Star Trek: Reign Of Terror

Chapter XIX: Return To Tomorrow

Deep Space Nine, Commander's Office, Stardate 48260.3

Benjamin Sisko was in his office, busily reading the latest security reports when he heard a soft shuffling noise from the right. Captain Data stepped out into the open - seemingly from nowhere - and then came to a quick stop, glancing cautiously toward the large, seamed doorway situated in front of the Commander's desk. "I apologize for my sudden appearance, but it is necessary. Are you alone?" he asked curiously.

Sisko cleared his throat and smiled. "For the moment," he admitted, tapping the Comm-link on the desk in front of him. "Sisko to Kira," he stated briskly.

"This is Kira."

"Major, I have a full agenda this morning," he told her truthfully. "Please see to it that I am not disturbed unless there is an emergency."

"Acknowledged Commander."

Data nodded appreciatively. "I have come because there is news Commander."

"Good news I hope," replied Sisko somewhat dryly. "The entire sector has been on full alert for over two weeks now. It would be nice if you were here to tell me that the crisis has somehow been resolved."

"I am not, but someone else is," replied the Relativity Captain with a small, mischievous smile.

The unexpected prospect of a positive outcome to the tense situation caught the Commander by surprise. "Oh?" he asked curiously. "And who would that be?"

Data moved the isomorphic projection of his body forward one small step and then leaned down toward the seated form of the station's Commander. "In order for my new colleague to meet with you, I need to temporarily lower the anti-graviton field in this room." The dark, suspicious expression on Sisko's face as the Commander considered the prospect did not go unnoticed. "I assure you," Data stated firmly, "that everything will be all right. I can shield the station's internal sensors from detecting this encounter until the conversation terminates."

Sisko nodded once, rather sharply. "Proceed."

In front of the desk a gravimetric pocket began forming, and the familiar sight of a glittering green tendril emerged. It probed back and forth around the room for a few seconds, and then its leading edge morphed into the dark robed, hooded form of the Overseer. The eyes were not blazing with their usual red this time, instead glowing bright orange. With Data's assurances that everything would be all right, Sisko was able to keep his anxiety under control - past encounters with this particular alien had left him easily agitated whenever it showed itself. He took a moment to study the creature more closely, noting that its presence was still extremely intimidating.

"This is the Overseer," Data informed him. "What you are seeing is only one small part of a significantly larger creature. This alien is a massive, graviton-based being whose presence extends through many universes and beyond even the outer boundaries of those."

"I was unaware that my presence within your space would cause so much harm," the creature told Sisko, its voice much lower and friendlier than it had sounded during past visits.

"That is not entirely true," Data said in challenge. "You did know, but chose to act anyway."

"Yes, my actions caused deaths and much harm to the life forms living here. I apologize for that."

Sisko did not appear visibly impressed. "The means you utilize to appear in our space is dangerous to us," he replied, watching a white cloud of frosty vapor emerge from his mouth as he spoke the words. As atmosphere in the room continued leaking into the shimmering, microscopic subspace rift on the other end of the Overseer's energy tentacle, the temperature dropped rapidly. The room's ventilators had already activated and were working overtime in order to keep the air breathable. "Without proper safety preparations by Starfleet Command, you cannot continue to interact with us except under carefully supervised conditions."

"I have changed my plans and will now withdraw immediately and unconditionally from your entire galaxy," the entity told him in reply. From the darkness inside its hooded robe the orange eyes flared briefly with bright light. "I probably will not return here in your lifetime, but if I do decide to come back I will make certain to approach your government's legal representatives first and negotiate an agreement that is mutually beneficial."

Somewhat surprised, the Commander's gaze shifted briefly to Data and then back to the Overseer. "That sounds acceptable," he replied slowly. "Why the sudden change in tactics?"

"It is a long story," interjected Data, moving closer to the Overseer. "I have been working closely with this creature for several days in order to teach it more about humanoid life. There are many people in other universes who have found themselves unexpectedly liberated by the changes that I have made... the Overseer has promised to assist me in helping them transition to a new, more peaceful lifestyle."

"Many have died and are still dying," continued the alien entity. "For thousands of years I have been the protector of the Zygopterrans, but now their slaves are rising up against them. I plan to help negotiate a truce between everyone involved, especially on my Temple planets where the violence is currently the worst."

"It may be a long story, but I would certainly like to hear this... to know more about what has happened," declared Sisko, focusing directly on Data. "Why are you generalizing, Captain?"

"Because it is better if you do not know too much," the android replied honestly. "This creature's existence in our space has a tendency to interfere with the normal flow of time in a manner that is extremely unpredictable. That is why I have asked him to withdraw immediately from our universe. In alternate realities where his presence is more pervasive, I shall continue to assist him in taking all actions necessary to restore order there as well."

"Why do you have to do this?" Sisko wondered. "And why is this alien being suddenly so cooperative? Less than a week ago it tried to destroy the entire station."

"This meeting has been called specifically to let you know that the matter has been resolved," countered Data. "Remember Commander, I hail from the 29th century and have had to take actions that you must not know about. I realized during my resolution to this crisis that Starfleet Intelligence officials in your century would have trouble relaxing their guard and probably never consider this matter closed if the Overseer simply disappeared. Since you are already aware of the time travel part of all this and can assist me in covering up those details, I decided to bring the creature into your office one last time."

"But everything is definitely under control?"

"It is," Data stated firmly. "In the end, I had no choice but to use the resources at my disposal to force the Overseer into cooperating, and he has agreed to do so. I have created a method whereby I can punish him if he chooses to behave irresponsibly toward other life forms."

"I no longer wish to injure others... I will negotiate in good faith."

Sisko studied the dark robed figure hovering in front of him thoughtfully. "You should think about changing your preferred appearance," he suggested to the creature. "Your intentions may be somewhat more honorable these days than in the past, but you still project a fearsome presence."

"That is an excellent idea," agreed Data, nodding respectfully to the alien. "You may go now... your presence continues to drain atmosphere and temperature from this room. I do not require either in order to continue functioning, but the Commander does."

The hooded head of the alien creature turned slowly to face Sisko one last time. "The next time I enter your space, it will be for peaceful purposes," the Overseer promised. Then his robed body vanished and the glittering green graviton tendril retracted swiftly back into subspace.

Sisko sat there for a moment, stunned by the news. "This is all so sudden," he pointed out after a time. "Do you really think Starfleet will simply accept my declaration that this crisis is over?"

"No," Data replied, shaking his head. "They will be extremely wary and on guard for quite some time, especially since the Overseer is well known for his use of manipulative tactics. But after a time, when no further encounters take place, they will realize that the creature's promise to leave is indeed a valid one."

"We will see," the Commander decided doubtfully. "Captain Picard is not a fool."

"Nor should he be," agreed Data in response. He noticed a sudden flurry of activity outside the entrance to Sisko's office and retreated back toward a far corner of the room. "All you have to do is file a standard status report documenting this conversation, omitting all details of my own presence. Trust me, when nothing else happens over the next few weeks, the Admiralty of Starfleet will eventually accept that the crisis has passed."

Sisko remained unconvinced. "I suppose we can give this a try," he said finally.

Someone tried to open the door to the room and found it locked. As several crewmen began pounding on the door, Data shook his head with mild amusement. "By now, your people have discovered a minor malfunction that left several gaps in your anti-graviton field," he continued. "I will have Commander Ducane contact you later, to officially thank you before the Relativity returns to the 29th century. In the interim, please allow me to express my own sincere appreciation for all of your help in this matter."

"I didn't do much of anything," growled the Commander as he watched Data's image gradually turn transparent and then fade away. It was unlike any transporter beam he had ever seen. "All I did was run around this station with a modified hand phaser, preventing additional temporal incursions."

"Your actions have assisted us in stabilizing a badly damaged timeline," the android's voice informed him, still audible but fading rapidly. "If it were possible for me to leave a commendation with your superiors, I would certainly do so..."

The people waiting outside noticed abruptly that the door's security override codes were also not working. Sisko heard the sound of a phaser beam as someone shot out the access panel and spent the next sixty seconds or so fumbling around with the super-heated, manual release. Data was long gone by the time both doors parted slightly, and he could see many pairs of hands gripping each door while working to force them the rest of the way open.

The Commander glanced up reassuredly as Odo, Michael Eddington, Major Kira and Lt. Dax entered. The four of them were flanked by two additional guards carrying phaser rifles, and everyone appeared fully prepared for anything. "Commander, the anti-graviton field failed at several points around the station, including Ops," pointed out Kira. "Additional malfunctions have sealed off areas all over the station. Is everything all right in here, sir?"

The Commander held up a hand and casually waved them off. "Everything is just fine," he informed them. "The alien stopped by just long enough to tell me that it has decided to avoid further conflicts with us and move on to greener pastures. Based on the creature's statement, I sincerely doubt that it has plans to return anytime soon."

From his position directly behind Major Kira, the light in Michael Eddington's eyes glittered like shards of frozen ice as he realized with startling clarity that he was permanently stranded in this alternate, alien universe that was not his own.

His chances of returning home were now zero.

Deciding to skip lunch, Sisko returned to his quarters and take care of a few minor affairs. He didn't always have time to pick up after Jake, but he made certain now and then to do enough so that his son would know that his father was indeed looking after him. He finished filling a laundry basket with some of the clothing that Jake always seemed to leave lying around and set it in his bedroom for later. The door chime sounded unexpectedly, so he walked back into the central living area. Continuing toward the room's entrance, the Commander pressed the opening mechanism and allowed the doors to part.

"Can I help you Ensign?" he asked the young man standing in the hallway.

"Aye sir," the thin, dark-haired officer replied. "I need to speak with you about a transfer."

The man's statement was the pre-arranged code phrase.

Nodding in acknowledgement, Sisko stepped to one side and allowed the man to enter his quarters. The Commander never glanced at the people passing by in the corridor as the doors slid shut. Once he was certain that privacy had been restored, he turned toward the man in the Ensign's uniform and nodded. "What can I do for you Benjamin?" he asked curiously.

The image of the Ensign fluctuated and then shifted back to the familiar Sisko hologram. Even the Comm-badge that the future version of the Commander wore had returned to its 29th century appearance. "I decided to stop by and wish you my best before leaving," the hologram informed him.

"Somehow I doubt that," replied Sisko. "Both Commander Ducane and Captain Data have become notorious for keeping secrets. From their perspective, the less the two of us interact the better."

The hologram paused for a moment, studying his younger self intently. "There are many challenges ahead of you Benjamin. Ducane told me that he briefed you on some of what has happened in the Relativity's recent past. He said that you already know they will have no choice but to recruit you again... in their past, your future."

"Yes," Sisko replied thoughtfully. "But that will not happenfor a few years yet... until I become you."

His photonic counterpart smiled dryly. "Does that trouble you?"

"Not really," the Commander decided. "Many of us in Starfleet have run into time travel difficulties. Everyone who has experienced it has always said that you don't start second guessing your normal instincts... not unless there is irrefutable evidence to the contrary."

The hologram was grinning darkly now. "I remember when I used to be you," he said, his expression instantly changing into a mask of non-emotion. "It wasn't that long ago." He raised a hand toward his bald head and smoothed the top of it for emphasis. "Things are going to happen to you Commander," Benjamin told his younger self. "There are turbulent times ahead for the Federation, and it is not going to be easy. There are decisions coming that will test your mettle... test it to its very limits."

Sisko shrugged his shoulders in response. "Starfleet's entire history is filled with that kind of thing," he stated factually. "That is why each new generation must learn its lessons from the previous one; so that we're ready to make those tough decisions when the need arises."

"You're not always going to be able go by the book... to succeed by obeying all the rules."

"So what?" snapped the Commander. "Am I supposed to shrink from responsibility because I might have to live with a tough call?" He turned heatedly toward the holographic image of his elder self. "In case you don't remember, I've already dealt with a few of those. One of them was Wolf 359."

"More tough decisions will be needed."

Sisko's indignation climbed to a rare high. "Why are you even here, dammit?" he demanded to know. "My earlier conversation with Captain Data indicated that the crisis you were sent here to help me deal with is over. That means your presence in my timeline is no longer required. Why is this conversation even needed? What the hell are you trying to accomplish Benjamin?"

"I'm making certain that you know what to do when the time to act comes!" growled the hologram in response. Clearly, the computer matrix simulating his human mind was also capable of irritability.

The answer intrigued Sisko. "What do you mean by that?" asked the Commander.

His holographic counterpart took a moment to laugh dryly. "Ducane just contacted me," he replied. "He asked me to pass along a message to you - if in my opinion I felt you needed the information - because he thinks that there is something else you're supposed to know before I leave."

"Oh?" the Commander folded his arms in front of him and leaned his shoulder against the nearest wall.

"Yes," Benjamin affirmed, continuing with his explanation. "In a few of your years, Captain Data and Commander Ducane will recruit you again by transporting you into the future to help them with a very important mission... one that will save countless lives."

"I already know that," said Sisko bluntly. "Tell me something I don't know."

"Shortly after you arrive, Commander Ducane will brief you in private. When he does, I want you to tell him something... something vitally important."

"What? What would you want me to say?"

"I want you to tell him that when the Timeship Hillyer survives its suicide run, then that will be the time for Captain Data to order Frank Roberts to attack the Sentinel."

Sisko's eyes widened. "You've just given me future knowledge," he guessed. "Something I shouldn't know. You're violating all kinds of temporal laws just by telling me that."

"Of course I am!" the hologram shouted emphatically. "Once you've seen as many deaths as I have - watched as many friends and comrades die in the line of duty - your own viewpoint will shift to become mine. And I don't believe in making things more difficult than they have to be. When the time comes and the next crisis arises, you can simply tell Data and his crew the solution to their problem. It's neat and clean, and there are no overly complicated, messy concerns about how we survive... only that we do manage to survive."

The Commander pointed an accusatory finger at Benjamin. "You don't have a right to make this decision," he declared, "whatever your additional experience may tell you. Not only are you technically not a Starfleet officer, you're only a simulation of the Benjamin Sisko that was recruited." He watched the eyes of the other thoughtfully. "I'm extremely curious... just what makes you think you have a right to pass this message on to me?"

Benjamin's thin smile infuriated him. "Because Commander Ducane remembers you telling him exactly what I just said. He specifically heard you say 'When the Timeship Hillyer survives its suicide run, then that will be the time to have Captain Data order Frank Roberts to attack the Sentinel'."

The revelation struck Sisko like a mental bombshell, and he stood there silently, considering the matter more seriously. "Well," he decided finally. "If Ducane remembers me saying that, then it's already history," replied Sisko much more light-heartedly, his laughter filling the small room. "Even if what we're talking about is history that - from my perspective - hasn't even happened yet."

"Ducane couldn't tell you himself," said Benjamin almost apologetically. "He swore an oath to Starfleet just like you did, so he filled me in on the details of what he knew and asked me to use my own judgment. When he files a report to his superiors, he can now truthfully inform them that he told your people only what they needed to know to assist with this crisis."

The two of them laughed together for a moment and then just stood facing each other. "The rules and guidelines that we live by are fine under normal circumstances," the hologram continued. "But there will be times when the sheer need for survival becomes your single most important priority. You have a tough fight ahead of you on that future mission, but also here in this time... you and your people are going to have to fight for Bajor and for the Federation."

"I'll be certain to remember that," promised Sisko. "Is there anything else that happens in the future that you want me to know about?"

Benjamin double-tapped his 29th century Comm-badge. "Sisko hologram to Ducane."

"Ducane here."

"I'm ready to return to the Relativity Commander. Your message has been relayed."

"Acknowledged. Stand by."

Smiling mischievously, the hologram pointed toward the four gold pips on his collar and then nodded in the general direction of his earlier self one last time. "Please accept my early congratulations on your upcoming promotion Captain," he said with a devilish smile and a wink. Seconds later, Commander Benjamin Sisko watched the photonic version of his future self vanish in a swirling blue column of sparkling transporter energy. Alone once again in his quarters, he walked over to the replicator and ordered a cold glass of ice water.

"Captain sounds nice," he decided, taking a sip from the glass.

Deep Space Nine, Promenade, Stardate 48260.5

The gathering on the Promenade had started out small, with just an informal, off-duty get together between the senior members of the Enterpriseand Deep Space Nine's officers. On ships and space stations, however, news had a tendency to spread quickly and this occasion was no exception. Everyone and anyone from Starfleet who could possibly take some time off over the lunch hour did so. And then they came, one by one or in groups, flocking to the Promenade until it was so filled with Starfleet uniforms that Quark simply shook his head with disbelief. "My worst nightmare has finally come true," he told Rom as he shook his head with disbelief. "I have all the customers I could ever want, and each and every one of them is from Starfleet!"

Rom's grin did little to reassure his brother. "As long as they brought latinum with them," he chuckled while rubbing both hands together. "Why would you care?"

"Oh I care Rom, I care," Quark replied dryly. "I'm going to make a lot of money today, and it's all going to be because of Starfleet." He continued shaking his head back and forth. "You have no idea how much this experience is going to wound me."

"It's almost too much of a crowd," Rom pointed out, watching the sea of gold, blue and red uniforms milling about. People were visiting all of the businesses on the Promenade in larger and larger groups, laughing and joking while they all took a few rare, precious minutes to just do something fun.

Clenching his pointed teeth together, Quark slapped his hands together. "Rom!" he snapped, "Get moving, will you?" he said abruptly. "We've got customers coming and there's not enough room to seat everyone. Grab some help and start getting out the temporary folding chairs... I want everyone out there sitting near a table when our bartenders stop by." A thought occurred to him and he snapped his fingers loudly, halting Rom in mid-step. "And be sure to check that table near Karg's place," he added. "If those kids are still hiding under there, shoo them away!"

While Rom hastily scurried off to comply with his brother's wishes, Quark took a moment and scanned the sea of faces in the crowd. He knew that the Enterprise was scheduled to remain in the area for at least another few weeks, so he made a mental note to schedule at least one or two professional poker games. Once he lured Commander Riker into his private gambling facility, others from his starship would follow... others who were not as good at participating in games of chance. And occasionally even Riker had a bad day. Not often, but it had been known to happen.

For the first time in many days, Quark felt better simply because the people in the crowd were so obviously relaxing. The nervous, repressed anxiety that everyone had been feeling for weeks now had dissipated like a soft, morning mist struck by the first rays of sunlight. Sisko's earlier station-wide announcement that the alien entity had agreed to withdraw from Federation space had not completely convinced everyone, but it had broken through the waves of tension that had gradually risen higher and higher. The station's weapons upgrades were now entirely complete, and the consistent looming threat of another attack had been eliminated.

Even if Starfleet provided the bulk of his income for awhile, Quark realized that his life was good.

Next to the Ferengi bartender, Captain Sanders of the U.S.S. Malinche raised a glass of amber fluid high in the air. "Is that scoundrel friend of mine Jean-Luc Picard out there anywhere?" he shouted over the non-stop ruckus created by so large a crowd. "I thought I saw that wine lover lurking about earlier!"

It didn't take long before the Enterprise Captain emerged from the edge of the crowd and joined his fellow starship commander at Quark's bar. "I'm here," Picard said with a smile, watching Sanders order him a beverage similar to the one he currently held. "What do you want, you old ne'er-do-well?"

The chatter of the crowd began to fade rapidly and heads began turning toward the two Captains and their back and forth banter. "First I'm going to give you a real drink," Sanders declared firmly. "And then I want to hear one of those emotional, rousing toasts of yours!" He waited until Quark delivered a second glass and then handed it to Picard.

Jean-Luc symbolically raised his glass, clinking it against Sanders' own drink. "When Starfleet first arrived at this station," he began slowly, watching everyone grow quiet, "I saw the reports on just how much damage your Cardassian predecessors had done before leaving. Many of you began the difficult task of picking up the pieces anyway, laboring long and hard to bring this station back to life so that it can guard both Bajor and the entrance to the wormhole." He paused for emphasis. "And then the looming threat of the Dominion was so suddenly thrust upon us, and scores of additional Starfleet men and women were transferred here to assist with upgrading its defenses. And through it all, one man has worked as hard as anybody to insure that Deep Space Nine remains functional and able to defend freedom." He turned toward the person he was talking about. "To Chief Miles Edward O'Brien," the Captain stated loudly and emphatically for all to hear. "Commander Sisko tells me that his work in supervising your new weapons upgrades has been as efficient as ever. Having served with Mr. O'Brien for many years and knowing well his abilities, I can assure you that no one else could coordinate the achievement of so many changes so quickly while holding to such a difficult schedule!"

"To Chief Miles Edward O'Brien then!" Sanders echoed, and then the entire crowd joined in the salute.

Picard waited patiently as glasses clinked, cheers resounded throughout the Promenade and many congratulations were subsequently issued to a stunned O'Brien. The bulk of the crowd had moved back from the Chief's position at one of the corner tables, where he was seated with Dr. Bashir and Geordi LaForge. The Captain noticed that his former crewman was red-faced with embarrassment at the unexpected compliment in front of so many people. "Thank you sir!" grinned the Chief as he raised a mug of ale in a grateful reply. "Keiko, Molly and I have grown to like it here sir, but there are times when we really miss the old days and our life aboard the Enterprise."

Benjamin Sisko appeared suddenly behind O'Brien. "What was it like Chief?" he asked inquisitively. "What has it been like to supervise so many people doing so many different things?"

"Everyone knows that it has been my great honor!" proclaimed O'Brien boisterously and proudly, rising to his feet. He had to pause briefly as hoots and enthusiastic applause erupted all over the Promenade in support of his declaration. "And now that the work is finally completed," he continued with a mischievous smirk, "anyone and everyone temporarily assigned to work here is probably already looking forward to boarding the first ship out. But when you move on to other assignments, be certain to remember what we did here!" he declared enthusiastically. "Deep Space Nine has the most firepower in the sector now, and the Defiant to boot!" He held up his mug triumphantly and waved it appreciatively toward all of the people who had relentlessly assisted him in boosting the space station's defenses. "My hat is off to you men and women... what we did here in so little time is truly amazing!" The cheering continued and the Chief waited just long enough for a lull before shouting again. "We beat a Starfleet deadline!" he informed everyone. "Now that's something to celebrate!"

The resulting ruckus from the crowd left Quark simply shaking his head. "Starfleet," the Ferengi muttered softly under his breath. "I'm getting rich today because of Starfleet..."

The crowd thinned noticeably once the lunch hour was over, but the off-duty remnants of the Deep Space Nine command team and the Enterprise bridge officers pushed two large tables together and lingered for awhile to swap stories. Major Kira sipped at her mug of ale and surveyed Captain Picard's senior staff, noticing that she was feeling more and more comfortable around Starfleet officers all the time. She remembered a short time - only three years previously - when she hadn't trusted them at all. And yet the more they endured together, the more her people and the Federation bonded. It was hard to explain, and earlier in her life she would have been one of the last to predict that such a partnership could be so successful.

"So," the Major said to Deanna Troi. "What is it like serving on a starship full time?"

The Counselor stroked the tip of her lengthy dark curls with one hand before responding. She chuckled a bit at Kira's question, taking a moment to think before responding. "It's actually a lot like serving on a space station," she decided after a time. "The living quarters are cramped, we continually hold tense negotiations with both hostile and semi-hostile species, and occasionally we have to fight our way out of a tough situation." She made a swooshing motion with her hand from right to left. "The only difference is, we move to our next assignment. Here the assignments come to you."

"This station can move too," countered Dax. She shook her head with mild amusement. "Until Benjamin decided to bring the ECS thrusters on-line during our battle with the alien, I had almost forgotten that Deep Space Nine retained the capability to do so."

Geordi LaForge smiled, and the subsequent twinkle in his eyes wasn't quite visible through the VISOR device he wore to help him see. "Trust me Lieutenant, it's not the same thing," he proudly informed them. "Traveling at warp speed is something that everyone should experience at least once."

"That's why we have the Defiant," countered Bashir with a wry smile. "We do manage to spend some of our time on the move. Today's runabouts are also extremely fast."

"You also spent some time with us aboard the Ha'Husia," Kira reminded him. "But you don't remember anything after we left you behind. Why is that? Did you and the Chief party like wild men instead of playing detective?" She leaned forward and rested her chin on her clenched hands. "We want to know."

O'Brien was still seated in his chair and reacted visibly to Kira's mild accusation. "Hey... that's not fair," he decided, pointing a stubby finger toward the red-haired Beverly Crusher. "Dr. Crusher has concrete evidence in her Sickbay that proves our memories were tampered with. Commander Sisko specifically asked us to stay behind on that blasted planet so that we could track down whoever attacked Dr. Bashir. We were in some sort of a chase..."

"...but you don't remember much after that," Jadzia Dax interrupted softly, laughing with genuine amusement. "I believe you... I'm just glad it happened to you and not to me."

"Well you've obviously impressed both Captain Picard and Commander Sisko," LaForge decided, slapping O'Brien on the shoulder. "You were the star of the lunch hour Chief." He watched O'Brien suddenly get red-faced with embarrassment again.

"Commander LaForge, you have no idea what it's like to work with team after team of people who are normally assigned elsewhere," O'Brien commented gruffly. "On the Enterprise, you're surrounded by people you know very well and it's a lot easier to coordinate with them. After a time it's very easy to know what they can handle and what they can't."

"There are also transfers to and from the Enterprise," pointed out Worf. On a large platter in front of him, the last remnants of a serving of gagh worms were squirming significantly less aggressively than they had been only moments before. "We also have to deal with an ongoing rotation of new recruits." Continuing for the most part to ignore them, he returned his attention to his meal of real Klingon food. As far as Worf was concerned, the Enterprise could remain in the vicinity of Deep Space Nine - and Karg's restaurant - indefinitely.

"No starship scenario could possibly have been like ours was," insisted the Chief, his mood darkening slightly at the memory. "For weeks now, we've had round-the-clock EVA teams tearing up all of the exterior power conduits and installing new hardware and software. Coordinating it all while keeping key systems on line was..."

"...a nightmare?" guessed LaForge with a dry smile.

"Impossible is what it was!" O'Brien decided. "I haven't had an uninterrupted night's sleep for as long as I can remember. Every time someone calls me for help, I get up and go to work while Keiko rolls over and gets comfortable in my warm blankets." He noticed Dax smirking and glared at her. "What?"

"I think that's one of the reasons the Commander left you and Dr. Bashir on Denali," she speculated. "Once we knew that the schedule would be met, Kira and I approached Benjamin and offered to provide additional assistance so that you could take a break." She laughed lightly. "I'm only guessing, but he probably assigned you and Bashir to stay behind as a favor... so you could take a well earned break. And... then... you... you both lost... your... memories!" The laughter erupted out of her uncontrolled this time and - for a moment - everyone gathered at the two tables joined in, having a little light-hearted fun at Dr. Bashir and Chief O'Brien's expense.

Finally, a self-conscious Bashir slammed his right hand down on the table. "This isn't over," he told them all defiantly. "Our memories were there, recorded in our brains, and then someone blocked our access to them. I'm already working on a way to restore it, in which case we will be able to remember."

Crusher shook her red-haired locks negatively. "I already told you Doctor, the memories themselves were erased," she reminded him. "Blocking access to recent memories is only the first stage of the process; the actual erasing of the targeted engrams takes place during the second stage." She held up both hands and shrugged. "On some species the second phase doesn't work. In those cases it is possible to recover the memories, and in some species - Vulcanoids for instance - access to them even returns naturally. But the overall success or failure depends upon the specific biology of each patient." She frowned disapprovingly at Bashir. "You already know my diagnosis Doctor. You two are human, and the process works very well on humanoids. The short term memories of your stay on Denali Prime are gone."

"Face it Julian, you're going to have to forego the detective work and keep your day job," Kira chuckled. "It's not the worst thing in the world, having to settle for being a top-notch frontier Doctor. That's what you've always wanted..."

O'Brien sipped additional ale from his mug. "There are those who would argue about that 'top notch' reference Major," he said with a barely restrained harrumph.

Bashir responded by glaring at his friend. "Et tu Miles O'Brien?" he replied with mock disappointment.

Geordi had been watching the entire exchange, quietly enjoying the obvious discomfort of O'Brien and Bashir as they continued to absorb the mild ribbing from their colleagues. "Does the Chief still swear?" LaForge wondered curiously. "Don't get me wrong... I mean, he's the best there is and all, but he used to have this nasty habit of accidentally shocking himself on live circuits. The dangerous ones he follows procedure on and always shuts down, but the lower power circuitry he prefers to leave live. He used to do that all the time on the Enterprise, and he'd always swear up a storm after zapping himself. Once Molly was born, he told us he was going to try and stop the cussing. And, last I heard, he was making real progress towards that goal when he transferred to this station. He still had the tendency to occasionally slip and say..."

"...bloody hell?" Kira guessed. Additional laughter followed her statement. "I regret being the bearer of bad news, Commander LaForge, but I'm afraid the good Chief has had a setback on that particular promise. He may have had good intentions, but he just hasn't been the same since he started working regularly with Cardassian circuitry."

O'Brien raised his mug again. "All of life's tough challenges - even battles with Cardassian circuitry -can be solved at the end of the day... with a cold mug of beer."

"Solved... or drowned?" laughed Troi. "Excessive alcohol consumption never solves anything, and if you get carried away then you have to pay for it the next morning."

"What can I say? Some bills are worth paying," the Chief told her with a wide grin.

"The Doctor and our good Chief have also developed a nasty habit of fighting the Battle of Britain over and over in one of Quark's holosuites," noted Dax. "Those two have spent hours in there, flying old Earth-style airplanes in aerial dog battles..."

"Dogfights," Bashir corrected her quickly. "And I should point out that no one has ever truly experienced real atmospheric flight until you've flown through the air in a state-of-the-art Spitfire," he said with a flush of pride. "The robust roar of a gasoline powered combustion engine, the thrill of other airplanes circling while shooting at you - now there's a stress reliever if ever there was one." He and O'Brien clinked their mugs together. "It is our personal, near perfect recreation of history."

"Speaking of which," O'Brien decided suddenly, winking at Bashir. "Temporarily at least, our work is finished. The extra assignments and increased duty schedules are over. And I just happen to have the entire afternoon off."

"Ohh nooo," groaned Kira. "Dax, you had to bring up that subject, didn't you?"

"I don't believe I have anything scheduled that can't be postponed either," responded Bashir. "And, if memory serves, I believe I was offered a few days of personal leave by Commander Sisko in gratitude for risking my life back on Denali Prime!" He rubbed the back of his head, remembering. "And if anyone doesn't believe me, I have the hastily repaired scar on my scalp to prove it!"

O'Brien raised his mug and drained the rest of the liquid from it in one large gulp. "Julian, I think that you and I should head over to Quark's and see if he has a holosuite available." He paused for a minute in deep thought. "Even if they're all booked, that Ferengi of ours really ought to kick someone out after all of the repairs I've fit into my schedule for him lately. It's time for us to go save the Queen once again."

"I think that's a fine idea Chief," said Bashir with a smirk. He waved dismissively at the rest of them. "You people can continue to sit here and have fun at our expense. We will be in a holosuite, risking our lives once again in defense of the skies of England."

Kira put a hand to her mouth to hide her snort of laughter. "Wait until you see their costumes," she told the group from the Enterprise. "They even wear scarves!"

O'Brien was already on his way out, but turned to look at her with his usual, wry smile. "It gets very cold up in the wild blue yonder," he reminded her.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Commander Benjamin Sisko stood side by side next to one of the hand railings looking down from the Promenade's second level. They simply stood there quietly, watching the people below laugh and casually banter back and forth. The remainder of the lunch crowd continued to gradually disperse as more and more people returned to duty. Picard and Sisko were still hovering nearby, curiously observing the activity when they heard an amused chuckle from behind them.

"Does being in charge also require you to isolate yourselves?" asked Odo. "Or is this just a voluntary thing?" The shapeshifter had been standing nearby but was now striding across the remaining distance separating them. His arms were folded in front of him almost judgmentally.

"On most occasions I would answer yes," responded Picard with a thin smile. "Once in a while we can join the group for a time, but there is a distinct advantage to be found when a commander maintains a discreet distance from people. There are even those who might argue that the relationships I maintain with my senior staff are still too close. For each and every one of us who leads others, it remains a judgment call... ours to make."

Sisko glanced toward the Changeling. "Why aren't you down there?" he asked. "There's nothing that is preventing you from having a little fun now that the immediate danger has ended."

"Has the violence ended?" asked Odo inquisitively. "I have my doubts about that, you know."

"I've read your report," Sisko reminded him. "I saw the alien, and he seemed sincere."

Picard studied Odo with fierce confidence. "The Enterprise and five other starships will remain in the vicinity for awhile yet, keeping our patrols in this sector larger than normal." His gaze shifted to Sisko. "Do you think the violence has ended Commander?"

"I'll believe it when I see clear evidence of it," the Commander replied tersely. "Diplomatic agreements are the easiest promises to break, and this was an astonishingly quick turnaround. In the space of several minutes, the creature appeared in my office, introduced himself as the Overseer, apologized for terrorizing us, and then disappeared back into subspace. I've recorded some unusual log entries in my days and filed some mighty strange reports, but so far this one is competing for the all time record."

"We injured it with our improvised graviton collector," noted Picard. "My people tell me that the entity may be larger than we can possibly measure with standard scanners, and yet its reaction after we damaged it somehow makes sense. I don't think it's used to losing any of its body mass. That must have been a rather rude awakening for it."

"Nevertheless, the criminal mind is usual predictable," Odo persisted. "This alien was manipulating commercial merchant trade throughout this entire sector and has demonstrated an amazing ability to back up its objectives with force. When someone like that is challenged, they usually don't give up easily. The preferred M.O. is to change tactics and switch to attack using a modified strategy."

"According to my ship's Counselor - who is part empath - the creature does not feel emotion in the same manner that we do," Picard informed them. "It's more like some sort of an emotionless, computerized mind. So yes, it may choose to return and deploy new tactics against us. However, Starfleet Command is spreading the word to all vessels and populated worlds, so they will be fully aware of the problem and know what to watch out for. We're even going to warn species whose relations with us remain tense. The Cardassians, the Romulans, the Tzenkethi..."

"That's awfully kind of Starfleet," decided Sisko, leaning against the safety railing while he listened. The three of them continued to observe the activity below.

"I'm pretty sure the Starfleet Admiralty is using the 'two birds with one stone' philosophy in this case," Picard admitted. "The increased starship patrols in this region are a show of force that Dominion observers on this side of the wormhole should notice. And the decision to advise our enemies in the Alpha Quadrant of the potential alien threat from subspace is, in my opinion, a pre-emptive measure. We may need their assistance if enemy forces from the Gamma Quadrant should decide to move through the wormhole." He extended a hand of friendship toward Odo. "It is nice to finally meet you," he told the Constable. "News travels fast out here on the frontier, and I've heard a lot about you."

"We've heard a lot about your android," replied Sisko. "It has been an honor to get to know him as well, even if only briefly."

Picard smiled with mild amusement. "Commander Riker and Mr. Data are on the bridge of the Enterprise, laying out a new search grid for our patrolling starships to utilize. This Overseer may have promised to stay away, but we're going to make certain we do the groundwork necessary to verify that." He continued to watch Odo with interest. "You never did answer the Commander's question."

"Captain?" Odo appeared somewhat perplexed by Picard's statement.

"You could be down there," the Enterprise Captain pointed out. "Go and celebrate with the rest of them. After all, we rarely have the opportunity for large amounts of vacation time in our line of work."

The Constable smiled wryly. "Captain, as a law enforcement officer I have discovered that there is a distinct advantage in maintaining a discreet distance from the people whose behavior I monitor."

"Well there you go!" Captain Picard chuckled, holding up both hands. "The Commander and I have something in common with you too then, Odo."

"I'm glad that the worst appears to be over," admitted Sisko. "We had some dangerous close calls during those gravimetric disturbances. And for a time, those exact same types of incidents were taking place on many planets in this region, including Bajor."

"You've developed a definite fondness for the Bajorans, haven't you?" Picard observed.

"I would be lying if I said that I had not," replied the Commander. They have a wonderful culture, and have traditionally bonded together during good times and bad. They possess a fierce spirituality that directly influences their principles and values. It makes them an admirable, imperfect people... just like the rest of us."

"Ask him about the Emissary part," Odo suggested to the Captain. "No matter how hard the Commander tries to avoid it, he has been adopted by and is beloved by millions of Bajorans."

"Oh really?" said Picard, his interest clearly piqued. "I definitely want to hear all about that."

"Trust me, that is a long and boring story," Sisko stated with a slightly embarrassed groan. And yet, inside he was more than a little relieved. Kai Opaka's pronouncement that he was Bajor's 'Emissary to the Prophets' had helped him connect spiritually with the Bajoran people... a culture that had previously regarded the Federation with suspicion and distrust. And now, he realized that if he endured just a little bit of embarrassment, Odo had inadvertently helped him overcome his tense relationship with Jean-Luc Picard. Together the three of them laughed as they continued to discuss the Bajoran people and their slightly reluctant Starfleet 'Emissary'.

"Do they bow to you?" Picard asked mischievously.

"No, but I do issue blessings to newborns and engaged couples," chuckled Sisko.

Deep Space Nine, Commander's Quarters, Stardate 48260.9

The Commander turned in early, after agreeing to allow a noticeably happier Jake to spend the night on a sleepover with Rom and Nog. He himself found the prospect of bunking with the two Ferengi somewhat dubious and difficult to define as 'fun', but Jake and young Nog had already bonded as the best of friends. The Commander spent a few minutes finishing up the remainder of his electronic paperwork for Starfleet, officially - he sincerely hoped - putting an end to the Overseer affair. Once the work was completed, he turned in earlier than usual and fell into a deep and restful sleep.

It was nearly midnight when he woke suddenly, his alert instincts signaling him that something had happened. A slight noise to his left sounded again, and Sisko realized with sudden clarity that someone was in the room with him. "Computer, medium lighting," he stated, sitting straight upright in bed.

As the soft, indirect lighting activated promptly at his request, the Commander noticed a tall, thin man standing at the foot of his bed. "I'm sorry to wake you Benjamin," the familiar dark-haired figure of Thomas Ducane told him. "But I wanted to take a minute to stop by personally and thank you for all your help." He held up his hands and shrugged. "Quite obviously I couldn't simply approach you and do so while you were on the Promenade."

Sisko reached up with his right hand and rubbed the remaining traces of sleep out of his eyes. "It's okay Commander," he said reassuringly. Rising to his feet, he pulled the folds of his robe together and shook his 29th century counterpart's hand firmly. "I'm just happy that everything appears to be settled. What exactly did that android Captain of yours do to fix this?"

The room filled with Ducane's laughter. "I'm not exactly certain of that myself yet," he admitted, continuing to chuckle. "Lt. Ingram received a short, cryptic message from Data informing us about the situation here and ordering us back to the 29th century. Once we return home, I would imagine it won't be long before he shows up to fill us in on all of the additional details. But other than that one transmission, we haven't seen our Captain since the aftermath of Deep Space Nine's battle in the Gamma Quadrant." He exhaled slowly, clearly fatigued but relieved as well. "It's been over five days now without the slightest trace of a temporal disturbance, so Jessica and I are obviously pleased with the results... of... whatever it is specifically that he did."

"I believe Data assessed the situation and then took action on his own, so that the consequences of his actions will not taint you or Lt. Ingram," Sisko decided thoughtfully.

Ducane raised an eyebrow. "Really? What makes you say that Commander?"

"Because that's exactly what I would have done." Sisko took a deep breath and sighed with relief. "I think we both can relax. Data had the Janeway hologram with him and two members of my senior staff. I'm sure that whatever solution they came up with was the best choice possible. That creature is massive and very dangerous..."

"Trust me, on that point you have no idea," Ducane replied tensely. "I could tell you more, but that could prove dangerous. I believe - based on the report filed by your holographic counterpart - that we've already given you as many details about the immediate future as we dare."

Sisko smiled in silent agreement. "Have a safe journey back to the 29th century, Thomas Joseph Ducane," he said warmly.

"We will," Ducane replied, clearly amused as he nodded with respect. "Until we meet again, Commander." He tapped his Comm-badge and, seconds later, vanished in a swirling sparkle of bluish-green transporter energy.

Author's Notes: Okay, most of you who have stuck with me through thick and through thin (Le'Letha, this means you!!!!!!!!!) are fully aware that there's always a 20th chapter left to tell. It's coming soon and I hope you all enjoy reading the conclusion to "Star Trek: Reign Of Terror". The new "Star Trek" movie will be in theatres May 8th, so be sure and go see that too!