CHAPTER THREE
Activity continued as normally as could be expected aboard the Federation space station Deep Space Nine. For the time being, the war with the Dominion almost seemed a distant memory; except for the fact that starships would come in from the sectors on the fringe of the war zones, bearing all-too obvious reminders of the war.
Captain Benjamin Sisko watched from a viewport on the Promenade, as the USS Nimitz was tractored into a berth at upper pylon 3. An attempted kamikaze attack from a Jem'Hadar warship had sheared off the Nimitz's starboard nacelle, causing lateral damage along her secondary hull. Plasma streamed from the pylon where the nacelle was once mounted, leaving a trail that told the path the ship took to get to them. Sisko shook his head. The casualties were mounting at an incredible rate. If something weren't down to turn the tide soon, the Federation may just end up losing the war.
Movement in the corner of Sisko's eye caught his attention, and he turned to see his son, Jake, approaching him with Kasidy Yates at his side. "C'mon, Dad," Jake said. "We'll be late for the baseball game."
Kasidy's brother played on a baseball team; the colonies on Cestus III had just recently revived the sport, a task that pleased Sisko to no end. "Something wrong, Ben?" asked Kasidy.
He pointed out to her the ship that just came in. "We've been getting more of this kind of thing. I don't know how much longer we can take of this."
She placed her hand on his cheek. "Ben, I understand your concern. We both do. But this is why you need to take some time off. We both agreed that as soon as you left Ops, you wouldn't think about the war. Now can we go?"
He kept staring out the viewport for a moment longer. Then he turned to her and smiled. "You're right. We'd better be going," he agreed. His smile was infectious; both Kasidy's and Jake's grins widened.
Before he could take a step, however, he saw a shadow play across the station outside the viewport. A Sovereign-class starship came into view; it's path showed it to be swinging around to dock at upper pylon 2. Sisko saw the ship's registry, and his smile disappeared.
"Now what?" Kasidy said.
"What's the Enterprise doing here already?" Even as the words left his lips, he was heading towards the accessway to the pylon. Sisko had intended to be off the station when the Enterprise was scheduled to arrive. The report had simply stated that she was here to rendezvous with another ship from Earth. Both ships had important passengers, the report had said, but it didn't specify who was on either ship.
While Sisko was curious, he was still a little uncomfortable having Picard return to the station. The last time he was here, five years ago, things got a little tense between them. Their differences were worked out, but there was still a residue. Now, though, since the Enterprise showed up early, Sisko's curiosity won out, and soon he found himself waiting by the airlock. It cycled through and the door opened to reveal Captain Picard. He was smiling, which instantly made Sisko feel relieved.
"Greetings, Captain Sisko," Picard said cheerfully. He then noticed Jake and Kasidy, who had trailed behind Sisko. "I hope our arrival didn't interrupt anything."
"Actually, I was on my way out for my vacation. You're here early, Captain," Sisko commented.
"Well, our passenger felt if he was asked to be here, then the sooner he arrived the better," Picard said.
At that moment, Kira Nerys came around the bend. She was startled by Sisko's presence. "Captain," she said, with a quizzical smile on her face, "I thought you and Kasidy were going to a ball game."
"We were, but curiosity got the best of me."
Kira nodded. "We were only informed of the Enterprise's arrival just before she showed up. Welcome aboard Deep Space Nine, Captain Picard. Will your passenger be disembarking shortly? We'd like to get suitable quarters for him."
"Yes, Captain," Sisko added. "The report didn't give specifics on your arrival. Who is your mysterious passenger?"
"That would be me, Captain."
Sisko and Kira turned at the new voice heard coming from the airlock. They saw a tall man walk through the door. He was also wearing the gray, black, and burgundy uniform of a Starfleet captain. His black hair was silver at the temples, and his face had a chiseled look to it. But all that was overshadowed by his glowing blue eyes.
"Captain Sisko, Major Kira," Picard said, still smiling, "may I present..."
"Captain Apollo Racer," Sisko finished for him, awed.
Apollo raised an eyebrow at Sisko's reaction. "Am I going to get this from everyone I meet?"
"You very well might, Captain," Picard answered.
Kira smiled at Apollo. "If you'd like," she said, "I can show you to your quarters. And don't worry... you won't find me falling all over myself just to please you."
He laughed. "I like her! A very refreshing attitude."
Sisko chuckled. "I'm glad someone thinks so." He smirked at her to let her know he was kidding. "Seriously, Major Kira is one our most valuable officers."
He nodded. "At any rate, I rested up on the way here, so I can wait for now on the quarters. Perhaps I could see your command center?"
Sisko started down the corridor. "Right this way."
As they headed for Ops, Apollo remarked. "I watched the station as we approached. It's quite a piece of work."
"It's home." Suddenly his son and fiancee appeared from around a bend. "Jake! I'd like you to meet a legend in Starfleet. Captain Apollo Racer. Captain, this is my son, Jake."
Jake politely extended his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, sir."
"Thank you, Jake." Apollo shook Jake's hand.
Kasidy looked pleadingly at Sisko. "Ben, we really have to get going if we don't want to miss the opening pitch."
Sisko seemed to consider his options. "I... think you'd better go ahead without me."
Apollo's head had perked up with Kasidy's statement. "First pitch... as in baseball?" At Kasidy's nod, Apollo looked at Sisko. "Captain, for God's sake, don't you dare miss a baseball game on my account; I had protested enough when they got rid of the sport back in my time. I'm sure the Major here can show me Ops quite ably; more so if she knew you weren't hovering over us." He smiled at Sisko over the ribbing; the fact that Kira also grinned told Apollo that was exactly what Sisko would have done.
That seemed to make up Sisko's mind. Turning to leave, he looked briefly at Picard. "Captain Picard, welcome back."
"Thank you. Now go. We shall still be here when you return."
As the three of them headed off toward the runabout pads, Apollo called after them, "And Captain. Be sure to catch a fly ball for me." Sisko looked back and nodded before disappearing around a corner. Apollo turned to Kira and waved her through. "Major, if you please?" The two captains followed the major to Ops.
~ * ~
Ops was a swirl of activity. Lt. Commander Dax was helping Chief O'Brien allocate more power to upper pylon 3 so they could support the Nimitz's systems while she underwent repairs. Dax would run from her station where she would conduct the necessary tests over to the repair pit where O'Brien would have his hands deep inside the access panels. Lt. Commander Worf was discussing station security procedures with Security Chief Odo. It was always an issue where they only tentatively agreed upon, although Worf always thought security should be tighter, else he wouldn't be staying in his quarters aboard the Defiant. The other various personnel who manned the other stations around the perimeter of the command area were efficiently doing their work.
Only a couple of people looked up from what they were doing when the lift came up from the promenade. Most assumed it was just Major Kira coming back to let them know about why the Enterprise was here early. One of the people who looked up was O'Brien. "Holy..." he started to say.
"What is it, Chief?" Dax said before seeing the trio emerge from the lift.
Worf and Odo weren't stunned, however, and came over to meet the newcomers. "Captain Picard. It is good to see you again," Worf said.
"Good to see you, too, Worf. How is station life treating you?"
"As well as could be expected," Worf replied. The way he said it, however, indicated there was more to the story, and his glance toward Odo confirmed it.
"Who is this?" Odo asked, gesturing at Apollo.
"This is Captain Racer," Kira said. "He'll be here waiting for the ship from Earth to arrive."
"Oh. Great. Another captain," said Odo in his gruff tone. Only those who worked with him knew he was being sarcastic.
"Captain Racer? The Captain Racer?" Worf said. He shifted his weight and straightened a bit. "That is impossible!" he said in an accusatory tone.
Apollo snorted. "I would have said the same about a Klingon in a Starfleet uniform at one point in time."
"You know of him, Worf?" Picard said.
Worf nodded. "There are a few stories of Captain Racer in the Empire. He had established himself as an honorable warrior. There were Klingons who would refrain from fighting Racer out of respect for him."
Apollo snorted again. "You doubt the tales?" Worf said, almost seeming offended.
Apollo chuckled. "I should hope so. I was there. From my accounts, they were practically fighting each other for the honor of doing battle with me. If I recall, it was usually the crew of the ship that left who were glad they had lost the right to fight me; they were usually the ones who survived."
Worf's eyes widened, and his nostrils flared when recognizing the challenge, but Picard stepped in. "Gentlemen, this whole point is moot." He turned to Apollo. "Captain, the Klingons have a treaty with the Federation. They are our allies now," he said, as though the fact that Worf wore one of their uniforms didn't tell Apollo that much.
Apollo's eyes narrowed. "There are those who would disagree with you, Picard," he said, remembering the fight on the smuggler's world.
"There are some factions that disagree with the treaty," Worf said. "But they are minor houses. They hold no real power in the Empire."
Apollo raised an eyebrow at that statement, but chose not to say anything. At that moment, he became aware of someone behind him. He turned to see an officer... no, wait. The rank pin on his collar is different, thought Apollo. Probably enlisted; but a high-ranking NCO from the looks of it. The man wore mustard, the color of support, and had curly, red hair.
"Excuse me."
"Ah, Chief O'Brien," Picard said, "it's been quite a while."
O'Brien shook Picard's hand. "Aye, sir. It has been, hasn't it?" He looked at Apollo. "Excuse me," he said again, "but aren't you..."
Apollo chuckled. "Yes, Chief, I am Captain Racer." He shook O'Brien's hand. "He turned his head toward Picard and said out of the corner of his mouth, "You know, maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea if we just held a meeting of all the Starfleet people here so I could get this over with."
Picard smiled, and decided to help Apollo out. "Ah, Chief, perhaps you could tell me how well managed to bring this station back to full working order..." he took O'Brien by the shoulder and led him back toward the maintenance pit.
Apollo smiled and looked toward Odo, who had been studying the captain the entire time. The smile faded. "Something I can help you with?"
Odo continued studying Apollo. "Hmm, your eyes. I was wondering how you managed to do that. You're not entirely human, are you?"
Apollo glared at Odo. "What was your first clue? Judging by your suspicious nature, I'd say you were part of this station's security."
"You have remarkable insight."
"Call it occupational courtesy."
"Well, you're right. I'm the station's security chief. I don't care if you are in Starfleet or a legend. All I want is that you remember that."
Apollo looked at Odo, and gave him a mischievous grin. "You're not entirely human, are you?" he said mockingly.
Odo growled and stalked off toward the turbolift. Apollo smiled. "I can tell he's a lot of laughs."
Worf watched Odo as he left. "Yes. Odo and I may disagree on certain things, but he does do a good job."
Apollo's mood lightened. "Hmmm. Intriguing. I think he and I could actually get along then. You know, I used to be a Security Chief once, a long time ago. And how about you, Worf? What is your position on this station?"
"I am the Strategic Operations Officer. On certain occasions, I also command the USS Defiant," he said. Pride started to creep into his tone.
The captain nodded. "I believe I saw it. That was the ship docked below the Nimitz, wasn't it? She looked pretty sleek."
Kira walked up to the two officers. "Captain, we just got word from the starship Tolstoy. They'll be here within the next couple of hours. If you'd like to take a tour of the station, I'm sure I could arrange something," she said, smiling cordially.
He returned the smile. "Why, thank you, Major, uh, what was your name again?"
"Kira. Major Kira Nerys," she replied.
"Right. Kira. I'll try to remember that. Thank you, but I don't want anyone to go through any special trouble for me. You won't mind if I lose myself in your station, will you?"
Her smile broadened. "Not at all. We'll contact you as soon as the Tolstoy arrives."
Apollo nodded his thanks and walked to the turbolift, with Odo following him. He stood there for a moment, and it dawned on them that he didn't know the decks to call to get the lift moving. Picard was just finishing with O'Brien, so they joined Apollo. "Promenade," O'Brien said, and they started down.
"We're going to a square dance?" Apollo said just before the lift disappeared below Ops.