A New Race Discovered
Jarvinia


This story is a crossover between Forever Knight and Star Trek Deep
Space Nine.  It has not been beta-ed, and as such all mistakes are 
purely mine. ;)

DISCLAIMER:  The concepts of vampires as used in this story and the 
characters of Forever Knight are the property of James D. Parriott,
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia TriStar Television, and the
Sci-Fi Channel, and are used without permission.  The concepts and
Characters of ST:DS9 used in this story are the property of Paramount,
and are used without permission.  Other characters not part of either
series are mine, and may not be used without permission.  No 
infringements intended on copyrights, etc.

NOTE: When Nicholas is spelled Nikalas, it is NOT a mistake.  It is 
explained the first time it is seen.

Do not archive anywhere else without my permission.
Send all comments/feedback to: jarvinia@hotmail.com


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A New Race Discovered  -  Part 1/4


"Is everything prepared for the arrival of the Federation Ambassador
and the Zualtechian representatives?" Commander Sisko asked Odo, his
chief of security as he entered his office.  He wanted to make sure
nothing went wrong.  After all, the Federation needed all of the allies
they could get, and with their technology, which was just as advanced
as the federation, more so in some areas, they would be a very good
ally.

Odo sat down in the chair across from the Commander, also thinking
about their usefulness as an ally, and answered, "Yes.  Quarters have
been prepared, and security is being strengthened in preparation for
their arrival."

"Good, I think we might need it.  Right now, is there anything unusual
going on at the station that might be a problem, and are there any
other ships docking?"

"Nothing unusual.  The U.S.S. Lexington is dropping several passengers
off and getting more supplies.  They will dock in about three hours."

He waited a few minutes, his attention not focusing on any one thing,
then asked, "The Zualtechian ship, when is it supposed to arrive?"

"Tomorrow morning at 10:40 hours."

He shook his head, amazed that it was that close, time seemed to have 
lurched forward.  He thought there was still another day, not less than
twenty-four hours.  He then remembered the main reason he wanted to
talk to Odo.  "This federation ambassador, what do you know about him?"

Odo handed a file to Sisko, suspecting the question would come up
sometime before negotiations started.  He then replied, giving a
general overview of the man in question, "The ambassador's full name is
Nicholas B. Knight.  For the past year and a half he has lived on
Zualtek as the Federation representative, and for a year before that he
lived among the Zualtechians to observe them.  To them he is called
Nikalas Kintok, their translation of his name."

Sisko read through the file, one that was very unusual for someone
assigned to observation, and questioned, "Why was he chosen for this?  
It says here this was his first and only time doing observation and
being an on planet representative.  Yet it also mentions how difficult
it was to blend in with the population."  The facts didn't mix, and
wondered why they would put someone that seemed to be inexperienced in
such a situation.

"He has a severe sun allergy, and therefore cannot be outside during
the day.  About seventy percent of the Zualtechian people have a
similar allergy, not the same cause, but the same result.  The planet
runs on a night schedule, their day is night, and their night is day. 
This made him the perfect choice, as he could easily pass as a native
due to this common condition, and it would help him blend in.  Also,
his hair color, length, and type, along with his skin color are typical
in Zualtechian society.  Although he did have to have a minor number of
implants when he first lived there, he no longer wears them.  Other
than that, I don't know anything more about him, other than what is in
that file.  And as you can see, it is almost completely empty."

Sisko nodded, it was awfully small, but then he had been gone for
almost three years, and that was to be expected. 'Three years.  That's
an unusually long time.' "Why was he gone so long?"

"The Zualtechian culture can not be easily observed by outsiders.  Most
of their buildings have advanced security systems, and their technology
could not be observed without prolonged access to these buildings."

"And they needed someone that could stay a long time without being 
suspected."  He then remembered a question he had meant to ask the day 
before.  "For tomorrow I'm supposed to introduce ourselves and greet
them in their native language.  Do you know anything about the
pronunciation of their language?"

"It should have been in the file I gave you earlier.  The one with all
of the other information in it."

"Do you have a copy of it?" he asked.  The other file didn't work, and
he needed it to learn the greeting.  The words looked very strange to
him, and that it impossible for him to know if he was pronouncing it
right or not.

"Yes," Odo responded, then went to the computer consol and made a copy
of the sound file and gave it to Sisko.  "Here is the file.  Remember,
it has to be memorized."

He again nodded, "Who will be making the introductions for the
Zualtechians?  Will it be the Ambassador, or their leader?"

"Their leader will make the introductions.  No one will be allowed to
use translators during the introductions, and afterwards the Ambassador
and one of the Zualtechians will not wear one."

"How will they understand the other's language?"

"They both learned the other language.  How well, I'm not sure, but
they did learn it."

"Okay, so basically I will need to recite this," he waved the file with
the sound on it, "and then we can begin negotiations.  Is Admiral
McCarthy coming on the Lexington?"

"Yes, he is, and he will be expecting us to meet him."

He nodded, then said, "Let's get ready for tomorrow.  How many of the 
Zualtechians are coming, and how many have the allergy?"

"There are five coming.  Their leader, two of his consuls, a guard, and
a student of one of their universities.  Their leader, one of the
consuls and the student all have the allergy.  Their quarters will be
on the inside of the station, and will not have any windows.  They will
all have separate quarters, except for the Ambassador and the student,
they will have the same quarters."

He was slightly confused as why they would share quarters, but said,
"Good.  Well I guess I'll see you in three hours, when the Admiral
arrives."

They both stood up and Odo left the office.  Commander Sisko opened the
sound file and let it play back.  It was fairly complex, but made a lot
of sense when he looked at the written out version while listening to
it.  Their syntax was easy to understand, the characters usually
corresponding with the sounds, about as easy as reading English.  He
put his hand to his face and then began the task of memorizing the
foreign greeting.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


It was time for the Admiral to arrive, and he was right on time. 
Admiral Joseph McCarthy stepped arrogantly through the bulk head and
quickly shook the hand of Commander Sisko.  McCarthy was an average
man.  He had medium brown hair, turning slightly silver, and was in his
early fifties.

Immediately he approached Sisko and shook his hand.  "Commander
Benjamin Sisko, I have heard much about you and Deep Space Nine.  It's
a very hard command, especially since the Bajorans have made you their
emissary, isn't it?" the Admiral said in a deep voice, a slight
distaste surfacing in the pronunciation.

"Yes, well, you get used to it after a while," he stated, not liking
the tone the Admiral had used in his question.  He introduced Odo and
Kira, who were also present and then showed the Admiral around the
station.  "Have you meet the Ambassador before?" Sisko eventually
asked, wondering what the man was actually like.  The computer files
didn't have anything more than facts, and very few of those, and facts
don't really give a good indication of what to expect out of a person.

A look of disapproval quickly crossed McCarthy's face and he answered,
"Yes, I have.  And I'm not sure that I approve of him on this mission,
or any other.  He seems to like to make his own rules.  He's a little
too independent."

The Commander shook his head in understanding, and commented, "I hope
he doesn't try to bend too many rules."  'Independent.  If the Admiral
isn't exaggerating that could be a problem.'

The Admiral also shook his head in return, and they continued on their
walk through the station.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


The next morning Sisko, Odo, Kira, and Dax arrived a few minutes early
to meet the Zualtechians so they could talk.  The Admiral was not
present, because he was to attend only the negotiations, nothing else,
and seemed like he really didn't want to be there anyway.  "Commander,
do you have the greeting ready?"

"Yes, I do have it ready, and I hope I am going to pronounce this
right."  'I better, don't want to offend them,' he thought, knowing
that in some languages, words changed meaning with only a slight
difference in pronunciation.  He'd had first hand experience with that.

Sisko's communicator beeped, and he hit it saying, "Sisko here."

"*Commander, the Zualtechian ship is ready to dock, and will be docked
in about a minute,*" came O'Brien's voice.

"Good, Sisko out."

The group waited for several minutes, then their visitors appeared. 
They walked through the bulkhead and stood across from the stations
officers.  They were a humanoid race, and also appeared very much like
humans.  Their pale complexion was the first characteristic that was
noted.  All of the men had long hair, about ten inches below the
shoulder, and the two women, one of the consuls and the student, both
had hair all of the way down their back.  They all had wavy golden
blonde hair except for the female consul, who had slightly lighter
hair, and the guard, whose hair was slightly darker.

Feathers were placed in their hair at differing intervals.  Their
leader, the male consul, the student and the Ambassador had black
feathers.  The female consul had white feathers.  Black representing
night, white, day.  They hung down below the hair line except for the
first set feathers on those that had to sets.  The leader and the
female consul had two sets of feathers, and everyone else, except the
guard who was not permitted to wear any, had a single set.  Their eyes
were slightly slanted, eyes like a human's, and their ears were
slightly pointed, not as much as a Vulcan's, but more than a human's
would be.  At first it was hard to tell who the Ambassador was, but his
features were not quite as defined as the others, and stood between the
student and the male consul.

All but the guard and the student wore long flour length cloaks over
equally long draped fabrics, with either pants or a dress underneath,
the two females wearing variations of purple, and the men variations of
blue.  The student, who compared to a human child of about fourteen
years of age, wore a lavender dress, with a slightly darker cape that
came down to two points in the front, and one in the back near the
ground.  The guard wore pants with a long shirt, both of a medium grey,
which was belted at the waist.  All of the Zualtechians, including the
Ambassador, wore elaborate jewelry containing precious metals and
stones, and what was probably a communicator on the inside of their
left wrist.

Their leader nodded to Sisko to begin, closing his eyes for about two 
seconds, then raising his head.

In Zualtechian he said, "We welcome you to Bajor, Deep Space Nine, and
to the Federation.  I am Commander Benjamin Sisko of Deep Space Nine,
this is my second in command Major Kira Nerys, this is Lieutenant Dax,
and this is my chief of security, Odo."

After a few seconds the Zualtechian leader said in perfect English, "I
am the Zualtechian President Zantchen Menton, these are my Consuls,
Shyana Ronfrin, and Derank Zuntal, my personal guard Shune Namlon, a
student from our most esteemed University, Techanienca Montoan, and the
Federation Ambassador Nicholas Knight.  We look forward to this visit
and hope to join your federation."  He had a little bit of trouble
pronouncing ‘Knight' because of its unusual spelling to him, but other
than that did fine.

All but two switched on translators,  then Sisko continued, "If you
will follow me I will show you to your quarters."  The security chief
and Dax both left to their usual duties, and Sisko and Kira led the
group down the Promenade, eliciting surprised looks and words, as other
races walked by, most also looking at them, curious as to where they
were from.  "Tonight a dinner will be held in your honor at 19:00
hours.  We will escort you there, then later tonight we will give you a
complete tour of the station."

One by one the Zualtechians were dropped off at their quarters, all
right next to each other in a high security area, until only the
Ambassador and the young student were left.  "Commander, if it would be
all right with you, I would like to show Tania around the station
myself."

"Yes, that would be fine Ambassador Knight."

"Commander, please call me Nick or Nicholas when it isn't official, I 
absolutely hate being referred to as Ambassador.  It makes me feel too 
important," Nick said, a grin appearing on his face.

The Commander smiled as well, knowing what it was like to always be 
considered important.  Sometimes he wished he could just disappear for
a while, get away from all of the responsibility.  "Of course,
Nicholas.  Remember to be at the dinner."

"Of course.  And don't worry we'll be there."   Nicholas and Tania,
walked back the way they came, back to the Promenade.

"So what do you think of them?" Sisko asked Kira, once the others had 
disappeared from sight."The Zualtechians, or the Ambassador?"

"Both."

"I think the Zualtechians will make a great addition to the Federation.
 
They remind me of a cross between Humans and Vulcans, with almost a
feline quality.  The Ambassador I'm sure I've met before.  He looks
exactly like the first human I ever met.  It was during the occupation,
and I was about ten years old.  He helped keep a group of us hidden
from the Cardassians.  I remember him as if it were yesterday.  He has
the same appearance other than his hair being longer, and wearing
different clothes.  Even his voice is the same, and he told us to call
him Nicholas.  At first we thought he was a Bajoran because he spoke
our language perfectly, but then we realized his face was different,
and his name was too.  When we asked him if he was a human, he said he
was."

He turned to face her, "But it can't be the same man.  That was twenty
years ago.  If he were alive, he would have to be at least fifty years
old.  And the Ambassador isn't fifty, according to the file he's only
thirty-two."

Kira shook her head, becoming more certain by the second, and said,
"I'm positive it's him.  Everything is the same."

"Okay, you can look into it, but don't let anyone know."  They
continued their walk back to Ops. and as soon as they arrived, Doctor
Bashir walked up to them.  "What's wrong doctor?" Sisko asked.

"A human and a Bajoran have both become ill.  They are also both
female, which could mean nothing, but so far is the only commonality. 
Right now they are both in sickbay in very weakened conditions.  Upon
first examination I didn't find anything wrong with them other than a
strange structure to their blood cells, but nothing that would explain
their condition.  I'm waiting for O'Brien to fix the computer so that I
can do some more tests."

"When did this happen?"

"About fifteen minutes ago."

"Just after the Zualtechians arrived.  For now I'm not going to do
anything, but if we get more cases, I'm going to have the station
quarantined until this is solved."

The doctor's communicator beeped and he hit it saying, "Bashir."

"*I got the computer working again,*" O'Brien's voice responded.

Bashir sighed, "Good, I'll be there in a couple minutes.  Bashir out." 
He turned back to Sisko and said, "As soon as I find anything else out,
I'll let you know right away."  Then he hurried back to the infirmary,
wanting to get this quickly solved, and hoping it was only an isolated
case.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


"Nicholas," Tania said as they walked out onto the Promenade.  "Does
the Commander know about your food allergies?"

"No, he doesn't. The only allergy he knows about is the main one, and
that's only because many of your race have the same condition."

"Aren't you going to tell him before the dinner?"

"Yes, I'll tell him I'm only going to eat a little bit, that I have
several food allergies that limit what I am able to eat."

"Have you been to this station before?" she asked as she looked around,
her curiosity growing, wanting to learn as much as possible.

"Yes, I have.  Several times actually.  The first time was many years
ago."  His mind began to stray into the past, to the occupation, but
was stopped by Tania's voice.

"When was. . ." she stopped when she heard, and in the corner of her
eye, saw someone stumble and fall.

Nick went up to the woman, a Bajoran, and asked her in Bajoran, "Are
you all right?"

She also answered in her own language with, "Yes, um, no.  I mean now
I'm all right, but I've been very tired all day today.  I thought it
was just temporary, but I guess I was wrong."

"If you've been this tired you should see a doctor," Nick told the
woman who was just a little older than Kira.

"Yes, I probably should."  She tried to get up, and when she couldn't,
Nick helped her.  He then let her hold on to him for balance.  "Would
you mind helping me get there?" she asked, a forced smile appearing on
her face.

"Not at all."  He switched back to English and told Tania, "Grab her
bag and follow us, I'm going to take her to the infirmary."

She did so and slowly followed as Nick and the Bajoran woman slowly
made their way toward the infirmary.  He told her, "I'm Nicholas
Knight.  What's your name?"

"Taron Myrien."

Soon after, she fainted and Nick picked her up in his arms and carried
her the rest of the way.  After another minute they were in front of
sickbay and the doors opened for them.  Doctor Bashir immediately came
up to them and helped Nick lay the woman down on one of the empty
bio-beds.  "What happened?"

Nick moved out of the doctor's way, guiding Tania in the same
direction.  "She stumbled and fell on the Promenade.  I helped her up
and was bringing her here, when she collapsed and fell unconscious."

"What's her name?" he asked as he began to examine the Bajoran woman.

"Taron Myrien."

"Did she say anything before she collapsed?"

"Yes.  She complained of being tired.  She had said she'd been tired
all day, and that she had believed it would pass soon, that it wasn't
anything serious."  He paused and watched as the doctor examined the
woman, taking a blood sample and running it through the computer.  "Do
you know what's wrong with her?"

"Yes, and no.  She has the same thing these two have," he said
gesturing to the other two women laying unconscious in the room.  "But
I don't know how to make them well again, I'm not even sure what is
making them sick yet, I can only see the effects."  He stopped and took
a closer look at the two, recognizing their characteristics, knowing
they were Zualtechian.  Then noticing the man wasn't wearing a
translator, yet spoke very good English, he asked, "You're the
Ambassador, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am."

"Well, then, I'll see you tonight at dinner."

"Will you tell us how she is doing tonight?" Nick asked.

"Yes, I will."  He watched as the Ambassador and the Zualtechian walked
away from sickbay and back down the Promenade.  He then hit his
communicator and said, "Bashir to Sisko."

"*Sisko here.*"

"Commander, another has come down with the virus.  A Bajoran woman. 
She was brought here by the Ambassador and one of the Zualtechians."

"*Okay, I'll make sure no ships leave the station.  What have you found
out about this virus?*"

"Only that I have no way of treating it, and that so far its only
symptom seems to be exhaustion.  I'm not even sure it's a virus yet."

"*Well, keep me informed, and remember to be at the dinner.*"

"Yes, of course."

"*Sisko out.*"

Bashir turned back to the computer and looked more at the blood and DNA

samples he had taken, putting his hands up to his head in frustration. 

Nothing was making any sense whatsoever.  He couldn't even get a scan
to show anything.  It was as if this virus, if it was even a virus, was
invisible.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


That night everyone arrived to dinner on time.  Nick, still dressed in 
Zualtechian clothes, went up to the Commander before everyone sat down
and said, "Commander, before dinner gets started I should probably tell
you I will not be able to eat very much because of certain allergies I
have.  I will also be drinking something different than you."

"Why wasn't this in your file?" the Commander asked, aware that's where
the information should have been, and it wasn't, otherwise he would
have already known about it.

"As you probably have noticed, my file is very spartan.  That is a
result of moving around so much and because of the work I do, it isn't
accurate in some respects.  I'm sorry if it creates any difficulties."

That was very true.  Files sometimes got lost when someone spent most
of their time away from Earth, or when they don't stay in one general
area for a long time.  "It's all right.  I just wish I'd have known
about your allergies sooner."

Nick could tell the Commander was annoyed, and he had a right to be,
but he would have had trouble explaining that all food creates a
problem, a very large problem.  "Yes, well we should probably all get
seated, after all, everyone has arrived."

Everyone sat down, the Zualtechians at one end of the table, the others
on the other end.  After the food was served, Nick poured three-fourths
of his cup full with a deep red mixture, and allowed the remaining
fourth to be filled with a Cardassian drink.  He ate as much as he
could.  He picked foods that would both disappear faster, and wouldn't
give him too much of a problem.

Dinner proceeded smoothly, the Admiral was introduced to the
Zualtechians, and Nick decided McCarthy was definitely against the
Zualtechians from becoming a part of the Federation.  He did everything
but say it aloud.  After dinner the Admiral left quickly as the
Commander, Major Kira and himself stayed to give the Zualtechians a
tour of the station.  He wanted no part of this new race, and made it
clear.

As they walked down the Promenade, explaining the different areas and 
activities, a man dressed entirely in black slowly approached them and 
attacked one of the consuls, Derank Zuntal.  The attacker had a knife
and thrust it into the Zualtechians chest, and pushed him over the
railing to the lower level.  He ran, and because of the unexpectedness
of the action, was able to get away with little trouble.

Nick almost took off, exposing himself to all present, but was stopped
when he realized that Derank needed help, and Tania was already moving
to jump the railing.  There was nothing he could do to stop her, but he
knew if he didn't do something she was going to seriously injure
herself because of the increased gravity compared to their planet, and
the great height of the fall.  He quickly grabbed her and jumped the
railing himself, holding on long enough to make it appear as if he was
slowing his decent, their flowing garments swirling slightly behind
them.  He used his vampiric powers to slow his decent enough to soften
their landing slightly.  Not completely, but just enough to prevent
injury.  He then released Tania, allowing her to examine the consul.
"How is Derank?" he asked, coming close to her from behind, and
kneeling down.

As she checked his vital signs, she answered him, "He needs a doctor,
but I think he'll be all right.  The attacker didn't know what to aim
for, and didn't do as much damage as they meant."

The Commander and the others took the stairs down to the lower level,
which caused them to take a little longer to get there.  Immediately
Nick told him, "Get a doctor here."

The Commander contacted Bashir and about a minute later a medical team 
arrived.  He decided he should probably get the Ambassador and the
other Zualtechians comm badges, that way if something like this
happened again, they could get help faster.  "What happened?" Bashir
asked, immediately kneeling on the ground, pulling out the necessary
equipment.

"Someone attacked him and stabbed him with a knife, then pushed him
over the railing."

Bashir scanned Derank with the tri-corder and found nothing permanent
was damaged, and amazingly no bones broken, but that he still needed to
be taken to sickbay before anything could be done.  "Could you help me
pick him up and lay him here," Bashir said as he pointed to the
emergency transport bed.   Nick did so and told Tania to go with the
doctor and help him in any way she could, after all she had knowledge
of their physiology that would help the doctor treat Derank.  She had
followed her father into the medical field, and would be of great help
to Bashir.

Once all of the commotion was over, and most of everyone had left the
area, Commander Sisko asked, "How did you do that?" glancing slightly
up at the railing.

Nick was going to answer, but Zantchen said, "Most Zualtechians are
able to fall from great heights and land uninjured.  While he lived
amongst us he learned how to do this very well.  With the increased
gravity here it makes it harder, and because of that he took Tania down
before she jumped herself, probably injuring herself in the process." 
Nick shook his head in confirmation when Sisko turned toward him.  It
was fairly close to what he would have said, and for the most part it
was true.

Sisko accepted the explanation and told Zantchen, "Well, after this I'm
going to add security to all of your people, and no arguments."

He seemed to consider this for a moment, then said, "Very well, but I
would like Nikalas to be the only one to look after Tania."

"Why?" the Commander asked, wondering why Zantchen would only permit
the protection of the Federation Ambassador for one of his own people,
one who was not trained in such manners.

"Both of her parents were murdered by supposedly friendly guards. 
Since then she has been nervous and afraid when around guards."

"But why Nicholas?  Wouldn't you rather have one of your own people
protect her?"

The Zualtechian leader again answered, "Nikalas is Tania's guardian,
and I trust him as if he were a Zualtechian himself, as if he were a
member of my own family."

At least this explained why they were sharing quarters, and why the 
Ambassador seemed so protective of her, but he was still irritated at
his silence.  This was not something that had a reason to be hidden. 
It would have made virtually no difference if it was known.  "Why
didn't you tell us this?  That you were Tania's guardian?" Sisko asked,
a suspicious and angry look shot at Nick.  He definitely did seem to go
by his own rules.  First he didn't say anything about his food
allergies, then he said nothing about his guardianship of the young
Zualtechian girl.

He was afraid this would come up, and did his best to explain, "I
didn't think Starfleet would approve.  I told them I couldn't be her
guardian, because I wasn't like them.  But they said I had to,
otherwise she would end up in some kind of orphanage, she wouldn't be
able to go to school or anything.  They also stressed that her parents
specifically requested it, and at the time they knew I wasn't like
them."

Again, he accepted the excuse, and told him, "Well, you still should
have said something, but then again it should have been in your file. 
Okay, Knight, go to Tania and make sure she's all right, and don't
leave her.  I'm going to put guards on the rest of you, but first I
would like all of you to go through a medical examination."

"Why?" Shyana asked, not understanding the reason.  They had gone
through one before arriving at the station, and didn't see the point in
going through another.

"Well, you were actually supposed to go through one upon your arrival
here on the station, and also there is a virus on the station and we
are doing medical examinations on everyone."

"Okay.  Do you want us to go to sickbay right now?" she again asked.

"You probably should, we'll go with you."

They all went to sickbay and when they arrived they noticed no one else
had come down with the virus yet.  At least that was a good sign. 
Derank was also stable and resting, so the medical examinations were
able to be carried out immediately.  From them, Bashir discovered that
none of them had the symptoms of the virus.  But he did discover that
all of the Zualtechians, with the exception of Tania, had an unusual
depletion of blood.  At least that's what he suspected.  As far as he
knew it could be normal, but he had a feeling it wasn't.  Bashir was
about to examine Nick, but was stopped forcibly by his arm, and the
words, "It's against my beliefs to allow a medical examination."

Bashir was annoyed with his answer.  With this virus or whatever it was
going around, he could get infected and not even know about it, but he
could do nothing.  When someone stated it was against their beliefs,
that was the end of it.  Unless of course that someone could cause
injury to others, and at this time that argument could not be made. 
"Very well, you may all go," Bashir said.

"Doctor, how is Consul Zuntal?" Commander Sisko asked.

"He will be fine.  I'll release him to his quarters in a few hours."

Nick and Tania returned to their joint quarters and so did everyone
else.  Once he returned to his quarters he wondered how he was going to
get blood now that it had been noticed that the Zualtechians have a
depleted amount.  He would have to be very careful about what he did,
and when.  Discovery was not an option he wanted to think about.


A New Race Discovered  -  Part 2/4


Later that night after Tania had fallen asleep, Nick quietly left their
quarters and walked along the promenade.  He looked for someone that
was sleeping, someone that by the night's end would be short a few
pints to help satiate his growing hunger.  Since he had arrived on the
station he had been hungry, much more than normal, and was now almost
starving.  Perhaps he had spent too much time away from other humans. 
He had been surviving on replicated Zualtechian blood for the past
couple of years.  He returned his mind to the task at hand, and when he
found someone, he took a device, one that drained off the one's blood 
without leaving a mark, out of his pocket and placed it to the woman's 
neck after making sure no one was around.  He then took the bag off and 
drained the Bajoran blood with his elongated fangs.  He took two more 
full bags from the young woman, then left her, and did the same to 
another.  He then went back to his quarters, his hunger only slightly 
fulfilled, but it would have to do.  At least it would hold him to the 
next day.

After entering the room, he could see that Tania was awake, and when he
entered she came up to him.  She leaned on him, her body trembling
faintly, and he took her in an embrace and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I woke up and when you were gone I became scared.  I don't want to be
left alone," her soft voice pleaded in her native tongue, her words
almost running together with her fright.

Nick answered back in the same tones of her language, soft tones meant
to comfort, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."

"Where did you go that was so important?" she asked, wanting to know
what was so important that he leave in the middle of the night,
especially after what had happened to Derank.

He was trying to think of something to say when Odo's voice interrupted
the silence, "*Ambassador Knight?*"

"Yes?" he said hitting the communicator the Commander had given him in
the infirmary.

"*The chest of belongings you had asked about?*"

"Yes.  Did you find it?" he asked, relieved it wasn't anything to do
with his recent activities.

"*Yes, in the confusion it was put aside.  Would you like me to bring
it to your quarters now?*"

"If it's not an inconvenience."

"*I'll bring it by shortly.  Odo out.*"

As silence again filled the room, Nick answered Tania's question with a
lie, "I went to talk to Odo about my chest.  It seems that he found
it."

"What's in it that's so important?"

"It has all of the things that are important in my life, that aren't on
Zualtek.  Several of my belongings from Earth."  Just then Odo arrived,
and after Nick opened the door, he set the chest down on the ground. 
"Thank you for bringing it by for me, especially this late at night."

"It's no problem.  If nothing else, it gives me a task to do,"
responded the changeling, sensing that Knight knew how that felt, a
smile almost appearing, but not quite.

"Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Nick said, and Odo left to his 
duties.

"Open it!  Please open it!" Tania said excitedly as the door swished
shut, wanting to know more about her guardian's past.  He opened the
chest for her and pulled out a picture of a woman with long, curly,
chestnut brown hair, sitting on a park bench in the afternoon sunlight.
 Nick handed the photo to Tania, and she took it, asking, "Who is she?"

"Was. . .  She had helped me a lot with my allergy, we were trying to
find a cure for it, but. . . she died first."  He watched Tania's
fascination with the photo, both with the subject of the photo, and the
sunlight it was taken in, then said, "If you want, you can have it.  I
have many other copies."

"Thank you Nicholas."  After a couple of minutes she asked, "Did you
have any luck in your search for a cure?"

Nick knew she asked both curious of what happened, but also curious
because she knew what it was like to live only in darkness, and
wondered what it would be like during the day.  "I was able to spend a
day in the sunlight, to live like the other humans for a small fraction
of time.  The only time we found something that worked, didn't really
work.  I became addicted to it."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know."  She put the picture down and picked up a
small box, and asked, "What's in it?"

"Go ahead and open it," he told her, knowing she'd be fascinated by it
as well.

She did and at first just looked at it.  Then asked, "It's a religious 
symbol, right?"  Nick nodded, and she picked it up out of the box very 
carefully, holding it so she could look at it more closely.  "It is
very old isn't it?"

He watched her carefully, avoiding contact with the wooden crucifix,
and suppressing his reaction.  "Yes, it was originally Jean d' Arc's
cross.  It was given to one of my ancestors and has been passed down
from one generation to the next for almost a thousand years," he said,
not telling it was actually given to him, those many years ago by that
very person.  She was about to reach for an old leather wallet, but he
grabbed her wrist lightly and said, "We should get some more rest, we
have a long day ahead."

She nodded and went back to her bed.  When he was sure she was sleeping
he took the wallet out himself and opened it to reveal a police badge
from Toronto with his picture, his present name and other information
that revealed he was the same person.  He took it with him into his
room, and put it in the drawer next to his bed, aware that if someone
saw the wallet, it would raise far too many questions.  Then he himself
fell asleep.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


The next morning Doctor Bashir went to the Commander's office and told
the Commander about the present situation.  "Several others have
succumbed to this virus.  They aren't almost entirely Bajoran either,
more humans are being affected, and other species as well.  So far no
one has died, but it has a wide range of people it affects.  Now the
only commonality is that all the people being affected have iron- based
blood."

"Have you discovered what is causing this?" Sisko asked after
contemplating the situation for a moment.

"No.  So far we have only been able to see it's affects, but I fear if
we don't, all of those that are susceptible to it will be ill, and
fairly soon."  The frustration was laced in his words, he had never had
such a problem finding an answer, but then he'd never come across
anything quite like this before either.

Sisko nodded, and let some of his frustration out in his words, "Okay, 
continue to do research, and find out what is causing this!"

After Bashir left, Sisko went to Zantchen's quarters.  As he approached
he saw that the two guards that had been on duty were now lying on the
ground unconscious, both appearing to have been shot with a phaser. He
also saw that the door was open and he heard noises from inside.  He
used his communicator to call for security, then drew his phaser and
cautiously entered the room.  Zantchen was backed into a corner by a
Starfleet officer with a phaser, who because of the low light levels
present in the room, could not be identified.  "Put down the phaser!"

At these words, the attacker moved slightly, which allowed what light
there was to reflect off of his features.  Sisko recognized the man as
Admiral McCarthy, and almost didn't have enough time to stun him before
he attempted to shoot the Zualtechian President.  Just after Zantchen
thanked Sisko for saving his life, the security detail entered and
asked what happened.  Nick also entered with them, Tania following
close behind.  "What happened?" Nick asked.

"We found the attacker," Odo answered and gestured toward the Admiral,
who was now waking up from the effects of the phaser.

Nick approached McCarthy and exclaimed, "Why?!  I thought you were
supposed to be against such actions!  I thought you were supposed to be
for the expansion of the Federation!  Why do you try to murder these
people?!"  McCarthy just stood under the icy glare of the Ambassador,
returning it with one of his own.  "I know why," he continued.  "You
just do what is best for yourself.  You don't care about other races,
other individuals, just what will further your career.  Well, I don't
think that's going to continue much longer now is it!"

Nick turned and stormed over toward Odo, barely containing the vampiric
anger that was threatening to unleash itself.  It was difficult to
control in the best of times, almost impossible when he was virtually
starving.  "Make sure he can never do this again, or I will!" he told
the security chief then took Tania out of the room and back to their
quarters.

Sisko watched the young Ambassador leave the room, then turned to Odo
and asked, "Take care of this.  I'm going to go talk to the
Ambassador."  He then too left the room and walked down the hall to
Nick's quarters.  Once there he touched the sensor panel and waited for
Nick to answer it.  Instead he only heard the door open and then he
walked inside.  An old chest of yet unpacked belongings sat on the
floor of the dim lighted room.  Tania and Nick were sitting on the
couch, and Nick stood up when Sisko came in.

"Commander.  I am sorry about my abrupt departure, I won't. . ."

Sisko cut him off, "Don't worry about it.  Anyone else would have done
the same in that situation.  I can't exactly say I really like the
Admiral much anymore, although I didn't like him all that much to begin
with.  Someone had to say something, his actions were completely
uncalled for.  You just did what others were afraid to do."

Nick decided to ask why the Commander came to his quarters and asked,
"Is there anything in particular you wanted to talk to me about,
Commander?"

"Not in particular.  I came to see if you were all right and to give
you an update on this virus that seems to be taking the station.  More
people are being affected, and if we don't find out the cause soon over
half the station will be ill.  So far it hasn't affected the
Zualtechians, but that doesn't mean it won't.  So far the only limiting
factor is that it only affects those with iron based blood, and the
Zualtechians definitely fall into its range."

Nick nodded his head, knowing from past experiences watching unknown
viruses spread that what the Commander was saying is true.  He almost
forgot about Sisko, and decided he should probably say something,
"Thank you for updating me.  I really do appreciate it."

As Sisko looked at the Ambassador he realized just how similar he
looked to the Zualtechians.  His hair was exactly like Tania's, and
without seeing the slight differences in their faces, one wouldn't even
be able to tell he was human.  When Nick again looked up, the Commander
saw the same alien stare he saw in the Zualtechian's eyes when they
first came aboard, then it disappeared, instead becoming the unique
appearance they usually displayed.  Sisko nodded his head at the
Ambassador, then left to Ops.

"Nicholas, what else is in the chest?" Tania asked, not wanting the
silence.

He knew they weren't going to get anymore rest, so he decided to let
her.  Earlier he had taken out all of the things that directly linked
him to his other lives, things that could cause his discovery, so he
simply said, "Look for yourself and I will tell you what each item is
as you look at it."  She did so and the first item she picked up was a
folder.  It was a thick leather folder, one among several.  When she
looked to him, Nick told her to open it, and when she did, she found
pages upon pages of writings.  She didn't know what it was until she
examined it closer.  She discovered it was very similar to the music
she used when playing her instruments, although the notation was
slightly different, but she could tell they used somewhat similar
systems.  Tania looked toward Nick, the question in her eyes, and he 
said, "Yes, it is music.  Most of it is written for the piano.  It's
that instrument over there," and pointed to the baby grand in the
corner of the room, something he had requested before arriving on the 
station.

For the next several hours Nick explained how the music was written,
how it was similar to the kind she knew, and how it differed.  He also
played several things for her, and even showed her how to play a few
simple things which she picked up easily.  The piano was similar to an
instrument she had learned on Zualtek, one which she had seen Nick play
a couple of times.  By then, Nick was supposed to meet with the
Zualtechian leader, but first decided to contact Commander Sisko.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


"*Commander, I understand you have a son?*" came Nick's voice through
his comm badge.

"Yes, Jake," he said, not sure what the Ambassador was going to ask
next. 'Why would he want to know about Jake?'

"*I was wondering if he could show Tania around the station some more,
and give her something to do while I talk to Zantchen and his
consuls?*"

"Of course, Jake would be willing to do that for you," Sisko answered
as Jake entered the room.  "*Thank you, I will be by in just a couple
minutes.  Knight out.*"

"Dad?  Wasn't that the Ambassador?  What did he want me to do?" Jake 
questioned once his father was done speaking.

"Yes, that was the Ambassador, and he would like you to show one of the

Zualtechians around the station.  He and the others have to attend an 
informal meeting, and he doesn't want her to be alone."

Jake was still a little surprised that he was chosen, but when he
thought about it, he realized he was the most logical choice.  Suddenly
the door chimed and his father answered it revealing a man and a girl
about his age.  They both had on traditional clothing, Knight even
still had the feathers in his hair.  He knew the Ambassador wasn't
Zualtechian, but their resemblance was amazing.  He could have been her
father and he wouldn't have known it, except he knew it wasn't
possible.  He realized he was starring, and said, "I'm sorry, I've
never met an ambassador before."

"It's okay.  I don't always like all of the formality, the importance. 
I would like you to address me as Nick or Nicholas, Knight under more
formal conditions, but never Ambassador.  I already have enough people
addressing me that way."  Once he was done speaking, a smile inched its
way to his face, his eyes gesturing to Jake's father.  Nick introduced
Tania, and he introduced Jake to her.

He turned back toward Tania, and in her native language told her that
he wanted her to spend the rest of the day with the Commander's son,
and to not get into any trouble.

After they had gotten done talking, Nick raised his hand in parting and
left the Commander's quarters, Tania was standing next to the
Commander.  "Jake, take Tania around the station, and you can do
whatever you want, as long as you can't get in trouble for it."  She
smiled, the Commander's words almost mirroring Nicholas'.

"Yes, of course."  He paused then said, "Come on, I'll take you to the 
Promenade first."

They too left, and as soon as they were out the door Tania asked, "Was
that your father?"

"Yes."  They started to walk and Jake said, "I wasn't aware anyone
other than your president and his consuls were coming.  How come you
got to come?"

"I am one of the top students at our main University.  Even if I were
not, I still would have been able to come by Nicholas' request," she
said, still slightly unused to using the English pronunciation of his
name, even though they were almost the same.

"Why would you still have been able to come?" he asked curiously, not 
understanding how the Ambassador could make such a request, and have it
obeyed.

"Nicholas is my guardian."

"What do you mean, guardian?" Jake asked, confused at the use of the
term.

"My parents were killed about the same time we found out about the 
Federation.  In their will, they stated I were to have Nicholas as my 
guardian, that he would be the one to take care of me.  He had become
close to my parents, and had saved my mother's life, which put my
father in his debt.  He has obeyed their request even though he
shouldn't have because of being who and what he was, but I begged him
to, told him what would have happened, and he agreed."

"What would have happened if he hadn't agreed?"

"I wouldn't have been able to go to the University, I wouldn't have
been able to go to any school.  Instead, I would have been taken to an
orphanage, and probably would have died within five years."  That
surprised him.  They were an advanced civilization, but in some ways
they weren't as advanced as others.

They walked along the Promenade discussing different experiences they
had each had, and once they reached Quarks, Jake introduced Nog to
Tania, and after explaining what Root Beer was, had some brought to
her.  They introduced several other things to her during the course of
the day, and she told them about her home, asking questions about
their's.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


"Commander," Doctor Bashir said as he entered his office.  "I have
found one commonality that connected the unexplained blood loss among
the Zualtechians and the virus."

When the doctor didn't continue, Sisko said, "Well?  What about it? 
What's the connection?"

"Well first of all, no one came down with the virus until the
Zualtechians arrived.  Second, of the six on board the Zualtechian ship
only two, the Ambassador and his charge were unaffected, although I
can't tell for sure since he won't allow me to examine him.  After
closer inspection I also discovered that several of the victims of the
virus, almost a dozen actually, also had an unexplained depletion of
blood that weakened their bodies just enough for the virus to take
hold.  This is why the virus is spreading so fast.  The only people
that can be connected to both incidents are Ambassador Knight, and
Tania.  I don't think Tania knows much about what is going on, and when
I looked in Knight's file I wasn't able to find much, although I did
notice he didn't have any files from Starfleet Academy, something that
should definitely be present due to his position."

"Are you saying the Ambassador is the one that caused this virus, or at
least has contributed to its spread?"

"Yes.  That and the fact that he might not be whom he seems to be.  I
think his file is a fabrication.  What his purpose is, I have no idea."
 After Bashir finished speaking, Sisko thought and remembered what Kira
said about the Ambassador.  That he looked exactly like the first human
she had ever met.

"I'm going to find out a little more about Knight, but we'll probably
arrest him today if we find evidence."  When Bashir didn't say anything
he said, "You may go, and tell the Major to come here."

A few seconds after the Doctor left, Major Kira entered the office and 
asked, "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes.  I want to know what you have found out about Knight."

"Well, I looked through his files and found that about five years ago
his hair was much shorter, the same length and style as when I first
met him."  She walked over to the computer, and after a few seconds,
pulled up the picture she was referring to, then said, "Then I went in
search of a picture of the Nicholas I met during the Occupation.  There
was a human by the name of Nicholas de Brabant, he had been captured by
the Cardassians about five years after I first met him, and was
believed dead when he had been recaptured after helping other
prisoners, about twenty, gain freedom.  This is Nicholas de Brabant." 
Kira pulled the picture up right next to the Ambassador's old picture
and they were identical.  Even the lines in their faces were the same. 
"Either they are the same person, or they are identical twins, but,
which because of the difference in time that is impossible.  Also,
after a lot of searching, I discovered that the ‘B' in Knight's name
stands for Brabant."

"So in other words, these are pictures of the same person?" Sisko asked
gesturing to the two identical pictures, taken nearly twenty years
apart.

"Yes," was her short answer.

Sisko leaned slightly forward, and asked, "What is he?  I mean he looks
the same in these two pictures, and other than longer hair, no
different now."

"There are no medical records on him, he will not even allow a doctor
near him, always mentions it's against his beliefs.  I also looked at
the transporter files.  They show he is human, but they are also all
identical, even with the ones from Nicholas de Brabant fifteen years
ago."

He again leaned back in his chair, and commented, "But, no one can
remain unchanged for that long.  We change all of the time, right?"

"That's right.  The transporter files are falsified, and so are all of
his other files.  Whoever did it was a genius though, it was made so
that even under a small investigation nothing would be noticed.  The
only reason we figured it out was because I had met him before. 
Otherwise it would have been overlooked."  She stopped and asked, "Are
you going to arrest him?"

"Yes.  At first because of the transporter logs and files, then for the
other crimes once evidence is found."  He paused then said, "Return to
you regular duties Major, and don't say anything about this yet." 
After she left, he said to the empty room, "Computer, what is the
location of Ambassador Knight?"  The computer identified his location
as Zantchen's quarters, and Sisko hit his comm badge saying, "Sisko to
Odo."

"*Odo here,*" came his security chiefs voice.

"I have some evidence you need to see.  Ambassador Knight has been 
falsifying records, and I believe he is also not human.  I wish to find
out if he is involved with this virus, and have him arrested and put in
the brig."

"*What evidence do you have?*"

"His transporter and other files, all the information on him, is
falsified and untrue."

Odo pulled up the transporter logs, and saw that they were indeed
false, they were all identical, which was an impossibility.  "*Yes, I
see what you mean.  Do you want me to take him to the brig now?*"

"Yes, and search him for weapons before you go anywhere."

"*Where is he?*" Odo asked figuring it would be easier to ask Sisko
than get it from the computer.

"He is presently in President Zantchen's quarters.  Have him exit the
room and arrest him there, we don't want to cause undue alarm to the 
Zualtechians."

"*Of course.  I will see to this immediately.*"

"Sisko out," said the Commander ending the conversation.  He picked up
the baseball on his desk and absently tossed it, catching it and
repeated the action over and over.  He contemplated what should be done
with the negotiations, since they obviously could not continue without
the Ambassador, or while this virus ran its course.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


Odo and his security team arrived outside of Zantchen's quarters
moments later, and he touched the sensor panel, announcing their
presence.  The Zualtechian guard opened the door and asked, "What do
you need?"

"I need to speak with Ambassador Knight, out here.  This may take a
while, so you might not want to wait for him."

The guard went back in the room and after speaking to the group, Nick
came to the door and said, "Yes?"

"Would you please step outside Ambassador?" Odo said as Nick moved out
of the doorway.  As soon as the door closed Nick was frisked by one of
the Bajorans, revealing a small Zualtechian weapon used for self
defense, another unrecocnizable device and a clear, plastic bag.  Both 
his comm badge, and his wrist communicator were also removed.  Nick 
didn't stop their efforts, but asked, "What are you doing?  What right 
do you have to do this?"

The guards held him, fearing he would try to escape, but Nick just
stood slightly perplexed, and annoyed that he had been discovered, at
least that it was he that was taking the blood.  He knew that he
couldn't let his unique existence be discovered, that he would die
first.  As he was taken to the brig, thankfully one in a different area
of the station than Admiral McCarthy, he walked calmly and completely
in silence.

He was led into the small area and the force field was activated.  Nick
did not turn around but starred at the back wall until they left, after
telling him they would soon return to question him.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


Commander Sisko entered sickbay to see Odo and Bashir, expressions of 
concern on both of their faces, and he asked Odo, "You had something 
important to tell me?"

"Yes.  We found a small weapon and another device on his person.  At
the moment Doctor Bashir is analyzing it to find out when it was last
used, and what it was used for."  He held the weapon in his hand,
allowing the Commander to look at it.  It was smaller than a phaser,
and more powerful than one, a very interesting weapon.

Before Odo could continue, Bashir came over and handing the device to 
Sisko, said, "Actually I'm done.  It's function is to remove blood from 
a living being.  It was last used about three hours ago, and still 
contains a small amount of Bajoran and Human blood.  From several 
different victims."

Sisko remembered that approximately three hours ago Knight had asked
Jake to show Tania around the station, he was probably trying to cover
his actions up, both from us and her.  He was not pleased with this
turn of events, and grimly stated, "So, Knight is our blood stealer.  I
want to know if he has anything to do with this virus."

"It is a possibility.  No one came down with the virus until after he 
arrived.  At the moment there is no proof of this, you'll have to get
him to talk, unless anything is found in his quarters that would show
proof of it, and then we'd still need to speak to him.  Unless anything
is found soon, you're going to have to let him go."

Sisko shook his head knowing that's what they will have to do, and as
soon as possible.  "Do you know anything else about this virus yet?" he
asked getting frustrated that the virus seemed to be impossible to get
rid of.

"Nothing more than we did before.  So far we haven't found anything
that will cure it, although I think we may have found a way to prevent
it from spreading, a vaccine against it.  Those that were among the
first affected by it are beginning to weaken further, although not
enough to kill them, at least not yet."  Bashir, and everyone knew it
was probably just a matter of time before someone died.  "In fact I
have the vaccine right here, and would like to distribute it to
everyone here."  The others let him give them the vaccine, and then
they wanted to get back to work.

"Come on Odo, let's start going through Knight's quarters," Sisko said
as he left, wanting to get the answers now, Odo going after him.

"Commander, you know it's not regular for the Commander to take part in
searching with security. . ." Odo was cut off.

"Yeah, I know it isn't normal, but I want to clear this situation up,
and we might find something there to solve the problem," was his solid,
and unopposed response.  About two minutes later he was overriding the
door lock, and stepping into Knight's quarters once again, this time
there were a few additions.

There were very few personal belongings in the room.  Dozens and dozens
of candles, most of them a cream color and obviously used often, were
scattered throughout the room.  Most were in old holders, some possibly
a couple of hundred years old, although a few had modern ones.  An old
wooden chest, now half empty, sat partially opened on the floor, and a
piano sat in the corner, with several original manuscripts scattered
across the top.  Another piece of music sat unfinished on a table next
to a small wooden box, and several other items.  Sisko opened the box
to reveal an old wooden bound cross, and then closing the box, told
Odo, "I'll check out the other room, you finish up in here."



A New Race Discovered  -  Part 3/4


He entered the adjacent room and found only two personal belongings
other than clothes, and a few dozen more candles.  His eyes were first
caught by the picture of a chestnut haired woman, clearly from earth,
whom he did not recognize.  When he saw there was nothing else visible,
he started looking through the drawers and found one other item.  At
first he thought it was an old wallet, but when he opened it,
discovered it was an old police badge, one from the late twentieth
century.  The picture and name were what amazed him though.  The man
looked exactly like the two pictures Kira showed him, and the name was
Nicholas B. Knight, the same as the Ambassador's right down to the
initial.  The only explanation he could think of was that somehow 
Knight had found a way to make himself immortal, either that or he
wasn't human.  He returned to the other room and asked, "Did you find
anything?"

He closed the trunk, and told the Commander, "Nothing that would help
us.  Did you find anything?"

"I found an old photograph and this old police badge," he said tossing
the badge to Odo.

Odo opened it up and saw the name and the photograph and commented,
"Looks like this Knight, or Brabant is a lot older than we thought. 
I'm going to see if I can find anything out about this person," he said
holding up the badge, then left the room.

Sisko looked around a little more, and he was about to leave when
Doctor Bashir's voice suddenly filled the room.  He answered Bashir's
insistent voice  with, "Sisko here, what do you need?"

"*Your son's here.*"  Before the Commander could panic, he continued, 
"*Don't worry, nothing happened to Jake.  Tania suddenly collapsed. 
From what I can tell she has contracted the virus.  He and Nog brought
her here a few minutes ago.*"

"Tell Jake I'm going to talk to Knight, and then I'll come there.  I 
probably won't be very long."

"*Okay.*"

"Sisko out."  The Commander left the room and walked toward the brig, 
traveling at a faster than normal pace.

Commander Sisko entered the Brig and told the security officer at the 
computer to leave for a few minutes, explaining that he was going to
speak to Knight.  He approached the cell where the Ambassador was
currently imprisoned, and watched him as he appeared to sleep.  He was
still dressed similarly to when they first met, although without the
top cloak and the jewelry.

Suddenly Knight opened his eyes, startling Sisko slightly, and stated,
"I am awake," letting him know Sisko could speak and he would hear.  He
stopped, then after only silence was heard, he asked, his tone tired,
"What do you want to know?  I'm sure you're here for something."

"Actually, yes, I do have some questions for you."  When Knight didn't
do or say anything in response, he asked, "First, I would like to know,
what is your real name?"

Nick didn't answer, but asked another question, only showing minor
concern that they had discovered he wasn't who he said he was, "How did
you find out?"

Realizing it would take a lot of time to get anything, he decided to go
along with Knight's question, "Major Kira recognized you, from the 
Occupation.  She said you had kept a group of them safe from the 
Cardassians."

Nick closed his eyes as the memories started to surface, assaulting his
mind, and within seconds he was claimed by the past.


~~~~~~~~~~


It was turning out to be a good day.  The Cardassians hadn't tried to
raid them, and all of the lookouts were silent.  Perhaps nothing would
happen that day.  He was a lone human among the Bajorans, and most were
so occupied with staying alive, that they didn't notice he wasn't a
Bajoran like themselves, and even if they did, didn't care if he was or
not.  They were being helped, and almost everyone knew that without
him, they probably would have been found by the Cardassians, and would
most likely be dead.

All of the Bajorans were between the age of five and twenty-one, and
had been either separated from their parents, or their parents had been
killed, some only a month or two before.  One of the younger children,
only nine, approached him and asked curiously, the excitement showing
in her eyes and expression, "Nicholas, are you a human?"

"Yes I am.  How did you find me out?" Nick asked the brown haired
Bajoran girl, a smile forming on his face.  She was very smart and
observant for her age.

"Your face is different, and so is your name," the young girl
responded.

"You're very observant," Nick commented, nodding slightly, then asked, 
"What's your name?"

"Kira Nerys," came her slightly shy, but at the same time confident
voice.

He could tell she would be a great leader someday, that is if she were
able to survive, but he had a feeling she would.  "Well, Nerys, would
you like to come with me as I walk the perimeter?"

She knew that usually only the older ones were allowed to do this, and 
wanted to do something interesting, and also to be more like them, so
she answered, making sure he was really asking her, "Can I really?" 
After he nodded, his grin getting broader, she responded, "Yes, I
would."

"Come on," Nick said as he led the wide eyed young girl, and showed her
the exits and entrances and all of the hiding spots.  He also told of
battles and confrontations which seemed to interest the young girl
greatly.  As they were on their way back they heard a shot and the
sound of several Cardassian soldiers approaching.  Nick picked Nerys up
and ran as fast as he could without his secret being discovered through
the caves, his feet barely touching the ground.  Once to the main
chamber, he put Nerys down and said, "We need to get hidden, now!  The
Cardassians are on their way!"

They all picked up any evidence of their presence, and Nick and some of
the older Bajorans helped the younger ones into the hidden spaces
overhead they had found in the cave, unnoticeable when stones were
placed over the holes from the inside.  Once all were in, Nick helped
the oldest up, then lifted himself up and pushed the rock solidly over
the entrance.


~~~~~~~~~~


Nick then remembered the complete silence they had to endure for well
over an hour as the Cardassians intently searched the caves for the
group of Bajoran refugees unknowingly hidden safely away in the ceiling
and walls surrounding them.

"Knight?" he heard, and was snapped out of his past, the memories 
scattering.

He didn't know if he missed anything and said, "Yeah?"

Sisko looked in wonderment at the uncaring this man seemed to have for
his own existence.  He was going to just sit in the brig and not answer
anything, not even deny or confess his guilt as many would.  "Is your
real name Nicholas de Brabant?"

Nick turned toward the Commander, and had a slight look of surprise on
his face, then remembered that Major Kira would have known his full
name, and if she didn't, could have easily looked it up.  "I guess you
could say that."  His face became a mask, and then turned back to the
wall, and became silent once again.

Since he figured he wasn't going to get any information out of Knight,
at least not now, he left the brig and went to the infirmary.

When he entered, he saw Jake and smiled, but it disappeared when he saw
Tania.  Her already pearlescent skin was even whiter, causing her to
look like a delicate porcelain doll.  The Commander asked, "What is her
condition?"

"It's like all of the others.  She is extremely weak and it's
progressing faster in her system because of the differences in her
physiology."  Bashir paused then continued, "I don't think Knight is
involved with this virus.  If he was, I believe he would have made sure
Tania wouldn't have gotten the virus."

"Wait a minute," Jake interrupted, not aware of all the facts of the 
investigation.  "What did the Ambassador do that would put him under 
suspicion?"

The Commander sighed, and said, "Jake, he's the one that has been
taking the blood, both from the Zualtechians, and from many people on
the station."

"Why?"

"We don't know his reasons.  Perhaps it is for some religious ceremony.
 We are almost positive he isn't human, but then what else could he be,
especially with the badge that we found in his quarters," said Bashir.

"What badge?" Jake asked, looking at the others in the room, who
obviously all knew about it.

"A Toronto Metro Police badge from the late twentieth century.  It has
a photo of him and the name he is presently using," Odo answered.

"That means he was probably born on Earth, at least four-hundred years
ago, if not more.  This would make a great. . ." Jake was cut off by
his father.

"No it won't.  I don't want this spread around until after all of the
facts are known, and then perhaps not even then."  He paused then said,
not wanting Jake to find out too much more about what was going on,
"Jake, go home, I'll talk to you about this later."  Jake hesitantly
did as he was told, and as soon as the doors closed, Sisko asked Odo,
"Did you find anything out about the wallet?"

"As you know, it is a Toronto Metro Police badge from the late
twentieth century.  The photo is of Nicholas B. Knight, a homicide
detective.  He lived in a warehouse apartment for almost six years,
while also working as a police officer.  He suddenly disappeared after
his partner had been killed, and a woman, the county coroner, Natalie
Lambert was found dead in his loft."  While he spoke pictures of both
his partner, and the woman were handed to him, shown on a Padd, along
with other bits of information about them.

The woman was identical to the one in the picture in Knight's quarters,
it was proof he was far older than he looked.  Sisko then listened as
Odo continued with what he had found.

"Using the names Nicholas B. Knight, Nicholas de Brabant, and pictures
of him I was able to compile a fairly complete listing of the
Ambassador's life back to about 1900, and then before that with random
references, with the first one being a Nicolas de Brabant born in 1193.
 A family portrait of the de Brabant family in 1217 clearly shows that
the Nicolas in the picture, is Knight, although several years younger."

"Do you mean that he is about 1200 years old?" the Commander asked 
incredulously, to no one in particular.

Bashir didn't know how it was possible, and wanted to keep on the
topic, so told him what he had found out before the Commander had
arrived.  "Well, he could be.  But listen to this, he used to be a
doctor about a hundred years ago, using the name Nicolas Clermont.  He
discovered the cure to several viruses, such as the Merentco Virus and
the Hemlain Virus.  Two very deadly and very complex viruses."

"Are you suggesting we should let him try to find the cure to this
virus?" Sisko asked and added, "Even though he is under arrest for
stealing blood?"

Bashir knew he would remind him of that, and told him, "If we don't, we
may not find a cure.  This virus is completely different than ones I've
run into, I wouldn't know where to begin and would waste a lot of time.
 I can't even get it to show up on scans, the only way I can tell if
someone has the virus or not is from its symptoms and physical changes
is the patient.  It would take days just to get its characteristics. 
Knight has had experience with unusual viruses like this one, and I
also discovered that while on Zualtek, he had become both a doctor and
a teacher."

Sisko thought about it for a minute.  Knight was definitely guilty of
taking the blood, but if he knew as much about viruses as was believed,
it might be their only chance at stopping it.  "Very well.  Come with
me, you can explain to Knight what we want.  Odo, you should probably
come too."  They quickly arrived at the brig and the force field was
dropped, Sisko and Bashir entering the cell.

"Knight, we need to talk to you."

Knight did not move, in fact he showed no sign of life whatsoever, his
chest didn't even move slightly as he breathed, and then the Doctor
moved toward him and touched his shoulder lightly, saying, "Knight?"

This caused Nick to bolt upright, but before the vampire could take
over he was able to close his eyes and put his hands up to his face,
covering his now elongated fangs and amber eyes.  After about a minute,
he put his hands down and opened his eyes, revealing normal features
and asked, "What?"

"You've had experience with viruses before?" Bashir asked to be
certain, then after receiving a slight nod, Nick not sure why they
would ask this, he asked, "We need some help with this virus and we
thought you could help."

"Why are you asking me this?  Can't you do this on your own?" Nick
asked, knowing that Dr. Bashir was a very good doctor, and not knowing
how he could really help.

"No, I can't.  I don't know much about unusual viruses like this one,
and if I don't find the cure soon, people are going to start dying from
it."  After waiting for a response, and receiving none, only a blank
stare, he told Knight, "Tania's been affected by the virus, and it is
reacting faster on her physiology than on humans, Bajorans, or any of
the other species that have been affected so far."

Nick was stunned to find out her condition, and knew the doctor was
probably right, and at least it would give him something to do. 
Anything was better than sitting in this cell.  "I'll help.  I don't
know how much I'll be able to since I'm probably out of date, but I
will help," Nick told the Doctor and the Commander.

Sisko nodded, then he and Bashir stepped out of the cell and gestured
for Nick to do the same.  As he rose, he swayed slightly, and was
steadied by Bashir, before anything could happen.  Nick was asked, "Are
you all right?"

In reply he simply said, knowing he couldn't tell them what it was, the
beast inside him being starved, "I'm fine.  Just a little tired."

"Are you sure it's not the virus?" the Doctor asked, after all the main
symptom was tiredness, then those that were infected would collapse,
and it seemed like Knight had gotten pretty close.

"Yes," he stated firmly, then continued, "It's just hard to sleep with 
lights on, especially when you are somewhat sensitive to lights."  They
accepted his explanation, then gestured to the two guards in the room.

Then Bashir and the two guards accompanied Nick to the infirmary.  Once
there, he immediately went to Tania and checked her vital signs. 
Bashir handed him a medical scanner and watched as Knight expertly
started examining Tania, then one of the Bajorans, a human, and one of
the others.  He then put all of the data in the computer without
another word, and moved them into separate columns.  Now he labeled the
columns, with the race from which the data was taken from, and with
‘y,' and ‘n.'Nick decided which ones were which from a combination of
his training, and his tastes of the infected blood.

Instead of allowing the computer to sort the information, he sorted it
by hand, carefully going through each one and discarding differences in
each of the columns.  There were so many pieces of information that
even with Knight's speed, it still took several hours, and it was the
next morning by the time he finished.

Nick had taken off the outer layers of his garments, and now wore the 
equivalent of what the guard had been wearing, only in a dark blue
color.  Bashir paused in his work, and approached him asking, "Do you
want me to get you something to eat or drink?"

Nick absently responded, "No, I don't want anything."  He thought about
telling the doctor what he needed, but that would mean he would be 
discovered, and he could not allow that to happen, no matter what the
cost.

The doctor was amazed at the man's avoidance of food.  It had to have
been almost thirty hours since Knight had anything to eat or drink.  He
watched as Nick let the computer compare the ‘y' lists, which were now
in sentences, and then returned to his own search for a cure.  Over the
next couple of hours he saw Nick narrow down the list further and
further, and work on one of the medical scanners, scanning one of the
human patients.  Bashir walked up to Nick not long after that, and
asked, "Have you found anything?"

"Actually, yes.  These are the only real similarities between those 
affected, the rest are just results of the symptoms.  A slightly
different cell structure, the basic symptoms, and what seems to be a
lack of nutrition before and up to the full effects of the virus become
apparent.  The unusual cell structure," he paused while creating a
picture on the computer, "is probably the cause of the symptoms, and
the only direct result of the virus itself.  If we can eliminate this,
we could probably cure those that are affected."

Bashir took a medical scanner and scanned one of the patients.  He did
not find anything even remotely like a virus on the scanner, something
he had discovered earlier, and asked, "How did you get that picture?"

"The medical scanner doesn't pick up the virus on its scans, so I made
some modifications to this one," he said passing one of the other
scanners to the doctor.

Bashir again scanned the patient and this time the virus showed up. 
"But, how can we get rid of it, it's becoming a part of the cell
structure, integrating itself into the DNA?"

"That, I'm still working on, and you can help by trying the different 
medicines we have on it, I'll work on combinations."  Nick walked away
from Bashir and started the tests on his own.

Bashir looked down at the med-scanner and the modifications done to it
and thought, 'Out of date?  Yeah, right.  He got the virus to appear on
the scanner after only a couple of minutes and I've been working on it
for days.'


Late that night, Nick finally found something that appeared to work and
approached the doctor, keeping his hunger, which had grown tremendously
over the past twenty four hours, in check.  He was now using up energy
that didn't exist.  "Bashir, here, this works on all of the blood
samples," he said, setting down a vile of the antidote, and a Padd with
the formula and the results of the tests he had done on it.

He stood up and looked at the Padd, noticing the results were very
good, and the next step would be to try it out.  Yeah it worked on the
blood samples, but would it work on a patient.  After standing up,
Knight started to fall to the ground.  He put the Padd down and caught
the man that had been helping him, and guided him to the chair he had
been sitting in.  "Knight, you probably have the virus.  At least let
me scan you to find out."

Bashir, after receiving no response, took the med-scanner and started
to scan him, but didn't get anywhere because of the amazingly strong
hand that gripped him, accompanied by a sharp, "No!"  Nick let go of
Bashir's wrist and added, "I'll be fine!  Just take me back to the
brig."  He picked up the cloak, and other articles he had been wearing,
and walked out of the infirmary and toward the brig, permitting the
guards to lead him once outside of the infirmary.  He had to get to the
brig, there the others on the station would be protected from his
hunger, his control now almost gone.

Bashir just watched him, at first only starring after his form as he
left, then tested the antidote on the human woman, the first one who
had came down with the virus, then ran his scanner over her.  The
results were outstanding.  It quickly broke down the virus, and
returned the infected person's body to normal.  There seemed to be no
side effects, and he went to have more made.  He asked the Commander to
come to the infirmary and then told the nurses to take care of her and
used the hypospray to give the cure to the other patients in the
infirmary.  By the time he was done, Sisko was standing waiting for
him, and he announced gladly, "A cure for this virus has been found,
and I am now going to give it to the other patients."

"You found it?" Sisko asked, surprised, not aware of the progress that
had been made.

"Actually, Knight found it, then had himself escorted back to the
brig."

"What do you mean?"

"He left the infirmary and then the guards followed him, and he let
them take him back to the brig.  I am also almost positive he has the
virus.  Just before he left he almost collapsed, and he hasn't ate
anything for at least forty hours.  I'm not sure if he has it or not
because he wouldn't let me get near him with the med-scanner."

"Okay, distribute the cure, and I'm going to see if I can get Knight to
talk."  Sisko then left the infirmary, going in the same direction
Knight did just minutes before, wanting to know what was going on. 
'Why wouldn't he just talk!'


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


Over the next several days, Sisko, Odo, and Bashir, tried to talk to
Knight but he wouldn't even look at them or say a word.  Major Kira
approached the Commander's office and was told to enter.  Once inside
she could see how frustrated he was as a result of Knight's silence,
and asked, "Could I try to talk to him?  I mean, I used to know him,
and he might talk to me.  I'm also not the only one worried.  Tania,
and the other Zualtechians are as well, and I can't blame them they
consider Knight one of their own."

"You can try, but I don't know how successful you'll be."

"I know, but I have to try something, he's starving himself."

"How long has it been since he's eaten anything?" Sisko asked,
concerned about her comment.  He knew it had been a long time.  The
last time anyone saw him eat was at the dinner, and then it wasn't
much.

"At least a week.  It is also still believed that he has the virus, but
we don't know for sure."

"Very well, and stop by Bashir afterwards.  See if he can figure
anything out from your observations."

Kira nodded, left Sisko's office, and thought of what she was going to
say to Knight once she got to the brig.

Once there, she told the guard to lower the force field, which he did,
and she entered the cell and sat on the edge of where Nick appeared to
be sleeping, pushing the layers of his clothes slightly toward him. 
She brushed some of the hair off of his forehead, and he pulled her
hand away, and looked into her eyes, then pushed her away.  "What do
you want?" he asked her, his voice weak, and his movements were slow as
he sat up.

"Just to talk.  You are the same Nicholas I knew on Bajor, aren't you?"
she asked making sure.

He looked at her and saw the same inquisitiveness in her that he had
seen in her wh en she was a child.  Then, she had looked up to him, but
now she was going to be disappointed.  He was not what he seemed to be.
 "If you mean, Nicholas de Brabant, the human that helped you, then you
are correct."

"Why did you take the blood, I mean if you are the same person, how
could you do this?" Kira asked confused that the two could be the same,
and not understanding why someone would want to take another's blood.

"It is hard to explain, and not something I will unless I absolutely
have to."  At the last words he looked into her face, and she could see
the fear of both that happening, and what would happen when he told. 
She also saw that he was determined that it would not happen.

She nodded her head slightly, understanding at least what it must be
like to not be able to tell your reasons for doing something.  Kira
then asked, almost pleadingly, "Will you at least eat something?"

Nick just laid back down and turned away form her.  After waiting a
couple of minutes, she exited the cell and had the force field
replaced, then as she was about to leave, she heard the door open and
watched as Tania entered.  Kira walked up to the young girl and told
her, "You can't go in to see him."

"I just want to talk to him, can I?" she pleaded.

Kira nodded and walked with Tania back to the cell.  They did not
enter, but instead Kira said, "Nicholas, you have another visitor."

When he didn't move, Kira nodded to the girl, and Tania said, "Nikalas,
I want to talk to you."

This caused him to sit up quickly, and as a result he almost lost his 
balance.  He moved as close to the force field as he could without
touching it, and asked, "How did you get in here?"

"Major Kira let me come."

"Can I speak to her alone?" Nick asked, his eyes turned to her, and
pleading with her.

She thought about it for a couple seconds, then said, "Yes, but the
force field will stay on."  She then moved away from the cell but not
out of the brig area. 'At least he's talking to someone.'

"How can they think you did that, believe that you were stealing blood?
They messed up didn't they?" she asked knowing it was impossible for
him to do such a thing, at least that's what she had thought.  She had
known him for almost three years, and she didn't understand what was
happening, how this could happen.

Nick put his head down and answered, "No, they aren't wrong.  I am the
one that was taking the blood."

Tania was slightly startled, and not understanding why he would do such
a thing, asked, "Why?  Why did you?"

"I'm sorry Tania, but I can't tell you why.  Only that now I'm going to
have to die for it," he said in a very soft voice, too soft for the
recorders to pick up.

"Why do you have to die?" she pleaded, not understanding anything, she 
didn't want to lose the only thing left of her family, not now, only a
year and a half after her parents' death.

"Because, either the virus will kill me, or I will start to kill
others."  Tania started to protest but he put his hand up to her,
telling her not to speak, then continued, and told her, "You have to
promise, that if I lose control and try to kill someone, that you will
kill me first."  She again started to protest, knowing she couldn't
kill the only family she had.  Nick told her, "You have to do this for
me.  I promise you won't end up in an orphanage.  I'll put you in the
custody of a relative of mine on Earth."  He paused then said,
"Remember what you told me after your parents died.  That in return for
me taking care of you, you will do anything in return."

"I remember, I promise you will not kill anyone.  I promise.  I will
prevent it from occurring," she told him, aware that she may have to
kill him, but not wanting to think about it, her eyes beginning to fill
with tears. 'This was not happening,' she told herself, 'It's just a
dream.'

But when he answered her thoughts were driven out, she knew he was
serious, but she just didn't want to believe it.  "In the chest, there
is a piece of wood, pointed at one end.  Take it and carry it with you,
and then stay with me.  If I try to kill someone, drive it trough my
heart."  He again paused, this time seeing her tears start to fall, and
holding back his own.  "Ask Kira to come here and bring a Padd."  She
did so and once she returned, he continued, "Could you please record
something for me?"  He received a nod and dictated, "Upon the event of
my death, Techanienca Montoan, my charge, is to live with a relative,
Richard de Brabant, on Earth, on the Brabant Estate.  Also upon my
death, all of my belongings on Earth, Zualtek, and Deep Space Nine are
to be transferred to Techanienca."  He then asked to see it and placed
his signature on the bottom and handed it back.

Kira was a little shocked at his actions, but before she could say
anything he again turned away form her, blocking her out.  She took
Tania back to her quarters, who seemed to be slightly shocked, and then
she went to Ops. to find the Commander.

As soon as she entered he knew something was wrong and had her come
into his office.  "Major, how did your meeting go?"

"Well the good thing is he did talk to me.  He is the same person I had
met on Bajor, and he basically admitted to taking the blood.  He told
me he wouldn't say why, unless he absolutely had to.  Plus he had me
record this," she said as she handed the Padd to the Commander.

He read it and then stated, "He's planning on letting himself die."

"Yeah, and he already looks like he is dead.  I'm positive he has the
virus.   His skin is almost completely white, and he is extremely weak.
 I don't think he's going to last much longer, and I think he knows
it."

"Tell Bashir that we are on our way to the brig, tell him Knight is
going to submit to a medical scan, no matter what he says."  They then
left, Sisko contacting the doctor on the way.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


Tania entered the brig and approached Nick's cell but was stopped by
one of the security personnel.  "I'm sorry, but you can't enter the
cell."

"That's okay," she answered.  "I just want to talk to him."

'She wasn't supposed to be in here.  But the Major had let her in
before.' He didn't think it would hurt to let her talk to him.  "Very
well.  I'll be over here if you need me," then he returned to his usual
duties.

Tania approached the cell and called his name.  After receiving no
answer, she tried again, this time much louder.  When he still laid
motionless, she called the guard.  Once he was closer she said, "Let me
in, something is wrong."

The guard looked at Knight then decided he did look awfully bad, much
worse than he did when the girl was last in.  He dropped the force
field and watched as the girl went in and tried to get Knight to wake
up.  When she couldn't, she checked his life signs and wasn't able to
find any.  She softly said, "He's dead," and began to cry, although no
tears seemed to come.

The Commander and Major Kira came in and saw Tania, and saw that she
was crying, her head resting on his chest.  He asked the guard what had
happened and then Bashir came in.  He relayed the information to the
doctor, and then pulled Tania back from Knight.  He had hoped they
would get there in time, and it appeared they didn't.

Bashir ran the med-scanner over Knight's lifeless body and said, "None
of his systems are functioning.  The virus is in his system but it is
different than in a human, or than in anyone else that contracted the
virus.  His system appears the same as a human's, same organs, but they
seem to have different functions."  He called for a medical team to
take Knight's body to the infirmary.

"I'm going with him," Tania stated, even though she knew there was
nothing she could do for him.

Sisko just shook his head, not really understanding why Knight didn't
ask for help, perhaps he figured he didn't deserve it, then said,
"Major, return to Ops.  Let me know if anything happens, I'll be in the
infirmary."

Once the medical team arrived they proceeded to the infirmary, and once
there, Sisko asked Bashir, "What is Knight?" wanting to know what he
was.

"Like I said, he's human, but at the same time he's something else."

"Find out what else."

Bashir nodded then set up the stations computer to do a detailed scan
on Nick and he discovered something amazing.  "Commander, come here and
look at this.  He is still alive, but his body functions differently,
no normal human could function at this level of activity.  So little
occurs in his brain that the med-scanners don't even pick it up,
although the station computer will, and his heart seems to beat
approximately once every ten minutes."

"Can you wake him?" Sisko asked, holding Tania by the shoulders, her 
expression brightened with the doctor's comment. 'He was alive.'

"I can try."  Bashir then got a hypospray containing a stimulant, and
used it on Knight, the first time with no effect, the same the second
time, then finally on the third try he began to wake up.  Bashir was
amazed he could still be alive, but was a little surprised when it took
as many stimulants as it did to wake him up.

When Nick opened his eyes they were not the clear blue color they had
been before, but an animalistic golden color, only a touch of blue
remaining, and it was fading rapidly.  At first he didn't know where he
was but soon realized he was in sickbay, and knew that everyone had
seen his eyes. They knew he wasn't human.  He felt as his control began
to slip even further and his fangs lengthened, unknown to the mortals
in the room.

He had to get away from the people in the room.  Their heartbeats were
pounding in his ears, and it was getting louder as his senses returned
to him.  He sat up and pushed the nurses away that tried to get him to
lay down.  Their blood was calling to him, its sweet scent luring him
closer to the edge, and he struggled to keep the control he still
possessed.  His eyes were now even more golden, and his sanity was
almost completely gone.

He jumped off of the bio-bed, and backed away from most of the people
in the room.  Bashir approached him and Nick told him, "Don't get any
closer if you value your life," in a deep voice, his fangs showing
slightly as he spoke.  Bashir stopped, but when Nick leaned up against
the wall, his head back and eyes closed, he started to approach him
again.  This time Nick grabbed the doctor and almost sank his now
aching fangs into him, but hesitated slightly, his mind and his body
telling him to do different things.  This gave Tania enough time to
take the piece of wood she had retrieved earlier and embed it in his
chest, pushing it straight through his heart to the other side. 
Abruptly, he let go of Bashir, and sunk to the ground, returning to 
the lifeless state he had been in only moments before.

At first everyone simply stood where they were, stunned at what had 
occurred, Bashir being the first to move, grabbing his dropped medical 
scanner and scanning him.  "His body is already decomposing, I'll have
the wood removed shortly," Bashir told the Commander, and left him to
talk to Tania.

"Why did you do that?" he asked the young woman incredulously.

"Because he asked me to.  I couldn't refuse because of the promise I
had him make."

Sisko was about to ask what the promise was when he was interrupted by 
Knight again grabbing the doctor, who had just removed the stake, this
time placing his fangs in his neck.  Tania, knowing she still had to
uphold her promise in every way possible, rushed over and hit him hard
in the back causing him to once again let go of Bashir, this time
letting him fall to the ground.  His eyes were now pure scarlet,
focused directly on her, and without a word or second thought, sank his
fangs into Tania's neck.


He stopped as soon as his fangs pierced her skin, his mind knowing what
happened, and the beast was still demanding to be fed.  Nick then let
go of her, allowing her to fall to the ground in shock.  He knew if he
tried to do anything for her, he'd kill her, and moved back.  He
grabbed one of the hyposprays and quickly found a container of curare. 
He injected himself with a large dose of the curare and waited for it
to take effect.  When it seemed to have no effect, he injected himself
with another, and then another, letting himself slowly sink to the
floor in an intoxicated state, the drug returning him once again to
unconsciousness.



A New Race Discovered  -  Part 4/4


Immediately the nurses went to Bashir and Tania.  The doctor was okay
other than having puncture marks in his neck, and slight blood loss. 
He was able to stand immediately, and after doing so, put his hand up
to his neck, bringing it back with a small amount of his blood on it. 
He didn't seem to be suffering any ill effects, not even
lightheadedness, and hoped that he wouldn't.  Right then he needed to
make sure everyone else was alright, and he wiped his hand off, going
to Tania who had fainted.

After scanning her, he told Sisko, "She'll be alright.  She just
fainted from the shock of everything."

Sisko approached the still form of Knight and asked once again, "What
is he?"

Bashir also approached him.  "I have never heard of a race like him, at
least not one that is known.  If I go by what I've seen, the only thing
that makes any sense is that he is a vampire, but vampires don't exist,
do they?" he asked himself, then added, "But it's the only thing that
even remotely makes sense."

"If he was discovered so easily, then how come we haven't heard of his
kind before?" the Commander asked, watching as Knight was placed on one
of the bio-beds and restrained with titanium braces.

"Well first of all, it might not have been that easy.  And in a way we
have.   Myths, legends of a creature that lives off of blood, that
can't go in the sunlight.  They just keep hidden enough that we think
them superstition."  Bashir scanned Knight and added, "And if I
understand this correctly, the virus is causing a similar reaction in
Knight as it did with the others, although with his superior healing
powers, it shouldn't have even affected him.  It was probably just
chance that this happened, with his healing powers he definitely
wouldn't have expected to be affected by the virus."  He scanned him
again, this time thinking aloud, "If he was drinking the blood, his
nutrition source, which was infected, he himself would be infected.  If
the virus works the same way, he would become weak and malnourished,
and as a result he needs more blood.  It ended up being infected, he
gets weaker and appears as if he is starving."

"Then he needs more blood," Sisko stated, knowing what it implied, the
more he took, the more he needed.

"Well, yes, but with the virus he can't get what he needs from it even
if he was given some.  I guess it causes blood to lose its nutritional
value."  Bashir paused, and when he wasn't asked anything, said, "I'm
going to try to figure something out.  I'll tell you when I find
something."

Bashir turned back to the computer and Sisko left for his office.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


Several hours later Bashir was still trying to find a way to save
Knight.  Tania was still sleeping, and Nick's condition remained
completely unchanged.  Restraints had been placed on Knight, making it
so he shouldn't be able to move, although with his strength they didn't
know if they would hold or not.  He had given him the antidote, but it
had no effect on his system, not even a temporary one, and not even
with a high dosage.  Bashir was now sitting at the computer, when
suddenly he heard one of the nurses scream.  When he looked, he saw the
nurse standing with her hand over her mouth, and saw that Knight was
now awake, he had moved slightly and was facing the nurse.

"Return to your duties, Parker," he said then approached Knight, who
now seemed to be asleep, even though he probably wasn't.

He was scanning Nick, then just before going back to the computer, Nick
turned toward him, eyes scarlet and fangs fully extended.  Bashir
stopped moving, almost dropping the scanner.  His brain could only
think of one question, instinctual fear running through him, so he
asked it, "What are you?"

Nick turned toward the ceiling and said, "A member of a race so ancient
and so prejudiced that we can't even speak our name," a low voice,
which reverberated even in the sterile room.

Hoping he was correct about his suspicions, he asked, "Are you a
vampire?"

Nick looked sharply at the doctor, then again looked at the ceiling. 
Softly he said, "Yes," then paused, turned back toward Bashir and said
slightly louder, with the vampire definitely in evidence, "Just kill
me.  I will die anyway, at least this way I won't kill anyone."

"Let me help.  Let me find a solution to this. . ."

Nick cut him off, "Why?  I'll just be killed anyway.  A creature that
drinks blood, a demon that should not be allowed to live!  If anyone
found out, I would be killed because of not who I am, but what I am!"

"I am not to choose who is to live and who is to die!  I am a doctor,
and I will not kill a dying patient!"

"Even one that nearly killed you?!" Nick said, trying to get Bashir to
see his mistake.

"Yes!  As I said, I am a doctor.  I will do anything I can to help you,
but I can't do that without knowing what is normal for you, your
physiology."

Nick didn't want to create anymore problems, but if he had the chance
he still wanted to live, if to do nothing else than to raise Tania. 
But in his present state he couldn't last much longer, and told him,
"Very well.  I will let you try, but if you don't find a cure within
twelve hours, you will either kill me of your own will, or I will force
you to kill me."

In Nick's eyes, Bashir could see that he was telling the truth, that he
could make him do what he wanted, and hoped he could find a cure in
time.  He had no wish to kill this man, either by choice, or by force.

First Bashir asked about the physiology of a vampire, then he asked
Nick if he knew why he was being affected.  After receiving a negative
answer, he asked, "You need blood to survive correct?"  Nick nodded
then the doctor said, "Could the infected blood you ingested have made
you ill?" he asked assuming that's what Knight had used the blood he had 
obtained for.  He received another nod and then said, "What if all of 
your blood was removed, then replaced with healthy blood.  Do you think 
that would help?"

"It might, but I will only allow you one attempt to save me."

Bashir was afraid he'd say something like that, but this was his only
idea.  "Okay.  What kind of blood will you need to receive?" he asked,
remembering the several different types of blood present on the
device.

"Human would be best," was the short response.

"I figured that much, but what type?  A, B, AB, what?"

"Any type will work."  At Bashir's apparent confusion he added, "My
body will change the blood, turn it into my type, my blood."

Bashir wanted to find out how that was possible, but knew he could
wait, and went back to the computer.  Then after a few minutes came
back and asked, "What precautions should be made?"

"Keep the restraints on, give me enough curare to knock me out, and
then a little extra.  Also, have a supply of blood on hand for when I
wake up."

Bashir moved away then contacted the Commander, and told him of the
plan.  He agreed and said they could proceed at any time, and to tell
him of the results as soon as he could.

He then told the nurses what to do and took a hypospray filled with
curare and moved toward Nick.  Bashir told him that they were going to
begin, and injected him with the hypospray.

Thirty minutes later, the transfusion was finished.  When Nick did not
wake up right away Bashir used a stimulant to wake him up, and after
two injections, was successful.  Nick opened his eyes to reveal an
amber color, slowly changing to a deep gold.  He broke the restraints
easily, and grabbed one of the bags of blood that Bashir was holding
for him and sank his elongated fangs into the bag.  Within seconds the
bag was empty, and he reached for another, and did so until there were
none left.

His eyes still shone with their animal hunger, but diminished slowly as
the blood did its work.  When he looked up at the doctor, only a sliver
of gold remained, and his teeth had already retracted.

Bashir watched in amazement as the man, the vampire before him, now
stood up and looked at him, showing only the human, yet slightly alien
appearance he had seen at first.  He asked slightly nervous, "How do
you feel?"

"Better than I have since arriving on the station," Nick answered, his
voice slightly deep from the still retreating presence of the beast. 
Nick looked past Bashir and saw Tania laying on one of the bio-beds. 
As he slowly approached her he asked, seeing the marks on her neck,
"Did I do this to her?" not remembering all of what happened

Hesitantly the doctor answered, "Yes, although she wasn't harmed
anymore than that."

Nick closed his eyes and moved away from her, and toward the exit. 
"Where are you going?" the doctor asked.

"Away from here.  There is something I must do."  He then left the 
infirmary, the cloak streaming behind him, and walked in the direction
of his quarters.

Doctor Bashir contacted the Commander and told him what happened, and
Sisko said he was going to go to Knight's quarters, find out what was
wrong.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


As Sisko approached he sensed something was wrong.  He hit the door
chime and was immediately allowed access.  Knight was on the other side
of the room wearing traditional Zualtechian garb, almost the same as he
had worn when he had arrived on the station.  As the Commander got
closer to Knight, he could see a small, old cross, the one that was in
the box being held in his hands, smoke radiating from them.  Sisko
interrupted Knight in his actions, calling out his name, "Knight!"

Nick put the cross back into the box, closed it and placed it in the
chest.  He then closed the chest, then standing up asked, "What do you
need?"

Sisko had no idea what he could be doing, so took a guess, seeing the
now packed chest on the ground, "Why are you going to leave?"

"Well, first of all I've been discovered, and also I'm too much of a
danger to your people."  He turned his head down, wondering what the
Commander would say in return.

The Commander knew the first statement was true, but wasn't sure about
the second.  He decided to tell Knight of the decision he had made the
day before, perhaps it would change Knight's decision, "Just to let you
know, I'm not going to put in any reports about what you are."

'He wasn't going to say anything about what I am.  But why, why would
he do this for him?'  He thought he had made it clear that he was a
danger to others.  "Why?" he asked, looking up to Sisko, his eyes a
clear blue.

"You helped us cure the virus, the least we could do is keep your
identity a secret.  Besides, in my opinion, you are not a danger to
this station, or any of the people on it."

"How could you say that knowing what I have done?  Seen what I've
done?" Nick questioned, having known very few people that could see the
good in any vampire, let alone himself.

"I know it wasn't your fault.  The virus that was released caused you
to starve.  Haven't you ever had anyone find out about you that could
still see who you are?  The man behind the beast?"

"Only a few, and all of them died because of me, most within a couple
of months."  As he spoke, Nick picked up the photograph on the table.

"Was she one of the ones that found out about you?"

"Yes.  Her name was Natalie Lambert.  She was a medical examiner, and
on her twenty-eighth birthday, I woke up on her table.  I knew her for
about six years before, before, I killed her."

After several minutes of silence, Sisko asked, "How did she die?"

Nick took in a large breath, "At the time we had been working for a
cure for several years, a cure to make me mortal again.  A close friend
of hers committed suicide and she was the medical examiner.  Soon
after, my partner, who was also a friend of hers, was shot and died a
few hours later.  We both resigned, and we were both emotionally weak
at the time.  We ended up trying a cure I refused to try before,
because it was too dangerous, and as a result, I lost control and
killed her."  Nick put the photo down and when he turned back, blood
tears were trailing down his face.

Sisko realized they must have been pretty close.  "I'm sorry,
I didn't know what happened."

"It's okay.  It's just when you have a photographic memory, memories
are even more painful.  You relive them in every detail."

"I understand how painful memories can be," he paused, silently
remembering Jennifer, then said, "Will you please stay, if not with us,
then in your present position as Ambassador?  You really are very good
at your job, and it would be a loss for everyone involved."

"I'll think about it," was the only reply, and it was very soft.  He
knew what the Commander said was true, he just didn't know if he should
stay or not, he wasn't planning on it.  Even before all of this had
happened, before he arrived on the station, he had decided he would not
be going back to Zualtek, that he couldn't.  Nick then returned to his
room and closed the door.  Sisko then left and went to talk to Bashir.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


When he entered the infirmary, Sisko saw the doctor talking to a now 
conscious Tania.  The first words spoken were from Tania, asking,
"Where is Nicholas?"

Sisko answered, telling her, "He's in his quarters."  She was about to
leave but Sisko stopped her, saying, "I don't think you should disturb
him right now."

"Why?"

"He wants to be alone right now.  Please, don't go there yet.  I'm
going to talk to Bashir then I'll be right back."

He and Bashir went to the other side of the room and Sisko asked, "What
do you think makes Knight what he is?"

Bashir seemed to think for a second, this was not a question he was
planning on answering.  But then he recalled what he had found out from
the scan he did of him, then replied, "Some kind of virus, well not
really a virus, but something that attaches itself to his DNA and
changes it."

"Do you think you could make him human again?"

"I'm not sure.  Why?" he asked, never having even thought of trying to
cure him. 'If you had gained immortality, wouldn't you want to keep
it?'  But then Knight had lived over a millennia, he knew what it was
like to be immortal.  He hadn't even lived half a century, in fact just
over half that.   He couldn't give an opinion on it.  He had no
perspective.

"Knight has been looking for one for centuries, he doesn't want to be
what he is.  Would you like to try?" he asked, knowing without Bashir,
there was no point in thinking anymore on the idea.

"It would be a challenge, and after what he did, I would be happy if I
could at least do something for him in return.  Does he know you're
asking me?"

"No, he doesn't.  It was my idea.  Something he had said made me think
about it."

Tania was very near them, and she had been slowly walking toward them
for a while. She asked, "Would that mean, Nikalas would live on the
station?"

"Possibly," Bashir answered.

"If I could, I would like to live on the station as well," she stated.

"But you would be away from your own people?"

"I would be with my only family.  If I return to Zualtek alone, I will
be placed in an orphanage, as I am not yet old enough to live on my own. 
I don't want that to happen."

"Come on, we'll go talk to Knight."

They all left the infirmary and soon were at the entrance to Knight's 
quarters.  The door chime was rung like before and also immediately
opened.  After stepping in, he could be seen writing notes on the music
staffs.  He looked up when they entered and waited for one of them to
speak.

"Bashir has an offer for you."

Nick turned his attention to the doctor, having no idea what it could 
possibly be, the confusion clearly evident on his visage.  Bashir told
him, "If you would like, I will try to find a cure to your vampirism. 
It would be something I could do in return for you finding the cure to
the virus."

Nick sat stunned for a few moments, realizing that Bashir was a lot
more than he seemed to be.  He wasn't just a doctor, he was a caring
one.  "That's something I haven't dared ask anyone.  Not since
Natalie's offer.  That would mean I would have to live on the station,
correct?"  He received a nod and then asked, "But what about Tania?"

In response she stepped from behind the Commander and while walking
toward him said, "I wouldn't mind living on the station.  After all,
you are the only family I have, and I would like to learn more."  She
stopped only a few inches from him and when she stopped speaking, they
embraced.

About a minute later, Nick held her out at arms length, his eyes
containing a suppressed ray of hope, not wanting to release it until he
was completely sure, and asked, "You really wouldn't mind staying
here?"

"No, I wouldn't.  I think I'd like it."

"You wouldn't be able to go to the University any longer."

"You can teach me.  I want what you want," she told him.

As she answered he looked deep into her eyes, seeing if this was truly
what she wanted.  It was.  She knew what it was like to live in the
dark, to never see the sun, and she knew he had a chance, and she
wanted him to take it.  He turned toward the doctor, and told him,
"Very well.  You may work on finding a cure for me, on one condition. 
No one else is to know what I am."

"That's fine.  We weren't going to tell anyone anyway."  Sisko paused
and then remembered he needed to ask Knight a question.  "The
Zualtechians want to know when the negotiations will continue."

"Tell them, they can continue at anytime that is convenient for them." 

Sisko nodded, and was then asked, "Did you ever find out who was
responsible for the virus?"

"Actually we did.  Admiral McCarthy brought it on board.  Earlier today
we found its container, and according to his personal logs which we
were finally able to get into, it was only meant to affect the
Zualtechians.  It was a mistake that it affected anyone else.  The man
that attacked Derank was helping the Admiral, he is also in custody."

Soon after, Sisko and Bashir left, and for the rest of the negotiations
everything went along very smoothly.


*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.


The Zualtechians, Sisko and his officers along with the Ambassador and
Tania walked toward the docked Zualtechian ship.  Once there, they
stopped and Zantchen took the Commander's hand and said, "We are
honored to be accepted into the Federation.  I hope we are able to meet
again."

"I also hope we meet again," Sisko replied sincerely.

The four Zualtechians boarded the ship and once the doors closed, Kira 
commented, "They are a unique people, one that will add to the
diversity of the Federation."

"Yes they will," was Sisko's comment then he added turning to Nick,
"And your people, you in particular, have opened my mind, to other
races, both yours and the Zualtechians."  The group left for Ops., and
once again silence filled the area.



~fin~

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