Deep Space Nine Reactions: The Maquis, Part II

“The Draculina Descends”

 EXT. LONDON RUINS – NIGHT

The sky burns. Reapers fire into the city. Hammer forces are scattered.

A shuttle wreck smolders in the rubble.

Shepard’s gauntleted hand claws free. She hauls herself out, armor cracked, bleeding.

SHEPARD
(grim)
Still here.
Liara and Tali climb out behind her.

LIARA
Shepard! Are you hurt?

SHEPARD
I’ve had worse.
(into comm)
Anderson, we’re down but mobile. Moving toward your position.

A Reaper beam slams into the ground nearby. The earth splits open, revealing a buried stone vault—ancient, runed, humming with red light.

TALI
Keelah… that’s not in any of the mission briefings.

LIARA
That architecture… it’s not Prothean. 

The runes pulse faster. Something inside begins pounding.

SHEPARD
Guns up. Nobody touch it.

The stone splits. A massive iron coffin rises from the dust—black, engraved with sigils, chained shut.

Marines aim rifles.

MARINE
Commander?

The coffin shakes violently.

SHEPARD
Hold fire.

The chains snap. The lid blasts off like a missile.

A figure sits up, stretching like someone waking from a nap.

A massive anti‑tank cannon materializes beside her, resting against the coffin.

SERAS VICTORIA
Bloody hell… did someone start the apocalypse without me? Again?

She looks around at the burning city.

SERAS
…Yep. Definitely again.

Tali yelps, raising her shotgun.

TALI
What is that?!

Liara’s biotics flare.

LIARA
Her energy signature—Shepard, I’ve never seen anything like it.

Seras blinks at them, confused but friendly.

SERAS
Hi! Hello! I’m Seras. Seras Victoria. Police girl. Vampire.
(pats cannon)
This is my emotional support gun.

All rifles tighten.

SHEPARD
Identify your allegiance.

Seras studies Shepard, tilting her head.

SERAS
You’re not Integra. Or Alucard. Or anyone I know.
(beat)
Oh bollocks. I’ve been isekai’d, haven’t I?

TALI
What’s an “isekai”? Is that a species?

LIARA
I don’t think so.

A Reaper Brute roars behind them.

Seras sighs.

SERAS
Right. One apocalypse at a time.

She lifts the Harkonnen with one hand.

EXT. LONDON STREET – CONTINUOUS

The Brute charges the squad.

Seras fires.

The Harkonnen’s blast vaporizes the Brute and half the street behind it.

The shockwave knocks Marines off their feet; Shepard braces, sliding back.

TALI
Keelah! She just deleted it!

LIARA
That weapon… the mass, the recoil—how is she holding it?

Seras lowers the cannon, sheepish.

SERAS
Sorry! Bit rusty! Haven’t fired this thing in… uh… a century? Ish?

Shepard steps forward, eyes locked on Seras.

SHEPARD
You’re not Alliance. You’re not Cerberus. You’re not Reaper tech.
What are you?

Seras smiles—warm, but with fangs.

SERAS
A soldier. A protector. Someone who’s lost too many people already.
(eyes glow brighter)
And someone who’s not letting giant metal space‑squids eat another planet.

She looks up at the Reapers with a predator’s grin.

SERAS
So, Commander… point me at the bad guys.
I’ve got the big gun.

Shepard holds her gaze for a beat, then nods.

SHEPARD
You want to help? You’re with us.
(to squad)
We move. Anderson’s waiting.

EXT. LONDON RUINS – MOVING TOWARD ANDERSON

Shepard leads. Liara and Tali flank her. Seras walks casually behind, Harkonnen on her shoulder.
Reaper forces close in.
A Marauder fires at Seras. Bullets bounce off.

SERAS
Oi! I just woke up! At least buy me dinner before shooting me!

She fires a single round. The Marauder ceases to exist.

TALI
Okay, I’m officially glad she’s on our side.

LIARA
Your physiology… your energy… it’s unlike anything in the galaxy.

SERAS
Aww, thanks! I try.
(softer)
I’m a vampire. Long story. Lots of blood. Very messy.
But I fight for humans. For people. For home.
She glances at Shepard.

SERAS
This is your home, yeah?

SHEPARD
Yeah.

SERAS
Then it’s mine too. For now.

Shepard gives the smallest hint of a smile.

SHEPARD
Then let’s make sure it’s still here tomorrow.

EXT. ANDERSON’S POSITION – MOMENTS LATER
Anderson and his squad are pinned down by Cannibals.

ANDERSON
(over comm)
Shepard, we’re cut off! We—

A shockwave hits as Seras lands in the middle of the Cannibals like a meteor. They’re obliterated instantly.
Dust clears.
Seras stands in the crater, Harkonnen on her shoulder, waving.

SERAS
Hi! I’m new!

Anderson stares.

ANDERSON
Shepard… what the hell did you bring with you?

Shepard steps up beside Seras.

SHEPARD
Backup.

Liara and Tali join them.

SERAS
Hello! I’m Seras! Vampire, heavy weapons specialist, occasional war crime—
(beat)
—against fascists, to be clear.

ANDERSON
Is she… safe?

Seras leans in, fanged smile wide.

SERAS
Oh, absolutely!
(beat)
…Mostly!

Deep Space Nine Reactions: The Maquis, Part I

Deep Space Nine Reactions: Blood Oath

Deep Space Nine Reactions: Profit and Loss

Profit And Lost 'What If'

INT. SISKO’S OFFICE
Sisko reviews a padd. The doors hiss open without a chime.
QUARK storms in, flushed and furious.

SISKO
(stern, not looking up)
Quark, you’re supposed to—

QUARK
I don’t care about protocol! You’ve arrested Natima — and her students!
Sisko sets the padd down.

SISKO
Hogue and Rekelen are in custody, yes.

QUARK
They’re not criminals! They’re students! Reformers! Writers! The only thing they ever attacked was Cardassian complacency!
Sisko exhales.

SISKO
According to the Cardassian government, they’re members of a terrorist cell.

QUARK
(outraged)
They wrote articles! Since when does Cardassia call thinking terrorism?

Sisko doesn’t answer.
Quark steps closer, voice trembling.

QUARK
If you send them back, they’ll be executed. Natima… Hogue… Rekelen… all of them.
Sisko’s expression tightens.

SISKO
Quark… this isn’t a Starfleet matter.
Quark blinks.

QUARK
What does that mean?
The office doors open. KIRA enters, having clearly heard the last line.

KIRA
It means the Bajoran government has already made a deal.
Quark turns to her, horrified.

QUARK
What deal?
Kira’s jaw tightens.

KIRA
The Cardassians agreed to release several Bajoran prisoners. In exchange…
(beat)
Natima and her students are to be returned.

Quark stares at her.

QUARK
You traded them?
(voice cracking)
You traded people?

Kira flinches.

KIRA
It wasn’t my decision.

QUARK
But you’re enforcing it!

Kira looks away, guilt flickering across her face.
Sisko steps between them.

SISKO
Deep Space Nine is a Bajoran station. I don’t have the authority to override their government.

QUARK
So that’s it? You’re just going to stand by while they’re dragged off to die?
Sisko’s voice softens.

SISKO
I don’t like it. But my hands are tied.
Quark shakes his head, devastated.

QUARK
Natima isn’t a terrorist. Hogue and Rekelen aren’t terrorists. They’re trying to change Cardassia, not destroy it.
He looks between them — Sisko steady, Kira conflicted.

QUARK
(quiet, pleading)
Please… don’t let them disappear into a Cardassian prison.

There’s a long silence.

Sisko finally nods — not a promise, but an acknowledgment.

SISKO
Go back to your bar, Quark. Let us handle what we can.

Quark hesitates, then leaves — shoulders tight, fighting not to break.
The doors close.
Kira stands there, troubled. Sisko watches her.

SISKO
You all right, Major?
Kira exhales.

KIRA
I’ll… take care of it.
She steps into the corridor, taps her combadge.

KIRA
Kira to Odo.

ODO (comm)
Go ahead.
Kira hesitates — she won’t betray Quark’s privacy, but she knows him too well.

KIRA
Quark’s probably on his way to see you.
(beat)
I thought you should know.

ODO (comm)
Should I expect trouble?
Kira glances down the Promenade where Quark disappeared.

KIRA
Not trouble.
(beat)
Just… Quark.

Odo’s sigh is audible even through the comm.

ODO (comm)
Understood.

Kira closes the channel and walks off, the weight of the Bajoran government’s decision still heavy on her shoulders.

A What-If Final Fantasy Timeline

# 🌌 **THE COMPLETE ERA‑BY‑ERA MULTIVERSAL TIMELINE**

---

# 🟦 **1. PRIMORDIAL & DIVINE ERAS (0–20,000)**  
### *The birth of aether, gods, hearts, and the first worlds*

**Metaphysics:**  
Aether condenses; gods form; Kingdom Hearts appears; Light and Darkness split.

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFXIV, FFXI, FF Grandmasters

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
KH χ / Unchained χ / Union χ  
KH Dark Road  
KH Missing‑Link (early)  
χ Back Cover

**Disney Worlds:**  
None yet — the universe is still forming.

**Smash Universes:**  
None — no story‑hearts exist yet.

**Chocobos:**  
Proto‑chocobos evolve; become sacred beasts.

**Summary:**  
The laws of magic, aether, and hearts are written; the Keyblade War scars reality.

---

# 🟦 **2. IVALICE AGES (20,000–30,000)**  
### *Auracite, espers, and divine politics*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFXII, Revenant Wings, FFT, FFT S, FFTA, FFTA2  
(Cancelled: FF Fortress)

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Foreteller echoes ripple into this era.

**Disney Worlds:**  
None manifest yet.

**Smash Universes:**  
None.

**Chocobos:**  
Knightly chocobo orders.

**Summary:**  
A world shaped by divine artifacts and political myth.

---

# 🟦 **3. SPIRA ERA (30,000–35,000)**  
### *Sin, memory, and dream‑world metaphysics*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFX, FFX‑2, audio dramas, novellas

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Sleeping World parallels (DDD)

**Disney Worlds:**  
None directly, but Spira’s dream logic resembles Wonderland.

**Smash Universes:**  
None.

**Chocobos:**  
Pilgrimage companions.

**Summary:**  
A world trapped in a cycle of sacrifice slowly awakens.

---

# 🟦 **4. CRYSTAL RESURGENCE (35,000–40,000)**  
### *The Void crisis and crystal rebirth*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFV, Legend of the Crystals

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Realm of Darkness parallels.

**Disney Worlds:**  
None.

**Smash Universes:**  
None.

**Chocobos:**  
Crystal guardians.

**Summary:**  
The planet survives a Void incursion and reforges its crystal order.

---

# 🟦 **5. ORIENCE CYCLES (40,000–45,000)**  
### *Time loops and divine academies*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FF Agito, Awakening, Type‑0  
(Cancelled: Type‑1, Type‑2)

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Time travel metaphysics (DDD, KH3)

**Disney Worlds:**  
None.

**Smash Universes:**  
None.

**Chocobos:**  
War‑breed chocobos.

**Summary:**  
A world trapped in recursive war cycles struggles to break fate.

---

# 🟦 **6. GAIA / MIST ERA (45,000–50,000)**  
### *Identity, memory, and artificial souls*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFIX

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Nobodies, Replicas (KH2, Days)

**Disney Worlds:**  
Beast’s Castle (themes of identity)

**Smash Universes:**  
None.

**Chocobos:**  
Treasure hunters (Hot & Cold).

**Summary:**  
A world of memory and identity faces the ethics of artificial life.

---

# 🟦 **7. INDUSTRIAL & SPACE AGES (50,000–55,000)**  
### *Magitek, empires, and temporal collapse*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFVI, FFVIII  
Chocobo World (VIII)

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Hollow Bastion echoes (KH1/2)

**Disney Worlds:**  
Atlantica (KH1)  
Neverland  
Deep Jungle

**Smash Universes:**  
Metroid (Zebes), Star Fox (Lylat)

**Chocobos:**  
Industrial transport networks.

**Summary:**  
Technology reshapes magic, leading to temporal instability.

---

# 🟦 **8. FAL’CIE & PARADOX ERA (55,000–60,000)**  
### *God‑machines and paradox storms*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFXIII trilogy  
Novels: Episode Zero, Fragments Before/After

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
χ‑blade prophecy echoes (BBS, KH3)

**Disney Worlds:**  
Enchanted Dominion  
Castle of Dreams  
Dwarf Woodlands

**Smash Universes:**  
Fire Emblem worlds (fate vs destiny)

**Chocobos:**  
Urban chocobo culture.

**Summary:**  
A world ruled by god‑machines fights to reclaim free will.

---

# 🟦 **9. MAKO AGE (60,000–65,000)**  
### *Corporate aether extraction and planetary trauma*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFVII, Remake, Rebirth  
Before Crisis  
Crisis Core  
Advent Children  
Dirge of Cerberus  
Ever Crisis  
Last Order  
On the Way to a Smile  
Kids Are Alright  
Trace of Two Pasts

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Data worlds (Re:coded)  
Heart extraction parallels

**Disney Worlds:**  
Tron / Space Paranoids  
Tron Legacy (Grid 2.0)

**Smash Universes:**  
Midgar (Cloud, Sephiroth)  
Metal Gear (Shadow Moses)

**Chocobos:**  
Chocobo Racing  
Chocobo’s Dungeon 2  
Chocobo Stallion  
Chocobo Land

**Summary:**  
Industrial exploitation of the planet leads to cosmic‑scale trauma.

---

# 🟦 **10. STARSCOURGE ERA (65,000–70,000)**  
### *Darkness plague and royal sacrifice*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFXV, Brotherhood, Kingsglaive  
Episode Ardyn  
Dawn of the Future  
All XV mobile titles

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Pureblood Heartless parallels

**Disney Worlds:**  
Pirates of the Caribbean  
Port Royal  
Caribbean (KH3)

**Smash Universes:**  
Tekken  
Street Fighter  
Bayonetta  
Persona 5 (Mementos)

**Chocobos:**  
Sanctuary ranches.

**Summary:**  
A world consumed by darkness is saved through sacrifice and myth.

---

# 🟦 **11. CRYSTAL MEMORY & VISION CRYSTAL AGES (70,000–71,000)**  
### *Memory‑realms and vision‑avatars*

**Final Fantasy:**  
Artniks, Dive  
Brave Exvius  
War of the Visions

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Castle Oblivion  
Data Twilight Town

**Disney Worlds:**  
100 Acre Wood (memory‑world)

**Smash Universes:**  
Kirby’s Dream Land (memory‑logic)

**Chocobos:**  
Memory‑realm chocobos.

**Summary:**  
History becomes a summoning system; memory becomes power.

---

# 🟦 **12. PROTO‑MULTIVERSE & WORLD FRACTURE ERAS (71,000–72,000)**  
### *Stacked worlds and divine fragmentation*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FF Legend I–III  
FF Dimensions I–II

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Quadratum  
Unreality

**Disney Worlds:**  
Toy Box  
Monstropolis  
San Fransokyo

**Smash Universes:**  
Minecraft World  
Xenoblade Chronicles worlds

**Chocobos:**  
Multiversal drift.

**Summary:**  
Worlds fracture, stack, and merge in unstable multiversal layers.

---

# 🟦 **13. DISSIDIA COSMIC ERA (72,000–72,350)**  
### *Memory wars of gods and cross‑era convergence*

**Final Fantasy:**  
Dissidia 012  
Dissidia  
Dissidia NT  
Opera Omnia  
Ehrgeiz  
Itadaki Street FF  
Fortune Street  
Theatrhythm Dragon Quest  
FFTCG  
FF Miniatures Game

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Mirage Arena  
Keyblade Graveyard

**Disney Worlds:**  
Olympus Coliseum (arena logic)

**Smash Universes:**  
**Super Smash Bros. Ultimate**  
World of Light  
World of Darkness  
All Smash worlds (Hyrule, Mushroom Kingdom, Inkopolis, etc.)

**Chocobos:**  
Chocobo GP  
Chocobo GP’

**Summary:**  
The gods summon warriors from all worlds to fight in cosmic arenas.

---

# 🟦 **14. INTERDIMENSIONAL CHAOS STORM (72,315–72,335)**  
### *Rift overload and Wonderland collapse*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FF: Unlimited (all versions)

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Wonderland  
Corridors of Darkness

**Disney Worlds:**  
Wonderland (KH1, KH2, KH3D)

**Smash Universes:**  
Dream Land (Kirby)

**Chocobos:**  
Wonderland chocobos.

**Summary:**  
A dimensional storm creates and destroys entire pocket worlds.

---

# 🟦 **15. CRYSTAL HARMONICS ERA (72,350–72,380)**  
### *History becomes music*

**Final Fantasy:**  
All Theatrhythm titles

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Melody of Memory  
KH Orchestra films

**Disney Worlds:**  
Musical worlds (Atlantica KH2)

**Smash Universes:**  
Rhythm‑based stages (WarioWare, etc.)

**Chocobos:**  
Musical traditions.

**Summary:**  
The planet preserves its history through harmonic resonance.

---

# 🟦 **16. ECHO‑RESONANCE RESTORATION CYCLE (72,380–72,391)**  
### *Planetary memory purification*

**Final Fantasy:**  
Pixel Remasters I–VI  
Crystal Chronicles Remastered

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
KH3 ending (worldline reconstruction)

**Disney Worlds:**  
Re‑harmonized versions of classic worlds

**Smash Universes:**  
World of Light’s restoration

**Chocobos:**  
Echo‑keepers.

**Summary:**  
The world replays its past to heal metaphysical scars.

---

# 🟦 **17. WHIMSY DIMENSION ERA (72,391–72,396)**  
### *Dream‑dimensions and mirage ecosystems*

**Final Fantasy:**  
World of Final Fantasy  
Meli‑Melo

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Sleeping Worlds (DDD)  
0.2 Fragmentary Passage

**Disney Worlds:**  
Fantasia  
Symphony of Sorcery

**Smash Universes:**  
Dream‑logic stages (Magicant)

**Chocobos:**  
Chocobo’s Dungeon (Wii)  
EVERY BUDDY!

**Summary:**  
A dream‑dimension forms where memories become living creatures.

---

# 🟦 **18. DATA CRYSTAL & DATA‑AETHER ERAS (72,396–72,410)**  
### *Digital worlds and synthetic heroes*

**Final Fantasy:**  
Airborne Brigade  
Brigade Break the Seal  
All the Bravest  
Pictlogica  
World Wide Words  
Record Keeper  
Heavenstrike Rivals  
Portal App  
Mobius  
FF Digital Card Game

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Re:coded  
Data Sora  
KH VR Experience

**Disney Worlds:**  
The Grid  
Space Paranoids

**Smash Universes:**  
Pac‑Man  
Mega Man  
R.O.B.

**Chocobos:**  
Chocobo Panic  
Chocobo’s Crystal Tower

**Summary:**  
The planet builds entire synthetic worlds to preserve itself.

---

# 🟦 **19. LUNAR ERA & SECOND LUNAR CRISIS (72,410–72,450)**  
### *Moon gods return*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFIV  
The After Years  
FFIV novels

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
World‑judgment parallels

**Disney Worlds:**  
None directly

**Smash Universes:**  
Castlevania (moon‑aligned themes)

**Chocobos:**  
Lunar‑touched chocobos.

**Summary:**  
The moon’s ancient creators return for a final judgment.

---

# 🟦 **20. MANA, SIMPLIFICATION & FAIRY‑TALE ERAS (72,450–72,485)**  
### *Planetary healing and storybook worlds*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FF Adventure  
Mystic Quest  
4 Heroes of Light  
Voice Fantasy

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
100 Acre Wood  
Disney fairy‑tale worlds

**Disney Worlds:**  
Cinderella  
Snow White  
Sleeping Beauty

**Smash Universes:**  
Yoshi’s Island  
Dream‑like stages

**Chocobos:**  
Forest guardians.

**Summary:**  
The planet simplifies itself to recover from cosmic trauma.

---

# 🟦 **21. CRYSTAL CHRONICLES MEGACYCLE (72,485–73,500)**  
### *Miasma, caravans, and crystal purification*

**Final Fantasy:**  
Ring of Fates  
Echoes of Time  
My Life as a King  
My Life as a Darklord  
Crystal Guardians  
Vanguard Storm  
Crystal Chronicles  
Crystal Bearers

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
World‑barrier metaphysics (Gummi Ship)

**Disney Worlds:**  
Worlds separated by barriers (KH1)

**Smash Universes:**  
Isolated realms (Subspace Emissary echoes)

**Chocobos:**  
Caravan chocobos.

**Summary:**  
A toxic age forces civilization into crystal‑based survival cycles.

---

# 🟦 **22. PHANTOM PLAGUE ERA (73,500–73,900)**  
### *Gaia‑theory collapse*

**Final Fantasy:**  
The Spirits Within

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Heart‑ghost parallels

**Disney Worlds:**  
Haunted Mansion (thematic)

**Smash Universes:**  
Luigi’s Mansion

**Chocobos:**  
Phantom‑refuge chocobos.

**Summary:**  
Alien phantoms nearly extinguish the world’s life‑force.

---

# 🟦 **23. FINAL DECLINE (73,900–74,000)**  
### *Aether burnout*

**Final Fantasy:**  
FFXVI

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
Fading worlds (KH3)

**Disney Worlds:**  
None

**Smash Universes:**  
Dark, dying worlds (World of Darkness)

**Chocobos:**  
Golden twilight era.

**Summary:**  
The world’s magic burns out, ending the age of crystals.

---

# 🟨 **24. POST‑DECLINE CHOCOBO ERA (74,000+)**  
### *After humanity fades*

**Final Fantasy:**  
None — this is the Chocobo future

**Kingdom Hearts:**  
The Final World

**Disney Worlds:**  
None

**Smash Universes:**  
None

**Chocobos:**  
The last civilization; the final archivists.

**Summary:**  
Chocobos inherit the world and preserve all history.

---