 An alien named Altovar approaches
Bashir to obtain a restricted substance. The doctor refuses,
prompting Altovar to later break into the Infirmary. Bashir
arrives and tries to stop him, but the alien renders him
unconscious with an electrical discharge. When Bashir recovers,
he finds the temples of his hair graying, and the station dark
and deserted. Just the most vital systems still function, and
although he periodically hears strange whispering sounds, the
only inhabitants found are Garak and a terrified Quark. Bashir
and Garak split up in hopes of learning the fate of the others.
Suddenly, his path is blocked by a forcefield, and he senses a
presence coming toward him.
Thinking quickly, Bashir ducks
inside a turbolift and narrowly escapes the pursuing Altovar. He
exits to find Kira, O'Brien, Odo, and Dax engaged in a heated
discussion. Bashir now appears to have aged 25 years, but the
group is too busy debating each other to notice. The doctor
realizes that the whispering, the crew's strange behavior, and
the technical problems must be connected. O'Brien fixes the
communications relay, and the group hears the same whispers. As
the sounds become clearer, they prove to be the distant voices
of the crew, stating that Bashir is in a telepathically-induced
coma and will be dead in less than three hours. The doctor scans
himself and discovers that he is indeed in a coma.
Bashir realizes that the rest of the group really isn't there —
this scenario is actually happening in his mind, which is
represented by the station, and the others just embody different
aspects of his personality — fixing the station will bring
Bashir out of his coma. Unfortunately, Dax is captured by the
alien, and Bashir suddenly finds himself with Garak, who directs
the doctor to Ops in order to repair the damage. On his way,
Bashir sees Sisko, who represents the best aspects of the
doctor's personality. But Altovar captures Sisko, then tells
Bashir he will kill each part of his personality before finally
letting him die.
While trying to get to Ops, Bashir, who appears about 75 now,
finds Kira dead and Odo dying. He and O'Brien end up at Quark's,
where the crowd is betting on how and when Bashir will die.
Altovar appears, killing Quark, and Bashir starts to run away,
but is terrified to discover he has broken his hip.
Bashir, now about 100 years old, is helped to Ops by Garak, who
keeps encouraging him to give up. Bashir then realizes that
Garak is actually Altovar. At this point the alien reveals his
true form, but Bashir, having recovered some of his confidence,
gains the upper hand. He returns to the Infirmary, realizing
that this is the center of his world — and, therefore, the place
from which he should repair the damage. Immediately, he is able
to restore the lights, trap Altovar in a forcefield, and
disintegrate the alien. He then quickly regains consciousness,
surrounded by his crewmates, who he prepares to tell of his
bizarre experience.
See Also: Image Captures |
