Star Trek: Reign Of Terror

Chapter IX: Turnabout Intruder


Deep Space Nine, Promenade, Stardate 48250.4


Jake Sisko squirmed uncomfortably from his position beneath a table located in the common eating area of Deep Space Nine's Promenade. "Move over Nog," he growled irritably at the young Ferengi to his left. "I can't see well enough unless I'm right next to you. Move a little closer to the aisle!"

Quark's nephew shook his head with obvious frustration of his own. "If I move any closer, I will actually be in the aisle," he protested. "I think you can see just fine and you're trying to embarrass me."

"Possibly," Jake said with a smile. "How is our friend doing?" The table concealing the two of them was located next to a separator wall, so the younger Sisko had to peek around its edge in order to more easily see out into the main, open area at the center of the spacious merchant arena.

By remaining mostly stooped over and leaning against the support wall, Jake discovered that his view had improved considerably. He noticed immediately that there was a larger than usual crowd present. Since the station was still under lockdown - with no ship arrivals or departures allowed - the civilians stuck aboard were naturally looking for recreational diversions to pass the time. Therefore it hadn't taken long before most of them began to congregate near the restaurants, gambling facilities, and other merchant shops in the Promenade area. There were a lot of off-duty Starfleet personnel too... almost everyone who had worked the night shift, in fact.

Several meters away from the two boys, the small, dark-haired form of Molly O'Brien trotted briskly away from their position and slowly out into the open. In full view of everyone else, little Molly headed straight for the Klingon restaurant located nearby.

"I can't believe you talked her into this!" declared Nog excitedly. "We've been itching to get back at that lard butted Klingon for weeks. If this works we'll have gotten ourselves some definite bragging rights, and he'll be less eager to hassle us."

Several pairs of uniformed legs passed back and forth in front of their table. "Shhhh!!!!" Jake hissed, swatting Nog squarely on the arm to silence his friend. "Not so loud! If we get caught," he pointed out while waving at the crowded tables surrounding them, "then that Klingon slop master will have all the bragging rights he needs to use against us!"

Dozens of conversations were in progress throughout the dining area, and yet they could still hear the distinct, pervasive electronic whirling from Quark's Dabo wheel in the background. The pair of youngsters waited with bated breath as Molly continued her short walk across the Promenade. Only once did she pause, and then she did so just long enough to glance back at their hidden position. Jake nodded confidently at Chief O'Brien's daughter and promptly flashed the young girl an enthusiastic 'thumbs up' gesture. Molly smiled confidently at his reaction and whirled back to face the restaurant, her dark pony tail flying around her shoulders as she did so.

Approaching the counter swiftly she stated firmly but tentatively, "Hello?" At first there was no immediate response to her soft spoken word - after all, the business community at the heart of Deep Space Nine was swarming with an overload of customers, Dabo girls, security officers... and dozens of conversations were taking place everywhere simultaneously. So little Molly raised her face enthusiastically upward toward the countertop towering above her and screamed at the top of her lungs. "Hello up there... I'd like an extra large plate of gagh please!"

There was a brief pause, and then the burly owner of the Klingon restaurant slowly leaned over his countertop and glanced down toward the upturned face of the young girl. His expression was stern, but it was clearly obvious that he was at least mildly amused by Molly's outburst. "Well hello there little human child," the Klingon said enthusiastically, his deep voice booming in response. "You look a little delicate to be eating fresh live gagh, and - I might add - it's not even close to lunch time yet."

Nog was already howling delightedly, and Jake temporarily forgot that the two of them were in hiding as he slapped the floor while also laughing uncontrollably. They promptly fell silent again when the large Klingon immediately redirected his gaze toward the throngs of people crowding the Promenade's main business area, searching steadily for the notorious pair of youngsters that he suspected would be lurking nearby. Snickering with unabated amusement, Jake and Nog continued to watch the encounter between the brawny Klingon and the small girl from their concealed location beneath the unoccupied table.

Molly smiled sweetly at the Klingon and then expertly delivered her next lines. "If you don't have the fresh stuff, I'll take my gagh stewed, please. I don't have much time for lunch you see... I must return to duty and continue fighting the battle of kLACH d'KEL bRAKT!"

"kLACH d'KEL bRAKT?" repeated the restaurant owner, laughing deeply and with considerable amusement at the small girl's unrestrained chutzpah. "What does a small child like you know about such a famous Klingon battle?" he asked curiously, peering more closely at the tiny girl standing proudly in front of his restaurant counter.

In response to the unlikely exchange between the two and their subsequent conversation, Nog was laughing so hard that he nearly rolled out into the horde of legs and feet continually moving past their table. Jake simply shook his head back and forth while continuing to chuckle with delight. "I can't believe she pronounced all that correctly," he said with a delighted grin. "You did a great job little Molly... we owe you one."

Their laughter continued as the Klingon emerged from behind his serving counter and bent over, leaning his large face very close to Molly's. He asked her something in a tone low enough to be lost among the other voices in the crowd, and neither Jake nor Nog could hear the owner's exact words. They both immediately stopped chuckling, however, upon noticing Molly suddenly turn and point directly at their hidden location. Nog was so startled and eager to begin a retreat that he tried to stand and immediately banged his head on the underside of the table surface. "Ouch!" the young Ferengi growled, rubbing his bruised noggin in an attempt to relieve the sudden, sharp pain.

"Oh oh, this jig is definitely up!" Jake decided with one final, delighted laugh. "It's time to get out of here Nog!" Hurriedly both he and the Ferengi youngster emerged from under the table and swiftly made their way into the teeming crowd of civilian customers and Starfleet personnel. They did their best to blend in with the throngs of other people - succeeding a little too well actually. Jake never even saw Odo coming until he ran directly into the tall, familiar form of the station's shapeshifting Constable.

"Good morning Nog... good morning Mr. Sisko," declared Odo imperiously, folding his arms as he stared intently down at the two youngsters. "And just how are things with you two today?"

"Great... uhm, perfect!" decided Nog with an unexpected burst of enthusiasm. Both he and Jake nodded firmly. "Absolutely perfect in fact," the Ferengi repeated quickly, chuckling nervously and smiling so widely that he displayed most of his pointed teeth.

"Tell me... is the view from beneath the tables better, or is it just more comfortable under there?" asked the Constable curiously. As soon as he spoke the words, Jake knew that they were busted. Quite obviously Odo had spotted them hiding and decided to lower the boom on the two friends. The infamous three year tradition that he and Nog had started, that of playing pranks on the Promenade, continued to be a tough mission to pull off successfully. He was actually surprised on this occasion... usually Odo caught them because their joke-of-the-day backfired. So actually succeeding for once had actually inspired the pair of friends, even if they had to endure the usual scolding.

"We were just people watching," protested Jake, his eyes widening as he realized that this prank wasn't ending with the standard lecture. "In a manner of speaking..."

Odo shook his head with dismay. "I would think that you could find something better to do with your time on days when school isn't in session," he commented idly. "Particularly you, Mr. Sisko. Why don't you take up some sort of a hobby with your father? You could play Bajoran spring ball in a holosuite or something similar. A little exercise would do both of you good, and I'm afraid that running rampant around the Promenade just isn't an option I'm going to leave open to you."

Jake responded by shrugging his shoulders. "Dad doesn't have much spare time, and when he does there's usually something else that takes up most of his free time."

"Why don't you try asking him anyway?" suggested Odo persistently. "Your father enjoys recreational activities as much as anyone else."

"I would, but he's always busy, Odo. Take yesterday for example... Dad spent the majority of his off hours working on enhancements to a phaser. He was trying to modify it so that it fires an invisible beam of energy. Now why in the world would he want to waste hours of his personal time on something as useless as that?"

"Indeed... why would he?" replied Odo curiously, frowning noticeably as he listened to the unexpected comment. For a brief moment his thoughts shifted away from the two boys and their latest delinquency.

Nog broke the awkward silence that ensued rather suddenly with a frightened shriek upon noticing the unexpected arrival of the Klingon restaurant owner. "I see you have found my two young, human friends," the huge, broad-shouldered alien growled, appearing next to Odo as he smiled darkly at Jake and Nog. "Honorable Constable Odo, would you please excuse these two boys... they have an appointment at my restaurant."

"We do?" asked Jake with puzzlement.

"Yes... we do!" Nog decided instantly, making the impulsive decision hastily in an attempt to seize any available opportunity to escape from Odo's clutches. "We have an appointment with... with...." He pointed at the huge Klingon for emphasis. "...with him!"

Jake smiled sheepishly at Odo. "As for that 'under the table' thing... well, it's just like I told you. We were just people watching," he insisted once again.

"Oh you were, were you?" asked Odo doubtfully. "That would be a nice change of pace from your usual activities." He waved an authoritarian finger back and forth menacingly in front of the two boys. "You both know the rules by now. Behave and we'll all get along fine," the shapeshifter cautioned them. "Misbehave and you'll be seeing a lot more of me!"

"On this particular day, 'people watching' has turned out to be a very rewarding activity for both of these boys," said the Klingon with a wide grin. He put his lengthy arms around the two young people and escorted them casually away from Odo and back in the general direction of his business. "My assistant, little Molly O'Brien, has chosen the two of you as today's surprise contest winners."

"Contest winners?" Jake looked back at Odo hopefully, his expression begging for a rescue. Unfortunately, the Constable simply stood there with his arms folded, flashing Jake one small, wry smile of amusement as he watched the pair of friends being led away by their extremely large Klingon escort.

"Yes... you both have won today's free lunch. I owe each of you an entire serving of fresh, live gagh!" announced the station's Klingon chef proudly.

"Ugghhh!" Nog gasped, wincing at the mere possibility of eating the worm-like, Klingon food. "Couldn't you replicate something else... a couple of plates of tube grubs perhaps?" he asked hopefully.

"Not a chance," boomed the Klingon restaurant owner. "To refuse my offering would be a cultural offense of the highest order. My entire government would be offended, in fact... and their honor would demand that they seek out the proper revenge against you and your families."

"Revenge?" Jake swallowed uncomfortably hard. He was only partially certain the Klingon was kidding.

"Rest assured that will never happen. However, each of you must now make a choice," declared the large alien as he guided both Jake and Nog into his restaurant. "And let me caution you... Torgud gagh wiggles, Filden gagh squirms, Meshta gagh jumps, Bithool gagh has feet, Wistan gagh is packed in Targ blood... Which of these, I wonder, will my lucky contest winners choose? Which particular gagh will appeal to your palate? I also have samples available of the other forty-seven varieties if you wish to try each of them as well..."

"Can we choose to skip lunch?" asked Nog hopefully.

"No."


Commander Sisko cautiously entered a cargo bays one of the few not currently in use. It was a smaller storage area, with five available exits including one allowing direct access to an airlock. Some of the vessels that visited the station often lacked anti-grav and transporter technology, so the Cardassians who originally designed the storage area had planned for that contingency. There were a few barrels of something sitting next to the metal, red gear-shaped doorway that connected this particular room directly to the nearest docking port. The other four doorways varied in size and allowed critical access to other key areas necessary for the rapid movement of cargo.

Sisko quickly verified that - aside from the small stack of barrels - the rest of the chamber was empty. "Computer, seal all entrances to this room... authorization Sisko Omega Niner Two Zero."

"Cargo bay sealed," confirmed the station's main computer. The Commander couldn't detect any obvious speakers along the walls in the large storage chamber - the familiar, electronic female voice simply drifted downward from above.

Removing the 29th century Comm-badge that Thomas Ducane had given him, Sisko activated it. Almost immediately, he noticed a holographic image of himself spring to life. It was definitely him, but - as Ducane had warned him - the Benjamin Sisko recruited during the Relativity's past crisis had been both older and supposedly wiser. The Commander studied his alter ego carefully, noting that experience wasn't the only thing about himself that would apparently change over the years.

"Hello Commander," the hologram said pleasantly. This elder version of Sisko was wearing a 29th century Starfleet uniform. The tunic was mostly charcoal black with a diamond patterned splash of dark blue across the right shoulder.

"Hello Benjamin," Sisko replied dryly, rubbing his smooth chin. "Tell me... just when exactly in my future do I decide to shave off all the hair on my head and start growing it on my face instead? Is it before or after I get promoted to the rank of Captain?"

The image of Benjamin Sisko smiled back at him. "That's a long story," he stated simply enough.

"Did Ducane also debrief you?" asked the Commander curiously. "Are you aware of the situation we're currently faced with here in my time?"

"I know all the details up to the point where I was deactivated," admitted Benjamin. He thoughtfully stroked his dark beard and smiled. "Ducane ran a simulation using several dozen of our holographic personalities before Captain Data decided which two to take back in time with him. Captain Janeway and Tom Paris were obvious choices for this particular timeframe because we needed to keep the operation covert. Therefore the concept of smuggling one of Janeway's people into the Maquis as an undercover agent proved to be the best solution." Pausing for a moment, the holographic expression of the elder Sisko grew inquisitive. "How are things going?"

"So far so good." The Commander shrugged. "Ducane has even showed up here on one occasion to assist me with temporal incursion control. I have to say, he and his people are most definitely highly trained professionals."

The hologram continued to watch Sisko closely. "What did you activate me for... advice?"

"I wanted to see who Ducane chose as my moral compass in this matter," stated the Commander truthfully. "Having now seen the older, supposedly more experienced version of myself... well, let's just say that so far I think he could have done better."

"Why would you say that? I am as close to what will someday be you as is technically possible."

The Commander waved a hand casually around them. "We have a lot of extra people aboard this station right now... most of them Starfleet officers and civilians who are trapped here for the duration of my lockdown. And yet I had to come here - to try and find an isolated spot on a very crowded station. If I need to visit with you again, I don't see the presence of you in particular as being very helpful... especially if I activate you in the privacy of my quarters and Jake walks in on us."

The holographic Benjamin grinned and waved an index finger at him. "You're not supposed to consult me unless you have no other choice," he reminded the Commander. "If the situation calls for it, I'm quite capable of providing you with a strong, experienced second opinion."

"I would have preferred someone who could freely move about on the Promenade, similar to what Captain Janeway and Paris did," stated the Commander honestly. "This is far too constrictive a process for you to provide any significant assistance."

"Don't forget, my personality matrix is separate from the internal image generator. I can project a different appearance if that is what you need," replied Benjamin. "I can still be you plus a few years, yet look and speak like anyone you want me to."

"Let me think about that option for a while," decided Sisko. "So far everything is under control." He reached out and tapped the Comm-badge lightly, deactivating his holographic counterpart. Then he instructed the main computer to unlock the doors to the cargo bay and headed back to his quarters.

Honestly, he thought silently. What will Ducane and his 29th century colleagues think of next?


Later in the afternoon, Sisko was relaxing in the main living area of his quarters when the door chime sounded. "Come in," he said, loudly enough so that the person in the corridor could hear him. He did not, however, look up from the data on the electronic padd that he was reading from.

"May I speak with you Commander?" asked Odo. The alien Changeling who had served Deep Space Nine's crew for many years entered through the doorway. Sisko noticed that the Constable appeared much more agitated than usual, and that he also frowned deeply while preparing to speak.

"Of course." Sisko smiled, waving toward the empty chairs opposite him. "Have a seat Odo."

Although the shapeshifter was clearly bothered by something, he appeared unusually hesitant to speak his mind. Odo cleared his throat and finally accepted the Commander's offer, seating himself in one of the room's empty chairs. "I ran into Jake and Nog on the Promenade today..." he began slowly.

Sisko shook his head with amusement. "Ah," he replied, snapping his fingers. "I forgot that there isn't any school today. I hope that my son and his friend were behaving themselves."

Odo harrumphed in response. "Let's just say your son and Nog share an interesting friendship and leave it at that," the Constable decided. "I've noticed over the years that a few unplanned pranks from the young ones on board this station actually improve morale." He shrugged his shoulders. "However, I still work very hard to make certain that such... unscheduled activities are minimized."

"So it's not Jake that brought you here." Sisko set down the electronic padd and looked directly at Odo. "What then is troubling you Constable?"

"If you'll excuse me for being blunt, you are," said the shapeshifter evenly.

"Why?" Sisko responded with similar directness.

"Ever since we were attacked aboard the Ha'Husia while it was parked on the surface of Denali Prime, your behavior has struck me as somewhat out of the ordinary," observed Odo. "I'm not the best psychologist in the sector, but I do know a thing or two about the people whom I regularly work with."

Odo paused, clearly working hard to choose the correct phrasing of each sentence. It was very obvious to Sisko that the Constable was going out of his way to be tactful. "Please continue," the Commander said.

"While on Denali Prime, I was transported away from the Yellowjacket immediately after things started happening," pointed out Odo. "After that, we eventually returned here only to find the strange, alien attacks continuing. I also thought it was unusual that you would leave both Chief O'Brien and Doctor Bashir behind on a mission that Lt. Commander Data should have been able to handle on his own. After all, he had a Starfleet Captain with him as well."

"Suspicions are suspicions," said Sisko with a mild shrug. "And speculation resolves nothing. Get to the point Odo... what specifically about me is bothering you?"

There was a pause as Odo studied the Commander's expression thoroughly before continuing. "I don't think you're telling me everything you know about this matter," the station's Constable declared firmly. "Withholding relevant information is something you don't do very often, and I want to be certain that what you refrain from sharing with me isn't affecting my ability to maintain security aboard DS9."

"What exactly am I not telling you?"

Odo's frown changed to a look of mild annoyance. "We've always been able to level with each other, so I hope you'll level with me now Commander." The shapeshifter leaned forward and clasped the fingers of both hands together in a tight grip. "Michael Eddington and I contacted Starfleet Command and have been able to verify that Lt. Commander Data is still assigned to Captain Picard... all official documentation and authorizations on record clearly list him as still serving aboard the Enterprise."

The expression on Sisko's face remained calm. "We are facing a totally unknown enemy..." he began.

"Yes, we are," Odo agreed firmly. "Do you realize what kind of high level security clearance it would take for officers at Starfleet Command to covertly reassign Data to a mission aboard this station, all the while maintaining the pretense that he is still aboard the Enterprise?" The shapeshifter laughed sharply. "Eddington informs me that it would take a great deal of security clearance, and Captain Picard very likely also knows about the mission. He probably told his crew a different story, that Data is somewhere else... on vacation or perhaps attending a scientific conference of some sort."

"Odo, you know as much as I am allowed to tell you," Sisko replied bluntly. "I'm afraid that everything else must be unofficial and off the record. I'm sure Mr. Eddington has informed you that he also does not always know everything, even though he too has access to significantly more classified information than the average officer. I'm not a Captain yet, but I'm only a promotion away and even I would like to know more about Data and his mission to this station." He paused briefly and exhaled, feeling slightly angered and more intense emotion than he was accustomed to. "I trust Data to complete the assignment he has been tasked with, which is the only reason I trusted him with O'Brien and Bashir."

Odo sighed heavily. "Captain Janeway is an even tougher nut to crack," he admitted. "Her next assignment will be to take over command of the starship Voyager, but that change of assignment is not scheduled for at least two to three months. Her current location is listed at the Utopia Planetia..."

"With respect Odo, you're cracking the wrong nuts," countered Sisko with mild anger. "You and Mr. Eddington are supposed to maintain security on this station and protect the people aboard it. All of them, civilian, Bajoran military, or Starfleet."

"I agree Commander." Odo's eyes focused intently on Sisko. "Therefore it would make my job significantly easier if I didn't also know that you have been running around this station with a phaser that fires an invisible charge. When exactly was vigilantism added to your job description?"

Sisko's expression was one of sincere and total surprise. "You know about my phaser?"

"Jake mentioned it this morning," replied the Changeling, "while I was 'visiting' with him and Nog."

"All you need to know is that I'm assisting you with security, on my own time," suggested Sisko. "And I am sincerely hoping that my explanation will satisfy both you and Mr. Eddington."

"But it doesn't," Odo protested. "That woman in Quark's quarters had the ability to shapeshift. If you know something Commander... if you know something about the Dominion - or more specifically about my people and their potential threat to the Alpha Quadrant - well, then I have a personal interest in this matter as well as a professional one."

"The enemy that we face on this occasion is not the Dominion," stated Sisko as honestly and sincerely as he could. "My orders are to allow Lt. Commander Data and Captain Janeway to run their mission as they see fit, provide them with all necessary assistance, and otherwise stay out of their way." He paused briefly, knowing that if he said more it would border on an outright lie. But he needed to say something more or his instincts told him that Odo would never be satisfied. "In exchange for my help, it is possible that Data and Janeway have provided me with a list of potential 'troublemakers' to keep an eye on," he continued. "That is why I am occasionally intervening behind the scenes... not because I like interfering but because it is necessary on this occasion."

"With respect Commander, security is my job and not yours," Odo protested.

"Not in this case... not against this particular enemy of the Federation. Starfleet Intelligence assigns a classified status to the information it chooses to because that particular data is dangerous if the wrong people know about it."

The Constable simply sat there for a few minutes, thinking the matter over. It was unclear how he was reacting to their conversation, so Sisko prodded him a bit. "I promise to share with you anything new that I hear if it will impact your ability to maintain station security," the Commander promised. "But - like you - I sometimes hear things on a last minute basis. If I am in a particular area and have the opportunity to prevent an incident as it takes place I will... it's something any competent Starfleet officer would do, even if they don't happen to have a modified phaser with them."

Odo continued to press him. "I would really like to have my own copy of this list of troublemakers you received," he admitted. "It would make my job a lot easier."

Aha! Sisko's conscience screamed at him. The problem with telling lies and half truths is that there are always intelligent people around who will eventually call your bluff.

"The Data/Janeway mission is classified at a Starfleet Intelligence level so high you might not believe it," the Commander said truthfully. "Even Eddington and I must remain in the dark regarding most of it."

The Constable rose from his seat. "You can officially add this little scenario to my growing list of things that I don't like about Starfleet," Odo declared tersely. "And, Commander, if you're going to continue taking the law into your own hands, please make certain I don't catch you."

Sisko was tempted to chuckle but kept his expression stern and his tone serious. "Trust me Odo," he emphasized. "You and I are receiving assistance on this matter. All we have to do is continue with our respective duties and everything will be okay." Although he was clearly not happy with the Commander's decision to withhold information, Odo accepted the decision and moved swiftly toward the door. Seconds later, he exited out into the corridor.

Talk about a confusing, awkward gray area! The Commander's mind whirled with angry and confused thoughts about his helplessness and the delicate nature of the situation. It was also a matter that he was caught squarely in the middle of. His frustration continued to grow until he remembered his short visit to the 29th century, Ducane's briefing, and he calmed himself down by thinking about the magnitude of the decisions and consequences that Captain Data was currently faced with.

For once he felt content with simply being a humble station Commander.


Deep Space Nine, Promenade, Stardate 48250.8


Lt. Commander Michael Eddington was seated comfortably at Quark's bar, sipping a cold glass of non-alcoholic ale. He had officially been off-shift now for several hours, but had continued to hang around the Promenade on his own time. When things happened lately, they tended to happen very quickly. Eddington was just as determined as Odo to keep the people aboard Deep Space Nine safe. Many of the Starfleet officers temporarily assigned to work on the station's weapons upgrades were personal friends of his, while others were people he had worked closely with on past assignments. His relationship with Odo had warmed considerably during the past few weeks and Eddington wanted to insure that they continued to cooperate.

"Would you like another root beer Mr. Eddington?" asked Quark amiably.

The security officer laughed loudly and held up his glass. "This is a dark Bajoran ale," he pointed out. "Root beer is bubbly and cloy... totally unlike the atmosphere around here lately."

Quark accepted the glass from Eddington and sniffed its contents curiously. "I see what you mean," he admitted, turning and picking out a bottle from the well stocked counter behind him. He smiled as he poured the Commander another drink. "However, you won't hear me complaining about a captive audience," he said proudly, waving a hand at the Promenade bustling with activity. Leaning closer to Eddington he whispered softly, "At least, not until they run out of money."

Eddington scanned the faces in the crowd while sipping his drink. "Civilian merchants from Bajor never run out of money," he commented. "Trust me, even with the normal shipping in this sector temporarily shut down, they're still finding ways to make a profit. It's in their blood."

"It's in mine too," Quark grinned, spotting a new customer pulling up a chair. He quickly took the patron's order and served him a drink.

Seated next to Eddington was the ever present Lurian male called Morn, a burly fellow who spent much of his free time at Quark's. The two were old friends and had done business together on numerous occasions, and yet the security Commander still found himself feeling a bit awkward in the alien's presence. "Doesn't he ever say anything?" asked Eddington, jerking a thumb in Morn's direction.

The Ferengi bartender laughed uproariously. "He tends to get a little nervous around crowds," said Quark informatively, leaning closer to the security Commander. "But you heard it here first, as soon as most of you settle in for the night this man will talk even my ears off."

Eddington took another drink of the dark Bajoran ale. "I don't get to settle down tonight," he pointed out. "I have a few hours of off-time to relax and eat something. After that I'll be back on patrol and filling an empty slot on the night shift. One of my men is ill and was instructed by a nurse in Dr. Bashir's Infirmary to take the night off."

"Hmm... he probably ate at that Klingon restaurant," decided Quark, pointing toward the dimly lit establishment. "I've heard rumors about how that guy stores his food... terrible rumors."

"Fortunately I don't eat blood pie," retorted Eddington with a wry smile. He lifted his glass to take another drink, but was distracted by someone tapping him on the shoulder. Swiveling about on his bar stool, the Lt. Commander noticed a tall, dark-skinned Vulcan standing next to him.

"Excuse me," the man said very politely. "My name is Tuvok. I am looking for someone who can assist me in booking passage on a ship bound for the demilitarized zone. I am a dealer in kivas and trillium, and hope to establish new business connections there."

"The Ferengi bartender knows all about that subject," replied Eddington, pointing a finger directly at Quark. "Although I hope you're not planning on going anywhere for awhile - all traffic to and from this station has currently been restricted until the station Commander chooses to lift the lockdown."

"I had heard about that," nodded Tuvok calmly. "Therefore it would seem logical for me to locate a vessel and establish a relationship with its Captain in the interim. I will then be able to continue on my way as soon as travel in this sector resumes. Thank you for your assistance."

"You're welcome," Eddington responded cheerfully, raising his glass in a mock toast as the Vulcan moved past him and headed toward Quark. "If the Alpha Quadrant didn't have the Vulcans, we would all certainly be less logical and efficient, wouldn't we?" He glanced at Morn but the Lurian chose not to respond and simply continued staring straight ahead. The Lt. Commander noticed the alien's half empty glass and chuckled before finishing his own drink. Deciding to finish up some paperwork before his next on-duty shift, he left the Promenade and headed back to his quarters.


Twenty minutes later, Michael Eddington still had quite a bit of paperwork to complete. He glanced briefly toward the half empty sandwich on the plate next to his computer monitor and then returned his attention to the security reports listed on the display. Idly, he grabbed the bridge of his nose with the fingers of one hand and lightly massaged the area in an attempt to ease the tension in his forehead. He never even heard the dimensional rift forming behind him - Eddington continued to read quietly right up until the emerald green tendril of energy wrapped itself tightly around his throat.

Gasping for breath, the security chief fell over backwards in his chair as a mighty tug on the tendril dragged him relentlessly backward. Lying flat on his back, his eyes drifted to the desk where his phaser and Comm-badge lay. Angrily, he reached up with both hands and tried to grab the graviton cord encircling his neck. At first it felt soft and its energized, electrical nature raised the hair on the back of both his forearms. Then his fingers closed around the solid part of it... the cable-like rope that held him firmly. Even as he fought to free himself Eddington could see a second dimensional rift forming in front of him, with yet another glittering rope-like tendril emerging from it.

Fear and adrenalin spurring him on, the Lt. Commander grabbed the tendril holding him captive at a point several feet away from his neck and yanked as hard as he possibly could. The cord snapped suddenly taut, but whatever it was connected to inside of the rippling hole in subspace held firm. Another abrupt pull from within the rift tugged him even farther, irresistibly backward and he knew that he was in grave danger. As he slid closer and closer to oblivion, the familiar, dark-robed form that he had studied so many times using Chief O'Brien's tricorder data materialized in front of the second subspace rupture. Its glowing red eyes blazed brightly as they studied Eddington with unknown intent. Since the creature had no facial expression to read, he had no idea what it had planned for him and yet its sudden appearance and tightly gripped chokehold around his neck left the security officer with no false illusion that this was a friendly visit.

"YOUR PRESENCE HERE IS NO LONGER NECESSARY."

Again the glowing green tendril of energy tugged with such force that his body was lifted completely off the floor. Eddington tried to scream but couldn't... he was only able to gasp defiantly for breath until one last violent pull on the energy cord yanked him inside the rift and he vanished completely inside the subspace rupture and was gone. The creature watched the entire encounter, which took only seconds to complete, and then raised one dark-robed robed arm that ended in a pointing, crooked finger. The initial rift that Eddington had passed through closed completely and a third opening appeared on the other side of the room. Almost instantly a duplicate Michael Eddington emerged from inside the new spatial opening and began a thorough inspection of the room.

"This looks just like my other quarters," said the second Eddington with a malicious smile. "You say it's much calmer here... that I won't have to constantly fight your battles?" The alien creature did not respond immediately. Its raised arm shifted, pointing this time toward the computer on the Lt. Commander's desk.

"STUDY HIS ASSIGNMENTS. LEARN HIS DUTIES AND REPLACE HIM HERE," commanded the Overseer, its voice a pale, rasping imitation of the humanoid equivalent. "FOLLOW MY ORDERS AND SPY FOR ME... OR YOU TOO WILL DIE JUST AS QUICKLY AS THIS OTHER LIFE FORM HAS."

"I live to serve," the duplicate Michael Eddington promised, nodding respectfully toward the alien.

The hooded Overseer vanished back inside of its own subspace rift and the room went suddenly still as all traces of its presence disappeared just as quickly. The Comm-badge on the desk suddenly chirped for attention. "All available security personnel... proceed to Lt. Commander Eddington's quarters immediately." Jadzia Dax's voice crackled with only moderate distortion out of the small device. "Additional gravitational anomalies have been detected there."

Eddington abruptly realized that he only had seconds left before the arrival of others, so he hastily picked up the phaser and repeatedly fired it at the far wall. He aimed the weapon in the general direction of his predecessor's disappearance, burning several dark smoking trails in the metal wall and floor plating beneath it. By the time that Odo and the others arrived to assist him, the charred, smoking streaks left by the phaser beam made everything appear exactly as though the Lt. Commander had fought a valiant battle and somehow managed to survive.

"It's okay," Eddington declared calmly, raising both hands and holding the phaser weapon in a non-threatening manner for emphasis. "It's all over... I managed to chase the alien away."