DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Xena stuff is the legal property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures and all Star Trek stuff is the legal property of Paramount, I think. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. This story takes place after the Insanity Series, though it's not exactly a part of it. It is a sequel to Discord. Oh, yes, Jadzia Dax is still around here, which means that this story takes place after Valiant and before Tears of the Prophets.

Voices from the Past
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Sisko was talking to Admiral Ross over subspace.

"The Enterprise will arrive in three hours with six additional ships. The first Romulan squadron will join you in ten hours. Admiral Nechayev will take care of the Romulans, but she'll want you there too."

"Understood, Sir."

"Good. Oh, you're getting a new crew member. I believe you know her, Ensign Dorian Collins."

Sisko thought.

"Collins… I remember. She's from the Valiant."

"Yes. We wanted to assign her to defense line, but she requested DS9. We considered her request and decided to grant her a temporary assignment. Whether it becomes permanent will depend on your evaluation. She is a good officer, but her experience on the Valiant may cause problems."

"I know."

"Good. Ross out."

Worf was just on his way to the Defiant when someone called him.

"Hey, you, Klingon!"

Worf turned around, surprised and insulted.

"Is it true you guys killed your gods?"

Worf was surprised.

"Yes," he confirmed. "They were nothing but trouble."

The woman laughed.

"You guys can be pretty idiotic at times, but this was the most sensible thing you've done," she said and left.

Worf stared at her for a few moments, confused and angry, and then proceeded to the Defiant.

An hour later, the senior officers gathered in the Conference Room and Nog was also there. Sisko told them about the Enterprise and the Romulans.

"I will double the staff," Odo said.

"Don't make it look too noticeable."

"Don't worry."

"Good. Then there's one more matter. We're getting a new crew member, Ensign Collins. You may remember her from the Valiant. I have decided to assign her to Nog."

"Nog?" Kira asked.

"Yes. He will evaluate her performance. I believe it will be a good exercise for him."

"Yes, Sir," Nog said.

"What I want you to particularly evaluate is her performance under stress. Her experience on the Valiant may cause problems."

"Understood, Sir."

"Good. Dismissed. Chief!"

The officers left and O'Brien waited.

"Sir?"

"I want you to supervise Nog's evaluation."

"A backup?"

"It's his first evaluation and Ensign Collins' future depends on it."

"Yes, Sir."

"Dismissed."

Worf and Dax went to Quark's for a drink. A woman approached them.

"Hello," she said to Worf, "fancy meeting you again."

Worf growled quietly, annoyed.

"I heard that you Klingons were supposed to be warriors or something."

"Yes," Worf confirmed, upset that she might be doubting it.

"Oh, goodie," she said, excitedly, and clasped her hands. "Say, would you mind sparing with me? It's been a long time since I kicked the crap out of someone."

Worf growled again, this time louder.

"Oh, come now, don't be upset, you don't want to start a fight here, do you?"

"Calm down, Worf," Dax said.

"You don't have to do it for my sake," the woman said. "Now, shall we have a fight or are you a chicken?"

Worf got up, insulted, and Dax grabbed his arm.

"Worf!"

"I'll take that as a yes," the woman said and turned to Dax. "Can… Hey, I know you! Say, can you also fight?"

"Yes."

"You wanna join us?"

Worf and Dax glanced at each other.

"Yes."

"Oh, goodie," the woman said, childishly excited, and clasped her hands again. "When you're ready, just think of me and I'll be there. Oh, my name is Callisto."

Callisto left, excited, and Worf and Dax sat down again.

"Have you met her before?" Dax asked.

"Yes. She asked me if we really killed our gods." Dax was surprised. "She said that we can be pretty idiotic at times, but this was the most sensible thing we have done."

"She said that?" Dax asked, surprised and amused.

"Yes."

Dax smiled.

"How about it we do it now?"

"What?"

"The fight. We still have some time before we can start doing something useful."

"Very well."

They got up and left.

They soon met again, in front of one of Quark's Holosuites, dressed up for the fight. They entered.

"Let's see," Dax said and thought of Callisto.

"Here I am," Callisto chirped from behind them. "My, you're quick."

Worf and Dax turned around, startled.

"I see you're all dressed up," Callisto said and looked at her own clothes. "Hm, looks like I'll have to change too." She waved her hand and her clothes changed into her old leather armor. "That's much better." She looked back at Worf and Dax. "Ah, before we begin, I want you to know that you may try any dirty trick you can think of, my safety is not an issue," she said as she pulled her sword.

Then she impaled her self. Worf and Dax jerked, astonished, but Callisto calmly pulled the sword out.

"See, no blood. Now, how about you, how hard do you want me to be? Do you want broken bones?"

Worf and Dax looked at each other, confused.

"Not really," Dax said.

"Deep wounds?"

"No."

"Surface wounds and cuts?"

"Okay."

"Fine with me," Callisto said, screamed her battle cry and attacked.

Worf and Dax were too surprised to even move before Callisto gave them both a cut on the neck.

"Oh, come on, that was pathetic," Callisto said. "And you call yourself a warrior."

Worf roared and attacked. Callisto defended herself, smiling wickedly.

"Is that all you can do? Hm, maybe I should ask that Ferengi, Quark, instead, hm?"

Worf attacked again. Callisto parried.

"What are you standing there like a rock?" she asked Dax.

Dax joined Worf and Callisto both kicked them in the face.

"Did that hurt?" she asked innocently and laughed. "Come on, you're pathetic! I've had a better workout just walking down the Promenade. You're worse than cripples!"

Worf and Dax got up and they started to circle around her. Callisto smiled wickedly.

Finally, the Enterprise and its task force arrived. Sisko, Kira and Nog waited at the Upper Pylon 2. Finally both airlock doors opened.

Nechayev and Picard were the first to come through.

"Admiral, Captain, welcome aboard Deep Space 9. This is my First officer, Major Kira Nerys.

"Sir," Kira said.

"Major," Nechayev responded. "Captain, we will assemble in your Conference Room in ten minutes. I want your senior officers all there."

"Yes, Sir."

Nechayev and Picard left.

"A Ferengi in Starfleet! Told you anything was possible," Riker told Deanna as they came through the airlock and saw Nog.

"That was a holo-illusion, Will."

"Still, pretty prophetic. Captain, Major."

"Commander."

"I think I'll pay a quick visit to Quark," Riker said and grinned. "I'm sure he'll be glad to see me."

Deanna smiled.

"I'll go with you."

"Ensign Dorian Collins reporting for duty, Sir."

"At ease, Ensign. Lieutenant Nog will take you to your quarters and show you around the station. You will report to my office in, say, two hours."

"Yes, Sir."

"Dismissed."

Sisko and Kira left.

"Sir," Dorian said.

"Hello," Nog said. "It's good to see you again."

"You too, Sir."

"Relax. You can call me Nog when we're alone."

"Okay, Nog. Congratulations on your promotion."

"Thanks. Come, I'll take you to your quarters."

Dorian followed him.

"Where is Jake?" she asked.

"I don't know. I think he's trying to get some interviews for the SFNS."

"I see."

"You can relax in your quarters for a while, if you want. Two hours is plenty of time to show you around."

"That won't be necessary. I am ready."

"Okay."

"Hey, Doc, how's life?"

McCoy turned around.

"Callisto?" he asked, surprised.

"The one and only. So, what are you doing here?"

"I was visiting my daughter. I was on my way home when I heard that Uhura was here."

"She is."

"Where is she?"

"I don't know. Somewhere."

"Ah. And what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for someone," she said and smiled wickedly.

"I guess meeting you won't be a pleasant experience for that person."

"Your guess is correct," Callisto said and her grin became even wider. "Oh, the Enterprise has arrived. I saw Baldy."

"Enterprise." McCoy shook his head, disgusted. "You'd think they're running out of names."

Callisto laughed.

"Still as grumpy as always."

"What did you expect? That I'll get less grumpy?"

"Not really."

"Then stop talking nonsense."

Callisto grinned.

"Why don't you try Ops?" she suggested.

"I was just on my way there when you stopped me."

"Oh. Will you come to Quark's?"

"Quark's! If I never see a Ferengi again, it will be too soon."

Callisto grinned again.

"I'll tell him to behave."

Now McCoy grinned.

"I'm sure he'll obey."

"He better."

"I'll see you later."

O'Brien was walking down the Promenade, discussing some problem with one of his men when he noticed Worf and Dax in Quark's.

"Excuse me, Jackson. You go ahead and start, I'll come in a few minutes."

"Yes, Sir."

Jackson left and O'Brien went to the two commanders.

"Commander," he said, looking at Worf and then at Dax. "You look awful."

"We feel awful," Dax said.

"You're wounded. Why don't you go to the Infirmary?"

"We need a drink first."

"What happened?"

"Callisto."

"Callisto is here?"

"Yes."

"Did you insult her?"

"No, we spared with her and she kicked the crap out of us."

Worf grunted.

"I see. Well, she did kill the whole ship of Jem'Hadar, Commander. You have nothing to be ashamed of," O'Brien said.

Worf grunted again.

"O'Brien!"

O'Brien looked and saw that Kira was calling him.

"Well, I have to go," he quickly said good-bye and left.

"He is right," Dax said. "Come, let's go to the Infirmary."

Dorian and Nog were waiting for the lift.

"We're going to the Ops. If we're lucky the Chief will still be there. Admiral Uhura is here and we're upgrading the comm system. It's a real mess. Oh, the Chief used to serve aboard the Enterprise D."

"Really?"

"Aha. Oh, yes, he prefers to be called Chief, not Sir."

"I'll try to remember."

The lift came and the door opened. Dorian and Nog wanted to enter, but they both stopped when they saw who was inside.

"Sir," Nog said.

"A Ferengi in Starfleet," McCoy said and shook his head. "What is this galaxy coming to? Next we'll be inviting the Romulans and the Cardassians. Hell, why don't we invite the Jem'Hadar or the Borg?"

The junior officers were startled.

"Well, are you coming or not?" McCoy asked.

Dorian and Nog entered.

"Ops," Nog said.

They were all quiet during the ride. Finally, they got to Ops.

"Uhura, you sunshine!"

Uhura turned.

"Well, if it isn't the good doctor." The two admirals embraced. "What are you doing here?"

"I was visiting my daughter and I was on my way home when I heard that you were here."

"Well, nice of you to drop by."

"So, what are you doing here?"

"We're upgrading the comm system."

"Still busy, eh? I think I'll pay a visit to the new Enterprise and to the Infirmary here. These young designers do a bad job on our ships, the Cardassians must be even worse. Say, when are you free?"

"I don't know."

"Ah, Sir, why don't you take a break?" O'Brien suggested. "I think we can manage for a while."

McCoy shook his head.

"Kids. They have no respect for the old."

"Were we any different?"

McCoy grinned.

"No. Come, let's go to Quark's."

"Okay."

The two aged admirals left.

"Chief."

"Ah, Nog."

"This is Ensign Dorian Collins."

"Hello, Ensign."

"S… Chief."

"She has to report to the Captain in two hours."

"Plenty of time. Have you shown her around yet?"

"No."

"Then show her and then go to your uncle's… No, Dax said she'll fix the problem. She said she owes you one."

"Yes, Chief."

"Then come back here. I could use someone to distract the Admiral."

Nog smiled.

"Yes, Sir." He turned to Dorian. "There's the Captain's office. Come."

They left the Ops.

After paying a quick visit to Quark, Riker and Deanna went to the Conference Room. Most of the officers were already there.

"Worf!"

"Commander. Deanna."

"Hello, Worf."

"So, where's the luck lady?"

"Right here," Dax said.

"Commander, Deanna, this is my wife, Jadzia Dax."

"Hello," Deanna said and they shook hands.

"So, how… A new House?"

"The House of Martok."

"General Martok?"

"Yes."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"Okay, I believe we're all here!" Nechayev called.

The officers sat down.

When Dorian and Nog returned to Ops, Rom was also there.

"Father!" Nog called. "Come."

Nog took Dorian to Rom.

"Hello, son."

"Father, this is Ensign Dorian Collins. Dorian, this is my father, Rom."

"Hello."

"Hello, Ensign, welcome to Deep Space 9."

"Thank you."

"Where is Chief?" Nog asked.

"He went to Reactor Room."

"Oh."

"Listen, I need some help here."

"Sure. Dorian."

"Yes, Sir."

Dorian stepped closer and Rom showed her what he was doing. Nog went to his station and checked up on the comm system's status.

Q and a young woman materialized right in front of Callisto and she slammed into the woman.

"Q, you worthless piece of dung! One of these days you're gonna over-do it and then you can kiss your Continuum good-bye."

Q muttered an apology and vanished.

Picard and Sisko stared at the empty spot.

"Did I just imagine or was Q actually afraid?" Picard asked.

"He looked afraid to me," Sisko said.

Callisto looked at them, smiling wickedly.

"He was afraid and so should you be," she said and turned to the woman. "And who might you poor soul be, hm? Q been hassling you around?"

"No," said the woman as she got up, "he brought me from the Continuum."

"You were there?"

"Yes."

"What in the world would you want there?"

"I was a Q."

"My condolences. So, what did you do to get kicked out?"

"I didn't want to be a Q anymore."

"A smart choice."

"Amanda Rogers?"

The woman turned.

"Hello, Captain," she greeted Picard, who approached her with Sisko.

"It's been a long time."

"Captain, Captain, shame on you," Callisto said, shaking her head. "You're old enough to be her father."

Picard was confused.

"I beg your pardon," he said, when he finally understood what she said.

Callisto smiled.

Suddenly, she felt that a god appeared and her smile faded. She looked around and spotted the god.

"Insanity!" she called, happy.

Insanity looked.

"Mama!"

The two women ran to each other and embraced.

"I've missed you so much," Callisto said.

"I've missed you too, Mama," Insanity said as Callisto caressed her.

"Come, let's go to Quark's and have a drink."

"Okay."

Callisto and Insanity left and Picard, Sisko and Amanda stared after them. When they were gone, Picard turned to Amanda.

"You said you're not a Q anymore?" he asked her.

"Yes."

Picard was confused.

"Why not?"

"I got tired of it. It's so boring in the Continuum and they didn't let me out. I've had enough and asked to be stripped of my powers. They did and Q brought me here."

"I see. And what are you going to do now?"

"Continue where I've stopped."

"A good choice. Oh, by the way, this is Captain Sisko, the commander of DS9. Captain, this is Amanda Rogers."

"Hello."

"Hello."

Sisko and Amanda shook hands.

"Ah, was Q really afraid of that woman?" Picard asked.

"Oh, yes."

"Who is she?"

"Callisto. She's a Greek goddess."

"A goddess?"

"Yes."

"Greek? Like from Earth?"

"Yes."

"I've never heard of her."

"Not many have."

"You said Greek?" Sisko asked.

"Yes."

"You know her?" Picard asked.

"Well, when the Defiant followed a Jem'Hadar ship through a time vortex, they met a woman named Callisto."

"I see." Picard turned back to Amanda. "Why was he afraid of her?"

"Well, although she's not nearly as powerful as the Q, she could probably do anything if she got angry, so the Q try not to upset her."

"Couldn't they kill her?"

"Death never stopped her before."

Picard and Sisko glanced at each other, puzzled.

"Ah, Captain, I will need your help. Q didn't leave me any money and I need to access my belongings back on Earth."

"No problem," Picard said. "Come." He turned to Sisko. "I'll see you later, Captain."

"Okay."

"Excuse me… Rom, I have to report to Captain Sisko."

"Of course. I can manage."

Dorian approached Sisko.

"Come," he said and she followed him into his office. Sisko sat down. "Welcome to DS9, Ensign."

"Thank you, Sir."

"I'm sure you will soon find out that this is a very hectic place, if you haven't already."

"Yes, Sir."

"You are assigned to Nog. We are currently upgrading the comm system, not to mention the incoming and outgoing ships. I'm sure you have noticed Admiral Uhura."

"Yes, Sir, and Admiral McCoy."

"McCoy is here?"

"Yes, Sir."

Sisko sighed and got up.

"Do you have any idea where he might be?"

"I heard him talk about visiting the Infirmary and the Enterprise. He and Admiral Uhura went for a drink when he got to Ops."

"I'm sure they did." He picked up a PADD. "Here."

Dorian took it.

"What is it?"

"Some logs. I want you to study them and then tell me what you have learned."

"Till when do I have to do it?"

"No time limit. And I want your report to be as short as possible."

"Yes, Sir."

"Dismissed."

Dorian left and Sisko went in search of Admiral McCoy.

"What are you doing here, Mama?" Insanity asked when Quark served them drinks.

"Waiting for someone."

"Mama?"

"Okay. Someone stole the dagger with the Hind's blood and I was told that he will come here."

"Oh. You seem to be in a good mood."

"I am. I spared with some people."

"And, how was it?"

"I kicked the crap out of them," Callisto said and giggled. "So, where have you been?"

"On Bajor."

"Really? What's it like there?"

"It's nice. They have a lot of orphans of war, both Bajoran and Cardassian."

"And you took care of them?"

"Yes."

Callisto smiled. As much as she had hated her daughter at first, she loved her even more now. She was everything that she herself wasn't.

"Thought so."

"I miss home, though. Why…" Insanity stopped herself when she felt her mother's distress. "I'm sorry, Mama. I didn't…"

"It's not your fault," Callisto said and smiled. "We will go home."

Insanity smiled.

"Doctor?" Sisko asked when he got to Infirmary.

"Admiral McCoy was here while we were in the Conference Room."

"Yes, I know."

"You know?"

"Ensign Collins told me."

"Oh."

"And?"

"Here."

Bashir handed him a PADD and Sisko glanced at it.

"I hope the Cardassian who designed this place never sees this."

"Yes," Bashir agreed. "I'm going to send this to Starfleet Medical. I hope that they listen to the Admiral and send some improvements."

"I hope so."

When Picard got to the Bridge, he was immediately told about McCoy's visit.

"Is he still here?"

"No, Sir."

Picard went to the Sickbay.

"Beverly?"

"Hello, Jean-Luc. Do you know that Admiral McCoy was here."

"Yes, I was told. And?"

"He inspected our medical facilities and made a report. Here."

Picard took the PADD.

"I don't think he's ever going to be satisfied."

"Me neither."

Sisko was just on his way back to the Ops when his comm badge beeped.

"Sisko."

"Sir, the Romulans have just detected a large fleet of Jem'Hadar and Cardassian ships moving this way."

"ETA?"

"Seven hours."

"Understood. I'll be right there. Sisko out."

Sisko impatiently waited until the lift got to the Ops.

"Sir, the Maquis have detected another enemy fleet. It is slightly larger than the one the Romulans detected."

"ETA?"

"Seven hours, ten minutes."

"Thought so. Notify Admiral Nechayev."

"Yes, Sir."

"Yellow alert. Evacuate all non-essential personnel. Volunteers may stay behind. Tell Odo to consult O'Brien and Bashir about them."

"Yes, Sir."

"Send out the signal, it's time everyone got into position."

"Yes, Sir."

"How are the mine fields?"

"Seven out of ten. The Klingons still have one and the Romulans two. They should be prepared within the hour."

"Excellent."

"How are the support ships?"

"Nine medical transporters and four transporters still have to arrive. They will be here in three hours."

"Good. Major, take the Defiant."

"Yes, Sir. Nog, Collins."

"Yes, Ma'am," came the double reply.

"Bashir to Sisko."

"Sisko here."

"Sir, Admiral McCoy will be in charge of the Infirmary while I'm aboard the Defiant."

"The Admiral?"

"Yes, Sir. He volunteered."

"I see. Fine with me. Sisko out."

"Dax?"

"We are ready, Major," said Dax and got out of the command chair.

"Good. Then take us out."

"Yes, Sir."

"That is Dax?" Dorian whispered to Nog when she saw the commander.

"Yes."

"The one that owes you a favor?"

"Yes."

"She's a commander."

"Yes."

Dorian was confused.

"So you made her a favor and now she's returning it by repairing something instead of you?"

"Yes."

"Wow."

"Collins."

Dorian jerked.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"You have some medical training?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Good. Report to Doctor Bashir for instructions and then go to Engineering. Nog, go down to Engineering, I don't want any problems when the battle starts."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Nog and Dorian left.

Finally, the battle started. Callisto and Insanity were looking at the battle in the distance. Neither of them has seen so many ships in one place at the same time before and it was awesome. If only they wouldn't shoot at each other, Insanity thought.

Suddenly, Callisto smiled.

"I have an idea," she said and vanished.

"Hi," Callisto said after she appeared in the Conference Lounge of the Voyager.

Everybody looked at her, astonished.

"Security to the Conference Lounge," Tuvok ordered as he took his phaser and approached Callisto.

Callisto looked around.

"An interesting crew you've got, Katie," she said. "A stiff (Janeway), a clown (Chakotay), a cross between a clown and a hippie (Neelix), another stiff (Tuvok), a baby (Kim), a con man (Paris), a doll (B'Elana), an air-bag (Doctor) and a toaster (Seven)!" She looked around again. "Did I leave anyone?" she asked sweetly.

"Who are you?" Janeway demanded.

"Callisto."

"What do you want?"

"What I want you cannot give me. Anyway, your friends from the Alpha Quadrant are getting their butts kicked by the Dominion and I'm just in a good enough mood to take you there. That is if you want me to."

The officers looked at each other, confused.

"Well, do you want to or not?" Callisto asked, already starting to get bored.

"You can take us back home?" Janeway asked.

"I can, but I won't, only to DS9."

"To DS9?"

Callisto turned to Seven.

"Toaster, will you tell them?"

Seven was confused.

"Yes, I was talking to you," Callisto confirmed.

"My designation is Seven-of-Nine."

"Well, there are nine of you, so you might as well be the seventh. Don't you have a normal name?"

"Names are irrelevant."

"Borg," Callisto said, disgusted. "You're also irrelevant, my sweet little toaster."

Callisto waved her hand and Seven disappeared. The officers jerked, astonished.

"Where is she? What have you done to her?" Janeway demanded.

"I plugged her in," Callisto said and giggled. "She's in Cargo Bay 2," she calmed them. "Now, do you want to go or what? I've got other things to do beside rescuing your sorry butts."

Janeway looked at her officers.

"Yes,…"

"Finally," Callisto interrupted her and waved her hand.

A moment later the red alert was sounded.

"Good luck," Callisto said wickedly. "You're gonna need it."

She disappeared and the officers rushed to the Bridge.

"Report."

"We have just been thrown off course. We are near Bajor, Captain! I'm picking up a battle. There's a large fleet of Cardassian and Jem'Hadar ships against the combined fleet of the Federation, the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Empire."

"The Romulans?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Looks like we're just in time for the party," Paris commented. "I'm picking three Jem'Hadar attack ships coming our way."

"Take us to the closest allied squadron, maximum speed."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"We are being hailed by the Defiant."

"On screen."

"Captain Janeway! It really is you."

"Yes, Major."

"Proceed on your course. We'll send you battle designations when we get closer."

"Understood."

"Defiant out."

"Where are the Jem'Hadar?" Janeway asked.

"Ten seconds to firing range."

"Go to evasive Delta 4. Fire at will."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"We're receiving battle designations."

"Send them to my console."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Janeway examined the designations.

"Set course 233.39, evasive Gamma 1."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"The Voyager is in position."

"Good. Send Romulan 3 to assist Maquis 6 and Klingon 19."

"Yes, Sir."

"Federation 6 is down to two ships."

"Tell them to join Maquis 1."

"Yes, Sir."

"Tell Romulan 3 and 21 to head towards Federation 23. They are Group 23. Then send Klingon 2 and 5 and Federation 9 towards Federation 17. They're Group 24."

"Yes, Sir."

"Now send Romulan 8 and Klingon 4 towards Bajoran 2. They're Group 25. Tell Ferengi 1 to retreat towards Maquis 3 and 6. They're Group 26."

"Yes, Sir."

"Send Groups 4 and 9 towards Cardassian Group 7 and Group 1 towards Jem'Hadar Group 4."

"Yes, Sir."

"Tell Mine 5 to move the field towards Jem'Hadar 33."

"Yes, Sir.

"Send Maquis 1 to Jem'Hadar 3 and tell them to go between Cardassian 7 and Jem'Hadar 9."

"Yes, Sir."

Dorian and Nog were back on the Bridge. Nog was running some diagnostics and Dorian was assisting him. Secretly, she kept glancing around the Bridge. The officers were very professional and they did not cheer after destroying a ship, nor did they wait to see if it was destroyed, they went away and watched from the distance. She was amazed at how easily the Defiant's crew approached one of the new Jem'Hadar warships and destroyed it. The Valiant had taken much damage during the attack run and was destroyed after the officers failed to get it to safety. Here, however, Dax flew the ship smoothly and they barely got scratched and when they got to the target, they fired and retreated to safety. She understood now, the Red Squad cadets were too arrogant for their own good and it killed them all but her. She sighed and tried to concentrate on the diagnostics.

McCoy was in his usual nagging mood and the nurses felt uncomfortable. Not only was he an admiral, a famous one that is, and a very good doctor, he was also very grumpy and never seemed to be satisfied with anything. He kept cursing over some matter or another. Finally, they just did their job and ignored the Admiral's comments. Suddenly, he stopped in the middle of his tracks. He checked the tricorder and ran it over the patient again.

"What the hell is going on here?" He thought. "Is that you, Insanity?"

"Yes, Doctor."

McCoy turned and his face brightened when he saw Insanity.

"Insanity, girl! It's good to see you again," he said and hugged her.

"You too, Doctor."

"Come to help?"

"Yes."

"Thought so. They sure picked a hell of a day for the battle. Oh, hell, at least I can show those desk-pushers back on Earth that McCoy is still indispensable."

"Of course you are."

"Well, at least someone appreciates me."

"I'm sure a lot of people do."

"Well, they sure aren't showing it."

Insanity smiled.

"Why don't we get back to work? We'll talk later."

"Good thinking, girl."

Insanity disappeared again and the Doctor returned to work. The few nurses that happened to witness the strange conversation were confused.

"What are you waiting for?" McCoy asked when he saw that they were staring at him, confused. "People are dying around here, in case you haven't noticed."

The nurses moved.

The battle lasted for about an hour and both sides had suffered losses. The Jem'Hadar and the Cardassians finally decided to retreat and they lost many ships in the cloaked mine fields.

"Ma'am, we are being hailed by DS9."

"On screen. Admiral."

"Captain. Come to Captain Sisko's office at once."

"Yes, Sir."

"You are forbidden to contact anyone, not even your families, until you have been debriefed."

"Understood."

"Nechayev out."

"Ma'am, we are getting new coordinates."

"Takes us there. Chakotay, you have the Bridge."

Chakotay nodded.

Janeway was beamed directly to the Ops.

"Welcome back, Captain," a Bajoran officer greeted her. "You are being expected in the Captain's office. This way."

Janeway followed the woman to Sisko's office and entered.

"Captain Janeway," Sisko greeted her as he shook hands with her, "welcome back."

"Thank you, Captain."

"I believe you know Captain Picard and Admiral Nechayev."

"Yes."

"Welcome back, Captain," Picard said and shook hands with her.

"Thank you."

"Welcome back, Captain," Nechayev said.

"Thank you, Sir. Ah, Sir, before I start reporting, I would like to discuss several issues."

"Yes?"

"The first is the Maquis part of my crew. What will happen to them?"

"You have Maquis on your crew?"

"Yes, Sir. We had to join forces in order to survive in the Delta Quadrant."

"Delta Quadrant?"

"Yes, Sir, that's where we were."

"I see." Nechayev thought. "Well, if they aren't guilty of anything else but of being members of the Maquis, then I guess they can go about their business. If they wish to remain aboard, well, in that case we'll see."

"Good. Next is Neelix. He's a Talaxian from the Delta Quadrant. He was our morale officer and a cook."

"He can go about his business or you may keep him as a bartender."

"Good. Then there's the Doctor, our EMHP. Because of the nature of our situation he was forced to adapt to the situation and has developed a personality which is quite different from his original programming."

"Like Data?" Picard asked.

"Yes, you could say that. Plus, now that he has an autonomous mobile holoemitter, he can move outside the holodeck. He was our Chief Medical officer."

"An interesting problem," Nechayev said, "much like Data's. I'm sure its developers will want to examine it, but I will demand that they treat him as they would treat Data."

"Thank you, Sir. The last issue is Seven-of-Nine, our ex-Borg."

"Borg?" Picard asked, alarmed.

"Yes. We encountered the Borg and we were forced to join forces with them against Species 8472."

"You worked with the Borg?"

"Yes, we needed to get across their territory and they needed our help."

"The Borg needed your help?" Picard asked with disbelief.

Janeway smiled.

"As hard as it is to believe, they did. Of course they wanted to trick us, but we tricked them at the end. There were more Borg transported to the Voyager, but we were forced to kill them when they tried to assimilate our ship. Only Seven, who was our liaison to the Borg, survived and we managed to separate her from the collective. We removed as many of the implants as we could. She usually helped the Doctor."

"I see. Is she fully Human?"

"Not quite. She still has some implants."

"What happened to the rest?"

"We preserved them."

"Good. Well, I'm sure that many people would like to talk to her, but I'm afraid that there's nothing I can do. She's free as far as I'm concerned."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Do you know who she was before she was assimilated?"

"Annika Hansen. So far she has refused to use that name."

"Well, that's her problem."

"Yes, Sir."

"Anyway, before anyone goes anywhere, you will all be debriefed. You will proceed to Starbase 375 in two days. There, you will be debriefed and your ship examined. After that, the Starfleet officers will get their orders and others may go. Until then, you will remain aboard your ship."

"Understood."

"Before you go, how did you get back here?"

"A woman named Callisto brought us."

"Callisto?"

"Don't ask me, Sir, I have no idea who she is."

"I see."

"We've seen her on the Promenade, Sir," Sisko said. "From what we've seen even Q is afraid of her."

"Q?"

"He was here, but he left after he pissed her off."

Nechayev rose her eyebrows.

"I see." She turned to Janeway. "Dismissed."

Janeway left.

Seven and the Doctor were beamed to the Infirmary. Seven was unconscious.

"Doctor Bashir." Bashir turned. "I am Emergency Medical Holographic Program from the Voyager. I have a patient here. She was wounded when a conduit blew in our Sickbay. I managed to get the rest out."

"Put her here."

The Doctor picked Seven up and put her on the bio-bed.

"Can you take care of her? I have to return to the Voyager."

"Of course."

"Let me know when she wakes up."

"I will. Ah, what are these implants?"

"She was a Borg."

"A Borg?"

"Yes."

"I see."

"Doctor to Voyager."

"Chakotay here."

"One to beam over."

"Stand by."

A couple of moments later the Doctor disappeared.

"I thought he was a hologram," McCoy said.

"Yes," Bashir confirmed without looking at him.

"Then why did he have to beam? He could just transfer over, like a message."

Bashir stopped for a moment, confused.

"I don't know," he said and returned to work.

Meanwhile, Callisto also came to the Infirmary. Insanity felt her concern and she stopped healing.

"Mama?"

Callisto looked at her and smiled.

"Just came to see how you're doing."

Insanity didn't believe her.

"Mama."

Callisto seriously stared at her daughter for a couple of moments.

"I came to see Seven."

"Seven?"

"Her."

Callisto pointed at Seven.

"Her name is Seven?" Insanity asked, confused.

"Her Borg name."

"Oh."

"I'll help her."

Insanity nodded and returned to her work. Callisto went to Seven and concentrated.

"Report," Sisko ordered when the three officers came back to the Ops.

"8327 people were killed. 17 of the remaining ships are incapable of fight and they are being towed away. The ships have finished regrouping."

"Good."

"Get me Admiral Ross on a secured channel. I will talk to him in the Captain's office."

"Yes, Sir."

Nechayev returned to Sisko's office.

"I will return to the Enterprise," Picard said and left.

Seven soon woke up.

"Bashir to Voyager."

"Chakotay here."

"Tell your EMHP that his patient just woke up."

"How is she?"

"She'll live."

"Understood. Voyager out."

"How do you feel?" Bashir asked Seven.

Seven stared at him for a couple of moments and then looked around.

"Where am I?" she asked.

"On Deep Space 9."

Suddenly, Seven noticed that something was different. She touched her eye, it was organic.

"My…" she started, confused, but stopped, when she noticed that the implants on her arm were gone. "My implants. What have you done to them?" she demanded.

"Ah, nothing," Bashir said. "They just came off."

"How?"

"I don't know."

"Am I now fully Human?"

"Yes."

Seven was shocked.

"Leave me," she said and closed her eyes.

Bashir left.

There was silence for a while and then Seven felt that someone was caressing her. She opened her eyes, surprised. She saw a young woman smiling at her.

"Who are you?" she asked, confused.

"Insanity," the woman said. Seven was confused. "That is my name," Insanity explained.

"What do you want?"

"My mama asked me if I could talk to you."

"Who?"

"Callisto."

"Why?"

"She likes you."

Seven was confused.

"Then why was she trying to insult me?"

"Insult?"

"She called me a toaster."

"Oh. Did she call you just toaster or did she add any adjectives?"

"She used sweet little."

"See? That means that she likes you." Seven was still confused. "Mama very rarely shows that she cares about someone and when she does, it is usually in a very subtle way, like adding affectionate adjectives to insults."

"Oh… What do you want to talk about?"

"You, your future. What are you going to do when you are released from the Infirmary? What do you want?"

Seven was confused, she had never really thought about that. First, her parents decided for her, then, the Borg and after that, Janeway. And now, this woman was asking her what she wanted.

"I don't know," she admitted.

"It's hard to decide, isn't it? Being all alone with no real friends, no one to make the decisions for you. Do you want to return to the Borg?"

Seven hesitated, surprised. She had been so sure that she wanted back into the safe and reassuring arms of the Collective, but now, one simple question made her doubt her desire to return to the Borg. What do you want? It was so confusing and hard to be an individual without the almighty support of the Collective. She was vulnerable and lonely and insecure and… afraid. She hated those feelings and it surprised her that she did.

"You're confused," Insanity said.

"Yes," Seven confirmed.

"Let me help you. What you desire is the security of the Borg, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"But you've also been an individual long enough that you actually want to make the decisions for yourself, although it's tough."

"Yes."

"The Borg aren't perfect, they couldn't protect you."

"Yes."

"Individuals are also not perfect and they also won't be able to protect you indefinitely. You have to decide what you want, the order and slavery of the Borg or the chaos and freedom of the individuals."

Seven thought.

"Take your time. I will help you no matter how you decide. If you have any questions, think of me."

Insanity caressed her again and left.

Just as she left, Janeway came.

"Admiral McCoy!" she said, surprised, when she saw him.

"Is there a problem?"

"Ah, no, Sir."

"Good."

Janeway stared at him for a couple more moments and then went to Seven.

"Hello, Seven, how are you?"

"I am fine," Seven said.

"I have… What happened to your implants?"

"I don't know. Doctor Bashir said that they came off."

Janeway rose her eyebrows, confused.

"I have spoken to Admiral Nechayev," she said, "and she said that after you are debriefed, you can decide for yourself what you want to do. Have you decided yet?"

"No."

"Well, take your time. We leave for Starbase 375 in two days. If you have any questions, let me know."

"I understand."

"Good," Janeway said and left.

Then the Doctor beamed over.

"Ah, Seven… What happened to your implants?"

"I don't know."

"Doctor Bashir."

"Doctor?"

"What happened to her implants?"

"I don't know. They just came off."

"They did? Interesting." He turned back to Seven. "How do you feel?"

"Fine."

"Good."

"Doctor… What is your name, anyway?"

The Doctor turned.

"Admiral McCoy!"

"I know who I am. I want to know who you are."

"I don't have a name."

"You don't? Well, we'll quickly give you one. Who created you?"

"Luis Zimmerman from…"

"From now on you are David Zimmerman. David after my father and Zimmerman after your creator."

"David Zimmerman," the Doctor said thoughtfully. "I guess it is as good a name as any."

"You bet it is. Hmm, you look just like the EMHP from the Enterprise."

"We were based on the same template."

"Zimmerman?"

"Yes."

"A lousy choice. He might at least have programmed a pretty young woman with a nicer attitude. Tell me, why did they beam you over? Couldn't they just send you over."

"Because I have an autonomous self-sustaining mobile holoemitter," Zimmerman said and pointed at the device.

"You mean you can move outside the holodeck?" Bashir asked.

"Yes."

"Interesting," McCoy said.

"Doctor!" a nurse called.

Bashir looked.

"Do you have work back on the Voyager?"

"Well, I am the only medical officer aboard."

"What?"

"All medical personnel was killed when we were thrown into the Delta Quadrant. Seven was my assistant and sometimes Lieutenant Paris."

"Seven?" McCoy asked and looked at her. "What kind of name is that?"

"A Borg one."

McCoy jerked.

"Borg?" he asked.

"I was a Borg."

"This day sure is full of wonders," McCoy said and left, shaking his head.

"Will you be all right here?" Zimmerman asked Seven.

"Yes."

"Very well, then I will return to the Voyager."

The Doctor left and Seven returned to the planning of her future. There were so many options and it was confusing to choose. She wished Insanity was there.

"Hi," Insanity said.

Seven jerked, startled.

"Can I help you?" Insanity asked.

"I am having difficulty choosing between so many options."

"Well, maybe you should limit yourself to four. One, you can return to the Borg. Two, you can stay on the Voyager. Three, you can stay on DS9. Four, you can settle on a planet with me."

Seven was surprised at the simplicity of Insanity's conclusion and she considered her options.

"I believe that the third options is the most suitable," Insanity suggested.

"Liking is irrelevant."

"Maybe to the Borg, but not to the Humans. If you like what you choose then even the apparently less effective options may become more effective."

"I see," Seven said and considered the options again. "I like it," she decided.

"Good. But if you want to stay, you will have to earn money."

"That means that I will have to get a job."

"Exactly. I suggest that until you decide what you like best you do what you're good at."

"Engineering."

"Yes."

"I will have to talk to Captain Sisko."

Insanity smiled.

"Yes."

Seven wanted to get up.

"Not so fast," Insanity said. "You tell Doctor Bashir and he will tell Captain Sisko."

"So ineffective."

"Not really. The Captain is a busy man and if everyone who wished to talked to him just burst into his office, there would be chaos. Things are done…"

Suddenly, Doctor Bashir's nurses came in with a patient.

"What happened?"

"A conduit blew. She was right next to it."

"Check the baby, I'll check her."

"Yes, Doctor."

Two nurses concentrated on the baby while Bashir and the third nurse examined the woman.

"Sir, the baby is dying. We have to get it out."

"Bashir to Ops."

"Worf here."

"I need to transport a baby out of a womb."

"Stand by… I'm ready. Where do you want me to beam it."

"On the bio-bed next to me."

"Understood. Energizing."

The baby slowly materialized on the bio-bed.

"We have it!"

"Understood. Worf out."

Insanity went to the baby.

"20 ccs of inaprovaline. Get me a tissue mitigator."

"Yes, Doctor."

"The pulse is becoming erratic."

Bashir injected the medicine.

"No change."

Insanity touched the baby and concentrated.

"Another…"

"Doctor, look."

Bashir looked at the display.

"What the…"

He looked back at the baby, who was visibly beginning to heal. He took a tricorder and observed the process.

When she was done, Insanity went to the mother and also healed her.

"Doctor!"

Bashir turned and saw that the mother was also healing.

"What the hell is going on here?" he asked, confused.

"Sir, the baby is as good as new."

Bashir turned back to the baby and confirmed. Then he went to the mother and also scanned her.

"She is also as good as new," he declared, confused. "Can somebody tell me what just happened here?" he asked his nurses.

The nurses shrugged.

"Oh, that was just Insanity," McCoy said.

"What?"

"Insanity. She's a friend of mine."

Bashir stared at the Admiral, not comprehending a thing.

Seven observed the whole situation and was also confused.

"They can't see me," Insanity said.

"My baby," the mother said, worried.

Bashir jerked, startled.

"Give her the baby," he said.

One of the nurses picked up the baby and took it to its mother, who hugged it and caressed it, happy and relieved.

"How did you do that?" Seven asked, confused.

Insanity smiled.

"I'm a goddess," she explained. "Anyway, Doctor Bashir is here."

Seven looked at Bashir.

"Doctor Bashir."

Bashir turned and approached her.

"Yes?"

"I wish to speak to Captain Sisko," Seven said.

"I will tell him," Bashir said. "Oh, yes, you may leave," he added and left, still very confused.

"Did you heal me?" Seven asked.

"No, my mama did."

"Your mother?"

"Yes."

Insanity left. She walked right through Picard, who entered the Infirmary. He didn't feel a thing. He looked around, trying to find the ex-Borg, but no patient looked like a Borg. He finally decided to try the woman who just got up and was watching him.

"You are Locutus," she said when he came near. "Picard," she corrected herself.

Picard was taken aback.

"Yes," he confirmed. "You are Seven-of-Nine I assume."

"Yes."

Picard observed the ex-Borg. He was a bit confused, because she had no implants and she seemed perfectly normal.

"You have no implants," he observed.

"They came off," Seven explained.

"I see. How long have you been a Borg?"

"Eighteen years."

Picard was surprised.

"And how do you feel being Human again?"

"It is very confusing." She thought. "Your crew retrieved you. Why?"

Picard was surprised.

"Well, I could say that because they were loyal to me, but it was more than that. They needed to get me away from the Collective, because the Borg knew everything I knew."

"I see."

"And what will you do now?"

"I will apply for a job here."

Picard was surprised.

"You will?"

"Yes."

"Well, good luck."

"Thank you."

Picard left, confused.

Just as Picard left, Sisko came.

"Hello, Seven-of-Nine, I am Captain Sisko, the commander of this station. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. In two days I am leaving for Starbase 375 for debriefing. When I return, I will need a job."

"A job?"

"Yes."

"I see. And what would you like to do?"

Seven was surprised. Decisions, decisions.

"I am good with machines."

"I see. I will tell Major Kira and she will take care of it. Anything else?"

"I will need quarters."

"Major Kira will take care of it."

"Good."

Sisko left and a moment later Seven left too.

She looked around and she felt slightly lost. She wished Insanity was near.

"Hi."

Seven turned her head and saw Insanity.

"Hello."

"Do you want to come for a drink?"

"I have to return to the Voyager."

"I'm sure they can manage without you for a couple of minutes. Come."

Seven was confused. It was her duty to return to the Voyager and help with the repair, but her desire to learn about new things was stronger. She followed Insanity.

"Major?" O'Brien asked when he got to the Promenade.

"I have a new crew member for you."

O'Brien was confused.

"So?"

"She's an ex-Borg."

"A Borg?" O'Brien asked, alarmed.

"Don't worry, she's harmless. She came with the Voyager."

"Really?"

"Yes. Come, there she is."

They walked to the table where Insanity and Seven sipped their drinks.

"Seven-of-Nine?" Seven looked at Kira. "I am Major Kira." She sat down. "I was told you want a job."

"Yes."

"You have to join the Bajoran Military or the Starfleet if you want to work in the Maintenance."

Seven looked at Insanity.

"It's your choice," Insanity said, smiling.

Kira and O'Brien both looked at the strange woman, confused.

"Bajoran Military," Seven decided.

"Okay. I will prepare the documents and bring them to you when you get back." She pointed at O'Brien. "This is Chief Miles O'Brien. He is in charge of Maintenance and he will be your boss. O'Brien?"

O'Brien hesitated.

"You came with the Voyager?" he asked.

"Yes."

"You worked in Engineering?"

"Yes."

"Good enough for me. You will work with Rom. He's a Ferengi and he may seem… simple-minded, but he's brilliant when it comes to machines. I'll tell him to drop by your quarters later."

"I understand."

"Actually, she won't be able to start working immediately," Kira told O'Brien. "She has to go to Starbase 375 for debriefing."

"Oh. Ah, what's your name?" O'Brien asked Seven.

Seven was about to repeat her Borg designation, but decided against it.

"Annika Hansen."

"Okay."

Kira left.

Seven looked at Insanity, who smiled.

"I won't be around forever," Insanity said.

Seven nodded.

"And who are you?" O'Brien asked Insanity, curious.

"Insanity."

O'Brien was confused. He wanted to ask something, but he noticed that Insanity was staring past him. He turned around and froze.

"Callisto," he murmured.

Callisto noticed the man beside her daughter. She recognized him.

"I know you," she said. "Long time no see. I'm glad you still remember me."

"You're difficult to forget."

"I know," Callisto said, smiling.

Quark personally came with a glass of juice.

"Thank you, Quark," Callisto said and sat down.

O'Brien was confused. He left.

"So… Hm, you no longer remind me of a toaster. Oh, well, I'm sure I'll think of something."

"Mama," Insanity said.

"Sorry, sweety."

"I have to go now," Seven said. "I have work to do on the Voyager."

She got up and left.

"You'd think she's afraid of me," Callisto said thoughtfully, staring after her.

"She is. And she is confused."

Callisto didn't respond.

"How is she?" she asked after a while.

"She joined the Bajoran Military and was assigned to Rom."

"Good," said Callisto and took a sip.

"Seven! It's good to have you back."

"Thank you, Doctor. Do you require my assistance?"

"No, I have everything under control."

"Then I will go to the Engineering."

"Fine with me."

Seven left.

Callisto and Insanity sipped their drinks and observed the crew perform their duties. Suddenly, they felt that another god had appeared. They both looked, Insanity curiously and Callisto with distrust.

"Eris!" they said in unison when they spotted the newcomer.

They both got up and went to her.

"Insanity! Mama!"

They hugged.

"Where have you been?" Insanity asked when they broke the hug.

"On Cardassia."

Callisto grinned.

"Practicing your skills no doubt," she said.

Eris grinned back.

"I had to practice somewhere, after all, I am the Goddess of Discord."

"And how was it?"

"I made a real mess."

Callisto laughed. As they sat down, Quark was already there, waiting to take the order.

"What will you have, Eris?" Callisto asked.

"Whatever you're having."

Quark bowed and scurried away.

"So, how are things on Cardassia?" Insanity asked.

"Messy," Eris said and grinned. "They were pretty okay before the war, but now that the Dominion controls them, it feels like Nazi Germany."

"That bad?"

"Aha. And where have you two been?"

"I've been on Bajor."

"Really? I heard that the Cardassians left many orphans behind."

"Yes, they did."

"Hypocrites. They say that they value family very high, but they don't take care of their orphans."

Callisto smiled, proud of her daughters.

"And you, Mama?" Eris asked.

"Oh, I've been around, no place in particular. Listen, we're going home soon. Do you want to come with us?"

"Yes!" Eris was excited. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as I get my dagger back."

"Your dagger?"

"The one with Hind's blood. Someone stole it."

"When?"

"About a month ago."

"Is he coming here?"

"The current owner of the dagger is."

"Oh."

"Oh, yes, Doctor McCoy is here," Insanity said.

"Really? Where is he?"

"I believe he is in the Infirmary."

"Then I'll pay him a visit later."

Three days later, the owner of the dagger finally arrived. As soon as Callisto spotted him, she appeared before him.

"Hello," she said sweetly and grinned when she saw the man star at her, astonished. "I believe you have something of mine."

"Who… Who are you?" the man asked.

"The owner of that dagger you purchased."

"Dagger?"

"This one," Callisto said, reached into his bag and pulled it out. She looked at it and saw that it was intact. She annihilated it. "Tell me, did you have it scanned or analyzed or duplicated?"

The man stood like paralyzed and stared at the strange woman.

"Well?" Callisto demanded, her face dead serious.

"No."

"You wouldn't be lying to me, would you?" she asked, circling around him.

The man shook his head.

"Okay," Callisto said. "But beware, should I ever find out that you lied to me, I will find you," she said menacingly.

The man's face grew pale, he understood the unspoken threat.

"Tell me, why did you purchase this dagger?" Callisto asked a bit less menacingly. "Well?" she added when the man hesitated.

"I collect ancient weapons."

"Really? And what can you tell me about mine?"

"It is from Earth, Greek. It is about 2500 years old."

"Very good," Callisto said and patted him on the cheek. "You may go now," she said and vanished.

The man stood still for a few moments, scared, and then quickly left.

"Okay, girls, let's go home," Callisto said after she came back to her daughters.

The three goddesses vanished.

A week later, Seven was back on DS9. She was just trying the uniform when the door bell rang.

"Come!"

A Ferengi entered.

"Hello, I am Rom," he introduced himself. "You were assigned to work with me."

"Yes," Seven said and observed the Ferengi.

He really did seem simple-minded and he was a bit afraid of her.

"Your shift starts at eight in the morning. I will pick you up here and then show you around the station."

"That would be satisfactory."

Rom was confused for a moment and then smiled.

"I have to go now. Duty calls," he said and left.

Seven stared after him for a few moments and then took off the uniform.

Sisko was reading a report when Ensign Collins came.

"Sir."

"Ensign."

"I have completed the assignment," she said and gave Sisko a PADD. "You said you wanted a short report."

Sisko nodded, took the PADD and read the report.

"Very good, Ensign," he said and returned the PADD. "Now I want you to write a recommendation to Admiral Brand."

Collins was astonished.

"Sir? You want me to write a recommendation to an Admiral?"

"Yes." Sisko smiled. "Don't worry. You write the recommendation and then bring it to me. We'll go through it and then I'll send it to Admiral Brand."

Collins gulped.

"Yes, Sir. Oh, these are the logs you gave me," she said and gave Sisko another PADD.

Sisko glanced at it.

"Bring me the recommendation when you finish it. Dismissed."

"Sir."

Collins left and Sisko returned to his reports.

The End