Chapter Fourteen: Trust

Alissa beamed over to DS9 half an hour before her lunch with Colonel Kira. She wanted to look around. Before she had stolen the shuttle she had never left Earth. She wandered the Promenade visiting the shops. Several people stared at her armor, but didn't realize she was Borg.

Finally the time rolled around. Alissa walked into Quark's and spotted Kira at one of the back tables.

"Colonel Kira?"

"Alissa, have a seat," Kira replied. "I have to say I'm surprised to be sitting across a table from a Borg drone."

"I know. I'm also sure you think I'm pretty young to be the Borg leader. I plan to age myself before the next phase of my mission."

"And what exactly is your mission?"

"To find allies against an enemy I recently encountered in the Delta Quadrant. Have you heard of the attack on Earth?"

"Yes," Kira replied. "I understand that your fleet helped defeat them."

"Correct, but I think that was only a scout fleet. The main force is likely still gathering. I probably shouldn't tell you this, but the only reason I came to Earth was because of a message from the future."

"The future?"

"Yes. In that future the Borg had gone to war with the Alpha Quadrant Alliance. New technology resulted in a costly victory for the Borg, and the Kreedak used that opportunity to attack the entire galaxy. The Alpha Quadrant fell quickly. The Delta and Gamma Quadrants took decades, but were taken as well. One of my commanders brought a vessel to this time and warned me of the Kreedak. That is why I am seeking allies. You could say I'm forming my own Federation."

"I see," Kira replied, confused. "But what does any of this have to do with me."

"I know you're friends with Odo, a Founder. I want you to convince him to help me begin talks with the Dominion." Kira's eyes widened.

"You want Odo to talk to the Founders for you?"

"No, I want him to help me convince them to listen to me. If he refuses I will simply leave and try on my own, but the longer it takes me to find the Founders the stronger the Kreedak will grow."

"I suppose you can talk to him. Come on." Kira led Alissa to Odo's office where he was reviewing a station security report.

"Hello Nerys. Is there something I can do for you?" Odo asked. Then he noticed Alissa. "Hello, who are you?"

"My name is Alissa, and I need your help."

"What can I help you with?"

"Convincing the Founders to listen to my proposal."

Seeing the surprised look on Odo's face, Kira explained. "Believe it or not Odo, Alissa is the leader of the Borg. She's the owner of that big ship out there," Kira was referring to Alissa's Diamond, which had caused a stir of panic before it had cloaked. "She wants to form an alliance between the Borg and the Dominion."

"I…see, and she wants me to speak to the Founders on her behalf?"

"Yes. I would be grateful, since the Borg do not presently know the location of the Founders homeworld. I assure you I have no interest in assimilating the Dominion. If that was my goal, I wouldn't be here. So, will you help me?"

"I'll speak to Commander Sisko. He was on Earth when the Kreedak struck."

"Very well. I'll return to my ship. Contact me when you've made you decision," Alissa replied before beaming out.

After Alissa was gone, Odo turned to Kira. "What do you think? Is she serious?"

"I think so. I know when people are lying. She was hiding something, but I think she's serious about establishing an alliance."

"Then if Commander Sisko agrees, I'll go with her."

…

"How did your meeting go?" Sinal asked Alissa.

"Well enough I suppose. I'll probably get an answer in a few hours. Until then, I'll be in my maturation chamber."

"What's that?"

"A machine which will make me older. I don't think the Dominion leaders would take a twelve year old girl seriously. Don't worry, I'll still be me."

"Can I do it too?" Sinal asked.

"Not unless your father says you can. After the Resalians are destroyed I'll talk to your father with you ok?"

"Ok! I'll see you when you're done," Sinal said as she watched Alissa enter a chamber that rapidly filled with fluid and green light. "Come out soon."

…

Twelve hours after Alissa had left, Odo got a reply from Commander Sisko. He gave Odo permission to go with Alissa but told him to watch his back. Since the Defiant was undergoing maintenance, Odo elected to travel on a runabout that would dock with Alissa's ship. Everything was set. Now all Odo had to do was tell Alissa.

…

Alissa emerged from her maturation chamber in a rush of steam. It had used far more power than a standard chamber, but Alissa now looked eighteen years old. Her brown hair fell down her back nearly to her feet. She would have to cut it. Her armor had modified itself to accommodate her larger body. She flexed her limbs and cracked her back. Sinal had been waiting for her.

"You look amazing!"

"Thank you Sinal. Now, I believe Odo just said he will come with us. His runabout is leaving the station now." Odo's face came up on the viewer.

"Ready for docking."

"Acknowledged, transmitting docking coordinates now. I'm glad you decided to come Constable."

"Thank you. I'll transmit the course once we've cleared the wormhole."

"Very well. Stand by." The runabout docked to the side of Alissa's Diamond, which was still cloaked. The two vessels approached the wormhole which opened larger than normal to accommodate the Diamond. Soon the Dominion and the Borg would meet. Alissa hoped they would listen to her and accept her offer of an alliance. Only time would tell.

How was that? So Alissa and Odo are about to meet with the Founders, but the meeting won't go as expected. And the Kreedak will soon have a HUGE surprise for the Borg. What will it be? Keep reading and find out. In the next chapter the Borg and the Dominion will meet. What will happen? Find out in the next exciting chapter of A New Way. See ya all then, and don't forget to review!

ENTILZA