Warchild (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Book 7) by Esther Friesner

Author:Esther Friesner [Friesner, Esther]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek
Published: 2000-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

LIEUTENANT DAX was the last to enter Commander Sisko’s office, under the eyes of Kira, Odo, and O’Brien. "Sorry I’m late, sir. I’ve just come from the infirmary."

"How is the girl?" Sisko asked.

"A little cough and a few sniffles. She’s more upset than ill."

"Can you blame her, after what she’s been through, poor thing?" O’Brien commented.

"There is one problem," Dax went on.

"Yes?" Sisko did not look as if he was in the mood for any more problems.

"Her brother, Cedra; he won’t leave."

"I’ll see what I can do about that after this meeting," the commander said. He clasped his hands on the desktop. "I’ve called you here to brief you on a situation of some delicacy. You’re all no doubt aware that Major Kira returned to us accompanied by two Bajoran children. Although I initially promised Vedek Torin complete secrecy, circumstances have changed. You need to know who these children are and what they mean to the stability of Bajor if we are to accomplish our mission effectively."

"And what is our mission?" Odo asked stiffly.

"To protect them and to see that they are delivered to the Temple on Bajor as soon as possible."

"With respect, sir," the shapeshifter said, "if that is all we must do, why don’t we simply put them back aboard the runabout and send them on their way?"

"Two reasons: First, the girl is sick. I realize it’s only a mild cold, but in view of what’s awaiting her, I’d feel better myself if the child were in top health before she begins her new life. Second, there has already been one attempted kidnapping. As long as she’s under our protection, the chances for another are slim." His tone as good as added: They had better be impossible.

"Kidnapping!" O’Brien exclaimed. "Who is this child?"

"She’s the Nekor, according to the Dessin-ka," Major Kira provided, and went on to explain the whole matter of the Kai Opaka’s last message and all it meant. "And they’re expecting to see her presented in the Temple at the Berajin harvest festival," she concluded.

"Berajin . . ." O’Brien scratched his head.

"It’s still a week and a half away," Dax said. "Before, when I was searching for her, I thought that was hardly enough time. Now it seems like far too much."

"Don’t worry, Lieutenant," Odo said. "I’ll oversee the child’s security personally. I’ll be sure to put my best people on the case at times when I am … indisposed." It was a nice way of saying that the shapeshifter had to spend part of each day in his naturally formless state. Indisposed sounded better than in a bucket.

"I have no doubt that Talis Dejana is in good hands with you, Constable," Sisko said. "However, while we are making sure that the security surrounding her is airtight, we must not lose sight of the fact that she is only eight years old. She’s spent all her life on rural Bajor, and most of that in a refugee camp. She may be terrified by her new surroundings.

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