The Victory is ordered back to the Starbase, where two strange Intelligence agents investigate Captain Magellan's recent actions and Sek's loyalty to the Federation leading to a very complex game of cat and mouse.

TANGLED WEB

Written by

The Crew of the USS Victory

Captain Magellan, Cmdr. Steve, Dr. Sek, Counselor Lisa Stardust, Lt. James Carter

The Victory slowly eased between the two vast space dock doors. With precision flight the ship was swallowed up in to the depths of the Stations dry-dock.
Behind them the doors slid closed. A tug pulled alongside and guided her to a docking port.
A thud reverberated through the ship as contact was made and then a hiss as atmosphere was connected.
"All hands secure the ship. Stand By" Magellan ordered. "Good flying Girade"
"About time" Lisa mused behind the captain. Their journey from the Kolnac Research Facility had been an agonisingly slow one. An ion storm had damaged their impulse engines and ripped of a quarter of the Ablative armour hull plating. They had been forced to limp back into Federation space and Starbase 147.
"Commander Steve. You're with me. Stardust you have the bridge for the moment. Carter start the repairs."
Magellan and Steve walked down to the airlock and disembarked. The air seemed fresher aboard the station probably as a result of the larger recyclers.
A thin wiry man in an Admirals uniform met them.
"Admiral Williams" Magellan greeted.
"Captain"
"I don't believe you have met my first officer, Commander Steve"
"No. Please to meet you Commander"
"Likewise" Steve replied.
"Walk with me" the Admiral, said briskly.
The three officers walked down the docking port past a number of engineers and systems specialists.
"Your new officers are not yet here" Admiral Williams stated. "Some sort of delay at command. I am granting you and your crew shore leave whilst the Victory is repaired"
"Thankyou sir"
"There is one other thing. Your report of your last mission, the loss of Commodore Locutis and the new ... err nature of your Chief Medical Officer have raised some flags back at Starfleet Security. They have sent two Intelligence Agents to investigate these matters"
"Admiral I must protest"
"Protest all you like. It's out of my hands. They just want to interview your crew and get a little information. Nothing to worry about. Now if you'll excuse me I have duties. Meet me for dinner this evening."
"Yes Sir"
Magellan and Steve stopped and watched the Admiral depart.
"At least we get shoreleave."
"I suppose" Magellan replied sceptically, "You best draw up a roster for shoreleave and make sure Carter and our engineers are reading from the same hymn book with regards to our repairs."
"Yes Sir" Steve answered, "What are you going to do?"
"I am going to try and contact command and see what this is all about."

***

Steve walked back to his quarters to draw up a roster for the crew's shoreleave. As he got to the end of the corridor and turned round it he bumped into a tall, dark skinned man. The man was human and wore a dark grey suit.
"Sorry" Steve said.
"Thats all right commander" the unknown man replied, looking at Steve's pips.
Steve smiled and looked into the mans face, "Can I help you with anything" Steve asked not knowing who this strange man was.
"As a matter of fact commander.... I am Mr White, from Starfleet Security, I need to find your captain."
"Well sir, I believe the captain is in his quarters at the moment." Steve replied.
"Thank you commander, I have a lot of questions for you and you will be one of the first people I will be talking to."
Great Steve thought to himself.

"We were told that a second person would also be with you"?
"Thats enough questions commander" his face turned from a smile to one of anger, "I must see your captain now" and with that he walked off.
Steve watched him walk down the corridor and couldn't help to wonder how quickly he had managed to get aboard, him and the captain had only found out 1 hour ago

***

Lisa was sat in her quarter's trying to sort through all the paper work that had accumulated during the mission. Her desk was a pile of pads that never seemed to decrease no matter haw many she read. Suddenly a message popped up on her console, it was from Steve informing her that the crew had been granted shore leave and that he would value her input on who needed it most.
Lisa welcomed the distraction from the pile of padds and left to find Steve.

On her way to his quarters she saw a man she had never seen before.

"Can I help you sir?" The man turned round to look at Lisa he was wearing a suit instead of Starfleet uniform, which made Lisa suspicious.

"No Thankyou I am just getting myself acquainted with the ship, who are you?" Lisa was rather taken back with the severity of his voice.

" I am the ships Counsellor"

"Ah good" the man replied, I will need to talk to you soon" and with that he turned and walked off leaving Lisa very confused and determined to find out from Steve what was going on!

On arriving at Steve's quarters she found him with a pile of padds that would have out Mount Everest to shame and a face to match.

"AHH counsellor, sit down, I need your help to sport out a roster for shore leave any input?" Lisa took a seat on the couch next to the desk.

" UMM yeah I have brought a list of people who I think would benefit from shore leave ASAP. But first can I ask why there are men in suits walking around the ship, I bumped into some one abut all I got out of him was that he would need to talk to me a t a latter date?"
Steve sank back into his chair,

"Well when myself and the captain met Admiral Williams and he informed us that due to the complications of the mission with Locutis and Sek that there would be two Starfleet security men coming aboard to question us."

"Oh great why do they need to talk to us it is all in logs can't they just read those?" Steve stood up and began to pace

"I am not sure counsellor so at the moment we should just go along with it, now about the shore leave" With that sentence Lisa sensed the conversation was over and settled down to make up the roster.

Once finished Lisa went to the mess hall for something eat, on arriving she was surrounded by various crewmembers all firing questions at her about the mysterious men they had seen walking around.

"They are just here to assess our last mission, they may need to talk to some of you but it is nothing to worry about. Now if you return to your quarters you will find the roster for shore leave" The mess hall emptied in record time and Lisa settled down to a peaceful meal.

***

Magellan was asleep when Agent White arrived. Having dashed back from their meeting with Admiral Williams he had started to review his logs to make sure all was in order. Tiredness had over taken him and he had soon drifted off.
The door chimed three times before Magellan awoke.
"Err" he grunted pulling his face off the desk and away from a PADD.
"Come in"
A man strode confidently in to the ready room. He looked about the room carefully as if weighing up its every aspect.
"Can I help you?" Magellan asked wondering where this man had come from.
"Undoubtedly" the man stated taking a seat opposite Magellan and passing him a PADD. "I am Agent White Starfleet Intelligence has assigned me to investigate the Victory's recent actions"
"Mr White yes I have been expecting you. Would you like..." He was about to say sit but realised the man already had. "... Something to drink"
"No. Not on duty."
"Not even Tea"
"Not on duty"
"I see. What exactly do you want? I understand you're interested in my doctor"
"We will be looking in to Dr Sek yes. Among others. Command is not comfortable that he is a Founder"
"Sek is a fine and loyal officer"
"Then he has nothing to fear"
"No I suppose not" Magellan scowled "What do you mean among others?"
"Your first officer is relatively new to the ship"
"And again a fine officer. I must say Agent White I resent your implications here. My staff are hand picked by Section 47 Command that puts them out of your general jurisdiction"
"I don't think you'll find my jurisdiction a problem. I will need access to all your logs and a room to conduct interviews"
"Surely there is room on the base"
"I prefer to have them here. At the scene of the crime" the man chuckled coldly. "Myself and Agent Black will begin in earnest tomorrow. We will start by interviewing Commander Steve"
Mr White stood and crossed to the door.
"You best hurry or you will be late"
"I am sorry?" Magellan asked.
"Your dinner with Admiral Williams. You will find that little escapes our notice"

After Agent White had left Magellan quickly scanned through the PADD the agent had given him. It included full references and identity papers. It appeared the man was quite on the level.
Tossing the PADD on to the desk he tore down to his quarters and threw on his dress uniform. Taking a moment to check himself in the mirror. He ran out of the room and to the docking latch.
As he passed the Mess Hall he saw Lisa sitting by the window. He paused briefly and entered.
"Counsellor. I may be in need of your help. Come and see me first thing tomorrow... And keep it under your hat don't even enter it in to your log."
Lisa looked by confused.
"Yes sir" she was about to ask more but was cut off.
"Sorry can't stop. I am already late"
With that he dashed out of the room and disappeared down the corridor.

***

Sek re-emerged from his bucket and returned to solid form it had been a long time since he had been in a gelatinous form for a long time as he had only been grabbing minutes at a time whilst he was on the mission. He felt refreshed and full of energy. He looked in the mirror and changed his appearance to human, as people seemed most relaxed with him while he was in this form. He took his tricorder and attached it to a belt and picked up a PADD with some medical information on and headed to sickbay.
He arrived in sickbay and was happy to see that there was no crew ill at the moment so he took out some experiments of his from stasis and was happy to be free from battles and returned to cataloguing the data.

Sek was deep in his work when a message came through that he was allowed shore leave due to his experiences in the mission. Attached was a note from the XO to report to him at the next available time to talk about the mission. Sek new why, it was his handling of Kavek but Sek wondered why the XO had not just said it. He had avoided the issue in his message but Sek pushed this form his mind and headed to the Starbase to check out there facilities.

***

Magellan spent a thoroughly dull evening dining with the Starbase's Senior Staff. He wished he had invited Steve along with him or better still had been able to send him in his place.
Admiral Williams boasted about numerous minor incidents in the Sector whilst his XO Captain Karl Hornet sycophantically agreed with everything he said.
A rather taciturn Benzite by name of Lieutenant Vandec made some effort to engage Magellan in conversation but it was somewhat stinted by the fact that as she was the Stations Chief of Security she could talk about little else than Phaser settings and Judo moves. Commander Kariou the Ventaxian Chief Engineer was pleasant enough but he left very early on to help Carter with the repairs.
At about midnight Magellan excused himself and returned to the Victory. The Starbase even at this late hour was a bustling place and Magellan could see several of his crew out enjoying themselves.
The Victory was like a ghost ship. A pair of duty security guards stood at the airlock but these were the only two people he met on his way to his quarters, even the Mess Hall was empty.
As Magellan approached his quarters he noticed that his door stood slightly a jar. He slowed up immediately and tapped his Comm badge.
"Magellan to Security. Intruder Alert Captains Quarters"
With great care he approached his room. The doors slid wider as he neared and he stepped in to the dark room. Appalled he looked over his ransacked room. Books lay strewn across the room, draws pulled out and bottles smashed. Cautiously he took another step forwards perhaps the intruder was still there.
Suddenly a noise came from behind him. Magellan span round poised to fight. Behind him Lt Zoi'lip stood in the doorway with another security guard. The Bolian ushered to his partner to check the room whilst he joined Magellan.
"Are you Okay Sir"
"Yes. I've just come back and found the place like this."
"Is anything missing?"
"I don't know yet. I'll have to have a look."
"It'll wait till morning. I've locked down the ship and I have assigned a guard to the door. I suggest you sleep in the Guest Quarters"
"Your probably right Zoi'lip" Magellan sighed "Keep me posted and I'll want to know how someone was able to do this in the morning. And inform Counsellor Stardust I'll need to meet in the Guest Quarters first thing"
Zoi'lip nodded and let his Captain leave.

***

Lisa left Steve's quarters after discussing shore leave and he decided to take a closer look at the station. He spent a good hour maybe more looking at the station's facilities and then decided 2 head back to his quarters and get a good nights sleep.
As he entered the ship two security guards nodded at him and told him what had happened to the captains quarters, Steve hurried to his own quarters and from there would contact the captain.
As Steve got to his quarters his door was ajar and he heard someone inside, slowly he stepped inside.
"Computer lights."
Nothing happened.
"Steve to Secur...." as Steve started he was hit on the back on the head and fell to the floor out cold.

***

Sek looked up from his desk as two security officers pulled the XO in.
"Put him on that bed. What happened."
"Well we received half a message so the CTSO tracked him by his Comm badge and sent us."
"Sek to the captain."
"Go ahead."
"Please report to sickbay the XO has been attacked."
"On my way."
Sek began medical scans of the XO.

Magellan strode down to sickbay. What the hell was happening on his ship? They were docked for shore leave nothing out of the ordinary should be happening at all. First he and Sek were under investigation then his quarters and Steve's were broken in to and Steve injured. He had a suspicion that the incidents were related somehow.
He entered the Sickbay, Zoilip was stood with Sek beside a bio bed. Steve squirmed beneath the doctor's broad hands.
"Lie still commander. You took a nasty knock to the head. I can't regenerate your tissues with you wiggling"
"Commander How are you?" Magellan asked.
"Ok sir. A little groggy"
"Good. What happened?"
Before Steve could answer a man appeared at the doorway, it was Agent White.
"Captain I have been looking for you. You are to be interviewed now."
"I can't I am afraid. I am rather busy"
"Busy is not an option"
"Agent. My ship comes first"
"If you don't comply you won't have a ship!"
Magellan scowled at the agent. Could he get away with tossing this man off his ship, probably not?
"Ok Agent White Lead the way. Steve when you're up to it find out what's going on"

 

As soon as Lisa heard about Steve she ran straight to sickbay. Upon entering she saw Steve sat up and trying to convince Sek to let him out, Lisa stood back and watched for a while before heading over to break them up!
" Hi, Steve I just heard are you ok?"
"Yeah I am feeling much better, just trying to convince Sek to let me out" Sek glared from the other side of sickbay where he had retreated.
"Yeah well seriously Sir you have suffered a head injury and as you have no where to go as your quarters have been sectioned by security. I think your best idea is to stay here. I will go and see what is happening at you quarters and will report back in a few hours."
" Steve looked between Sek and Lisa and lay back down.
"Hey if I am lucky maybe it will be my turn to be questioned next!"
Lisa laughed " well I am glad you see this as a good thing personally I hate it as I have the majority of the crew coming to me asking questions! Anyway get some rest life always seems better after some sleep"
With that Lisa headed off to see what was going on with Steve's quarters.

***

When she got there she saw 2 security officer standing outside... she walked past them and opened the door to Steve's quarters, she stood there and couldn't believe her eyes.
She saw another man, another man in a black suit but it wasn't agent white, she stood in the doorway.
"Who are u?" She asked
The man looked up "I am Agent Black"
Lisa just stood there, Agent Black? She thought to her self, agent black and white.... How did they find that pair?
"Well Mr Black I think it is time you left"
He didn't take any notice of her
"Security will u escort him out of Steve's quarters and do not let anyone enter with out Steve's or the Captain's orders."
And with that Mr Black left his quarters and Lisa started to look around.

***

Carter was heading to engineering. He had just met Lisa in the hallway and she had informed me about Cmdr. Steve. As he entered engineering he was thinking about how lucky he had been not to have run into any of these agents. He went over to the warp diagnostic console when he heard a voice over by the plasma conduit. As he went to check it out he saw that it wasn't a member of my staff, it wasn't even a Starfleet officer.
"What are you doing in my engine room" he asked. He had been startled, and Carter saw him slip a small transmitter into his pocket.
"And who were you talking to." Carter asked.
"Who I was talking to is none of your concern, as to why I'm in your engine room is simple, I am looking for you. You're a very hard man to track down Lt. Carter." The man said.
"Comes with the job and you are." Carter enquired.

"My name is Agent black".

"Well Agent Black I'm sure if you were that desperate to find me you could've asked the computer, or maybe your secret transmission was more important." Carter said.
"What makes you think is was a secret transmission." He replied.
"Well if it wasn't a secret why didn't you just use a Comm panel." he answered.
"Whether it's a secret or not is beside the point. You are aware why myself and my colleagues are here." Black asked.
"Yes, you're conducting interviews of the crew." Carter answered.
"Very good Lt. as I said before, I am looking for you because it's your turn to be interviewed so follow me Lt." he said.
With that said they left engineering, presumably to go to some sort of office that these mysterious agents had set up. When the interview is finished I'll need to find the captain and inform him of Agent Blacks transmission Carter thought.

***

Magellan was escorted by Agent White back to his quarters. He was left there by the Agent who disappeared for nearly an hour just as Magellan's tolerance failed the Agent returned.
"We find conducting interviews in familiar surroundings is beneficial" he said making no mention for his disappearance.
Magellan and the agent took seats in the still ransacked room.
Agent White pulled out a pocket recorder and set it on the table.
"For the records" he smiled dryly "Can you state your Name and Rank."
"Captain Magellan Lin. Commanding Officer of the USS Victory."
"Thankyou."
"You have not been a Captain Long, have you?"
"No, About Five months."
"You took command after Commodore Locutis's 'Accident'"
Magellan didn't like the mans tone but answered anyway.
"Yes. Locutis was incapacitated by a subspace disruption"
"Ah yes the rescue mission. Quite success full for the Colonists, but not for the Crew"
"No" Magellan replied softly.
"Why exactly was Locutis on the surface?"
"He was conducting scans with Science Officer Lasooux"
"But why was he there, You were first officer"
"You've never met Locutis have you"
Agent White looked up.
"No. That is hardly relevant"
"It is. The Commodore had a unique style of command. If he wanted to lead an away mission, He did."
"Nevertheless it is a First Officers job to ensure his captains safety"
Magellan sprang to his feet angrily.
"Don't you think I know that. Don't you think I wish I had been more forceful. Loc was my mentor and my CO, I... we would have done anything for him"
Agent White didn't reply, instead he looked about him.
"Please sit down Captain"
Magellan begrudgingly did so.
"Well shall overlook L'Etal suicide. That was an unfortunate incident, one which we will need to speak to your Counsellor about. Dr Sek"
"What about him?"
"He's a Founder"
"Yes."
"The Founders run the Dominion. A race that has been a thorn in the Federations Side for the past ten years."
"And?"
"Do you trust Sek?"
"Implicitly"
"Why?"
"He has proven himself on many missions"
"Like the last one in which he was kidnapped by Kavek and then failed to recapture him. Or was it more a case of colluding with Kavek and letting him escape"
Magellan felt the anger rising again, this was becoming ridiculous.
"Dr Sek is a fine officer. He swore to me that he was still 100% loyal to this ship and the Federation when he first reverted. I have signed documents along with independent medical reports that prove that Sek was unaware of his Founder status up until his reversion"
"Could I see them"
"Of course"
He rose and crossed to one of his rooms dressers and opened a draw. He rummaged a few moments before looking up sheepishly.
"Its not here"
"I see" Agent White said quietly.
"I have just been broken in to. The thieves must have taken it."
"How very convenient"
Agent White reached over and switched off the recorder. he returned it to his pocket.
"That will be all for now Captain. We will speak again."

***

Steve was still lying in sickbay waiting for the all clear from Sek, he had got a message from Captain Magellan informing him that he was going for his interview. Steve had also got a message from Lisa telling him that Mr Black had been snooping around his quarters.
Dr Kapoor was hovering around him taking scans.
"Doctor I feel fine cant I just get back to work?"
The Dr looked at him.

"Commander you know I cant let you go until Sek gives you the all clear".
"Where is Sek then, I think we should have a little chat".
"Well commander last time I saw him he was in his office". The doctor pointed to a door at the other side of the room,

"Well commander my shift just ended and I am off to my quarters, take it up with Sek"

Steve nodded and with that Dr Kapoor left sickbay.
"Sek" Steve called out from bio bed.... There was no reply
Steve hopped out of bed and made his way over to the door to Sek's office

"Sek" he called again and there was no reply again.

Steve walked into the office and looked into Sek's chair, in his chair was a puddle of changeling.
Steve knew that Sek would never turn in a 'puddle' in a place where other people may witness it, so he knew something was the matter.
"Computer activate the EMH".
The EMH appeared "Please state the nature of the medical emergency".
Steve looked at the hologram and pointed to the puddle on the chair "This is our CMO Sek, he is a changeling and there is something wrong with him.".
"Can you tell me what is the matter with him Commander?" the EMH asked.
"I don't know, I just found him in this state" Steve replied.
"Ok" the EMH replied.
Steve walked out the room and hit his commbadge

"Steve to Magellan"
"Magellan here, what's the matter commander shouldn't you be resting?"
"Sir, its Sek.... He is in a really bad way, I think you should get down here"
"On my way commander"

Magellan made his way down to Sek's quarters. He met Dr Kapoor exiting a turbolift.
"What's going on?" he asked the Doctor.
"I don't know sir. All I know is that Commander Steve has activated the EMH in Sek's quarters and ordered a medical emergency"
The two officers entered the room and saw the balding EMH bending over the pool that was Sek.
"Commander?"
"I just found him like that. The EMH says he's over regenerated"
"Hyper Regenerated" the EMH corrected acerbically,
"What can we do?" Magellan asked
Kapoor pondered a moment.
"His cellular cohesion has fallen incredibly"
The EMH straightened and whipped some of Sek's goo from his hand.
"There is only one way to reintegrate his cellular matrix"
"And that would be?" coaxed Steve
"Returning him to the link" the EMH retorted as if it were obvious.
Dr Kapoor swept a tricorder over Sek.
"I think I can keep Sek in a stasis field to stop any further degradation"
"Do it" Magellan ordered.
"So we go to the Gamma Quadrant then" Steve said
"Looks like. Since the war no Founders are allowed through the wormhole. But we can't leave. The Admiral has ordered us here for repairs and we have two intelligence agents aboard."
"Surely once we tell them of Sek's condition..."
"I doubt it. The agents will probably see it as a way of him avoiding their questions."
"Well what then. We have to do something"
"I don't know" Magellan sighed.
"How about we go anyway"
"Against orders!"
"Yes"
"They'll try and stop us. Then we'll have to be clever then. If Kirk could steal the Enterprise then I am sure we could get the Victory out of the Station"
Magellan pondered this awhile and then said.
"Assemble the senior staff, and put your sneaky shoes on"

***

Steve assemble the senior staff and they all met in the captains quarters, so that no-one would find out about there little meeting. They all sat around the table and when the last person arrived they got down to business.
"As most of u know Sek has fallen ill with some unknown illness." The captain started.
Lisa looked up "O my god, will he be ok?"
Steve looked up "We don't know Lisa"
"Well what we going to do about it?" Lisa replied.
"Starfleet wont let us do anything about it, not with the to agents here"
"Well we cant just leave him" She said almost pleading
The captain stood up "we are not going to"
"Well what can we do?" Carter asked
Magellan lowered him voice "We are going to steal the Victory from space dock and go to the Gamma Quadrant"
The room was silent no one said a word. Magellan went on to say,

"If any of you have a problem with going against Starfleet orders leave the room now and do not speak to anyone about what has been said in this room"
Steve and Magellan just stood there waiting to see what the rest of the room would do

No one said anything. Magellan and Steve looked at Lisa and Carter.
"We're in" Lisa said,
"Whatever helps Sek" Carter agreed.
Magellan smiled; He had a good crew, the finest.
"Right here is how we are going to play this. Stealing the Victory could cost us our careers so I am going to only involves us."
"Sir, We might need more than 4 people to run the ship" Steve interrupted.
"Good Point Commander. We'll include Lasooux and Zoilip. Carter I'll need you to get the Victory ready fast. Then disable the station tractor beams. Lisa give the rest of the crew shoreleave and filter them off the ship over the next day. Steve you and I have a more difficult task. I'll try and distract the Admiral and those in Ops. You'll need manoeuvre the Victory manually out of the Dry-dock. I'll try to lower shields, make a sweep over the hull and beam me out. Everybody alright with this"
Their silence was taken as an acknowledgement.
"Very well Let's get to it"

***

Even though the ship had got banged up while going after Kavek, It was in pretty good shape and was only in need of minor repairs. With Lasooux and Zoilip the repairs were done in just under a day.
"Good work guys, we should be ready for anything now," Carter said.
"Sir what about Starfleet, there not just going to let us leave". Lasooux said.
"No you're probably right, they'll probably send a ship or two after us. The question is will they have been ordered to fire on us and if so will we fire back". Carter replied.
"Do you think Capt. Magellan will give the order to fire if they do open fire on us". Zoilip asked.
"Do be perfectly honest... I have no idea". Carter replied.
"Anyway enough worrying for just now, If we don't get to the station and disable there tractor beams we won't be going anywhere so we won't have to worry ok". Carter said.
"Aye sir". They both replied.
"Alright then, when we get there Zoilip and I will work on disabling the tractor emitters. Lasooux you'll need to monitor the security net in case we trip an alarm. Understood". Carter asked.
"Aye sir, understood". They replied.
"Alright then, lets move out". I order.
With that said they headed to the transporter room to begin what could spell the end of their careers. But when Carter thought about he knew it was for a good cause and a good friend.

Magellan took a last look around his ready room. Was he ready? He had been asking himself that question for the past ten minutes. The answer was yes.
He rose from his chair and entered the bridge. Steve was sat in the command chair with Lasooux and Lisa at two of the consoles.
"Ready Sir"
"Yes. Remember wait for Carter and then my signal"
"Understood Captain. Good Luck"

Magellan left the ship quickly, it seemed strange to see its corridors so empty. It was oddly peaceful. He stepped through the airlock and in to the Station. The night shift had just come on and the Starbase's corridors were deserted. Ops was situated right at the top of the station. He found a turbolift and began the ascent. Half way up his Comm beeped.
"Carter here. The leash is off"
That was the signal that the tractor had been disabled. The plan was in action from now.
Ops was as Magellan expected minimally manned Four officers stood at consoles whilst the Admiral was just exiting his office.
"Ah Captain, I was going to come and see you tomorrow"
"You were?"
"yes I have some potential crew dossiers for you to go through"
"Thankyou sir. I desperately need more officers"
The Admiral smiled.
"I know, I know, Show me a ship in the fleet that doesn't have a vacancies, Academy turnout is much lower than it used to be."
"Perhaps I could have them now, so I can review them over night" Magellan suggested.
"Very well Captain"
The Admiral retreated back up the stairs to his office. With all eyes distracted Magellan sidled over to the main Operations Console. From the palm of his hand he slipped a small device to the side of the console.
Turning his back Magellan tapped his comm.
"Magellan to Steve. Time to take a walk"
Almost immediately one of the Ops officer looked up.
"Sir the Victory is moving"
The Admiral froze on the stairs and came back down.
"Moving?"
"Yes sir, She's disengaged latches and pulled free"
"Hail them"
"No response"
"Sir The doors are opening"
"Well shut them then"
The ops officer pounded frantically on the console.
"I can't sir there not responding. We're losing shields now"
"What the hells going on" the Admiral snorted "Captain?"
"I've no idea" Magellan lied backing towards the turbolift.
"Tractor them" the Admiral ordered.
"No good sir Tractor Emitters are off line"
"What's wrong with this place?" the Admiral grunted angrily
Now Steve Magellan said to himself. Nothing happened. The Victory had cleared the docking bay now and was circling back around.
"Wait a minute" the Ops officer, said "Theres interference coming form this console. Its localised right there"
He pointed to the spot where Magellan had been standing. All eyes lifted to Magellan. Seeing that he had been discovered he sprinted for the Turbolift.
"Security" Admiral Simmons screamed as the lift doors closed.

"Do we have a lock yet?" Steve asked tensely as he swung the Victory low over the hull of the Starbase.
"I am having difficulty maintaining a lock" Zoilip replied "He could be in a turbolift"
"Hurry up. It won't be long before they get shields back up" Carter urged.
One of the consoles began to bleep.
"We're being hailed" Lisa reported
"Ignore it" Steve muttered.
"Got him" Zoilip, exclaimed as Magellan materialised on the bridge.
"You were cutting it a bit fine there" the Captain smiled
"Glad you could make it Captain" Steve answered
"Think you can keep her on course for DS9"
"Sure Captain"
"Lasooux, Lisa your with me. Lets check on Sek"

The three officers walked down to the Sickbay. As they exited the turbolift Lasooux thought she caught a flutter of movement from down one of the corridors.
"Did you give all the crew shore leave?" the Andorian asked Lisa.
"Yes. It's just us six. Why?"
"Movement, down there" she pointed.
"You sure" Magellan checked.
Lasooux nodded.
"I know my species is paranoid but I saw something"
Magellan nodded, he knew when to trust his crew and when not to. He led them to a weapons locker and handed out three Phaser rifles.
"Just to be safe" he muttered.
The three officers fanned out across the corridor and followed it as it curved round towards the science labs.
As they rounded a corner a figure was stood before them, their head bent down to a PADD.
"Dr Kapoor, what are you doing here?" Magellan asked lowering his rifle.
"I thought it best I stay with my patient" he replied.
"Weren't you going to observe Dr Talazore on the Starbase" Lisa asked.
"He no longer required my services" the Doctor replied.
Suddenly Lisa levelled her rifle and fired a pulse at the Doctor. The orange ball of energy struck the Doctor, it followed over his body but didn't knock him down.
"Counsellor" Magellan exclaimed grabbing her rifle and forcing it down.
"It's not Kapoor. I lied about Talazore"
"Sir!" Lasooux exclaimed.
Dr Kapoor seemed to change his features morphed and contorted until the shape formed the appearance of Agent Black.
"Cursed Solids" the agent snarled. His body lengthened and then shot upward in to a grating and disappeared.
Magellan and Lasooux both let off a shot but missed their target completely.
Magellan froze in astonishment and then tapped his Comm badge.
"Magellan to Steve. We have a complication"

***

Steve looked at Carter with a puzzled look on his face.
"What sort of complication sir" Steve wondered.
"I don't want to tell you over comms Steve, we are on our way to Sek now, we will get him and head back to the bridge."
"Ok sir" Steve replied still sounding puzzled.
"Commander break out the Phaser rifles and do not let anyone enter or leave the bridge alone, when I return the Six of us will undergo blood screenings, Magellan out."
Steve looked at both Carter and Zoilip "Sh*t, we have a changeling on board from the sounds of it"
Steve walked over to a panel on the wall, he typed a shot code into it and it opened, inside was a large amount of hand weapons. Steve started to hand around Phaser rifles.
"Zoilip I want you to lock the ship down. The only place on the ship I want to be able to access the computer is the bridge, understand?"
"Yes sir he replied"
Steve walked to the front of the bridge and turned to face the door leading in.

"Be alert people"
Both Carter and Zoilip nodded

Lisa, Magellan and Carter carried on quickly to sickbay to check up on Sek. Everything seemed fine but all were on edge.
"What are we going to do with him, we can not really take the stasis pod to the bridge?" Lisa looked around nervously.
"We will have to beam him there it is not safe for any of us to be alone at the moment. Magellan to Steve".
"Yes sir".
"We are preparing to beam Sek to the bridge, we will follow on foot to check around a bit, Magellan out"
With that Lisa pressed a button on the stasis console and Sek shimmered out of view.
"Right shall we go then?" Magellan took of towards the door with Lisa behind him and Lasooux bringing up behind. They were all jumpy but it turned out to be an uneventful trip and before long they had reached the bridge.
"Right now it is time for those blood screenings" Magellan took a hypo and began to run the tests.

***

It took less than five minutes to confirm that all of them on the bridge were indeed who they thought they were. Once fully assured Magellan decided it was time to fill in the rest of the crew and establish a plan of action.
"It appears that Agent Black and quite possibly Agent White is a Founder. It is also more than likely that is they who infected Sek. They used the cover of a Starfleet Intelligence investigation to get aboard and reach Sek"
"But why?" Lasooux asked.
"I don't know" Magellan admitted.
"So do we carry on to the Great Link, is that what they want?" Steve mused.
Again Magellan didn't know.
"We just don't know enough. All we know for certain is that Sek will only survive if he is returned to the link".
"So we carry on" Lisa suggested.
"Yes, and in the mean time we have to try and find the changeling".
"Internal Sensors will be no good" Zoilip admitted, " And with only us six it could take ages to search the ship".
He was right.
"Steve you and Zoilip will search the ship. Use phaser sweeps. Carter you and Lasooux go to Science see if you can't modify our sensors to pinpoint the founder. Lisa you'll stay here and help me run the bridge"
"Aye Sir" They replied before departing.
"Make sure you stick together" Magellan warned as they left.
The bridge seemed somewhat desolate with only two of them present. Magellan took the time to review the Logs regarding the founders.
"The CONN is yours Counsellor" he announced crossing to a LCARS terminal.
"Thanks Sir" Lisa replied sitting tentatively at the helm. "I haven't flown since the Academy"
"Just get us there in one piece" Magellan smiled

***

Steve and Zoilip started to search the ship deck by deck, Steve found this very boring but someone had to do it.
They were almost coming to the end of searching Deck 2, as they walked past the mess hall they noticed two people sitting down talking, having something to eat.... Steve was amazed.
"Zoilip go round to the other entrance and on my signal we move in ok?" Steve ordered
Zoilip nodded
Steve stood outside the door watching these two young officers stilling there
"Zoilip to Steve I am ready"
"Right lets go"
and with that both Steve and Zoilip burst through the doors at either ends of the mess hall. The two officers just sat there staring at Steve
"Commander what's going on?" One of the men asked looking at Steve's pips on his uniform.
Steve held the Phaser rifle up and aimed it at both of them.
"Steve to Magellan, we have some uninvited gusts, I am bring them to the bridge now"
and with that Steve headed to the bridge with these two unknown people!

Lasooux and Carter made their way to sensor maintenance to try and modify the sensors so that they could detect the changeling infiltrator, a task, which was easier, said than done. In all Starfleet's dealings with the founders there had not been a detection system designed, which was 100% effective in detecting changelings. So how was Carter going to come up with one in such a short time.
"Sir, do you think you'll be able to modify the sensors to detect changelings," Lasooux asked.
"I'm not sure, Starfleet's been looking for a way to detect changelings for months with no success. What we need is something that the sensors can lock onto but what could we use." Carter asked not expecting an answer.
"What about all the medical scans of Sek, there maybe something in them that we could use." Lasooux suggests.
"That's not a bad idea, not bad at all. We'll go to sickbay first and get them." Carter replied.
When they got to sickbay Carter downloaded all of Sek's scans to a PAD while Lasooux kept watch. When he had finished they headed to the sensor maintenance room and studied Sek's scans.
"Anything we can use sir." Lasooux asked.
"I'm not really sure. We need something that is specific to changelings, something that isn't present in alpha quadrant species." Carter replied.
"What about the thing that allows them to change shape. No alpha quadrant species has that." Lasooux stated.
"You mean their morphegenic matrix. Yeah, that could be it. If we use Sek's matrix as a base we can program the sensors to detect the changeling when changes form." Carter said.
Once he finished modifying the sensors he called the bridge.
"Carter to Magellan, sensors modified. When he or she changes form you'll see it, it's the best we can do." Carter said.
"Good work Carter." Magellan said.
"Thank you sir but some of the thanks should go to Lasooux, it was his idea to use Sek's morphegenic matrix." Carter said.
"Of course, well done to you as well Lasooux." Magellan replies.
"Thank you sir." Lasooux responds.
"Now Carter, you and Lasooux get back to the bridge on the double." Magellan ordered.
"Aye sir, we're on our way". Carter out.
With that said their made our way back to bridge as quickly as possible.

***

Magellan paced the bridge uncertainly. Lisa looked up from time to time. She felt she should say something to reassure him but was having enough to do with piloting the Victory. She had always assumed flying a starship would be like piloting a shuttle only bigger. She was right in a way there was just more to keep an eye. Warp Manifolds, Course Corrections, Impulse Allocation, Plotting suitable Pitch and Yaw directions for entering warp. It made her head spin. Give her some enigmatic people with problems any day.
The Turbolift doors swooshed open and admitted Carter and Lasooux to the room.
"Good Work, Carter. You engineers are a breed apart"
"Thankyou Sir"
"Calibrate those sensors and get ready to test them. Steve's found two people in the mess hall."
Magellan tapped his Comm badge.
"Steve, this is Magellan. Are you're free to talk."
"Hang on" Steve replied as he hung back from the small party. "Go ahead"
"Carter's got the sensors up and running. But it only works when they shift shape."
"So you want me to force them to change. How do I do that?"
"Your inventive" Magellan replied, "Besides I'd rather know they are Founders before you get them to the bridge."

Steve and Zoilip both stood in the mess hall
Steve looked at Zoilip "Go and get that med kit from off the wall there, we are going 2 find out once and for all who these people are....
Zoilip walked over and came back with the med kit, Steve took out a Hypo Spray and moved over to one of the Star Fleet officers
"What are you doing?" One on the men asked
"Don't you worry about that, now give me your arm please"
Steve put it onto his arm and Started to take blood, Steve held it up in the air looking into it.
He started to shake it. As Steve shook the tube Zoilip backed off so that he could cover both of them with his rifle. His badge beeped.
"Zoilip" he whispered.
"This is Magellan, Where are you?"
"We've stopped off."
There was silence a moment.
"Do you need any help?" Magellan replied,
Zoilip looked round.
"Not at the moment Sir."
"Keep me informed. Out"
"Well" Zoilip asked looking at Steve.
Steve tapped the tube a third time.
"It looks like blood"
"Of course it is" the man retorted. "I am Ensign James T Matthews, Your new Chief of Ops."
"You are" Steve replied. "Then that means..."
He turned and trained his phaser on the second man.
"What that I am the Founder you are looking for?" He said. "Well your wrong. I am not the founder you are looking for at all"
"We'll see about that" Steve replied fixing a new tube to the hypospray and moving cautiously towards the man.
"Can I help?" The man replied. His arm elongated and extended to grasp the hypospray. He flicked it from Steve's hand.
"See Hypospray's do find us out" He said with a grin.
"Hold it" Zoilip ordered levelling his rifle.
"Put it down" The man snapped "I mean you no harm...for now."
Slowly his features morphed into those of Agent White.
"I think I have some explaining to do" he said to the surprised Steve.
"You most definitely do"
"Perhaps I should speak to your Captain"
"No way. I am not risking letting you anywhere near him until I know more"
The changeling sighed and scowled.
"Very well. I had forgotten how tiresome solids have become."
Steve said nothing.
"I am a true Founder. I have been sent by the Great Link to apprehend Tovac, the other shapeshifter... Agent Black."
"Apprehend?"
"Yes. After the Dominion War as you call it not all of us were happy with the indignity of defeat. Tovac and others of a like mind left us and founded their own Link. They call it the 'True Link'. It was they who conspired with the Gorn to attempt to invade the Klingon Empire last year. We were quite pleased you were able to handle them."
"Handle them" Zoilip scoffed. He like Magellan had been aboard the Old Victory when she had taken heavy damage in that Battle. The Victory A had been destroyed, as had many other ships in Section 47's fleet.
"So why are you here"
"You may recall. In our founding days we sent out the 100. Odo was one, as was Laas, Sek is one too. The True Link is trying to find as many of the 100 still out there to boost their numbers. I am to ensure Sek makes it home, to his real home."
"Ok. If what you say is correct what do you want us to do?" Steve asked.
"Help me find and stop him"
"We'll see. Ensign. Here's your first assignment. Go to the bridge and make yourself aquainted with the Captain, explain what's going on and have him join us."

***

Ensign Matthew stepped into the Turbo lift. The doors closed behind him.

"Deck one"

When the doors reopened they showed the bridge. Ensign Matthew stepped out on to the Bridge.
For the first time he had finally realised his dream of being on a real Starship. All of those five years spent at the academy the last year at Starfleet strategic planning college. It was all worth the sacrifice.
As he looked around at all of the stations and Bridge officers it was all so bewildered. "ENSIGN ENSIGN? "

Ensign Matthews snapped to Attention.

"Yes ma’am I mean sir I mean captain"

"Relax ensign who are you? And what are you doing on my Bridge?"
"Well captain I’m your new chief of ship operations officer acting Ensign James T Matthew reporting for duty captain "
Magellan eyed the ensign up and down.
"Ok Ensign Matthew. My name is Captain Magellan. Assume your station."

Ensign Matthew sat down at his station and started running a level 1 diagnostic of all of the ship systems Looking over the last Ops chiefs ship status reports he could see even without a chief operations officer on board, the ship was in good shape.


After 5 minutes Steve and the Changeling appeared on the bridge.
Magellan stood impassively as the Changeling who called himself Ralor explained his tale to him.
"Your story sounds plausible. But why all the cloak and dagger. You should have just come to us"
Ralor shook his head.
"The last time our peoples interacted it ended in war. We wanted to resolve this without Starfleet ever knowing about it."
"Well bad luck you did"
"We still haven't seen anything of this Tovac" Zoilip stated suspiciously.
"You don't trust me" Ralor snarled squaring up to the Bolian.
"I would trust you as far as I could spill you"
"Thats enough Ensign" Steve snapped "Ralor is a guest"
Zoilip scowled but relented. He returned to the tactical console.
"Can you help Sek?" Lisa asked,
Rolar shifted uncomfortably.
"Unfortunately no. Tovac's virus is particularly virulent to our species. It disables them until they can be integrated into the link. We need to get him to the great link"
"Thats lucky" Lisa smiled "We're approaching DS9 now. The wormholes dead ahead."
The swirling mass of purple and yellow energy was beautiful almost hypnotising.
"You ready Lisa?"
"I guess so. I expect some sort of badge for all this flying"
"You've got it Counsellor, just get us through the wormhole in one piece."
Suddenly the Victory lurched to one side before entering the wormhole.
"Sir" Lisa screamed "I've lost attitude control, something's draining all our power"
"Steve get on it. I bet any money its Tovac and he's probably in engineering"
"I will come with you" Rolar stated.
Steve, Zoilip and Rolar headed to the turbolift. Magellan held Steve back a little.
"Watch him Steve"
"Yes Sir"
"I'll have Matthews run sensors over the deck"

***

Steve and Zoilip exited the bridge, and headed to the turbolift.
"Deck 2"
They got off the turbo lift and made their way to main engineering. Steve tried to walk in but the doors wouldn't open. Steve nodded to Zoilip and he took a panel off the wall and tried to gain access.
"Sir there is no way to get in. What ever the Changeling has done is impressive" Zoilip informed Steve.
"Well you can ask him how he did it later, think of another way to get in"
Zoilip nodded and moved over to a computer station
"Steve to Magellan"
"Go ahead commander".
"Sir what ever this Changeling has done is good there is no way will be getting in soon"
"What about Rolar can he get in".
Steve turned to Rolar and Rolar shock his head "No sir there seems to be some sort of forcefield up".
"Ok commander keep tryin..." With that the ship jolted again "... Magellan out"

On the bridge Magellan wasn't quite sure what to do next, Lisa looked up.
"Sir we are being hailed by Deep Space Nine".
"Ignore" Magellan started, "No wait they might be able to help us, on screen".
The face of a Bajoran woman appeared.
"This is Colonel Kira Nerys, commanding officer of Deep Space Nine. What is the purpose of you entering the wormhole? I can not allow a ship of your class to enter with out a very good reason. It breaks our treaty with the Dominion!"
"Colonel I am Captain Magellan commander of the USS Victory"
"Captain we have orders from Star Fleet command to take you and your ship in, prepare to be boarded." Kira interrupted
"Colonel wait... maybe you will be able to help us, you have also had the same problem in the past"
"Go on...."

As Lasooux and I rounded the corner for engineering we saw Comdr. Steve, Zoilip and Rolar working on the engineering door mechanism.
"Comdr. what seems to be the problem?" I asked.
"The door has been sealed by the other changeling and theres a forcefield on the other side, we can't get in" Steve replied.
"Lucky I came along then. Who better to break into engineering than the chief engineer. That changeling better not have messed with my engines. Well lets take a look, ah..."
"Ah what" Steve asked.
"Well sir, the doors been sealed with an encryption lockout. It'll probably take me hours to break it but the forcefield is a different story."
"How so Carter" Steve asked.
"I think I can Interrupt it just long enough for our shapeshifter friend here to slip through" I reply.
"You think" Rolar asked unenthusiastically.
"Trust me, I'm an engineer" Carter laughingly said.
"Its up to you Rolar, I won't force you" Steve states.
"Very well, I will go" Rolar responds.
"Alright then, once you're through you'll need to deactivate the forcefield. We'll then be able to transport in and help you" Steve states.
"I understand" replies Rolar.
"You should be able to deactivate the forcefield from the engineering console to your immediate right once you're in" I say.
"Understood" replied Rolar.
"Steve to Magellan, we've got a plan sir. Carter's going to interrupt the forcefield to allow Rolar to get through, he'll then lower the forcefield. Once he's done that you'll need to transport the rest of us into engineering" Steve states.
"Understood Cmdr., we're standing by" responds Magellan.
With that said Steve gives me a nod.
"Interrupting forcefield NOW" Carter shouted.
"GO ROLAR" Steve shouts.
With that said Rolar morphs through the door and the forcefield goes back up.
"All we can do now is wait and see if he gets the forcefield down" Carter stated

***

"You may need our help. But I cannot give it whilst you are still at large" Kira stated, "Starfleet has given me express orders to detain you"
"Colonel, We have a changeling on board and an officer who will die unless he is returned to the Great Link"
"He is a Founder" Kira enquired.
"Yes My Chief Medical Officer was one of the 100, I think he's dying"
"Dock on pylon 2, I'll have Dr Bashir meet you there. He has considerable experience with Founders"
"Will security be meeting us?" Magellan asked.
"They certainly will, how else can we help you flush out this other Changeling"
"Thankyou Colonel."
Magellan turned from the viewscreen.
"Counsellor. See if you can't tear us away from the Event horizon and get us to that Pylon. Matthews contact all ships in the area to stay out of our way, I f we loose control I don't want us hitting anybody."
He paused and tapped his badge.
"Commander, What's happening down there, Have you regained entry to engineering?"

"Sir, we have a problem... Carter managed to bring the force filed down for the split second and we sent Rolar in to open the door, that was 5 mins ago and we are still stuck outside."
Magellan muttered something under his breath. Suddenly the door opened in front of Steve
"Stand by Captain the door has just opened"
As they walked through the door they saw Rolar standing there.

"Where is the other changeling?" Steve asked.
"I don't know." Rolar replied. "I made a search of the room before I opened the door".
"Ok, Carter get helm control back to the bridge and make sure something like this doesn't happen again."
Carter nodded.

"Aye sir".
5 or so mins past and Carter looked up.

"Sir we have regained helm control".
"Steve to Magellan, you should have full helm control now".
"Good work commander, what about the other changeling?".
"He is still at large sir, he wasn't here when we got in, sir maybe it is time for us to contact DS9 and get their help?".
"Steve we are docking at DS9 in about 5 mins, Kira has offered to help us in our situation, when your are sorted down there can you and Rolar join me on the bridge"
With that Steve finished off and him and Rolar made there way to the bridge

After Kira, Bashir and a Security team got onboard they all went straight to the bridge
"Kira, Bashir, Steve and Rolar can you please join me in my ready room and we can go over the situation."
Everyone nodded and made there way to the ready room
Inside the ready room they all say around the desk and Magellan explained what was going on.
"Right we were at space dock and Sek, who is the shapeshifter aboard our ship fell ill with something that we couldn't treat."
Kira nodded and Magellan continued.

"At the time we were being investigated by 2 officers from Star Fleet Intelligence Agents. We knew that Star Fleet wouldn't let us take Sek so we stole the Victory to try to save his life."
Kira looked him in the eye "go on" she sounded to understand better then she did.
"Well we found out that the 2 agents from Star Fleet were changelings... I will let Rolar explain the rest."

Rolar swiftly explained his role in the whole affair. Kira and Bashir sat quietly, they had heard Changelings before tell tall tales and were somewhat sceptical of what they were being told.
"We have locked down the Victory and increased security on the station. We are convinced that this other changeling must still be aboard." Kira commented.
"My deputies can begin a full sweep of your vessel right away"
"How long will that take?" Steve asked.
"A couple of hours"
"Sek may not last that long"
Kira weighed up the options before her.
"Well there is an alternative. Dr Bashir reckons he could help Sek regain some control. What about we loan you a runabout. You could then get Sek to the link."
"Good Idea Colonel." Magellan replied, "Lisa, Lasooux and I will go. Steve you and the others oversee the sweep of the Victory. I want her clean ASAP"
"Bashir and I will accompany you Commodore. I know of a short cut to the link and I would like to see Odo again"
"Very well Colonel"
"I will leave liaison with DS9 to Ezri Dax, she will get you what you need Commander Steve."

The Runabout shortly after the first watch. It entered the wormhole and vanished from the quadrant.
Magellan had never been in a wormhole before. He found it beautiful, the purple swirls, the flashes of lightening, the maelstrom core. He could hardly imagine how anything could live in such a turbulent place.
Kira looked equally enthralled, perhaps Sisko was close by. Still bound to his service to the Prophets. What an honour, what a two edged blade. She hadn't spoken to Kasidy or Jake in a long while, she really must invite them up to DS9 soon.
On exiting the wormhole Dr Bashir retired to the rear of runabout to conduct tests on Sek whilst Colonel Kira inputted the co-ordinates for the Founders homeworld.
Within the day they had approached the edge of the relevant star system. They were met by an honour guard of three dominion battle cruisers. Magellan noted that their designs differed from those used in the Dominion War. They looked leaner and meaner. The normally pink nacelles were now a deep violet. Magellan didn't mind as long as they stayed on that side of the wormhole.
Telain the Vorta in charge of their honour guard briefed them most thoroughly on what to expect and ensured their passage to the central planet was quick and unimpeded.
Kira locked the Runabout into orbit and headed to the transporter. Bashir appeared from the aft compartment carrying the container containing Sek.
"I've managed to stabilise his condition but he should link as quickly as possible"
"Understood" Magellan replied "Thanks Doctor. Lisa you remain here with Bashir and monitor our friends"
Magellan took his place alongside Kira and the two of them disappeared.
The Great Link stretched out before them like a vast ocean. It shimmered and rippled. Slowly a part of the link close to the shore began to coalesce and clump together. It shot upwards gaining human form as it did so. It took the shape of the female changeling.
"What can I do for you?" she asked dryly, the edge of resent still in her voice.
"We are here to help a friend" Magellan replied "One of the hundred"
The Shapeshifters eyed widened a moment or was it just her features settling.
"He is ill," Magellan added.
"Your Virus" she spat.
"No something of your own design I think"
The Female Shapeshifter looked about her at the pool as if communing with the others.
"Is Odo here?" Kira asked.
"No he is off world. Bring him to us" she demanded
Magellan walked forward and opened the box.
The shapeshifter gasped.
"The Solidify"
"The what?"
"nothing. None of your concern." She arced her hand out and linked with Sek. The two became one and then rejoined the great link.
Magellan and Kira backed from the pool and waited.
After 5 minutes a shape appeared as before this time it assumed the shape of Sek.
"Captain" he greeted
"Sek!"
"I am indebted to all of you. You have saved me, brought me home."
"Thanks are not needed" Magellan replied.
"They are Sir and a warning"
"Warning?"
"Yes. Steve is in grave danger. What Rolar told you about there being a splinter group of the great link was true. Except their were not two agents, White and Black only one. Rolar was the one who infected me. He is the rogue!"
"We've got warn them" Kira said reaching for her Comm badge.
"Sek?"
"I am staying here Captain. This is my true home. Here I am complete Here I can make a difference."
"Are sure Sek. You are a fine officer"
"Yes Sir. But any of you can visit at any time. As my former self would say, live Long and Prosper."
With that Sek sunk back in to the pool and disappeared from sight.
Magellan watched his friend disappear and joined Kira.
She tapped her badge.
"Kira to Tiber, two to beam up"

***

Back on DS9 Steve and Zoilip prepared their security team. They had been given 16 Bajoran deputies to assist with their sweep of the Victory.

"Remember Keep your phasers charged and set to a wide beam. Stay in twos and keep in touch."

Steve and Zoilip led the way through the airlock and aboard the ship. They split in to pairs and spread out over the ship. Steve and Zoilip went straight to the bridge.

"Matthews, keep a continuous scan of every deck going. Lasooux will assist you. Carter have you made it to engineering yet."

"Yes sir, we're just entering now."

Steve took a seat and awaited the teams check ins.

An hour passed and nothing happened. Then a sighting came in on deck 5.

"Lets go" Steve said to Zoilip "Where's Rolar?"

Zoilip shrugged. "Still on DS9?"

***

Engineering was a mess. Half the systems had been bypassed in the Changelings attempt to gain control of the ship. Carefully he began repairing damage. He opened up one of the panels and frowned at what he saw.

Zoilip and Steve entered the mess hall. It was empty. Two of the deputies lay sprawled on the floor their necks broken.

"Sir!" Zoilip exclaimed pointing to a chair that melted before their eyes. It turned and took the shape of Rolar.

"You missed him. I nearly had him but you blew my cover."

"Where did he go?" Zoilip asked.

"Through here" Rolar replied showing Zoilip to a narrow Jeffries Tube.

"Commander"

"Yes Carter. Go ahead." Steve replied to his Comm badge.

"Can you speak?"

Steve moved away from the others to take the call.

"Go"

"I've just being going through the damage done in engineering."

"And?"

"It was all set up for remote action"

"Remote?"

"There never was another changeling. Well not in engineering anyway."

Steve stiffened and span round. Zoilip lay on the floor unconscious. Other than that the room was empty. He checked his phaser setting and padded carefully back in to the room.

"Your still here aren't you?" he called out. Desperately he tried to remember the room as they had arrived. Was there anything extra. Yes he realised, another glass.

Before he could let off a shot the glass transformed in to a solid blob and shot into him sending him flying. The phaser scattered from his hand. Suddenly the changeling enveloped him. Rolar was smothering him. Futilely he pushed at the shapeshifters membranous form. He could feel his life ebbing away. Darkness crowded his vision. Then there was a blast of light and he was free. Coughing he struggled to his feet to be confronted by two Zoilip's the two Bolian's stood facing each other phasers raised.

"Shoot him" they both yelled.

Steve grabbed his phaser and pointed it at them. There was one chance. Checking the setting was on stun he fired the wide beam at them both.

The yellow fire leapt out before him, it struck both Bolian's instantenously only one slipped to the floor. The other one started to turn. Steve didn't waste any time and upped his phaser setting and fired again. The beam struck the standing Zoilip. The figure staggered but remained upright. Steve upped the setting to maximum and fired again. This time the phaser beam seemed to transfix the Changeling. It caused him to glow and then pulsate before finally completely disintegrating him. Satisfied that Rolar was gone Steve allowed himself to collapse.

***

Several hours later Kira and Magellan had returned.

"Good work Commander"

"Thankyou sir. It was more of a team effort" Steve admitted.

"Still you acted well. You'll make a fine Captain one day."

"Thanks Sir. Is Sek ok"

Magellan nodded.

"He seems very happy there"

"The Victory won't be the same without him"

"It sure won't" Magellan replied.

"Are we ready to leave." Steve asked.

"Carter says so. We have a lot of questions to answer"

"A lot of questions" Steve agreed.