by Olivia Woods
“The Detapa Council?”
“Yes. As I noted earlier, with the violence on Bajor continuing to escalate, public support of the annexation is eroding. In response, the civilian leadership has petitioned for a more active role in shaping Bajoran policy. My first official act as legate will be to meet with them on that very subject.”
Pirak’s mouth dropped open slightly at this revelation. Dukat, for his part, seemed unfazed, but Iliana perceived a subtle tensing of the muscles in his neck. “I see,” he said neutrally. “I’ll await the outcome of those meetings with interest.” Then he grinned broadly and held up his flute. “And since Legate Kell made no mention of you in his toast, permit me the honor of wishing you success in your new position. All Cardassia celebrates your rise to Central Command.”
“S-seconded,” stammered Pirak, his jowls quivering as he spoke.
Once again, glasses were raised. But as Dukat’s head tipped back, his eyes found Iliana’s. With the departure of Darhe’el and Trepar, the circle had thinned enough that she was now clearly visible to the remaining officers. “And who is this lovely creature?” he asked, his smile taking on a strange quality. It made her feel vulnerable, exposed, ashamed even, as if she were an object of perverse curiosity, or worse. And from that moment, she hated him.
She felt her father’s reassuring hand come to rest on her shoulder. “This is my daughter, Iliana,” he said. “Iliana…Legate Danig Kell, Gul Morad Pirak, Mister Corbin Entek, and Gul Skrain Dukat.” His voice had a slight edge to it as he said Dukat’s name, one that she found strangely comforting.
Dukat, however, seemed untroubled by her father’s show of protectiveness. He continued smiling at her, bowing slightly as he said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Iliana. You must be very proud of your father.”
Iliana knew that to ignore an invitation to praise Tekeny in front of his peers would be scandalous. She was not, however, required to prolong this uncomfortable encounter longer than necessary. “He’s a great man,” she said simply.
“Who will no doubt bring as much honor to his family as his leadership will bring to Cardassia,” Dukat agreed. “Your mother Kaleen serves the State with great distinction also, as I recall. To have two such esteemed parents must be a source of great inspiration. I wonder, will you follow in your father’s footsteps to the military, or will you join your mother in the judiciary?”
“I have my own ideas about how best to serve Cardassia.”
From the periphery of her vision, Iliana noted that Mr. Entek’s large eyes turned slightly in her direction.
“Lovely and fiercely independent,” Dukat drawled, delight seeming to ooze from every elongated syllable. He raised his glass to her. “I salute the future of the empire.”
Iliana’s eyes narrowed. Is he mocking me?
“Run along now, Iliana,” Tekeny said. “I’ll call for you when it’s time to go.”
Thank you. Iliana gave her father a quick nod and immediately turned away from the circle, fleeing into the milling crowd of guests. It was some time before the feeling of eyes on her back went away.
Anxious to put some distance between herself and the company her father kept, Iliana briefly considered seeking out her mother, but quickly realized that Kaleen’s circle of peers was likely to be as insufferable as Tekeny’s. In the end, she found relief from the reception’s suffocating atmosphere in the cool, breezy air of a sparsely occupied outdoor balcony, east of the museum’s main hall. The balcony looked out onto a sprawling, well-tended garden under a canopy of towering trees. Guests seemed to be drawn to the grounds in pairs, descending curving granite stairs on either side of the balcony and fading into silhouettes as they followed the white stone paths that veined the garden. Innumerable lights strung through the canopy gave the place a surreal illumination, the bright pinpoints artfully merging with the stars of the black sky above. To Iliana, it was like finding an oasis after crossing a dark desert.
Most surprising of all, though, was what she found on the balcony itself. Bracketing the balustrade, near the top of each stairway, stood a bone carving-two of the largest and most extraordinary works Iliana had ever seen. Unlike the tapering curves or sharp-edged tiles that dominated so much of Cardassian design, these forms were far more abstract: flowing in a way that made Iliana think of rushing water, their unbroken fluidity in harmony with their stillness, power and violence merged with serenity.
Even more amazing, these weren’t fusions, but whole pieces, each one evidently hewn from a single enormous bone like those found among the skeletons inside. So few animals on Cardassia were larger than men, save a few remaining species of deep sea leviathans, that most bone carvings were either very small, or they were amalgams of pieces from more common animals, like the one she’d made for Tekeny. These two on the balcony had been fashioned from very old bones, and judging from their color and texture, they were sculpted centuries ago. The realization made her wistful.
So much ancient art had been lost during the great arming of Cardassia, decades before Iliana was born, when the military had confiscated the treasures of her world’s past and sold them to pay for the current age of imperialism, or destroyed them for their subversive content. It always saddened her to think about the works that she would never see: paintings and sculptures that were now part of private offworld collections; ancient books that were outlawed; artifacts of exquisite beauty crafted from rare minerals and precious metals, recycled for their value as raw materials for the military’s war machines. This pair of enormous carvings had somehow survived all that. It struck Iliana that perhaps more of Cardassia’s true soul was still out there somewhere, just waiting to be rediscovered.
“Um…excuse me?” someone said. Iliana considered pretending that she hadn’t heard the voice, in part because the intrusion at this moment was unwelcome, but also because she’d already noticed the cautious approach of the uniformed soldier who had spoken, and decided she’d had her fill of such men for one night. Iliana had no desire to be engaged in more calculated conversation. Then she considered the possibility that the man might have been sent by her father, and ignoring him would therefore be ill-advised.
“Yes?” she said as as she turned to face him, and noticed immediately that he was quite young.
The soldier smiled rather crookedly. “Iliana?”
She blinked, recognizing him. “Ataan!” she said. No longer the boy he’d been all those years ago, he’d grown tall, his broad shoulders and wide neck flattered by his uniform. Mother! She had to have known he’d be here. Why else would she have mentioned him back at the house? But why hadn’t she simply told me so?
Then again, maybe she would have, if I hadn’t derailed the conversation with my usual charming commentary.
“I can’t believe it’s you,” he said. He opened his arms to give her a hug, and after only a moment’s hesitation, she met him halfway. “How have you been?” he asked.
“I’m well,” she told him, feeling a strange electric thrill from the embrace. She quickly stepped back. “Dekaris seems to have agreed with you. You’re all grown up.”
Ataan’s crooked smile returned. “So are you.”
Her ridges flushed as she suddenly remembered the dress. “Your family. Um, they’re well?”
“My parents are both fine. My brother Ghel was just promoted to dalin. He’s first officer on the Aldara.” Ataan nodded toward the main hall. “Your family is obviously prospering.”
“It’s been quite a night. Is that why you’re here?”
“Indirectly. I’m a member of Gul Pirak’s security staff. I’ll be joining him on his assignment to Bajor next month.”
Bajor again. There seemed to be no escaping it. “I met Gul Pirak a short while ago,” she said.
“What did you think?”
Iliana bit back the first answer that came to her and shrugged. “I’m afraid one gul is like another to me.”
Ataan wagged a finger at her. “Dekaris would have cured you of that impr
oper notion.”
“Just as well that I didn’t attend, then. I’m rather fond of my improper notions.”
Ataan shook his head. “Same old Iliana. Tell me, do you still draw?”
He remembers! She had discovered her talent for illustration when they both were still children. Ataan had seemed so in awe of her talent, and she still recalled how good his admiration had felt. “I do. I also paint now. And sculpt. As a matter of fact, my parents have just given me their blessing to complete my studies at a special university in Pra Menkar.”
“That’s wonderful news! Congratulations.” And the way he said it, she could tell he wasn’t simply being polite. He was genuinely happy for her. “I still can’t get over seeing you now. You look amazing.”
Iliana grinned involuntarily, embarrassed and flattered. She gestured at his uniform. “So do you.”
An awkward silence settled between them, broken by a commotion from inside the museum; a throng of boisterous guests was making its way toward the balcony. Ataan cocked his head toward the garden. “I don’t suppose you’d care to take a stroll?”
She didn’t even consider refusing the invitation. “I’d be delighted.”
He offered her his elbow, and together they began their descent.
Finding the paths nearest the museum too well trafficked for their taste, Iliana and Ataan cut across a meadow toward a more sparsely populated quarter of the garden. The sound of running water drew them deeper still, to an artificial stream that Iliana assumed must be part of the park’s necessarily extravagant irrigation system, vital to keeping the arid heat of the surrounding capital at bay. A stone bridge spanned the water flow, and it was there that they stopped, standing against the railing as they talked.
Their conversation began with a flood of shared memories; reminiscences of childhood that cascaded out and bubbled over with laughter: everything from the pranks they pulled on Ataan’s far too serious elder brother, to the trouble they’d get into digging up onyx beetles and letting them loose inside her parents’ house.
Eventually they moved on to Ataan’s experiences at Dekaris, which suited Iliana just fine, as it saved her from having to discuss how she had spent the years since they’d last seen each other. Not that she was in any way ashamed of her artistic pursuits; she was simply having too good a time listening to Ataan, getting used to his deepened voice, watching the way his face would light up when he spoke of his schooling, learning about his plans for the future. Unfortunately, those topics inevitably led them back to the last place she wanted to go.
“The Bajor assignment is an incredible opportunity,” Ataan was saying as he took in the scenery. “Still, I’m going to miss home.”
“How long will you be gone?” Iliana asked.
“My rotation is five years,” he said.
“Oh.”
“After that, I may receive orders to stay on Bajor, or I could be reassigned elsewhere. You know the military.”
More than I care to, that’s certain.
“I’m looking forward to playing whatever small part I’ll have in helping to quell the violence,” Ataan went on. “It’s considered quite a privilege to be selected for such a posting. Once Gul Pirak received his orders, he was allowed to handpick his staff from among the recent Dekaris graduates.”
“You must be very proud.”
“It’s an honor to serve,” Ataan said automatically. Iliana thought the response predictable, but once again held her tongue. Her face must have betrayed her disappointment, because Ataan’s eyes abruptly narrowed. “What is it?” he asked.
“I’m sorry. It’s nothing.” Iliana wished she felt comfortable simply speaking her mind, but she didn’t want to risk offending her old friend and thereby ruining their brief reunion. She tried shrugging off the thought. “Another improper notion, I’m afraid.”
“For the daughter of a legate, you seem to have a lot of them.”
“I know,” Iliana said, shaking her head. She spread her hands. “What can I say? I’m an anomaly.”
The crooked smile returned. “You know…I rather like anomalies.”
Iliana rolled her eyes. “Oh, do you, now?”
“Absolutely. I could spend the rest of my life poring over one.”
“I’ll bet you could.”
Ataan laughed. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Well…what have you been doing since we last saw each other?”
“The usual,” she said. “Promoting dissent, plotting revolution, overthrowing the government.”
“Ah, and how’s that coming along?”
“We take over Central Command at midnight. You should come. There’ll be a party afterward. Maybe a game of hunter-prey.”
He laughed again. “Hunter-prey! Do you know, I haven’t thought about that since…” He shook his head. “I’m surprised you brought that up, considering how often I used to beat you.”
Iliana blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, come on,” Ataan said. “Please tell me you haven’t forgotten how I won practically every game we played.”
A short laugh burst from her throat. “You most certainly did not.”
“I most certainly did.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re joking, right? Or have they started altering memories at Dekaris? You beat me?”
“Well, admittedly, only when you weren’t cheating.”
“How dare you!”
“How dare you!” Ataan bellowed.
Iliana’s ridges flushed again. Her heart beat faster. She started to feel light-headed. Thrilling sensations to be sure, but confusing; Ataan’s sudden display of belligerence was a parade of masculine signals her body seemed to recognize before her brain did, triggering the involuntary physical responses common to most Cardassian women.
She stared into his eyes, captivated by the power of his voice and overwhelmed by the intensity of his emotions, which seemed to mirror her own. This is happening too fast, she warned herself. Keep your head, girl, and your heart, or you’ll likely lose both before this night is done.
Iliana scoffed and made a point of turning away from him. She was much better off avoiding eye contact with Ataan; it would help her to control the conversation. But no words came to her, and in the silence that followed, Ataan walked around her slowly. She felt him stop behind her, his body very close. She gazed out over the stream. Reflecting the lights in the trees above, the water below was a dark swath broken by glittering streamers. She felt his breath on the right ridge of her neck, and she closed her eyes.
“Iliana.”
Her eyes snapped open at the sound of her mother’s voice. She spun around to see Kaleen standing at the foot of the bridge, her arms crossed.
“Mother!”
“Lady Ghemor,” Ataan said, inclining his head. “It’s good to see you.”
“Hello, Ataan,” Kaleen said, scrutinizing him as though he were a newly discovered insect. “Oh, I beg your pardon-it’s Glinn Rhukal now, isn’t it?”
Ataan smiled. “I could never insist on such formality from one who used to bathe me, my lady.”
“Hmm, yes,” Kaleen said, her mood seeming to soften. “Well, that’s what happens when you spend your youth in my garden, digging up onyx beetles.” She looked at Iliana. “I confess I had hoped you two would encounter each other at the reception…though I rather expected you to remain inside the museum with the other guests.”
“Mother, I-“
“We’ll talk about it later, Iliana. Come along now, it’s time for us to go. Your father is waiting. Pleasant evening to you, Ataan.”
“To you as well, my lady. Please offer my congratulations to Legate Ghemor.”
“You can do that yourself at dinner.”
“Dinner?”
Iliana’s eyes widened.
“At our home, tomorrow evening,” Kaleen explained. “Be there at sunset. Unless, of course, your duties will prevent it…?”
Ataan grinned. “I’ll l
ook forward to it, my lady.”
“As will we.” Kaleen nodded to him and steered Iliana back toward the museum.
When Iliana felt certain that Ataan was out of earshot, she said, “Mother, it wasn’t my intention-“
“You forget that I was once young too, Iliana,” Kaleen said. “Unfortunately, a sense of propriety is not genetic. It needs to be learned.”
“I understand.”
“I hope you do.”
After a moment, Iliana asked, “You’re not going to tell Father, are you?”
“I have no intention of withholding this from him,” Kaleen said sternly. “But I think he’ll handle it better after he’s had the chance to get reacquainted with Ataan, and has seen for himself what a fine, honorable young man he’s become. Don’t you agree?”
“Absolutely,” Iliana said. Then, more quietly, she added, “Thank you, Mother.”
Kaleen glanced at her, sighed, and looked away again, shaking her head. “You’re welcome.”
The museum came into view as they rounded a bend in the path, and Iliana realized that she and Attan had traveled much farther than she had thought. “How did you know where to find me?”
“I didn’t,” her mother said. “But while I was looking for you, I encountered an acquaintance of your father’s, Mister Entek. He was kind enough to mention that he saw you here.”
Ilana blinked. “Entek?”
“Yes…. Is something the matter?”
Iliana’s eyes panned from side to side, futilely searching the dark grounds. But all she found were shadows.
“Iliana?”
“No,” she said after a moment. “I guess not….”
2
2357
They moved as one. Skin against skin, their bodies entwined, fingers gently roaming as their breathing gradually fell in step and their hearts began to beat in unison, faster and faster toward a shared ecstasy that came in steady, surging waves. Iliana held on to the feeling, prolonged it, gasping as it reached its zenith and overwhelmed her…then released it, her breath escaping with an audible sigh as she floated back to the world.