Harris glanced up from his desk in the ready room as the chime rang out, “Enter.”

Gul Hasara stepped through the door and took the offered seat, “I imagine you have an update on my orders.  My contacts have not been forthcoming.”  It was more than that.  Gul has slowly and systematically shut out of his usual channels.  It was both infuriating and refreshing – he had long detested the bureaucracy and corruption.

Ambrose handed a PADD over, “The Cardassian Union and Starfleet have come to an agreement.  You will be given permanent residence and assignment on the Mackenzie as part of a…officer exchange program.  Your roles and responsibilities are yet to be determined by myself and Commander T’saath.”

The Cardassian scoffed, “This is the same Vulcan commander I punched?”

A shrug, “You know as well I do that Vulcans do not have emotional grudges, Gul.”

Hasara chortled, “Yes, but they have excellent memories, captain.”  He sat back in his chair, “Whose idea was this?”

Harris accepted the PADD back, “It was partially mine and some of Starfleet’s.  We know as much as you know regarding how Palasa has been able to get where they are – there are allegations that there’s been some help with Cardassian’s lending support to the group.”

“I’ve run up against some stiff resistance in my own inquiries that is unusual, even for fellow Cardassians.  I have been worried about returning to the Cardassian Union and what would be waiting for me there.  I am a tenacious investigator and captain. As you humans say, I leave no stone unturned.”

“Oddly enough, Chief Kondo asked about your security background and experience this morning.  He seems to think you could help him.”

“I am here to serve in whatever capacity you need, captain.”

Ambrose mused, “We’ll see what Chief Kondo thinks of you, Gul…then we’ll decide where you fit.”

Hasara shrugged, as much as a Cardassian could, “Thank you for the chance to be here…and not dead or imprisoned in a prison camp of some sort.  I’ll return to my quarters.”  

He made it to the door before Harris asked, “You’re serious?  That bad?”

The Gul turned to face his old and new friend, “I am outspoken, captain.  I’m not one to hold my thoughts to myself or try and save face.  It’s what got me assigned to Dozaria Prime in the first place…and the ilk that, as you humans would say, has my scent is not likely to allow me a second chance to speak my mind.  Perhaps it is luck that brought me to you in the end.”  

He stepped through the door and onto the bridge, leaving Harris to mutter, “I don’t believe in luck.”  He turned his attention back to his PADD and the reports that were slowly flooding into his desk.