On The Offensive

"As you can see, the planet suits your needs. It is well within Federation borders and close to trading route should you wish to join into the trade groups." General Josdada explained as he showed the planet schematics to Borath and Keevan. Both Vorta were being the shown their options whilst they were being ferried to and from different locations.

"And all we have to do is mine what you need every few days and we can do as we wish on 'our world'." Borath asked.

"It'll be a little more complicated that that. It will be a long while before your kind will be excepted. The Dominion isn't exactly a welcome name right now."Josdada said. That was an understatement. In the past for days they had managed to convert fourteen more captured Vorta, but they had lost five star ships, one science station and three colonies. The death count was nearly ten thousand, and there was little they could do to stop it, News of the renegade J'Hem Hadar had been welcomed with both elation and trepidation.If they truly were changing sides then it was a huge advantage to them, but if it was some kind of trick they were leaving themselves open to huge risks.But they couldn't be picky with there allies. They need all they could get. So far the Dinobulans and Ferengi were planning on joining the war effort. This was a huge surprise. The ferengi generally didn't like the cost of war,but if the Dominion took control the strict trading regulations would leave them with little if any profit. And that just wouldn't hold. So they would join the war. It was going to be interesting,that was for sure.

Until then Borath and Keevan were doing there best to help, even if that meant entertaining these kinds of generals, the kind trying to buy their co-opertion. Not that they wouldn't take the bribe. After the war was over they would need all the help they could get.

"Of course we will take your offer into consideration. But we will have to discuss this with Weyoun before we make any definitive answer."

They left after that, grateful to be heading back to DS9. Keevan needed a time to plan his next moves and Borath just wanted to make sure that Weyoun was okay. After everything had happened with the J'hem Hadar he had gotten one brief message saying everything was hectic and then nothing. That had been four days ago. He was starting to worry.

"Missing the missus?"Keevan asked and Borath frowned.

"Don't call him that."

"Sorry. Though I must say I never saw him as an option for you."

"Why."

"Because the last time you had a lover SHE was almost certainly a SHE."

Borath shook his head,"So. Things are a little different now. We're hardwired differently. And Weyoun has a personality very similar to the women I have partnered with."

"I know, which is what is so strange to me. I've partnered with both Enris and Giata but I don't find myself attracted to Gelnon. Though I haven't seen him in a few years so it may be different when I do."

"Perhaps you'll fall hopelessly in love."

Keevan grimaced "I hope not. Luaren would kill me."

"Most likely Keevan."The two of them turned the corned and entered the Transporter room."Maybe she actually has a chance now."

That got a chuckle out of the other. As they stepped onto the transporter pad the two of felt the familiar sensation of transport, finding selves on the new vessel, and surrounded by guards. Borath gave a sigh. This was the third time they'd arrived on a ship to an armed guard. What the hell were two lone vorta meant to do?

* * * * * * * * * *

Alani was relaying information back and forth between herself and Dera. Both were working hard, but the Federation was studying each message to make sure that they weren't hiding anything from them. Since their guests had arrived The vorta were under strict observation. Weyoun could understand it, but he found it annoying to having to share lab space with men with guns.

Alani had not slept since her conversion, her brain filled with guilt and anger and determination. Eventually she had to be sedated to get her to rest and Weyoun was extremely worried. No other vorta had had such a reaction to the conversion. Yes they all felt guilt, and at times it was crushing, but Alani seemed to think that non stop working herself to death was going to be helpful in making amends.

He had spoken with Ezri about it and she had said,"To be honest I had expected this to happen sooner. Each of the converted are having to dealing with lifetimes of guilt, but Alani has live much longer than the rest of you. Whilst many of you were following orders, Alani was directly resposible for several...."

"Devastating genetic diseases and loss of life?" Weyoun offered. Because it was true. Alani had been in charge of projects to create viruses that would kill in an instant or take generations to destroy a species. She'd made changes to life forms in order to facilitate the Founders order and her own experiments. Her crimes could number in the millions over the years she has existed.At the rate she was going she'd collapse from exhaustion soon. But that was the least of his worries.

Weyoun was getting headaches. Headaches and visions that made no sense to him.All he saw in these dreams would darkened rooms and caves. Voices commenting on how the changes was so strange. He felt raging anger, his mind being like it's been torn apart. He had words of comfort,promises of salvation and,more importantly, the promise of Revenge. And the voice he heard speak this was the voice of Damar. The same Damar who was leading the Cardasian resistance.

Weyoun had been shocked when it heard the news, but also delighted that his former comrade had managed to break free of the Dominion control. But he was playing an extremely dangerous game with the lives of the Cardasian people. Leaders who didn't do what the Dominion wanted usually found their loved ones in dire situations. Weyoun hoped that Damar had been sensible enough to send his family away into hiding. As long as they stayed hidden Damar wouldn't really have to worry about losing anyone. Weyoun had learned a long time ago that Rebels and resistance fighters would fight tooth and nail as long as they had something to fight for. But dead loved ones usually lead to Guilt, and the will to continue fighting would often dwindle. A rare few would fight for revenge but why you know for a fact that they were few and far between. And with carddasia being a species that prides itself on family values, causing the death of their loved ones would probably make the resistance fighters lose hope. Speaking of Guilt, that was probably what was causing Weyoun to dream about Damar. He felt guilty for the way he had treated him. Hopefully Weyoun would get a chance to apologize.

He hoped that he would get the chance to apologize for so many wrongs.

Weyoun went over all of this in his mind was the sat in the replimat. It was quiet, a lot of the station's residents having left for their own and their family safety. Only the most Federations soldiers,Bajoran security force and the most determined store owners head remained.

And of course Quark was still there. He was currently eating some kind of beetle soup whilst pretending not to watch his nephew and his friend Jake. It had become obvious to many of the stations residence that the two boys will be coming closer. There was quite a bit of gossip about the current status of a relationship. After all if the emissary's son was going to date a a common ferengi it was going to cause quite a stir on Bajor. Weyoun himself tried not to listen to the gossip, but whenever he was around the two he could smell the attraction, the affection and the friendship. It could take awhile but there was no doubt that those two would end up a couple. It seems that quark had taken quite an interest in the pair. And surprisingly it had nothing to do with profit. Quark was merely worried for his nephew. It was sweet.

Weyoun wondered if the Vorta would eventually worry about their young ones love lives like this. Then spent a few moments quietly panicking at the fact that there would eventually be young ones. Infants and Adolescents they would raise. The thought was both amazing and terrifying. His fear must have shown because he jumped when Quark asked,"Are you alright, you look pale, or paler than normal."

"What, oh I'm fine. I was just thinking."

"Must have been some scary thoughts. Want to come and get a drink? Half price on all Sythahol."

Weyoun laughed. "Still trying to entice the customers?"

"I have to. Its never been so slow. Even my staff have left."Well, the dabo girls had, Quark didn't mention he'd helped a couple of the younger ferengi get on ships heading for the home world. The eight young bar tenders and waiters had signed up to help fight in the coming battles. He happy because he wouldn't have to pay them hazard pay for working in a dangerous location like the stupid, re-drawn contracts stated. One day he would get back at his brother for that. But right now with most of his staff gone, he was only paying the two older ferengi, Hooy and Fung were the only ones remaining, growing the over time latinum. Annoying as it it was, it was still less of a loss compared to paying a full staff, but he was still risking loss with so few customers."So why not? All the hard work you've been doing, a drink won't hurt."

"As much as I would love to spend an evening drinking watered down synth ale I'll decline. I have other things to do."

"I couldn't entice you with my private stock of Romulan Ale?"

"No, I'm quite..." Weyoun caught the scent of curiosity and the barest hint of the desire from the barkeep, and swiftly made his excuses."Alright. If you'll excuse me."

Bashir had warned him that there was a chance his new pheromones could make people attracted to him, he just wished it hadn't been Quark.He was quite happy with the attention he was getting from Borath. He was slightly embarrassed by the fact that he was currently on the verge of a relationship with his old friend. Just like Borath he has never been attracted towards men. He was scared, but he realized that that whether or not it was scary it was going to happen.As he walked towards his quarters he spotted colonel Kira walking towards him. She did not look happy.

"We need to talk right now."

"What's happened" he asked."

"Did you know that other Vorta could be converted by coming into contact with converted tissue?"

"No, I didn't." Weyoun looked utterley confused,"Why are you asking?"

"Because I just got word from the Carddasian resistance that they have a Weyoun clone. A Converted Weyoun Clone."

"That's not possible."

"It is. It is because Damar introduced DNA to his system and has him in custody."

And suddenly all of Weyoun's dreams made sense. Feelings of anger and guilt and pain and confusion. Damar's voice comforting him. It also Disturbed him, because if he was catching glimpses of The other Weyoun, was that Weyoun catching glimpses of him.

Chapter 2: Chapter Two

Chapter Text

Droca flew above him as they traveled, the Tilla moving easily through the forest. The bipeds looked like thing ground birds, their bodies covered in scales. They were dark, green and fast. They were kind of temperamental, so only a few would actually ride them. The one Keevan rode was Sil, a female who was a mother. She had only bitten him once, and that was because he'd trodden on her tail.That was the only time she has attacked and since then she had been a wonderful companion.

The road swiftly heading towards the riverside, and Keevan knew at any point they would meet the village guards. Keevan hope it was someone he knew because explaining everything to someone he didn't know was going to be difficult. Even with Droca with him the guards might use to shoot first and ask questions later. But that might actually serve them well if the warnings Droca had brought were true.
Keevan himself wasn't sure he believed the shapeshifter. If there really were Monsters coming to kill them then was there really any point in fighting though. There was more than one vorta who would gladly treat these beings as gods. Would kneel before them and let them take their lives.

He slowed his tilla to a halt before dismounting, and waited for Droca to join him.

"We'll walk from here."

"I don't know it may be safer to remain mounted in case we have to run."

Before they could begin to argue there was rustling in the nearby undergrowth. A young woman came darting out with a child held to her chest. Her eyes were full of panic and she stalled for a moment when she saw the two of them.

"Something has come. My village is burning." She said and I'd the tilla behind them. 'We must flee."

Keevan believed her but still had to see for himself. "Wait for me here. If I am not back by the time the sun reaches its peak leave without me."

Droca nodded and guided the women and child closer to the trees. Keevan took off at a run,keeping close to the trees and low to the ground. Being on ground level was always nerve racking but sometimes necessary. As he ran he noticed that there was smoke in the air. He could smell it coming from-

He came to a drop and saw out towards the river was a column of smoke rising high into the air. And floating above the devastation was a large Grey and gold behemoth that seemed to radiate fear. His stomach grew tight and he turned to run back to Droca and the others only to come face to face with....something hideous. Scaled skin covered a giant off what could vaguely be called a man. Before Keevan could cry out a warning it did something to the shiny shape in its arms and light erupted from the end. It was the last thing Keevan remembered before jolting awake.

He was in his quarters upon Deep Space Nine, the room small and silent. He touched his chest and the phantom memory of the plasma rifles strike. As he did he spotted his marking. It was so strange that he should look so different, as it led to all kinds of questions. Like why did the Founders take so much. Not just looks and taste, but they got rid of an entire gender in there quest to dominate the vorta. And the J'Hem Hadar? Had they once been another species. Had they once have culture and families and life. Or had they always been killing machines.

Speaking of J'Hem Hadar Keevan was still surprised that so many were rebelling. There had always been rumors of rebellion, but only a handful had ever actually attempted it. Now that the Founders had chosen the path of mass destruction to invasion, it seemed as though the whole weapons locker had blown. No matter how hard they tried the door wasn't going to close on it without some major damage control. Or major changes to the door.

Rubbing spot on his chest again even decided he wasn't getting any more sleep tonight, and got up to get something to drink. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't get images out of his head. Kept seeing the faces of Droca and that poor woman. He saw the faces of the Elders and those of friends his head to warn other tribes. An entire planet had probably been wiped clean of intelligent life and all that was left with memories pulled out of the ether by some aliens that lived on another plane of existence. To be perfectly honest Keevan wasn't sure if he would ever get used to the knowledge that poured into his head. Moments of life that may or may not have been his. Were these visions the memories of the man that killed and was cloned from, or were they just a random man who shared a little bit of his DNA. A distant relative who wore his face. Or maybe it was just a stranger who has been chosen because his memories would most deeply affect Keevan. And they did affect him.

How could they not, when he felt the emotions of those involved as though they were his own.

"Synthahol." He said to the replicator before heading over to his desk.If he couldn't sleep he might as well try and get some work done.

* * * * * * * * * *

Weyoun finally finished his debriefings it was early in the morning. He was exhausted,almost asleep on feet as he entered his quarters. He was so tired he almost didn't see Borath asleep on the couch. The moment he was going to leave him there, but relented not because he was worried about Borath's neck but because he didn't want to hear the other complain about it the next day.

"Wake up Borath, you can't sleep there."

"Hm, oh. Your back." Sitting up a little straighter and stretching out his neck."Whats the time?"

"You don't want to know. But I'm not expected back until no tomorrow-today." Weyoun slipped out of his jacket and went to his bedroom. He didn't bother with a shower, instead he just went to his bed and sat down, dealing with his shoes. Borath had followed him, leaning against the door frame.

"Are you okay. I heard you a had it pretty rough."

"I've got renegade J'Hem Hadar, a limited supply of white and a scientist trying to work herself to death. What little trust I have garnered is at risk because half the station thinks I planned this to try and retake the Station and I keep getting odd looks from the Bajorans because they think I've 'communed' with the gods." Weyoun, put his boots under the bed. "And I have to work with Keevan tomorrow."

"You know, If you need help I'm available for the next few days. I have less than nothing to do."

"You can rest. I might have to leave the station for a little while."Weyoun said,"So you'll have to take over my work here."

"Why do you have to go!" Borath asked, alarmed. He came and sat beside Weyoun, hand resting on his shoulder."Did something happen"

"Weyoun Seven has been converted. We need to know how much of a threat he could be to us."

Borath sat still for a moment before asking,"Why didn't the Founders order his destruction."

"I haven't a clue. I think Damar may have thought his rebellion would succeed by having a traitorous Vorta amongst them. Or he could hold him for ransom. We both know the Changelings would give alot for a converted vorta to study."Weyoun rubbed his eyes,I may have a connection to him, but I can't be certain."

"This could end very badly for us. If the conversion went wrong...."

"Can we could have a traitor on the inside of resistance."Weyoun shook his head and leaned against Borath."They'll be sending people to help them. Specialists in gorilla and subversive warfare."

Borath snorted a laugh and then apologized,"There going to send a Bajoran terrorist, aren't they."

"There sending Kira."Weyoun said and Borath went pale.

"Well, that should be...interesting."

Weyoun said nothing and just leaned into it,letting the other still sleep warm body lull his mind. He needed to sleep.

"I'm going to bed. Your welcome to stay."He said and stood So could slide off his under shirt as he went to retrieve his pajamas. Borath leaned back on his hands and watched Weyoun change his cloths,enjoying the site. Soft around the edges but not in a bad way, eyes path trailing down his back and shapely legs. On there way back up they were caught on the chest wound he had. Birth had never before seen a scar on a vorta,at least not on a live one. It was larger than he thought,and still healing. Weyoun had refused having it fully healed. He watched Weapon wince slightly as he stretched and the scar tissue pulled.

"Painful."Borath asked.

"Yes. But a pain I will live with."Weyoun touched it for a moment and then shook his head."I still can't believe I did that."

"Kill a Changeling. You didn't have a choice,it would have killed you if you hadn't made the first move."

"If I'd moved faster one of our own would still be alive. Falta wouldn't be dust in the galaxy."

Borath slipped out of his shoes before coming to stand next to his friend. "Do not blame yourself for what happened to him. You did what you could. You killed the damn thing. Justice was served and that's that."

Weyoun didn't believe him but excepted the comfort offered.

"Now lets sleep,we both need it."

* * * * * * * * * *

Kira sat staring at the mission plan and trying to figure out why the hell she had agreed to this. She was going into Cardasian territory and she was going in willingly. Hose was insane.

"Your regretting it,aren't you."

Kira jumped slightly as Odo came into room. "No. Just...worried about how this will play out."

"Everyone is."Odo waited for Kira to stand,careful not to approach to swiftly when she was in a mood like this. She was on edge and worried. Odo knew that she could go off in a heart beat.

"I just don't get how they think i'll be able to help. I gave them two dozen other names and they still want me." She stood and began to pace."I blew these people up less than ten years ago and yet they still think I'm the best choice?"

Again Odo was silent, letting Kira finish.

"And what if I can't do it. These men could be men I've met, men I'll want dead. What if I can't keep old anger from clouding my judgment?"

"Because you know the job is to important."Odo said and watched as Kira suddenly went a little limp.

"Your right, you always are. I have to do this."She sat on her couch and put her head in her hands."I'm just glad your coming with me. Together we may just accomplish the mission."

Odo had a look pass over his face that Kira didn't like much."What was that look for."

"You didn't get the message. Its not just us coming."

"Who else. Sisko? Bashir?"

"Garak. Garak will be joining us. He knows the planet, the culture and the still has connections. They may not be useful but they will give us a place to start." He went and sat beside her and smiled."We'll be leaving tomorrow. Sisko want's us ready for debriefing by 12:00 hours."

"Why on earth do they think bringing Garak is a good idea."

"I have a theory, but I need to speak with Garak himself before I can be sure."

Leaning against Odo Kira felt his arm wrap around her."Well be sure to let me know. I don't want to be left out of the loop where Garak is involved."

"You'll be the first to know."

* * * * * * * * * *

Sisko sat in his office and thought not about the vorta but another one of his crew. Bashir. His doctor was a good man,brilliant and kind if not a little over eager. His enhanced status was a shock but meant nothing to Sisko. Bashir had proven himself time and again and no one who knew him believed him a danger. The doctors who changed him had been careful not to repeat past mistakes. Careful not to create another Khan.

It seemed as though others were attempting to repeat the process.

Garak and Bashir had found evidence that was circumstantial at best,but it was drawing a picture that was terrifying to hear. The federation,or Section 31,was attempting to create more like Bashir. Men of brilliant minds and physical presence who weren't a risk to there creators. Spies and assassins who were loyal only to the federation.

And that in turn led to another fear that Sisko couldn't get rid of. In their grasp were vorta who hand't been converted yet. Whose minds were still loyal to the Dominion. Whose genetics were loyal. Genetics that Gould be studied and transferred. It looked suspiciously like Section 31 was.trying to create super human slaves. The thought made Sisko sick. His forebrain was saying no,that wasn't something that would be allowed. They wouldn't do that. But this was also a group of people who had infected an innocent, had infected Odo with a virus that would murder his kind. In the back of his head he was contemplating ways to revealing these plans. How to stop his hideous betrayal of Federation Codes and Morals that none could forgive.

And it was happening whilst he sat at his desk. The investigation was quietly being blocked. Information was going missing before it could be read,people were suddenly unavailable to talk or data logs were 'accidentally' erased from the system. And now Garak was being sent to the most dangerous place for himself at that moment. He wasn't meant to be going with Kira and Odo. He was meant to be decoding messages and helping O'Brien find a way to get around Cardassian defenses. Instead he was being sent to help rebels. Men who held no love for the Obsidian Order,and enemies who would love to see him dead. And without his Bashir would have no choice but to work alone and without the help of the one man who could help him most. Sisko had tried to find where the orders had come from,but so far he had been led in circles. Someone didn't want anything other than circumstantial evidence left. And considering Bashir had had someone try and remotely access his private logs,someone didn't want that seen either.Someone was standing ion the way of a very big secret.

And Sisko didn't know how to deal with it. There were still so many who feared genetic altering to an almost hysterical point. If anyone had been born there was a very good chance they could be sentenced to live out there lives in exile. The thought was a disgusting one. Whoever was born was an innocent. Julian Bashir had no choice in his enhancements. His parents were to blame for that. Yet if the Federation had wanted they could have made his life hell. Angering Julian would cause far to many problems. But leaving him be, letting him live his life.... would make him think twice about risking it all.

Sisko had spoken a long time with Juliann and the more he listened the more he began to realize why Julian was so angry. Not that his DNA was being used illegally, not that so many like him were treated so badly, but because his father and the doctors involved may have planned for this. That when changing him they had made sure to keep samples to offer up should they be found out. They were willing to create more enhance humans. Unless that had been the plan all along.

Had Julian's father seen the chance to be forever remember in the child he had produced. Rather than be forgotten as the man with the dull child, create something better, and be remember as the man who created the new, improved humanity. Richard Bashir wouldn't be the first. Or it could have been Julia's mother who suggested it. Both? There were far to many variable.

And none could be proven without more evidence. Sisko could only hope they had a breakthrough soon, because he had a bad feeling. And this bad feeling had him fearing not just for Bashir, but everyone else in the federation.

Chapter 3: Chapter Three

Chapter Text

"I am not going in there." The soldier said, crossing his arms over his chest and frowning."I have been knocked out by pheromones, slapped, scratched and called names in more languages that I knew existed, and bitten twice. You can deal with him."

Damar gave a heavy sigh."Fine. I'll deal with the vorta. But I cannot believe you are afraid of Weyoun of all people."

The guard looked shame faced but it didn't stop him from letting Damar from taking over, and left. Damar had hoped that he would agree to stay with Weyoun, because with all honesty he was just as scared. The transformation had been slower than the other vorta because it hadn't been done by real contact. Weyoun had sobbed, begged to be killed before he could betray his gods, he and screamed and raged against nightmares and tried to kill himself a dozen different ways until the hold his genetics had on him failed and he became a free thinking being. He was a mess of conflicting emotions and hormones that was currently curled up in a ball on his bad facing the wall.

"Your refusing to see the medic."

"What's the point. He has no idea whats wrong with me."

"There is nothing wrong with you, he just needs to check on your physical process." Damar got closer and knelt next to the curled up being,"And you wounds need checking. After you threw the scanner at him he won't bring in the re generator. He doesn't want you to break it."

"My wounds are fine."

Shaking his head Damar stood up and grabbed Weyoun's arm, forcing him to sit up. He looked awful. His skin was pale and if it was possible he had lost weight. his hair was flat and lifeless and his eyes were dull. The only time he seemed to be alive was when he was angry.

"Let go."

"No. And don't even think of using that pheromone trick to knock me. That won't make me leave."

"No, but it will make you shut up."

"Do I have to tie you up to get you to co operate."

"You've drugged, ripped my psyche to shreds and kidnapped me. Do your damn worst."

Damar could feel his anger rising, and surprisingly felt his stomach turn in a way that was usually reserved for pretty women. It was a common sensation since Weyouns physical changes had completed. Add that to the way he argued and Damar was beginning to see why so many Cardassians took alien lovers. But he forced the feeling away and took hold of Weyound wrists. The jagged lines wear he had attempted to slit his wrist were no longer as easy to bleed as they once were since the Vorta had stopped trying to reopen them. Then he touched Weyoun's chin so he would lift his head. There had been a very deep hole at one point, sealed before the medic refused to come back in. There was also vibrantly mottled bruising from an attempt at hanging himself.

When his worship genetics had failed he had tried to stop killing himself for about twelve hours. Then he started to try and do it from guilt. It had taken a while before he realized that Damar wasn't going to let that happen and had now stopped. But he was not happy. He refused to co operate with them unless it involved destroying the Dominion. He had a one track mind and it was on revenge. Revenge for his enslavement, revenge for friends lost and revenge for planets defeated.

"We've got visitors coming. The federation is sending us a professional in gorilla war fair." Damar said,"And Odo is coming with them. They'll be here in four days."

Weyoun looked both guilty and angry. "And your telling me because..."

"I need you to speak with him. And there sending an additional man to help you. "

"Who? Some well meaning Federation doctor?"

"Weyoun 6."

That shut Weyoun up. His mouth hung open like a fish and he tried to make sound, but nothing came out. It would have been funny if not for the fearful look in his eyes.

"Why does that scare your so much."

"They activated me to try and scare him. To show he was replace-able. To activate a new clone whilst one is active is a way of punishing the first. To show he has done wrong and that his death is near. Or to track down defectives. "Weyoun suddenly couldn't meet Damar's eyes,"There is still fear there. I shouldn't be scared, but I am."

Damar shook his head,"You'll lose it as time goes on. But I'm more worried about your reaction to Odo. From what intel we have gathered a freed Vorta's reaction to a changeling can be extreme. I'd prefer it if u didn't try and kill him." Damar sat on the edge of Weyoun's cot and watched as the his face turned from the odd angry/frightened to indignant.

"I can control myself Damar. I'm not some child."

"Your recent behaviour says otherwise."

For a moment Damar thought Weyoun was going to hit him,but he held back. "I will try to control myself."

Just then the lights flicked and went out,and the door made a sound that sounded suspiciously like the auto lock engaging.

"I do hope the Federation brings us a spare generator. This one is awfully unreliable."

"Well the J'Hem Hadar had them surprisingly well guarded for old design generators."

"Standard procedure when dealing with new Dominion members. All technology that could be a threat must be guarded."Weyoun drew his knees up and rested his head on them."I once got stuck guarding a two hundred year old computer because it contained a single micro circuit of supposedly dangerous material."

"The Dominion can be petty." Damar said. It was still odd not to see Weyoun jump off the handle at a remark like that. Instead he just gave a sad little smile.

"You have no idea."

* * * * * * * * * *

Kira was nervous. They had left the safety Federation space and were closing in on the co-ordinates for the rendezvous. Odo was at the control panel whilst Garak kept his eyes on the sensor screen.

Weyoun was asleep, and had been for nearly four hours. When he finally woke up Kira snapped at him,"Glad someones so relaxed."

"I haven't been getting much sleep."Weyoun said, sitting up and trying to work the kink out of his back.

"So I've heard."Garak said, the smirk in his voice unmissable. Weyoun glowered at him but said nothing, Odo did instead.

"What have you heard."

"He's heard nothing." Weyoun said.

"Oh please, Even I know that Borath's been in your quarters more than the ones he was given last week." Kira said,"And your together 80% of the time."

"Oh please, I think people have better things to gossip about than my and Borath's friendship" Weyoun said, hoping his embarrassment didn't show.

Kira snorted,"Friendship? Half the stations waiting for the announcement."

"I haven't heard it,"Odo turned to look at Weyoun."Should I be worried about this? Possible plots against the station"

"Oh....shut up"Weyoun pouted and sulked a little. Never in his entire existence had he met worse gossips than the ones that called DS9 their home. Garak smirk was wiped clean when something was picked up on the sensors.

" Ship detected. Its giving off a signal."he said,it matches the sensor readings given by the resistance. "

"We fire two blasts in the opposite direction and wait for the communication."

Odo sent the photon blasts out into space and after a few moments the comm system signaled incoming message.

"Blood wine is bad for the digestion." a voice said.

"Only if its drunk on an empty stomach." Kira answered and they waited. And waited .

"Please fly directly to the following co ordinates."

* * * * * * * * * *

"What is this place."

"Old mining facility. We'll be heading back to Cardassia prime but needed a stop over point to gather our forces." The guard said as he led them towards the sleeping quarters,"The main meeting room is down here. Damar wanted to make sure that everyone could get there quickly so chose a room down here."

As they walked Weyoun noticed the stares he was getting, the odd little looks an whispers as he past by. When they reached meeting hall, there was only a long desk and a handful of seats. And two people. Damar and Weyoun. Damar looked as he normally did,stoic and unimpressed. But the other Weyoun looked tired. His has was disheveled and his new markings looked...raw,like they hadn't finished coming through. He spotted Weyoun Six and looked surprised.

There were differences beyond clothing. Weyoun six wore black trousers and a brown shirt, the arms slightly to short and showing a few if his arm ridges. He was holding himself differently as well,comfortable in his own skin. His hair was starting to get a tiny bit longer than he kept it as a diplomat and had just enough length to give him a slightly wilder look to him.

Weyoun seven moved like he was waiting for an attack. He wore his old clothes,jacket gone. He looked like he had lost weight in to short a while. Looked ill.

"What did you do to him." Kira asked,mind whirling as to why Weyoun Seven was in such a state.

"Nothing. But we know that using samples causes a change that takes longer."Damar said. Kira didn't look like she believed him. He gave a exasperated sigh and shook his head."Ask him your self if your don't believe me."

"She doesn't have to. I haven't been harm. Just...traumatized."

"How so?"Odo asked.

"Over nine solar cycles my genetic make up tore itself to pieces. I spent the first three trying to follow orders and kill myself. Then another two trying from guilt." he touched his wrist,and the dim Cardassian lighting the there visitors saw the bruising around his neck. Caught the tiniest glimpse of scabbing on the wrist."My body is still changing. I don't know when that will end."

* * * * * * * * * *

They were well organized and had a good supply stache, but had no real idea where they had to go from there. Kira was off explaining that they needed to split off into cells if they wanted to keep the Resistance safe should anyone be captured, and Odo was showing the few engineers they had with them how to use the Cardassian transport communications to piggy back their own messages.

And Garak was listening. He wandered to halls and listened to the troops chatting, he listened to men arguing and he listened to, and this surprised the hell out of him, a young women gossiping about her sister marriage. The young science officer was complaining that the man had completely disregarded the etiquette of romance and simply courted her in the most blatant and uncouth manor. This really didn't tell Garak much about the Dominion except that the youths were now abandoning the old rules and becoming exceptionally blunt. Garak personally blamed the off world influences but considering how he himself had changed.

But what he did pick up was that the Dominion was forcing out the old style governments. Customs and practices that were harmless were left alone but anything that could incite rebellion or harm the planets resources were being fazed out. Anyone trying to stop it happening was swiftly and brutality dealt with. It was almost exactly the same as Betazed, except their the population was being kept as a conquered. According to the federation spies Everyone was under house arrest unless they had a pass and the government had been obliterated. Suppression of all news and several of the strongest empathy and telepathic on the planet had been taken for...evaluation.

After Weyoun had explained the Dominions plans for the Betazoids the Federation was doing its best to smuggle as many Betazoids away from the war zone as possible. So far any that had been captured had been disappeared into Dominion labs. Why they would want to enhance human kinds mental abilities he didn't know, but it couldn't be for anything good.

And most importantly, heard that Cardassia's young were being taught a new, purely Dominion outlook on life. You do not question the Dominion. You do not anger them. You do exactly what you are told,when you are told and you will live a happy life. Disobey, and you will not live at all.

Well, they weren't being that blunt,but they were teaching something most already knew with a few changes. Changes for self progression and the greater good of the planet and its allies. It was almost as if the -

Garak stopped that train and instead concentrated on the task before him. He had decided to help the current communications officer help decode the latest batch of sub space messages.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Three Genders?"

"Yes."

"Our species have three genders."

"Yes."

"And I'm turning into the third?"

"Technically you were always the third. its just the cloning process hijacked the process and made you full male for the sake of the Founders plans."Weyoun Six leaned against the wall,"Whatever they were at the time."

Weyoun Seven was sitting on his cot wearing an expression of pure terror."But I don't want to change gender. I'm happy as a man."

"Believe me when I say I know how you feel. It scared the crap out of me. And it'll only get more confusing as time goes on." Weyoun stared down at his feet,"I think I'm in a relationship with Borath."

"WHAT!" Seven snapped, looking up so fast Weyoun Six wondered how he didn't snapped his neck."Borath. Really. Why?"

"I don't know. He is kind, he has been of great help to me since he was freed and I-"

"He's male!"

Weyoun Six shook his head and grinned."Oh, you are going to be very confused over the nest few weeks my friend."

Weyoun Seven's head dropped down again and he was about to ask if this was some cosmic joke when the alarms sounded, and a guard was suddenly at there door.

"We have to go. We've been found."

* * * * * * * * * *

The troops moved out first, and managed to take out the Domnion ship, but more were one the way, Damar and three of his men boarded the small ship that Kira and her crew had come in with both Weyoun's, They left just as Four Dominion ships entered the system.

"Where are we going?" Kira asked.

"We have a rendezvous in a star cluster. I'll programme the co-ordinates once I'm sure we haven't been followed."

"And then?"Weyoun Seven asked.

"We take the fight to them."

Chapter 4: Chapter Four

Chapter Text

Cardassia had changed. As Garak listened into the local new casts and regular chatter. The public broadcast systems were filled with Dominon orientated stories and told of the victories,but none of the failures. Music and programming directed at the younger generations to help acclimatize them to Dominion rule and presence. The announcement of massive education reforms and -

"Learn anything good?"Odo asked, and Garak startled.

"Are you trying to give me heart attack?"

"Oh please,you knew I was here when the door opened." Odo huffed.

"Actually I didn't. I've spent the past three hours trying to glean new information. So far I've found nothing useful on any channel."

"What do you expect. Their hardly going to broadcast government secrets during the local news." Odo pointed out.

"For the past sixty years the Obsidian order had four separate messaging signals that would piggy back regular signals. This way no matter what happened to its people they would always have a way of receiving orders and information. It has not been silent since its creation."Garak said and put down his ear piece."So far I haven't heard a damn thing from it."

"You think they have infiltrated what's left of the obsidian order?"Odo asked.

"If the signals no longer exist then I fear the Obsidian order doesn't exist anymore."

"Is that such a bad thing."

"It is if my contacts are all dead. Getting in and out of some of our old hide outs is going to be difficult."

Odo grimaced in sympathy at the loss of eligible locations to operate out of.

Garak had a feeling the grimace was from the illness. Garak knew about the infection sweeping through the Founders,and that Odo had fallen prey to it. Julian was working hard to try and find away to cure it but so far....nothing good had happened. And Odo was getting worse. The average person couldn't see it but to someone who knew him,who observed what was normal and what was not,it was easy to see just how bad it was. He seemed frayed around the edges. The details he normally added to his face with ease were absent,as though to much detail was to much effort. But they didn't speak of it. To speak of it would be to admit that he was dying and that was knowledge Kira and Odo did not want staining their time together.

"So what do we do?"Odo asked.

"We deal with supply acquisition until I'm able to find somewhere safe we can hide. Or until we're caught."

"Hopefully not the latter."Odo said."I thought you might like to know that we are about to cross into Breen Space and Damar wants everyone ready. Their going to raid a small outpost before we separate out into smaller groups."

"A Breen outpost? And how do we know its safe?"

"Because a group of Ferengi went through there last week. A group that is pretty much set on bringing down the Dominion for the Safety of Profit." Odd gave a wry smile,"You wouldn't think the Ferengi would be so militant."

"There platinum at risk,what did you expect them to do?"Garak asked,standing up and feeling his joints pop slightly. "I think its time I tried talking to some of Damar's rebels. They might help me shred some light on...who knows."Garak shrugged."I'll probably only get gossip but sometimes loose lips reveal all kinds of things."

Odo followed him, noticing that every Cardasian he past seemed rather agitated. One or two looked downright disturbed. It didn't take long until they found out why.

The utilities room had been turned into a small closet for private meetings and the two Weyouns currently occupied it. Seven looked twice as disheveled as before,his eyes currently on the padd in his hand. Six was talking about the security issues of allowing the J'Hem Hadar to help the Carddasian rebellion.

"We have just enough White left to supplies those with us another two weeks, so long as we are careful with our rationing. "Six explained. "And since the J'hem Hadar left in a bit of a hurry they weren't bring stablising agent. If we move troops we risk losing white and we can't do that."

Seven gave a heavy sigh. "Its not like they would have been much use outside of battle. Last I heard they were using biometrics in order to allow the J'hem Hadar to receive orders. No scan, no plans."

"They really are losing trust in their slaves aren't they." Six said and Seven gave him a slightly scandalized look.

"So I take it the Founders are clamping down on solid's access to their plans?" Odo said.

"Like an Enqynian snapper." Seven explained."But that doesn't mean we are completely out the loop. Or without options, if your willing to take a few risks." he used his pad to pull up his hastily drawn schematics."I think we may be able to bug the communication hubs, so long as you don't mind using an ILS."

"IL?" Garak asked,

"Individual Life Suit, designed for working in a zero atmosphere environment. The access ports on the satellites have no security or sensors because no one would risk getting out of a ship and manually reprogramming the system." Seven pulled his map,"As you can see the satellites aren't well guarded because they don't think any ship could get close enough without being spotted. But if we send someone in a ILS and maybe a thruster system they can be in and out reasonably quickly."

"So what's stopping this plan." Odo asked.

"Oxygen. The job will take at least 16 hours, and the suit only has oxygen for 6."

"Can't you augment the suit in some way? Perhaps add larger taps." Garak asked, looking over the schematics and wondering if the had the right tools on board to do that.

"The only material we can use are also give off the same energy reading as proton torpedoes, so they would get picked up immediately."

"Also if you did this getting you out again may prove difficult." Odo said. "Though i suppose a shuttle craft may be able to get you in and out with speed."

"However we choose to fix the problem we need to do it soon. the ILS are only usable by Vorta, J'hem Hadar and Graxcates. we have three from a raided ship, and we haven't been able to disable the DNA readers. So it will have to be me." Seven explained, and nodded at Six,"Your DNA has probably changed to much, but my body is still changing. I may be slave enough to use the suit."

"That still doesn't solve the breathing problem."

"I may have an idea, but I don't think Colonel Kira will be too please to hear it." Garak said."

* * * * * * * * * *

"You stole the research" Kira snapped, angry and staring down at the report."You stole research from one of our greatest scientific minds and were going to publish it as a Cardassian invention. Of all the-"

"Colonel, I know you are angry and have every right to be, but we have very little time to test this and your in the way." Garak said, as he and Six carefully filled the tub in front them with the TLV. Total liquid ventilation had been around for centuries, but very few people actually used it due to the discomfort. but it was there best chance at getting to the satellite. "We need to test this as many times as we can before we reach the drop off point and I do not think that Weyoun Seven will be too pleased if something goes wrong with the testing stage."

Garak was actually lying, but he wanted colonel Kira to go away and let him get on with his job. He was still trying to come to terms with the fact the they would have to drown Weyoun seven to get this to work. Well, not drown, but hold him under long enough for his lungs to take in the oxygen rich gel. it would hold 23 hours worth of oxygen, nearly double what they would need for this plan to succeed. Seven himself wasn't pleased, but was willing to do it.

"I think my clone might be a little bit crazy."Six said."I honestly didn't think he would agree with this plan. "

"So you think it won't work" Garak asked

"Oh I think it will work, I just don't know what we're going to do with the information we get. some will be useful, but most will be useless. sorting through it all won't be fun." Weyoun took another padd from the near by table and squinted at it."We are going to be doing a lot of data shifting the next few weeks."

"I know the joys. I've had to go through so much Cardasian code since the war began I'm starting to dream in code." Garak said,"I think i have learned maybe two or three things of note. and most of it was troop deployment and replacement in the outer colonies."

"Its better than nothing."

"True. But I have a feeling you may have more luck. If the dominion isn't trusting cardasian signal, you may find more in theirs."

Weyoun said nothing, merely nodded and concentrated on the job ahead. he wanted the numbers and simulations perfect.

Chapter 5: Chapter Five

Chapter Text

The vat had been filled.

Weyoun looked at it with mistrustful eyes and a stomach filled with ice. Very soon he would be submerged in it. In his hand was a hypo spray filled with a short term sedative. He would be out for ten standard minutes and when he woke his lungs would have become accustomed to the liquid in them. Next to him Damar stood, ready to lower him in and keep him submerged until the liquid did its job.

"Nervous?"Damar asked.

"A little."Weyoun answered,"Is the helmet ready?"

"Yes. the seals have been reinforced and the locator is now broad casting to us instead of the Dominion ships. We'll be at the drop point in less than an hour, so we need to get you suited soon."

"Yes. I take it no one else was available to help me into...that."Weyoun motioned to the vat with his head.

"Are you joking. As I said before, there is no chance that I am missing the only legal way to drown you."

The vorta laughed and shook his head."Of course." He stared down at the hypo spray, then at the vat and said."I want to speak with you after the mission. There are a few questions I would like to have answered."

Damar raised his brow ridges."Like what."

"Like why you chose to take me, and not a vorta with more information to share. Those who would be easier to hide. Less likely to get you hunted."

"We're being hunted anyway." Damar deflected,"But if you want answers, they will have to wait until after the mission."

"I know. And with that thought." Weyoun pressed the hypo spray to his arm and felt it start to take effect."I believe its time to drown ....." he was out cold before he could finish his sentence.

Damar was quick to lift him before he fell, and carefully lay him in the vat, moving quickly. They only had ten minutes to do this and he was hoping the sedative would keep him from struggling. The idea of having to force Weyoun under would have been appealing a month ago, maybe even a week after all the trouble his slow changing body had put them through but now, now things were trickier. The biological changes were already effecting a few of his younger men, the pheromones leaching from the vorta getting stronger as the transformation of his body progressed. He was actively dreading the completion of the changes, keeping his men's minds on track was going to be a nightmare.

He pushed thoughts of biology aside(despite the fact his mind wanted to dwell the the slightly luminescent curls forming on Weyoun's face near his temples made him itch to find where they led) and pushed at his body until all but his shoulders were submerged.Then with a great sigh he pushed his head under to, pressing down on his shoulders and feeling the slightly warmed goop cover his hands. For a moment nothing happened except bubbles slowly leaving Weyoun's lips.

And then he tried to inhale, and his body bucked up slightly. Being sedated meant his had no consciences movement but he still twitched, his arms crawled for the surface and broke free, but Damar leaned up and put his upper body weight to use keeping Weyoun's head below the surface. His mind rebelled, telling him to let go, to drag him from the fluid but he kept pushing down. the hands grabbed for his arms, scrabbled weakly but did nothing to shove him off. It took nearly five long and agonizing minutes for the bubbles to completely stop, and another to for Damar to carefully submerge and then fit the helmet securely in place.

Damar stood and took several steps back, waiting for Weyoun to come too from the liquid and trying to convince himself he hadn't just murdered him. Damar had killed before, and regretted it, but never quite as much as he would if he had actually killed Weyoun.

* * * * * * * * * *

He was alone in the vastness of space, and it was terrifying.

Weyoun had never felt so...alone. just him and the stars as he slowly glided towards his destination. The journey would take a while and left him with nothing but his thoughts. And they were confusing for him. Ever since leaving cardassia his body an mind were in flux. memories became blurred and things he once took pride in now felt hollow and made him wish that Damar had let him die. It seemed the only suitable punishment for the things he had done in his life. Or past hims had done. But they didn't matter. He needed to have his mind on the job at hand and thinking of the past. He had to keep his mind on the task at hand.

By the time he reached his destination a ship had flown by far enough way that there was no way it could have spotted him, and it didn't. But the minutes it took to fly out of sit were more than a little terrifying. He then ad to deal with the mission. A micros welder took care of the casing, and magnet kept the loose metal from floating away. He searched out the right circuit board, which took nearly an hour in its self before he located it.

The slow disconnection and masking of the disrupted signal took longer than he expected, but he saved time re routing it by locking several lower frequencies into time loops. his hands shook as he reprogrammed and finally reset the whole system. Within minutes he would know if it had gone wrong as Dominion ships would converge on his location quite quickly. After what seemed like an eternity he deemed his job done, and slowly made his way back to the run about. This was possibly the most dangerous part of the whole mission.

* * * * * * * * * *

It wasn't the most dangerous part of the mission. In fact it went so darn smoothly that everyone was set on edge. the tension didn't break until to hack up the goop in his lungs, which made him excuse himself so he could try not to die in peace.

Which left Damar worrying with his men as they listened to the new news that was coming through, hoping beyond hope that the Dominion gibberish would tell them something useful.

Series this work belongs to:
The vat had been filled.

"Nervous?"Damar asked.

"A little."Weyoun answered,"Is the helmet ready?"

"Yes. the seals have been reinforced and the locator is now broad casting to us instead of the Dominion ships. We'll be at the drop point in less than an hour, so we need to get you suited soon."

"Yes. I take it no one else was available to help me into...that."Weyoun motioned to the vat with his head.

"Are you joking. As I said before, there is no chance that I am missing the only legal way to drown you."

Damar raised his brow ridges."Like what."

"Like why you chose to take me, and not a vorta with more information to share. Those who would be easier to hide. Less likely to get you hunted."

"We're being hunted anyway." Damar deflected,"But if you want answers, they will have to wait until after the mission."

"I know. And with that thought." Weyoun pressed the hypo spray to his arm and felt it start to take effect."I believe its time to drown ....." he was out cold before he could finish his sentence.

* * * * * * * * * *

He was alone in the vastness of space, and it was terrifying.

* * * * * * * * * *

Which left Damar worrying with his men as they listened to the new news that was coming through, hoping beyond hope that the Dominion gibberish would tell them something useful.

Chapter 6: Chapter Six

Chapter Text

Odo would return to them after taking Weyoun back to the Station, and Kira didn't know how to handle it.

Because he was getting worse. As each day past it was a little harder for him to shift, a little more painful for him to exist.She said nothing, knowing that neither had the strength to speak of how bad it was going to get before he-

"Any news on Weyoun 7?" she jolted at the question and turned to Garak, who was holding a Padd and in one hand and a cup in the other. A fishy scent came from the cup and Kira wrinkled her nose at the smell.

"He's being picked up now. We're already getting info coming through, so I've routed the data to a secure file system." she finished sealing the file,"Hopefully 7 will be able to figure out what there saying."

"They are going to have to come up with more names for themselves. I don't think numbers are going to suffice for ever. Or be particularly welcome."

"You don't have to tell me that. 6 has already snapped at a couple of Cardassians who called him that." She had to bite back a grin,"They were trying to flirt with him for gods sake. The pheromone nullify-er Bashir gave him isn't completely masking him."

"Weyoun 7 is having the same issue, and he hasn't completed his change yet. How much of the Nullify-er do we have?"

"Enough to last him until he has to leave, but 7 is on his own. Its not considered a necessity so he'll just have to deal with them." Kira spoke like she wasn't concerned, but she was. Cardassians had a tendency to take what they wanted when they were in their minds. But under a biological influence they could be dangerous. As much as The Weyoun's had changed, they were still mice in a den of snakes.

"So I heard. Damar has ordered them to stopped, but I have the feeling he wants the Vorta for himself." Garak said, and took a sip of his drink. "A smart move really. If their superior stakes a claim they'll be less likely to attempt to 'ahem' seduce him." Seduce was the polite way of putting it. Garak felt no shame in saying that since Weyoun's conversion he had been a very tempting creature. But Garak was no fool, and kept his distance, avoiding the alien.

The only non cardassian he had been dealing with lately had been Julian, who he had been loathed to leave whilst the human was dealing with secrets and shadow plans he was woefully unprepared for.

Garak had to push that to the back of his mind though, as he didn't need to deal with that whilst on such a dangerous mission.

"Wouldn't be the first time a Gul had done that. It was common on Bajor when the soldiers were fighting over the prettiest girls." Kira said, frown coming to her face,"At least the Dominion isn't interested in that. The J'Hem Hadar are asexual, and the only vorta that seem interested are the Freed ones."

Garak didn't need a tirade on the occupation of Bajor so swiftly pulled Kira's attention to something that always got attention.

Gossip.

"Speaking of the freed vorta, Borath has spent more time in Weyoun 6's quarters than his own." he lowered his voice and leaned in a little,"I'm thinking that there friendship might evolve a lot faster than Quarks betting pool can keep up."

Kira shook her head,"Should have place a bet. After watching them say goodbye I'd say its already happened." Kira knew exactly what Garak was doing, but let him distract her. She was too tired for a fight, and one was inevitable if she started ranting.

X X X X X X X X X X

They were heading towards the rendezvous point and Weyound had gone back to his cabin to relax after a stressful day. His throat felt strange, like it had been frozen and hadn't thawed out yet. He' showered after his mission, the sonic vibrations getting rid of the last of the gel that had clung to his skin. He sat in his room, and was naked a he was tracing the lines that were now so much easier to see, trailing over his form. He was about to check his legs when his door beeped.

"One moment." he said, and quickly dressed. His own cloths were in the cleaner, so he'd been forced into replicated Carddassian night clothes. He opened the door and Damar paused when he saw what Weyoun was wearing. He seemed stunned for a moment, and but shoved it aside and came into the room."

"I thought you'd want the first batch of info we received from the hack." He handed over the padd,"The only people you are to discuss its contents with is me and Coronal Kira. Do you understand."

Weyoun nodded, and The movement made one shoulder of his shirt fall off his shoulder. The shirt was cut for a cardassian neck, and was downright indecent on the vorta. Damar's eyes were caught by the marking moving down his neck, his eye following and the sudden want to trace the lines came over him. He controlled himself though, knowing it was mostly Pheromones making him want to do it.

Weyoun lifted the shirt back up to where it should be and opened the first file on the padd, and sat in silence for a few moments, his brow creased in confusion,"There using a drift sequence. Its designed to be impossible to decode using an algorithm. I'll have to do this myself."

"How long will it take?"

"Depending on how many codes it drifts over, anything from hours to days. I'll get started during my next shift. The medic put me bed rest for the night. Wants to make sure I don't over tax my lungs whilst they adjust back to normal breathing."

Damar was about to make his excuses and leave, but Weyoun was too quick."Do I get my explanation Now? Because I've been waiting."

"I guess I should give you an explanation." Damar grabbed the only seat and sat, whilst Weyoun seated himself on the bunk. "After we went after 6 I realised your sympathies could change. They did. You gave me information you shouldn't have. You warned me of attacks and visits. If that's how useful you could be when your sympathetic, I thought of the boon you could be as an ally."

Weyoun didn't speak for a moment."I was a risk Damar. You could have taken any other Vorta. Vorta who had more access than I did. Why me?"

Damar thought about lying. He thought about leaving. Instead he sighed and told the truth. "I pitied you. I saw an intelligent, strong and emotional being who was no more than a throw away commodity. You gave your lives for you system, your gods with a mere look from them and got nothing in return." He looked up at Weyoun who was tilting his head at him. Damar continued."I didn't like you. At times I didn't even respect you. But your didn't deserve to live like that. Your weren't even slaves. You were robots with occasional emotions."

He wondered if he had insulted. He waited for any kind of response. He found the silence become difficult, and looked away from Weyoun.

He felt a warm hand on his and looked up. Weyoun gripped his hand.

"Thank You."Weyoun said, and intensity too his gaze that Damar was not used to."I propbablyu will not say it again for a while. I've got a lot of learning to do. There may even be a time when I'll curse you again for what you did. But you freed me from them Damar. And I thank you for that."

Damar gripped his hand back for a moment, the firm,soft fingers a grounding connection that seemed to make the moment stretch.

Then Damar's communicator went off.

"Damar here."

"Gull, Your presence and Weyouns is requested on the vid screen. Its Odo."

"Understood. Patch him through."

Chapter 7: Chapter Seven

Chapter Text

Odo's meet with Damar had gone better than expected. He'd been worried the other wouldn't want him to leave, but it seemed as though news of his illness had gotten to him. Damar was no idiot, not mater how useful the shapeshifter was to the rebellion, if he failed at the wrong time due to his health they could all be killed. Instead he had exchanged the information on the relay station and agreed to use short data bursts to send the federation any news they received on the Dominions movements. Odo honestly didn't know if anything would come of this, but hoped they'd learn something.

What he worried about now was the red headed Bajoran who was heading towards him.

He and Kira had arranged to meet one final time before he left, and he felt his Pah ache at the thought of leaving her. This could be the last time they ever saw each other.

She looked beautiful, even with the hidden worry behind her eyes.

"Do you know if you'll be coming back or are your orders to stay on the station?" she asked standing so close he could feel her body heat but not actually touching. Two of the Cardassian rebels glance at them, and they leave the room. Maybe to give them privacy, or maybe to avoid conflict with Kira he doesn't know, nor does he care. The3 moment the door closes Kira reached for him.

They hug, clinging to each other like this may be the last time. It very well could be.

"Dr Bashir wishes for me to remain on the station to discuss treatment options. He thinks he may have had a break through.

Kira didn't get her hopes up. Doing so would only make things worse if the breakthrough led to nothing."Then I'll keep an ear out for any updates you send."

They stood like that for a while, just enjoying the closeness. They stayed like that for a long time.

X X X X X X X X X X

"The data pad I've left you has all the medical information you'll need." 6 said and watched as 7 stared down at one of them. "I'm sorry I can't help you any further. "

"Are you sure you don't know if I'll get visions? Because they sound like something that could cause me problems if it happened at the wrong time."

"It hasn't yet." 6 said,"I'm not sure if you will have them. So far only those who are close to the Wormhole have been having them. Both vorta and human. To be honest I'm starting to think that the visions diminish the more them that are freed. "

"Well I hope that is true." 7 crossed his arms, "I do have one question though, that's been plaguing me see you arrived."

"Oh, what might that be?"

"Why You." 7 asked and took a step closer,"Why were you chosen. From what we've learned of the Prophets they rarely do anything without cause. So why you?"

Weyoun 6 sighed heavily, his shoulders drooping and he shook his head,"I have no idea. I've spent many hours wandering why me, and I cannot come up with a reason besides I was in the right place at the right time."

Weyoun 7 wasn't happy with that answer, but it was the only answer he was going to get.

X X X X X X X X X X

Garak watched as the shuttle carrying Odo and Weyoun 6 set off back to Federation space and he then turned back to the bridge. It felt familiar being on a cardassian ship, but it didn't feel like he was home. In fact the closer they got to Cardassia Prime the less excitement he felt. Oh he was glad he would be seeing Mila again, and visit his home.
But it wasn't home.

When Garak thought of home it was the small tailors shop, the replimat meals and his small quarters. It was over hearing gossip at Quarks and pretending not to find Morn's terribly brash jokes funny. It was a soft, comforting voice speaking in standard and warm brown eyes that crinkled ever so slightly when he smiled.

He missed it. There was a pang of regret at the idea he may never see it again. May never see Ju-

"Mr Garak, may I have a word with you?" Weyoun asked. Garak's mind nearly tacked 7 onto his name, but with only one of them on the ship, he was just Weyoun now.

"How can I help you." He asked, and the vorta came up to him. His scent was quite pleasant, and Garak told himself to replicate the human 'menthol gel' he had memorised after discovering how well it worked at masking terrible smells. Weyoun didn't smell awful and that was the problem. He highly doubted the gel would stop the pheromones, but the scent would be less distracting to him.

"I was taking my fisrt look at the codes the orders are being transmitted in and noticed some very distinct cardassi phases that I can't translate. I've spoken with Damr and he's asked if you can translate them." Weyoun handed over a padd, and Garak couldn't help the grin he gave.

"Very clever. Only giving me the cardassi words. I take it they are not in order?"

Weyoun gave a small smile,"Damar's idea, and a good one."

Garak looked over the phases and felt his heart freeze. But he kept his smile."We should discuss this with Damar in person, some of these are-"

"Of course, I'll go and see if he has a few moment." Weyoun had seen past his false smile, something that showed off his true skills as a diplomat. Saw the danger Garak had seen and instead of wasting time was already heading off the locate their leader.

Because they needed to discuss those phases immediately.

The Obsidian Order was not dead.

Chapter 8: Chapter Eight

Chapter Text

“How can you be certain that the Obsidian order still exists.”

“I can't be certain. For all I know this could be a trick. But there are very few people who know these specific word combinations. Which means the founders have managed to find an operative and garnered enough information to use the communication system. So they're even leading those of us who are still alive in so they can kill us, or they are hoping to garner information.”

Damar tried not to sigh in exasperation. he despised working with intelligence officers. Anything they said could even be a monumental lie or total honesty and you could never tell which one was which. Garak was an excellent intelligence officer, but he was also an extremely dangerous man. Damar had no choice but to his trust him. He glanced over the tablet in his hand and then back at Garak.

“So what do you suggest we do.”

“For now we can do nothing. Until I can be certain that this information is not some kind of trick all I can do is translate and inform you of what I find.”

“If that really is all you can do then then follow the protocol I've laid out. No one but I am to know about this do you understand.”

“What about Colonel Kira.?”

“I will decide who receives what information. If anything should happen to me then you will use your own judgment as to what to do with the information you have. Despite your current standing on Cardassia I know that you are a smart man. I trust you to keep quiet now but should anything happen I know you will make the right choice with the information you have.”

“Was a compliment I heard Damar?”

Damar rolled his eyes, “It was it was a statement of fact. Now is there anything you need to speak with me about.”

“Nothing to do with the job at hand. But I do wish to speak with you on a more personal note.”

“What do you mean a personal note.”

Garak did his best to keep his voice neutral and any sign of sarcasm or humor out of his voice. “You need to deal with the Weyouns situation.”

Damar managed to keep his temper under control. He did not want to be having this conversation with Garak of all people. “It is being dealt with. Our medical personnel are keeping a close eye on him and I am making sure that he is not left alone with anything that could harm us.”

“Please don't play coy Damar we both know what I'm talking about. If you don't do something about this quickly, we could be seeing a lot of unpleasantness. I don't have to remind you about the incident with that little blonde dabo girl a few years back.”

Damar did not have to be reminded of the incident in question. Three of his men had nearly killed each other over a Dabo girl at Quarks. And he knew more than one embarrassing incident that had come about because one of his men or fellow soldiers could not keep their hands to themselves.

“I know about this problem. I am figuring out ways to deal with it.”

“You already know how you can deal with it tomorrow. You might find it distasteful but it will keep Weyoun from causing chaos safe keep the men's minds on task.”

“I said it will be dealt with. Now do you have anymore information for me or can I get on with the rest of my day.” Damar snapped, and instantly regretted his loss of control. But it got Garak to leave, which allowed him to panic in silence.

Garak was not wrong. The pheromones situation would start causing problems soon. Already he had heard some of his men trying to trade shifts so they can be around Weyoun for longer. Others were extremely disturbed at the attraction that was being forced upon by chemical reactions. Both of these situations were dangerous.

He had two options. He could have Weyoun isolated. No one but himself and a few key people would be allowed near him. But this just wasn't a practical idea. Weyoun’s skills would be needed all over the base and it would be very likely he would have to go on a few missions as well. And he couldn't curtale their resources and his soldiers abilities because he wanted to keep one person safe. The second option was one he both hated and was intrigued him.

He could claim Weyoun as his own. He had heard it described as many different things over the years. Claiming someone as a ward, or instating them as a secretary. Personal servant was another favorite but they all meant the same thing. The individual that the superior officer had his eye on belong to him and no one else. Maybe someone who was of a higher authority than Damar could try and stake a claim to Weyoun, but it was considered a serious faux pas to try and steal somebody else's comfort woman.

But comfort woman wasn't really the right term for Weyoun. For start he wasn't a woman And that would raise more than a few eyebrows. It wasn't uncommon for someone to take a member of their own gender as a partner but it wasn't exactly smiled upon either. But it was common enough that it would not cause a scandal.

But this was a bigger problem for Damar. This wouldn't be a few tussles in the barracks or seducing a science officer. The Vorta were supposed to be their allies now and needed to be treated as such. He could not claim this to be quick fumble after a drunken night out or a short-term distraction. if he did this, he would be initiating an affair.

Dukat was a perfect example of what could go wrong if you did not follow the social rules of taking a lover whilst off world. Dukat’s wife had known about his many lovers. Knew about the one night stands and the throwaway people he would often be seen with. It was tolerated because none of them were love affairs. Until Nora Teprem had showed up. If he had used her and thrown her away, then he would have been fine. Even the child they had had could have been forgiven if he had refused to acknowledge it. Just another Hybrid child on a conquered world. But no, he had fallen in love, and had a child with her. For Guls Sake, he had even foolishly given her a Bajoran Betrothal bracelet as a sign of his affection. And look what it had led to. Loss of rank, his wife leaving him, his children hating him. And Damar was risking that if he laid A claim on Weyoun.

Even if the Claim was on in name, to keep him safe, Damar didn’t know if he could keep himself from acting on his new attraction. Weyoun had always been an impressive agitator, forming well worded arguments and cutting jibes that could get any Cardassian’s blood racing. There had been moments, even before Damar had begun to thinking of revolution, where he had wondered what Weyoun would do should he attempt to argue, really argue, back. And now he was changing, the biology of his knew form making him a distraction. And one thing Damar wished his people were better at was ignoring distraction.

He felt the urge to go and search out a bottle of Kanar. But he couldn’t. The temptation was always there, always trying to get him to give in. At moments where he needed to make a difficult decision it would pop up and try to make him give in. But he couldn’t. Too many people were relying on him.

X X X X X X X X X X

Weyoun was getting sick and tired of being stared at. At first he had been worried it was because of his new Physiology but Luckily a lot of the soldiers here were keeping themselves under control as they did not wish to fraternize with an alien. But he also knew more than one of them didn't really care about what their society considered right and wrong. You only had to ask the dabo girls at quarks to understand that

He shouldn't have been out of his quarters but staring at the same 4 walls was beginning to get on his nerves. So he decided he would find something easy to do in order to get around at the doctors orders of resting. Delivering paperwork around the base was not a hard job but it got him out of that dratted room.

As he walked, he noticed Kira talking to several of the soldiers and attempting to get them to change several protocols. But it seemed as though they were more interested in blustering than doing their job.

She spotted him and left the apparent morals behind. "There you are Weyoun. I've been looking for you all over.” She lied and continued walking alongside in until they were out of sight of those she'd been attempting to educate.

“I I take it that the collaboration is not going all that well.”

“You would be guessing correctly.” Kira groused. “I am so close to just slapping one of these people. Every time I tell them something they question it every aspect the point of lunacy. I get it, it's not easy dealing with a new officer, especially one who you hate but this is a dangerous situation you'd think they'd be able to put aside-”

“Their petty differences and work for the good of their people. Think of a similar I do recall hearing someone we both know saying that once.” Weyoun Said and could feel Kira bristle beside him.

Then she slumped as though the energy had left her. “I know who I sound like Weyoun. But Ducat isn't the only one who said this. So did Sisko when the Federation first came to the station. So did my cell leader when we were forced to work with known collaborators. I used those same damn words when we were trying to get the Vulcans and Romulan's to work together.” She sighed, “No one listened then either.”

This was a problem Weyoun knew all too well. No matter what the species there was always going to be trouble when you tried to get them to work together. And he could not think of two more opposing sides than the militaristic rule abiding Cardassians trying to learn the guerilla warfare of the people they attempted to conquer. and no matter how much Dukat had watched poetic about how they had subjugated Bajor, but Weyoun knew the Cardassian occupation had been a monumental failure. The people had never really surrendered, they fought back at every opportunity and eventually managed to drive their oppressors out. Perhaps it could have been considered a success when thinking of all the materials they had funneled into the Kardashian empire but by Dominion standards it had been a failure.

Weyoun shook his mind free of those kinds of thoughts and instead tried to give advice. “I have always found the best way to get people to do what you want is to make it a challenge. If you make them want to prove you wrong, they'll usually stop at nothing to do so.”

“I hate the fact that that might actually work.” Kera said and turned to briefly glance at a small group of soldiers working on a conduit. “I knew this was going to be a battle before I came here. But I didn't think I'd have to treat them like children.”

Weyoun shrugged. “If it works then it works. And who is going to complain then.”

“Oh don't always be someone ready to complain.” Kira said.

“If you don't mind me asking Colonel, but I must ask something.”

“What is it you need to know.”

“Why are you speaking with me?” he asked. “Back on the station, you only ever came to me with demands or complaints. Dukat is doing this, the J’Hem Hadar are doing that. Not once did you speak with me like....this.”

Kira froze for a moment. He could see the gears turning in her head. She eventually looked at him again and spoke, “I guess I'm used to speaking to your counterpart. Over the past few weeks we have been through several emergency situations and have been forced to get to know each other. I guess it might take me awhile to understand I haven't been through those situations with you yet. I'm sorry.”

“I am going to have to get used to the fact that there is nothing me running around.”

“Not another you. You might share the same memories but from now on you will be living very separate lives.” Kira Said in hopes that she might undo the embarrassing situation she has caused. “Think of it as having a cousin? Maybe?”

Weyoun had no idea what to say to that, so instead he changed the subject, “the supply situation is not too bad right now but I would prefer that we gathered more rations or even a replicator.”

“I agree. The men here are too reliant on the replicators. I’ve already had a ship designated to replicated ration packs and emergency medical kits.” Kira said, “I had to lecture several of them on the importance of creating emergency caches and bolt holes. It’s like teaching new recruits.”

“These men are used to being the conquers Colonel Kira, it will take time for them to come to terms with the fact they are now the Oppressed."

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On The Offensive

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Notes:

Chapter 1: Chapter One

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Chapter 2: Chapter Two

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Chapter 3: Chapter Three

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Chapter 4: Chapter Four

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Chapter 5: Chapter Five

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: Chapter Six

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Chapter 7: Chapter Seven

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Chapter 8: Chapter Eight

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