The screen flickered and the Commonwealth symbol was surrounded by a menu. An option selected itself and the menu was replaced a backdrop that looked like a corridor of files. A face built up in it. Dax recognized the face she had seen earlier, but the uniform was different and a red streak ran through the black hair.
"Andromeda?" Dax blurted.
"Yes," Andromeda replied, a little warily. "Identify yourself."
Dax couldn't keep schoolgirl enthusiasm out of her voice. "My name is Jadzia Dax. I'm…I'm contacting you from another universe! We picked up some of your signals from the Orb of Ages."
"I see," Andromeda said. She seemed to weigh Dax, and decided to open up a little. "Strictly speaking, I am Andromeda Ascendant The Ship Made Flesh. You may call me Rommie."
"The ship made…" Dax said. "You're an avatar!?" She turned to Sisko. "Benjamin, this is incredible! Some computer scientists hypothesize a sentient A. I. could install itself on multiple platforms within a ship's network, everything from a ship's mainframe to nanites to, yes, androids which would be avatars of the central intelligence. The hypothesis is very controversial and no one is sure that it would work. But the other universe cracked it, Benjamin! They figured out how to build avatars, and we're talking to one! This is-"
"Dax," Sisko said.
"Hmmm?"
"I don't mean to put a damper on your enthusiasm," Sisko said, "but do you think you and…Rommie could arrange for me to speak to her commanding officer?"
"What?" Dax had to remember why she was there. "Oh, yes. Of course. Rommie…?"
"I'm already working on it, Jadzia."
"Of course you are."
Rommie rolled her eyes.