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Damar walked over to the shatterframe screen on the wall and said, “Play message.”

The face of Dukat appeared on the screen. “Greetings, Damar. My apologies for this, but I was called away on rather sudden business in the middle of the night. I didn’t wish to wake you, hence this message. Until further notice, you are prefect of Terok Nor. I’m sure one of your deputies can handle security in the meantime.” He leaned forward. “One duty that neither you nor that deputy need concern yourself with: Odo. He has been sighted in Federation space.”

At that, Damar gasped. “How did-”

But the recording continued. “Obviously this is cause for concern-but no longer for you. For now, simply maintain your post. Oh, and some upgrades were performed to the sensors. They now can perform antiproton scans, which will enable them to detect cloaked ships. Such scans are to be performed routinely.” Dukat then mentioned a few more bits of business relating to the station-ships that were late, cabin assignments that needed to be resolved, and so on-before finally concluding, “Good luck, Damar. I’m sure you’ll do well.”

The screen went blank, but Damar continued to stare at it incredulously. Why am I being put in command? There were two dals on the station who outranked him, either one of whom should have been put in charge, not to mention a dozen or so other dalins who had seniority.

And then there was Odo. Somehow, he’d managed to cross the border into Federation space. Admittedly, Odo was resourceful, and a shapeshifter to boot, so it was certainly within the realm of possibility. Especially if he had help. Angrily, Damar decided that the first order he would give to Glinn Comra when he received his temporary promotion to chief of security was to arrest Garak and search his store. They wouldn’t find anything, and there wasn’t really anything to charge him with, but if Odo made it to the Federation, he probably had help, and Garak was the most likely source of that aid.

At least I hope Comra’s promotion is temporary. Dukat had provided no timetable for his return, had said that Damar was in charge “until further notice”-not “until I return”-and that he was prefect, not acting prefect, as would be expected. Dukat also didn’t say where he was going. Normally Damar would assume that he was returning to Cardassia for government business-it wouldn’t be the first time-but normally Dal Kalec or Dal Bokri would be in charge of the station in such cases.

The doorchime sounded. Damar shook his head, moved over to the guest side of the desk-he couldn’t quite bring himself to sit in Dukat’s chair-and touched the control that opened the door.

Kalec entered, a sour expression on his face. “Well, Prefect, it seems that you’re in charge now.”

Holding up his hands, Damar said, “Look, I didn’t ask for this. I only just found out from a recorded message the gul left. I don’t know why-”

“Oh, please, Damar,” Kalec said with a sneer, “the prefect’s been grooming you since you got here. So, Prefect, what are your orders?”

Wonderful. Just wonderful. “Gul Dukat ordered antiproton scans. Have they commenced?”

“Not as yet. Dalin Karris has had trouble getting the new configuration online. Not that it matters. What possible use can an antiproton scan be, aside from a ridiculous power drain?”

“According to the prefect, such a scan can detect cloaked ships.”

Kalec snorted. “What, the Klingons or the Romulans are going to take time from their war to invade?”

“Or the Federation. The latest intelligence reports indicate that they’ve started experimenting with cloaking technology.”

Another snort. “If you believe that sort of thing, I suppose.”

Frowning, Damar asked, “What sort of thing?”

“The lies the Obsidian Order sends you in the form of 'intelligence reports.’ The Order couldn’t find their own neck ridges with both hands. We’re supposed to believe them? Besides, the Federation doesn’t have the stomach for that kind of covert war.”

Damar was starting to understand why Dukat didn’t leave Kalec in charge. Somehow, Damar didn’t think it was a coincidence