Refugee
by Kathy P.
Captain Sisko was sitting at his desk in Ops when he was informed that Admiral MacDonald and
Minister Garret had arrived on the station a couple of hours early. He asked for them to be
escorted to his office.
While he waited for them he went over his conversation with Dr. Bashir. He was intrigued by
the information Garak had told Julian about the Hebitians. Not for the first time he cursed
the Cardassians who had wiped all the memory banks on the station when they retreated
from Deep Space Nine.
Very little was still known about Cardassian culture. As much as the Cardassians were into
expanding their empire they revealed very little information about themselves. They were
especially secretive about their past.
*Cardassians are so contradictory* Sisko thought. They have xenophobic tendency yet they are
always seeking to conquer other worlds.
The door chime interrupted Sisko's musings. "Enter," he said. He stood up and came around
his desk to greet his visitors.
Security escorted the Admiral and Minister into the office then quietly left the room.
Captain Sisko nodded at the Admiral dressed in Starfleet red. "Admiral MacDonald," he turned
and looked at the other man. "Minister Garrett it is a pleasure to meet you both."
Admiral Ewen MacDonald was a tall good-looking man of around forty-five. He was one of the
younger Admirals in Starfleet having had a very distinguished career. He had reddish
blond hair and very pale skin.
Minister Garrett R'ef was a shorter man. His colouring was brown all over, brown eyes, hair and
tanned skin. He was a former resistance fighter in the Bajoran underground but believed
in moving forward from that time. He had volunteered for this mission and was looking
forward to making it work.
Captain Sisko motioned for the men to take a seat and the meeting began. He filled the two men
in on the information that he has obtained from Dr. Bashir.
"This is quite amazing," Minister Garrett said. "The Cardassia occupied Bajor for decades
yet we hane never heard of the Hebitians."
Admiral MacDonald shook his head in agreement. "The Federation and Cardassian never had
close ties and there is a lot that we don't know about them, but to have a totally different
society existing among them? It seems to go against everything Cardassia believes in," he
looked at Minister Garrett for confirmation. "When the Cardassians were occupying Bajor
didn't they try to obliterate Bajoran culture?"
The Minister shrugged his shoulders. "They certainly tried to."
Captain Sisko leaded forward in his chair. "I agree that it is very unusual for a government
like Cardassia to just ignore a potential threat to their power. After all this is Cardassia we are
talking about. Yet according to the proposal from Hebitians they are willing to give us any
information that we require. Sometimes I think that this is to good to be true."
"Well the Federation and Bajor agree that it is worth the potential risk to hold these talks."
Admiral MacDonald said as he fiddled with a PADD. He punched in a command on the
PADD and handed it to Captain Sisko. "The Hebitian delegation will be here tomorrow.
Here are some of the request that they have made for their accommodations."
Captain Sisko took the PADD and started to scroll through the list. "These seem reasonable.
They are requesting that their quarters be located near each other. The Gul'en is
requesting a suite with three bedrooms?" Captain Sisko gave the Admiral a puzzled look
but the Admiral just shrugged his shoulder indicating he did not know the reason for that
request. "That shouldn't be a problem. I'll tell Odo about the arrangements."
"How are the security precautions coming along?" Minister Garrett asked with interest.
"Odo has is all under control. He is going to increase security in certain sections of the station
while the Hebitians are here. We are also going to place some security around the
Hebitians quarters," Captain Sisko replied.
Admiral MacDonald rose from his chair. "Well it seems that everything is ready for the
negotiations. Let's hope everything goes well," he said.
*************
The senior officers, Admiral MacDonald and Minister Garret gathered in front of docking bay
two waiting for the Hebitian delegation to debark.
The docking bay door slowly rolled back. A tall, well-built Cardassian stepped out first.
The senior officers were slightly surprised at his appearance. His black hair was shoulder length,
longer than how Cardassians usually wore it. His outfit consisted of a smoky blue tunic
and dark blue-gray pants. His outfit enhanced his eyes which were a similar blue-gray. He
also did not carry his frame in the usual rigid military stance that was so associated with
Cardassians.
Sisko could see him looking around at those assembled taking in every nuance. The
Cardassian's gaze swept up and down the corridor as if assessing it for any potential
threats.
Admiral MacDonald was about to step forward to great him when the Cardassian suddenly
turned and motioned to someone still in the docking bay.
If the senior staff had been taken by surprise at the first Cardassian's appearance they were
stunned by the Cardassian that was stepping out into the hall from the docking bay.
He was a younger that the first one and he was shorter then normal for a Cardassian,
almost a foot smaller than his companion. He was slightly, almost delicately built. His
face was angular, tapering down to a pointed chin giving him an elfin look and his thick
black hair fell to the small of his back. He had two locks of hair brought forth on either
side of his face to fall down his chest. The locks were secured by silver hair clips that had
a dark shiny stone set in the middle.
His outfit had an exotic cut to it. He wore a flowing black shirt with trailing sleeves. The shirt
was made of a satin like material and was shot through with silver threads. His black pants
were tucked into thigh-high black leather boots that had an intricate silver design around
the top.
His eyes were a piercing deep blue and they slowly swept across the group awaiting him.
Captain Sisko was a little awed at the intelligence that seemed to blaze forth from his eyes.
He had a gut feeling that this Cardassian was reading every emotion that was being
generated by his senior staff.
The Cardassian's gaze settled on Sisko. A small smile came to his lips and he gave him a little
nod as if he knew what he was thinking.
Sisko drew in a breath of surprise.
Admiral MacDonald stepped forward again. "Gul'en Larin Darheel?" He extended his hand to
the Cardassian.
Sisko watched as the first Cardassian came to stand protectively behind the smaller man. *I
wonder if this one trusts us?* he thought.
Gul'en Larin's smile grew bigger. He reached forward and shook the Admiral's hand firmly.
"Please call me Larin," he said with a charming smile. "You must be Admiral MacDonald."
"Yes I am," the Admiral replied. " I want to welcome you to Deep Space Nine. The Federation
hopes that these talks will begin a new age of cooperation between us."
Larin nodded his head in acknowledgement. "It is my wish that this will come to be." He turned
to look at the Cardassian looming behind him. He motioned for him to come and stand
beside him. "I would like to introduce my husband Marret Darheel."
The looks on the faces of those assembled was priceless. It was well known that same-sex
marriages were frowned upon on Cardassia. These Hebitians must be very different indeed
if they went against the norms of the usually rigid Cardassian society.
Sisko was proud of the fact that after showing their initial surprise his officers were able to
regain their neutral expressions.
The only exception was Dr. Bashir who was struggling to hide his smile. He gave up
after Larin turned to look at him and gave him a big wink. Julian and Larin exchanged
dazzling smiles as they both nodded in acknowledgement of their shared feelings for their
Cardassian men.
Admiral MacDonald extended his hand to Marret. "It is a pleasure to meet you Gul'en Marret,"
he said as he shook Marret's hand.
Marret gave him a small smile. "Thank you Admiral but it is just Marret, plain and simple
Marret."
Odo gave a small sigh at hearing Garak's favourite saying. He had a feeling that these talks
were going to be very interesting to say the least. He gave a slightly sour look at Dr.
Bashir who was struggling to contain his laughter.
Larin grinned up at his husband at hearing the old Hebitian saying. "As if you could ever be
plain and simple anything," he said softly.
Marret looked down at his mate and gave him a wink. "Yes Gul'en," he replied in what was
obviously an on going joke with them.
Sisko stepped forward to introduce himself. "I am Captain Sisko. I would like to welcome you
as well to Deep Space Nine. We have arranged quarters for you and your entourage on the
station as you requested."
Larin and Marret nodded at the Captain. "Thank you Captain. I am looking forward to finally
getting off that ship. It's really small and it was quite crowded during our travels," Larin said.
"We are happy to have you stay with us," Admiral MacDonald said as he and Captain Sisko
stepped forward to stand with Larin and Marret. "Let me introduce you to everyone."
They were introduced to Minister Garrett R'ef first. Larin reached over and shook his hand. "It
is a pleasure to meet you Minister," Larin said with a smile. He cocked his head slightly
and carefully considered his words. "I know that this must be hard for you after the trials
Cardassia put your people through. I appreciate the effort that you have put into making
these talks a reality. It's takes a lot of trust and forgiveness on your part and I want you to
know that we will do everything in our power to live up to your commitment."
The force and total sincerity that Larin put into his words pleased Garrett. He returned his
handshake with warmth. "I have a feeling Gul'en, that these talks will be a great
beginning for Bajor and Hebitia." He could not help but smile in response to Larin's look
of gratitude for the Minister's acknowledgment of their difference from the rest of
Cardassia.
Captain Sisko and Admiral MacDonald moved down the line of senior officers introducing them
in turn. Larin shook all of their hands and made small talk with them.
When it came time to be introduced to Dr. Bashir he was almost bouncing with excitement.
"You must be Dr. Julian Bashir. I have heard a lot about you," Larin said.
Julian looked a little surprised at that. "You've heard of me? All good things I hope Gul'en," he
said with a hesitant smile.
Larin chuckled. "But of course Doctor Bashir."
Julian held up one hand. "Please, call me Julian. Now what have you heard if I can be so bold
to ask?"
"Very well Julian it is, but you must call me Larin. I usually don't stand on much formality. As to what I know of you I will be happy to divulge my information," Larin said that with a little wink. "Doctor Julian Bashir, Chief Medical Officer of Deep Space Nine. Recently married to Elim Garak the resident tailor." Larin glanced around as if looking for someone. "I was hoping Garak would be here to greet us."
Odo looked at the Hebitians with suspicion. Why would a visiting dignitary be interested
in meeting Garak a Cardassia exile?
"Do you know Garak?" Julian asked surprised that Larin knew about his relationship with
Garak.
Larin shook his head. "Know him? No I can't say that we have ever met, but I have always
been intrigued with his situation. The exile from Cardassian and all. He and Hebitia have
some things in common. I imagine that Elim has led an.....ummm...interesting life."
Julian gave him a puzzled look. "Yes, I suppose he has."
Admiral MacDonald interrupted the exchange. "We will be having a dinner tonight at 18:00
with the command staff. I look forward to seeing you again then," he motioned for Odo to
come over. "Constable Odo will escort you and your entourage to your quarters. If you
have any questions feel free to comm me."
Larin had a few words with his husband who turned and entered the dock bay. "Marret is going
to get the rest of our people and start unloading our ship," he explained. He smiled at Odo
when he saw him order two security officers into the docking bay to help. "I look forward
to dinner Minister, Admiral," he said with a nod to each man.
Larin turned back to look at Julian. "You must bring Garak with you Julian. As I've said, I am
looking forward to meeting him."
Before anyone could comment on that suggestion Marret stepped through the docking bay doors.
"Constable Odo, your security team has asked that we leave our baggage in the bay for a
security check. If it is alright with you I would like to take Larin to our quarters now. It
has been a very long flight and I for one am looking forward to some rest before dinner,"
he walked over and put his right arm around Larin's waist.
Larin leaned into his husband and smiled. "Hmmm, a nap sounds wonderful right about now.
Feel free to go through our baggage, but if you don't mind can you have someone drop it
off in our quarters? We will need to prepare for dinner."
Odo nodded his head received that the Hebitians had not put up a fight about the security
precautions. "I will have your baggage brought to your quarters myself," he said.
Just then a couple of Cardassian females stepped out of the bay. Larin waved them over.
"Mirell, Jalli the security team is going to go over all the baggage. You can let them on the ship
if they wish as well. Marret and I are going to our quarters for a bit of a nap," He pointed
at Odo. "The constable here is going to bring our baggage to our quarters, can you give
him a hand if he needs it? Oh yes, Captain Sisko, are all of our quarters close together?
We would really prefer to be near to one another," Larin asked.
"Yes they are Larin," Captain Sisko said. "We have assigned your delegation a section in the
habitat ring that is a little out of the way so that you will have a bit of privacy. Your
quarters are the Ambassador's suite."
"Sounds wonderful Captain. We Hebitians are hardly anti-social," Larin said with a big smile
for the Hebitian females who chuckled, "but I can see the benefits of your arrangement.
But where are my manners. I should introduce these two lovely ladies." This was said
with another smile that grew bigger as the afore mentioned ladies rolled their eyes.
Mirell was introduced as the Hebitians doctor. She was a lovely middle-aged woman with
shoulder length black hair. Some of her neck and shoulder ridges were the same azure
blue as her eyes and she wore a choker with the same azure coloured stone set into it. It
was quite a striking combination.
Jalli was a younger woman. She was introduced as Thy'la, or priestess, of the Hebitian religion.
Her presence seemed to exude peace. She had streaks of blue and silver placed in her long
hair and she wore a floor length dress of silver that brought out a corresponding hue in her
scales.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Jalli said.
Mirell shook her head in agreement. "I can't wait to be able to exchange information with you,"
she said enthusiastically. "I believe that we have a lot that we can share with each other that will be beneficial to all of our people."
Jalli smiled at Mirell's excitement. "This is a topic for another time though Mirell. We are all
tired from our journey and I think that it would be best if we all get some rest."
Larin pretended to stifle a yawn. "I agree Jalli. On to the rooms!" He surprised himself by
yawning for real after he said that. "Hmm.. maybe I can get Marret will carry me," he teased.
His husband just laughed at him.
Again the Starfleet and Bajoran delegation were surprised at how friendly Hebitians were acting.
�They sure don't act like any Cardassian I know' was the common theme running through
all of their thoughts.
Constable Odo motioned down the hall. "If you will follow me then I will take to your quarters
immediately."
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