EMPOK NOR'EASTER

This story takes place in an alternate universe in which O'Brien had never married Keiko. (For the significance of that to this story, see my DS9 novel entitled Of The Highest Order). This universe unleashes a tempestuous storm of events far worse than those in the episode "Empok Nor," hence the title.

            Garak could scarcely believe his eyes. No sooner had he tied up and hidden the Ferengi, and eagerly rubbed his hands in anticipation of taking on O'Brien in a physical confrontation once and for all, than he was confronted by two additional Cardassians, both of whom he knew entirely too well.

            "Dukat!" he roared in contempt. "What are you doing here?"

            Dukat delivered a wan smile. "I could ask you the same, except that I already know."

            "Yes, you seem far too aware of any and all events on DS9," he accused.

            Dukat grinned unpleasantly. "What's wrong, Garak? Annoyed by our invasion of your privacy? But here you've invaded ours far worse."

            "How so?"

            "This is our experiment that you've stumbled into."

            "Your experiment?? Do you mean to tell me that you sponsored these experiments with psychogenic compounds on our soldiers?"

            "Exactly! Didn't Major Kira tell you of how determined I am to get our beaten, broken people to rally and fight once again?"

            Garak stared shrewdly. "Do you mean to say that you intend to use this compound on our troops? To energize and galvanize them into action against the Klingons at long last?"

            Dukat was nodding. "The Klingons, the Federation, and anyone else who stands in the way of our conquest. We will be a civilization of sheep no more, and the name of our race will once again strike fear in the hearts of all in the Alpha Quadrant." His demeanor shifted to one of extreme cunning. "And now we'll include you in our experiments as well. You're already thoroughly infected with the drug. We'll see how savage you've become because of it. We've brought you a present, after all." He gestured behind him to his companion, Damar, who dragged a very reluctant O'Brien from behind him.

            Garak's eyes lit in unsavory glee.

            "You have long since desired a chance to torture O'Brien, haven't you?"

            "Oh, I have indeed!" Garak again rubbed his hands in delight. "And now, Chief O'Brien, you will tell me every detail of your adventure on Setlek 3. Leave nothing out."

            "I already told you, I don't want to talk about it!"

            "You will." Garak allowed no doubt of that.

            Dr. Bashir had already repaired O'Brien's ten badly broken fingers, when a now cured Garak asked remorsefully if he could see O'Brien. The doctor agreed. The torturer and the victim stared at each other warily for a moment.

            Garak said mildly, in an uncomfortable, feeble attempt at humor, "I had no idea that you would be able to scream that loudly and highly-pitched, Chief."

            The engineer looked understandably resentful. "Well, not only did it hurt like hell, but you could have ruined my ability to do my job ever again!"

            Looking slightly abashed, the Cardassian responded, "Well, don't take this the wrong way, but that was the idea."

            O'Brien blinked and waited.

            Garak explained grimly, "That made it the ideal torture for you."

            O'Brien sighed. "Well, I trust that you are now satisfied by my every detail of the nightmare on Setlek 3?"

            "Quite," Garak responded, mildly meeting the human's eyes.

            Days later, O'Brien studied the repentant, subdued "tailor" before him when they encountered each other on the Promenade. "How are you feeling?" he finally, neutrally asked.

            "The psychogenic compound is out of my system. I feel completely normal now." Garak's gaze softened. "More importantly, how are you feeling?"

            Self-consciously, O'Brien raised and gazed at his formerly-mangled hands. He wiggled his fingers. "They feel perfectly normal. I can work just fine. Julian is really a good doctor." He hesitated. "You know? Maybe I will share a game of kotra with you...say, over dinner?"

            Garak smiled gently.

            Now, he had Odo as a companion for breakfast, Bashir for lunch, and O'Brien for dinner. Two of the three of them he had tortured, and all three of them he had vexed on occasion, but now had, peculiarly befriended. He knew that he was a lucky man.