Author:  Susanne L. Lambdin (See ST:TNG 4th Season Eps. "Family")
Rating: [NC-17]
Series: DS9
Character Codes: Du/f, Da/f
Date: January, 2001
Summary:  Set between "Call to Arms" and "A Time to Stand".  While Weyoun is
in route to Terok Nor with two Founders to observe the effects of a
DNA-altering drug on a group of captured intergalactic fighters, Dukat and
Damar are seduced by the captain of the Falcon, a fugitive Federation
officer, who alone knows the grim secret behind the drug the Dominion
intends to buy and use on their own troops.
Disclaimer:  Star Trek and all related characters are the property of
Paramount Pictures.  This story is not for profit.
Dedicated: Thanks for the inspiration.  This is for kira-nerys, Ariana,
Laura Taylor, Marlissa Campbell and the Collaborators.
Archive: This story may be downloaded and distributed as long as you include
the above writing credit.
Feedback: lllamb@feist.com

*****************************************************************

THE CHAMELEON EFFECT

"Death was the god of love
And in a kiss the conquerors
Swooned upon their victims."

Figure Humaine ("Human Face") by Francis Poulenc


Chapter One


As Quark polished a glass behind his bar, he tried to keep an optimistic
outlook on his immediate future.  A forced smile hung on his face like a
twisted rag.  Despite the fact that the shipment of fine wines and spirits
he'd been waiting on for over two weeks had yet to arrive at Terok Nor, or,
that for the first time in his life there were only two people seated at the
bar, he refused to panic.  Fear and desperation were not any way to conduct
a business, he told himself.  But that was precisely what had happened.  Gul
Dukat's daily demands that the bar be restocked with real liquor, or suffer
the consequences, had prompted Quark into making a rash deal with Captain
Kweeg of the Falcon, an old friend of the family.  Kweeg had guaranteed the
arrival of a cargo of liquor not always available in the Alpha Quadrant.
The only problem Quark foresaw was that Kweeg was a pirate and he'd been
foolish enough to purchase a cargo, sight unseen.

Quark set the glass on a tidy shelf and nervously glanced at a nearby clock
to reassure himself that he wouldn't have to wait much longer.  His gaze
drifted up to the second floor where several Cardassians, including Glinn
Damar, were bent over a view screen acting fairly excited over an incoming
ship.  It had to be the Falcon.  At least Kweeg was punctual, thought Quark.

Glinn Damar glared at his communication officer, fresh from Cardassia, with
disgust after failing several times to get a response from the incoming
vessel.  Glancing down at the screen, Damar noted that the freighter
possessed a force field of a superior caliber, but only nominal weapons that
posed no serious threat to the space station.  He snarled at the younger man
for delaying the arrival of his precious kanar.

"Sir, I can't get anyone to respond," said the officer in a tired voice.
"I'll keep trying."

"That is the ship Quark is expecting?"

"Yes, sir.  It's the Falcon.  She's listed on my rooster to arrive today.
The Ferrengi, Quark, said she'd be on time.  He asked me to notify him when
she came in.  Shall I, sir?"

"Forget about Quark.  Concern yourself with contacting the Falcon or you'll
find yourself reassigned to a mining camp."
  As the young officer frantically tried to hail the Falcon, Damar's
attention was momentarily distracted by another pressing matter.  He glanced
down to the Promenade where the station's head of security was sharing a
light lunch with Major Kira Nerys.  The Bajoran major's racial bigotry had
alienated Damar since the day they'd met.  He had no idea what Dukat saw in
the woman, other than the obvious; sturdy hips.  It caused him no small
amount of embarrassment to be ordered to snoop on the couple, especially
while on duty.  Such tedious errands were beneath his dignity, but his
steadfast loyalty to Dukat was unquestionable.  He always did what he was
ordered.

As the couple toasted, confirming Damar's suspicion that the intimacy of
their relationship was not merely gossip, he finally returned his attention
to the matter-at-hand.  Hearing only static coming from the Falcon, Damar
leaned across the man, checked his readings, punched in a new code and let
his look of disapproval make it clear that his subordinate's work was
substandard.  Suddenly, a female voice was heard coming over the cleared
channel, already in mid-sentence, hitting a raw nerve in Damar's central
nervous system that sparked to life in his groin and spread rapidly
throughout his body, making it impossible for him to ignore the stimulating
effect of her incredibly provocative voice.
  "...requesting permission to dock at Terok Nor.  This is Captain Alexis
Grant of the Falcon...awaiting authorization to begin docking procedures."

The communication's officer glanced up at Damar.

"Sir?"

"Female captains are always a nuisance," grumbled Damar.  He checked the
roster and noted the captain's name was Kweeg, a male Ferrengi.  Clearly, it
was not a man he was addressing.  No visual of the captain of the Falcon was
provided, even upon request.  Before Damar could respond, riotous laughter
from the Falcon came over the comm.  Damar lifted his hand, maintaining
complete silence.  If the freighter had any business at Terok Nor, he
thought, then she'd have the proper security code.  He glanced down at the
view screen providing an image of the ancient freighter holding in a
stationary position below the station.

"This is Glinn Damar.  What is your clearance code?"

"Zeta, delta, nine, zero, zero, zero, gamma."

"The captain has given the correct security code, sir," said the
communication officer, withering under Damar's stern look.

"It's last week's code," corrected Damar.

"But all the same, she's right on time," came the sound of Quark's excited
voice.  "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"

Damar looked smug as the anxious Ferrengi peered over his shoulder to get a
closer look at the view screen, his eyes widening in disbelief at what he
saw, for unlike aged wine, the ancient Terran freighter had not sublimed
with age.  After being modified, remodeled, and updated more than one
hundred years in its existence, the Falcon looked ready to be hauled to a
scrap yard.

"I hope the cargo is in better shape than the Falcon," said Quark, feeling
slightly ill to his stomach.

"It had better be," said Damar, gruffly.

"Show a little gratitude, Damar.  Our ship has finally come in carrying a
cargo of kanar.  What's the delay?  Dukat knows the Falcon is expected, and
I have a business to run."

Damar chuckled softly.  He could hardly wait to see Quark's reaction to what
he was about to say.  "Captain Grant?  This is Glinn Damar.  Permission to
dock at Cargo Bay 4 is granted."

"A wise decision," cooed the Ferrengi, not comprehending that there had been
a sudden change in command on board the freighter.  Sliding a hand across
his unusually shaped forehead, he fawned over one of his large ears.  A
jagged, toothy grin appeared on his face.  "It must be difficult for you,
Damar, with so many decisions to make and so many responsibilities."

Damar looked puzzled.  "Why are you still here?  I thought you were so
anxious to get your precious cargo."

"There's no rush.  This place will soon be crowded with bodies, and they'll
all pay an inflated price for what I'm serving too.  Of course, not you,
Glinn Damar.  In fact, I was thinking how happy you will be to sit down at
my bar with a nice glass of kanar, and how happy I'll be to serve you that
drink.  This is the real stuff, mind you, not the synthetic version, which
as you know, I never serve at my establishment."

"You ply Dabo girls with synthetic kanar at any opportunity.  You have no
morals, Quark.  After a security check, you may bring aboard the cargo.  Now
go away!  I'm a busy man."

"Such rudeness, and from the very man who has been waiting weeks for my
delicious kanar.  Imagine what a bottle of kanar would taste like right now,
in the privacy of your room with a pretty Dabo girl and all the time you
need to enjoy both."

"I have not time for this.  Go away."

"There's no need to bark at me.  I'm leaving, Glinn Damar.  I'm leaving.
But when my friend Captain Kweeg arrives, I'd consider it an honor if you
would let him buy us both a drink.  He's rich."

"Kweeg?  Didn't you hear me?  The captain's name is Grant.  It wasn't a male
Ferrengi I spoke with.  It was a woman."

"A woman?"  Quark scratched his chin.  "I don't know any woman named Grant.
But I do know that ship out there is the Falcon and my friend, Kweeg,
happens to be the owner and captain of that proud yet pathetic excuse for a
ship.  When Captain Kweeg comes on board, I'd appreciate it, Glinn Damar, if
you would show him every courtesy and escort him to my bar."

"When Captain Grant comes aboard," snapped Damar, "I will gladly send her
your way, Quark."  He chuckled lewdly.  "It looks like I won't need a Dabo
girl tonight.  I'm tired of them anyway.  They're all ugly."

Quark tensed from aft too stern.  His dark, little eyes narrowed to sharp
points.  "Never mind, Damar.  You're obviously confused and kanar would only
further cloud your mind.  The Falcon is owned by Kweeg.  If you don't
believe me, ask my brother, Rom.  Kweeg and Rom used to like the same girl."

"I care not about your family affairs," snarled Damar.  "When Captain Grant
arrives, I'll bring her over to you, and you can buy us both a drink.  I
suddenly feel lucky."

Quark shivered from stern too aft with fury.  The Cardassian was so
thick-skulled he couldn't tell the difference between the voice a man and a
woman.  True, Kweeg had a way with the ladies, but he was not Damar's type
at all.  Not in the least.

"Look here, my scaly friend, Kweeg is not a woman.  Kweeg is more of a
ladies' man than either you or I could ever dream about.  Women adore Kweeg!
Why, Kweeg has slept with more women than populate most Class M planets.
The list is infinite."

"I don't care," lashed out Damar.  He grabbed the front of Quark's coat and
lifted him an inch off the floor.  "If you want your cargo, then wait at
Cargo Bay 4 like I told you, little man.  You'll get my money soon enough.
Now be gone!"  He lowered Quark to the ground and shoved him back, causing
him to stumble.

The Ferrengi gathered his composure and calmly straightened his coat,
dusting off each sleeve, then froze, his hand stuck in midair about to brush
across his lapel.  Damar stared at Quark, missing the silent snicker of the
communication officer as a dark shadow descended upon them.

"Is there a problem, gentlemen?" came a deep, baritone voice, each word
pronounced with adroit articulation.

As Damar spun around to find his superior, Gul Dukat, standing behind him,
his face drained of color.  He dropped his hands to his side, suddenly
nervous.  Dukat towered over his second-in-command and the much slighter
built Ferrengi.  In his late fifties, Dukat possessed an athletic, tall,
slender body, with shoulders broadened by a massive cuirass that all
Cardassian military men wore.  His authority came with a long, dark history
and his forbidding presence was always felt whenever he made an appearance.
Dukat smiled as he notice Quark slyly backing off, hoping to escape without
further notice.  He stopped Quark from leaving merely by craning his long
ridged neck around and gazing curiously down the main corridor where
frequenting guests at Terok Nor streamed through on a revolving
twenty-four-hour basis.   "Well?" prompted Dukat.  His cool blue eyes
rotated from Damar to Quark, remaining frozen on the latter the longest.

"Fresh kanar has arrived.  Compliments of my friend Captain Kweeg," offered
Quark, pretending to sound cheerful.  He patted Damar on the shoulder,
smiling wide as the other fidgeted.  "I might add, we've all been waiting
for this shipment for far too long, so the first glass is on the house.  For
both of you."

"Your offer is accepted," Dukat replied, equally friendly.  "By both of us.
I am sure I can speak for Glinn Damar."  The slightest change in his pitch
implied that he thought his favorite subordinate was a dipsomaniac.

Loud voices drew all eyes toward the main corridor as the crew of the
Falcon, comprised of sixteen men and women from a mixture of races seldom
seen together at the same time, arrived in a drunken, unruly procession.
Spreading out quickly, the crew immediately began wrecking unwarranted havoc
upon reaching the Promenade, leaving wholesale chaos in their wake.  Guests
were molested, tables upset, and food and drink guzzled from the plates of
others as the pirate crew made themselves right at home and took command of
the bar.  A crew member produced a musical instrument and struck up a lively
electronic tune that incited a female Trill crew member to climb onto the
bar and gyrate her hips, cheered on by the men who helped themselves to
every last bottle of liquor on the shelves.

Soon, a security team of four Bajorans appeared. Odo and Kira were already
up from their table, attempting to take charge of the matter as expediently
as possible.  Finding themselves swept up in the madness and badly in need
of reinforcements, both Odo and Kira glanced up at Dukat.  But no support
was offered or reinforcements forthcoming.

"Where is Captain Kweeg?" howled Quark, staring in horror at the whole sale
destruction going on below.

"That's exactly what I would like to know," snapped Dukat, revealing that he
too had been expecting a Ferrengi captain.  His disappointment was glossed
over with an insincere smile.  "You best tend to your bar, Quark."

"Once Kweeg arrives, be certain to hold him responsible for all the damages
to my bar!  This is your station as well, Dukat.  You can't have pirates
tearing the place apart."

"What else do you suggest?  Major Kira and Odo are handling the matter.  Or
perhaps you want me to shoot someone?"

"Not at all, Dukat.  Not yet, anyway.  But I'll give you a bottle of kanar,
no, make that a crate...a crate of kanar, if you could possible cage these
rats and voles before they destroy everything!"  Quark suddenly gasped,
unable to believe what was being allowed to happen.  Not a Jem'Hadar or
Cardassian soldier made one move to help the Bajorans restrain the pirates
from drinking the last of his merchandise.  "I see I'll have to deal with
this myself.  Excuse me, gentlemen.  Rome is burning."

Quark darted away from Dukat and Damar, appearing below, angrily trying to
get someone from the crew's attention, while Odo and Kira did their best to
try to separate the pirates from the station crew and guests.  Quark
suddenly found himself behind the bar, struggling to supply the demanding
Falcon crew with what little liquor remained, until the pirates started
breaking things.  As soon as the Ferrengi realized he was fighting a losing
battle, his voice lifted and he started to shouting, but his pleas went
unnoticed.

"Find Kweeg," Dukat said, eyeing Damar.  "Send him to my office the moment
that you locate him.  You have no idea what was involved in getting the
Falcon here on schedule."

"So you were expecting Captain Kweeg?"

"Of course," drawled Dukat.  "I made the arrangements to bring Kweeg here.
How else do you think the Falcon had the right security clearance?  No ship
comes to Terok Nor that I haven't been made aware of long before its
arrival.  If you are to command, Damar, you must know everything."

"I best locate Captain Grant," said Damar.

Dukat peered at his glinn, aware of many telltale signs that told him Damar
was not only anxious from the withdrawals of kanar, but he was also sexually
aroused by the transmission.
  "Her voice must be interesting, Damar.  You seldom sweat."

"It's the insufferable temperature of this place!"

"If you say so."  Dukat glanced down the corridor and grew quiet.  He
suddenly stood straighter than normal, thrusting out his chest and resting a
hand on his lean hip.  "Damar, I think I see your lady captain.  I must
admit, it does seem very hot in here.  Perhaps I should talk to Grant
myself."

The Gul pointed out a group of six officers heading toward the bar.  In the
lead was a shapely, blonde Terran female, dressed head to toe in tight
fitting black leather, walking confidently, swinging her arms wide, her
golden head thrust forward like a battering ram.  A red beret, cocked low on
her head, was covered with gold swords, the only distinguishing factor
between the Falcon's officers and crew.  Every inch of her lean body oozed
with sex appeal.  A phaser worn low on her shapely hip was subject to her
concupiscent fondling.  As she passed by the Cardassians, a profile was
revealed with a strong jawline, high cheek bones, piercing blue eyes, a
slender nose, and sensual, full lips.

"She's beautiful," said Damar, staring at her mouth as she spoke to a few of
the unruly crew.  No wonder Dukat enjoyed kissing, he thought.  Although
he'd never picked up the curious habit during the Occupation of Bajor, like
other Cardassians, including Dukat who claimed it was pleasurable, he had
always wondered what it would feel like.  Damar had never required such
intimacy with his own wife; and Dabo girls were too common to kiss.  But the
human's lips were fascinating.  He took one step forward, but was held back
by a hand that fell on his shoulder.
   "Public relations are my expertise," said Dukat, playing his role as the
Alpha male in the pack.  "I know how to handle Terran women.  Be firm in
what you want and they'll comply.  Dinner and drinks are compulsory.
Flattery too is effective, but only if it sounds sincere.  Their lovemaking
is similar to Bajorans.  But you wouldn't appreciate the difference."

"I would never dishonor my wife by...by...."

"Precisely.  Finding yourself one day, divorced, disowned, and devoid of any
family life, is the last thing I want for you."

"Thank you.  I think."
  An angry shout from Major Kira drifted up to Dukat and Damar, along with
the sound of breaking glass as a serious fight resulted in the bar.  A lazy,
indolent smile spread across Dukat's face as Major Kira was shoved around by
several members of the crew.  She soon came to blows with the nearest
offender, a Klingon with a bad attitude and extremely long, braided hair.
Dukat watched with keen interest as Kira used a combination of maneuvers
that would have left a Cardassian on the ground, dead.  Years in the former
Resistance had turned her into an adroit fighter, able to trade blows and
usually defeat much larger opponents.  But the Klingon remained unaffected
by every punch, jab and kick she dealt out.

"Damar, do you see how the Major is dominated by the Klingon?  Those aren't
feeble blows she's landing on that brute's face and shoulders.  He's toying
with her.  In fact, look at the entire Falcon crew.  All show signs of
superior strength and their fighting techniques are unparalleled.  Send in
the Jem'Hadar.  This should get interesting if what Kweeg said about his
crew is true."

Damar gave the order.  Fresh arrivals provided Odo and Kira with enough
support to surround the perimeter and push the Falcon crew into the center.
Dukat and Damar watched the captain of the Falcon hold her ground, calm and
composed, without engaging in combat.  A chair went flying over the
captain's head, across the room, slamming into Major Kira and the Klingon,
shattering a bottle he'd picked up.  The Klingon attacked with the shard of
glass, slashing Kira's arm and drawing blood.  The captain took one look at
the Bajoran female and whistled loudly.  The Klingon turned toward her.  The
captain decked him in the jaw, leveling him to the floor and pulled Kira to
her feet.  Kira's face immediately twisted in anger as she commenced
shouting in an accusatory manner at the surprised captain.

"I should go down and aid Major Kira," said Damar.

"You should.  But don't."

The Terran suddenly looked up and locked eyes with Dukat.  Their instant
sexual chemistry rippled between like the strong air currents during an ion
storm, drawing curious looks.  Kira continued to vent at the captain as the
battle raged around them, but the human merely stared up at Dukat, as though
he was the only other person on the station.  Kira finally glanced in the
same direction, and seeing Dukat was the main attraction, threw her arms up
in disgust.

"She sees you, sir," stated Damar.

"Let's meet the Captain of the Falcon.  Shall we?"

Dukat inclined his head toward the stairs, indicating that he wanted the
Terran captain to join him.  At a signal to his men, the Jem'Hadar began
making a path for her that led through the bar, up the stairs, and ended
where the Gul waited.  The woman kept her eyes on Dukat as she walked away
from Kira, taking the indicated path up to the second floor.  Her gait was
slow and determined.  She was neither rushed, nor in a hurry.  Until
finally, she came to a halt before the proud Cardassian Gul, standing with
her hands on her hips and then, with purpose, she dropped her eyes.
Starting at his boots, visually she stroked up every inch of his well-shaped
legs, pausing at the front of his pants, waiting until the bulge stirred
before lifting her eyes and acknowledging the owner of such a magnificent
body with an appreciative smile.

 "May I be of service?" asked Dukat, inclining his head.  In such close
proximity, his olfactory system was flooded with her scent comprised of
spicy perfume, faint perspiration, and the distinct musky odor of her
feminine arousal.

"I seek sanctuary."

Her voice was a teasing whisper.  Hot prickles rushed down his spine at the
sound of her siren's voice and coiled in his loins with a hardened
vengeance.  Her dark blue eyes shined with a lascivious gleam, leaving Dukat
no doubt as to where the captain's interest lay.  His interest more than
peeked, he bent n close and whispered in her ear in a low, husky voice.

"At Terok Nor, we can provide that, and more."

Before Dukat could withdraw, the woman slid her hands up his arms, fingers
splayed wide, deliberately brushing across the sensitive neck ridges.  As
she encircled his neck, dragging him near, her kiss swiftly landed full upon
his mouth.  Dukat shivered as her tongue slid passed his lips, filling his
mouth with the taste of honey.  An overwhelming urge brought his arms firmly
around her waist as he eagerly returned her kisses, deep throating her with
his tongue, wanting to taste every drop of her nectar.  It was the shuffling
of Damar's feet, not the clearing of the glinn's throat that alerted Dukat
where he was and what he was doing.  As he dragged her lips away from the
captain's, he detected the strong scent of pheromones in the air.

Before his men were incited into mauling the Dabo girls at Quark's bar or he
reverted completely back to his own primitive, sexual side, Dukat
disengaged.  Removing her arms from around his shoulders, he set her back at
a safe distance and scowled dangerously at her.  His expression was
misinterpreted by his soldiers.  The sound of her immediate laughter at
seeing a dozen phasers trained upon her filled the Promenade.  Dukat found
the sound refreshing and joined in, laughing as loudly as the woman.  At
last they grew quiet, an exchange of quickly flashed smiles following.  Then
the intense stare contesting commenced anew.
  "Allow me to introduce myself."  A pale hand pressed over the woman's
heart.  Her blue eyes danced.  "Captain Alexis Grant of the Falcon.  And you
must be my wish come true."

"You're certainly aggressive.  It's typical for a Terran female," snapped
Damar, feeling the sting of jealously.  She met his gaze, found it as
disapproving as his tone, and retaliated with a cool look of her own.  He
quickly looked away.

"I apologize for Glinn Damar's bad manners.  He isn't used to female
captains visiting our station and one who is of such exceptional beauty.
You see, we understood that the captain of the Falcon was a male Ferrengi,"
replied Dukat, silkily.  "Damar, as second-in-command of this station,
merely wants to ensure the safety of the personnel and our guests."

"Where is Kweeg?" Damar demanded to know.

"On the Falcon.  There's been a change in command.  I'm afraid Gul Dukat
will just have to settle with me."

Alexis Grant felt the taller Cardassian press against her and nearly swooned
from the contact.  He took hold of her upper arms, his touch so gentle it
was a sensual caress.  She let her hands brush across his muscular thighs,
making contact with his erection before he stopped her by giving a squeeze
to her arms.

"I'm sure Gul Dukat will be very interesting in learning what has happened
to Captain Kweeg," Damar countered.

"That sounds suspiciously like a threat.  I believe the Falcon is here at
the request of Gul Dukat.  There is a cargo to be sold.  For a handsome sum.
Unless?  Am I under arrest, Glinn Damar?  Is it or is it not a Cardassian
custom for the commander of a space station or ship to entertain visiting
dignitaries."

"You are an imposter."

Grant gave her full visual attention to the shorter, brutal-looking
Cardassian, aware by Damar's dilated pupils that he was aroused because of
what she was doing to the officer behind her.  Wanting to convince the
larger Cardassian that she was friend, not foe, she rubbed her trim buttocks
against his considerable erection, smiling when she felt the humid heat
rising from his crotch and dampening the back of her pants.  His hold on her
arms tightened.  His hot, rapid breath against her throat made her shiver.
Glancing up at her handsome captor, she was pleased to see the raw, burning
desire in his ice-blue eyes.

"I can explain everything.  But only to Gul Dukat."

"He is Gul Dukat," barked Damar.

"It's true.  I am."

Dukat turned Grant around to face him.  He kept hold of her arms, forcing
her to stand close, kneading her considerably firm biceps with his thumbs.
"At your service."  He released her but remained standing far too close.
"Please.  You mustn't be alarmed.  For reasons that are obvious, your crew
will stay in detention and be released into your custody in the morning.
The expense for damages will, of course, be adjusted from the sum you are to
receive from the buyer for the Falcon's cargo.  I will be glad to make all
the arrangements."

"Sounds like an offer I can't refuse."

Dukat inclined his head.  "I would consider it an honor if you would have
dinner with me this evening, Captain Grant.  I have every intention of
upholding our customs.  While you are on Terok Nor, you will be my guest."

"No one told me Cardassians could be so charming.  I accept your
invitation," said Alexis.  She nodded toward Damar.  His eyes never left
her.  At Dukat's inquisitive look, she motioned for him to come closer.  He
complied and soon she was whispering in his ear.  "Your glinn isn't invited,
is he?  I don't think he likes me very much."

"He has other duties to attend to."  Dukat straightened and said in a louder
voice, "In fact, Glinn Damar was just leaving."

Damar looked confused.  Dukat rolled his eyes.  It took more than a hint to
make the glinn disappear so he could address more intimate matters with the
willing lady.  Dukat sighed with annoyance and gestured down at the ruined
bar.

"Damar, you were saying how much you wanted to help Major Kira.  Well, you
can see the Major needs help.  Go help her restore law and order to the
station!"

"Yes, sir."

Dukat dismissed Damar with a haughty glance, then turned his full attention
on Captain Grant.  She watched the glinn as he marched by eyeing her with
obvious distrust.  She was giving no further time to think about his rude
behavior.  The Gul caught hold of her hand and lifted it up toward his face.

"Welcome to Terok Nor, Captain Grant.  I hope your visit will be enjoyable."

"You can make it a point to ensure that it is," she replied.

Dukat considered whether to kiss or shake her hand in Terran fashion.  Her
soft skin was so fair he could see the purple and blue veins running
beneath.  He met gaze.  Her eyes were the shade of cerulean blue.  Within
their dark depths, he recognized something that made him act without
hesitation.  Lifting her hand to his mouth, he softly bit into the soft
mound on the underside of her palm.  At gasp of excitement, he smiled
knowingly.  She instantly wetted her lips before carefully disengaging her
hand and sucking on the very place where his teeth had left an imprint.  She
distinctly tasted raktajino in his saliva, a Klingon beverage she was not
overly fond of, preferring Terran coffee herself, but licked it off and
found the aftertaste effected her like an aphrodisiac.

"Try that again, dear Gul, and I promise, I'll bite back."

Dukat rolled his eyes skyward, delighted by her playful banter, laughing.
"That's a promise I intend to hold you to, Captain Grant.  If you are ready,
I'll have my men escort you to quarters were you can relax in style.  You
can even have a shower with real water, if you like.  Someone will bring you
to my quarters in, say, one hour?"

"Whatever you like, Gul Dukat," said Grant.  "It would seem, like my crew, I
am at your disposal."

"You have nothing to fear, Captain Grant."  Dukat lifted his hand, in the
action of summoning an officer to attend him, then paused, his gaze never
transferring from her face.  "Not as long as you explain what happened to
Kweeg.  You may pick the time and place, but you will tell me what I want to
know."

"As I said before.  Whatever you like."

Yet, Grant ignored the escort of three guards who immediately came up beside
her as she looked over the balustrade as Kweeg's crew, succumbed by a
superior force, were led off in defeat.  "I suppose I'm responsible.  I
wanted to warn your glinn when he contacted the Falcon about the crew.
There wasn't any time.  Fortunately, no one was hurt.  This time."

Dukat motioned for the escort to remain in place.  He came over to stand
next to her, pressing so close that it felt as though they were sealed from
shoulder to hip by laser fire, while loosely held onto the railing with both
hands.  Peering at her from out of the corner of his eyes, he watched her as
she followed Damar's every move as he led off a shackled Bajoran with an
over-humbled demeanor.  He'd not gone far before Major Kira arrived on the
scene, her voice raised in anger, clearly upset that a Bajoran was under
arrest.  The glinn yanked on the prisoner's chains, laughing loudly hearing
Major Kira shout louder as they left the Promenade together.

Grant let out an audible sigh of relief.  "You have no idea what a relief it
is to see the last of that crew."

"Do you expect me to keep them?" asked Dukat.

"When you hear what I have to say, you won't want to release those killers.
Look, I don't know why Kweeg told you he was carrying a cargo of kanar, but
if you think that's what you've bought, you've operating under a
misconception."

 Grant turned around, tugged off her red beret to stuff it into a coat
pocket and leaned against the balustrade with her arms crossed over her
breasts.  Dukat stepped in like a predator and placed his hands on either
side of her body, holding tightly onto the railing.  His penetrating gaze
might have been interpreted as cold or calculating, but the intensity was so
arousing that all Grant could do was tremble with desire before the tall,
formidable Cardassian.

"The only thing Kweeg was selling was the Falcon crew.  They wanted to
celebrate their recent retirement from the fighting circuit, but they still
insisted on coming here."

"Gladiatorial combat?"

"Precisely.  You have no idea how much gamblers will pay for a front row
seat to watch a death-match."

Dukat frowned considerably.  "What about the kanar?"

"There's no kanar.  None that I know about.  You can ask First Officer
Savon, the Bajoran your glinn took into custody.  A solid, disciplined
fighter.  I used to think he was weak because he was Bajoran.  But I have
learned from our short acquaintance that what rises out of the ashes of the
Occupation can be deadly.  Tell me, that Bajoran security officer that I
saved from being gutted, is she your friend?"

"Major Kira has proven herself to be a reliable officer.  Yes.  I consider
her a friend.  Perhaps you are not aware that Bajor and Cardassia have a new
relationship."

"Hatred in the guise of friendship.  I can't think of anything worse."

Grant looked regretful when he drew back and crossed her hands behind his
back, his manner as hostile as his expression.  She reached out and boldly
placed her hand on his arm.

"Kweeg thought he could predict the actions of his crew because he paid them
well.  You can't buy loyalty.  Kweeg found that out this morning after Savon
successfully led a mutiny against him."

"Well, your admission does change things a bit.  I'm afraid I must impound
your ship, Captain Grant.  Mutiny is considered a punishable crime in the
Dominion.  I have no other choice but to hold the crew over until such a
time as a trial can be arranged on Cardassian.  Of course, as long as you
remain cooperative, you shall remain my guest."  His eyes narrowed to dots.
"Where is Kweeg?"
   "Dead the last I saw him."

Dukat snapped his fingers.  The Jem'Hadar guards and Cardassian glinn came
to attention, awaiting his orders.  Grant gave the men a sideways glance,
expecting to see phasers drawn.  The Gul caught her by the arm and squeezed
tight.

"I trust you had no part in Captain Kweeg's death?"

"No.  None!  Savon gave me this phaser when we entered the station to give
the appearance that I'm in charge.  It doesn't work.  And my sudden rise to
captaincy means nothing.  I was Kweeg's slave only this morning."

Alexis lifted up her arms, showing Dukat the type of prior treatment she'd
received from the captain of the Falcon.  Below her wrists, Dukat could see
a patch of dry, damaged skin from former restraints she'd been forced to
wear.  He wondered if she had scars anywhere else, growing eager at the
prospect of their night together.  He had no doubt she would hold nothing
back.

"Consider Terok Nor as your sanctuary, Captain Grant," said Dukat, motioning
for his guards to stand down.  "While you are here, you are my guest."  He
held his hand out toward the waiting guards.  "Take the captain to suitable
quarters, not far from my own, and afford her every courtesy as you would to
any of my friends.  Is that clear, Glinn Rilar?"

"Yes, sir.  At once."

Dukat watched as Grant walked off, sandwiched between the Jem'Hadar guards
and followed by the glinn.  He admired the length and line of her leather
encased legs and the gentle sway of her curved hips.  Damar returned to his
side and stared after their departing backs, admiring the same view.

"Shall I go with her?  You saw the Bajoran.  They're all certifiable.
Obviously they're mad.  Grant might be as well."

Dukat shrugged, amused.  "You sound eager to find out.  I don't need you for
a while.  Make certain Grant gets to her room without incident, then come
directly to my office.  We have much to discuss before Weyoun arrives in a
few days."

Damar went on his way and soon caught up with the escort.  He shouldered in
beside Grant and noted that she actually looked pleased that he'd joined
her.  Questions played over in his mind that he wanted to ask her once they
were inside, but as her hip bumped against his own, he acted on impulse and
caught her by the elbow to steady her, then wondered why he'd bothered when
she laughed, for she'd brushed against him deliberately.

"You're very helpful," said Alexis, eyeing him thoughtfully.

"I thought you'd stumbled."

"Really?  I thought, perhaps, you were the one who had fallen?  You're eyes
are absolutely inspiring."

"And yours have the deadly sheen of a Reoshan she-cat."

Damar winched at Glinn Rilar's coarse laughter.  He silenced his subordinate
with a stern look.  Grant hid her smirk but made no attempt to refrain from
knocking into Damar the rest of the way to her quarters.


  *  *  *  *

Chapter Two


Arriving at the Ambassadors's Suite, Damar opened the door and stood back
like a good soldier.  Grant knew what the room was for and couldn't have
cared less about its purpose.  Her future had improved for the better.   As
Grant peered inside Gul Dukat's play room, she was stunned by the expanse of
the large chamber and the expense of the a luxuriously decorations.  Shades
of dark purple, maroon and cobalt were predominant.  The furnishings were
oversized and excessively cushioned.  A smile on her face, she eagerly
prepared to enter paradise when Damar rudely pushed her aside and barged
into the legendary room first.  Eyeing the room with obvious jealous for
Dukat, he spun around and glared at the guards.

"You're not needed!" barked Damar.  He dismissed them with a wave of his
hand.

Grant calmly entered under Damar's scrutiny.  Once inside, she looked about
room, admiring how Dukat's efforts had created the perfect atmosphere for
the ultimate in indulgence.  She paid no attention to Damar and took her
time to admire the colorful art on the walls, the rich rugs on the floor,
and the quality of the furniture.  Dukat had superior taste.

"Everything I could have wanted has been made available by the Gul in
abundance.  He deserves to be personally thanked for being so
accommodating," said Alexis.

Kanar, Andolian brandy, Kandora champagne, Romulan ale, and a number of
other liquors were offered in large crystal bottles, lined up on shelves
behind a mini bar.  Behind it hung a large diamond-shaped mirror that was
not made to reflect images, but the colors passing before it.  Along the
wall, on two rows of shelves were a collection of excavated erotic statues
of men and women performing wild, sexual acts.

"So, this is Dukat's pleasure room?"

"You threw yourself at the Gul, hoping he'd spare you from being locked in a
cell."

"I'm not disappointed.  He knew what I wanted and isn't afraid, unlike you,
Damar, to act upon his passions.  Dukat is exactly the type of man that I'd
hoped to encounter on Terok Nor."  She paused to look at Damar's reflection
in the mirror above the bar.  "Tell me something," she said, unfastening her
coat and slipping it off to reveal muscular, bare arms and a sleeveless
white shirt.  "Am I the Gul's prisoner?"

"You are his guest," said Damar.

Soft music filled the room, all strings and woodwinds, startling the glinn.
He spotted Grant at the control panel on the wall.  She adjusted the music,
selecting Terran jazz, and altered the lighting to turn blue and purple,
keeping it low and romantic.  As the dynamics in the room grew
uncomfortable, Damar used a stern tone to mask his true feelings.  If she
had merely waggled her finger at him, he would have crawled toward her and
done whatever she commanded.

"I am here to see to your immediate needs.  There is a replicator in this
room, but you need not rely on it for food or drink.  There is a kitchen
which is stocked with anything you could want.  Ambassadors normally stay in
this room, so no expense is spared."

"Ambassador?  Is that what you're calling it these days?  I'm sure I can
make myself at home, Glinn Damar.  If you stick around, I'm liable to do
something we'll both regret later."

"You may call me Damar."

Grant took off her phaser and belt, throwing it beside her coat on a long
couch.  She went into the kitchen, clanked around a few utensils, and came
back out a few minutes later eating a long sliver of pale green Orion
passion fruit.  Damar watched her eating the fruit in front of him, sucking
the juice off several fingers, until she allowed a trickle of juice to slide
down her chin.  He hurried over to her and used the back of his thumb to
wipe away the sticky, sweet green juice, then licked it off.  As it dawned
on Damar what he'd done, he dropped his eyes cast to the ground, fists at
his sides, visibly trembling.  A fine layer of sweat covered his upper brow.
Mindful not to touch the large spoon-shape in the center of his forehead,
aware it was taboo to touch and extremely sensitive to the touch, she blew
across his forehead.  His eyes closed.  He remained perfectly still while
she administered to him.  Damar looked vulnerable, and so very much like a
young boy, that Grant could not resist kissing his lips.  He did not
respond.  She did not press the point.  It surprised her to feel tenderness
for the glinn in a heart she'd thought permanently turned to neutronium.

"You better go, Damar.  I belong to someone else tonight."

Damar opened his light blue eyes.  His natural mistrust of women in general
was apparent in his hard expression.  He'd nearly weakened.  He glared at
her, unable to reply.

"You want something, Glinn Damar?  While you figure it out, I'm taking a
shower.  Stay or go.  I don't care either way."

Grant brushed passed the Cardassian and went into the bathroom.  After what
seemed an exorbitant amount of time, he heard the shower come on.  Damar
marched into the room and came up short, finding the woman in the shower,
naked, bathing.  Water showers were a luxury.  She took full advantage of
using every last drop of hot water and soon filled the room with steam.
Damar remained in the doorway, unable to look away as she twisted and turned
her trim body beneath the water.

Aware of his presence for some time, Grant turned so the glinn could watch.
She took her time lathering her body, using her hands to work Damar into a
frenzy.  She turned her face up to the water, giving Damar the opportunity
to turn away and beat his erection down with his fist.  After a few minutes,
she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower.  A towel was thrust
toward her.  Wrapping it around her athletic torso, she flipped her hair
back, sending droplets of water across the room and hitting him square in
the face.  Damar wiped the water off his face with the back of his hand.  He
caught her eyes in the mirror.  His breathing turned heavy and his cheeks
flushed charcoal.

"You're a brave fellow.  I'm impressed.  Usually, all it takes is `hello' to
get me an invitation into some officer's bed.  Maybe all you like to do is
watch.  Get an eye full yet?"

Damar retaliated with rage.  "I'm here because I'm not satisfied with your
answers.  I want to know who you are!  What you are!  I want answers,
Captain Grant!"

"You needn't bellow," she said, keeping her voice low.  "All you do is
bellow and ask stupid questions.  Give me a moment to think and respond."

Grant walked over to a mirror, sighing heavily.  She caught his reflection
as he lifted his hand to strike her.  He froze, unable to take his eyes from
her own, then crumbling as she melted him down to size.  She picked up
another towel and dried her hair.  Her movements were sensual, though she
made no apparent attempt to arouse the glinn.  He looked pathetic and she
took pity.

"You have no idea what to do with me, Damar.  I know I probably should feel
threatened, being alone with a strange man, in another strange man's
bathroom.  You're not like your boss.  You have morals.  A shame your
inquiry isn't based out of concern for me.  Dukat can't say you don't have
priorities straight.  It must be comforting to be able to rely on someone
for virtually everything."

"You're drunk."

Grant shook her head.  "No, you misunderstand me because you've never really
analyzed the human psyche.  What I'm telling you in a round-about-way,
Damar, is that I feel safer here with you than I've felt with anyone,
anywhere, in a long time.  I'm really sorry it isn't to be you tonight.  I
like having your eyes on me.  I'd like you to look up at me and beg."

"Cardassians don't be!"

"We all beg for it.  If you haven't, then you've never experienced true
passion."  Grant tossed the hair towel aside as the glinn looked away,
embarrassed.  "Your problem, Damar, is that you're too damn proud to admit
what you want."

He turned on her sharply.  "During the Occupation, Dukat kept many women on
this station.  Beautiful women like yourself, each waiting to be selected by
the Prefect of Bajor, for one night of love.  Do you hope for more?  You
will be disappointed."

"I appreciate your concern."

"I am stating a fact.   You will not be here long enough for that to be much
more than a distraction."

"Shut up and make yourself useful."

Grant pointed at a luxurious, long, silk robe comprised of purple and green
shades, hanging on the wall, designating Damar was to fetch it for her.
Clearly it belonged to the only Cardassian male who frequented the room -
Dukat.  The robe was held out for her to slip on.  She let the towel drop
and placed her arms through the billowy sleeves, momentarily giving Damar
another helping of pale, white flesh and a taunt yet curvaceous body.
Sashing the robe, Grant cut off his view.  At her summons, Damar followed
her like a subdued vole back to the main room.  He waited while she filled
one glass with kanar, her blue eyes taunting him as she lifted it to her
lips and drank every drop.

Damar suddenly flinched.  "I thought your arrogance reeked of Starfleet
training.  I suspected you of being a spy the moment you came on board the
station."

"I'm the captain of a pirate ship, governed by none, loyal only to myself."

"You have the look of a Federation agent.  Does Dukat know your Federation
contraband?  No?  I thought not.  That would make you an enemy of Cardassia.
Well?  Have you nothing to say in your defense?"

"Apparently you've guessed my secret.  Arrest me if you're so certain you're
right.  While you think about it, I'm going to have another drink."  She
returned to the bottle and filled the glass high.  "No matter how much I
drink, I never seem to feel the effects."  She consumed half the glass.
"I've had better."

 "Kanar is not cheap!  At your rate of consumption, you'll empty Dukat's
personal reserves in one day.  Then again, it could be your last drink in a
long time, so enjoy!"

"How long has it been since you had a drink, Glinn Damar?  You're shaking
pretty hard."

He lifted a shaking hand up to his face to observe it closer and quickly
lowered it.  "It's uncomfortably hot in here."

"Relax.  I'll pour you a drink.  You need one."

Damar watched her refill the glass from a yellow bottle he knew contacted a
premiere blend of kanar superior to the '27.  It was expensive, as well he
knew.  She handed it over to him.  He took it at once, spilling a drop in
his eagerness as he lifted the glass to his mouth.  He stood before her, one
hand on his hip and the other raised to his mouth as he guzzled down the
kanar.  The tips of his black boots touched her bare feet.  She let her toes
circle the perimeter of the boot tips and immediately detected the scent of
his pheromones.  It was a spicy scent, akin to Dukat's, yet completely
different.  She suddenly felt as if she'd been given a box of Delavian
chocolates and could choose only one.  Her gaze dropped.  The impressive
package reminded her of an elephant's trunk trying to escape from a small
box.

"Nice power coupling," she said huskily.

Damar realized she was staring at his crotch and pushed her back, furious at
the lack of respect shown.  He turned from her as she laughed and checked
himself.  The material at the front of his pant's felt damp.  The room
reeked with his sexual scent.  He reacted to his predicament as though
condemned and sighed dramatically with a shake of his head.

"You've been at full attention since I came on board.  It happens.  You
know, Damar, if we'd met somewhere else, some other time, I'd have taken you
over to the Falcon for a little R&R.  Right on the bridge, like I've always
wanted.  Center stage.  Captain's chair.  Warp 9 all the way."

Damar grimaced.  His pants were stained.  He'd have to change before he saw
Dukat. He kept his back to her.

"I'd expect a comfort girl to speak in such a fashion."

"I've been in prison for three years, and Kweeg wasn't exactly my type."
   "There is only one explanation," said Damar, his voice bitter.  He
glanced over his shoulder, meeting her gaze.  "Somehow you've bewitched me.
What was it you put in my drink?"

Grant stepped back as he turned around to face her and spread her hands
wide.  "All I've done, Damar, is respond to what I've seen reflected in your
eyes.  If I was truly a Federation spy, I'd take full advantage of your
weakened condition.  Emotionally and physically, I could strip you down
until nothing was left but a quivering, raw, piece of meat.  How long has it
been since you made love to a woman?  Weeks?  Months?"

"Enough!  I'll listen no more!"

He tried to leave.  She blocked his path.

"I thought you knew."

"Knew what?"

"For the last four months, I've been Kweeg's pleasure slave."  Grant laughed
at his look of surprise.  "Tell me, Damar, have you ever been with a
Ferrengi?  I'm not one for fetishes, but after a while, you can appreciate
the sensitivity of their large, round...."

Damar lifted his hand swiftly, cutting her off.  "I don't want to hear it!
I'm not interested who you've been with before or will be with later."  He
handed her back the glass and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"It might interest you to know that the Dominion deals harshly with
Federation spies.  For your sake, I hope you are only a slave."

"My father wouldn't agree with you."

"And who is your father?"

"Forget I mentioned him," she said with a shrug.  "He forgot about me a long
time ago."

He shook his head when she offered a full glass to him.  Watching her drink
it down was the hardest thing he'd ever done.  It sickened him to realize
how desperate he was to have another glass of kanar, but it was the only
thing he could think of that would dull

"Are you familiar with Captain Sisko, the former commander of Deep Space
Nine?"

"Why do you ask?  Think I slept with him?"

"That is not what I meant," snapped Damar.

"What then?  Because I'm from Earth, human, female, and a former Federation
officer, you think I've men every starship captain.  There are thousands
upon thousands of Federation captains.  I couldn't possibly get to know all
of them."

"The abuse I've had to endure this evening would sour the vitals of a lesser
man.  You are quite cunning in the way you twist my words to suit your own
purpose.  But I will not weaken.  I happen to be a married man.  And the Gul
has already selected you.  You'll not seduce me to protect yourself."

"If you're after an apology, I'm fresh out.  If you want a confession, I
believe Gul Dukat is handling that end of the interrogation.  But I'm sure
he'll brief you.  Later.

Grant watched Damar swallow hard, enjoying the sexual gleam in his eyes, and
laughed softly as he flinched as if slapped.  As he looked away from her,
for some reason, she wanted to go to him.  It wasn't what she'd planned at
all.  Had she seen Damar first, she wouldn't have hesitated taking him to
bed.  He was extremely handsome in a rugged way.  But a mere flirtation with
the Glinn wasn't worth making extra trouble for herself with the Gul.  She
had already made her choice.

"Dukat said I was expected in one hour.  I should finish getting ready.  You
understand?  You should go."

Damar forced himself to walk to the door, pausing as it opened to turn back.
"My word does carry some weight with Dukat.  I may not know your true
purpose for being here, but I do not believe you mean to harm Gul Dukat.
I'll tell him that much."

"Why?" asked Grant, with a shake of her head.  "You don't even know me.  Why
would you give your word for me?"

"Because I want to believe you."

With that, Glinn Damar left.

While he was gone, Grant utilized the feminine beauty products found in
abundance in the bathroom, putting on a light application of makeup and lip
gloss, softening her skin with scentless cream, but avoided every single
perfume.  Her hair lay pale wheat straight past her shoulders.  She'd
replicated her clothes and left them in folded neat pile on the sink
counter, the red beret on top, next to her polished, tall, leather boots.
She'd found a closet full of clothes that reeked of other women.  She
preferred wearing Dukat's robe which was covered in his own intoxicating
scent and shut the door.

A chime at the door brought her hurrying out of the bathroom, an image of
Dukat filling her thoughts.  As she reached the door and hit the entry
button, opening the door, she was disappointed to see Major Kira Nerys and
several disheveled Bajoran security officers waiting beyond.  Backing out of
the way, Grant invited Kira into the room with a wave of her hand.

"Enter, Major!  I'm sure you want to see the accommodations.  I will say
it's far better than detention."

Kira left the guards in the hallway, struck speechless at the wealth
shamelessly displayed in the "whore's suite," as she'd heard it called under
the breaths of the store owners on the Promenade and entered.  She'd never
been inside the room.  She took full advantage of the one safe opportunity
to take everything in.  Then she started laughing.

"What's so amusing?" asked Grant, annoyed.

"I don't believe it!  Look at all his phallic paraphernalia!  You're not
actually going through with this?"

"Say yes the next time Dukat asks and you'll get to stay here too," pointed
out Grant, hitting the right button to activate Kira's anger.  She smirked
at the guards in the hallway, waiting beyond the open door who were too
intimidated by the Major to laugh in response.  "I suspect you've always
wanted to see this room.  You've probably lain in your bed at night,
imagining what it would be like to be Dukat's woman.  And while I'm sure
you'll deny there's a bond between the two of you, it's obvious to anyone
that you're his Achilles Heal."

"Whatever I might be to Dukat, the one thing I'm not is interested in his
bed.  That's not why I'm here."

Grant lifted an eyebrow.  "You're not a good liar.  You seemed very upset
when you noticed Dukat staring at me on the Promenade.  I have no doubt he
was trying to make you jealous.  Why don't you two cut the Cardassian
foreplay and....?"

"Look," interrupted Kira, forcefully, "I came here to offer you a way out.
I can take you into custody and give you a private cell in detention.  The
accommodations won't be as nice, but you won't have to sell yourself short.
I'm sure you'd prefer being with your crew."  At Grant's hesitancy to speak,
Kira gestured at all the accumulated treasures.  "You don't really want to
be added to his collection?  Dukat has no heart."

"I'm not interested in his heart."

"Doesn't it matter to you that you're one of thousands?"

"Not in the least.  But it does intrigue me that you'd take the trouble to
come here and try to convince me to go to detention as opposed to my other
option.  I appreciate your concern, but your opinion really doesn't interest
me."  Grant peered at the smaller woman, finding her physically adequate to
arouse a lusty male like Dukat, but in the bigger picture, she was no
serious rival.  "Ah.  I understand now why you are here.  You don't care
what happens to me or my crew.  This is about you.  And Dukat.  Since you
can't have Dukat, no one else can either.  Typical.  Bajoran prejudice dies
hard.   I don't envy you.  Love and hate walk hand-in-hand.  For your sake,
I hope he never finds out your secret."

"I have no secret!  Don't make me sick!"  Kira squared off on the taller
woman.  "Maybe we're not going to be pals, but I did come here to thank you
for saving my life.  I probably could have managed.  I thought I owed you
something."

"You do, but this isn't how to repay me, Major Kira.  A life for a life.
That's the way of the arena.  You owe me one.  As for Dukat, what I want
from the Gul is none of your business."

"I didn't realize you expected a favor from me."
   "Varnok would have killed you without hesitation if I hadn't stepped in.
I'll let you know when you can return the favor.  By the way, have you
talked to Savon yet?"

"I wanted to talk to you first.  But I will."

"You'll find him changed.  In fact, he's not the man you knew.  Don't expect
anything from him.  Savon is the lowest of the low."

Kira stared hard at Grant, trying to fathom what she meant.  A loud noise in
the corridor drew their attention toward the doorway.

"Major?  What are you doing here?" snapped Damar, coming around the corner,
a package under his arm.  He stood inside the entrance, shadowed by the
Bajoran security team.  "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's not important.
You're dismissed.  Now, Major."

Kira waited to see Grant take the box and open it, revealing a black silk
gown within.  There was no bonding, no kindred feeling, only suspicion
between the women.  Kira transferred her frustration to Damar and knocked
against him on her way out.

"You're probably not the first to wear that dress," called out Kira.  "And
you won't be the last."  Her voice was cut off by the door closing.

"I think we hit it off," came Grant's sarcastic reply.

"What did she want?"

"To get under my skin.  And you know what?  She did."

"We have something in common.  Gul Dukat sent me to inform you to dress
formally for dinner.  So he sent you something to wear."  Damar narrowed his
eyes when she made no move to get ready.  "You are to go to his room.  Now!
I am to escort you.  You can explain to him why Major Kira was here."

"I'd be glad too.  When he comes here.  I've changed my mind.  If he wants a
reason, then tell him yourself about Major Kira's visit.  I'm not going."
Alexis headed toward the bedroom.  "I'll dress, but if the Gul wants
answers, he's to come here."

"I have my orders!"

"Damn your orders!  Another visit from Major Kira and you'll see my bad
side, I promise you.  Go tell Dukat what I said!  If he has any heart at
all, I'm sure he'll see things my way."

"A Cardassian does not do things a human's way!"

"Don't, Damar.  You're ugly when you show your conceit."

Damar stormed across the room with the idea in the foremost of his thoughts
that he would strike her.  But before he could stop himself, he impulsively
yanked her unresisting body into his arms, holding her close, but made no
attempt to kiss her.  Her arms snaked up around his neck.  As she pressed
her nose against his cheek, she let her fingers glide up his neck ridges and
pinched the flesh beneath his ears.  His embrace tightened.  She leaned
forward, but he kept his head back so she was unable to kiss him, so
instead, she licked his neck between the two ridges that ran along his jaw,
then whispered into his ear.

"You don't need to parade me around the station like a comfort girl.  I
value my freedom, Damar.  I'll do what it takes to keep it.  I intend to
cooperate."

He jerked away from her.  "Gul Dukat has claimed you!"

"Kweeg told me everything about Dukat's past.  I admit, I was a little in
love with Dukat before we even met.  I know I should be afraid of such a
man, but I'm not."

"Dukat will not be pleased to hear this."

"Not any more than you are, I'm sure.  Just tell him what I said,
sweetheart.  I'll wait."

Addled, Damar turned and left, leaving Grant wondering if she would have
been better off in the glinn's hands and not Dukat's.

She went into the bedroom, tossed the lid to the package aside and took off
the robe.  She held up the silk gown.  It was sleeveless, long, and black.
There were shoes that matched.  Pleased with Dukat's gift, she put on the
dress and the shoes.   The silk gown caressed her skin like a lover's kiss.
She gazed at her appearance in the mirror, amused to see the same girl who
had once loved going to frivolous Federation parties on board some little
captain's starship.  But tonight she was dinning with the number one enemy
of the Federation.  Somehow being wined and dined by the enemy of her enemy
seemed fitting.  After all, she was a wanted Federation criminal, a former
Ferrengi pleasure slave, and now the latest comfort girl for Gul Dukat.

At the sudden chime at her door, she came out of her room, taking her time
as she sauntered up to the door, hit the comm at the door and asked for a
name.  The sound of Dukat's voice in response sent shivers down her back and
caused her nipples to immediately harden.  Bidding Dukat to enter, she
half-turned away as the door swished open, revealing the Gul, dressed in
full military regalia, looking as conceited and imperious as befitting a
powerful dictator.  The lightening in the room was low, amplifying his
good-looks in the shadowy chamber, both alien and erotic.  His alert, pale
blue eyes made her heart race.  He was the most dangerous man in the Alpha
Quadrant, a warlord, cunning in thought and deadly thorough in all affairs
and by all accounts, a sociopath.  She'd heard similar remarks said about
herself over the last few years.  She had her own opinion of Dukat and it
revolved around the incredible sexual allure he broadcasted like his latest
political speech to the Dominion.  His presence left her weak, quivering and
wet.

"Good evening," said Alexis, making it so provocative.

"I believe we had dinner plans.  Since we are playing by your rules this
evening, you'll have to find something other than hasperat to feed me.  I
warn you.  I have a voracious appetite.  And I'm very hungry tonight,
Captain Grant."

"Funny.  I feel the same way."

The virile Cardassian licked his lips, crossing the threshold, his strides
long and wide as he approached Grant as the door shut behind him.  Dukat's
initial annoyance at her refusal to come to him when ordered, vanished, as
his companion slowly revolved around him, giving him a flashy performance as
she showed off the black gown he'd selected.  He'd known her size on sight.
The material clung to her slender form, cut low to outline her firm breasts,
slit up the sides to reveal muscular thighs, dipping down in the back to
reveal the valley between her buttocks.  He noticed she worn his other gift,
two engraved bracelets of precious surax metal to hide her scars.

Without saying a word, Grant came to a stop before the Gul, positioning
herself so her posterior and back were exposed for his viewing pleasure.
Looking over her shoulder, she regarded Dukat through the half-closed lids
of her eyes, giving him a sultry look that Kweeg had raved about but had
never acted upon.  Kweeg had thankfully been a voyeur.  Dukat, in
comparison, looked at her with an expression filling his blue eyes that was
sheer salaciousness.  She closed her eyes and let her knees go weak,
anticipating his reaction.

In one swift move, Dukat drew Alexis into his strong arms and dipped her
down so her head tilted back, exposing the graceful column of her throat.
He closed the distance between them by jerking her back up, his hand behind
her neck and met her mouth with a hard, demanding kiss.  As she imagined,
his lips were thin yet pliable and delightfully warm.  Dukat was skilled at
kissing, an art he'd not only perfected but had mastered.  His mouth
remained locked with her own, their tongues entwined together like moving
ivy.  He touched her cheek with a long, lean finger.  Letting his finger run
down the neckline of her gown, he finally opened his hand out like a fan and
encircled her breast, kneading it softly in a circular motion and flicking
his thumb across a taut nipple that pressed through the sheer material,
demanding attention.

A secretive smile appeared on his face as he pinched her nipple, hard,
bringing a cry of surprise from her lips.  She caught her breath, a surge of
sensual electricity coursing through her entire body from the pain which
soon abated as he began to lightly massage the bruised nipple.  Her soft,
little cries turned into loud moans as his hand changed tactics and
maneuvered under the material at her hip, sliding between her parted thighs,
seeking out the heated, swollen folds of her womanhood.  She arched her
back, grabbing hold of his shoulders for support and pressed her head
against his shoulder as Dukat's hand worked magic.  But his hand was soon
needed elsewhere, and he left her aching for more to return to fondle her
breast, pulling the material aside to wipe her juices over her nipple.
Then, latching onto it with his eager mouth, he sucked, nipped and teasing
it until the little peak turned bright red and throbbed painfully beneath
his administrations.  He turned his attention to its twin, lavishing wet
kisses upon it until the nipple throbbed.

With a powerful surge of displayed excitement, Dukat caught hold of the top
of her dress and ripped it apart, letting it hang in shreds at her slender
waist.  His tongue was adept at bringing about the appropriate cries as he
proceeded to rain a dozen little nips which soon left dark purple marks
across her neck, shoulders and breasts.  At last, he lifted his head to kiss
her quivering lips.  A hungry mouth opened under his administrations.  Her
tongue slipped into his mouth, frantically entwining with his own.  Her
hands wound though his thick, lank, black hair, holding his head firmly as
she ravaged his lips with her torrid kisses.  His arms wrapped around her
waist, holding her tightly against his armor, crushing her without knowing,
or not caring, that he caused her pain.  Yet, she made no sounds of protest
as the metal dug into her soft flesh, her entire body and mind focused on
the strong need for sexual gratification.

Fueled by his raging pheromones, Dukat growled like an animal at the back of
her throat, sucking her tongue into his mouth, holding it prisoner.  She
suddenly pushed him back toward the couch.  Her strength was amazing.  Dukat
suddenly found himself sitting on the couch, legs spread.  The woman slipped
between his legs and placed her hands firmly on his thighs.

"I want all of you," she stated.  He started to speak but she placed a
finger across his lips.  "Let me worship your beautiful body, the way it was
meant to be worshiped."

Crouching between his legs, she unfastened his armor.  The heavy cuirass
clanked on the floor.  She drew his padded undershirt over his head and
threw it aside.  His broad chest and its curious designs of scales and
ridges that turned from light grey to charcoal were more fascinating than
anything Alexis had yet seen.  Her hands spread across his chest, running up
and down his ridges, massaging his pectorals covered with small scales which
were soft to the touch, covering the majority of his exquisite, hard-muscled
body.

So similar to a human yet strangely alien, thought Grant.  The neck ridges
were an erogenous zone, as she'd discovered with Damar, and she reached up
and lightly pinched them with her agile fingers.  At Dukat's deep moan, she
let her tongue run from his collarbone, up the side of his neck, along his
ears, while he thrashed under her in pleasure.  She forgot everything around
her as she held him firm, letting her tongue slip around every contour and
depression in the unusual design of his neck ridges.

When Dukat could take no longer ensure any more of her torturous play, he
drew her onto his lap, making her straddle him.  She rubbed against his
erection, but he wasn't ready for the next step and abruptly pulled her head
down for a kiss, loving the delicious taste of her honey filled mouth.
Kissing her passionately for what seemed like hours, he finally broke away
when his facial muscles grew weary from the effort and his lips felt bruised
and dry from the constant contact.  He drew back, breathless, his heart
beating so rapidly in his chest that it was almost painful and considered
whether or not he was experiencing a heart attack.  He considered calling a
halt to their love-making and retreat to his office before he killed himself
or lost complete control.

As Alexis starting rubbing her genitals over his engorged erection, he
groaned, eyes closed.  The ability to rationalize vanished.  He pressed his
sensitive lips against the hallow of her throat and felt relieved when he
found her own rapid pulse.  He gently started to nibble at her neck, liking
the taste of her salty skin, while she continued rubbing against his member,
giving him shivers down his back as he began secreting fluids.

Just when the humidity in his groan seemed unbearable, Dukat was relieved to
hear the zipper of his pants being pulled down and felt a ready hand
releasing his erection out of its confinement.  She gripped the monstrous
dark grey member between both hands, amazed at how much natural lubrication
seeped from every pore.  As she slipped the thin foreskin down, exposing the
dark purple head, she sighed as a droplet of white appeared.   Rubbing it
with the tip of her finger, she surprised Dukat by licking away the gleaming
dot.

"First dessert, then the main course," Alexis growled, slipping off of his
lap and boldly placing her mouth around the tip of his enormous scaled
member.

His taste reminded her of a mixture kanar and soil, which she partly
attributed to the amount of alcohol he probably consumed daily.  His
intoxicating scent reminded her of a myriad of aromas from a spice shop.
Though his member was large, she was able to draw most of it into her mouth,
while twirling her tongue around the shaft as he withered on the couch.  She
marveled at the way his member soon began undulating in her mouth, as though
his member had a mind of its own.

After a loud, furious groan, Dukat gritted his teeth and curled his toes
within his boots, close to ejaculation.  She looked up, the tip at her moist
lips.  Unable to talk, he indicated with a nod of his head that he wanted
her to lay on the floor.  She released him and rose.  Pulling the remains of
the gown off her body and slipping out of the shoes, she stood proud and
naked before the Gul of Terok nor.  Then, slowly, she crouched in front of
him, parting her legs as she lowered herself to the carpet, exposing
herself.  Eyes glued to her furry mound, Dukat rose from the couch, leaving
his pants and boots on, and dropped to his knees between her legs.  He'd
been with many Bajoran women over the decades and the velvety patch at the
crossway between her legs and the exposed moist flesh between was familiar
yet different.  Even her lovemaking reminded him of the Resistance fighters
he'd coerced into his bed, fiery, aggressive, somewhat rough and brutal, but
extremely pleasurable.  His curiosity got the better of him and he scooted
down in order to nuzzle her hard, muscular stomach, intending to go lower.

She held his head against her flesh as he rubbed his eye ridges across the
silky flesh, making her feel at once both honored by his strange display of
adoration and aroused by his warm breath on her stomach.  At the touch of
his hands parting her thighs wider, she closed her eyes and soon, the
feeling of his wet, hot tongue lapped between her legs.  His tongue was
longer than any she'd expected, and Dukat showed no hesitation in
experimenting with it, as he explored the outer shape and inner workings of
her womanhood, noting the taste was as different as Bajoran spring wine was
to Terran champagne.  Every taste bud relished the new savory flavor filling
his mouth and he tried to memorize it, believing that the mystery woman
would vanish from his life as quickly as she appeared.  Soon, she lay
writhing upon the floor under the hotly lavished precise flicks of his long,
quick tongue, begging for him to enter, unable to bear the torture of his
tongue any longer.

With a chuckle, Dukat stroked his raging erection with one hand, working it
until it was rock hard before he leaned over her and eased himself inside.
She had no patience, her need to join with a man far greater than she'd
anticipated, and with a loud groan, she thrust upward, impaling herself on
the large alien shaft.  Plunging within her moist, inner recesses, Dukat
ground his lean hips against her own as she bucked beneath him.  Her legs
locked around his own directly behind his knees, keeping him penned against
her as she matched his rough, fast strokes.  His scaly chest pressed against
her soft breasts, slick with a layer of perspiration that covered his entire
body.  She perspired as well and the womanly scent of her body filled his
nostrils, arousing him all the more.

For a brief second, Dukat felt as though he'd joined with another extension
of his own being and for the first time in his life, he thought he'd finally
connected with both the masculine and feminine sides of his personality.  He
felt complete, whole, and utterly in control of his destiny.  As he reached
for her hands, ending her from digging her nails into his back, a single
yank brought their arms over their heads, while he continued to thrust in
and out of her.  Their combined movements increased in intensity.  From the
whimpering sounds the woman made, Dukat knew his immense size brought her
both pain and pleasure.  She was hungry for anything he gave her, an
insatiable creature that seemed to want exactly what he had to offer.  He
glanced at her face.  Her eyes were closed.

"Beautiful," said Dukat.

Lowering his head, he roughly brushed his mouth across her own.  She caught
at his lower lip with her teeth, opening her eyes and locked gazes.  At his
sudden low snarl, she released his lip and raised her head, trying to kiss
him.  He avoided her.  A quick vengeful lash of her tongue across his chin
landed before she laid back down.  He attacked at once and lunged against
her with all his might, making her moan and shutter in utter rapture.  He
closed his eyes, enjoying the state of sexual euphoria that crept over his
body with the same delirium an addict might experience with his favorite
drug, as the last of his energy drained from his body.

The moment he came, shooting his life force into her body, he felt Alexis
shutter from head to toe, a sign that let him know she'd climaxed
simultaneously.  She collapsed on top of him with a heavy sigh and lay
there, listening to his heart beat return to a steady thump-thump, while he
stroked her flanks with the ends of his fingertips, all the while wondering
why it had taken him so long to meet a woman who could match his enthusiasm,
passion and endurance in bed.  As a contented smile spread across his face,
he felt her stiffen under his hands and anticipated her sudden need to
converse.

"If you're going to have me arrested," she said, while tracing the tiny
scales around his man-nipple, "I'd prefer you do it now."

"Right now?" he asked, his tone incredulous.

"I was just thinking about Kweeg.  He would have liked the accommodations.
He was very fond of kanar."

"You're thinking of Kweeg?  In the name of all the Bajoran Prophets, woman,
why would you bring up his name?"

"Because he's dead and someone has to pay for it."

"This is not the time to be morbid."

"It's precisely the time.  I want you to believe that I had nothing to do
with it.  For once, I want someone to believe that I'm innocent of a crime I
did not commit."

"Very well," Dukat sighed, trying to sit up, but being prevented by the
weight of her body upon him.

She moved away and gathered the remains of her dress to wipe off his body,
much to his complete surprise, then wiped herself down.  As she rubbed the
cloth down her breasts and between her wet thighs, she caught the whiff of
his strong pheromones left behind on her skin.  He put on his padded shirt,
then rose up on one knee to jerk up his pants and fasten them.  She brushed
passed him and went into the bedroom, returning a few minutes later dressed
head to toe in black leather.

Dukat, in the process of putting on his armor, watched as she went into the
kitchen and came over with two glasses filled to the rim with cold water.
She set the glasses down on a nearby table and helped him fasten the armor.
Then she served him water.  He took the glass from her and gratefully drank,
watching over the rim as she did the same.  When she was done, he took the
glass from her and set them both aside.

"Shall we go?" she asked.

"This is not what I planned."  Dukat caught her around the middle and held
her close.  Grant placed her head on his shoulder with a sigh.  "Will you
slow down?  We've only just reached the heights of pleasure and already
you've dashed us back to reality.  I thought we'd come to mutual agreement,
that a pleasurable exchange is far better than an adversarial one."

"And I agree."

Dukat watched in amazement as she withdrew from his embrace, only to placed
her beret on her head, preparing to leave.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asked.  "Do you think I want to go to
detention?  I'd rather stay here with you.  God, how I'd rather stay here
with you.  Forever if possible."

"I'm flattered," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Her blue eyes flashed.  "You should be."

"Ah.  I know what this is about.  This sudden demand of yours to find Kweeg'
s murderer wouldn't have anything to do with Major Kira?  Did she say
something to upset you? Or to imply that I intended to hold you responsible
for Kweeg's murder?  I want to know.  What did she say to you?"

"All I'm trying to do is salvage what's left of my reputation before a case
is built against me by Major Kira.  She wants me out of the way."

"Don't worry about the Major.  Have I not offered you sanctuary?  What more
do you want?  Now, I want to know what she said, word for word."

"You're too damn interested!  Forget it!"

Dukat was too tired to argue.  The aftermath of their lovemaking had left
him mentally and physically exhausted.  He should have been happier.  But
the moment he'd allowed his desire to surface, she'd taken control and he
wanted his power back.  He had to dominate her, not be dominated.  He caught
her by the arms and tried to kiss her, but she avoided him.  Angered, he
squeezed as hard as he could until she looked at him.  She stepped closer
and pressed against him, although his grip was painful.

"I see her as a threat, Dukat.  As should you."

"I can handle Major Kira.  But, perhaps you are right.  While I'd like
nothing more than to make love to you again, this problem is not simply
going away if we ignore it.  If you want to go down to detention and point
out the guilty party, I am prepared to take you there.  Immediately."

Dukat paused to slid his finger along her square jawline.  She closed her
eyes as his fingers spread out and closed gently around her throat, while
his thumb brushed across her lips.  She bit at his thumb.  He moved the
digit away but continued stroking her neck.

"Very well.  The reason Major Kira came here was to check out the
competition and to see for herself that this room actually exists.
Apparently your sexual exploits on Terok Nor are legendary.  Perhaps it is
my imagination.  I could have sworn she acted jealous.  Don't let it go to
your head.  She might secretly desire you, but her hate will never allow her
to admit to it.  That one is a lost cause.  She'll never love you.  Not the
way I can."

Dukat looked so stunned that it was Grant's turn to become angry.  She tried
to pull loose.  He wouldn't allow it and held her fast.  He forced her to
kiss him, displeased when she refused to respond and gave her a hard shake.
A pained expression wrinkled her face which he found incredibly attractive.
When he kissed her this time, her lips were trembling.  As soon as she
responded the way he wanted her to, with passion, he seized the opportunity
to take control and set her back on her heels.  Leaving her on unsteady
legs, he headed to the door, laughing under his breath to hear her outcry.

"We're going right this second?  I thought we were staying?"
  "Did you?  I decided we should go after all."

Grant stared in shock as Dukat opened the door, revealing a squad of armed
Jem'Hadar guards waiting in the hallway.  He'd been prepared to go all
along.  She felt as though he'd clubbed her over the head.  She made no move
to leave.  Dukat came back for Alexis and took her by the arm, aware she'd
cooperate because he'd hurt her.  In silence, he led her off to detention.


  *  *  *  *

Chapter Three



Denied access into detention by two Cardassians guards armed with pulsar
rifles, Major Kira gave up arguing and crossed her arms.  As Dukat and his
prisoner approached, she realized she'd deliberately been made to wait on
him.  Pontifical bastard that he was, she watched Dukat lead his golden
haired aficionado down the hallway, as Kira imagined he'd done during the
Occupation, leading off used-up comfort girls to detention where one of his
men, or more, were waiting to reap the benefits of serving their Gul well.
Ironic, she thought, that a sacrificial lamb could behave so confident and
self-assured, yet be so ignorant of its own fate.  By the time the pair were
ten yards from Kira, she already assumed the gloating look on Dukat's face
and the blush to Grant's cheeks were the telltale signs of a sexually
consummated liaison.  The gossip concerning their rendezvous was all over
the station.  In many ways, Grant was the perfect female for Dukat.  From a
physical standpoint only, thought Kira, doubting their attraction went
further than skin deep.

"It's about time you got here," snapped Kira, making it clear that they had
a prior appointment.

"Ah, Major!  This is a surprise!  If you are here to plead mercy for Savon,
then you might as well go to bed.  I wouldn't dream of releasing any of the
prisoners at this time."

"They're not all pirates.  Savon is a Bajoran civilian, forced to join
Captain Kweeg's crew when he was abducted from a merchant ship.  I'd like to
hear what he has to say about Kweeg.  Tonight, Dukat."

"An old friend...or lover perhaps?"

As Dukat's cool blue eyes searched her face, an arrogant smile flashed
across his face.  She stared as Dukat reached out to take Grant by the
elbow, making it clear to anyone who wanted to look that she belonged to
him.  For some reason, it troubled her to see him flaunt their affair so
openly.

"Isn't it obvious?" Kira snapped.  "Savon is Bajoran, and, he's a friend of
mine from the Resistance.  A good friend."

"I'm sure you and Savon have much to catch up on," replied Dukat, drawing so
close that Kira felt him breathing down her neck.  "But I hear he's changed.
You won't recognize him."

The Major planted her hand in the center of Dukat's chest and pushed him
back.  He seized the opportunity to grab her hand and jerk her against him
as he staggered backward, dragging her with him, so they collided together
into the far wall of the corridor.

"What's the matter, Nerys?"  Dukat grinned as Kira ripped her hand away,
keeping close to him instead of returning to the door near Grant.  "If you
want inside, I suggest you ask politely.  I don't care if Savon is Bajoran.
At this moment, he, along with the rest of the Falcon crew are being held as
suspects in Captain Kweeg's murder."

"His body had been found, I understand," said Kira.

"Why yes, Major.  That is correct."

 Kira positioned herself in front of the detention doors and glanced back at
Dukat, waiting for him to let her in.  Grant suddenly appeared beside Kira,
looking as though she meant to do her arm.  With a sigh of exasperation,
Dukat placed himself between the two women and pressed his back against the
door, holding up his hands to keep them both at bay.

"What is going on, Dukat?" Kira demanded to know, looking exquisitely
adorable in a temper.  At his shrug, she practically shouted.  "Is Savon the
prime suspect?"

"You surprise me, Major.  For a moment, I thought you were interested in
finding out who really killed Kweeg.  Your prejudice against Cardassians
blinds you.  But have no fear, justice and truth will prevail."

At Grant's deep, throaty chuckle, Kira glared at the woman with open
hostility, her fists hanging at her sides like weapons.  Kira turned her
anger on Dukat.  He was laughing at her as well.

"I don't know about you, Dukat, but I think you've started up a friendship
with a renegade Starfleet officer.  I don't see why she wasn't the first to
enjoy the comforts of a cell.  Didn't you notice that her fighting
techniques are similar to a certain Starfleet officer who used to be on Deep
Space Nine?  You remember Worf.  I am sure he could take her in a fight."

"I hope you are not suggesting that I contact Starfleet and arrange for a
prisoner exchange?  It is an intriguing idea, Major Kira, however, I don't
think our Captain Grant would like being returned to the Federation.  The
captain is my guest and until say otherwise, she has immunity.  Kindly
remember that, Major."

"And if she turns out to be an agent?"

"I'm well aware of where your sympathies lie, Major Kira.  You'd never turn
over a Federation spy to me.  I assure you, Captain Grant is not under
suspicion for espionage.  I have met many Federation operative agents and
I've not been fooled yet."

"I guess it pays to service a Gul on your back."

"Rather crudely put, Major.  Even for you."

Dukat looked over at Grant to see if she was listening.  She was staring
right at him.  Her warm smile caught at the edges of his heart.  Her blue
eyes revealed only trust.  He suddenly wanted to kiss her for showing such
confidence in him.  She was not afraid, nor hid guilt.  The Major was wrong
about her.  Grant was no Federation spy.  She was a fugitive and he was her
refuge in the storm.  He turned back to Major Kira, feeling victorious.  The
fiery red head stiffened defensively under his amused expression, leaving
Dukat wondering if her dilated pupils meant he'd aroused something other
than her anger.  If he didn't know better, he would have thought that was
indeed jealous of his attraction for the captain.

Kira sighed heavily.  "All right.  I'll ask nicely, Dukat.  May I please go
inside and talk to Savon?  Odo and Damar are already waiting.  I'm tired.
It's late."

"You're only wasting your time, Major?  Savon won't talk to you," stated
Alexis.  "He will talk to me."

"No one is talking to you," Kira snarled.

Dukat rolled his eyes.  "Play nice, Major," he rumbled.  "You've only met
Captain Grant today.  Who knows?  The two of you may end up friends.  You
have much in common."

"You made your bed, Dukat, now lie in."

"With you at my side, Major?"

The Gul bent toward Kira, his neck stretched long.  She swung at him.  Dukat
sidestepped the blow and laughed as the Major stumbled into Alexis who
shoved her right back into Dukat's arms.  He wasn't sure whether or not
Alexis intended to thrust the Bajoran at him, but he had no complaints in
that regard, finding great amusement to have two women fighting over him.
Right as he was about to truly annoy the major, the door opened.  Odo
stepped out into the corridor.  The changeling glanced at the stranger in
their midst, then Dukat, and calmly pulled Kira to his side in a possessive
fashion.  Outraged, Kira pushed Odo aside and without saying a word, stormed
into detention.  Odo hurried after her, closely followed by Dukat and the
Falcon's captain.

A large number of officers and guards waited inside, but Grant showed no
sign of anger or fear as she entered ahead of Dukat. He had to admit that
her ability to remain calm in the face of danger was most impressive.  Kira
and Odo stood in the center of a room lined with four cells on either side.
The fifteen crew members were separated equally into three cells.  Damar,
situated between the two furthest cells, his back to the entrance, observed
the occupants arguing with one another over the superior treatment of the
officers. Incarcerated in a cell closet to the main door, the quintets in
red berets sat quietly on the bed or the floor, exhibiting an altogether
relaxed demeanor.  At the sudden arrival of Gul Dukat and their captain, the
warring factions grew silent.

Damar immediately came over to Dukat.  "The suppressant has been
administered in their rations.  The officers are already behaving more
cooperative.  They ate first."

"Captain Grant was concerned about her crew," replied Dukat, looking upon
the Falcon's crew as though they were insects that deserved to be
exterminated without hesitation.  "I have concerns of my own.  These are
gladiators we're dealing with.  Their aggressive natures could be
permanently altered.  Sedate a Jem'Hadar who hasn't had Ketracel-white in a
few days and he'd just as deadly when provoked.  What does the doctor say?"

"He hasn't seen them.  He sent an assistant instead.  Odo and I are about to
take the officers down to the infirmary."

Grant walked over to the officers and looked them over carefully.  With a
shake of her golden head, she let Dukat know that the officers remained a
threat.  Their immediate howl of outrage validated her duplicity in
representing the Falcon crew.   "Do so one at a time, Damar," said Dukat.
"And use restraints.  Odo, did anyone confess yet?  I want to know who
killed Kweeg."  He was not prepared for Odo to point at Alexis, or, for her
to dismiss the accusation with laughter.  "Captain Grant?  You have just
been accused of murder.  Well?  I'm waiting?"

"Of course they blame me.  I'm the one who gave you the reason to keep them
locked up.  Otherwise, you'd have been sold a phoney cargo and the Falcon
would be out of your reach.  Since I've become your lead suspect, at least
allow me to introduce Kweeg's command staff before you send me to the
gallows."

Dukat nodded.  "Very well."

Grant pointed at an officer.  "The Andorian with the glass eye is Maldon,
our science officer, who received a life sentence after blowing up a mining
colony on Uridia VI for reasons unknown.  Breeka, our Trill communication's
officer, symbiotic host was classified as a homicidal schizophrenic after
she went on a killing rampage at Starfleet Academy.  For reasons unknown.
The Klingon is Varnok the Butcher, former security officer of the USS
Patriot.  His crime, murdering his entire landing party, for reasons beyond
his control.  All were on board the USS Trafalgar, which Kweeg took without
firing a single shot.  As for the rest of crew, they're all misfits,
outlaws, defectors, you name it."

"Savon mentioned the Trafalgar earlier.  I looked up the name in the data
banks and learned it was a Federation starship used mainly for transferring
prisoners," said Odo.  "Apparently, the Trafalgar vanished near Jupiter with
all hands about four months ago.  She's been reported as MIA.  Savon claims
that all Federation personnel were sold and the convicts were used to fill
the vacancies in Kweeg's crew as well as fight in the arena."

"Grant's from the Trafalgar as well," snarled Varnok, pushing himself away
from the wall he'd been leaning against and stepping precariously close to
the force field.  "She's a convict like the rest of us!  She was decorated
Federation engineer.  But one day, she went nuts.  With a single push of a
button, she lowered her very own containment field, releasing a toxic gas
that killed 1800 people in her lab, while she was conveniently in route to
Earth for a science convention."

"Is this true?" asked Dukat of Grant.  He held her gaze.
   "Of course it's true," Varnok answered for her.  "That's where I met
Grant, in prison.  I can't say it's been an amicable relationship.  She's
always been in my way.  After Kweeg took favor with Grant, he gave her
star-billing in the arena where she killed another fifty in hand-to-hand
combat."

"I seem to recall a few you've left out, Varnok," snapped Grant.  "Think
back to my first few days in prison.  You and your gang tried to rape me."
She glanced over at Dukat  "They weren't successful.  I used a metal bar
pulled out of a conduit system to beat Varnok and his friends senseless.
Afterwards, I spent a month in solitaire."

"What was your rank?" cut in Kira's voice.

"Am I talking to you?" asked Grant, equally terse.

Dukat sighed.  "Major, they're all apparently convicts.  Including Captain
Grant.  Most pirate crews are comprised of the criminal element."

"But who murdered Kweeg?"

Grant threw her arms in the air and said loudly, "A terrible accident
occurred three years ago that unfortunately killed a great many people.
Starfleet needed a scapegoat.  As chief engineer, responsible for the entire
security of the lab, I took the fall.  I was court-martialed and given a
life sentence.  It didn't help to say I was innocent then, and I can't see
it won't help me now."

Dukat caught Grant by the arm.  His tone as hard as Cardassian steel.  "How
was it Kweeg was able to take the Trafalgar without a shot being fired?"

"I don't know," replied Grant in a silky voice.  Her eyes locked onto Dukat'
s baby blues.  "But I do know who killed Kweeg."  She pointed at the Klingon
regarding her with the eyes of a caged predator.  "There's your man, Dukat.
Savon persuaded the others to contain Kweeg, but it was Varnok who slit his
throat.  Why?  Because Varnok wanted to be captain."

"It's not my fault!  It was her fault!  Her fault!"

The Klingon's features contorted.  In an instant, he'd reverted to the
animal side of his nature.  Snarling and frothing at the mouth, he chased
the other prisoners into the corner and only grew quiet when Grant called
his name.  Varnok faced her, trembling from his inner chaotic emotions, his
eyes widening as someone approached Grant from behind.  Before she could
turn, a large hand fell onto her shoulder, drawing her away from Varnok.
Dukat dropped his hand the moment Grant met his gaze, unsure whether he
could remain calm and touch her at the same time.  In that brief moment,
Grant felt Dukat's hand quivering and sensed that he was not frightened of
her, but for her.  Her eyes remained on Dukat as he dropped his hand and
placed a long finger along the side of his face, considering all that he'd
heard.  He seemed aware someone was staring daggers into his back and
glanced around to see Major Kira hovering nearby.

"See there, Major Kira.  We now know who the guilty party is, and you were
so worried it was Savon.  Simply by casting my net into the great ocean
called space, I've caught myself a whole school of Federation convicts.
Satisfied?"

Kira crossed her arms.  "Not at all."

"You have other concerns?  Tell me."

"Varnok is no ordinary convict.  Lt. Commander Worf once spoke of another
Klingon who joined Starfleet right after him.  I remember the name because
Worf told me that Varnok was gifted.  After news reached DS9 about the
incident on USS Patriot, Worf never said another word about Varnok."

"An interesting story, Major.  I suggest you finish running a background
check on all of the Falcon crew," Dukat ordered.  "I want the date by
morning."

"Most of the crew seem to have fallen onto hard times when they encountered
Captain Kweeg," said Odo.  "These people come from all over the Quadrant."

The Cardassian Gul was unimpressed.  "The sooner you do your work, the
sooner I can approve sending over a second team to the Falcon.  I was not
pleased to hear what happened when Kweeg's body was found.  I thought you
had everything under control."

"It is unfortunate.  Your guards strayed outside of Captain Kweeg's room
after I gave them instructions not to do so.  They were aware that the
freighter was not secured.  It was a Vulcan, I believe, that your man
reported attacked him in the corridor.  We beamed out directly with Kweeg's
body.  Sensors picked up no other life forms.  The ship is rather old and it
is a bit disturbing.  Perhaps your man only thought he saw something."

"The Vulcan would be Dr. Strall, our chief medical officer," said Alexis.
She was unsure whether her status remained as guest or prisoner, for Dukat's
expression was unreadable.  All she could do now was remain cooperative.
"Strall disappeared a few days ago.  Kweeg thought the doctor changed ships
at our last port-of-call to return home.  Obviously, he's either still on
the Falcon or has gained access to this station."

"Nice birdie in a cage," snickered Savon.  "Kweeg has plucked all your
feathers.  Now you're just like us."
  Grant glared at the Bajoran.  "I know you were the one who me drugged me
last night.  If you hadn't, Kweeg wouldn't be dead."  She fell silent as the
prisoner started weeping.

"Savon!"  Major Kira stepped toward Savon, appealing to the man that had
fought beside her years ago.  "You're only making this harder on yourself.
If you want to clear your name, then you must tell Gul Dukat what happened
on the Falcon?"

"And you're interrupting me because you're a Bajoran or because you think
Savon cares?" Grant asked, her tone harsh.

"Isn't it obvious?  Savon was my friend!"
  "He was my friend as well."

Kira looked startled.  "Dukat, you can see that Savon is no threat.  If you
put him into my custody, I'll personally guard him twenty-four hours a day."

Dukat peered at Savon.  "Major Kira thinks you're worth saving, Lt. Savon.
I'm rapidly losing my patience.  If you can shed any light on Kweeg's murder
and your own innocence, then do so.  The hour is late."

The Bajoran looked to Kira for support.  She nodded her head.  He spoke
softly, as though afraid of his own shadow. "Kweeg offered the ultimate
gaming experience.  Intergalactic battle-thons that lasted days.  We were
billed as the "ultimate indestructible gladiators," collected from all of
the Alpha Quadrant, but Grant was the biggest draw in Kweeg's Arena of
Death."  His face lit up and his eyes shined.  "And in the Blood Ring, it's
that Terran Terror, the Eradicator From Earth, that Blonde Demon of Death,
Destruction and Mayhem, the one, the only...."

Alexis walked up to the force field, eyeing Savon, and let her hand slide
across the surface, her flesh emanating sparks of energy that bounced off
her harmlessly as she left in her wake a slight but noticeably indentation.
The field bounced right back into its normal shape like water returning to
calm after a pebble is skipped across the surface.  Shocked by what she'd
seen, Kira turned to Dukat, expecting him to order Grant's arrest.  Instead,
he took one long disapproving look at the Falcon's captain.  Damar appeared
at her side.  A hand signal was exchanged between the two Cardassians, then
Dukat turned and left the detention without further comment.

"May the Prophets scratch out your eyes, you filthy Cardassians!" raged
Savon.  "I know what this is!  You're trying to blame me because Grant
killed the captain and stole his ship.  Kweeg kept her locked up because she
hated him.  He'd made her a pleasure slave after she refused to be his
engineering officer and she never got over it."  He blinked.  "Never!"

Varnok, rational and calm for the time being, turned on Savon, a fist
raised.  "If you hadn't betrayed me and voted in Grant as your new captain,
we wouldn't be here!  She turned us all in so she could keep the Falcon and
the cargo!"

Savon momentarily became the hero of the moment as he rallied the few
officers to converge on the Klingon, beating Varnok about the head and
shoulders, covering his head and crouched low.  By the time Odo had the
guards in position to stun the prisoners with phaser fire, the riot had
ended.  Varnok waited several seconds, then rose to his feet and rejoined
Savon at the force field to stand beside Grant, as thought part of a strange
alliance.

Kira turned to Odo and Damar, keeping her voice low.  "If your boss hadn't
run off, Damar, he might be able to explain what is going on."

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, Damar.  Your boss is on this.  Kweeg was probably bringing Grant
here to sell her to Dukat.  Don't look at me like that, Odo.  I'm not
talking about Dukat buying a pleasure slave, though I'm sure he wouldn't
hesitate if the price was right."

Odo frowned.  "Kira, you're taking this personally."

"Of course I am.  I'm worried.  You both saw what Grant did to the force
field.  No ordinary human can do that.  Such an ability must be worth
something to someone.  It's worth looking into.  You heard Dukat.  We're to
get to the bottom of this."

"Don't concern yourself, Major Kira," said Damar, watching Grant, for the
moment preoccupied, looking over her crew.  "I'm sure Odo can handle the
investigation.  Leave this to him and stay out of it.  I'm taking Grant to
her room now.  Those are my orders.  You have yours."

Kira blocked his path.  "You know what I think?  The kanar in the Falcon's
cargo is contaminated.  One sip and you go nuts.  I wouldn't advise sending
over a second away team just yet.  It could still be dangerous."

Odo nodded.  "I agree.  But I still can't help feeling sorry about what that
woman must have endured on the Falcon.  I can't help thinking they are all
innocent of what has happened."

"Gul Dukat and Quark arranged for the Falcon to come here through Kweeg,"
said Damar, defensively.  "Dukat knows no more than Quark about Kweeg and
his cargo.  The cargo was bought, sight unseen."

"That's not like Quark," replied Odo.

"Well, at least we agree on one thing.  Dukat knows nothing," Kira hissed.
"I don't know about anyone else, but the only person I feel sorry for is
Savon.  He was one of the bravest and most courageous of any Resistance
fighter I ever knew."

Damar had nothing further to add and joined Grant.  The Bajoran glared at
the Cardassian with open contempt.

"He'll say anything to get out," said Alexis.

"He seems afraid of you," Damar pointed out.

Savon spoke up quickly.  "Not Grant.  Shelby."

The name came out a course whisper.  Savon flinched as Varnok glared at him,
sending the smaller man fleeing back to his corner.  Damar stared at Grant,
then glanced toward Odo and Kira, not sure what to think.

"Who is Shelby?" asked Odo.

Three pair of eyes turned toward Grant.  She shook her head, deliberating
avoiding answering the question.

"Maybe you should separate Savon from the others.  Varnok may decide to kill
him for betraying him, and I really don't want Savon harmed.  He was the
only one whoever showed me any kindness.  He gave me food and water when
Kweeg wanted me to go a few days without any nourishment.  Kweeg's
philosophy was a gladiator will fight harder if starved.  It's very
effective."

"Please, Odo," Kira begged, hoping to save Savon.  "Can't we put Savon in
one of the other empty cells?  Savon is in danger."

"Very well," replied Damar.  "Put Savon in his own cell.  I leave it your
capable hands, Odo."  He put his hand on Alexis' arm and indicated with a
nod of his head that he wanted her to leave with him.

"Damn you, Grant.  You sold us out so you get all the profit!  I know what
you Humans are like!  All thieves!  What about us?  Why does she get all the
money?" came a loud, angry retort from within the cell.  The Andorian
pressed forward, one antenna broke and laying flat against his skull, his
blue skin so dark that it appeared purple.  "Captain Kweeg promised us all
an equal share.  Let me out of here!  I'm no convict or a killer!  I'm as
sane as any man here!  And I want my money!"

"You're holding us against our will.  We've done nothing wrong," said the
Trill, smiling sweetly at Odo.  "You seem kind.  Won't you let me out?  I
never hurt anyone."

"Don't believe Breeka," snarled the Andorian.  "I've killed no one but she
has.  I demand to see Quark and settle this matter.  I have a bill of laden
in my pocket and supplies for his bar.  I demand to be released at once!"

Alexis held up and addressed Odo.  He at her, a curious sympathetic look on
his undefined face.  "If you like, I'll provide you with a report with
detailed backgrounds of the entire crew.  Major Kira can run her own
background check to verify my report for Gul Dukat."

"Thank you, Captain Grant," said Odo.  "I'd appreciate it."
    "Consider it done.  But just so we all understand each other, if anyone
tries to arrange for a prisoner exchange with the Federation, I won't remain
cooperative.  I'm not going back to prison.  I'd rather...."

"Enough talk.  Grant!  Follow me," barked Damar, wanting to get her away
before she gave Odo a reason to arrest her.

The moment the glinn left with the mysterious woman, Odo drew Kira outside
of detention to speak with her in private.

"I think you should know that we found Kweeg's body hanging by the heels
over his bed, his throat torn open, completely drained of blood.  It would
take superior strength to have done that.  I haven't told Quark.  He was
Kweeg's friend.  I was hoping you might put it to him more delicately.  He's
been asking about Kweeg."

"I'll talk to Quark before I turn in."
   "There's more, Nerys.  Dukat might have quarantined the Falcon, but he's
not bothered to examine the cargo."

"What do you suggest?"

"Go to Bajor and see what you can learn about Grant and this Shelby.  Savon
sounded afraid.  We better know all the details."  Odo put his hand on her
shoulder, smiling tenderly.  "Be careful.  If you're right and Dukat is
involved, he might not want us to find answers."

Kira leaned toward Odo and kissed him on the cheek, her eyes twinkling with
affection.

"I'll be back as soon as I can."


  *  *  *  *

Chapter Four


The morning departure of Kira's shuttle viewed by Gul Dukat from his office
window turned his mood melancholy.  His own reflection cast in the same
window offered a majestic figure in black and grey, holding a steaming cup
of raktajino.  Kira Nerys was the bane of his life and his greatest joy.
Earlier she'd unknowingly sent him a message while he was still in bed.  He
felt guilty that he'd been mulling over whether or not to contact Grant and
invite her to breakfast when Kira wanted to inform him that she'd try to
visit his daughter, Ziyel, at her school while on Bajor.  The offer was
touching.  But he knew Kira's kindness did not extend to Ziyel's father.  A
wall would always separate them, built long before the Occupation had ended.
They would never be a family.  It was a beautiful but futile dream.  As an
image of Kira's face appeared in his mind, her face turned up to his for a
tender kiss, he closed his eyes, forgetting the temperature of his drink and
took a sip, snarling as he scalded his tongue.

"May all the Prophets die one by one!" roared Dukat.

The office door abruptly opened behind Dukat, as though preordained,
bringing in a draft into the room that carried the scents of Damar and Grant
to his nose.  Not bothering turning around, Dukat detected his own
pheromones still covering Grant, marking her body with his scent as though
he'd been animal staking out its territory.  He considered such a tactic a
ruse on her part to control him and was momentarily amused.  Setting the cup
down on his desk, he took a seat and finally gave Damar and Grant his
attention.  Grant, standing at the edge of his desk, eyed Sisko's baseball
curiously.  Before she could pick up the ball, Dukat grabbed it, handling it
possessively, his sudden annoyance etched plainly on his handsome face.

"Good morning to you too," snapped Grant.

She crossed her arms over her breasts, outlined in a tight fitting black
top, letting the Cardassian commander know that she was predisposed to be
angry with him and stomped over to the window where only moments before the
shuttle had been viewable.  Dukat fell back in his chair, baffled by her
anger, then noticed Damar standing with his head bowed and eyes downcast,
refusing to speak.  Confused, he looked back at Grant and tensed as she
continued to gaze out the window   There was only reason for such odd
behavior and it clearly a sign of guilt, Dukat told himself.  Damar and
Alexis had betrayed him.  He suddenly felt like yelling as a number of
questions tumbled around in his mind like loose papers in a breeze.  He
stared at Alexis longer than he intended, willing her silently to address
him.  Finally, she faced him and smiled as though he'd been given the most
wonderful present in the world.  The flash of white teeth and her chicanery
behavior sent Dukat's growing temper into orbit.

He lifted a finger to shake it at her strenuously, then paused, momentarily
distracted as she actually posed for him, giving him a lascivious look.  Put
aside all prejudice, thought Dukat, and Captain Grant was the perfect
female, of sublime shape and form, as well versed in the acts of love as she
was in the art of war.  Grant was as addictive as kanar.  One glass was all
it took to desire more.  He understood Damar's dilemma and pictured the
glinn resisting most of the night before finally falling prey to the
shameless woman.  Though he told himself he was not jealous by the sexual
sparks darting between Damar and Grant, he reflected anything but a demeanor
of calm as he nervously rolled the baseball around in his hands.

"Give me the report Captain Grant has prepared," Dukat ordered, his steely
blues eyes penned on Damar.  He held out his large hand, waggling his
fingers impatiently.  "Let me see it.  I want to see what kept you both up
so late."

Damar reached into his pocket, unable to look at Dukat for longer than a few
seconds, having recognized the frustrated look on the Gul's face, for he'd
seen it many times in the mirror since meeting the beautiful human.  He
handed Dukat the padd.

"I've read the report, sir.  If I may point out," Damar paused for an
objection, then continued when silence reigned, "I thought it interesting to
see that Grant was assigned to the USS Trafalgar at the time of Wolf 359.
Lt. Commander Benjamin Sisko also served on the Saratoga."

"Ah, the infamous Borg battle!"  Dukat stared hard at the human.  "I thought
Grant told you that she didn't know Captain Sisko?"

"That is what she told me, sir."

Alexis didn't bothering looking at either man.  "Do you know every
Cardassian on Terok Nor?  People come and go.  I was no exception.  I
boarded the Saratoga on a Monday and was assigned elsewhere by Thursday.
Hardly enough time for an engineer to get friendly with bridge personnel."

"You weren't in the battle?" asked Dukat.

"No.  I wasn't.  I saw the aftermath.  I was involved in removing the debris
left behind, and the dead."

"But you saw no action?"

"No.  My father arranged for me to be out of harm's way prior to its
outbreak."

"She mentioned her father before," Damar blurted.  "She wouldn't say who he
was when I inquired."

Dukat sighed with exasperation.  "I can tell you that, Damar.  I have
already been informed that Lt. Grant's father, Admiral Alexander Grant of
the USS Potemkin, arranged to get her off the Saratoga a day before he knew
the battle would commence.  The captain of the Saratoga arranged for her to
be assigned elsewhere, as it so happened, to a failing starbase which the
Borg had recently attacked.  Afterwards, the Admiral got you the position
with Dr. Hannah Shelby, a well-known and greatly respected Federation
scientist, as chief engineer.  You see, my dear, I've been doing a little
research myself."
   Alexis bit into the side of her mouth to keep from retorting angrily,
focusing on the pain in the tissue lining instead of the peculiar feeling in
her heart.  After a moment, she was able to speak though she wondered why
she bothered to plead her innocence to an unreceptive and potentially
hostile audience.

"I might not have fought the Borg, but I met my own Wolf 359 at Shelby's
lab.  In less than thirty seconds, nearly two thousand Federation personnel
were killed, changing my life forever.  I designed the perfect laboratory, a
totally sterile environment.  I used every safety precaution.  News of what
happened reached us at a convention where Shelby was to speak to a group of
intergalactic scientists about a new gene enhancing drug.  The moment she
walked out to address the crowd, we were both arrested.  The trial was over
in two days.  By the time my father arrived, Shelby had already given her
damning testimony.  I remember how old and feeble he looked in his Starfleet
uniform, dusted off and brought out of the closet one last time.  Of all his
friends, only Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise came to see my
sentencing."

"You don't know Benjamin Sisko, but you do know Jean-Luc Picard," replied
Dukat, absorbing the information.  "I personally know Picard.  What do you
think of him?"

"After I graduated from Starfleet, Picard accepted me for his own crew, but
a day before I was to arrive, he rejected my application without
explanation.  During my trial, I always wondered if Picard had spoken on my
behalf, if my sentence would have been lesser.  But like my father, he
thought I was a monster."

"And Shelby?"

"She was found negligent and fined.  All other charges were dropped.  I
alone was blamed.  It's all in the report."

"I'll read it at my leisure."

"You seem to know a great deal about me."  Grant suddenly tacked in the
strong breeze made up of Dukat's anger and took another direction.  "But, do
you know the difference between German and French pancakes?  Damar didn't
and had to be shown.  I thought Cardassians knew everything from military
universal dominance to what makes up a nutritional breakfast.  Believe me.
It's not warmed fish juice."

"You're implying that something transpired between you and Glinn Damar of a
personal nature?"  Dukat stared intently at Grant.  She dismissed him with
one look.  Her cold shoulder annoyed him more than the guilty expression on
Damar's face.  "I see.  Penitence isn't a good look for you, Damar.  I don't
blame you for finding her tempting.  Did you help her prepare the report or
only breakfast?"
   "It wasn't like that, sir," muttered Damar.

"Then tell me what did happen?"

"I...I fell asleep on the couch after a glass or two of kanar.  I assumed
Grant worked on the report all night."

"But you don't know for sure.  Even the slightest amount of kanar works like
an alpha wave inducer," replied Dukat.  "It's a wonder you're ever on time
for work, Damar.  You seldom stop at one or two glasses."
  Glinn Damar grew quiet.  Alexis glanced his way.  The conspiratorial look
in her eyes reminded him that it had not been one or two glasses of kanar.
It had been two bottles.  He was the one who drank too much and collapsed on
the floor, unable to go further.  She had taken pity on him and dragged him
to the couch, but getting tangled in a carpet, she'd fallen on top of him.
After a brief struggle for dominance, she'd ended up on the bottom,
laughing, while he'd gloated over her in triumph.  Neither mentioned, then
or later, how he'd lost control and tore her shirt to shreds, mauling her
from breast to groin like a crazed vole before growing ashamed of his
conduct and creeping over to the couch where he'd collapsed in a stupor.

Alexis took relish in the glimmer of jealous in Dukat's eyes.  His ego
wouldn't tolerate sharing her with another man, not until he was tired of
her.  His reputation with the women was common gossip on the station.  She
wanted to hurt him as he'd done to her with his harsh comments about her
failed Starfleet career but doubted her verbal arsenal would make a dent in
his hard exterior.

"I rose early, found Damar asleep on the couch in full armor, and while he
used all the hot water for a shower, I fixed us pancakes.  You keep a well
stocked kitchen, Dukat.  I'm impressed.  We drank coffee while discussing
the fictional character of Frankenstein.  The story is quite old, and
Terran, so you've probably not read it, however, Damar seemed quite
fascinated by my oral translation of how the monster exacts revenge on its
creator."

Damar winced, seeing the rage fill the Gul's face.  Saying anything was
saying too much.  He prepared for the worst.

"Get out!" roared Dukat.

The ball dropped to the floor.

At the sound of its soft thud, Damar bolted out of the office, leaving
Alexis to her own fate.  Dukat watched her, his rage bottled up inside of
him, close to the surface but not yet released, as she bent down on one
knee, picked up the ball and stood facing him.  The familiar feel of the
texture and density of the baseball in the palm of her hand brought a smile
to her face.  She tossed the ball into the air, caught it, then returned it
to its pedestal.

"The ball reminds me of Earth.  I miss my home, but I'll never let you send
me back.  I'd rather spend my life digging holes in a Cardassian mine, than
return to the Federation and be dumped into some 6x8 prison cell with no
view."

Dukat looked thoughtful as he rose from his seat and walked over to the tall
woman in black, feeling a rush of excitement as her eyes held his gaze.
"The ball is a reminder to me that no one can be trusted.  Its former owner,
Captain Benjamin Sisko, left it here to remind me that he'll be returning
for it one day.  There are many on this station who would welcome his
return."

"If Sisko is cut from the same bolt of cloth as every other Starfleet
captain, he'll be back.  The baseball is an original, not a synthetic
duplicate.  I wouldn't be surprised if it was once used in a World Series a
few hundred years ago on Earth.  It's probably valuable."

"Not to me," he said.

There was no mistaking the dark fury in Dukat's voice.  She looked worried
as she reached out to touch his face, but as her hand brushed across his
cheek, he retreated, and from a short distance, watched the graceful
appendage lower.  The sudden glimmer in her blue eyes surprised him, for
he'd not known her capable of tears and he suddenly wanted to see her cry.

"I hope you enjoyed yourself with my glinn?  In the old days, any officer
who slept with my mistress before I gave him permission would be whipped and
the guilty woman executed.  Damar wanted you after only hearing your voice
over the comm.  Since he's married and I separated, I thought you'd prefer
me.  Again, I have misjudged a woman.  Go after him if you want, Captain.
But Damar cannot protect you from the Federation.  I can."

A single tear fell.  Dukat watched it slide down the smooth, pale cheek and
evaporate at the corner of her red lips.  His eyes remained fixated on her
mouth.  She spoke in an impassioned voice, but it was not the confession
he'd expected to hear.

"In predictable, arrogant Cardassian style, you're jumping to all the wrong
conclusions!"  Alexis pursued him and caught at his arm.  "The only man I am
interested in is you, Dukat.  Last night, you awakened something in me,
something I thought I'd lost.  It's been three years since I've had any
emotional or physical contact.  I can't explain it, but suddenly my whole
world revolves around you, and it scares me to death."

"Games, Alexis," said Dukat, drawing his arm back.  "You're playing games.
I have seen how you've used your female wiles to reduce Damar to the role of
mere servant.  I assure you, I will not allow myself to fall for a
temptress' snare.  You'll have to try harder than that, my dear, to convince
me of your sincerity.  It was, after all, only sex."

Grant winced.  "Not to me!  After I finished writing Odo's report, I waited
up all night for you.  I didn't sleep, and I went to bed alone."  When he
refused to look at her, her voice turned sharp.  "If you wanted merely a
comfort girl, then you should have bought a Dabo girl at Quark's concession
stand for the night!  I hear his Dabo girls go for cheap to the Gul!"

 Curling his lip in disdain, Dukat spun around, grabbing Alexis roughly by
the arms and jerked her close.  As he bent down, branding her with a hard
kiss on the mouth, she blew in his face, taking him aback.  He tried
laughing.  She wouldn't join in.  He held her tighter.  She looked away,
trying not to weaken.  He gave her a hard shake.  With a little sob, she
wrapped her arms around his neck, giving in, kissing him tenderly through
her salty tears.  His anger abated once he had the reaction he wanted and he
kissed her smooth forehead, her cheek, then moved along her neck, his member
pushing at the front of his pants, aroused to full erection, as she groaned
in his arms.

"I know you sent Major Kira off to Bajoran Intelligence," said Alexis, her
voice soft and breathless.  "No doubt she'll break a few Dominion rules by
contacting the Federation to inform them of my whereabouts.  Why did you
send her?"

"My reason not to return to your bed last evening has nothing to do with
Major Kira," said Dukat, lifting his head, temporarily ending her
pleasurable torment.  He kept hold of her tightly, letting her feel his
arousal as he rubbed his erection against her.  "I have never had an
intimate relationship with Major Kira.  She sees me as the enemy.  I have no
illusions."

"And me?  Is it only sex between us?"

Dukat finally held her back at arm's length.  "I must be missing something
here.  Did I promise you something last night?"  "Neither of us made any
promises," said Alexis, with a shake of her head.  "I am the only one who
let my heart get involved.  I know better.  This isn't how I operate.  I
don't throw myself at men.  My only excuse is that you caught me completely
unprepared, Dukat.  I had no idea anyone like you existed."

"I admit I should have sent you a message last night.  After what happened
in detention, I didn't know what to think, so I opted not to see you.  What
you did to the force field is not only amazing, Alexis, it's physically
impossible to do and not suffer serious injuries.  Certainly I have
reservations about becoming any more involved than I already am.  I sent
Major Kira to Bajor to help me answer a few puzzling matters.  I have no
intent, not now, nor later, to return you to the Federation."

"Why didn't you come and ask me?  There's no reason to be apprehensive of my
abilities.  It's a magician's trick, nothing more."  Grant held up her hand
and pointed at a slight depression beneath the callous on her index finger.
"Long ago I implanted an isolinary chip in my hand which can break the code
of any amplified containment field.  I merely brushed aside energy
particles.  It had no effect on the integrity of the field itself.  I may be
an engineer, but I'm also something of an inventor."

"Even so, my dear, you're not entirely what you seem."

"Then find out more about me," she said, reaching out and taking Dukat by
the hand.  "You have a habitat on the station.  We could go for a walk and
I'll tell you my life story.  Unless you'd rather show me your collection of
vases?"

An image of the tiny statues in the Ambassadors Suite he'd collected over
the years, positioned in multiple sexual acts, formed in his mind.  Dukat
pulled back his hand as he imagined her with Damar and he waved it in the
air, quickly cutting her off.  No tears followed, only a look of extreme
disappointment.

"Until Major Kira returns and I've had a chance to read your report, I have
nothing more to say on this subject.  I think it best if you remained in
your quarters.  I will send you for you later.  In the meantime, perhaps you
can bake something in the kitchen.  It is fully stocked."

Alexis' temper snapped.  "In my spare time, I'll whip up a Devil's Food cake
for you, Master!  I've nothing better to do!"

"What do you want of me, Grant?" stormed Dukat, gesturing wildly.  "You come
into my office smelling of yesterday's sex and expect me to welcome you with
open arms?  You've made it obvious to everyone that we're lovers.  But the
only reason you are sleeping with me to ensure your own safety."

"What else should I have done?  Go with the Falcon crew and get myself
killed in the process?  Or, invite myself into the bed of the most powerful
man on Terok Nor?  Even now your security team wants me locked up with the
rest of the crazies.  Damar won't say it, but he's afraid of me.   Major
Kira obviously is as well.  I might seem mercenary, but I did what I had to
in order to survive, only, all that changed the moment you make love to me.
I'm sure you get his reaction all the time."

"Constantly."  Dukat narrowed his eyes.  "I begin to see the danger.  You
mix politics with sex quite adroitly.  There's enough room in detention, my
dear captain, to put you in with your crew.  Others have suggested it as a
precaution."

"In that case, should I sink to my knees now or later to convince the great
Gul Dukat that I am his friend?"

"Not here!"  Dukat promptly took hold of her arms, preventing her from
crouching before him and pulled her up to her feet.  Her anxious expression
twisted at his heart.  He wiped away several tears wondering all the while
why he didn't arrest her before he was under her spell.  "Understand my
point of view.  Our station's doctor has already examined your crew.  Odo
has informed me that most of your crew are certifiably insane.  If you will
cooperate and on your own, go see the doctor waiting for you in the
infirmary, I would consider it a good faith effort on your part."

"If that's what it takes to convince you of my sincerity, then I'll do as
you request, willingly."

His eyes suddenly hardened.  "I'll have someone other than Damar escort you.
I can, you know, smell him on you."

"Can I help it if I find Cardassians so attractive?"
  "I don't know," growled Dukat.  "Can you?"

Alexis said nothing as Dukat dug his fingers into her flesh, intentionally
bruising her as he drew her close.  She ignored the pain and closed her
eyes, leaning her head against the shoulder of his broad shoulder as his
hands laced behind her back.  At the touch of his soft lips nibbling on her
own, she finally opened her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck,
pulling herself closer.  His tongue swept into her mouth.  The kiss quickly
turned passionate and hands began to rove.  Her fingers slipped down between
their bodies, sinking further, until she at last felt the ridges along his
hardened cock.  The moment her hand closed around him, Dukat pushed her
back, leaving her blinking at him in stunned amazement across the room as he
returned to his desk, suppressing a wide grin at his obvious discomfort.

"As the former prefect of Bajor, you'll have to excuse me if I don't fall
for every pretty stranger I meet.  Certainly I've enjoyed the few stolen
moments in your arms, and I am not averse to seeing you again, but not in my
office."  Dukat pointed at the door.  "You'll find an officer waiting
outside to take you to the infirmary.  You are excused, Captain!"

Alexis overcame her total shock, but not before he'd openly gloated in
triumph at her surrender.  Keeping her temper in check, she clasped her
hands behind her back, letting him have the last word since he wanted it so
much, and slowly walked toward the main door.  She felt Dukat's eyes probing
into her back, but refused to turn back look at him, which she knew was
precisely what he expected.  Instead, she quietly walked out of his office,
only to find waiting at the bottom of the stairs four Jem'Hadar guards.  She
was placed in the center and marched to the infirmary.  Inside, the
Cardassian doctor was waiting for her beside a table, his tricorder, medical
instruments and a line of hypos filled with different colored liquids lined
up on a tray.  She took one look at the instruments, turned around, and
headed back out the door.  The guards blocked her path.  Sighing with
absolute disgust, she turned back to regard the doctor coolly.

"I don't like doctors."

"I've already seen the rest of your crew," he replied.

"Well?  What did you learn?"

"My comments are for the Gul.  Remove your clothes."

Alexis laughed.  "I don't think so.  I don't even known your name."

"You can call me -- Doctor."

Fate rescued her as an injured Jem'Hadar was brought in, bleeding from a
number of serious cuts on his face and hands.  The doctor hurried over to
the Jem'Hadar and sedated him, while the guards tried to hold the crazed man
as he muttered about being attacked by something in the corridor.  Alexis
didn't wait to hear the details and slipped out of the infirmary, intending
to return to Dukat's office and explain about her fear of doctors. The loud
voices of men suddenly made her take cover behind a pylon.

"Yes, I know what I told you," rose Dukat's voice, soundly annoyed as he
headed down the hall, accompanied by Damar and two guards, in the opposite
direction from where Grant hid.  "You might as well sleep at the foot of her
bed like a dog.  When I said twenty-four security, I didn't mean for it to
be you, Damar.  I'm beginning to think...." His voice trailed off as they
entered a turbolift.

The doors closed, but not before Grant heard where they were going.  She
followed after the Cardassians, existing the turbolift on the same floor as
the holosuites.  The guards were posted at the door to a suite.  She walked
up to the guards.

"I'm invited," she said, smiling sweetly.

The guards glanced at one another.  They had no orders not to let any women
in, and as the Gul and Glinn were there to be massaged, they saw no reason
to deny the beautiful female her request.  The door opened.  She slipped in
quietly.  The interior of the holosuite was lit with soft, blue lights,
revealing a bath house filled with beautiful naked woman swimming and
playing in a heated, tiled pool.  Damar and Dukat were undressing with the
help of several green Orion girls who giggled as the Cardassians, once
stripped, laid down on their stomachs on two massage tables.  Two husky
human females appeared, reminding Alexis of Bavarian tavern maids.  As they
yanked off the towels and began a massage using their elbows in a rough
manner that seemed more painful than relaxing, she crept closer to watch.

"I give you my word.  I did not touch her, sir," said Damar, turning his
head away from Dukat so he could admire the girls in the pool.  "My respect
for you is far too great to dishonor you in that fashion.  I know you
selected her for yourself."

"By the time we're both through with this massage, neither of us will be
thinking about Captain Grant.  True, she is extremely desirable, for a
human.  I regret you could not experience what I did, Damar."  He laughed
softly.  "Well, not really."

Damar merely grunted in pain as his masseuse pressed her elbows between the
sensitive ridges running along his shoulder blades.  She yanked the towel
down, exposing his rock hard posterior, and commenced to dig her elbows into
his muscles, working her way roughly down his legs.  Dukat received a
shoulder massage that was harder than he would have liked and unable to
relax, he continued to talk.

"When we're through, Damar, I'd like you to go to the infirmary and see what
the good doctor has discovered.  He claims the Falcon crew has the ability
to regenerate damaged cells.  There's an unknown substance running rampant
in their bodies, forcing every cell to ameliorate.  Apparently, Savon was in
there most of the night being tested.  His DNA structure has been
resequenced successfully, but not the others.  Their cells are fighting
whatever that's been injected into their bodies, which has caused extreme
mental trauma, such as we've seen in Varnok."
  "Grant claims Shelby is behind it," grumbled Damar.

"I think she's confused the Falcon's Vulcan doctor, Strall, with Shelby.
Obviously, the Vulcan was giving accelerating steroids to the fighters to
make them stronger in the arena, including Grant.  We'll know more after she
is tested.  Unless you can produce the Vulcan."

"I have men looking for him."

Before Dukat could respond, the touch on his shoulders changed from a brutal
beating to a deeper, softer massage with warm, firm hands being used instead
of pointy, cold elbows.  He let out a sigh as the hands worked the stiffness
from his shoulders, then slid all the way down his body and commenced
working on his feet.  One foot was lifted and oil applied, the fingers
working around each toe, the sole, and finally the entirety of the underside
of his foot.  Each foot was rubbed in this manner, then the skilled hands
started on his muscular calves.  In succession, they moved onto his thighs,
taking turns on one then the other.

Dukat felt a flutter of activity in his loins.  It wasn't long before a
painful erection made it impossible for him to ignore its existence any
longer.  He attempted to turn over, but a firm hand placed at the base of
his spin kept him from moving.  He stirred, trying to lift up his hips to
ease the throbbing pain, then gasped as the hands cupped his firm buttocks
and began kneading the flesh.  He laid back down, finding the hologram
masseuse's tactics pleasing as agile fingers slid between his cheeks,
reaching between his legs to squeeze his testicles.  He glanced over at
Damar to see if he was receiving the same treatment and suppressed laughter
to see the heavyset woman pounding the poor glinn's back with the sides of
her hands, while he huffed and puffed, in obvious discomfort.

The hands massaging Dukat's body wandered up his back, disappointing him,
but elevating a kink in his spine that had been there since the night
before.  The hologram masseuse seemed to know which of his back ridges, when
touched in a certain order brought him close to rapture, which brought
relaxation and serenity.  From the muscles to the ridges that rose along his
spinal chord like tiny bumps, up to the circular configurations around his
scaled shoulders, along the sides of his ridged neck, the magical hands
played across his entire body, setting him on fire.  He again attempted to
turn over, wanting the hands to stroke his erection, but was once more
penned to the table.  The hands seemed to know what he needed, suddenly
slipping beneath his lower abdomen, lifting him so knew to remain on one
side so she could stroke his engorged member without hindrance.

Damar detected pheromones in the air despite the thick odor of rubbing oils
and burning incense, and knowing Dukat's own scent worn by a number of women
in the past, as well as the more recent memory of his odor on Grant's body,
he could not help but turn and see what the Gul's hologram masseuse was
doing to him that was not being done to him.  As Dukat was on his stomach,
his head turned to the opposite side, where two nubile Bajoran women were
anointing each other with oil, he was unable to see who was rubbing him,
Damar, alone could see Grant working the Gul over.

Alexis met Damar's eyes and smiled seductively at him.  His gaze dropped to
observe what she was doing to make Dukat groan so loudly.  The glinn gripped
the sides of the table, grimacing in frustration as Grant kept her eyes on
him while bringing Dukat to the brink of ecstasy and then sent him over the
edge.  Damar felt a wetness between his own legs, dampening the sheet
beneath him and realized in disgust that he'd ejaculated right along with
the Gul.  With a sigh, Damar closed his eyes, shutting the image of the
blonde temptress out of his tortured mind.  When he opened them moments
later, she was gone and Dukat was climbing off the table to dress.

"I'll have to compliment, Quark on his program," replied Dukat, wiping
himself off with a towel and reaching for his clothes.  Damar was slower to
rise.  "What is wrong?  You can't tell me you're not completely relaxed?
You look tenser than you did before we came in here.  The program was not
pleasing?"

"I'm fine."

As Dukat slipped on his clothes, he faintly detected the scent of Grant on
his skin.  He sniffed the air and the back of his hand, but decided he
smelled like her merely because he'd held her in his arms earlier for a
passionate kiss.  He spotted a red beret on the ground beside the table and
picked it up.  His nose picked up the strong aroma of Grant.  He threw the
cap at Damar, grabbed the sheet off the table and held it up to his face,
inhaling deeply.  Grant's odor was all over the sheet.  She'd been there.
As his eyes widened in disbelief, a voice on the com-link made him pause to
listen.

"Gul Dukat?  I apologizing for interrupting," came Odo's voice, "however,
several things have happened which you should be made aware of.  A Jem'Hadar
guard was attacked on the Promenade and seriously injured.  No one saw the
culprit.  All the prisoners are in their cells and accountable.  Except for
Grant.  The doctor just notified me that Grant left the infirmary some time
ago without her escort.  I have not been able to locate her yet, but we are
looking."

Dukat threw the sheet on the ground, furious he'd been tricked, although
part of him appreciated Grant's visit to the holosuite and wanted to seek
her out for a continuation of their foreplay.  Her bold little game had made
him desire her more than ever.  He considered finding Grant himself,
suspecting that was what she wanted and would be found waiting in bed, but
refrained from giving into an impulse.  He had to remain in control.

"Is there anything else?" asked Dukat.

"Once Grant is located," said Odo's voice over the comm, "I suggest you
should bring her to the infirmary.  Something else has happened that the
doctor and I can't explain.  I suggest you hurry.  I'll meet you there
shortly."

"Glinn Damar will handle this personally.  Dukat out."  The Gul glanced at
Damar, annoyed he needed orders to make the glinn react to the troubling
news.  "Well?  Go to Grant's room and see if she is there.  If not, find
her.  I have other matters to concern myself with today.  If you need me, I'
ll be in my office."

"I'll see it at once!"

"And Damar?" hissed Dukat.  "I won't tolerate any further insubordination.
It should be obvious that my plans for Alexis do not include you.  If you
are not able to show better restraint when alone with her, I'll have you
replaced as her watch dog."

Damar was already out the door before Dukat finished, still fastening his
pants as he hurried along, leaving Dukat to save the program and head toward
his office with the guards in tow.



  *  *  *  *

Chapter Five



Arriving at Grant's room, Damar bypassed the security code and entered.  He
was not surprised to find evidence of her recent arrival.  Her clothes made
a convenient trail to the shower.  He kicked the clothes out of the way,
growling angrily as he barged into the bathroom, entering as though he owned
the place.  Grant casually opened the shower door, inviting the Cardassian
officer to join her with a toss of her head.  His face crinkled as he
scowled.

"Get dressed!  We're going to the infirmary!"

She turned off the water.  A towel was thrown in her face.   "You don't have
to be so cross," Grant replied, wrapping the towel around her body, existing
the shower.  She bumped into Damar on the way out.  "Since all you like to
do is watch, Damar, I hope you've been enjoying yourself lately."

She walked into the bedroom.  Damar followed.

"That was a foolish trick back there.  Gul Dukat knows it was you in the
holosuite.  You left behind your beret.  On purpose, I suppose?  Perhaps you
didn't know that Cardassians have a superior sense of smell.  You should
have thought of that before you...you seduced him.  I doubt he'll have any
sympathy for you.  You've done yourself no service."

"No, I serviced the Gul while you watched."

"Dukat will not be lenient this time, I assure you!"

"So, the Terran Terror is going to prison again.  I can't say I'm surprised.
You don't trust me.  I don't trust you.  Especially not you.  I know you
want something from me, Damar, but you have too much damn pride to admit it.
You desire a human and it's eating up your Cardassian pride.  I feel sorry
for you.  I really do.  Pride cometh before the fall.  Remember that."
     Damar said nothing as she dressed in her usual black leather and boots,
then threw the red beret at her.  She put it on her wet head, then finished
dressing and followed Damar out to the main room.  The outer door opened to
reveal a compliment of Jem'Hadar guards.  Damar pushed Grant toward the door
with a rough shove.  He was immediately thrown up against the far wall by
Grant.  She placed a hand on either side of his shoulders, penning him fast
while she laughed at him.  It took all the Jem'Hadar to finally pull her off
Damar.  The glinn stormed down the corridor while the prisoner and guards
followed more slowly.   Damar told himself that the human was cunning and
untrustworthy.  He rubbed his hand across his aching brow and detected her
scent.  Suddenly, he spotted Grant from out of the corner of his eye,
hurrying to catch up with him.  Falling in beside him, walking shoulder to
shoulder like old comrades, she offered him a regretful, little smile.

"Save it for someone who cares," snarled Damar.

"You care," she whispered.  "And I am sorry."

Damar glanced at her.  His anger melted.  Her smile was so contagious he
felt the corners of his mouth rise upwards.  At the feel of her hand sliding
down his arm to hold his own hand, he nearly lost his temper again, then
hesitated at the simple pleasure the gesture afforded.  He squeezed her
hand, then released it just as quickly.  She did not try to take it again,
but she knew he'd forgiven her.

Odo waited outside of the infirmary and led them inside.  "Thank you for
coming Captain Grant.  Glinn Damar, you might as well see this as well now
that you're here."

The Cardassian doctor was waiting inside beside a metal door in the wall.
"Are we ready yet?" he snapped.

At Odo's signal, the door to the cyrostasis chamber was opened and a large
tray slid out, containing the covered remains of Captain Kweeg.  The doctor
removed the sheet.  Damar's mouth dropped at the sight of the naked
Ferrengi.  His body was completely regenerated and looked as warm and
healthy as any living creature.  Damar turned toward Alexis for an
explanation.  She shook her head and bent over the Ferrengi, her hands
spread flat against his chest, her ear pressed over the heart, which all
instruments confirmed was not beating.

"Is he dead?" asked Alexis.

"Yes, he's dead," snapped the Cardassian doctor, rather impatiently.  "Look
overhead at the readings.  There's no heart beat.  That's a fact."

"Then explain why there's accelerated gene alteration."

"I can't.  All I know is that new, living cells are taking over the dead
ones, yet, I can't find a reason why.  If you hadn't run off when you had,
Captain Grant, I might have been able to find a solution hours ago."

"So you can kill him again?  I think he looks good."

Odo sighed.  "Doctor.  Captain.  Please.  Must we quarrel amongst ourselves?
Why don't you do whatever it is you do, Doctor, while I talk to Captain
Grant?"

The security chief came over to Grant, taking his time to word his thoughts.
The moment he looked at the human, his eyes reflected his concern.  She
nodded, predicting his thoughts.

"Kweeg lives," she said.  "I don't care what the doctor says."

"That's impossible," the doctor replied, overhearing.

Odo frowned.  "When I looked at the body last night, it was in a state of
deterioration.  This morning, Kweeg looks exactly as you see him now, ready
to sit up and walk out of infirmary.  You can understand why we're all
troubled by this sudden change in events.  Can you explain this alteration?"

"In time.  Yes.  I'm still piecing it together myself.  I'd like to see your
test results on the others.  Did you use a DSD?"

"What is a DSD?" snapped the Cardassian doctor.

"A drug screen decompiler.  Surely you've heard of that?  You did go to
med-school?  Everyone knows what a DSD is.  You use it to decloak blocker
chemicals so you can break down illegal drugs in the blood stream.  They're
used for mandatory drug screen tests at Starfleet Academy.  But they also
work on any foreign elements introduced into the blood stream of any organic
being."

"I have never heard of it."

"That doesn't mean it doesn't exist, Doctor.  Since you don't have one, I
guess you'll have to do it the hard way."
  Grant was about to give her opinion on the doctor's job, but fell silent
as her head started to seriously throb.  She raised her hand to her forehead
and rubbed vigorously in order to rid of the genesis of a major headache.
She'd been getting headaches lately, something she'd never experienced
before.  The doctor came over and gave her something to ease the pain.  His
sudden show of consideration left a startled expression on her face that
lingered long after the pain subsided and the doctor moved on.

"Savon and the rest of the crew all tested positive for DNA fluxuations,"
said Odo.  "Their basic cell structures no longer have set perimeters.  In
all cases, the cells are in constant state of flux, the reason for which we
penned down to be a drug, not a virus.  The alterations are similar to what
Kweeg's body is experiencing.  But the key word is similar.  The crew have
the mental will to fight what is happening to them."

"As long as they are alive, that is," said Grant.  "I'd like to know what
Kweeg is attempting to turn into.  If we're dealing with DNA fluxuations, he
could turn into anything.  I don't know about the rest of you, but without a
soul, I don't see how something dead can think or rationalize.  That means,
gentlemen, we could have a real Frankenstein walking around this station at
any moment.  I say use a phaser on Kweeg and forget the tests."

"Imagine what you could become if you did have control over your own DNA and
retained your...your `soul'," Odo replied, speaking more to himself than
anyone else.  He caught the woman staring and smiled, embarrassed.  "You
see, I understand the concept of shapeshifting, Captain Grant.  I am a
changeling.  I have the ability to become whatever object I like, provided I
spend some part of the day in my natural form.  Only, as you can see, I
can't hold the form well enough to convince anyone that I'm more than what I
am."

"What if something existed like that?  Do you think it would have a soul?"

"I couldn't tell you," said Odor.  "Perhaps you could discuss this from a
philosophical and religious aspect with Major Kira when she returns.  She
might know more."

"Perhaps.  But it does bring up all sorts of questions, Chief Odo.  I hope
you don't mind me talking about my faith.  You're the one person on this
entire station who I entirely trust.  You have no other motive than to solve
a mystery, rather like an old-fashioned detective from Earth, and I must
say, I find that type of mental discipline and dogma highly admirable."

Odo blushed to the roots of his hair.  The doctor looked over at the pair
and glared at them.  Damar was already doing the same thing but no one had
bothered noticing.

"I have found large substance of the drug Chromogenitrix, which I know to be
a strength enhancer," said the doctor.  "But I'm limited to what I can do.
The equipment on the station is absolutely primitive.  It will take time to
know to discover whatever chemical elements we are dealing with.  If you
will give blood and tissue samples, I'd like to start to run a comparison
between your DNA and the crew."
  "Alexis will comply," stated Damar.  She turned and glared at him.  He
gave her a smug look.  "What do we do with Kweeg's body in the meantime?  It
is safe to keep him here?"

"Did someone mention Kweeg?" asked a familiar voice behind the group.

Quark stepped forward, wearing a flashy coat with more buttons than loop
holes.  He pushed passed the barrier of bodies and stared down at the body
of his former friend.

"Oh no," he wailed. "What have they done to you?  You never looked so good.
This is outrageous!"  He glared at Odo, his temper causing him to flash his
jagged teeth.  "What have you done to my friend?  I thought his throat was
cut and he bled to death!  It was the best news I've heard in years!"

"Quark, you said Kweeg was your friend?"  Odo was shocked.

"Business associate, if you don't mind.  I never really liked him.  Rom
liked him.  Kweeg owes me a cargo full of kanar."  Quark grasped the corpse
by the shoulders and shook it hard.  "I want my cargo, do you hear me,
Kweeg?  Stop acting dead and get up and close the deal, you freeloader!"

Suddenly, Quark shivered from head to foot and crumpled into Odo's arms.
The security chief caught the Ferrengi by the arms, holding him up, while
looking around for a reason for Quark's sudden catatonic state.  Grant
appeared behind Quark, in the process of lowering her hand.  Odo realized at
once what had happened.  Grant had actually reached out and caressed Quark's
ear in the presence of everyone.  Her skill at arousing a Ferrengi in this
manner must be highly proficient, thought Odo, but it was inappropriate in
public.

A few seconds passed before Quark opened his eyes and was able to stand on
his feet.  He slowly turned around, his eyes opened wide, a ridiculous
lopsided smirk on his face as he thrust his hand out toward Alexis.  She
shook it firmly.  Damar pushed into the middle of the group and shoved Quark
away from Alexis.
  "Enough!  Gul Dukat would not like this!"

"She started it," countered Quark.  He looked back at Alexis and purred like
a kitten.  "Any time you want to join me in a holosuite, I'd be glad to take
you to any hotel room in New York City.  You do like New York City?"

"Love it!  Time's Square.  Broadway.  The Statue of Liberty.  It's been
years since I've been there."  Grant held out her hand and he shook it
enthusiastically.  "You must be Quark.  Kweeg told me to contact you if
anything happened to you.  I'm sorry I haven't had time to see you.  If it
brings you any comfort, Kweeg was the type of Ferrengi who could squeeze
opportunity out of an ordinary rock and turn it to gold.  He died a very
wealthy man.  I thought, as a fellow Ferrengi, you should know."

"What a pleasant voice she has...doesn't she have a pleasant voice?  I think
she does.  And so well-informed about the customs of other races.  It does
my heart good to hear how rich my friend was when he died."  Quark glanced
toward his former associate.  "Kweeg always liked the ladies.  I knew it
would be the death of him.  But...he really doesn't look dead, does he?  I
mean, I've seen Kweeg over the years in all sorts of pathetic conditions,
but I mean, when you're dead, you're supposed to look dead.  Kweeg looks
better than he did alive."

"I suggest a full autopsy on Kweeg," said Alexis.  "But first, Doctor, you
better check me out.  I'd hate to wake up in the morning and find I'm dead."
She smiled as the stern doctor as walked over.  He was repulsive, fat and
thickly scaled.  "Do you still want me to take off my clothes or can we do
this without getting too friendly?"

Odo looked shocked.  "Doctor, I don't think we need to do anything out of
the ordinary.  We'll wait, if you don't mind."

The Cardassian doctor nodded.  He took out a tricorder, ran it over it, then
motioned toward a full body scan.  "Lay down, Captain Grant.  I'll run a few
tests and compare it to Kweeg's."

"I have no real rank, Doctor.  I haven't been a Starfleet officer in a long
time.  Hearing everyone call me `Captain' makes me feel like a ghost."

"Better a ghost than the living dead," muttered Quark.  He watched for some
time, growing bored quickly when the doctor showed every sign of taking
forever.  "What do you all say?  Let's all go to the bar for a nice cup of
raktajino and discuss the cargo before I run out of supplies.  I assume as
the new commander of the Falcon that all financial transactions will go
through Captain Grant?"

"Don't call her Captain," said Damar and Odo in unison.

"Well, Grant doesn't have any diseases or any unknown substances in her
blood stream.  Nor does she show any signs of DNA fluxes," offered the
doctor.  "She's one of the healthiest humans I've ever examined.  Perfect,
in fact.  I can't find anything wrong with her.  Maybe I should start with
the bottom and work my way up?"

"Dream on," said Alexis.  She sat up from the table, waving the Cardassian
doctor away.  "This is good news, gentlemen.  And it calls for a drink.
But, Quark, haven't you anything stronger than raktajino?  Surely a man of
your cunning and forethought has reserves?  I'd take you to my place, but I
don't think Dukat would like me drinking his kanar.  Do have you any Klingon
blood wine.  I take it chilled, over ice."

"That I have," said Quark.  "No one likes it but Klingons."

"A drop of tabasco is the secret.  You'll find it really hits the spot."

Grant climbed off the table without waiting for permission.  Linking her arm
through Quark's, she whispered something into his large ear that started the
Ferrengi moving her quickly out the door.

By the time Odo and Damar reached the Promenade, Grant was already seated at
the bar, while Quark was preparing her a drink from behind the bar, hovering
over her like a Terran fly.  Damar slid in beside her, shouldering against
her as a full glass of blood wine was pushed toward him as well by Quark.
Damar stared at the celery stick sticking out from the dark liquid, then
raised her eyes to watch Alexis, as if waiting for her permission to drink.

This odd behavior was observed by Odo.  He ordered raktajino and took a seat
on the other side of Grant.  She tapped her glass against Damar's, then
Odo's, lifting it to her lips and drank heartily.  Damar did the same, while
Odo sipped his hot beverage, wondering how they'd been so easily convinced
to halt the investigation to socialize.  His concern grew when he caught
Damar fondling Grant's thigh.

"Damar," snapped Odo.  "Can we focus?"

"What is wrong?" Damar demanded to know.  He wiggled closer to Grant.  "I
have what I want."  He paused.  "A drink."

"I believe Odo would like to discuss Kweeg," said Alexis, sounding more
authoritative than was her place.  "I don't know if this is helpful, but
over the last few months.  Strall prescribed stimulants a fight and
sedatives afterwards.  Even the most aggressive fighters would remain calm
for days.  Until, that is, their immune systems built up a tolerance and the
fighter had to be put down.  Kweeg protected me for all that."

"You mean Kweeg had the Vulcan kill the nut cases.  That's logical," offered
Quark, pouring himself a glass of blood wine, though he didn't like it any
better with the new additions.  He refilled Alexis and Damar's glasses.  "I
don't want to sound like a know-it-all, but Kweeg always picked a crew that
served his purpose.  Like the time he wanted to buy a few Deltan prostitutes
and deliver them to the planet Zor, whose potentate had a liking for
nymphomaniacs.  Kweeg told me that he'd sent a landing party down, all
handsome, young men who...."

Odo interrupted.  "Is this going somewhere?"

"I think what Quark is trying to say," said Alexis, "is that Kweeg collected
the best of the best.  He wouldn't want to kill off good fighters.  It
wouldn't be economical."

"I think you better tell us about the drugs," suggested Odo.

"Not so fast."  Quark rested his head in his hands, elbows on the table, and
stared at Grant.  "Start first by telling us all about that wonderful cargo
of yours."

"Honestly, I don't know what the Falcon was carrying other than fighters."

"Kanar!  Fine spirits and alcohol!  I tell you what, my girl.  Why don't we
all board the Falcon together and take a look?  It can't harm anyone if we
look inside a crate."

"We've already been over this," Odo replied. "Dukat is not letting anyone
else on board the Falcon at this time.  I already boarded the vessel and
found little of interest."

"I'll be the judge of that," said Quark.  "Come on.  You can tell us.  What
did you find, Odo?  You did check on the cargo?"

"No.  I was looking for clues as to the murder of Kweeg.  I found Kweeg and
a Klingon blade.  I brought the weapon back to be tested for fingerprints.
Varnok's were all over it.  It would appear he is the murderer and will
therefore remain incarcerated until there can be a trial."

"No trial," said Damar.  "Varnok will be sent to Cardassia along with his
conspirators to be tried for mutiny and murder in Dominion space."  He
glanced quickly at Alexis.  "Dukat has given me his personal assurance that
you will be left out of this.  Dukat knows it wasn't your fault."

Smiling thinly at hearing what should have been good news, Alexis finished
her second glass of blood wine.  Quark surprised everyone by serving her
another drink for free, acting only too happy to play host.  Shocked, Odo
and Damar stared at Grant, not because Quark was giving away freeze booze,
but for the simple reason that the woman could drink so much and not be
effected by it.  Her third glass in hand, she leaned over the bar and
motioned for the men to gather closer.

"Let me put it to you this way, gentlemen.  I have been  Falcon for nearly
four months, and during that time, a number of unexplained deaths occurred
which had nothing to do with the arena.  It wasn't only the officers who
were attacked, but crew members sleeping in their beds or eating in the
cafeteria.  Kweeg said the killings were random and simply paid the crew
more when they complained.  As for me, he kept me in a cage in his room,
shackled.  Of course, he let me out when he wanted me to fight, but I never
found out who was killing the crew, or what Strall was giving to the
fighters.  But I'd like to find out."

"So would I," replied Quark, slamming his fist on the bar.

"Don't you think you are all being a bit too hasty?" accused Odo.  "Once
Major Kira returns, we can have a meeting and select a team to go over.  I
have read your report, Alexis.  Thank you for cooperating.  It was most
informative."  He set his cup aside and stood.  "If you could excuse me, I
think I should inform Dukat what we've discussed.  He might be more inclined
to send over a second away team.  I'll ask that you lead it, Glinn Damar."

"Please do.  I'm eager to see the cargo."

"Thank you, Odo.  I know you're after the truth," Alexis said, standing to
shake his hand.  The changeling looked at her oddly but complied with her
wish and shook hands.  As soon as Odo left, Grant put her arm around a
delighted Damar, pulling him very close, and motioned for Quark to come
nearer.  "I don't about anyone else, but I want a look at that cargo.  Right
now."

"That's more like it," said Quark.  "The three of us can go over and
retrieve my cargo.  We don't have to tell Dukat or Odo about what we find.
No one need be the wiser."

"Greed will be the end of you, Quark," said Damar.  I will.  We are not
going.  This ship is quarantined."

"Technically, that's my ship.  My cargo," Grant replied.

"Exactly my point!" cried Quark.  "Why else do you think I'm giving away
free liquor?  If you take me over there, I will financially compensate you
both for your time and trouble."  He put his hand on Alexis' shoulder, his
gesture so obviously conspiratorial that anyone watching the trio would have
known a plan had been hatched.  "We go quietly and return with the kanar."

"What about security?" asked Damar.

"That's your department.  All I want to do is my cargo.  Once it's on the
shelves, I'll pay you and Grant what I would have paid Kweeg.  Of course
there will be a slight deduction due to the damages sustained from the
Falcon crew.  So there's no haggling.  Not that I wouldn't enjoy it, but
after what's go on around here, I can't afford to take chances."

"Gul Dukat gave orders that Alexis is to remain in her quarters.  I am to
report to his office within the hour.  If I were to consider this, and I'm
not, that doesn't give us much time."  Damar rubbed his hand across his
mouth.  "Half of Kweeg's profit, you said?  It's tempting, but no, I won't
do it."

"Fine!  Stay here and get drunk."  Alexis pushed away from him.  "I know the
way back to my room.  You don't have to come with me or send out the army."
She regarded the Ferrengi with a softer look.  "Thank you, Quark.  I'll
repay you later, once I think of getting Kweeg's latinum off of his ship."

"Did someone say latinum?"  Quark's momentary excitement dwindled when he
saw he was losing the battle.  The gorgeous blonde stormed off, leaving him
with Damar's ugly face for company.  "Well, so much for my brilliant plan.
You know, she has such exceptional eyes.  Cobalt blue, I think."

"You weren't looking at her eyes when she was walking off."

"Neither were you.

"Give me kanar.  The '27."

Damar reached clear across the bar for the tall, cylinder shaped bottle of
kanar.  Quark pulled it away and slapped Damar's hand.  The glinn sat back
down, snarling angrily.

"Not until we reach an agreement," said the Ferrengi.  "The price of kanar
has radically gone up due to a lack of it behind my bar.  I'm afraid you
can't afford a glass of kanar on a glinn's salary at its new inflated
 price."

"I'll get the money"

"But until then, I give credit?  I don't think so.  As far as I'm concerned,
we never had this conversation.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other
paying customers.  Good day, Glinn Damar!"  Quark turned his back.  No one
was in the bar.  But the moment Damar rose to leave, he cleared his throat
and held up the '27.  "Going already?  I thought you might stay and have a
drink.  On the house."

"You told me to leave."

"I changed my mind."  Quark filled a glass with kanar as Damar returned.
"In the last ten hours, I've met five captains, coming from all over the
Quadrant, and every one was talking all about all the money they'd met at
Kweeg's fights.  A reliable source told me there was to be a very profitable
fight in a few days right here.  You'll never guess who he is betting on?
The Terran Terror.  Our own Captain Grant."

Damar sipped on his kanar.  "I already know about the fight.  It's been
canceled."

"Pity.  After my source told me what he saw on New Rigil III, I was looking
forward to see Grant fight.  He said she wears only leather boots and fights
with an enormous double-edge sword.  He said she was incredible.  And he
made a tidy profit to boot."

"I've already seen her.  Without the boots."

"Then you're a lucky man, my friend," sighed Quark.  "It's a shame she left
here so upset with you.  I mean, think of it, Damar.  Think how happy she'll
be to learn that you've changed your mind.  I saw the way she looked at you.
You know, if Dukat wasn't around, I'm quite certain the two of you would be
a hot item."

Damar reached across the bar and jerked the bottle of kanar out of Quark's
hand.  He poured himself another drink and finished it before the Ferrengi
could verbally protest.  Quark picked up the bottle, grimacing in real pain.

"Maybe you're right," said Quark.  "Neither one of us is that brave.  Grant
told me you're the second bravest man she'd ever met.  I guess Dukat saw,
came and conquered."

Damar slammed his glass on the bar and abruptly got up from his chair.  He
pushed several people out of his way and vanished from the Promenade.  Quark
immediately slipped away from the bar and headed over to a booth in back
where he'd Jake and Rom were waiting to meet him.  At his nod, his friends
followed him to Cargo Bay 4.  As they rounded a corner and headed down an
empty corridor, a figure slipped out of the shadows and approached from
behind.

"Going without me?" came a husky, female voice.

The trio spun around.  Grant stood behind them, carrying several Jem'Hadar
phaser holsters draped over her shoulder.  She recognized Quark's same
family genes in Rom and knew they were brothers.  The other was a young man
under twenty years of age, tall and gangly.  As Grant and Jake stared at one
another, they realized they shared something in common besides being Human;
both came from Earth.  Meeting someone from back home after being a way for
so long brought them an inch closer together hands held out in greeting.
After they shook hands, they hugged while Quark and Rom gawked at one
another.

"Hi.  I'm Jake Sisko."

"Alexis Grant."

"I heard you used to be in Starfleet.  Sorry you had problems." Jake stepped
back and lowered his arms to his side.  He watched as she handed out phasers
to the Ferrengi.  "My father used to command this station."

"You're Benjamin's boy?"

He nodded.  "Do you know my father?"

"Between us, I knew your father very well.  I served on the USS Trafalgar
for many years prior to the hostilities between the Federation and the Borg.
A day before Wolf 359 commenced, our captain sent me off on a scout ship to
repair a starbase the Borg apparently thought destroyed.  I managed to get
life support up and running again, saving the lives of eighteen personnel,
but you know the fate of the Saratoga.  You can't imagine how guilty I've
felt all these years for having survived."

Jake looked pained.  "I know.  I was on the Saratoga as well.  I was only a
child then, but I remember everything as though it happened yesterday.
I...I lost my mother that day."

"I know.  I'm sorry."  Grant put a hand on his shoulder.  "When I saw your
father's baseball in Dukat's office, I started thinking about Yankee
stadium, corn dogs, and cold beer.  I was the star left fielder when I was
at Starfleet Academy.  I played with your father on the Saratoga holodeck.
You'll have to ask him about the fly ball I caught when we played the
Enterprise crew."  She sighed.  "I haven't seen Earth in years.  How I miss
the smell of fresh cut grass."

"Me too.  I mean, I haven't been there in ages."  Jake pushed aside dark
thoughts that clouded his mind and forced himself to remain positive and
smiling.  He missed his parents terribly and wanted to ask her more about
the Saratoga, finding it ironic they'd both been on the same ship, yet he'd
have never known it unless she'd told him of her past.  "Everyone on the
station is talking about the Blonde Demon of Death.  I was hoping you'd tell
me how you got started in fighting?"

"We'll talk more later," said Alexis.  She held out a weapon to the young
man.  "Here.  You better take this, Mister Sisko.  I assume you know how to
use it."

Jake looked at the phaser and shook his head.  "I'm only a humble reporter."

"Take it," snapped Quark.  "I won't be responsible for someone who won't
protect himself.  I can't be everywhere."

"Quark's right," Alexis said, soothingly.  "We don't know what's over there.
If you won't take a weapon, Jake, you're not going with us."  She offered
him the phaser.  He took it.

"Why are you doing this?" asked Quark.  "It's obvious how you feel about
Dukat.  He's not a forgiving man, Alexis."

"I need answers.  I'll risk it."

"Sounds like you still have a little Starfleet in you," said Jake.

"Enough to make my life interesting."

Rom jumped in.  "They say you should be locked up.  They say you're
dangerous, a killer, a homicidal maniac.  They say...."

"You're under arrest," came the throaty reply of Damar.  He stepped around a
bulkhead, armed with a phaser.  "You're not going anywhere."

"Damar!"  Alexis ignored the threat of the phaser and hurried over to put
her hand on Damar's armored shoulder.  It was becoming habit, she noticed,
to touch the glinn whenever he needed mollifying.  He glanced at her.  She
kissed him on the mouth.  The kiss had the desired effect.  Damar looked as
loyal as her last golden retriever back on Earth.  "Thanks for your
support."

"Did you take care of security?" asked Quark.

"Yes," said Damar.

"Good man.  Then let's go."

Damar led the way to a transporter room used for moving cargo.  Quark was
the first to stand on a transporter pad.  The others joined him while Damar
went over to the console, set the coordinates for the captain's quarters,
then took his place on the platform.  In seconds, the group dematerialized
and reappeared on board the Falcon.



  *  *  *  *

Chapter Six


The interior of the late Captain's Kweeg's luxurious room was cast in dark
shadows.  Shades of purple and magenta flickered across an oval shaped room,
its ceiling vaulted and painted with obscene sexual acts, with track lights
that feebly winked on and off.  The room reeked of a number of foul odors,
making it the most unsettling for Grant to return to the chamber of horrors.

A gasp came from Rom brought Jake Sisko running over to where the Ferrengi
stood beside a large, round, unmade bed, its crumpled, white coverlet
stained brown with dried blood.  Jake pinched his fingers over his nose,
backing up and bumped into a gold cage that hung from the ceiling big enough
to hold most adult humanoid species.  Feathers from shredded satin pillows
had drifted to the floor, sticking to the blood before it had dried.
Lavender drapes encircling the bed were torn and splattered with the same
stains that dotted the walls lined with weapons.

"Is this the honeymoon suite?" asked Quark, eyeing the cage and letting his
imagination run wild.  "Kweeg had some peculiar tastes, but I didn't know it
ran this far."

"Hold your tongue," Damar barked.

"It's all right, Damar.  Quark and Rom have suffered the loss of a friend."
She leaned closer to the glinn and whispered.  "I suppose they both have
similar tastes about how to handle a woman Ferrengi-style."

"Barbarians," said Damar, in a loud, accusatory manner.

"I heard that," Quark said.  "And Kweeg wasn't a friend."

Jake suddenly spoke up.  "This place gives me the creeps.  You all see me
putting aside my padd and drawing my phaser.  I'm taking this seriously and
suggest we all do the same."

"That says it all, Mister Sisko," replied Alexis.  "Let's see what we're
dealing with, shall we?"

Walking past the men, her phaser in hand, she hit a control on the wall and
opened the captain's hallway door, revealing an air of uncertainly beyond,
hidden in blackness.  A stale breeze pumped in from dirty air ducts turned
the room chilly.  By the time Alexis went out in the hall and ran a quick
security check and entered.  She noticed Damar trembling under his heavy
armor from the sudden downward fall in the temperature.

"Mister Sisko, you'll lead the party.  The cargo hold is three levels down.
Mind you, each level of this vessel has a clearance height of forty feet,
but in the hold its over eighty.  Take the lift down.  It's about twenty
yards down the hall, to your left.  The ride is, well, unprecedented.  It's
an old ship.  Hold onto the railing, no matter what."

Rom looked up the ceiling, not at the paintings, his eyes were focused on
the year of the design of the vessel and visible sign of improvements over
the years.  "When you dock, the ship probably shuts down most of its
systems.  The air is stale so life support is set for a minimal crew.  While
on auxiliary power, heat sensors trigger running lights that proceed you
down the halls.  Voice commands operate doors and the lift.  It's more like
those obsolete elevators, you know the kind."

"And the toilet flushes when you lower the lever," cut in Alexis.  Only Jake
laughed.  "Take them to the hold, Mister Sisko.  Don't open anything until I
get there.  Quark and Rom are to secure the perimeter around the lift.
Inform me when you're in position.  Do not advance further.  That's an
order."

"Yes, sir," said Jake.

"What about the latinum?" Quark demanded to know.  "That is the other reason
for coming over here."

"I'll take care of it."

"Are you sure you don't need our help?"

Alexis knit her brow, not answering the Ferrengi.

"You're not coming with us?" asked Rom, frightened.

"In a minute," said Alexis.  "Sisko, you heard my orders.  Follow them to
the letter and you'll be fine.  Now move out!"

Alexis went around the bed, searching the wall for something.  When she
heard no one moving toward the open door, she reacted with impressive speed.
Before the others knew what had happened, she appeared beside them as if
from thin air.  A well placed boot sent Quark, Rom, then Jake tumbling out
into unfamiliar territory.  Damar crossed his arms over his chest, laughing
loudly until he caught sight of the trio peering back into the room.  At his
frown, they quickly disappeared.  By the time he looked back at Alexis, she
was already across the room, examining the wall so earnestly that Damar knew
she was searching for a secret compartment of some kind.

"Do you think it's wise to send those three idiots to the cargo hold?" asked
the Cardassian, actually concerned.

"They have phasers.  Watch the door."

"You know best.  It's your ship, after all.  What do you hope to find here?"
asked Damar.  "There is nothing here but carnage, death and...bad memories."

"I've found Kweeg's safe.  It won't take me long to decode his security
pass.  Keep your eyes on the door."

As soon as Alexis found what she was looking for, she lifted her hand.  The
chip in her palm glowed red as it rapidly ran through all binary codes.  A
small door in the wall flipped open with a click.  Behind the door was a
small, black control panel six inches long with a digital screen.  Numbers
moved swiftly across the panel.  She glanced over her shoulder, smiling.

"That's the first lock.  This one will open the safe."

Damar had no patience for waiting.  Pushing her aside with his arm, he
stepped back, leveled his phaser at the control panel and fired.  The phaser
bolt was diverted from the panel by a miniature magnetic field and
ricocheted around the room with a mind of its own.  Alexis and Damar hit the
deck.  A bolt of energy finally hit and surged into the wall, the flames
absorbing in a blaze of burning red that soon dissipated, leaving behind an
enormous hole that opened up into the corridor beyond.

"What are you trying to do?  Get us both killed?"  Alexis pushed herself up
and was on her feet at once.  "You've only delayed us.  Stay out of my way.
I can open it."  She returned to the console and held her hand over it.
"Fortunately, the magnetic field deflected your phaser blast, otherwise, the
security system would have automatically shut down the entire system and
we'd never get inside the safe."

Damar got to his knees and watched her at work.  "What is the device in your
hand?  Is it what you used on the force field in detention?  What is its
purpose?"

"I designed it.  It's an implant programmed to automatically run binary
codes, which subsequently lower any low or high magnetic density fields.
There's no force field or security lock that I can't make or break.  After I
went to prison, they put me in solitary, but I walked out a few minutes
later.  The chip is undetectable when scanned.  They had no idea how I'd
done it, so they resorted to locking me up behind plain iron bars.  At least
Kweeg made his cage out of latinum."

"You never said you were an inventor," said Damar.

"I said I was an engineer.  It's the same thing."

Grant let out a triumphant cry as a large, heavy door slowly pushed out of
the wall several inches and opened to reveal the contents of the enormous
safe.  She withdrew a box made of nillimite on the top shelf and stepped
aside to hug it close, as though she'd come across a long lost friend.  She
was unaware that Damar's eyes widened and he began to salivate as he stared
in amazement at the stacks of latinum filling the safe.  At his grunt of
surprise, she glanced over at Damar and found her companion filling his
pockets with the bars of latinum.  She shoved Damar aside, a disapproving
frown on her face and blocked the front of the safe with her body.

"Put it back!" barked Alexis.

"Why?  This is what we came for!"

"This is Kweeg's blood money.  Forget it."

"My pockets are almost full," growled Damar.  He tried to push her aside.
She was too strong.  He reached around her, which she allowed, and commenced
stuffing his pockets to maximum capacity.

"What if Dukat has other plans for the latinum?  Does that give make you
think twice about being so greedy?"  Alexis was relieved when Damar stopped
stuffing his pockets and stepped back from her.  She finally stepped away
from the safe, but he did not return to the plunder.  "You have enough.
Let's go."

"I disagree or Dukat would have already retrieved it."

Alexis shrugged.  "Maybe you're right.  Maybe not.  I won't tell Dukat about
it in any case.  Not as long as you book me passage to some destination
unknown when its time for me to leave.  No questions asked."  She laughed
when he dropped a bar on the floor.  "I give you my word of honor, Damar.  I
won't reveal any of our secrets to our mutual friend.  But you could save
yourself the time and the trouble of carrying the latinum by simply beaming
it all back to my room."

Damar tensed.  "Why you're room and not my own?"

"Because, if Dukat misses the money, then I can take the blame instead of
you.  You're the one with the career."

"Good idea."

Damar used his communicator to talk to someone on the station, while Grant
opened the box and pulled out a small wristband with a tiny control grid
which she slipped it onto her wrist.  At the flick of a button, the
personalized containment field she'd designed switched on.  The hairs on the
back of the wrists exposed beneath the cuff of her coat rose on end and felt
a tingling sensation surround her entire body.  The force field was
transparent, as thin as a layer of skin and when she ran her hand along her
arm, she felt it humming under her palm, assuring her that it was still
active and working.  No blade could penetrate through the shield, an
advantage Kweeg had allowed in the arena for her alone.  Closing the lid,
she put the box back inside the safe.

Then in seconds, the contents in the safe was gone.

Grant didn't bother asking who had helped Damar accomplish such a feat back
on the station, for at that moment, a loud scream echoed down the hall,
awakening memories she'd tried to forget.  She flashed back to Kweeg's
murder and heard herself screaming upon finding him slain.  And there had
been other screams long before his death.  Those that came late at night
when locked in her cage while Kweeg snored off a drunk.  Unable to offer
assistance, she'd been forced to listen to the screams until they died out.
And each morning, Kweeg had given the same excuse.  Murder was part of life
on a pirate ship.  She'd endured it then, but now she could do something.

"Stay behind me," ordered Alexis.  She went into action like a pro from the
arena.

Forgoing the phaser nestled on her hip for a weapon more familiar, she took
down a jagged-edged long sword from off the wall.  With a toss of her head
toward Damar, she ran out the door, her companion on her heels, his phaser
held high.  Another scream led her down a poorly lit corridor toward the
elevator where Damar caught up with her.  He stared in disbelief at the
ancient mechanics of the vessel and knew he didn't like what he saw.
Multiple voices raised in horror were amplified in the open shaft, lit in
red.  She caught his hand, pulled him onto the small platform and grabbed
the railing.  Damar did the same.  The descent was rapid and terrifying
before they came to a sudden halt on the third level.

While Damar recovered from the sudden drop, Alexis leapt over the railing,
out into a vast chamber lit by sporadic large white lights that ran along
the ceiling and disappeared down a path between crates staked to the top of
the ceiling.  Damar caught up with her beside at a destroyed crate, staring
down at the still form of Jake Sisko, laying face down on the floor.  She
checked his vitals and rolled him onto his back.

"Sisko is find.  Stay with him."

The scream came again.  This time, Grant recognized Rom's voice.  She ran
through a winding maze of crates soaring fifty feet into the air in every
direction and came upon two Ferrengi firing and missing at large, hulking
object that scuffled out of the way, snarling whenever the phasers quieted.
A number of the steel crates glowed from phaser fire, offering light enough
for Alexis to combat the beast.  She somersaulted into the air, flying over
the heads of the combatants, and landed on the far side.  The creature
turned on Grant.  In a flash, she impaled it on the sword, then decapitated
it before either Quark or Rom blinked an eye.  As the creature's body
dropped at her feet, the head rolled toward the brothers.  Grant lifted her
head, sniffing the air like an animal, her eyes racing around to every
corner in the room in a predatory fashion, not in the least effected by the
gore that covered the floor and her clothes.

"There's more," she replied, knowingly.

Quark grabbed his brother and pulled him close.  "Money isn't worth this.
Forget the cargo.  I want to go back to my bar."  Rom nodded, agreeing for
once with what his older brother had to say.

Damar came around the corner and stopped dead in his tracks as Alexis gave
the dead creature a vicious kick in the side.  He walked over and reached
for Grant's arm.  His arm was instantly flung back.  His fingers went numb,
then his entire body went partially limp.  Off went the PCF.  Grant caught
hold of Damar under the arms before he fell, steadying him, anticipating his
body's reaction, for even on a low-setting, direct contact with the PCF
temporarily traumatized the central nervous systems.

"What...what happened?" asked Damar.  His arm hung at his side limply.  "I'm
so numb I can't feel teeth."

"When it wears off in few minutes, you'll feel only a mild headache.  It's
not permanent."  Grant kept a hold of Damar while she turned her attention
to the slain fiend. "You may not believe me, but a week ago, I fought this
man to the death.  Captain Paul Deathridge of the USS Trafalgar.  After
Strall performed an autopsy on his corpse, I assumed he disposed of the body
like he did with all of the others."

"This is ghastly if you ask me."  Quark said, shivering.  "Say what you will
about doctors, but Kweeg was not inhumane.  Kweeg hated the sight of blood.
We use to tease him about it when we were kids.  I can't believe he was
making a profit in this fashion."

"Nor I," said Rom.  "He must have been out of his mind."

Grant sighed.  "I always suspected Dr. Strall had something on Kweeg.  Kweeg
always went along with the doctor's experiments, no matter how strange or
perverse."

"Experiments?" cried Quark.  "What you described is butchery!"

"Calm down!  All I said is that I fought this man a week ago and since that
time he's turned into something else.  I don't know the reason for it, but I
know who is behind it.  Our missing ship's doctor.  Strall."  Alexis wiped
the sword clean on the creature's fur and walked over to peer inside the
barrel.  "Mind telling me who let this thing out?  This barrel was sealed
with a interphasic security lock with thirteen translocatory matrixes.
Someone must be a genius around here.  I knew I should have used an
quad-link inverter as a backup."

"I...I did," admitted Rom.  "I'm pretty good with Pulsatel lockseals.  It's
a shame I didn't have a desealer."

Grant knelt down beside the barrel.  The lights on the control grid were
dark.  The reason for the malfunction was obvious.  Someone had smashed the
panel with a heavy object.  She was horrified by the demolition of the
component she'd designed.

"Well, you sure didn't use an EJ7 interlock and force it open.  You must
have used one of those old calibration bars lying around.  Because it's
obvious you used something that size to destroy the control module and
deactivate the containment field."  "Sorry," said Rom.  "I gave up on the
seventh code.  I got impatient."

"That's my brother for you.  He has no respect for other people's security
locks."

"Just don't beat on anything else around here, not unless it wants you for
dinner."  Grant closed the lid on the empty barrel and walked over to the
group.  "There's no reason we shouldn't assume that the rest of these crates
all contain a wide assortment of horrors for the holidays."

"I've seen enough," interjected Damar.  "There's no kanar."

"What about latinum?"  Quark hit his brother in the arm.  "This is all your
fault, Rom.  Why did you have to open that barrel?  Why couldn't you wait?
This is all your fault.  Now we have to leave and we're broke."

"Me?  You told me too?  I didn't know something was going to jump out at
me," whined Rom.  "It would have killed me too if it hadn't been for Jake.
Jake?  Oh no!  Where is he?"

"He's all right," shouted Damar.

Rom had already turned and run back in the direction they'd come.  His
relief at finding Jake alive and well came out in a loud, relieved sigh.
The young man was sitting on the ground, typing his thoughts frantically
down onto a padd.

"Are you hurt?" asked Rom.  "We didn't mean to leave you."

"My head is killing me."  Jake stood.  "Can we go now?"

"You certainly are, Mister Sisko!"  Grant came around the corner, leading
the rest.  "When I give an order, I expect you to follow it.  You're lucky
you're not hurt."  She caught him by the arm and jerked him close, looking
him over carefully.  "You're to return to the station with the others.  I'll
check out the rest of the crates.  If I find any kanar, Quark, I'll beam it
to the Promenade."

Grant withdrew her own padd and handed it to Quark.  Jake stood off to the
side, looking depressed.  She regretted shouting at the young man.  It was
her fault for bringing him.  She and Damar were soldiers.  The others were
not.

"These are the coordinates I'll transport your supplies."

"This...this is behind my bar!  And that's not obvious?"

Damar glared at Quark.  "Stop complaining and go.  I'm staying to assist
Captain Grant."

Rom suddenly cried out and clutched at Quark's arm.  "Help me!  It'
s....alive!"  He staggered back, pointing to the floor.

"That's impossible," snapped Quark.  "Unless?"  He looked down at the
creature.  "Kweeg looked good.  Better dead than alive, I'd say."

"It did it again....his hand...I saw it moving!" cried Rom.

"That's not possible."  Jake walked over and bent down to look at the head.
He could have sworn the creature's eyelids moved.  He backed into Quark.
"Rom is right!  I think it just winked at me with one of its six, no, seven
eyes."

"There was two when I opened up the barrel."

"Rom couldn't deactivate all of the containment fields since they aren't
networked.  We don't have to worry about the others."  Alexis scanned the
room with a tricorder she produced from another pocket, having come prepared
for anything.  "I'm picking up multiple life signs.  This is strange.  Our
presence seems to be upsetting whatever is in those crates.  I think we all
better leave.  Right now."

"What about the creature?  How do we kill it?" asked Damar.

"I thought I had."  Alexis looked up when no responses were heard.  Each
member of her landing team stared at her with varying emotions displayed on
their faces.  "Why are you looking at me?  I didn't know Kweeg used recycled
players and stored them for future events.  I didn't know that I was killing
the same thing over and over.  It was a different species every time."

"The drug is what we need to find and destroy," said Jake.

"Who cares?  Jettison both pieces of that thing out into space," cried out
Rom.  "Hurry!  It's trying to sit up.  Come on!  Jake!  Brother!  Take the
body over to that disposal unit!  I'll get the head.  No, Damar can get the
head."

"Can't we put it back in the same barrel and reactivate the containment
field?" asked Jake, reluctant to touch the thing.

"I broke it," Rom muttered, holding up a curious looking device he used to
break through the control panel on the barrel.  He hadn't know the code and
regretted the disappointment on the human female face.  "Sorry."

"We can't put it back."  Alexis put her foot on the twitching corpse's back
and penned it with a single sword thrust.  "I'm in no mood to fight an army
of the undead.  Do what Rom says.  Jettison the damn thing before it changes
into something else and attacks."

"You can make a lot of money selling a warrior that can't be killed.  The
Dominion could use it on the Jem'Hadar after they fall in battle.  Imagine
the army that wouldn't die," pointed out Quark.  He grabbed an arm and found
himself in a tug-of-war with the corpse.  "Is it suppose to do this?"

"I think we better hurry," said Jake.  "That's not my stomach growling.  It'
s coming from another one of those crates."

"Move it," rumbled Damar.  He picked the head up by the hair on its head,
grimacing in disgust that swiftly changed to disbelief as the head snarled.
He hurried over to a disposal unit, placed the head inside, hit a button and
sent it out into space.  The body was brought over by the others, stuffed
into the crammed unit and sent out next into the black vacuum of space.
  In moments, the away team was back in Alexis' bedroom.

"I know what we must do," said Alexis.  She took off her blood soaked coat
and threw it on the flood.  Her white shirt was stained as well and clung
damply to her full breasts.  She went straight into the bathroom and kept
talking.  "Damar, you have to convince Dukat to either destroy the Falcon or
at the least to put a gravitational beam on her so she'd not connected to
this station.  If anything gets loose, we'll all be slaughtered."

She came back out, without the sword, dressed in Dukat's robe, wringing her
freshly washed hair with a towel.  Quark took one covetous look at Alexis,
then turned toward the bed.  His eyes were enormous.

"Look at all this latinum!  Kweeg was a true friend after all.  We're rich!
Filthy rich!"

The mattress sank in the middle, weighted down by a pile of pressed latinum
numbering into the thousands.  The box rested nearby on a pillow, of
interest only to Alexis who knew what it contained.  The Ferrengi bartender
and his brother danced around the bed.  Jake tried to stop the brothers, his
efforts causing Damar to solve the matter by throwing a blanket over the
money and shoving everyone out of the room.  He was shoved out next as
Alexis walked out into the main room and went straight to the kitchen.  She
poured out five glasses of chilled Bajoran spring wine and handed them out.

As Damar looked the group from over the rim, he growled. "Tell anyone about
this and it will be the last story you ever tell.  I promise."

"Glinn Damar, you have nothing to worry," Quark said, licking his lips.
"This is tasty stuff.  Mind if I take a bottle or two?"

Grant shrugged.  "For you.  Anything."

"Then I gladly give my word of honor.  I'll say nothing about this to
anyone.  Maybe you don't think Ferrengi have honor, but Rom and I are
exceptions.  I'm sure Jake won't write about any of this, will you, Jake?
Jake?"

The boy was sipping his spring wine.  It was rather dry but the fruity taste
was sublime.

"No.  Never!  I mean, I will, but not for publication.  I have to write down
what saw or I won't believe it later."

"Believe it," said Alexis.  She pushed up the sleeve of her robe and removed
one of Dukat's bracelets.  Underneath, the scar had vanished, replaced by
healthy skin.  She cast a meaningful look at the Damar.  "You're looking at
the new warrior of the future, gentlemen.  Dukat said my old boss was trying
to create a master race.  Shelby was giving me enhancement shots.  I suspect
it's the same drug Strall was using on the Falcon crew.  The side-effects
are too similar to be a coincidence."

"What does that mean?" asked Jake.
   "That means, my young friend, if Dr. Strall finds me and pumps me full of
his wonderful elixir, you'll probably find me in the next barrel you open."

"I suggest we don't let that happen," said Damar.  "If necessary, we'll all
take turns guarding you."

"Twenty-four hours a day if you'll let me," Quark said, coming over and
putting his head on Grant's shoulder.  "I'm not afraid of you, Alexis Grant.
I'd be your slave if you'd let me.  Or we could try role-reversal.  I don't
care."  His brother nodded in agreement, while Jake snickered, both annoying
Quark to no end.

"You'll get your cut of the latinum.  All of you will."  Grant held up her
empty glass, her mood changing as she concentrated on the rumble in her
stomach.  "How about some lunch?  I'm suddenly craving bahgol.  I'll cook."


  *  *  *  *

Chapter Seven


Grant's door chimed, announcing visitors.  Five heads looked up from the
kitchen, in the process of devouring a meal fit for kings and washing it
down with exotic beverages, all provided by the Gul.  In a panic, Damar
threw his arms wide, a knife and fork in either hand, thrusting his chest
forward in a herding manner, sending the group of incorrigibles running out
of the kitchen and taking cover anywhere they could find.  Only Damar
remained frozen in the kitchen.  A pair of alarmed pale blue eyes shaded by
thick ridges met Alexis's across the room.  He was sweating hard, apparently
frightened more by what waited outside the door, than what the creature
killed on board on the Falcon.

"Just a moment!" called out Alexis.  "I'm not dressed!"

She grabbed Damar's muscular arm and jerked him toward the bedroom.  The
chime repeated its impatient ringing several more times.  He suddenly found
himself handing Alexis her clothes, which she'd had the forethought to
replicate earlier.  She quickly put on pants, shoes and shirt, fastening her
belt on in route to the corridor door.  Pausing to take one last look around
the room, making certain all parties were out of sight, she sighed loudly
and took center stage, prepared for action.

"Who is it?" asked Alexis.  Her voice echoed.

An exasperated sigh began his announcement.  "It's Gul Dukat and Major Kira.
We'd like to come in and talk to you."

His deep, baritone voice coming over the comm, loud and clearly aggravated,
started her heart thumping, arousing within her the feelings of fear mixed
with sexual arousal.  Alexis prepared herself for a battle between mind over
matter as she consented to his request.  As the door swished open, she bent
her head, knowing Cardassians reacted better when shown respect.  She
detected his pheromones propelled by the flow of air coming in from the
corridor.  She closed her eyes as a rush of carnal desire stirred between
her legs, filling her head with erotic images as she sensed his rapid
approach.

Then, Gul Dukat stood before Grant.  His manly Cardassian scent made her
flush with sexual excitement and in a chain reaction her skin goose pimpled,
her stomach tightened, and her heart started thumping wildly.  She kept her
eyes closed, sensing he was studying her as her breathing noticeably
quickened.  A few seconds passed before she sensed his defensive barrier
drop, as surely as if she'd deactivated his own personal force field.  She
stepped forward blindly.  As his cold armor pressed into her breasts, she
lifted her head and slowly, opened her eyes so that the entire process was
one sensual, fluid, motion, as she'd been taught by Kweeg, among other
things, to do to arouse a male.  Her eyes conveyed her arousal.  Sex was all
she could think of when Dukat was near, nothing else mattered, not even the
threat the Bajoran posed.

"Major Kira is with me," Dukat reminded her sternly.  He stepped to aside,
motioning with his arm for Kira to step forward as Alexis backed away, her
hands on her hips, ready for battle.

The attractive red head presented a fiery image in her tight fitting maroon
uniform.  She was only too eager to make her presence known, gloating with
the sordid knowledge of Grant's background, which she intended to use
against her adversary.  She held a padd in her hand as though armed with a
phaser.  Dukat took one look at the Major and sighed heavily.

"Relax, Major.  We are here only to brief Captain Grant."

"`We', Dukat," snapped Kira.  "There's no `we' to this!  I agreed to come
here to and brief you about what I learned on Bajor, provided I'm able to
ask Captain Grant a few questions."
  Dukat frowned as he waved his hand in the air.  "As agreed, Major, you
will be given the opportunity to question Captain Grant, after I am
satisfied with her answers to my own questions."

Kira crossed her arms and glared as Dukat toward Alexis, surveying her with
a critical eye.  Alexis wore no jacket and had slipped on a short sleeve
shirt.  He noticed one bracelet was off, but said nothing about the
regeneration of the flesh at her wrist.  Alexis realized he was looking at
her healed scars and quickly took the bracelet out of her pocket and
fastened it on her wrist.  Their eyes met and locked.

"As you know, security of this station is my greatest concern, Captain
Grant, and I will do whatever is necessary to ensure its safety," said
Dukat, his manner formal.  He motioned at the small woman standing at his
side.  "Major Kira has learned some interesting facts about yourself and the
Falcon's crew.  She has made a very long journey.  I would appreciate it if
you would listen to what she was to say and keep an open mind.  Neither of
us are here to accuse you of anything, however, your responses will be
carefully noted, so I suggest you tell us the truth."

Alexis scowled at the Bajoran woman.  "If you have something to accuse me
of, Major, Kira, then say it."

"I don't think you understand.  This is official business," replied Kira,
suddenly tense.  "This conversation is being monitored.  Your voice pattern
and tonality will be analyzed.  I think you know what that means."

"Oh?  This is official business?  If I'm to be recorded, then I'd prefer
this meeting conducted in your office, Gul Dukat, and not in the
Ambassador's Suite."  Alexis glanced toward Major Kira, her expression
defiant.  "I don't know why you'd want to come back to the scene of the real
crime, unless your fascination with Dukat isn't only skin deep."

At Kira's cry of indignation, Dukat reacted promptly and grabbed Alexis by
the elbow, as she chuckled softly seeing her target struck dead center, over
to the main door.  It remained opened.  A half dozen Jem'Hadar guards waited
for orders in the corridor.  She took little notice of them and kept her
attention focused entirely on the man in charge.

"You are placing me in a compromising position with the Major," Dukat hissed
into her ear.  "I bite.  Remember?"

"I remember.  And in all the right places."

Dukat dug his fingers into her arm, quieting her.  His brutish manner was
witnessed closely by Kira who found his Cardassian male ego impossible to
digest and his need to dominate women inexcusable.  Unable to watch any
longer, she looked off in another direction, trying to think of a way to get
herself dismissed and noticed something moving behind a chair.

Kira peered into the dark corner and nearly gasped out loud to see Jake
Sisko crouched behind the cushioned chair.  He held his finger to his lips
and pointed over toward a large potted plant where the edge of Quark's
colorful coat could be seen sticking out.  Nearby, Rom's feet stuck out from
behind the couch.  Kira could only imagine who else was the room and their
covert purpose for being where they had no business being in the first
place.  Her noise detected the odor of food.  She spotted five glasses on
the counter in the kitchen and knew it was time to take action or see her
friends get busted.  Kira turned around and walked right up to Dukat and
Grant, showing her outrage at finding them in a lingering embrace that left
her feeling a bit queasy.  Kira was thankful when Dukat paused as he was
about to kiss Grant in front of her, showing some restraint which by the
look in his eye she knew was difficult.

"Let's go to your office, Dukat!" barked Kira.  "I've just run a marathon
from Bajor and back.  You might not have anything better to do, but I do."

The Major went out into the hall, brushing through the milling guards, and
kept walking.  Soon, she heard others following.  She let out a little sigh
of relief, hoping the other idiots in Grant's room would get out while the
coast was clear.  She had no idea what was going on, but something told her
that Odo wasn't privy to what had been going on in Grant's room all day.
For that, at least, she was grateful.  Every other male on the station
seemed to be panting after Grant, but Odo, never, she thought.  As soon as
Dukat's witch hunt was over and she was dismissed, she intended on
discussing the matter with Odo.

Minutes later, Kira entered Dukat's office, wondering if she was on the
wrong side in the matter of the Dominion versus Captain Grand and the Falcon
crew.  She went straight to the window to collect her thoughts, wanting to
be precise and thorough, but as she was left waiting longer than
anticipated, her mood soon turned hostile.  A nasty case of resentment
appeared on her face as Dukat finally arrived, his willing captive on his
arm.  Kira didn't know who she hated more in that instance; Dukat for
flaunting the lover he'd soon cast aside, or Grant for leeching onto the
only thing between her and the Federation.

Dukat took a seat behind his desk and began rolling Sisko's baseball between
his hands.  He watched thoughtfully as Grant, her arms crossed behind her
back, walked over to Kira.  Feet braced apart, Grant glared down at the
Bajoran, her attitude combatant.

"Fire at will, Major.  I can take it."

"You can drop the pretense, Captain Grant," said Kira.  "I know you're
scared.  And you know what, you should be."

"If death doesn't frighten me, you certainly can't."

The two women glared at one another.  The atmosphere crackled with feminine
animosity.  The baseball was returned to its pedestal by its temporary
owner.

"Major!  Captain!  Please," crooned Dukat.  "Let's try to be civil.  Major
Kira, you said this was urgent.  I left an important board meeting to listen
to what you've learned on Bajor.  Well?  We're both waiting.  Please begin."

Kira nodded.  She turned her attention on the human.  "How long you were
assigned to the Saratoga?  A few days?  A few months, or, a few years?"

"What does that matter?"
   "You told Dukat that you were on the Saratoga for only four days prior to
Wolf 359.  I find it curious that a year earlier the Saratoga found an
abandoned Cardassian space station in Federation space and that you were the
junior engineer at that time.  It was your gravitational beam that allowed
the Saratoga to warp out with the space station in tow."

"When was this?" asked Grant, on guard.

"About ten years ago.  After Wolf 359, you were assigned as Dr. Shelby's
chief engineer, on the very same Cardassian space station, where you
remained for over six years.  Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but Kentares Nor
would have looked very similar to Terok Nor.  Yet, you claim Shelby's
laboratory was on a desert planet."

"Because Jacob IV was a planet.  As for my years of service on the Saratoga,
I was part of her crew for a total of five years.  During that time, my
captain lent me to a number of other starships to either install my patented
gravitational beam or make any necessary repairs out of space dock.  I'd
returned to the Saratoga for four days before I was sent off to repair a
partially destroyed space station which the Borg didn't have time to
assimilate after Wolf 349 commenced."

"Its not the length of your service on the Saratoga or your whereabouts
during Wolf 359 that worries me," said Kira.  "Your connection with Dr.
Shelby does, however.  You worked with her for nearly seven years.  Seven
years!"

"That's correct.  Occasionally, Federation ships operating in the area would
request that I be beamed directly on board to make needed repairs or taken
to where I was needed most.  I could be gone up to four months at a time.
The arrangement I had with Dr. Shelby was similar to what I'd experienced
with the Captain of the Saratoga.  I had reputation at that time as a gifted
engineer and everyone in Starfleet knew where I could be found."

"Because of your father?" asked Dukat.

"Yes.  He liked to check up on me.  He knew I preferred being on a starship,
so he found a way I could preform two jobs at the same time."

Kira spoke up quickly.  "Don't you think it strange, Captain Grant, that you
and 1800 Federation personnel all believed that you were on laboratory on a
planet?  Especially you.  You came and went frequently from the lab."

"I didn't take shuttles.  I told you.  I was beamed directly onto all
incoming vessels.  Maybe you like to stare out windows, Major Kira, but I
prefer to do my job."

"My point is, Captain Grant, if your story is to believed, that would mean
either Shelby went to a great deal of expense to completely redesign
Kentares Nor, or, you were all being controlled by a drug that made you see
something else."

Dukat nodded when Alexis looked over at him to confirm the Major's
statement.  The woman stubbornly refused to accept the truth and stared at
him with open defiance.  He used a tolerant tone as he addressed her.
"Kentares Nor was renamed by the Federation to Jacob IV.  I should know.
Kentares Nor was to be salvaged, but, having been caught in the
gravitational pull of a comet, the abandoned Cardassian station was dragged
across half the Alpha Quadrant before ending up in Federation hands.  You
know the rest of the story."

"I'm not denying Kentares Nor fell into Federation hands," said Alexis.
"However, I happen to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Dr. Shelby's
facility was on a desert planet.  Our nearest neighbor was the Romulan
Empire, and sometimes, a few of their scout ships paid us permanent calls.
Because of the severe ion storms that continually ravaged the surface Jacob
IV, the scout ships would land and the crews would walk right up to the lab.
We'd watch on the viewer until the intruders were at the door, then would
allow them to gain entrance.  I know it was a planet and not a station,
because I always put on an ion-suit and greeted the Romulans at the door.
After my father retired, he briefly served as Ambassador to Romulus, so I
was already well-accustomed with their customs."

"What happened to the Romulans once they entered the lab?" asked Dukat.

"I tried to make them as comfortable as possible.  But they never left the
lab and their ships were usually salvaged."

Kira shook her head, appalled.  "If the Romulans were being experimented on
by Shelby, then there's a good chance she was using a mind-controlling drug
on her all Federation personnel.  I don't understand how this went on for so
many years.  Shelby should have been reported to Starfleet and arrested long
ago."

"I didn't know what she was doing."

"You knew she was murdering her Romulans captives," shouted Kira, waving her
fists angrily in the air.  "You knew, yet you never told the Federation what
was going on.  You had the opportunity.  You had the contacts.  Yet, you did
nothing!"

Grant sighed heavily.  "I thought you were running background checks on the
Falcon crew and myself to verify our identities?  The Dominion has no
jurisdiction to punish me for a Federation crime.  And while I'm aware the
Falcon and its crew are being held for mutiny and the murder of Captain
Kweeg in Dominion space, I've already provided you with his killer.  I have
been nothing but cooperative.  What more do you want, Major?"

"To understand what Shelby was doing!"

Grant shrugged.  "Shelby liked to keep her experiments a secret.  She was
extremely guarded in that respect.  None of the eight lab teams had any idea
what the others were working on.  Nor did I.  I wasn't interested in her
experiments.  I was Chief Engineer.  I had no idle time on my hands to think
about anything else except the job I was performing."

"But you were there!  You saw what was going on!"

"I'm not a scientist.  I'm an engineer!"

Major Kira held out the padd she'd downloaded information from the
Federation archives that Bajoran Intelligence had managed to keep safe from
the prying eyes of the Dominion.  Everything she wanted to know about Dr.
Shelby, Lt. Grant and the notorious trial was recorded onto the padd.
Shelby's background was impressive, with a half dozen doctorates in a number
of scientific and medical fields, plus a list of awards received from her
field research that dated back twenty years, along with a number of literary
accomplishments on genetics.  She'd cured a number of viruses known to
effect Humans as well as a number of other species, among them Bajoran.  But
the most troubling thing she'd learned was from a small encrypted entry, the
type that would have gone by unnoticed had she not learned how to interpret
classified information during the Resistance.  She'd kept this tidbit from
Dukat, but looked forward to telling Grant.

"Read this," said Kira.  "You'll find it interesting."

The padd was taken by Grant, reviewed rapidly, then tossed aside on a chair.
Kira and Dukat glanced at one another, both startled by her unusually quick
review of the material and her apparent indifference toward the contents.

"You're right, Major Kira.  It is interesting.  I had no idea that Cardassia
and Bajor have access to classified Federation archived files," replied
Grant, her tone clipped.  "My hat's off to you, Major.  I didn't think you
capable of putting aside your prejudices and hatred for Cardassia and
collaborating so willingly with Gul Dukat.  No wonder he relies on you.  He
throws the stick and you carry it right back."

"You like to hit below the belt," growled Kira.

Grant's eyes flashed.  "Only when you hiss at me like a defective anodyne
circuit!"

Dukat cleared his throat as the two women converged on one another, close to
blows.  Alexis suddenly turned toward the Cardassian, then Kira, though she
kept her hands clenched into fists in case the human had other ideas.  The
Gul smiled at both of them, then turned his full attention on the human.

"Alexis, I want to know what Shelby was working on.  It's important.  Major
Kira believes there are similarities between what happened on the Falcon and
what occurred on Jacob IV.  This has not become a Dominion matter yet.  Not
while I am still in command.  But I can't help you, Alexis, if I don't know
what happened.  That's all the Major and I want to do; to help you and your
crew."

His sugary tone had the anticipated reaction.  Dukat leaned back with a sigh
as Grant told him exactly what he wanted to know.  And he didn't have to
pull teeth, he thought, noticing that Major Kira was annoyed he'd been
successful, not her.

"Shelby's experiments dealt with genetically altering the physical make-up
of humans; at first.  Later, her experiments were conducted on other
species, however, human physiology remained her expertise.  Her work was
geared toward eliminating birth defects prior to conception by restructuring
the DNA in sperm and eggs in high risk candidates.  In nearly all cases,
parents conceived perfectly normal children.  Born without defects of any
kind, completely resistant to disease, showing visible signs of superior
strength and intelligence from nearly day one, these children were referred
to as Chameleons.  And like the Earth chameleon, they were able to change to
adapt to any environment, atmospheric or social."

"DNA resequencing.  And the others?" asked Dukat.

"The abnormal children, those who showed early signs of mental disorders and
could not function in society, were kept apart.  This was a rare occurrence.
Her birth program was highly acclaimed on Earth about thirty years ago.
Eventually, she branched out and became one of the leaders in
enhanced-intelligence, concentrating on maladaptive and clinically insane
children.  She cured many of these individuals by implanting engineered
healthy cells directly into their brains and was able to successfully
reinstate them into family life with their original parents."  Alexis
suddenly paused.  "This is all in the report provided to you by Bajoran
Intelligence, which they obviously obtained from a Cardassian agent who had
access to Deep Space Nine's data files prior to the Dominion's recapture of
this station.  Someone like you, Dukat."

Dukat suddenly looked worried.  "Cardassia prides itself on the collecting
and gathering of enemy intelligence.  Obtaining personnel records is most
helpful when running background checks on fugitive Federation convicts.
Like yourself."

"No one hates Shelby more than I do," said Grant, making every word count.
"I'm the last person in the universe who would ever protect that mad
Darwinian bitch.  If I could, I'd dig her a deep grave and shove her in it!"

"You certainly descriptive," said Kira, a bit troubled to hear such deeply
felt enmity in the woman's voice.  "Savon, by the way, told me that you two
had been close friends.  Care to elaborate?"

"No.  It's irrelevant."

Kira tried again.  "Maybe this will be.  Savon told me that Strall gave the
crew injections on the Falcon?  He said they all saw Strall prior and after
each fight.  All but you, that is."

"Savon is telling the truth.  For once."

"What about Shelby?  Did she give you any injections?"

"I was never experimented on.  Nor do I have a drug habit.
I appreciate your eagerness to know the truth," said Grant, her emotional
temperature as cold as ice.  "I really do, Major Kira.  You'd make on
helluva a Federation prosecuting attorney.  I have no doubt that you could
convince the most impartial judge of my guilt.  But at no time on Jacob IV
or on the Falcon did any doctor ever examine me or administer any drugs.  I
don't like doctors.  Fortunately, I never get sick."

Dukat suddenly leaned back in his chair and stared intently at Grant.  As
Kira watched the arrogant Cardassians's eyes narrow, she realized that the
Butcher of Bajor had been woken.  Death smoldered in his eyes like burning
hot coals.  Many times in the past she'd seen his feelings run hot and cold
toward others, including herself, which always made it difficult to predict
the Gul's next move.  But at no time did she ever doubt that Dukat had the
ability to destroy the things he loved.  She seen how he'd come to killing
his own half-caste daughter, Ziyel, due to a barbaric Cardassian custom.  If
he'd been willing to kill his own child to save his own reputation on
Cardassian, he'd certainly be willing to execute a passing fancy for no less
a reason.  Her guilt at awakening the Beast was enough to make Kira reach
out to the woman one last time and try to save her.

"You are certain Shelby never experimented on you?"

"Major Kira, apparently you are not schooled on mandatory Federation medical
procedures.  If you were, you would know that it is a common Federation
policy to give all personnel working in high-risk labs daily supplemental
vitamins.  In fact, it's mandatory for anyone working with hazardous or
unknown substances to receive a number of immunization shots during
residency."

"But not you?" prompted Kira.

"I arranged for a few bribes and avoided routine check-ins.  No one made an
issue out it.  Why are you?"

"Because it's important," said a deep, male voice.

Grant came over and stood before Dukat's desk.  He regarded her darkly.
With no regard for her own safety, she slammed her hand down on his desk,
startling both Dukat and Kira.

"Your tactics are insulting, Gul Dukat!  After your precious Major Kira went
and fetched you the information you've been holding out on me, the least you
could do is get to the point.  What do you know that so damn important?"

Dukat nodded.  "Tell her, Major," he commanded.
   "Quite a number of the Falcon's crew named by you provided were
cross-checked by Odo with the Trafalgar's duty rooster and prisoner transfer
list.  I confirmed the names with Bajoran Intelligence and was surprised to
find that so many of them matched up with Starfleet officers mentioned at
the time of your trial.  In Shelby's testimony, which I read, she named at
least a dozen surviving genetically altered children, all in their maturity
at the time of the trial, naming you as one of them.  How is that Kweeg
captured the Trafalgar and got away with ten Chameleons and an entire
Federation starship crew?"

"Kweeg was lucky up until the day he died."

"Are you that naive?" lashed out Kira.  "This was a set up!  Whether you
believe it or not, you're a part of whatever Shelby was trying to
accomplish.  You're a Chameleon!  Do you know what that means?  You've
probably been monitored your whole life and weren't even aware of it!  On
the Saratoga.  On Jacob IV.  In prison.  And perhaps on the Falcon as well.
I have no idea how far any of this goes, but it's obvious that someone with
a great deal of influence arranged for your escape."

"Strall wasn't Federation.  He was Vulcan.  And even though I might agree
that Shelby and Strall's experiments were similar, that doesn't mean I
believe I'm some sort of super freak!  Nor do I believe that I was let out
of prison merely to be captured by Kweeg and turned over to Strall for
additional experimentation.  I'm not a recipe you can add ingredients to and
come up with the perfect souffle.  I happen to have feelings.  What you are
suggesting is inhuman!  So, if you think hearing any of this has made my
day, then think again!  I'd rather be back in the arena, than have to listen
to you destroy everything I've ever believed about myself.  If there is a
conspiracy involving Shelby, and even Strall, I've no doubt you'll be the
first to uncover it and bring the guilty parties to justice."

"Are you about through?" snapped Kira.

"That depends on you, Major.  I'm at your disposal."

"I give up!"  Kira walked over to Dukat and leaned down to whisper in his
ear to plead with him, while the human strolled around the room, acting
bored.  "She thinks I've made this all up.  She doesn't believe either of
us.  You're in charge, so do something to help.  Tell Captain Grant that
we're not in competition with one another?  Tell her that I have better
things to do than invent lies about her past.  Tell her I'm not that
interested."

Grant overheard and spoke up loudly.  "Inform the Major that she's been
misinformed by Bajoran Intelligence.  Tell her that she is wasting my time,
and yours, in the process.  In fact, tell the Major that if she wants
anything further, she can find me in my room.  If I'm not under arrest, I'm
leaving!"

Dukat quickly got up from his desk and headed Grant off before she slipped
out the door.  He caught her by the door as the door opened and yanked her
back inside.  A number of soldiers glanced in his direction.  He gave them
no consideration, his focus entirely on the woman.

"This is something you can't escape from, Alexis.  You've been kept in the
dark about this a long time.  My only regret is that I must be the one to
confirm what I've known to be true for some time.  The Federation is evil
and corrupt.  What happened to you would never have happened on Cardassia.
You were used by Shelby and by Kweeg and Strall.  It's time you knew about
yourself and stopped denying the truth."

"Maybe I don't want to know!  All right!"
  Dukat stared at Grant in surprise as she wrenched her arm from his grasp.
She refused to stand in one place for long, pacing the entire officer, but
always returning to revolve around his tall form like a stray satellite.
Dukat followed her path with his eyes, turning as she passed, speaking to
her softly.

"How can you deny what you already know to be true?  Since childhood you've
possessed incredible physical strength and superior intelligence.  You
graduated early from Starfleet at the top of your class at an early age.
You are immune to disease, the effects of alcohol, nor do you require sleep.
You're able to regenerate your flesh and you read at an excelled rate.  All
of Shelby's Chameleons who lived passed puberty showed the very same
superior skills and abilities.  Yet, each were later eventually
institutionalized, including yourself."

"That would mean I was altered after conception or possibly as an infant.
But that didn't happen.  I didn't meet Shelby until after I graduated from
Starfleet Academy.  Shelby was a friend of my father's.  He introduced me to
her at the reception.  He thought she could help my career."

Dukat stepped into Grant's path.  She tried to step around him.  He caught
hold of her shoulders and brought her to a halt.

"Dr. Shelby cured you of a terminal disease when you were one week old.  You
were in her care for nearly a year," said Dukat, firmly.  "Your father
arranged for everything.  You are the first Chameleon, and from all reports,
the best of all.  Major Kira has reason to believe that the incident at the
lab was not your fault.  I've allowed her to communicate this information
with Captain Sisko and he has promised to look into the matter more fully."

"Are you sending me back to the Federation?"

"No.  We're trying to confirm where Shelby is currently.  She disappeared
from her office on Earth a few weeks ago," said Kira, taking a seat behind
Dukat's desk in his chair.  She picked up Sisko's baseball and rolled it
between her hands.  "You might ask why Dukat is so curious to find Shelby.
You don't really think he's going to send you back to the Federation.  No.
You're far too valuable."

"Did Dukat buy me from Kweeg?  Is that what you're saying?"

Kira shrugged.  "You'll have to ask Dukat."

"Enough, Major!  This is absolutely not the truth, Alexis," said Dukat,
trying to not lose his temper.  "Not at any time was I aware of your
connection with Shelby.  Not until the Major returned from Bajor and briefed
me on your background."

"I see."

Grant brushed past the Gul and walked over to the window behind his desk,
glaring at all the stars spread out in the trillions, taunting her with
their twinkle.  Dukat predictably followed after Alexis.  Putting his large,
powerful hands on her shoulders, he gave her a little shake to make her look
up at him.  Blue eyes swam in tears and an expression of bewilderment that
tugged at Dukat's heart strings.  He wiped away a single tear from off her
cheek and kept it like a treasure, curling his finger into the palm of his
hand and smiling tenderly.  The corners of her mouth swiftly leapt upwards.
He look of hopefulness made him regret earlier comments made about her
failed Starfleet career, but it was apparent she had no ego, not like the
Major, and required a gentler approach despite her impressively built frame.

"We can talk about this later," he said.  "In private."

"My father couldn't have known what Shelby was doing."

"I insist we talk later," said Dukat, firmly.

"But he did know!"  Kira got up from the chair and walked off a short
distance, tossing the ball up into the hair.  "You know, Dukat, as well as
I, that Admiral Grant was a powerful, influential man.  He had many
connections.  I wouldn't be surprised if he arranged for his daughter to be
on the shuttle with Shelby.  Nor would I be surprised to learn that the lab
explosion was a cover up for Shelby's failed experiments.  But if her father
knew this, why would he allow his daughter to be punished and not Shelby?
It makes no sense."

"Perhaps he thought I was dangerous," muttered Grant.

Dukat pulled Grant over to his recently vacated chair and insisted she sit
down.  She looked up from his large seat, looking so lost and forlorn that
he meant to offer her the baseball to hold and found it in Kira's
possession.  He walked over to the Major and held his hand out for the ball.
Kira returned it, grinning broadly.  He took it from her with a tense smile
on his darkly handsome face.  His eyes stabbed into her.

"Major, you're dismissed.  You've done enough."  He returned to Alexis,
sitting on the edge of his desk to be close to her, but kept Sisko's ball
for himself.  "Your father should have told you the truth.  He had an
obligation to tell you what you were.  It is unfortunate that he died a year
ago.  The Federation must have sent you word in prison?"  He paused.  She
nodded.  "I am glad you already knew this and that I was not the one to tell
you.  I know what it's like to be a father.  I think I can say with
certainty that your father regretted not telling you the truth.  I have a
daughter serving active duty on a Cardassian war ship.  Every day I worry
that she might not come home.  I am sure your father was very worried for
you and only wanted to protect you as he saw fit.  That does not mean I
agree with what he did, but if you could see things from his point of view,
then I think you could at least understand why he went to such extremes."

"There's no way to justify what he did.  Not at all.  My father sacrificed
me to protect Shelby.  He placed more value on her than on me.  He let me go
to prison when he knew Shelby destroyed her own lab.  I'm glad that he is
dead.  At least this way, I don't have to look at him again."

Dukat noticed Kira staring at him from out of the corner of his eyes.  "I
thought I told you to leave?"

"I'm going.  In a minute."

Kira walked over to the desk.  Grant addressed her as though facing a firing
squad.  Dukat refused to watch and turned away, allowing it to happen and
anxious to hear the results.

"The USS Patriot took Grant to Shelby's lab.  The Chief Security Officer was
Varnok.  A week later, Varnok exhibited psychotic behavior and murdered his
next away team.  You know what I think?  I think whatever Shelby started,
Strall took one step further.  It can't be a coincidence that every
surviving Chameleon was in the same prison as you, or, that all ended up on
board the same ship, captured by one clever Ferrengi.  Kweeg must have paid
someone on the inside for that kind of information, and, acquiring a dozen
Chameleons for his arena, he made a fortune."

"I imagine he died very rich," said Grant, her voice flat.
   "But why let such expensive toys be killed in only three short months?
Why them and not you?"

"Because Alexis is obviously the superior warrior," pronounced Dukat.  "The
first Chameleon and the best.  Perfect in every way.  Of course Kweeg wanted
to protect her.  Of all the Chameleons, she alone possesses all the
qualities desired in a master race."

"Oh, you should hear yourself talk."  Kira turned on the Cardassian Gul,
detecting the ring of avarice in his voice.  "Convince me you're not
involved in bringing the Falcon here in order to buy Chameleons, Dukat.
What does the Dominion want them for?  Clones?"

"Not at all, Major," said Dukat, a hand over his heart.  "Believe me.  I
thought I was purchasing a cargo of kanar from Kweeg, not
genetically-engineered fighters, I assure you.  The Dominion is not
interested in Chameleon gladiators for cloning purposes.  Now, the drug that
was being administered to them, that would be worth something.  And the one
person who knows how to obtain this miracle drug is Dr. Strall.  Find him,
Major Kira.  He's here.  On this station.  I want him caught."  He looked at
Alexis whose face was buried in her hands.  His eyes were hard when he
returned his gaze to Kira.  "Before he finds the bird that escaped its
gilded cage."

"I'll get right on it."

"I know you will, Major.  I just said so."

Kira walked toward the door and paused.  "Whatever Shelby has done, Dukat,
it's nothing compared to what you did to Bajor.  Millions, Dukat.  You
murdered millions and left behind a planet so devastated it will take
decades for us to recover.  If you'd taken as much interest in saving Bajor
as you've taken in defending Grant, things might have been very different."

"Let's not go into all that now, Major.  I can't do anything about what
happened on Bajor, or, to you personally, Major, not tonight, but I can be
of assistance to my friend."

"Your `friend', Dukat?"

"Yes, Major.  My friend."

"Don't make promises you don't intend to keep, Dukat."

His eyes flashed.  "Just find Dr. Strall, Major."

Kira stormed out of Dukat's office, leaving him glaring after her long after
she'd gone.  He finally glanced down at Alexis and a comforting hand on her
shoulder.  It was either the right thing or the wrong thing to do, for in
seconds, Alexis threw her arms around his shoulders, sobbing hard.  A glinn
came into the office, took one look at Dukat in an embrace with a tearful
woman, and turned right back around and went out.  Dukat took one look at
the departing back of his officer, squeezed his arms around Grant's waist,
and practically carried her into an adjoining room.  The door opened and
closed behind them.

Starlight filtered into the room from the two large windows, playing upon
their faces in careless abandon.  Dukat caught her face in his hands,
drawing Alexis close and kissed her.  Her salty tears mingled with her own
honey taste in his mouth.  As his tongue sought out her own, she clasped her
arms around his neck, pulling close and coming up against cold armor.  His
kisses soon ended and his mouth went roving.  She clung to his broad
shoulders as traced a path down her smooth jawline to nuzzle at her neck,
bringing a sigh from her parted lips.

"When you hold me, nothing matters.  Not my past.  Not the present.  I could
dissolve entirely into you and be content."

Warm lips pressed against her neck.  His hands cupped around her firm
buttocks as he lifted her onto a board table that seemed to stretch forever
into darkness.  Edging between her legs, he leaned across the table, kissing
her wetly as she clamped her hands around his thickly ridged neck.  His
hands eagerly pulled her shirt upwards.  He sought a bare breast with his
mouth, latching onto it with his teeth, licking and sucking in turn, one
nipple then the other, setting both peaks throbbing.  When he finally drew
back and yanked the shirt over her head, she was already wriggling out of
her pants and sat on the table, spreading herself open.

Her skin was pale as milk in the lights of thousands of stars peering at
them from the window.  He wetted and inserted two fingers into her
velvet-soft opening.  Working her into a glimmering, slick sheen, his lips
returned to her neck.  Soon after, her hands restlessly landed on either
side of his face, guiding his head down as she laid back, eyes closed,
withering as his thumb rubbed her little glory nub.  He bent down and kissed
near and around her belly button, his hand active between her legs.  She
ruffled his thick hair, tugging at it playfully, crying out as he buried his
face between her legs, lapping up the warm juices as though he fed upon
melon.
  Satisfied she was ready, Dukat removed his moistened fingers, licked them
clean, then unfastened his pants.  He stepped back from Alexis and let his
pants drop to his ankles.  His thin flanks were silver in the starlight.
She watched his hand stroking his erection, turning it into Cardassian
steel.  Then he was leaning over her, a hand behind her neck and, with a
hard thrust, he inserted his engorged member into her receptive body.  Her
legs clamped tightly around his hips, making him forcibly grind her into the
table to get any friction going between them.  But, as her legs gradually
began widening at the knees, his momentum picked up with each plunge and
retraction, until she had to bite into her own palm to keep from crying out
as he slammed against her.  Rocking steady and hard, their bodies moved
together in mindless action, motivated only by sheer lustful pleasure.  As
their movements and voices reached a crescendo, Dukat started shuttering
from head to toe, a preliminary warning before he spilled his seed into her
body.  It came with such force that Alexis opened her eyes and watched as
the last of his orgasm rippled across his incredibly handsome face.  He
buried his face against her neck.  She ran her fingers through his thick,
silky, black hair, holding him close.

"I feel so safe with you."

"We both could be a great deal more safer.  And I happen to know just the
place.  A place where you'll both be comfortable and completely safe.  Come
with me."

Dukat stood back and helped Alexis off the table.

Minutes later, he was pushing her back onto his large bed, both stripped
naked, and laid on top of her.  His long, lean body pressed her into the
mattress and his kisses left her swooning from the sensual onslaught.  Her
legs closed around him, her hand already eagerly seeking out his hardening
member, jerking on it until the girth widened and the length expanded with
pulsating hardness.  She was ready for him when he slid inside, her inviting
lips a hot, wet envelope for his member to enter at will.  His movements
were slower, but no less powerful, as he lifted himself up by the arms,
watching her beautiful face contort with ecstacy as she came, shuttering,
over and over.

Not yet ready himself, Dukat merely changed positions, drawing her on top of
him so she could ride while he watched.  She straddled him with her long,
muscular legs, letting her blonde hair dangle in his face as she picked up a
bouncing rhythm.  His hand splayed across her thighs, he closed his eyes as
she repeatedly impaled herself on his shank, her movements growing quick and
more frantic with each passing second.  As her lips brushed across his own,
her hair framing his face, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her down
on top of him.  Then, rolling over, he assumed control again and he finished
her off with several hard, fast strokes, ending when he came in a hot burst
that was only somewhat less than what he'd offered before.

Afterwards, Dukat held Alexis in his arms, covered to their chins in silk
sheets, the lights of the stars twinkling behind them from beyond a large,
oval window.  She lay with her head on his scaled chest, a hand over his
heart, listening to his steady breathing, content for the first time in
years.  She focused on a fish tank built into the wall, lit with a blue
light, filled with exotic marine animals and bright coral the likes of which
she'd never seen.  As the handsome Cardassian Gul stirred, she placed a leg
across his hard thighs, pushing herself up against him and slid her hand
down to stroke across his solid abdomen and on down to his flaccid member,
arousing him quickly.

"It has a mind of its own, but the Master is tired."

"I could go on all night.  You're magnificent."

Beneath the sheet she went, seeking out his hardened shaft.  Replacing her
hand with her mouth, she lavished upon him an oral orgy that left him
sputtering out his essence, which she swallowed on taste.  She laughed when
she came up from under the sheet and found him looking at her with widened
eyes, conveying his unexpected delight.

"It's no wonder I can't get enough of you," she explained, honestly.
"You're a sex god."

His deep laugher mixed with her own airy titter, filling the room with good
intentions and high expectations.  "I shouldn't let myself grow so fond of
you, Alexis.  You are becoming an obsession, and as heartless as it sounds,
while Cardassia is allied with the Dominion against the Federation, I cannot
let anyone distract me from my work.  If I could, I'd make an exception for
you.  Would you like being my personal bodyguard?"

"I'd rather be your pleasure slave.  You did buy me?"

"Would you be happier if I had?"  Dukat cupped her face in his hand,
stopping her from nodding.  "You don't really mean that, dearest.  Even if I
had, which is not the case, I wouldn't want to tame your wildness.  Three
years is too long to be caged.  It's time to set you free.  I have great
expectations for my little bird."

"If you had no ambition and no responsibilities," she said, nuzzling her
face in the palm of his hand, "I'd beg you to run away with me on the
Falcon.  I'd go anywhere with you, Dukat.  I'm loyal to none but myself, and
to you.  That is the truth."

"Damar would go if you asked him.  He has no ambition."

"It's you that I want," she said, huskily.  "Only you."

Alexis positioned herself so she could lay beside him, holding him tight and
pulled the sheet up over the bodies.  He stroked her silky hair and kissed
her forehead.  She had no doubt that he cared for her, as she did for him.
He settled back against the pillows, continuing holding her close and
running his hand through her silky hair.  She snuggled contentedly against
him, listening to him talk, enjoying the rumble of his deep voice, as she
toyed with his chest hairs.

"Why did you pick me, Alexis?" Dukat asked at last.

"You were the one who willed me to look at you.  The moment I saw you, I
thought you were the handsomest male specimen on the station.  It doesn't
matter if we'd been born in another time or place.  I knew instantly when
our eyes met that we'd become lovers.  Who knew I'd travel halfway across
the Alpha Quadrant to fall for the most formidable Cardassian known to
history."

Dukat laughed.  "Such high praise!  The normal female response is either
sheer disgust, fear, or the occasional raised phaser to keep me at bay.
Major Kira would like to shoot me if I gave her the opportunity.  And there'
s a long line ahead of her.  I've made many enemies of the years.  People
are always jealous of those who hold power.  Since my meteoric rise in
politics, I've already gone through five assassinations attempts, and that's
those that I've actually counted and considered serious.  My main concern
is, and remains, the Federation's involvement in my affairs.  Maybe this
isn't about you at all.  I've never trusted the Federation.  They could have
sent the Falcon to this station to deliberately undermine me.  Since joining
the Dominion, it's been one battle after another with men like Benjamin
Sisko.  But I will win the war, Alexis.  I promise you that.  In time, I
will have what I want."

She suddenly wished the handsome Gul wanted her as much as he wanted glory
and power.  "I believe you will."

"Do you?  Can I trust you?"

"I trust you more than I ever trusted my father.  At least I know what you
want from me."

Dukat suddenly sighed and held her close.  "When I was young, my father was
tried and executed on Cardassia.  During his trial, he revealed that his
biggest flaw was he was more ambitious than patriotic.  Cardassia is a
difficult planet to rule.  In some ways, harder than Bajor ever was.  I
think I know what he meant.   I am ambitious, but I've always tried to place
Cardassia's need before my own.   I trust no one.  I can't afford too.  It's
always the person you least suspect who finally plunges into your back.  I
know.   That's what happened to my father."
  Alexis met Dukat's gaze.  His pale blue eyes were warm and kind.  She
realized in that instance that she loved Dukat.  He lifted their jointly
held hands and kissed the back of her hand, yawning directly after.  She
reached up and placed her thumb flat center on the spoon-shaped promontory
on his forehead.

"What you've done in the past, what I've done, might not have always been
understood.  Both of us have suffered by the labels placed upon us by
others.  We've both been judged unfairly.  I hope you will not do the same
to me in the end."

"How could I?  You and I are alike."  Dukat wound a strand of her hair
around his finger and gently pulled at it, drawing her face to turn up to
his own.  "In many ways, I, too, fight in an arena every day of my life.  I
do grow weary of fighting, Alexis.  But our kind know nothing else.  On the
path we've chosen for ourselves, there can only confrontation and endless
struggle.  The life of a warrior is lonely.'

"I've missed so much these last three years.  I suddenly want to go
everywhere and do everything.  With you."

"I can't, Alexis.  Your fate lies along a different path than my own.  I
never had illusions in that regard."

"Then our time together is a special gift," said Alexis, running her finger
across the ride along his chin, one of her favorite features on his dynamic
Cardassian body.  "I do trust you, Dukat, but I know that trust comes with
limitations because of who you are and what you really want.  My father was
the same way.  I could never tell him everything, only enough to make it
seem like we had a relationship."

He stiffened.  "I cannot offer more beyond the boundaries of this bed.
While you are in it, I will listen as your lover and not pass judgement as
the Gul.  You have my word."

"That's enough for me."

Grant found his hand beneath the sheet.  She drew it onto her chest and lay
her cheek against his fingers.  His hand was large and powerful.  Hands she
loved to feel on her body, bringing her to height of ecstasy.  Hands, she
knew, that could inflict pleasure as well as plain.

"I got a look at Kweeg's cargo.  It's not kanar Kweeg was transporting, but
thousands of portable cyrostasis chambers, all containing genetically
altered warriors.  I have no idea how long some have been kept dormant.
Kweeg has collected a small army of the undead to use in his battle-thons.
We now know where the Chameleons went.  All nine of them."

"You're certain?"

"I boarded the Falcon today.  One of the security locks was broken and a
fighter got out.  I killed the man a week ago.  He was the former captain of
the Trafalgar.  Paul Deathridge.  We were in the same graduating class.  But
this time he wasn't human.  He'd turned into something else, and after I
killed it, the pieces attempt to reassemble.  We jettisoned both halves into
space before it could mutate into a new life form."

Dukat released her and angrily climbed out of bad, slipping on a blue silk
robe that reached the floor before she had time to stop him.  She looked up
from the pillows, the blanket pulled to her chin, wishing he'd return.

"Who else went with you besides Glinn Damar?  Do you have any idea what
could happen to Damar if anyone else knew he'd disobeyed my orders?  You
have jeopardized Damar's career and you've placed me in an embarrassing
position by boarding a quarantined ship.  I'll speak to Damar about this.
As for you, when I give you an order, Captain, I expect you to follow it.
Is that clear?"

Grant hurled a pillow at him.  "What's clear is that it was taking you far
too long to check out that cargo for yourself!  Kweeg told you what you was
in the barrels, but you've certainly taking your time confirming it.  Why?
Were you waiting for someone else to do the job for you?  Or, are you so
afraid of what's in those crates that you refused to look inside?"

"I assure nothing board the Falcon frightens me.  I am, however,
disappointed that there is no kanar on board.  Apart from my own reserves,
there is little alcohol left on this station, apart from synthetic beverages
which anyone knows is sorely lacking in both texture, flavor and protein."

Dukat went over to a cabinet, opened the front, revealing several rows of
liquor.  He poured two glasses of kanar.  Before he had a chance to hand it
to her, Grant was at his side, wearing his discarded undershirt, reaching
for the drink.  He gave her the glass, then caught hold of her chin with a
single finger, an eye ridge raised high as he regarded her with a steady
gaze.

"Quark is so desperate that he's even offered to buy my supply of kanar.  So
desperate that I suspect he went with you, and where Quark goes, so goes his
brother and Sisko's boy."

"It was my idea," she said softly.

"Of that I have no doubt.  Women love to solve a mystery."

She took a sip of kanar and put it down.  "I take full responsibility for
disobeying your orders.  Punish me if you must punish someone, but not two
greedy Ferrengi or a lost boy, and certainly not the one true friend you
have on this station.  I knew the risk and I was willing to take it."

Dukat set aside his own drink and gathered her in his arms.  He stroked the
hair from her face.  As her hands slipped within his robe and encircled his
bare waist, he felt the coolness of the bracelets he'd given her against his
skin.  He hadn't realized when he'd given her the jewelry that it would mean
so much to her.  Otherwise, he thought, it would have been new.

"An admirable quality, offering your life to save others you've barely known
more than twenty-four hours.  I'll have to remember never to do the same.  I
value my own life far too much to sacrifice it for someone else's."

"Then you're not going to....?"

"Arrest you and the others?  No.  I'm not."

"Not now, you mean?  Well, if you change my mind, I fit quite nicely inside
of Kweeg's cage.  It's pure latinum.  I think it would look good in the
corner of your bedroom.  So would I."

He silenced her with a hard kiss.



  *  *  *  *

Chapter Eight


The chime at the door took both Dukat and Alexis by surprise.  He motioned
for her to remain in bed while he went out to see who dared interrupt the
Gul.  Hearing Odo's voice, Dukat readily bade him enter, standing back, arms
behind his back as the door opened.  Odo along with Major Kira stood in the
corridor, both looking out of breath and extremely worried.

"What is wrong?  Have you found Strall?" asked Dukat.  He noticed their
gazes drifted away from him and turned.  Alexis stood behind him, appearing
as if by magic, fully dressed in her usual leather outfit, beret on and
cocked to the side.  He turned back to the others.  "You make speak in front
of the captain."

"Kweeg's body is missing," stated Odo.

"I'm not surprised," replied Grant.

Dukat met her gaze.  His eyes were tiny sparks of flint.

"Strall is on the station," she pointed out.  "I suspect he's here to alter
the rest of the crew.  He got to Kweeg first.  Strall will eventually find
himself to me.  That is your theory, is it not, Major Kira?  That Strall has
been injecting a serum into the crew in order to turn them into mutants?
You assume he was working on live patients.  I said that Strall always
worked on the fighters after they were killed in the arena.  What makes you
think he wouldn't do the same to Kweeg?"

"Why don't you tell us," snapped Kira.  "You suddenly seem to know
everything."

"Enough to know that you're dealing with a mad scientist."

Dukat lifted his hand, silencing the warring harpies.  "Odo, I want a sweep
of this entire station.  If you don't find Kweeg within an hour, I'll tear
this station apart myself.  Utilize every Cardassian and Jem'Hadar here.
Find Kweeg!"  Dukat turned to Kira.  "What are you still doing here?  I
thought I told you to track down Dr. Strall.  Had you found him in the first
place, he wouldn't have gotten to Kweeg.  I'm holding you personally
responsible for the Falcon crew, Major.  If you need my assistance, you both
know where to find me.  I'll be right here with Captain Grant."

Dukat turned his back and caught Alexis by the arm.  Before Odo and Kira
could turn to go, she slipped out of Dukat's grasp and stepped toward the
pair.  Odo and Kira glanced toward Dukat.

"You're going to need my help," explained Grant.  "I can't just stay locked
in here while Strall is out there.  If Strall has Kweeg under his control,
you'll need all the help you can get.  I know what we're dealing with.  You
don't."

Dukat pushed his way into the group.  He successfully grabbed Alexis' arm
and drew her aside.  "You're not going.  You're safer here where I can
protect you," he Dukat, forcefully.

"You could use me as bait.  Draw Strall here and capture him.  Between the
Major and myself, I'm quite certain we can contain the doctor.  I wouldn't
suggest trying it with Kweeg."  Grant glanced over her shoulder at the pair
in the hall.  "If you find Kweeg, Chief Odo, then set your phaser for kill
and don't miss.  You won't get a second chance."

Dukat squeezed her arm.  Grant looked back at him.  His eyes were filled
with genuine concern.

"Chief Odo and Major Kira are perfectly able to conduct a search without
your assistance," said the Cardassian Gul.  "I'll not risk putting you in
jeopardy, Alexis.  That's final."  He looked toward his security officers.
"Double the guard in detention.  Strall will go their next."

"We can handle it," said Kira, anxious to leave.  She nearly lost her temper
and started shouting when the confounded human again refused to obey Dukat
to press her point.  She wasn't needed and Kira wanted to let the Gul know
that, but she was giving no time to respond.

"A DNA thermal scan should be enough to track Kweeg down," said Grant.  The
warm hand on her arm was dropped.  She knew Dukat was considering her
suggestion.  "Kweeg's body will continue to metamorphose, producing an
intense metabolic heat which can be tracked with a tricorder.  I need to go
to the infirmary to download his cell-structure code and reprogram a
tricorder to look for the right sequence."

"Kweeg won't leave a trail of warm airborne isotopes behind if he's dead,"
said Dukat, intrigued.

"He will if his DNA is in a constant flux," Alexis replied.  "The basic
genetic code of his cell structure will remain constant regardless of what
shape he assumes."  She smiled tenderly at Dukat.  "This is my problem as
much as yours.  They can't do it without me.  Let me help before someone is
hurt or killed.  You once said that security of this station was your utmost
concern.  Then use every resource at your fingertips and see that your
station is secured, Gul Dukat."

Odo nodded.  "Captain Grant's assistance would be greatly appreciated,
Dukat.  If anyone can find Captain Kweeg and Dr. Strall, I know Grant can.
Her report was very helpful."

Grant suddenly looked at the changeling as though for the first time.  His
half-formed features were not as bland as she first thought, and his eyes
were warm and friendly.  "Thanks for vote of confidence, Chief Odo."  She
looked over at Dukat.  "I'll find the strays.  Trust me.  I'll be back
before you know it."

Dukat nodded, feeling useless.  "I would suggest using the MK-12 scanner to
verify Kweeg identity, but unfortunately, the L-90 enhanced resolution
filter needs to be replaced and there are no extras on the station.  Someone
has been using them in the drink replicators on the Promenade."

"No wonder Quark's raktajino tastes so bad," said Kira.

A light laugher ensued that easily started and quickly died out.  Dukat held
Grant's eyes as he hit the console panel, closing the door to his room.  Odo
politely motioned for Grant to proceed him down the hall.  Impatient as
ever, Kira walked by them both and led the way to the infirmary.

Arriving minutes later, they entered a dimly lit room which showed every
distressed sign of a medical staff that had hastily vacated the area.
Chairs had been toppled over, equipment pushed to the side, glass broken and
somewhere an air conduit hissed where it had been ripped out of the wall.
While Odo took care of the minor electrical malfunction, Grant took a quick
glance around the room and went straight for a tricorder on a shelf, leaving
Kira to secure the perimeter.  Seconds later, Grant downloaded the
information she needed from the main terminal.  Her fingers flew over the
control panel as she set the coordinates to pick up Kweeg's DNA pattern.
She next went to the vault, opened it and slid out the tray to take
readings.

"Find anything?" asked Odo.

"Well, Kweeg didn't get up on his own.  Someone opened this from the
outside," said Grant.  "Where was the medical staff at the time this
occurred?  I can't imagine Kweeg knocked and someone opened the door for
him."

"They were at dinner," Kira replied.  "No one thought the corpse needed to
be guarded."

"Strall had plenty of time to do whatever he needed to reanimate Kweeg's
body.  I'd like to know what he's using to create life from death."

"You make Strall sound like a genius," said Kira.

"Strall is extremely intelligent and very resourceful.  Kweeg has undergone
the change.  That means he can mutate into anything.  Strall will have to
keep close to Kweeg in order to control him."

"I think we should concentrate on Kweeg," Odo replied.  "I don't like the
idea of a dead thing walking around on the station.  Strall should be easier
to find."

Grant handed the tricorder over to Odo.  "Kweeg's body will leave behind a
high level of corpalactic dust.  He actually metamorphosed while still on
the tray.  The cyrostasis chamber acts like an incubator.  The portable ones
on the Falcon are far more efficient than this Cardassian unit.

Kira eyed Grant sternly as she was handed a tricorder as well.  "I understan
d from Quark that you've seen the Falcon's cargo first-hand.  That was quite
a bump on Jake's head.  You could have killed them all, you know, sending
them down into the cargo area while you plundered Kweeg's room.  You knew
what Kweeg was keeping stored in the hold."

"I do now."

"What makes you think you had the right to risk the life of Jake Sisko to
satisfy your curiosity and Quark's greed?  You shouldn't have taken a boy
with you, and you know it!  I'm suddenly not surprised your Starfleet career
fizzled out.  You take no responsibility for the lives of others and behave
as though everyone but yourself are expendable.  You're so like Dukat.  No
wonder you both get along so well."

"Jake Sisko was perfectly fine.  He has enough of his father in him to know
how to handle himself in a gritty situation."

"That's not your call to make!"

Grant and Kira glared at one another.

"I wish I had known about this earlier," said Odo, annoyed with both women
for keeping secrets from him.  "Dukat sent Damar and a second away team over
to the Falcon to retrieve whatever they can find from the sickbay.
Something, I might add, that should have been done yesterday."

Grant closed the vault and headed toward the door.  Her way was blocked by
Kira, legs braced apart, nervously tapping her phaser.  Without drawing
attention to herself, Grant turned on her PCF unit and stepped back from the
others.

"Let's go talk to Savon."

Odo parted company from the two women, joining a party of Cardassian guards
in the corridor and headed off in the opposite direction to search the
station.  Kira and Grant walked on in silence down empty hallways until they
reached detention.  The entrance was heavily guarded.  Inside were
additional Jem'Hadar, standing about, while the Falcon crew were having
dinner.

Grant carefully walked around passed Kira, the PCF unit remaining on and
actively humming softly, and went right up to the officers.  Five curious
faces lifted up from their trays of food, regarding her with both
apprehension and flagrant hostility.  Savon set aside his tray, the first to
notice she now wore the PCF wristband, and calmly came to the front of the
cell, a foolish grin on his roundish face.

"I was wondering if you'd come by," said the Bajoran.

"How was dinner?" asked Alexis.

"As far as synthetic rations go, it was digestible."  Savon pointed at the
wristband.  "Ah.  I see you've recently been on the Falcon.  Find any
unusual stow aways?  We seem to be missing a few crew members who didn't
make it over yesterday.  You see, my mind is clear now and I remember
everything.  You seem to be faring well.  The Gul must like you."

"I've no complaints.  And no, I didn't see anyone on the ship." Grant
replied, pulling her coat sleeve down to hide the PCF from Kira before Savon
could go into details about the devise.  "Should I have, old friend?"

"Anything you can tell us would help," said the Major.

Savon shrugged, ignoring the question to look over at Kira.  "Pleasure to
see you, Nerys.  I thought you were going to arrange for my release.  I see
there is no loyalty between old comrades in the Resistance.  Perhaps you don
't remember that I saved your life once, pulling you out of a glinn's
burning home at the last second and doctoring your wounds while we hid from
hours from the search squads.  Later, after you recovered, you repaid me by
becoming my lover.  Those few days were the fondest of my life."

"We're not here to talk about the past," said Kira, annoyed.

"No?  Then why are you here?"

Alexis swatted at the force field before her, setting it rippling in waves
of yellow and orange, before realizing what she was doing.  Kira and the Jem
'Hadar stared at the human female in astonishment, while Savon and his
fellow officers reacted with apprehension.  Grant withdrew quickly and the
force field grew calm, turning transparent once more.

"I see.  It's more serious than that," laughed Savon.  "I was wondering when
Strall would make his appearance."

Grant roared.  "Well, he has!  And Kweeg's vanished!"              "It was
only a matter of time before Strall got to Kweeg.  You must be very
frustrated, Alexis, to come here and ask for my help.  I thought I was the
last person you trusted.  I don't suppose it would help to say I could have
let Varnok kill you?  He wanted to but I wouldn't let him."

"Then I guess that makes us even now."

Savon bowed his head.  "So tell me, Alexis, has your head been hurting
lately?  Have you suddenly found yourself actually sleeping?  Do you find
yourself having insatiable appetites of all kinds?  Do you wake up at night
thirsty for blood?"

"What are you suggesting?"

"Nothing.  But you are a Chameleon.  Like me.  That makes us both a little
more valuable than the rest of the crew.  It's not too late, Alexis.  You
can still join us.  Just free us and all will be forgiven.  I swear it."

Kira's calm composure broke, revealing her worry lining her face like a road
map.  She started to pull Grant back, then felt a slight electrical
resistance and drew back, rubbing her tingling palm on her chest.  Her hand
dropped to her phaser, waiting to draw and fire.  As Grant turned to regard
her with cool blue eyes, Kira's fingers closed around the weapon.

"Bajorans are all alike," snarled Grant.  "You side together because you're
the same.  You're not like him.  Let him out, Major, and he'd snap your neck
in two.  If he could get to you before I killed him."

Kira dropped her hand.  "Sorry."

"Apology accepted," said Grant, holding no grudge.  She turned back to
Savon.  "You've got a problem, old friend.  Strall was experimenting on you
and the others while you were on the Falcon.  He's back to complete the
task."

"I know."
  "You know?  Did you know what Kweeg was storing in all those crates in the
hold?"  Grant laughed coarsely.  "Of course you did!  I'm so stupid.  You
were in on all of it.  You were the first officer.  Kweeg relied on you.
You had to know what Kweeg and Strall were doing.  And you supported them.
So why let Varnok mutiny against Kweeg?  What was in it for you?"

"Money," Savon announced.  "Lots and lots of money!  I wanted to retire in
luxury.  I still intend to, once I get out of this cell.  And I will, Grant.
You know you can't hold me because I'm what you are.  We're alike.  We're
connected."

"I resign as Captain of the Falcon.  We're nothing."

Grant turned to leave.  Kira hesitated.

"What about us?" snarled the Andorian.  "Everyone acts worried about poor
Savon.  Well, we're people too!  We have rights!  Let us out!  I wait stay
in here another minute!"

"In the Dominion, you're guilty before proven innocent," said Savon, "and we
apparently don't qualify for a trial.  Stop whining, Gertog. I told you that
we'd been left to rot," replied the Trill, Breeka.  She held her hands out
imploring to her jailers.  "If you let us out, Captain Grant, I promise we'
ll all help you look for Kweeg.  I used to be his favorite before you came
and ruined everything for me.  You have no idea what my life was like after
I was cast down with the crew.  But I hold no grudges.  I want to help."

"Tell me where to find Kweeg and Strall," demanded Alexis.  "If you
cooperate Savon, I'll ask Dukat to turn you over to the Bajoran authorities.
I'm sure he'll do it as a favor for Major Kira.  I've only to ask."

Five pairs of curious eyes focused on Grant.  She had no other choice but
appease their curiosity.  "Strall might be on the station after all.  I
suspect he'll eventually make his way here to complete his gene-therapy on
the rest of the Falcon crew, turning you all into what Kweeg was trying so
carefully to hide in his cargo hold.  Maybe he'll do it in the arena.  There
is to be a fight in a few days.  You should know.  You ran the play bills
all over the Quadrant."

"They said it had been called off!"  Savon finally showed his fear.  "Major
Kira!  It's your duty to protect us.  The Dominion is coming here for the
big show.  If Strall gives any of us another shot of zoriphamariate, it
won't matter what happens in the arena!  You have to get me out of here!"

The officers immediately demanded their release, throwing their food and
trays at the force field, inciting a riot.  The crew in the back two cells
tried to break through the force field, only to be thrown a short distance
into each other.  The Jem'Hadar trained their weapons on the wild crew while
backing into the center of the room in order to face in all directions.

"Let's go," said Kira, motioning for Grant to follow her out into the
hallway right as a Bajoran security team came running up, carrying
tricorders and paused to address the two women.

"All nonessential have been confined to their quarters," said a Bajoran
guard.  "Major Kira, you are to report to Security Chief Odo after you and
Captain Grant have completed a thorough sweep starting with ops and ending
with the habitat ring.  We're headed down to engineering.  Oh, yes.  Glinn
Damar has returned."   "Did Damar find the drug?" asked Grant.

The Bajoran glanced at her.  "He didn't say."

The security team moved on, heading for the turbolift.

Grant sensed Kira was about to grab hold of her arm again.  She moved away
before Kira realized she was staring at an empty spot.  At the sound of
feminine laughter, the Major spun around and tensed seeing Grant standing
several feet behind her, her hands planted on her hips, grinning wide.

"Don't worry.  I'll see Damar later."

"Personally, I don't see how you can find Cardassians sexually attractive.
Dukat is egotistical, domineering, arrogant, and certifiably evil, while
Damar is no better than a thug."

"Your opinion is noted, Major.  As for myself, I've developed an appetite
for Cardassians.  A few years ago it used to be Romulans.  Apparently I like
dominant males.  Go figure."

Dropping her arms, Grant headed toward the turbolift, pausing at the doors
to wait for Kira to catch up.  As soon as both were situated on a platform,
Kira requested the habitat ring.  Down every hall, from room to room, Kira
and Grant conducted their search, scanning station personnel and visiting
guests trapped on Terok Nor alike.  After searching a number of the Jem'
Hadar' quarters, Kira and Grant stopped at the last of the large barracks to
run a scan over each guard.  Their presence was unwanted and the Jem'Hadar
were hostile to have their privacy breached by two women, one Bajoran and
one Human.

Grant spotted the door to the bathroom open and peered inside, catching
glimpse of someone who looked remarkably like a Vulcan before a Jem'Hadar
pushed him aside.  As she started to inform Kira about what she'd seen, the
Jem'Hadar charged out of the room toward her.  Kira interceded and shoved
the Jem'Hadar out of her path.  Suddenly, her tricorder was sent flying out
of her hand.  A guard grabbed Kira around the neck and tossed her to the
side of the room, where she landed on a hard cot and slid to the floor.
Instantly, the guard was laying on the floor, face down, unresponsive when
kicked by his friends with Grant towering over him, fists raised like a
boxer.

"You've killed him," said an officer, stepping forward.
   "He's not dead.  But hopefully, he's learned a lesson.  Never hit my
friends," Grant replied, unaware that Kira's expression had softened upon
hearing her remark.

All at once, a dozen angry Jem'Hadar surrounded Grant and just as instantly
were scattered in all directions.  With each actual blow Grant gave to a
guard, the PCF made a soft whine that was detectable by Kira as well as the
Jem'Hadar, packing her punches with enough added energy to leave the guards
temporarily stunned.  A few kicks, throws, and fast-action swings and soon,
every guard in the room lay on the floor either moaning softly, quivering
with convulsions, or unconscious.

Grant went to the bathroom, opened the door and stepped inside.  The vent
covering the ventilator shaft tapped slightly as air was pumped into the
room.  It smelled.  She made no effort to investigate further.  She was
certain she'd seen Strall, but without proof, there seemed no reason to
inform the Major.  Nor was she about to volunteer to crawl after him through
the shaft.  The last thing she wanted was to confront Strall in a confined
placed.  He'd expect her to do that, so she said nothing.

One touch of a button and the PCF went off-line and quieted.
A pale, slender hand was thrust down to Kira where she remained curled on
the floor, her legs under her body.  Kira looked dubious at the thought of
touching Grant's hand, but decided to trust her instincts.  She reached up,
felt a mighty squeeze compress down on the back of her palm, then was pulled
up to her feet and the tight grip was instantly withdrawn.

"What happened?  I feel like I watched my life suddenly pass by extremely
fast.  I missed half of the fight.  It went by in a blur.  You were...you
were amazing!"

"I lost my temper," said Grant, gesturing at the fallen guards.  "But don't
worry.  They'll be all right...except for one nasty headache."  She walked
with Kira to the door, acting as though they were old pals.  "Now you know
my secret for winning in the arena."  She flashed the wristband.  "This
little device I designed years ago.  I was only able to build this prototype
after Kweeg picked me up."

As they existed the barracks, Kira ran the tricorder up and down the hall,
remaining ever watchful in her duty, as persistent after hours of work as
the moment she'd first come onto the job.  Grant found herself watching the
Major, admiring the other's professionalism.  It made no sense to her why a
Bajoran who'd witnessed the Occupation could stand one minute being on a
Cardassian space station.  Major Kira was no collaborator.  She had her own
mission.  So did Alexis.  And not until then did she realize that they on
the same side.  Being diminutive had nothing to do with Kira's mental
discipline, and in that regard, Grant thought the Major giant and wanted to
tell Kira something nice.  She assumed because of her intimate affiliation
with Dukat that anything personal could only be taken one way, and that was
adversarial.  They were, after all, rivals for Dukat's heart; one to feel
his love, and the other to combat his hate.  She was relieved when Kira
filled the silence with conversation.

"What's that the devise called?"

"Pity the Resistance didn't have this.  It's a hand-dandy little item that
packs a powerful punch if touched, while acting like a total-body-shield to
repel all penetration.  If you could put oxygen into it, you could even wear
it as a space suit or under water.  Technically, that is.  Its retardant
against flame, ice, any climate or conceivable adverse condition.  You're
almost invisible when you wear this.  I intended to patent it with
Starfleet, but you know how things get swept under the carpet.  I call it a
PCF which stands for personal containment field."

Kira nodded.  "It's rather like a miniaturized force field that you wear
like a coat?"

"Exactly.  The controls lower the energy emanating from it so you can still
grip weapons or handle a ship's helm.  I came up with a few other handy
devises to use in the arena.  But the PCF is my favorite."

"It didn't keep you from Kweeg."

"Oh, that.  I always wore the PCF.  I turned it off now and then.  Kweeg
kept me fed for a few ear fondlings, or modeling body armor, you know the
routine.  It was a platonic relationship and I serviced the horny old toad
as best I could."

"Please.  Don't talk that way to me.  The only person who talks to
personally to me is my friend, Dax, and I've known her for years.  I really
don't want to know."

Grant laughed loudly.  "What's wrong with telling you that keeping Kweeg
happy, kept me safe.  Say what you will about the Ferrengi.  Kweeg regarded
me as a commodity that needed careful attention.  I would have protected
Kweeg if Savon hadn't drugged me.  But I don't know why Savon didn't keep
the PCF instead of putting it into Kweeg's safe.  Savon could have escaped
but he let himself get caught."

"Dukat would have blow the Falcon out of the sky.  There was no escape.
Savon had no other choice.  But I agree.  He should have kept the PCF.
Maybe he cares about you.  Even loves you.

They stopped at several more storage rooms and ran scans, securing each door
with a new code to see that it remained closed.

"What happened to Kweeg and his crew?" asked Kira, walking with her eyes
glued to the tricorder as they moved on.
   "Drugs.  Kweeg thought he could inflate his useless prick with injections
of Chromogenitrix, a strength enhancer.  Zoriphamariate, which Savon was on,
is the gene splicing agent that allows you to manipulate DNA.  Shoot someone
up with Chloroproxilate and they're able to change their skin density and
coloring, so body armor can actually be grown over flesh.  All three
chemicals were used by Dr. Shelby on her Chameleons, and Strall injected it
into Kweeg and the crew.  A sperm and egg administered to under the
appropriate lab setting results in a favorable results in one out of two
thousand recorded cases."

"You're not perfect.  Trust me."

"That's not what I'm saying," snapped Grant.  "I'm trying to tell you, that
injected into adults, the combined drugs turn ordinary people into homicidal
maniacs with the ability to shape change after death and keep killing
forever, and ever."

"Savon?"

"Probably.  I don't think he's a Chameleon.  Not one of the originals like
me.  He's something different.  It's a pity the Cardassians don't have one
brain amongst their medical staff.  Shelby is so damn lever.  She's
unstoppable."

Kira shivered.  "You mean Strall?"

"Do I?  Aren't they the same mind, with the same goal?"
Grant suddenly grew silent and lifted up the tricorder.  "That gives me an
idea."  She changed a setting on her tricorder.  "I'm going to trace for the
alkaline residue left behind by the Chloroproxilate.  The side effect is
extreme perspiration.  I hate to admit this, but lately I've noticed that
during and after sex, I sweat a great deal.  It's not normal for me."

"I don't need to hear that, really," said Kira, meaning it.  "I'd rather
hear about the PCF you designed.  All that Starfleet training in engineering
gave you what you needed to build a revolutionary defensive shield.  To me,
that's more important than any gene-altering drug.  I see now why you risked
angering Dukat by returning to the Falcon.  May I see it?"

"Uh-huh.  While I'm wearing the PCF, nothing came harm me.  I'm so used to
wearing it that I feel vulnerable without it.  It's saved my life countless
times.  But I tell you what, Major, I'll send you one once I get the chance.
I won't be here long.  I'll have it patented by then.  It's about time I
started getting credit for something."

"You sound ambitious."

Grant chuckled and started walking down the hall.  "I've had a good tutor.
If I've learned anything from Dukat, it's ambition."

"I'm onto you," said Kira, catching up and shouldering in beside the tall
human.  "You're Federation, through and through.  You probably served prison
time as part of the conspiracy to capture the elusive Dr. Hannah Shelby.
Your father probably knew all about it.  Am I right?"

"Your conspiracy theory.  It's a shame you don't know all of the keys
players, Major.  I find your insight quite useful.  No wonder Dukat covets
your wisdom."

Kira softened toward Grant.  "Dukat might have other plans for you.  In
fact, I'd count on it.  I've never seen Dukat act so tolerant of anyone from
the Federation.  And don't feed me that line that you're a bitter convict,
because I'm actually starting to think you're part of the conspiracy.  Dukat
is actually acting heroic in your presence and that makes me uneasy.  You
don't know Dukat like I do.  If he's involved, you better have a way to get
off this station, and fast."

"Dukat wouldn't give me to the Dominion.  Why would he when I have other
uses to him?  Of course, he prefers you."

"You're saying that because you want to throw me off the scent," said Kira.
She glanced up and down the hallway.  She spoke in a whisper.  "I know
you're a Federation spy.  That certainly was one big production you put on
for Dukat's benefit about Jacob IV.  You knew you on a Cardassian station.
You came and went from it, I suspect, on other missions."

"The Federation has imprisoned every Chameleon made by Shelby.  Do you
really think they'd send a psychotic mass murderer on a secret mission?  You
should write fiction, Major."
Grant pushed her sleeve up with the hand holding the tricorder and exposed a
bar code on the under side of her arm.  "You only get one of these if your a
lifer.  Varnok has one as well.  Three years, Major.  That's how long I was
kept behind bars.  I'm not going back.  I'm not a spy."

"You're in love with him?"  Kira feared the answer.

"Very much."

"But you know Dukat is only using you.  Dukat wants a genetically superior
child.  He has bastards all over the quadrant.  You don't want his child."

"I'm sterile," said Grant.  "Like all Chameleons."

"And Dukat doesn't know?"

Kira started laughing, waving her hand in front of her face, but soon was
holding onto her side.  Grant looked at her oddly, appreciating a wicked
sense of humor as the next person, and joined in.  Their laughter echoed
down the corridor.

"I'm beginning to like you, Major."
  "You're not so bad yourself, Captain," replied Kira.

They headed toward the turbolift to complete their sweep of the station.
Kira mulled over an idea in her head and soon changed the setting on her
tricorder.  Grant watched her with mild interest.

After a few moments, Kira said, "Earlier you took readings for corpalactic
dust..."

"Decomposed skin dander...."

"....which I think we should look for to find a trail that leads to Kweeg."

"You're enjoying this challenge."

"Any deviation from the usual demanding affairs on Terok Nor is a change for
the better."

As the women entered the turbolift, both were pushed rudely aside by a
Cardassian who appeared out of nowhere, in an obvious state of great
agitation, sweating profusely.  Grant started to take a reading, then paused
as she recognized Damar and instead, elated to see her friend, threw her
arms around his neck, giving him a kiss right on the cheek.

"I've been worried about you," said Grant.  When Damar said nothing in
response, she tried again.  "Find anything interesting in sickbay?  Like the
Chameleon drug?"  She paused.  "You're slick as oil.  Are you all right?"

Still no answer was forthcoming from Damar.  Kira turned her tricorder on
the Cardassian, scanning him quickly.  She gasped as she picked up soaring
corpalactic dust readings.  In that instance, the Cardassian changed into
Captain Kweeg, a knife in hand, which he thrust into the human.  Grant leapt
aside at the last second, taking the blow deep into her ribs.  She collapsed
as the turbolift came to an abrupt halt on the Promenade.  The Ferrengi
shapeshifter turned on Kira, in the process of drawing her phaser, and
knocking the Bajoran aside with a well-placed chop, sent her tumbling off
the platform to the floor.  Kira looked up, winded, to see Kweeg limping off
toward the bar, a dagger sticking out of his thigh which Grant had used at
the last second.

"He's getting away!" shouted Grant, rising to her feet.

The human staggered after him, a flash in Kira's eyes, but slow to Grant's,
a hand to her side.  Catching up with the Ferrengi at the bar as he was
about to jump it, she tackled him to the ground, jerking out the dagger and
repetitively jabbing it into his back.  Suddenly, Kweeg changed forms,
turning into a an enormous blotted Horta.  Grant was lost from view as the
creature moved over her body, covering her completely.  Soon, it let out a
horrible screech as quickly moved away, shuttering as the loud hum of the
activated PCF filed the room.  The bloody knife in hand, Grant, unscathed
from the attack of the Horta, started to rise.

"Stay down!"

Kira, phaser in hand, fired at the creature as it sped off, moving
incredibly fast and vanished down the corridor.  The Major took one look at
Grant, bleeding heavily at the bar but still conscious, and at the human's
wave of encouragement, she raced after Kweeg.  Grant collapsed, unable to do
more as her blood pooled on the floor her feet.  The dagger dropped.  She
gripped the hole in her side, shocked to see her own blood.  As her strength
waned and her vision blurred, bringing an image of Death, she thought she
saw Dukat appear on the Second Pylon with a large escort of guards.

Minutes later, Grant lay on the floor, looking up at the ceiling high above,
an ache in her side the likes of which she'd never experienced.  As her
vision cleared and the pain hit her mid-section, she realized Dukat was
kneeling beside her.

"You've lost a great deal of blood, my dear.  There isn't time to get you to
the infirmary. " said Dukat, soothingly.  He took off her leather coat and
lifted the edge of the blood soaked white shirt, placing a towel over the
wound as he reached for a thermal-regenerator ready in his hand.  "Relax and
trust me.  I know what I'm doing.  I've doctored many a soldier in the
field.  You're in safer hands with me than with the professionals."

"I know," she whispered.

Concern lining his face with wrinkles, Dukat lifted the towel, turned on the
thermal-regenerator and as he was about to run it over the wound, he froze.
The medical devise hovered an inch above a smooth abandon with no visible
sign of a wound.  Only the great amount of blood absorbed into her shirt and
pooled under her on the floor had left behind any evidence that she'd ever
been hurt.  Dukat ran his long fingers over her smooth flesh, a look of
shock d at her miraculous ability to heal herself replacing his former
anxiousness.  He ran the medical devise over the healed area all the same
and turned it off when nothing was accomplished.  Lifting the towel, he
wiped away the blood off her stomach and watched as a thin, white scar faded
from few under his fingertips.

"I can't believe my eyes."

Alexis caught at his hand.  "There's so much blood!"

"You are going to live.  Believe me.  You act as though you've never seen
blood before.  You're a gladiator."

Dukat set aside the thermal-regenerator, got Alexis up on her feet and
sitting on a stool.  He jumped up and sat on the bar.  Reaching down behind
him, he located a bottle of Romulan ale and a glass.  He filled it to the
top and placed it before Grant, in the process of slowly putting on her
jacket and zipping it up with to cover her blood soaked shirt.  A spasm of
pain brought a frown to her ashen face, but she only cried out when she
discovered the hole in her jacket.  A worried Dukat pushed a full glass
toward her and slid down to stand beside her like a guardian angel.  She put
her elbows on the bar, exhausted in the first time since she couldn't
remember, and leaned against the hard edge.  Dukat stroked her hair and left
his hand on her shoulder.

"I was careless.  My mind was elsewhere."

"Oh?"

"I should have taken Kweeg."

She picked up the glass with a trembling hand and spilled the blue liquid on
the table, over her hand and onto her lap.  She set the glass down with a
bang, tears of frustration gathering in her eyes which she refused to shed.

"What is wrong with me?"

Dukat took the glass from her and held it to her lips.  "Nothing that a sip
of Romulan ale won't cure."  He indicated with a nod of his head that he
wanted her to drink.  She did as requested and drank as he tilted the glass.
Then, she drew back and licked her lips.  "Better?  You don't want a real
doctor?"

She shook her head.  She took the glass from him and drank the rest.  He
refilled it a second time.

"In...in all the times I fought in the arena, no one has ever hurt me.  If I
went into a panic, it's possible that I could have bled to death.  He cut
through a major artery.  It took all my strength to regenerate new tissue
that fast.  Seeing you calmed me and I was able to concentrate.  That's all
it takes.  I think about it and I'm healed.  But if I'm too emotional, I
can't think and that's when it gets hairy.  You saved my life."

"As a guest of Terok Nor," Dukat said, in a honey-gold voice, slipping his
arm around her as though he was picking up a Dabo girl at the bar, "it's my
duty to protect you as the Gul."      "I'll can repay you," she teased,
sagging against him.  She was so tired she could hardly keep her eyes open.
"Later."

"The only place you're going, child, is bed.  To sleep.

Grant suddenly sagged forward against the bar, pushing the glass aside.
"Hurry, Dukat.  I don't feel well."  She put her arms around his neck as he
helped her to her feet.  "Another first.  I have never been sick a day in my
life. Savon might be right about me.  Strall could have got to me.  He could
have put something in my water or food trays.  I could be contaminated.  I'm
so weak."

Dukat held her firmly.  "Be quiet, my sweet Captain Grant.  You'll be fine
once you've rested.  We'll sort this out.  I promise.  But in private.  I
don't want anyone to hear."

"You think of everything," said Grant, starting to doze.

"I do my best."
  Steadying her, Dukat kept an arm around her narrow waist as he walked his
beautiful prize across the Promenade, admiring her strength and endurance,
but the moment they stepped onto the turbolift, she collapsed.  A dozen
Cardassian guards pressed around Dukat as he crouched over her body.  He
snarled, motioning them to move back.  In one powerful motion, Dukat swept
Grant up into his strong arms and carried her the rest of the way to her
room.


  *  *  *  *

Chapter Nine



Over the next few hours, Dukat dozed on and off.  The rustling of clothes
hitting the floor nearby, brought his heavy, sleep-laden lids fluttering
open right in time to see a nude female form pause in front of his chair.
Alexis knelt in front of Dukat, not aware he was awake, presenting a lovely
view of her posterior as she gathered up her clothes, then tiptoed across
the room and entered the bedroom.  Dukat sat up and noticed that a blanket
covered him, the same one he'd placed over Alexis while she'd napped on the
couch.  Her concern touched him deeply.

After a few moments, he heard the water in the shower come on.  He rose
stiffly from his chair, stretching wide to ease the ache in his joints for
sleeping seated.  His throat was parched.  He licked his lips as he entered
the kitchen and poured two glasses of kanar, taking a preliminary sip, he
then followed her into the bedroom.  A second taste of kanar followed as he
passed the bed, detecting the odor of Ferrengi, faint though detectable by
Cardassian standards.  He came up hard and fast.  His eyes narrowed as he
glanced at the bed.

Fuming with jealously, Dukat set down the two glasses on a nightstand and
yanked the dark purple satin coverlet off the mattress, expecting to find
remnants of a previous sexual encounter.  He gawked in amazement, for layer
upon layer of pressed latinum was stacked neatly on the large bed, which he
estimated to be well over ten thousand single bars.  He knew at once that he
was looking at Kweeg's treasure.

"Alexis!" shouted the Gul in a loud, melodic voice.  "You have some
explaining to do!"

Dukat picked up a piece of latinum and entered the shower, intending to lay
down the law.  Alexis' attention was focused on washing her hair and she
didn't see him thrust his armored arm into the water, until the latinum was
stuck under her nose.  She took it from him as though it was a bar of
old-fashioned Terran soap and set it aside, then turning toward Dukat, a
sensual glint appeared in her blue eyes, she held out her arms to him.  Her
breasts were glorious, heavy pendulums, her stomach flat and muscular, her
legs long and ankles thin.  Not a scar marred her white flesh.  She wore the
bracelets he'd given her, along with a black band on her left wrist.  Her
beauty left him stunned and in a state of arousal that needed immediate
attention.  She was the perfect specimen, he thought.  He could already
taste her in his mouth.  He lowered his hand to adjust the bugle in his
pants.

"Join me, my virile Cardassian lover," she said, huskily, her eyes on his
hand and the prize that it shielded.  She stepped under one of the dueling
shower heads and let the water slide down her face while speaking.  "I feel
full of life and completely re-energized.  I want you, Dukat.  I want to see
you come on me."

All Dukat's common sense went down the drain with the soap bubbles.
Stepping inside the steamy glass encased shower while fully dressed, he
caught a hold of Grant by one wet arm as soon as she closed the glass door,
and drew her against his armored chest.  As she pressed against him and
laced her fingers behind his ridged neck, he caught hold of her chin,
turning her face upwards and kissed her languidly, allowing his tongue to
slip in and mingle with her own, leaving him swooning like a love-struck
boy.  He broke the kiss and lifted his face up to the water, letting it hit
him straight on, then shook his head, sending droplets flying as he flipped
his black hair off his forehead.

"I should be furious with you," said Dukat, at last, running his large hands
down to cup her buttocks, kneading them softly as he pressed her against his
erection.  "My armor is ruined."

Alexis laughed  "You look better without it, lover."

She pulled out of his arms and eagerly unfastened his cuirass, helped him
out of it, and together, they tossed it aside.  He held onto the railing as
he lifted one boot so she could remove it, then the other, and laughed when
she had trouble removing his soaked socks.  She stood, triumphant, and
tossed the articles aside.  His drew off his padded shirt while her fingers
adeptly unbuckled his pants and yanked them down to his ankles, as his
erection leapt upwards like a catapult arm, slapping her in the face.  She
slid his pants off, still crouched, flipped the black cloth over his armor,
then returned to his erection, sliding back the foreskin and licking the
entire slippery length, then mouthed the large charcoal hood, sucking on it
frantically.   Her hand soon replaced her mouth.  The manner in which she
rubbed up and down his manhood worked a spell over Dukat and he gladly let
her dominate him.  Her frenzied, wet kisses lavished on his price drove all
concerns from his mind and the jerking rhythm of her hand clouded all
troubling images.  Soon, all he could feel was a sheer euphoric pleasure
that lit him on fire from head to toe.  He detected the strong spicy scent
of his pheromones filling the shower and her movements quickened.  He felt
himself close to release.  He caught her under the arms, dragged her up to
her feet, pulled her into his arms and kissed her hungrily under the two
streams of water.

Dukat suddenly found himself shoved up against the wall of the shower and
his erection firmly taken between her hands.  She turned around, presenting
the Gul with her round posterior and looked at him provocatively over the
shoulder as she guided the cock between her legs.  One hand grabbed a fist
full of her hair, the other landing on the small of her back, as he bent her
over and gasped as he penetrated her womanhood deeply.  She held onto the
hand railing across from her as Dukat thrust into her from behind, letting
out a cry of delight as the hand on her back slid around to her front and
sought out the tiny bud of pleasure between her thighs.  As his fingers
worked the nub until it was hard and throbbing, he slowly pumped against
her, then started slamming as she cried out, begging for more.  His hands
locked over her hips, holding her firmly as he closed his eyes, rocking
against her steadily, turning her cries into shrieks.

Feeling the blood pounding in his erection, Dukat knew he was close to
release.  He withdrew at the last second, spun Alexis around, grabbed his
cock and shot his spread over his breasts, which the water instantly washed
away.  She slid her hand across her breasts, trying to catch the white
seamen before it vanished, never taking her eyes off Dukat's handsome face.

"You're beautiful when you come," said Alexis.

"I didn't hurt you?" asked Dukat.

He'd been rough because that was what she'd wanted.  She aroused the darkest
sexual animal inside of his soul, and he suspected there were things she'd
do unusual acts that had not been brought up, that would only increase the
intensity of their love-making.  She shook her head.  Smiling tenderly at
his human lover, Dukat cupped her cheek in his hand and offered his thumb
for her to suck upon.  She obliged and he felt the blood rush back into his
penis, engorging it, preparing him for another round.  This time in bed, he
thought, pulling his hand away.

"Come me with me," said Dukat, breathless.

He turned off the water, caught Alexis by hand and led her out of the
shower.  Dukat picked up a thick towel and dried her hair, then went over
her entire body as though he was polishing a statue made of Terran ivory,
enjoying himself more serving a woman than he'd realized possible.  When he
finished, he was not at all surprised when she returned the favor and
proceeded to dry him off, taking the time to get between every ridge and
crevice, until he was completely dry.  Next, she held out his robe for him,
the one she always more, and sashed it for him once he had it on.  He
reached for another towel and draped it around her slender, tall body,
pulled it around her, then tucked the corner end so it would hold.

"This is what it would be like if we lived together," said Alexis, grabbing
a comb and grooming his hair while he stared at his reflection in the
mirror.  "I could get used to pampering you.  Did all your comfort women do
this for you?"

"A few.  But none performed as well as you."

"I'm jealous."

"An emotion I've experienced frequently since meeting you," said Dukat,
removing the comb from her hand.  He tossed it aside and caught hold of the
front of her towel.  "I am quite certain you have both known many lovers.
However, being older, it is only natural that I'd know many more."

Alexis smiled without humor and walked into the bedroom.  He pursued her and
caught up with her as she was about to take a drink from the glass of kanar
he'd poured for her.  She turned around, her smile a bit tense, then downed
the glass.

"I have upset you," said Dukat, stroke a damp blonde lock off her brow.  "If
it is any solace, I have spent considerably more time pleasing you, in a
shorter amount of time, than I have with any other woman.  I'm well aware
time is against us.  I would hate for anything to take away what time we
have to be together.  You know of my reputation."

"And you made no promises.  I know!  I know.  I simply don't like to think
of you with any other woman.  A phenomenon many which women have probably
experienced after sleeping with you.  You will forget me when I'm gone.
Like all the rest."

Dukat took the glass from her and set it aside.   He drew her into his arms
and kissed her.  She did not verbally respond, though her blue eyes flashed
angrily at him.  "You have no more reason to be jealous than I do, my dear.
I am here with you.  There is no one else I am currently seeing.  Can you
not be content with what we do have?  I have no such complaints."

"Because you're a man!"  As Alexis angrily shoved Dukat toward the bed, he
momentarily thought about the pile of latinum, then heard her shout, "Watch
your head!"

Dukat placed his hands at the back of his skull and prepared for a painful
body slam that he knew was certain to come.  As he fell back onto the bars
of latinum, his head landed safely on the pillows.  He was so physically
exhausted from a full day that he every muscle felt brittle, and in her
current aroused state, he feared she'd break him in two.

"Be careful," he snarled.

Grant was on Dukat at once, straddling his muscular frame and pushing his
robe aside to grab his swollen member, slick with his natural lubrication.
He reached up and put his hand behind her head, drawing her down, moaning
deeply as he felt the soft petal-like feel of her lips brush against his
own.  He soon forgot about the hardness of the bed.  The gentleness of her
kisses told him all he needed to know; she'd surrendered all control to him.
He rolled her to the side and pulled the towel aside, feasting his eyes on
her magnificent body.  She drew back, her lips swollen and red, her eyes
filled with concern.  It was not at all the look he wanted to see in her
eyes.

Without saying a word, Dukat put a pillow behind her head, sliding his large
body downwards, at the same time as he parted her legs.  He stroked her
inner thighs, drawing one leg around his shoulder as he opened her up to his
exploration and gazed at the exposed velvety pink patch.  Her honey scent
was faint.  He kissed her thigh and buried his face between her thighs.  As
his tongue slid up the entirety of her womanhood, he used both hands to part
the folds, then sunk his tongue deep inside.  She arched her back his long
tongue began penetrated the center, thrusting it in and out as though it was
his prick instead.  His thumb found her center of glory and rubbed it with
growing enthusiasm.  He devoured her with his mouth, lapping up the dripping
juices, his well-practiced skill with his tongue leaving her quivering,
weak, and wet.

Alexis gazed down at her beloved, certain she'd heard her name whispered
softly.  Dukat paused and gazed up at her, his handsome face glistening with
her juices.  His complexion was dark grey, but his expression was
nonetheless tender, causing her heart to flutter wildly inside her chest.
She caught hold of his face and slid her index finger along his moist lips.

"If you say my name like that again, I'll be forever lost.  Please.  Say my
name.  Say it a thousand times."

Chuckling throatily, Dukat pulled himself up and drew her into the arms,
laying side by side, grimacing only slightly at the uncomfortable hardness
beneath his hip bone.  He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her
repeatedly, starting with her mouth, then her cheek, jawline and throat.
As his lips touched her ear, he whispered, "Alexis," several times, his
voice low and silky.  "Love me, Alexis, or I swear I'll punish you this
time.  Love me as long as you can."

Dukat took her hand and placed it under his robe, so she could feel the full
extent of his full erection.  She unfastened his robe and climbed on top,
sliding herself right down on his thick staff.  She began gyrating her hips,
her knees cramped against the latinum, but still moving faster up and down
his undulating member, working him hard.  His hands squeezed her middle,
holding her firmly on top of him as she picked up the pace.  As he closed
his eyes, she stared down at his ridged, scaly, alien chest.  His nipples
were erect and the shake of charcoal.  The lightest sprinkle of black hair
covered his pectorals.  She rubbed her hands over his chest while she rode
him, deliberately pinching his nipples and making him yelp.

Dukat opened his eyes as he realized he'd given the control back to his
lover.  His role was to buck beneath her and watch as she squirmed and
thrashed on top of him.  He wanted to touch her body, her breasts, her firm
thighs, and kiss her every orifice on her splendid, perfect body, but she
denied him this pleasure, giving him exactly what she wanted to give him,
taxing his strength and depleting his reserves as minutes turned into hours.
Finally, dazed and battered by the beautiful she-demon who had taken full
possession of his corporeal body, he concentrated on coming to a final
release.

A stream of soft, breathless whimpers came from the back of her throat,
becoming louder and throatier as orgasm after orgasm ripped through her
body.  Dukat at last closed his eyes as his seed filled her body, leaving
him completely spent, physically and mentally.  He would have lain forever
on the hard surface of latinum, but Grant had other ideas and moved away
from him.  He looked over and watched as she opened a metal box on the night
stand and removed a small devise, which when switched on, released a small
gravitational beam.

"If you'll get up for just a second, I'll make the bed more comfortable,"
said Alexis."

"You should have done so earlier.  My back is killing me."

Dukat slowly got up from the bed and watched as the stack of latinum, caught
in the miniature gravitation beam, was moved in solid formation onto the
floor.  She turned off the devise and placed it back in the box, then
covered the stack with a throw rug.  He tossed his robe aside and sat back
down onto the much softer mattress, grateful that his poor, aching bones
could finally relax, gathered the pillows behind his head, and made himself
comfortable, waiting patiently for Alexis to return to bed.  She covered
Dukat's nude, masculine form with the satin coverlet and refilled their
glasses of kanar.  He took his glass as she climbed into the blanket beside
him and kissed his cheek.  They toasted in silence and settled back into the
pillows, wrapped together in a tender embrace.

"Had you asked," said Dukat, with a sigh, "I would have gone over to the
Falcon with you, along with a full compliment of guards.  You asked Damar
instead.  Why didn't you come to me?"

"Must we talk about this?"

Dukat reached behind the pillows and hit a button on a console.  The strains
of soft jazz filtered into the room and the lights, previously left on
strong and bright, were lowered to shades of purple and blue.  She was
amused he'd changed the atmosphere, trying to make it more romantic while he
interrogated her.  She adored her Cardassian for thinking of everything and
took his cunning tactics all in stride.

"I am waiting for an answer, Alexis."

"Major Kira has already accused me of treating people as expendable because
of what nearly happened to Jake Sisko.  I feel bad enough I asked anyone to
go over with me.  I know I disobeyed your orders.  But if I'd convinced you
to go over with me, you might have been the one hurt.  I put that boy's life
in jeopardy.  I wasn't even considered about anyone other than myself."

His eyes widened as the ridges surrounding them pulled back, registering his
utter surprise at her outlandish statement that he might need protection.
"I am fully capable of defending myself against any opponent.  Do you think
because I am past fifty years of age that I am pitiful, old and weak?  I
admit, I allowed you to have the upper hand in bed tonight, but that
certainly doesn't mean I have been in any way, shape, or form emasculated.
No one has ever accused me of being incapable of defending myself.  Admit
that the real reason you didn't come to me first, is that you knew I'd
forbid it, so instead, you convinced the one wink link in my food chain to
take you over.  Damar.  I will forgive you if you tell me the truth."

"I am!  I just meant..."

"Your meaning is clear enough without having it repeated!" thundered Dukat,
spilling a drop of kanar on his chest.  "You think you are a superior
warrior.  Fine!  I respect that, for  I know you were designed to be
genetically superior.  Cardassians are physically stronger and more
resilient than ordinary humans.  You are an exception to the rule.  You are
one of a kind."

"And your ego is as fragile as a China tea cup," said Alexis.  She finished
her kanar, set the glass on a table, and curled around the Gul.  "I'm quite
certain you are a superior warrior on the battle field, darling.  I am not
questioning your skill in combat.  I would like to point out that the real
reason you're angry is because you don't like the idea of being a kept man.
You don't mind that I went over to the ship and retrieved the latinum.
You're upset because I didn't tell about it sooner.  It's yours, in any
case.  I always intended to give it to you."

"I don't want to be paid for sex!"

He tried to rise from bed.  She pushed him back.
  "Then think of it as a tribute.  I don't care.  Dole it out to your
officers if you don't want it; only, you do want it.  You like luxury.  You
have expenses.  Since I'm going to do what I want, regardless of your
orders, you might as well thank me for saving you the trouble of bringing it
over."

Dukat let her take his glass from him.  He forgave her when she pressed her
breasts into his chest and kissed him sweetly on the mouth.  She lounged on
his chest, like a lizard on a rock, gazing thoughtfully into his pale blue
eyes, seeing through his mask and finding the secret man hidden within,
carrying a past as heavy as an anchor.  She was so unafraid of him, so
confident that he cared about her, that he found himself believing
everything she said.

"All right.  You win," said Dukat, caressing her cheek with the back of his
hand.  "I cannot argue if you are going to bribe me.  Let's not quarrel
about what's been done.  But in the future, I'd appreciate it if you would
warn me before you take matters into your own hands.  This is the Dominion.
Not the Federation.  My superiors are not as lenient."

"Don't let them know about me and we'll be perfectly happy."

He sighed.  "Both of are lives are extremely complicated.  Yet, you make
everything seem so simple."

"It can be," she said, burying her nose into his chest, sniffing at the
pheremones still covered his skin.  "You keep me in your harem, give me a
new identity, and all will be well."
   "A harem?"  Dukat laughed.  "Those days are long since gone, you little
dreamer.  I seriously doubt you would have enjoyed being here during the
Occupation.  I had a mistress of seven years on this station, Bajoran, and
while I made her life as pleasant as possible, in her heart, she was not
content.  I have not been a faithful husband or lover.  Age has lessened my
sexual appetite for variation, but I am not in a position to be faithful.
My own needs come first.  You wouldn't like that."

"You never met me before.  You don't know if you don't try."

She lifted an arm into the air.  Dukat reached up and slid his finger under
the bracelet.  His large hand closed around her wrist, hiding the bracelet
from view.  He hadn't thought about where he'd gotten them before sending
them to her, along with the dress the night they'd met.  The surax bracelets
were the color of steel, engraved with Cardassian figures that only Dukat
knew told a legendary tale of star-crossed lovers of who met briefly and
were torn apart by reasons beyond their control.  His father had at Dukat's
own birth, commissioned for the bracelets to be designed, having one made
for himself and the other for his wife.  Dukat slid his hand down her arm,
curled his fingers around her shoulder, kissed her softly on the mouth, then
swiftly rolled over, determined not to make himself sound like a romantic
fool by telling her either story.  She'd placed too much value into the
bracelets, he thought, not wanting to complicate things more with sentiment.
But the moment she slipped her arm around him and snuggled against his back,
he nearly weakened.

"I am exhausted," said Dukat, faking a yawn.  "You do make love with a
certain zeal. I'll be no good to you tomorrow if you don't let me sleep.  We
can discuss all things later.  If you're not tired, at least pretend you are
and stay here with me.  I...I take pleasure being in your company."

"If that's your way of telling me that you have feelings for me, Dukat,
well, I guess I can say that I feel the same.  In fact, if I'm fortunate to
spend another day in your company, I won't be able to leave.  I think I'm in
love with you."

Dukat tightly closed his eyes and snored softly.

"Great timing," said Alexis, softly.  "You might have found yourself
responding and saying `I love you.'  Some comfort girl heard you say it
before.  I wish it had been me."

She heard herself sniff and knew she was crying.  Gritting her teeth,
embarrassed by her own emotions, she rolled over and pressed her back
against his own, hiding her face in her hands.  It was only a matter of
seconds before Dukat turned toward her, his heart thumping wildly from his
own repressed feelings, and drawing her into his arms, he made love to her
once more.  She lay in his arms afterwards, listening to his snores and the
steady beating of his heart as he slept, guarding him with the utmost
vigilance until morning.

By the time the clock struck 0900, Alexis, dressed in a loosely flowing
Cardassian robe she'd rummaged out of the closet, had polished Dukat's armor
and her own sword, as well as cooked breakfast.  Roused by the odor of food
and noises coming from the small kitchen, Dukat appeared behind her, wearing
his robe and slippers.  He saw the table was set for two, with a blue
Bajoran rose poking up from a vase in the middle of a tray.  Two cups of
steaming raktajino already poured and waiting on the counter.

"Is Damar here?" asked Dukat, slipping his arms around her waist and hugging
her while criss-crossing his arms in order to cup her full breasts.  He
squeezed her hard and buried his face in her tousled blonde hair.  "You
smell good."

"I'm cooking.  Behave."

He released her and peered down at the prepared food.

"Ah, those must be pancakes!  Flat, round and yellow.  Damar described them
to me.  Are they suppose to look that blasé?  And what is that horrible
whipped stuff next to it?  Eggs?  You put pepper on them.  I don't like
pepper.  If you want to know what I like to eat for breakfast, dearest, why
don't you ask me?  I would much prefer...."

"I'm doing the cooking!  I don't like what you Cardassians eat for
breakfast.  This is a nutritional Terran breakfast and you're going to eat
it and enjoy it.  Those are scrambled eggs!  You bought the eggs.  You
should know what kind of bird laid them.  All I know is that the shells were
speckled green and the yolk a shader greener.  It tastes all right."

"I was teasing you," he chuckled.  "I'm sure it's delicious as you are, my
dear.  In fact," he kissed her wetly behind the ear, "you might be tastier."

"It's hot now."

"And getting hotter," said Dukat, feeling himself stiffen.

She laid her head back against his shoulder, sighing as he caressed the
front of her body and kissed her neck.  He hadn't kept a mistress on Terok
Nor for a long time and he was sorely tempted to change all that with
Alexis.  His lean fingers cupped her face, turning it slightly as he bent
down to kiss her.  She was soft and pliable in the morning, nothing at all
like the wild creature who'd seduced him the night before.  The kiss was
languid and somehow more intimate than sex.  As her tongue entwined with his
own, he turned her around to face him, growing so involved with kissing her
that neither noticed the pungent odor of burning food, or, heard Odo's voice
piping into the kitchen, until finally, the security chief was practically
yelling to get their attention as the fire alarm went off and a cloud of
black smoke billowed upwards.  Alexis cried out and pulled away, angrily
throwing her breakfast into a disposal unit, while Dukat, laughing, answered
Odo's call.

"Dukat here.  What is so important?"

"You're needed in detention," said Odo.  "Immediately."

"I'll be right there.  Dukat out."  The Gul smiled as he met Alexis'
troubled gaze.  But her concern was not what was going in the detention, the
woman was pouting over her ruined breakfast.  "There will always be
tomorrow.  I will fix breakfast to make it up to you.  I am not such a bad
cook."

She hurried over and caught hold of him on his way to the bedroom to
retrieve his clothes, where they'd been freshly laid out on a table.  He
kissed her and tasted salty tears.  He set her back and keeping his arm
around her, walked her into the bedroom, where he kissed her again before
setting her aside and commencing to dress quickly.  She helped him on with
his boots and looked up after she'd closed the last buckle.

"Will there be another morning?  How much time do we have?   We live and
love by minutes and hours.  Stolen moments."

 Alexis stood up and followed him back into the main room.  He grabbed the
heavy steel shirt and slipped it on, letting her help him fasten it, then
handed him a phaser.  He fastened it onto his belt, caught her wiping away a
tear and walked, caught hold of her around the waist and drew her close.

"I'll steal as much time as I can for us, Alexis.  I'll be back as soon as I
can."  Dukat kissed her.  "Don't go anywhere.  I want you waiting for me
when I return.  In bed."

Moments later, Alexis watched Dukat leave without her, having been ordered
to remain in her quarters.  As an empty feeling started aching in her heart
at his departure, she sat down to finish off the Klingon coffee, but took
only one sip before instinct told her that Dukat was not safe.  Bolting into
her bedroom, she dressed in her leather outfit and beret.  She searched
frantically through the box on the night stand, tossing out a number of
padds and an assortment of mechanical inventions onto the large unmade bed.
A small black box caught her eye.  She grabbed it, stuffed into her coat
pocket, ran out of the room, picked up her sword and sped out of her room
and down the corridor after her beloved Gul.

Within seconds, Grant caught up with Dukat accompanied by several Cardassian
guards outside of detention.  Her sudden appearance and the large sword at
her side brought a smile to Dukat's handsome, lean face.  He'd known she
wouldn't stay put in one place for long and had counted on her arrival.  She
exchanged a warm smile with Dukat and followed him inside, cutting his
guards off to present an attractive feminine wall between himself and any
unknown harm waiting within.

"Good!  You're both here!"

Odo hurried forward, leaving a group of guards and a medical officer who
were tending to a wounded Cardassian whose head hung down on his chest,
blocking his face from view.  The security chief walked Dukat over to the
cell containing the Falcon officers.  The two human males and the Andorian
were dead, lying in a heap in the corner where they'd been tossed, one on
top of the other.  The crazed Klingon stood over a cowering Breeka and
Savon, bruised but otherwise unharmed.

"Varnok went wild right after breakfast.  He killed the two humans
instantly.  We tried to get Savon and Breeka out, but it's impossible to
lower the force field without Varnok charging. For the moment, he's made no
aggressive moves on the others."

"Kill him!" demanded Dukat.

"We've tried.  He moves incredibly fast.  In fact, you have no idea how
fast."  Odo glanced at Damar.  "As you can see, we already tried to remove
Varnok.  If it hadn't been for Damar, Varnok would have escaped."

Grant let out of a cry of distress and immediately went to Damar.  A doctor
was trying to make repairs to his ruined shoulder.  The man was so nervous
that he was doing Damar more harm than good.  Annoyed with the medical man's
futile efforts, Grant seized a coagulation activator out of his med-kit,
pushed him aside and ran it over the exposed bloody mass that had once been
Damar's shoulder.  Once the bleeding stopped, she settled on using a dermal
regenerator to seal the flesh with the skill of a professional physician,
leaving behind a mass of pink scar tissue.  Damar leaned back against the
wall, his eyes closed, groaning with pain.  The doctor sat back on his
haunches, amazed with her performance.  She patted the doctor on the
shoulder, stood, and pointed at the bag.

"Give him a shot of Percadox or whatever it is Cardassians need to ease
pain."  Grant waited until the drug was administered before returning to
Dukat's side.  He looked at her, pleased she'd taken care of his glinn so
effectively.  She knew the look and couldn't help smiling.  "I do what I
can."

"Efficiency is the key to success.  Let me give you another example."  Dukat
lined his men up.  Each phaser was aimed at Varnok's cell.  "Set for kill.
Fire only at the Klingon at my command.  Odo.  You'll lower the containment
field on my order."   Grant noticed an arm in the mangle of bodies twitch
and handed the medical devise back to the doctor, standing, her hand on the
hilt of her blade.  Varnok sensed what was going on behind him.  Howling
like a madman, he watched in disbelieve as the three corpses started merging
together, mutating into an entirely new and horrible appearing sentient.

Dukat nodded at Odo to lower the force field.  At the same time, Alexis drew
her magnificent sword.  The instant the force field lowered, Varnok charged
forward and was hit by multiple phaser fire, while Savon and Breeka hit
beneath the single cot in the cell.  It took several full seconds before he
evaporated with a loud shriek, during which the large quivering mass behind
him was already on the move, unaffected by the phaser fire as it headed
directly toward the Gul and his guards.

"Watch out!" shouted Damar.

The multiple-armed monstrosity roared with each of its three mouths, filling
the room with a deafening cacophony.  Several eyes locked on Damar and a
long tongue flicked across a grotesque mouth.  The glinn grimaced in fear as
the mass of quivering flesh changed direction and headed toward him.  Damar
preferred to spend his last few seconds alive viewing what he coveted the
most.  His eyes found the one beautiful thing in the room, the human female,
latching onto her as though he were a drowning man and she the last life
preserver.  Time rushed in upon Damar as he watched Grant's eyes widen with
expectation and the pupils dilate to the size of saucers.  Then, something
large, fluid yet incredibly multi-limbed and impossible to describe blocked
his view and blackness fell upon him.

Alexis swiftly leapt forward, swinging the mighty blade above her head,
bringing it down with all her might to severe the beast in mid-section.  Two
halves fell on the floor, but the awful shrieks continued from its numerous
mouths.  The sections twitched and attempted to rejoin.  With a few swift
slices of the blade, blood splattering, Grant reduced the size of the
creature into little chunks of flesh as the Cardassians and Jem'Hadar guards
backed away.  Then, dropping on her knee in the center of the mess, Alexis
withdrew a small devise from her coat pocket that fit in the palm of her
hand and placed it on the floor.

The containment trap was activated by the controls on her wristband.  Once
she'd finished punching in a security code, every single piece of the
creature was sucked into the box in a brilliant blast of swirling lights.
Not even a drop of blood remained on the floor where Alexis remained
crouched, the jagged-edged sword at her side.  As she rose to her feet, she
suddenly found herself surrounded by eager Jem'Hadar eager to pat her on the
back and mutter their admiration  The Cardassians were less expressive but
the looks on their faces told Alexis that she'd won their respect.

"What was that devise you used to contain the creature?" asked Odo.  He beat
Dukat to her side.  His eyes traveled up and down her body.  She was
splattered with blood from head to foot.  He reached for her arm to better
examine the wristband with its curious control pad and found his hand
bouncing away as though he'd encountered a magnet.  "You've a personalized
force field.  I have never seen one of this type before.  Is it your
 design?"

Alexis sheathed the blade.  "The creature is contained within in a
ionosphere density box, where it will remain forever or until we find a
place to depose of it.  Permanently."  She picked up the harmless looking
black box and tucked it under her arm, then glanced over at the remaining
Falcon crew.

Anxious eyes met her own.  Grant noticed Savon and Breeka were contained in
a new cell, together.

"Did Strall get to you?" Alexis asked the officers.

Savon shook his head.  "Not yet.  Only Varnok and the two humans.  You must
admit, security is greatly lacking here.  Strall walked right in and out.  I
told the guards but these stupid Jem'Hadar acted like they couldn't see him.
Strall wasn't moving that fast.  We could see him."

"You mean he's completed the gene-altering therapy," replied Alexis,
shocked.  "He's turned himself into one of those things.  That can't be
right.  Strall couldn't kill himself and return from the dead without
assistance.  Kweeg?"

"I don't know," said Savon.  "Someone else, perhaps."

"But why?"

"To be immortal," Savon offered.  "You can't kill what's already dead.  And
in our line of business, that's a perk."

Alexis turned her back, shivering with disgust.  She caught Dukat's gaze.
She wanted to come to him and simply melt into his body, becoming a small
part of the Gul that he could shelve or use at his whim, leaving her no
other reason to exist but to service him with mindless abandon.  He revealed
nothing of his own emotions and peered at her behind a cold mask.

"Did Strall speak to you, Savon?  Did he tell you what he's trying to do
here?" interjected Odo.

The Bajoran prisoner laughed.  "Strall doesn't talk.  He's like a walking,
talking android with one thing on his mind.  Kweeg was the Merchant of
Death, but Strall is its Messenger."

"And he'll be back," said Grant, loudly.  She looked right over at Dukat,
her eyes two pools of blue flame.  "You don't want Strall getting back in
here.  You haven't the man power if any more of the crew are altered and
allowed to escape.  I'll rig a polarized containment field and trap Strall
when he returns if you're serious about catching him and keeping my crew
safe.  Otherwise, you might as well give the guards the night off.  They
can't fight what they can't see.  You're not dealing with a Vulcan anymore,
Dukat.  Strall is legion.  He's everything and everywhere.  He could be you,
me, or anyone else in this room."

"Your opinion is noted, Captain Grant," replied Dukat.

"If I may be so bold, Gul Dukat," said Odo, stepping between the pair.  "Due
to this latest development, I think all of the Falcon crew should be removed
from the station.  Bajor has offered to take all of the crew.  I could
arrange for a shuttle and leave with Major Kira within the hour.  I might
even suggest that Captain Grant go with us.  She's not safe here."

"And if Strall goes with you in the guise of someone else?  I don't think
that wise.  All things in due course, Odo.  At the moment, I must attend to
Glinn Damar."

Dukat walked over and helped Damar to his feet, then returned to talk with
Odo, supporting his glinn with an arm around his middle.  Damar looked
stunned but coherent.  Three heads bent together and low voices engaged in
whispering as the door to the detention swished open.  Major Kira suddenly
entered, out of breath and looking frazzled but the men took little notice
of the familiar figure.  Grant looked over at the Major, nodded her head and
turned back to Savon and Breeka.

"Be careful," hissed the Bajoran prisoner.

Grant looked back at the Major at the same time as the new arrival lifted a
phaser, training it directly on Dukat's back.   Grant switched on the PCF
and dove into the direct line of fire, taking the phaser blast full in the
chest.  Like a rag doll, she was thrown across the room, her sword flying
from her hand, and crashed into the far wall.  She slammed her head into the
hard surface before everything went black.

Much later, she awoke in Dukat's bed, every muscle aching and her head on
fire.  The lighting in the room was low and cast shadows on the walls.  She
sensed she was not alone and searched the area for a familiar face, finding
Dukat seated in a chair at the side of her bed, his long legs crossed, his
hands in his lap, a concerned look on his grey, angular face.

"Is that really you?" she asked, her voice sounding groggy and faint.  "I'm
beginning to make it a habit having you carry me to bed.  If I keep getting
injured around here, I might as well ride on your back."

"Is that a joke?"

"A bad one, at best."

"Well, I assure you, it's really me," said Dukat.  "Damar, if you're
interested, is in his room resting.  He wanted me to thank you for doctoring
his injury.  He is certain you saved his life.  I think he is being a bit
over-dramatic.  However, I am certain that you saved mine.  When you said
you would sacrifice yourself for a friend, I didn't know that included me.
I am flattered I mean so much to you."

Alexis sighed.  "You should be."

He smiled at this, wide and white.  "I was in the process of nursing you,
but somehow you activated the PCF with all your tossing and turning, leaving
me waiting for you to regain consciousness.  I am certain your head aches.
I can wash the perspiration off your face and put a cool towel on your
forehead if you deactivate it for me."

"I'm beginning to think I can't trust anyone around here," said Alexis,
still groggy.  Yet, she made no move to turn off the PCF.  "Kweeg nearly
killed me twice, taking the shape of Damar and Kira.  Unless that was
Strall.  I don't know who anyone is anymore.  Say something so I know it's
you, Dukat.  You talk so damn much that I'm sure to remember something you
repeat."

"Why play such foolish games?  Isn't it enough to know that I love you and
would prefer being here you than anywhere else?"

"Now you are the one joking.  You must be an imposter.  You've never said
anything like that before, though I must admit, it's nice hearing you say
it.  I was beginning to think I was losing my touch.  I was sloppy this
morning."

"Not in the least, beloved.  You saved my life and you will be rewarded,"
Dukat asserted, leaning toward her, his face larger than life and darker
than she'd ever seen it before.

Grant held his gaze.  "A life worth saving.  It's reward enough that you
said you loved me.  Even if it's a lie."

"I thought you might like to know that Major Kira found and eliminated
Captain Kweeg a short while ago.  Savon confirmed it was Kweeg who attacked
you in detention and admitted he'd been hiding in the habitat.  Major Kira
found Kweeg shortly thereafter and dispatched him with her phaser.  She said
she drained the phaser before he vanished."

"Tough breed," said Grant, reaching up to touch the PCF, then paused.  "What
will you do with Savon now?"

"As his reward for cooperating, I've decided to release Savon into the
custody of the Bajorans.  But the rest of the Falcon crew will be sent to
Cardassia for observation and further testing...to find a cure.  All but
you."

"I knew you'd sort it all out.  I stay here?  For how long?"
  "You really were born to be a slave," he muttered softly.

Alexis frowned, only hearing the last part.  They often called one another
Master and Slave, but this time Dukat wasn't using it as a pet name.  He
sounded cruel.  "What did you say?"

"I said your confidence in my abilities pleases me.  Now, will you let me
care for you or not?  I can't come near you with that force field on without
getting shocked.  If you're going to stay on this station with me as my
companion, I have to get near you at some point or this relationship will go
nowhere."

With a sigh, Alexis disengaged the containment field and patted the mattress
beside her.  Dukat came to her at once, placing a cool, wet cloth on her
forehead.  She smiled sleepily at him as he sat down and laid her head in
his lap.  Stroking her hair from her smooth face as he would a child, he
calmed her with his touch and his presence.

As soon Alexis fell asleep, the hypo pressed into her arm as Strall injected
her with a number of chemicals.  By then, she was already dreaming of
running out of the dugout, beside Benjamin Sisko and other familiar faces,
heading out to left field as a Vulcan batter stepped up to the plate.



  *  *  *  *

Chapter Ten


Damar stood at ops behind the communication's officer, watching the view
screen as five Jem'Hadar ships arrived at the station.  He responded to the
hail and immediately bristled at the sound of Weyoun's voice, oozing with
platitude as it came over the comm.

"Ah, Glinn Damar," purred Weyoun, sending a cold shiver down Damar's spine.
"Inform Gul Dukat that I have arrived with two of the Founders who are
accompanying me to partake in a celebration.  I see that the Falcon is here.
Good.  Tell Dukat that we'll meet him in his office.  There's must to
discuss."

"Of course, Weyoun.  Dukat has been expecting you," said Damar, not adding
that the Vorta was two days earlier than expected.  He signed off and put
his hand on the communication officer's shoulder, startling the man half to
death.  "You heard the Vorta's orders.  Inform Odo and Major Kira to prepare
a reception for the Founders.  You're in charge until I return."

"Sir?"

"You heard me the first time.  Take command!"

An image of with the purported battle-thon that everyone at Quark's was
already talking about and making bets on filled Damar's mind as he hurried
toward Dukat's room where he'd been informed earlier that the Gul had taken
Alexis to rest from her most recent injury.  Not a Cardassian on the station
hadn't been impressed by Grant's willingness to sacrifice her own life to
save Gul Dukat and most considered her as an ally and friend of Cardassia,
including himself.  He was disgusted with the sudden turn of events and the
fate he knew that awaited the woman he adored in the arena.  Only Dukat
could save Grant now.  Damar ran most of the way.

After several attempts to rouse the occupants inside, Damar decided to
enter.  The news was too important for the Gul not to be informed promptly.
He overrode the security codes to the door, entering to find the room dark
and disturbingly cold.  Instinct told him not to draw attention to himself
as he crept toward the back bedroom, fueled by the fact to take action,
knowing that no Cardassian could tolerate such frigid conditions.  By the
time he reached the bedroom, he was shivering with cold and his breath was
coming out in a cloud.  His heart beating wildly as he peered into the
gloomy room and nearly stopped, for a Vulcan male was seated next to Alexis,
fondling her nude body, seemingly unaffected by the chilly temperature.  At
the rustling sound Damar's made in the attempt to quietly draw his phaser,
with a shimmer, the Vulcan changed into the likeness of Dukat and rose from
the bed.

Without hesitation, Damar fired at the shapeshifter.  The figure darted out
of the way at the last second.  The blast burned a hole in the wall.  Damar
suddenly lost sight of the phoney Dukat.  A blur suddenly passed before the
glinn's eyes, then he heard the corridor door open and close, and he was
left alone with Alexis.  Rushing to her side, he scanned her body with his
eyes before running his hands over her body, searching for any abnormalities
or genetic alterations.  Satisfied there was no lumps, scales, gills, or
fur, he wrapped her cold, trembling, unconscious body in a thick coverlet
and lifted her up into his arms, experiencing a brief twinge of pain in his
wounded shoulder.  Despite the healing effects of a regenerator, old wounds
still ached afterwards.

Damar managed to make it into the hallway without dropping the attractive
bundle in his arms, finding the station in an uproar, as he'd anticipated.
He immediately headed for the Ambassadors Suite, his first concern to
protect the woman from any more doctors, and his second, to find the real
Dukat.  The door was unlocked.  The glinn, not to be intimidated, entered
with his load.  The main room was empty and dark.  A strong light from the
bedroom drew him like a moth.  He entered the room, expecting to find Dukat,
and instead nearly dropped Grant upon seeing Quark and Rom in the process of
counting out the latinum into four neat stacks on the floor.

"Get out," snarled Damar.

Quark and Rom glanced at one another.

"Uh oh," muttered Rom.  "We're caught with our hand in the cookie jar.  What
do you do, Brother?"

"It's not what you think Damar," replied Quark, his voice firm.  "When we
heard that Weyoun brought two Founders with him, we thought we should hide
the latinum, you know, in case the Founders wanted this room."

Damar came right over and laid the woman down on the bed.  He flung a
contemptuous look at the Ferrengi.  "Well, just don't stand there looking
like two idiots!  Get some blankets and cover her up.  She's freezing.  And
cover the latinum as well!"

Quark removed his colorful coat and tossed it to Damar.  "I hate to see a
human woman naked."  His smile was swift, then gone.  "What I mean is that I
hate seeing your boss enjoying all the fun around here.  You didn't do
anything reprehensible to Captain Grant on the way here, did you, Glinn
Damar?"

"She belongs to Gul Dukat.  I'm content with that."

"Sure you are.  All you need is a hole in the head to go along with that
denial of your's.  I thought we were going to share the spoils of war?
Change your mind?""

"I changed nothing."  Damar ground his teeth together.  "My share was beamed
into my room yesterday.  I don't know how it got there but I guessed Alexis
gave it to me."  He suddenly lurched at the Ferrengi brothers and grabbed
them both by the front of their coats and slamming them together.  "I can
trust you both, can't I?  You're not shapeshifters?"

"Would I still have this face if I could?" asked Quark, acting cheery.  He
suddenly grimaced.  "I wonder why Alexis didn't beam my share into my room?
Maybe I should check.  It might be there.  She said I'd get my share."

"Maybe you better get those blankets before I break your scrawny necks!"
Damar thrust the Ferrengi brothers away.  "Never mind.  I'll do it myself!"
He went straight to a large ornate chest, removing a thermal blanket, placed
it over Alexis and turned it on.  "Where is Dukat anyway?" he asked, tucking
the edges around her body, his eyes roving over her face with a lover's
concern.  "Has anyone else reported him missing?"

"Everyone," Rom replied.  He pulled a tricorder from his pocket.

"What are you doing?" asked Damar.

"Kira gave it to me.  I want to be sure we're all who we say we are."  Rom
pointed it at Damar, then Alexis and started to shake.  Despite his obvious
fear, he came right over to the bed, placed a hand to her forehead and shook
his head.  "She's burning up with a fever.  Do you...do you think she's
changing into one of those...those things that came out of the barrel?"

Damar shook his head.  "I don't know.  I found Strall in Dukat's room.  He
was pretending to be Dukat.  He could have done anything to her.  When I
found them, he attacked me."

"You did kill him?" asked Quark, coming over to put socks on the woman's
feet, but not until he'd paused to treat each one to a fast massage to get
the blood circulating.  Pleasure covered his face along with a wide, toothy
smile.  "She has the softest skin.  I hope she's not turning into one of
those things."  He eyed Damar sternly.  "Well?  Did you kill Strall?"

"No!" roared Damar.  Then more softly, "He got away.  I'll inform Odo what
has happened.  You two stay here with Alexis.  If she wakes up or if there
is any trouble, call me and I'll come at once.  You know how to use the
tricorder?"

"I'm picking up high alkaline readings.  Is that bad?" asked Rom, his
shoulders sagging at Damar's nod.  He remained seated next to Alexis,
playing with the tricorder.  "Of course I know how to use it."  He was
handed Damar's own phaser.  "That too."  He stuck the weapon down the front
of his pants.

"Use it if you need it," snarled Damar.  He pointed at the woman on the bed,
covered to her chin with blankets.  "But not on her!  If any harm comes to
Alexis, I'll kill you both!"

"Never fear," said Quark.  "My brother and I will take care of everything.
There's no need for threats of violence.  It's our pleasure to protect
Captain Grant."  He glanced at the latinum.  It was clear where his
priorities lay.

"I don't, like your attitude," said Damar.  "Unfortunately, I don't have
anyone else to turn to now that Dukat is missing.  Guard her with your lives
or else."

Rom nodded hard and fast.  "We understand.  We'll take care of the human.
With our lives, if need be."

"Speak for yourself," snapped Quark.

Damar left the room running, looking visibly shaken by the time he reached
the Upper Pylon 2 and finding Dukat not there.  He sent several guards to
discreetly search for the Gul, while he made himself plainly visible.  The
bar was temporarily being run by Jake Sisko.  Major Kira was seated in her
usual place, sipping on a drink.  Jake noticed Damar staring at him and
pointed upwards, drawing the Major's attention.  She looked up and spotted
the glowering glinn.  Damar pointed back at Kira, catching her eyes.
Brushing past his men, he headed down stairs with a wide, fast gait.  Kira
got up from the bar and started walking away in the other direction.
Quickening his pace, Damar pushed several people out of his way and finally
caught up with her.  He grabbed her by the arm and ducked as a fist sailed
over his head.

"Cut it out, Damar," snarled Major Kira.  She raised her fists high.  "I
haven't slept all night.  You might thank me for finally catching Kweeg.
Why the glum face?  Because Weyoun and two Founders are here?  I know.  I
feel the same way.  Rotten."

"There's a problem.  I must talk to you."

"We are talking.  If this is about romance advise, forget it.  I couldn't
care less, Damar.  Go find yourself another shoulder to cry on.  Odo wants
me to welcome Weyoun, so I'm having a drink.  I believe you frequently do
the same thing."

"It's about Weyoun.  He is to watch a fight.  There is going to be a
battle-thon, after all."

"With Grant as the star attraction?  But what can we do about it?  Why don't
you talk to Dukat instead?"

"Because.  He's missing."

"What a surprise," said Kira, shaking her head.  "He has a way disappearing
at the most important times."

"This is serious.  I fear the worst."

Before Kira could reply, Weyoun and his entourage suddenly appeared on the
level above, silencing her.  The two Founders walked proudly in the middle
of a pack of Jem'Hadar.  Kira nudged Damar and pointed upwards.  He curled
his lip in disdain.

"I guess it's too late to say `I told you so'," replied Kira.  "Dukat is no
doubt expecting them."

"This is Weyoun's doing.  Not the Gul's," hissed Damar.

The glinn had time to say nothing else as the Vorta clone and a male and
female Founder came down the stairs.  Weyoun, a false smile on his pale
face, practically floated over to Damar and the Major.  His lifeless eyes
flickered over the unlikely pair and he sighed, his hands spread out before
him.

"Greetings," said the Vorta, bowing his head.  "I do not see Dukat.  Is he
waiting in his office?" asked Weyoun, sounding bored.  "I have brought two
illustrious guests with me, and I do not need to remind you, Damar, that
they are to be treated royally.  I do hope Odo could be prevailed upon to
join us for a drink.  After all, the Founders have made a very long trip for
a very special purpose.  I don't suppose the Major would join us as well? "

"I'm on dusty.  Sorry," said Kira, slipping off the stool.

Damar put his hand on Kira's arm, not able to learn twice from the same
mistake.  This time, she let the hand rest on her arm but not before giving
the glinn a murderous look.

"Gul Dukat is occupied at the moment," said Damar.  "I will personally
notify him that the Founders are here.  The Major can entertain you in the
meantime."  He tucked his head down and hurried off.

"Why don't we have a drink?"  Kira looked over at Jake.  "Get the Founders
something, will you, Jake?"

The boy started grabbing bottles with any liquid remaining inside.  He set
them out on the bar.  "What should I make?  Quark don't have much to offer."

"Improvise!  I'll be back!"

Kira bowed her head at Weyoun and the Founders, excusing herself to hurry
after Damar.  He heard her coming and scowled over his shoulder.

"What are you doing here, Major?  I suggest you go back and entertain our
illustrious guests.  I have no time for games.  I must find Dukat."

"You know how I feel about Weyoun.  Don't you think your first concern
should be for Alexis?  Not Dukat?"

Damar turned around.  His aloof mask fell.  "I am worried that Strall gave
Alexis the final injection.  I fired at him, but he got away.  Alexis is now
in her room.  I have Quark and Rom guarding her in case Strall tries again."

"That's not so smart.  You know Ferrengi and women."

"I suggest you concentrate on the problem at hand, Major Kira.  If Dukat
isn't found, and soon, you'll be the first to experience the displeasure of
the Dominion, and there will be nothing I can do to shield you."

"You?  Protect me?  Now that's a laugh."

Damar grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.  She let out a yelp as her
head was nearly snapped off her neck.  A stomp on the foot and a punch to
the abdomen put a serious damper in Damar's enthusiasm.  He released her at
once, growling angrily.

Kira shrugged.  "You asked for it."

"All I asked for was your help, Major!  Apparently, I came to the wrong
person!"

He stalked off.  She hurried after him, her curiosity peeked.  The only way
to stop him was to grab at his arm and she briefly wondered if he'd deck her
in return.  Instead, Damar came to a halt, turned, and received an arm full
of Kira Nerys.  She jumped out of his arms and over to the opposite side of
the corridor as if scalded.

"What is it?" snarled Damar.  "Do you hate me that much?"

"Let's not go into that right now.  As long as Quark and Rom are guarding
Grant, I think we should use the time we have to track down Dukat.  Send
your men over to the Falcon.  I know you believe Dukat didn't arrange for
this exhibition, but it's the only explanation I can come up with.  He's
probably there."

"Dukat was with Alexis.  Perhaps Strall came in and stunned Dukat, then took
his place."

"Hypotheticals don't interest me, Damar.  Do you want my help or not?"  Kira
waited for his response.  He nodded.  "Fine.  I'll use the Bajoran security
to help me check out every level for Dukat, and for Strall.  You stick to
the more public places.  As long as your visible, Weyoun won't get
suspicious.  I'll meet you back at Grant's quarters in thirty minutes.  If
we haven't found Dukat by then...."

"...then look in less obvious places.  Unlike you, Major, I believe in Gul
Dukat.  He loves Alexis.  He wouldn't let anything happen to her.  He's a
victim as much as she is."

"All Dukat wants is to reproduce with a Chameleon."

"Then you agree that he'll protect her, as do I, and for the same reason.
Tell no one but Odo what has happened.  Use the Bajorans, if you must, but
do not tell no one that Dukat is missing.  I want your word of honor,
Major."

"You have my word, Cardassian.  The word of a Bajoran."

"For now, that will have to suffice."

Separating, they went their own ways, and, at the appointed time, having
failed to find either Dukat or Strall, met at Grant's quarters.  Both knew
what confirming by speech that Dukat remained missing.  Damar opened the
door, then suddenly paused and allowed Kira to proceed him into the room.

"You've never done that before.  I guess a dog is never too old to learn a
new trick," said Kira, compelled to say something about Damar's strange
behavior.

Kira didn't expect a reply and received none.  She fell behind Damar.  They
entered the back bedroom. Quark and Rom were seated at a table, its legs
made out of four stacks of latinum and the top a circular shield removed
from the wall, drinking kanar with Alexis.  Revived, glowing with health,
and dressed in Cardassian armor, Alexis, alone, stood as Damar and Kira
entered the room, worried expressions on their faces.

"Did you find Dukat?" asked Quark, not looking up from his glass of kanar.
He was depressed.  Dukat had more in stock than he had behind his bar, in
his room, or in his storage unit.

Damar shook his head.  He came over to the table to accept a glass of kanar
from Quark, only too eager to share the wealth, while Kira paced the room
like a caged vole, wanting to take out her frustration on the one man out -
Dukat.  Quark attempted to hand her a glass of kanar, rising from the table
to offer the kiss of sweet nectar.  Commoner that she was, Kira knocked it
from his hand, scattering the precious kanar across the room and drenching
the Ferrengi's beautiful coat in the process.

Aghast at her behavior, Quark returned to the table, muttering under his
breath about the difficulties of handling women.  Kira glared at the
bartender.

"Wouldn't any of you like for me to tell you I overheard Weyoun and the
Founders discussing?"  All eyes focused on the fiery, red head.  "Right now,
Odo is meeting with those vulture in Dukat's office.  I stopped by and
overheard the wonderful news.  The game is on.  They were congratulating
themselves on how well Dukat arranged to have the Falcon crew detained long
enough for them to arrive.  And to think I have just spent the last thirty
minutes turning this place upside down looking for that son-of-a-bitch, when
all along I knew Dukat was a part of the conspiracy.  They said he's on the
Falcon, preparing for those...those things to put on a grand exhibition
against the Jem'Hadar.  And Alexis has been billed in the Grand Finale of
Death as the Terran Maiden of Carnage and Blood."

"I'm not fighting," said Alexis, walking over to Kira, friend to friend.  "I
wouldn't believe anyone from the Dominion.  Dukat didn't arrange for
Dominion representatives to watch me fight.  That's impossible.  He didn't
know about Shelby and her drug.  I know that for a fact.  I know because I
was with Kweeg and Savon when we sent a transmission to Dukat informing him
that we had a cargo of kanar.  Kweeg intended to sell the real cargo to the
Dominion.  But with Kweeg out of the way, it's obvious that Strall was
working with someone else all along."

"Dukat wouldn't let you and your crew on board his station if he didn't have
an ulterior reason," protested Kira.

"He had no choice in the matter," Alexis staunchly contended.  "Dukat didn't
arranged for the fight.  He just can't stop it from happening.  I always
knew the odds, Major Kira.  There's nothing you can say that will surprise
me."

"No?"  Kira put a hand on the human's shoulder, amazed she felt sympathetic
for Dukat's sacrificial lamb.  "I wanted you to know that I believe that the
lab incident wasn't your fault.  You know you can't survive in the arena.
Why don't you ask your two new friends to book you passage out of here?"
She looked right at Quark and Damar.  "Jake told me about the treasure.  One
of you greedy voles use your money to get Grant out of here."

"You coming up with my back up plan, Major Kira?"  Alexis grinned wide.
"Dukat has already warned me that he'll punish the next officer who goes
against him.  I knew what I was up against when arrived, Major.  I gave up
believing in miracles long ago.  The Dominion isn't going to let an ship out
of here, not when every freebooter in this section of the Quadrant is
arriving for the big show.  I'm the last of the original Chameleons.  I'm
the main attraction.  Unless....?"  She turned to Damar.  "Kill me right
now!  Shoot me and get it over with!"

"What?" whispered Damar, his tone sharp as glass.

"Take your phaser out and kill me.  Better I die here, than in the arena and
give the Dominion any satisfaction."  Grant spread her arms wide.  "Come on.
This is the right thing to do.  If Dukat can no longer protect me, then it's
up to you, Damar.  You saw what became of Varnok and the others.  I don't
want that to happen to me.  It's too late to save the Falcon crew.  And me.
You found Strall in my bedroom with me, posing as Dukat.  There won't be a
next time.  I'll be killed in the arena and Strall will raise me from the
dead.  Just like Kweeg.  Just like Captain Deathridge of the USS Trafalgar.
Do it so I won't end up like them."

"This is my fault.  I should have come sooner," said Damar, gazing into
Alexis' dark blue eyes.  "Dukat insisted on taking you to your room, alone.
He carried you out of detention.  He must never have reached your room
before Strall got to him."

"I don't blame either of you."  Grant smiled at the Cardassian glinn sadly.
"If you love me at all, Damar, then you'll do this for me.  I can't take the
chance that I've already been altered."  She pointed to the phaser at his
side.  "Do it!"
  He looked down at the weapon.

"At once, Glinn Damar!"

His hand froze.  His fingers quivered.

"Stop!"

Kira suddenly wrapped her arms around Grant.  Rom joined her.  Quark stood
up, his eyes gleaming with tears and hurried over to place his arms around
everyone.

Damar lifted his hands and spread his arms wide.  He wore a look of horror
that the Bajoran thought he'd actually considered harming Alexis.  "We're
not going to kill you, Alexis.  Not now.  Not later.  We'll find a way to
smuggle you out of here.  That's what we have to do.  I have the money and
the connections."

"You can't do this alone," snapped Quark.  "You give me a window of
opportunity and I'll get a captain to smuggle Grant out of here.
Compliments of the house!"

The group embrace was broken as Grant disengaged from the others and walked
into the other room, followed by the others.  She went straight to the
kitchen.  She'd polished her sword and left it on a towel on the counter.
Fastening a leather belt at her waist, she picked up the sword and slid it
in the scabbard.  Then Grant picked up the one precious item she'd found in
the luxury of the pleasure room, a bottle of aged Kentucky Bourbon, and
poured a round of drinks.  She handed out glasses, saving the last for
herself.  No toast was given.  Everyone drank the bourbon in silence.

"It's got a burn to it when it hits your guts.  That's why I like it," said
Grant.  "Dukat must have paid a fortune for this.  I haven't had real
bourbon since my graduation from Starfleet Academy.  Come to think of it, I
drank bourbon with my father, Captain Picard, and Dr. Shelby."

"You father couldn't have known what Shelby was really doing," said Kira,
letting Grant refill her glass.

"Imagine what an army like that could do to Bajor," said Grant, the truth of
what she hit Kira hard.  "Your planet is the closet and you know the
Dominion is ruthless.  This fight is nothing to the real testing ground.
Your home world, Nerys.  I can't leave you with this problem."
  "There has to be something more we can do," Kira cried, handing her empty
glass to Rom.  "What about blowing up the Falcon?  Can you arrange it,
Damar?  Or do I?"

"I wouldn't try.  Not with Dukat missing."

The door to Grant's room swished open without the warning chime.

Alexis stiffened, a subtle gesture that was hidden under the Cardassian
cuirass, detected only by Kira, thanks to her prior years in the Resistance;
reading others had been necessary to stay alive.  Kira turned, along with
the rest, repressing an urge to draw her phaser as the Vorta entered the
room.  He bowed out of the way to allow a male and female Founder to come to
the front of a group of Jem'Hadar guards waiting in the corridor.  Odo
pushed his way in, an apologetic look on his face.  A mass of ugly scaled
heads shuffled at the entrance.

"Greetings, friends," came the smooth, slightly amused voice of Weyoun.  The
Vorta put his hand over his eyes and scoured the room for Dukat.  "Joy and
prosperity to you, Gul Dukat.  You are here, aren't you?  I can't see you.
The lights!  Might we brighten them, for the Founders sake, as well as my
own?"

Damar lifted his voice.  "Lights, brighten!"  As the lighting changed, he
walked over to the new arrivals, one eye on Weyoun and one eye on the
Jem'Hadar standing in tight formation.  "Gul Dukat isn't here," he rumbled.
As the Vorta tried to look over his shoulder, Damar shielded the group in
the kitchen with his own body.  "I suggest you try his quarters."

"I did.  He wasn't there," sighed Weyoun.

"Well, he's not here either," Kira snapped, not bothering to hide her
annoyance.  "We thought he was on the Falcon, waiting for the show to
begin."

"If it amuses you to think so," said Weyoun, "then, believe it to be.  My
companions will have a different opinion if you've in any way harmed or
caused injury to our great friend, the Gul.  I have arranged all this as a
grand celebration to welcome in a new species into the Dominion.  The new
Chameleons."
  A sly smile hovered on Weyoun's pale face which grew as he noticed Kira
glaring hostilely at him, her hands clenched into fists.  Suddenly, the
Jem'Hadar guards, carrying laser rifles, entered and spread out around the
room, obviously excited and eager for something yet to come.  Through the
center of warriors, a petite, brunette woman with sharp green eyes
accompanied by a Vulcan male stepped forward.  Dr. Hannah Shelby's age was
indiscernible, her beauty flawless.  Her lithe figure was adorned in a gold
Starfleet uniform without insignia, while the Vulcan wore blue, a number of
gold swords, duplicate to the Falcon's officers, adorning the upper left
hand breast.

"Dr. Shelby and Dr. Strall, I presume?" asked Kira, already knowing the
answer as she joined Damar.  Thankfully, she thought, the Ferrengi kept
Grant in the background.

"Allow me to introduce Dr. Hannah Shelby," announced Weyoun, bowing low as
the doctors stepped forward, "formerly an unappreciated Starfleet
genetic-engineer and now the brightest star in the Alpha Quadrant in the
field of genetically-enhanced-gene-therapy.  This is her husband, Dr.
Strall, a distinguished Vulcan bio-chemist."

"Someone should have told me," growled Grant, pushing passed the Ferrengi
and finding herself blocked by Damar and Kira.  She parted the steely pair
as if parting silk curtains.  She advanced on Dr. Shelby as though out for
blood.  "I didn't know you married a zombie.  If I had, I would have sent
you a wedding present from prison."  She suddenly noticed her PCF unit on
the wrist of Strall and lunged at him.  "Murderer!"

Only Damar and Kira kept Grant from making a fatal mistake by killing
Strall.  The laser rifles were lowered at strafing level.  The unlikely pair
hauled Grant back by the arms and held her firmly between them. Weyoun
glanced at Odo in surprise.

"She certainly has a temper.  You said that all of the Falcon crew were
insane.  I thought this one was the least aggressive?"

"Aggressive but sane," replied Odo.

Shelby approached her creation.  "As always, you are perceptive as well as
direct, Lt. Grant.  Yes, Strall has your PCF unit.  But that need not
concern you anymore.  We have bigger fish to fry.  You're about to go up
against my finest new creations.  I want the Dominion to see what you are
capable of before you're destroyed."

"Captain Grant of the Falcon.  I earned the rank."  Grant laughed, the sound
becoming out of the back of her throat as though it was a growl.  "I knew
you come.  With Strall pumping everyone up with your drug, I knew you had to
be pulling the strings on your mindless Vulcan puppet.  I thought you had
better taste in men.  Oh, yes.  I remember.  Picard turned you down when you
invited him to your lab to see your placentas.  I bet that really stuck in
your craw."

A chilly frost appeared on Shelby's china doll face.  "I remember you always
said whatever was on your mind, Lt. Grant.  So honest.  So straightforward.
So damn naive that it made me sick how easily you could be played over the
years."
  "I served three years in prison for you.  By covering up your dirty work,
you filled the graves of 1800 innocent souls.  How many others died on Jacob
IV?  How many died simply because they figured out we were on a Cardassian
space station and not a planet?  I've been naive, all right.  But I intend
to settle the score, Doc."

"And as always, you have an exaggerated high opinion of your own
capabilities," said Shelby.  "The Federation was getting too curious about
my experiments, so I arranged for the lab to be destroyed.  After years of
methodical research, endless of hours of monotonous analysis and meticulous
calculations, I knew that I could never duplicate the original serum used on
you."  She turned toward the Founders.  "Perhaps a fly landed in the soup
and altered destiny.  Always close but not quite there.  So, I started
experimenting with Erypembarol on adults of all species, finding that with
superior strength came madness.  But I persisted and soon discovered that it
was after death that the genetic alteration took place.  I call it the
Chameleon Effect."

Weyoun nodded his head.  "I see.  Grant is the original Chameleon, but
Strall is the next generation, like the rest of the Falcon crew.  Can Grant
be turned into one of your monsters with the final stages of gene-therapy?"

"If you wish.  Or she can be studied.  It is up to the Dominion to take what
I've accomplished and take it further.  You carry the torch of knowledge.
After today, I intend to retire into obscurity a very rich woman."

"Go to Hell, Shelby," shouted Grant.

"I'm sorry.  I didn't realize you had faith," said Shelby, laughing with
delight.  "Show Lt. Grant why she's inferior to the New Chameleons, darling.
Give her something to believe in, besides her ancient dead Christian god."

Strall immediately turned into Admiral Grant, a white haired man in his
seventies, bent with the arthritis he was too proud to reach, which had
resulted in his early retirement.

"Your late father was a religious man," continued Shelby.  "Knowing how
Christians like to confess their sins to anyone who will listen, I find it
fascinating that he never told you that I'd altered your DNA after your
birth.  I kept you for a year before he came to claim you.  I tried to
convince him to let me keep you longer but he wouldn't hear of it.  The damn
fool."

"My father was protecting me," snapped Grant.  "I can't speak for him, but I
don't think much of your ethics, Dr. Shelby.  You remind me too much of
Frankenstein, creating life from death.  I can't believe you'd kill your
husband in order to resurrect him from the dead and turn him into a mindless
zombie.  I wondered why Strall never had anything to say.  Why did you sell
the Federation out?"

Shelby looked amused.  "Money, of course!  I was never truly appreciated by
the Federation.  After you went to prison, all the publicity I received
destroyed my credibility and my career.  That's when the Dominion contacted
me about my new serum and arranged to come here to watch the perfect
re-disposable Chameleons fight in the arena.  One isn't enough to stop the
Federation, but thousands of Chameleons able to regenerate after death and
continue to change forms to counter the strength of your opponent is a
valuable advantage.  The Jem'Hadar have an obvious flaw - they think.
Erypembarol wipes away memory, enabling the master to reprogram the warrior
for their own purpose."

"From super human to the super natural," offered Weyoun.
"We want to see Grant fight your mutants.  If your prototype survives,
perhaps we can come to an arrangement.  I had not realized the human fighter
was worth cloning.  I am interested more than ever to see her fight."

The Founders nodded in agreement.

"I'm not for sale," said Grant.  "I refuse to fight."

"Of course you'll fight," Shelby hissed.  "You're mine!"

Alexis suddenly drew her sword and leapt at Strall, stabbing the undead
creature through the heart.  He gasped out loud as blood spurted from the
wound and flicked on the PCF unit after the fact.  The sword flew out of his
body like a projectile, flying across the room to fall on the floor as dark
blood filled the force field's cavity.  Alexis, her sword arm numb and
trembling, was thrown into the Jem'Hadar guards.  Shackles were clasped to
her wrists and manacles attached around her ankles.  Grant made no attempt
to fight off her captors and took obvious delight in her revenge.  Strall,
seated on the floor, covered from head to toe in his own blood, finally
turned off the PCF.  His wife tended to his grievous injury with a
thermal-regenerator and gave him injected him with a hypo to accelerate his
healing.  He was healed within second.

Major Kira addressed the Founders and Weyoun.  "The Vulcan stole the PCF
devise from Grant.  It's a personal force field, designed to fit your body
like a glove.  If worn in combat, it makes the wearer invincible.  Let Grant
wear it in the arena and you'll be entertained longer.  She designed the PCF
long ago.  It belongs to her."

Odo spoke up quickly.  "Dr. Strall caused quite a disturbance on this
station while waiting for his wife to join him.  Apparently, he also ran
amok on the Falcon, killing other specimens without restraint.  Her new
creations are not reliable.  They cannot think for themselves.  They must be
controlled.  It is a flaw in the drug itself.  I thought it important to
point out.  I meant not disrespect."

"Nor do I," replied Weyoun.

"If she tries that again, I'll kill her myself," said Shelby, hissing over
her shoulder as she injected her husband with a hypo and helped him stand.
"Of course Strall can think for himself.  He survived for months on the
Falcon and for several days on Terok Nor without detection."

Weyoun responded sharply.  "Give her back the devise!  I would like to see
it used in the hands of the originator in battle.  We might want to buy it
as well."

Shelby tossed the PCF over to Weyoun.  He turned it over in his hands and
handed it to Odo, who in turn, gave it to Kira.  The Major walked right over
to Grant and put it on her wrist.

"If I turn it on, you can free yourself," Kira whispered to Grant.  "Which
button do I hit?"

"It's set for maximum.  Don't try it or you'll get yourself killed,"
muttered Grant, shaking her head.  "Thanks for getting it back for me.  I'll
have a fighting chance."

Weyoun suddenly spoke up, interrupting them.

"This is an interesting devise."  Weyoun sounded gleeful.  He glanced at the
Founders.  "Buying any product outright without seeing what it is capable of
doing is unwise.  I suggest we proceed according to plan."

Quark bravely stepped forward, his thumbs in his belt and eyed the Founders
like potential customers.  "I already arranged through Gul Dukat to buy the
Falcon's cargo.  By right, I already have first dibs to buy the crew, since
they are the cargo.  But I'm a businessman.  What do you want for Grant
only?"

Weyoun looked surprised.  "The cargo no longer is for sale, Quark.  It
belongs to the Dominion.  Including Grant."

Shelby's face fell.  "Clone her after I've given her the final injection so
you can see the Chameleon Effect!  The crew of twelve will be altered after
they fight in the arena."

Kira glanced at Odo, calculating in her mind that twelve was not the correct
number.  There were thirteen surviving crew members, including Grant.
Someone was missing.  She looked over at Odo and at his smile, she
immediately knew Savon was safe.

"Grant must have a reason to fight," replied Shelby.  "She takes no pleasure
in it.  That's why I've arranged for a special show.  She'll fight for you.
To the death."

"We will watch the specimen fight with the force field on to test the
devises effectiveness," said the male Founder.  "Then, we will watch the
human fight without it to the death."

"Afterwards, can we enjoy watching the Effect in a private viewing room?"
asked his companion.  "Is that possible?"

"Yes," said Shelby.  "The condition of Grant's body is immaterial.  The
final injection of Erypembarol will restore life and give her immortality."

"An army of zombies," muttered Kira to Damar.
  Shelby put her hand on Strall's arm.  He returned to his Vulcan
appearance.  "It is agree that my husband is not to fight.  He's special.
He's not to be killed with the others."

The two Founders nodded in agreement.

"The freighter is being prepared for us," said Weyoun.  "I suggest we allow
Quark to provide us with refreshments on the Promenade, while Dr. Shelby and
her husband prepare the fighters."  The Vorta bowed low and moved out of the
way as the Founders started walking toward the door.  He paused as Odo and
Kira neared.  "Major Kira?  Will you join us?  I'm sure Glinn Damar has work
to do.  Perhaps he can find Gul Dukat and pull him out of the arms of
whatever Dabo girl he's with today and ask him to join us.  That's not a
request.  It's an order, Glinn Damar."

"I understand."  Damar glanced at Grant, meeting her eyes and conveying his
deep regret in his eyes, then he bowed his head and left the room.

The procession was led by Odo and Kira, followed by Weyoun and the Founders,
the doctors, and finally Grant, hemmed in by a long line of Jem'Hadar
guards.  The Ferrengi brothers trailed last, in no hurry to reach the bar,
for only synthetic alcohol was left to serve.

"It's a shame Grant has to end up...you know...like Kweeg," said Rom.

"You know Dukat.  Always a plan within a plan."

Rom's mind whirled with a quick scheme to make extra money. "I bet Dukat
isn't a part of this.  I'm so sure, I'll bet my share of the latinum.  If he
is, you're rich.  Deal?"

Quark shook Rom's hand.  "Sometimes I feel guilty taking money from you,
Brother."



  *  *  *  *

Chapter Eleven


Unable to secure a front side arena ticket, Major Kira and Odo, watched from
front row seats at the Promenade bar as the live coverage was piped in on
several large view screens.  A panning sweep of the arena revealed an oval
stadium filled to full capacity with Jem'Hadar and Cardassian off the
station and from the five escorting vessels.  Under a canopied pavilion,
Damar, substituting in Dukat's absence was seated next to Weyoun, the
Founders, and the doctors, their attention focused on a pit, thirty feet
below, lit with bright lights as a side door opened and several members from
the Falcon crew were shoved out and thrown down weapons from the crowd.

"Who is recording this?" asked Odo, turning around to see who was running
things at the bar.  Rom was drying a glass.  He looked up and waved.  "Quark
is missing."

"There he is," announced Kira, pointing at the screen.

Quark's large head appeared in the monitor and he turned toward a surprised
audience, smiling wide before being pushed out of the way by Jake Sisko.

"Explain to me, if you can, Major, why the Dominion would let those two
record this for historical prosperity?"

"Jake is a journalist.  Dukat knows that."  Kira suddenly laughed.  "You
still don't think Dukat staged this?  Come on.  We both know what Dukat is
like.  All this hype and intergalactic coverage.  This reeks of Dukat's
arrogance.  He'll show up center stage, you mark my word."

"I thought he cared for Grant," said Odo.  "You said he wanted her to have
his child."

"Dukat doesn't know that Grant is sterile.  Jake is sending the transmission
to Bajoran Intelligence, who in turn are sending it to his father.  There's
no way the Dominion is going to mass produce an army of the undead and
unleash it on Bajor.  Quark is trying to book Grant passage out of here, if
she survives the arena.  If she does, we'll get her out of here."  Kira
lifted her cup of raktajino.  "I've been a busy girl, Odo."

"Very busy, I see.  You've thought of everything?"

Kira shrugged, linking her arm through his own.  "Dukat arranged with Shelby
to gather all her freaks here in order to slaughter them on an intergalactic
live monitor.  By dinner, the entire Alpha Quadrant will see first-hand the
Chameleon Effect.  The Federation will have to intercede.  They have no
other choice or I have no doubt Dukat will use the drugs on his troops."

Odo put his hand over Kira's hand.  "Even Dukat wouldn't stoop this low for
universal dominance.  Grant is convinced he had no part of this.  She would
know.  You said she was a Federation spy."

"I didn't say she was a good one.  She's blinded by love.  She doesn't know
that Dukat wants to be King of the Mountain.  And he'll do it anyway he can
to get there.  He's been using Grant and she's believed every lie."

"You mean he's believed her lies.  She's used him."

Kira studied Odo's eyes.  "What is wrong?"

"I can't begin to list all the reasons why the Federation can't get
involved.  Suffice to say, Nerys, it is up to us to deal with this matter.
We need Dukat's support in order to do that.  I think we better find him."

Kira shook her head.  "You're a sucker for heartbreak."

"Have a little faith, Nerys," said Odo, chuckling at her surprised
expression.  "If you will come with me, I will reveal everything.  The
Founders revealed a little too much to me."

"Where are we going?"

"To the Falcon."

Within seconds, Odo and Kira beamed onto the Falcon, directly into the
gladiator holding area.  Walking down a long corridor with a number of cell
doors on either side, they peered through each barred window, finding a
number of contestants varying from the Falcon crew, already in the process
of changing into Chameleons, and others, poor Jem'Hadar soldiers selected by
the Vorta at random to be sacrificed in the games.

"Dukat is suppose to be here?" asked Kira.  She glanced up at monitor at the
end of the hallway.  "We should be looking for Alexis.  She has to be in one
of these cells."

"During out short tête-à-tête at Quark's, Shelby mentioned Grant was to be
allowed to view the fights from a holding cell.  When I asked her about the
PCF, she said that `Grant's incentive' was already on the Falcon.  I suspect
she means Dukat."

"Now you're grasping at straws."

"Grant saved his life before.  She'd do it again.  Shelby would naturally
use that weakness against Grant."

"Weyoun wouldn't risk getting Dukat killed."

"But he's not above using Dukat to convince the Dominion to purchase
Shelby's Erypembarol and use it on the Jem'Hadar."

Odo spent the next few moments looking in a number of cells. At the last he
looked in, he sighed loudly with relief and waved Kira over.  She pushed him
aside and pressed her face into the cell window.  Standing in the middle of
the cell, shackled and looking extremely ruffled, was none other than Dukat.
Kira pulled back and drew Odo aside.

"It could be a trick.  They're shapeshifters."

Dukat called out to them loudly.  "When we went to the Dozarian system, you
removed a spine from my backside, Major Kira.  I have the scar in the
appropriate place."  Dukat approached the door as he gripped the bars to the
window.  "Shall I prove it?"

"Don't bother!"  Kira put her hand on Odo's arm.  "I didn't bring a
tricorder with me.  Shelby could have learned that information from nearly
anyone.  Dax told everyone about it."

"No one knows I found Tora Naprem's pledge bracelet in her grave near the
Ravinok.  If you care at all for my daughter, Major, you'll believe me.  I
plan to make Weyoun very sorry for using me as bait.  But we can avoid a
travesty, if you let me out.  Now, Major!"

"It's Dukat, all right," replied Odo.   He looked in the window at the Gul.
"I have an idea on what we can do about Grant's predicament.  That is, if
you will help?  If not, I think I'll leave you in there to face whatever it
is that awaits you in the arena.  Grant was framed by Shelby and deserves a
chance to restore her reputation with Starfleet.  It would disappoint me a
great deal to learn that you using her.  Will you help?"

"Of course I'll help.  I had no part in this.  Strall attacked me in the
corridor.  I was beamed directly into my cell," came Dukat's deep, baritone
bellow.  "Let me out so I can find her, Odo.  I must put a stop to this.  I
can't let Alexis be harmed.  I...I care about her.  I honestly do."

"Next you'll be saying you're in love," snarled Kira.  "You'll say anything
to save your own hide.  Come on, Odo.  Let's leave the bastard here.
Frankly, I hope he gets himself killed in the arena.  And to think it's all
being documented.  I can have hours of pleasure watching you die over and
over again."

Dukat glared at her and grabbed the bars in the window.  Both Odo and Kira
backed up as he started shouting, "Get me out of here at once!  I have to
save her, you fools!  She's important to me for reasons you couldn't
possible understand and for which I simply don't have the time to prevail
upon you.  We're wasting precious time.  Open the door!"

Odo ran his fingers across the controls, using a number of codes that Grant
had put in her report, and within seconds, he'd opened the door.  Dukat
stumbled out into the hall.  The Gul looked dazed and battered.  He'd
obviously put up a fight before being shackled.  He stared in confusion at
Odo.

"I'm prepared to stand in for you," said Odo.

"In the arena?"  Dukat was shocked.

"That's where we'll find Grant.  Hurry.  We better change clothes.  I'll
have to look like you if we're to fool them."  Odo concentrated.  With great
difficulty turned his face into a poor likeness of the Gul.  "It's the best
I can do under pressure."  He glanced over at Kira, but she turned away,
refusing to look at his altered appearance.

"Not bad," replied Dukat.  "But you're not going.  I can do this.  Grant
doesn't think I'm able to defend myself.  I'd like to prove her wrong and
save the day.  I'll fight my way to her side and you beam us out at the same
time."

"Too risky.  We don't know what will be in the arena with you both.  At
least I can turn into my real shape and avoid harm.  You'll be a sitting
duck if you go into the arena."

"Your right.  I would be."  Dukat took off his cuirass and helped Odo into
it.  "You'll find it heavy.  Can you manage?"

"I have to," said Odo.  "

"This is the worst idea of the ages," said Kira, coming over and grabbing
her dearest friend by the arm.  "I'm not going to let you go through with
it, Odo.  This is madness.  You could be killed.  There has to be another
way.  Why can't Dukat go out there and call off the fight?"

"Worried for Odo but not for me?"  Dukat sounded hurt.

"I don't like you.  Remember?"

"Then why did you rescue me?"

Kira bristled.  "Look, I'm doing this for Grant!  Don't you want to stop the
fight?  What good is it being Gul if you have to kowtow to every Vorta that
comes along?  Are you that impotent?"

"Major, you have a way of needling a man that is most annoying," sighed
Dukat.  "Two Founders are here.  I cannot simply go out and stop the fight.
Odo's plan is the only one we have at this moment.  I suggest we carry it
out."

Loud voices on the monitor brought their attention to the screen.  The lose
of a battle was dragged off.  Two side doors opened and new fighters
emerged.  The arena dominated the screen.  Dominated those in the stands,
waiting, waiting.  In the arena itself, anticipation at the thrill of the
next kill had aroused the Jem'Hadar and Cardassians alike.  At the
appearance of the new contestants, the crowd suddenly grew still.

Alexis Grant stepped out into the arena, alone, dressed in the same
Cardassian armor she'd selected earlier to wear, carrying her familiar
jagged-edged sword and a mid-size shield cut in the shape of an hourglass.
She wore a winged helmet designed to fit close on her skull.  Her opponents,
six Klingon Chameleons, armed with a number of vicious weapons, advanced on
the sole human.  She advanced slowly, patiently waiting for the first wave.
Two opponents stepped forward to challenge her, swinging Klingon bat'leths
over their heads as they advanced, snarling throatily, while their comrades
circled the perimeter in a pack, jabbing their weapons at the three in their
center.
  Using the sword to deflect blows behind her while holding off the warrior
in front, Grant exhibited superior strength against the modified
shapeshifers, moving with a quickness that allowed her to maintain a
two-front battle for some time.  She decapitated two opponents, then turned
into a fast-moving figure to attack the others, already in the process of
changing their appearances and developing extra arms and mouths.  Engaging
swiftly, she sliced and diced her way through each opponent, until she alone
stood in the center of the carnage. Cheers and applause echoed loudly in the
arena.  Then, Grant lifted her sword high.  The soldiers jumped to their
feet, shouting loudly as she turned in each direction, saluting the audience
before bowing out of the way and returning back to her cell.

The corpses still twitched and moved in the arena.  A disposal team in red
jumpsuits drove out in a mini tank.  As they drove over the bodies, a large
vacuum located on the underside of the tank dropped down and sucked up the
gory remains.

Watching with disgust as the tank disappeared through a door, Damar glanced
slyly toward the Founders, noting any excitement they felt was suppressed,
while the Vorta could hardly contain his excitement.  As the request of the
male Founder to send out twenty regular Jem'Hadar to face Grant, Damar could
no longer hide the dissatisfaction on his face.

"You object, Glinn Damar?" asked Weyoun, noticing.

"One against twenty?  One phaser blast set on kill took her several hours to
recover.  Twenty Jem'Hadar with phasers will kill her instantly."

"And your point is?"  Weyoun sounded board.  "If I didn't know better,
Damar, I would say you're concerned about the human.  I only regret that
Dukat could not be here to enjoy this."

"I thought you wanted to clone her?" asked Damar, confused.

Weyoun folded his hands on his lap.  "An idealistic notion that is no longer
warranted.  The Chameleon is simply too dangerous to clone.  She will be
killed."

Dr. Shelby glared at the two men.  "Grant cannot be destroyed by phasers or
your stupid Jem'Hadar.  This is a game to her.  They are flies, and she, the
spider.  While she wears the PCF, she'll continue to defeat whatever we send
out against her."

Weyoun inclined his head.  "You may proceed, Dr. Shelby.  Use whatever it
takes to kill the Chameleon."  He watched Shelby give Strall instructions.
The Vulcan stood up and left.  He turned to the female doctor.  "The
anticipation is more exciting than I thought possible."

Shelby smiled wide.  "I hope you like surprises."

Weyoun looked down at the arena, clapping his hands as twenty Jem'Hadar
rushed out into the arena.  Alexis walked out afterwards and squared off
against the small army.  Armed with phasers as wells as daggers, the
Jem'Hadar looked unbeatable.

"Show me the catalysis," demanded the female Founder.  "If the human has a
weakness, exploit it now."

At the far end of the arena, a platform with a large pole appeared to which
was attached the tall, broad form of Gul Dukat, his head hanging on his
chest, obviously unconscious.  Damar and an arena filled with Cardassians
gasped in shock and outrage, rising from their chairs and shouting at Weyoun
and the Founders.  Reacting to their threats, the Jem'Hadar started arguing
with the Cardassians and several fights in the stands broke out.

Shelby stood and addressed the Founders.  "I have gone through a great deal
of trouble to arrange for this event.  I'd hate for it to be spoiled by a
few prejudiced zealots.  Dukat is Grant's Achilles Heel.  She'll die to
protect him.  You have my guarantee.  I know my product.  Order the
Jem'Hadar to attack Dukat and you'll see what I mean."

"Very well," said Weyoun.  "But Dukat will be furious if he gets out of this
alive."

Damar gestured at Dukat.  "You can't seriously allow this to happen, Weyoun.
If Dukat is killed, I will not be able to control my men.  Is that really
what the Dominion wants?"

"Mutiny seems very fashionable these days," said Shelby, laughing at the two
men.  She took it upon herself to shout down at the Jem'Hadar.  "Well, what
are you waiting for?  Kill the Gul and the girl!"

Damar drew his phaser and pointed it at Shelby.  Weyoun grabbed the glinn by
the arm and yanked him down.  Shelby laughed with delight and slid her arm
through Weyoun, leaning over to mock Damar with a flash of her teeth as she
smiled at him, making it clear that she knew he could do nothing about her
little surprise.  While the glinn fumed in silence, the two Founders finally
stood.  The fighting in the stands ended at once and all eyes turned upon
the Founders.  At a signal from the female changeling, the Jem'Hadar in the
arena rushed toward Grant and the platform in two separate groups.

Grant assumed a defensive position in front of the platform, but hit the
ground as phaser fire opened up, taking out a several Jem'Hadar with
friendly fire.  Rolling to the side, she abandoned the sword for two long
daggers and worked them in a criss-cross fashion as she came up on the
underside of a guard.  His legs collapsed in sections.  Jumping up, she
threw herself at a line of guards, sending them reeling as they slammed into
the energy field.  While still on the ground, Grant finished off them off,
then headed back to the platform as the Jem'Hadar started up the stairs to
reach an apparently unconscious Dukat.

Horrified, Grant ran forward, twisting her body in the air, somersaulting
over the heads of the Jem'Hadar and landing on the platform where Dukat was
tied.  She had no time to cut the cords at his wrists and legs as the
Jem'Hadar advanced.  Daggers working like a huge pair of scissors, she held
off those trying to come up the stairs, sending others trying to climb up
the platform nearby with well-placed kicks that toppled the scaled-headed
warriors out of the way.  By the time she whittled the Jem'Hadar down to
seven soldiers, side doors were opened in the arena walls and new contests
either walked, crawled, slithered, or flew out into arena.  Alexis, unable
to keep her eyes on the hideous newcomers, finally realized she could no
longer fight off the Jem'Hadar to protect Dukat.  She was not overly tired,
but her confidence in her own abilities slackened as the Falcon crew
appeared behind the army of the mutants, stumbling toward her like zombies.

"Dukat?  Can you hear me?  We've got trouble!"

Alexis punctured the lungs of a Jem'Hadar, losing a dagger in the process.
She did a back flip and landed beside Dukat, drawing another longer blade
from a scabbard attached to her back.  She stabbed the new blade into the
platform and deactivated the PCF devise.  Another Jem'Hadar was upon her,
followed by a winged creature that came straight out of a nightmare which
caught hold of him and ripped him to shreds, giving her a few seconds to
attach the PCF onto Dukat's wrist.  His head finally lifted and he smiled
sadly.

"I am your friend," said Alexis.  She kissed him on the mouth.  "Remember me
fondly, lover."

Then, she turned on the PCF.  Suddenly, she was thrown through the air,
twisting and turning painfully and hitting the ground hard.  She lay
convulsing on the ground, stunned, for several seconds, while the creatures
closed in around her and the handful of surviving Jem'Hadar, who upon seeing
the new danger, had grouped together at the platform.  As she looked up,
blood oozing from a split lip, a Jem'Hadar grabbed her by the back of her
cuirass and dragged her up to the platform.  He helped her stand and handed
her sword back to her.

"Why?" asked Grant.

"You are a true warrior.  We will die together," said the Jem'Hadar,
uttering his last words as a winged creature swooped down on the guard and
picked him up in its multiple talons, disappearing behind the advancing
mutants.

Grant and the Jem'Hadar put up a heroic fight at the steps of the platform,
while Dukat/Odo, protected by the PCF, remained unmolested.  The platform
was completely surrounded by the creatures.  Grant fell back as the
Jem'Hadar were overwhelmed and dragged down by a mass of quivering bodies.
Strall appeared on the platform in full body armor and headed toward Grant,
a hypo in hand.  He was not attacked by the others and walked unmolested
straight up to Grant.  She turned toward him and froze.

"I decided against a private showing," said Shelby.  "I want everyone to see
what is about to happen.  This is my moment of triumph when all the universe
will see the Chameleon Effect!"

At a charge by the mutants on Grant, she turned away from Strall.  The hypo
neared her exposed neck.  With creatures screaming up the sides of the
platform, clawing at her feet, Grant changed her mind at the last second and
imbedded her sword deeply in Strall's stomach. As she fell beneath a wall of
mutants, Dukat was beamed out of the arena.  Shelby screamed as if she'd
been wounded and clung to Weyoun, pleading with her eyes for him to do
something as the Vulcan was collected by the mutants and absorbed.  Weyoun
shoved her aside, getting to his feet, along with Damar.

"Your drug is effective but crude, Doctor.  I'm afraid we're not interested
in developing it further.  Your torch is extinguished.  Your secret will die
with you.  Damar?"

At Weyoun's signal, Shelby was picked up by Damar, lifted over his head and
thrown into the arena.  She screamed as she sailed through the air, assuming
the forms of a number of creatures, but unable to stop her descent before
the other monsters were upon her.  The mob converged in on itself, claiming
Shelby as part of the mass, as it twisted and warped into an enormous being
with god-like proportions.  Damar addressed the troops, his phaser drawn and
aimed at the creature.  At the same time, every armed soldier, Cardassian
and Jem'Hadar, fired at the behemoth beast, pulverizing it with laser beams
that tore into its flesh, disintegrating its mass before it could alter its
appearance and recover, then, every mutated atom and cell had vanished.

"The flaw in the drug is obvious.  Odo was right," Weyoun replied, once
silence prevailed.  He did not elaborate.  He bowed low to the Founders.  "I
suggest we return to our flag ship and prepare for your departure.  There is
nothing else to gain by remaining here.  With your permission, the freighter
will be awarded to Gul Dukat for the pain of his trials and tribulations
this day.  The cargo and drug, of course, will be destroyed."

"Give our apologies to Gul Dukat," said the male Founder.  "It was not our
intention to involve him in this matter.  The guilty party has been dealt
with."

In a twinkle of lights, the Founders and Weyoun were transported back to
their ship.

Damar immediately ordered the soldiers to return to Terok Nor, leaving a
large detachment behind to clean out the rest of the undead in the cargo
hold.  Only after he'd returned to the station did he stop to consider that
Grant was no longer alive.  A guard had retrieved her jagged-edged sword
from the arena for him.  It wasn't enough to ease his pain.  At least one
person would understand how he felt, thought Damar, heading to the Gul's
room, hoping Dukat was in the mood to grieve and had a full bottle of kanar
he would want to share.

"What is it?" came Dukat's voice at the chime.

"It's Damar."

A length paused followed.  "Are you alone?"

Damar looked up and down the hallway.  "Yes, sir."

"Then come in!"

The door whooshed open.  Dukat smiled broadly at his glinn from across the
room and bid him enter with a nod of his head.  Two discarded Cardassian
cuirass' were at his feet, his own and another belonging to the fair haired
woman he held protectively in his warm embrace.  Grant's face lit up with
delight upon seeing Damar.  Dukat refused to release her.

"You're...alive."  Damar stared at Alexis.  "But I saw you killed.  We all
did."

"Appearances can be deceiving," replied Dukat.  His cool, blue eyes met
Alexis'.  He had no idea what her long-term plans might be, however, for the
present, he was content to know that she cared enough for him to have risked
her life in the arena and to show gratitude to him when he'd been the won to
secretly beam her over to his quarters.  The offer she'd made was a
sacrifice he wasn't used to others making on his behalf, and her blind
loyalty moved him greatly.  She had believed him when he'd explained how
he'd been tricked by Weyoun, the Founders, and Shelby, knowing nothing of
their diabolical plans, nor about his own involvement in their little scheme
as the bait.  There was no shadow of a doubt in her mind of his innocence.
Alexis had taken him at his word, therefore, she was worthy of his love.

"Give me a moment, lover."  Alexis pulled out of Dukat's arms and hurried
over to her friend, taking Damar by the hands.  "I seem to have friends in
all the right places.  Thank you, Damar.  I swear I'll never forget your
help."  She kissed his cheek.  "You're a true friend."

"I did nothing.  Except...," he looked at the ground, a broad smile forming,
"I did throw Shelby into the arena with all the other freaks.  She's dead."

Damar's head lifted.  He was laughing.  The others joined in and for a
moment, three voices filled the room with harmony.  It was Alexis who fell
silent first as the full implications of Damar's words hit her directly in
the heart.

"Shelby and Strall dead," said Alexis, at last.  "After all this time.  It's
like I've been given my life back.  I can't believe it's finally over.  What
about Weyoun and the Founders?"   "They are gone.  I should have killed that
Vorta instead of Shelby," growled Damar.  "He arranged for all this from the
start through Shelby.  Shelby planted Strall on Kweeg's ship and arranged
through her connections with Starfleet to release the Chameleons.  Kweeg was
bringing them here, but apparently he stumbled onto their plan and was
murdered before he could warn anyone.  It was Shelby's idea to use you as
bait.  The Founders offered an apology for the inconvenience, sir.  I'm sure
they didn't mean it."

"Well, we're all safe and sound.  The problem is behind us.  I think that
cause to celebrate.  I have kanar," said Dukat, already in the process of
pouring drinks.  When no one commented, he looked up and watched as Alexis
gently touched Damar's cheek with her fingers.  Confident which man Grant
would spend the night with, and possibly longer, if it could be arranged,
Dukat remained good humored when Damar glanced at him, nervous.  "Proceed,
Damar.  I give you permission to kiss her."  He nodded toward Alexis.  "She
likes Cardassians."

"You want me to kiss her?" muttered Damar, embarrassed.

"He knows I want to kiss you," said Grant.  Her blue eyes gleamed as she
kissed Damar right on the mouth.  He remained stiff and wooden and
unresponsive.  She laughed softly.

"Come now, Damar.  You can do better than that," admonished Dukat.  "You
want to kiss her.  Take advantage of my generosity.  I promise there won't
be a second opportunity.  But, as I've been made aware of the attraction
between the two of you, I will allow it this one time.  Consider it as your
reward."

Damar took it as an order and swept Alexis into his brawny arms, visibly so
excited at the prospect of finally being able to hold her, as he had wanted
to for so very long, that temporarily he lost his concentration in what he'd
intended doing and merely stared into her eyes.  His look pleaded for Grant
to take him over the threshold and enter a new domain of pleasure.  He could
not kiss her.  She gladly took charge.  His beautiful, full lips were pursed
together in a tight pout that reminded Alexis of an old-fashioned bow tie.
Dukat's lips were thin, wide and hard, but were actually warm and pliant to
the touch.  As she placed her finger over Damar's generous bottom lip,
pulling it down slightly, forcing him to open his mouth, she anticipated
that his kiss would be juicier but just as delicious.  Once he loosened his
jaw and wetted his mouth with his tongue, she leaned into him, holding him
tightly around the neck and planting her lips over his, gave him one, long,
luscious kiss.

Finally, it was Dukat who interrupted the pair, his jealously getting the
better of him.  "Is this going further?"

Damar, remembering where he was and who he was with, set Alexis back and
lowered his head, fearing that retribution was be harsh, while a raging
erection threatened to rip through his pants and make its presence known.
He was thankful when Alexis walked back to the Gul, swinging her slender
hips in a manner captured both of their imaginations.  Dukat exhibited no
signs of jealously at his glinn's aroused state, but Damar knew when it was
time to humble himself.

"I apologize for my behavior, Gul Dukat," said Damar.  He thought he wasn't
heard as the Gul preoccupied himself kissing Alexis but continued.  "I was
relieved Captain Grant was alive.  We all thought she'd been killed.  My
relief got the better of me.  It won't happen again."

Dukat lifted his head.  "Be glad for the opportunity, Damar.  Sometimes all
you get is an unforgettable kiss."

"I hope the effect is lasting then," replied Alexis, pulling free from
Dukat.  She went to a table, picked up two glasses of kanar, gave one to
Dukat, then Damar, and went back for her own.  "I don't know who arranged
for my escape, but I owe someone a huge thanks.  Something tells me its you,
Dukat."

"I did the best I could," said Dukat, wanting the glory and the girl for
himself.  "However, I should point out that it wasn't me in the arena.  Odo
and Kira freed me from the slave cells.  I intended to fight in the arena,
but Odo took my place.  Kira beamed us both out, as planned.  We owe them
both our thanks."

"I'll be sure to do so," said Grant.

"Weyoun will pay for this insult to you," Damar growled, draining the kanar.
"I swear it.  He will pay.  With his life."

"I'll let you break his repugnant neck very soon.  But for now, I'm
satisfied that Alexis is safe."

Dukat reached out and pulled Alexis close, kissing her in front of the glinn
on purpose, using all his skill to leave her swooning in his arms.  Damar
was unable to look away, though watching Alexis respond sexually to Dukat
pained him greatly.  He walked to the door, confused by his feelings and
hoping a bottle of kanar would set him right.

"We will dine shortly.  Damar, will you join us?"

"I'd be honored, Gul Dukat.  I shall return in say, an hour, after I've made
certain the Founders have departed and the Falcon cargo is destroyed."

Dukat released Alexis in order to walk Damar to the door, opening it to
reveal an empty hallway behind them.  The glinn stepped into the hall and
paused to embrace Dukat in a brotherly fashion.  At the sound of rustling
clothes, both turned to see Alexis, a pale, smooth-muscled form in the
starry light from the large window, undressing and dropping her clothes
behind her as she headed for the Gul's bathroom.  Damar caught a glimpse of
her shapely, bare buttocks as the door closed in his face.  He glanced
nervously as Dukat, then hurried down the hall.

Dukat entered his room, the door closing soundlessly behind him, and
followed after Alexis, removing his own clothes and throwing them on the
ground as she had, his satisfaction at knowing that where the Dominion had
failed, he had not.  Any woman who would die for him was worthy of his
affection, and a genetically superior woman, even a human, was the perfect
vessel in which to spawn a superior child.  He was fortunate indeed, he
thought, joining her in the shower.

Lifting her up into his arms so that her legs straddled his waste, Dukat
carried her into the bedroom.  She remained attached to his long frame,
kissing and lightly chewing at his engorged neck ridges as he climbed onto
the bed on his knees and slowly laid down on top of her.  Alexis' arms
encircled his wide neck and she proceeded to lick him all the way up the
side of his neck, across an S-shaped eye ridge, sliding up and into the
spoon-shaped formation on his forehead.

Catching his breath in excitement, Dukat's pheromones permeated the room as
his member became engorged, dangling between his legs like a catapult arm as
he brushed it across her lower abdomen.  As she lifted upwards and pressed
again his hardened member against her pelvis, Dukat kissed her, slipping his
tongue into her mouth and administrating to her needs until he was assured
of her arousal.  He detected her own pheromones in the air, something that
confirmed, though he didn't want to be thinking about it at that moment,
that she was alive and not an undead thing.  He'd smelled only death and
decay on in the arena, but the body perspiration and humid moisture
gathering between Alexis' legs which wafted up to his flared nostrils was an
odor that only a living woman possessed.

"Alexis, you please me more than any woman has in a very long time," moaned
Dukat, dragging his tired, swollen lips from her own and staring down into
her warm, dark blue eyes.  She was more sensual than any Orion girl he'd
ever been with and he wondered if he could finagle keeping her indefinitely
in his bed, or at the least, find a safe haven on Cardassia where she could
raise the child he intended for her to conceive and discreetly join them
both later.  He felt guilty seeing an expression of tenderness in her eyes
and questioned his own mercenary tactics in handling the situation to
procure a genetically superior child when she raised her hand to caress his
cheek.

"I love you," she said, simply.

Dukat froze, unable to comment, think, or move.  At her light kiss brushing
against his lips, he felt the muscles around his mouth quiver and push his
lips move upwards into a smile he later regretted faking at the time.

"You trust no one," she said.  "Everyone is the enemy."

"I'm a practical man, not a romantic."

"And I'm the opposite.  I fell for you the moment I saw you standing at ops,
looking so proud and arrogant, and so profoundly lonely.  You must care a
little for me, Dukat, otherwise, you wouldn't have saved me.  You took a
risk as well.  The Dominion could look at your deception as a treasonous
act."

"As long as Weyoun thinks you are dead, we have nothing to worry about,"
said Dukat, bluntly.  His tone came out harsher than he'd wanted and he
noted she looked hurt.  He brushed his fingers across her mouth, caught hold
of the tip of her chin and tilted it up so he could place his cool, pliant
lips upon her own.  Tasting salt, he realized she was crying.

"I'm sorry," she said, at last.  "I can't help it."

"Dearest, you flatter me with the depth and sincerity of your emotions.  I
would never tell a woman she isn't allowed to cry because she's in love.
But I would think that a smile would convey your feelings far better.
You're so beautiful when you smile, dearest."  Dukat gave her a hearty
squeeze, chuckling softly.  "There's no reason for tears, you know.  Your
eyes tell me everything I want to know, Alexis.  Your thoughts.  Your
feelings.  You must know how I feel without my saying it.  Putting words to
describe an emotion of such an intimate nature is so limiting.  Of course I
care about you.  My feelings for you are genuine and strong.  No one has
ever quite made me feel the way you do.  Never doubt that."

"Spoken like a true cavalier."

"Look how your eyes flash.  You're angry, and I meant for this to be a
special night.  I could send Damar a message not to return.  Or do you want
me to prove that I'm a diplomatic in love as well as war?   Damar believes
that he loves you, and, he believes that you love him.  Do you?  Do I have
cause to be jealous?"  Dukat's penetrating gaze locked onto her own.  "Ah!
I see that I do.  The eyes never lie.  But I come first."

"Of course you come first!  How could you think otherwise?"

Alexis turned her head away, unable to suppress further tears, knowing his
was right but wrong at the same time.  Her heart ached for Damar with a
melancholy feeling akin to regret, but for Dukat, it beat wildly, without
restraints or boundaries.   If he ever had reason to believe that she loved
him, she thought surely her tears revealed all.  The way he was staring at
her suddenly embarrassed her and she turned, confused, intending to get out
of the bed but Dukat caught her arm in his hand, holding her still.  He
willed Alexis to look at him.  She showed no fear of the predatory
expression that ruled over his alien features, instead, his sternness
aroused her.  For a moment she feared she was suffocating as tender emotions
made her throat choke up, making it hard to breath, then, just as quickly, a
wave of carnal lust stroked her body, leaving her withering under the
intensity of his ice blue gaze.

"You don't deny what I said about Damar, so it would appear I am right about
your feelings for him.  He's married and has a child.  I don't suppose that
matters.  I know the difference between love and infatuation.  Not only am I
divorced, I've known many mistresses in my life.  To prove to you that I am
a diplomat, I'll tolerate your infatuation for Damar as long as you remain
faithful in your heart to me."

"That's not what I want.  My darling Dukat, I'm in love with you!  I was
willing to give my life for you!  What more evidence do you need of my
devotion, loyalty and love?"                        His hand strayed down to
her breast.  His thumb flicked over her taunt nipple and he bent his head to
kiss it softly.  "Do you imagine my glinn doing this to you?  I saw how
excited he was when you kissed him.  Shall I invite him to join us in bed?"
At her look of surprised, he laughed huskily.  "Are you shocked to learn
that I wouldn't mind sharing you?  Isn't this what you've been hoping I'd
say?"

"Don't be cruel," she whispered.  "I only want you."

Closing her eyes, she tried not to let her body respond to his electrifying
touch, nor would comment further about his lewd suggestion.  Half of her
wanted to slap him for suggesting it, while the other wanted to thank him
from head to toe.  She tried to push him off, a feeble attempt for it was
not what she really wanted and merely caused Dukat to lose his temper.  He
forced her to respond to his heated, demanding kisses as he rubbed his hand
between her legs, wetting his flesh from his fingertips to his knuckles with
her flowing juices.  She felt like he'd swallowed her heart, taking complete
control of her body and soul.  He didn't love her, she told herself, while
at the same time, she knew it didn't matter.  They desired one another, the
perfect sexual mating of equals, but that's as far as it went with Dukat.
He kept a tight hold on the strings to his heart, so she struck at what did
most of his thinking for him and reaching down, sought out and found his
slick erection, working its length up and down, until his eyes had rolled
back in his head and his breathing had taken on laborious effect.

Dukat realized as his entire body started tingling that she'd taken control
and he was merely reacting to her every manipulative gesture and touch.
Determined to maintain the ultimate authority in and out of bed, he seized
the moment to bend her knees so they were lifted up to touch his shoulders,
then he moved up, over and into her.  She was ready and he entered her
smoothly, driving his immense erection all the way into her quivering,
receptive body.  After a several ball-slapping thrusts, he lowered her right
leg and placed his left outside of it, then he turned his body to a one
o'clock position, resting his weight on his left knee and on his right
shoulder and chest.  His left hand was free to wander where it wanted.  He
inserted a finger in her mouth, tensing from tail bone to shoulders as she
proceeded to suck on it, her eyes locking onto his own, conveying her
heightened sense of arousal.

Smiling devilishly, Dukat pulled his finger away and caressed and fondled
her breasts until each nipple was as hard as a rock, then as she squirmed
beneath him, begging for his touch, he reached between her legs.  Sliding
his right hand under her ass, he lifted it slightly for better thrusting.
In this position, he was able to hear every groan and whisper, while he
nuzzled her smooth neck, kissed her, or fondled her body.  He wanted to
please her before pleasing himself in order to demonstrate his feelings of
love which he found impossible to verbally convey.

A ripple of pleasure passed over her face, her excitement bringing him more
satisfaction that he thought possible.  He brought her to several orgasms
with his steady, hard strokes and hand manipulations before he closed his
eyes and concentrated on reaching his own frenzied sexual plateau.  When at
last he spilled his seed into her ripe body, he opened his eyes and looked
into her face as he finished emptying his essence, his member continuing to
undulate within her body, giving her on one last flight of pleasure before
she finally relaxed and sighed contentedly.

With her final shutter, Dukat knew it was too late to retract what he'd
already offered to the warrior goddess in order to beget a superior child.
In that instance, everything changed, for staring back at him was not the
pale, beautiful face of a human female, but a Cardassian.  She'd mutated.


  *  *  *  *

Chapter Twelve


A festive air resided over the Promenade.  After the departure of the
Founders and their ships, Weyoun remained behind on the station and retired
to his quarters, but not before making it known to all that he was
unavailable and needed his rest that night.  Left in charge, Glinn Damar
found a subordinate to take his place at ops and located his favorite seat
at Quark's bar.  He'd never noticed before how interminably long one hour
could be.  Yet, he could not prevent himself from gazing at every monitor
available to check the time.

"I'm sorry," said Kira, saddling up beside Damar.  She sounded sincere and
almost friendly.  "It must be hard for you, going through this alone.  I
suppose it's the first time you've ever fallen for a human.  New experiences
are what help us grow as adults."

"Major, do you find it necessary to talk to me?"

"I noticed the kanar and your sullen look.  Of course, when don't you look
sullen?  You don't have to pretend.  I know you had feelings for Alexis.  I'
m sorry."

"I am sure that you are."

"Dukat?  Is he...?"

"Stop prying," snapped Damar.  "If you don't mind, Major, I'd rather finish
this bottle in private!"

"Am I leaving or are you?"

Damar glared at her.  He sipped on his drink.

"Oh, I get it.  You want me to leave."  Kira threw her auburn hair back and
laughed.  She caught Quark's eyes and immediately sobered.  The Ferrengi
actually looked compassionate for Damar's predicament.  She smelled a
financial transaction somewhere but let it go.  "Take care of this pathetic
piece of a self-loathing Cardassian.  Give him any more kanar, whether he
can pay for it or not, and you might have to carry him bed, Quark."

"No need to worry, Major.  I have everything under control."  Quark winked
at her.  "And I do mean everything."

"That's comforting.  But you don't have any reason to go to all that
trouble, Quark.  Grant didn't make it," said Kira.  "If you need me, I'll be
in the Temple.  I'd like to offer a prayer for Alexis to the Prophets.  Not
that it will do her any good, but it might make me feel less guilty about
what happened.  This isn't what I wanted, Damar.  I thought between all of
us that we could save her.  I was wrong."

Kira walked off toward the Bajoran temple, leaving behind in her wake a
feeling of regret and profound sorrow.  Damar frowned at the red liquid
swirling around the glass between his hands, feeling guilty he hadn't told
Kira the truth that Alexis was alive and firmly entrenched in Dukat's bed.
He imagined a red mouth parted and a slender tongue slipping between his
teeth as he recanted the taste, the feel, and smell of Alexis.  A whimper
escaped him which he was unaware of as he pushed his glass away, determined
not to go back to Dukat's room and be toyed with by the Gul and his lady.

"I am sorry, Damar," said Quark.  "We all liked Alexis.  You don't seldom
meet the perfect warrior, or rather, the perfect fugitive.  Between you and
me, Damar, I heard that she'd intended to return to Starfleet.  I even heard
that she was alive.  But it's gossip.  Isn't it?"

"I'm not interested in discussing this with you either."

"Well, well, well.  You are in a mood.  I've never seen you grieve before.
At least we know that Alexis cared enough about us both to give us an equal
share of the latinum.  She beamed my share into my room yesterday.  It's a
pity.  If she was alive, I'd glad use my share to book her passage out of
here.  As long as Weyoun is lingering at the station, she's not safe.  Of
course, she's not alive, so we don't have to worry about that."

Damar grabbed his glass and finished it.  His blurry eyes focused on the
Ferrengi's face.  "What if I told you that she isn't dead?" he whispered.
"What if I said she was alive and in Dukat's arms this very moment?"

"That would explain your mood."

"What if I told you Dukat didn't know a thing about the Founders plans?  Or
that he intends to keep her here?"

Quark shrugged.  "Rom wins the bet!  This is awful!"  He suddenly poured
himself a glass of kanar from a fresh shipment received that morning from
none other than his old friend Morn.  "This is very unfortunate.  I'm
suddenly broke."

"Money doesn't make you any happier.  I'd give Dukat every bar of latinum I
own if I could have her for one night."

"One night?  You've enough latinum to buy yourself your own a pleasure
slave."  The bartender refilled Damar's glass with kanar and leaned over the
bar to whisper.  "Don't worry.  Your secret is safe with me, along with the
source of your pathos.  Pity you can't tell Alexis how you feel.  She might
want to thank you properly for disposing of Shelby."

"I'm having dinner with her and Dukat tonight," said Damar, staring at the
liquid before he drained the contents.  He set the glass down with a bang.
"Congratulate me."

"What for?  You're miserable about it, though I could profit by upsetting
you further.  I do have a heart.  You might not know it to look at me, but
deep down inside, you are looking at a romantic.  Oh, I like to hide the
truth.  It's not good for business to let the competition know you have a
soft heart.  From my point of view, I gain more in helping you, than seeing
Dukat get everything.  We don't have much time."

"What do you mean?" Damar growled, not comprehending.

"Oh, nothing.  Everything.  Only that the same freighter which delivered the
delicious kanar you're not drinking is still here and the captain has been
paid to take Alexis with him.  Very soon, Damar, you'll have your chance to
get your lady fair out of clutches of the Dominion and help her escape on
that ship.  If you don't, you'll only have yourself to blame when Weyoun
catches wind of what's going on around here and lays claim to Grant."

"Weyoun?  I won't let that happen."

"Ouch.  It does sound like love.  You've got it bad."

"You've booked passage for her with your own money?"

"Well, we were going to split the cost, but we'll talk about that later.
Right now all I want to do is to help Alexis," said the Ferrengi, his tone
serious.  He thrust his index finger at the Cardassian, keeping his voice
down so the curious would have no cause to listen.  They were watching them
and that was enough.  "Look, Damar, provided you've the backbone for it, all
you have to do is get our girl on the ship, at the specified time."

Damar shook his head. "You knew she was alive all the time?"

The Ferrengi shrugged.  "It was a gut feeling."

"But Dukat...?"

"Yes, I know.  I'm sure he has big plans for your girlfriend.  Dukat isn't
like us, Damar.  He's not a romantic.  Haven't you been asking yourself why
he's asked you back to his room?  You don't really think he wants your
company?  Haven't you ever heard the old Terran saying, `two's company, but
three's a crowd'?"

"Get to the point!"

"If instinct serves me correctly, and it always does, you could safely place
a bet on Dukat involving you in his master plan."

"Which is?"  Damar sat up straight, not sure whether to be insulted on
behalf of his Gul or play the role of conspirator.

Quark shook his head.  The man had no imagination, especially concerning his
own role in the intrigue and intimacy going on in the Gul's bedroom.  Being
a genius wasn't necessary to be able to add two and two together, thought
Quark.  After all, it was obvious to almost everyone else on the station
that the human female had one true vice; and it wasn't alcohol, swordplay,
or latinum - it was a wanton appetite for sex.

"You figure it out," said Quark at last, too mentally fatigued to go into
details with a man he considered an absolute moron.  "You're the great Glinn
Damar."

The Cardassian had enough of the Ferrengi trickster.  He told himself that
he was foolish to have considered Quark's idea seriously.  Alexis belonged
to Dukat.  He could not go against his mentor and friend for the sake of a
woman.

"Dukat intends to keep Alexis as his mistress.  There is no ulterior motive.
You can tell Major Kira, whom I'm sure is in on this, that I want no part of
your plan.  I might have backed you once, Quark, but once is all you get.  I
don't want Alexis to leave."

"You know Weyoun will do to her if he finds out she's here?"

"Dukat and I will protect her!"

"The bar just closed, you block head," snapped Quark.  "Go away before I
have you thrown out.  Go join your friend, the Gul, and watch how he
exploits the woman you love.  Oh, and have a nice day."

Damar rose to leave, then paused.  In under a minute, he reflected emotions
ranging from alpha to omega, only pausing to reflect about how he truly
felt, ending the contortions of his face when he reached his boiling point.
Frustrated with himself for not being able to reach a decision, he did the
unthinkable and turned to the Ferrengi for advise.

"What would you do if you were me, Quark?"

The bartender looked shocked for a second, then his eyes gleamed and a
cunning smile ruffled his lips, turning the corners upwards as though he'd
spread out a deck of cards for a customer.   "Me?" asked Quark in an impish
voice.  "You're asking me?  For starters, I might kill myself, being that
I'm a hideously ugly Cardassian.  Then again, I might provoke say a
Jem'Hadar into doing me the same service.  But if you want my real advice,
it doesn't come for free, my friend.  It will cost you.  In fact, you
haven't paid for that bottle of kanar yet.  The price has doubled."

Two bars of latinum were placed on the bar.

"Talk," growled Damar.

Jagged teeth flashed in Quark's head as he smiled.  "I've paid a reliable
friend thirty pieces of Dukat's latinum to take Alexis to Starbase 375,
where she can take a Federation ship to Earth to appeal her case.  Now I
know what you're thinking - why would she want to go back?  She hates the
Federation.  But does she?  You saw the honorable way in which she offered
her life to safe Dukat's?  That's Starfleet training.  I think she'll jump
at the chance to restore her family name and personal honor.  After what Dr.
Shelby did, I think our Alexis would want to step forward with the evidence
we can provide her in order to win her appeal.  All you have to do is to the
right thing, Damar.  Don't be selfish.  Help her escape."

Damar looked depressed.  "Who knows how long this war will last?  It could
be years before I see her again."  He looked off into space.  "I'd miss
her."

"Oh, brother!  This is nauseating!  Maybe you better go to dinner and do
whatever it is that's expected of you to do by your big boss.  Who knows?
Perhaps the Gul wants to share his prize with you.  That's a vivid image I
don't need.  I might be sick.  But I'm sure you're fine with the
arrangement.  No Cardassian ever said no to an available, willing woman just
because two men were in the same line!"

"Enough, worm!"

Damar started to reach for Quark to smash his face in, then hesitated,
mulling over an idea.  Quark leaned back against the far side of the bar,
relieved he'd been spared.

"How much time do I have?" Damar suddenly asked.

"Have Alexis at Docking Bay 8 at 0400 hours.  That's the easy part.  The
problem is, how do you convince Alexis to leave?  She thinks she's in love
with Dukat, so it won't be easy.  But this might make it easier for you to
convince her to leave."  Quark handed Damar a small disc.  "Put that in your
pocket.  On it you'll find the arena fight, Shelby's death, which by the way
I was meaning to compliment you on your fine performance.  There's also a
few recorded messages to Starfleet on behalf of Alexis from her friends on
Terok Nor.  Have her give the disc to Jake's father.  They're old friends.
Jake said his father and Alexis played holosuite baseball on the Saratoga.
Jake hadn't thought about it in years, until Grant mentioned Yankee Stadium
the other day, then he remembered who played left field.  Lt. Grant.  She
was the star player."

Damar tucked the disc into his pant's pocket.  "You're not as dumb as you
look."  The Ferrengi's smile faded.  "Get me another bottle of kanar.  The
best you've got.  I'm late."

"You won't last another bottle, my friend."

"It's not for me.  It's for Dukat."

"In that case.  Try this brand."

Quark placed a larger than usual bottle of kanar on the table.  Damar had
half-a-mind to keep it for himself, but his thoughts must have shown on his
face, for Quark shook his head and waggled his finger at the glinn.

"Don't even think it.  This is special kanar for a special Gul. It won't
kill him, unfortunately, but give him one glass of this, and a few minutes
later, he'll be counting the proverbial sheep that hopped over the fence of
lost opportunity and got away from the big, bad wolf.  It's a pleasure doing
business with a man like you, Glinn Damar."

"Of course it is," chuckled Damar.  Giving the bottle a kiss, he winked at
his cohort in crime and hurried off to the Gul's room.

As soon as Damar had departed, Major Kira and Odo appeared at his vacant
seat at the same time.  The security chief held out his hand, allowing Kira
to assume the chair while he ordered two drinks.  Quark came over instantly
with the requested liquor and placed the glasses in front of his favorite
customers.

"Damar left rather quickly.  He was taking with him a rather large bottle of
kanar."  Odo frowned at the Ferrengi.  "Is that wise, Quark?  He'll kill
himself if he drinks all of that in one night."

"He's capable of it too," muttered Kira.  "But I somehow don't think that's
Quark's intention by giving a child such a big toy to play with.  I hope you
know what you're doing.  Damar's not soft-hearted, not like you, or Odo for
that matter."

"Thank you," sighed Odo.  "I think."

Kira put her hand on his arm.  "I didn't mean it like that.  Siding Damar
against Dukat isn't the wisest plan, gentlemen.  Damar would never betray
Dukat."

"It's all arranged, Major."  Quark picked up a recently washed glass and
dried it with a white towel.  "Starfleet might very soon be visited by a
celebrity fugitive."

"Damar will have to rise above his mundane stupidity to pull this off," said
Kira.

"He'd better," said Odo.  He withdrew the PCF from his pocket and handed it
over to Quark.  "This should be returned to its rightful owner.  Since you
came up with this escape plan, you can be the one to give it to Alexis."

"Me?  Look, I may have arranged for her transportation off this tin-plated
floating terminal, but I'm not escorting her to the docking bay.  What if I'
m caught?  No, thank you.  I'm not a hero.  I'm a businessman.  I won't do
it."  He crumbled when Odo glared at him, thrusting the PCF into his hand.

"I suggest you do what I say," said Odo, rather sternly.

"Why can't I learn to mind my own business?" Quark asked, setting the glass
down and placing the device in his pocket.

"Because you're an old softie," said Kira.  "But I won't tell anyone."
  "Maybe this will turn out."  Quark poured himself a drink, toasting the
duo.  "Like all profiteers, I'm optimistic."

"You mean an opportunist," said Odo.

"I don't have to listen to criticism."

Quark turned his back and took a sip of his drink.  When he looked back, Odo
and Kira had quietly left.  Suddenly, he noticed the two latinum bars left
on the table and pocketed both, feeling the weight pulling at his coat
pocket.  He forced a smile on his face as he looked around at his customers,
wondering which would buy the PCF at the highest bid.

"I should have taken all of the latinum," Quark muttered under his breath.
"What was I thinking?  Like Damar or Dukat need it?  There's simply no
justice in the universe.  If only I could be in Damar's shoes.  I'd know
what to do with a human female."

At that moment, Alexis lay sleeping in the crook of Dukat's arm, he finally
convinced himself to uncover her body and see for himself if she'd actually
changed her genetic makeup.  Peeling back the sheet from her shoulder down
to the slope of her hip, he let his eyes adjust to the dim lights in his
bedroom before scrutinizing every inch of her exposed pale flesh.  She
looked human.  He wondered if he'd imagined it all and allowed himself a
private moment to give into his softer feelings for Alexis.  He held her
close in his arms as he would a child, wishing things were different and the
outcome could be a happy one.  For the moment at least, he could love her.

He kissed her soft, round shoulder.  She stirred.  As her foot brushed
against his leg, his heart jumped.  He raised the sheet gain to see for
himself that it was not a tentacle or something else.  He saw only two human
legs tangled with his own.  Suddenly, a graceful hand slid down his chest,
across his stomach, down to the rising, generous benefactor of their sex
life.  His body wanted hers.  There was no denying that simple sexual
craving and it overrode any fear.  He gave her a like shake and woke her up,
wanting her again.

"Alexis?  Are you sleeping?"

Rising from the pillows, stretching her arms over her head and sighing
luxuriously, she faced Dukat.  At the sound of a chime, she lay across his
chest, laughing, as she cupped his face in her hands and nibbled on the
ridge that ran across her chin.

"By all the Prophets," Dukat growled huskily.  "Not now Damar."  He cupped
her breast, flicking his thumb across her taunt nipple. "We have company."

The chime rung the second time.

"I must have fallen asleep," said Alexis, her voice sleepy.  He looked at
her intently.  She poked him in the ribs.  She laid her head back down on
his chest, keeping him from rising from the bed, and absent-mindedly played
with the sparse dark hairs covering his pectorals.  "I'm so tired tonight.
I couldn't defend myself against one Cardassian, let alone two.  Do you mind
canceling dinner?  I want it to be alone with you tonight.  We can see Damar
tomorrow.  I'll fix you both breakfast."

"Damar is already here, and as much as I'd like to ignore him, I don't like
to be rude."  Dukat watched as she sat up and let his hand stroke down her
smooth, white back.  She looked perfectly normal.  He wondered if he'd
imagined it all.  "Go let him in, Slave.  And fetch me a glass of kanar.  I
thirst."

"Uh-huh.  Get up, get dressed, and answer the door.  I'm taking a shower.
Your scent is all over me.  I'll meet you both in the other room, Master."

Dukat spoke his thoughts out loud.  "I am in control."

She put her arms around him and kissed his cheek.

"What's wrong?  You're acting like I've turned into a pumpkin.  I won't be
long.  Not unless you want to join me?"

"I'd like nothing better."  Dukat lowered the sheet and displayed his
enormous erection.  He rolled his eyes sky high as  Alexis kissed him on the
mouth and reached down to give the throbbing member a gentle squeeze.
"You're not helping matters, my dear.  Get dressed.  I'll answer the door."

"In your robe, I suppose?  That'll fool him."

Alexis crawled over him, laughing, and climbed out of the bed.  She pushed
Dukat back into the pillows, shaking her head as she laughed at him and
hurried into the bathroom.  She returned with his robe and held it out for
him as he got up and slipped it on.  She sashed it for him, but not before
reaching between the folds of the cloth and stroking the massive member.  He
caught her hand, pulled her arm behind her back and jerked her up against
his hard, muscular body.

"You're so mysterious," said Dukat.  He lowered his head and kissed her
receptive lips.  "And so incredibly delicious.  I think I will tell Damar to
return tomorrow.  I'll join you in the shower as soon as he leaves.  I like
the water hot."

"I know what you like."  Alexis kissed him once more and gave him a push
toward the door.  He caught at her hand as she pulled away from him and
lifted it to his mouth for a kiss.  She smiled tenderly at him.  "I love
you.  Don't be long.""

Alexis blew Dukat a kiss and strolled into the bathroom.  She turned back at
the door and watched Dukat walk out into the main room.  She felt slightly
guilty for calling off plans with Damar.  There was always tomorrow, she
thought, entering the shower and turning on the water.  She happened to
glance at her nude reflection in the mirror and suddenly shivered at the
unexpected figure staring back at her.  A Cardassian face gazed back at her,
her own, yet not hers, with all the ridges in the right place.  In the blink
of an eye, she changed from Vulcan, Romulan, back to Terran.  She rubbed her
eyes hard.

"Dukat?  Come in here, quick!  I'm seeing things!"

A dark shape appeared in the doorway.

"Darling, I think we have a problem."

As she started to turn toward her beloved Gul, a hand holding a phaser was
thrust into the door of the bathroom.  She jumped back as a  bolt of red
exploded into the counter behind her, leaving behind an enormous hole and
black smoke.  There was no time to rationalize what was happening or who was
firing upon her as another blast hit the shower, hitting the shower head,
sending water spraying across the room.  She executed a perfect tuck and
roll toward the door, reemerging in the bedroom, vaguely aware of a humanoid
form fleeing across the room and hiding in the shadows at the doorway.

Another bright flash of a phaser drove her flying onto the bed.  The sheets
were silk and she slid off the far side of the mattress, colliding with the
wall and landed on top of Dukat's still form.  He was bleeding profusely
from the head.  A trail of blood leading into the bedroom told her what had
happened; Dukat had been surprised at the door, clubbed over the head, then
dragged back to his own room, where she imagined the intruder intended to
kill them both.  There was little she could do for Dukat at the moment.  She
grabbed the sheet off the bed and wrapped it around his head.  As another
blast hit the wall above her, she lay across Dukat's body, while the
intruder demolished the entire room with random shots.

"What do you want?" shouted Alexis.

The firing stopped.  The figure in the doorway stepped out of the darkness,
laughing, strong and manly.  Alexis looked over the bed, one hand over
Dukat's chest where she could feel his heart beat pounding at a fast rate,
narrowing her eyes to better see the features of the assassin.  She gasped
as she recognized the familiar face of Damar.  He looked toward her.  The
fact changed into that of Savon's and he laughed all the harder.

"You didn't really think we'd let you stay with the Gul?  Shelby had a
contingency plan you turned renegade.  Me!  I only regret you don't
appreciate what you've become."

"Am I dead?"

"Not yet!"

Savon aimed straight at where she crouched over Dukat.
Seconds seemed to stretch into eternity as Grant rose to her feet and made a
dash for her sword, too fast for the normal eye to see.  Phaser fire
prevented her from reaching the table where the sword lay.  She abandoned
the idea and spun around, snarling in fury, unarmed, and rushed straight at
Savon.  He headed back into the main room and took up a defensive position
in the middle of the room, firing at the door as he flash of movement
streaked into the room.

A somersault executed over the kitchen counter brought Alexis creeping on
her elbows and knees over to the couch where she'd discarded her clothes
earlier.  She only had time to grab a shirt and her pant's before another
phaser blast lit up the wall behind her.  She look toward the hallway door
as Savon opened it and made a break toward freedom.  Several shots were
fired at close range, missing her every time as she made a zigzag for the
door and rushed out into the hallway, ramming straight into several
surprised guests.  The people screamed and ran down the hallway as Alexis
went in the opposite direction down the corridor, followed by phaser fire
that peppered the walls on either side.

Rounding a corner, she avoided the volley of blasts as the explosions set of
a claxon, putting the entire station on alert, and collided head on with
Damar.  Entangled together, the force of the impact sent them tumbling to
the floor.  Alexis landed on top of Damar, one arm above their heads holding
onto her clothes, and the other penned between their bodies.  She
momentarily met his gaze, as he was only growing aware of the fact that she
was naked and frightened, and pushed herself up.  Without saying a word, she
glanced over her shoulder as though seeing a ghost and hurried on.  Damar
sat up to call after her.  From out of the corner of his eyes, he spotted a
figure appear in the corridor, holding a phaser.  He ducked as the phaser
fire shot straight down the corridor, a streak of flaming red, drew his
phaser and rolling onto his stomach, returned fire.

Suddenly, Damar felt a foot in the middle of his back, pressing him down to
the floor, then the pressure was lifted.  He looked over his shoulder, still
on his bell, in time to see a blur of color racing down the hall after
Alexis.  Turning back, prepared to rise, he spotted a pair of black boots,
and behind those, dozens of armored legs.

"So ends the mystery on where Shelby's last two Chameleons went," came
Weyoun's purring voice.  "I suspect that was Grant and Savon.  I want them
captured alive!"  His Jem'Hadar guards rushed down the hall, leaving the
Vorta staring down at the floored Cardassian.  He glanced down at Damar, his
lips spread into a thin smile.  "You just saved Gul Dukat from a very
embarrassing situation.  The Dominion will take it from here, Glinn Damar.
Inform Dukat that I'll speak to him later."

With that, the Vorta followed after his men.  Damar rose to his knees and
was pushed aside by another platoon of Jem'Hadar.  He fell back to the
ground, growling angrily as the line of armored clad bodies filed passed.
Ignored by the Jem'Hadar, Damar got up and headed straight for Dukat's room.

In the opposite direction, Alexis paused long enough to
put on the clothes she'd picked up off the floor.  Stinging tears slid down
her cheeks.  From the strong manly scent on the shirt, she knew she'd picked
up Dukat's and put it on, then the pants which from the fit she knew to be
her own.  The sound of Savon's laughter echoed down the corridor.  She
bolted forward and ran straight for the Promenade, hoping by some miracle
that she could disappear into the crowd.  As she entered the bar, she looked
for Quark and found him behind the bar, serving drinks to a large press of
demanding customers.  She headed straight for him and passed a mirror,
taking a moment to glance at her reflection.  She wanted to laugh as she
spotted a female Ferrengi face looking back at her.  An ache in her foot
made her look down.  She'd left a path of blood from her cut and bleeding
feet into the bar.  She hadn't even noticed that she'd cut her feet during
the fight.  She concentrated on healing herself, lifted one foot, and
watched as the skin regenerated with shocking speed.  A customer knocked
into her, nearly catching her off balance.  She brushed passed him and
pushed her way up to bar, joining a dozen others who were waving at Quark to
catch his attention.  He finally looked toward Alexis, a disgusted look on
his face.  He came toward her.

"Where did you come from?  Did my mother send you?  You look remarkably like
my older sister.  Say it isn't so."

Alexis looked over her shoulder and nearly fainted as Weyoun appeared on
Pylon 2, overlooking the Promenade, his cool demeanor flawed by the obvious
signs of anxiety and concern reflecting on his pale face.  He hadn't left
with the Founders, after all, she thought, coming close to panic as an army
of Jem'Hadar spread out around the Promenade.  She abruptly reached across
the bar and grabbed Quark with human hands by the collar of his colorful
coat, though her face remained Ferrengi, using her normal voice to speak.

"Quark!  Help me!"

Quark's eyes widened.  "Alexis?  Is that you?  Weyoun is right overhead.
He's been questioning me about you.  He heard you were still alive.  He's
searching the station.  It won't take him long to figure out you're right
under his nose, even in that clever disguise."

"Dukat's been wounded.  It was Savon.  He's blown my cover."

"Maybe you did it yourself.  You know you've mutated," Quark gulped hard,
"which means you'd have to be dead."

"I don't have time to explain.  But I'm not dead."

A phaser blast hit a pillar to the side of the bar, sending sparks flying.
Customers on the Promenade screamed, rushing in every direction, including
Jem'Hadar and Cardassian guards.  Grant threw herself across the bar and
landed on her stomach on the floor.  Quark was crouched down nearby, his
hands over his head.  She pushed herself onto her elbows, helping herself to
a phaser kept behind the bar as she met Quark's distressed gaze.  Another
barrage send glass and steel exploding around them, then momentary ended.

"I will be if I don't get off this station."

"This is going to cost me a fortune," groaned the Ferrengi.
   "Quark, the Dominion has no intention of destroying the cargo.  I need my
PCF.  While we were on the Falcon, I used the control panel in Kweeg's safe
to set the ship to detonate at my command.  I can do it from space.  Did you
get me a berth?"

"You are a spy," whispered Quark, not at all surprised.  "Kira said you
were.  I thought she was making it up.  Does Dukat know?"

"No.  But I'm sure Weyoun does."  Alexis checked the power in the phaser,
satisfied it was fully charged.  "The Federation has been after Shelby a
long time.  When it became clear that she was above the law, the Powers That
Be decided to send vengeance after her.  I am not a spy.  I was offered a
full pardon if I eliminated her.  I never intended to go back."

Grant peeked over the bar and ducked as laser fire coming from the second
level ripped apart a row of shelves behind her.  She returned fire, sending
guards scattering but wounding none.

"The Federation wouldn't sacrifice the Trafalgar's entire crew in order for
you to kill one person," said Quark, as she crouched back beside him.  "Not
the Federation I know."

"The people I work for would.  They framed me for incident on Jacob IV so I
could get to Shelby.  They've wanted her for a long time, and they expect me
to return."

"And if you're cover is blown and you're captured?"

"I'm to use the neutral depolarizing devise in my brain to commit suicide.
I don't suppose there's a thing Ben can do to get me out of their ball club
and back onto his team."

"But I might be able to."  Quark reached into his coat pocket and did the
next best thing to being heroic.  He handed her the PCF with a deep felt
regret at losing a big sale.  "Put this on.  My friend Morn is waiting for
you at Docking Bay 4.  He's borrowing a fast ship from his cousin.  I hope
you know what you're doing.  Better yet, I hope I know what I'm doing.  I'm
the one aiding and abetting a Federation spy."  Next, Quark handed her a
disc, similar in appearance only to what he'd given Damar.  "Coverage of the
fight.  I think if Sisko sees this, he'll speak on your behalf at your
parole hearing.  You'll be back on a starship before you know it."

Grant slipped the PCF onto her wrist, then pocketed the disc.  "Quark!  I
could kiss you!"

"You'd better hurry.  The cavalry has arrived."

Alexis cautiously looked over the bar.  On the second level, Dukat and Damar
had joined Weyoun with a string of guards, fringed by walls glowing from the
aftermath of Grant's return fire.  Several Jem'Hadar, wounded by flying
debris, were being assisted.  She ducked back down and grabbed Quark by the
ears.  As he swooned from a woman touching his erogenous zone, Grant kissed
him on the mouth and left him lying on the floor, groaning with pleasure as
she vaulted over the bar, landing in the center of the tables.  She moved so
quickly that only one person with exceptional vision, watching from above,
his head aching with pain, his bruised ego as evident as his fury, noticed
her attempt to escape.

Gul Dukat willed Grant to look at him, as he'd done when they first met.
She sensed his gaze upon her and recklessly obeyed his silent command.
Their eyes locked.  For a moment, nothing seemed to move around them, as a
lifetime of regrets were exchanged in a look that lasted merely seconds.
Then the sounds, smells, and horror of the situation became all too real.
The tender exchange was broken.

At Dukat's signal, the guards opened fire on Grant.  She moved so quickly
under fire that the guards succeeded in only causing further damage to the
bar.  Odo appeared on the scene, his cries of outrage bringing an immediate
end to the shooting.  He glared up at the Gul, cursing his name under his
breath.  The Cardassians and Jem'Hadar stood around, looking confused and
shaken.  Alexis was nowhere to be seen.

"Weyoun is calling the shots."  Major Kira came up behind Odo.  He turned
toward her and pulled her aside.  She continued.  "Weyoun is saying that
Grant tried to murder Dukat in his bed. Odo, Savon isn't in his room.  I'm
worried.  Grant said all along he was dangerous.  What if it was Savon?  I
think he might be trying to kill Alexis.

"Alexis?  I didn't know you two were so close.  I suspect they might be
trying to leave together.  They are the last Chameleons.  And you said they
were once friends."

"And you said earlier that you believed her.  Don't change sides on me, Odo.
I need you," snapped Kira.  "I have to find Savon before he tries to kill
her.  I owe her that much.  She saved my life.  I have to at least try to
save hers."

Odo grabbed her by the arms.  "Where is she going?"

"Benjamin wants us to do what we can to get her off the station.  He's
expecting her.  Quark's arranged everything."

"Nerys, you should have told me about this earlier."  Odo gestured at the
deplorable condition of the ruined Promenade.  "We might have avoided all
this.  You should have trusted me.  All ask you one more time.  How is
Captain Grant getting off this station?"

"Yes.  Do us all a favor, Major Kira.  Tell us where Captain Grant is
headed?" demanded Dukat, coming up behind Odo and Kira, breathing down their
necks like a large Alvinian dragon.  A tourniquet was wrapped around his
head and his skin was ashen from lose of blood.  "You wanted an excuse to
arrest her.  Well, arrest Captain Grant, Major Kira.  I'm depending on you."

"Get yourself a dog, Dukat.  I don't fetch."

"Weyoun might have other ideas," grumbled Dukat, his tone steely.  "I want
to help her, Major.  I know Alexis didn't try to kill me.  Damar told me
someone was chasing her.  We can help her together.  Tell me where she is
going."

Kira crossed her arms and shook her head.

"I know where Alexis is going," came a ghostly voice.  Damar appeared behind
the Gul, his eyes cast to the floor.  The glinn, though unharmed, looked by
far more miserable than his commander.  Emotion rattled in his voice.  "She'
s going to Docking Bay 8, where a ship is waiting."  Dukat stared at him,
saying nothing.  "Quark told me.  Her passage was paid with Kweeg's
 fortune."

"Judas," growled Kira under her breath, thinking of the Terran religion
because of Grant.  She hated Damar more than Dukat at that moment.  He'd
pretended to be Grant's friend.

"Obviously, if you want something done right, you should do it yourself.
Major Kira.  Glinn Damar.   You're both dismissed.  Odo come with me.  I'll
find Grant myself."

Dukat motioned for his men to follow him as he stormed down the main
passage.  The changeling trailed behind them.  Kira pushed Damar aside and
hurried after them.  As Kira blocked Dukat's path, he brushed her aside and
walked around her.  She kept after him, ignoring Odo's gestures, goading
Dukat with her persistence into pausing to exhibit a fit of rage.  He
grabbed her by the arm and shook her hard.

"Go back to ops and monitor all ships requesting departure clearance!"

"I thought you wanted her to escape.  You can't really mean to turn Alexis
over to Weyoun.  You know what the Dominion will do to her?"  Kira
shuddered.  "Of course you do.  All is fair in love and war.  Eh, Dukat?"

His blue eyes turned hard as ice as he roared, "Out of my way, Major!  I'm
in no mood to argue!"  He hissed as she grabbed his arm, delaying him
further.  He jerked free and headed down the corridor.  She stayed at his
side.

"A Cardassian not in the mood to argue?  You must be losing your touch.  I
thought you loved to quarrel?  Well, here's your chance!  I'm in the mood
for it!"

Kira suddenly stepped in front of Dukat, throwing her arms up to stop him,
momentarily bringing him to a full halt.  On another occasion, Dukat might
have enjoyed her attention but he was in frame of mind to conduct a debate
with the fiery major.  Seeing that she was prepared to physical stop him,
Dukat caught hold of her shoulders in a painful grip and moved her forcibly
out of his path.  When he released her, she stayed behind him, glaring at
him in an accusatory fashion.  She shouted at his retreating back.

"Don't you feel the least bit guilty?  She trusted you!  Why, I don't know!
I'd even go so far as to say that she's in love with you!  Don't you care?
But what am I thinking?  How could you?  Grant is one of thousands of women
that you've discarded over the years, and she won't be the last!"

Dukat stopped, turned and jerked the bloody bandage off his head, throwing
it to the ground.  His men looked around in confusion.  Odo threw his hands
up and walked off, unseen by the group. Dukat and Kira advanced on one
another. He lifted his hand. Several Cardassian guards stepped forward,
their laser rifles pointed directly at the Bajoran security officer.

"You should get that looked at," said Kira, pointing at his injury.  His
hair was matted at the back of his head, clotted with dried blood.  She
hoped his head was killing him.

"Anything else, Major?" asked Dukat, sternly.

"If Alexis wanted you dead, she would have let you die in the arena.  For
once, I'm going to do you a favor.  Savon is who you should be trying to
stop.  He was trying to kill her, not you, you conceited idiot."

His lip curled in disdain.  "Savon?  I never thought you'd turn a Bajoran
over to me, the Butcher of Bajor, in preference to save another race.  Thank
you, Major."

"Let her go, Dukat."

"Unfortunately, I no longer have that option."

Kira looked away from Dukat, unable to find a worthy reply.  She quietly let
him pass with his entourage, then hurrying off in the opposite direction,
toward Docking Bay 4, unaware that Odo followed.  As she neared Docking Bay
4, the clang of a siren brought her running down the corridor, rounding a
corner and nearly slamming into a dozen Jem'Hadar guards milling about
outside the boarding entrance.  A hand pulled her up short and helped her
composure herself.  She turned around, fearing the worst, and let out a sigh
of relief to see a friendly face.

"Odo!"

"Slowly, slowly," muttered Odo, coming up behind her, taking her by the arm.
"Look like we're expecting friends.   They're only here because a ship has
arrived from Vargos XI and temporarily is using Docking Bay 4.  The
passengers will soon be coming out of that tunnel."

"And others will be departing.  That Morn's ship."

"Neatly arranged by Quark, I suppose."

As they exchanged a smile, the Jem'Hadar took position on either side of the
corridor, standing at attention.  The passengers started disembarking, among
them a Cardassian dignitary and his wife, filling the corridor with bodies,
while a lone Bajoran security officer worked his way through the current
like a Golana salmon heading up a waterfall.  As the security officer fought
his way up closer to Odo and Kira, they recognized the familiar features of
Savon.  Odo stepped forward and aimed his phaser directly at the phoney
security officer.

"You're under arrest," stated Odo.  "For the attempted murder of Gul Dukat.
I suggest you do not resist, Savon."

"You've got the wrong person, Odo."

The clearly female voice took both Kira and Odo by surprise.  Each stared at
Savon, seeing a man dressed in the disguise of a Bajoran security officer,
yet, they heard the voice of Alexis Grant.  Instantly, the flesh rippled as
his features transformed into the human likeness of the blonde haired
captain.

"Are you planning on leaving with Savon?" asked Kira.  "Is he meeting you
here?"

"Dukat wants to kill me.  Because I've changed.  I've become what Shelby
always wanted me to be, Nerys.  I am a true Chameleon.  I can become
anything I want with only a thought."

"Nerys?  Since when were we so chummy?"

The captain smiled at her.  "I thought we were friends."
   "I'm only paying you back because you saved my life.  This is as good as
it gets, as far as paybacks are concerned.  Consider us even."

Kira stepped back and motioned for Grant to head toward the docking bay
entrance.  Something about the way the human moved struck her as odd.  The
gait was different.  Kira waited until the human was several feet way before
asking loudly, "Any parting words for Dukat?"

The human paused.  "I don't have time."

"But you're in love with him.  I'll give him the message."

"Kira?" Odo gasped, tugging at her arm.  "What's wrong with you?  Alexis has
to go."

"I'm sorry," said the human.  "I must go, Nerys."

"You said you'd never call me that in public."

"Did I?  I forgot.  Forgive me."

"Too late!  It's redemption time, my friend!" called out a loud, clearly
female voice; the voice of Alexis Grant.

A cloaked passenger with bare feet approached Odo and upon drawing his
steady gaze, deliberately and rudely pushed him aside.  Before anyone had
time to react to the offensive party, including the Jem'Hadar, the soft hum
of an activated PCF filled the hallway.  The hood fell back with a shake,
revealing an Orion version of a second Alexis.  Kira's keen gaze latched
onto a surax bracelet nestled beside the PCF on the wrist of the second
human female.  She quickly met the Orion Grant's eyes.  Kira knew she was
looking at the genuine Grant.

"I suggest you stand aside, Major," barked the second Grant.  "I have
unfinished business with Savon."

"Help me, Major!  I'm unarmed," said the other.  Despite his plea, he
produced a phaser, tucked neatly in his pant line.  He aimed it at the Orion
version.  "Surprise.  I lied."

Kira stepped between the twin Grants.  "This is more than I can take.  Two
of you?  This is the oldest trick in the book.  Disguise yourself like your
enemy to get out of his camp.  I've got news for you, looking like a
Cardassian would have been clever, but not dressing as a Bajoran security
officer or going barefoot."

"I was in a hurry," said the Grants in unison.  The security officer version
glared contemptuously at the Orion slave girl duplicate.
  "Why must you be so stubborn?" asked the first Grant.  This time, the
voice was male.  Clearly, it was Savon.  He remained female in his
appearance and came toward the real Alexis, his hands held out before him.
"You and I are like Adam and Eve of old Earth.  We alone achieved the
Chameleon Effect without the necessity of death.  Not like Strall, who was
nothing more than a controllable zombie.  But we are different.  Together we
can create the perfect race.  Just like Shelby dreamed."

Alexis Two looked shocked.  "I'm sterile, Savon."

"Not anymore.  Not since you came on board the Falcon and were administered
Shelby's drug.  It was in your water.  You took doses nearly every day.  It
was only a matter of time until you became part of the miracle.  Shelby
intended for us to be together."

"Is that why you've been trying to kill me?  I don't buy it.  You'll say
anything to get me to lower my guard.  You have no intention of leaving here
with me."

Savon smiled thinly.  "Kweeg kept you in a cage, my dear, because you've
been fertile for some time.  It was only a matter of which male would get to
Eve first.  Apparently, the Serpent has defeated Adam.  Gul Dukat has
already had that honor.  Why else do you think he wanted to keep you?  The
Gul wants a genetically superior child to follow in his footsteps.  Imagine
how disappointed he'll be to discover that you were pregnant when you died.
I'm sorry.  But if I can't have you, no man will."

Kira threw up her hands.  "Savon, it doesn't have to be this way!  You can
still go to Bajor!  Don't do this!"

"There is no other."

Savon pushed Kira aside and opened fire on Grant point black.  Red light
slammed into Alexis, catching her in the stomach, throwing her into the far
wall but doing little damage as the PCF absorbed the energy.  She quickly
got to her feet, aware the Jem'Hadar were on the scene in full glory and
that every phaser was turned on her, not on Savon.  Kira and Odo rushed in
front of her as the Jem'Hadar prepared to fire.  Savon backed toward the
docking bay tunnel with a salute of farewell to Grant and the others.
Coming down the corridor, additional reinforcements arrived by the droves.

As Savon stared to turn toward the tunnel entrance, he looked at Alexis
strangely, then suddenly let out a horrible scream.  The Bajoran's body was
lifted off the ground, squirming, impaled on Grant's own sword, held in the
hand of Damar.  The Bajoran immediately began shapeshifting into a number of
terrifying species.  Damar flung the creature to the ground and withdrew the
bloodied blade.  At his signal, the Jem'Hadar guards stepped forward and
fired on the withering, mutating form, leaving nothing behind.

Alexis seized the opportunity and sped into the passage leading to the
vessel docked at Bay 4, virtually unseen by all those in the corridor.
Several ship crew members waited at the entrance, curious at the commotion
coming from the main corridor and motioned for Grant to board.   As she
started to cross the threshold into the ship, she felt a slight trimmer in
the containment field above her right shoulder.  She spun around in time to
see Damar thrown into the wall.  She immediately turned off the PCF and
hurried over to kneel beside Damar.  She helped him to his feet and kept
hold of his arm to keep him steady.

"Have we become enemies so soon?  Will you try to stop me?"

"No," said Damar.  "Your ship has clearance to leave.  If you leave
immediately."

"I didn't try to kill Dukat.  You do believe me?"

"I saw Savon following after you.  Dukat knows that Savon was the one who
tried to kill him.  But you cannot stay.  Weyoun has ordered Dukat to arrest
and hold you for questioning.  You have to go."

Tears welled up in her blue eyes.  "Why didn't Dukat come after me and say
good-bye himself?"

"He thought someone would report it to Weyoun if he was seen allowing you to
leave."

"So he sent in his pitch hitter.  He should have come himself.  Since he
didn't and this is farewell," she said, a tear slipping down her cheek,
"then let's make it memorable."

Damar suddenly found himself in Alexis' firm embrace, the recipient of the
sweetest of kisses, and the saltiest from her tears, that left his senses
reeling far more than the sting of the PCF.  As her tongue dashed inside his
mouth, entwining with his own, he wrapped his arms around her, squeezing
hard, wanting to keep her with him as long as possible.  All too soon she
was pushing him back with both hands, regret laying as thick as a veil
across her face.

"You can tell Dukat what he missed by not seeing me off."

"I think he knows."

"Dearest Damar.  My true savior.  How can I ever repay you?  There's so much
I want to say to you."  Grant touched his cheek.  "The Dominion will not
always control Cardassia.  I will come find you one day.  I imagine Dukat
will go on to bigger and better horizons, but you, I think you will remember
me a bit longer than he does."

Damar blushed.  "You don't give him enough credit."

"But I love him.  Tell Dukat that he alone possesses my heart.  I would have
stayed, Damar, until he didn't want me anymore.  Tell Dukat that, will you?
I have got a ship to catch."

She started to draw away from him, but he caught her by the wrist and held
her back.  She weakly fought against him.  One of her bracelet's slipped off
into his hand.  She let him keep it.

"Dukat doesn't deserve you," said Damar, his voice heavy with emotion.

Grant slid up against him and kissed him wetly.  As she drew back, she lid
her finger across his full, moist lips and pressed it to her own.  "We'll
meet again, sweetheart.  Promise."

Damar was left with an aching heart as Alexis turned to blow him a kiss
before boarding the ship.  The door closed.  The claxon rang loudly, warning
him that the tunnel was about to be sealed so the ship could separate from
the dock.  With a heavy heart, he picked up the sword and headed back down
the tunnel.  Damar entered the corridor to find Dukat the only person left
waiting.  As their eyes locked, Damar remembered the disk in his pocket and
turned toward the docking bay.  The tunnel door shut with the cry of a
claxon.  The ship was departing.  He was too late.  He turned back to his
commander, a sullen look on his ridged face.

"You saw her?" asked Dukat, hopeful.

His glinn nodded.  The bracelet was silently handed to Dukat.  He looked at
it with a newly appreciated sentimental value as he held it up to the light.
Guilt and regret were etched permanently on his face as he lowered it.
Dukat fastened the bracelet onto his wrist and slid it under the sleeve
where it could not be seen.  Damar knew by the gesture what it meant.  Dukat
cared for her but he could not show it to anyone else.

"This bracelet belonged to my father," said Dukat, his voice nothing more
than a croak.  "He wore one and my mother the other.  She gave both to me
after his execution.  I never told Alexis about the origin of the bracelets.
I am glad she returned one to me.  It means something to me now.  Did she
say anything, Damar?  I had hoped she might give you a message for me."

The glinn shrugged.  "There wasn't time to say much.  She knew Weyoun was
looking for her and was anxious to leave."

"Did you tell her what I said?  Did you tell her that I loved her?"

Damar looked alarmed.  He had not.  He had forgotten.

"I should have told her myself," said Dukat, sighing as he closed his eyes
tightly.  "But perhaps it is better this way."  He looked at Damar.  "She
would not have left if I'd gone after her.  She saved me a great deal of
trouble by leaving."

"Alexis is going straight to Captain Sisko.  She'll tell him everything
about the drug.  The Federation will do whatever it takes to keep the
Dominion from using it."

Dukat looked surprised.  "I suspect they already have.  I always knew Alexis
was a Federation agent.  Yet, despite our political differences, she fully
intended on staying with me.  Obviously, she loves me more than the
Federation."  He looked pleased.  "Fear not, Damar.  I want her to escape.
As long as Alexis reaches Federation space, I'll have the satisfaction of
knowing that Weyoun and the Dominion won't have her either."  He glanced
down at the sword, making no attempt at hiding his envy.  "That last heroic
act of yours shall place you first in her heart.  I have no doubt that she
kissed you good-bye.  It should please you to know that I am profoundly
jealous."

"Sometimes all you get is one memorable kiss," said Damar, holding the sword
a little tighter.

Dukat put his hand on Damar's back, smiling sadly.  "We were going to
celebrate tonight, I believe.  I suddenly don't feel like it," he admitted,
"but I still wouldn't mind the company.  Care to join me?"

"I'll bring the kanar," replied Damar, flattered.

Dukat looked surprised.  "You will?  How so?"

"On second thought, we'll drink your kanar."

"With your part of Kweeg's treasure, you can buy the second bottle."  Dukat
nodded, confirming he knew all about the latinum.  "Agreed," said Damar,
laughing along with the Gul once he realized he was to be allowed to keep
his share.

Upon entering the connecting corridor that led to the Promenade, Damar
caught a glimpse out a large window and watched, along with Dukat, as
Alexis' ship pulled away from the station.  Exactly at the precise moment
the cruiser warped out of view, the Falcon's tractor beam went off-line and
the ship exploded into hundreds of colorful tiny, spiraling pieces, sending
a shock wave that gently rocked the station and smaller vessels in
stationary position nearby.  A small squad of Jem'Hadar rushed by, heading
toward the Promenade, but no space pursuit ensued.

"I'll notify Weyoun that the escaped Federation agent has destroyed his
cargo," Dukat sounded proud.  "I am actually looking forward to seeing his
reaction when I tell him about Alexis' little farewell surprise to the
Dominion.  I am quite certain her departure will leave a profound impression
on Weyoun.  I can assure you, it has on me."

Damar remained at the window after Dukat walked on, feeling a bit more
melancholy than he had a few minutes before.  Any possibility that he'd see
Alexis Grant again seemed unlikely.  He knew Dukat felt the same, nothing
the way the Gul walked away with slumped shoulders and a much slower gait
than he usually exhibited.  Damar considered catching up with Dukat and
telling him what Alexis had instructed him to convey.  Out of sheer
selfishness, he decided to wait until the kanar forced it out of him.  Until
then, Alexis belonged to him.

THE END