An Uneasy Supply

[Lieutenant Dukal, report to the shuttle bay. Instructions on your mission will be given to you when you get there.] The voice of Captain Devore requested.

"Aye sir, on my way." Dukal responding to the Captain's order. He left the security office and headed for the shuttlebay. He stepped through the door and noticed one shuttle in the centre with an open hatch ready for launch.

*This must be it.* He thought and stepped in.

"Captain Devore has ordered me here, I don't suppose you know anything about what I'm supposed to do, do you ?" He asked the officer at the helm.

"We're heading out on a supply mission. There is a planet two light years away where we need to pick up some food supplies." Said the woman.

"Any idea why he wants me on this mission ?"

"It beats me Lieutenant." She said again.

Dukal took his seat to the side of the officer and took note that it was Commander T'kul.

*Oh no ! Not her !*

Rashad and Dukal had rarely spoken, but it was clear that Rashad didn't much like Dukal.

"Bridge, This is Rashad, are we cleared for launch ?"

[That's affirmative Commander, you are cleared for launch.]

With that, Rashad piloted the small Cochrane class shuttle out of the bay doors and set a course for the planet. She said nothing, but began to realign the sensors. Dukal decided to break the ice and, as Counsellor Devore had suggested, try and make a few friends.

"So Commander...."

"I'm busy." She replied abruptly.

"I was just..."

"I'm not interested Lieutenant.."

"I see the problem…." Dukal said. "…..it's me being a Cardassian isn't it ?"

"And what makes you think that ? Hmm ?" Rashad asked sarcastically.

"Look, I can't help what I am or what has been done in the past, but I can assure you that I am nothing like the Cardassians who occupied Bajor."

"Mister Dukal. I don't give a damn who you are ! A Cardassian is a Cardassian in my book and I don't like Cardassians."

"Commander..."

"Leave it ! That's an order ! Now make yourself useful and recalibrate the warp field. Don't speak to me again."

Dukal decided that he couldn't win here, so reluctantly turned to the engineering console and began to recalibrate the warp field.