"Commander's Log: Stardate 45678.2. After the latest attack by the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, Repairs are being done on all systems of the station. New Transporter systems and subroutines are being installed to avoid further tampering. I'll be leaving that to the more-than-capable, if unstable, hands of my Operations Chief, Miles O'Brien…Since I'm certainly not going to do it."
"That one, there…..Oh, you aren't getting away!"
Miles zaps at the coils and exposed wire underneath with an unknown device.
"Are you almost done, Chief?" A voice asks Miles.
Miles pokes his head out from underneath the station he was repairing to see an almost Human-looking man, a black uniform seen below his slightly deformed face. His hands are behind his back in a calm manner, while his face shows signs of irritation.
"Of course, Odo." Miles says with a warm smile. "Alliance forces are sure to hijack us if the Transporters aren't fixed. It's just a matter of reassembling the Pattern Coils and dispelling the Neutrino stains."
"You usually work faster." Odo says; his voice critical. "You KNEW that the cargo shipment was scheduled for today…"
"Don't rush me, you protoplasmic shell of a man!" Miles yells unexpectedly as he resumes his work with the machine, Odo's frame again obscured from his point of view. "I'll finish it when I damn well finish it!"
Odo narrows his eyes, but does nothing. If Miles had been an ordinary Ensign, he'd have killed the man where he lay. But Miles was a unique case. O'Brien was subjected to an experiment that turned him into a loyal Terran…..But it also destroyed his mind in the process, making him insane, unstable, and random. He was never the same person twice. He could be a happy man one minute and an angry psychopath the very next. He was a damn good tinkerer no matter what kind of person he was….and that's why he was the Operations Chief aboard Terok Nor…..and Odo's personal handyman.
"Just get it done soon." Odo says. "I don't want to give Quark any openings. If there's anyone that could interfere with Kira's shipments, it's him."
"I could just kill him, y'know." Miles shouts from underneath the computer station, a random spark from the device in his hand trailing off and away. "It'd save you a lot of trouble. Besides….All that red blood would make the bar look better...The pretty red…Like blue, but also like green…..Oh and of course, brown."
"No." Odo says with a dark chuckle. "Its fun watching him squirm. Besides, it keeps me on my toes. Now I see why you Humanoids like your competitions…."
"Competitions are great…." Miles says, more sparks flying from his position under the computer.. "Like fur, for instance. Its smoothness co-enacts with the arcane rifles that….."
"Another consciousness dump…" Odo thinks to himself. "O'Brien's a great patsy, but he can be so annoying…."
Miles, due to his insanity, sometimes rambled to himself or even spouted random nonsense from the remains of what little of a mind he has left. It drove many people away from him...But it also striked fear into the hearts of many a Terran officer, so Sisko and Odo let it happen.
"Done." Miles says, crawling out from underneathe the computer station. "So...You need me to secure Kira's shipment?"
"Yes." Odo says. "Sisko has his back turned, so it's the perfect time to fund her personal war with him..."
"Since when do you give two craps about their little squabbles?" Miles asks, putting the tools he was using back into a box that was next to him. "Last I checked you were neutral. Why help her?"
"I don't. And I'm NOT helping her." Odo says. "But Sisko's days are numbered. He's been lazy ever since he was assigned to the station. I'm not surprised Kira would want him gone. Nothing ever gets done. Besides, i'm sure buttering Kira up will secure my position."
"And mine, hopefully?" Miles asks, tilting his head to the left slightly. His eyes were slightly narrowed, as if he were staring Odo down.
"Of course, of course." Odo says, waving a dismissive hand. "Like I would ever want to lose such a valuable henchman. And as for Sisko and Kira, I wouldn't exactly call it a squabble. Sisko's not doing anything..."
"Like always..." Miles says, slinging the handle of the tool satchel over his left shoulder. "It's either because he's too stupid to trust her, or he's the the greatest actor in the galaxy."
"True..." Odo says. "Now, let's go get this over with."
"Your move, old man."
Sisko lays back in his chair, his arms wrapped behind his head in a confident smirk.
"I've told you dozens of times not to call me that, Benjamin."
"Oh, please. You should be used to it by now..."
Jadzia folds her arms, looking upon the illusory Three-Dimensional-Chess board stationed between the two.
Just because she had killed Curzon Dax to become joined doesn't mean that she WAS him.
The nickname was like an insult...
Sisko was smart, but he wasn't a genius. He had no 'get up and go.' All that supposed cunning went to waste.
She moves her final rook, capturing Benjamin's own rook. His King piece was now vulnerable.
"Checkmate." Says Jadzia as she leans back in her chair, a smirk on her face, "You still have a lot to learn."
"Bah, I've only been at this little game...What, a week?" Sisko asks. "I'll get the hang of it."
"So..." Jadzia asks, a glint in her eye. "What do you think about the increase in cargo shipments as of late?"
She had to gauge how much he knew...
"It's fishy, but I'm not surprised." Sisko says, coming closer to Jadzia's face, trying to whisper in her ear. "Do you think it's Kira?"
Jadzia was Kira's right-hand woman; not that Benjamin had to know that.
To think he has already anticipated Kira's rebellion...
Truly a waste of cunning.
He could've been great...if he wasn't so lazy.
"I doubt it." Jadzia says. "The Alliance is always scanning this sector so the heightened security is necessary. If they breach this station, those explosives are our last line of defense. Phasers and daggers are only SO effective. Besides, Kira's always been the closest person to you. If she had wanted you killed, you'd have been dead already."
"Ah, maybe I'm being paranoid. Kira's been faithful to me for a long time..." Sisko says, sitting back onto his chair. "But you know Empire policy..."
"Sigh...If a Captain, or in your case Commander; isn't doing his job, the First officer deposes him and takes over." Jadzia says with an irritable tone. "I know the regulations from memory, Ben. Trust me, you aren't the lazy type..."
To think she had to say that with a straight face...
Benjamin actually did little to nothing! Kira did all the work while HE took the credit!
But that would change soon. And then Jadzia would have even more influence. From there, control of the station was a hop and skip away.
"Just relax, Ben." Jadzia says. "You'll be fine."
She then gets up, pressing a button underneath the table that makes the Chess hologram disappear.
"Anyway, I'm off to Rom's for a game of Dabo." Jadzia says. "Care to join me?"
"No, no." Sisko says. "I have some...business...to take care of."
"Of course." Jadzia says, heading towards the door. "Well, later then."
With an evil smile away from Sisko's eyesight, she leaves the room.
Sisko was easy to read. Smart, but lazy. Kira would make mincemeat out of him.
Wiping blood from the bar tables, Quark sighs heavily.
"Ah, another bar fight, more dead corpses." Quark says. "Rom's gonna kill me if I don't get this blood cleaned..."
"Need a hand?"
Quark turns to see Elim Garak, the only Cardassian aboard Terok Nor.
He was a total mystery. Nobody knew him at all...Even Jadzia, who keeps tabs on everybody. Quark couldn't even tell. Everything about Garak suggested he was hiding something. But, Garak was his only friend. If a friend was even possible in this twisted excuse for a galaxy, anyway.
"Um...Sure..." Quark says, handing Garak a rag from a nearby cabinet.
Quark wondered whythe Empire even LET a Cardassian into their station, anyway. Maybe he was a secret spy for them? Or maybe...No. No point in thinking about it. Trying to find out would only add more questions. And consdiering the still-forming bond betwene the two, questions weren't a good idea.
"Another brawl?" Garak asks with a knowing tone.
"Ugh! I hate this place! The Empire's full of nutjobs, freaks and assholes at every turn. How I'm still alive is outta my grasp!" Quark shouts in irritation. "Can you hand me that bottle to your right?"
Garak hands Quark the bottle as he proceeds to get down on one knee, rubbing a dried-up blood stain with a rag Quark has given him.
"Terrans truly are horrific creatures, aren't they?" Garak asks, a hidden tone to his voice. "Especially that O'Brien...Who knows what that one's thinking. If he can even think at all..."
"Rom must've been outta his mind when he decided to open a bar aboard a Terran space station!" Quark says with exasperation, adding the last sentence with sarcasm. "There's no profit in being on the other end of a Terran blade, I tell ya! But no, I dunno what I'm talking about, do I?"
"But, at least I can keep Odo in check." Quark continues.
"I've noticed the little rivalry developing between you two." Garak says, a sly smile forming on his lips. "Tell me, why do you care whether he throws his weight around or not?"
"I dunno, honestly." Quark says. "I guess I just feel for all of these species. To have to live under Terran rule is hell."
"True." Garak says. "Tell me, do you fancy yourself a hero, Quark?"
"A hero?" Quark asks. "Nah. I'm just one man. One man ain't gonna change the Empire. But I'll stick a middle finger up at 'em whenever I get the chance."
"You would do that, even knowing that Odo or O'Brien could kill you at anytime for your bravado?" Garak asks. "Sounds like a hero to me..."
Quark doesn't reply. He just keeps wiping the tables.
Garak says nothing more, but Quark could prove useful...
With an irritated sigh, Julian Bashir walks down the corridors of Terok Nor.
His Medical Kit in one hand and a dagger hidden in the other, he was taking no chances in the murderous hallways of this place.
Sisko had ordered him to beam down to Bajor to tend to some of their wounded.
Julain was NOT looking forward to the trip at all...
Bajor was, in all essence, a cesspool. Everyone is against each other in a constant struggle for power, not unlike the Terran Empire itself. Various corrupt factions fight for prevalence and so-called glory in this planet's harsh atmosphere. As a result, much of it's people are aggressive, territorial, intelligent, and manipulative.
These qualities made Bajor not only a rare find for the Empire, but also one of the hardest planets to conquer.
After all, The Empire had to send TWO Flagships to take over this planet ten years ago. That's how strong these people were. (It was a good thing the Empire had found Bajor before the Alliance did, or they would have lost the war for sure!)
Of course, during the Imperial Occupation, the Empire had managed to get much of Bajor on it's side; (Save for the small Resistance Cells, which were quickly disposed of) so the Bajorans aren't nearly as defiant as they were prior.
Many were skeptical from the start about making Bajor a part of the Empire, however. They were worried that they would choose the same path as the Vulcans; feigning friendship so that they could conquer the Empire from the inside out.
On the other hand, Bajorans made great Security Officers aboard Terran ships and Freighters, making the benefits of having them as servants outweigh the risk of their being a threat. After all, who wouldn't want a bodyguard/assassin watching your back? (Or stabbing it if you slack off!)
Regardless as to how one looks at Bajor, a kind, peace-loving planet it was not.
Julian was therefore worried more about HIS safety than that of the Bajorans. After all, people have gone down to Bajor before only to never come back. Julian was more liable to get his throat slit than to come home in one piece.
But on the other hand, any dead corpses could be used a cadavers...
Julian needed all of the torture practice he could get! He didn't take a Medical Science Major in the Imperial Academy for nothing.
Why Medical Science? Julian was always teased in the Academy. Practical jokes, assassination attempts, anything one could think of he was subjected to. It was because of this harsh life that his lifelong dream of becoming a Doctor was muddled by revenge. So, using what he learned in class, as well as some research on the side, he had finally (with the help of an unwary stooge) gathered all of the people that had ever made fun of him. From there, one can guess what he had done. Needless to say, he now learns the in-and-outs of any organism's pressure points when examining a new species...
As he turns the corridor, stopping in front of the door, it slides open with a HISS.
Nothing. Just the Transporter and the computer station. Julian always thoufght this room was eerie...
He walks over to the machine, putting in the coordinates into the computer as it replies with a beeping sound.
He starts to walk over to the Transporter, only to see a body materialze onto the Transporter Pad.
There stands Miles O'Brien, who looks at his surroundings with a confused stare, finally centering his gze on Julian.
"What the-?" Miles utters. "I was working on the Warp Core...How'd I end up here?"
Julian wasn't in the mood to deal with Smiley now. (As O'Brien always had an insane smile on his face, they all called him that) He actually did his best to avoid the man...He couldn't stand being around him. His randomness made him a wild card; and sometimes even put Julian in danger. But...What was with that uniform he was wearing? Smiley's never broken the Dress Code before...
"Aren't you supposed to be with Odo right now, Smiley?" Julian says with an irritable tone. "I thought you had that Transporter fixed ages ago...Plus, what's with that odd get-up? You've never been one to breach regulations..."
"What are you talking about?" O'Brien replies. "This is what I always wear...And I should ask you the same thing. Why are you wearing that black uniform...And what's with the paint job?"
"Paint job?" Julian says, as he notes Miles pointing at the Terran Empire logo emblazoned on the ceiling. "That's our logo! You who obey Regulations so much shouldn't be asking me that! Ugh...Why am I even talking to you? I have work to do..."
Julian walks over to the Transporter Station to re-input the coordinates. Just to be sure...
This behavior was odd, even for Smiley. Smiley never broke even the smallest of rules. EVER. His loyalty to the Empire was the only reason he was even kept around, aside from being a lapdog for Odo and Commander Sisko. Plus, if anybody knew Terran History, it was Smiley. No way he'd be asking such stupid and obvious questions. Smiley...wasn't acting like himself. If he even HAD a single self...
"Nice way to treat a friend..." Miles says, getting off of the Transporter Pad. "Whatever, I need to talk to Keiko, anyway..."
That was another thing Julian noticed. No nonsense. No babble, no conciousness dumps. O'Brien was acting...sane.
In a quick flash, Julian takes out the Phaser that was strapped over in a holster on his right side, aiming it at Miles.
"Don't move!" Julian shouts, aiming the Phaser at O'Brien with his right hand, his left hand free.
"What the hell?" Miles asks angrily, putting his hands up cautiously. "Put the Phaser down!"
"No...Not till I find out what the hell's going on here..." Julian says, tapping the Terran Empire badge on the left side of his chest. "Julian to Odo."
"Odo here." Odo's voice says, ringing through from the badge. "Doctor, what a pleasant surprise...You usually aren't the social type..."
"No mind games right now!" Julian replies irritably. "Is Smiley with you?"
"Of course." Odo says. "The man won't leave me alone...Why?"
"Then why is he standing right in front of me, out of uniform, and acting like he has a brain?" Julian asks angrily.
"We'll be right there..." Odo says. "Odo out."
"What's with you guys?" O'Brien asks. "Is this some practical-"
"Quiet..." Julian says, his tone tense. "...Or I'll fire! Unless you want me to use you as torture practice, you'll keep your mouth shut! Why me? Why am I always the one that goes through this crap?"
"Oh, boo-hoo." O'Brien says.
At that moment, a Phaser beam flies past him; and onto a nearby wall.
"I won't warn you again! Shut up!" Julian says.
Soon after, the Transporter doors HISS open.
Odo comes in, an angry look on his shoulders. Smiley comes in after him.
(Author's Note: As of now, Smiley is this world's O'Brien. Miles is the prime O'Brien.)
"This better be-" Odo says, only to stop short as soon as he sees the other Miles.
The scene zooms in on Smiley as he stares at Miles; his eyes transfixed on his counterpart.
"This is..." The two Miles say in unison. "...not happening..."