Sorry for the huge lag between updates! Things in the real world have been crazy busy between college exams and me starting a very demanding full time job. This chapter is much shorter than my usual, and is just to let you guys know I haven't abandoned this story. Thanks for every body who has read, reviewed and hopefully enjoyed Enclave. -Solvdrage

Chapter VII: Recognition

Deep Space Nine

Benjamin Sisko stared out into the depths of space as the Imperial Star Destroyer Draconis and its Dreadnaught cruiser escorts, the Nothung and the Kusanagi exited hyperspace over the northern pole of Bajor. The Imperial ships were easily the largest vessels he had ever seen. All three ships, the Draconis in particular, were undoubtedly designed to strike fear into the hearts of the enemies of the Empire.

Suddenly, the colors of the stationed bled away and time simply stopped. A crewman approached from Benjamin's left. "The Sisko is concerned."

The only beings that referred to Captain Sisko in that way were the Prophets. They rarely appealed directly to Sisko, instead preferring to speak to their Emissary in dreams.

"Yes, Prophets. I am." Another Prophet, temporarily inhabiting the body of an Andorian approached from the frozen crowd behind him.

"Concern is unnecessary. Why fear such crude matter? A much brighter light approaches."

Sisko wheeled around and faced the Prophet. "What are you talking about?"

Kira Nerys, also possessed, narrowed her eyes. "The Sisko has too narrow a view. A light too long extinguished has returned. The Sisko must embrace it."

"What must I embrace? What is this light?"

The crewman-Prophet stared deep within Sisko. "The path will reveal itself. Walk in the light so that the shadows can not claim you."

The colors returned to the surroundings and time restarted with a lurch. Kira Nerys, free and completely unaware of her short time as a vessel for one of her gods, turned and faced Benjamin.

"Is something wrong, sir?"

Captain Sisko flashed a confident smile. "The Prophets just spoke to me. They said something about a 'light too long extinguished'."

Kira was intrigued. "Anything else?"

"Only the usual cryptic commands."

Major Kira tried to understand. "Do you think they were warning us about the Dominion?"

"I don't think so. We've just made contact with some of their protectorates. Starfleet is sending the Odyssey through the Temple. We'll find out soon enough."

The Hokage, in orbit around Cardassia Prime

Gul Jenot paced nervously as he contemplated the startling revelation standing before him. Dukat was actually seeking to incorporate the Union into the Dominion! The very thought was repulsive. Yet, at the same time, Jenot could see the logic, the necessity of this alliance. The Cardassian Union was decaying and the only reason it had even survived after the wars against the Federation was through sheer inertia. Only radical change could save Cardassia now. Raval turned his attention from his pacing to the seemingly emotionless figure of the Female Changeling.

"The Central Command has been driving Cardassia into oblivion for years. You and Dukat are right, for Cardassia to survive, radical changes must be taken. I will support you, Gul Dukat. I will play my part in shaping the future of the Alpha Quadrant. Cardassia must be strong again!"

Dukat smiled and interlocked his fingers. "Excellent. Your loyalty to Cardassia and strength of conviction will serve us well. All of the Union will know of your sacrifices and character."

Will serve us well…Those words were not lost on Jenot. "Thank you, my friend. By your leave, I will retire for a while. The twin stresses of war and this revelation are taking their toll. Some rest would do wonders."

Dukat's smile broadened and he motioned to the door. "Of course. Again, you have my utmost gratitude for your choice."

Jenot bowed. "Then I will take my leave." The exhausted Gul turned sharply on the balls of his feet and exited the room. The Female Changeling waited for a moment before turning to Dukat.

"I wish you had listened to me, Dukat. Jenot would have been much more useful as a martyr. You saw it in his eyes. He is already planning ways in which to resist us. There is no doubt that he will betray us."

Dukat shrugged his shoulders. "I am well aware of where Raval's true loyalties lie. He will make an excellent martyr. But, we need a figurehead with which to secure the support of the Army. Raval will speak of the incompetence that cost Cardassia Drenok II and the Army and public will listen. He will resist us in due time. But by that time, the Dominion's control over Cardassia will be complete. Our idealistic Gul will then be rejected by the very Cardassia he loves so dearly. Then he will be no threat to us. He will be worse than dead. He will be broken."

A momentary flash of annoyance appeared on the Female Changeling's face. "You best be right, Dukat. I do not like these games you are playing."

Deep Space Nine

The Lambda class shuttle touched down in Shuttle Bay 11. The assembled Starfleet personnel were almost taken aback by the contrast between the elegance of the Imperial shuttle and utilitarian warships orbiting Bajor. Chief O'Brien had expressed interest in finding out why the Imperials did not possess any transporters outside the units secured from the Xindi. It was just one of numerous questions Starfleet wanted answered. The entry ramp of the shuttle finished opening and a pair of soldiers wearing stark white armor took positions at the bottom of the ramp. The troopers stood at rigid attention and only moved to salute the three Imperial officers who followed closely behind the troops. At the center of the trio of officers was an older human male wearing a very simple military uniform. A Xindi-Arboreal stood behind the Imperial, but did not wear the same tunic-style uniform of the human. The shock of seeing a Xindi and a human working together was both refreshing and troubling to the assembled Starfleet personnel. The memory of the Xindi attack on Earth would never go away.

However, the shock surrounding the appearance of the Xindi was nothing compared to that generated by the third Imperial officer. Ro Laren, wearing an Imperial uniform, was standing next to the human officer. Chief O'Brien opened his mouth as if to speak, but caught himself and stared blankly forward.

Captain Sisko took a step forward and extended his hand. "I am Starfleet Captain Benjamin Sisko and I wish to officially welcome you to the Milky Way, the Alpha Quadrant and Deep Space Nine."

Zev Seldi smiled, took Sisko's hand and shook it heartily. "Thank you, Captain Sisko. I am Captain Zev Seldi of the Imperium. I thank you, and Starfleet, for agreeing to this meeting on such short notice. The Imperium merely wishes to secure a place in this new and unfamiliar galaxy. We know that we must establish relations with the various nations of the Alpha Quadrant."

Establish relations? Then why are you at war with Cardassia? "Completely understandable, Captain Seldi. Perhaps we should continue this discussion in the primary conference room?"

Captain Seldi's smile weakened slightly. "Unfortunately Captain Sisko that will have to wait. I come bring urgent news. The Imperium has been tracking several Borg… Cubes via long range probes. Our best estimates are that the Borg Cubes will be arriving in the Alpha Quadrant in 24 Earth hours. We are sending several of our own warships to assist the Federation."

Captain Sisko visible shuddered at the thought of multiple Borg vessels heading for the Federation. "Do you have any idea where they are headed?"

"Our former Starfleet personnel believe the Cubes will attack Earth, Vulcan and Bajor. However, we will force them to engage long before they reach their targets."

Major Kira shook her head in disbelief. "May I ask how?"

Commander Ro Laren took a single step forward. "If I may, Captain?" Zev merely nodded and Ro continued to speak. "The Imperium possesses a class of ships known as 'Interdictors' that are capable of ripping any ship traveling faster-than-light back into real space. Somehow it works for hyperspace, warp and transwarp equally well."

Chief O'Brien spoke next. "That shouldn't be possible. From what I'm familiar with, all three methods function on completely different principles."

Captain Seldi took a deep breath. "You are correct, sir. I am sure that one day we will figure out how. But, we have urgent work ahead of us."

Benjamin Sisko was wary. His strong moral compass was warning about both Captain Seldi and the Imperials. He had seen the reports from Starfleet Intelligence. The Imperium's war against the Cardassians was a brutal conflict. Most appalling of all was the complete destruction of Veren III. The ferocity of the attack was something even the Borg abominations would have never considered. The Emissary of the Prophets swore that he would never trust such an organization.

Prefabricated Prison, Northern Continent, Enclave

Inquisitor Hijad Tzarik was bound and tossed into an interrogation room. The room was bare and uninviting, even by Imperial prison standards. Tzarik was still drugged and borderline unconscious from the multitude of stun blasts he had suffered. In fact, the number of times he was stunned would have killed a normal sentient. However, he was no ordinary sentient. He was a Dark Side Adept of the Emperor. He was the personal protégé of High Inquisitor Volytar. If this was an earlier age, Tzarik would have even been a full Sith! His rage and power would sustain him. Tzarik fed upon his pain and was beginning to stand when a COMPNOR agent and an Imperial Army soldier entered the room. With an inhuman scream, Hijad tore apart his bindings and leapt across the room and began to throttle the COMPNOR interrogator. The soldier pulled his E-11 carbine and aimed at the rogue Inquisitor, but Tzarik threw his stunned victim into the Army man. In the moment of distraction, Hijad knocked the soldier to the ground with a powerful kick. The COMPNOR agent had attempted to escape the moment he had hit the ground, but Tzarik's Force-enhanced speed caught up to the crawling human. Tzarik did not waste any of his Force connection on the coward, but merely used the room's table to batter the man to death. Hijad then ran down the hall to the only other occupied room in the prison. Once he reached the room he quickly located his lightsaber and activated the blade.

"As the Jedi return, so must the Sith. Inquisitor Tzarik died in that cell! I am Darth Svara!"