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That, however, was a lesser concern for Kira right now.

Because she knew the truth.

A week ago, she had come back to her one-room shack expecting a visitor, but he wasn’t there. For four days, she continued to expect him; then she gave up, assuming something had happened to prevent his arrival.

When she entered the shack tonight, the first thing she noticed was that the patch she’d made on the hole beneath the window was falling apart, and if she didn’t want to freeze to death tonight, she’d need to redo it.

The second thing she noticed was the presence of the guest she expected a week ago.

“You’re late, Elim,” she said without preamble.

“An unfortunate necessity, Nerys. Damar has taken an interest in me of late, and that has curtailed my ability to move about freely if I wish to deviate from traveling to either the Promenade or my quarters.”

“But you managed?”

Garak inclined his head slightly. “Damar is a decent enough security chief.”

Kira snorted. “'Decent enough’ has never been much of an impediment for you, has it?”

“Indeed not. In any case, everything has been prepared.” Garak had a satchel on his shoulder, which he now handed to her. “I’ve provided the access codes you’ll need to commandeer the hauler. I trust you’re capable of disposing of any personal security the ship might have?”

At that, Kira just looked at him.

“Of course,” Garak said with that insincere smile of his. “You’ll find everything you need in that satchel, all safe and sound.”

“You’re sure you weren’t followed?”

Now Garak just looked at her.

“Sorry. And both devices are functioning?”

“Yes. Now, then, if you’ll excuse me, I have a brilliant escape to engage.” Garak moved toward the shack’s exit, then hesitated. He turned and faced Kira with a serious expression.

That alone got Kira’s attention. She’d known Garak since he was first exiled to Terok Nor five years earlier, and she’d rarely seen him use any facial expression save that of affable charm. That he used another now meant what he was about to say was as close to being from his heart as he was capable.

“Your mission is of critical import, Nerys. Not just Cardassia, not just Bajor, but the entire galaxy depends upon your getting this intelligence to the Federation successfully.”

Kira shook her head. “Are we sure they’re the right people to take this to?”

“What, pray tell, is the alternative? The Klingons? The Romulans? They are neither of them inclined to listen to reason, or to be open-minded. The Romulans will arrest you and repatriate you to Cardassia. The Klingons would probably just have you executed. No, it must be the Federation-and even then…”

Garak didn’t need to finish his sentence. Kira knew the risks. She also knew they were worth taking. “The hauler’s due in tomorrow. With luck, I’ll be in Federation space within a week.”

“Good.” Garak held out a hand. Kira took it. “Best of luck, Nerys. For all our sakes.”

“You, too. Stay out of trouble, Elim.”

He smiled one last time. “It’s what I do best.” With that, Garak quickly took his leave.

Kira set down the satchel and opened it, examining its contents. There was a containment unit, a field generator, a holofilter, and a padd. She dare not activate either of the first two, though the generator wouldn’t actually do anything if turned on right now. Still, any unauthorized electromagnetic emissions might be detected by Cardassian security. The containment unit was likely shielded-Garak wasn’t capable of being careless enough to for-get that-but it was best not to take risks. The holofilter was in case she was hailed while still in Cardassian space and needed to bluff her way past a patrol. The padd contained the access code for the hauler, as well as instructions on how to pilot it. That, she didn’t need-this wasn’t the first ore hauler she’d flown-but Garak was nothing if not thorough. Also on the padd was the best course for her to follow through Cardassian space to avoid the very patrols for which she might need the holofilter.

Now she just needed to wait twenty-six hours for the hauler to show