Far Beyond the Stars

"No, no, no, this won't do!"

That's all you hear before you suddenly have the sensation of moving backwards without actually moving. It's quite nauseating, if you don't close your eyes. Good luck doing that, though, because you're frozen stiff.

Then -

"I can't believe that one of you is so dependent on Earth's moon. Fine, fine, I suppose I have to do everything myself."

And time rights itself again. The echoes of Q's voice fade away, until...

You're standing on the Promenade, and everyone is all right. Nobody is hurt. It's like someone righted the game board and moved the pieces back to the starting line. Q is standing there, arms folded peevishly. "Does anyone else have any dietary restrictions or homeworld nonsense I should know about?"

// HAILING FREQUENCIES OPEN

All the displays on the station come to life at once, crackling with a message. Someone's finally gotten a signal through the chroniton field.

"Deep Space Nine, do you read?" A severe-looking older woman is on the screen. "This is Captain Eliyen of the Federation starship USS Tu Vishan. Deep Space Nine, do you read?"

Wait. This sounds familiar.