The "Star Trek DS9" Relaunch - Pt. III Quiz

Answer: Retrieval

The Even Odds, specializing in the retrieval of lost, stolen, and valuable goods, is as unique as its diverse crew. There's the Wadi first officer, Facity, who can't pass up a good game; Stessie the Friagloim who can separate into five individuals; and Pif, the chatty, canine Aarruri, undoubtedly the fastest runner in the Quadrant, just to name a few. Seeing in Jake himself at a younger age, Dez, the captain, takes an interest in young Sisko but often dissembles to satisfy Jake's Federation morality. Jake has several months of adventure with the Even Odds before having the opportunity to return home; falling sway to Dez's persuasions, he begins to consider a possible future in retrieval.

S.D. Perry's "Rising Son" and "Unity" were published in 2003, honoring the tenth anniversary of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"'s television debut.

Answer: Yes

During an evening of barhopping on Ee, Jake's curiosity is aroused by an out-of-place Tosk. The hunted being explains to Jake that, after encountering a strange crystal, a mysterious purpose "Other" than the Hunt was imbued in him. They are approached by a young Trelian named Wex, who explains that she came to Ee to visit a renowned sage and suggests that they come along. Jake is stunned to find that Wex's sage and Tosk's "Other" is none other than Opaka Sulan, former Kai of Bajor - undoubtedly the Herald whose return was foretold in the Ohalu prophecies, and whom Jake believed would be his father. Though initially disappointed and even annoyed by the Prophets' seeming interference in his life, Jake eventually realizes where he belongs and returns to the Alpha Quadrant with Opaka.

Answer: Eav'oq

Tosk found part of his "Other" purpose in Opaka Sulan, but the culmination of their paths in the Gamma Quadrant is found on a planet in the Idran system, near the wormhole. There, a cavern with exceptionally strong spiritual energy contains writing that only Tosk can read, instructing them how to awaken the legendary Eav'oq.

He is killed before this is accomplished, but together Jake and Opaka use their historical knowledge of Bajor to awaken the Eav'oq. Any illusions Jake had regarding the captain's motivations are shattered when he realizes that Dez is only interested in what he can gain monetarily from this event; stolen Eav'oq crystals and other artifacts will fetch a large profit for the Even Odds.

Answer: Siblings

The Eav'oq hid in subspace when persecuted by the Ascendants, religious extremists also acquainted with the wormhole aliens who seek to destroy any they deem blasphemers. Opaka herself once met an Ascendant, who, after being nursed back to health, repaid Opaka by releasing her and the Sen Ennis from the planet where they would never face death (a "miracle" intended to condemn the inhabitants to eternal war), but could never leave. Opaka now returns to Bajor to share the news of the Eav'oq and their Siblings; in light of the recent religious upheaval, she wonders how this new view of the Prophets will be received. Deciding against a life of fortune hunting with the Even Odds, Jake escorts Opaka and Wex to the wormhole.

They narrowly escape a deadly engine malfunction with some remarkably timed aid from Weyoun, and beam safely to the Defiant for the trip home.

Answer: Cardassians

The returning Defiant is challenged by a fleet of Cardassian warships, led by Gul Macet. Since the parasites cannot access long-term memory, the senior officers are challenged with certain questions to prove that the ship has not been compromised. They are then allowed to dock at DS9, where they undergo a series of security scans performed by the Cardassians.

The immunity of Cardassians to the parasites was discovered when one failed in its attempt to possess Gul Macet. The parasites' presence is highly classified, and few know the truth behind the extreme security measures.

The Defiant's senior officers are immediately briefed on the desperate situation upon their arrival.

Answer: Audrid

Over one hundred years ago, Audrid Dax of the Trill Symbiosis Commission and her husband, Jayvin Vod, joined Captain Christopher Pike to explore a comet emitting life signs resembling those of a Trill symbiont. There, Jayvin was attacked and forcibly joined with a parasitic life form, destroying his connection with Vod; the infected symbiont was left to die, and Audrid agreed to cover up the incident.

Her daughter, Neema, later found out that her mother lied about her father's death; their relationship was not healed until eight years later, shortly before her mother's death, when Audrid told her of the parasites. Neema and subsequent Cyl hosts devoted themselves to learning more about this threat. Taulin Cyl joined the unofficial group of Watchers who look for the parasites.

Answer: Near the Tears of the Prophets

Hiziki Gard is part of the unofficial group who keep watch for the parasites, and he insists that he join with the queen. After relaying a threat of destruction, the parasite attempts to claim Gard's body; Bashir beams it out, killing it, before it succeeds. Before falling unconscious, Gard speaks these three words: "Mother. Bajor. Tears." Kira correctly suspects that the "tears" are the Orbs (Tears of the Prophets) on Bajor, and "mother" is speculated to be the matriarch parasite of Julian's hypothesis.

The telepathic queen's death sets a chain of events into motion, activating parasite hosts across Bajor. They take control of several key sites, including the Ashalla monastery that houses the nine Orbs, and hold the Sisko family hostage.

Answer: She is Odo

As Colonel Kira makes her way to the Defiant, leaving the station in Ro's capable hands and defying an already angry Admiral Akaar, Wex approaches her with an offer of help; Kira quickly dismisses her. When Kira beams down to Bajor's surface and is immediately beset by parasitic hosts, however, she is grateful for the "goo" that unknowingly hid in her utility belt! She is shocked, and elated, to learn that Wex is her friend and lover, the shapeshifter Odo. Odo goes to the hostages' aid, and Kira, to find the matriarch. Uncertain how to proceed when she reaches the disgusting creature, she opens the nine Orbs that surround it.

The Prophets bring the life form into the same void it took a fleet of armed, angry Jem'Hadar years earlier, and let nature take its course. All hosts are freed of the parasites upon the matriarch's death.

Answer: Earth, mid-20th century

Opaka opens the ark before a kneeling Elias Vaughn, and as the Orb's brilliant light washes over him...

...Eli Underwood, a veteran of the Korean War, finds himself in an asylum after being convicted of killing his wife, Ruri. Nurse Sue-Lynn introduces him to Benny Russell, whom she describes as a "trustee." Benny befriends Eli and shows him around, introducing him to his fellow inmates. Benny helps Eli with the difficult process of moving on with life, and reminds him of the importance of maintaining a relationship with his daughter, Pria; Eli's life experiences remind Benny of his responsibilities to his pregnant girlfriend, Cassie. One night, Benny asks Eli to leave the asylum with him. As their environment dissolves around them, there's a light at the end of the hallway, and...

...Vaughn is returned to consciousness in the Ashalla monastery. He wakes in the aftermath of the parasite crisis to find the Sisko family, and Opaka assisting Kasidy in childbirth. The mirror existence Vaughn experienced in 1950s Earth is the Prophets' way of returning the Emissary, Benjamin Sisko.

Answer: Rebecca Jae

The ceremony marking Bajor's Federation membership is a grand success, as is the transition for most. Kira Nerys, her Attainder lifted, accepts the rank of Starfleet captain. Ro's newly found aptitude for leadership and station life, as well as an encouraging note from Jean-Luc Picard, leads her to take up the mantle of Starfleet service once again.

A bit of nepotism turns Quark's Bar into a Ferengi embassy under Ferengi law, so that Ambassador Quark can still make a profit. Benjamin Sisko, who returned from the Prophets just in time to witness the birth of his daughter, Rebecca Jae (named for her grandmothers), decides against taking the promotion offered to him and chooses to live a more peaceful life with his family in their home on Bajor, while waiting to see what the future has in store.