"Where are we?", she asked.
"We are in a shuttle."
Suddenly, Kira sprang up.
"What happened to the Defiant? We were under attack? Sisko? Bashir?"
"I don't know, Major. I only just managed to get you out."
"And you didn't stay to find out what happened? Where are we going anyway?"
"Towards the third planet in the Omarian Nebula. We should be there shortly."
"But we should have stayed with the ship!"
"There was no point. It was surrounded by several Jem'Hadar ships. It was captured."
Kira knew there was no point in arguing with Odo. Instead, she concentrated on trying to block the pain in her head.
Kosh led Picard, Connor and Duncan McCloud to a shoddy looking building in the heart of Paradise City. Suddenly, the Vorlon ambassador stopped.
"Here. Here is where the meeting will take place!"
"Are you sure?", asked Duncan.
The ambassador turned and stared at Duncan.
"Of course.", said Duncan. "You're right. It's here."
Suddenly, Duncan drew his sword and took up a fighting stance while he looked around. Connor soon did the same.
"What is it?", asked Picard.
"Someone's watching us.", said Connor. "I can feel it."
Then, as if from out of nowhere, Commander Winthorn appeared, phaser-rifle in hand, pointed at the four of them.
"Good afternoon, folks! Please put down all your weapons!"
They appeared reluctant to do so until they heard someone approaching them from behind. It was Avon.
"Although I don't normally agree with Starfleet officers, even if they are considered renegades, I think you should do what Commander Winthorn says!"
Avon then pointed his weapon at the group.
"Now into the bar!", said Winthorn.
They dropped their weapons, and Avon and Winthorn herded them into the bar. As they did, they looked skyward as they saw a small Minbari ship fly overhead.
Inside the ship, Delenn checked her scanners. They showed several humanoid figures in and around the city. Several were taking up guard-like positions, trying to protect the city from any possible attack. She decided to land her ship a mile away from the city's walls. She then continued her journey on foot.
Kira and Odo had managed to find a place to land on the planet. Looking around, Odo seemed pulled to what appeared to be a sea, but it was a sea like Kira had not seen before. Walking down a cliff, they soon came to the sea. A smile appeared on Odo's face.
"This is it. This is the place I have been looking for."
To Kira, the 'sea' seemed to resemble Odo in his liquid form. Then, before their very eyes, the sea began to move. Suddenly, parts of it began to move towards Kira and Odo. Then, these pieces began to take on humanoid form, and they looked just like Odo. Soon, six shape-shifters looked on at Odo, as if he were a long-lost brother, returning home for a family reunion. Then, one more shape-shifter emerged from the sea. This one took on a female appearance, and approached Odo. She took him by the hand, and said only two words.
"Welcome home."
These were the two words that Odo had been waiting years for. He thought he would never hear them.
Two miles away from Paradise City, a lone Starfleet officer beamed down to the planet's surface. However, Admiral Albert Calevicchi did not want to be here. He had a more pressing engagement at the Kabreigny object. Cursing, the Admiral soon saw the lights of Paradise City in the distance. He began to walk as fast as he could towards the city, wanting to get this whole charade over with as soon as possible.
Odo was intrigued by what he had seen, and by what he had been told.
"Welcome home? Then I am home?"
"Yes, but we did not expect you to return so soon."
"When did you expect me back?"
"In about two hundred years."
"Then why did you send me away?"
"For hundreds of years, we have been sending Changelings all over the universe, to explore, to seek out other life-forms. Then, after a set period of time, they would return to us here, to The Link, to tell us of their journey."
"The Link? What is The Link?"
"You see The Link before you. It is that which combines all Changelings here, both physically and telepathically."
"I want to be a part of that Link!"
"He can't!", said another. "He's been away for too long!"
"I agree.", said the female. "But he can see what it is like for a few seconds! Odo, give me your hand!"
Odo held out his hand, and the female grabbed it. Then, for a few seconds, they became one, as she shared The Link with Odo. There was a look of sheer pleasure on Odo's face as he felt as one with all Changelings, as he was part of The Link. The female then broke The Link.
"As you see, The Link is strong, too strong for you at this time."
"But I want more.", said Odo. "I want to be a part of this Link!"
"Your time will come, Odo. You must be patient! You must find out what it is to be a Changeling!"
The U.S.S. Tempest arrived in orbit around Nimbus III. As soon as they arrived, Morrow began to scan the planet's surface.
"I'm picking up several human life-signs in the main city, along with a Vorlon and a Minbari."
"This could be a trap.", said Tarrant. "The Minbari have never gotten on well with the Federation!"
"But there was just one Minbari.", said Koenig.
"I'm also picking up several ships nearby.", Morrow added.
"All Federation."
"Then it's not a trap.", said Doctor Russell.
"Agreed.", said Koenig. "Those who got the message should beam down to the surface."
"Very well.", said Tarrant. "Mister Morrow, the bridge is yours."
A few minutes later the group of four arrived on the surface of Nimbus III. Nearby, they saw two other Starfleet officers, Admirals Potter and Lethbridge-Stewart.
"Tarrant? Koenig?", said Potter. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"You got a transmission as well?", said Bergman.
"Of course we did.", said Lethbridge-Stewart. "Why else do you think we'd be here? It's not exactly my ideal holiday location!"
Then, they heard footsteps nearby. They turned to see Winthorn and Avon pointing weapons at them.
"Drop all of your weapons.", said Winthorn.
"I knew it!", said Tarrant. "It is a trap!"
"It's not a trap, Captain!", said Avon. "We just want to make sure you listen to us! Now drop your weapons and head for Paradise City!"
Doing as they were told, the group of six dropped their phasers, and began the short trek to Paradise City. Winthorn then activated his communicator.
"Winthorn to Paradise City. I've got six more coming your way."
From the bar, Magus answered the call.
"Thank you, Commander."
Magus turned to Sinclair.
"We must begin soon. There is not much time left."
"But what about Captain Janeway and Commander Sisko?", said Sinclair. "We should wait for them."
"They are not coming. Their destinies do not lie with us...yet. We must proceed."
Magus then went to leave the room.
"Where are you going?", Sinclair asked.
"I must be alone for a few moments. I must gather my thoughts. I must not go into this meeting like a bull in a china shop!"
Magus then left the room, to consider his next move very carefully.
Diane and Simon Watt stood in the main customs area on Moonbase Alpha, a few precious belongings packed in two cases. Then, the man they were waiting for neared them. Ambassador Spock soon joined them, two tickets in his hand.
"The Vulcan ship T'Pau will leave shortly. You should reach Vulcan in two days."
Diane took the tickets, and stared at Spock.
"Why are you doing this, Ambassador? Why are you helping us?"
"At the request of an old friend, Mrs. Watt. Now please hurry. You do not have much time."
Diane kissed Spock on his cheek, and then moved towards the docking port.
"Thank you, Ambassador, for everything!"
"I do this as a friend."
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