Julian Bashir walked down the street on the planet Torna IV. He had finished his work at the medical center and still had a full day before the Defiant was due to pick him back up.
Jadzia had recommended a restaurant and since he had the extra time he decided to check it out for himself.
He didn't want to be to conspicuous since there weren't many Starfleet officers planet side so he'd changed into black slacks, a green shirt and black jacket. The only sign of his service status was the comm. badge he wore.
He placed a few credit chips into his pocket, the planet's only accepted currency, and set off for the restaurant.
He found the building easily enough, it was just as Dax had described...
"Just not the type of place I would have thought Curzon would frequent from the way the Captain talks about him."
Julian opened the double doors and entered, glancing around he was surprised.
The restaurant was neither seedy nor elegant, not noisy and crowded either.
He found pleasant to be the correct adjective.
"Welcome to Shrella's sir. Will a guest be joining you this evening?"
"No, I'm dining alone."
"Please follow me then."
Julian nodded as the waiter led him to a fireside table.
This reminds me of a pub back home in London.
"Is this acceptable?" The waiter requested.
"It's fine, thank you."
He accepted a padd from the waiter after he was seated.
"I will return in a moment to fulfill your drink order."
Julian nodded absently as he looked over the padd.
Their drink list was extensive and he mused that they could rival Quark's.
"Have you made a selection sir?"
"I believe I'll have a white wine, Picard-vintage 2341."
"An excellent choice. If I may suggest a main course to compliment it?"
"Actually a friend of mine recommended the chicken in cardaway leaves."
"One of our lesser known dishes... may I ask who your friend is?"
"Jadzia Dax."
"I'm unfamiliar--"
"She used to be Curzon Dax."
"Ah, Dax. I miss him. I've not had the pleasure of meeting the new host."
"She's a very good friend."
"Any friend of Dax's, in all of its incarnations, is welcome here. I'll have the chef get right on your dish."
"Thank you." Julian smiled handing him the padd.
Julian sipped his wine slowly and took in the ambiance. He spotted painting from several different artists including the late Gideon Sayetek, whom Julian recalled meeting once on DS9. He picked up his glass and walked over to a statue.
"Voldrey."
"You know his work?"
Julian turned to see an elegantly dressed older gentlemen at his side.
"I met him when I was nineteen at the art center on Pluto. He even sculpted a small piece for me. He is quite frankly one of the most fascinating men I've ever had the pleasure of meeting." Julian smiled.
"Did he tell you of his adventures on Ufandi III?"
"Yes! I'm surprised he escaped with his skin in tact!" Julian laughed.
"It certainly made for some interesting art."
"I will give you that." Julian raised his glass to the man.
"My name is Kresta, I understand you are a friend of Dax."
"Of the current host, yes. She's the one who recommended I come here. My name is Julian Bashir by the way." Julian answered offering his hand which was shook vigorously.
"Please enjoy your meal, it's on the house."
"Well thank you, that's very kind."
"Please tell Dax to come and see me. We have much to catch up on."
"I'll let her know."
"Oh, please excuse me, I need to tend to some customers."
Julian nodded and drifted back to his own table where he was served a few minutes later.
Dax was right, he thought as he enjoyed the last bite of chicken. Delicious!
"Would you care for some dessert Mr. Bashir?"
"Um..."
"Dax always enjoyed our chocolate cream pastries. He ordered one one everytime he came here." The waiter enticed.
Julian sighed.
He was full, but it did sound good.
He was also starting to watch what he ate and knew he'd have to walk it off but it was a few blocks back to where he was staying but it was also a beautiful night...
What the hell!
"Go ahead and bring me one."
"Excellent."
The waiter returned a moment later and set the plate in front of him then waited for his reaction after the first bite.
Julian closed his eyes and savored it as the pastry seemed to melt in his mouth.
"I certainly understand why Curzon ordered it." He said taking a second bite.
The waiter nodded pleased as he left him to enjoy it in peace.
Twenty minutes later he walked out feeling sated.
I'll have to take Jadzia to dinner on DS9 for the recommendation.
He set off for his quarters on the medical center's teaching campus which was adjacent to the center itself.
It was a warm evening, the air wonderfully fresh with a slight breeze stirring the jasmine
growing near-by leaving a sweet aroma in the air. It was a definite change of pace from the recycled air of the station and he intended to take full advantage while he was there. He cut through the park as the sky displayed incredible hues of green, yellow and blue as dusk set in. It was absolutely gorgeous to look at.
He nodded to the couples he passed in the park and was nearly half way across when he heard rustling in a bush three meters to his left.
"Is someone there?" He called looking around but finding himself alone at the moment.
He stepped back anxiously as the bushes rustled again.
All of his instincts told him to run but his feet seemed rooted to the spot and he took up a defensive posture when he was startled by a man stumbling out of the bushes.
Julian caught him as he pitched forward and gently laid him on the ground.
The man grabbed Julian's jacket and tried to talk.
"Don't, please don't." Julian requested as he heard bubbling from the man's throat indicating fluid, possibly blood, in the lungs.
Julian pulled the knife sticking from his chest and tossed it aside as he placed his hands on the wound in an attempt to staunch the flow of blood.
"You there! What are you doing?!?"
"Get help! This man has been--"
"You've stabbed him!" A woman shrieked accusingly.
"No! I found--"
"Someone help!" The first man shouted.
"You've killed him!" Another man called out.
Julian shook his head as he looked at the victim who was no longer breathing. He felt for a pulse and found none. The man had bled to death.
A crowd was starting to gather drawn by the commotion.
Julian stood and looked at them then realized he had the victim's blood all over his hands.
The crowd backed away fearfully as he took a step toward them.
They think I killed him.
He heard a shrill whistle and someone shouted that 'he's over here'.
Julian looked at the ground and saw the knife glistening in the moonlight.
Oh my God! They think I've killed him and I touched the knife!
He had no conscious thoughts as his feet carried him away from the scene.
The shrill whistle grew weaker as he ran on silently thanking his parents for the genetic enhancement which gave him far more stamina than most other humanoids.
He ran from the park, past the campus and away from a murder.
A murder for which he was the prime suspect.
Julian slowed to a walk as he developed a stitch in his side and labored for breath.
He had no idea how long he'd ran but he didn't hear the whistles of what he suspected were security forces on the planet. It was quiet here, eerily so in fact. There were several large buildings which cast ominous shadows and Julian suspected they were factories.
It really didn't matter to him though, as long as there were no security forces there.
He sat down to catch his breath making sure he was hidden in the shadows.
Maybe running wasn't the smartest thing to do but the Torna system of justice is notoriously slow and the evidence points to me... circumstantial or not.
The crowd would say I did it.
I could spend years in their prison before my case was even heard.
Years for a murder I did not commit!
He heard voices and shank into the shadows even more as two security members passed by blissfully unaware of his presence.
I can't stay here. I have to find someplace else by first light... someplace where no one would think to look for me. Someplace safe until Captain Sisko arrives.
He smiled to himself in the darkness.
And I know just the place.
"We've questioned all of the witnesses sir and have an excellent description."
"Good. Make sure all the other teams get it, and Treba... I appreciate your diligence. It can't be easy to lose your partner, especially in such a needless way." Or to be the one to respond to the shouts and find him stabbed to death, the First Adjetant added silently.
"It wasn't sir, but I need to find Cobek's killer. He deserves that from me and to be honest, it will help me too."
"I understand."
"Excuse me sir?"
"Come in Jendek, what is it?"
"We found this about two kilometers from the scene." The officer told his superior as he handed him a small evidence container.
"Any idea what it is?" The adjetant asked.
"Possibly some sort of jewelry. We know it belongs to the killer...Cobek's blood is on it."
Treba looked at the item.
"It could be a communications device. I've seen some visiting species wearing something similar." He offered.
"Thank you Jendek, store it for the proceedings."
The young officer nodded and left them.
"If it is a communications device someone could come looking for him." Treba said aloud.
"Probably. The question is 'how soon'? Find this killer Treba."
"Yes,sir." Treba replied standing.
"Use force only if necessary. I want this man to face the proceedings for this crime."
Julian tried to avoid the water but that was extremely difficult due to it being all around him. He did his best not to touch the walls either since it wasn't sanitary.
At least I don't have to worry about being spotted, he consoled himself.
Just need to find a place to wait things out until the Captain comes in the morning.
He reached for his comm. badge and froze.
IT'S GONE!! Oh my God, I must have lost it running!
Don't panic!
The Captain will get here and try to contact me, when he gets no answer he'll investigate.
They'll use bio-scans and find me and I'll tell them what happened and they'll clear me of this murder.
He comforted himself with that thought as he resumed walking.
"I wonder how Julian's lecture went?" Miles said aloud.
"He probably regaled them with tales of life as a frontier doctor." Dax replied grinning.
Sometimes when Julian told a story he could mesmerize you with his voice and animated hand movements and he had been asked to lecture to a group of medical students who would undoubtedly hang on his every word.
"I think we should start running the simulations as soon as we get back to the station."
"Agreed. We need more preparation if we are to have any more success against the Dominion." Worf answered as he and Sisko entered the bridge.
Dax silently vacated the Captain's chair and resumed her usual place at the helm from Ensign Golden.
"We'll reach Torna IV by tomorrow night,right on schedule and our sensors haven't detected anything unusual." She reported.
"Thank you 'old man'. Continue scans."
"Aye, sir."
Sisko eased into his chair and sighed silently.
He would be glad to get home at the end of the week... after picking up Julian of course. He smiled slightly at that. Julian seemed to have a way of brightening things up and he'd missed him. Julian had been excused from a debriefing at Starfleet to give his lecture on Torna IV, a planet which was highly instrumental in the war against the Dominion having supplied a number of invaluable resources to the fight so to loan them his CMO for a few days seemed reasonable enough. Besides, he reasoned, Julian would take one read through of the material Starfleet sent back with them and comprehend it immediately. Sisko still marveled at the younger man's ability to be so analytical and he was faster at calculations than even the computer!
That in itself took some getting used to, but as hard as it had been for him it had been much worse on Julian, who had bared up surprisingly well to the scrutiny.
Sisko knew it hadn't benn easy for the truth to surface, especially in the way it had with Dr. Lewis Zimmerman wasting no time in notifying Starfleet medical of the revelation.
He had been shocked of course when Richard and Amsha Bashir had shown up at his office very early the following morning and disclosed everything to him about their son.
He'd agreed that Julian shouldn't be punished for being genetically altered and had secretly been pleased that he could help work out a way to keep Julian's career intact.
He was a good officer and a fine man who'd grown a great deal since arriving at DS9 and Sisko quite frankly did not want to lose him.
Not to say Julian himself didn't bear some of the responsibility.
He did keep silent when applying to the Academy, but who could really blame him?
The stigma of Khan would always be attached to genetic alteration and under those conditions Sisko knew he might very well have kept silent too.
"We've got an incoming message from Kira." Miles announced interrupting his thoughts.
"On a secure channel." He added surprised.
"Put her through." Sisko ordered as he swung around to face the holo-communicator.
Kira's image appeared looking serious. "What is it Major?"
"I thought you should know, one of Garak's contacts on Cardassia got a message out. Seems the natives aren't too enthralled with the current government and have passed along some information."
"It may be false information." Worf warned.
"Garak and Odo don't think so."
"All right Major, transmit it. Mr. Worf, you're with me. Dax--"
"I have the bridge, aye sir."
"Tranmission complete." Miles announced within minutes.
"Thank you Major. Keep an eye on the station for me and if anything else happens--"
"I'll notify you immediately. See you at the end of the week. DS9 out."
Sisko frowned as her holo-image vanished and caught Dax with a bemused smile on her face.
He wasn't sure it was a good sign when your crew knew what you were going to say before you said it. Then he sighed and thought maybe that wasn't such a bad thing sometimes.
He nodded to Worf to follow him.
"I've sent it to your quarters sir." Miles called.
"Thank you, Chief."
He supposed after six years they could read his mind too!
Dax slid back into the Captain's chair and smiled as they left the bridge and thought of the 'well oiled machine', to use an antiquated term, the crew had become and Julian was an integral part of that machine and she would be glad to have him back.
Treba sighed as he dropped into a chair tiredly. He had searched for hours for the suspect to no avail. Their scans turned up a few possibilities but he wasn't to be found.
There were a few places the scans couldn't penetrate and he would tackle those tomorrow, after a good night's sleep.
He smiled with the certainty that the suspect would not be sleeping so peacefully this night.
And indeed Julian was not sleeping peacefully.
He had found a small crevice and hunkered down into it, not really sitting, only his feet touching the ground. His arms were wrapped around his knees for warmth because of the dampness of his hiding place, though it did nothing to stop him from shivering in his exhausted sleep as his head rested on his knees.
His sleep gave way to nightmares of the victim and witnesses all pronouncing him guilty and sentencing him to death.
He awoke with a start to find it was mid-morning all ready and he felt just as tired as when he'd fallen asleep. He stood and stretched his sore muscles which had cramped up a bit from the dampness and chill. His stomach growled. He was starving but he knew he couldn't risk leaving his hiding place. The Defiant would be there by nightfall, he would eat then.
He began to look around frantically when he heard voices heading his way.
Treba exited the empty warehouse. He'd been searching since early that morning and he was feeling slightly frustrated that he hadn't located Bashir yet. At least we've identified him! Julian Bashir, a Federation citizen, a Starfleet doctor who had been guest lecturing at the teaching college.
Treba climbed into his hovercraft and set off for the next location with steely determination to find Dr. Julian Bashir before anyone else did.
"Four places down, five more to go. I'm going to find you Bashir, you can count on it!"
"Morning Captain, so how are things on the Cardassian front?" O'Brien asked as they met at the mess hall.
"The information looks promising, I just hope it's reliable. It could give us a much needed leg up on the Dominion."
"If it's that good, I hope it is true." Miles agreed as they entered.
Dax motioned them over to where she sat with Worf.
Sisko nodded and went to get breakfast with O'Brien then joined them.
"So it sounds like the True Way dislikes the Dominion even more than they do us." She said as they sat down.
Sisko glanced at Worf who looked away with a scowl.
Oh well, he was going to tell them once Julian joined them anyway.
"I hope it's not a ruse to throw us off or make us complacent." He replied as he took a bite of food.
"It'd be nice if the Dominion had internal problems to worry about instead of going after us for a change!" Miles snorted.
Dax nodded as she finished her own breakfast.
Worf simply swallowed the last of his prune juice.
"Let's hope it gives us a chance to prepare for the next battle." Sisko sighed as he finished his meal.
No one in the Federation was disillusioned enough to believe this war was over. The changelings wanted to bring "order to the chaos" of the Alpha quadrant but right now the Federation controlled the wormhole which put a major crimp in their plans and they all knew it was a matter of time before the Dominion went after DS9 again.
Julian hurried back to his niche, where he had slept, as quietly as possible.
He watched the beam of light dance along the ground as the voices approached and did his best to make himself part of the wall as they drew closer. He held his breath fearfully as they stopped a few meters from his hiding place.
One turned his way and walked over.
"Send that light over here." He ordered.
Julian thought for sure he'd been found and his mind screamed at him to run but for the second time in a day his feet remained rooted.
The beam came no less than six inches from his head and found its spot next to the first man.
"Here it is."
"I didn't bring any gear, we'll have to go back." The second man replied.
"I'll mark it, we can--"
Julian heard a beeping sound and it reminded him of a tricorder and he prayed it wasn't some kind of proximity detector.
"We've got a breach in sector four." The man with the light announced.
"Again? When are they going to replace that thing?!?"
"I wouldn't count on it being anytime soon considering the whole line needs replaced and it hasn't happened yet."
"Somebody's going to get hurt if they don't!
That's the third time in as many months it's breached!"
"We'd better shore it up the best we can."
"I think we should drag them down here to see the mess!"
Julian heard the man mutter in reply, surprised he could hear anything but the blood rushing through his ears. He stayed where he was for at least five minutes, not because he was afraid they would come back, they were long gone, but because he was shaking so badly he didn't trust his legs to support him standing. That had been much too close and now he had to find a new hiding place. He ran through some calming exercises and in a few minutes he felt strong enough to stand. He looked in the direction the workers had gone. "You went that way so I'll just go this way and pray that this place is big enough so as not to run into each other." He whispered and set off.
Treba arrived at his fifth location, an abandoned arms manufacturing facility which had been abandoned once a new one had been built. This one was only kept around for the extra parts.
The last time it had been opened was a few months ago to help the Federation. They had been stockpiling since the stalemate but he personally believed one could never have too many weapons during a war and thought the Federation foolish to stop ordering because of it. He chekced the fence surrounding the building which didn't appear to have been tampered with. The perimeter sensors were still in tact but he decided he'd better enter and conduct a thorough search... just in case. Desperate men did desperate things and Treba knew Bashir would be desperate right now.
"Entering orbit around Torna IV." Dax announced.
"We're a few hours early, I hope it won't disrupt Julian's schedule."
"We could have a leisurely dinner and let him know we're here once we've eaten. It would only be an hour or so before we were due anyway and he might be ready to go by then." Dax suggested.
"Sounds like a good plan 'old man'."
"I know just the restaurant." She replied grinning.
"I can't wait to see the look on Treska's face. I haven't seen him in ages." Dax said as she reached for the door.
Sisko smiled, recalling his own moment of stunned shock upon seeing the 'old man' again, but in the body of this beautiful young woman. It had certainly taken some getting used to.
"Welcome to Shrella's. A table for four?"
"Yes." Dax smiled.
"Please follow me." The waiter replied as he led them to a table by the window.
"Oh, this will never do! I want to speak to the owner! Get him now please Colles!"
The waiter looked at her wondering how she knew his name then nodded and hurried off.
"Dax?"
"It's okay Benjamin." She answered as the waiter spoke to another man.
"My name is Kresta,this is my establishment. Is there a problem?"
"Yes, there's a problem! This table is unacceptable! First you put me in the window like I'm on display--"
"Jadzia!" Worf growled.
"Then you give me tableware that even a Legaran wouldn't use!" She continued.
"Commander!" Sisko warned.
"I know of only one person who would dare speak to me in that fashion... Dax."
Jadzia grinned and grabbed his hand.
"Although this is not the same Dax I am used to." He added giving her an appreciative once over.
"No, I am much better looking." She boasted.
Kresta laughed out loud then grew sober.
"What is it?" Dax asked puzzled.
"Your friend, the Doctor..."
"What about Julian?" Sisko asked concerned.
"You should sit." Kresta sighed.
"Just tell us!" Miles snapped.
Sisko put an hand on the Irishman's arm.
"What happened?" He asked.
"A security man was killed last evening... they believe your friend is responsible."
"Sisko to Defiant."
"Go ahead sir."
"Locate Dr. Bashir."
"We have his location sir, he's thirty five meters from your present location."
"That would be the security office. If he had been captured we would have heard." Treska shook his head.
"They could have his comm. badge." Dax said worriedly. "Scan for his bio-signs." She advised.
"We haven't been able to locate him." Came the reply several minutes later.
"Where exactly is the security office?" Sisko asked the man.
"I will take you."
"Mr. Worf, Chief, return to the ship and run every scan you can think of to find him."
"Aye, sir." Worf answered while Miles simply nodded unhappily.
"Lets' go."
Julian looked around and decided he would hole-up where he was standing. There were lots of places to hide. His only wish was that he'd found it sooner but that's the way things go. He yawned. He had walked for hours resting occassionally. He tried not to think about food, it had been at least a day since he'd eaten and his body knew it. He sat down and got comfortable, he still had a few hours before the Defiant arrived and he fervently hoped they would not be delayed.
"Thank you for meeting with us First Adjatent." Sisko said as he handed the padd back to him.
The evidence against his CMO looked pretty damning but Julian was not a killer!
"It is clear we want the same thing Captain, to find your Doctor."
"Yes, we do, but I believe he's innocent and we'd like to find him to hear his side of this, but I have to be honest, I'm very concerned what will happen if your people locate him first... he may get hurt."
"They will only use force should it become necessary."
"Do you really believe that?" Dax asked. "One of their own was murdered, do you think they'll care if the man they hold responsible for that crime gets injured... or killed in their attempt to apprehend him?"
"I know my forces, they will obey my orders, but I will tell them to do their best to take him alive and uninjured."
Sisko and Dax exchanged very worried looks.
Accidents had a way of happening and they were afraid Julian would lose his life.
"First Adjatent, I have a request on behalf of the Federation, allow us to conduct a search of our own for Dr.Bashir. If we locate him I will personally deliver him to this office. You have my word."
The man stood and eyed Sisko then Dax.
"I won't order my people to stop searching but I will allow you to look on your own. If you do locate him I expect you to keep your promise and turn him over to us to stand trial... my people and yours have gotten along for centuries, don't make me regret the trust I have given you in this matter."
"Thank you." Sisko answered.
The Adjatent nodded as Sisko called for transport then touched the communications device on his desk to inform his people of the new search party.
"How bad is it for Julian?" Miles asked as Sisko and Dax entered the bridge.
They knew he was worried about his best friend.... so were they.
"The handle of the knife used to stab the officer has his DNA on it, there are numerous witnesses who say they saw him do it and on top of that, running from the scene makes him look damn guilty."
"But he isn't!" Miles replied angrily.
"No, he isn't Chief. No amount of evidence would make me believe that. Have you found anything?"
"We have run continuous scans but have found no trace of him, however,there are nearly a dozen areas which are impervious to our sensors."
"So Julian could be hiding there." Dax concluded.
"We need to check them out." Sisko agreed.
"Actually, Worf and I feel it would be better to run continuous scans from here rather than try a ground search." Miles answered.
"Explain."
"Well, we know Julian's probably hiding in one of those nine places--"
"How does that help us if we can't scan those areas?" Dax interrupted.
"I'm getting to that Commander," Miles scolded, "we also know that Julian knows we're coming tonight to get him so he'll probably stay hidden until then, once he leaves his hiding place we'll be able to pick him up."
"It's a good thought Chief and I want you to follow through with it but Dax and I are still going to commence a ground search. The First Adjatent gave me his word that he would order his people to try their best not to hurt Julian but they may become a little zealous regardless of that order. I want a list of those areas, we still have a few hours of daylight left and I want to take advantage of it."
"Aye, sir." Miles answered as he tapped the command to download the requested information into his tricorder.
"We should take a couple more people with us." Dax advised.
"Agreed. Mr. Worf, you'll stay here, Gant and Shay will join us."
Worf nodded as Miles handed Sisko a tricorder then gave one to Gant as well.
"The two of you take the first four, Dax and I will handle the other five."
"I don't want him hurt, take every precaution to ensure that."
"I don't think you should have allowed them to take part in the search. How can you be sure they keep their promise to turn him over?" Treba asked.
"We've had many dealings with the Federation. Captain Sisko gave me his word and I accept it."
"What if the suspect tries to run or attempts to injure one of us?" Another officer asked.
"If you find yourselves threatened then defend yourselves. I think even the Federation would find that acceptable... but only if it becomes necessary."
Treba nodded along with the others.
He may not agree with the decision but he accepted it.
"Treba, I want you to check out the warehouses since you're closest to them. Jendek and Chera will assist you."
"Understood."
"All right, take care of it." The Adjetent ordered and signed off.
Treba turned off the monitor in his hover vehicle. He hadn't planned to check the warehouses next but that was okay, he only had that and one other place to look. Bashir had to be in one of them. He activated the hover craft and headed for the warehouses.
"You go that way I'll head this one, we'll meet back here."
Dax nodded at her superior and set off, the beam from her palm beacon bouncing in front of her as she walked. She flashed the light in every corner that Julian could hide in as she called his name. She prayed they would find him first because she was frightened about what could happen to him if they didn't. She reined in her thoughts and got back to the search.
"Julian!" Sisko called. "Damn it!" He muttered as he received only an echo. Where are you.... and are you all right? He wondered worriedly as they searched the old weapons plant.
O'Brien glanced up as a mug was set beside him.
"I thought you could use this."
"Thank you Worf."
He couldn't help but think of Julian because that was something he would have done... always taking care of everyone else. I wonder if he's scared? All alone down there and hunted. Please let us find him first, he thought, as he turned back to his scans taking a sip of the coffee.
Julian guessed he had an hour of daylight left,though it was hard to tell from where he was hiding at, but that would still leave two hours before the Defiant arrived. Two hours before he was safe. He closed his eyes and thought of his friends and how good it would be to see them again... how much he needed to see them again.
"Sisko to Defiant any word Mr. Worf?"
"Gant and Shea have not located the Doctor."
"All right, tell them to keep looking and send us to the next location."
"Aye, sir."
Sisko looked at Dax who appeared serene but he knew she was deeply worried about her friend.
"All right, let's hope he's here." Sisko said as they rematerialized at an empty cargo warehouse. The second location on their list.
"I hoped that last time." She retorted as she started off in one direction while he headed in the other.
Julian awoke with a start, unsure of what had woken him. He hadn't planned to doze off but he was exhausted. He stood and stretched doing his best to ignore the gnawing hunger in his belly and smiled at the thought of how good a field ration would have tasted as awful as he normally found them. He took a step forward and froze as a beam of light headed his way. Not again!
"Ladies first."
"Thanks a lot Ben!" Dax replied as she climbed downward.
Sisko followed and laughed as he stepped off the ladder where he found Dax holding her nose.
"I've been in a lot of places but never a sewer." She told him sounding funnier than she looked.
"I thought you'd be reminded of Rujian." Sisko teased as they walked along,trying to stay out of the small trickle of water running through the sewer.
Dax laughed at the memory.
"I think that was worse." She admitted.
"I think you're right." He answered as they walked.
Julian retreated back into his hiding place and watched to see who was there. He bit his lip when he saw the uniform of planet security. If I stay put I should be safe but I'll have to get above ground in order for the Defiant to find me. He had already determined the sewer was sensorproof since he hadn't been caught yet but if sensors couldn't locate him the Defiant wouldn't be able to tranport him either. I'll have to make sure he's well away from here before I even attempt to escape. They probably have orders to shoot to kill. Julian watched from the darkness as the man moved off in the opposite direction. I'll give him a little time, just to be safe.
"I wished our tricorders worked down here. It will take us hours to search this whole sewer." Dax complained.
"With Gant and Shea looking as well it will only take half the time." Sisko reminded her.
"I just want to find Julian." She sighed.
"So do I 'old man', so do I." Sisko answered.
"Julian?" He called out.
"Julian?" Dax called as well.
Treba shone his light into every corner as he walked. Bashir had to be here, he'd looked everywhere else. The problem was that the sewer was so big it could take days to cover, which he didn't have so he'd set up a sensor field with equipment he'd borrowed from an associate. All he'd had to do was set each one up fifty yards apart and it would alert him to any movement. He had to find Bashir before anyone else did.
Julian quietly crept out of his hiding place and breathed a sigh of relief as the guard was long gone in the other direction. Now to get back above ground and hope the Defiant is here and that there aren't a handful of security officers waiting for me. He walked quickly and quietly heading for the ladder which was thirty meters away. He was so close he could taste his freedom.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE BASHIR!"
Julian froze.
"All right, I give up. Don't... don't shoot me." Julian replied raising his hands in surrender and turning slowly to face the officer.
"I said hold it!"
"I... I am." Julian replied in confusion.
"I said stop! Don't make me shoot you!"
"What?" Julian asked shaking his head.
"Julian?" Dax called as they walked.
They'd been in the sewer for nearly an hour and hadn't even had the first hint that Julian might be there. Dax was relieved that at least their communicators worked so the could stay in contact with Gant, Shea and the Defiant. If anyone of them located Julian they would know immediately.
"You want to check out the side road?" Sisko asked as they reached a juncture and he flashed his beacon into its depths.
"Why don't you--"
Dax fell silent as Sisko raised his hand and listened.
"Did you hear that?" He asked.
"That was weapons fire!" She exclaimed pulling her phaser as a second shot was fired.
"Let's go!" Sisko ordered pulling his own and heading into the juncture.
Julian ran.
He didn't even think about it.
The moment the security man raised his weapon at him Julian knew he was intent on ending his life so he bolted and just missed being hit twice. The smell alone propelled him out of harm's way.
Treba took off after Bashir. He didn't expect the man to be so fast. It doesn't matter though, once I catch up to him it will be all over for him. No one will blame me for killing the man who killed my partner. Of course I do have orders but Bashir attacked me and I had to protect myself. Everyone would believe that and that's all that matters.
"Which way did it come from?" Dax asked as they exited the juncture at a run.
"I don't know." Sisko admitted as he strained to pick up any hint of where the sound came from.
"Let's split up." He ordered. "Keep your comm. badge open."
Dax nodded and hit her badge as she turned right and he turned left.
Julian continued to run blindly knowing the man behind wanted him dead which caused him to miss the low hanging pipe. His head collided with it and he stumbled back momentarily dazed. He touched his forehead and came away with bloody fingers. He heard the footsteps echoing not far behind and forced himself to push on though his head was throbbing. He spotted a ladder about eight meters away and ran for it grabbing the bottom rung he climbed up to the grate and wrapped his leg around a lower rung as he used all his strength to push the grate open. GOT IT!
He put his hands up on the rim, unwrapping his leg to pull himself up and out when he felt intense pain shoot from his shoulder through his left arm causing him to lose his grip and fall backward.
Dax rushed cautiouslydown the corridor worried that if it was indeed weapons fire it very well may be aimed at her friend. She picked up her pace as another crack sounded close by.
"Good thing I saw it." Sisko said aloud as he just missed hitting his head on a low hanging pipe which he'd caught with his light. He shone the light closer and saw discoloration on what appeared to be a new pipe. He touched his fingers to it and examined them.
This is blood, fresh blood, he realized. Could Julian have injured himself here? It was the right height to bang one's head he knew personally. He heard a shot and wiped his fingers on his pants as he hit his comm. badge running. "Sisko to Dax!"
"I heard it Benjamin, I'm on my way!"
Julian rolled onto his back holding his arm and managed to sit against the wall. He watched fearfully as the guard approached him slowly. "Why are you doing this?!? I surrendered to you! You didn't have to shoot at me back there!"
"I'm afraid the report is going to read a little differently Doctor. You see, you attacked me and I had no choice but to kill you in self-defense."
"Don't you believe in your own justice system?" Julian retorted angrily.
"Justice has nothing to do with it, you see once you're dead, you can't be proven innocent and the case will be closed."
"So you decided to be judge and jury?!? There has to be something you're leaving out! You're far too anxious to be rid of me! Could it be because you are responsible for that officer's death?" Julian accused. "With me dead, you're right, the case would probably be closed with everyone believing I did this and you would get away with murder! Is that it?!?" Julian looked into the man's eyes and realized that was exactly what happened. "My god, you did kill him." He whispered. "Why??"
"Cobek found out I was taking money to look the other way in certain underground dealings. I offered to cut him in but he was so self-righteous--"
"He had a code of ethics unlike you!"
"Ethics? You do whatever you have to to survive Doctor and I am a survivor."
"You're also a murderer!"
"But you're the only one who knows that and you won't be telling anyone." Treba said aiming his weapon at Julian.
"He doesn't have to, you just told all of us."
Sisko said stepping out of the shadows with his phaser trained on the guard.
Julian breathed raggedly upon seeing his CO.
"It'll be your word against mine!" Treba retorted not taking his weapon off Julian. "And tell me Captain, who do you think my people will believe?" He mocked.
"Oh, they'll believe you. Isn't that right Dax?"
"Yeah, wouldn't you agree Chief?" She answered holding her weapon on the guard from the other side.
"I'd say so Commander. How about you... First Adjatent?" Miles said over the comm.
"You've disgraced everything that uniform stands for Treba! Everything you are supposed to uphold you've betrayed! You have betrayed me! But most of all you took Cobek's life because of your greed and you allowed an innocent man to be accused for it and that betrays every tenet of our society!" The Adjetant finished furiously.
Treba looked white and he was shaking.
He looked at Julian with pure hatred and Julian realized the man had nothing to lose by killing him now. Before Julian could react the guard fell to the ground, stunned, Julian concluded by the way he was breathing.
"I didn't quite trust him." Sisko said as Dax helped Julian stand and she assessed his injuries finding a badly bruised and bloody forehead, a directed energy wound to his shoulder and an obviously sore and battered body.
The other search team arrived and took Treba away where he was turned over to his own security crew to be placed into custody for murder and attempted murder.
"Let's get you to the Defiant." Dax said holding onto Julian.
"I think I would like that very much Jadzia." He sighed tiredly.
Julian was laying on his bunk listening to some soft music and trying to organize his thoughts to write them down when the door chimed.
"Come in."
"You have a visitor in the mess hall." Sisko said entering the cabin.
"A visitor?" Julian asked sitting up and slipping his boots on.
"It's the First Adjetant, I think he's come to apologize to you."
"That's really not necessary... but I suppose it would be impolite not to listen." Julian replied standing and laying his padd on the desk.
"Your official report?"
"I've all ready finished that. It's my diary."
"I din't know you kept one. I mean, Dax mentioned you had medical school diaries you lent her... she only told me because she wasn't sure whether to send them to your parents or keep them when we thought you and the Chief died on T'Lani..." Sisko didn't want him to think that he and Dax talked about him behind his back.
"I know sir. She told me she mentioned them to you and Kira when she returned them to me."
"Well... we probably shouldn't keep him waiting."
Julian nodded and led him into the corridor.
"I've kept a diary since I was fifteen. It just seems more personal than a log somehow. My first one consisted of my feelings about being genetically enhanced and my father didn't fair too well." Julian explained as they walked.
"That's what diaries are for. You're allowed to have your own thoughts and feelings that you don't have to share with everyone." Sisko replied.
"Well, it actually helps me put aside those feelings when I'm working otherwise you'd hear a great deal of commotion coming from my office." He grinned.
Sisko couldn't help but laugh.
"It's good to have you back." He added.
"Believe me sir, it's good to be back." Julian answered as they strolled to the mess hall.