Keogh reacted immediately. Computer, scan the shuttlebay for any anomalous readings and report.
After a moment, the computers voice calmly said, No anomalous readings.
Shabalala had taken out a tricorder. The artifact is reading as inert, sir.
Sisko shrugged. Probably shutting down now that it isnt being used.
I hope thats all it is, Keogh said.
After Kira departed, Sisko, Keogh, and Shabalala went to a turbolift.
Would you like to join us in Ten-Forward, Commander? Keogh asked Sisko.
Perhaps later. I want to bring this thing to Dax for safekeeping. Someone from the Rector Institute on Earth is scheduled to come to DS9 and pick it up in a month or two.
I have to say, Commander, Keogh said to Sisko, I was less than impressed with your science officer. Shes a bit on thewell, arrogant side. I know shes a friend of yours, but
Its hard not to be arrogant after three hundred years, Captain. With a small half-smile, he said, Ill be sure to let her know of your assessment.
Keogh and Shabalala got off at deck ten, leaving Sisko to continue up to deck eight and the guest quarters.
After a hesitation, Shabalala said, Itsgood to have you back, Captain. You had us worried.
Im afraid the center chair is going to remain occupied for a while longer, Commander, Keogh said, allowing himself a smile.
And youre welcome to it, sir. Im just glad I didnt have to lose another CO so soon.
Keogh frowned. He knew the details of Patnira, of course, but had thought Shabalala recovered from it. Now, he wasnt so sure.
As they entered Ten-Forward, he said, I suppose youll want that Saurian swill of yours.
Actually, sirI think Id like to share a whiskey with you. Shabalala broke into a grin.
After blinking in surprise, Keogh then smiled again. Id be honored, Commander.
Within minutes, they sat at a table, sharing a bottle of syntheholic whiskey.
Captain, if you dont mind my askingwhat happened?
Again, Keogh frowned. What happened when, Commander?
What happened to make you decide not to let anyone call you Decoor even say the name in your presence?
Instinctively, Keogh started to shoot down this line of conversation, but then stopped. If he isnt as over Patnira as I thought, maybe my story will do him some good.
You may find this hard to believe, Commander, but I had something of a reputation in my younger days as awell, a wild man.
Really, sir? Shabalala said, sounding surprised.
Yes, really. I insisted everyone call me Deco, and that informality stretched tomany things. Mostly to women and drinking. He held up his glass. Usually liquids far stronger and less syntheholic than this. He took a sip from the glass, then set it down, staring at the amber liquid, imagining he could see his younger self. One night, twenty-two years ago, I was security chief on the Lexington. I indulged in both pursuitsrather aggressively the night before we arrived at Altair VI to attend a presidential inauguration. It was someones birthdayI dont even remember whoseand we had a very loud party on the rec deck. I woke up the next morning with an overloading phaser in my head, cotton in my mouth, and a sudden desire to not attend a dull ceremony. So I changed the duty rosterperfectly within my rights as chief of security, mind youand stayed on the ship at tactical while sending down my assistant chief in my place, along with the five other security guards that had been requested to attend the inauguration.
Shabalala gave Keogh a look. Wait a momenttwenty-two years ago? Wasnt that when
Keogh nodded. The coup, yes. All five of my people down there died when the an-Jirok attackedincluding Ensign Manojlovich, who shouldve been safe back on the bridge. But, because I was young and stupid, he died.
Shabalala took a sip of his whiskey, then gave Keogh as serious a look as the captain had ever seen from his first officer. Sir, you cant blame yourself for that. Every two years since the founding of the Federation, Starfleet has sent three ships to attend the inauguration at Altair VI. The only time they didnt was during the time the an-Jirok ruled, and that only lasted three years. Starship crews live in dread of getting the assignment. There was no reason for you to attend as chief of security for an event that had, until that point, had the same level of security concerns as walking to the bridge from your quarters.
Thats not the point, Keogh said angrily. I was going to attend, and the only reason I didnt was because I thought a party was more important than being ready to do my duty.
Maybe. Shabalala hesitated, then put a hand on Keoghs shouldera familiar gesture that surprised Keogh, and angered him slightly. And certainly youre not going to change your ways now. But you still cant blame yourself. Every day, I think about what happened on Patnira. Every time I close my eyes, I see the horrendous thing that Captain Simon became. Every time Im in a quiet room, I can hear her voice begging me to kill her. And yet, no matter how much that day haunts meI dont regret what I did. It needed to be done, I did it, and if I had to go through it again, the only thing Id do differently is that I wouldnt have hesitated before firing the phaser. Life is far too short to waste on might-have-beens, Captain.
Keogh then heard a sound he hadnt heard in quite some time his own laughter.
Several heads in Ten-Forward turned in surprise, as their captain laughing was a unique experience.
Shabalala himself was grinning. I hadnt realized that what I said was so amusing, Captain.
Its not that, Commander, its justone of the reasons why I told you about the Lexington was that I wasnt sure if you had gotten over what happened on Patnira. Looks like I was the one who needed the therapy.
Well, if I were you, sir, I wouldnt go signing up for sessions with Counselor Zumsteg just yet. Another hesitation. But Im glad we had this conversation, nonetheless.
As am I, Commander, as am I. Keogh raised his glass. To many years of serving together, Mr. Shabalala.
Ill definitely drink to thatDeco.
Over the years, the Klingon Empire had built a large base on Narendra III. Proximate to both the Romulan and Federation borders, it was the site of a treacherous attack by several Romulan warbirds. Only the sacrifice of the Starship Enterprise, commanded by Rachel Garrett, enabled the base to survive.
In all the years that the Klingons occupied the world, though, they never managed to disturbor even discover the existence ofthe metal box with the green glow.
The screams had continued all but uninterrupted. Their only pause had been a century ago. There had been hope then, but it was fleeting.
That hope revived itself with a second chance for freedom. This one was much better suited to the taskhe was a fighter, a warrior, and, best of all, a warmonger. The signs were much better than they were the last time.
But he too failed.
And the screaming continued.
However, now four more minds joined the three that had imprinted themselves before.
Now there were potentially seven to fight on behalf of Malkus the Mighty.
When the time was right
Second Interlude
Station log, Deep Space 9, Commander Benjamin Sisko, Stardate 47999.2
The U.S.S. Yorktown and Venture are on their way to the station, the former to transport the survivors of the Odyssey, the latter to begin the cleanup work on whats left of the New Bajor colony.
To say that the existence of this new threat from the Gamma Quadrant troubles me would be a vast understatement. The Dominion has made its hostile intentions clear with the destruction of New Bajor and the kamikaze attack on the Odyssey that resulted in the deaths of Captain Keogh, Commander Shabalala, and the rest of their fine crew. Captain Keogh at least offloaded all civilians and nonessential personnel before their mission to the Gamma Quadrant, but that still leaves the death toll in the hundreds of thousandsmerely to prove a point.
I have requested that Starfleet assign additional forces to the station. The deaths of the good people of New Bajor and the valia
nt crew of the Odyssey will not go unavenged.
TO BE CONTINUED
About the Author
After a trip to the galactic barrier in order to save an injured Klingon, Keith R.A. DeCandido found himself seventy thousand light years from home and put on trial for the crimes of humanity, after which he was declared Emissary. Eventually, after switching bodies with an insane woman, he was able to become one with the Prophets, stop an anti-time wave from destroying the multiverse, and get home with the help of his alternate future self. These days, he writes in a variety of milieus. His other Star Trek work ranges from the Star Trek The Next Generation novel Diplomatic Implausibility to the Star Trek Deep Space Nine novel Demons of Air and Darkness to the TNG comic book Perchance to Dream to the DS9 novella Horn and Ivory. In addition, he is the co-developer of the Star Trek S.C.E. line, and has written or cowritten over half a dozen eBooks in this series of adventures featuring the Starfleet Corps of Engineers (some reprinted in the volumes Have Tech, Will Travel and Miracle Workers in early 2002). The year 2003 will see the debut of Star Trek I.K.S. Gorkon, books starring Captain Klag and his Klingon crewthe first time Pocket Books has published a series focusing on Star Trek 'smost popular aliens. To say Keith is thrilled at this opportunity would be the gravest of understatements. He will also be contributing to the Star Trek The Lost Era mini-series.
In addition to all this Trek kin, Keith has written novels, short stories, and nonfiction books in the worlds of Andromeda, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Doctor Who, Farscape, Magic The Gathering, Marvel Comics, and Xena. He is also the editor of the upcoming anthology of original science fiction Imaginings.
Keith lives in the Bronx with his girlfriend and the worlds two goofiest cats. Find out even more useless information about him at his official Web site at the easy-to-remember URL of DeCandido.net, or just e-mail him directly at keith@decandido.net and tell him just what you think of him.
Look for STAR TREK fiction from Pocket Books
Star Trek Enterprise The First Adventure Vonda N. McIntyre
Final Frontier Diane Carey
Spocks World Diane Duane
The Lost Years J.M. Dillard
Prime Directive Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens
Probe Margaret Wander Bonanno
Best Destiny Diane Carey
Shadows on the Sun Michael Jan Friedman
Sarek A.C. Crispin
Federation Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens
Vulcans Forge Josepha Sherman amp; Susan Shwartz
Mission to Horatius Mack Reynolds
Vulcans Heart Josepha Sherman amp; Susan Shwartz
The Eugenics Wars The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh, Books One and Two Greg Cox
The Last Round-Up Christie Golden
Novelizations
Star Trek The Motion Picture Gene Roddenberry
Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan Vonda N. McIntyre
Star Trek III The Search for Spock Vonda N. McIntyre
Star Trek IV The Voyage Home Vonda N. McIntyre
Star Trek V The Final Frontier J.M. Dillard
Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country J.M. Dillard
Star Trek Generations J.M. Dillard
Starfleet Academy Diane Carey
Star Trek books by William Shatner with Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens
The Ashes of Eden
The Return
Avenger
Star Trek Odyssey (contains The Ashes of Eden, The Return , and Avenger)
Spectre
Dark Victory
Preserver
Captains Peril
1 Star Trek The Motion Picture Gene Roddenberry
2 The Entropy Effect Vonda N. McIntyre
3 The Klingon Gambit Robert E. Vardeman
4 The Covenant of the Crown Howard Weinstein
5 The Prometheus Design Sondra Marshak amp; Myrna Culbreath
6 The Abode of Life Lee Correy
7 Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan Vonda N. McIntyre
8 Black Fire Sonni Cooper
9 Triangle Sondra Marshak amp; Myrna Culbreath
10 Web of the Romulans M.S. Murdock
11 Yesterdays Son A.C. Crispin
12 Mutiny on the Enterprise Robert E. Vardeman
13 The Wounded Sky Diane Duane
14 The Trellisane Confrontation David Dvorkin
15 Corona Greg Bear
16 The Final Reflection John M. Ford
17 Star Trek III The Search for Spock Vonda N. McIntyre
18 My Enemy, My Ally Diane Duane
19 The Tears of the Singers Melinda Snodgrass
20 The Vulcan Academy Murders Jean Lorrah
21 Uhuras Song Janet Kagan
22 Shadow Lord Laurence Yep
23 Ishmael Barbara Hambly
24 Killing Time Della Van Hise
25 Dwellers in the Crucible Margaret Wander Bonanno
26 Pawns and Symbols Majliss Larson
27 Mindshadow J.M. Dillard
28 Crisis on Centaurus Brad Ferguson
29 Dreadnought! Diane Carey
30 Demons J.M. Dillard
31 Battlestations! Diane Carey
32 Chain of Attack Gene DeWeese
33 Deep Domain Howard Weinstein
34 Dreams of the Raven Carmen Carter
35 The Romulan Way Diane Duane amp; Peter Morwood
36 How Much for Just the Planet? John M. Ford
37 Bloodthirst J.M. Dillard
38 The IDIC Epidemic Jean Lorrah
39 Time for Yesterday A.C. Crispin
40 Timetrap David Dvorkin
41 The Three-Minute Universe Barbara Paul
42 Memory Prime Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens
43 The Final Nexus Gene DeWeese
44 Vulcans Glory D.C. Fontana
45 Double, Double Michael Jan Friedman
46 The Cry of the Onlies Judy Klass
47 The Kobayashi Maru Julia Ecklar
48 Rules of Engagement Peter Morwood
49 The Pandora Principle Carolyn Clowes
50 Doctors Orders Diane Duane
51 Enemy Unseen V.E. Mitchell
52 Home Is the Hunter Dana Kramer-Rolls
53 Ghost-Walker Barbara Hambly
54 A Flag Full of Stars Brad Ferguson
55 Renegade Gene DeWeese
56 Legacy Michael Jan Friedman
57 The Rift Peter David
58 Faces of Fire Michael Jan Friedman
59 The Disinherited Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger
60 Ice Trap L.A. Graf
61 Sanctuary John Vornholt
62 Death Count L.A. Graf
63 Shell Game Melissa Crandall
64 The Starship Trap Mel Gilden
65 Windows on a Lost World V.E. Mitchell
66 From the Depths Victor Milan
67 The Great Starship Race Diane Carey
68 Firestorm L.A. Graf
69 The Patrian Transgression Simon Hawke
70 Traitor Winds L.A. Graf
71 Crossroad Barbara Hambly
72 The Better Man Howard Weinstein
73 Recovery J.M. Dillard
74 The Fearful Summons Denny Martin Flinn
75 First Frontier Diane Carey amp; Dr. James I. Kirkland
76 The Captains Daughter Peter David
77 Twilights End Jerry Oltion
78 The Rings of Tautee Dean Wesley Smith amp; Kristine Kathryn Rusch
79 Invasion! 1 First Strike Diane Carey
80 The Joy Machine James Gunn
81 Mudd in Your Eye Jerry Oltion
82 Mind Meld John Vornholt
83 Heart of the Sun Pamela Sargent amp; George Zebrowski
84 Assignment Eternity Greg Cox
85-87 My Brothers Keeper Michael Jan Friedman
85 Republic
87 Enterprise
88 Across the Universe Pamela Sargent amp; Geor
ge Zebrowski
89-94 New Earth
89 Wagon Train to the Stars Diane Carey
90 Belle Terre Dean Wesley Smith with Diane Carey
91 Rough Trails L.A. Graf
92 The Flaming Arrow Kathy and Jerry Oltion
93 Thin Air Kristine Kathryn Rusch amp; Dean Wesley Smith
94 Challenger Diane Carey
95-96 Rihannsu Diane Duane
95 Swordhunt
96 Honor Blade
97 In the Name of Honor Dayton Ward
Star Trek The Original Series The Janus Gate L.A. Graf
1 Present Tense
2 Future Imperfect
3 Past Prologue
Errand of Vengeance Kevin Ryan
1 The Edge of the Sword
2 Killing Blow
3 River of Blood
Star Trek The Next Generation Metamorphosis Jean Lorrah
Vendetta Peter David
Reunion Michael Jan Friedman
Imzadi Peter David
The Devils Heart Carmen Carter
Dark Mirror Diane Duane
Q-Squared Peter David
Crossover Michael Jan Friedman
Kahless Michael Jan Friedman
Ship of the Line Diane Carey
The Best and the Brightest Susan Wright
Planet X Michael Jan Friedman
Imzadi II Triangle Peter David
I, Q John de Lancie amp; Peter David
The Valiant Michael Jan Friedman
The Genesis Wave, Books One, Two, and Three John Vornholt
Immortal Coil Jeffrey Lang
A Hard Rain Dean Wesley Smith
The Battle of Betazed Charlotte Douglas amp; Susan Kearney
Novelizations
Encounter at Farpoint David Gerrold
Unification Jeri Taylor
Relics Michael Jan Friedman
Descent Diane Carey
All Good Things Michael Jan Friedman
Star Trek Klingon Dean Wesley Smith amp; Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Star Trek Generations J.M. Dillard
Star Trek First Contact J.M. Dillard
Star Trek Insurrection J.M. Dillard
Star Trek Nemesis J.M. Dillard
1 Ghost Ship Diane Carey
2 The Peacekeepers Gene DeWeese
3 The Children of Hamlin Carmen Carter
4 Survivors Jean Lorrah
5 Strike Zone Peter David
6 Power Hungry Howard Weinstein