Chapter Seven
Old colleagues reunited
AS the Appalachia, slows for the Bajoran system, they prepare to embark on their new assignment. They come into view of their destination, an old Cardassian space station known as Deep Space Nine. The station looks as it did when Voyager was there before it's famous journey to look for Chakotay and the Maquis. Tom Paris remembers the confrontation between a unruly Ferengi bartender and Harry Kim. But the past is the past, so they hope that they are welcomed.
"Prepare for docking and let the commander know we are here." Chakotay orders.
"We've been cleared for upper pylon two, Captain." The helm officer says.
"Very well. As son as we dock, all crew are on 24 hour leave until we start our new assignment." Paris orders.
"General Kira requests you and Commander Paris to meet with her in Ops, sir." The tactical officer says.
"We'll be there. Just as soon as we take care of something." Chakotay says.
As the ship is fully docked, Paris and Chakotay exit the airlock first, and the Starfleet security chief and a Ferengi lieutenant meet them there.
"This way gentleman. General Kira expects you. As the new ship assign to the Gamma quadrant, there are some procedures to go over first." Nog informs.
"I don't doubt it." Paris responds.
In the office of the commander the officers from Appalachia wait for a response form the general of the Bajoran militia. They look around and see mostly Bajoran artifacts decorating the room. But there is one thing that is out of place, a baseball on the desk. Paris picks up the baseball and looks at it closer. As he does Kira Nereys turns around and takes it from him.
"It was Captain Sisko's. It is a reminder that he could come back someday." She informs them.
"I thought that Captain Sisko was dead." Chakotay asks.
"He was officially listed as missing and presumed dead. But, he will come back as soon as he fulfills the work of the prophets." She tells them.
"We don't get many updates in the Beta quadrant, General. So pardon me if I-"
"You didn't know, well that is alright. So let's get down to business. You will be the new ship assigned to the Gamma quadrant science team. You will report back to the station once a week to offload equipment and archeological finds. The entire quadrant is your to explore with the other ship, but there is one system that you are not to enter for any reason."
"The system with the founders home-world. We read the report. It's part of the terms of the surrender of the Dominion. They wanted to be left alone, to not be disturbed." Chakotay adds.
"Correct. They want their privacy so we give it to them. Are there any others problems?" Kira asks.
"No, General." Chakotay says.
"Good. I do have one request on your part. I would like Lt. Hansen to remain on the station for your first mission. It will be only a few days." Kira asks.
"There shouldn't be a problem with that General. We'll inform her at once." Chakotay responds.
"Very well. You're dismissed." She orders.
As they leave they wonder why Seven has to stay behind. Perhaps it is more of Starfleet politics to annoy them into making a mistake.
In the infirmary, Dr. Julian Bashir treats a patient for a peculiar condition. His patient is not very happy being stuck there for the duration of his condition.
"Come now, Doctor. You have to agree that these walls could use some new colors. After all the same old boring scheme is most annoying to look at when you are stuck for days on end." Say the witty Cardassian tailor.
"I never noticed since I turn my attention toward my patients rather than the décor of the infirmary. My job is to treat people rather than decorate the station, Garek." Bashir responds.
"Well with your superior intellect, I would think you could do both." Garek respond. "By the way how much longer do I have to be here? I though this condition was only temporary. How you humans ever cope with these little diseases I don't know."
"I surprised that you caught the measles. It was cured 400 years ago, and it is as you said a human disease." Bashir says.
Bashir is distracted when the doors open, and in walks his fiancé, Ezri Dax. He goes to her and asks, "What are you doing here? I thought you had a shift in ops."
"I traded with Lt. Samuels. Besides we don't have any time to spend together." She tells him.
"We spend all kinds of time, planning our wedding." Julian responds.
"That's what I mean. All we do is plan this and that, or we work so much that we don't do anything else. Why don't we go to Quark's. We could play darts or go in a holosuite and battle all sorts of enemies."
"I would like to, but I have so much work to do." Bashir lies to her.
"No you don't Doctor. After all you said I'm cured, so I am leaving." Garek replies.
"You're not going anywhere. Sit down." He tells him.
Ezri looks at him and figures it out. "You're nervous because of all that has gone on. You need to relax, take some time off. Why don't you call Miles?"
"I would but he's gone on some assignment. And besides I haven't told him about us getting-well you know." Bashir says."
"That's okay. I told Keiko, and she told him." Ezri responds.
As the two continue to fight Garek sneaks out and walks down the corridor of the promenade. He runs into Jake Sisko, who is looking out of a window staring at the wormhole.
"You know-"he starts, "Staring at it won't make him come back any sooner."
"Do you think he knows? I mean is he looking at us right now?" Jake responds.
"I don't know. But I'm sure your father would want you to get on with your life. After all it's been a while since he-"
"Since he died. Since he disappeared. Since he became whatever he is. Try telling that to his wife and his new son. They have no idea just like me. And they don't know what to do until we have some answers." The older son of Benjamin Sisko responds.
Jake storms off to be alone once again. Garek looks concerned at him just as Quark walks up.
"He still is waiting for something that will never come." The Ferengi says.
"And just how do you know that. I thought Ferengi's believed in the afterlife." Garek responds.
"No. We believe that where there is no profit there is no life. Rule of Acquistion 121. These hu-mans don't understand the delicate balance between gain and loss."
"I believe that out you friend knows loss all too well." Garek answers.
"Maybe you're right. But until someone changes things, nothing will be the same. Nothing will ever be as it was. Captain Sisko, Odo, Chief O'Brien, Commander Worf, Chancellor Martok, we'll never see their faces on this station again."
"You never know, change could be just around the corner." The Cardassian tailor says.
As the two leave, Kira looks on from a distance hearing the whole conversation. She knows there will be change. She holds a pad with the new orders for the Starfleet personnel. They have been transferred to a new station called 1397. Deep Space Nine will be under full control of Bajor. She doesn't think it is such a good idea.
Kira walks down to the old security office. It hasn't been used since Odo left to rejoin his people. She enters the security code and walks in. She reminisces about the times she had with him in there. She puts down the pad and picks up his bucket, in which he used to revert to his natural state. She begins to cry as she remembers all that is gone form the station.