Ghosts and Monsters

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and its characters are copyright Paramount®

Jake Sisko watched with growing disinterest as miscellaneous objects were being tossed out a walk-in closet. It was another lazy Saturday, and he had went over to Nog's place to hang out. Although the Ferengi had other plans...

"Nog, why do you want to spend all day looking for a ghost? I thought you wanted to go play Halo 193 in the holosuites."

"I'm telling you, Jake, something strange is happening on the station! People have been seeing this--this--apparition of some guy....a Bajoran, I think! Even my uncle saw him in the bar last night! Just pops up in the place and freaks everyone out. Then he vanishes."

"Well, I haven't heard it on DS9 Tonight," Jake retorted, as a couple of tribbles and a voodoo doll of the Female Founder with a knife in it landed beside him.

"That's because they're bias," Nog replied, sticking his head out the closet. "You think they're going to report on something that sounds totally absurd to them?"

"It is absurd."

"Look, I really think we should check this out. Even my dad and uncle claimed that a ghost use to haunt their old home! So what if they do exist?"

Jake sighed. "Alright, alright. But what if we don't find one?"

"We'll find one." Nog went back to rummaging through closet. After a minute, he reappeared with what looked to be a gray, handheld device.

Jake eyed it curiously. "What is that?"

"An ectoplasmic meter."

"Ecto-what?"

"A ghost tracker. My dad gave it to me on my birthday, remember? It's suppose to detect ecoplasm activity....you know, the residual energy that spirits leave behind. It's similar to a general electromagnetic meter, but much more sophisticated."

Nog began fiddling around with the device by pressing a few buttons. The LCD screen powered up and a thermal image outline of the room appeared on its display. "Say Jake, how's your stomach from last night? I mean, you were hurling for quite awhile at Fontaine's Bar."

"Believe me, Nog, I'm feeling fine after getting that worm outta my system. What's worse is if my dad finds out I got drunk off a bottle of Tequila." He shuddered, suddenly remembering a video he watched for a class assignment on child psychology; the subject involved archaic methods of discipline. "It's a good thing he doesn't leave my butt red with a belt, like they use to back in the dark ages on Earth."

"Oh." Nog grew puzzled. "You know, I still don't understand why you humans used objects to beat your kids for disciplinary action."

"Me neither," Jake agreed. "It's practically child abuse! I heard my grandpa's own grandpa used it a lot. But his dad never whipped him; he didn't do that to my dad either, thank God!"

"Sounds like they were brutal back then."

"Yeah. And the only punishment you Ferengi get is having your latinum bonds taken away."

Nog grinned. "That'll really stop us from misbehaving!"

Jake shook his head in slight annoyance, as Nog ran his finger over the device's screen, and soon, the little meter was emitting a low-pitched beep. "Well, it's all programmed!" He glanced up at the tall human, excited. "C'mon Jake, let's go find us a ghost!"

Jake sauntered after his buddy as they exited his quarters. He still didn't believe that the ghost tracker would be able to locate an apparition. Of course, he'd never seen a ghost in his life. What were the chances of them encountering some paranormal activity around here anyway?