

(written from a Production point of view Real World article

A Stitch in Time is a Pocket DS9 novel – #27 in the numbered series – written by Andrew J. Robinson. Published by Pocket Books, it was first released in June 2000, and forms part of the Deep Space Nine relaunch series.

The enigmatic Garak – Cardassian-in-exile on space station Deep Space 9 – refers to himself as "just a simple tailor", but everyone knows that there's more to him than that. Why was he banished from his home planet? And why does he choose exile on Deep Space 9? This novel answers these questions, as well as detailing the role he plays in the reconstruction of Cardassian society following the Dominion War.

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Summary

From the book jacket For nearly a decade Elim Garak has longed for just one thing – to go home. Exiled on a space station, surrounded by aliens who loathe and distrust him, going back to Cardassia has been Garak's one dream. Now, finally, he is home. But home is a world whose landscape is filled with death and destruction. Desperation and dust are constant companions and luxury is a glass of clean water and a warm place to sleep.

Ironically, it is a letter from one of the aliens on that space station, Dr. Julian Bashir, that inspires Garak to look at the fabric of his life. Elim Garak has been a student, a gardener, a spy, an exile, a tailor, even a liberator. It is a life that was charted by the forces of Cardassian society with very little understanding of the person, and even less compassion.

But it is the tailor that understands who Elim Garak was, and what he could be. It is the tailor who sees the ruined fabric of Cardassia, and who knows how to bring this ravaged society back together. This is strange, because a tailor is the one thing Garak never wanted to be. But it is the tailor whom both Cardassia and Elim Garak need. It is the tailor who can put the pieces together, who can take a stitch in time.

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Memorable quotes

"The Obsidian Order?" I asked.

"What do you know about us?"

"Nothing."

"That's a good start."



- Garak and Enabran Tain

Background information

Characters

References

Bamarren Institute for State Intelligence The place where young Cardassians receive training in intelligence operations. Cardassia Prime Capital of the Cardassian Union and homeworld of Elim Garak. Deep Space 9 Federation space station. First Hebitian Civilization The native culture of Cardassia Prime prior to the Cardassian Union, renowned for high art and pacifism. Regnar A small animal indigenous to Cardassia Prime.



