Captain's Log: Supplemental. We've been observing the new Orb for over thirty hours now and I must admit the crew is getting tired of watching it act like a searchlight to an empty field. Dr. Katmus was able to surgically alter an away team so they can observe the Orb from a close vantage point and they have reported several natives glancing from the trees and then running away. On a personal note, I haven't found any prophecies that foretell this event.
"Captain Kira, can you join me on the bridge?"
Kira clicked off the computer and stood to exit her ready room. Col. Bara sat in the command chair and he could tell right away that the Captain was not happy. Apparently, he had interrupted her train of thought; he would pay for this later in the spring ball court.
"Sorry to interrupt, sir," as he tried to start damage control, "we have an interesting reading on the Orb that I think you should like to see."
Bara stood and waved down to the command chair, offering it like a gentleman would offer a seat to a lady who had just entered. Kira sat and looked down at the display in the armrest. I showed some type of energy building, but on the surface, there appeared to be no change of immediate concern. She stared up at Bara and back at Hinto, who manned the science station silently.
"What do you think, Tade?"
The Trill officer turned and looked back at her superior officers. They could tell immediately that Tade had no idea what it meant, if anything.
"I think I wanted to have some idea about something before I went off-duty. It doesn't look like I'm going to make it and that irritates me."
"Captain," Lt. Fanle piped in, "I have the away team. They say something's happening with the Orb."
Kira flopped down in her chair.
"Open a channel."
Fanle punched a button on the panel and Chief Engineer S'Ling's voice rang over the audio speakers with her usual Vulcan non-emotional tone.
"Captain, we've some interesting changes in the energy readings emanating from the Orb. As more and more of the natives approach and observe the Orb from a discreet distance, the Orb's energy beam has steadily decreased and just a few moments ago, ceased entirely. It is still generating power, but no longer in a visible manner."
Kira furrowed her brows and looked to Bara who simply shrugged his shoulders. Kira wondered if this was how it was on Bajor when the first Orb appeared to them so many millennia ago.
"Captain," S'Ling interrupted her thoughts, "a large native has come out from the underbrush and has approached the Orb."
"What do you think he's planning to do?" Kira asked up to the ceiling.
"I would hypothesize that he might be 'counting coup'; that's an ancient Earth term that was used when Native Americans warriors would show their bravery. Counting coup could be as simple as touching an enemy with a stick."
Kira looked almost annoyed. S'Ling was an excellent Chief Engineer, but Kira though Vulcan's in general could be so damned arrogant and that irritated her to exasperation.
"Yes, S'Ling, I know what counting coup means, Captain Sisko told that to me some years ago."
"Of course, Captain, I apologize. At the moment, the native is cautiously approaching the Orb. He appears to be attempting to touch the Orb or even to grab the Orb and take it with him. I would surmise that he feels that this would be a great prize. Captain, the native has suddenly stopped moving and is simply standing in place near the Orb. The energy readings of the Orb spiked just as the native ceased his approach."
"Could he be having some type of Orb Experience?" Kira spoke up to the speaker.
"That is possible" S'Ling responded. "His behavior would seem to follow the general parameters of such an event. Captain, the native has turned and is speaking to the others hiding in the brush."
Kira looked confused.
"Can you hear what he's saying S'Ling?"
"Yes, Captain, he said 'The Reckoning will now continue'."
Dr. Mayes took Scott and Megan to the Arboretum. Megan smiled when she entered. Since her return to duty, she had been here many times and strolled through the growing plants and fresh air. Professor Keiko O'Brien worked very hard to start and continually improve the Arboretum on DS9 and because of her work on Bajor; she stocked many Bajoran plants, both common and endangered, for the enjoyment and health of all. Although Megan was born on an Earth colony, now she felt at home here and on Bajor. It seemed that Gary Mitchell had set her on a new destiny. It seemed, like Benjamin Sisko, she was now of Bajor. Korryn led Megan and Scott to a small potted bush, now dry and withered from lack of water. The caretaker had quite innocently missed this poor bush and now, it was beyond hope.
"My guess is if you still remember everything you did on Bajor and on el'Aena, you can repeat that same thing now." Korryn said, touching Megan lightly on the shoulder. "I noticed this bush yesterday as I was walking through here. Let's see you use your gift now on this bush."
Megan stepped gingerly to the plant and hesitated before touching the fragile leaves, as if she would be disturbing a grave. Once her finger touched the leaves, they sprang to life. This plant had been resurrected from death. Scott gasped loudly and stared at his wife.
"Well, if that don't beat all."
Korryn smiled broadly, while Megan continued to stare at her handiwork.
"Commander?" Rachel called over Scott's comm. badge.
"Yeah, Rach, what's up?"
"We've got a message from Captain Kira and the Tsalagi. She wants to speak with you."
"Patch it through here, Rach."
Kira's voice answered after a short delay.
"Commander, what do you know about the Reckoning?"