Taya was relieved that she cleared customs, though it was obvious the security personnel on duty weren’t happy about seeing her.  She was certain her presence was flagged, and people higher up the chain of command would learn she was there.  So be it.  She was still a citizen of the Federation, and she wasn’t doing anything illegal.  She would go about her business and leave the rest to whatever happened.

Moving through the crowd, Taya found the small meeting room where she was told to go.  Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.

Hasara leaned against the wall in the conference room.  Her ship had been slow to clear customs and inspection. He held a tablet in his left hand, displaying her well-read dossier.  The Cardassian had pored over the file and filled in the spaces and holes she’d left blank.  Whether it was accidental or intentional, he wasn’t sure.  The door rumbled open, and he glanced up.  “Doctor Taya Monroe. I’m pleased you at least took the interview.”  He slid into a chair opposite her, nodding at the seat in front of her.  “I was pleased to hear you had remained on Dozaria.”  He did not acknowledge the lithe figure of Gracie Lothan, who stood at the back of the room, her eyes guarded and watching Monroe’s every move.

“Governor Hasara,” said Taya.  She had never formally met him while on Dozaria,  She was curious about why he left and why he was now operating his own freighter.  She also wondered who the young woman in the back of the room was.  A security guard perhaps?  Her demeanor looked rough.  “So, tell me why I’m here.”

Hasara quietly chuckled, “It’s just Hasara these days.  As for why you’re here, I figured you were growing tired of staying out in the rain, metaphorically.” He slid a wry smile across his lips.  Dozaria was dust-filled and desolate.  Rain was rare.  It was a place of exile.  Hasara slid a tablet across the table.  “I’ve put in a request to the station administration for your transfer to my employment and responsibility.  They are aware of your record.  I’ve assured them that your conduct and performance within my organization will be monitored and evaluated regularly.  They seemed open to the proposal.”  He nodded at the tablet, “You would be hired as House of Hasara’s medical lead.  Your responsibility would be to care for the House of Hasara employees and manage the sickbay of our freighter, SS Wandering Wolf.”

Taya frowned, anger welling inside her.  Was she a child that needed a babysitter?  What business was it of the people running the station where she went or who she worked for?

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.”  Taya turned to leave.

Hasara spoke gently, “Your sins don’t wash easily, Taya.”  He pushed away from the desk, picked up the tablet, and walked to stand a few feet from her.  “You can return to the life you’ve been leading, shifting from desperate to desolate…or come to work for me.”  He held out the tablet, “You build your resume here under a legitimate operation on a Federation station.  Redemption has a cost.  We all have to pay our way back to the light.”

Taya’s shoulders slumped, her duffel slipping to the floor.  “You offer me a position I’m interested in taking.  Why does station administration think they get to decide to transfer me anywhere or monitor my behavior?  They have no jurisdiction over me.  Who do they think they are?  I’m a civilian now.  I don’t need redemption or their approval..  It’s insulting.”

The Cardassian sat on the edge of the table.  He knew the pain she felt.  His tumultuous relationship with his superiors in his previous life hadn’t been easy.  “It’s their house.  Civilian, Federation, Klingon, Ferengi – there are still rules.”  He held up the tablet, “Having the approval of the station’s command gives us a certain…leverage out there.”  Hasara set the device on the table, explaining, “The rimward and beyond think we’ve greased our way into this place.  The truth is, we sometimes work in tandem with them.”  His eyes searched hers, “Sure, it feels insulting.  I’m not going to dispute how it looks or feels.  I’m offering you a chance to do something that matters and get paid well.  If you don’t want redemption, fine.”  He turned to Lothan, “You’ll have someone to teach and back you up.  Gracie Lothan – engineering intern and medical assistant.”

Lothan stepped forward, her eyes searching Monroe.  She spoke hesitantly, “Ms. Monroe, I don’t know anything about you. I do know what we need out here in the rimward.”  Gracie chewed on her bottom lip before asking, “Would you really be happier out there…alone?”

Taya knew it was time for a change in her life, and she wanted to make one.  So Starfleet thinks she needs their overwatch.  What’s another insult from them?  She looked at Gracie Lothan.  “What’s your story?”

Gracie’s smile was half-hearted, and she slid into a chair at the conference room table.  “The Vaadwaur took my family from me.” She haltingly told of the ill-fated trip to the moon station, the horror at watching her colony and family erased from the surface, and her slow recovery in the hands of the counselors on Montana Station.  “I’m here because I’m an engineer who is good at what I do…and ready to learn as much as possible.”  Lothan shrugged, “We’re all misfits needing something here, Ms. Monroe.  Healing, redemption, hope…whatever.”  She turned her eyes to Hasara.  “I’ve met the crew – ragtag is a good word to describe ’em.  They all want something more from life in their own way.  I’ll take that over the loneliness.  Our family was pariahs among the community.  I’m not welcome in the other colony.  I’m welcome here.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” said Taya.  There was a few seconds of heavy silence.  “Medical assistant?  We’ll see.  Engineering intern?  Who’s the teacher?”

A trace of a smile echoed across Lothan’s face, “Well, a little of you, some of him,” she motioned to Hasara with her head, “and a lot of reading.  So much reading.”  The smile threatened to go wider.  “Sounds like you’re thinking about making this a thing.”  Hasara remained silent, content to let Lothan lead the discussion for the moment.

Taya laughed, feeling better for the first time.  “I can keep your tricorders functioning and your replicators online.  I can even hotwire a hovercar, but keeping the warp drive going?  I’m not your girl.”

Gracie let the wide smile take over, “I can definitely do that, Ms. Monroe.”  She stood from her chair and walked up to Taya, extended her hand.  “We can make a great team, I know it.”

Taya looked at Hasara.  “All right, Captain, you’ve got yourself a doctor.”  She shook Gracie’s hand.  “It’s Taya, not Ms. Monroe.”

Lothan squealed with glee, embracing Monroe.

“Oof!”  Taya almost toppled over.  She tried squirming loose, but failed to escape the iron grip.  She decided to wait it out.

Hasara chuckled, “She’s a little excitable.”

“I see that,” gasped Taya.

Hasara intoned, “Gracie, let the nice lady go.” The young woman did as requested, but her wide smile remained.

Taya frowned while she smoothed her rumpled shirt.

The Cardassian turned to Monroe, “We’re set to depart in six hours.” He picked up the tablet and handed it to her. “Your room assignment and instructions on boarding the SS Wandering Wolf are there.  Welcome aboard.”

Taya accepted the PADD.  After doing a cursory scan through it, she put it in her pocket and picked up her duffel.  “I need to get a few more things before we leave.  Thanks for having me.”  Taya hurried out before another hug could appear.

He watched her leave and turned to Lothan as the door closed.  “You really like her, don’t you?”

Gracie’s smile grew even bigger in reply.