"The Calling" is a 2003 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine short story by Andrew Robinson. It was published in the Prophecy and Change anthology. With Cardassia ravaged by civil wars after the Dominion War, Garak and his associates investigate the Vinculum.
Summary[]
The post-war Cardassia has continued to deteriorate. Disease ravages the population, and Castellan Alon Ghemor has been assassinated. Garak has become an important part of what little government there is.
At a public rally, Garak is supposed to give a speech intended to bring various factions together. Unfortunately he is so depressed that his speech only adds to the problem. The other members of the government decide something must be done about Garak before he makes things even worse.
An ancient artifact of the Hebitians has recently been discovered - an otherwordly realm known as the Vinculum where the Hebitians went to meditate and find solutions to their problems. The others decide Garak must be sent into the Vinculum and left there.
Under the impression he is being sent on an undercover mission to contact the Federation for help, Garak envisions himself disguised as a human and sent to Earth. Slowly, the vision breaks down as the faces of Garak's friends and loved ones return to him, giving advice and emotional support.
Finally, Garak's friend Dr. Kelas Parmak rescued him from the Vinculum, and keeps him hidden from the others.
References[]
Characters[]
- Nal Dejar • Ereket • Elim Garak/Emile Tranger • Cronal Gys • Pythas Lok • Kel Lokar • Kelas Parmak • Limor Prang • Mindur Timot
- Referenced only
- Julian Bashir • Corat Damar • Corbin Entek • Tolan Garak • Alon Ghemor • Kira Nerys • Barkan Lokar • Maladek • Mila • Korbath Mondrig • Palandine • Quark • Enabran Tain • Toran • Tora Ziyal
Locations[]
- Assembly building • Cardassia • Cardassia City • Hall of Records • Imperial Parade Grounds • Tarlok Sector • Vinculum
- Referenced only
- Earth (Africa • Gare du Nord • Mediterranean Sea • Paris) • Begata • Borlan III • Brakk Province • Deep Space 9 • Lakarian City • Mekar Province • Morfan Province • Rogarin Province • Tohvun III
Races and cultures[]
States and organizations[]
- Cardassian Union • Directorate • Kasmoc • Neo-Hebitian • Oralian Way • Restoration Cadre • Reunion Project • Sabutahim
- Referenced only
- Bamarren Institute for State Intelligence • Cardassian Republic • Dominion • Federation Council • Hebitian • Obsidian Order • Paris Métro • United Federation of Planets
Other references[]
- balteen • bloodworm • Cardassian Civil War • Dominion War • Edosian orchid • Hebitian frieze • kanar • Karalian stew • ocran • Oralian Guide • regnar • vinculum • wire
Appendices[]
Background[]
- "The Calling" is a direct sequel to A Stitch in Time. (Voyages of Imagination)
Connections[]
Timeline[]
| published order | ||
|---|---|---|
| Previous story: Face Value |
Prophecy and Change
|
Next story: Revisited, Part Two |
| chronological order | ||
| Previous Adventure: Articles of the Federation |
Next Adventure: Orion's Hounds | |