Servalan turned the broadcast off. A broad smile appeared on her face.
"It would seem we are doing better than expected," she said.
Norah Satie, Servalan's leading candidate for the post of Judge Advocate General, agreed.
"We all saw James Watt die in the explosion on Starfleet One. Anyone who believes Spock is a fool."
"As are those who follow him," said Sleer. "But there is one thing we have to consider. What if he actually wins this election? All of our work...your work...will come to nothing!"
"I have a back-up plan if something goes wrong, Commander," said Servalan. "If something goes wrong I will put it into operation."
From his chair, Starfleet Commander-in-Chief General William Hague watched, silently observing the conversation. What plan was Servalan talking about? He knew nothing of this, but he knew he had to find out something.
In the Ops room of the Pegasus station, Captain Arthur Pendragon stood, gazing out into the stars. He did not notice Lieutenant Plato arrive beside him.
"Captain, we have just received a coded message from Doctor Magus on Nimbus III."
Pendragon did not answer. He continued to look out towards the stars.
"Captain...?"
Pendragon turned his attention to Plato.
"My apologies, Mister Plato. Please continue."
"Doctor Magus believes that the first delegates will arrive shortly. He is going to hold the talks in Paradise City."
"If you ask me he was wrong not to take me along with him."
Pendragon and Plato looked back to see Zarkoff entering Ops.
"Why do you say that?" asked Pendragon.
"Because of my vast diplomatic experience," Zarkoff replied. "He could use someone like me on Nimbus III. Those officers may take some convincing."
"I believe Magus could convince them," said Pendragon. "If not to join us here, then to become our eyes and ears in the Federation. And you must remember, Mister Zarkoff, that he served as a Federation ambassador for over fifty years. Magus can handle this."
Zarkoff knew he had lost this argument. Still, he knew that he would have an important role to play very soon.
The U.S.S. Defiant was now in orbit around the third planet of the Kianon system, the location of the Dominion's sub-space relay station. Dax and O'Brien were selected by Sisko to beam into the station, and as soon as they arrived, they conducted a scan of the station.
"I'm surprised there wasn't any sort of shield around this place," said Dax.
"Maybe the Dominion weren't expecting anyone," said O'Brien.
O'Brien soon found the main computer outlet. He scanned it with his tricorder.
"The system seems similar to Federation technology, but with slight differences."
He then activated his communicator.
"O'Brien to Defiant. I think I've found the main outlet. We are trying to access the system now."
They began their work. After a few minutes, they managed to gain access to the main computer.
"Commander, I think I've got something here," Dax reported. "There seems to be a Dominion stronghold in a nearby system."
"Any other information about the Founders?" asked Sisko.
"We tried," Dax replied. "But something seems to be blocking us."
As the communication continued, five Jem'Hadar warriors suddenly de-cloaked before them. The communication was cut instantly.
"Dax! O'Brien! Report!"
"It's no use, Commander," Kira said. "Something's jamming the signal, and I've also detected five other life signs down there. They're Jem'Hadar!"
Sisko sat in his chair, silent, for a few moments, considering their next move.
"Set a course on the co-ordinates that Dax and O'Brien gave us."
"What?" said Bashir. "We can't leave them there!"
"If the Jem'Hadar have them, then we'll have trouble getting them back," Sisko replied. "And we also have to consider our main objective here - the location of the Founders. We'll have to leave them!"
"I agree," said Toru. "We can do nothing more!"
"Then set a course," said Sisko.
He did not want to leave his friends behind, but Sisko knew he had to, if he was ever going to complete his mission. He just hoped that they would be alright.
"Approaching Nimbus Three, Captain," announced Data from his console.
"Very good, Mr. Data," answered Picard. Their arrival had not gone unnoticed.
"Avon to Magus: the Enterprise has arrived. I'm moving the Liberator to a matching orbit on the other side of the planet."
"Very well," replied Magus. "Good luck."
Back aboard the Enterprise, Picard looked at Riker.
"I want a complete scan of the planet's surface. It is possible that we are facing some sort of trap."
The scan was soon under way. On the surface below, things were going against it. To the amazement of all watching, Magus broke off from his preparations and began to draw a pentagram upon the floor of the bar. He conjured six candlesticks at each angle of the star, and then lit them. No one knew what he was doing. Magus stood in the middle of the star and began to chant.
"Amal nathrach; urthvas bethod; dothwiel tienve; amal nathrach; urthvas bethod; dothwiel tienve."
High above, aboard the Enterprise, the scan continued.
"I am reading no life signs below, Captain," reported Data. "However, there does appear to be a form of energy emanating from the planet."
"Is that Istarian?" asked Riker.
"It is more in the nature of a piece of music. I believe it to be Schiller's Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony."
Picard broke into a broad grin.
"I don't believe this to be a trap, Number One," he said. "I know that that particular piece of music has connections to both Phineas Magus and James Watt the Elder. Magus and Teddy were with Beethoven when he wrote it, and Watt was particularly fond of a rock version."
Riker looked concerned.
"I am aware that you know more about Dr. Magus than I do, Sir, but I cannot agree to your beaming down alone."
"But that is what I am going to do, Number One."
With that, Picard left for the transporter room.
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