A/N: My apologies for the delay in this chapter being posted. Circumstances have changed for me as I've started a new job recently. The standard disclaimer still applies. We don't own the franchises included here, and we'd love for you to review.

Chapter 19

Bra'tac and Lwaxana were out for a stroll. The daughter of the Fifth House, holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, and heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed was not one who gave up easily. Thus, she had come to Deep Space Nine when her husband had returned from his last trip to Betazed. She had pushed for accompanying him when he went out for battle, but he had put his foot down, and refused to allow that, so she spent time developing her telepathic powers. And she studied bantos from the duplicate of Teyla present on the station.

Today, however, the couple was on the promenade. Several shops had opened on the circular level, and they were enjoying visiting them, and each other's company.

"Master Bra'tac!" The voice came from behind them, and the Jaffa recognized it immediately.

He turned, smiling, and took in the red haired man who was hurrying to catch up with them. "Hammond of Texas!" He held out his hand and they shook. On either side of Hammond was a young woman; one blonde, and one brunette. The women were lovely, and some people were bound to make the wrong assumption, but over the years Bra'tac had become a great uncle to the girls. He had met Kayla and Tessa long before they were old enough to understand that the Jaffa was not from their planet. He had met their grandfather some time before that, after having come through the stargate from Chulak.

Kayla, the blonde, was in a Starfleet services uniform, and was an assistant to Dax in the science department. Tessa had taken after her grandfather and become a pilot. She was part of a group that had just earned their wings and were waiting for Enterprise to return so they could take their places on board.

Bra'tac turned to his wife and said, "You've met Hammond of Texas. These are his granddaughters, Kayla and Tessa." To the girls, he said, "This is my wife, Lwaxana."

She greeted the women, then held out her hand to Hammond, who graciously kissed it and told her, "It's good to see you again, Mrs. Bra'tac."

"Oh, call me Lwaxana, General."

They were starting toward Quark's when Tessa's communicator chirped, and she was called away.

The young woman hurried toward the docking ring, where she met up with another newly winged pilot, Rene Picard. She and Rene had become good friends in flight school, although the man was several years younger than her, especially if one factored in the Iconian time jump.

"Hi, Rene," she greeted him.

"Hello, Tessa. Where have you been?"

"I was touring the promenade with my sister and grandfather."

"Very well," he said, sounding much like his uncle, "I have the utmost respect for family, but in the future, if you would let me know you're going to be late, it would be greatly appreciated."

She nodded, and the two set out, jogging around the forty-five hundred meter circumference of the station.

Delta quadrant…

Everyone had finished their drinks so Neelix motioned for the Iconians to follow him. When they had exited the building, Jack told him, "Okay, Neelix. I'd like to know how you know all these things about us."

"I'll tell you, but this isn't the place to talk," he responded. He looked around for a moment, this way and that, then said, "Follow me."

He and Kes set off, while the Iconians stood uncertainly. Neelix looked back at them and said, "Well, come on!"

Jack looked at his people and said, "Let's go."

They followed through twists and turns, through the city, and eventually came to a small space port with a tiny freighter sitting in the center. The Talaxian led them inside the vessel. "This is my ship, the Baxial." He sealed the door and sighed in relief. "We can talk here."

"Okay," O'Neill said. "Now would you please tell me how you know all of this?"

"Yes, I will, and I'll also explain to your big friend there, how we happen to be this far from Ocampa." He looked a bit uncomfortable, but after a moment, he forged ahead. "As far as knowing these things about you, that's because you stood up to the Kazon, which is already well known."

Daniel wondered how they could possibly know about the Borg, but decided not to give the rumor any credence by asking.

"As far as our being this far away from Ocampa, I acquired a coaxial warp drive."

"What's a cohabitable warp drive?" asked O'Neill.

"Coaxial. It allows the ship to fold space. Because of that, you can instantaneously move from one position to another, light years away."

"A jump drive?" Jack asked his wife.

"That's what it sounds like," she answered.

Daniel held up his hand to interject. "Wait a minute, Neelix. When you say you 'acquired' a coaxial warp drive…"

Teal'c finished the thought for him. "You stole it."

"I wouldn't exactly say that I stole it." He shifted nervously.

"Did you give the previous owners any money for it?" O'Neill asked.

"Well, no," the Talaxian said sheepishly.

"That's called stealing," Sam said. "It's no wonder you're this far away from Ocampa."

"We're just trying to stay alive," Kes pointed out.

"Well," O'Neill said, "stealing something as valuable as a dual axle warp drive is not the way to do it."

"I'd like to ask for asylum with you," Neelix stated suddenly, forcing himself to ignore the mispronunciation this time.

O'Neill was astonished. "What?"

"Well, actually both of us," Kes interjected.

"Yes! Yes, of course. Both of us!" He put an arm around her protectively.

"Daniel, would you please explain to these two that we don't take in thieves?"

"Hang on, Jack," the vice chancellor said. He turned to Neelix. "How well do you know this sector?"

If it was possible, Jack's expression was even more shocked. "What are you doing, Daniel?"

"Well, Jack, you wanted me to diplomatize. That's what I'm doing. We may be able to utilize these two."

Jack took Daniel's arm and attempted to lead him away, "Can we talk in private for a moment?"

Daniel didn't move. He responded firmly, "No. This is my call."

Sam held up a hand and shook her head to stop O'Neill from saying any more.

"Well, Neelix?" Jackson asked.

"Pretty well, I would say," the Talaxian finally answered.

"How far have you been toward the gamma quadrant?"

"I've been almost to the edge."

Jackson wanted to be clear. "Of the gamma quadrant?"

"Yes," Neelix replied.

"Do you know how much of the gamma quadrant the Dominion encompasses?" Sam asked.

Daniel was slightly annoyed that Sam jumped in, but it was the question he was preparing to ask, so it was of little consequence.

"I'm not sure, but I can tell you," he paused for effect, "there are several places where their territory crosses the line into the delta."

"Is their presence in the delta quadrant growing?" Teal'c wondered.

"Not yet," Neelix answered, "but with the Borg no longer a significant threat, it's only a matter of time."

Jack looked at Daniel who nodded. He said to Neelix, "Ok. I want you to rendezvous with us in orbit. We'll lead you to our ship. You can set down on one of our docks."

The Talaxian was excited. "Thank you so much! You won't regret this!"

O'Neill shook his head as he turned to exit the Baxial. "I already do," he muttered.

Cardassia Prime…

Teyla and Sheppard were almost home. John had taken the day off work, they had altered their form so they would not be recognized, then they walked to the marketplace.

While there, they watched the preacher and listened to his message. They left as the group dispersed.

As they entered their home, and were surprised to see the preacher standing, waiting for them.

"I haven't seen you for a long time," he commented as his face started to change. Sheppard and Teyla watched in fascination as it flowed, and became not Cardassian, but human in appearance. It was a face they recognized.

"Oberoth," John breathed.

"It is gratifying to know that you still remember me, human memory being what it is, John Sheppard" the Asuran said.

"My name is Bronin," Sheppard said.

"That's what you call yourself here, yes," Oberoth agreed, "but your real name, the name you were given by your parents, is John Sheppard."

"I'm afraid…" John began.

"Please, don't insult my intelligence, Sheppard." He looked at Teyla. "You either, Teyla. I have known who you were from the first moment you appeared in the marketplace."

"Well," Sheppard remarked sarcastically, "it's a happy reunion then."

Oberoth nodded, appearing to miss the sarcasm, and sat down at their table. "Sit, sit," he said in a friendly manner. "I'm not here to destroy you. I have risen above that programming."

"Why do I doubt that?" John asked as he sat down.

"It does seem to be a stretch, Oberoth," Teyla agreed.

"Does it?" he asked. "Is it any more of a stretch that we meet with you two impersonating Cardassians over three hundred thousand years and a galaxy away from where we last saw each other? At that time, you destroyed my planet and my people."

"Now hang on, Oberoth. You didn't leave us much of a choice in the matter."

The Asuran looked at Sheppard gravely for a moment before responding. "No, I don't suppose I did." He looked at the tips of his fingers for a moment, before taking a much more serious tone in his voice. "The situation is this, John and Teyla Sheppard. You are not wanted here on Cardassia Prime. These are not your people and you will leave now."

Sheppard raised his index finger at Oberoth, "These aren't your people either."

"We have been invited here," Teyla added.

"Nevertheless, you will leave, or I shall destroy you."

"See, I knew our destruction would come into it at some point," John said shaking his head.

Oberoth raised his hand as if he was planning on banishing the two, but suddenly, there was a bright flash right beside him. He turned and found himself looking up at the face of Jean Luc Picard. On his other side was Todd, in his Wraith form.

"There will be none of that, Oberoth," Picard admonished. He pulled out another chair, and waved a hand, making one appear for Todd to use. As he sat, he said, "Now we shall talk."

Oberoth tried to get up, but found that he couldn't move.

"You shall not leave until I say you may," Picard informed him.

Jord…

Beverly and Annika Picard, and Trent and Janet Rockwell were in the delta quadrant, visiting the planet, Jord.

John Evansville had met Guinan on board Galactica, and had personally conducted her on a tour of his city, Let Devetnaeset.

"So you want to tour our city?" he asked, marvelling at the strangeness of conducting a tour for the same woman, but in a different form.

"Yes," Beverly confirmed.

They started out of the capitol building when suddenly, Annika felt dizzy. Her mother moved to her side and helped her to a bench beside the gateway column. "What's wrong, Annika?"

"I'm seeing strange images," the young woman replied. "They seem like they're from my life, but they're not."

Janet knelt down in front of her sister. "Tell me what you're seeing, Annika."

"I'm in some kind of ancient spacecraft. It is definitely of human origin, and there is someone talking. I'm holding some kind of machinery in my hand, and I'm looking at a man who has been dead for a long time." She paused for a bit then continued, tears in her eyes. "The dead man is the one speaking. It's very sad."

"Annika," Janet said, "What you're experiencing is what happened to you in the original timeline."

"If it happened in the original timeline, why am I experiencing it?"

Evansville was watching curiously. He almost offered to get a doctor, until he remembered that both Beverly and Janet were doctors. He turned to Rockwell, who motioned him over. "In the original, unaltered timeline, Annika became a Q. Apparently, it was at this moment in time, because it is now happening to her."

Prometheus…

The ship was in orbit around the planet when Rodney told Janeway, "I'm picking up something strange on long range scanners."

Chakotay, seated beside Janeway, started to say something when he froze. At the helm, Paris began swooning.

"Mr. Paris?" Janeway shouted. To Chakotay, his wife's voice was coming from a long way away. Suddenly, he was in a strange Federation shuttle, lying on a medical type bed. A woman with some type of implant around her left eye was glaring at him, clearly having just lambasted him for some mistake.

Paris found himself working in the engine room of a Federation shuttle, trying to remove a fused plasma manifold. He wasn't sure how he had arrived, but he knew exactly what he was doing, and that he had partnered with B'Elanna Torres to build this little ship. He suddenly changed his perspective, and saw a B'Elanna who appeared completely human, no ridged forehead, and tears in her eyes. They were in what appeared to be cages.

Chakotay was commanding an old raider class vessel named Valjean. It was clearly in the thick of a battle, and sparks were flying everywhere. B'Elanna and Tuvok were seated in the command area with him, and they were all wearing civilian clothing.

The scene changed again for Chakotay, and he was standing on the bridge of a starfleet vessel. He was flanked by Tuvok and a security guard named Ayala. They were holding weapons aimed at the Starfleet officers, the commander of which was Kathryn Janeway. Tuvok stepped forward and admitted that he was a starfleet operative, and Chakotay and Ayala dropped their weapons.

Paris watched several more scenes from his alternate past, then stood unsteadily on the bridge of Prometheus. He started to sway, and Kim rushed to his side. He was not the closest, but by this time, Janeway was focused on her husband.

Rodney stepped down to the command chairs. Tuvok stepped down on the other side of Chakotay and started to grab the battle captain's arm. "Don't!" McKay told him sharply.

Tuvok flashed an inquisitive glance at the Iconian scientist's face, and stopped his hand.

"I know you want to help, Tuvok, but if I'm correct, Chakotay and Paris have just gone through a mind broadening process that might overload your Vulcan brain."

"Explain that," Janeway ordered.

Rather than say anything, McKay tentatively reached out and touched Chakotay's face. The scientist gave an involuntary gasp, and started to glow as if he was going to become pure energy. After a moment, the glow faded, and he moved his hand away. "Wow," he gasped as if he'd just taken a sip of one hundred ninety proof moonshine. He took several deep breaths, and looked around the bridge. The only ones present were Janeway, Tuvok, Kim, the Doctor, and himself besides the two stricken officers.

Janeway was glaring at him, clearly impatient. "Doctor McKay, I realize that you are a being with considerable power, but if you don't answer me right now, I'm going to place you in the brig for the next six months. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Captain. Imminently." He took a breath and then explained. "In the primary universe, you commanded a ship named Voyager. It too, was dislocated to the delta quadrant. On this ship, Captain, you were the ultimate authority. Chakotay was your first officer. You weren't married, although I think you both considered the possibility."

Janeway gave him a dirty look and he hurried on. "In that reality, Chakotay, Paris, and Annika Picard entered what is known as a graviton ellipse. That's a spatial…"

"I know what a graviton ellipse is, Rodney."

"You sort of know, Captain. What you don't know, is that if one enters an ellipse unshielded, they will become Q."

"So they became Q in the prime reality?"

"Yes. At this very time, in the prime reality, they have entered the graviton ellipse, and have become Q."

"Why was Annika Picard with them?" Kim wanted to know.

"Because she was a Borg drone who became part of the crew," Chakotay said, opening his eyes.

At the helm, Paris was becoming alert to his surroundings as well. "Are you okay, Tom?" Kim asked his friend.

"Yeah, Harry. Thanks." He shook his head, and opened his mouth wide, as if to pop his ears. "That was a rush."

Cardassia Prime…

Todd was standing beside Oberoth, in his Wraith form. "Why are you here? Why are you preaching to my people?"

The Asuran looked mildly at the Wraith, a small smile on his lips. "I don't recognize your authority over me, Todd."

Todd nodded, and set his hand just above the surface of the table. His hand began to glow, and a weapon slowly coalesced under it. Todd picked up the weapon and brushed some imaginary smudges off the side of it. "Do you know what this is?"

"I'm sure you realize that I am immune to that," Oberoth smirked, avoiding a direct answer.

"You believe so?" Todd wiped another imaginary speck of dust off the weapon and pointed it directly at Oberoth's head. "Would you care to test that belief?"

"If that is your wish, certainly."

Picard finally raised his hand and asked the Wraith, "What good would destroying him do, Todd? Then there would be no answering of questions."

"You promised that he would not live."

"And so he shall not, but we need to know how and why he is here."

"He won't tell you," Todd scoffed.

Picard shook his head. "He will have no choice."

With that, the Q put his hand to the Asuran's head and the nanites that made up his body seemed to rush out to welcome him. They flowed around his hand and the Asuran screamed for one moment, then was still. Suddenly, the nanites lost their cohesion and fell to the floor and chair like sand. They did not move again.

Sheppard cocked his head and asked, "What just happened?"

Teyla was shaking her head. "Surely, you did not kill him."

"No," Picard said, his eyebrows raising. "He chose to kill himself before I obtained too much information."

"But you got some?" Todd asked.

"I secured what was crucial," the admiral responded.

"You didn't realize that he was going to kill himself?" Sheppard asked.

"Apparently he set up a failsafe switch. He had only to trip it, and he would disintegrate."

"Why would he commit suicide?" Teyla asked. She was clearly uncertain how to take this new development.

Picard took a deep breath. He had known they would ask, and he didn't really want to burden them with the knowledge. Unfortunately, he saw no other choice.

"What you are about to hear may be hard to take, but you need to know what has happened." As he was speaking there was a flash and another Q was present.

"I will be able to fill things in where you don't know the answers, Father," Janus explained his presence.

Slowly, Picard nodded. "Perhaps I should transfer the knowledge I obtained to you, and allow Merlin to tell the story."

"If you wish."

Picard closed his eyes, then flashed away. A moment later, Merlin flashed into the room.

He sat down then began, "My son, Wesley, created the Asurans as a weapon against the Wraith. What was not anticipated was that the self protection that was programmed into them would take them to the extremes that they have reached.

"As you know, the minute they were freed from their directive preventing them from harming the Lanteans, they attacked Atlantis."

"Listen, Merlin," Sheppard said, "we're really sorry about that."

"I'm not blaming you, John," the Q said. "What you don't know is that when Elizabeth became fully Asuran, Oberoth 'rewrote' her base code, so to speak. He put a directive in her being which would compel her to rebuild Oberoth himself if something were to happen to him. Her mind held a copy of his, and she eventually rebuilt him. She had no choice."

"So will she build another now that he is dead again?"

"She doesn't need to. He has made several copies of himself, and each one constantly transmits its memories to the others. The 'original' could die, and it would not matter."

Teyla sat down heavily at the table, shaking her head. "Oh, Elizabeth," she said sorrowfully.

Janus understood her feelings, but said quietly, "There's more, Teyla. It's what my father just let me know."

The three looked at Janus, so he continued. "Somehow, Elizabeth's personality changed. It's like Oberoth gave her a digital lobotomy, and she was not the same person we knew. She still has all of the memories of the original, but her morals have been removed, and she will do anything she can for herself. It doesn't matter to her if she hurts anyone else in the process."

"Is there any way to fix her?" Sheppard wanted to know.

"There is no way to put back what Oberoth removed," Merlin told him. "What has been done to her is permanent, but she will do no more harm than what she has."

"How can you know that?" Teyla asked.

"The First has made a treaty with her. She will not break it, because to do so, would be her demise."

"You're saying she is the Empress of the Borg?" Todd hissed.

"Yes," Merlin replied. "She is."