"…and the next thing I knew, I was here," Olma said, concluding her fantastic tale.

Frey'Eleyr stood with arms folded and didn't try to hide her skepticism: "And somehow you were fortunate enough to come through into the 'combined universe' unaltered with your memories intact."

"Astrophysics is not my field," Olma said, "but it seems likely that whatever agency is responsible for this has combined the universes imperfectly, and those without obvious counterparts 'slipped through the cracks,' as it were. In any event, that doesn't change the urgency of the situation; I was given to understand we may have only hours to separate the universes before they destroy each other."

"Or that is what Captain Shickunt wants us to believe," Frey'Eleyr snorted. She shifted her gaze to Tyworrf. "As tricks go, this one has the feeling of desperation. I would have expected better from him."

"I'm not so sure," Tyworrf said. "Her words have the ring of truth."

"What-" Frey'Eleyr broke off, moved to a corner of the bridge, and gestured Tyworrf to follow her. When he had joined her, Frey'Eleyr pitched her words for her husband alone: "Don't tell me you believe this old crone!"

"I don't see how I can afford to not take the chance that she's right," Tyworrf replied.

Frey'Eleyr put her hand on his cheek. "Do you remember how we met?"

"Of course."

"And our wedding? Surely you must remember that."

"Of course I do." He smiled slightly. "It was the happiest day of my life."

"We share years – a lifetime of memories, even though this old woman claims we have existed for less than an hour. Let's say she's telling the truth. For all we know, we could experience decades together before the universe ends; it may not even happen in our lifetimes." She drew a little closer. "I will take those lifetimes – and Bendylan's head – over anything, Tyworrf, no matter how convincing-"

An officer interrupted: "Sir, the *Androzia Defiant* is hailing us."

Tyworrf kept his eyes locked on Frey'Eleyr's. "And there is your answer, my wife," he said quietly. He moved to the center of the bridge and faced the big screen. "Put him on the screen."

Bendylan appeared. "Tyworrf," he said without preamble, "it seems we have a more pressing problem to deal with."

"Yes," Tyworrf said, "I just heard myself. I take it you are going to propose a truce so we can go to Bajor and investigate?"

"Yes. Our…disagreements will have to wait."

"Agreed. You take the *Maru 9,* and I will come down with a small party in a troop transport. I suggest we leave our capital ships here to…monitor the situation. And I won't insult you by insisting you come unarmed."

"Thank you. See you soon. Shickunt out." A tactical display replaced him on the screen.

Tyworrf turned to Frey'Eleyr. "My wife, I leave you in command. No arguments," he added when she started to speak. "My decision is made. Olma, you will accompany us."

After Tworrf, Olma, and a couple of guards had left the bridge, Frey'Eleyr flounced into the command chair and didn't hide her annoyance.

8

8

Bendylan rose from his command chair. "Quark," he said, "I'm sending you back to the station-"

Trance interrupted, "You should get O'Harper back here."

Bendylan looked at her, then nodded. "Rax, see to it. Doctor, you and ….the ladies will accompany me, Bekyra, and Rax. Roar'De, you're in command. DO NOT fire unless fired upon. The whole universe – two universes – depend on us getting this right."

Roar'De grunted and nodded towards the screen. "Tell Tyworrf that."

"He knows."

As Bendylan lead his party out of the bridge and down the corridor, he muttered to himself, "Yes, Tyworrf knows…"