Disclaimer:

I really miss Deep Space Nine and its great story telling and complex characters. The older I get, the more I like it!

Notes:

I love all the characters, but this is an Odo-centric fic. Still, I tried to incorporate as many characters as possible.

In the episode "Progress", Jeraddo's core was tapped for cheap energy for Bajor. This is why Dax and Kira were scanning for life forms and didn't find any except for in Mullibok's area. But if you listen closely, when Kira beams down to meet Mullibok for the first time, there are birds tweeting in the background. So there actually was wildlife present despite scans. I try to address this in the fic.

Also, after tapping the moon, the moon was supposed to have been made inhospitable to life. But just a few episodes later in "The Siege" Both Dax and Kira are walking around on that moon and there's Palukoo everywhere! I tried to explain away those inconsistencies as well.

So without any further delay, let's get to the story! (Wish me luck in finishing it!)

.

I, Imitator

.

PROLOGUE

.

The female changeling found Odo in his quarters, sitting on an upholstered chair, staring into the vastness of space out his window. His chin rest on his left fist, an indication that he was lost in deep contemplation.

"Is something bothering you, Odo?"

She had a way of making him think she cared, just enough to spill his innocent fears and curiosities that was normally kept under tight reserve. He had learned early on to keep his feelings concealed to protect himself from the selfish manipulations and machinations of the solids. How ironic, that he was so enamored with the idea of sharing a close comradery with his kin, that he failed to recognize the very same danger which stood freely beside him now.

"I... struggle with the activities of our kind. The imitation and infiltration. It's all so conniving and underhanded. We leave entire civilizations in ruin." His hand released his chin and gripped the arm of his chair, head lowering and shaking.

"Poor Odo. I wonder if the others will struggle as you do when they return."

He looked up at her from where he sat, eyes pleading. "There must be something else, something more, that we do!"

"We learn through imitation. Once imitation is perfected, we seize control. That is all we do."

"I'm not satisfied with that! When did we last improve a species? Or ourselves, for that matter?" He was so desperate to learn of some redeeming quality in his kind that, at this moment, he would have accepted a lie, if it were just delivered sweetly enough.

She walked towards the window and gazed upon the same stars Odo had been staring at and rest her hands on its smooth sill. "What's there to improve? We've already surpassed the solids." She turned to look at him directly. "To answer your question, Odo, we have been improving nearly every species we come across. Take the Vorta. Before they met us, they swung from trees! Now they travel the stars and worship us."

"The Vorta," He scoffed with disgust and a shake of his head. "Not much of an improvement if you ask me."

The female changeling ignored his critique of the Vorta and turned to face him. "It isn't just the Vorta. All species are better off within the Dominion. We seize control in an attempt to help them. With our superiority comes the heavy burden of caring for others, it is our cross to bear."

With clenched fists, he rose from his seat. "That's not what I mean! Is there any species we haven't infiltrated and dominated? Is there any we've respected, nurtured, drew real value from?"

"No. And whether you like it or not, infiltration is what we evolved to do as a species. What more do you expect of us? To abandon our very nature? Changeling, Shapeshifter. One gamma quadrant species calls us "Imitators of life"! There is nothing else we do. Our various names all hint to this truth."

His head shook. "There has to be more than just... this."

"Link with me, Odo." She raised her hand. "And all will become clear again."