“They’re making a mistake. I can feel it. The Vaadwuar tells us what we want to hear, what Starfleet loves so much – a story of redemption, a change of heart. The reassurance that even the worst enemy isn’t irredeemable, and that there is a reason for every action, no matter how awful. 

I don’t believe him. But I hope I am wrong.”

— from Eshrevi Sh’shiqil’s personal log 

The corridor was deserted, cut off from the comings and goings by security personnel and force fields. Footsteps echoed through the tense silence, a fast-paced rhythm that sounded like a pounding heartbeat, quickening as adrenaline rushed in.

Eshrevi Sh’shiqil was entirely displeased with Ceix’s decision to allow the Vaadwuar who called himself ‘Gant’ access to the station, and though she had overseen the security measures herself, it didn’t put her at ease.. She had made her concerns known – several times –  but both the Captain and his First Officer had agreed that the information Gant had promised to provide them with was crucial for their survival. Even if they didn’t believe him, they needed his help.

She wondered how long they could keep his presence from the refugees, and from the other Starfleet personnel. For the time being, the ‘need to know’- basis didn’t extend past a Ceix’s senior staff, and the selected security detail.

Her guess was ‘not long.’ And then? Eshrevi didn’t know, but couldn’t give that question the time it deserved. Because now that she had reached the shuttle bay, every fibre in her body coiled in anticipation of what would come next. What it would be like to meet Gant in person.

Gant had sat in contemplative silence as the tractor beam locked onto his fighter, and he had stayed that way until his ship was sitting on the bay floor.  He had sat and waited for the doors to close.  Until the computer in the cockpit chirped.

No more waiting.  He tapped, and the heavy canopy hissed open.  Grey steam sprayed out as he climbed down to meet his former enemy.

He did not smile.  The joy a Vaadwaur would feel was connected to destruction and subjugation.  He bowed. “I am Gant of the Vaadwaur Supremacy.”

“Welcome to Deep Space Four.”, Eshrevi said coolly, and with thinly veiled disdain. “I’m Lieutenant Sh’shiqil, Chief Security Officer. I’ll be escorting you to the brig.”

Gant gave only the slightest nod.

“Lieutenant Sh’shiqil, I will follow as instructed.”  He noted several other officers with similar uniform colors walking around them.  “I’m not a fool.  My being here is not optimal, Lieutenant Sh’shiqil.”

It was an odd repetition of her name, and Eshrevi knew too little about the Vaadwuar to determine whether it was a sign of respect, or defiance. “It most certainly is not.”, she agreed. “And if you believe that all it takes is you coming here and apologizing for what you and your people have done, you are mistaken.”

He slowed to a stop at her words.  His hands remained at his sides, slack in his defeat.