Chapter 6

Quark stood and wiped a glass clean with a rag, taking advantage of the bar being closed to soak in the familiar sights that he'd missed so much during his absence. He had to stop himself from letting out a contented sigh, as he rested his elbows on the bar itself. It certainly felt good to be back - the same old stains on the carpet, the same old Morn, the same old fighting customers breaking bottles over each others' heads… home sweet home. Even better was the fact that his employees hadn't worked out the combination to his safe while he'd been gone, and his latinum hadn't been spirited away.

With Rom and Leeta on the station, it was starting to feel like old times, Quark mused as he tucked the glass back under the bar. Rom had been fairly quiet since he'd returned, pleased to see most of his old friends, but still subdued. It was hardly surprising; not only were the memories of the coup still fresh, but Grak had made another speech a couple of days ago - one that carried more vitriol than his previous messages. Watching the monitor in the bar, Quark had seen Grak's angry face sneering through the screen, teeth specially sharpened. He'd denounced all non-Ferengi, making it perfectly clear that Ferenginar wouldn't tolerate any kind of contact from "interfering aliens," and that any attempt to do otherwise would result in hostility. Quark had grinned to himself - it had been pretty enjoyable to see Grak fuming about cutting Ferenginar off from the interference of aliens, yet not mentioning any examples. Obviously he still wasn't too pleased about Rom's escape.

Quark dusted the cobwebs off a bottle of Klingon Targ-brain wine, a rather unpopular spirit with the non-Klingon residents. He was home, back in his bar, and still managing to make a profit. Life suddenly seemed good again.

"Quark, my boy! Come over here and have some beetle snuff! You know you want tooooo!" A nasal, singsong voice broke into Quark's thoughts, followed by a cackle of laughter.

Life suddenly seemed not so good, and Quark swallowed the hiss that was about to emerge from his throat. Zek and Ishka had arrived on the station this morning, his mother sickeningly dressed as usual. Add to that the mass of latinum jewelery that adorned her lobes… it was almost more than Quark could stand. They'd come to watch Rom's meeting with Shakaar, and he'd been forced to watch his mother cooing over Rom all morning.

He looked up to survey the almost-empty bar, his gaze immediately falling on the group of his relatives. They sat around a table as they waited for the Bajoran First Minister to arrive; Rom and Leeta looked understandably nervous, while Ishka was busy trying to straighten the uniform of a squirming Nog. Zek waved at him merrily.

"Join the party, Quark! You don't want to defy the orders of your Nagus, do you?" He giggled again.

"Which one?" Quark muttered darkly.

"Um, I'm not sure about this," Rom was saying to Leeta, voice quivering slightly and speeding up as he spoke. "I mean, what if Shakaar doesn't listen to us? What if he hates Ferengis? What if he sends us back to Grak?"

"He'll listen to us," Leeta said comfortingly, giving his hand a squeeze. "And he doesn't hate Ferengis. He's a good man."

"You, uh, didn't answer the third part," Rom said in a small voice.

Leeta was prevented from answering by the sound of the bar doors creaking open, and Quark was relieved to see Shakaar and Colonel Kira walking into the room, the First Minister of Bajor wearing simple clothes. Anything to stop Rom's whimpering. The party around the table sprang to their feet as the Bajorans approached.

"First Minister Shakaar," Rom said with a nervous little bow of his head. "Uh, thank you, for, uh, attending this-"

"Shakaar!" Zek butted in, elbowing his way past Nog. "Long time no see!"

Shakaar nodded. "It's a… pleasure... to meet you again, Zek."

"Good, good! Tell me, have you Bajorans started to branch into merchandising yet, like I advised you to? Emissary souvenirs, maybe a Dominion War theme park here and there, hmm?"

Shakaar and Kira looked at each other, the expression on Kira's face indicating that she wasn't too thrilled with the idea, before the First Minister gave a slightly forced laugh. "Not yet, Zek."

"Well you should! Don't you realize that tourism rates would be increased by almost 40 percent?" Zek retorted shrilly, before Ishka caught the back of his jacket, pulling him back to tickle an ear.

"I think the First Minister has come to see Rom, lobekins - we can talk to him about business opportunities later, can't we? And-" she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper, "-maybe we'll be able to negotiate a few contracts for those theme park plans." She planted a kiss on his cheek, making Zek giggle even louder than before. Quark grimaced.

"Getting on with the meeting sounds like a good idea to me too." Kira directed a glare in Zek's direction.

"And to me." Shakaar stepped forward to the table, indicating with his hands. "Please, sit down. It's much more relaxing for all of us that way."

Quark watched Rom gratefully sit back down in his chair, Leeta next to him. The others gradually regained their places, but Quark didn't move to join them. He was much happier here, behind the bar, where he could keep an eye on proceedings.

"I, uh, thank you again for coming," Rom said, sounding a little less nervous. But not much. "I have an, uh, announcement I'd like to make, and it'll be better if you're here to see it. I have a question too, but that can wait for the, uh, moment."

Shakaar tilted his head slightly. "Go on."

"I want to declare a… a… Ferengi Government In Exile." Rom forced the words out, relieved that he'd finally said them, as Quark felt his jaw drop. Ishka made a delighted noise, but Rom ignored both of them, standing up.

"I'm still the Grand Nagus. I want to keep fighting for my people. My rules would have been good for Ferenginar, and I don't want to give up on them! Uh, that's all." He meekly sat down again.

"Oh, Rom!" Ishka and Leeta said in unison, with equal amounts of devotion.

"Are you out of your mind!" The words came out of Quark's mouth before he could stop them. Rom faced him stoutly.

"No… uh, at least I don't think so." He shook himself. "You might not like my policies, brother, but they are good."

"Good?!" Quark spluttered, aware that his voice was starting to resemble a shriek. "You'll destroy Ferengi society! How in the Divine Treasury is that good?"

"Eh, who asked you anyway?" Zek complained, and Quark took an insulted step backwards.

"I'm sorry; I thought everyone would like to hear the opinion of the one sane Ferengi in the room!"

"Well that rules you out," Leeta muttered.

Shakaar looked about uncomfortably, one hand placed on the back of his chair as if he were about to lever himself up and escape the family argument he'd found himself in the middle of. "Um… is there anything else, Grand Nagus?"

"Uh, there is one other thing," Rom said hesitantly. "I, uh, need somewhere to use as a base, otherwise I won't be able to run things properly. If it's okay with you, First Minister, and if all the other Bajorans don't mind, and if I behave myself and everything like that --"

"What is it, Rom?" The First Minister settled back into his chair.

Rom looked to Leeta, who nodded. "We'd like to ask for official asylum from the Bajoran Government."

Shakaar nodded. "I know; I've already been informed of your request," he said, looking to Kira. "I've discussed it with my ministers, and I can officially inform you that your application for asylum has been accepted. You're safe within Bajoran territory, Grand Nagus."

Leeta let out a squeal of joy before clapping a hand over her mouth, receiving a hug from Nog, while Quark let out a miserable moan. Rom stood up proudly, almost knocking the table in his excitement.

"Uh, then I'll send a message, too, just like Grak did! His ways won't last for long; the people might be with him at the moment, but they'll realize. And when they do, I'll be going back to Ferenginar. It'll be a golden age.…" He smiled blissfully.

Quark whimpered. "I told them all - my brother is going to be the downfall of Ferengi society," he muttered. "I don't get it. Why doesn't anyone listen to me?"

"Nice one, Dad," Nog said with a grin, before a slight frown crossed his face. "I do have one question, though."

Rom looked down to where Nog was sitting. "What is it?" he asked softly.

"Well… Commander Alden was telling me about when you confronted Grak… and you told him about the Treasure of Grand Nagus Zek."

"Ehhh?" Zek leaned in and peered at Nog. "What was that, my boy?"

"I just wondered what it was," Nog finished, with a doubtful look at Zek.

Rom's smile widened. "It's the, uh, most precious thing Zek has."

"Latinum?" Leeta offered.

"Beetle snuff?" Kira asked with distaste.

"Noooo," Rom replied happily. "Mooooogiiiiie."

As Ishka let out a cry of delight, Quark thunked his head against the bar.

* * * *

"You wanted to see me…Colonel?"

Kira caught the pause again and grimaced hotly. Finally she looked up at Commander Alden, waiting by the door, quietly. He emanated an aura of discomfort, but Kira was able to shrug it off by now. Perhaps it was just his nature. She sat back in her chair and touched at her PADD. "I just thought I'd let you know that you can return to duty now," she said nonchalantly.

There was a slight pause, a muffled noise before Alden spoke. "What did Starfleet say?"

Kira's eyes drifted to him. "I never told Starfleet."

Alden's face changed, eyes widening. It had been three days since he'd been confined to quarters, and from what Kira had heard his one meeting with Counselor Dax had been unusually brief. Despite that, however, Dax claimed that he'd made a great deal of progress. However little help he was, she needed her first officer at his post, not locked in his quarters. "I'd thought…." Alden began.

Kira tilted her head. "You thought what, Commander?"

Alden regarded her for a few seconds with a puzzled look on his face then shook his head. "Never mind," he mumbled.

The two stared at each other for a few moments before Kira returned to her PADD. "You're dismissed. Next month's duty roster is at your station, along with some work orders that need your…expertise." She tried and succeeded in hiding a smirk - just barely.

Alden glared daggers at Kira before turning on his heels, without so much as a "yes…Colonel." Kira chuckled quietly once the door had shut, although admitting to herself that his last duty roster had been thorough and well done.

Kira returned to her attention PADD for a moment then let it drop to the desk with a sigh. On it were the provisions of Rom's asylum - Rom particularly, as Leeta was still considered a Bajoran national. The language was vague enough to allow Rom to get away with establishing an exile government. There was one group, however, which Kira knew would not be happy. She was just waiting for the call.

Suddenly Ensign Kuhlman's voice came over the comm. "Ops to Kira - incoming message over subspace. It's Admiral Ross, Colonel."

Here we go, Kira thought. She got up and moved to the viewscreen. "Patch him through," she told Kuhlman.

Admiral Ross' frustrated face appeared, showing signs of fatigue. "Would you mind explaining to me what your government is doing?"

Kira shrugged and folded her arms across her chest. "Well, you'll have to be a little more specific than that, Admiral."

Ross' eyes narrowed. "The Ferengi Alliance Government in Exile is based on DS9," he explained. "The Federation Council just received a statement from the exiled Grand Nagus for a condemnation of the new Ferengi government. Why has the Bajoran government given him asylum?"

What business is it of yours? "Rom's wife, Leeta, is a Bajoran citizen. Since her husband worked for the Bajoran militia previously we felt…obligated to help them out," Kira explained.

Ross stepped back from the screen, lips firmly pressed. "I see. And I assume First Minister Shakaar gave his blessing."

"You can assume so."

"And has full knowledge of what is going on under his nose?"

Kira smiled. "Of course."

Ross exhaled sharply. "Colonel, the Federation occupies DS9. Technically, we do have the right to make Rom leave DS9."

It was Kira's turn to be exasperated. "Need I remind the Federation, Admiral, that Bajor owns DS9 and has the right to allow Rom to stay on the station for however long he requires." When Ross said nothing, Kira understood. "You're going to recognize Grak's regime, aren't you?"

Ross sighed again. "Not recognize - but the Federation Council is not going to condemn it either. For the time being. However," he added, "I have agreed to strenuously endorse Grak before the Federation council."

"What?!" Kira roared.

"It was either that or an immediate reopening of hostilities, Colonel," Ross shot back.

Kira snorted. "I guess the Rules of Acquisition are right. Deep down everyone's Ferengi."

"I had no choice in the matter, Colonel," Ross replied. "And you can thank your Lieutenant Nog for that!"

Kira's face paled. "You know?"

"Grak knew. I had to do something. I can't say I really blame Nog for his actions, but if I hadn't made the deal…." Ross turned away from the screen. "Why didn't you tell me, Colonel?"

"Nog didn't act on behalf of Starfleet. He had personal reasons." Kira folded her arms against her chest. "And I support him."

"And what about this human merchant that was with Nog?" he asked.

Kira's brow furrowed, and then she realized who he was talking about. "Don't look at me, Admiral." She smiled, finding poetic justice in realizing that Alden put Ross in hot water. "You sent Commander Alden to me."

It took him a few moments, but realization came, and Ross finally sighed. He rubbed his face, looking weary and old. "It is not the policy of the Federation to interfere with the progress of other races."

Kira snorted at that. "A policy the Federation always manages to circumvent when it suits them."

"We will not interfere, Colonel!" Ross replied firmly. He lowered his voice. "What has transpired will remain between us. I don't like it any better than you, Nerys. Most people here are just as upset as I'm sure the Bajoran people are, believe me. But we can't risk increasing hostilities from the Ferengi, not until we rebuild the -"

"With all due respect, Admiral," Kira sneered. "Even with a depleted fleet, for the Ferengi to attack the Federation would be like an insect buzzing around a giant's head."

"Some insects are deadlier than others, Colonel," Ross said. "The Federation doesn't want to take the chance. We can't bear the injustice that's been done. But we can't help it either."

"Well, Bajor isn't afraid of Grak," Kira said proudly.

Ross sighed and looked away. There was an awkward pause before he looked back up. "Bajor will be applying for admission into the Federation fairly soon, Colonel," Ross said. "While helping Rom is admirable, supporting the exiled government might hurt Bajor's chances. I advise you and Shakaar to think carefully."

Fury welled up in Kira, but she tried hard not to let it show. The Federation is threatening Bajor? "Thank you for your concern, Admiral," she said curtly. "But this matter is out of my hands. If you would like to lodge a complaint, I suggest you do so with the Chamber of Ministers or Shakaar himself."

Ross nodded. "Understood. Kira," he said, tone changing. "Think carefully. If Grak should come after Bajor, we can't help you."

The comm went dead, and Kira had the sudden urge to pitch something across the room. "Don't worry, Admiral," Kira seethed. "We'll be ready."

Epilogue

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