The docking clamp snapped into place, pulling the Wandering Wolf flush ‌against the docking door inside the main bay of Montana Station.  The door pressurized, and then the light faded from red to green as it slid open, grinding smoothly over the gears.  Hasara stared from the docking area, a PADD in hand.  The call had come weeks ago, and it had been a curious message. ‘Solve a big problem for you,’ it had said.  The missive had made only one demand – employment.  The Cardassian had an uneasy feeling, even though it was his own ship.  He let out a long, exasperated sigh and walked up and into the Kaplan F17-class civilian ship.

Two figures faced him, hands relaxed at their sides.  One looked rougher‌ than the other.  That one spoke up.  “Silas Harlan.  This is my brother, Cole Harlan.”

Hasara cocked his head to the side.  “I know who you are, gentlemen.  I’m aware of your acumen, your history, and your overall portfolio over the last ten years.  No need to go over all of that.  My only question is: what are you doing here?  You could have the pick of any employer in the universe with your resume.”  He looked from the rugged Silas to the more polished Cole.  “You’re usually the mouth of the operation.”  He watched with amused satisfaction as the younger of the two blushed at the implication.

Cole replied, his voice gravely, but firm.  “We’ve been trying a new thing with Silas making the opening.  You’ve done your homework, Hasara.”  The older of the two stepped aside, revealing a bound and gagged Cardassian rolling around on the floor behind them.  “As for why we’re here, we found your problem.  Jhorla or something.”  At this, Silas rolled his eyes, pulled out a tablet device and handed it to Hasara.

The Cardassian mused as he read. “Gul Jora Natas.  Deputy Head of Intelligence for his paramilitary group.  I assume he’s connected to me?”

Cole clicked his tongue.  “See, we knew you were looking for the people trying to kill you and your friends.  We knew that you’ve had some people already try.  Dain Kessler’s partner for one.  We‌ did our own homework and started hunting on our own, shaking what we could loose.  In and out of the shadows.”  He pointed back with his thumb, “Jora’s the guy that started the whole hunt.  We figured we’d let you ask him why.”

Hasara looked at both men, amused.  “You did all this to ask me for a job?”

Silas shifted nervously.  “We lost our shuttle a few weeks back.  That’s why we called for the Wandering Wolf.  Couldn’t repair the old thing, and trying to buy another shuttle or ship wasn’t in the budget.  We talked about it,” here Hasara could see a quiet glare shift onto the face of Cole, “and we decided that out of our choices in the rimward, you were our best option.”

“Tougun didn’t make the list?”

Both men stared at the floor in silence until Cole met Hasara’s long stare.  “He burned us once a few months back.  We got away by chance or luck…or whatever you call it out here.  To be honest with you, he scares the hell out of both of us.  Nothing is sacred to the guy.  Nothing.”

Hasara looked again at the figure who had rolled over to face him.  “You brought me my first solid, living, breathing lead.  For that, you’ll get an interview.”  He handed the tablet back and took out his own PADD.  “I’ll set you up with rooms in the House of Hasara and a per diem for a few days.  Once I’m finished with this Gul, I’ll arrange our meeting.”

Both men smiled in relief.  Cole replied, “Thank you.  I won’t ask what you’re going to do with him.”  

They both walked past Hasara as he smiled, a menacing glint in his eyes.  “That would be best.”  The door to the dock rumbled shut, and the eyes of the Gul widened in growing fear. “Now, let’s take a stroll out into the stars, Gul.  See if we can remember why you’re trying to kill me.”