Deep Shit 69 - Chapter 2-2

Krisko tried to move away from the high priestess, but again she approached the commander.

IMP: I think I can help you better if I read your mind.
KRS: I wasn't aware that Majorans were telepathic.
IMP: Not all Majorans. Only the clerics. It comes from years of having my brains fried by touching the Tears of the Prophets.
KRS: Fine. Just leave my goddamned ears out of it.

The Kai placed her gnarled fingers on Krisko's temples and began to hum.

IMP: Ahhhh. I'm beginning to get a picture. Words are beginning to form in your mind, but they are blurred. Concentrate! I sense,...I sense that you are,...afraid. Yes! "Afraid" - that is the word you are concentrating on!
KRS: Afraid?? I was thinking that you're A FRAUD!
IMP: Why does the Emissary insult his obedient student?
KRS: Because you're beginning to insult my intelligence! No wonder the Hardassians gave up on you people! They were probably glad to give you up.
IMP: Ah, again the Emissary sees our ways clearly! Our inherent insanity helped win the war against the Hardassians.

Krisko rose to leave, disgusted with the apparent failure of his mission. But before he left, the Kai counseled him to seek help from within and loaned him one of the Tears of the Prophets from her sacred vault. It was indeed tear-shaped and mounted on a pedestal by the Majorans. He rejoined Justa and together they returned to the station.

Upon arriving back at DS69, Krisko instructed his science officer to study the crystal and report back to him with the results. After a slightly-less combative episode with Major Keepyer, Krisko headed to his quarters. The incident with the Kai had left him shaken and he wanted to check in on his son.

KRS: Jerk? Are you here?
JER: Right here, Dad. I was just putting my things away.
KRS: Jerk,..oh, how I've missed you, son!

Krisko moved to hug his son, but Jerk backed away, puzzled. Krisko also moved away, a hurt expression on his face.

JER: What gives, Dad? You're acting like a child molester or something.
KRS: I just,...I just wanted to make sure you got here alright. I wasn't here to greet you, and,...well, I know I haven't been a great father to you, Jerk, but know there's only the two of us...
JER: And you want to do the male-bondage thing, huh?
KRS: It's "bonding", but yeah, I guess that's what I mean.
JER: That's cool, Dad. I even think I might like it here.
KRS: Really?? But you were so adamant about staying back at home with grandpa! Why the sudden change of heart?
JER: I dunno. Maybe all of the cool people here. And there's that Ferengi guy, Quirk.
KRS: (icily) What about Quirk?
JER: I was walking along the Boardwalk and stopped in his place. He showed me some neat holograms of Orion slave girls and said he really liked me and asked me to stop in his quarters some day to take some pictures.
KRS: WHAT??? Listen, Jerk, you stay away from him.
JER: But, Dad,...
KRS: Nevermind! I'll have a talk with him later about this!

Jerk was about to reply when Krisko's intercom beeped. It was Justa Broad, requesting his immediate presence in the science lab

Several minutes later, Krisko entered the Science Center to find Lieutenant Broad lying on the floor, dazed. Krisko checked her over quickly and summoned for Dr. Bashful. The Security chief, Odor, also rushed to the lab, having overheard the distress call for help.

Dr. Bashful and several med-technicians rushed the Shrill to Sickbay. After a thorough check-up, Bashful pronounced her to be OK.

KRS: How is she, Doc?
BSH: Well,..gosh, she appears to be fine. I've never dealt with a Shrill before, but the physical systems for both the Shrill and her host seem within parameters, sir.
KRS: Can I see her?
BSH: Golly, sure, Commander. She's already up and talking with the medical crews.

With that, Odor entered the room and strode up to the Doctor.

ODO: Do you think this was some sort of attack?
BSH: Attack from what, Odor?
ODO: That,..that crystal thing she brought back from Majora
BSH: Gee,..I think you better ask Justa about that, Sheriff.
ODO: Don't call me "sheriff," dammit! I'm the Security Chief of this station.
KRS: What makes you think this was some sort of attack? And from the Kai, herself?
ODO: The Majorans don't like you, Commander. I wouldn't put anything past them You think otherwise?
KRS: I think you're a paranoid pile of space Jell-o, myself, but we aren't getting anywhere talking about this without Justa's input.

With that, the trio approached Justa's medical bunk. She sat up and smiled at the threesome.

KRS: Well, "old man," I see you survived again to see another day.
JST: Sure shook up my insides. But Dr. Bashful says I'll be fine.
KRS: I'm glad, but...
ODO: Lieutenant Broad, when did you know you were being attacked?
JST: I don't know about...
KRS: Odor!
JST: It's OK, Benjamin. I can understand his point. First, I';m studying a foreign object and next thing I'm in here.
KRS: But what exactly did happen down there?
JST: Well, first I put it through the usual tests: chemical composition, metallurgy,..nothing. Then I tried frequency harmonics. Still zilched. I was ready to give up for the day when I picked it up,...and,...I was Notta Broad again. I was back at the Academy, teaching "Sexual Technique with Non-humanoids" to some first-year students. Next thing I know, Dr. Bashful is hovering over me with a med-scanner.
ODO: Did it try to place any subliminal thoughts in your mind? Like assassinating your crew?
KRS: Odor! Why don't you go sit in a bucket or something!
ODO: Commander, the security of this station is my responsibility. Lieutenant Broad was attacked by some Majoran booby-trap. I must get to the bottom of this!
KRS: You need to get to Quirk's and get to the bottom of a stiff glass of Romulan ale!
ODO: I remind you, sir, that my form is an approximation of a humanoid. My mouth does not lead to a stomach. I have no need for solid, or liquid, nutrition.
KRS: Well, then,..absorb it! Either way, get lost!
ODO: Aye, sir. I'll be in the lab, continuing my investigation.

Krisko watched as Odor goose-stepped out of Sickbay. He turned back to face Justa. She sat on the table, shaking her head and gave Krisko a disapproving look.

KRS: What?? He's just as crazy as the Majorans!
JST: He's lived among them for years, Benjamin. I would give him a little credit towards his expertise regarding Majoran ways.
KRS: Alright. Anything else you remember about this incident?
JST: Just a vague vision of,...I don't know,..a star exploding? A blossom blooming?
KRS: The gasshole?
JST:It's a thought. These crystals are said to originate from the gasshole, Maybe they're a message from a life form on the other side of the hole.
KRS: How stable is the hole?
JST: That's unknown. It goes through long periods of activity, then total silence.
KRS: What about sending a probe through it?
JST: That's a good idea, Benjamin.
KRS: I'll have O'Brother rig one up. Meet me back in Ops when Bashful clears you.

What lurks in the deep recesses of the gasshole? Intelligent life? A Hardassian trap? Who knows? Who cares? If you do, don't hold your breath waiting for the next spine-tingling episode.