...you have confirmation that my people seek to deceive the Bajorans. Is that not just cause for your government to intervene on the Bajorans' behalf?"

Vaughn sighed. "Perhaps, but it is more likely that we would adhere to your prior option," he said. "Diplomacy failing, of course." He didn't like it, and he could see that Russol didn't either. Vaughn had reviewed the transcript of Nechayev's latest conversation with Kalem Apren, and it occurred to him that even the Bajorans might not like it. This was their fight to win, and they would probably resent it if the Federation suddenly swooped in at the eleventh hour. Despite the ramifications, he promised Russol to try his best for the latter option-to give the Bajorans the information they needed to win the fight themselves.

Vaughn wasted no time in contacting Vice-Admiral Nechayev once his conversation with Russol was done, but he was immediately disappointed by Nechayev's response. "You cannot act on this information, Commander," "You cannot act on this information, Commander," she informed him. she informed him. "The best we can do is to confront the Cardassian leaders and demand that they tell the Bajoran people the truth themselves." "The best we can do is to confront the Cardassian leaders and demand that they tell the Bajoran people the truth themselves."

"They'll never do it!" Vaughn exclaimed. "They'll pass the word on to their puppet leaders and claim their innocence by hiding behind a cardboard panel of cowardly Bajorans!"

"Be that as it may-"

Vaughn was beginning to lose his temper. "Vice-Admiral, forty plus years ago, the Federation could do nothing to prevent the Bajoran annexation from happening. Our hands were tied by bureaucracy. Right under our noses, the Cardassians stole an entire world from the Bajorans-and now we have the chance to give it back to them. Let's not let that red tape tie our hands again! Alynna, you were there! Of all people, you should be most willing to look the other way for the sake of what's right!"

Nechayev was only shaking her head in response. She was beginning to look angry, her usually unflappable severity coming undone, but Vaughn went on.

"If we inform the Cardassian leaders of what I learned today, we risk putting my contact in danger, and it will do nothing to help the Bajorans."

"The treaty-"

"Damn the treaty!" Vaughn said. "The peace we have with Cardassia is anything but genuine, and you know it!"

Nechayev's mouth tightened in annoyance. Vaughn winced, waiting for the inevitable fallout, but after a moment, the vice-admiral's expression changed, as if she had decided something.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," she said softly. she said softly. "In fact, this conversation never took place." "In fact, this conversation never took place."

Vaughn's eyes narrowed.

"I trust you will do the right thing, Commander."

"I...thank you, Vice-Admiral."

As the communication ended, Vaughn decided it was the closest thing he'd get to permission. There would be no safety net if the information was traced back to him. But then, he worked best without a net. Whatever consequences he faced personally, he could bear it knowing that he had at least tried to save Bajor from the fate of indefinite occupation. Before he could change his mind, he entered the approximate communication code for the post on Valo II.

24.

Kalem was quick to answer the comm this time, as it awoke him from the early stages of sleep. The timing of the communication suggested a contact point from somewhere outside Kalem's own time zone-but since few people from the Kendra Valley ever sought to contact him in this manner, Kalem could have assumed as much anyway. Holza, Holza, he thought hopefully, though he wasn't sure he recognized the voice as Jas Holza's. he thought hopefully, though he wasn't sure he recognized the voice as Jas Holza's.

"This is Kalem Apren. State your business."

"Mister Kalem. I understand you are something of a spokesperson for your people. I have a proposition that I hope you will find interesting."

"With whom am I speaking?" he asked, still confused from sleep.

"I represent the Cardassian Union."

Kalem was taken aback, to say the least. A Cardassian representative was certainly the last person he would have expected to hear from-the last person he wanted to hear from. But his curiosity dictated that he listen. "Continue," he said.

"As I stated, my sources have informed me that you have a great deal of influence over the people on your world," the voice said silkily. the voice said silkily. "If this truly be the case, then my people hope that you will help us to convey a message to all of Bajor." "If this truly be the case, then my people hope that you will help us to convey a message to all of Bajor."

"What message might that be?"

"That we intend to withdraw our interests from this planet-from this system. Can I count on you to relay this message?"

Kalem felt the discernible rush of blood in his ears, the amplification of his own heart. Had he really heard what he thought he'd heard?

"Yes," he said, feeling all his hopes held hostage by the possibility that this was not really happening. "I...will convey the message..."

The voice continued. "But I think you will agree that an abrupt withdrawal could warrant disastrous results. Your people will need an interim government, someone trustworthy to steer Bajor through the difficult storms ahead. Bajor has very little of its own infrastructure intact, and one hopes that a new Bajoran cabinet could help to reestablish some of the basic necessities that will help keep the Bajoran populace from escalating into chaos." "But I think you will agree that an abrupt withdrawal could warrant disastrous results. Your people will need an interim government, someone trustworthy to steer Bajor through the difficult storms ahead. Bajor has very little of its own infrastructure intact, and one hopes that a new Bajoran cabinet could help to reestablish some of the basic necessities that will help keep the Bajoran populace from escalating into chaos."

Kalem thought it sounded reasonable, but the initial burst of jubilance suddenly seemed further away. The voice continued, but Kalem was losing focus, only half-hearing the offers that were being made to him.

"...an election, of course. I look to you for advice regarding some suitable candidates for various positions..."

What is this?

"...we want to represent the will of the people, but I feel we can be reasonably certain that the status you currently enjoy will translate to your being involved in the next generation of Bajoran leaders-a new generation, you understand, a generation that is for Bajor only. My people are tired of the violence, Mister Kalem, and on my homeworld, the cries for withdrawal have become too loud for us to ignore. We recognize that the best course of action..."

Kalem scarcely realized it when the Cardassian had stopped speaking, and grappled with the distinct sense that he had just been asked a question. He spoke, not entirely sure what he was answering to-something about Terok Nor, an invitation? "Your offer...sounds generous...sir," he began, looking for the words, and the strength, to continue. "But right now...I am very occupied with...my people...with-"

"Of course you are," the disembodied voice said smoothly. the disembodied voice said smoothly. "It is my understanding that Bajor still looks to you for advice and assistance. I have polled a great many of my Bajoran advisers and colleagues, and their responses led me directly to my decision to contact you first. Of course, if you don't feel you are suitable for nomination, I understand that Jaro Essa is-" "It is my understanding that Bajor still looks to you for advice and assistance. I have polled a great many of my Bajoran advisers and colleagues, and their responses led me directly to my decision to contact you first. Of course, if you don't feel you are suitable for nomination, I understand that Jaro Essa is-"

"Jaro Essa will never accept any offers from you," Kalem laughed. "While I suppose I should be...flattered...that my name has come up in discussion with your advisers, I must respectfully decline the opportunity. I cannot leave my people at this time. You see, I am far too busy consoling the families and friends of those who were killed in the massacre here in the Kendra Valley-"

"Massacre!" the voice replied, and something in his tone confirmed to Kalem that he was speaking to the prefect. This was Gul Dukat; he knew it. the voice replied, and something in his tone confirmed to Kalem that he was speaking to the prefect. This was Gul Dukat; he knew it. "Kubus Oak has assured me that the people executed in Kendra were part of a dangerous terrorist organization. Tell me, did Secretary Kubus misinform me? Because if that is the case, Mister Kalem, then I must point out that this is exactly why the current Bajoran government must-" "Kubus Oak has assured me that the people executed in Kendra were part of a dangerous terrorist organization. Tell me, did Secretary Kubus misinform me? Because if that is the case, Mister Kalem, then I must point out that this is exactly why the current Bajoran government must-"

Kalem interrupted, feeling his gorge rise at the sound of Kubus Oak's name coming from the mouth of a Cardassian. From Dukat. Was the prefect looking for a new puppet, then?

"There will be an election," he said forcefully. "But the Cardassians will have no say in it. That election will occur after your people are gone, not before." Kalem abruptly squashed his thumb against the disconnect button without waiting for the prefect's reply. His breath was coming hard. He had another call waiting for him, and whoever it was, it had to be someone whose conversation would be preferable to Gul Dukat's.

"This is Kalem Apren," he said, struggling to keep the angry breathing from overcoming his words.

"Apren!" cried Keeve Falor's voice, heavy with interference between Bajor and distant Valo II. cried Keeve Falor's voice, heavy with interference between Bajor and distant Valo II. "I have news that is of the utmost importance! I have just spoken to a Federation contact who received pertinent information for us. The Cardassians-they are going to try and negotiate with us-" "I have news that is of the utmost importance! I have just spoken to a Federation contact who received pertinent information for us. The Cardassians-they are going to try and negotiate with us-"

Apren was stunned. "Yes," he said quickly. "I...I know, I spoke to Dukat..."

"Tell me you did not agree to any of his offers!"

"Of course I didn't, Falor! You ought to know that I wouldn't have!"

"Oh...oh, thank the Prophets. Yes, of course I knew, but..."

Apren explained where his thoughts had been throughout his entire exchange with Dukat. Now he knew his instincts had been correct. "If the Cardassians are negotiating, Falor, it can only mean one thing-they are genuinely on the defensive now. They are frightened."

"You're more right than you even know, old friend. You must tell the people on Bajor-they must not hold back now, no matter what happens. Now is the time to fight-and win."

"But the resistance cell here in Kendra-they were all massacred by the Cardassians. Jaro Essa still has a few scattered contacts, but-"

"This message is not just for the resistance, Apren," Keeve said. Keeve said. "Everyone must know of this. The Prophets have given us the opportunity we need, but we must show them that we are capable of defending our world ourselves-" "Everyone must know of this. The Prophets have given us the opportunity we need, but we must show them that we are capable of defending our world ourselves-"

Kalem interrupted as the thought entered his mind. "Weapons, Falor."

"Weapons?"

"We need weapons. Does Holza know of this new development?"

"Not yet, but I will-"

"You should have contacted him first, Falor!"

"I had to be sure that you wouldn't agree to anything!"

"Falor, you should have known that I wouldn't have. Tell Jas Holza about this immediately!"

"I will do my best to get word to him, but we can't wait for him to come through, Apren! There must be no delays in communicating this message to the people of Bajor!"