Star Trek: Reign Of Terror

Chapter XV: Patterns Of Force

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

Captain Data was quite busy for over an hour after the Yellowjacket resumed its course away from the Relativity. Within minutes of departing, the runabout dematerialized into a concentrated data stream and rocketed through the Preserver subspace network. Data brought the small vessel back out into normal space near the outer edge of the universe - but this time on the opposite boundary that he had selected during his first visit out of the Milky Way. He kept the runabout stationary and waited while the Preserver's massive collection of sensors kicked into operation and busily began adding new information to his growing, three dimensional diagram now depicting countless thousands of galaxies and the vast distances between them. Tucked neatly within the subspace attached beneath normal space and time, the enormous glowing green tentacles of the Overseer - carefully concealed nearby - were also detected, located and added to the image.

Patiently the android waited as the Yellowjacket's main computer continued to update its growing database of telemetry. As soon as Data had the information he needed the runabout plunged back into subspace and swiftly dematerialized back into the subspace network's transporter system. He had carefully pre-selected more than a dozen points from which to situate the Yellowjacket. Relying upon his usual android efficiency, the Captain moved the runabout back and forth across the vastness of the universe and paused at each stop just long enough to continue adding additional details to his map. Within an hour after their most recent departure from the Milky Way, Data's model of the Overseer's presence within their universe had grown extremely detailed and meticulously accurate. His fingers seemed to dance across the helm console as he swiftly programmed a new set of coordinates that would order the runabout's main computer to bring them to the very center of the universe... to the birthplace of all galaxies within the universe.

They had quite literally moved back and forth across millions upon millions of light years.

Data was not so busy, however, that he failed to observe the Janeway hologram silently sitting next to him. "You are unusually quiet Captain," he observed. "Am I that boring a colleague?"

She laughed at his joke, but it was blatantly obvious to the android that she was clearly bothered by something. "You're not boring at all," Janeway replied honestly. "As a matter of fact, you've become downright relentless on this matter."

"Is there something wrong with that?" he asked curiously. "We need information in order to come up with the best solution to the problems caused by the Overseer's intrusion into our time/space."

"We just left an entire Timeship behind... a vessel crewed by trained personnel who could do this job much better than the two of us. Prior to that, we had Chief O'Brien and Doctor Bashir on board, ready and willing to assist us. But you left them behind too," countered Janeway, glancing at the side of his head inquisitively and watching while he continued working. "What are you up to Data?"

"I am not 'up to' anything," he stated factually, disagreeing with her by using his overly polite manner.

The hologram of the Voyager starship Captain folded both arms in front of her and smiled dryly at him in response. "Perhaps I should present a more specific question," she decided. "Why do you feel like you have to solve this problem all by yourself?"

He turned in his seat just enough to face her, but fortunately the holographic simulation of Janeway was too close a replica of the actual person to be easily intimidated... even by his still brightly glowing eyes. "Chief O'Brien expressed concern about the possibility of venturing outside of our universe," he informed her. "I decided to respect his wishes not to travel that far... before this matter is settled, it is possible that you and I may have to."

"O'Brien is a willing member of Starfleet," protested Janeway. "Other assignments he receives are just as dangerous as this one, especially after Deep Space Nine is unexpectedly plunged into the center of the coming Dominion war." She continued to study his demeanor carefully. "The Enterprise showed up at Deep Space Nine, and other starships are sure to follow now that the problem near Bajor is escalating." She pointed sharply at the floor. "This runabout could have remained behind and continued to monitor temporal incursions and provide Sisko with all necessary support. Why didn't you bring your Timeship here Data? Why have you isolated yourself from everybody who could help us?"

Data pondered the matter longer than she expected before answering. "I am the Captain. This is an extraordinarily risky assignment, and I do not wish to lose anyone. As a fellow starship commander, I am certain that you understand my misgivings about involving too many people."

A frown creased her brow. "I guess that depends on what specifically it is that you're planning to do."

"This crisis, Captain Janeway, will not be solved easily. It may require a sacrifice."

"How do you know that for certain?"

The android stared straight ahead, continuing to program additional commands into the helm console. A bright green flash appeared briefly in the cockpit windows as they emerged from subspace and rematerialized near the exact center of the universe - as close as Data could safely position them. He was extremely hesitant to answer her, but could tell by her refusal to look away that she was clearly waiting for a response. "Because I already have a tentative strategy worked out. And if you remember, our last mission required a similar sacrifice," he said finally, refusing to look at her.

"Are you referring to our battle against the Sentinel?"

"Yes."

This time it was Janeway who swiveled in her seat and faced him. "Data, that wasn't the first Starfleet mission to take casualties. I am certain that an intelligent fellow like you knew well in advance before taking command of the Relativity that a Captaincy always comes with certain significant and unavoidable risks."

"I did."

Kathryn studied his terse expression with fascination. "That programmed emotion of yours is noticeably affecting you Data," she told him. "What the hell is wrong with you? I would prefer that you tell me what's bothering you before your doubts begin to adversely affect your judgment."

He decided to be honest. When talking with Kathryn Janeway, nothing else would suffice. "During the crisis with the Sentinel, I ordered Commander Frank Roberts to travel into the future along with the human duplicates he made of James Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard. Frank Roberts was a reasonably young, newly activated Data-Class android with minimal work experience - someone with his entire career ahead of him. And yet I ordered him to sacrifice all of that so that he could live in the future and serve on the Preserver Council of the Elders. Then I simply went back to my job commanding the Relativity as though nothing had happened. Aside from a simple log entry, Roberts is now just a memory here."

"For those of us with compassion, it hurts to lose people... and it always will," Janeway said softly.

"I didn't lose Commander Roberts," Data objected, and this time there was noticeable android frustration in his chosen tone of voice. "I completely changed the direction of his entire future, and then I went back to my own job and - for a while - considered the matter to be settled." The android's eyes continued to blaze with bright, luminous light. "I will not let anything similar happen again to someone of lower rank."

"So that's why you decided to come out here alone with me... it's why you chose to bring a hologram instead of real people."

"Yes Captain Janeway. That is indeed why you and I are here in the Yellowjacket instead of the Relativity. Aside from a fully assigned crew, this shuttle possesses at least ninety percent of the resources available on my Timeship. What we have available will be sufficient to help us resolve this matter."

Kathryn looked suddenly down at her lap and touched the fingers of her left hand to her forehead, smiling as she considered his point of view. "I suppose I could choose to raise the issue of sentient rights as applicable to holograms," she teased with a hearty laugh. "Except that I've already listened to plenty of arguments regarding that very subject over the years, and my Doctor is admittedly much better at defending that particular point of view." She continued to chuckle lightly, causing Data to cast an uneasy glance her way. "Really Data, you're the perfect psychological patient," she added. "It wasn't hard at all to discover what was bothering you... except that with androids the initial symptoms are a little bit tougher to notice. I'm sorry I did not see them earlier."

Data shrugged indifferently. "Most of the time I display no emotion at all."

"Your behavior was a direct giveaway. You keep isolating yourself from others who might disagree with your assessment of the situation." Janeway tapped her forehead with the tip of one finger. "That's a bright red warning flag for someone in a command position, whether or not you're aware of it."

"Nobody is perfect."

"You make up for your imperfections with your directness," replied Janeway. "All I had to do was ask and you told me the truth. Most people would be much more evasive in matters of private emotional pain." She shook her head with admiration. "You are truly astonishing," she admitted. "I have seen humanoid life forms do some unbelievably atrocious things to each other over the years, and yet the compassion within you is so strong that in virtually all cases you exceed the humanoid norm."

"No," he disagreed. "A compassionate man would not have ordered Roberts to make so great a sacrifice. A compassionate man would have chosen himself."

"Someone who lacked compassion wouldn't have given the situation a second thought," she corrected him. "Data, that business with the Sentinel was the worst crisis I have ever seen... and I've seen more than my share. There was no possible way for you to board his ship without his computer detecting the intrusion and promptly eliminating you. The solution that you and Commander Roberts utilized to defeat the Sentinel was incredibly well thought out and a sound, tactical strategy."

"Once the crisis was past and the danger eliminated, I could have accessed Preserver technology and traded places with Commander Roberts. But I didn't... I let him talk me into letting him stay."

"Then he volunteered to stay."

"Androids are not perfect, despite our reputation for efficiency. Perhaps Commander Roberts felt that I wanted him to stay. As a junior officer, perhaps he felt pressured by my superior rank."

"He made his own decision to remain in the distant future. You have to admit, working with the Council of Elders presented him with an astonishing opportunity. We are, after all, explorers."

"This time I will make the sacrifice," Data insisted. "This time whatever happens will happen to me."

"It will happen to us," Janeway corrected him. "That is, if you stop shutting me out."

"Shutting you out?" He feigned innocence, but it didn't fool her.

"Come on Data," she stated briskly. "Our shared thoughts are only a small fraction of your positronic brain's computing capacity. What other secrets are you keeping in there... what in the blazes are you planning to do?" He didn't answer her immediately, and that act simply drove her need to know even further. "If you can't talk to Ducane - your own First Officer - then I would at least hope you could discuss this matter with another Starfleet Captain."

"If I somehow mishandle this situation..."

"You're more likely to mishandle it by letting emotions - even simulated ones - drive your behavior!" snapped Janeway. "If you can't tell me what you're up to, then I suggest we turn around and return immediately to the Relativity. Trust me Data, isolating yourself is a bad idea."

He stared straight ahead for a moment, evaluating her analysis. Not surprisingly, once he pushed his electronic emotions aside, he found himself in complete agreement with her assessment. Most sentient, biological life forms might have persisted with the denial for a bit longer, but Data easily moved past those feelings. "What do you want me to do?" he asked curiously.

"You can begin by introducing me to that alien you're linked to," she decided. "Exposure to alien influences can adversely affect your decision making process too - even if the effects are not intentional. After I meet your friend, I think you should allow me full access to the rest of your thoughts regarding the matter of the Overseer. I want to know exactly what you're planning to do. That's the only way I can be certain you're not about to do something reckless."

Slowly at first, and then more confidently, Data began to fill her in on the details of what he had in mind.

Janeway smiled with growing admiration as she listened to him.

Deep Space Nine, Alpha Quadrant, Stardate 48253.1

Station Log, Stardate 48253.1. I find myself sincerely relieved now that Deep Space Nine is back in Bajoran space. Our brief trip into the Gamma Quadrant left us isolated and vulnerable, even though it temporarily protected us from the alien creature that continues to stalk us. There was simply no way to predict that our enemy had the power to quickly recruit a fleet of alien ships and the influence to persuade them to follow us through the wormhole. Had we been forced to fight both that fleet and the Dominion, I don't think even our enhanced weaponry would have saved us.

Captain Picard and the Enterprise provided us with the additional power needed to stabilize our return trip through the wormhole. Both voyages were risky, but in my judgment they were necessary actions that have successfully protected everyone aboard Deep Space Nine. Once we returned, the Enterprise turned its weapons on our previous location and collapsed the alien's subspace pockets. That action forced the strange, gravimetric tendrils that have repeatedly attacked us back into subspace. So far they have remained there, and our weapons along with those of the Enterprise remain ready to fire in case they are needed again. We successfully destroyed all of the graviton equipment sought by the alien while still in the Gamma Quadrant, so even if the creature does choose to return there is no longer a way for him to get what he so desperately needs. Temporarily at least, we have thwarted his plans.

Deep Space Nine was successfully relocated on the opposite side of the Alpha Quadrant entrance to the wormhole, ending up a considerable distance away from its original position. Once that mission was completed, Captain Picard promptly beamed over along with his entire command staff. Holding new orders from Starfleet directing him to put an end to the crisis continuing to escalate near Bajor, the Enterprise Captain was determined to get to the bottom of what was happening. With little choice but to cooperate, Sisko had authorized his own specialists to work closely with Picard's crew in an effort to specifically research the problem in greater detail. He had spent the last hours of the previous evening making certain that a large enough conference room was properly prepared so that everyone from both teams could assemble together and hold an early morning briefing.

For Sisko, it was a relief to see Chief O'Brien and Dr. Bashir again. He had missed both their personalities and their expertise, so he was quite pleased to see the two of them busily working with their Enterprise counterparts, Lt. Cmdr. Geordi LaForge and Dr. Beverly Crusher. In the large conference room, Sisko was seated in the head chair at one end of the lengthy table, with Jean-Luc Picard in the other end seat on the opposite side. Situated in two rows between the two of them, LaForge and Bashir and Riker and Dax and Crusher and Data and O'Brien and Troi and Worf and Kira Nerys all took turns speaking their mind, one by one... each reporting on sensor records, previous encounters with the alien, and newly compiled data.

"The only thing our sensors detect when scanning this thing is gravitons," pointed out LaForge. "Since it emerges from subspace, in theory the entire creature hiding beneath could be virtually any size. Much of its substance is completely alien to our environment, so it is extremely easy for it to fool our sensors."

"What about that fleet of alien vessels?" Picard inquired curiously, glancing down at a list of items on a data padd setting on the table surface. "Where did they come from so suddenly... all those ships with an unrecognizable configuration and hulls comprised of an unknown metal?"

"They were piloted by a species previously thought to be extinct... Zygopterrans," replied Bashir. He displayed a computer simulation of a tall, blue and black colored insectoid on the main display screen. Two pairs of wings were tucked neatly along its backside. "This is a computer simulation of what the species looks like. We were able to identify them using biological samples transported aboard the Enterprise from the debris field."

"Thought to be extinct..." Sisko trailed off deliberately, subtly prompting them for more information.

"It didn't make sense at first," admitted Beverly Crusher. Her long red hair cascaded down her shoulders in stark contrast to the bright blue of her uniform top. "The Zygopterran home world no longer contains any sentient life... Starfleet probes have successfully verified that. It's always possible that they relocated to a new home world, but we've seen no evidence of that. The fleet of ships emerged from subspace." She exhaled slowly, pausing briefly. "So I asked our main computer to scan for all known anomalies, hoping that there would be something to give us additional clues."

Kira studied Crusher's attractive features as she paused. "And?"

"And..." Crusher shook her head with wonder. "There wasn't much to work with, but the computer did manage to identify a minute quantum flux in the RNA of each tissue sample. These are all strikingly similar to an electronic signature I recorded in Worf's RNA several years ago - after he reported on a series of unexpected, uncontrolled shifts between alternate universes."

The broad-shouldered Klingon bristled noticeably at her comment. "The Bat'leth tournament..."

"You believe those alien vessels crossed over from a mirror universe?" Major Kira was cleary intrigued.

Crusher nodded. "From at least five different alternate realities," she added. "It isn't just one mirror universe we're dealing with here."

"So who's in charge of who?" wondered O'Brien. "Is this hooded alien creature giving the orders, or is it being controlled by these Zygopterrans?"

"Zygots," whispered Bashir discreetly to his friend. "They're also known as Zygots."

"According to Commander Sisko, the creature has been manipulating a great deal of the commercial merchant trade in this sector for quite some time now," mused Picard thoughtfully. "The Zygopterrans didn't show up until the alien needed them to pursue Deep Space Nine through the wormhole. I would speculate that the alien entity is in charge."

Sisko nodded confidently. "Agreed."

The station Commander was not at all pleased to be sitting there as the only remaining person in the room who knew the complete truth. However, even as a raw cadet Benjamin Sisko had heard the stories about time travel... including the famous case of a Starfleet Doctor who had once inadvertently altered all of Earth's history. Since Dr. Bashir and Chief O'Brien had conveniently developed 'memory problems', Sisko found himself left with little choice but to fulfill his role as Commander Ducane's remaining temporal operative. It wasn't the best possible situation, but considering the circumstances he was satisfied for the moment. With the arrival of the Enterpriseand the continued covert assistance provided by the crew of the Relativity, he was in a much better position to deal with the situation than during those first few days following the initial murders.

However, not being able to share his secret knowledge with Picard bothered the Commander terribly. Sisko still remembered his initial posting to Deep Space Nine, when he had almost exploded in anger at the Starfleet Captain over the matter of the Borg and the Wolf 359 incident. Losing his wife so suddenly in that furious conflict had rocked him emotionally to his very core, and for several years thereafter the Commander had lived with an almost obsessive denial of the incident. He had gone through the motions in his daily life and reluctantly played the role that Starfleet assigned to him. And although he had fulfilled his duties satisfactorily, his heart had no longer been in his career. Instead, it had been tragically, unexpectedly torn asunder on that dark day when he had lost her.

Seeing Picard again during that time snapped him sharply back into a reality that his subconscious mind had consistently, relentlessly urged him to ignore. Repressed feelings of shock, anger, and resentment boiled up inside of him and threatened to strip away his carefully trained, mental discipline. And even though he had managed to face Picard and interact with him, Sisko had almost lost complete control of himself. Though he had somehow managed to avoid ranting like a madman and thereby destroying the remainder of his career in Starfleet, he had selfishly brought up the subject of Wolf 359. Only after reading the pain still lingering behind Picard's eyes while talking about the Borg... only then had he discovered that the memory was just as devastating to the Enterprise Captain as it was for him. And perhaps, since his stolen knowledge had been used to kill thousands of colleagues, the lingering emotions were even more troubling for Picard.

Shortly thereafter his encounters with Kai Opaka and the wormhole aliens finally shook him - once and for all - out of the 'tunnel vision' mentality that had driven and sometimes even controlled his life. Only then had he managed to find a way to forgive himself and begin to truly be a father to his son again. And because the Cardassians tended to behave like Cardassians, the Enterprise had been forced to return to the station a second time. After the short conflict between Gul Jasad and Kira Nerys ended, Sisko's follow-up conversation with Jean-Luc Picard went much better and they had managed to part as grudging colleagues. But now that additional time had passed, Sisko had sincerely hoped on this particular day to use this latest crisis as an opportunity to actually connect emotionally with the Captain... to demonstrate conclusively to Picard and to himself that - once and for all - the demons once plaguing him had finally, truly been banished.

He and Picard could continue to work together as colleagues in a purely professional relationship. But Sisko was fully aware that both of them would be significantly more effective as leaders if they also bonded somehow and shared a mutual respect for one another. Since he found himself with little choice but to keep secrets, he now saw that prospect slipping away from him. He desperately hoped that - before this chance too passed him by - he could find a way to offer Captain Picard an olive branch of some kind. He had discovered what all emotional beings eventually learn - that getting angry at someone is substantially easier than repairing the damage caused by such an act. Years ago, Benjamin Sisko had judged Jean-Luc Picard without first hearing the Captain's side of the story.

And he had regretted it ever since.

The weight of command included resisting the temptation to do something foolish... to give in to the impulsive urge to make decisions emotionally. There were various methods available to maintain self discipline, but Sisko didn't need any of them on this occasion. Each time his desire to make peace with Picard tempted him to tell the Captain everything - about all of the gritty Relativity details - he simply cast a quick glance in the direction of Lt. Commander Data. The original Data-Class android was seated at the table in front of him alongside the rest of his crew mates, an obvious and blatant reminder of just how easily a timeline could be corrupted. So much was coming, so much lay waiting for Starfleet and all of the Federation.

Unless he gave in to the temptation to talk and screwed it all up.

"I'm going to recommend that Starfleet Command declare an emergency for this entire sector," decided Picard. "We'll continue deploying starships in key areas around the major population centers, and - at least for the immediate future - all commercial merchant trade will have to be carefully regulated."

Odo was standing in the background, near one of the large room's exit doors. "That decision probably will not go over well with the local government representatives, Captain," he predicted. "Many of them are already upset about the decaying condition of their financial markets... this will only make the lives of their investors tougher. And when they get pressured by angry members of their constituency, they will in turn complain to us."

"That's too bad Constable," stated Sisko adamantly. "We've dealt with those kinds of complaints before... just route them to my office. If we let that creature continue to kidnap and murder people, I guarantee you the blowback will be much, much worse."

"Until Commander LaForge can complete work on our own anti-graviton field, the Enterprise will remain within the perimeter of Deep Space Nine's shield," continued Picard. "If any additional subspace pockets appear, we'll use our weapons to promptly close them."

LaForge nodded. "Data and I expect to have a smaller version of the station's generator on-line and functional within two hours," he promised.

"What is stopping this alien from resuming its attacks on planetary populations?" wondered Major Kira. "Now that we've destroyed the equipment it was after, it's going to want to try and find new sources of people and supplies to meet its needs. If the alien sends more of those Zygopterran ships, anyone in this sector could be at risk."

"That's why additional starships will be arriving," pointed out Riker. "I just hope we don't end up having to set up dozens of permanent anti-graviton fields around planetary populations. Obviously subspace is vulnerable to the creature's influence in this region, which means that it can appear wherever it chooses to. Once news of that leaks out, we're going to have plenty of concerned civilians."

For the first time during the crowded meeting, Lt. Commander Data spoke up. "It is likely we have bought ourselves some time," he speculated. "I predict that it will be some time before the alien returns."

"Why would you say that?" asked Jadzia Dax curiously. "The creature has been testing the subspace in this area for many weeks now. It may have suffered a temporary defeat, but it has obviously set its sights on the considerable amount of resources traded in this region. It wants those resources very badly."

"The alien is indeed formidable - capable of manipulating both people and trade in order to get what it wants," acknowledged Data. "However, the considerable effort it invested in repeated efforts to obtain the cargo inventory aboard Deep Space Nine allows us to conclude that its own resources are limited." He turned toward Dax with a small smile. "In attempting to force us to comply, the creature has now lost not only the equipment it sought, but a significantly large fleet of more than one hundred allies. If those Zygopterran vessels did indeed come from more than one mirror universe, then the creature's control over those locations is even more limited. It will need time to regroup and plan a follow up attack."

"I agree," Dax nodded thoughtfully. "An intelligent entity such as this one would not take the risk of wasting even more resources now that it knows we can fight back. It will come up with another plan... something that it hopes we will be unable to anticipate."

"Time is all that we have gained," noted Picard dryly. "And probably not a great deal of it."

"Sometimes time is all that we need," Sisko replied steadfastly. "I suggest that we make use of it."

Shortly thereafter, the debate ended and the meeting adjourned.

Michael Eddington arrived at Deflector Control to find that Paulson and Reynolds, the normal Ensigns assigned to the station, were currently off-duty. In their absence, a dark-haired Bajoran woman and a tall, thin Starfleet crewman had been scheduled to intently monitor the various status readouts. He was mildly surprised to see one familiar face, however, and cast a curious glance at Odo. "What are you doing up here?" he asked curiously. "Trying to solve a mystery?"

"Yes I am," Odo replied in his usual, determined manner. "What happened here during the recent battle just doesn't make any sense to me." In one hand, he held an open, whirring medical tricorder. Waving the device's scanning probe around, he shook his head with obvious disbelief.

"What exactly is bothering you?" asked Eddington curiously, folding his arms and leaning against the doorway. In the background, he could see the Bajoran briefly watching their exchange. She promptly returned her gaze to her work and resumed monitoring the central control console.

Odo continued studying the tricorder readout for a few seconds longer. "The woman who was here during the battle managed to delete our internal sensor logs, but for some odd reason she made no other attempts to hide her own identity." He scratched his head curiously. "I've found fingerprints up here, traces of her DNA, and even a few blonde hairs on the floor. She left behind so much physical evidence, in fact, that under normal conditions I'd be able to identify her almost immediately."

"But…?" Eddington remained as laid back as ever, using his deliberate speaking style to prod information out of a reluctant speaker. It was a practiced technique, and many times people didn't even realize he was subtly manipulating them. Even so, he was more than a little rattled by Odo's unexpected presence.

The shapeshifter was also an experienced professional, with a cautious and precise manner. "There's absolutely no record in our security database of anyone matching our saboteur's DNA sample. Everyone assigned to this station from Starfleet or Bajor should be in our files, and all of the civilians from merchant vessels are scanned by our systems as soon as their ships dock and they pass through our airlocks. So where did this woman come from?"

"I don't think alien insectoids are the only life form our enemy is capable of shifting between universes." Eddington was uncomfortable with the announcement, but he decided not to try and conceal obvious information from Odo. To do so would instantly arouse the Changeling's suspicions. "I believe our opponent moved someone over to our reality hoping that she would be able to masquerade as one of us long enough to disable our anti-graviton field. Once I prevented her from doing so, she undoubtedly was immediately returned by the creature back to the realm she originated from."

"You're probably right about that," decided Odo.

"Are you finished here?" Eddington asked uneasily. "I asked a Starfleet work crew to stop by and help me insure that our saboteur left behind no residual tampering. We're undoubtedly going to need to continue protecting the station, so I've assigned them to conduct a level one diagnostic on all internal sensors. In a crunch, I don't want the entire system crashing again."

"Yes, I'm done," responded Odo crisply. He closed up the tricorder with a deep frown on his face and left Deflector Control. Eddington watched him go, and then turned his attention toward the familiar sight of the equipment. Beads of sweat began building on his forehead as he realized that - one way or another - his days on Deep Space Nine were numbered. Sooner or later Sisko would order everyone to undergo a detailed RNA scan, as station security searched for the telltale quantum flux of a universe shift. Once that happened, he would be revealed as the true saboteur.

Even if he wasn't discovered, then his life would be at risk once the Overseer returned. The alien was not fond of failure, and it knew many ways to punish those who disappointed it. Cautiously he began evaluating what he knew of the sector, wondering where he would go when the time came to flee.

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

In a bright pop of emerald transporter energy, the Yellowjacket materialized in normal space at its newest location. Data promptly verified their position and nodded with satisfaction, noting that his detailed schematic of the Overseer's presence in their universe was nearly complete. Standing silently behind the twin pair of cockpit stations was the ghostly, semi-transparent image of Captain Willard Decker. The android had taken Kathryn Janeway up on her request to meet his electronic colleague, introducing them to each other just before the runabout's latest shift to a new location. For some reason, Decker was not fond of the isomorphic process, so he was projecting a more traditional hologram.

By now, Janeway was used to Data constantly moving them almost instantly across millions of light years. "...cadets at Starfleet Academy have wondered for years what happened to you and Lt. Ilia," she said casually to the smiling three dimensional image of Decker. The first portion of her sentence had been lost somewhere deep within the constantly criss-crossing streams of data hidden within subspace.

Decker shrugged. After I merged with V'Ger, I had nowhere to go, he admitted. Since V'Ger knew about the network, it seemed like the logical place to go. At the time I had absolutely no idea that I would someday inadvertently run into someone from Starfleet... but one day my electronic thoughts recognized Data's presence, and the rest - as they say - is now history.

Kathryn gestured toward the positronic android, still busily constructing his multi-dimensional map of Overseer territory. "So you're still linked to both V'Ger and Data, even now..."

Yes, Decker replied with a nod. It has been many years since I've been human. Connecting to Data has allowed both V'Ger and me to walk in his shoes and see through his eyes.

"Well you certainly don't have to feel self conscious," Janeway told him. "I myself am only a holographic simulation of a real person, composed primarily of photons. Right now the real Kathryn Janeway is busily living her life and working for Starfleet, in her own time and space. Data needed to borrow her experience, so he used his contacts in the Preserver future to create me."

It is good to see that Starfleet has remained strong over the years, Decker told her. V'Ger felt a great deal of remorse after his initial approach to Earth, especially for the deaths that he caused. Merging with me helped him to truly feel those emotions for the first time.

"Sometimes first contact situations can get a little tricky," agreed Janeway. "You should know that my starship, Voyager, was named after the mission that merged you with V'Ger." She held up one hand and waved it casually. "We admittedly took the liberty of adding back in the missing letters, but you get the picture." She laughed with obvious amusement; her holographic thoughts drifting briefly back to her first days aboard the starship that she loved so much.

Hmm... it doesn't feel any different, decided Decker.

Janeway glanced into his eyes. "What doesn't?"

Being so significant a part of Starfleet history. He chuckled in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Kathryn was tempted to laugh again herself, but noticed the eerie, ominous clouds of bright green energy patterns suddenly drifting past the windows. "Where are we?" she asked curiously, refocusing her attention immediately upon Data. He was gradually moving the runabout farther inside the strange, alien phenomenon. A quick survey of the sensor panel revealed some very familiar looking readings, and the runabout's hull suddenly began creaking and groaning in response to the sudden, elevated presence of high concentrations of gravitons.

"We are now inside the body of the Overseer," Data responded. "I have located an area where he has permanently emerged from subspace into our own universe. Once he identifies vulnerable areas within subspace, he forces his way out into our space and then begins rapidly expanding his presence." He brought the small vessel to a stop. "It is here that I will try and contact our adversary one last time."

She turned and studied his profile, obviously perplexed. "Why? He has attacked us at every turn Data. And you have to admit, we've got a pretty good idea of just what he's going to do to Deep Space Nine if we allow him near it."

In order for V'Ger to fully understand the composition of the Overseer, he first needs to physically touch him, pointed out Decker. This is another example of why V'Ger must walk in Data's shoes and see through his eyes.

"You're not thinking of going out there..." Janeway trailed off almost immediately as Data transported himself directly out into open space. She could see him re-materialize through the cockpit windows and watched him float there for several seconds. Then she sighed with frustration and proceeded to reroute the helm controls to her computer station, once again taking control of the runabout. "I guess he is thinking about going out there," the Captain concluded with a disbelieving shake of her head.

He has you to back him up, stated Decker, closing his eyes and smiling. We can FEEL the touch of the Overseer even now, using Data as a conduit. Trust me Kathryn Janeway, this is a VERY important step. We must determine specifically which physical laws apply when the alien intrudes on our space.

"Nevertheless, the chances he takes..." Her attention focused like a laser on the Comm-station as it crackled suddenly to life with loud, varying patterns of distortion. The universal translator was set to recognize the Overseer's communication style, instantly converting his sudden outburst.

"WHO ARE YOU? WHY ARE YOU HERE?" The familiar but confused voice of the creature crackled loudly within the confines of the small cockpit.

Janeway was reaching for the transporter controls and locking targeting sensors onto Data even as a graviton tendril appeared behind him and slapped his body hard. Spinning end over end, the android tumbled away into the darkness. Kathryn was tempted to swear but maintained her self discipline, reaching instead for the communications controls and locking helm coordinates directly onto Data's Comm-badge signal. Applying medium throttle-up to the maneuvering thrusters, she sent the small runabout roaring forward in swift pursuit of the android's rapidly receding figure.

According to sensors Data was already several thousand meters away when he was suddenly struck a second time. The newest attack by the alien creature caused him to fly even farther away from the Yellowjacket, and Janeway's growing concern transformed immediately into carefully controlled, determined anger. Even as she applied full throttle to the runabout's maneuvering thrusters, rapidly growing clusters of gravitons surrounded the outer hull and brought the small ship to a lumbering halt.

"Oh no you don't!" snapped Kathryn sharply. "Computer, activate our anti-graviton field immediately! Set it for one hundred percent dispersal!"

"Acknowledged," responded the electronically enhanced female voice of the vessel's main computer. "Anti-graviton field has been engaged at one hundred percent."

As soon as the Yellowjacket's deflectors successfully repelled the nearby graviton field, the runabout accelerated forward and quickly closed in on Data. He was still tumbling through empty space, his arms flung outward in a useless effort to try and control his momentum. A sparkling, violet shield of energy had appeared around him, summoned immediately once the Overseer had chosen to attack. Fortunately, the temporary protection he had created via his ongoing link with the Preserver subspace network was proving to be enough. Data was intact and obviously unharmed, but Janeway remained frustrated despite spotting him through the windows.

"I can't lock onto him with targeting scanners!" she declared fiercely. "He's protecting himself from serious damage with that shield, but I can't transport him aboard as long as he keeps it in place."

Fortunately, Data was able to resolve the problem himself. His body dissolved and vanished into subspace, followed by the collapse of his protective deflector shield. Seconds later, he materialized inside the runabout cockpit, standing next to Decker. Even though his android emotions were carefully controlled, it was clear from his expression that Data was more than a little unsettled. "It is okay Captain," he said reassuringly to Janeway. "I have returned safely."

She swiveled in her seat and glared at him. "Please don't do that again," she told him.

"I do not have to," the android responded, settling back into the empty seat to her left.

V'Ger has touched the Overseer and has what he needed, acknowledged the Decker hologram. What about your map Data? Has it been completed yet?

"I have accumulated sufficient information," announced Data. "All that remains now is for us to locate the proper point in space and time to implement our plan." He activated the runabout's warp drive and accelerated off toward the darkness beyond. Moving at high speed, the runabout quickly left behind the Overseer's graviton field. The absolute emptiness of the seemingly eternal void between galaxies once again filled the windows, and Data paused just long enough to drop the ship out of warp before bringing it to a complete stop.

"How can we be certain this plan will work?" Janeway was intently studying Data's map of the alien creature. "That thing is colossal in size, and this map only documents the parts within range of the Preserver network's sensors. There are millions of galaxies in our universe, and thousands of other mirror universes out there. Most of them are just as large as this one."

"The plan will work," insisted the android confidently. "We must first force the Overseer to withdraw from our own universe. That is our first and most important priority. After that, we can attempt to negotiate a truce of some sort." He was busily programming a lengthy series of preset commands into the runabout's helm. "Unfortunately, the time has come for you and me to part company Captain... I need to return you to Commander Frank Roberts in the distant future. But before I do so, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you sincerely for all of your help."

Janeway shook her head negatively. "I think that I should stay. Remember, you shouldn't do this alone."

The Decker image smiled reassuringly. I will watch him for you, he stated sincerely. I promise.

"Your holographic matrix contains detailed records of everything we have discovered on this mission," Data reminded her. "If anything goes wrong, we need to be in a position to make another attempt. Roberts will be able to use the network and coordinate a second mission with Commander Ducane if there is a need to try again. If the worst should come to pass, the data you carry in your memory will help him avoid repeating our mistakes."

Kathryn studied his emotionless expression for a moment and then nodded. "Be careful Data," she told him firmly. "I believe there is a good chance this will work, otherwise I'd never let you send me away. However, for the record I still believe you take way too many chances."

"I will be careful," he promised. Then he activated the subspace network's transporter system and watched Kathryn Janeway dissolve away in a sparkling cloud of shimmering green energy particles. Almost instantly, Preserver technology transferred her holographic database to its final destination more than five million years into the future. The next time Frank Roberts checked in and noticed her arrival, he could re-activate her from his location there.

Neither Data or Decker chose to say anything further, both of them content simply to study the data flowing past his sensor screen. After approximately five minutes Decker glanced up, even though Data continued to focus his full attention on the data stream. What is that? asked the former Enterprise Captain. He pointed a finger toward the cockpit windows, where a tiny point of bright white light could be seen shimmering in the distance. Data's eyes flickered upward and he too noticed the distant, shining beacon that had unexpectedly appeared out of the surrounding darkness.

"If you and V'Ger do not know what that is, then I certainly do not," admitted Data. "And whatever it is, it appears to be on course directly toward us."

Together the two of them waited curiously while the unknown light brightened in intensity while moving steadily toward them.