Chapter XIII
Glancing at the Orb as it rested within its ark, Odo looked back up at Sisko and remarked, "There has to be another way." "I understand your reservations, Constable. But I can't think of anyone else who would be able to make this transition and learn what we need to know without affecting the timeline in a deleterious manner," the Captain replied. The changeling considered the statement and could find no fault with it. His ability to alter his appearance at will and slip thru security barriers either by bypassing or outsmarting them would be extremely helpful no matter where he ended up.
"You do remember that last time someone used that thing on this ship, we were all catapulted into the past," Odo remarked. "Major Kira was able to make a journey using our version of this artifact, without adversely affecting history or even bringing the Orb with her," Benjamin pointed out. "So, you're suggesting that I should have faith in the Prophets," the Constable observed. "We know that this will allow you to travel centuries and light-years in the span of seconds. What we're not sure about is where and when you'll end up, since we have been able to confirm that it does come from the alternate universe," Jadzia proclaimed. "And what do I need to learn?" he wondered.
"We know that someone in their history altered events to create the vessel we see out there now, a reality where Earth exists cooperatively with the other races in the galaxy. What we don't know is how they did that, or how that might be connected with the events we're currently experiencing. Someone helped free me, then sent me back to Deep Space Nine in order to learn that this struggle was taking place. That means it is likely recent events have occurred as a result of interference by entities operating either from a parallel universe or our future. Perhaps even both," Sisko stated. "And you believe that the Orb you transported into the wormhole is connected to these events. Then why not leave it aboard?" the changeling inquired.
"In the history of Bajor, there has never been an Orb with the sort of power that the Captain and I experienced. We don't know why it wasn't sent to us or how it ended up in the possession of the Cardassians," Kira told him. "As I recall, the Glinn turned it over to us just before Dukat showed up and he then took the artifact and Sisko into custody. From what you've related, an unknown party then intervened and arranged for him to escape and learn about the Orb's capabilities. Not only that; but you experienced them as well, Nerys," Odo remarked.
"I think that vision was sent to me by the Prophets, to guide the Emissary. You'll note that after we returned it to them, we were shown a possible future and met with by our counterparts from an alternate universe markedly different from the one we're familiar with," the Major said. "Meaning that they won't let us go back home until we finish what we've started," the Constable guessed, resigning himself to the situation. Turning his gaze towards the Orb of Time, he focused his mind on the specific place and time he wished to reach; then extended one hand and touched the artifact.
Instantly, his surroundings were washed out by a wave of blue light to be replaced by the familiar interior of his office on the Promenade of Deep Space Nine. The dim lighting showed that it was night, which fit his needs perfectly. Striding to the console, Odo used his clearance codes to access the files pertaining to recent history; confirming that he had indeed arrived in the parallel universe as Sisko had suspected he would. If my counterpart is anything like me, it won't be long before I have some company, he mused, knowing better than to arm himself. While Bashir had portrayed his double as harsh and something of a martinet, the Constable suspected that was due to the environment in which he had existed.
After all, the Founders and I couldn't possibly be more different if we tried, he reflected. The doors to the room opened and for a moment and the changeling leaped over the desk, reverting to his gelatinous form as he did. His doppelganger reacted by doing the same, which gave Odo the opportunity he'd wanted to create. Without hesitation, he formed a link with the other; knowing how exhilarating it would be for this version of himself since at this point in history there had been no contact with the Dominion. Thoughts merged, yet remained separate as each became a part of the other; until at last both knew enough to trust their counterpart long enough for them to separate. Odo retreated to the far side of the room, allowing his duplicate to recover as he processed the facts he'd obtained.
To his surprise, in this reality the Terran Empire had never truly collapsed; instead changing over the century from cruel taskmasters to allies in an ongoing struggle against forces unlike any he was familiar with. "Someone is trying to destroy this version of your reality," he summarized once he'd regained his equanimity. The other changeling nodded and responded, "We'd hoped that the alterations would allow us to avoid such incursions from the future. But it seems that your universe is not the only one which can access ours. A cohesive front has proven necessary for the survival of everyone in the galaxy." "In other words, the enemy of my enemy is my friend," the Constable noted.
"The Klingons recognized the threat once sufficient evidence was produced. Other races had become aware of it in their own way. Only by combining our might, working together instead of fighting amongst ourselves; can any of us hope to survive," his counterpart told him. "And since these foes come from outside your reality and are virtually infinite, your organization will never truly dissolve," Odo concluded. "Unfortunately, there are those who have chosen to oppose us; to take the side of our foes. But that isn't why you're here," the other changeling pointed out. "Do you have an answer to my question?" he wondered. "I might… if you can provide one for me. Are our people really like that?" his double asked.
"In this universe… as far as I know, they've never learned about this part of the galaxy. So it's possible they're the same. Or they could be markedly different. The only way to be certain is to find out," the Constable suggested. "They would make fine allies in our war," his duplicate put in. "Do you know anything about the Orb we're looking for?" he inquired. "Yes… about a hundred years ago, something of that sort was used by a Vulcan named Spock in his efforts to devise a means of overthrowing the government that existed in his time. His results were astonishingly effective and afterward, he made a journey to Bajor and instructed the Kai to have it placed in storage until a space station would be constructed in orbit of the planet. Once that occurred, we were to place it in onboard until someone came looking for it. Which I'm gathering is you," his doppelganger related.
"If what you're saying is true, this Orb belongs to this reality. It would be of no use to me in mine," Odo objected. "True… but it was also foretold that when the time came, the ark holding the Orb could only be opened by the Emissary," the other changeling observed. "I see… tell me, are there any Terrans aboard? Specifically, a man named Benjamin Lafayette Sisko?" he inquired. "Yes… he just arrived on a freighter yesterday. Why do you ask?" his counterpart wondered. "Find him and meet me at the Bajoran temple… I presume that's where the Orb is now?" the Constable remarked and his double nodded before swiftly departing. Odo gave him a minute, then altered his appearance to give his outfit a hood and left the office; briskly covering the ground between him and his destination.
His duplicate was only a few minutes behind him, with a bewildered Sisko in tow. This version of his Captain looked much as the man had five years ago, whenever he had taken command of the space station. At one end of the room lay the ark and he commanded, "Open it." "Me? Are you trying to tell me that I'm the Emissary?" Benjamin sputtered. "Makes a certain amount of sense. The Prophets chose you where I come from. I see no reason why they wouldn't do the same here," the Constable declared. Sisko shrugged and approached the ornate case.
At his touch, it swung wide; revealing the glistening artifact within. After a moment, he shut it once more and nodded as if in understanding before turning back to face the two changelings. Benjamin breathed, "I understand now… it was necessary for me to know how things could have been to appreciate what they are. Now your Captain must convince the Prophets to make the Orb of the Emissary."