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Kira Nerys wanted very much to punch the Federation ambassador in the nose. The only thing stopping her was the knowledge that doing so would do nothing to help her cause.

And her cause was taking a beating as it was. Not that she expected any less-had she heard her story without knowing what she knew, she wouldn’t believe it either-but somehow she had to convince them.

She had told the story briefly in the transporter room before the human doctor had insisted on first treating her and Quark. After that was done, they were taken by a group of security guards to what she supposed was an interrogation room, and she told the story again, this time to the ambassador, who looked at her and Quark as if they were insane.

He departed in disgust, leaving her and Quark with two security guards.

Then a Bajoran walked in. She moved to sit in the chair opposite Kira and Quark-the same seat that the ambassador had sat in, scowling while Kira told her story.

Kira couldn’t believe her eyes. She had heard rumors that some Bajorans had joined Starfleet, but she hadn’t believed them.

The woman said, “I’m Lieutenant Ro Laren-security chief of the Enterprise.”

Quark scowled. “I can’t imagine security is much of a problem for you.”

“Shut up, Quark,” Kira said reflexively even as she thanked the Prophets. If a Bajoran was Picard’s security chief, she might get a fairer hearing from him than she did from the ambassador. “Lieutenant, this is important. That idiot ambassador didn’t believe me, but maybe Picard will.”

“I’m not sure I believe you. Besides, this is Krajensky’s bailiwick, not the captain’s. He wants to toss you two in the brig so you can be debriefed back on Earth.”

Well, at least we’re headed to Earth. “We don’t have time for that. It’s taken too long to get here as it is.”

Ro frowned. “What do you mean?”

“She means,” Quark said angrily, “that she came here in a broken-down starhopper that crash-landed on my moon, and then dragged me across the border in my yacht, which she then also blew up.”

“I thought I’d be able to get to the border from Bajor in a couple of weeks, but it took months. Who knows how many more have died because of that.”

“There’s a war on. People die.”

“The only reason there is a war is because-”

“Of shapechangers?” Ro’s skepticism infused both words. “C’mon-think about how that sounds. Weird aliens replacing important people in the quadrant. That sounds like a holonovel, not real life.”

“Do you remember Odo?”

Ro squinted. “Wasn’t he the one that kept the Promenade on the space station in order?”

“He’s a shapechanger. These are more of his people.”

Nodding, Ro said, “He was assigned after I left Bajor, but I’ve read intelligence reports. As I recall, he could barely manage a face. He could never do a convincing enough disguise.”

“He can’t. His people can.” Kira leaned forward. “Lieutenant, please, you have to believe me. This is real.”

Kira stared intently at Ro, refusing to blink, trying to will the other woman to accept her at her word.

“Let me talk to my captain,” Ro finally said as she got up. Looking over at the two guards, she said, “Keep them here for the time being.”

The guards nodded, and Ro departed, the doors whooshing shut behind her.

“I’m so glad I let you talk me into this,” Quark muttered.

“Shut up, Quark. It’s not like it took that much convincing. And it’s not like you don’t know the truth.”

Quark stared at her. “What does that have to do with anything? I was paid quite handsomely to forget that particular truth, only to have you come crashing down on my moon!”

“So why’d you do it?”

Looking away, Quark said, “You know why.”

“No, actually, I don’t.”

Quark whirled his head around and stared at her. “You don’t? Seriously?”

“Seriously, Quark. I went to you as a last resort because there was nowhere else to take the starhopper, and I was half-convinced you’d turn me in. More than half, actually.”

Letting out a long breath, Quark said, “If you ever see Garak again-ask him.”

That was all Quark would say on the subject, to Kira’s mild annoyance. In