“All Stations, Report Status.”

“Tactical and communications, ready,” Bowers said.

“Science and sensors, ready.” Ch’Thane.

“Impulse engines are online, warp power available on your command.” Nog.

“Life support at optimum. Medical bay standing by.” Bashir.

“The ship is ready, Captain,” Dax said. “Your orders?”

Captain,Vaughn thought. A fellow could get used to that.“Release docking clamps. Aft thrusters at one-quarter, port and starboard thrusters at station-keeping.” Around them, the ship seemed to change, like a great beast waking from its slumber. Ahead of them loomed the great, exotic form of Deep Space 9, the station receding gradually before them.

“Conn,” Vaughn said, “set course for the wormhole.”

“Course laid in.”

“Ahead one-half impulse,” Vaughn said. “Take us in.”

Vaughn felt Defiantleap forward beneath him, charging toward the unknown. Their mission to explore the Gamma Quadrant had begun.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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To Patricia Ann Walenista,

one of the brightest stars in my sky,

whose glow bestows warmth,

whose light provides guidance,

and whose every rise brings love and support

Acknowledgments

I wish to thank several people for their generous assistance and incomparable support during the writing of this novel. I must first express my gratitude to Marco Palmieri, not only for offering me this opportunity, but also for providing expert guidance, vivid creativity, and an awful lot of fun along the way. Marco’s vision, enthusiasm, and drive for the Star Trek: Deep Space Ninenovel “relaunch” keeps me coming back to the series as a reader and fan, and I am delighted to have been asked to contribute to the unfolding saga. Not only is Marco terrific to work with, but he’s also a good guy.

I would also like to thank the other writers of the Mission: Gammaseries, but in particular, Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels. Both cheerfully and expertly provided answers to innumerable questions, and Mike’s incredible volume of research for the relaunch made the difficult task of maintaining continuity much less arduous. Thanks, too, to Keith R.A. DeCandido, who also answered several questions about the Trekuniverse.

Because I did not get the opportunity to do so in the acknowledgments to The 34th Rule—since he and I wrote them together—I want to thank Armin Shimerman, who suggested that we write a Star Treknovel in the first place, and with whom it was an absolute pleasure to work. Armin is an incredibly talented artist—actor, writer, teacher—and I am fortunate to be able to call him a friend. I’m looking forward to his next novel, Outrageous Fortune,a follow-up to his marvelous The Merchant Prince.

On an even more personal level, thanks to Richie Hertz, whose big-picture mentality, keen wit, and razor-sharp intellect are surpassed only by his ability to turn on an inside fastball. He remains one of the very few people I know who appreciates a good physics joke. I value his friendship beyond measure.

Thanks also to the Ragan family, who have always welcomed me into their midst. I especially want to send my love and gratitude to Elizabeth, the loving and amazing matriarch; to Lillian, the sweet and caring aunt; and to the wonderful Audrey and Walter, who have truly made me feel like their son.

I also want to thank Jennifer “CJ” George and Anita Smith, two magnificent women whose constant love and encouragement never fail to bolster me. I am privileged to have them in my life.

And finally, thank you to Karen Ann Ragan-George. Each and every day, Karen does the impossible, by transforming the woman of my dreams into the woman of my reality. She not only made this book possible, she makes everything possible. To say that I could not have written this book without her love and nurturing does not begin to describe her contribution to everything I do and everything I am. Karen is my universe—and what a fabulous place to live!

Part One

Vexed The Dim Sea