The *Maru 9* struck Julian Bashir as the love child of one of the runabouts and a merchant ship: gleaming technology and consoles counterpointed with metal grating, exposed machinery, and antique switches. But Bekyra made no secret of her affection for her ship, even forgiving his initial comments "under the circumstances." But the edge in her voice told him he would have to treat the rickety privateer like his old flesh and blood…especially if they couldn't separate the universes and he was going to be stuck here.

Bekyra worked her console. "We're clear," she reported to Bendylan. "Tyworrf's ship has launched-"

*Maru 9* rocked as it came under weapons fire.

"Status!" Bendylan barked.

"Don't tell me the Klingoneans have reneged already," Bekyra said

"No…" Rax said from the sensor console, "it's…Ben, it's Eureka Deep Space. We're being fired on by the station!"

"What?" Bendylan yelped.

8

8

On the *Androzia's* bridge, O'Harper and Roar'De gawked at the sight of the station firing at the *Maru 9* and the Klingonean troop transport.

"What the-" O'Harper stammered. "Has Big Ears finally lost his mind?"

"Jadommie!" Roar'De barked. "Report. Have the Klingonean capital ships responded?"

Jadommie Rax' screen image filled one of the monitors. "Not yet. The com traffic I'm intercepting indicates some confusion. They haven't brought their weapons to bear yet."

"Open a channel to the station, Jadommie. Demand to know what is going on."

"I've been trying, Commander, but the station is not responding to my hails."

"Keep trying!"

8

8

"Uncle!" Quark pleaded. "Have you lost your mind?" He and Pi Meson were being held at gunpoint by armed Ferengi guards in the station's Ops center.

Muon was working at a nearby console. "Hardly. I'm taking bold, decisive action, Quark. In this universe, the Ferengi are a dominant power. I mean to preserve that. The business opportunities are enormous."

"For all of five minutes, Uncle! Or did you not pay attention when I said everything is about to go 'foom'?"

"Socialist propaganda, Nephew-" Muon half turned and bumped into a chair. "Where did this come from?"

The chair became a golden, gelatinous mass that expanded into a human form as it spun Moun around. Odo finished the transition to his normal human form as he held Muon in a head lock.

"Lower your weapons," Odo barked at the Ferengi guards, "or I break his neck."

The guards sagged; Quark and Pi Meson collected their guns as Odo relaxed his hold on the old Ferengi.

Quark turned the console Muon had been at. He disarmed the weapons, then tabbed another control. "Quark to - buah buah buah – whoever. Everything is under control here. You're good to go."

Bendylan's voice answered, "We read you, Eureka. *Maru 9* out."

Quark turned to Odo. "Odo, I think you may have just saved the universe."

"Forget the universe," Odo growled. "I checked this station's record. In this reality, I work for you, Quark! That's intolerable. I can't allow it to continue if I can help it."

Quark flashed a toothy grin. "I know. But at least we'll have the memories of this moment to look back on fondly, won't we, Odo?"

Odo scowled.