Tides of Treason

by MsBananaNanner

A mysterious explorer, N'ivryn, risks everything to cure a deadly affliction. As a young boy's life hangs in the balance and a tangled web of deception ensnares the station, loyalties and convictions are put to the test. Aided by Garak's ingenuity and Bashir's expertise, she faces a course of action that could alter the future of an entire species.

17. Part 5, Chapter 17

O'Brien's hands moved deftly as he worked to repair a section of the Lithar's hull. Using a plasma cutter, he precisely trimmed away the damaged edges before welding a new piece of duranium into place.

While carefully inspecting the crevices around the hull plating, he noticed something unusual. Tucked away in a small gap, he found tiny flecks of organic matter. Curiosity piqued, he extracted a few fragments with the flat side of one of his tools. His tricorder informed him it was plant matter, but didn't offer any further details.

"Wouldn't be the first time a plant hitched a ride," O'Brien muttered to himself, recalling other odd findings in his years of service. But something about this seemed different.

He continued his work, and as he removed another section of damaged plating, he found more traces of the same plant matter. He collected the plant fragments and carefully stored them in a small sample container, already drafting the message to Dax or Bashir in his head. A second thought occurred to him, then. "Or perhaps Keiko would be the one to ask."

Miles smiled to himself at the thought, momentarily distracted by the thought of Keiko's fascination with alien flora and the way if made her face light up. But duty called, and he refocused on the task at hand, still puzzling over the strange clues he'd uncovered.

O'Brien stepped back, his eyes narrowing as he studied the ship's hull once more. With the newfound knowledge of the plant matter, a different perspective began to take shape in his mind. The pattern of damage no longer seemed random or consistent with the effects of anomalies or debris from the Badlands. Instead, it started to resemble something he had seen before: the aftermath of a crash landing.

He approached the hull again, carefully inspecting the dents, scorch marks, and other signs of impact. Yes, the pieces were beginning to fit together.

"Chief," Kira's voice came over the combadge. "Sisko would like to see you in cargo bay 7. It's about the Tellarite freighter that's supposed to arrive later today."

O'Brien set down his tools, but not without a last troubled glance at the hull. "Aye, Major. On my way."