Entering the ready room, Hok was surprised to see another man there with Captain Kirby; Commander Perry from Starfleet Intelligence, the same man that briefed him and Doctor Weaver for their undercover mission to Lextis III.  He was Hewmon, tall and muscular, with short brown hair, a clean-shaven face, and looking to be about forty.

The Eagle rendezvoused with another ship off the standard travel routes, so Perry must have beamed directly into the ready room.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” said Hok.

Kirby motioned toward the couch along the wall.  He sat at his desk, but Perry remained standing.

Sitting, Hok looked back-and-forth between both men, wondering why he was there.

“Time isn’t on our side, so we’re going to get to the point,” said Kirby.  “Commander Perry?”

“Have you heard the news reports that there have been Breen attacks in the Deneb sector using old Jem’Hadar ships?” said Perry.

“Yes, sir.  Everyone is talking about it,” said Hok.

“Those reports are partially true.  The Breen are involved, but in reality…”  Perry paused.  “The Jem’Hadar and the Dominion are back.  The Federation Council is trying to keep this information from spreading.”

It took several seconds for Hok to process what he just heard.  He was a young child during the Dominion War, so it was a shock to learn they were back.

“That’s… bad,” was all Hok could say.  How did this happen?  Was there going to be another devastating war?  He felt sick.

Perry gave Hok a few more seconds before continuing.  “Have you heard of Daimon Klunt and the Bunnicorn’s Foot?”

“Yes, sir.  He’s a very successful and influential man, the envy of many that strive to acquire as much as he has,” said Hok.  “The Bunnicorn is a high-class resort on a moon he owns.”

“What I’m going to tell you next is classified.  You don’t speak of it to anyone without clearing it first with Captain Kirby.  Understood?’

“Yes, sir.”

“We’ve learned that Klunt has star charts of Breen defenses and ship movements along our border.  We don’t know how or why he has them, but it’s vital that we get them,” said Perry.  “We’re sending the Eagle to negotiate with Klunt, but we’re also sending in undercover personnel because we don’t expect him to sell.  You’re Ferengi and you’ve also worked UC, so we want you to be on the team.”

Hok’s shoulders slumped and his jaw clenched.

“Mister Hok?” said Kirby.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t,” said Hok.

Perry started to protest, but Kirby held up his hand.  “Hok, I know you left Ferenginar under a difficult situation, and I know you haven’t revealed the full story, but we wouldn’t ask you to do this if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.”

“Captain, sending me could put my life in danger and risk the safety of the rest of the team.  It could also jeopardize the mission.  I won’t be responsible for endangering my shipmates.”

Perry scoffed.  “We’re Starfleet.  There’s risk in everything we do.”

Kirby looked at Perry, but didn’t say anything to him.  “You’re entitled to your privacy, but when it interferes with your duty…”  Kirby’s voice trailed off.

“Ensign Hok,” said Perry.  “I assure you, we’re very good at creating cover identities.  Yes, there are risks, but whatever your…”

“With respect, Commander, a man like Klunt, with his resources and connections, won’t have a problem discovering who I really am if he digs deep enough.  I can’t do this.  If you discipline me over it, I’ll accept what comes.”

There was a heavy and uncomfortable silence filling the room.  Hok sat silently waiting.  Kirby’s face showed concern.  Perry was boiling.

“Captain Kirby, I must insist you do something about this,” said Perry.  “There’s more at stake here than just one person.”

“So I’m expendable?” said Hok.

“That’s not what I meant,” said Perry, clearly angry.

“All right, gentlemen, that’s enough,” said Kirby.  “We can work out something later.  We still need to talk with the others.”

Perry sighed deeply.  “I’m going to report this to my superiors.”

“That’s fine,” said Kirby.  “Do what you need to do.  Mister Hok, you’re dismissed.”

Hok was quiet for a few seconds.  “I’m sorry if I let you down, Captain.”

“We’ll talk later,” said Kirby.

Hok got up and moved toward the exit, feeling both relieved and guilty.  Why couldn’t he just be who he truly wanted to be?