DEEP SPACE: "The Alternate" - REV. 10/28/93 - ACT TWO       24.

28   CONTINUED:

					O'BRIEN
			Whatever it is keeps changing... 
			somehow it goes through a 
			metamorphosis every time it 
			reproduces... and it reproduces like 
			crazy.  Look at this...

	He pulls the sample out of the scope... it's in a new larger 
	container...

					O'BRIEN
			It's multiplied so much, I had to 
			change containers... I'll put it in 
			a level-five security field overnight.  
			I wish Dax were here to take a look 
			at it... how's she doing... ?

					ODO
			Doctor Bashir thinks she'll be fine...

	O'Brien acknowledges, pleased.  Odo moves to the stele... 
	studies it...

					O'BRIEN
			Have any idea what it is?

					ODO
			I'm hoping it's a key, Mister O'Brien.  
			A key to my past.

	Odo takes a dramatic beat and EXITS... O'Brien thoughtfully 
	watches him go... turns back and looks at... the mysterious 
	stele.

29   EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)

	Time passage.

30   INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS

	Sisko's asleep in bed when the com line rings... he awakes 
	gently...