The Dominion inspectors did not wait for the invitation. They arrived at the main gate at 0800 hours, exactly when the shift change occurred. There were three of them. They wore uniform grey suits with the Dominion crest on the lapel. They carried briefcases that looked heavy enough to contain weapons, though scanners indicated they were filled with data drives and legal pads.
I met them in the reception hall. Ezra stood beside me, flanked by two security personnel. We did not look like a welcoming committee. We looked like a border control.
"High Admiral Kaelen sent us," the lead inspector said. He was a woman with sharp features and hair pulled back so tightly it seemed to pull at her eyes. "I am Commander Halsey."
"Welcome," I said. I did not offer my hand. "You are early."
"Our sch
