======== Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Subject: NEW: Encounter at a Far Point [PG] VOY (mirror, 70yrs #3) From: fitchett@netaccess.co.nz (Sasscat Bu-to-y) Date: Tue, 27 Jan 1998 13:37:26 +1300 Title: Encounter at a Far Point Author: Sasscat Bu-to-y Series: Voyager - 70 Years Bad Luck Rating: PG-13 Codes: Mirror universe and all that you'd expect therefrom; even a guest role for the Intendant herself. Disclaimer: Paramount owns the Star Trek universe and the Star Trek mirror universe. They haven't seen fit to do anything with Voyager in that, so here's our non-profit shot at it. Summary: Q and a couple of people harass some other people. Author's Note: Many thanks to Zeborah for proofreading this story, and for inventing the mysterious 'man in the mess hall'. I think. Actually, we can't remember who invented him, but I'll give Zeborah the credit anyway. Also for helping me with writing this so I could get it posted. Encounter at a Far Point - #3 of Seventy Years Bad Luck (c) Sasscat Bu-to-y 1998 "I could have had rice grass," Paris muttered, stabbing a fibrous leaf. "I could have had lisan heart. But no, I had to choose the stir-fried caqta leaves." "Why, I do believe it's Thomas Eugene Paris," a sudden voice in his ear announced. "Yes, sir." He felt a hand caress his shoulder, accompanied by the chime of a Bajoran earring. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Thomas Eugene Paris," the Bajoran breathed, lips an inch away from Paris' ear. "I'm pleased to meet you too, sir," Paris said, "but all my close friends call me Tom." "But Thomas Eugene Paris is such a special name." He ran his hand along Paris' back to his other shoulder. "I want to call you something no one else does." "Then that won't do, sir. Ro Laren called me that just the other day." "How about Eugene?" the man said, resting his free hand on Paris' other shoulder. "Eugene is such a sweet little name, don't you think?" "I never thought about it before, but now that I hear you say it, sir..." Paris smiled and relaxed into the warm hands. "I'm glad you agree, Eugene," he whispered, sliding his hands down Paris' chest. "*Very* glad." Paris swallowed, trying to think of something to say. "Uh-" he started and was interrupted by a flash of white light and the appearance of a man by their table. He seemed to be a third each of Cardassian, Bajoran and Klingon - Cardassian neck ridges, Bajoran nose ridges and Klingon forehead ridges. "Perfect," the stranger declared, then noticed the Bajoran. "You're not important," he said, snapping his fingers. "Go away." The hands on Paris' chest disappeared in an identical white flash, along with half the people in the room, and the stranger looked round in satisfaction. "Much better. Oh, hello helmboy. Don't go anywhere, will you?" He snapped his fingers again and vanished in another flash of light. (Y) ^ Seska was in her office when the flash of light appeared. Or to be more accurate, when she saw the light through the transparent part of the door. She strode onto the bridge and stared at the hybrid in front of the science console. "What an interesting transporter effect," Seska said pleasantly. "I don't believe I've seen one quite like it." He turned and smiled. "Well, no, you wouldn't have, would you? I'm Q. And you, my dear, are Seska - a Gul now, I see. That's quite an improvement over your job on Voyager, although you do still seem to be stuck in the Delta Quadrant. And," he studied her briefly, "your taste in men certainly hasn't changed. Anyway, as I was telling Kathy here, I decided it was about time I dropped by. I haven't visited this universe for, oh, a millenium." Seska's hand paused halfway to her disrupter. "Oh, you're from another universe, then?" "Madame Gul, the Q are from every universe. I just haven't been here for awhile. Actually I've been spending most of my time in what you call the mirror universe. My, so many familiar faces!" He glanced around. "Hmm. K'Ehleyr half-Bajoran now, and the Kai Opaka's daughter to boot. Now that is interesting. Not that we ever met, of course, but it's the principle of the thing. But Kathy dear," he abruptly turned back to the science console and Professor Janeway, "how lovely to see you again! We must get together properly some time. In any case, we're keeping them waiting." "Keeping who waiting?" Janeway asked. "The others, of course. At the reunion." He laughed. "I do keep forgetting how limited the mortal view of things is. Ah well, can't be helped. Come along." He snapped his fingers and Seska and Janeway were transported to the mess room. Paris, Ro, B'Elanna and Chakotay were already there. "Someone's missing," Q murmured from beside them. "Ah yes, the Vulcan!" Instantly, Tuvok was there. Seska turned to Ro. "I thought the brig was shielded." "It is, Gul," Ro said flatly, and began moving over. "The brig? Really?" Q studied him. "The calm, logical, reliable security chief? Of course, in *that* universe he doesn't have a twin brother to do all his thinking for him. Very well, in the brig he stays." And Tuvok was gone. "Gul?" Ro reached her, hand on disrupter. Seska hesitated. Certainly, he was annoying, but he did seem to have technology as good as, no, better than, their own. Perhaps... She shook her head slightly and turned to him. "Are you sure you haven't been to this universe recently? You appear to be quite knowledgeable about its inhabitants." "I know everything," Q said. "And I've met most of you before in one universe or another. Don't worry," he added confidentially, "you didn't get Chuckles in the mirror universe, either. Well, not again, anyway." Seska stayed pleasant. "One thing I don't understand is whatever you'd want with us." Q considered that for a moment. "I think the word would be... amusement. Oh, that reminds me; I have forgotten someone else! On second thoughts, I'll let him stay where he is - more amusement in the long run." He turned to Janeway. "Madame Captain--" Everyone stared at him. "Captain?" Ro echoed sharply. "Didn't I mention that?" Q said innocently. "Kathy's the captain of Voyager in the mirror universe. Take a seat, Kathy dear! Flowers?" He brandished twelve red roses. Janeway looked at him quietly and he shrugged. "Maybe not. What's everyone standing around for? Sit! Enjoy!" A snap of his fingers seated everyone round a lavish feast. "B'Elanna, some gagh? From half-Klingon engineer to half-Terran engineer - you just can't get a break, can you? I like the new forehead, though. Which reminds me, I must look in on Jean-Luc sometime. He must miss me terribly." "Who's Jean-Luc?" Ro asked. Q laughed. "I do keep forgetting about mortals. An old friend, my dear. The man you served under before that nasty incident with the Cardassians. I did warn you not to join the Maquis - well, no, I didn't, but you should have known better anyway. Or was that someone else? Your little friend Sito; now I know *she* was involved in a nasty incident with the Cardassians. Speaking of Cardassians; Seska dear, some kanar?" "Thank you, but no," Seska said evenly. "Maquis... I don't believe I've heard the name." Q waved a hand. "Much like your Terran rebels, but fighting against the Federation-Cardassian treaty. Chuckles was doing his best to run a ship of you when Kathy picked him up by the Array." "A ship of *us*?" Seska echoed. Q sighed. "How *do* you mortals manage without knowing anything? You and B'Elanna worked for him, of course. And helmboy before he was captured by the Federation - I guess you can't get a break either, helmboy. People do keep asking you to rat on your former colleagues. Must be something in your genetic makeup. I wonder if you and B'Elanna will ever-- No, I suppose not," he decided at the half-Terran's look. "This universe is quite different, after all. Pity. You guys made a really cute couple - and you were a lot of fun to watch in b-- Anyway, who have I missed?" "Q," Seska said. "Does that kanar offer still stand?" "Well, this sounds like it's going to get interesting," Q remarked. "The best vintage, Seska dear. Try some." He snapped his fingers and a flask appeared by Seska's side with the white flash she had come to expect. She uncorked it and poured a small amount into her glass. Janeway scanned it quickly with her tricorder. "It's real," she said. "Safe, you mean. Why Kathy, I do believe you trusted me more when you thought I was self-centred, petty and only out for my own amusement - well, maybe that was a bad example. If I wanted your Gul dead I wouldn't need to resort to such primitive devices. I am a god!" "A god," Chakotay repeated sceptically. "You don't believe me? Observe!" Q snapped his fingers and nothing happened. "You see?" he exulted, and disappeared in another flash of light. The voice came from nowhere. "Oh, dear me, I do keep forgetting how limited you mortals are. Seska, be a dear and run along to the bridge, will you?" Seska froze for a moment then addressed the voice in a respectful 'if-you're-so-smart' tone: "But Q, surely you could send us there yourself." "Now, now, no need to argue with a god. But since you insist..." And in a flash, they were on the bridge. Ro pushed a Klingon from the tactical station and checked the readings. "Gul, it's Terok Nor. It's... here!" "They're hailing us," Opaka added from Ops. Q stood in a corner, quietly humming away to himself and looking at the ceiling. Seska shot him a look, still holding the glass of kanar, and strode to the front of the bridge. "K'Ehleyr, check the star charts." "We're still in the Delta Quadrant, Gul," Opaka said after a moment. "We haven't moved." "Open a channel." Seska took a breath and faced the viewscreen with a pleasant smile. "Intendant Kira, how delightful to see you." "Seska, where have you been?" Kira asked mournfully. "I've been so looking forward to... meeting you." "I'm so sorry, Intendant," Seska said. "We were flung into the Delta Quadrant along with the rebel ship we were chasing. And then we met this fascinating fellow Q, who tells us he's a god." "How interesting!" Kira said. "And he brought you all the way here from the *Delta* Quadrant?" "Not quite, Intendant," Seska said. "He brought *you* here from the *Alpha* Quadrant." Kira glanced at a console to her left and stopped smiling. "We are sixty five thousand light years from Alliance territory," she said flatly. "Sixty five *thousand* light years! You brought us all the way out here to show off your *technology*?!" "Technology!" Q straightened, offended. "We have no need of--" "I don't care *what* you need," Kira snapped. "Do you know how many people there are on this station? How many people you've stranded out here away from their families?" "My dear Intendant--" "Your dear nothing," she snarled. "Send us back!" Q seemed to consider it for a moment, then shrugged. "Later," he said as he snapped his fingers and disappeared. Kira glared at the spot he'd occupied then brightened and switched her gaze to Seska. "You'd better dock, hadn't you? And bring that... *attractive* man with the tattoo. Shall we say, quarter of an hour?" Seska hesitated, then said simply, "Of course, Intendant." Kira smiled radiantly. "Good. I'll see you then." The screen winked off and Chakotay stepped towards Seska. "You can't expect me to--" "I can expect anything I like," Seska said, then took a breath. "Maybe you'll be lucky. She might decide she doesn't like you after all." Chakotay didn't move. Seska put the glass down and moved her hand to her disrupter. "You're coming," she said. Chakotay stared her in the eye for several moments then dropped his gaze and walked into the lift. "Initiate docking procedures," Seska said. "Tom dear, get off the bridge." The Terran looked surprised for a moment, then moved towards the other lift. "Sorry, Gul. Deck four." Seska ignored him and joined Chakotay. "Deck fifteen," she said. "Chakotay, I wouldn't have had to threaten you if you would just obey my orders." "The end result's much the same either way, isn't it? Gul." She sighed. "I'll do what I can to shorten the interview." "Well, you would, wouldn't you, Gul? You don't want Intendant Kira getting your prize Terran." "I thought you'd appreciate it," she said. "If that was all I wanted do you think I'd care if she did it first? What do I have to do to show you I'm sincere?" "You could stop treating me as if you were Intendant Kira, Gul." Seska laughed. "You haven't met the Intendant before, have you?" He looked at her, the lift stopped and she gestured. "After you." He started walking. "How can you expect me to trust you when you don't trust me?" "I wouldn't trust me on the the way to Kira's office if she'd looked at me like that," Seska said quietly. "I was not raised as a Terran, Chakotay. I do not think the way you do. Most people would not think that a disadvantage, but I find that it is one now." "I'm sorry you feel that way, Gul," Chakotay said evenly. Seska sighed and stopped at the airlock. "I don't want to be your enemy, Chakotay," she said as she opened the door. "But you will if you have to, won't you Gul?" He stepped into the airlock without waiting for an answer. "I only want what's best for my people," she said as she followed him in. "So do I, Gul." "I know, Chakotay, and I respect that. But we must cooperate if we're to get all our people home in one piece. Or a hundred and twenty-nine pieces," she added with a touch of humour. Chakotay didn't say anything, just walked through the other half of the airlock and showed his empty hands to the two Klingons waiting for them. Seska handed over her disrupter as she passed and walked through the security gate quietly. Neither spoke for several minutes, until they stepped into a turbolift. "Ops," Seska said. "I didn't plan this," she added to Chakotay. "That was rather obvious, Gul." She didn't speak until they were out of the lift and crossing Ops then said in a low voice, "Remember, Chakotay, you need to stay alive to protect your people. Try not to get the Intendant *too* annoyed." With that she strode into the office and he had no choice but to follow. Kira rose with a welcoming expression. "Seska, you haven't introduced us." "Intendant, this is Chakotay, formerly a rebel captain. Chakotay, Intendant Kira." "A rebel?" Kira strolled round the desk until she stood in front of him. "Tell me, Chakotay, why do you Terrans insist on turning on us like this? We only want what's best for you." "I've heard that one before," Chakotay was about to say, then noticed Seska's warning expression. "I suppose because we don't like being slaves, Intendant Kira." For a moment he thought she would strike him, then she smiled. "Please, Chakotay, this is an informal conversation. Call me Intendant." "Intendant." "Much better," she cooed. "That's a very pretty tattoo, Chakotay. Where *did* you get it?" "It's traditional in my family, Intendant. I wear it in memory of my father. He was killed by the Alliance." "Really? Was he a rebel, too?" "No, Intendant. He worked in the Gallitep mining camp. The overseer wanted to make an example of someone and forgot that my father was the best labourer there." "But you must realise, Chakotay, that the overseer only had to make an example of him because the other labourers weren't working hard enough." "I don't accept that, Intendant. If a Bajoran doesn't work hard enough you don't kill one of their colleagues." "Bajorans are more cooperative than Terrans, Chakotay. We're not unjust." She looked up at him. "You know," she said slowly, "it occurs to me that you're not suited to mining or ore processing. Maybe that's the problem. I think I could find you more suitable... employment." He was about to answer when Seska shifted audibly. Kira turned to her. "But I'm forgetting my dear friend Seska. Don't feel left out, will you, Gul? You'll transfer all the rebels to Terok Nor, of course." "Of course, Intendant. And to whom shall I deliver them?" "*That* depends on Chakotay." She looked back at the Terran. "Normally I'd give them to Garak for interrogation and execution, but I wouldn't want to be unjust." "I don't see how anything I do has an impact on the justness of your decision, Intendant." "Well, Chakotay, if you're reasonable then you'll cooperate with me," Kira explained carefully. "And if you're reasonable then I would expect that reasonableness to have rubbed off on them. So your cooperation would indicate very strongly that they'll act reasonably if I let them return to ore processing." Chakotay regarded her for several seconds. "I'll consider any job that will save my people's lives, Intendant," he said quietly. "I knew you'd be reasonable. Seska, how many rebels do you have?" "Thirty-one, I believe, including Chakotay, Intendant." "I'll tell the supervisor to expect thirty new workers then. You'd better get back to your ship, Seska. And I'll see about some employment for you, Chakotay." She smiled girlishly as she walked past him to the door. "Intendant," Seska added, "we have two aliens on board who have been working for us. I suppose you'd like to interview them some time?" "Later," Kira said tersely, then softened her voice again. "Coming, Chakotay?" "Yes, Intendant." Her hips swayed so much Terok Nor barely needed air conditioning, he thought to himself. The movement itself would do the job. (Y) ^ At the buzz in his ear, Kim shoved the access panel closed and jumped to lie on his back on his bed. For once, the proximity detector hadn't been a false alarm; the door to his quarters swished open and a Klingon strode in, brandishing a disruptor. "This way, Terran." He stood up and started out the door. "Where are we going? Sir?" The Klingon shoved him forward hard. "Ore processing on Terok Nor." "Great," Kim muttered, and stumbled as the Klingon shoved him again. (Y) ^ "Don't pull anything or they'll kill us all." Tuvok didn't even know who'd said it, just eight whispered words as someone had passed. But it was true, so he worked silently and tried not to incur the supervisor's wrath. Later, as they lay on the rough mats provided for their sleep, someone approached and Tuvok sighed. "What do you want, Varel?" "I merely wished to speak with you." "I'm not interested. Go away; I want to sleep." Varel knelt by Tuvok's side. "I heard from Father three days ago. He is well and--" "No thanks to you," Tuvok muttered. His twin froze briefly. "And sends his regards," Varel continued after the pause. "He has not heard from you in some time." "I've been with the rebellion. If you had any sense left in you, you would have been too." "The rebellion is a lost cause. In all probability the Alliance--" "Is killing our people, Varel. You're as big a fool as Spock if you think they'll treat us with anything but contempt." "Spock was misguided in turning the Empire to peace," Varel said with a hint of reproof, "but it does not necessarily follow that he was misguided in obeying the teachings of Surak. We can be strong in logic, and logically, we cannot fight the Alliance." "We can't be strong while the Alliance is oppressing us. When our people are free, then we can debate the true path of wisdom, but right now I've got more important things to think about. Please, leave me." Varel stood. "I will return," he said as he left. Tuvok ignored him and closed his eyes. Sleep was a long time in coming. (Y) ^ Chakotay wearily pulled on a robe and stood, walking to the window to stare out at the stars. Behind him, the Romulan Ruan said evenly, "I expect she will get tired of you eventually." Tareq Attaf made a slight sound in his throat. "I wouldn't be so sure, Ruan. She hasn't conquered him yet." "It sounded like it to me, Tareq." "You know what I mean, Ruan. His heart's not in it, even if his... other organs are." "She doesn't care about that." "Ruan, how can you stand there and fan her all day without knowing what she wants? If that was all she wanted, she'd have got rid of him the first morning." Chakotay stared at the stars. (Y) ^ When Varel returned he came at the beginning of the sleep shift, as he had done before. "There is no rebellion," he said firmly. Tuvok opened his eyes and stared at his twin. "You're not making sense, Varel. Of course there's a rebellion." "No. It is true that there is a rebellion, but here in the Delta Quadrant there is no rebellion. It is illogical to attempt to persuade me to become a rebel." "If we stay in the Delta Quadrant there'll be a rebellion soon enough. If we are returned to Alliance territory there'll still be a rebellion. The only illogical thing here is you refusing to fight for your people." Varel was silent for some time then said slowly: "Were I to join the rebellion, the Alliance would punish Father for it." "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few," Tuvok reminded him bitterly. "Isn't that what you said the last time Father came into conflict with the Alliance?" "That is what I said," Varel conceded. "There is merit in your viewpoint, brother. But-- I am not sure that there is enough merit. I will need to consider what you have said." "I wouldn't expect anything else from you," Tuvok said, closing his eyes again. "I suppose you'll return some time." "I expect I shall," Varel agreed. "Goodnight, brother." (Y) ^ "Hard work, isn't it? I'm Q, by the way," the soot-covered Terran said, and stuck out a hand. Kim looked at it briefly, then shook it. "Harry Kim." "Oh, I know you. Poor little Ensign Harry. Looks like your promotion prospects just went from bad to zilch, Harry my friend." Kim stared back with an unreadable expression and Q leaned forward confidingly, ignoring Paris' arrival. "Do you want to know what your life could have been like, Harry? What you could have had if only you'd been born just one universe down the line? I'll tell you. You could have been in charge of Ops, a respected member of the senior crew, instead of a troublesome Terran destined to spend all his life in ore processing. It's a pity, isn't it, that you can't swap places with your counterpart." Q smiled knowingly. "If you're half the god you claim you are you'd know they don't have an interdimensional transporter," Paris retorted. "You don't even need to be a god to realise that if they had any way of getting out of here they'd have used it by now. It won't work, Q, whatever you're trying to do." "Go away, collab-rat," Kim snapped, without taking his eyes off Q. "Who are you?" Paris glared at him for a moment then shrugged and pushed his cart away. "I told you, I'm Q. If you bothered talking to people, they would have told you about me. Except, of course, I had a different face last time." "Uh... I should get back to work." "Harry, Harry, Harry." Q shook his head mournfully. "If you don't believe me..." He shrugged, and disappeared in a flash of light. Kim stared at the spot where the man had been a moment ago. Then he noticed a supervisor glaring at him, and hurriedly turned back to his work. (Y) ^ Seska did not usually pace. She was Cardassian, after all, and didn't need to vent her emotions like the Bajorans and the Klingons - especially the Klingons - but even she was out of her depth here. So tonight she paced, and to her surprise found that it did help relieve the stress. After a few minutes her head was clear enough for her to sit and concentrate on dealing with Q... and Intendant Kira. The Intendant had finally come today to interview Kes and Neelix. At first she'd been somewhat... intrigued by the young Ocampan, but somehow - Seska was amazed just thinking about it... Not that Kes had changed at all: but in comparison with Kira herself, and in her persistance despite the Intendant's most pointed innuendo, she had seemed even younger and more delicate than ever. And not that being young and delicate would deter Kira when she was hunting, but by the end of the interview she'd been ready to adopt Kes on the spot. Kes would need careful watching, Seska decided. If she could manipulate the Intendant like that, what could she do with the crew of the HoSwI'mey? It was hard to believe that the young girl would do anyone any harm, but then, Seska was Cardassian. If Terok Nor was going to be here for much longer, she'd need to develop more than a vague strategy for dealing with Intendant Kira. The Terrans, once they learned that no reprisals from the Alliance fleet were possible, would be sure to act up. And that damned Vulcan would be equally sure to cause as much mischief as all the Terrans put together. Her train of thought was interrupted by the beep of her commbadge. "Bridge to Seska," Sito said. Delta shift had arrived sooner than Seska had expected. She'd thought Ro was still on duty. "I'm here, Jaxa. What is it?" "Terok Nor just disappeared again, Gul. Several of the rebels appeared on the bridge, and I'm assuming the others are scattered around the ship. I've sent Koroth to locate them all." "I do hope he won't be too rough on them; it seems we'll still be needing them to get home. Alright, Jaxa dear, I'm on my way. Seska out." She arrived on the bridge in a matter of minutes. Chakotay, Tuvok, Kim and Paris, though he wasn't technically a rebel, stood close to the middle of the bridge eying Sito's disrupter warily. Janeway stood slightly to one side, obviously still half asleep. "Really, Kathryn, I wouldn't have thought your presence necessary just for this," Seska said conversationally. "No, Gul, but apparently Q thought it was necessary," Janeway replied somewhat sourly. "And can you blame me, Kathy dear?" He appeared by her side looking mournful. "I've been so lonely without you - that and bored, waiting for you mortals to tie up your... affairs--" he gifted Chakotay with a lazy grin, "--on Deep Space Nine. Or Terok Nor, or whatever. Well, I hope you've all learnt your lessons, taught by the master as you were. Au revoir, mes amis--" "So soon?" Seska put on a saddened face. "You must realise, Q, I'd hoped to be able to get to know you a bit better before you departed. Surely if you've been away for a millenium you could afford to stay a little longer." Paris and Kim laughed silently until each noticed the other was. Q just looked sardonic. "I should have come here much, much sooner... Jean-Luc *never* spoke to me like that. Very well, my dear, as a concession to the blatant attraction you so obviously feel for me, I'll stay for awhile. I might even come and talk to you, if you ask nicely." He disappeared and Seska turned to Sito. "Jaxa dear, tell the rebels they can go back to their quarters - unless they're supposed to be working. You'll notify me of any change in our status, of course?" "Of course, Gul." She looked at Paris and the rebels, who hurriedly left the bridge. "Good girl. Kathryn, go get some more sleep; you look exhausted." Janeway smiled tiredly. "Thank you, Gul. Permission to speak freely?" Seska raised the Cardassian equivalent of an eyebrow. "Granted." "You look like you could use some sleep yourself, Gul." "I intend to, Kathryn, believe me. If I'm not needed any longer up here?" "We're fine now, Gul," Sito said. "In that case, goodnight." Seska moved towards the turbolift for her quarters, and sleep. (Y) ^ Seska woke early Alpha shift and sat up. The room was vaguely reminiscent of some of Neelix' food, though it took her a moment to realise it. Neon green furniture did not go with pink walls. Neither went with Cardassian architecture. It wasn't hard to guess who was responsible. "Q?" she called. For a moment she thought he hadn't heard, then he appeared with a flash of light and a sky-blue sofa. "Much better," he declared. "I knew all this dreary little gulag needed was some colour. Well, that and a complete overhaul. You called, my dear?" The sofa was ridiculously out of place in her typically Cardassian quarters, even more so with a Cardassian/Bajoran/ Klingon lounging on it. It was, Seska realised suddenly, a biological impossibility for him to be a third of each... but he sure looked like it. "I wanted to speak to you," she said, moving to join him on the sofa. "Without any... distractions." "As you wish, Madame Gul." He shifted slightly to face her, one arm draped along the back of the sofa. "What's on your mind?" "You must be very powerful, to be able to move a station the size of Terok Nor sixty-five thousand light years," Seska began. "I could send the thing to another galaxy if I wanted - do the world a favour and leave it there. Distance, my dear, is in the eye of the beholder. And very pretty eyes they are too, may I add." "I could say the same about yours - if they weren't over- shadowed by those lumpy Klingon ridges." "Would you prefer a more familiar face?" Q flashed into a wholly Cardassian form, uniform and all. Seska didn't miss a beat. "The eyes are a shade too light. You knew Enabrin?" "I know everyone and everything. We've never met, if that's what you mean. I told you, this is the first time I've come here in a millenium. And the eyes are fine." "I wonder how he'd react, if he knew someone was running around wearing his face." "Which means you don't like me wearing 'his' face. Really, my dear, you think I don't speak Kardasi-Standard? But, if you insist..." He changed agin, still Cardassian but with his own features - or what Seska assumed were his own. "Better?" "Well, it certainly improves your eyes. I don't know *what* Klingons see in those ridges... Maybe that's why they're always in such bad moods." "I wouldn't be surprised," he agreed. "Come, I'm sure you called me for a reason. Not even Jean-Luc enjoyed my company that much." "I was just wondering if, after bringing Terok Nor, you'd have enough strength to send it back. I wouldn't want you to over-exert yourself." "Have no fear, Madame Gul, I have all the strength I need. I could send a thousand stations to the Alpha Quadrant and never tire. Get bored, yes, but never tire." "So you could send an entire planet to Alliance space if you felt like it." "If I felt like it, Madame Gul, I could send an entire galaxy to Alliance space, and shrink it so that it would fit, as well." Seska put a hand on his. "Please, call me Seska. Madame Gul is so... formal." He gave her his sardonic look again. "Rest assured, I have no intention of being formal. However, Seska it is." "Thank you. To send HoSwI'mey back, then, would be a simple task for someone of your abilities." "My dear Seska, anything is a simple task for someone of my abilities, and I'm not sending you home. It would obviate this entire exercise, and I do so hate it when my exercises are obviated." "Yes, that would be a problem," Seska agreed. "But at the very least you could think it over. Perhaps return my quarters to their former colours? These ones are so dull." "Maybe I should just change your eyes," Q said, "but then again, they are so lovely as they are. As you wish, Elimbal." Seska glanced around briefly as the room returned to its usual beige and grey, then looked back at Q. "Thank you. So, will you think it over? Consider it a favour." "I don't do favours." Q regarded her a moment, then shrugged. "Alright, I'll think about it. But I can't guarantee that my decision will be to your liking." He disappeared before she could reply. (Y) ^ Chakotay looked up at the flash of light, then quickly down again. "What do *you* want?" "Come, Chuckles, there's no reason to be rude... Didn't you enjoy your little trip to Terok Nor?" "No," Chakotay said flatly. "Good." Chakotay looked back up. "What do you mean?" "I would have thought it was obvious," Q said, "but then, you mortals rarely understand my little riddles. Think of it as an exercise in comparison." "Comparison of what?" Q rolled his eyes. "Kira, Seska. Terok Nor, HoSwI'mey. Honestly, you mortals! You can figure the rest out yourself; I've got more interesting things to do then sit around all day explaining things to *you*." He snapped his fingers in exasperation and disappeared. (Y) ^ Varel watched the station recede as the Ferengi trader he was on drew away. "So what's your name?" Varel looked at the Ferengi who had just smuggled him aboard the ship. "Tuvok," he said simply. (Y) ^ Seska was on the bridge when next Q appeared. He arrived quietly, without fanfare; just simply *there* by her side. "Well, I've thought it over, and really, I must agree with my original thought that sending you home would obviate this entire exercise," he announced. "My decision stands. Now, much as I'd like to stay and torment you some more, I really must get back to the Continuum. Au revoir, Madame Gul. I expect I shan't be back for some time. Oh, by the way, watch out for the Borg." He was gone before Seska could speak, but she asked anyway, addressing the air in angry frustration. "The Borg? Who are the Borg?" //Insert 'Twilight Zone' type music here, as the camera pans past several thousand stars to a dim, black cube. Spooky music segues into pretty music, as the credits roll, and an annoying voiceover interrupts the music: Next episode, join the crew of the HoSwI'mey for another title, another author, and another story, on Conscious of the Killing.//