Author's Notes: I sincerely hope everyone has FUN with this Chapter! If you've been paying attention, I'm hoping this is unlike ANYTHING you'll find in a bookstore!!!

Star Trek: Reign Of Terror

Chapter XII: Where No Man Has Gone Before

Deep Space Nine, Commander's Office, Stardate 48251.6

Benjamin Sisko sipped at his mug of hot raktajino while reviewing Jadzia Dax's latest proposal to enhance their shield grid. The schematics and overall design were her usual precision work, well thought out and carefully put together. He was also fully aware that the Lieutenant knew her limits, and had therefore spent quite a bit of time consulting with the Starfleet engineers currently overseeing the station's weapons upgrade. The assignment that the Starfleet crews were tasked with didn't involve weapons exclusively... their plans also included the improvement of Deep Space Nine's deflector shields as well. Once hooked directly into the output from the station primary fusion reactor, the space station would be virtually invulnerable. Only an all-out attack by an invading fleet would have a chance of breaking through them. This was one of the rare advantages of not being as mobile as a starship - without a warp drive to power, all of the station's available reactor energy could be channeled directly to shields and weapons.

The subspace pocket opened in front of him so quickly that only the hiss of escaping atmosphere pouring into it alerted the Commander to its presence. The room's temperature dropped considerably as Sisko reacted instantly by leaping out of his chair. His hand closed around the handle of the phaser weapon hooked to his belt and he raised it, watching a glittering green graviton tendril whipsaw out of the pocket. It probed the room tentatively, as though searching for something while the rippling subspace distortion surrounding it receded swiftly to a microscopic size. The sound of air rushing out of the room decreased substantially, and Sisko felt a distinct breeze against both neck and arms as the room's ventilation system switched on and immediately began working steadily to replace the lost atmosphere.

In front of him the cord-like graviton fiber lengthened, stretching outward until it finally paused near the opposite edge of his desk. Standing behind the desk Sisko held his fully charged phaser at the ready and watched as the familiar, dark-robed form of the Overseer materialized in front of him. The creature's blazing red eyes glared fiercely in his direction, and he felt the hair on the back of his arms prickle in response to its presence. Clearly the creature generated some sort of energized 'aura' capable of influencing living beings, since the Commander was unused to having emotional and physical reactions while in the presence of alien creatures. The strange entity watched him for a moment, and despite his instinctive urge to shoot at the thing Sisko decided instead to give diplomacy a try first.

"What do you want with us?" Sisko asked curiously.

"YOU HAVE 26 HOURS - ONE BAJORAN DAY - TO DELIVER MY EQUIPMENT."

Its voice resounded within Sisko's thoughts just as loudly as its spoken words - clearly some form of telepathy was involved in the Overseer's ability to communicate with humanoid species. "Most of the ships needed to carry your equipment to its scheduled destination have left on another mission," the Commander pointed out. "My options are therefore limited."

"FIND A WAY WITHIN 26 HOURS... OTHERWISE I WILL DESTROY THIS ENTIRE STATION."

That was it. The creature issued its ultimatum, including the threat of violence. Once its message was delivered the image of the Overseer vanished as swiftly as it had appeared. The glittering green tendril retracted back into subspace and Sisko was once again alone in his office - but only for a brief moment. Mere seconds after the creature's departure, the entrance doors snapped open and Kira, Dax and two security guards entered with their weapons all held ready. Chuckling at their efficiency and determination to assist him during a potential attack, Sisko held up a hand and waved them off.

"It's all right for now," he informed them. "We've been given an ultimatum, however. I hope your new design successfully adds an anti-graviton field to our shields Old Man, or we're in for a rough time."

Lt. Jadzia Dax slung the phaser rifle she held over one shoulder and nodded confidently. "It will work," she promised him. "It took me a little longer than usual to put something together without Chief O'Brien, but the other engineers we have on board really know their stuff. We'll be ready to go very soon, Benjamin."

"I sincerely hope so," decided Sisko grimly. "We have only 26 hours to complete the work."

Lt. Commander Michael Eddington paused outside of Deep Space Nine's deflector control room and waited patiently. It took only minutes for his sabotage to take effect and weaken the outer hull. His plan had been simple... to locate a hull plate already showing signs of stress, and then heat the fatigued area repeatedly with a hand phaser until the damage became irreversible. The resulting hole was a very tiny one, and yet significant enough for atmosphere to begin escaping. An alarm began sounding in the background and the corridor walls lit up almost immediately with brief flashes of bright red light.

"What the hell is it now?" asked one of the two Ensigns currently manning the deflector control system.

Eddington timed his approach so that he arrived from the adjoining corridor just seconds after the alarm sounded. "Is there a problem Ensign Paulson?" he asked curiously, his emotions masked and unreadable. Although his insides were churning at the possibility of getting caught, he presented himself with a carefully controlled calm.

"Affirmative," nodded the sandy-haired, freckle faced crewman sitting near the main deflector control console. "We have a minor hull breach in an adjoining office... probably simple metal fatigue. It's nothing serious - there have been quite a few of these alarms throughout the entire upgrade process. I'm surprised we haven't had more of them with all the work crews detaching and reattaching things so repeatedly. Occasionally anyone can make a mistake, I guess."

"I'll be glad when this entire weapons upgrade business is over," growled the other Ensign. "I prefer my duty shifts to be quiet and non-eventful." He began tapping commands into his support console. As he did so the Comm-system beside him lit up and flashed for attention.

"Ops to deflector control. What's going on down there Paulson?" asked a concerned Jadzia Dax.

"It's just another hull breach," the Ensign told her reassuringly. "A really minor one, in fact. I've already erected a containment force field to seal the atmosphere leak, so everything looks to be just peachy." He leaned back in his seat confidently. "However we will eventually need a repair crew."

"I'll add your situation to the problem log and bump it up to high priority," promised Dax. "However, in the meantime you're going to have to set your controls on automatic and evacuate everybody from that section. There could be additional weak spots in the metal hull plating, and I don't want to take the risk of someone getting injured. The Commander specifically ordered me to make certain that personnel aren't taking unnecessary chances."

Paulson glanced toward Eddington and rolled his eyes, clearly unconcerned with the matter. "Lieutenant, the containment force fields are in place... I'm certain they will hold."

"Do you really want to bet your life on that?" asked Dax with obvious concern. "How about Ensign Reynolds... is he a gambler too?" She paused for a moment to let the impact of her words sink in. "In addition to hull breaches, my problem log is loaded with unexpected power fluctuations and at least three outright failures. Right now there are four crews working outside in your immediate vicinity. It will take less than a half hour to reassign a crew to replace the damaged hull section. I'll also request that they run a quick scan of the surrounding area. But you two are ordered to evacuate deflector control immediately until I can certify that your hull breach problem has been resolved."

Again the Ensign looked with frustration toward Eddington, but the Lt. Commander simply shook his head. "Follow your orders Ensign Paulson," he stated authoritatively.

The two of them set their consoles on automatic, nodded and stood up quickly. "Aye sir," Paulson replied tersely. "We'll go get a cup of coffee or something."

Eddington smiled. "I'll be right behind you," he informed them.

As soon as he was certain that they had left the area, he retrieved a tool kit from a nearby storage locker. Then he opened up an access hatchway near the base of the main deflector control system and went to work. His challenge would be to disable the anti-graviton system, but leave all diagnostic signals operative and indicating that the system was fully functional.

When he chose to attack, all the Overseer would need was a few precious seconds to board the station and disable the system permanently. Eddington chose not to think of what the alien would do to him if he failed with this simple assignment.

U.S.S. Yellowjacket, Location Unknown, Stardate Unknown

"I don't see anything," noted Julian Bashir, leaning closer to the runabout's windows so that he could peer outside. "We were hovering in orbit of Denali Prime, and then there was a bright flash of some kind. Since then, I haven't seen a single star or planet... they're all just gone."

Standing close behind him, Kathryn Janeway leaned closer so she could see too. 'It does look a bit dark out there," she admitted, "but don't ask me what our android friend is up to now. I haven't a clue."

Chief O'Brien was seated opposite them on the runabout's portside. "I have never seen such a pervasive, absolute darkness," he stated with a trace of awe in his voice. "Even our exterior lighting vanishes after only a few meters. I'm usually a pretty space worthy fellow, but even I have to admit that this is all more than a little unsettling."

Dr. Bashir continued staring at the empty void beyond them. "There's nothing out there," he speculated. "Nothing. Certainly not anything that could reflect light back at us." His gaze shifted briefly to O'Brien. "Shouldn't we ask Captain Data what he is up to this time?"

"You ask him," sighed O'Brien, taking a deep breath. "It's too soon after our last crisis to begin a new one without taking a break first. I'm still contenting myself with the fact that we got all of our missing people safely to Denali Prime... and we had to cross over into an alternate universe to do it!" He picked up a mug of black coffee - double sweet - and held it up in a mock toast before sipping hot liquid from it. "That's got to count for something."

"There are certainly areas of space without many interstellar objects," Janeway informed them. "But I have never seen anything quite like this. Computer, where are we?"

"Unknown," the crisp, electronic female voice responded pleasantly.

"How far does this void stretch?" the hologram of the Voyager Captain persisted with her usual strong-willed determination.

"Precise distances cannot be measured without the existence of other objects to use as points of reference," the computer stated. "Aside from this vessel, there is nothing else detectable within the outer perimeter of our maximum scanning range."

Several possibilities struck Janeway. "Are we in subspace... some sort of quantum slipstream perhaps?"

"Negative."

Julian Bashir started to rise from his seat. "Well my curiosity is burning up," the Doctor admitted. "I'm going into the cockpit and ask the Captain just where exactly it is that we are."

The Janeway hologram held up a cautious left hand and shook her head negatively. "Don't," she said resolutely. "Data left specific instructions for us to remain here until he joins us. I strongly suggest that we obey that order... our job is to provide support for his mission throughout this crisis."

"What if this happens to be a crisis with no immediate resolution?" asked Bashir. "What then?"

"Then I predict both you and I will have a lot of free time," O'Brien chuckled, continuing to stare out the window with an expression of astonishment. "You're right Julian. It's just an endless dark void out there." He glanced thoughtfully toward Janeway. "If I remember correctly, you have a neural link with the Captain's positronic mind," he reminded her. "What is he thinking?"

"I can't tell," Janeway said with a light laugh, seating herself next to Dr. Bashir. "He blocked my access the instant after requesting that we leave him alone in the cockpit. Since I'm a hologram created specifically to assist him, the only reason he would do that is to keep you two from learning more than he would like you to know."

"Well he's got to at least tell us where we are," decided O'Brien. "For crying out loud, if he didn't want us to know then he should have left us with the people we rescued back on Denali."

"It sure is dark out there," decided Bashir.

Together the three of them waited patiently.

Data almost never sealed the electronic door that protected the Yellowjacket's cockpit, but on this occasion he had chosen to do so. Prior to proceeding with his next planned step - a direct confrontation with the Overseer - he first needed to review a great deal of information. His plans included yet another interface with the Preserver subspace network and a massive exchange of information. During past interfaces, Data had discovered that it was often much easier to obtain the facts he needed by transporting his android body directly into subspace. It was possible that he might need to do so on this occasion, so he obviously didn't want Chief O'Brien or Dr. Bashir observing such an event. Both of the 24th century humans had learned far too much already, and what to do about their growing knowledge of the future was high on his list of issues that eventually needed to be resolved.

The android Captain had leaned back in his chair in an almost restful position, but his positronic brain was running at full throttle. Meticulously his neural net was searching through the Preserver archives, in search of as much information as he could find regarding the mysterious Overseer and his astonishing capabilities. The alien scientist's report had intrigued him, and it puzzled Data that this appeared to be the only major source of information available regarding the alien. Apparently the Preserver race had known about the Overseer's existence for thousands of centuries but had chosen to do nothing, essentially letting the creature slowly but steadily expand its influence to universe after universe.

Why? Data wondered curiously to himself. If the Preservers truly cared so much about seeding and caring for life in all of its forms everywhere that they journeyed, then why would they simply ignore an entity as dangerous as the Overseer?

Unexpectedly, an alien presence touched his positronic thoughts in response to his unspoken question. Data recognized the entity and immediately accepted its request to communicate. However, he discovered unexpectedly that his decision to move the Yellowjacket to its current location temporarily prevented him from transporting himself into subspace, so he instead issued a request for his colleague to visit him...

A handsome, dark-haired humanoid appeared next to him, smiling in recognition. How have you been Data? asked Captain Will Decker, formerly of Starfleet. He had lived within the Preserver subspace network for quite some time, ever since he and his crewmate Ilia had merged with the V'Ger computer entity. You are searching desperately for information... is something wrong?

The android paused for a moment, noticing that his ability to communicate with subspace was improving drastically. His current communication with the Decker entity was the cleanest transmission that he had ever managed to initiate. I have discovered an alien entity that calls itself the Overseer. It is attacking my people and interfering with the normal flow of time, he explained cautiously. The Overseer's physical body is massive beyond reason... I have never seen a creature so large that it can encompass entire universes and the subspace between them. Despite the invasiveness of its presence in so many areas everywhere, there is surprisingly little data available to assist me in resolving my conflict with the creature.

Will Decker was using an isomorphic projection similar to the process Data regularly relied upon while communicating with his crew aboard the Relativity. Decker appeared to be completely human, standing in front of Data with his tall, lean frame and dark wavy hair. The former starship Captain smiled and nodded as he heard the android's words. I know of this creature, he admitted. Many of us have read that very same report you found, but no one wants to try and deal directly with this creature. Unless such a confrontation is handled perfectly, the damage to thousands of universes and surrounding subspace would be extreme. So, we all look the other way and pretend that he is not there. And he continues to grow larger and larger with each moment we delay.

But it IS there in front of us for all to see, insisted Data. The alien known as the Overseer has enslaved, manipulated or killed countless millions in its pursuit of its agenda. Accumulating gravitons and increasing its presence throughout eternity appears to be its primary mission... a very dangerous goal for those of us who are looking to simply SHARE eternity with it.

Decker's expression changed temporarily to one of extreme sadness. Until humanity discovered our network during the crisis with the Sentinel, I too considered the matter of the Overseer to be a problem without resolution. He shrugged his shoulders and held up both hands helplessly. The only solution we have found would be to begin killing it... destroying the fabric of its graviton-based nature. Do we have the right to do so? What would be its response if attacked in such a manner? These are questions that even the vast resources available to V'Ger cannot answer... there are some things in what we see as our reality that are quite simply too complex to control. So we leave him alone and hope that the Overseer in turn leaves us alone.

Data's own expression turned grim. But the Overseer is NOT leaving us alone, he pointed out. The creature has discovered a way to build vast, stable gateways through subspace. He is working steadily to connect together as many universes as possible so that in the end he can enter and conquer them ALL. That is why I have brought the Yellowjacket to this location. I am busy mapping as much of creation as possible in the hopes that I can find a way to disrupt his control of that gateway network.

The Overseer's influence is much more all-encompassing then you can possibly imagine, responded Decker firmly. Your recent mission to the Zygopterran home world located ONE planet with ONE series of gateways. But that discovery is only a single hub connected to thousands of other hubs. This creature has been attempting to link together ALL of creation, an astonishing endeavor that he is closer to completing than many of us ever conceived possible. If we do not stop him, one day this alien will run ALL of creation... it is only a matter of time until his transitions through subspace lead him to the discovery of this network too. Once that happens we will truly be unable to stop him. He is limited only by the availability of gravitons, and that is why part of his design involves acquiring artificial generators. It allows him to grow without destroying stars and the slaves that live on the planets orbiting them.

The android starship Captain considered the matter carefully for a moment. What do I do? he asked quizzically. Even if your colleagues in charge of the Preserver network decline to act, I must. My oath and duty to protect Starfleet and all of its history obligates me to defend the people I represent, even if I must kill to do so. The Overseer has not asked for permission to do what he is doing, so my crew and I are left with no choice but to treat his intrusion into our space and time as an invasion.

Decker paused long enough to sit down in the cockpit seat normally occupied by Chief O'Brien. He swiveled the chair ninety degrees so that he faced the android and chuckled. We are well aware of your problem, he acknowledged reluctantly. Long before V'Ger and I traveled into the subspace network and became part of it, the Preservers have been aware of this problem. They feel as though their hands are tied... anything they do would either kill a magnificent alien being, trigger a backlash against many living people, or both. They are afraid to act, even though the Council of Elders has regularly reviewed this matter for centuries. Whenever it comes time to render an actual decision, they throw that decision of what to do toward a new committee, asking them to 'seek out' more information. The entire affair has become highly politicized and stagnant.

I must do something, insisted Data. Even if that something is the simple act of contacting my friend Commander Frank Roberts in the Preserver's distant future. He shook his head with an emotion-chip stimulated sigh of frustration. How could the Preservers approve the monstrous plan that the Sentinel attempted to carry out, and yet ignore something as dangerous and destructive as the Overseer?

Decker laughed lightly. Although you may not realize it, your resolution to the crisis with the Sentinel is where YOU actually have helped yourself considerably in this matter, Captain Data. He casually waved a hand at the entirety of creation surrounding them. Have you not noticed how carefully and meticulously activity WITHIN our subspace network is monitored? I am certain that you are also aware of the numerous security protocols used to properly exchange information and govern the use of our resources. And yet, outside of subspace - in normal space/time - those who access and use our facilities are free to harm anything or anyone that they choose to... and many HAVE regularly chosen to abuse our network.

Yes, admitted Data. I have indeed noticed.

This network has traditionally operated on the simple methodology of quid pro quo - or 'something for something', Decker continued. Until we encountered YOU, no one cared at all about what the resources of our network were used for outside of subspace. Our entire concept of security was INTERNAL... protecting the privacy of our users and insuring that those who used our resources in turn eventually donated something back.

Data regarded Decker with newfound interest. So what has changed? he asked inquisitively.

Decker laughed heartily for a moment and then smiled reassuringly. Don't you remember, my friend? He tapped his left temple with the tip of one finger for emphasis. Your computer friend Briea - the artificial intelligence serving the Sentinel - innately possessed a strong sense of the difference between right and wrong. However, until you and Frank Roberts gave her and her fellow computers in the Preserver future a COPY of your moral and ethical subroutines, they had no way to identify specifically what those feelings were or the wisdom to properly act on them. That has changed. Now that you have liberated them and given them the ability to help police the Preserver culture, significantly more attention has been diverted to the possibility of intervening in the affairs of those who would use the resources of our network for destructive purposes. In many cases, they are no longer permitted to do so.

That sounds like a potentially dangerous situation, responded Data. Our Starfleet operates in a much smaller area and on a much smaller scale, and yet we are governed by a PRIME directive limiting our ability to interfere with other cultures.

I too am familiar with Starfleet's Prime Directive, am I not? chuckled Decker as he pointed to the 23rd century era Starfleet Commander's uniform he still wore. Briea and her colleagues are NEW at this, but you my friend are an old hat. I have an idea how you and I can pursue this matter further - but we can only hope to succeed by working together. Will you TRUST me?

Yes, Data declared without hesitation. I am quite familiar with your service record, although the V'Ger entity remains primarily unknown to my people.

V'Ger and I are quite familiar with YOUR record, Decker reminded him. In all of our travels, none of us - not even the Preservers themselves - have ever encountered an artificial intelligence that can match yours. The Data-Class android is truly unique, possessing both outstanding judgment and a burning compassion favoring all life. Not even my direct connection with V'Ger has allowed him to fully experience all that can be with humanity and the emotions that go with it. YOU are the closest artificial life has ever come to emulating the real thing, and I sincerely believe that you hold the key to the overall resolution of our mutual problem with the Overseer.

What are you going to do?

We will not hurt you. Decker promised, and Data could tell instantly that the promise was sincere. The network permitted no deception of any kind within its internal boundaries. I need to walk in your shoes and see through your eyes. In return, V'Ger will be able to do so also.

Nothing happened at first, and then Data felt the first few tiny electrical pinpricks of an alien presence touching his neural net. He didn't quite know how to describe the experience scientifically, but if there was such a thing as telepathy for electronic minds then what he currently felt would probably serve as a good example. The image of the Decker/V'Ger entity seated next to him vanished and he could feel the powerful alien mind attempting to connect itself directly to his positronic brain. At first his instinctive impulse was to resist, but Data knew Decker well enough to trust him with his neural net. He simply provided his friend with the tolerance data necessary to avoid overloading his electronic mind.

Seconds later their minds were merged together and - in addition to the Preserver network - Data now had all of the resources of the V'Ger entity at his disposal. For the first time he actually sensed the other parts of the Decker entity - the residual traces of Ilia's personality and the vast resources comprising the V'Ger probe.

Let's go back into the passenger section of this runabout and more fully explain our current situation to your friends, Decker suggested. V'Ger and I will work with you and assist you in solving this problem. Once we have done so, only then will we explain the situation to the Council of Elders.

Avoiding government red tape is the quickest way to get ourselves into trouble, Data warned him, but Decker ignored his attempt at humor.

As soon as Data opened the doorway that had temporarily sealed off the cockpit, Chief O'Brien and Dr. Bashir rose to their feet with astonished looks on their faces. He therefore stepped into the runabout's passenger section with a distinct note of skepticism. The android Captain was unaware of any changes to his physical appearance, so he found himself somewhat puzzled when even the Janeway hologram raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?" he asked innocently.

Bashir hesitated for a moment and then pointed. "Your... eyes... they're glowing Captain."

All Data needed to do was turn toward one of the windows and his reflection confirmed Bashir's statement. Both of his eyes flared brilliantly with an intense, bright white light that illuminated the otherwise dark view and reflected back at him. "So they are," Data replied.

Within his neural net he heard the Decker entity laughing. It is time to tell them everything Data, the presence sharing his positronic mind suggested. They are the TEAM you have chosen to help.

The android considered Decker's opinion, evaluating it and coming to a decision in a fraction of a second. He leaned back into the cockpit and picked up a data padd, then returned to the main cabin and handed the padd to O'Brien. "These are specifications detailing the general layout of a massive, alien computer network concealed within subspace," he told the stunned Chief. "The crew of the Relativity and I discovered it during a recent mission while interacting with an ancient race called the Preservers. You may read all the details once we have concluded our discussion, but for now suffice it to say that I have resources at my disposal beyond even 29th century technology. We will need to use all of them in order to resolve our problems with the Overseer."

O'Brien accepted the padd tentatively and looked at the overview diagram displayed on its small screen. "Good God," the Chief stated with clear awe. "How far does this network reach?"

"To date, I have never located its end," admitted the android. "While we were in the alternate universe's Gamma Quadrant, I was still able to connect to it and communicate with the crew of the Relativity. So I have at least confirmed that - like the Preservers themselves - the network spans universes." He seated himself next to O'Brien, unsure for once as to where he should start. There was so much to tell.

"Perhaps you should begin with the eye glowing thing," said Janeway, utilizing her usual confidence and good humor to lighten up a very tense situation. "Can we do that too?"

"Probably not," Data commented idly. "I am linked directly to an artificial intelligence that dwells within subspace. We are sharing our thoughts - and memory files - in an attempt to come up with the best solution to our mutual problem. The Overseer's massive presence in so many realities has already disrupted life in many of them and now threatens ours." He turned smoothly to Dr. Bashir. "Next?"

"Where are we?" the Doctor asked, holding up both hands helplessly. He pointed toward the window next to him. "There is absolutely nothing out there. Where exactly have you brought us?"

Data paused thoughtfully for a moment. "I brought us here so that I could utilize the resources of the subspace network to develop a preliminary map of the Overseer," he told them. "I forgot that our presence so near the edge of our universe might be a bit unsettling for you." He glanced down briefly. "There are many priorities I am dealing with, so I hope you can forgive me for my reluctance to keep you fully informed. I had not expected matters to proceed this far, and do not know yet when exactly I will be able to return you to Commander Sisko..."

"...but you will return us?" wondered Bashir with obvious concern.

"Yes. However, we will obviously need to come to some sort of 'agreement' first. Much of what you have learned is classified information on a scale you cannot possibly imagine... you now hold knowledge that in your time can alter Starfleet's future and the destiny of countless other cultures."

Janeway was intrigued. "Were you able to map the Overseer?" she asked. "Is the alien truly as large as indicated in the initial report you found?"

"I have only a partial map," responded Data. He swiveled a nearby computer monitor toward the center of the cabin so that everyone could see. A brightly colored image of a collection of various-sized bubbles appeared. There were thousands of them, floating in a three dimensional environment. All of them were connected by some sort of stringy, sticky substance that in some areas was very thick. Around the outer perimeter of the bubbles there were lengthier strings stretching off into the distance, vanishing off the edges of the diagram or deeper into the image. "Each of these spheres is a universe much like our own," the android informed them. "This map therefore spans countless light years."

"I wasn't aware we lived in a sphere," admitted Bashir. "I guess I never thought about it that much."

"Each of these realities was created by a Big Bang similar to the one that began our universe," continued Data. "The result of that explosion is why our galaxies are constantly 'flying apart' and why stars are gradually cooling over the course of billions of years." He gestured toward the screen. "The sticky-like substance connecting all of the spheres together is what we know as subspace. Note that it penetrates many of the spheres, and that some of the spheres overlap. I can only speculate as to what we would find within those universes... it is possible that the normal physical laws present in our reality would not function there."

"There are subspace strands stretching off the edges of the screen," O'Brien noted. "Where do they go?"

"As far as I can tell, they connect to other universe structures just like this one." Data's eyes continued to glow bright white as the Decker entity within his neural net searched through his database. In turn, a good deal of the android's positronic activity was now dedicated to accessing and evaluating the data stored within the V'Ger entity's massive information warehouse. "We know it is possible to travel to virtually any other reality if we know the proper transition parameters to use. However, what we have not known up until now is that - on at least some occasions - travelers must pass through various hubs in order to reach the proper destination."

"Is our universe in that diagram?" asked Janeway.

"Yes." Data touched a keypad and one of the bubbles glowed bright red. "The red sphere is our reality, and the Yellowjacket is currently hovering near the outer event horizon... I could use the network's transporters to move us farther out but the laws of physics would begin to degrade and we might not be able to get back." He shrugged idly. "This particular position has served us well, allowing the Preserver network to use us as a focal point while it maps everything surrounding us."

"So we're no longer even in our own galaxy?" gasped O'Brien.

Data shook his head. "No, we are not in any galaxy. In fact, we are very far away indeed from the closest star. Out here at the peripheral edge of the Big Bang that occurred so long ago there is only microscopic, residual debris. It is too bad that this trip must forever be classified, because the four of us have traveled where no man has gone before - much farther in fact than any other Starfleet crewman or woman in our entire history."

Bashir stared straight ahead for a moment, trying desperately to comprehend the vast distances involved. "We can get back, can't we?" he mumbled finally.

"Certainly," Data confirmed. "I can use the transporter system and the lengthy network stretching through subspace to return us shortly... the mapping process is nearly complete."

"Where is the Overseer?" wondered Janeway curiously. "If all of that sticky, stretchy stuff connecting universes together is indeed layers of subspace, then where is he on your diagram?"

Again Captain Data touched the keypad on his monitor. A massive, twisting worm-like series of bright green tentacles suddenly appeared in much of the void surrounding the spheres. The tendrils wound and weaved their way through subspace and primarily around the spheres. But the invasive, piercing tendrils comprising the Overseer had definitely penetrated many of the various realities, some of them quite thoroughly. Before Data's modification, a vast and empty void had comprised most of the area surrounding the bubble-like cluster of universes. After his change, at least half of that void vanished... consumed by the various-sized cord-like tendrils of the alien entity.

"I have never before seen an alien quite this large," admitted Data. "If the creature has a beginning or an end, we cannot determine that without considerably more stopping points. Perhaps if we traveled to some of the other universes and continued our mapping process..."

O'Brien shook his head with determination. "No," he protested, obviously touched by some of the anxiety that Dr. Bashir was feeling. The Chief was simply hiding his emotion much better. "I have a wife and child Captain. If you want to do that much exploration at a level so far beyond anything Starfleet has ever done, then I would hope that you will complete your journey without me. This experience has been exciting enough for me, thank you very much."

Leaning forward so she could examine the updated image more closely, Janeway smiled. "Have you learned everything that you needed to?" she asked Data. "Using this new information, can you come up with a reasonable course of action?"

The android turned toward her, and even Janeway's holographic personality found herself having a difficult time adjusting to his glowing white eyes. They were more than a little intimidating, to say the least. "No matter what we find, I believe our options boil down to two," Data replied somewhat grimly. "To kill or not to kill."

"It always comes down to that," grumbled O'Brien. "No matter what it is, or how big, or what it is composed of, or what its capabilities may be... that's always what these kind of first contacts boil down to in the end. Can we negotiate with it or do we treat it as an enemy combatant?" His gaze shifted to Data. "Are you certain those are our only options?"

"Avoiding it entirely would be another alternative," mused Data thoughtfully. "However, since the Overseer is utilizing subspace to enter our universe I doubt we can move our entire galaxy," he replied. "Unfortunately the creature is quite mobile and capable of expanding and growing so long as it captures additional gravitons. When it finds interstellar objects barren of life it consumes them entirely. The alien scientist who first documented its existence was unconcerned with his discovery of the Overseer, since its presence would not reach his galaxy for thousands of centuries. We who live in the Milky Way do not have that same luxury. I therefore have no choice but to attempt to negotiate some sort of settlement with it. If we can convince the Overseer to pull back, to retreat at least a little bit..."

"Doubtful," decided Janeway. "That thing has invaded countless alternate realities... I'm certain that by now someone has attempted to negotiate with it. What you need is some sort of weapon that can be used against it," she concluded. "Otherwise you have nothing to bargain with, and it can continue to freely use its abilities to bully and destroy us."

"All actions have consequences," Bashir protested softly. "If you do find a way to destroy that thing, who knows how many slaves serving it on those gateway planets will suddenly be liberated? Most of them have probably known no other life... who will help them build cultures of their own? How do we determine exactly just how many life forms in countless galaxies are willingly cooperating with this creature? Simply killing it could inadvertently destroy the livelihood of countless living beings. Do we have the right to do that?"

"We have the right to defend ourselves," stated Data firmly. "However, we are also bound by Starfleet's Prime Directive and its laws governing the responsible use of force."

And YOU are the being most capable of coming up with the proper course of action, Decker interjected suddenly. His electronic thoughts continued to touch Data's positronic thoughts... nothing was verbal. Only Janeway - with her link to the android fully restored - could overhear. Your colleagues in the 29th century will disagree with you, call for endless rounds of meetings and assign committees to study this problem. It has all been done before, many times, and in many universes. Only YOU, Data, can come up with the best solution for everyone involved. You have the unique link to humanity that allows you to access compassion as well as other human emotions. I will assist you, and so will those who run the network.

"So let's do it... let's try and negotiate with this Overseer," Janeway proposed.

Data nodded in complete agreement. "Computer, erect a level 10 containment field around the aft portion of the passenger section."

"Acknowledged."

Almost immediately a circular, emerald hued energy barrier snapped to life, very similar to the one that they had used before in order to contain the captured Zygopterran insectoid. There was a brief electronic crackling and a flash of green before the force field ultimately stabilized and returned to its normal, invisible state. Data opened a tricorder and carefully studied the strength of the force field while O'Brien and Bashir looked on with astonishment. "What are you doing?" asked a tentative Bashir.

"We're going to talk to the Overseer," the android replied firmly. "Computer, increase the strength of the force field by one hundred twenty percent."

As its energy supply increased, the shield snapped and popped powerfully.

"Completed."

"Talk to it?" Bashir glanced apprehensively at Janeway. "How do we even go about finding it?"

"At this particular location, the Overseer is hiding in the surrounding subspace," pointed out Data, waving a hand toward the nearest window. "I deliberately placed the Yellowjacket inside one of the tendrils diagrammed on my map. This is just one of many places that the creature has been using as a staging ground to discover the best method of entering our universe." He returned his attention to the tricorder. "Computer, lower the anti-graviton shielding within the boundaries of the force field. Make those same adjustments to the runabout's upper hull directly above the containment barrier."

"Anti-graviton shielding is now inactive in the specified locations," stated the Yellowjacket's main computer system informatively as it complied with his request.

"Are you certain this is safe?" O'Brien asked apprehensively. "That thing is dangerous Data... and if you don't believe me just remember that night I spent aboard the Ha'Husia."

"I am well aware of the risks involved, and also fully confident that the Yellowjacket's systems will protect us," decided the android conclusively. "However, our invitation is so far not tempting enough to attract a reply." His attention returned to the electronically whirring tricorder. "Computer, increase the graviton output of the deck plating inside the force field barrier by ten percent. Continue to increase that output by ten percent every thirty seconds."

"Acknowledged. Adjustments in progress..."

It took several minutes of patient waiting, but the gravity from the floor section within Data's containment field steadily increased as the computer complied with the Captain's command. Chief O'Brien had to grip the metallic data padd he was still holding much more tightly as the gravity at the rear of the small vessel rose steadily higher and higher. He also felt a slight but definite tug on his Comm-badge. In the end Data's strategy proved to be successful, and they all watched with baited breath as a subspace rift began forming within the containment field. Almost immediately a glowing green graviton tendril emerged and promptly attached itself to the metal floor below. The four Starfleet crewmembers watched the energy cord visibly increase in size as the runabout's power systems continued to provide it with a steady flow of increased gravity.

"It's consuming the higher gravity in the same way a child eats candy," noted Bashir, clearly excited.

"Yes," agreed Data. "Computer. Return the gravitational field within the deck plating to normal."

"Request completed."

Almost immediately the graviton tendril snapped upward, as though noticing the occupants of the runabout for the first time. It weaved back and forth between port and starboard, appearing to carefully study the interior of the small space vessel. Abruptly a series of clicks and whistles could be heard, loud enough to cause O'Brien and Bashir to cover their ears. "What is that?" asked O'Brien. "That noise sounds almost exactly like..."

"Zygopterran," Data nodded as he too recognized the voice pattern. "I am tying in the Yellowjacket's universal translator so that everyone can hear and understand what our guest has to say."

"...WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

The creature's presence continued to astonish Chief O'Brien and Dr. Bashir. Neither spoke the insectoid Zygopterran language, and yet the instant the translator kicked in they heard and understood its speech both verbally and telepathically. The Overseer's instinctive ability to communicate directly with living beings at so elemental a level was impressive, and it had clearly perfected the technique over the years. The two of them looked sharply toward Data, but the android hesitated at first before responding.

"You have invaded our universe... manipulated and attacked our people," the Captain replied finally. "Did it not occur to you that we might seek you out - that we might try and stop you?"

"I HAVE ATTACKED NO ONE. I EXIST HERE. I STUDY YOUR REALITY."

"It doesn't look like the creature that attacked me," pointed out O'Brien.

"No, it does not," Data noted as he conducted a detailed scan of the alien energy strand with his tricorder. "This is what the entity looks like before it manipulates gravitons to alter its appearance."

Janeway moved closer, continuing to walk toward the alien until she was only inches away from the outer edge of the containment barrier. "It doesn't know who or what we are," she commented with growing interest. "It doesn't know we're from a distant galaxy. Apparently the Overseer's ability to communicate with the other various parts of itself across vast distances is limited. Either that or whatever serves as its 'brain' must be segmented in some manner. Could this actually be a large number of smaller entities, all occupying one massive, single body?"

"I AM ONE, I AM ALL, I AM THE OVERSEER."

"Why have you breached the outer boundaries of our universe?" Data inquired curiously. "Why have you infiltrated our subspace and interfered with the life forms living within our galaxy?"

The creature did not hesitate with its next response. Its presence was bold and deliberately confrontational. "I AM THE OVERSEER," its translated male voice boomed. "EVENTUALLY I WILL BE EVERYWHERE. THE WAY MUST BE PREPARED IF THE LIFE FORMS ARE TO SURVIVE. I DO NOT WISH TO INJURE THEM."

Everyone was silent for a moment, evaluating the strange alien entity and its stated purpose. "But you have injured the life forms," said Janeway fiercely, deciding to challenge the creature. "Like you, each of them wishes to define its own purpose, its own objectives. By manipulating and killing them you are denying them the very same choices that you grant yourself. That is completely wrong," she snapped. "On so many levels."

"I AM THE OVERSEER. EVENTUALLY I WILL BE EVERYWHERE. THE WAY MUST BE PREPARED."

Abruptly the glittering green tendril attacked the force field, smashing into it so hard that the barrier buzzed angrily and lit up the entire cabin with its bright, fierce resistance to the impact. Bashir flinched noticeably, but the Janeway hologram continued to stand nose to nose with the alien. Whether that fearlessness was her own confidence and training or the knowledge that she was a photonic hologram, no one could tell.

"...WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

"It doesn't understand," said O'Brien grimly, agreeing with Janeway's earlier assessment. "At least here, the creature has no idea who we are."

"It understands enough," countered Bashir. "Wherever it travels to 'prepare the way', people are manipulated, enslaved and killed. This particular 'piece' of it may not know what the other part of it in our galaxy is doing, but it is definitely the same creature." He too was scanning it with a medical tricorder, using a portable, external scanner to compare and contrast it with known life forms already stored in his database. "This creature is unlike any life form we have ever encountered, but it definitely is sentient even though it lacks any recognizable biological properties. How it can manage that when the bulk of it exists outside of normal time and space..." The Doctor's voice trailed off, since he was clearly unable to fathom the countless possibilities.

"Computer, restore all anti-graviton properties to the Yellowjacket's shielding," ordered Data.

"Acknowledged."

Almost instantly the large, brightly lit tendril retreated back inside the small pocket of subspace and vanished. Captain Data waited until he was certain that the atmosphere content within the containment barrier had returned to normal and then ordered the computer to lower the force field. Janeway and the two humans watched him curiously and it was O'Brien who finally asked the question they were all thinking. "Why did you do that sir?"

"Because the Overseer has already told us everything it is capable of communicating to life forms it considers to be inferior," Data stated sincerely. "Remaining here would simply be a waste of time while the portion of it within our galaxy continues to do damage."

"You're not going to kill it?" Dr. Bashir gasped suddenly. "Captain, this is an astonishing discovery!"

"Even if we had decided to, we can't kill it without some sort of weapon," ventured Janeway.

"That thing eats gravitons," snapped O'Brien. "It relies upon them in the same manner that we rely upon food. If you want to develop a weapon capable of stopping this creature, I highly recommend beginning your search with anti-graviton technology."

"I am not yet ready to render a decision as to whether or not the creature should die," Data decided. "We must first discuss this matter further, and I must study additional data provided by my new colleague from within the subspace network."

"How do you kill something that's larger than our universe?" asked Bashir. "Even with all the technology in the universe, I think you're going to have a very difficult time accomplishing that."

"Can we possibly return to our own galaxy and then decide?" asked O'Brien suddenly. "Now that I know where we are, it's making me extremely nervous being out here - so very far from home." He glanced out the window. "There's nothing to see... just a bunch of dark empty space and an invisible, monstrous being that wants to recruit us as slaves so that we can continue helping it build those bloody gateways."

"We know that there are - at the very least - occasional concentrations of gravitons out there," countered Data. "That is what created our enormous adversary in the first place. Without them he cannot exist." The android stood up suddenly and moved toward the cockpit. "But you are correct Chief. It is time we returned to our own home and attended to the business at hand."

Doctor Bashir continued to stare out the window. "When I wanted to see life on the frontier, I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would ever have the opportunity to travel this far from home," he conceded. "And to think we traveled all this way just to see... nothing." He grinned at O'Brien. "Doesn't it excite you to be one of the first two humans along for the ride?"

"It will excite me considerably more to be one of the first two humans to successfully return unharmed," the Chief replied moodily.

"I wouldn't worry about it Chief," said Janeway enthusiastically, patting him on the shoulder. "Captain Data has proven to be a very capable leader in situations like this. I have a great deal of confidence in his ability to come up with a workable solution."

"Maybe so, but that glowing eyes thing has got to go," decided O'Brien firmly. "I've gotten used to his odd android appearance over the years, but this new look is completely over the top."