The Tempest (Star Trek Deep Space Nine, No 19) (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 19) - Softcover

When a ferocious plasma storm strikes the entire Bajoran system, Deep Space NineTM becomes a port under siege, filled to overflowing with stranded space travelers, unpredictable aliens, and Klingon smugglers. Wof and Odo find themselves tested to the limit as they struggle to control the chaos that has consumed the station. But even greater danger faces Dax and botanist Keiko O' Brian when they must fly a runabout into the very heart of the storm - and encounter a stange new form of life!

ODO PAUSED AT the railing overlooking the Promenade He had made ageneral announcement to the public areas of the station regardingthe emergency docking order. He thought it would calm everyone toknow that the tremors were caused by emissions from plasma storm,yet the level of excitement continued to heighten along with theinflux of evacuees from the newly arriving vessels.The activity on the Promenade reminded him of a Bajoran festivalday, right down to the singing and dancing, as streams of peopleentered the temple. Not only were there more Bajorans, but therewas a sampling of every other sort of humanoid race, especiallyin Quark's Bar. Odo had stopped by the bar for a moment but hecouldn't stand Quark's jubilant pleasure in the face of theemergency. The tight Ferengi wasn't even complaining much aboutbroken serving ware or spills, so you knew it had to be aprofitable day.Odo surveyed the throngs, mystified by the humanoid tendency toreact to a crisis by throwing off all self-restraint. It was asif they were compelled to mirror chaos with chaos, when, byrights, they should be extra cautious during times ofuncertainty. Many seemed to be indulging in a sensory abandonmentcomparable to his liquid state, yet he would no more startsliding down the banister right now than he would enter an openairlock with a Cardassian at his back. Didn't humanoids know howfragile they were?Take Jake-there he was, leaning too far over the railing, tryingto see everything happening down below on the Promenade.Odo casually strolled past. "Back up there," he warned the youngman. "You wouldn't want one of these shock waves to send you overthe rail."Jake straightened up, undaunted by Odo's tone. "Hi there,Constable. isn't this great?""I'm not sure what is so 'great' about an emergency dockingorder," Odo replied, clasping his hands behind his back. "Thestation has already reached maximum capacity, and several moreships are waiting to dock.""It's not really dangerous, is it?" Jake asked, more concerned."No, not really," Odo assured him. "But whenever this many peopleare gathered in a confined area, there's bound to be trouble. Notto mention accidents. Why isn't everyone more careful?"Jake shook his head in amusement. "You've just got to see it as asurprise holiday. A lot of these crews weren't expecting to getshore leave for weeks.""Hmmm . . . I'm not sure your father would like you to bewandering around in all of this.""My father is the one who keeps telling me to experience life.He'll probably want a blow-by-blow report when he gets hometonight."Odo made a disapproving sound, but he let the matter drop. "Iwould suggest you stock up on food supplies. I hear there's a runon the replicators."That hit Jake in a vital spot. He instantly started for hisquarters. "Thanks for the tip! See you around.""I'm sure," Odo murmured to himself. He had recommended a curfewfor nonessential personnel, but Sisko had vetoed his suggestion.As the shock waves grew worse, perhaps the captain wouldreconsider.One of his security staff signaled. "Sir, Starfleet security saythey're having some trouble at the airlock to the Ceres. A Sattaris there looking for Commander Worf."Odo had flagged any unusual activity among the Sattar for hisimmediate attention. He had noticed that Commander Worf hadestablished surveillance on the Reaper shortly after it arrived,and Odo was interested in anything that caught Worf's attention."Where is the Sattar now?""They're holding her at the airlock.""Send two security personnel there. I'm on my way." He intendedto handle this personally. The Sattar were the best coverttransports available, with the captains controlling the "members"with a combination of familial and dictatorial authority. Thenagain, the Sattar had learned their trade while dodging the ironfist of the Klingons.Odo unobtrusively made his way to the back of the Promenade, intoone of the crossover bridges. With the slowdown in turboliftservice, he decided to allow himself the luxury of travelingthrough the maintenance corridors.Checking to make sure no one was watching, he slipped into theshadowed bulkhead. Unlocking the access door, he poured himselfthrough the crack. Using the gravity of the station, he streameddown the ladder of the lower pylon, curving around power conduitsand passing effortlessly through grillwork.He had to reform to clear the security checks, but it was quickerthan any other route. Besides, he usually excused his liquidforays through the station since they enabled him to becomefamiliar with every nook and cranny. If shapeshifters wereactively moving around DS9, they would be doing it this way.Odo reformed before leaving the maintenance corridor. With thecurrent alert regarding Dominion infiltration, he didn't want totake the chance of anyone seeing him re-solidify. If he ever gotshot, he would wake up in a puddle in front of Captain Sisko, andhis pride wouldn't allow that.

Copyright © 1997 by Susan Wright