A Man Alone

Posted on Fri Nov 29th, 2024 @ 3:46pm by First Ikidik'tan & Administrator Kuzos

1,906 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Pilot
Location: DST-321
Timeline: 2439-03-09, 12:00

Temporarily housed in a guest barracks aboard the Dominion Strike Transport, Odo rested in his natural state as he thought about the events of his personal mission. Even now, since its defeat in the great war with the Alpha Quadrant, the Dominion had been plagued by questions. The Dominion had never failed before in its mission conquest, to bring order to the galaxy, and processing their failure had consumed many in the Great Link. That was what led to his investigation, that was what led him to try to find the Founder's motives for their decisions in the past.

Their questioning had been beneficial in some respects as it had allowed Odo to work to reform the Dominion from within, presenting new attitudes and beliefs for the Link since he arrived, but in other ways it had been a disaster. One of the biggest questions had been why the Link sent 100 infant changelings into the galaxy. Why were defenseless, ignorant, untrained changelings out into the galaxy to accomplish a mission when they know nothing about it or even about themselves? It was a mystery that challenged him, and others, who had returned.

During his studies Odo had learned a lot and encountered many of the Hundred including Laas. As they investigated on key biological rule kept returning to the forefront: Changelings don't reproduce. Without procreation, each changeling death diminishes the whole and brings their species closer to extinction. It led him to discover the legend of a changeling god, the Progenitor, that created the universe, ultimately taking a group of solids and remaking them in its own image, creating the changelings by design rather than evolution. The Progenitor then disappeared into the ether of the galaxy, not having been heard from again. He discovered that the Hundred were sent into the galaxy to find the Progenitor and bring it back to the Dominion, but they did not succeed.

So, he found a group of likeminded people throughout the Dominion to continue his research. One representative from each of the major races within the Dominion were selected and an old, discarded craft was chosen as their home for their investigation. He posted an Elder, Dutan'laz, because of his indepedence from white and his age, to be his second while another Vorta was positioned to help secure his mission: Weyoun. Odo had a new clone of Weyoun produced from the salvaged neural transcoder implant of Weyoun 6, in the hopes that this clone would also question the status quo of the Dominion. He hadn't been prepared for the impact Weyoun would have on him though, providing a connection to time and his life outside of the Link. Weyoun was, however, a means to an end. He helped to hide Odo's actions from the Link, but he didn't win any friends in the process.

The mission was harder than he ever expected though, and Odo often found himself feeling more distant that ever from his people. Knowing that his people could eventually die out was a hard truth, even more frightening was the possibility that his people would struggle with the Progenitor's discovery. All of this made him question his motives and resolve, but he knew that he couldn't stop his mission. They found a massive planetary body during the investigation that was made of bio-mimetic material like him, but it was dead, killed ages ago.

Grief-stricken, they pressed on. In time the group found evidence of more Changelings like this one in ancient texts, and Odo ordered Dutan'laz to set a course. Finding this ancient world, Odo chose to name it Indurane (Bajoran for ancient) and the descended into the atmosphere. Never did they anticipate that the creatures there would be threatening. That was his failure, and their mission was at risk because of it. The changelings there were xenophobic, even more than the Link, and attacked their ship. They communed with Odo, demanding that they leave, but Odo was dogmatic in his determination for answers. The Changelings didn't like that. They disabled their scoutship and left them for dead. If it wasn't for Starfleet they probably would have been killed.

It may have been better had they been killed. The Link was demanding that Odo return immediately to face censure for his investigation, he couldn't blame them for that. Though that wasn't what he feared. The reality was that his discovery had fractured the Link for the first time in its history. Many of the Link wanted to ignore the wishes of the Indurane and return to their world, while others agreed to honor their wishes. Some were indecisive and uncertain how to proceed, few wanted to disperse across the galaxy, to wallow in their anguish and guilt. If they weren't careful, it was entirely possible that the Dominion would descend into chaos and revolt, which none of them could afford.

Regaining his humanoid form, Odo sat on the small bed that had been provided as the door chimed.

Kuzos stood outside the Founder's door. He had been rescued from the crashed strike ship along members of a Federation away team from the Enterprise. The two crews had formed a brief allegiance to rescue the personnel from the downed Dominion ship as well as a Federation runabout.

He had been shocked to learn that a Founder was aboard the downed craft and that the Founder was Odo. Now he stood outside the Founders door. His mind was awhirl with questions the most prevalent one was what to do next? The obvious answer was to return Founder Odo to the Great Link but he somehow knew it wouldn't be that easy. So here he stood uneasy and unsure. He reached a handout and touched the door chime to alert Founder Odo someone wished to see him.

"Yes," Odo answered, giving permission to come in.

A moment later the door slid open, and Kuzos took a tentative step into the cabin bowing as he did so. "Forgive the intrusion Founder but I wanted to come and check on you, see if there was anything you need, or I could get you after your harrowing adventure on the planet. Thank the Founders we found you... and the others in time." Kuzos charmed and then grew silent. His eyes downcast and his head bowed as he waited for the Founder to speak.

"I'm fine," the Changeling answered quickly as he looked out the viewport, "I've been through a lot worse in my time, no need to worry." He wasn't as well as he was claiming, in fact he was deeply troubled by what had happened on their mission. The risks to the galaxy from their discovery couldn't be discounted, but the risk to the Dominion was potentially immeasurable. It was too early to tell.

He was going to speak more when they were interrupted by an audio transmission, "We are receiving a transmission from DSE-724 for the Founder."

Odo looked at the Vorta Administrator, "You may stay." He tapped the wall display, "Route it to me, First."

On the display screen the logo of the Dominion was replaced by a Vorta with whom Odo was very familiar: Weyoun. Alone in his office aboard the Strike Escort, Weyoun was unable to hide his concern. Others would not see it, but with as long as he and Odo had worked together the Founder could see through him.

"Founder," Weyoun spoke evenly, "it is an honor to speak with you again."

As well as he knew Weyoun, having worked with him since Odo chose to return to the Dominion, the Changeling still was not used to being treated with such reverence. He and Weyoun had spoken about it many times through the years, but it was still something with which the Vorta struggled. Complicating matters, every time they cloned Weyoun again his personality profile started from scratch. The training, the knowledge was there, just not applied.

"I'm fine, Weyoun, what's your status?"

"We are on approach to your vessel now, Founder, and should be there within the cycle. We have alerted the Link that you have been recovered, and they have urgently recalled you to Empersa," Weyoun reported calmly.

Odo sighed, "I've told you before, I'm not a Founder, and I wish that you hadn't alerted them."

"Apologies, Odo, but they had been made aware by the vessel that rescued you," Weyoun looked at Kuzos through the comlink.

"It's fine," Odo answered as he looked back at Administrator Kuzos then to Weyoun. "We can travel to the homeworld when you get here. In the meantime, has the diplomatic packet been transmitted to the Federation?"

Weyoun nodded crisply, his broad smile on full display, "It has, Odo, and we have received confirmation of their acceptance."

"I assume that's what the Link wants to talk with me about," Odo said with his characteristic grunt-like laugh.

"Odo, do you feel that it was best to send an alliance proposal to the Federation without first consulting the Link?" Weyoun had his first instance of difficulty hiding his feelings.

Odo lifted a hand to waive off the concern, "The Link will accommodate my wishes. We need to establish better relations with the Alpha Quadrant and this is the best way to accomplish that. The Link will see that."

"But with all of the challenges that..."

"Weyoun," Odo interrupted, "I'm tired, and we have much to prepare for and little time to do it in. Make preparations to receive me aboard the ship within the cycle and we'll make our way to the Wormhole at maximum speed."

The Vorta was confused by the direction, "But we've been ordered to the Link?"

"I am aware," the Founder answered confidently, "but I have other business to attend to. Is that a problem?"

Weyoun didn't answer immediately, which was somewhat surprising even to Odo. Normally confident and more than a little smug, Weyoun had been the lead Vorta in the Dominion War and had had the ear of the Founders for almost a generation. He always seemed to have an answer, which was surprising he was so silent.

"My place is with you. Your will be done."

The screen darkened and returned to the control interface. Odo stepped away from the terminal and looked back at Vorta Administrator Kuzos. "Prepare your vessel to escort mine to the Wormhole. Be prepared to be transferred to a new assignment upon our arrival."

"Of course, Founder, your will be done." Kuzos answered nodding his head at Odo's command. His brow furrowed at Odo's comment that he prepare for a new assignment. "Founder? A new assignment? My place is to serve the Founders. Have I displeased you, the other Founders in some way?" He asked unable to keep the concern off his face and out of his voice.

Odo answered quickly, almost on rote, "I'm not a Founder, Administrator, and no, you have not displeased me nor the Founders to my knowledge at least.' He smirked as he turned back toward the window, "Though, I'm not sure I can say the same about me." He laughed. "You'll get answers soon enough. Was there anything else that you needed, Administrator?"

Kuzos was confused, "Forgive my impertinence but you are Founder. "His tone respectful but disagreeing mildly with Odo. He bowed his head, "I will await my answers that await me upon our arrival with Weyoun's ship Founder."

"Very good," as Odo stood alone in more ways than one.

 

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