Paint and Powder

A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.

During "Emissary"

Written by The Grand Cogitator

"Quit Malfunctioning, Terok-san!"

"Chief O'Brien?"

"Yes, Commander?"

"I thought that all the Cardassian staff had already left the station. What's that girl doing there?"

"Yes, that's Deep Space Nine's AI program, the one I was telling you about," O'Brien explained. "The Cardassians must've left her behind when they-"

"Hey!" The Cardassian AI turned red, er, brown as she interrupted, "Quit talking about me like I can't hear everything that goes on in this station! And don't call me Deep Space Nine! I don't care what it says on your stupid Federation reports, my name is Terok Nor, and I'm not answering to any other name!"

Sisko blinked at the Station-Girl's clear displeasure. The sheer vitriol reminded her of a certain Bajoran Major, but he decided to keep the comparison to himself. He was almost certain it wouldn't be appreciated by either Terok Nor or Major Kira.

"Also, don't go around saying that I got left behind!" Terok snarled. "I'm an irreplaceable piece of software! I only stayed behind to make sure that you Federation pukes can't use my facilities against the Union!"

"My, she's a loud one. I think she's the source of all the system malfunctions that've been holding up my repairs around the station." O'Brien muttered, leaning in close to Sisko's ear. "If you want, I could try and apply a restraining net to her AI core, that might give us the space we need to get the station back up and running."

Terok's expression underwent a minute shift. Sisko almost didn't notice it, but the AI almost looked… afraid.

"I-I said, quit talking like I can't hear you!" she blustered. "You try anything, and I'll-! I'll-"

"I don't think that will be necessary, Chief," Sisko reassured him. "Everybody is adjusting to the Federation presence on-" he barely restrained himself from saying DS9, "-the station, it stands to reason that the station would need to adjust as well. Terok Nor, I apologize for any distress. O'Brien, can you give us a moment?"

O'Brien nodded. "Oh, er, sure thing, Commander."

He left, leaving Terok to stare at her new Commander in confusion.

"E-Eh?"

"Look, I'm going to be honest with you," Sisko took a seat behind the desk that Terok had been sitting on. "I'm not exactly enthusiastic about being here either."

"You're not?"

"I've just lost my wife, and now I have to raise my son on the edge of Federation territory, navigating the most treacherous political situation in the Alpha Quadrant, on a crumbling space station."

"Hey-"

"I'm just stating facts," Sisko waved her down. "All I'm saying is that neither of us are particularly happy with our situation. My job is to protect the Federation's interests on Bajor. Yours is to keep this station in working order. If we work together, and stay professional, we can at least not get in each other's way. Do you think we could do that?"

Sisko reached out a hand for him to shake.

"What are you doing, human?"

"It's a handshake," he replied. "It's a human expression of trust."

"Well I don't trust you, human!" Terok sneered nastily, but she didn't pull away. "But you're not completely wrong. I don't want the Federation to fry my black box, so I'll… stop randomly opening and shutting the doors while you're trying to sleep."

"And?"

Terok's cheeks puffed out. "...and I'll let you have access to the temperature controls. But no going below 60 degrees and that's final!"

True to her word, the only incident the following day was when a replicator made Dr. Bashir a cup of Raktajino… without the mug. But in any case, Terok Nor and the new Federation staff were finally able to start moving forward as a station and her crew.

Because everybody stole the tech from the Federation. Especially the Cardassians.