Ratings: MC, MHS
Set After: Season 1 Episode 6 “Captive Pursuits”
Julian sat a little awkwardly across the Replimate table from the stations tailor, Garak. He was beginning to wonder if it hadn’t been a bad idea to invite Garak to lunch. He couldn’t think of anything to say. Garak had just sat down moments ago, but it felt more like minutes to Julian.
Garak smiled at the nervous young man. He decided to let him sweat for a few more seconds before starting conversation. He really did look so adorable when he was nervous.
“So, there were some interesting events here on the station recently.” Garak smiled knowingly.
“What… How would you know about that?” Julian was intrigued, but confused. Had Garak given himself away as “the spy?”
“Well, there was quite a lot of commotion on the Promenade. Many rumors have been going around.” Garak answered conspiratorially.
“Really? Like what?” Julian was drawn in by the intrigue.
“Oh, very strange rumors.” He looked shrewdly at Julian. “But, it does seem that our recent guests were from the Gamma quadrant?”
Of course Garak knew exactly what had happened, but he enjoyed stringing the Doctor along. The young man had a very expressive face. It was nice to enjoying the effect without any immediate agenda.
“Well, that much I suppose would be obvious. Now that we’re going through the wormhole has been found I’m sure that there will be a great deal of public interest.”
Julian thought about having first contact happen alongside a general population. Rumors were the very least to expect. How many people had interacted in some way with Tosk? At least dozens of people had seen part of the hunt. Many more would have heard about the events.
“Indeed.” Garak basked in the young man’s gradual understanding.
“So, what ‘strange rumors’ were about?” Julian asked with an air of relish. “Was our guest a disreputable spy?”
“Oh, nothing so ridiculous as that.” Garak brushed the implication aside. “But, it does seem to be the general consensus that our first guest was nothing more than prey. I must say I find that idea very crude.”
“Oh really?” Julian was interested in what Garak thought about the matter.
“Well, really? Who’s ever heard of such a ridiculous idea? Hunting sentient beings for sport?” Garak made a face that clearly said he deplored the thought. “Some people are willing to make up the most obscene rumors.”
“And what if they’re true?”
“Now really Doctor, you should know better than to believe such foolishness.” Garak smiled insincerely.
Julian realized that Garak was playing a game with him. “You know, those rumors remind me of an interesting essay by Richard Connell of Earth.”
“Really Doctor? I didn’t know you enjoy literature.” Was Julian going to play along with his game? It seemed that he was going to be even more pleasant company than expected.
“It’s rather a passion of mine actually.” Julian informed him.
“Mine as well.” Garak was delighted by this new development. “We’ll have to exchange books.”
“I’d enjoy that. I always look forward to discovering more about other cultures, and literature is an excellent medium for those discoveries.”
“Indeed.” Garak sat and enjoyed the moment. “Now tell me about this essay.”
“Well, it was written during the early part of the twenty-first century to oppose big game hunting, which was very fashionable at the time. It was entitled ‘The Most Dangerous Game.’ In it a famous big game hunter falls off a sailing ship, washes up on an island, and discovers that he has become the prey of an eccentric hunter.”
“That does sound fascinating. I’ll have to look it up sometime.” Garak stood up. “For now however I’m afraid I must be going. My work awaits me.”
Julian stood as well a little disappointed that he hadn’t gotten any more from Garak. “I could bring a copy by the shop for you. If you’d like?”
“That sounds wonderful, Doctor.” Garak bowed his head politely. “Good day.”
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General comments and constructive criticism welcome. Feel free to comment.
I acknowledge that Elim Garak, Julian Bashir, Cardassia, etc. are the property of either Paramount or CBS, not entirely sure which due to the changes in 2006. The story is however mine, and done solely for entertainment purposes.
COMING SOON:
Strange
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