A Tale of Three Cities

The planet of Baaja consisted of three main cities, each on their own separate continent. The capitol city of Draylon was run as a democracy. Its main purpose was developing laws and determining justice, guiding the other cities in a managerial role. Orias was the religious city, grounding its faith in scientific principals. It served as the educational city, run by spiritual leaders and councils, as the other cities became reliant on its technology and resource gathering capabilities. The city of Toron was run as a dictatorship and trained the strongest fighters, offering law enforcement and defensive support to the other cities.

When working together, the cities of Baaja could accomplish great things, each focusing on their specialties. Outside sources saw the potential of the planet, and became determined to turn the cities against each other and destroy the very principles that held the cities together. They knew this task rested in the hands of one man.

A holy man was imprisoned for his beliefs to reject the scientific society and return to a simpler way of life. He dedicated his life to adhering to a spiritual belief based in restoring nature to its former glory on the planet. Charismatic and risking his freedom, nothing would stop him from voicing his beliefs. He developed a devoted following. Once imprisoned, that following was at risk of being destroyed.

Two people, bent on Baaja's downfall, rescued the holy man and aided him in continuing to spread his good word. His devoted following would soon grow out of his control.

This is that story.

The box he carried wasn't large, the first one had taken a hover cart to transport. He had planned it that way, knowing the search process would be long and involved. Corrim Duvek, Commodity Trader extraordinaire was very good at picking up the odd item that might make him just a little bit of coin on the side. He had met Mursor at a bar one evening, introduced by mutual friends. The man had confided his love of games, and an eye for rarities. Duvek was more than happy to keep an open eye for such things. The building loomed before him, it seemed everyone in Toron was in the military. History told of a time that the women were kept out but there was a war that had depleted the forces to the point of abandoning such rules. He looked up at the barracks of the military police with a smile for the soldiers descending the stairs.

He stood at the metal detector staring across at the two men in military police uniforms. He pulled a smile onto his features, an act that was difficult for him once. Mr. Duvek was what they all called him even though he piloted the ship that had brought him to the port city. Even the title captain wasn't quite the same as Gul. That title was long gone though. Ten years ago he was young for a Gul commanding his own small fleet of ships on the front lines. That wasn't really his purpose though.

In his hands he held a very special Stones Board, made from Parisethian Mandrake wood. A rare piece and one he knew that Commander Mursor would want. He had been here every day for the past week with different items he was sure the commander would appreciate and perhaps purchase. He hadn't had much success with that, though this was not his purpose either.

The board had cost a small fortune, and was the one piece he knew would be taken. The rest were merely ploys that allowed him to become a familiar face. The Tal'Shiar financed their operatives well. It was a small pity that Duvek was not part of that clandestine group. The Obsidian Order expected its operatives to actually be what their cover was.

Everything ran on knowledge, and he enjoyed the challenge of gaining it without the victim knowing what he had become. Duvek offered up the box for the guards to inspect. They had seen a number of similar objects come through with him, each time they inspected a little less closely. Trust was important in his trade. This time he was not disappointed when they failed to do more than glance at the object and send him on his way.

The fisher device lay beneath the board. It would download the contents of Mursor's computer without setting off alarms. The board would be purchased and Mr. Duvek would have no more reason to show up at the base.

Bertrand waved him through taking a sip from that drink and giving him a thumbs up sign. Duvek took the now familiar path to Mursor's office. Specialist Jentai gave him a polite nod before bowing her head to her workstation and promptly ignoring him. Corrim knocked lightly on the door waving through the window with a disarmingly congenial smile. Mursor curled a finger at him and indicated the seat across from him. He turned and pulled a crystal decanter from the shelf as Duvek entered and sat.

Duvek saw Mursor's eyes caress the box he carried. A glass of green liquid was poured for Duvek and handed across. "Mr. Duvek...so nice to see you again. What have you for me today?" Corrim smiled so brightly that his eyes nearly shone. "Now commander I have told you many times it is Duvek, simply Duvek. I do have something for you though that I think might finally break that losing streak I have with you."

The box went onto the desk, and the top came away in Mursor's hands. Corrim moved quickly to retrieve the board, palming the device inconspicuously as he lifted the wooden thing out. "Parisethian Mandrake wood...I don't think I have seen quality like this outside of the museum at Orias...you need this in your collection Commander."

This Cardie seemed to know a lot more than he appeared. Not much got by Zora, who had dedicated her life to watching these humanoids and she enjoyed watching the slight of hand and negotiation techniques by Mr. Duvek. She listened intently to their discussion and began to realize that if the commander purchased the piece, her plan may not go as well as she had imagined, but this Cardassian might just be a better target than the commander.

Mursor picked up his glass again took a mouthful and set the glass on the desk. He gave it a quarter turn looking down and staring intently at the ring left on the wood. "Seven and half...you are a heartless charlatan Duvek, but you have a deal." Corrim could see that Mursor could barely hold his glee thinking he had out haggled him. In his head he was counting, the encryptions were long since beaten he was sure, but would he have what he had come for" He needed to stall until he felt the heat in his pocket subside. "Excellent Commander Mursor. I assume you will need time to get the cash together?" Hoped was more like it.

Mursor shook his head slightly. "When you told me what you had come by I brought in what I would need. The discount will allow me to have a drink later tonight." Corrim smiled though he was thinking furiously for a way to extend his visit. "That is excellent commander. Perhaps a celebratory drink?" Mursor was opening the bag and pulling coins free. The clicked loudly to the desk, or was that simply Corrim's apprehension at the turn of events"

Mursor handed the pouch across to Corrim and refreshed his drink. "That sounds like a great idea." Corrim smiled with that soft amiable movement of his lips. "Perhaps there is something else you might be in the market for" I have a trade run coming to Draylon in the next few weeks?" He lifted the glass and took a slow sip. The pouch went into the pocket at his chest. He could feel his heart beating against the newly added weight.

Inside the pouch, inside his pocket, she waited. She was a people watcher by heart. She could sit for hours on end and just wait. But even she would need to escape from his gasp at some point to rest herself and recharge. Duvek managed another fifteen minutes with the commander listening to the man go on about the games he had played as a child.

The figure on the screen punched a few buttons and the conversation ended abruptly. They weren't telling him how to manage the job. That told him many things, first and foremost that they didn't care so long as he didn't get caught. Duvek was already coming up with ideas. A shadow passed across the console, it was small and would have been missed if he hadn't been in a heightened state of caution already. "Did you know, that the Cardassian's evolved from the Geltac lizard" The most interesting thing about that is the lizard had the ability to sense vibrations. This included the air itself. Now I am not sure who you are but...I do know that you weren't here when I opened the seals on the ship." He spoke loudly a slow movement of his hand as he reached for anything he could call a weapon.

Zora froze as she realized he sensed her. She saw him move slightly and she spoke defiantly, "If you wish to pick up that caravan, I'm sure you will need someone with my skills." She began walking back slowly towards the exit in case she needed to make a quick getaway.

He hadn't expected to hear a female voice. It was true that they were just as capable of killing as any man. More so in some cases, he decided to tread lightly. "You have an interest in this caravan?" He reached up to shut down the monitor that mapped the route. Then he made a slow turn and looked up at her. He wondered who had put her on him, and when he would have to kill her or be killed. "Whom do you work for?"

As he turned around, she stopped her slow retreat and instead began walking slowly towards him in soft, confident steps as if she had been walking into the room the whole time. "I have an interest in many things, all of which include the downfall of the city of Toran." She hated much more than just that one city, but she only wanted to tell him what he needed to know. She continued, stopping a few feet from him and standing in a comfortable laid back stance, "It is not important who I work for if our goals are the same. You need someone who could easily get on your ship as I have done.? She only ever worked alone, but she realized she needed his information just as much as he needed her abilities.

Did he detect menace in her voice" A threat at how well she handled weapons. That she could kill him with her bare hands. He would tread lightly and smile pretty for her. "You do have a certain advantage in looks over me. That will prove useful. The issue will be when to strike. We have to find their weak points." He continued his pacing getting closer and closer to the hidden cache. "Go ahead and turn on the monitor my dear...perhaps you can tell me where the terrain is best suited to an ambush."

Zora did not like how he continued to pace back and forth. She knew he was excellent at providing distractions. But she was equally versed in her own skills. "Sure?" As he turned his back to her to turn around, she quickly reverted back to her liquid state and hid underneath a panel close to her.

His fingers hit the catch and the compartment opened. The disruptor inside was grasped and he turned to confront her. His eyes scanned the room for her but clearly she was gone. He held to the weapon not trusting his eyes anymore. Clearly she was someone's trained assassin to appear and disappear so easily. "This will be something that bears looking into Corrim...Who do I know that can give me information?"

She listened. Corrim' Was that his name, or someone else's? It made no real difference to her.

The weapon lowered but stayed in his possession. He swept from the room headed for his room and the notes he had in there. Somehow he needed to find the group this woman worked for and eliminate the problem. He couldn't afford to have his shoulder looked over, or worse to have The Order figure out that he was no longer secure.

Him leaving the room provided her with a perfect opportunity. Zora morphed back to her favored persona and began to access the display he was using. She was no engineer, but she knew enough about computer systems to exploit them and sabotage them. Just turning the display back on was enough to pull up the information. She knew the place on the map quite well, knowing much of the city by heart now. She returned the settings to how she found them and carefully exited the bridge. She soon made her way to the transporter and adjusted the settings to return her back to the city. She would be there at the appointed place and time to help his on this valuable mission whether he wanted her there or not.

Tarn laid atop the mesa binoculars trained on the three approaching ATV's. He scanned across to the place where the Darten APC was positioned. It was massive and would serve a single purpose. To take out those two heavily armed vehicles. There were back ups as well, a squad of ten men with weapons trained. Tarn was a careful man. He had brought his best sharp shooters to take out those gunners. More time...he watched the vehicles on their slow approach. Tarn hated to wait, he really wished he had something to do. The signal jammers had been placed where the road turned and been crossed an hour ago. Since that moment they had maintained radio silence. The pay off on this had better be as good as promised. He had worked for the man before, and really didn't understand the things he did. He wasn't paid to understand, just to do a job. He would do it.

Zora had obtained the map of the caravan route on Duvek's computer system before escaping off his ship. She analyzed which would be the perfect vantage point from which to conduct her attack and proceeded to move into position, only to find a group of men there, snipers in position, and an armored personnel carrier. Zora continued to move overhead of them and the small desert vulture came to land nearby by ambushing team, but began to pick at the ground as if casually looking for food. She would do all she needed to make sure that the prisoner could be free as a bird.

Purdy saw the gunner in front of him tracking some kind of bird. He couldn't get a real bead on it and still drive. He would end up running smack into the back end of the truck in front of him. He watched the guns swivel slowly could see the intense look on the gunner's face as he licked his lips and made ready to open fire on yet another poor creature that would be little more than a spot on the desert floor.

The bird had flown behind one of the mesas, but the break would certainly reveal it to the gunners and then all bets were off. Purdy counted it off in his head the moment would come soon. "Three...two...one...."

The sound of gunfire echoed but those were not the quad fifties. The rear gunner fell from his mount and hit the front of the vehicle he was driving. The open eyes made the mans condition obvious even if the blood hadn't given him a clue. Everything happened at once then.

It seemed the riders were getting desperate. A shot managed to punch through the window. Purdy was lucky not to take a hit. The GPS wasn't quite so lucky though. It sparked and sputtered the voice over repeating that he had reached his destination. The thing wasn't far off, Purdy yanked hard on the wheel and knocked away the last of the rider's, and grabbed the dirt road again. For good measure he ran over the bike to keep it out of the chase. He still gripped the wheel tightly as he drove along the road. The ship ahead had to be it...hard to say with the GPS out of commission but this must be the spot. He spotted dust rising in the distance behind him as he checked the side mirrors. That big APC had joined the chase. Not a huge deal as it was slower than this crate, but he would be stopping here and they would only gain ground then.

Zora saw the shot piercing the metal by her hiding space. She oozed out through the hole and found herself inside the driver's compartment. She extended an appendage and knocked the driver out cold with one hardened blow. His head smacked on the steering wheel and she quickly threw his body into the passenger side seat. If she needed to, she would dump him off somewhere, but right now, she was only trying to protect her precious cargo. She oozed into the driver seat and returned to her humanoid appearance. She continued the route the original driver was focused on. She would play along, but she was prepared to protect the man in the back at any cost.

Corrim stood next to the shuttle watching the vehicle approach quickly. Others would say he planned too much. That he should have just taken the man in the ambush. Corrim didn't like putting a face to himself. He would work from the shadow because it would ensure that he could continue to work. If his face became too well known, then he would be in real trouble. There would be one driver, he would of course be the only one to see Corrim, even Tarn didn't know as much. Corrim always paid by electronic transfer. He supposed there was nothing for it but to kill the driver and leave evidence of another. Ugly work to be so blatantly obvious, but when in need. He hoped that Tarn's men were able to do what he had asked. Take out that gps and keep the driver confused enough to not notice that he was five miles from his intended stop.

Her eyes softened as she realized his insinuation about her reading minds was an attempt to figure out what skills she possessed. She loved playing this game with him. She knew someone like him fed on information, knowing how to twist it to his advantage. She wasn't going to indulge him with information about her any time soon. She said coyly, "Oh, I'm nothing compared to who we've got behind Door Number One." She proceeded to pose with open arms displaying the back vehicle doors in a proud show. She would let him do the honors of opening his prize.

He moved forward slowly, passing her perhaps a little closer than was absolutely necessary. He couldn't quite pick out what he was thinking. He took a subtle breath as he passed by, perhaps getting a bit of scent would help him in the future. It was hard to determine what was her and what was the desert. Try again later perhaps. The doors came open easily, revealing the prisoner inside. He looked like he hadn't enjoyed his trip. Corrim nearly laughed at the state of him except that his training wouldn't allow for it. Instead he smiled and spoke as though they had just walked into an amusement park and were purchasing tickets. "Welcome to the first day of what I believe will be the rest of your life." He raised a hand to the man who's hands and feet were chained. "If you will step this way...and quickly we can better aid you in finding proper attire and perhaps even better jewelry."

Zora's arrogant demeanor shifted completely as the doors opened. She dropped her arms to a calm stance and her eyes were solely focused on the prisoner. Though she showed no emotion, it was clear she felt no need or desire to put on airs in front of the man. She took a step back, indicating she wanted to give him more than enough space. It almost seemed as though she had a deep respect for this man.

She looked to the prisoner with wide, embarrassed eyes. Still staring at him she tried to respond to Duvek, "No, I um?" She turned back to Duvek, realizing she was losing her edge over him in her fascination with the prisoner. She said confidently, "I will be coming along. It's only clear how much you need my help."

He was glad he wasn't facing them because his eyes went wide at the comment. Corrim wasn't sure how he felt about her coming along. It was a shock to say the least. At least if she did he would be able to keep a close eye on her, perhaps find a way to turn the tables when she finally went after him. "I suppose there is something to what you say...You both may call me Duvek. Now get on board so we can get out of here before the real ship decides to figure out what is taking so long." He ducked through the entrance and headed for the pilots chair. He opened communications, voice only. "Break off Tarn, the package has been delivered and the money is being diverted to your account....now." He closed the comms and looked back to see if the pair had found a seat.

Zora would still call him Mr. Duvek just because when the men she overheard on the military base called him that, it seemed to bother him. She would wait for the prisoner to head in first, allowing him to pick his seat. She would select one near him.

The door slid closed and sealed, Corrim's fingers flew across the console. The shuttle lifted and sped off into the atmosphere and then beyond. "You know, it might have been easier to just transport you out of the truck, but that would leave evidence behind. The kind that leads to the wrong places." Namely him, and that was something he wouldn't allow. He couldn't help that prickly feeling at having put his back to an assassin. One did what he had to in order to divert attention though.

Let her believe he trusted her for now.

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

Corrim Duvek stayed low over the trees as he piloted his shuttle out into the shipping lanes. He banked hard, pointing the nose of the shuttle towards the sky and speeding upwards. Everything was a game now wasn't it' The duo he left behind on the surface were just pieces moving to his whims. His opponent was the faceless governments that ran the cities below. He would play his game, and let them play theirs. The subtleties of the moves were important to him. This was what he excelled at, fooling people, men women even children if the need was there. It had been proven that it took a very shrewd mind to best him long ago.

He received the communications as he was about to break orbit. It was not unexpected, in point of fact he wanted them to come to him. He continued on long enough to avoid the risk of being pulled back to the planets surface. Two Toron policemen beamed aboard his shuttle and began to inspect his log book. "Have I done something wrong officers?" Duvek smiled politely filling his voice with a syrupy smarm that always proved very effective.

"Routine check." One of the officers reported as the other was reading down the list of items. That one turned to Corrim. "You ain't carrying much"coulda just beamed it all to your ship." A gloved finger tapped the data pad, while its owner looked menacing.

Duvek regarded the man astonished. "Normally I would be inclined to agree with you, it would have saved me quite a lot of time and effort. However, that list of wines all has one thing in common. Take the 39 Kanar"it isn't suited to transport beam, the molecular separation taints the blend and causes it to turn into the most awful vinegar you have ever tasted." He moved over closer to the officer with the data pad and pointed a finger at another listing. "The 74 Rock Wine is well suited to transport, in fact it actually becomes better because of it, but this is a 93, the ninety three was made during a time when the great boycott occurred. The winemakers couldn't get the binding agents they used for previous years. Rare to find a 93 that hasn't been through a transport beam?"

The officers eyes began to roll with every word coming out of Duvek's mouth. He jerked his head at his partner who moved further into the shuttle. "I don't suppose you mind if we open the crates?" There was no waiting for an answer from Corrim.

Book Two: Orias

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Corrim found himself sitting on the low couch with legs crossed. He could wish he had something in his hand to drink. It was always so much easier to do his job with something in the hand. Preferably something that might catch the light. He made a point not to look at the doorway he had just left though. He concentrated instead on how to keep them from being detected.

Zora came out to greet Corrim and said excitedly, "So, any news?" She sat down on the other end of the couch and sat towards him, a distance greater than what she shared with Durai.

Corrim turned his head to look at Zora, what was that he was feeling over the two of them. Surely not anything more than concern that she would jeopardize whatever the mission was going to be. "News" Oh yes, plenty of news out there. Patrols have been sweeping the skies looking at everything that moves out there. Nothing escapes their interest."

"So what?s the plan now" What is to become of Durai?" Zora still wasn't sure if this was a safe enough place for him. She knew her own intentions were to help him, but she didn't know if Mr. Duvek and his superiors had the same goal in mind. Again, her interest in Durai made her loose her arrogance and she seemed genuinely concerned.

Corrim remained silent. He took a deep sighing breath and determined something right away. Rising he moved to the door of the bedroom closing it tightly before returning to his place. "Now" Now we wait until we are contacted. It isn't safe to open a channel and ask questions despite the efforts of encrypting. Nothing will stick out more than encoded message. If I were in charge and saw it, that would be the first place I searched" the first person I put to the question."

Supplies beamed in, and then the Cardassian. These were different though. Recording equipment was present along with the resupply of food stuffs. Corrim sighed tiredly and moved over to the couch to sit. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept. For the purposes of privacy...well really for the purposes of interrupting privacy he called out.

"I have returned from the jaws of the machine, you two!!" Then he dropped his voice low. "Don't let me interrupt your...talking."

Zora stood from her chair next to Durai's bed. She eagerly helped him put on his robe that Corrim had given her among their supplies. She gave one last look to his sculpted abdomen and back as he wrapped it around him before going out to the living room to meet Corrim. She only looked for purely scientific reasons. She had to look to learn how to properly shapeshift after all.

Durai moved through the bedroom, a laughing smile painted across his face as he looked at Corrim. He could see the man was exhausted, still he took more interest in the equipment present. "Looks like you are about to outfit this place with a new stereo...I assume there is a reason for all that technology?" His eyes went back to Corrim who smiled rather than roll his eyes as he wanted to. Zora followed closely behind Durai and smiled kindly when she saw Corrim.

"Oh yes...indeed there are to be some changes around here Durai...you are going to have to earn your keep now." Corrim's voice remained even and had that dip of sarcastic charm that he was so known for. The robe didn't miss his eyes. He hadn't intended it for him but then he hadn't specified either. "Ah...Zora, so good to see you again dear. You are looking...well the same I suppose." Why did he think that was strange" He took a deep sighing breath and pushed up from the couch. "Nice as you look half naked in my robe Durai...you will want to dress more appropriately I think. The heat has lifted...someone convinced them that they saw you escaping on a Targellian freighter weeks ago." He turned and stepped around the equipment. "More than that we have agreed to help you get your message out to the people Durai...does that appeal to you? I am afraid that in order to do so you will be needing to undergo the trappings of technology you see before you."

Zora looked down for a moment in thought. She did always wear the same thing. She had never considered it before. Humanoids changed their clothes. She should change her clothing appearances, too. Staying among humanoids for so long as something she was learning as she was going along. It wasn't enough that she had to sneak into the bathroom each night and refresh herself by resting in her liquid form while Durai slept. Now she had something else to be subconscious about. She wasn't even paying attention to what they were discussing.

Corrim felt the sudden urge to look anywhere but at Zora. "I have brought more food...I am sorry I took so long this time. It was...unavoidable." He lifted a case and began to move it across the room only to wince as it bumped the wall and into his chest. "I trust things are well for you two here though' You didn't run out of the last food I brought?"

Corrim's words distracted her and she once again faced him. "Oh, no, there was plenty?" She didn't need to eat, but she could never say such a thing. Humanoids needed to eat. She wanted to keep up appearances by disposing of some of the food, but she couldn't bring herself to do it, knowing that Corrim went through so much effort to bring it. For now, she managed by saying she ate before, or would eat later. But it was the second time Corrim made reference to her eccentricities, and she was beginning to worry a bit.

Duvek eased the crates down and into place. He popped seals and pulled out recording equipment. "There is a portable screen there..I need it set up...I really think you are going to like what is on it." He would wait to see her face when she saw the backdrop come up of a cave entrance in the Toron desert. That would keep them guessing for a good long time. Duvek had found these shots when he found the time. To the world it would look like Durai was constantly on the move.

The robe came away, and the priest began to don his robes. He began to make a speech in his head and scrapped it. "No..first defiance then the word...that is what the sheep need to hear." He dressed slowly as he went over every motion of hand he could make..every bob of he head.

Zora jumped in to help set up. She knew a little bit about electronic equipment. Granted, she mostly knew how to sabotage it in her efforts. As soon as she saw the Toron desert, her eyes lit up. "Oh, it's beautiful." She always felt welcome in nature. Nature never rejected her for what she was. It was what drew her to Durai and his preaching of returning to a life of nature.

Duvai waited for Corrim to show again. It was time to make another tape, this preaching was going well for him, the snake man had brought a real radio down and the news was often filled with snippets of his message to the people. Where the hell was he anyway. "I swear Zora he has no sense of time what so ever!" He began to pace back and forth as he grew more impatient. He turned to regard her with a frustrated face and an exasperated sigh. "You have everything ready right' The new background is in position?"

Zora nodded eagerly, "Yes." She didn't know what was taking Corrim so long. She wondered if something had happened to him. If so, it would jeopardize Durai's safety.

There was a sound out front, not the normal transporter sound, this had a large engine and disturbed the gravel on the road. Voices carried into the cabin from the outside. "My friends please...I assure you that this is the right place...have I ever steered you wrongly' Who was it that got you the first and fifth sermons by Durai from deep in Toron territory' You know it was me...come please...stay with the truck and I will get him for you."

Corrim slipped backwards through the door, closing it and turning on the other two. "You have visitors...and this...place is compromised. We will be moving into Orias..tonight.!" Zora perked up when she saw Corrim, but her smile faded as he spoke seriously. She turned to Durai for guidance in the situation, trusting his decision as final.

"Care to tell me what happened?" Durai's face was stern as he looked at Corrim. The two locked eyes, but it was Corrim who spoke up. "More than happy to Durai...on the road. This place will be over run tonight...I don't want to fall into their hands...." He stopped before the word 'again' came out. Durai nodded moving quickly to pack his essentials. Zora was left with Duvek who was pointedly not looking at her. He looked everywhere but at Zora in fact. "One of his fanatics found a way to tap into the broadcast signal...got captured and then...well here we are."

Zora suspected he knew about her. Even now, he was so disgusted by what she was, he couldn't even bare to look at her. She didn't know what to say. She had been happy here. It was like she got to experience a small glimpse of what life was like for a normal person. A normal person' She meant a humanoid. Is that what she viewed them as now" Normal" Had she lived among them for so long she lost touch of what she was? She stared at Corrim, but was lost in thought.

The Cardassian had heaped this upon him. Durai was sure of it, the meetings the sneaking around. Somehow Durai just knew that he was dancing to the most intricate of songs composed by Duvek. Everyone wanted something from him, he could barely get two hours of sleep in a row. The Cardie had been by earlier with another of those deliveries. The needed them, Durai wasn't a fool. He could see the growth of the movement was quickly becoming a life unto itself. He had to be at the center. What was it Duvek had said last...if you pay attention you will see where I am even when I am not here...More intrigue, Duvai was tired of tracking his movements...had been for some time. No he was tired of Zora's tracking of his movements. He did his best to shoo away the two men who absolutely needed his blessing. That left him with her eyes on him. She was always there watching, he didn't mind most days...lately it was stifling.

Zora was under equal pressure from the constant moving around. She had to track Corrim's movements as closely as she could. She knew he was their life line in this situation. She also had to keep tabs on Durai and where he would be at every moment in the day. She would have to make sure she timed his sleeping schedule with when she could escape away and regenerate in her natural liquid form, hidden from all of his followers. In case she got left behind, she would have to know where he was so she could keep up.

Durai closed his eyes taking three breaths and emptying his head. He painted the smile on his face before crossing the room and stepping into the courtyard. He passed by Zora in a quiet yet regal manner. His robes had been growing more ornate as time went on. Gifts from the people. Some gave of heirlooms to provide him with the right look. Even Zora had contributed some small things to him. A bit of shampoo that gave his hair a bit of luster. He wasn't sure how she came by it, though he couldn't be certain where she went when he slept. He stepped up onto a raised platform and called to those who were most trusted in the group. They huddled around looking up at him adoringly.

She was always the one who sorted through the shipments Corrim left for them. He left notes and coded messages; mostly things to help know where he was and where the next supplies would be waiting. She had received odd little things in their supplies. Shampoos, robes, luscious dessert delicacies. She would give most to Durai. Most she didn't need or couldn't use. A few things she kept with her. One perfume struck her interest. It smelled similar to a flower nearby where she lived in isolation in the woods. At first it was a forced isolation. When she was young, she could never appear quite like the other humanoids on the plant and they would cast her out. Nature became her only solitude. How far she had come. She was going through some of Corrim's messages when she was interrupted by Durai called the group together. She followed like one of his sheep.

Sergei turned up the viewscreen so that they could all hear what the talking head from Dreylon was saying regarding the news of the world.

"Rumors of movement from the back to nature sect of Orias. Authorities put down a demonstration on the lawn of the presidential palace that had begun to become violent." Pictures of men armed with clubs and shields crossed the screen flowing through the unarmed student mob. "In related the Anonymous sources within the Toron government are claiming that a hacker breeched firewalls and managed to access a large portion of their data files wiping them from the memory banks. Among this the current data on the location of Renown terrorist leader Vedas Durai. The monitors were all said to short out just after flashing the probable culprits handle. Whispered Words...."

Durai looked at Sergei and signaled him to cut off the transmission. "You can turn it back down...we have seen what we needed, the violent treatment of those who would support us." Sometimes Zora didn't need to wait too long to understand Corrim's messages. She smiled and placed the note back into a created pocket.

Durai caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Zora's smile was enough to change how he had been feeling when he had come away from the meeting earlier. He moved towards her, struck suddenly by something. His hand reached for her shoulder and slid along her arm. "Darling...I am sorry...you must think I am taking advantage of you. It never occurred to me to include you in that...you are always so close it is like you are part of me." He drank in the smile that had inadvertently called him over. "Did you need a hand with the newest supplies" What did the Cardassian leave for us this time" More blankets...a couple of morsels to tide us over?"

Her smile only grew as he spoke to her. She almost melted from his touch along her arm. She answered, "He left a few things, but nothing that he hasn't already handled." It wasn't a lie. There was a concern growing in her mind, but years of personal experience had taught her to never reveal more information than was necessary. She spoke softly, "Durai, I am worried. The Torons must be close to finding us. Even if they no longer have the computer files, there are still paper trails and the knowledge from guards and investigators looking for us."

Chapter Four: A Foot in the Door

They had moved, again. It seemed they were constantly moving. Sometimes it seemed as though they were only moments before trouble arrived. Many were beginning to wonder what was being done about it. The spent time in the outer rim of the city, there they were safe, but the neighborhoods were more questionable. Many stole what they needed to simply survive. It made Durai sick to see these places. This was Orias, the spiritual center of the planet.

These were the places that were never publicized. That hunger could exist in this place ran contrary to what the current belief system wanted everyone to believe. It was this that he was bringing to light, though it did seem that every time they made headway closer to the center of the city they got pushed back out. It was this that he was bringing to light, though it did seem that every time they made headway closer to the center of the city they got pushed back out.

Durai walked in the center of his handful of security with Zora standing closest to him. The meeting had been moved. The contact there had said something about rumors of a raid coming. They had made arrangements further in. It was what he had been hoping for, to put some power behind the movement.

This was the furthest they had been in yet, and the meeting place was much larger than any buildings he had been in yet. Part of him preferred the outdoors, but there was always the problem of was his message carrying to those in the back. Two of his group moved forward to secure his route inside. Sergei met him and Zora as they moved through the corridors.

Durai was handed his freshly polished shoes by the boy who slipped away and managed to take a seat in front of everyone He was cross legged on the floor. Durai looked back at Zora, "I knew we would break the barrier eventually."

She walked in some sort of dream, it seemed. Not only was she walking among the humanoids, but she walked in honor among them by his side. The shapeshifter's wide eyes looked over everything, but she was in a haze. His statement interrupted her stupor. "Oh yes," she responded, "This is incredible. Everything is coming along perfectly." She quickly took her place. When she could, she always stood a short distance behind him while he spoke. It was the best position for her to watch over the crowd and protect him. He had a message to spread and she would make sure she did everything she could to make sure that he was safe to deliver that message to as many would hear him. She continued to look over the crowd in amazement.

He turned towards the shout, as a body hit him. Zora swept him from the stage, so quickly he hadn't the time to wonder what was going on. That was when the first muzzle flash went off. The flashes were now starting to make sense as he was catching glimpses of weapons being readied. Something else fell on him, and it was wet and sticky. A pair of lifeless eyes looked at him from a child's face. Sergei, had been close too, he had recognized the green point as a laser sight and been too slow to do what Zora had. He had been to slow to get out of the way too. Gunfire erupted in the outer corridor beyond the doors. "Who....why' He was just a boy...Zora." He didn't consider what the gunfire in hallway meant for the guards at the door. He was disoriented and still seeing spots.

She didn't even hear the words he said. All she was focused on was getting them out of there. She quickly rose to a crouch, then stood when she thought it was safe. She helped him stand, though her strength allowed her to mostly pick him up. She positioned herself between Durai and the crowd as she tried to move him to the side of the room safely. She didn't know another out, but she knew there was no way they would be allowed to walk out the way they came in.

Shouts rose from all around, men in black tactical gear broke through the double doors at the back of the auditorium. Back stage the sounds of booted feet running in time. The were man made thunder on the ears drowned out by the occasional flash of lightning from the end of a gun barrel and the crack that went along with it. Shrieks filled the air, men who were known to be strong wailed as they were cut down. Durai let himself be pulled along in the confusion. A door...one at he front of the stage...an orchestra pit. "There!" He tried hard to get her attention, astonished by her strength. The gods must be smiling upon her now, yes giving her the strength to lead him out.

She heard the command clearly through the waves of panic surrounding them. She quickly led him to the pit, hoping that he was right, trusting in him and his wisdom.

There was a room beneath the stage itself, the place the musicians would meet up and store their cases before a performance. Surely there was a back entrance...please let there be a back way out. The thoughts came unbidden to Durai's head, he was scared, scared enough to notice that they hadn't come down into this place alone. Three black clad men with dark helmets and tinted visors were trailing in behind them. He looked for something anything to defend himself with. His fingers found a dusty set of cymbals He hurled one like a frisbee at the trio before breaking towards the back of the room.

She quickly assessed the room. It was just a simple storage area. There was clearly no way out, but it didn't matter now. The only thing that mattered was the men following them and the more who were bound to follow since they undoubtedly heard the crashing cymbal that Durai threw in defense. She could no longer hope for his wisdom to guide them. Solid as a rock, she rushed up towards the three men?

Durai sat heavily, his arms went around his knees and he couldn't seem to raise his eyes from the floor. "It's not mine...the blood...it's doesn't belong to me." He was many things in this moment, relieved that they had made it out first. However on the edge of that and irritating him was the idea that he should have been the one to die instead of all those people. He barely heard the other two talking about him. Enough to tell them he was fine but he drifted after that lost in thoughts of what is and what should be. He would need to analyze his survival very carefully. He hated that he owed it to Duvek, this night had been meant to free him of the man. To give him the strength to keep the Cardie out of his life for good.

Duvek looked from him to Zora when he took in Durai's state. "He needs some time...I do have some guest quarters on the ship...just the one but you can go there and recover as you must." He turned away from her and headed out of the room. "I'll be on the bridge, I think we need to get out of town for a while. If you want to talk...well you know where to find me."

Zora watched Corrim leave. She said to Durai, "Come, let's get you some rest." She knew he was in no state to think properly. She once again helped him up, picking him up for the most part. She led him to the guest quarters and tucked him into the bed as comfortably as she could. Cardassian beds did not exactly seem the most inviting. It was if they had begun this journey all over again. She started out by helping him into bed to recuperate and here she was doing it again. But this time was different. This time, she knew the kind of man he was. This time, she would not stay behind for his beck and call. She settled him in, then left to join Corrim on the bridge.

Durai rolled onto his side, he didn't even notice that Zora had left. Every time he closed his eyes he kept seeing Sergei staring at him. The boy had taken his bullet....his bullet. Someone needed to pay for that.

Someone was to blame.

This was his chance, to do away with her once and for all. Except that he didn't see the need anymore. It was clear that the girl was confused worse than that she was blaming herself for the problems that happened on the surface. He tapped a few buttons on the console and brought up a list of mentions by the Toron's of communications with the Orias Law Enforcement. "You can read through my dear and see that someone was talking.

That isn't on you, I'm sure that as the group grew it was impossible to stay on them all." He left the records open for her, something that had his skin prickly. He was being far more informative than he should have been with her. The records would show her exactly how many times he had interfered, even to the point that she would be sure this was the erased core of the Toron computers.

She read it all. She always had an innate ability to absorb information and records quickly, finding order from the chaos of information, processing it all, finding errors in it, slips that normal people would have missed, holes in information, but there was none to be found in his. It was clear that he had been on top of it all this whole time. She grew anxious, only because her fears of him figuring out what she was became more plausible. She turned to face him. Her question had several meanings. "Where do we go from here?"

Duvek pushed away from the console, his mind seized on the question, and twisted it every way it could go. "That depends on many things my dear. To date I haven't been in touch with my own agency, it is dangerous to send subspace signals again. Most especially the coded ones, to be honest I am not sure how I managed to keep you as informed as I could." He slipped around the back of her chair, the knuckle of his bent left forefinger slid along the back of it.

He had noticed her condition as opposed to that of Durai. That meant one of two things, either she wasn't involved in the fighting, something he doubted in his observations of how close she was to the man. Or she was adept enough to maintain her non-disheveled state even under heavy fire. "You remind me?" He let his murmurs trail off.

Duvek took a deep breath, he started back towards the place Zora was sitting then passed by it as though deciding at the last minute to change course. He went to the door lingering before speaking again. "This changes things, I won't need to be quite so far away from you?two once we go there. I will need be out of sight surely, especially with how much Durai's followers hate seeing me." He turned to look over his shoulder at the girl. Her expression when she had asked about reminding him of someone had been brilliant and a little heartbreaking. "You must be exhausted. I assume you will be wanting to share Durai's?" He stopped before he said something irreversible.

She honestly had no idea what he was talking about. Her face looked puzzled. "Share his what?"

He wondered if it were a device of women to force men to speak of things that they would rather not. "I've seen how you admire Durai, I assumed in my absence that the two of you had" begun something deeper." He hadn't felt a flush in his cheeks in far longer than he could remember. He hoped his Cardassian coloring was enough to hide it from her. Strange this turn of events, he was usually very good when put on the spot.

"Oh!" She seemed startled by his assumption. She looked away as if trying to dislodge the thought from her mind and then looked back at him. "No. Absolutely not." She looked directly in his eyes. "I cared for him, but not in that way. I nursed him back to health, tried to help in his cause, but nothing ever like that." She didn't even realize how she spoke in the past tense. Things were different now. She couldn't agree with the man and his beliefs any more, not when she saw the man he was, not when she saw how other men could be, like the one before her.

He did his best not to smile at all, but wound up with something just short of smug passing over his face. He turned back and dipped his head at her, eyes closing relieved that there wouldn't be the added difficulty of dealing with a romance as well. "Well"I do apologize for my assumptions then Zora. Perhaps if you are interested"There is a bed in my chambers." He found himself falling propelled forward by a blow to the back. He barely had time to register the shout of rage behind him.

A pair of hands pulled back through the opening and was replaced by a red faced Durai. "You've taken enough from me tonight snake!" He glared at Zora accusingly as he entered, but he turned wild eyed towards Duvek. "Their all dead because of you?you and your plan"you and the people you work for. Manipulating me, with your lies!" He moved forward with an upraised arm that ended in a curl fingered fist. "Now what more can you steal from me and the people"!?

Duvek wouldn't let him change focus though he moved forward slowly giving him a sidelong glance. "No"no, my good Vedas"you don't seem to understand at all. Sergei was your problem?" It had become obvious to the information broker. "He was so proud'so very proud that he told his friends of you?of all your good work. The meetings, the fact that he knew where you were, Durai"he was just a boy. Why did you use him so' Why do you use everyone?" He had come even with Zora now, a planned step.

He was about to say something that was specifically referring to her, and chose to put himself in a place that made it harder to look at her. "Why has every menial task been delegated by you...right down to cooking your meals and doing your laundry?"

Her attention was focused on Durai for safety concerns. She glared at him when he again called attention to Duvek being an alien to his planet. But it was Duvek's explanation that made the most sense to her. Sergei was always the one to go around talking about Durai, trying to bring more people to his sermons. Maybe this time, he talked too much, to the wrong people. She listened as Duvek came to the people's defense against Durai, and soon understood that she, too, was taken advantage of. She was grateful that Duvek stood where he did. She looked down and away from both of them, in shame.

Durai's brows came down hard over his eyes. He looked at Duvek with loathing, letting his eyes travel from face to foot and back and hating every inch of the man. "I didn't ask for these things, theY were given. How dare you accuse me of causing their deaths?" It didn't matter that he had moments before accused Duvek of the same crime. He needed to blame someone...and he prefered that someone to be alive, and foreign.

"I didn't see you trying to stop"." An followed by the voice of the computer, interrupted Duvek's response. Proximity alert. He turned to look back into the room. "On screen!" A ship appeared, one distinctly Toronian in make. "They've found us"Computer how are they being guided?" A moment later the computer responded. They are locked onto a subspace signal. "You two need to hide"on the shuttle, wait for them to board me and use it to escape! Don't worry about me, I have dealt with them before. Zora, mask the energy signal on the shuttle and they will never know it was here."

The alert caused her to raise her head. She quickly turned to view the screen, and listened intently to his instructions. She was sickened at the thought of going anywhere with this humanoid, but she knew that Durai was important for both of their purposes. She again grabbed Durai's hand and pulled him towards the shuttle.

Durai let himself be led from the room. He was far from being calm, but he knew that the approaching ship was after him. Part of him was surprised that Duvek hadn't decided to hand him over to the raider that was closing on them. "We aren't done yet"you know that!"

Book Three: Draylon

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Chapter Five: Coffee and Tea

Durai tried to see if the shuttle had been discovered yet. It had been days since the flight from Duvek's ship.

Strange that he hadn't shown up yet, though Durai didn't really care. They were better off without him, but the snake had done something to Zora. She hadn't acted right since the ambush. No....not since using that damn com device. His eyes narrowed at the memory of that moment. More so over feeling beholden to an outsider. Why the hell couldn't Zora see what was right. She was out, reading the streets or whatever she called it. This gave him time to find a place that he could link to the web and try to find his followers. Was that a glint of metal beneath the bridge in the distance? He shrugged and ducked into the coffee shop. Two hours wasn't much time but it was her average patrol.

Zora had been out on the streets the whole night. She took a short break to rest herself, but other than that, she was out talking to everyone she could. She didn't trust the web as much as she enjoyed hearing the word on the streets. Sometimes she would hear what the media told the public to think, but other times she would hear the truth. That was what she wanted, what she needed. She learned a lot. Durai was still loved by many of the people, even here in Draylon. Even some government officials loved him, but others were strongly against him. She would collect all the information she could.

The message had changed, not the rejection of the sciences being shoved down their throats, but the how. The media ate it up, putting down the message while speaking of how brave Durai was. They spoke of him as a hero, and commented often on his freedom of speech. This pleased Durai, so little seemed to anymore. Zora was if anything more restrictive than she ever had been. He would watch her when she returned from her trips. She had managed to get him a laptop computer and tapped into some poor fool's connection. He doubted they even knew what was causing the lag on their end.

Zora sat watching him type over the laptop he was supposed to despise. She could see him for what he was now. She would need to be getting back out to the streets but she had one problem. She sat looking at Duvek's comm device. She continued to play with it in her hands. She wondered how long it would be before he would be able to find them by tracking it.

He watched the device twirling. He should have felt relieved she hadn't used it, but all he saw was red. "Why the hell do you keep that thing" We don't need him anymore. You have been making headway out there...I have managed to get to those of the order. It hasn't been easy to set up a network that I can trust to get them information. They refuse to have even one computer to talk to me themselves." His eyes narrowed as the device took yet another slow spin. "Or perhaps you have some reason you need it' Charmed perhaps by the snake?"

Zora glared at him while he spoke. First Duvek thought she was in love with Durai. Now Durai accused her of the same thing for Duvek. She stood up and held it up defiantly, "This is the most important piece of technology we could ever need. It's our only way of getting in contact with Duvek. You need him, not me.?

The talking head for the network news turned to face the camera. Durai was half paying attention as though looking for something specific to happen. In a self important voice heaped with fatherly concern that Durai knew the man had to practice in front of a mirror. "This was delivered to the station anonymously. The man in the video...none other than Vedas Durai, a man known for his ties to the suicide bombings that occurred recently in Orias...He however tells a different story."

Durai was shown speaking. "My....friends....Children of Baaja. I have seen the evidence that has come from the unrest in Orias. I can tell you only that what you see is not truth. My movement there was peaceful, if hated. The slaughter of innocents lies on the hands of those in power. They came like the whirlwind and destroyed beauty with such malevolent violence. I barely escaped....Children of Baaja....people of Draylon....I come to you a man hunted. I have tried to get to the proper authorities, but my every turn is hounded. This is the last resort of the desperate....I would beg of your government, political asylum. To date none of my messages have been answered....There is not even a whisper of my attempts. The people have a right to know the truth."

The camera cut back to the news anchor who looked solemn. "Word out of the capitol is sporadic. Investigative reporter Janie Paul was on the steps today of Capitol Hill."

Durai smirked over at Zora. "That should get some attention I think."

Zora continued looking at the screen and said, "Maybe more than we bargained for."

Zora shook her head. "I assure you he is of no concern. If anything, he is only helping us earn more publicity. Everyone is talking about you now. Instead of him, we need to focus on our efforts. If the broadcasts prove true to public opinion, it seems as though we may be one step closer a public speech."

"I understand the need, I just have a problem with that much opposition to our cause. Some will never be convinced without..." He let the thought trail away, knowing it was probably truer that he just didn't like having anyone speak against him. Not Tollum not anyone...most especially the simpering Cardassian. "To be able to address them publicly....in person. That is the goal, even more so now than it was in Orias."

He stood from his place and began to pace a bit. "Where are we with the local groups" This will help you get them on our side won't it' Surely they will see The Way."

She reported, "It has been slow building, but I have gained several groups in your support. I found a few key players and they're each been building local support for your cause." She called it his cause. Even though she knew she had been doing most of the work, she wanted to stroke his ego. She continued, "I even managed to run into one of our friends from Orias. He has been the most help so far."

He looked up at that, strange they hadn't told him they were sending someone. "Good..." Something seemed odd but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. "The movement requires much from all of us...I simply do my small part." He would be looking later to see who they had sent. "I would like to meet with the leaders and see how open they are to becoming more involved in the good word."

She said simply, "I can arrange that.? She would make sure to collect them all and have them meet with him in a new location. She couldn't afford the luxury of trusting anyone to know where they were hiding out, not even his followers.

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

A ridge fingered hand slid across the fabric of the jacket. He tested the way the collar was attached to the coat and smiled. "I have often considered having something this fine made for me, but it is hard to justify the expense. I for one completely believe you when you speak of how the others flaunt their contributions around." Inside the collar went he tiniest of electronic devices. He would be able to track this man now...hear his conversations. The goal was to find Zora and Durai, but it never hurt to have a bit more knowledge than you were supposed to. "As for the Red...well I can let you have it at cost, you see I believe in your cause. Men like Durai would push men like me off the planet for good. I need this place, the trade is how I survive. As far as I am concerned the man is trying to kill me." He stepped away from the desk and looked down at Tollum. "What have I ever done to upset the man so' Exist?"

Edgek continued to look Duvek in the eyes. Someone who could play the perfect politician as he did, learned to look people directly. Unlike Durai, he certainly had nothing against the man before him. "Well, I for one value the service and products you offer. Free trade is always good for politics. As for Durai" I doubt we'll have to worry about him much longer."

Duvek seemed to brighten at that. His amiable smile returned, grateful to the speaker. "Let us hope that we don't, I am quite sure I have put my support behind the right person. The red will be delivered tomorrow morning...I will give you a bill of sale and provide a copy to you so that you know I make no monetary profit from it. Other than the future of my small trading company that is." He leaned in conspiratorially and lowered his voice. "I have to admit that I was truly afraid when I came to the picket line out there...those kids have such wild eyes."

He said resolutely, "Well, you have nothing to be afraid of with me, friend. My new friends will look forward to the Red. I will look forward to working with you in the future.? He left the man, and wandered into the hallway. He let his head move left and right on a swivel. He pretended to take delight in the sights of the place. He stopped at an information center and collected as many brochures as he could to carry with him through the parks and monuments. The tricorder in his pocket was on. He would know when the senator moved.

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

Corrim reassembled in the safe house near where Zora was standing. She turned as he appeared before her. She smiled brightly. She was so excited to finally see him again. She couldn't help herself as she ran up to him once he was complete. She wrapped her arms over his shoulders and kissed him deeply. Realizing her place, she stopped and looked down as she took a step back. She said meekly, "I'm so happy to see you're ok. I was worried when we left you, that those guards on your ship?" She trailed off, still looking down.

Shock washed across him at the greeting, though it wasn't unpleasant. It had been so long since his lips had felt that sensation. Warmth seemed to flow through him wherever she was pressed. When she let go it took time for him to realize that he was staring at her. "Nothing to worry over...I am far more resilient than I look." He tried very hard to put that reassuring smile on his face, but the woman had completely disarmed him. "It was I who worried for you, no word for so long. Nothing across the air waves but propaganda...your doing I am sure. I knew at least that you were safe."

Durai's stomach turned even as he saw spots before his eyes. Pins and needles prickled through his skin and around his brain as he witnessed the girl throw herself at the Cardassian. His fists clenched and he forgot what he had come to tell her. The only thing he could think to do was slam the door behind himself and glare at the two of them. How dare she let herself be tainted that way! "I thought we were rid of you'snake!"

Duvek smiled at the state Durai was in. He tilted his head to the man and spoke with the same demeanor that had gotten him inside of so many places. "Come, come Durai...you can do so much better...what was it you called me before" Nagesh wasn't it' I so much prefer to be the Lord of Serpents to a simple snake. Though I do see how you might be confused...as you have been granting the title to others. It was only a matter of time before I arrived.? He held off the temptation to drive Durai over the edge by putting arms around Zora. She had done nothing to deserve to be so used by him.

But she would volunteer her own display. She turned to face Durai as he spoke. As Duvek responded, she took a step closer to Duvek, stopping just short of touching him. She continued to look at Durai boldly, as if to show she was clearly on Duvek's side and would stand with him. She didn't speak, allowing them to sort out the power play between themselves for the moment.

Durai looked like she had slapped him. "We" There hasn't been a we here for some time now. Not with you pining for..." He shook off the whatever he was going to say and narrowed eyes at her. "He wasn't involved in anything...not since the day he left us on the outskirts of Orias. He certainly had no part in the movement since our arrival here. Unless he can tell me what part he played in the invitation to speak at a rally on the steps of the Capitol Building itself?" He looked smoothly Duvek and gave him a sneering smirk. "See...I haven't needed him Zora. The real question is do I really need him now?" Her eyes widened when she realized what he was saying through his insults for Duvek. She smiled brightly, excited to see that everything was working out in their favor.

Corrim could hear as well, and the sneer from Durai only fueled his passiveness further. Though he couldn't help but dig at the religious leader a little more. "Oh my congratulations Durai...you have learned to walk in a world where the rest of your congregation stands transfixed. You have pushed yourself above the people and in so doing the politicians will bend to kiss your...feet." He held up a finger to the man and gave him that soft tilt headed smile.

"Although, that doesn't stop your adversaries from trying to get to you. That has always been my place Durai, all the lies, the scraping and manipulation. How fitting that your truth stands on my imagination. Don't worry...I will continue to follow orders. You will make it to speak at that rally. If they do extend you the asylum you are requesting...then anyone trying to destroy you would quit. They wouldn't wish a martyr now would they?" Zora glared at Duvek for even mentioning the word.

Durai looked at Corrim as though he had been threatened right there. He turned his back on the Cardassian and made his way into that adjacent room muttering as he went. "Clearly you want me dead Nagesh." He moved into his chair and fought the urge to grab up that laptop and give Duvek the satisfaction.

Zora watched Durai go. She turned to Duvek. She realized how close she was to him. She took a step back and looked at him as she said, "It seems as though we all will have arrangements to make in order for this speech to go according to plan.?

Zora continued to walk in the crowd. She noticed many faces she had met along the underground, not only from here in Draylon, but from Orias as well. She saw important political figures, too. It seemed that many friends and enemies of Durai were present. She kept a heavy eye on him to make sure none of them would be able to get to him.

Corrim had completed a sweep earlier, checking the guards at the entry ways. He had watched security separate a small squabble deep in the heart of the mass of people. It seemed to come of with very little violence, and none of that from the security forces. Then again men that size tended to make a lot of folks pause. He hadn't spotted Zora yet. He doubted he would in such tight quarters but he looked anyway. He ignored the jokes though he found some of them causing him to chuckle. He then felt tension wrap around him as Durai entered the stage and the crowd began to become more boisterous.

Durai wore his painted smile as he spoke silently to the comedian before turning to the microphone. "How bout another round of applause...funny, very funny stuff." He hoped so anyway, the crowd seemed to enjoy it. "Children of Baaja...You have been living comfortably for a long time. The ways of Science have gifted all with the wealth of time. My message however has been resisted by the scientific community. My message has been outlawed in places like Toron and Orias. They are now discovering what you already know. There is no stopping The Way. Children of Baaja...look to your left and right...these people need you...I need you...Your planet needs you!" He went through those practiced motions, pausing in places to allow for applause. Sometimes it went on longer than he had anticipated. "My friends...brothers and sisters all. The message is powerful...It crosses barriers and bridges gaps. Today I can show you exactly how powerful our message is. To my right..."

He pointed and lowered his voice into something more amused. "Yes hiding behind the curtain, but not for long...A man stands who has devoted time and money in opposition to our message. He has been our greatest resistance here in Draylon, but the message has brought him round." Durai waved to the stage right summoning the man hiding behind the curtain. "Welcome to us...if you will Official Edgek Tollum." There were cheers for the senator, not so loud as for Durai but it was still deafening.

Tollum moved quickly for a man of his age. His body was not the only thing he perfected. His escape was planned to every detail. He ran to various store fronts, ducking behind large statues and other obstacles along the way. The path to the alley he planned to duck into in was becoming blocked with people running to see what happened and officers who began to take notice of him fleeing the scene.

The man behind the recticle knew the moment that Durai hit that he wasn't getting up. He had missed his chance to take the target. He tracked Tollum's progress though watching him run through the mall as though he had knowledge of exactly where the most resistance would be.

Men fell before Corrim's eyes, people who were moving to block the Senator from his mad dash. They were shot but the hits came well before the pop. At least he knew that would be the case as he pulled the trigger on another officer who was making a run for Tollum. Really, the man should have told me his plan. Corrim's thoughts were broken by his own need to move. He had already stayed longer than he had been counting on. A good sniper doesn't shoot more than twice from a location.

Corrim had transferred to intelligence when the order had proved more about poisonings for assassination. His time in the Cardassian military had taught him much though about killing a man at distance. "You're on your own now Tollum..." Tollum continued on his run. He rounded one last corner and continued down the alley. He knew none of them would be able to catch up to him once he hit that mark. Later would be a different matter, but for now, he was safe.

***********

Corrim took his coffee and followed the man out. He had to hurry when the man who looked like Tollum turned up into an alleyway. "You have a very interesting face my friend. I bet there are stories upon stories that you could tell a simple tourist like me." The man turned towards Duvek. His face remained hidden under the hood. He ignored the cardassian's lies. Tollum's voice was clear again. "I wanted to thank you for watching out for me. I doubt I could have escaped without your aid."

Corrim closed the space between them ever the passive smile on his face. "Oh"well, I knew that you would need a bit of help getting out. There was an awful lot of resistance headed your way." Corrim's hands moved faster than many would give him credit for. The passive smiles gave many the impression he was not violent. He spun Tollum to face the alley wall and pressed him hard against it. He leaned in against the man's back and spoke in a dangerously soft voice. "Let me tell you what else I know. You knew the route to escape'studied it I would say. Knew the holes in my security grid."

He took a breath and became even more menacing. "I also know that the scent you are wearing is very rare. Only two people on this planet even know of its existence. Of those two I am one"How fascinating that the other also knew the security measures I had in place. Now you will tell me what you have done to Zora, or I will send you to meet Durai." Corrim hadn't seen her since well before Durai was to speak.

Tollum's voice said bluntly from beneath the hood, pressed against the wall, "I will gladly show you if you allow me to stand and face you man to..." He trailed off purposefully. Corrim had heard the insults before, they didn't affect him. He pointed one hand at a nearby trash bin and fired a quick burst from the device in his hand. It disappeared when it was hit. "Slow and easy friend...I have no problem treating you like the trash either." He stepped back far enough that he thought he could avoid any hidden knives. Tollum's voice began, "Well, Duvek, I knew you didn't hold me in high regard, but to compare me to trash?"

Corrim stepped back from her a little further and squared up. "Am I to take it then that I was never the intended victim here" Exactly who do you work for my dear...is it really Zora...and where did you find out about me?" She ignored half of his questions, "No, my dear Duvek. You were never my victim, though I think you may have been victim to my irresistible charms," she teased as she placed a hand on her hip, shamelessly showing her comfort in the situation, "But I think that's all the information you need for now. I wouldn't want to ruin any future endeavors. You helped me out so much this round."

Her features embedded themselves into his brain. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction though of being able to follow his eyes. The weapon went into a pocket while he listened. Two could pretend comfort in the face of this. "Ah...well you do have your charms my dear...Zora. I believe though that you played me against myself. More to the point you managed to threaten me without ever uttering a word. Then lull me with seeming innocence. A round well won on your part. Still it may be the last we have. I need to move on, those are my orders. I am sure that you have your own as well." Why did the idea suddenly feel wrong. He ought to be running fast to get away from her. "It is a pity that we won't be able to work together again some time."

She threw her head back to the side to knock back some hair that flew into her face. "Oh, don't worry about that, Duvek. I will stay in touch." She began to slowly and casually back away, back down the alley. "It is the least you could do...considering I am only here to make sure that you were all right." Duvek called to her as he watched her back away from him. In his mind he had moved forward and seized hold of her. Told her exactly what he wanted. This was banished even as it came. "Information always comes at fair rates for me...though I am sure you knew that already.?

Zora smiled and nodded. She turned and began to walk away. She knew that they both tended to know more than they were willing to lead on. He was a good challenge to her, though she would never want him to know that. She walked away in a sexy glide, making sure he would remember her for quite awhile.

**************The End*****************

(I hope this was enjoyed by those who read. Many thanks to my partner Zora's player for all the time and effort spent on this thread.)