Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Soul Key Read Online Free Page A

killed her—”
    “She’s all right,” Kira said calmly. “Only two of us could make the journey, but she’s safe, I promise you. It was she who told us where to find the religious enclave from which she received her…information about her counterpart.”
    “Then why the subterfuge?” Opaka asked.
    “Frankly, I wasn’t sure who among you I should trust. Ghemor didn’t have time to tell us what we should expect, or who we should speak to. When I saw that Vekobet is a labor camp, I thought posing as the Intendant was my best option until I could make contact with members of the enclave.” She looked around ruefully at the small army arrayed around them. “I never imagined that the entire camp was in on it.”
    Opaka seemed to be studying Kira very carefully. Suddenly she reached out and grasped Kira’s bare left ear between thumb and forefinger. Kira gasped slightly but stood her ground. The older woman closed her eyes, and after a few silent moments, the disruptor slowly withdrew, and Opaka released Kira’s ear.
    “They mean us no harm,” Opaka told Winn. “Have our people stand down, and give our visitors back their sidearms.”
    Winn frowned. “Are you sure about—?”
    “Do it,” the other woman said, “and bring them to the refectory. We’ll continue our conversation there.” Opaka turned and went on ahead, speaking quietly into a comm device that she retrieved from the pockets of her long coat.
    Winn was eyeing them with suspicion as she handed back their phasers. “Move,” she told them, ordering Vaughn and Kira to walk in front of her as the three of them followed in Opaka’s wake toward one of the camp’s larger buildings.
    Kira noted that Vaughn was still searching the faces of the alien “laborers,” all of whom had already returned to their mining. Mostly they were humans, but Kira had also noticed some Tellarites among them, as well as a few Bolians and representatives of several other familiar species.
    “What is it?” she whispered.
    Vaughn hesitated before answering. “I’m looking for someone who can help us.”
    “Let’s hope we’ve already found them,” Kira said, though she was glad Vaughn was continuing to attempt to assess their options.
    They were led to an elaborate wooden building, built entirely of nyawood. Massive timbers that may have been decades or centuries old lent the structure the solidity of stone—something that could endure the test of time. Inside it was revealed as a large, rustic dining hall, empty but for a dozen or so long tables and benches, which were arranged in orderly rows, and the presently unoccupied serving stations that ran along one wall. Large oval windows on the eastern and western walls allowed daylight to fill the refectory, and the smell of cooking permeated the place.
    Opaka was already waiting for them at the head of one of the tables; Kira and Vaughn were made to sit opposite one another on the long sides. Shortly after theywere seated, a male Bajoran emerged from a door that presumably led to the kitchen, bringing a tray of bread and fruit along with several mugs containing something that smelled like freshly brewed deka tea. The server nearly stumbled when he saw Kira, but after receiving a stern look from Opaka he set down his tray and quickly retreated into the kitchen.
    Winn remained standing near the door through which they’d entered, her weapon still conspicuously drawn but pointed at the floor.
    “Please eat,” Opaka said. “The third member of Vekobet’s leadership triad will join us soon. In the meantime, you’re welcome to enjoy our hospitality, such as it is.”
    “We appreciate your generosity,” Kira said. “Though we’re grateful simply for the opportunity to speak with you.”
    Opaka chuckled. “You’re not like your counterpart at all, are you? That imperious air you put on earlier—it doesn’t come naturally to you.”
    “Was I that obvious?” Kira asked as she reached toward the tray for a ripe