The BLTS Archive - First, Do No Harm III
Medicinal Purposes
by nostalgia (thehappinesspatrol@hotmail.com)

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Disclaimer: Blah, blah, Paramount, blah.

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The world of espionage is vastly over-rated, I've always felt. It's
not nearly as exciting as most people - such as our own dear doctor -
seem to think. It's a life of solitude and moral ambiguity. Very few
have the skill, intelligence and sheer single-mindedness to actually
do it for a living.

Why am I telling you all this? Patience, my dear, patience; all will
be revealed in time. If one is going to share one's secrets, one
should at least be allowed to do it at one's own pace.

I'm sure you remember what our mutual interest was like at first, even
if you weren't quite yourself at the time. Naïve, excitable,
enthusiastic. Much of that passed in time, but the essence stayed the
same. Far too idealistic for a spy.

But it seems that your own intelligence organisations don't have quite
the same standards as the Obsidian Order. Section 31 will, it appears,
take anyone.

I'm sure that you understand now why I didn't send this little note
through the usual channels. I may be paranoid, but I find that to be a
trait that often pays off.

And so, my young Dax, they enlisted the dear doctor. And now I fear we
venture into territory in which you may not feel entirely comfortable.
I apologise, but it really is necessary.

You see, he didn't quite get around to leaving that somewhat
amateurish organisation. You will, no doubt, have noticed that during
these past few years he spent rather a lot of time at medical
conferences. Those, my dear, were a euphemism, nothing more. Oh, I
don't doubt that he did, on occasion, attend bona fide gatherings of
the medical profession, but in the majority of cases his actual
activities were of a rather different nature.

How is young, Benjamin, by the way? Healthy, I hope. He cost, after
all, a great deal.

You, of course, aren't a doctor. You have a layman's understanding of
genetics. So the origins of your son are a mystery I will leave you to
solve on your own. It might, in fact, be better for both of you if you
didn't pursue the matter. I feel somewhat responsible for the two of
you, but my protection can only extend so far.

Such a shame that our dear doctor is no longer with us. I hear that
you've been coping rather well, given the circumstances.

I know that all of this must be something of a shock, but please bear
with me. There are certain things that even I can't keep hidden
forever. Sometimes, alas, even I am stricken by conscience.

Let me begin by stating that the accident that claimed your partner's
life was nothing of the sort. Shuttles explode all the time, of
course, and helpfully obliterate any organic remains. That, I'm sure,
was the reason Section 31 weaved such a devastatingly unoriginal lie
to cover the truth of their own sins.

The intelligence business is a dangerous one. The best operatives are
those who understand this fact and accept it. While a death wish can
do no one any good, a healthy acceptance of the facts is often a
powerful incentive.

You see, not all spies work for the same people. This, in fact, is the
reason that we have spies. And while Cardassia and the Federation may
be on something rather more than speaking terms these days, our
respective intelligence services haven't quite caught up with this
fact.

I had to interrogate him, of course. I was as humane as I could be in
such circumstances, but you know how stubborn he could be. I'll spare
you the details, but I have to make the admission.

We aren't the gentlest of people, we Cardassians, but we are not
without our sense of honour. And I owed him a swift and somewhat
painless death. I could have ignored the matter, assigned the problem
to someone else, but I know enough to trust no one but myself.

I had thought of him as a friend, and indeed he was. But friendship
and trust are the first victims of espionage. We show our loyalty in
ways you may not consider palatable, but believe me when I tell you
that I would have expected the same of him.

I know that you won't be pleased to receive this letter, at least not
once you've read it, but I hope you understand why I had to contact
you with this information. Needless to say, I would prefer it if you
would refrain from discussing the matter with anyone else. Section 31
have been informed that any approach towards you would almost
certainly be fatal for their operatives, and the Obsidian Order have
been informed that you constitute no threat to them. Attached to this
note you will find certain information that may prove beneficial in
the future and young Benjamin will find that a great number of –
entirely safe – opportunities are available to him.

My deepest sympathy and regret,


Elim Garak

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End - First Do No Harm