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Avatar Two



PROLOGUE

Odo sat on the speck of rock in the great golden sea, on the barren island
where he had last seen her face, watching the ocean glimmer and wave. There
were times when he had to wonder if the loneliness of Odo was worth holding on
to, gazing out across the living surface; it was forever, and even in chaos,
it was beautiful.

But with the loneliness always came memories of his life, and they reaffirmed
his purpose. He sat on the warm rock where she'd last stood, where she'd
smiled in love as he'd descended into the Link. He remembered feeling himself
expand across their ocean, his ocean, feeling exhaustion and despair become
peace for those he reached, as they reached others. Feeling hope, and
experiencing possibility. It was a good memory, its beautiful, idealistic
imagery making him want to remember othersЧtimes of mirth and confusion,
feelings of friendship, and

Nerys, always Nerys. He held on to his memories, sharing but never
relinquishing them, keeping them as treasured proof that she had loved him.

Now he sat looking out at the beckoning sea because there were things to
consider. When he was Odo instead of One with the Link, he could organize his
thoughts the way he'd always organized them, to make them understandable in a
linear way . . . and more simply but no less important, he had taken form to
help keep track of time, which was very different within the Link. Events were
unfolding, and it would serve him well to be watchful.

The Link had not been at peace since the war's end, its unrest growing as each
member rejoined, bringing information of their defeat's continuing outcome.
News of the Dominion's grand failure had sparked rebellious disturbances on
some of its subject worlds; the Vorta had been instructed to use the Jem'Hadar
to maintain the Dominion's cherished order. Odo had extended the thought that
force was only one of many alternatives, but it was being roundly ignored.

He told himself that the Great Link was just beginning a period of transition,
that hurrying through it was impossible, but some of their beliefs and
practicesЧviolence against their subjects, the continued mistrust of solids,
desires for retaliation and fear of reprisalЧwere frustrating and upsetting.
The Link could examine and accept information easily enough, but there was
still great trouble understanding.

Behind Odo, a sound of liquid taking form. He glanced back and then looked out
over his family again, steeling himself for whatever reason Laas had come. It
was usually Laas, when the Link wanted to

reach Odo as solid; it was as though they thought Laas's temporary stay on DS9