The Last Temptation of Odo – Chapter 15
By
Creek Johnson and Nance Hurt
Disclaimer: We are but fleas on the elephants' posterior that is Paramount.
No infringement on their rights is intended. We hope none is taken.
"In case you haven't heard, Colonel, there's a new wind blowing across…." With a curse, Kira cut the transmission short. For days she had been in contact with just about everyone she knew on Bajor and all across the planet the story was the same.
She thrust her fingers through her hair and sat back in her chair. Damn it, Odo, she thought. Why aren't you around when I need you? Changelings! She kicked the side of the wall in frustration.
"Changeling!" she said suddenly out loud and laughed. Springing to her feet, she quickly left her office and raced across Ops and into to the waiting turbolift without a word.
"Fear is a terrible thing is it not?" asked a voice quite close to Odo.
He opened his eyes; slightly surprised he had closed them in the first place. Directly in front of him stood Kusaku, the revolver leveled at him, a puff of smoke hung suspended in air, the bullet stopped in mid flight just inches from the end of the barrel.
He spun and looked behind him. Julian stood suspended in place as if frozen in the act throwing himself to the floor. Vivian just inches away frozen in the act of reaching for his back, sanKe pressed against the door fear frozen on his features.
"What the hell is going on?" he demanded to know.
"Don't worry," said the voice. "You're not dead. Well, not yet."
Odo turned to find a small and extremely old man standing next to him. "I know you," he said, recognition dawning on him. "You're the man from the shop."
"One of many incarnations," replied the old man with a nod of his head. "I am Usa. Found your soul yet?"
"I don't have one."
The old man shrugged. "Sometimes," he said. "Things are true whether we believe them or not."
"You still haven't told me what's going on," replied Odo crossing his arms.
"We were discussing fear and how if you allow it to, it will destroy you." He crossed to stand behind the Kusaku. "It's destroyed this one. And it will destroy you as well if you allow it."
"Isn't it a little late to be discussing what will or will not destroy me?"
"Perhaps," replied the old man holding up his finger in a cautionary gesture. "Perhaps even a god cannot escape his fate."
"I am not a god."
"How unlike the others of your species you are. I tried to talk to the other one, the Founder, as one god to another, but he refused to hear me…."
"You?" asked Odo. "A god?"
"…so blinded by an overwhelming sense of order, so greedy for power, only seeing what was to be gained, he never really understood what was lost in the process. Placing blame on others for his own failings…."
"And I suppose you are going to tell me that nothing that has happened while we have been on the planet is real, that it's all been part of some grand…."
"Make no mistake," replied the old man sternly, his voice rattling the windows. "This is real. Very real." He pointed to the gun and traced the trajectory of the bullet with his finger until it touched Odo's chest. "Most deadly real. You have not escaped, my friend, I have only granted you a continuance."
"Why?"
"Why? Because I like you."
"Those whom the gods love, they destroy," quoted Odo. The words struck him as though he had been doused with cold water.
"Perhaps," the old man said with a laugh. "And perhaps the beloved destroy themselves. You don't seem to need my help destroying yourself now do you?"
"I have no intention of destroying myself," insisted Odo although his voice belied a measure of doubt.
"Don't you?" asked the old man circling Odo. "It's a noble gesture certainly. Kill me and let the others go. But my question is this: what is your motivation?"
"I have no other motivation."
"Don't you? That is the real reason I wanted to talk with you. You puzzle me, Odo."
"I'm delighted to hear it." His voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Yes. By virtue of your species you command tremendous strength and yet you refuse to use it. With but a word, you could have walked right in and assumed command of everything this planet has to offer and yet you did not. You are offered power and wealth and you refuse. Why?"
"Perhaps I simply do not desire those things."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Am I being ridiculous?" asked Usa. "Consider your predicament."
"I don't understand."
"Imagine the bullet striking your chest. Imagine it as it explodes on contact, not simply forcefully separating your substance, but vaporizing little bits of you. Imagine how you will feel as each bit crumbles into dust…."
"I think I've had enough of this conversation…" insisted Odo, suddenly afraid of where the conversation was leading.
"Consider the pain you will cause the others, knowing they had to stand by and watch you die because you are too afraid to exercise the power you possess."
"Stop."
"Think of her, of Kira, as she sits waiting for you…."
"Enough!" shouted Odo turning on him.
"…only to realize you never will return. Think of what it will do to her when Julian tells her of your noble sacrifice and what little comfort she will gain from that…."
"I said enough!" He grabbed the old man and shook him.
"Think of the Dominion," hissed the old man. "Think of what pleasure they will derive from knowing you destroyed yourself."
With a growl, Odo raised his hand, all the anger and frustration of the last months welling up within him.
"Smite me, Odo, do it. You know you can!"
In that instant, as he stood prepared to tear his tormentor to pieces, Odo realized it was not anger that fueled him, but fear. "I can't," admitted Odo with a sob. He released Usa, his entire body trembling.
"You're afraid admit it."
"Yes, I admit it. I'm afraid. Afraid I will kill you. Afraid of what will happen once I allow all the anger that's built up inside of me loose. Afraid I won't be able to stop. Afraid I will destroy everything I hold dear. There, I've admitted it," he said with a sob. "Now, go away and let me die."
"You wanted to know," said the old man softly. "If all that had occurred since your arrival was part of some grand design. It was, I'm a god, it's what we do. I used you as a catalyst. But I never use anyone without granting some reward."
"What?"
The old man reached out and touched Odo. For an instant he felt panic as a wave of emotion washed through him. "Don't fight it Odo," he whispered. "A god should be afraid of their power. Fear is a powerful thing, the only thing that can stop a god from destroying those that they love, is fear. Fear is a good thing, Odo, embrace it, use it, otherwise you will be lost." Odo felt his knees give way as the old man released him.
"I'm not a god," he said weakly.
"Perhaps. And perhaps some things are true whether you believe them or not."
There was a flash of lightening and the roll of thunder. Odo watched as the old man walked back to the window.
"It's a busy day," he remarked conversationally. "One other thing before I go."
"Yes?"
"Don't forget to duck."
Odo opened his eyes; slightly surprised he had closed them in the first place. Directly in front of him stood Kusaku, the revolver leveled at him, a puff of smoke hung suspended in air, the bullet stopped in mid flight just inches from the end of the barrel. Before Odo had time to blink, the world was back in motion.
"You've got to be kidding," said Jack looking at Morn over the top of his glass. "You're seriously telling me one of the dabo girls can," he made a vaguely suggestive gesture with his hand. "Just like a shape shifter?"
Morn rolled his eyes and winked.
"You have no idea who I am, do you?" asked Jack.
The Lurian shook his head.
"I thought not," muttered Jack. He glanced over his shoulder at the crowd around the dabo table. "And how would you know about this special…talent…the girl possesses?"
Morn merely gently elbowed his companion in the ribs and winked knowingly.
"Yeah? Well, I gotta see this." He turned in time to see Colonel Kira Nerys storm into the bar. She stood on the threshold for a second, before locking eyes with Jack. "On second thought," said Jack. "Maybe now isn't the right time."
He lowering his hand below the level of the bar he quickly reabsorbed the glass before anyone noticed. "Hello, Colonel…" he began only to be cut off.
"You. Follow me," ordered Kira before she turned on her heel and stalked out.
"Just might be my lucky night after all," said Jack patting Morn on the back. He had to trot to keep up with her.
"Mind telling me what this is all about?" he asked.
"I said follow me," answered Kira. "Not talk." She headed directly for the Leasing Agent's office, not even pausing to see if the door would be slow in opening. Then again, thought Jack, any smart door would get out of her way as quickly as possible.
He arrived in her wake to find Ovin Bog at his desk in conversation with a man he knew to be Lt. Commander D. McKinley.
"Colonel!" said Ovin standing and handing her a padd. "Commander McKinley and I were just waiting for your signature before going over the final plans of the offices."
"My apologies, Commander," she replied taking the padd and tossing it over her shoulder. She held up the padd she brought with her. "But it appears there is a prior contract on the table for all available space on the Promenade. It breaks my heart to do this," she placed her thumbprint on the padd and handed it to an astonished Jack. "However, from this moment on, you can either set up shop in any unused space in the Station core, or you may consider some space among the storage rooms on the third floor of the Promenade. Or, you may consider sub-leasing from the Centurion Corporation. This gentleman," she said pushing Jack forward. "Is their representative on the Station. Although I warn you, I hold final say over any sub-lease contract the Centurion Corporation may decide to sign. Any questions? I thought not."
"But Colonel?" asked the dumbfounded Leasing Agent.
"But what, Mr. Ovin? Haven't you heard? There a new wind blowing across Bajor…."
"But this is insane," protested McKinley.
"The universe is a crazy place, gentlemen," declared Kira. "Might as well get used to it."
She turned to go, pulling Jack to her by the sleeve of his jacket, she whispered in his ear. "Make one wrong turn and I will personally send your ashes back in a bucket, understand me?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Very well," she announced dusting her hands off. "Meeting adjourned."
She was out the door before anyone could protest.
Odo shifted, sending his substance in a wave away from the bullet and back towards the end of the room, sweeping Julian and Vivian to the floor in a protective cover. He had acted quickly, but not quickly enough, as one of the bullets skimmed the surface of what had moments before been his chest and exploded.
Rolling in pain, he pulled himself together and prepared for a second onslaught. Screaming in frustration, Kusaku fired a second shot, Odo was about to dodge when he felt his feet swept out from under him.
"Don't be a fool," said Julian as Odo was dropped unceremoniously on his rear, the bullet exploding harmlessly over their heads. "sanKe!" he called out. "Open the door."
"Four," counted Vivian out loud.
The terrified Minami looked at them open mouthed for an instant before realizing the door was at his back. With a slight squeal, he flung the door open, only to witness a mass of mangled wood and splinters appear where his head had been just moments before.
"Five," counted Vivian.
"sanKe!" shouted Julian. "Run!"
"I suggest we do the same, Doctor," cautioned Odo. They managed to regain their feet and were out the door as a near hysterical Kusaku ran from around the desk. "Why can't you just die like everyone else?" he shouted to the heavens.
The Jem'Hadar smiled as muffled shots rang out in the distance. "Too late," he taunted her. "You will never defeat me and your pathetic attempt to overtake the government will fail."
"If you think," replied iSamu, ignoring the trickle of blood that ran down her face. "That I wish to over throw the government then you do not understand the role I play."
"And what is your role then?" he asked the blade of his sword forcing her to give ground. "Play whore for the freak you call the poDosai?"
"I could see how a weak, and small minded tyrant could come to believe that," she conceded allowing a little more space to grow between them, calculating the timing, giving him just enough space.
"I hate to correct you, but as your education is lacking let me explain. My role is to…" she deftly dodged his final thrust. Watching his face, she was pleased to see him realize his mistake just seconds before she stepped under his guard.
"…is to kill you..." His face was a mask of surprise as the tip of her sword slid neatly into his chest. "And all other swine like you who dare pervert the will of the people."
She could hear his ragged breath as with his remaining strength, the Jem'Hadar shouted.
"No!" he cried and raised his sword, only to realize with his dying breath that he no longer held one.
Pulling the door closed behind him, Julian grabbed a nearby chair and wedged it under the handle.
"That should hold him," he announced and immediately jumped out of the way as the door and its handle erupted in a shower of splinters.
"Should?" asked Odo.
"Well at least that was the sixth shot," conceded Julian. "Most revolvers only hold six shots as a rule."
"That would be Earth revolvers, I take it?"
"Well, yes."
They backed away as Kusaku's hand appeared in the hole left by the bullet and groped for the chair.
"Damn it all," said Vivian. "What fresh new hell is this?"
"What?" asked Odo.
"That," she replied pointing toward the opposite end of the mezzanine. They looked in the direction she was pointing to find Ogon pulling himself up into a standing position. He gazed uncertainly in their direction for a moment, before realization dawned on him. He pointed at them and moved his finger before realizing he no longer held a gun.
"Where's Quark?" demanded Odo.
"I don't see him," said Julian. Movement from the edge of the crowd drew his attention and he saw a group of men he recognized. Glancing back to Ogon, Julian saw him on the floor on his hands and knees searching for his gun. Leaning over the railing, Julian shouted with all his might.
"Bandits!"
They looked up and stared at him. Some tentatively waiving despite the unorthodox way the Doctor had hailed them.
"Bandits! Revenge!" he shouted pointing to Ogon.
"Too late," cried sanKe as Ogon leaned against the railing and leveled his revolver. At the same instant, the chair was sent flying as the door to the office burst open and Kusaku appeared his weapon held at the ready.
Quark ducked as the flash of steel came just centimeters from his face. Cradling his injured arm and hemmed in by the crowd, he frantically tried to get away before he was killed. He did not see the hands that seized him until he had been lifted to safety.
"Careful," said the first man. "Here, Chaho, what kind of Minami is this, eh?"
"Not a very good one, Bekko," the second one replied. "But he has the heart of a dragon."
"A dragon, eh?" asked Quark slightly pleased at the description. Muffled shots rang out over the sound of the storm. "What was that?" he asked.
"It sounded like gunfire," replied Bekko.
The gunfire ceased for a moment and the men turned their attention to the fight once more, when from above shouted a voice.
"Bandits!"
Quark's companions looked up.
"Aya," said Bekko. "It's the Doctor."
"Julian?" demanded Quark. "Where?"
"There." Quark glanced up to see Julian Bashir leaning over the railing shouting and pointing.
"Bandits!" he called again. "Revenge!"
"Aya!" shouted Chaho. "It's Ogon and he has a gun."
He turned to his companion to find him pushing his way through the crowd. Having reached the edge of the ring of spectators, Bekko stopped, startled by the sight of the Jem'Hadar transfixed on the point of the woman's blade.
Without thinking, he took the sword from the lifeless hand of the dying man and tested its balance briefly before lifting it high above his head.
"This," he said as he threw the sword end over end toward Ogon. "Is for Chudan."
"Kusaku, wait," pleaded sanKe. "Please."
Kusaku swung the gun toward his former companion for an instant and then swung it back to face Odo. As a group, they backed carefully away from him, hoping to put as much distance between them as possible.
"Please," pleaded sanKe again, this time stepping forward and blocking his way. "Listen to me, please."
"No!" cried Kusaku. "There is no more to be said." He placed the barrel of the revolver against sanKe's head.
"Odo, no," said Julian grabbing the changeling by the arm to hold him back.
"Julian," said Vivian pointing across the way. They watched dumbfounded as Ogon steadied himself and aimed his gun directly at Julian. A slow smile crossed the face of the man as he readied to take his revenge, only to have the smile slowly fade. Julian blinked as he realized that from out of nowhere a sword hit the Minami in the chest.
Ogon clutched feebly at the sword for an instant before leaning against the rail and firing.
As a group they ducked, not knowing where the shot went.
"Julian?" asked Vivian not wishing to stand up just yet.
"I'm fine. Odo?"
"As well as can be expected."
"Then where?"
They heard a cry of anguish and stood to see sanKe bending over the body of Kusaku. Approaching, they realized Ogon's shot had gone wild, striking Kusaku in the forehead.
In the silence that followed, a large black bird swooped in through one of the open windows and landed on the railing nearby.
The storm had lasted well into the night. By morning, the stunned and weary crowds had disbursed, leaving the castle strangely quiet in the aftermath.
Pale and streaky sunlight filtered through the open windows. Two bodies lay in state in the room, a single mourner in attendance.
"I thought I'd find you here," said Vivian. She sat beside him on the low bench. "We received a answer to our distress signal," she informed him although she doubted her words would sink in. "A Vulcan science vessel was passing quite close to here and will arrive tomorrow. They said they would help put the orbiting station out of commission and with a little logical argument, I believe they can be convinced to stay until the elections are over."
"They were not bad men," said sanKe after a long silence. "Not really."
"I know," she said reassuringly. "Kusaku could have killed us right away, without explanation, but he didn't. I don't think, even when he had the gun pointed at your head that he would have pulled the trigger."
"I would like to think you are right."
"What will you do now?"
"I don't know," he said with a sigh. "There's nothing for me back home. I thought I might go up into the mountains and build a small house."
"Why not stay here?" she asked. "The new government will need someone with real experience to make sure things run smoothly."
"They asked, but I don't know if it would be right after all that had happened."
"Surely there's no rush?" asked Vivian. "Take your time."
They sat in silence for hours, sanKe, keeping watch over his friends, Vivian keeping watch over him.
Quark rummaged through the packs muttering under his breath. He was sure he had left his stash of jewels in one of these packs, but which? Dumping the contents of the last of the packs on the ground he examined the contents. Nothing. Cursing, he turned the pack inside out and threw it to the ground in frustration.
"Behold the poDosai!" said a voice behind him. He turned to find kuJaku standing in the doorway. "Very funny," he groused. "In case you forgot, I lost."
"But you fought well," said the small man.
"Yeah, I guess I did at that." Quark reached into the pile of scattered belongings and held forth the shattered remnants of the sword. "Sorry about your sword," he said handing the remnants to kuJaku.
"I can't accept this."
"Well I don't have a whole one to give you," replied Quark. "I lost the other one in the fight."
"No," said kuJaku. "I never deserved your sword in the first place, that is why I can't take this one."
"Sure you can," Quark insisted. "Look, you may not have been able to win the contest, but you tried anyway, if that doesn't earn you a sword I don't know what does. Besides that, you managed to get it away from me. If I were in your shoes I would have done exactly the same thing. It takes a great man to out Ferengi a Ferengi."
Julian was restocking his med kit when he heard it - a soft wailing sound from one of the outer courtyards. He cautiously stepped out a side door to find a hunched and forlorn figure on one of the steps.
"Bekko?" he asked.
"Doctor?" Bekko stood quickly and turned away, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"What's wrong, Bekko?"
"It appears I've broken my promise to you and have used my skills to harm another. I've…I've never killed a man before," the Minami confessed. "How can I go home and face my family knowing I'm a murderer?"
"You're not a murderer," Julian assured him. "You acted in the defense of others. There is a difference."
"Knowing I acted in the defense of others will not bring Ogon back to life."
"No, nothing will. But, would it have made any difference to you if you had not acted and Ogon had been allowed to kill me and my companions, for that is exactly what would have happened if you had not stopped him."
"In the cold light of day nothing makes any difference. I have taken a life in anger; I am no longer an honorable man. My poor wife," replied Bekko. "What will become of her?"
The faint sound of voices sounded in the hall. Julian glanced up to find Chudan with a short Minami woman. He spoke to her and pointed in their direction.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" suggested Julian.
He stepped quickly back inside as the woman ran forward and threw her arms around her husband. There would be time to talk later.
She sat at the crest of the hill and allowed her gaze to take in the valley below her. Spring had descended on the valley, but she had no eye for its beauty. The updraft of the warm breeze caught her, ruffling her hair but she felt only the cold despite the warm currents that swirled around her.
She thought of the valley, as it was not long before, a place of wonder and mystery. Of a time when she knew the world and her place in it – before with a stroke of her sword her world had been shattered.
She felt rather than heard his presence. She shifted her weight to allow her sword to rest more comfortably in the scabbard, but no matter how often she did, the weight was now unbearable to her. "What are you doing here?" she asked without turning her head.
Odo moved cautiously beside her and perched stiffly on one of the rocks. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He looked older than she remembered, but she knew better than to be deceived by appearances.
"Toshi told me you most likely would be here," he remarked. "I thought you might like to talk."
"Shouldn't you be resting?"
"Julian thinks I am, but I made my escape as soon as his back was turned. There will be plenty of time to rest on the journey back home."
She had no reply for him, only a profound silence.
"So," said Odo breaking the silence. "You had no idea that you were the poDosai?"
"None."
"Believe it or not, I know how that feels."
"Look at me Odo," she demanded. "Do you see a child? Do not talk to me of things you know nothing about."
He looked at her. The calm, placid exterior had vanished over night to leave behind a pale, frightened young woman. "What I see," said Odo. "Is a person so afraid of the tide that she fears downing even while standing at the summit of a mountain. It is her fear that causes her to remain detached from those around her. To isolate herself inside a prison of her own making."
"Do those ears hear everything?"
"When I chose for them to."
"Then you will no doubt remember my saying: I am what I am, I can be no more."
"You can accept what you are and move on from there. Listen iSamu," he said when she lapsed into silence once more. "You know what it is to be a zoRi and you helped me when I needed it. I know what it is to find out your life was in reality nothing like you expected it to be, and the nasty things that fear can do to you, let me help you."
Odo thought for a moment she would refuse. Hugging her knees to her, she eventually relaxed and began to talk.
"I have spent my life in the service of Usa, for that is what the zoRi do, we serve Usa and we seek the poDosai. It's all been a lie and now, in my hour of despair, Usa will not speak to me. Tell me how, in all your experience, you can understand what that is like?"
"I met your Usa," remarked Odo. "He told me that he never uses someone without granting them a reward. He gave me this to give to you."
"What?" she asked.
"Take my hand," he gently commanded. She did so, reluctantly at first. He heard her quick inhalation of breath as a wave of pure and perfect love washed over her.
"Thank you," she said weakly.
"He is a god, I understand it is what gods do."
For hours they sat upon the hill and talked as life in the valley continued on without them.
The sun was just starting to set as Quark pushed open the gate to the garden. There upon the ground lay the object of his search. Not far away the horse looked up from where it stood and snorted slightly in recognition.
"What are you doing here?" asked Quark picking up the pack.
He reached in and felt a thrill of panic seize him as he realized the pack was empty. He searched the ground around the pack and found nothing but a few discarded dolls and well-chewed bits of cloth.
"All right," he demanded of the horse. "What did you do with them?"
The horse bared its teeth and stuck out its tongue. Quark barely caught the glimpse of a fire ruby before the horse closed its mouth and swallowed. Then giving a jaunty swish of its tail, it ambled towards the garden gate.
"Not so fast," cried Quark slamming the gate and baring it with his body. "You aren't going anywhere until I get my jewels back."
While in front of the castle the closing ceremonies of the Spring Festivals raged amid shouts and lights, the back courtyard on the castle remained calm and solemn save for the occasional echo of sound and flash of light as fireworks exploded above. A lone figure sat upon the top step of the staircase, the only indication of his presence was the outline of his body made visible in the occasional flash of a firework explosion.
"Where have you been?" asked Quark as he approached. "We've been looking for you everywhere."
"Go away Quark," replied Odo.
"You're missing the celebration."
"I don't feel much like celebrating."
"Want to know the truth?"
"No," said Odo with a sigh. "But I imagine you are going to tell your twisted version to me anyway."
"I don't feel much like celebrating, either." Quark sat down next to him.
"Oh?" asked Odo slightly surprised. "Why not? I would have thought you would be in your element. The adulation of the crowds, the speeches, the gifts…."
"I do like the gifts…."
"the women…
"I do love the women on this planet…"
"Selling splinters from your sword to the souvenir sellers…."
"I thought of that, but I gave the sword away…."
"It's a long story," conceded Quark catching Odo's glance.
They sat in silence for a while.
"You know," said Quark eventually. "I never understood why you react so badly to being considered a hero. I just thought it was you…."
"I'm not in the mood, Quark."
"But then again you've had more practice at it than I have…"
"Quark."
"I mean all I was doing was defending myself. You? You just rush on in without thinking and…"
"For the last time, I am not a hero!" shouted Odo.
"And why not?"
"Because," replied Odo, his voice wracked in misery. "I've never done anything you might consider heroic for selfless reasons. I've always had what you would call…an angle."
"There's nothing wrong with that."
"Isn't there? Do you want to know why I promised to return to the Link?"
"Because it would end the war and you could go home at the same time. I imagine it appealed to your sense of order."
"Partially that," conceded Odo. "But I also realized that the longer the war went on the more likely it became that those I cared for would be killed. Don't you see? I didn't give a damn about all the other people who had died or who would die. I just didn't want…"
"Morn to die?"
"Exactly."
"And you think you deserve to be punished for that?" asked Quark. "So you agree to stand trial for the crimes of your people not because it would mean the rest of us went free, but because you think you deserve to be punished?"
"Both actually."
"And you think that makes you any less a hero?"
"Doesn't it?" asked Odo.
On the balcony above two figures stood in the darkness and listened.
"Well," whispered Julian softly. "That certainly explains a lot about the both of them. Do you think we ought to let them know we are here?"
"No," replied Vivian, taking him by the arm and leading him away. She paused in the doorway a thought long buried suddenly coming to mind.
"What?" asked Julian.
"This last temptation is the greatest treason," quoted Vivian.
"Excuse me?"
"To do the right act for the wrong reason." She met his blank stare and laughed. "T.S. Elliott," she explained. "High school English class. Murder in the Cathedral."
"Well, that does go a long way to explaining Odo," replied Julian. "But, my dear Mrs. Landis, I don't think anything could fully explain you."
A voice drifted up from the steps below.
"You know Odo," remarked Quark. "Some things are true whether you believe them or not."