**** Ensign Doe's Log ****

Ensign Doe steps confidently through the sliding doors of the Bar. Scanning the tables for a lonely intellect, he prepares to test his hypothesis. When he was adopted by the Bajoran family who nurtured his physical and spiritual well-being, it had never occurred to him to scan the recesses of his mind for the semblance of "real" roots. He had always believed himself a Bajoran.

But now, the increasing frequency of the pains was a splinter in his mind. None of the ceremonies had cured him. And no medical logs had found anything even remotely like the compelling pains in him. He could not describe the feeling, even to his family, and before the Oracle, he could only describe it as "becoming." His cosmic purpose had begun. The gestation would soon become Doe's awareness. Doe had spent restless nights waiting for his ship to leave, hoping that it might propel him to the external setting for his inner discovery.

And perhaps equally so, he yearned as all beings do, for one who might feel his own clear perceptions of the galaxy. For this reason most, he had gladly taken Sisko's offer, as first Ensign on the USS Valjean, which would soon leave DS9, "to boldly go..." He could hardly contain himself.

Ensign Doe had always felt a keen attentiveness to his surroundings, as if he were telepathic to his companions of youth. But now, his senses were poised at a threshold. It seemed more than his body could bear. Though he could not read the minds of those in the Bar, he felt their life forces. He was attuned to something at the very core of their existence, and it itched him to know what his past, his future, and these tools of intuition could teach him. He had only an hour before the small crew of the Valjean was to meet him there for dinner, to discuss a voyage, which until now had been referred to only in secrecy.

Since there were none sitting alone in the bar, and therefore none in that inner reflection, Doe decided to wait in an empty table by the window. Sooner or later, a soul would arrive, and take a seat near him. His father had told him, "When the pupil is ready, the master appears." He knew now the meaning of those words, that when he was ready, the event of his destiny would choose to conceive itself. And so he sat, meditating on the unidentifiable plant before him. Nearly an hour passed, while Doe attempted to meld with its life force, and find the inspiration, which would invoke the next spasm of metamorphosis...

**** Ruk Takeri's Log ****

Reading the medical data pad for the last time. Lt. Ruk Takeri looks out the port window. U.S.S. Density one of the few medical ships left, makes its way towards Deep Space Nine. Takeri lost in the troughts of the last few months, (they seem like years to him). Closing the heavy eye lids, his thoughts turn to the nightmares that he faced not so long ago. Wolf 352, Perrin 5, Valdze 3 and the last battle that he tries to forget.

With the sweat moving down his forehead to his cheek. Takeri wakes suddenly, his breathing fast and his pulse racing through out his body. The silence of the room is broken by the intercom. " all personal who are to depart at our next call, please make their way to the main disembarking hatch". Slowly Ruk places his things into his carry bag and leaves the room that he has called home for the last time. Walking into sick bay, he wishes all their best then he stops. Looking around the room for the last time the pain still strong in his mind.

With the sound of the doors opening. Lt. Ruk Takeri walks into the station. Moving with the group he walks into a bar. Looking around he sees a Ferengi named Quark...........

**** Okal's Log ****

We had been sitting in Odo's office for a few minutes.

"And then you arrived with your security team in tow. That's all I know." I was the last to be debriefed.

"Hmm..." He sat at his desk with his elbows on the surface and his hands touched so the space inbetween looked like an upsidedown triangle. "We have a Klingon woman who is a Trill, wounded none the less and a Klingon renegade turned Cardassian. Now one of your crewmembers is missing. I think we could answer a lot of questions if we could find Lt. Nu'Daq." Odo looked directly at me. "I had Ghanim check your houseguest into the brig. I'll be checking on her later. Can I expect you to be there?"

I made a mental note to check the background of our security officer Ghanim as soon as I got back to my quarters. I also thought about the offer to question La'Zra myself. "It's getting late. I'd rather wait until tomorrow, after I've had some sleep, if the offer still stands."

We were interrupted by the flashing of a computer panel. Odo raised his head and looked at the terminal. "Aha, someone using Nu'Daq's security codes is in the system." He looked at us, then backtracked to the console. He was on the edge of his seat. "What? He's trying to access the security system. Okay, I'll let him do that." We could see a faint smile purse his lips.

"Ladies, if you will excuse me, I have some business to tend to elsewhere. I'm sure, however, Captain Sisko would love your company." He ushered us out into ops. We were stared at once again. Katja and I were still in our gowns. Fortuneately, Emalia had the time to change. Odo zipped past us and headed for the turbolift. He could get there faster if he turned into his gelatinous state, but hostilities towards the Founders ran rampant on DS9, and although he was on our side, he didn't want to remind the wrong people he was still a Changeling.

We walked up the steps to Sisko's office. Through the glass of the door we could see him handling his baseball.

"Come in!" he stood up. "Please, sit." We let Katja have the comfort of the chair. She was beginning to look faint. I was beginning to think that she might genuinely be ill, but she would never admit to that.

He sat, and leaned back in his chair. He was playing with his baseball again. "Now, Ensign Okal, Lt. Katja and Lt. Janor. Correct?"

We looked at each other before nodding. I said "Correct, sir."

"Well, it looks like you've had an eventful evening. Why don't you tell me about it?" With that, we went over our entire story again. Hopefully, for the last time this evening.

Once we finished recounting our tale of mystery and intrigue, we were allowed to leave. We were departing on board the Valjean tomorrow and needed some sleep.

As we walked by Odo's office on our way to the turbolift, we saw he had returned but Nu'Daq was there as well. 'I wonder what's going on?' I thought. We headed to the turbolift and stepped in. The jolt of the lift made us stumble a bit. We didn't speak much. Emalia and I were standing upright, but Katja used the wall for support.

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I'm just tired." She dismissed it with the wave of a hand.

I looked at Emalia. She gave me the same questioning glance. She was not okay and we both knew it. Our lift stopped. Emalia and Katja departed, as I was left to go down one more deck. I looked at Emalia. She gave me a little nod and followed in step with Katja.

I leaned on the wall. It was only a few seconds, but I let the vibrations of the lift relax my body. I was going to look forward to getting out of this horrid dress and getting some sleep. Once the lift stopped I headed for what had been my home for almost 18 months. Tomorrow, if things went as planned, that would all change.

I made it to my quarters. I felt like I was sleepwalking. I went to the console on my desk. "Okal to Rafko." I said.

"Rafko here." Her head appeared on my view screen. "Catava it's late. Why aren't you asleep?" she asked.

"I was being debriefed by Odo and Captain Sisko." I threw my shoes off as I spoke. "I learned the name of our mystery security officer."

"Really?" She asked. She sounded so devilish.

"Ghanim. I'm only assuming that is his family name seeing as it's the only one Odo used."

"Probably. Did you check up on him?" she asked.

"Not yet. I was going to do that tonight or tomorrow." With the way I felt, it would more than likely be tomorrow. Xenia nodded back at me. "Well, the reason I wanted to talk to you is I don't think Katja's doing well."

"She did have quite an ordeal today." my friend stated. I could hear Julian, Laizia and some others in the background.

"No, I mean I think she's ill. She kept getting more pale the entire time we were in Sisko's office."

"Well, I'll try to take a look at her tomorrow. But you know how stubborn she is. If it were..." She was cut off by Julian's voice. "Commander Dax is back" She turned to me again. "I have to tell Commander Dax about our new patient, now that she's convinced Laizia to go visit with the Andorian. I'll see you tomorrow before we leave. Rafko out."

Her face turned into a black screen. It was probably best. I could talk for hours with her, but I really needed my sleep.

I stumbled into the bedroom, undressed, got into bed and I was out like a light.

**** Rafko's Log ****

"Can this wait a moment?" Dax asked. "I'm just going to take Laizia to the Andorian's shop."

"That's fine," I nodded. After mother and daughter disappeared, I turned to Julian. He was shaking his head.

"This is crazy," he said. "Weird things are the norm here on DS9, but this is crazy."

I was about to respond when I was interupted by a hail.

"Okal to Rafko."

"Rafko here. Catava it's late. Why aren't you asleep?"

"I was being debriefed by Odo and Captain Sisko. I learned the name of our mystery security officer."

"Really?" I looked over at Julian who was looking very much interested in my conversation with Okal.

"Ghanim. I'm only assuming that is his family name seeing as it's the only one Odo used."

"Probably. Did you check up on him?" By now, Julian was leaning forward, his eyes wide with interest.

"Not yet. I was going to do that tonight or tomorrow. Well, the reason I wanted to talk to you is I don't think Katja's doing well."

"She did have quite an ordeal today," I pointed out.

"No, I mean I think she's ill. She kept getting more pale the entire time we were in Sisko's office," concern crept into my friend's voice.

"Well, I'll try to take a look at her tomorrow. But you know how stubborn she is. If it were..."

"Commander Dax is back," Julian said to me soft

I sighed. I really did want to continue this conversation, but right now I had other things I had to share with my commanding officer.

"I have to tell Commander Dax about our new patient, now that she's convinced Laizia to go visit with the Andorian. I'll see you tomorrow before we leave. Rafko out."

"So what's going on?" Dax asked, concern crossing her face.

Julian said, "It's like this, Jadzia..."

Quickly the two of us outlined our theory.

"You're saying that's my sister?" Dax said increduously.

"I don't know," I said honestly. "But the evidence seems to indicate the two of you have the same mother. We were hoping you could tell us for sure."

"How can this be?" Dax stepped closer to our patient, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Does she have a name?"

"Mar'i'sel," I said helpfully. "At least that's what the logs say..."

"Odo to Rafko."

I sighed. It was certainly the night for interruptions.

"Yes?" I asked, a trace of impatience slipping into my tone.

"Can you come to my office immediately?"

"On my way," I looked over at Julian who nodded.

"I'll handle this," he said.

I made my way to the Promenade and into the security office. I found Odo crouched over the body of Nu'Daq.

"What happened?" I asked in concern.

"I am as confused as you are, doctor," Odo straightened up. "Lieutenant Nu'Daq came here and demanded the rite of vengence and then -"

"The rite of vengence?" I asked in confusion. "Why?"

"I do not know," Odo said. "But it has something to do with La'Zra."

"La'Zra?" I asked, looking over into the brig where the Klingon/Cardassian - whatever - woman was being held. Her face bore an expression of extreme smugness.

I looked over at Odo, "And then what?"

"He collapsed," Odo said simply. "I was going to stun him if he attempted to harm the prisoner, but there was no need to."

I knelt by Nu'Daq, cursing my long black dress for getting in the way. I touched his face, cupping my palm around his jaw bone.

"Nu'Daq," I said softly. "It's me, Xenia."

He did not respond.

"Transport him to the Infirmary," I said with concern.

Nu'Daq dematerialized and I rose with every intention of going back to the Infimary to check on him.

"I do still need to talk to you, doctor," Odo laid a gentle but restraining hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off.

"After I examine my patient," I said firmly.

Odo nodded, "Of course. But I expect you to be honest with me."

"Of course."

Odo fixed a glare on me, "You will tell me everything, won't you, doctor? You will tell me, for instance, exactly what Lieutenant Nu'Daq is up to?"

I felt my heart skip a beat and I managed a feeble smile.

"It's been a long night, Constable," I said. "If we could talk in the morning?"

"You know," Odo said quietly. "And I want to know the truth."

As I fled out of the security office and back to the Infirmary, only one thought was in my mind: I had to talk to Nu'Daq before Odo did.

**** Nu'Daq's Log ****

As Rafko entered the Infirmary, Bashir looked at her with a puzzled expression on his face.

"The Chief of Security was just beamed here. What's wrong?"

"I don't know", Rafko answered truthfully, "but I have to find out. Excuse me, doctor". Rafko rushed over to Nu'Daq's bed. "Nu'Daq, my friend", she whispered, as she gently let her slim fingers glide through his hair, "what has happened to you?" But there was no answer.

Rafko opened her medical tricorder to scan her patient and friend. "Oh my god", she exclaimed, as she saw her scan. Her tricorder indicated numerous old and new traumas to his body. Broken bones, a damaged spleen, a large bleeding bruise to his neck and severe trauma to his spine. "He should be dead with injuries like these. A good thing the Klingons have brak'lul, or he would surely have been dead." Rafko pulled out a bone regenerator and a tissue regenerator and started working on the Klingon. **** Rafko's Log *****

I helped Nu'Daq sit up and he sighed heavily, leaning most of his weight on me. Bashir was at my side, looking over at me anxiously. Because I sensed Nu'Daq still wanted to talk, I shook my head at Julian.

"Don't worry," I said. "I can take care of this."

"Are you sure that he's all right to talk to Sisko?" Julian asked, concern crossing his face.

I personally did not think Nu'Daq was in any shape to talk to anyone but I wasn't going to tell Julian that. Instead, my efforts were very much focused on helping my friend avoid what could be a very big stain on his Starfleet career.

"Of course," I replied with false optimism. "You'll make it, right, lieutenant?"

Nu'Daq grunted at me and I took that response as an affirmative.

I looked over to where Commander Dax was standing next to our Klingon/Trill patient, talking in a soft voice.

Julian nodded at me, affirming what science had already told us: this stranger was indeed Commander Dax's sister, Lenae.

"Come on," I said to Nu'Daq. "Let's not waste any more time."

Nu'Daq put his arm around my shoulder and I helped him out of the Infirmary, very much aware of Julian's eyes on us.

Once we were in a quiet corridor, I asked for a site to site transport and a second later, we materialized in Okal's quarters.

"You could have knocked," Catava said irritably as she got out of bed.

"Sorry," I said, helping Nu'Daq to the sofa. "There wasn't time and my heels are killing me."

Catava threw me a look - a mixture of amusement and irritation.

"What happened to him?" she asked as Nu'Daq's head lolled back onto the sofa.

"He has numerous injuries," I said. "Some are very recent, the last two days if not more recent."

"You think this has something to do with Sirella?"

I nodded, "I think it has everything to do with Sirella."

Okal sighed, "I will never understand Klingon politics."

"Nor will I."

"So what do we do?"

"We have to get Nu'Daq out of here."

"Xenia, you're crazy," Okal said. "Don't you realize that we are leaving on the Valjean tomorrow?"

I looked over at Nu'Daq, "Look, it's only a matter of time before Odo puts two and two together. He already confronted me about this."

"So where do we go?" Okal asked reasonably. "We can't just walk off the station, you know."

She did have a very good point. I sighed.

"Maybe if you could alter Nu'Daq's features," Okal suggested.

I looked at her as if she was crazy; Nu'Daq was very proud of his Klingon heritage. He would not appreciate me altering his prominent brow ridges.

"I'm never going to another party you plan," I told Okal.

She shrugged, "Then don't. But I'm not coming to your court martial either."

Court martial.

We exchanged looks.

"I'm open to suggestions," I said finally.

"Why don't you go get changed," Okal said, indicating my now rumpled black evening gown. "And I'll figure something out here."

"I'll be back in fifteen minutes," I promised as I backed out of her quarters.

"I'll be here," Okal said, her eyes fixated on her surprise guest.

I reached my quarters and changed out of the gown and into my uniform. I hated these uniforms - they were made out of some rough synthetic material and invariably showed any weight gain of one pound or more. At least wearing these day in and day out kept me going to the gym and playing springball. As an afterthought, I grabbed my phaser and tricorder. I didn't know what I would use them for me, but it never hurt to be prepared.

My foster parents had enrolled me in Girl Scouts when I was young. Hated the whole idea, but I was always prepared.

Girl Scouts never got court martialed.

Well, Rafko, there's a first time for everything, I thought as I rounded the corner. As I passed by Katja's quarters, I heard some low moaning.

I stopped, "Katja?"

A second later, the doors opened and I found the lieutenant doubled over on the floor.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Nu'Daq..." she whispered.

"It's okay," I said. "I've got him... Okal and I, we have him."

"Tell him... the plague... La'Zra..." Katja's eyes closed.

For the third time that evening, I initiated an emergency transport to the Infirmary.

**** Ruk Takei's Log ****

With his dark blue eyes Lt. Ruk Takei looks around the bar. Takei moving in a quick stride, walks towards the counter and looks towards the barkeeper.

"A ginger beer please".

With raised ears Quark looks towards the stranger.

"A what?" Quark asks.

"Ginger beer" exclaims Takei. "You know late 19th century earth drink" stated the new arrival.

Still looking at Takei strangely, Quark moves to the computer and looks up the order. After programing the replicator with the ingredients of the drink, Quark brings over the ginger beer to Lt.Takei.

"One ginger beer," stated Quark.

"Thanks," replies Takei

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