Terok Nor_ Day Of The Vipers Part 10

Pa'Dar looked him in the eyes, and the officer saw pity in the other man's gaze. "I knew it," Pa'Dar said quietly. "I knew Kell would keep it from you. He infuriates me."

"Watch what you say!" Dukat barked. Despite the fact that he agreed with Pa'Dar, it was wrong to allow a civilian to openly denigrate a member of the military. "I ordered you to explain yourself!"

Pa'Dar swallowed hard and made an effort to calm himself. He drew Dukat to one side, into the lee of the parked shuttle. "There's word from Carda.s.sia Prime. I heard Professor Ico speaking with Kell. There has been rioting, the Oralians have come into conflict with the military." He grabbed Dukat's arm. "There's fighting on the roads outside Lakat, Skrain! The city has been cut off!"

"Athra." The name fell from his lips. With a sudden burst of motion, Dukat pushed away from the scientist and strode into the shuttle.

The glinn at the flight controls looked up with a start as Dukat dropped into the command chair next to hers. "Dalin? Is there a problem?"

"I want communications," he snapped. "Give me a direct feed via the Kornaire Kornaire's subs.p.a.ce array, immediately!"

The glinn blanched at his tone. "Sir, that will require an authorization code."

He bent forward and punched a set of numbers into a control console. "There! Get it done. I want a real-time link to Carda.s.sia Prime, now!"

The pilot hesitated as the console emitted a negative chime. "Dalin, that code...It is not cleared for direct comm protocols. Only Gul Kell can authorize that."

Dukat teetered on the verge of shouting at the glinn; but he knew she was right, and if Kell knew about the reports from home and he hadn't bothered to bring them to Dukat's attention, he wasn't likely to simply let his first officer place a priority message. Dukat's face burned with fury, at the Oralians, at Kell, at himself for acting in such an emotional manner.

"I can help you." Dukat's head snapped around to see Bennek standing next to Pa'Dar in the cutter's entry bay.

Anger propelled Dukat out of the c.o.c.kpit and to the young cleric, their faces only a hand's span apart. "You'll help me?" he rumbled. "After your people put the lives of my wife and child in danger, you will help me?" Dukat's words became a snarl.

"I know nothing about that," Bennek replied. "I have a communications code that was provided to the Oralian Way by the Detapa Council. It will only open a channel via the civilian network, but you are welcome to use it." He nodded at the control console. "Will you permit me?"

His fists contracting into tight hammers, Dukat could only nod stiffly. He watched the priest fold back his hood and bend over the panel, fingers sweeping over the keypad. The glinn examined the display and her eyes widened. "Dalin, the connection is being made. I have a tie-in with the Kornaire Kornaire's hyperchannel array."

Bennek looked back at him. "Who do you wish to speak to?"

There was a pressure in his chest as Dukat formed the words of his reply. "Contact the Ministry of Justice. The office of military legality. I will speak to Procal Dukat...my father."

7.

"Skrain?"

The old man's voice was thick with sleep, and Dukat realized abruptly that the time difference between Korto and the capital on Carda.s.sia meant it had to be before dawn. He deflected a stab of irritation, for an instant taking a step back and examining his actions. Dukat was allowing himself to behave emotionally when the best course would be to remain detached and clearheaded. His fingers drew together and he fought to moderate his anxiety. "Father," he began, "I'm sorry I woke you." He threw a look over his shoulder and saw that the hatch behind him was shut. The pilot, Pa'Dar, and Bennek had left without speaking, respecting his privacy.

On the tiny c.o.c.kpit monitor, Archon Procal Dukat settled himself on the chair before the desk in his office where the comm screen sat. Thickset and firm of face, he still maintained the look of a street fighter about him even as the pa.s.sing years robbed him of his robustness. Skrain, wiry and athletic in build, took after his mother more than the man on the other end of the line, but only in his physical aspect. Inwardly, Procal and his son shared much more in terms of their manner and personality. It was one of the reasons why they disagreed so often, why they had disagreed the last time they had spoken; but both of them understood that this was a matter of greater import than their differences. Unspoken, the two men automatically put their quarrels aside.

The elder Dukat adjusted the robe about his shoulders and threw a glance toward the shadowed bedroom door across the room. He kept his voice low but intense. "You received the message, then?" "You received the message, then?"

Skrain's brow furrowed in confusion. "From you? No."

His father chuckled without humor. "Of course not. Why should I have expected any different? Central Command told me you were on a mission of utmost sensitivity. Communications of a military nature only." "Of course not. Why should I have expected any different? Central Command told me you were on a mission of utmost sensitivity. Communications of a military nature only."

Skrain shook his head. "It doesn't matter. We're speaking now." He leaned closer to the small screen. "Tell me what is going on. My wife..."

Procal frowned, matching his son's expression. "Skrain, this channel is likely being monitored." "Skrain, this channel is likely being monitored."

"Athra and my son," Skrain continued, keeping his voice level. "Tell me."

The old man's eyes met his. "As soon as I heard about the Oralians and the rioting, I did what I could to reach the Medical Campus at Lakat..." "As soon as I heard about the Oralians and the rioting, I did what I could to reach the Medical Campus at Lakat..."

"What?" The word burst from Skrain's lips. "Is she hurt?"

His father held up a hand to halt him. "The week you left, Athra and my grandson took ill. It's an infection from tainted water. Many people have been affected." "The week you left, Athra and my grandson took ill. It's an infection from tainted water. Many people have been affected." He sighed. He sighed. "I made sure they were placed where they would get good care." "I made sure they were placed where they would get good care."

"Thank you." Dukat replied numbly. His face tingled with a rush of blood. At once he felt a churn of emotions: anger and worry, shock and humiliation. All he wanted in that instant was to be home, at Athra's side.

"Skrain," the archon continued, the archon continued, "listen to me. The Detapa Council has issued a statement about concerns over insurgent attacks. The Oralians are in an uproar here. The military have sent in peacekeeper divisions to calm the unrest outside Lakat and the other cities in the southern territories. Nothing is getting in or out, including supplies." "listen to me. The Detapa Council has issued a statement about concerns over insurgent attacks. The Oralians are in an uproar here. The military have sent in peacekeeper divisions to calm the unrest outside Lakat and the other cities in the southern territories. Nothing is getting in or out, including supplies."

"How will they get the medicine they need?" Skrain snapped. "I have to-"

"Skrain." His father said his name with such quiet force that it stopped Dukat in his tracks. His father said his name with such quiet force that it stopped Dukat in his tracks. "What can you do? Unless you're planning on stealing Kell's stars.h.i.+p and flying it home, what can you do?" "What can you do? Unless you're planning on stealing Kell's stars.h.i.+p and flying it home, what can you do?" The old man shook his head. The old man shook his head. "This is what it means to serve Carda.s.sia, son. This is a harsh lesson, but you cannot shrink from it." "This is what it means to serve Carda.s.sia, son. This is a harsh lesson, but you cannot shrink from it." His voice s.h.i.+fted, taking on the authoritarian tone Dukat remembered from his childhood. His voice s.h.i.+fted, taking on the authoritarian tone Dukat remembered from his childhood. "Do your duty. I'll do what I can to help Athra and the boy." "Do your duty. I'll do what I can to help Athra and the boy." He reached for the disconnect key. He reached for the disconnect key.

"Procal," said Dukat. "His name is Procal."

The old man halted and nodded to him, then cut the link.

For long moments, Dukat sat there in the acceleration chair and looked at his hands, the gray fingers tightening into fists, releasing, tightening again. He felt helpless and he despised the reaction, a hard loathing coiling inside his chest, pressing against his ribs. He wanted to shout, to break something, but the turmoil had no point of escape. He glared out of the canopy of the cutter at the walls of the Bajoran castle beyond, and a sudden flare of hate shot through him-for Kell, for the Oralians, for the aliens, for this d.a.m.nable mission.

Burning in his directionless fury, he almost shattered the control panel when the s.h.i.+p-to-s.h.i.+p communicator chimed, announcing an incoming signal. "What is it?" he snarled at the intrusion.

Kell's indolent voice answered him. "Another officer might consider that tone to be insubordinate, Dalin. However, I'm willing to overlook it, given your personal considerations at the moment." "Another officer might consider that tone to be insubordinate, Dalin. However, I'm willing to overlook it, given your personal considerations at the moment."

Dukat's teeth set on edge, recalling his father's earlier comment. Of course Kell had been listening to us. I would have expected nothing less. Of course Kell had been listening to us. I would have expected nothing less.

The gul continued. "I've been in contact with Fleet Jagul Hekit. He concurs with my appraisal of the situation here. The Bajorans are intransigent and there are matters of greater import closer to home that require our attention. We're to complete our secondary intelligence-gathering scans of Bajor and disengage." "I've been in contact with Fleet Jagul Hekit. He concurs with my appraisal of the situation here. The Bajorans are intransigent and there are matters of greater import closer to home that require our attention. We're to complete our secondary intelligence-gathering scans of Bajor and disengage."

Dukat hid a sneer. The Kornaire Kornaire had been in-system for barely a solar week, and already Kell had colluded with his old mentor Hekit to have the mission cut short. The gul's open loathing of anything that smacked of "diplomacy" colored his every decision. Dukat immediately fathomed Kell's train of thought; forced into taking the mission to Bajor, he had done only the least required of him to consider it completed so that he might move on to something that would gather more credit for the avaricious officer. Kell craved high rank and made no secret of the fact that he wanted to be prefect of his own planet. In his mind, the gul had doubtless decided the Bajor delegation was a worthless a.s.signment even before they had left Carda.s.sia Prime. had been in-system for barely a solar week, and already Kell had colluded with his old mentor Hekit to have the mission cut short. The gul's open loathing of anything that smacked of "diplomacy" colored his every decision. Dukat immediately fathomed Kell's train of thought; forced into taking the mission to Bajor, he had done only the least required of him to consider it completed so that he might move on to something that would gather more credit for the avaricious officer. Kell craved high rank and made no secret of the fact that he wanted to be prefect of his own planet. In his mind, the gul had doubtless decided the Bajor delegation was a worthless a.s.signment even before they had left Carda.s.sia Prime.

Kell must have seen something of his thoughts on his face. "Come, Dukat, I'd expect you to be pleased. My orders are to go to high warp once we break Bajor orbit and return to base. I thought you'd relish the chance to get home." "Come, Dukat, I'd expect you to be pleased. My orders are to go to high warp once we break Bajor orbit and return to base. I thought you'd relish the chance to get home."

"Yes," Dukat replied, even as he knew that something did not ring true. "And there is more, sir?"

Kell nodded. "Indeed there is. The jagul informed me that an investigation has begun into the incidents with the Oralians on Carda.s.sia. Apparently, Central Command now suspects that these disturbances were prearranged by senior figures in the church. Suspects are being gathered to be put to the question. Tribunals are already being convened." "Indeed there is. The jagul informed me that an investigation has begun into the incidents with the Oralians on Carda.s.sia. Apparently, Central Command now suspects that these disturbances were prearranged by senior figures in the church. Suspects are being gathered to be put to the question. Tribunals are already being convened."

"Hadlo?" Dukat hesitated. Masterminding urban disorder and open conflict? Such behavior seemed out of character for the staid old cleric, but then there was a part of him that didn't care, a part of him that wanted someone to blame.

"Correct," said Kell. said Kell. "Isolate and detain him. I want him back on board the "Isolate and detain him. I want him back on board the Kornaire Kornaire immediately. See to it personally, Dalin." immediately. See to it personally, Dalin."

"Sir," he replied, but Kell had already cut the signal.

Pa'Dar glared at Bennek, his arms folded over his chest. "How can you deny that you know nothing of the actions of your cohorts?"

The priest frowned, trying to find a way to explain the situation to the scientist without patronizing him. "You have to understand, I can no more know the thoughts of my fellows than you could tell me the workings of someone in the Ministry for Public Health! We are one faith, yes, but beneath the gaze of Oralius there are many branches of the church." He could see Pa'Dar was not listening to him. "One faith, many voices. Do you not follow me?"

The other man sneered, and his voice carried down the length of the cutter's central bay. "What I follow follow is reason and rationality, not some masked shadow-theater that encourages dissension and unrest!" is reason and rationality, not some masked shadow-theater that encourages dissension and unrest!"

Bennek glanced around nervously. He was regretting his offer to Dukat; while the dalin was sealed in the c.o.c.kpit beyond them, the cleric was alone with the glinn, Pa'Dar, and a couple of men from the enlisted ranks. The two gils in particular hovered at the edge of his vision, intimidating him with their hard glares and the set of their jaws. Bennek's fingers clutched at the baggy cuffs of his pastel-colored robes and bunched them. "If my brothers have done these things, then there must be a good reason for it!" He blurted out the words with more bravado than he felt, too late realizing that the others might take them for defiance and strike him.

The glinn eyed the priest. "My grandmother went to your temples," she told him. "She died from blood poisoning, even though she gave the clerics every last lek she had so that they would recite for her. She thought they would save her."

Bennek blinked, his jaw working. "I'm...I'm sure they did their best to make sure her last days were peaceful ones."

"Money better spent on medical care," Pa'Dar grated.

"That's the problem with you people. You're all backward-looking." He pressed a thick finger into Bennek's chest.

"Prayers and mythology won't make Carda.s.sia strong again."

The young priest tried to frame an answer that wouldn't raise the ire of the others, but before he could speak, the c.o.c.kpit hatch hissed open and there was Dalin Dukat on the threshold, his eyes hooded and flinty. His gaze locked on Bennek and he took two quick steps toward him. Reflexively, the youth backed away and b.u.mped into a curved support stanchion. The cleric nearly stumbled, the larger of the two gils looming over him, blocking his retreat.

"Where is he?" demanded Dukat. Bennek's throat went dry as the officer's hand fell to his belt, dithering over the holstered pistol at his hip. "Hadlo?"

Like a striking snake, the enlisted man's hand shot out and grabbed a fistful of Bennek's robes, pus.h.i.+ng him to the wall of the compartment.

Bennek glanced at Pa'Dar, hoping that the civilian might come to his aid, but the scientist said nothing, watching. "Please," he began, "I am so sorry for the conduct of my brethren on Carda.s.sia, but you must understand we knew nothing of it!"

"I will not ask you again," Dukat growled. "Where is Hadlo?"

The cleric wanted to be strong; he was willing himself to say nothing, but the terror washed through his veins in a cold flood and he stuttered out the answer. "Th-the keep. In the rooms the Bajorans granted us."

Dukat gave the gil an almost imperceptible nod, and the trooper jerked his wrist, pus.h.i.+ng Bennek away so that he stumbled to the deck in a heap. The dalin went to the airlock and stabbed the control pad. "Keep him here," he told the pilot. "See that he doesn't speak to anyone."

Bennek looked up to find that n.o.body was offering to help him to his feet. "Dukat!" he called. "We're not to blame!"

Without looking back at him, the officer hesitated on the airlock ramp. "I don't blame you, Bennek," he said, with an icy calm that was more frightening than his earlier moments of fury. "You think you are a good man. Perhaps you are right. It's misguided beliefs that allow good men like you to do terrible things. That's where the blame lies."

Dukat took care to moderate his stride and his outward mien so that the aliens he pa.s.sed in the corridor would not realize that something was amiss. He found his way quickly to the east tower and paced into the area where the Oralians were staying. The other clerics, the minor functionaries who rarely seemed to speak in Dukat's presence, came to their feet at he stalked past them toward the door of Hadlo's room.

One of them reached out to touch his arm, the other bringing a hand to his lips in a gesture calling for quiet; in return Dukat shot the priest a steely glare and tore his pistol from its holster, ripping the peace bond ribbon around it with a tight snap. With a single sharp blow from the heel of his hand, Dukat forced open the electromechanical lock on the door and entered, slamming it shut behind him. He kept the disruptor at his side, his finger an inch from the trigger plate.

Hadlo was kneeling in the center of the room. The old man had moved all the furniture to the walls, the table and the wooden chairs pushed out of the way so that he had a spread of open floor to work on. There were sheets of paper everywhere, arranged in a ragged halo around the cleric, and Dukat recognized some of them as scrolls like the one that Bennek had used in his recitation for the dead. Hadlo was scratching at them with a stylus, writing in the margins and adding spidery lines of text in every blank s.p.a.ce he could find. He shot a watery look at Dukat and paused. "I have to complete this," he said vaguely. "Come back later."

"Get up," Dukat snarled, angry at the priest's defiance.

"If you wish to do this with some dignity, then stand up!"

The old man looked at him again, and it seemed to Dukat as if Hadlo were seeing him for the first time. Hadlo did as he had been told to, padding forward on bare feet, hands outstretched. "Do you know this?" He waved at the papers. "Have you seen the vipers, my brother? Ashes and the future." The cleric shook his head as if he were trying to clear it. "It's difficult to marshal all the images. There's a code, I think. A code. Yes."

Dukat raised the pistol. "I'm placing you under detention by the order of Carda.s.sian Central Command. Attempt to resist me and you will be shot."

He expected the cleric to fold and panic just as Bennek had, but instead a cool smile emerged on the old man's lips. "Who ordered this? Gul Kell?" He nodded before Dukat could answer. "Yes. Very well. Take me to him."

Dukat tapped the communicator bracelet on his wrist. "Kornaire, "Kornaire, this is Dukat. Lock on and transfer two to s.h.i.+pboard, immediately." this is Dukat. Lock on and transfer two to s.h.i.+pboard, immediately."

Hadlo kept on smiling, even as the transporter beam enveloped him and swept him away.

As Gul Kell reached the security compartment, his lip curled in cold amus.e.m.e.nt to find Rhan Ico standing at the heavy hatchway before Dukat. The dalin's expression was all chained anger and repression, while the woman wore the same default mien of watchful neutrality. Everywhere he turned on this mission, Ico was there. It was getting to be comical, in its own sinister way.

"Report," he ordered.

"The cleric did not resist arrest," Dukat explained, in a way that made it clear he was disappointed. "I have secured him in holding quadrant two. He has made repeated demands to speak with you."

Kell raised a thick eyeridge. "Well. Perhaps I should indulge him, then." He took a step toward the hatch, and as he expected, Ico interposed herself.

"Gul, I would like to attend you. It's of interest to me to hear his comments regarding the unrest on the homeworld."

"Is it?" Kell replied. All three of them knew full well the scientist had absolutely no authority to be granted such access; her posting, after all, was only that of a civilian adviser outside the stars.h.i.+p's chain of command.

"With respect," began Dukat, "Professor Ico's remit does not extend to prisoners in custody."

"Quite so," said Kell, tapping the keypad to open the hatch. "But I'm choosing to extend it for the moment."

"Sir," said the dalin, "Central Command will-"

"Central Command is not here," here," Kell growled. "I am." He beckoned Ico to follow him. "Return to the bridge, Dukat. I want privacy." Kell growled. "I am." He beckoned Ico to follow him. "Return to the bridge, Dukat. I want privacy."

"As you command." The other man's reply was terse.

Once the hatch closed again, Ico gave him an arch look.

"Thank you for accommodating me, Gul." She paused. "If I might say so, your junior officer appears quite unhappy with the situation at hand." Ico had a knack for making everything she said appear to be no more than an innocuous observation; she always spoke without weight.

Kell didn't look at her. "Dukat's a fine officer, but he lacks an understanding of the nature of command. Some hounds need to be kept on a tight chain."