Vectors Read Online Free

Kellec Ton looked at him, eyes sharp. The Bajoran doctor did not need to know how much information the Cardassians had gathered on the Bajorans. "We have known that for a long time."
    "We have," Narat said. "But this is something new."
    "Brand new," Kellec said.
    There was something in his voice that annoyed Dukat, a faint accusation. Dukat approached the door. The stench seemed to have grown.
    "What are you suggesting?" Dukat asked.
    "I'm not suggesting anything." Kellec's expression was mild, but his eyes were not. They were intense, filled with something that Dukat recognized.
    Hatred.
    Good. Let the Bajoran hate him. He wasn't competing in any popularity contests.
    "But," Kellec continued, "I have heard rumors that this disease is the result of a Cardassian experiment, designed to rid the universe of Bajorans. What better way to get our planet than to destroy us all?"
    Dukat felt rage rush through him, but he did not move. He waited until the first wave of anger had passed before responding. He didn't want the Bajoran to know that his comment had hit the mark.
    "If that were the case," Dukat said, making certain he sounded calm, "then this disease would not be killing Cardassians." "It would if someone made a mistake," Kellec said. Their gazes met for a moment. They both knew the Cardassians were capable of this. Then Dukat said, "Your job is to find a cure for this disease-both versions, Cardassian and Bajoran."
    "You're feeling compassion for Bajorans?" Kellec asked, with great sarcasm.
    "I prefer to have my Bajorans alive and working," Dukat said. "Not straining the medical resources of Terok Nor."
    He turned away from Kellec, no longer willing to look at the man. "If this disease progresses as rapidly as you say," he said to Narat, "then we have to isolate it. We don't want it spreading through the station."
    "I'll do what I can," Narat said. "But we have a problem here. We are, essentially, in a floating tin can, sharing the same air. I can have the computers filter for an air-borne version of this virus in the lifesupport system and neutralize it, but the disease might not be spread that way. We don't know enough about it."
    "Isolate anyone who comes in contact with it," Dukat said. "I don't want this spreading."
    "I won't be able to do that, treat these patients, and find a cure," Narat said. "You'll have to issue the order."
    He had a point. "All right," Dukat said. "It's probably too late," Kellec Ton said.
    They turned to him.
    Kellec shrugged. "If this disease has a long incubation period, then it could have been spreading all over the station long before any symptoms appeared."
    "Then we'd all have it," Narat said softly.
    Dukat felt his skin crawl again. He couldn't help himself; he shot another look at the ill guards. He would do anything not to end up like that.
    Then the door to medical lab swished open. Two Cardassians Dukat didn't recognize entered. They were wearing the uniform of the uridium freighter crews. The woman was hanging on the man, barely able to walk. Her skin was green.
    "You the doctor?" the man asked.
    Dukat took a step backwards even though they hadn't come near him yet. He was standing near the second door.
    "No," he said, and he sounded alarmed, even to his own ears. "I'm not the doctor."
    "I am," Narat said, walking toward them as if this thing didn't bother him at all. "Quarantine protocol."
    The quarantine field went up around the newcomers. Dukat let out a small sigh.
    "Don't relax yet," Kellec said to him softly. "All it takes is a moment to get infected. One small breath of air. A touch."
    Dukat whirled.
    The Bajoran was watching him, that maddeningly calm expression on his face.
    "Then find the cure," Dukat said. "I plan to," Kellec said. "For my own people." "I command you to find it for both." Dukat raised his voice. The new patient and his companion were looking at him, along with Narato "Why should I help your people?" Kellec asked. "Why should I help yours?" Dukat