Chapter Six

War Games

-COPYRIGHT/DISCLAIMER NOTICE-

This is a work of fan fiction and the characters and concepts of Star Trek belong to Paramount Pictures and the Gerry & Silva Anderson respectively. This story must not be sold or distributed for financial gain of any sort.

"Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man's soul and faith
"

The Rolling Stones - "Sympathy for the Devil" (1)

Still in her monster form, Maya reached out and easily snapped the neck of the Jem'Hadar that had attacked the commander. She could tell that the Jem'Hadar were no longer using their weapons for fear of hitting her; Tony had also realised this fact, and was hiding behind her as he shot at the Dominion soldiers. The fire near the computer had set one of the desks alight and the acrid stench of burning plastic made Maya's eyes water. With the sound still activated in the Command Centre, the Jem'Hadar were finding it increasingly difficult to fight. But as she seized another Jem'Hadar and threw him head first against the computer, Maya suddenly felt an intense dizziness come over her. She instinctively changed back into her normal form and leaned against Tony.

"Maya! What's wrong?" he exclaimed.

"I-I don't know."

Maya was still feeling dizzy when she looked up and saw three more Jem'Hadar soldiers coming into the smoke-filled Command Centre. With them was a woman from a species Maya knew well. What is a Kareelan doing here? she thought. The Kareelan was carrying a small device and Maya understood that was why she was unable to transform.

Tony had tried unsuccessfully to rouse the commander, and was now pulling Maya towards the other door as the new Jem'Hadar picked their way through the jumble of desks and charred corpses in the room.

"Come on," said Tony as Maya stumbled dizzily out of the room. "Computer, secure Command Centre!"

He was no doubt hoping to lock that particular group of Jem'Hadar in the noisy, smoky room, but it wasn't long before burns from the Dominion disruptors began to appear through the door.

Tony and Maya were greeted by an Alphan security team as they ran down the corridor. Tony impatiently ordered his men away, arguing that they were no match for the Jem'Hadar and he would prefer them to wait until the Federation came to help. They were still in the midst of this conversation when the Command Centre doors gave way and the Jem'Hadar, with their Kareelan companion, burst out into the corridor, in hot pursuit of Tony and Maya. The security guards obediently scattered down adjoining corridors to get out of their way.

Maya was so weak from the Kareelan device that Tony was having to virtually drag her down the corridor. She saw him pull out his commlock. "Attention all security personnel. We have been boarded by the Jem'Hadar. Do not attempt to engage them. Stay away from Section 8. I don't want any more casualties." He tried to hook the commlock back onto his belt as they ran, but missed. The commlock fell to the floor with a clatter that seemed to echo around Maya's dizzy mind.

The Dominion device wasn't just making her unable to transform, Maya realised as she tried to keep up with Tony. It was affecting her sense of balance as well. As they passed the Life Support Section, Maya pulled on Tony's arm to stop him.

"Tony... I can't... She's using a device..." Tony supported her as she lost her balance. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, honey. Here," he helped her into the Life Support Section, locking the door behind them. Once they were in, he lowered her to the ground and crouched beside her, his laser gun pointing at the door.

"The sound..." started Maya, her throat suddenly dry. "You need to..."

"Yeah, I know," said Tony, his eyes on the door. "Looks as though it works on this lot just the same as it did on the Hadar. But I can't activate it for the whole base from in here and it's you they're after. I'm damned if I'm going to leave you alone in here."

He glanced at her quickly before returning his attention to the entrance, where the Jem'Hadar were beginning to fight their way through the door.

"Well, I can say I have the most desirable girlfriend in the universe. Everybody wants you, baby," said Tony, trying to sound cheerful, though she could hear the tension in his voice as he watched the door. She noticed that he called her his girlfriend - it was the sort of thing he said when he was under pressure. She smiled at the silly memory that brought up.

Maya wished she could do something useful, but as it was, she could barely keep her eyes open. She hadn't felt this bad in a long time; even her injuries a couple of days earlier had been easier to bear than this. Or at least, that was what she felt right now. The injuries had been less worrying because she knew she could cure them by using her abilities. But this sickness made her unable to transform at all; she couldn't even concentrate enough to sit up straight without leaning on the desk beside her.

"I wonder why they're not just transporting in," muttered Tony as the door began to give way.

"Maybe the tiranium is stopping them..." Maya had no idea what might stop a Dominion transporter from working, but that was the first idea that came to mind.

"I wish they'd get through and get it over with. And where's bloody Starfleet when you need them?"

"Well, this is familiar," said Maya weakly. "You and me waiting for something to burst through the door and kill us."

Tony guffawed. He put his arm around her and kissed her cheek. "The story of our lives, hey?"

Despite the dizziness she felt, and their dire situation, Maya couldn't resist needling him. "Feeling sentimental again? Keep your eye on that door. And shoot that Kareelan if you can."

"Shoot the what?"

As expected, the door burst open. In a flash, Tony fired his laser across the two Jem'Hadar that entered, but one of them still had time to fire. The shot hit Tony's right arm and he groaned in pain, dropping the laser. The smell of scorched human flesh filled Maya's nostrils and made her retch. Four more Jem'Hadar and the Kareelan woman entered the room. Unarmed and wounded, Tony tried to place himself in between Maya and her would-be abductors.

"Get rid of him," said the Kareelan coldly. "We don't have time to play any more games with these primitives."

By now, the device was making Maya feverish; her vision was blurred and her hearing muddy. In fact, she felt very much as she had done when she had woken up in the DS9 Infirmary three days earlier. Maybe I should get used to it in this universe, she thought vaguely.

She watched helplessly as one of the Jem'Hadar pushed Tony aside. The human stumbled, but attacked again, attempting ineffectually to knock the soldier over. The Jem'Hadar drove his elbow into Tony's chest and punched him in the face, sending the unfortunate man flying. Tony hit one of the desks with a loud crash and fell into a heap on the floor.

"Tony!" screamed Maya, too sick and frightened to think how useless the cry was.

The Kareelan was advancing on her. "Now then, my little Psychon. Someone wants to talk to you." She leaned forward, obviously trying to catch Maya.

"They'll just have to wait!" said Maya, mustering all her strength to lift up Tony's laser gun and fire. She hit the Kareelan on the arm, scorching a black mark on the woman's white skin. The Kareelan winced and dropped her device, though she still had the strength to seize Maya's hair. Maya fired again, this time shooting her attacker point blank in the chest. The Kareelan fell back, groaning in pain, but still alive.

"Capture the creature and let's get this over with," she ordered hoarsely.

Maya tried to reach Tony to see if he was still alive - she couldn't even bear the idea he might not be. She could see that his face was covered in blood from his broken nose, but with the Kareelan's device still activated, all she was able to do was take a stumbling step in his direction.

She felt the iron grip of a Jem'Hadar hand on her arm. Seized by panic, Maya lashed out and hit the soldier, striking him on the shoulder. Her only reward was a heavy blow to the face that made her ears ring. Maya lost her balance and fell heavily, her weight pulling her out of the Jem'Hadar's grip. As she collapsed on the floor, she realised the Jem'Hadar had fallen with her and was now sprawled over her legs.

Looking up uncomprehendingly, Maya found that Major Kira and five Starfleet soldiers were now in the room and had started a shootout with the Jem'Hadar. Maya ducked, taking refuge behind the dead soldier, too confused and sick to react or even wonder when the Starfleet people had arrived. All she could think about was Tony.

Lying on the floor, Maya suddenly started to feel better. The sickness was withdrawing, as if a pall of pain was being lifted from her mind. One of the Starfleets had probably destroyed or deactivated the Kareelan's device. Freed of its influence, Maya immediately rushed over to Tony's side, hesitantly laying her hand on his neck. He was unconscious, his dark hair matted with blood, his pulse barely perceptible under her fingers. He hadn't been this bad in a long time. She ran her fingers through his tangled hair. "My hero," she whispered with a half smile.

"Doctor Bashir, we have a medical emergency here," she heard Kira say behind her. "Beam into the corridor; there's something in this room that's interfering with the transporters."

Kira crouched down beside Tony; without looking up, Maya heard the Bajoran take in her breath as she saw how bad the human's condition was. The punch he had received in the face had broken his nose and, as far as Maya could tell, smashed one of his cheek bones, reducing his face to a nightmarish pulp of torn flesh and broken bone. His breathing was very hoarse and gurgling, as though his lungs were full of blood; it was possible the Jem'Hadar's elbow had broken some of Tony's ribs. The sound filled Maya with terror. The last Alphan she had heard breathe like that had died before reaching the Medical Centre.

"What happened?" asked Kira.

"What do you think happened?" snapped Maya, turning to glare at the major. "Your Dominion friends attacked us, that's what! What took you so long?"

Kira's eyes narrowed. "We rescued your Eagle pilots. We weren't aware that the Jem'Hadar had boarded your station. You didn't send out a distress signal."

Maya was about to explain that they couldn't send a distress call when the Command Centre was under attack, but then she decided this was no time for petty bickering. Doctor Bashir had just entered, accompanied by Helena.

"Oh, my God!" exclaimed Helena, clapping her hand over her mouth. She leaned over Tony with concern, but stood back as Bashir crouched down and scanned him with his tricorder.

"He's in pretty bad shape," said Bashir. "We'll need to get him into the corridor and beam him to the Defiant. You coming with us?" he asked Maya with his sympathetic smile.

Maya nodded and took Tony's hand, relieved to know that he would have Starfleet technology to save him.

Sisko steepled his hands and observed Maya quizzically as he allowed his chair to gently swivel. "So you have no idea why the Jem'Hadar attacked Alpha," he said in a neutral tone.

Maya seemed to be watching his reflection in the shiny desktop; as he spoke, she started like someone woken up from a day dream and looked up at him, shaking her head silently. Her features were pale and drawn; she was clearly exhausted by her ordeal and Sisko felt a pang of guilt at not letting her rest. But an attack by the Dominion was not something he could ignore.

"The Jem'Hadar must have had some reason," said Sisko, more to himself than to Maya. "I can't imagine they would launch a gratuitous attack on the base simply because it is staffed by humans."

"All I know is that they seemed to be after me," volunteered Maya wearily. "The Jem'Hadar were careful not to shoot me, and the Kareelan said 'someone' wanted to talk to me."

"Kareelan?"

"The woman who was with the Jem'Hadar," explained Maya. "The one I killed."

Sisko checked Kira's preliminary report on the padd in front of him. According to the major, one of the bodies they had found in Alpha's life support area belonged to a Vorta female. As he recalled, the very first Vorta he had ever met had told him she was from a planet called Kareel Prime. Perhaps that hadn't been a lie after all. (2)

"Ah, I see. In our universe, her people are known as the Vorta," he explained, leaning back in his chair and listening to its familiar creak. "They are the genetically-engineered administrators of the Dominion."

"The Founders seem very keen on genetic engineering," remarked Maya pensively. "Maybe that's why the Kareelan have a different name here. The people I knew in my universe were traders. They visited my home world when I was a young girl; it was thanks to them that we acquired the technology that allowed some of our people to leave Psychon... I don't know if you know this, but my planet was destroyed. That's why I joined the Alphans. But before all that, people had already started to leave."

Sisko nodded; Odo had filed a report concerning Maya which mentioned the destruction of her home world.

"So it seems the Gamma Quadrant too is a very different place in your universe," he said thoughtfully. "But you said the Jem'Hadar were trying to kidnap you. What made you think they were specifically after you?"

"As I said, the... Vorta said 'Someone wants to speak to you, my little Psychon'. That made it pretty clear that she knew who and what I was, and that their purpose was -"

*Dax to Sisko*

"Go ahead."

*We're getting a priority call from Cardassia Prime,* explained Dax. *It's for Maya.*

Sisko exchanged a surprised glance with Maya. "Put it through."

"Weyoun!" exclaimed Maya as soon as the Dominion communication was patched through. Sisko stared at her in surprise; her blue eyes were wide with delighted amazement, and she had a half smile on her lips, as if she were greeting a long lost friend.

The Vorta looked from Sisko to Maya, and then twisted his thin lips into a smile which did not quite reach his wrinkled eyes.

"Your Highness," he said egregiously, lowering his eyes and spreading his hands as he was wont to do when talking to a Founder. Sisko noticed Maya's puzzled look as Weyoun addressed her. Whatever her association with the Vorta in her universe, it evidently didn't involve the use of this title.

"I am honoured to find we were acquainted in your universe as well as mine," continued Weyoun, his tone still unusually respectful. "And I am pleased to say you look exactly as I remember you, even though it has been over three hundred years since we last met."

"Is that why you were so impatient to see me?" retorted Maya, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Her eyes had narrowed and she was observing Weyoun with obvious mistrust.

Sisko was relieved to find that Maya was not prepared to blindly trust Weyoun; he was tempted to intervene and ask Weyoun outright what he wanted, but he decided it might be wiser to sit back and see how things played out. Whatever the reason for Weyoun's communication, he would probably find out more by observing what the Vorta said to Maya than by interrupting and drawing attention to himself.

"Now, now, there's no need to be so unfriendly, Your Highness," cooed Weyoun, still smiling although his eyes were cold as ice.

Maya lifted her head defiantly and glared down at the screen. "Unfriendly? You send in your minions to kidnap me, and wound five of my friends, and you expect me to be friendly with you?"

"I apologise for the damage we caused," said the Vorta impassively. "I'm afraid the Jem'Hadar do tend to get carried away. Unfortunately, there was no other way for us to bring you here."

"You could perhaps have asked first."

"And risk having Starfleet instantly remove you to Deep Space Nine?" Weyoun seemed to realise he had given away more information than he wanted to. He looked away for a second, as if cursing himself for the mistake. He probably hadn't meant to let Sisko know that Maya was easier to kidnap on Alpha than on DS9.

"Perhaps we could continue this conversation in private," he suggested, looking pointedly at Sisko.

"I can leave," said Sisko, making as if to rise from his seat. He knew - and was in no doubt Weyoun knew too - that every communication downloaded to this terminal was recorded and could be monitored remotely.

On screen, Weyoun turned towards Sisko. "You don't honestly believe I would fall in that trap, Captain?" he said, making no effort to hide his disdain. "No, I was hoping to meet Maya in person. We have some unfinished business to discuss."

Sisko shrugged his shoulders and sat down again. Maya had not taken her eyes off the screen during the whole conversation; she seemed riveted by Weyoun's image.

"What kind of business?" asked Maya suspiciously, thought she was still staring at the Vorta. "What do you want from me?"

This time, Sisko seemed to detect an unusual note of sincerity in the Vorta's expression. "Oh nothing terrible, I can assure you. We're not Dorcons," he said. The statement was evidently designed to reassure Maya, but the young woman's face fell as soon as the last word was spoken.

"What do you know of the Dorcons?" Maya said in a monotone voice, as if she were speaking with her teeth clenched. Sisko could see her hands were gripping the material of her uniform under the desk. Whoever the Dorcons were, they seemed to strike fear in Maya.

"Only that we eradicated them on behalf of your people," said Weyoun casually. "A whole civilisation destroyed... Surely that deserves some gratitude."

Sisko watched as Maya's hands relaxed, though there was still tension in her voice as she said, "I can't be grateful for what the Dominion did for my people in this universe. On my side, the Dorcons are still very much alive."

"As are you," remarked Weyoun. "A remarkable coincidence, indeed. I take it, from what you've said, that the Dominion did not destroy the Dorcon species in your universe?"

"No. But then," said Maya slowly, "there's no Dominion in my universe."

Weyoun looked amazed, and there was no doubt in Sisko's mind that the expression was completely genuine. "Then... what do the Founders do?"

"I don't know: I never met them. Whatever they do, they don't run the Dominion."

The Vorta shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Sisko thought this information might be putting into question some of Weyoun's beliefs about the Founders' godhead. Real gods could perhaps be expected to transcend the differences between quantum realities. The Founders clearly didn't.

"But you did meet the Vorta?"

Maya hesitated, perhaps uncertain as to whether she should tell him what she had told Sisko earlier. "Your people are called the Kareelan in my universe," she said finally. "You were traders. You - your counterpart was the leader of a group who visited my planet when I was a young girl. You used to bring me toys and tell me about your family on Kareel Prime." She smiled for the first time that evening. "You said you had a daughter just my age. At least, the alternate Weyoun did," she added more soberly.

"A daughter..."

The Vorta looked away again, his face uncharacteristically sad. No, not sad... wistful, an expression Sisko had never seen on Weyoun's face before. Maybe the creature did have feelings after all.

Whatever his emotions, the expression on Weyoun's face didn't last long. "And what was your position on Psychon in your universe?" he asked abruptly.

"My position?" repeated Maya, frowning uncomprehendingly. "I was the daughter of a scientist. I didn't have any particular position - and I certainly wasn't of royal blood," she added, no doubt remembering that Weyoun had greeted her with the title of 'Highness'.

"No, of course not." Weyoun lifted one hand as if to dismiss the thought. "But your father was Mentor, a great scientist. What did he work on?"

Maya didn't answer straight away. She observed the screen thoughtfully, as if trying to determine what Weyoun was getting at.

"He was trying to save our planet," she said succinctly.

"Using a computer?"

Weyoun looked calm and unconcerned, but Sisko got the feeling they were nearing the whole point of this conversation. The Vorta, and perhaps the Dominion itself, needed something from Maya, possibly something they had been waiting hundreds of years for. The captain suspected Maya had come to the same conclusion.

"Yes," she said, her tone cold and her gaze still locked with Weyoun's. "My father constructed a computer to try and rebuild Psychon before the planet broke up. But he failed. Psychon was destroyed."

Weyoun didn't seem particularly disappointed by this information. He merely nodded thoughtfully, his small mouth curled into a half-smile.

"So once again, our universes diverged. Psychon wasn't destroyed in this reality," he said, obviously conscious of the effect this announcement would have on Maya.

The woman's eyes widened and her lips parted in surprise. She looked at Sisko as if he could confirm this information, and then turned back to Weyoun.

"Psychon wasn't destroyed," she repeated slowly. Sisko could see the sudden hope that lit up her eyes.

"Oh no," said Weyoun, his tone purposeful again. "Psychon is a proud member of the Dominion. It is ruled by your descendants to this day."

"My descendants?" There was no mistaking the delight in Maya's voice. Whatever trap Weyoun was laying for her, it was working.

"Well, your brother's descendants," conceded Weyoun. "Your counterpart had no children, unfortunately."

Maya opened her mouth, a smile on her lips, as if to ask another question about her destiny, but then seemed to decide against it. She paused and then asked more soberly, "How did we meet in this universe? You said it was over three hundred years ago - I didn't know the Kareelan lived that long."

Weyoun looked briefly at Sisko and then back at Maya. "We're cloned," he announced simply. "I am the fifth incarnation of the original Weyoun, but I carry his memories. The memories of his time as Dominion advisor to the Psychon royal family, for instance."

"I wasn't part of the Psychon royal family," said Maya again. "In fact, there was no government in my day."

"I know," started Weyoun, though he interrupted himself with a quick look at Sisko again. "Maya, it is a pleasure talking to you again. Your brother's descendants would be very, very pleased if they could see you now. But I do think we should continue this fascinating conversation in private. For one thing, I am sure Captain Sisko is tired of listening to us comparing universes."

"On the contrary, I'm riveted," said Sisko, though he knew his protest would make no difference.

As expected, Weyoun ignored him. "I still think it would be best if we could meet alone. I have matters to discuss with you which do not concern the Federation or your human friends. Perhaps we could arrange for you to come here. Cardassia Prime is quite... bearable at this time of year."

"I don't think that's a good idea," said Maya, laughing shortly.

"I know the Federation has been filling your mind with lies about the Dominion, Maya," said Weyoun calmly, "but I assure you, you have nothing to fear from us."

Maya looked doubtful, but Sisko could tell that she wanted to meet Weyoun and hear what he had to say. The discovery that her planet and her people still existed in this reality, albeit as Dominion subjects, was probably a lure too tempting to resist.

"We could meet..." she started. "But I'd rather we didn't meet alone. I'm sure you understand that I can't trust you based purely on one conversation."

Weyoun laughed dryly. "Really, you have been spending too much time with humans. You have become just as paranoid as they are. It is a trait your counterpart fortunately never developed."

"I'm not my counterpart," said Maya shortly. "And paranoia is a very useful trait when you're lost in space."

"I'm sure it is. And you are quite right; I do understand. I will allow you to bring along one of your Alphans - perhaps that security chief you're so fond of. Now, if you won't come to Cardassia Prime, where do you propose we meet?"

"I could arrange a meeting here on Deep Space Nine," suggested Sisko, leaning forward.

"Yes, I'm sure you could," said Weyoun dismissively. "But under the circumstances, I suggest we chose a more neutral place. Why not on Alpha? I understand your base is due to be evacuated, but at least, you would be in familiar surroundings. And I would be fascinated to see primitive human technology."

Sisko did not like the idea of Weyoun visiting Alpha, even though the base would offer no insights whatsoever into modern Starfleet technology. Having Maya meet the Dominion representative on the Moon would disrupt Starfleet's evacuation plans. "I don't think that would be a good idea."

Weyoun paid no attention to him. Neither did Maya. "That would be suitable," she told Weyoun. "But I'll have to talk to Commander Koenig and get his permission. Alpha is his base after all. Considering he is currently in the Infirmary thanks to your friends, I won't be able to confirm until tomorrow."

She had evidently decided to buy herself some time. Or perhaps she was testing to see just how urgently Weyoun wanted to talk to her. Either way, the Vorta seemed to think she was worth the wait.

"I look forward to hearing from you, Maya," he said calmly. He seemed about to sign off, but then added, "Make sure you do call. This is an opportunity which shouldn't be missed."

Inexplicably, Sisko was filled with sudden apprehension. It seemed as though Maya's presence in this universe had some special significance for Weyoun. It occurred to him that this was perhaps what the Prophets were trying to tell him. Knowing the past and the future as they did, they might have deliberately brought the Moon into this point in space and time for a specific purpose, something to do with the Dominion. Sisko fixed the Vorta's pale face on the screen, as if observing the creature's shrivelled features would give him the key to this mystery. Perhaps noticing the captain's curious stare, Weyoun smiled placidly and closed the connection.

As a 24th century doctor, Bashir found the 20th century Alphans fascinating. With Koenig, Verdeschi and Benes still in Deep Space Nine's Infirmary for treatment - Carter and Fraser had been released earlier - the doctor got ample opportunity to observe humans from the early space age and study, in vivo, the effects of primitive modern medicine.

He found the marks their twentieth century medicine had left most intriguing. All three of the Alphans currently in the Infirmary presented extensive scarring from injuries or surgical procedures. Benes and Koenig even had pockmarks which the computer identified as the result of a disease called 'chicken pox' - a virus which had been eradicated following the Third World War in the 2080s.

There was also evidence that they had all broken limbs at some time. Verdeschi must have suffered a serious compound fracture of his left tibia less than four years ago, and Bashir was amazed to find the splinters had been bound together by wire and metallic pins and then allowed to heal with the metal still in place. The primitive treatment had apparently been successful, since Verdeschi displayed no lasting physical difficulties, but the injury must have taken months to heal, and was probably extremely painful in the meantime. Bashir couldn't help wondering what psychological effects such a long recovery would have.

He shuddered to think how Doctor Russell would have treated the extensive injuries the three Alphans had incurred during the Jem'Hadar attack that evening. It would probably have taken months for the multiple fractures Koenig and Verdeschi had suffered to heal - if at all. Given the Alphans' primitive technology, it was quite possible the security chief would have succumbed to his injuries before he even got anywhere near the Medical Centre. They were fortunate to have been so close to a state-of-the-art Starfleet Infirmary.

Benes would have been left with terrible scarring on her stomach and legs. Which would have been a pity, thought Bashir, as he passed the regenerator over the Alphan's thin ankle. Benes was lying back on the biobed in a blue Starfleet issue medical gown, her eyes tightly closed. Bashir had given her a powerful painkiller as soon as she was beamed to the Defiant's sickbay; now they were back on Deep Space Nine, he could see to her wounds rapidly and effectively, but Benes was still reluctant to look at the horrible mess the Jem'Hadar shots had left on her body.

Looking up, Bashir briefly observed her as she reopened her eyes and pointedly looked away. She was an attractive young woman, with finely chiselled features and large, slanting eyes which denoted a possible Asian origin. It would certainly have been a pity to leave her legs with such terrible burn marks. Particularly as she had rather nice legs.

Bashir dismissed his thoughts as unprofessional and stifled a yawn. It was now 2535 and well past his bedtime. But he knew he still had a lot of work to do. The biobed would heal Koenig's cracked ribs and broken arm easily enough, although Bashir still wanted to keep the commander in the Infirmary until the morning to make sure he had no lasting effects from his concussion. Verdeschi, on the other hand, would need microsurgery to fully repair the damage to his chest; one of the Jem'Hadar had smashed in his ribcage, causing bone splinters to tear into his lungs. Bashir would operate on him as soon as Benes was better.

In the meantime, he sat back on the bed to admire his work. The marks on Benes' legs had entirely disappeared, leaving only unblemished skin.

"You see, you're as good as new," he said when he had finished.

Benes leaned over and stared at her bare legs. "That is incredible," she exclaimed with a charming smile. "Thank you, Doctor Bashir."

"Please, call me Julian," said Bashir automatically. At least he didn't lose all his means talking to this pretty young woman. He found her less intimidating than Doctor Russell. She wasn't as beautiful, but seemed more accessible. He would have to find out if she already had someone on Alpha.

"I am Sahn... it is a nickname," she explained. Her voice was slightly accented, as if the 20th century English she was speaking wasn't her native language.

They exchanged a smile and Bashir briefly pondered whether he should ask her out for a drink at Quark's. On the other hand, the Alphans were going through a lot these days, and he decided it would be unfair to complicate the young woman's life further.

"Well, you're all cured," he said reluctantly. "I should tend to the others. I'll call someone to escort you to your quarters... In the meantime, you can change behind the screen." He indicated the partition, where a standard grey jump-suit had been replicated for her. Her Alphan uniform had been irreparably damaged by the Jem'Hadar disruptors.

"Thank you, Julian." She looked around and her eyes fell on Verdeschi and Koenig, still latched into their biobeds. "The commander, Tony - are they all right?"

Bashir nodded and put on his best reassuring expression. "They'll be fine." He seemed to be saying that a lot these days. "The commander will be well enough to leave tomorrow morning. Mr Verdeschi will need a bit longer to recover. His injuries were very serious."

A tender smile spread on Benes' features and she shook her head gently. "Poor Tony," she said with a sigh. "He is always getting beaten up."

Bashir followed her gaze. The first thing he had done was to repair the damage to Verdeschi's face to clear his airways, and he could see the Alphan's pale features above the sarcophagus. The man was still under sedation; the biobed was tending to all his needs before Bashir was to operate.

"I think that's the prerogative of security chiefs everywhere," remarked Bashir, turning back to Benes.

"I know," she answered, lowering her eyes as if his remark brought back some sad memories. "Never fall in love with security men or pilots."

Bashir wasn't sure if that was supposed to be a quote from someone, or general advice born from her experience on Alpha. For all he knew, Benes might have lost someone dear during the six years of Alpha's travels.

"That sounds like good advice," he said, keeping his tone neutral, but friendly.

She drew her eyes away from Verdeschi and nodded sadly. "Very good advice on Alpha. I do not know how Maya can stand it." Her dark eyes turned back to the security chief. "I could not. I know it hurts too much to lose the people who are close to you..." Benes fixed her gaze on Bashir again. "But that is all over now, is it not, doctor?"

Her voice phrased an affirmation rather than a question, as if she were challenging Bashir to confirm what she said.

"Yes..." said Bashir, unable to think of any other response. "It's all over now."

"It does not understand," said Victor thoughtfully, tapping his chin with his finger.

"It seeks a new life," intervened David Kano, shaking his head as he leaned on the mobile console that controlled Computer, "but will not take it."

"It does not seek peace on Bajor."

John turned as he heard Paul Morrow's clear cut accent behind him. The Englishman was standing, his hands leaning on his Main Mission desk. John looked around, suddenly realising where he was. The panels of Main Mission were pure white, shining far more brightly than they ever had in reality. He felt a bittersweet pleasure at being back here, in this place he had commanded for two years, in company of the colleagues who had died on that fateful day so long ago. He felt the guilt rise in his chest once more, that terrible feeling that he should have done something to save his friends, and yet had failed to do so. But he knew this wasn't reality; he knew Main Mission had been destroyed forever, and that there was no point in dwelling on the past.

"This is a dream," he said out loud, hoping that the realisation would take him away from the painful memories. "None of this is real."

"It is stubborn," said Victor.

"Ignorant," said David.

"Hostile," said Paul.

"It does not understand," said Victor.

"Understand?" repeated John, spinning around to face Victor again. "Understand what? This is a dream... a hallucination. You're all dead, you have been for years!"

"Dead?" queried Paul.

"The end of corporeal existence," explained Victor.

"It thinks only of the end," said David. "It does not think of the beginning."

There was a flash of bright light, and John found himself suddenly outdoors. He was standing in a meadow, surrounded by tall grasses and flowers, the air filled with the sweet scent of warm plants. The sky above him was blue, as blue as it had been on Earth so many years ago, on his last vacation before taking over command of Alpha. This wasn't Earth, though; John could see two pale moons in the sky, neither of them bearing the familiar patterns of Alpha. Puzzled, but charmed by the place, he brushed his hands through the grass and watched as a cloud of pollen and butterflies rose around him.

"This is the beginning," said Helena's voice beside him. "A new beginning."

He turned and found her standing beside him. He smiled automatically, responding to the joy he felt at being in this beautiful place with the woman he loved. But his smile faded gradually as he realised. "Who are you?"

"We are of Bajor," she answered calmly.

"You're the same people who talked to me last night. Who are you? What are you trying to tell me?" He seized Helena's slim arms and shook her, stopping only when he noticed Alan pushing his way through the grass towards them.

"The King is not of Bajor," said the image of the pilot. "He is of the Sisko's people. He does not understand."

"What don't I understand?" shouted Koenig, losing patience with the riddles in this dream.

The Helena he was holding smiled placidly. "He will understand."