Start of text file.


* This is an ASCII text document and contains no control text characters *

             *** This version is not a final release ***

NOTE 1: The entire "DESTINY" story series starts from this story part.
        The timeline is loosely based from the pilot DS9 episode
        ("Emissary") onwards, but I've created my own "alternate" DS9
        universe and so major events in the TV series never occur in my
        universe.
        I started writing the entire DESTINY story saga after seeing
        Emissary but I've included one element that occurred in a later
        episode. That element I used from the TV series was the (very
        brief) mention of a famine on Bajor in the second season DS9
        episode, "Sanctuary". - (It was virtually a throw away line.)

NOTE 2: This is a draft copy of this story part as transcribed from my
        handwritten draft and has been altered/modified as I entered it
        into the computer. - Inconsistencies may arise because I can't pull
        together the whole story saga until all parts are typed up into the
        computer for further work. -- Typos are always a possibility.

        13-May 1997: Rev 5.0 Changed/fixed: It's been spell checked using
        a British-English software dictionary. - Also fixed a few little
        bits here and there.

NOTE 3: Any text surrounded by underscores (ie. "Just _don't_ forget." ) is
        to be read as if the piece of text was spoken with emphasis.

NOTE 4: Any text surrounded by "<>" characters (ie. "<Confirmed.>" ), is to
        be taken as dialog spoken by a computer.

NOTE 5: Any text surrounded by "-" characters (ie. "-I'll be right
there.-"),
        is to be taken as dialog spoken through a communicator or comms
        device.

Personal Note: The DESTINY series story saga was written by me mainly for
               the personal enjoyment of myself and it was never really
               intended to be read by others. But since some people
               expressed an interest in reading it I've decided to make it
               available.
               My DESTINY series is primarily a story of one major
               character that I created, (Paul Sutton), and his involvement
               with Kira.
               The entire saga is not finished even in April-1997 and
               major parts of it are still to be created in order to fill
               in sections that I jumped over.
               The saga has been written in my spare time over some years
               now and I'm not about to sit down for interminable lengths
               of time pounding away at a keyboard merely to get it all
               down as computer text files. The major part of my saga
               simply exists as rough handwritten text (in pencil) on blank
               paper, and that's how it's created whilst I'm in bed. None
               of the saga was created by sitting down at my computer
               because I find it easier to flick over real paper pages to
               make changes/additions/deletions.
               In the course of my writing this saga over the years, and my
               watching of the TV series, I've seen some elements of my
               story appear in the series. I consider them coincidences
               because my story parts hadn't been released by me and seen
               by others.
               Because this saga is written for myself, I'm not really
               looking for any comments by others. If you enjoy reading any
               of it then that's okay.


               When you haven't got anything,.....you still have your
               imagination.

               .........Peter Bryce,
               Western Australia.



   --------------------------------------------------------------------
 "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", and the characters of that TV series are
  copyright Paramount Pictures.

 This fan-fiction is neither supported nor endorsed by Paramount Pictures.

 The Bajoran Ambassador, The Bajoran Consulate concepts, and the treatment
 given to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine series herein, is intended as
 personal creative expression of which no commercial or financial gain is
 obtained or sought, and is not meant to infringe on any copyrights held or
 implied by any individuals or companies. All such copyrights whether
 mentioned or not are hereby acknowledged.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------




                            - DESTINY AWAITS -
                              --------------
                  - the first book in the Destiny saga -

                    a STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE story

                          written by Peter Bryce
                        between September 1994 - ?
                                 (c) 1994



It was one of those quiet days on the station where nothing much was
happening and as Kira walked slowly down the Promenade she wondered if she
preferred it that way. Odo was standing outside the entrance to Quarks
looking with thoughtful interest on the activities inside.

Kira went up to him and asked, "Everything okay?"

"Hmmmmmm. Apart from this crew from the Altranian freighter, it's
decidedly quiet. How are things at your end?"

She smiled, "It's a good thing I'm leaving for Bajor in an hour because
quite frankly I might be tempted to help Sisko out with the docking reports
for this month."

He gave a sigh of displeasure and replied, "I'm sorry I can't join you
Major, but Sisko's got _me_ helping instead."

Kira looked at the crew in Quarks who were laughing loudly and drinking
while Quark was encouraging them all to try the Dabo wheel. She looked
around the Promenade and noticed another of the crew. But this one was
different because he was a human. He stood in front of a Bajoran crafts
shop looking with keen interest at the items in the window display.

She asked Odo, "Is _he_ with them?"

Odo glanced around, "_Him_? Oh, he's one of the crew alright, but he
doesn't seem like the others. He's more interested in that shop window...
been there for ages. Anyway Major, it's time I got back to those reports."

Odo then added with a sarcastic note to his voice, "When you see the
Commander next, thank him from me for making a slow day even slower."

Kira gave a little smile as a noticeably annoyed Odo returned to his
Security Office. She clasped her hands behind her and walked slowly over to
the man at the window.

He was bent over looking closely at an object when Kira came up behind him
and asked, "What's so interesting?"

He stood up quickly in surprise and turned to look at her. He studied
Kira's face for a few seconds before cautiously saying, "You're....uhh,
_Bajoran_ aren't you?"

She gave a little nod of her head and asked, "Why aren't you in Quarks with
the rest of your fellow crewmen?"

He glanced over at the noise and answered quietly, "Let's just say I have
better things to do with my time."

"Such as?"

He smiled, "What is this, an interrogation?"

Kira smiled a little and asked again, "Tell me what you find so interesting
here."

He looked back to the shop window for a moment and then back to Kira
saying, "I just wanted to see a bit of Bajoran culture I suppose. I heard
about Bajor awhile back and I did a bit of study in my spare time."

"And?"

He hesitated for a second then answered, "And....I didn't like the way
Bajor was treated by the Federation when the Cardassians claimed it. They
should have stepped in right away instead of letting your system suffer for
so many years. Sure, they eventually negotiated for them to leave but the
Cardassians were probably going anyway, and during their occupation they
did a lot of damage to your people and culture."

He gave a sigh and added, "I would have liked to have visited Bajor, but
we're only here for a one day stop-over and the shuttle flights don't fit
in with our schedule."

Kira narrowed her eyes and looked at him for a few moments before saying,
"Are you just interested in the _history_ of it all?"

"No, of course not."

She frowned, "You don't talk like an ordinary human."

"Really?", he smiled.

"I thought all you humans loved the Federation. You don't sound too happy
with it."

"Oh the Federation's good in many ways, but I don't agree with some of
their ideas."
He smiled and added, "Maybe that's why I end up getting so many
non-Federation jobs I guess."

He looked back at the shop window and said wistfully, "I'm just sorry I
won't get to see Bajor. I don't suppose I'll get a chance to come out this
far again."

They stood there a little while in silence while he went back to looking
through the shop window until Kira said, "I could arrange a visit to
Bajor."

He turned to look at her and she continued, "I'm due to leave shortly to
get some medical samples for our doctor here. If you like, perhaps you
could come along."

"Me? - Oh, I don't think so. Our ship's scheduled to leave at 23:00 hours."

"We'll be back before then. You won't get to see too much, a view of Bajor
itself, maybe a few villages--"

"I'd like that. I _would_ like to go with you but don't I need some sort of
permission or--"

"You've got _my_ permission.", she smiled. "Meet me at airlock 7 at 09:30"

"I'll be there, I promise."

She nodded and he smiled, "My name's Paul Sutton."

"Major Kira Nerys."

A slight look of apprehension came over his face and he said, "Ohh, a
_Major_......look, I'm sorry if it's any bother--"

"It'll be fine.", she reassured him.

He smiled, "Airlock 7 at 09:30?"

She nodded and he said, "Okay, I'll be there."

Kira left him and continued her walk down the Promenade, but before she
went very far, she turned around and noticed Sutton had gone into the
crafts shop. He seemed to intrigue her and she made a mental note to check
the security files before 09:00 to satisfy that nagging part of her that
needed to know that he wasn't some kind of threat.


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


On her way back from seeing Bashir, Kira stopped in at the crafts shop on
the Promenade and asked the proprietor, "You had a man in here this
morning.....a human wearing an Altranian crewmans uniform."

The woman smiled, "Yes, he was in here. Seemed to appreciate good Bajoran
work when he saw it."

"Did he buy anything?"

"Yes, a carving of the Symbol of Faith. One of the better pieces I have
here in my shop. He certainly wasn't like the usual types who come in here
to buy things. - Is there anything wrong?"

"No. Nothing at all. Thank you."

They nodded to each other and Kira exited, making her way to airlock 7.


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

Kira found him waiting by the airlock when she got there and she said,
"You're early, it's only 08:30."

Sutton smiled, "Being early is just a habit of mine."

She keyed in her access code and the airlock door rolled open to let them
through. At the outer airlock door, she keyed in another code and the door
opened together with the Runabouts' hull door.

They stepped inside and Kira said, "Take a seat up front, I'll just go and
check the cargo."

Sutton sat down in the co-pilots seat and busied himself with looking at
the controls until Kira made her way in and seated herself in the pilots
chair. She keyed in a few commands and the control panel lit up as various
systems came online.

Kira said, "Computer, begin pre-flight check of systems."

"<Affirmative.>"

She glanced at him and he smiled, "It's a _lot_ better than the ships I'm
used to I must say."

"You're a pilot?"

"Well, I've done my share of flying. But the right jobs can pay much better
than a pilots wage, so I haven't been on a command deck in a long time."

"So you'd rather be a cargo handler than a flyer?"

"I do what's available."

The computer announced, "<Pre-flight check complete. All systems are
operating at normal parameters.>"

Kira pressed a control panel and said, "Rio Grande to Ops.....request
clearance for departure."

"-Clearance granted.-"

"Initiating launch sequence..."


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


As the Runabout curved away from DS9 and on towards Bajor, Sutton looked
down at the station and commented, "It has a certain beauty I suppose."

Kira looked at him and replied with a frown, "Sure, for Cardassian tastes
maybe."

She keyed in some co-ordinates and said, "Computer, initiate auto-helm
control."

"<Auto-helm control initiated.>"

Kira relaxed and as she began accessing some computer readouts she said, "I
hope you're not expecting a grand tour or anything?"

"No,......I realise I have to fit in with your plans."

They looked at each other for a few seconds and Sutton said, "I'm surprised
you actually let me come along. I could be anyone."

Kira gave a slight smile and went back to her work on the computer saying,
"If I thought you were some sort of risk, you wouldn't be sitting here
right now."

He smiled and she asked, "What are you doing working for the Altranians
anyway?  I thought their crew pays were low."

"They are, but it was the only way I could get out here."

"To see Bajor?"

He nodded, "I appreciate your letting me come with you."

"Back there, why did you ask me if I was Bajoran? I thought you said you'd
studied up on Bajor?"

"I have, but there's a difference from studying computer records and seeing
things with your own eyes. - In fact......you were the first Bajoran I'd
ever met."

She smiled, "I don't believe that."

"It's _true_."

She was conscious of Sutton studying her so she turned to look at him and
said, "You're telling me that you hadn't met _any_ Bajorans before, not
even when your ship docked?"

"That's right. I was the last one off the ship. - At the Captains'
insistence, I had to make sure the holds were ready before we loaded them
later tonight. By the time I left the docking area, the place was
deserted."

Kira went back to her work and he asked, "What do you do on the station?"

"I'm the Bajoran Liaison Officer to the Federation."

"And you're a Major."

She smiled, "Yes. - Why?......have you got something against uniforms?"

"Maybe, but it's probably more to do with who's wearing them."

"My uniform comes with the job. I didn't ask for it."

Kira sat back in her chair and said, "There, that should do it."

She turned her chair towards Sutton and she said, "Some of the places we'll
be going to had a hard time during the occupation. I want to make sure you
don't upset anybody down there."

"Kira,....I'll behave myself. I respect the Bajoran people."

She smiled, "But you don't respect uniforms or rank, do you."

"What?"

"It's _Major_ Kira, actually."

He smiled, "I'm very sorry, _Major Kira_."

She smiled wider, "I bet your Captain has a lot of trouble with you."

Sutton frowned a little, "No he doesn't."

"It's a joke."

He smiled, "And I've heard that Bajorans don't have a sense of humour."

Kira became more serious and replied, "Well, we haven't had much use for
humour while the Cardassians were here."

He looked at her and they understood each other perfectly.


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


As they established a geosynchronous orbit over Bajor, Kira saw him looking
down at the swirling planet below them.

She commented, "You really can't see much from up here."

Kira keyed some co-ordinates in and then stood up saying, "Are you ready to
beam down?"

He nodded and she reached into a compartment and took out a wristband which
she gave to Sutton.

"What's this?", he asked.

"It's a communicator. We don't want you getting lost now, _do_ we?"

He put it on and they stepped onto the Transporter pad where Kira said,
"Energise."


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


They materialised in the outskirts of a large village which by the look of
it was quite old. They walked into the village and Kira asked a villager,
"I'm looking for Merin Zia."

"His house is down there, with the small tree outside the front of it."

She nodded in acknowledgment and they made their way to the house
indicated. But as Kira came close to the door, she noticed Sutton hung back
and was more content to look around than accompany her, so she knocked on
the door and dealt with the matter at hand.

The door opened and a man asked, "Yes?"

"Merin Zia?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Major Kira Nerys. I'm here for the medical samples our doctor has
requested."

"Just one moment, Major."

Merin left the door open and went back into his house leaving Kira to wait
in the doorway. He quickly returned with a Starfleet medical case and as he
handed it over to Kira, he asked, "When we will be hearing anything about
the results?"

"I'm sorry, but I really don't know. - It's the doctors department."

"I see. Very well Major, may the Prophets grant you a safe journey."

She nodded and he closed the door.

Kira turned around to find that Sutton was talking to a few villagers who
had been curious about him. When she came close, Sutton saw her and he said
quietly to the villagers, "I'm sorry, but we have to go now. May the
Prophets grant you peace and well being." He nodded to them and they
returned the gesture before moving off.

Kira said with the hint of a smile, "So you _have_ being studying Bajoran
culture after all."

He smiled, "Didn't you believe me? - I told you I respect the Bajoran
people."

She stood next to him, tapped her commbadge and said, "Two to beam up."


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


Their next destination was a smaller village and as they came closer, they
could see it was not fairing as well as the other one. When they entered
the village, a man approached them from the accumulating crowd and asked,
"Are you from the Agricultural Ministry?"

Kira replied, "No, I'm here for the medical samples that your village was
asked to provide."

"Ohhh, yes, yes."

He motioned to someone and they moved off quickly as the man said, "I am
Tarik Kol, village leader. Please, you must join us for a meal."

Kira hesitated and replied, "I'm afraid we can't. We have to--"

But Sutton cut in saying, "Kira we've got time haven't we?"

She looked at him and frowned, "Well, yes....but--"

"Well then, we'd be happy to join you Tarik."

Tarik was very pleased and he lead them through the small group of
onlookers towards tables under some large trees where people were eating
their midday meal. Kira and Sutton sat down at a table with Tarik and the
others moved away to a respectful distance but watched closely.

Tarik smiled, "I'm sorry, but we don't get any visitors here at all. We've
never had a _human_ here before."

Sutton smiled and introduced himself, "I'm Paul Sutton. I'm afraid I'm only
here to see a little of Bajor while Kira does her business here."

The samples case was brought to Tarik and he passed it to Kira who placed
it beside her chair. Plates and eating utensils were laid out for Sutton
and Kira. Then a small pot from an outside stove was brought over and the
steaming contents ladled out onto their plates.

Tarik said with pride, "Our village people _still_ know how to make a good
Sarntol stew."

Kira saw that no plate was before Tarik and she asked, "Aren't you eating
with us?"

He smiled, "No, but don't let that stop you two from your meal. Please, go
ahead, I'm sure you'll find it to your liking."

As they began eating, Kira asked Tarik, "Why did you ask if we were from
the Agricultural Ministry?"

"We've been expecting an official to assess our situation here and give a
recommendation to the Council to allocate us some sort of relief."

"I'm afraid much of Bajor's in the same situation you're in Tarik."

Sutton looked up from eating his stew and smiled to Tarik, "This _is_
good."

Tarik smiled, "See, did I not tell you?"


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


After they finished their meal, they all stood up and Kira said, "Thank you
for the meal Tarik, but we have to be on our way now. We've other places to
visit and collect samples."

They nodded respectfully to each other and Sutton said to Tarik, "It's not
only the land that makes a man rich, but also the people around him that
enriches his life."

Tarik smiled, "Ahhh, you've studied the teachings of the Prophets I see."

"A little, but I would like to learn more."

Tarik laughed and said in good spirits, "A human learning the Prophets
teachings. - Now that _would_ be something."

Kira and Sutton stood back and beamed up before a very attentive audience.


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


Onboard the Runabout, Sutton took his seat and Kira stored away the samples
case then came back to say to Sutton, "I thought you said you were going to
behave yourself."

She didn't seem angry, but he could see that she was quite concerned. Kira
added, "We shouldn't really have accepted that meal. Those people need all
the food for themselves. Agriculture is very hard all over Bajor since the
Cardassians wrecked the lands."

"I'm sorry, I don't agree Kira. It would have been quite disrespectful to
refuse their hospitality."

She sat down and frowned, "All the same, I want you to promise me _not_ to
interfere. You're here at my request and you could just as easily remain on
the Runabout while I'm doing my other pickups you know."

Sutton turned away and said quietly, "Yes......_Major_."

As Kira navigated the Runabout to their next position, she said,"You have a
_real_ problem with authority, don't you Mr Sutton."

He turned to her and replied sharply, "I'll have you know that once I held
the....."
But he seemed to change his mind on what he was saying and then didn't
finish his sentence.

"Yes?  You were about to say something?"

He turned away saying, "Never mind."

Kira turned her head, smiled to herself and said, "We're coming up on our
next location. Now what's it to be?"

He turned back to her and said, "I'm sorry Major."

She said with a slight smile, "Okay then."

Kira finalised their position before getting up and saying, "You can help
me transport some supplies down to this village. I want you to beam down,
find the village head and see where he wants the supplies sent to. Then
contact me and I'll beam them down. Got it?"

"Yes sir."

"Are you sure?  Because if you aren't--"

"I'm sure."

"Alright then."

Sutton took his place on the transporter pad and as Kira beamed him down,
he was sure he saw Kira smiling and heard her say sarcastically to herself,
"Yes _sir_!"


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


It was no trouble at all to find the village leader, a man named Venn
Leras, because Sutton had been beamed down to the village square and
straight away he attracted attention which lead Venn to come out and see
what the fuss was about.

When Sutton explained what he was doing there, Venn took him to a large
storehouse and showed him where he wanted the supplies to go.

Sutton used his wristcomm and said, "Sutton to Major Kira. I'm at the
co-ordinates now. Can you get a fix?"

"-Yes, standby to receive the supplies.-"

Two large boxes materialised and Kira said through the wristcomm, "-There's
one more to come.-"

Sutton advised Venn to stand back to make room and he said into the
wristcomm, "Ready when you are, Major."

Another box materialised, but this time Kira was beamed down alongside it.

She glanced at Venn and Sutton said, "This is Venn Leras, village leader."

Kira nodded to Venn and said, "You'll find the medical supplies and other
equipment in those boxes. - Now, you have a case of medical samples for me
to take back I believe?"

"Yes, come with me."

Kira followed Venn outside and Sutton brought up the rear until they
reached a staircase that lead up to Venn's house. Sutton remained at the
bottom of the stairs while Kira walked up with Venn and she glanced back to
see Sutton with a somewhat forlorn look of resignation which made Kira
smile.


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


The last village they beamed down to was quite run down it seemed, but
nevertheless was still tidy. As they made their way towards the nearest
villager, he quickly ran off with a startled expression.

Kira said to Sutton, "It looks as though they're pretty wary of outsiders."

Other villagers saw them but kept their distance which finally made Kira
speak out aloud, "I'm hear to talk with your village leader. Please tell
him that I'm here from the space station."

A short while later a trio of men approached. One of them was an old man
walking with the aid of a staff and the other two were young, about
seventeen years old.

They stood before Kira and the old man said, "I am Rokad Dek, village
elder. Our village leader is visiting our neighbouring village at this
time. What is it that you want?"

Kira replied, "Our doctor has arranged with your village to obtain some
medical samples. I'm here to collect them."

"And is that all?"

"Yes. So if you can give me the samples I can--"

"I'm very sorry but I cannot do that. Only Tulmad can do that and he will
be returning in an hour."

"An hour?"

"One hour, no more I assure you."

"I see. Well....then we'll just have to wait. Please let him know the
minute he gets back."

"It shall be done."

Rokad looked at Sutton and asked, "Are you this doctor she speaks of?"

Sutton smiled, "No sir, I am only here as a visitor."

"You are human I believe?"

Sutton nodded and Rokan said to Kira, "Would you permit me to take your
companion from you for awhile, young lady? - I would like to speak with
this man."

Kira replied in a slightly annoyed voice, "Yes, alright. But my primary
concern is the retrieval of those samples."

Rokan nodded and motioned for Sutton to come with him while the two young
men came closer to Kira and began asking her all sorts of awkward questions
that she tried to politely answer.


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


Rokan lead Sutton to a section of the village on a long rise and he sat
down on a crumbling stone wall breathing hard with the exertion of the
walk. Sutton stood by patiently until Rokan regained his breath and spoke.

"In my time I have seen many events, but the Cardassians have been one that
has harmed Bajor the most. It is not only the lands that they have
destroyed, but also the many spiritual bonds that our people once had with
each other. We cannot grow enough food to eat properly and we cannot also
find the wisdom in our people that made us who we are because we are always
struggling to constantly survive. The Bajoran people have changed my
friend, changed from what I once knew."

"But surely the beliefs of your people can--"

"Our beliefs are under threat.........under threat from outsiders who have
no respect for the teachings of the Prophets, or of our faith."

"Do you see _me_ as part of that threat?"

Rokan looked at him with his old eyes and answered, "Even if you are one of
the very few who respects Bajor, you are but one man. There are many others
who see our world as a mere landmark near this Wormhole of yours. - Oh yes,
I am well informed in these matters, even out here in this forgotten
village. - Once, long ago before the Cardassians came, I held a position on
the city Council. I have seen many things from many viewpoints and now as
an old man I fear that I may be seeing the decline of Bajor."

Rokan stood up and as he leaned on his staff, he spread his hand out across
the view of the village and said, "Tell me human.......do you think this
village will survive? Our village is like so many others on Bajor......yes,
there is a strong will to rebuild, but the will grows weaker as food grows
more scarce and we cannot provide for our people."

He turned about and pointed out to the countryside saying, "Look _there_
human, tell me what you see."

"Dry land?"

"Look further out."

"Some sort of village.....a township?"

"_That_ was where we had spent so many years before moving back into this
village. It is a resettlement camp that the Cardassians forced us to live
in. We were driven from our homes and made to live out there in the
wilderness. We were forbidden to set foot in our traditional villages on
penalty of death........and believe me, many died when they tried."

Rokan turned to Sutton and said, "If you want to understand what has
happened to Bajor, go there my friend."


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


Kira had grown weary of the two young men who had now begun to quietly
argue amongst themselves as to who had the right to try to win Kira's
perceived favours. She walked off and they noisily followed her wherever
she went until she turned sharply around and said angrily, "I've had enough
of you two!  Go find Tulmad!"

They looked at her in surprise and then hurried off muttering remarks under
their breath.

Kira went in the direction that Rokan and Sutton had taken and she finally
found the old man sitting on the crumbling wall looking out across the
countryside.

She said quietly, "Excuse me."

Rokan turned and looked at her with an expression that unsettled Kira.

He said, "If you are looking for your companion, he is elsewhere. Tulmad
will still be awhile, the hour has not quite ended."

Kira sighed in frustration and Rokan asked, "Tell me what you do."

"What? - Oh, I'm the Bajoran Liaison at DS9."

He seemed a little puzzled and she added, "The old Cardassian mining
station."

"Ahhh yes, the one by this _'wormhole'_ in space."

Kira nodded and sat on the wall near him.

Rokan smiled, "There are many peoples who come and go in that place I
believe."

Kira nodded again and Rokan asked, "These _others_, what do they know of
Bajor? - What do they care?"

"I don't know. - What I _do_ know is that without the Wormhole and without
the Federation, Bajor would be a target for the Cardassians.....and
others."

Rokan sighed, "Look at Bajor.......we are struggling to survive and there
is bickering amongst ourselves as those who think they are capable try to
gain power and position. - Did we survive the Cardassians to end up like
this?"

"I fought the Cardassians _all_ my life. We're free now, but I admit there
_are_ too many dissenting voices who don't know what's good for Bajor....
and what's worse, don't care. But there is a will to survive, a will to
grow, rebuild, and become strong again. We _can_ do it."

"Can we?"

Rokan looked out again across the countryside and Kira was unnerved by the
old man before her. She stood up and respectfully nodded to him before
walking away with Rokans words echoing in her mind.


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


Rokan was right in that Tulmad would return in the time he had said and
then it was a simple matter of him getting the samples case to hand over to
Kira.

After she finished her cordialities with Tulmad, she walked away and tapped
her commbadge saying, "Computer, patch me into Suttons' commlink."

Suttons voice answered, "-Yes?-"

"Where are you?  I've got the samples and we can leave."

"-Uhhhh, I'm out of the village........in the countryside actually.-"

"What are you doing out there? - Never mind, I'll beam you up from your
present location using your wristcomm as a fix. - Kira out."

She tapped her commbadge again and said, "Computer, one to beam up."

Just before she dematerialised, she saw Rokan looking at her from a
distance. She didn't quite know why, and she felt that she didn't _want_ to
know, but somehow this old man had unsettled her.


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


When Kira beamed Sutton aboard, she saw him slightly covered in dust and
asked harshly, "Just _where_ have you been?!"

He was surprised at her sharp remark but put it down to his leaving of the
village confines.

Sutton replied, "Well, you didn't say I couldn't leave the village."

She snapped, "Just sit down. We're heading back."

He took his seat and realised that Kira was definitely in a touchy mood, so
he remained quiet.

Sometime later when he thought the tension in the air had subsided a bit,
he cautiously asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Kira sighed, "It's......it's just some things that old man said."

"What things?"

"Just things. - Anyway, what were you talking to him about?"

"About Bajor.....Bajorans.........I went out to the resettlement camp."

There was a long pause and then Kira said quietly, "So now you've seen
one."

He said with sincerity, "I'm sorry your people had to go through all that."

"_I_ was one of those people who spent their life growing up in and around
resettlement camps."

She looked up from the console at Sutton and he sighed, "I can see that
being Bajoran is not as simple as my studies have shown. You must've had a
hard life Kira and I can sympathise with you and your people. Don't just
think that I'm simply a tourist who'll go away and forget it all,...
because I won't. - I want you to know that."

Kira looked at him long and hard, and she appreciated what he'd said. She
simply took a deep sigh and nodded.


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


When they returned to DS9, he sensed Kira was in a better frame of mind
which made him feel better as well. He followed her to the Runabouts' hold
and offered, "I'll help you with those."

She handed him one of the samples cases and she then carried the other
two herself before they left the Runabout.

As they walked along a corridor, he smiled, "So.....how did I shape up as
your assistant for the day?"

Kira said with the faint hint of a smile, "I think you disregard orders
when it suits you too often."

"Apart from that, everything okay?"

She smiled a little wider and they entered the Promenade together.

But before they reached the Infirmary, the large Altranian Captain shouted
to Sutton from ahead, "_There_ you are!  Where the hell have you been?!"

He stormed up with long strides of his heavy set body and faced Sutton who
calmly replied, "Where _I_ go on my leave is none of your business.
Besides, I left a message for you on the ship letting you know what I was
doing."

"Message!?? - I uhhhhh......never mind!  We're leaving early!  Hurry up and
get to you station! Kerak's made a mess of loading trying to do _your_ work
for you and now it's all got to be unloaded and re-done properly!"

Sutton smiled, "Early departure ehhh? - So this means you haven't had much
luck on the gambling today."

The Altranian Captain just growled, and for a moment Kira thought he was
going to strike Sutton, but he turned about and strode off quickly making a
few startled onlookers step hurriedly out of his way.

Sutton turned to Kira and she smiled, "Just as I thought, _no_ respect for
authority at all."

He smiled, "He always gets this way every time he loses big at gambling.
Once his credits are gone, he can't stand to be in a place where the rest
of the crew are enjoying themselves."

They looked in each others eyes and he said, "I'm glad to have met
you.........Nerys, isn't it?"

She nodded with a smile just as Bashir came out from the Infirmary and
asked Kira, "What was all that shouting about a moment ago?"

Sutton handed Bashir the samples case, nodded respectfully to Kira, then
made his way off down the Promenade.

Bashir asked Kira, "Who was that?"

As she watched Sutton disappear from view, she smiled, "A friend doctor....
just a friend."
She turned to Bashir and sighed, "Now,....here's the samples. I think you'd
better get to work."


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


The next day as Kira and Dax were entering the turbolift from Ops, Dax
smiled to her, "I hear you found a new friend yesterday on your trip to
Bajor."

"Where did you hear that?"

"Oh, Julian mentioned it."

Kira frowned, "Well, he's gone. His ship left last night and won't be
coming back. - Satisfied?"

Dax raised her eyebrows and replied, "I was _only_ asking."


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


The turbolift doors opened and they stepped out onto the Promenade, but
they had only gone a short way when a voice behind them asked, "Excuse me,
Kira?"

They turned around and Kira was surprised to see Sutton standing there
wearing civilian clothes instead of his drab Altranian uniform.

Kira softly exclaimed, "What are _you_ still doing here, your ship left
last night!"

He smiled, "Well I wasn't on it."

She frowned, "Why not?"

Dax smiled and said to Kira, "Excuse me, but I'll just leave you and your
_friend_ to talk.  I'll meet you in my lab."

Kira gave her a piercing glare and then focussed her attention on Sutton.

He said, "After loading last night, I decided it was time for another job
change."

"And what's _that_ supposed to mean?!"

He smiled, "I am no longer in the employ of the Altranian Transport
Section. I was paid out in full, but of course I lost my trip bonus. The
credits transfer comes through to me today."

"You were dismissed of duty!?"

Sutton gave a small laugh then answered, "No, I resigned my
position....well, if you could _call_ that job a position."

"And what are you going to do now?"

He answered quietly with a knowing smile, "I have something in mind. Before
the end of the week I should be out of here........_maybe_."

Kira eyed at him suspiciously, "What are you up to?"

Sutton smiled, "What's wrong, don't you trust me?"

She frowned, "I've got things to do."

Kira began to walk off and he quickly asked, "Will I see you again?"

She turned around and answered sharply, "Look, find something to do!  Go to
Quarks, play a hologame or something, but don't pester me, I've got my job
to do!"

Sutton straightened up and sarcastically answered, "Yes....._MAJOR_."

She was about to argue with him but her commbadge chirped and Dax's voice
asked, "-Kira, are you going to be able to make it to my lab today?-"

There was a hint of humour in Dax's voice but Kira answered curtly, "I'm on
my way,....._right now_."

She gave Sutton one last parting glance before heading off to Dax's lab
with a stern look on her face.


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


When Kira entered Dax's lab, Dax realised she certainly wasn't in a good
mood, but when Kira came over to her console, Dax still asked, "Problems?"

Kira snapped, "Let's just get on with the analysis, shall we!"

"Well, if you'd rather not talk about it..."

"Talk about what?! - There's nothing to talk about!"

"I see.", Dax replied with feigned disinterest.

"No you don't. - Ohhhhh alright! - I met this man yesterday and he
seemed......well, he seemed interested enough in Bajor for me to give him
the chance to visit it. We saw a few villages, met a few people, came back
and that's it. - I don't know _what_ Doctor Bashir's been telling you, but
that's all there is to it......_really_.  He was supposed to ship out last
night but he quit his position and he's here on the station probably for a
week until he moves on. - Is there anything _else_ you want to know?!"

"Yes.......why are you so _angry_?"

"I'm _not_......I'm not angry......I'm just....._annoyed_ I suppose."

"Annoyed....at what?"

Kira sighed, "I don't know. He's interested in Bajor, that's plain to see
but--"

Dax smiled, "You think he's interested in _you_ as well."

"Me!??"

"What's so strange about that?"

"If he's interested at all, then it's probably only because I'm a
_Bajoran_."

Dax smiled wider, "Are you sure?"

Kira took a deep breath and sighed before answering, "Dax, I like the man,
but I have a feeling he's trouble. He's got no respect for rank or
authority, and he likes to do things _his_ way."

Dax smiled and looked at Kira, "Doesn't that remind you of someone else?"

Kira frowned deeply, "Let's just get on with the task at hand, shall we."


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


Kira was wary of meeting with Sutton after she left Dax's lab but she
didn't see him again all day. When she got the chance, she checked the
station hostel-logs from an Ops terminal to find out which quarters he was
occupying. She found his chosen quarters were in a section of the station
that had Wormhole views from its viewports and because of that fact, it was
more expensive.

Kira was so involved with her thoughts that she didn't hear Sisko approach
from behind her nor notice him reading the screen from over her shoulder.

She was startled a little when he asked, "Is everything alright, Major?"

She instantly closed down the request link and got up saying, "Everything's
fine."

"And how is Doctor Bashir getting along with those samples?"

"Dax is helping him with the analysis. It should be completed by tonight."

"Anything _else_ to report?"

"No sir."

Sisko nodded and seemed satisfied with events.

"Excuse me, Commander."

Kira passed him, walked to the turbolift and left Ops as Sisko wondered
what was on her mind that she didn't think worth mentioning to him. He
tapped the console and began to try to see what had interested Kira so
much.


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


When Kira entered Odo's office, he looked up from his chair and said, "If
you're here about those transport logs, I've already given them to Sisko."

"No, I'm not here about that. - Odo, I'd like you to check out a man for
me,.....Paul Sutton. He was on the Altranian crew list until last night.
Now
he's here."

"I see. - Is this the man who accompanied you to Bajor yesterday?"

Kira frowned realising that talk got around the station more quickly than
she thought.

"Yes, he's the one. I want everything you can find on him. - And Odo...."

"Yes?"

"Let's just keep this between you and me for the moment."

"As you wish, Major. I'll keep you informed."

As Kira turned to leave, Odo asked, "Major, is there any special reason why
I'm conducting this investigation on the man?"

She thought for a few seconds and answered, "Peace of mind."

"Peace of mind.", he repeated, "Well, that's as good enough reason as any.
I'll let you know when I have something."

Kira nodded and walked out of the office feeling satisfied that if there
was anything to know about Sutton, then Odo would find it.


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


The next morning there was meeting in Sisko's office to discuss the results
of the analysis on the samples brought back from Bajor. Kira kept thinking
about what Odo might have found out by now about Sutton, but she tried to
concentrate on more immediate matters.

Bashir began, "We've completed an analysis on the samples and we've reached
a conclusion of some significance. - The health and well-being of the
Bajorans is degrading as is the viability of the eco-regenerative cycle of
Bajor itself. The damage the Cardassians have done appears to have been the
main contributing factor in this decline."

Dax spoke up, "My analysis shows that the base level bio-organics of Bajor
have been affected to such a degree whereby it can't rejuvenate itself.
The lower crop yields each season are a clear indication that unless
something is done soon, in the next three to four years Bajor will be at a
crisis point. It may perhaps be sooner than that, we can't be certain."

Kira asked, "Are you saying that Bajor is _dying_?"

Bashir nodded, "I understand that there's a Bajoran saying, 'The land and
the people are one.', well in this case it's certainly true. We can bring
in Federation technology to help but it's not going to reverse the process.
It may slow it down, but it won't stop it."

"What about Terraforming?"

Dax answered, "Terraforming is in itself inherently destructive whilst at
the same time _constructive_. It's done on virgin planets because of that
reason."

Kira frowned, "So you're saying that in order to _save_ Bajor, we'd have to
_destroy_ it?"

"The planet would have to be evacuated and even _if_ Terraforming was
successful, Bajor would not be Bajor again in the way you think of it.
There would be immense changes."

Sisko said, "So, the question is, what can be done to save Bajor that's in
a manner that's viable and safe?"

The room was quiet for a long time until Kira exclaimed, "That's great! - I
thought the Federation had technology to handle these sorts of problems!"

Dax replied, "Technology yes......magic no. We can do what we can but
ultimately the result looks to be the same."

"Which is?"

Bashir answered, "I'm sorry Major, but within three to four years, Bajor
will no longer have a viable ecosystem. The contaminants of so many years
of aggressive mining complicates things even further. The health of
Bajorans _is_ suffering, and in the long term the only answers seem to be
isolation living from the environment or evacuation."

Sisko sighed, "I don't believe that. There's _got_ to be more answers, more
options. - Dax, Doctor Bashir, I want you to send all your research to
Starfleet. I'll make it a priority communique. Perhaps an answer can be
found that _is_ viable. - Also, send all research to the Bajoran
Government, they'll need to be appraised of the situation."

He looked at Kira and saw she was staring blankly ahead deep in her own
thoughts. Sisko ordered, "Major, I want you to co-ordinate relations
between Bajor and the Federation in this matter with an emphasis on finding
possible solutions. I'm not about to give up,.....and I know that you
aren't either."

Dax and Bashir filed out leaving Kira alone with Sisko who said to her,
"Kira, I can understand your concern but I'm sure a solution can be
found."

She stood up saying, "When the Cardassians came, people fled, became
refugees, and it affected Bajorans. - We Bajorans _need_ Bajor, Commander.
It's part of who we are....our life....our culture.....without contact with
it we aren't true Bajorans."

"I understand, but no-one's giving up hope yet."


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


Kira was walking aimlessly on the upper level of the Promenade when Odo
found her. He accessed his PADD and said, "Your Mr Sutton is quite an
interesting fellow, Major."

"How so?"

"Well, his credit accounts are quite sizeable by what I've been able to
establish, which is very surprising for a man who's most recent job was as
an Altranian cargo master. - I've checked with Quark, and Sutton has used a
couple of holosuite programs that he brought with him that were
interesting......battle simulations. It also appears he's quite
accomplished with a phaser too. Do these things add up to your previous
picture of him, Major?"

Kira frowned, "What else have you found?"

"I was saving this to last.....he's apparently purchased a small freighter,
the 'Attriss', that will be arriving here today."

"A freighter?!  He just went out and _bought_ a freighter!?"

"I don't know any more than what I've told you, Major. This Mr Sutton has
kept his past pretty much well hidden. But may I suggest you treat him as a
possible security risk until we know more?"

"Are you saying he might be some kind of agent,....a spy?"

"It's well known that the Cardassians employ _many_ types to do their work.
I'm not suggesting that he _is_ a spy, but I would certainly be wary of him
if I were you."

He handed her the PADD and asked, "Do you want me to continue the
investigation?"

Kira nodded and walked off forcefully with a determined look on her face.


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


Sutton was returning from the outer docking ring after talking with the
captain of a Vulcan science vessel that had newly returned from the Gamma
Quadrant. He turned a corner and found Kira standing there in the middle of
the corridor. Sutton stopped for a moment, then decided he didn't want to
speak with her and tried to walk past her. But she suddenly grabbed his
arm, swung him against the wall, and angrily said, "I want the _truth_, and
I want it now!"

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

"How is it that you can afford to _buy_ a freighter, and if you're so
wealthy, why were you working as a cargo handler and crying poor?!"

She held him firmly against the wall with one arm and he was surprised at
just how strong she seemed to be despite her appearance. He looked into her
eyes and saw the deep anger in there.

Sutton replied, "Who told you all this?!"

"Just answer my questions!"

He looked down and saw she was wearing a phaser and her other her hand was
close by it.

Kira said threateningly, "I don't like being played for a fool!"

"I never imagined you to be one, but you must believe me when I say that
I've done nothing wrong."

Kira just held him there and stared at him.

He sighed, "It's true that I've bought a freighter--"

"How did you have the money for that?!"

"I've...I've invested nearly everything I have in it. As I told you, I've
worked in a lot of high paying jobs that--"

"Such as?!.....What jobs?!.....Who with?!"

He tried to move away but she whipped out her phaser and pointed it at his
head.

Sutton asked quietly, "You're not going to use that on me, are you?"

"Try me."

He sighed again, "I admit my past is quite involved but I'm honour bound
not to reveal anything."

She smiled, "What _sort_ of past have you got......a _Cardassian_ past?!"

"No! - Never!"

Kira's commbadge chirped and Odo's voice said, "You asked to be informed of
that arrival, Major. It's here now at airlock 19."

"Thanks Odo, Kira out."

She looked back at Sutton and he said, "Kira, the news about Bajor was
released awhile ago. I'm sorry that--"

"Don't _you_ talk about Bajor! - You're up to something."

She stared at him for a few more intense moments before holstering her
phaser and saying, "Get out of here!"

She roughly swung him to one one side and released her grip on him. Sutton
faltered for a few steps before standing up straight as Kira said with a
vengeance, "Get of the station, I never want to see you here again!"

They looked at each other in silence until he said quietly, "I never lied
to you.......about anything."

He walked off slowly, conscious of Kira's angry eyes staring at him as she
watched him go.


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


It was two weeks later when Kira was on duty in Ops and she heard a
familiar voice through a commlink at a flight traffic officers station.

She came up beside him and asked, "Who's that?"

"A freighter just asking for clearance to enter the Wormhole, sir."

"Put the freighter onscreen."

The image of a small freighter appeared on the console screen and Kira
said, "Hail that ship."

"Yes, sir."

The face of Paul Sutton appeared and when he saw Kira he quietly said,
"-Hello Major.-"

"What are _you_ doing back here?"

"-I'm on my way to the Gamma Quadrant. I have no intention of stopping off
at the station I can assure you.-"

She asked the traffic officer, "Is his clearance documents in order?"

"Yes Major."

Kira gave Sutton a harsh look before saying, "Proceed."

He smiled, "-Thank you so very much Kira.-"

She snapped, "Don't push your luck!", before cutting off the commlink
connection with a bang of her fist on the console in front of the startled
officer.


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


A year passed and in in that time, despite various efforts by Federation
and Bajoran scientists, Bajor was still slowly but steadily failing.
Mortality rates on Bajor had risen and there was news of severe crop losses
due to outbreaks of plant diseases that defied attempts at controls. Many
suggested it was the work of a Cardassian plot to wipe out Bajor but
nothing could be proven. Kira found herself more concerned as each passing
month went by for her people and Bajor itself.

She was in her quarters shortly after her duty roster had finished and was
about to start going over the latest reports from Bajor when her commbadge
chirped. Sisko's voice said, "-Major, your presence is required in Ops
immediately.-"

"I'm on my way."


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


When Kira arrived at Ops, she found Sisko and Dax were standing over the
situation table conferring together.

Sisko informed Kira, "A small freighter has come through the Wormhole and
it's pilot wants to talk with you......a Mr Sutton who I believe you know."

"Yes,.....I know him.", she replied without emotion.

"He wasn't happy when we informed him that all ships from the Gamma
Quadrant, especially freighters, must dock at DS9 for Customs inspection.
We've currently got him in a tractor beam but he's powered up his engines
and is resisting. I want you to talk to him and get him to shut them down."

"I'll talk to him, but I can't promise anything, Commander."

Kira pressed the hail button and said, "Ops to Attriss....."

The main viewscreen came on and Suttons worried face appeared onscreen. He
saw Kira and exclaimed, "-Kira, tell them to release my ship!-"

"I can't do that. You _have_ to submit to a Customs inspection."

"-All I want is to get to Bajor.-"

"Well you're not going _anywhere_ until an inspection is complete. If you
try to break free, you'll tear your ship apart."
Kira added with sharp sarcasm, "As a _pilot_ I'm sure you know that."

Sutton looked angry but Kira remained quite impassive. He sighed in
frustration and tended to his console.

Dax said, "He's cut his engines."

Sisko ordered, "Bring him in Dax. Let's see why Mr Sutton was in so much of
a hurry."

Sutton pleaded, "-Kira, I need to speak with you, it's _important_.
Whatever
you may think of me, we've got to talk.-"

She looked at Sisko who gave a short nod and she looked back to Sutton to
say, "You've got a lot of explaining to do."


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


When the airlock doors opened and Sutton stepped through, he found Kira
standing there along with two armed security officers and Chief O'Brien.

An officer checked Sutton for weapons and afterwards Kira said, "Alright,
leave him with me. Go and check his ship out."

The two security officers and O'Brien entered Suttons ship and left him and
Kira alone to stare at each other.

Sutton said calmly, "Kira, I need to get my ship and it's cargo to Bajor."

She stood there unmoved by his words and he pleaded, "It can help Bajor,
believe me!"

Kira remained silent by his plea and he said aloud, "I've got the means to
help Bajor, to stop and reverse the degradation! - It's from a
technologically advanced civilisation in the Gamma Quadrant.....it'll help
Bajor and your people. - And it can start doing it straight away as soon as
I get to Bajor."

Kira continued to remain quite impassive and he shouted, "Can't you see
that I'm trying to help!"

She replied flatly, "I can see that a year in the Gamma Quadrant has
perhaps made you a better liar."

"What!?"

"Your travel documents specified a trip that would only be for one month to
a known planet of trade in the Gamma Quadrant. You've been gone for a year.
That in itself is a charge."

O'Brien returned and reported, "The cargo hold's got a pile of stuff in
there the likes of which I've never seen. I wouldn't know _what_ it does."

Kira ordered, "Beam the cargo to a vacant storage area on the station
Chief."

Sutton exclaimed, "What?!"

Kira continued, "And Chief, disable his ship so it can't go anywhere."

Sutton shouted, "You can't do this Kira!"

Kira smiled, "You're not going _anywhere_ until we know more. - Chief, you
have your orders."

"Yes Major. I'll put the cargo in area 56-B."

She looked at Sutton and continued smiling, "The Commander wants to talk
with you."

The two security officers flanked Sutton closely and they escorted him out
of the docking area to follow Kira.


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


Sutton was taken to a conference room and Sisko was already there sitting
down waiting for their arrival.

Sisko said in a cordial voice, "Sit down Mr Sutton."

"I want to know why--"

"I said _sit down_!", Sisko exclaimed.

Sutton stood there for a few moments, then grudgingly did as Sisko ordered.

Sisko calmly said, "Let's make this simple Mr Sutton. Why were you trying
to evade Customs?"

"I need to get to Bajor."

"Why?"

He glanced angrily around at Kira and replied, "Why don't you ask _her_!"

Sisko looked up at Kira and she answered, "He claims he's got some sort of
alien technology from the Gamma Quadrant that can stop and reverse the
degradation."

Sisko replied, "I see.", and then he tapped his commbadge to say, "Sisko to
O'Brien..."

"-O'Brien here.-"

"Chief, check out Mr Suttons cargo and give me a report as soon as
possible, will you?"

"-Yes sir. We've just transported it to a holding area. I'll get back to
you. O'Brien out.-"

Sisko looked at Sutton and smiled, "Surely Mr Sutton you are aware of the
conditions regarding importation of Gamma Quadrant technology? - It was
clearly stated in your transit documents, _which_ I might add, were for a
period of only one month, _not_ a year. - All such technology is to be
inspected and if required, quarantined for evaluation."

Sutton said angrily, "Bajor can't wait until the equipment is evaluated."

"Ohh, and how would you know that?"

"I met a few ships during my travels and they passed on the news that Bajor
is much worse than a year ago. - What does it take to convince you that _I_
have the answer?!"

"An untested, unproven alien technology....and you want to let it loose?"

Sutton turned to Kira and said, "Kira, _you_ of all people realise I'm
sincere in helping Bajor,......don't you!?"

She looked at him and thought hard but before she could answer, O'Briens
voice came through on Sisko's commbadge. Sisko answered, "Yes Chief,
what've you got?"

O'Brien reported in an exasperated voice, "-Sir, we got some of the
equipment out of the cases and but we can't scan them at all. When we tried
to open them up the bloody things just fused solid! - Must be a defence
mechanism or something. It's not much use trying to open any more as
they'll just turn to slag as well. Whatever this defence mechanism is, it
renders the equipment useless.-"

"Thanks Chief. Secure the area and leave someone posted on guard. Sisko
out."

Sisko looked at Sutton and asked, "Care to explain?"

"That's the way these people make their goods available. If you try to
unravel how they work, they're programmed to self-destruct."

"So.......other than _your_ word....we have _no_ idea of what this stuff
can do."

Sutton remained silent and Sisko shook his head saying, "No, it's not good
enough for me, Mr Sutton. The equipment stays where it is until it can be
checked out....and it's no use protesting, because that's my decision."

Sutton sat there angrily and demanded, "What about my ship?!"

Kira reported, "We've disabled his ship. He can't go anywhere."

Sisko smiled, "Good! - Until this matter is sorted out your ship is
off-limits to you Mr Sutton. You have some minor charges against you at
this time and until an Arbiter can be sent from Bajor, consider yourself
our guest."

"Your guest?!"

Sisko stood up and said firmly, "You're lucky I don't throw you in a cell.
But if you want, I can arrange that if you'd prefer it."

Sutton sat back in his chair and kept quiet.

Kira said to Sisko, "Commander, I have some questions of my _own_ for him
if you don't mind."

"Very well, Major."

Sisko left the room and the two security guards followed him out leaving
Kira and Sutton alone.

Sutton stood up to face Kira and she exclaimed, "What the hell are you up
to?!"

"I've told you the truth. All I want to do is help Bajor and it's--"

"Why are _you_ so dedicated to Bajor?"

He answered angrily, "You don't think that the day we spent on Bajor meant
anything to me, or any of the things that Rokan said, _do_ you!"

She replied quietly, "Rokan died 5 months ago."

He looked away for awhile and then turned back to her to say, "What's wrong
with you Kira, don't you have _any_ pride in being Bajoran?!"

Her eyes widened and she shouted, "Don't _you_ try to tell me what I have
or haven't got!"

"So your willing to let Bajor just fade away, just like Rokan said it might
and you're not willing to lift a finger to help."

She stepped forward and shoved him hard, sending him stumbling back a few
steps as she said, "How dare you!  All my _life_ I've fought for Bajors
freedom!  The past year I've tried _every_ available means to finding a
solution!  So don't you try to--"

"Then _help me_, Nerys! - What I have _can_ restore Bajor!"

"There's still a few things left that the Federation hasn't tried."

"They won't work and you _know_ it! - They would've come up with a solution
by now if they had one."

She looked at him in uncertainty and he said quietly, "Listen Nerys,
remember back to that day we spent on Bajor......you _must_ have seen how I
felt. I'm here now to help, but instead I find idiotic red tape is stopping
me from saving Bajor _and_ your people."

"I can't help you. The equipment will be evaluated then--"

"_Then_ it may be too late!"

They looked at each other hard and then Kira quietly replied, "You're a
fool if you think I'll help you."

"And _you're_ a fool if you think I'm not here to help."

He stormed out and Kira sat down with her thoughts in turmoil. After
awhile she banged the table and said aloud, "Damn you!"

Kira tapped her commbadge and said, "Kira to Odo..."

"-Odo here.-"

"Has Sisko asked you to keep an eye on Sutton?"

"-Yes he has.-"

"Well, he's just left me from conference room 4. I'd appreciate it if you
could inform _me_ of his movements before you tell Sisko."

"-Is there some reason for this, Major?-"

"Bajoran interests here have a very high priority, Constable."

"-I see. Very well, as you wish Major. Odo out.-"

Kira tapped her commbadge again and said, "Kira to O'Brien...Chief, did you
check out the logs of Sutton's ship?"

"-There's a lot of stuff that appears to have been erased, but I'm going
over the data again. We might be able to reconstruct some of the missing
elements. I've also done an analysis of Suttons cargo but it doesn't match
with any know materials.-"

"And nobody's got any idea of what all this stuff does?"

"-I'd be like putting a jigsaw together without knowing what you were
supposed to finish up with. Some of the components might fit, but I
wouldn't want to be around when it was activated.-"

"Let me know if the logs turn up anything. Kira out."


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


Quark eyed Sutton warily as he beckoned him over to the far side of the bar
away from prying eyes and ears. Before Sutton could say anything, Quark
smiled, "I heard about your problems....ship impounded, cargo confiscated.
It's not your day is it."

"Well maybe you can help me out then."

Quark looked around then leaned closer to reply, "Maybe. - What have you
got in mind, considering that whatever you ask might be pretty costly for a
man in your position."

"I need to get to a ship, get my cargo, and get to Bajor."

"Ohhhhhhhh, that's a pretty tall order. A very  _costly_ order."

"I realise that. For the right help, you'll be paid....handsomely."

Quark idly stroked his ear for a moment then replied, "Getting you off the
station isn't a problem but getting your cargo off....that's another
matter."

"Alright then, let's just deal with the problem of getting me away from
here."

"Hmmmmm,there's an Olonian freighter docked that's leaving tonight."

"Tonight's too late."

"Well.....words could be spoken to the right person that might persuade
them to leave earlier. But it'll mean involving a third party at extra
cost."

"I don't care, I'll pay it."

"You're very eager to pay without knowing the costs."

"I trust in your expertise in these matters. It seems you know what you're
doing."

Quark smiled and chuckled, "Yes....I do.....and before I do _anything_, I
want some money up-front....as a mark of business respect you understand."

"Of course, if you would hand me your PADD...."

Quark did so and Sutton keyed in some codes and accessed his intersystem
monetary account. After a few more manipulations, he pushed the PADD across
the bar to Quark who looked at it with mock disinterest.

But when he saw what was there, he said in a low voice, "3 bars of
Latinum?!"

Sutton answered in a similar low voice, "3 are available to you right now
at this moment with another _5_ that will be the balance paid when I'm
aboard the ship and on my way to Bajor. I'll have the transfer unlock codes
transmitted to you."

Quark rubbed his chin and slowly shook his head saying, "I don't know....my
good name could be on the line here for just _3_ bars...."

Sutton roughly pulled the PADD from Quarks hands and angrily keyed in some
more commands before handing it back to Quark saying, "_5_ bars available
now, with another _5_ later.......and I'm putting _my_ good name on the
line here!"

Quarks eyes lit up and he smiled, "Mr Sutton, we have a deal. I can see you
are a man of good judgement and you've picked the right person to come to
with your troubles I can assure you. Just leave things to me. I would
suggest making your way to airlock 12 in about an hour."

Quark suddenly spoke up, "I'm sorry, we don't stock Selian Brandy, perhaps
you'd like to try Margessi Liquor instead?"

Odo came up to them and Sutton realised Quarks sudden change of
conversation was warranted.

Odo asked, "Mr Sutton, may I ask what you're doing here?"

Quark said loudly, "He's buying a drink, what are _you_ doing here?!"

"My job.", Odo replied flatly.

"Well do your job someplace else! - My customers come here to relax, not to
be harassed by the likes of you!"

Odo ignored Quark and leaned closer to Sutton to say with pleasure in his
voice, "I'd just like you to know than an Arbiter will be here in six
hours. I'd suggest you have your drink while you _can_, Mr Sutton. You soon
may be in a position where you won't have any more for a long, long time."

Sutton got up and was about to argue with Odo when he saw that Kira had
come into the bar and was standing nearby watching. He regarded her angrily
for a second, and then thought it better not to cause any trouble, so he
began walking out.

As he passed her, Kira turned and said, "I want to talk with you."

He stopped and turned around saying, "I don't want to talk to
anyone.....and especially with _you_."

She said calmly but with obvious threat, "Either you come with me and we
talk........or I ask Odo here to put you into detention until the Arbiter
arrives."

Sutton studied her and he sighed, "Alright then......we talk."

Kira walked out and Sutton followed her.

Odo turned his attentions to Quark and said, "He's another one like you,
twisting and scheming and breaking all the rules to get what he wants."

Quark smiled, "Well, thanks for the compliment. But stop scaring my
customers away. He was about to buy one of my more expensive drinks."

"Hah! - You make me sick."

As Odo turned and began walking away, Quark laughed out aloud, "Thanks for
brightening my day Odo!"


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


Kira led Sutton to the upper level of the Promenade and to one of the large
viewports that looked out over the station outside. But she'd chosen this
particular position deliberately because from here Sutton could see his
docked ship on the outer ring.

She said, "I've had Odo running security checks on you and your
background."

Kira paused but he remained silent so she continued, "You've become a
mystery and that makes you a risk to me, this station, _and_ to Bajor. You
come from nowhere with the promise of a solution and you expect everyone to
just let you walk right on in and welcome you with open arms."

He answered angrily, "I don't have to take _this_!"

Sutton turned and started to walk off but Kira said aloud, "I meant what I
said about putting you in detention."

He stopped, turned slowly around, and reluctantly returned to Kira.

The regarded each other coldly and Kira said, "Bajor's not your planet.
You're an outsider and Bajorans are wary of strangers."
She let the words sink into him before continuing. "I've had to see the
faces of the people when the things we've tried to save Bajor have failed.
What makes you think _you're_ so different and deserve special treatment?"

"Because I'm right."

"You don't know how many times I've heard that over the years from people
trying to justify themselves."

He crossed his arms and said, "Alright then, let's say Bajor dies because
_you_ and others were too busy following rules and regulations, and didn't
let me help in time. How will you feel then!"

Kira pursed her lips and he saw she was containing the anger towards him
over that remark, but she took a deep breath and replied, "I'm going to
speed things along as fast as I can, and _if_ this technology works as you
say it does _then_ I may owe you some sort of apology.....but until that
time it's _you_ who'll follow the rules, _understand?!_"

He unfolded his arms and nodded his agreement.

She said, "An Arbiter from Bajor will be here before the day's out. The
Arbiter will decide what action will be taken on your unauthorised extended
stay in the Gamma Quadrant, and will also decide on whether to make use of
your technology right away or let tests and evaluations be carried out on
it all."

"It's all a waste of time, _valuable_ time. - I rushed back as quick as I
could and I'm simply stuck here on this station listening to threats and
accusations."

"I'd suggest you make the best of your time deciding on what to say to the
Arbiter instead of _wasting_ it in Quarks!"

He stood up straight and said quietly,"You know, there was a time when I
thought we might have been friends.  Perhaps I was mistaken."

She answered sharply, "Maybe we _both_ were."

They looked at each other for a short while, each with their own thoughts.

Kira said, "I'm giving you a _chance_ here. It's not for your sake, it's
for Bajors. So if this is all just a grand scheme to obtain some sort of
advantage for yourself, then know this......"

She brought her face close to his and looked into his eyes to declare in a
soft but threatening voice, "I'll deal with you _personally_....no
Arbiters, no Federation laws............so if you've got anything to tell
me
about it all, you'd better say it right now."

He looked into her dark eyes and answered quietly, "I've told you the
truth about the equipment."

Kira stepped back and he added, "You have my word."

"Your _word_ doesn't carry any weight around here."

He looked away and saw his ship outside through the viewport, then he
turned back to her saying, "There's nothing else I can do. I've tried
everything I can so..........so I suppose I'll have to wait for the
Arbiter."
He sighed and finished by saying, "I need time to think things out."

Kira gave a slight nod and watched him walk off then make his way down the
spiral staircase to the Promenade.

Odo walked up behind Kira and asked, "How did it go?  Did you get much out
of him?"

She turned around to face him and answered, "He's still sticking by his
story and seems just as passionate as ever on saving Bajor."
She sighed, "Odo.......what if he _has_ been telling the truth all along?"

"Do you really think that he has?"

"I'm not sure."

"And this uncertainty indicates you don't _totally_ disbelieve him. - I'd
be very careful, Major. He's a strange one."

She nodded and then let her mind drift back to the day when she first met
Sutton.


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


What Odo and Kira didn't see was that as Sutton walked slowly passed
Quarks, he caught Quarks eye and gave him a slight nod. Quark in turn
nodded back and then Sutton slowly made his way to airlock 12.


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


As Sisko listened to O'Brien giving his report in his office, Dax said over
the commlink, "-Something's going on here, Benjamin. The Olonian freighter
is leaving the docking ring ahead of schedule and they're not answering our
hails.-"

Sisko came out of his office with O'Brien and said, "Hail them again."

But Dax said, "They're using their transporters......they've beamed aboard
whatever was in holding area 56-B."

O'Brien exclaimed, "That's the cargo from Suttons ship!"

Kira arrived at Ops and as she stepped off the turbolift, Sisko walked down
the steps and ordered, "Get me the captain of the Olonian freighter _now_,
and standby to activate the tractor beam!"

As Kira took her position, Dax exclaimed, "The tractor beam....it's not
responding, it's seems to be stuck in a diagnostic loop."

O'Brien shouted, "What?!"
He rushed over to Dax's console and feverishly tried different command
sequences but to no avail.

Kira said, "I've got communications with the freighter."

The main viewscreen activated and the Olonian captain said, "-I'm sorry
Commander but we are being forced to take this action.....-"

He moved aside and Sutton came into the picture brandishing a phaser in his
hand that was pointed at the captain.

Kira exclaimed, "What are you doing?!"

Sutton smiled, "-I'm sorry Kira, it was the only way.-"

Sisko said, "Dax, inform Bajoran Defence of the situation."
He turned to the viewscreen and said calmly, "Mr Sutton, I advise you to
stop these proceedings _right now_."

"Sorry Commander, I can't do that."

The viewscreen went blank and Sisko asked O'Brien, "How did he beam the
cargo out of the holding area without co-ordinates?"

O'Brien replied, "That stuff had it's own unique signature. It would've
shown up on any low level transporter scan."

Sisko swung into action by saying, "Chief, you're with me. Major, try and
contact the freighter again while we intercept them with a Runabout."

She replied, "Sir, I don't think that--"

"Do it Major! - Say whatever you have to. Sutton might listen to you
because he's certainly not listening to anyone else."

As Sisko and O'Brien took the turbolift, Kira tried to contact the
freighter. She was surprised when Sutton actually answered it and when he
appeared onscreen, she exclaimed, "You've _got_ to listen to me!"

"-Alright,......I'm listening.-"

"There's a Runabout on its way towards you _right_ now and Bajor has been
alerted. Their defences will be ready for you and you're only in a
freighter with minimal weapons and shields....I'll admit that your ship is
fast but...........I'm being honest with you, your chances of success are
nil."

He nodded to her but said, "-I want you to know that I've been honest with
you Kira, right from the very first day.-" He smiled and added, "-Maybe
when this is all over we could meet on Bajor.-"

The screen went blank and Dax commented, "That sounds pretty final."

Kira sighed, "It sounds like a man ready to die.  -  Kira to Sisko!"

"-Sisko here, what's happening?-"

"No luck, Commander. There's no way he's about to turn back."

"-And what does Bajor say?-"

Dax replied to Sisko, "They've got fighters ready in orbit."

"-Acknowledged. We'll just have to do what we can. Sisko out.-"

Dax turned to Kira and asked, "Why did you tell Sutton the truth?"

She looked at Dax for a few moments and sighed, "Because he probably
deserves it."


 * ******** *


There was a signal from Dax's console and Kira asked, "What's that?"

"Sutton's sending out a voice-only message on all channels to Bajor."

"Let's hear it."

"-...can do nothing about it. But _I_ can. I have the means to help but I'm
being threatened that if I come close to Bajor, I'll be destroyed by
_Bajoran_ defences! - I'm appealing to _you_, the people of Bajor to let me
help you _now_, before it's too late for you and your world. If they
destroy me, then they destroy the only hope Bajor has.-"

Dax looked up and Kira said, "Put Tactical onscreen."

The looked up at the viewscreen of the images that represented the various
ships involved in this deadly situation and as the fast moving Olonian
freighter neared Bajor, they saw two fighters break off from Bajors orbit
to proceed on an intercept course.

Dax studied her various console readouts because to Dax it showed her
things in more detail than was apparent on the tactical display.

In a few moments Dax said, "The fighters have fired on the freighter.....I
estimate a loss of at least seventy percent of their shields."

Kira asked, "Is the freighter returning fire?"

"No, they're continuing their course."

Kira just gripped a hand railing hard and watched helplessly at the moving
display above her. She watched the fighters move away and it looked like
they were returning for a final kill.

But then Dax said, "The fighters, their breaking off the attack pattern....
looks like they're taking an escort position around the freighter. I'm....
I'm picking up some signals between the fighters and Bajor.....the
freighter's being escorted to.......to an orbit around Bajor."

A commlink signal chimed and Kira answered it. It was Sisko, and he said,
"-We've just been informed that the Bajoran Government is allowing Sutton
and his equipment onto Bajor. It seems that message of his must have
changed some minds. - We're going down there to see what's happening. In
the meantime, I want a full report on this man as soon as possible.-"

Kira answered, "Yes sir."

"-Sisko out.-"

Kira turned around and smiled a little which made Dax say, "Well....._you_
look happy at least."

"Happy? - No....I'm......just relieved."

"For who, Sutton or Bajor?"

Kira smiled a little wider, "I don't know yet."


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


It was some months later when Sutton and Kira met again. It was on Bajor in
the busy city of Arym which was a principal seat of government
administration for the region.

As Sutton made his way up along a broad expanse of steps that led up into
the building from the plaza level, he noticed a red uniformed Bajoran
officer standing at the summit of the steps beside one of the large
columns. Even though he couldn't see her clearly, he _knew_ it was Kira.

When he finally reached her, they merely looked at each other for awhile
without saying a word. It was Sutton who spoke first and he did so as if
she was an old friend who had just stopped by for a chat.

He smiled, "Let's take a walk."

Kira walked by his side and they slowly begun to make their way around the
huge expanse of columns and forecourts of the building.

Sutton said, "I've got a meeting with the agricultural leaders here, but
they can wait."

She was surprised at his casual acceptance of her presence given the
circumstances of their last actual meeting on DS9.

Kira said rather guardedly, "I see you still have the same disregard for
authority that you've always had."

He looked at her as they walked, and he smiled a little wider saying, "If
you're here to apologise then-"

"Who says I am?"

He stopped and so did Kira to face him while they stood on the corner of
the ornate columned building.

Sutton smiled, "What I was saying was, that if you're here to apologise
then I don't want to hear it. If I waited for apologies from people, then
I'd still be halfway across the quadrant. But I _am_ glad you're here to
talk to me."

Kira relaxed and said, "I've been following the progress of your work here
on Bajor. I must say I'm impressed. The alien technology did everything you
said it would, and it's rapidly regenerated Bajor."
She smiled and added, "I hear you've even been given a name from the
Bajoran people......'The Healer of Bajor', they call you."

He smiled, "It's not something I asked for."

"Nor should you."

He seemed surprised at her for a moment because he thought she was thinking
that he was being vain, but then he realised that Kira meant it was a title
that had been earned.

He nodded, "Well it certainly hasn't been easy getting things going. Once I
first arrived, all the different factions wanted _their_ region of Bajor to
be regenerated first. I took the decision to use the technology as
widespread as I could and not play any favourites."

"You've been noticed for that. Sisko didn't exactly say it, but I could
see that he agreed with that decision of yours."

Sutton sighed, "Politicians, bureaucrats, leaders out to make a name for
themselves......I've had to deal with the lot. If I left it up to anyone
else, none of this would have got off the ground. It's been long and
tiring, and there's _still_ a long way to go before it'll be at a point
where I can hand it over to be run properly."

Kira nodded in understanding and he smiled, "So......why _are_ you here,
Nerys?"

She knew he'd deliberately used her given name, but she wasn't annoyed.

Kira smiled, "Perhaps I'm here to say thank you."

"Thank you?"

"I know what Bajor was heading for and I know what the loss of our world
would have done to us. We _need_ Bajor just as much as the air we breath.
It's only one planet of many but........it's the _home_ of the Bajoran
people..............you're saving my home and for that I thank you."

They looked at each other in understanding and he nodded.

Kira added, "I respect you for what you've done and what you're doing. If
you ever need my help, you know where to contact me."

He smiled, "I'll keep that in mind."

They began walking back the way they had come and as they rounded a corner,
they could see a group of government officials arguing loudly ahead of
them.

Kira and Sutton stopped and she smiled, "Your welcoming committee?"

He grinned, "No, it's just the usual sort of people I seem to have to deal
with."

"I know the feeling."

"Are you going to be in Arym long?"

"I'm not supposed to be here as it is. I altered my schedule as I knew
you'd be here for this meeting. You're quite an elusive man it seems."
She hesitated and said quietly, "You......haven't mentioned to anyone about
our little incident on the station last year, have you?"

He smiled, "You mean the way someone pointed a phaser at me?"

She waited expectantly for an answer and he said, "No, I haven't. - Should
I?"

Kira smiled a little, "I'd rather you didn't."

"Well then,.....I won't......but only as a favour for a friend."

"A friend?"

He smiled, "I would like to consider _you_ my friend."

Kira smiled and said, "I said I respected you, I didn't say I trusted you."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"If you want my friendship, then continue helping my people. I'll keep an
eye on how things are progressing and I hope it all continues as well as it
has been."

He nodded and she added, "One last question.......why risk your life
helping Bajor?"

"Why have _you_ risked _your_ life for Bajor in the past?"

"Because I was born here, this is my home."

He smiled, "Perhaps I'd like it to be my home as well."

By now the small group of noisy officials had spotted Sutton and were
quickly approaching. Kira saw them coming and said, "It's time for me to
go. May the Prophets guide you..........Paul."

He smiled as he heard her say his name and he replied, "May the Prophets
guide us both, Nerys."

As Kira walked off, she heard some angry voices venting their displeasure
at Sutton until she heard him shout, "If you don't all shut up, then I'm
leaving!"

Kira shook her head and smiled to herself, "No respect for authority at
all."


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


It was nearly 10 months later when Kira heard from Sutton again.  O'Brien
informed Kira that there was a private communications for her from Bajor,
and so she took it at a console in a quiet part of Ops.

She was surprised when it was Sutton making the call and her first words
were, "Is something wrong?"

He smiled, "-No, but I wanted to tell you something.-"

Kira sat down and smiled, "So this is just a social call?"

"-What would you say if I told you I had a meeting with the Kai?-"

"The Kai!?"

He nodded and she leaned closer as he explained, "-I was requested to meet
with the Kai last week--"

"Don't tell me you've upset the Kai?!"

Sutton smiled, "-No, of course not. We had a long, private meeting in which
we discussed a lot of things. Things that....well, it's enough to say that
we got to understand each other quite well. Today I was contacted by
the Bajoran Government and a statement was given to me.-"

He paused and saw Kira yearning to know. Sutton smiled, "-I'm to be the
first non-Bajoran to receive Bajoran citizenship.-"

Kira smiled wide in genuine pleasure, "I hope you realise what an honour
that is."

"-I do. I wanted you to be the first one I told.-"

She gave a nod of appreciation and said, "I expect there'll be a public
ceremony?"

"-I don't know the details but I'm sure if you enquired you could find out.
By what some of the ministers have told me of you they--"

"What?"

He stopped and looked puzzled.

Kira asked, "What's being said about me?"

"-I've only been talking to people about your days in the resistance and--"

"Wait a minute. I'd prefer it if you talked to _me_ about such matters and
not to other people, okay? - I don't want you hearing any half-truths about
me."

"-I'm sorry, I meant no offence, believe me.-"

"Alright,......it's just that you shouldn't believe everything you hear."

He laughed, "-Of course I don't. It's enough I have to deal with
politicians without having to hear them talk about people in the way they
do.-"

She leaned closer, smiled and asked quietly, "Tell me...what _have_ they
been saying to you about me?"

Sutton smiled and held up his hand, "-Perhaps I'll tell you when we meet
again in person Nerys. I've recently handed over the entire operations of
the regeneration project to a team that I can rely on who'll continue the
work for the next year or two. I've been able to relax a little and do
other things.-"

"Other things?"

"-I managed to 'persuade' officials to organise work on the water supply
for Rokan's village. Now they have two permanent supplies of clean water,
with another in progress for irrigation needs.-"

"It sounds like you've been a busy man."
She smiled wide and added, "Do you know what surprises me? - You haven't
changed one bit since the first day I met you. You're still the same person
who pushes ahead and doesn't give a damn about authority."

He smiled, "-Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?-"

She laughed, "It's not a comment, it's an observation. I'm happy for you
Paul, honest I am, but have you given any thought as to where you're
heading?"

"-No, never have, probably never will. - Is that a good enough answer?-"

He smiled at her and she kept smiling herself and said, "It looks like
Bajor's your home now and I'm glad you got what you wanted. You've come a
long way in the time I've know you. I've studied your progress on the
project and the results,.....Bajor owes you a debt of gratitude. - I think
your citizenship is our way of repaying you."

"-Well I have to go now. The next occasion we have some time to spend
together I'll be sure to tell you what I've heard about you.-"

Kira sat up straight and smiled, "I'm sure it will be interesting."

He gave Kira a respectful nod and she returned it with her own, and then
the commlink ended.


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


Kira was smiling to herself as she returned to her station and she wondered
how Sisko was going to take the news. She also wondered how he would take
her request for a leave of absence to attend the ceremony for her friend.



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


* ************************* *
* ************************* *
*        End of book 1      *
*      "Destiny Awaits"     *
* ************************* *
* ************************* *


-end of file-