#vanath

Weyoun-7b had died peacefully, just as Weyoun-6 before him. His Beloved Founder had made absolutely sure of that, given him a comfortable place to spend his final days and sat with him day and night, even regenerating next to Weyoun's own sleeping form.

It had become Vanath's own responsibility to contact nearby facilities in hopes that one of them would have a Weyoun in cryo. There were four facilities reasonably close to their location. Only one of them had what was requested.

"...Kind of," the facility head had told her.

Vanath was taken off guard. "What do you mean, kind of? Either you have a Weyoun iteration ready to be activated or you don't," she said, her voice a bit cold as she lamented the slippage of standards so far out from Kurill Prime.

"What I mean," the facility head answered, "is yes, we do have a Weyoun, but no, he's not finished developing."

"Is he viable?" Vanath asked. She did not want the Founder she served to be without his Attendant any longer than he had to be. A viable clone, even one a few years out from being service-ready, would be better than nothing.

The facility head paused. "Well, yes, but--"

"Is he viable," Vanath repeated.

"He is. But I feel the need to warn you that he's far from ready for dep--"

"Prep him for memory implantation and deployment. This is an order from the Ineffable."

Almost there. Just need to reach the Founder's office, and he'll— he'll help me, just like he helped that defective Weyoun. Just need to find him, tell him I'm looking for work, he'll— no, shut up, you deserted, you should have died with Rondac III, but you dishonored your purpose with that escape—

Vanath tightened her hood. Being recognizable as a Vorta so soon after the end of the war couldn't possibly be a good thing. Even with how hungry she was, and how disoriented she was, she had enough presence of mind to know that.

She flagged down a passing civilian. Tall, reddish hair, probably a man. Human or possibly Bajoran, she couldn't tell from this distance. "Excuse me, sir, I'm in need of— I've only just arrived, would you be so kind as to—"

He approached, and she saw the nose ridges as he came into view. So my second guess was right, she thought, noting the lack of an earring. If he'd been wearing one, the gentle chimes of moving metal would have alerted her. "You're in need of directions?" he asked.

She lowered her head. Not out of respect, as she would with a Founder, but because it would be dangerous for her to let anyone see her eyes. "Yes," she said quietly. "I'm trying to find the... the constable's office." The title was unfamiliar to her. It felt wrong in her mouth, in her very bones. "I'm looking for work, and I, well, I heard he could help me find it."

That wasn't a lie. She had heard that he could help. She'd heard that the Founder had risked his own life to save the life of a Vorta who had been declared defective, slated for termination, and chose to escape rather than face his punishment. Such a blatant violation of the order of things— it inspired her, and scared her, at the same time.

The Bajoran nodded. "Oh, Odo's office? Sure, just keep going straight on this floor, past the temple, it'll be right next to that Klingon restaurant. Don't know how he stands the noise," he said. "My daughter was one of his deputies during the war, can you—"

The good news was that the office was much closer than she thought. The bad news was that this stranger was getting a little too friendly. She had negative interest in his family troubles, especially not at the moment. "I'd love to help with whatever that is, but things are a bit urgent right now. Maybe we'll see each other around, if I stay." She gave an obligatory smile that probably looked out of place on her very much not diplomatically specialized face, then darted off, ducking and weaving through the crowds before finding herself at the Founder's door.

Resolve: 0_0

Resolve: ...the Link wasn't supposed to...

Vanath: Is something wrong?

Resolve: Airota, you are violating the most sacred law of our people every second you leave me on this ship. Please come pick me up.

Vanath: One would reassure Weiyaita, if permitted, that the Newly Ascended is in no danger. If being treated as a colleague rather than a deity were harmful to them, this servant wouldn't have been asked to do it.

Resolve: Oh, of course you're properly respectful to them.

Vanath: The manual you keep forgetting to read states that protocol must be observed with personnel who aren't part of the experiment, yes.

Vanath: Vorta of all specializations are genetically predispositioned to enjoy their work, of course. It's somewhat like... you're Terran as well, right? Well, it's somewhat like how sheepdogs are bred to find fulfillment in herding.

Vanath: ...Well. Without the "bred" part, as we're blessed enough to be an artificially reproducing species.

Vanath: Anyway, to answer your question, yes, my duties are very fulfilling and enjoyable to me.

Weyoun: I remember how miserable you were at that other facility.

Vanath: ...well, yes, but...

Vanath: ...

Vanath: Alright. I suppose there's no harm in admitting preference— the one we serve has never forbidden it, after all. This assignment is... It's much more enjoyable than my last one.

Weyoun: And?

Vanath: And... and I'm overjoyed to finally have the opportunity to guide a new line's education.

Weyoun: And?

Vanath: She is an Aspirant. She's of average size for her specialization and stage of development.

Cerin: I was supposed to answer this one! It was for me! Can I see what it says?

Cerin: *blinks*

Cerin: I'm supposed to have a growth spurt in six Kurillian months. My projected height is... Where is anon from, Vanath?

Vanath: Assuming 21st century Earth.

Cerin: So should that be in Metric?

Vanath: No, the database says they're most likely from a part of their world that uses Imperial.

Cerin: My projected height is 5'4. So I won't be short forever.

Weyoun: Terrans still think that's short, shiysa.

Cerin: They do?

Cerin: ...

Cerin: Vanath, can you make me taller? All in the service of the Founders, of course.

[Vanath] ❛ please don’t leave me alone again. ❜

Odo looked up with surprise. Where had that come from? After a beat, he held out a hand to her, encouraging her into his embrace. "You are in my service and I care a great deal for your happiness. I won't turn you away if that isn't what you want."

Vanath was ashamed. She was... many other things, but mostly, she was ashamed. She'd allowed herself to slip in her duties, and in the course of explaining her mistake, something in her had broken. Almost without realizing it, she'd lowered herself onto her hands and knees, her already small Vorta frame seeming smaller and more vulnerable in this position, and was blinking quickly to avoid any tears showing in her eyes.

She hardly even noticed the extended hand. But even in the state she was in, Odo's words helped her return, at least somewhat, to reality.