Lesser Evil
Page 20
The Vorta looked positively amused. “Lieutenant, I was first cloned in the Gamma Quadrant. Did you really think that even if all my clones in the Alpha Quadrant were destroyed, some of my genetic material wasn’t still on file in the Dominion?”
Dax smiled humorlessly. “I might have known it was too much to hope for.”
“My dear, you cut me to the quick. Which reminds me…how is Commander Worf?”
“He’s Ambassador Worf now,” Dax said. “To the Klingon Empire.”
“Really?” Weyoun said, absently feeling his neck. “Well, I suppose if anyone would appreciate Mr. Worf’s style of discourse, it would be his fellow Klingons.”
“Was there a reason you contacted us, Weyoun?” Vaughn said, trying to get back on topic.
“Oh, my apologies, Commander Vaughn,” Weyoun said, and suddenly his voice lost some of his friendliness. “Our sensors are showing you have a Founder aboard your vessel. We demand his return at once.”
“Of course,” Vaughn said, then turned to Dax. “Lieutenant, would you please inform our guest of the situation and arrange to have her beamed aboard the Dominion ship? And be sure to give her the chip.” After Dax nodded and left to carry out Vaughn’s order, he turned back to Weyoun. “The Founder in question was rescued by us after being marooned for two years on a planet we came across. We were going to bring her with us to Deep Space 9 and then contact the Dominion to arrange her safe return. Your arrival here simplifies that immensely.”
“Her?” Weyoun said.
“Yes,” Vaughn answered. “She seems quite young—at least, by our standards. Scarcely more than a child. Her ship was brought down two years ago by a force we’re quite familiar with—the Borg. She’ll attest to what I’m telling you, and she’ll also be carrying a report we’ve compiled about the encounter that you might find useful.”
“I see,” Weyoun said thoughtfully. He spoke quietly to a nearby Jem’Hadar, similarly equipped with a headset. The soldier nodded and moved off. Probably the First, Vaughn thought. “Yes, we’re aware of the Borg from our intelligence on the Alpha Quadrant,” Weyoun went on. “Many of us were wondering how long it would be before they paid a visit to the Gamma Quadrant.”
“If you’d like,” Vaughn said, “we could perhaps arrange to provide additional intelligence on the Borg as part of an information-exchange pact.”
“Thank you for the kind offer, Commander. I’ll certainly pass it on to the Founders.”
“While we’re waiting…” Vaughn said, wondering how to phrase his next question, then decided only the direct approach would serve in this situation. “Can you explain what’s happened to the Idran system?”
“Oh, yes, Idran,” Weyoun said. “Remarkable, isn’t it? And just as I was beginning to believe the universe couldn’t become more troublesome. To answer your question, Commander, I cannot begin to explain what’s happened here, and I suspect you may find out before I do.”
“But what—” Vaughn started to say when Dax returned to the bridge.
Walking up to the center seat, she reported, “Chao is standing by in the transporter bay.”
Vaughn nodded. “Thank you, Lieutenant.” He turned back to Weyoun. “Your bridge?”
The Vorta nodded. “Acceptable.”
“Vaughn to transporter bay,” he said. “Chief, please beam the Founder directly to the Dominion ship’s bridge.”
“Aye, sir. Energizing…”
As the Founder materialized near Weyoun, the Vorta bowed his head reverentially and said in a supplicating voice, “Founder, you honor us with your presence. We’re gratified by your safe return. Perhaps you’d care to rest after your ordeal?”
“Yes, I think I would. Please thank the Federation people for their help to me, and for their hospitality. I owe them my life.” With that, she turned and left the bridge of the Dominion ship. For his part, though he clearly was trying not to show it, Weyoun was taken aback by the Founder’s words.
“I take it you heard that?” he asked Vaughn.
“Every word,” Vaughn confirmed with a small smile. “She’s welcome.”
“You’ve done the Dominion a great service, Commander,” Weyoun said, “and you have its gratitude.”
“We could just say you owe us a favor,” Vaughn suggested.
“I’d rather not,” was Weyoun’s cheerful reply. “But I will say that our meeting this way is fortuitous. You see…I believe we’ve found something that belongs to you.” With a quick nod to someone off screen, Weyoun turned back to Vaughn and said, “Safe journey, Commander. Perhaps our paths will cross again someday.” He closed the connection, and disappeared from the viewscreen.
“What the hell was that about?” Vaughn asked aloud.
“Sir,” Bowers said. “I’m detecting a transporter beam—”
“Shields!” Vaughn shouted, instantly on his feet.
“Too late—”
Three columns of light shimmered on the bridge and then solidified into the shapes of humanoids: a male and two females. Vaughn didn’t recognize any of them, although the male looked human, while one of the females was of a species Vaughn had never seen before. The third member of the group, standing behind the others, was harder to see.
He was about to address them when Dax’s voice cut through the bridge. “My God, Jake…is that really you?”
Vaughn turned back to the male human, eyes narrowing, knowing Dax could only mean Jake Sisko, son of the former commanding officer of Deep Space 9, missing since before Vaughn’s transfer to the station.
Dax ran across the bridge and launched herself at the tall young man, having to jump up to throw her arms around his neck.
“Woah, Ezri, take it easy,” Jake said, laughing.
“You big jerk,” she said. “Kasidy and your grandfather have been worried sick about you. We all have.”
“I know,” Jake said quietly, holding her close. “I’m sorry. Nothing worked out the way I expected.”
“Sir,” Bowers said to Vaughn. “The Dominion ship is moving off.”
“Stand down from red alert, Mr. Bowers,” Vaughn said, “and have Dr. Bashir report to the bridge.” He paused, trying to recall what he knew about young Mr. Sisko, then added with a smile, “Get Nog up here as well.”
Dax detached himself from the lad. “Where have you been?” Dax demanded of Jake, and as he opened his mouth to answer, she added, “And if you’re even thinking about saying ‘It’s a long story,’ you better think twice, or so help me—”
“Later,” Jake said. “I promise I’ll explain everything, but not now. Not yet.” Jake turned and focused on Vaughn. He smiled, but it was wistful. “It’s so weird to see someone else in charge here,” he said, then caught himself. “I’m sorry, Commander. I’m Jake Sisko. I’ve been away for a while. Permission to come aboard?”
Vaughn smiled. I like this young man already. “No apology necessary, Mr. Sisko. Permission granted. I’m Elias Vaughn. Welcome aboard, to you and your companions….”
As if realizing the oversight, Jake hastily corrected it. “Oh, God, I’m sorry. I forgot to introduce my new friends. This is Wex,” he said, indicating the first female. She had gray skin and an impressive mane of white hair. “She’s on a pilgrimage,” Jake explained.
Wex inclined her head but said nothing as she regarded Vaughn, seeming to scrutinize him.
“And, uh, this is my other new friend—which I suppose is kind of ironic, all things considering,” Jake continued, indicating the woman who still hung back. She stepped forward, her stout frame wrapped in worn, weathered cloaks. She pulled back her hood and revealed a head of close-cropped silver hair. And judging from the ridges of her nose, she was unmistakably Bajoran. Vaughn heard a sharp intake of breath from Dax.
“I apologize for the condition in which I greet you, Commander,” she said humbly, spreading her hands. Her voice, Vaughn thought, was soft and seemed to convey the impression of wisdom—ancient wisdom, of a kind he himself had long searched for but nev
er found. “Permit me to express my gratitude for your timely assistance. I am Opaka, once kai of Bajor.”
THE DEEP SPACE NINE SAGA
CONTINUES IN
RISING SON
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