BAJOR, 2364

It was a time when even diplomatic intervention by the almighty Federation seemed remote, and Cardassian withdrawal was the dream of deluded fools.

Though not yet officially a Vedek, Senior Mass Cleric Winn Adami was also officially not a part of the Resistance. But her accession to the one title seemed at least likely. Her role in the other was limited to a very grim but necessary duty. When there is an underground resistance to an occupying force, then inevitably there are those who turn traitor. They were dealt with by Winn Adami.

"You have done far more than pass mere scraps of paper, child. You have broken faith with the Prophets. If you fail to confess, then I must give you over to these very professional team of--and I do not even like to say this word--killers."

The woman--girl, really--looked up at her.

"Intercessor--I am innocent. I have not betrayed anyone. Please! If I die falsely condemned, I will know no rest."

She had been tortured, but never in Winn's sight. That was important. The condemned had to see her as a last chance, not part of the program.

"Where you are headed, child--rest is not a concern. Their howls, the howls of the always-excluded, will see to that. Take her away."

The future Kai made a show of standing serenely as the girl pleaded and was led off, her howls coming early. When she and her executioners were gone off, Mass Cleric Bareil, a known part of the resistance, made a risky visit.

"Bareil? To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"Cleric, I cannot stay. But when the girl accused of collaboration is brought here, release her. Our source was the traitor, not that poor child. How will she or the Prophets forgive our torture?"

The Occupation bred rampant brutality. Winn knew this. But as Bareil vanished anew, her innate shame also made her realize something else. Her loyal aide was called for.

"Sobor, act to have that squad return here. The girl will be--pardoned--it seems."

Sobor shook his head.

"Intercessor, I have already received word. That squad was caught in a Cardassian ambush. The bodies are either mangled or ashen. Even DNA reclamation may not be possible."

Winn made one of a series of wrong moves in her life.

"Record that we believe it possible that the girl was taken prisoner by the Cardassians. That she may still be alive."

"Intercessor?!"

She turned and looked him in the eye.

"This is war, Sobor. In war, a great many things happen. And an even greater amount of things are made to never happen."

---------------------------------------------------

Inside the unmarked post that was the Obsidian Order's Bajoran headquarters, a living young woman viewed the body of a dead one.

"Then this will be my face?"

Her handler nodded.

"When you are properly programmed, it will have always been your face. Your memories will only return if you face a situation somehow not covered in our preparations. Small chance of that. I have to ask again. Are you prepared?"

Illeana Ghemor was resolute.

"It is possible my father is a traitor. My actions here will clear our family of taint, if this proves to be the case. Besides--I won't know the difference anymore than she does, right?"

The handler smiled.

"So much work getting her here. Profiling a potential face donor. Finding the ones who matched and best met that profile. Seeding the Resistance with that profile. Waiting for one of them to end up with a 'Law And Order' Mass Cleric for judgment. Now, this poor victim of the Bajoran's inability to see the strings lies here, only a little more insensate than those who condemned her."

"What happens when she--when I--reemerge?"

"Simplicity, my dear. No one will say a thing. Who will want to remind people of the girl they unjustly sent to her death?"

The soon-to-be deep-cover agent caressed the victim's face, almost tenderly.

"Thank you for your generosity, Seska."