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The Changelings were shapeshifting lifeforms (in their natural state a liquid ) native to the Gamma Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy . They were the creators and rulers of the Dominion , whose subject races knew them as the semi-mythical Founders . Most Changelings existed as an amalgamated mass known as the Great Link .

• 1.1 Modified Changelings
• 5 Mirror universe
• 7.1 Appearances
• 7.2.1 Examining the species
• 7.2.2 Episodic developments
• 7.3 Apocrypha
• 8 External links

Biology [ ]

The natural form of a Changeling was a viscous orange liquid containing a structure known as a morphogenic matrix . ( DS9 : " The Begotten ") They contained morphogenic enzymes responsible for their shapeshifting ability. ( DS9 : " Things Past ")

Changelings (or at least young and inexperienced ones, like Odo ) had to revert to their natural liquid state to regenerate every sixteen to eighteen hours. Preventing them from doing so would cause severe physical distress and their forms to begin to deteriorate and "flake" away. ( DS9 : " The Forsaken ", " The Storyteller ", " The Alternate ", " The Die is Cast ", " In Purgatory's Shadow ")

Changelings could take virtually any corporeal form. ( DS9 : " Chimera ", " The Way of the Warrior ") They, or at least the Founders, also had the ability to closely mimic humanoid personalities to the point where even close friends and family often could not distinguish them from the originals. ( DS9 : " By Inferno's Light ", " Apocalypse Rising ", " Paradise Lost ") They could transform parts of themselves into smaller electrical devices, like a combadge , and make it operational, and were also capable of at least mimicking the shape and operation of a computer. ( DS9 : " Paradise Lost ") Changelings could also mimic the form of fire and clouds. ( DS9 : " Chimera ")

Constable Odo as a drinking glass

Croden's changeling locket

Changeling infant mimics Odo

Starfleet sensors , as of 2371 , failed to recognize Changelings when they mimicked other forms. ( DS9 : " The Adversary ")

The Obsidian Order created a prototype quantum stasis field generator that could prevent a Changeling from shape shifting. ( DS9 : " The Die is Cast ")

Changelings could survive in the vacuum of space, and were highly resistant to disruptor fire. ( DS9 : " Chimera ", " Apocalypse Rising ")

Changelings – or at least Odo – had no sense of smell. ( DS9 : " If Wishes Were Horses ", " Improbable Cause ") Laas stated, however, that if his hands had Klingon blood on them, they would emit a stench, possibly suggesting that after living among solids for years, he was at least familiar with the concept. ( DS9 : " Chimera ")

Even when in humanoid form, Changelings did not need to take in sustenance. Odo noted that he once attempted to eat after assuming humanoid form for the first time, but found the experience not only unsatisfying due to his lack of taste buds , but "messy" for reasons he chose not to elaborate. ( DS9 : " Meridian ") Doctor Bashir once asked Odo for a sample of himself to study its value in possibly creating synthetic organs , which raised the question how he would get that part of himself back, if he never added matter to his body. ( DS9 : " When It Rains... ")

The thoughts and emotions of Changelings could not be read by Betazoids . ( DS9 : " Fascination ") However, memories could be telepathically transferred by a Guardian to one in the Trill Zhian'tara ritual, and they could participate as a past Trill host. ( DS9 : " Facets ") A telepathic energy matrix (which caused the crew of Deep Space 9 to fight for control of that space station ) was rejected by Odo's lack of a humanoid brain . It did have the ability to warp his face and knock him unconscious, though he retained his humanoid shape. ( DS9 : " Dramatis Personae ")

However, on one occasion Odo was knocked out by being struck on the head. ( DS9 : " Vortex ")

There was an apparent telepathic aspect to the Changeling species, evidenced in the fact Odo felt drawn toward the Omarion Nebula , which was once home to the Founders. ( DS9 : " The Search, Part II ") However, it is possible that the instinctive desire to visit the nebula was "hardwired" into him. Changelings had the ability to sense, in most cases, the presence of other Changelings. ( DS9 : " The Search, Part I ", " Homefront ", " Chimera ") The Jem'Hadar may also have the ability to sense Changelings, though this ability might not be telepathic but an imprinted response to a Changeling's gelatinous state, as a child Jem'Hadar who sensed Odo did not respond to him until he temporarily reverted to that state. ( DS9 : " The Abandoned ") Further suggestion of a telepathic trait arose when Odo's remaining morphogenic enzymes were stimulated by a plasma field , creating a miniaturized " Great Link " with Benjamin Sisko , Jadzia Dax , and Elim Garak . ( DS9 : " Things Past ")

At the very least, there exists a "hive mind" among the species when joined with the Great Link. ( DS9 : " The Search, Part II ", " Broken Link ", " Sacrifice of Angels ", " Chimera ") For instance, Odo once commented, " During the Link, I sensed that the other Changelings were trying to hide things from me... faces, names. " ( DS9 : " Broken Link ")

The Founders of the Dominion were Changelings, and made up the majority of the Dominion's leadership. Changelings preferred to think of themselves as a drop (the individual) in the larger ocean (what they called the Great Link). A Changeling, therefore, typically had little sense of individual identity. Being a liquid-based lifeform, in order to link with other Changelings, they simply reverted to this state and the liquid blended together, creating a link between them. ( DS9 : " The Search, Part II ") Centuries before, the Founders had sent the Hundred Changelings throughout the galaxy as a way to gauge other species by the way they treated the weak and vulnerable. ( DS9 : " The Begotten ") There were legends of Changelings having been on the planet Rakhar . ( DS9 : " Vortex ")

It was suggested that Changelings were biologically immortal and therefore never died of old age ( DS9 : " Children of Time ", " Behind the Lines ") Laas was over 200 years old. ( DS9 : " Chimera ") However, it was possible to kill Changelings by a number of means. Severe cases of radiation poisoning could prove fatal. ( DS9 : " The Adversary ", " The Begotten ") Changelings were also killed by phaser or disruptor fire, at sufficiently high settings. ( DS9 : " Crossover ", " Apocalypse Rising ") A Changeling was observed succumbing to trauma following the impact of a ship crashing into a planetary surface (a crash in which the ship's inertial dampers had failed). ( DS9 : " The Ship ") The Admiral Leyton/Miles O'Brien Changeling laughingly remarked to Sisko that, including himself, there were only four Changeling agents in the Alpha Quadrant. ( DS9 : " Homefront ", " Paradise Lost ") Of the four three were dead:

• The Krajensky Changeling in 2371 ( DS9 : " The Adversary ")
• The General Martok Changeling was killed by the Klingons in 2373 ( DS9 : " Apocalypse Rising ")
• The Dr. Julian Bashir Changeling was killed in the destruction of the USS Yukon in 2373 ( DS9 : " By Inferno's Light ")

Changelings could assume the forms of both male and female humanoids. ( DS9 : " Tacking Into the Wind ") The majority of Changelings appeared to favor either a male or female form, even when impersonating individual solids . ( DS9 : " The Search, Part I ", " Heart of Stone ", " The Adversary ") It was unknown if this indicated a true biological gender or gender identity, or was simply a matter of personal preference. Changelings could experience feelings of physical attraction and love towards solids, and were capable of sexual intercourse with them, and with each other while in humanoid form. However, a Changeling could not have children with a solid. ( DS9 : " Crossfire ", " A Simple Investigation ", " Favor the Bold ", " Chimera ")

Changelings began their lives in an "infant" state, as a small quantity of seemingly inanimate liquid. In this state they were capable of limited shapeshifting, usually into simple geometric shapes, and responding to external stimuli such as moving away from an electrical charge. Over time they developed into maturity, increasing in mass and gaining greater understanding of their surroundings and control over their shapeshifting abilities, eventually becoming capable of verbal communication and assuming complex forms. ( DS9 : " The Alternate ", " The Begotten ") Dr. Bashir once jokingly suggested that Changelings may experience an equivalent to puberty or menopause ( DS9 : " Broken Link ").

Despite the existence of infants, it was unknown how Changelings reproduced. Garak expressed doubt over whether or not Changelings have mothers . ( DS9 : " The Way of the Warrior ") Changelings regarded all other members of their species as their "family", although it is unclear if this indicated a genetic relationship, or merely a social one. ( DS9 : " The Search, Part II ")

A Changeling could also be transformed by the Great Link into a solid permanently. ( DS9 : " Broken Link ") Also, an infant Changeling once transformed Odo into a Changeling again by absorbing itself into his body, but it had also been dying at the time, so it is unknown how this would have normally affected the 'giver'. ( DS9 : " The Begotten ")

Modified Changelings [ ]

The liquid form of a modified Changeling

During the Dominion War, Section 31 conducted secret experiments on Changeling prisoners of war on Daystrom Station . Termed Project Proteus , these torturous procedures were designed to create better infiltrators. One of the test subjects, later called Vadic , escaped and killed the lead scientist before freeing her fellow prisoners. Vadic discovered that they could transmit their new abilities to regular Changelings by linking with them. In the process, the modified Changelings also lost their orange liquid appearance for a reddish and more gelatinous natural form.

Those new Changelings were able to mimic the internal organs, fluids, and cellular biology of the solids without DNA , being able to pass the detection tests inherited from the Dominion War. Even after being killed, they kept their disguises, only returning to their natural state after being cut into small pieces.

Their modified biology, however, also made Vadic's followers vulnerable to the same weaknesses as the solid whose forms they mimicked, such as blades or even the coldness of space. Choosing to become modified also meant sacrificing their longevity for a much shortened life span , and to experience constant pain for the rest of their life. They, or at least younger and inexperienced ones, still needed to return to their natural form after some time, or else their disguise would wobble from exhaustion. Also, contrary to regular Changelings, Betazoids could feel evolved Changelings' emotions and sense that something wasn't right when approached by an impostor. ( PIC : " Seventeen Seconds ", " No Win Scenario ", " Imposters ", " Dominion ", " Surrender ")

Culture [ ]

Changeling culture revolved around the Great Link and shapeshifting. While in the Link, a Changeling had little sense of time or its individual self, and saw itself as a part in a larger whole. Changelings hated to be separated from their people, and would seek out the company of other Changelings with whom they had personal conflicts rather than remain alone. ( DS9 : " Behind the Lines ") Changelings considered linking with one another the ultimate form of intimacy, and many found spoken language and other expressions of intimacy such as sex limited. ( DS9 : " Favor the Bold ") Being in the Link was described as "paradise" for a Changeling, and even Odo, who bitterly opposed the goals of the Founders dreamed of returning to it. ( DS9 : " The Die is Cast ", " Sacrifice of Angels ")

Most Changelings, including Odo, displayed a marked preference for order, efficiency, and following rules, which Odo interpreted through the lens of justice but other Changelings viewed through the lens of control. ( DS9 : " Necessary Evil ", " The Search, Part II ") Odo once commented to Worf that "My people have an innate need for order", suggesting the compulsion may be biological in origin. ( DS9 : " Crossfire ")

Throughout their entire history, no Changeling had ever harmed another. ( DS9 : " Broken Link ") Above all else, the Changelings wanted their people to all be united in the Great Link, and renegades such as Odo were given ample opportunities to return home with all transgressions forgiven. Weyoun 4 informed Odo that the Founders wanted him back after he first rejected them. ( DS9 : " To the Death ") The Changeling who impersonated Colonel Lovok allowed Odo to leave the Battle of the Omarion Nebula unharmed, and the impostor Krajensky attempted to convince him to escape the self-destructing Defiant with it. ( DS9 : " The Die is Cast ", " The Adversary ") The Female Changeling prioritized returning Odo, who was previously banished, back to the Link over the outcome of the Dominion War . ( DS9 : " Favor the Bold ")

Shapeshifting gave Changelings physical empathy with other lifeforms, allowing them to gain knowledge of them, though they spent most of their existence in the Great Link. ( DS9 : " The Search, Part II ", " Chimera ")

The modified Changeling faction led by Vadic was known to have abandoned the notion of not harming their own kind. Possibly regarding their goal of revenge against the Federation to ultimately be more important, they were willing to execute any member that spoke up against Vadic's decisions. ( PIC : " The Bounty ")

History [ ]

• See : Founder - History  and Dominion history

In 2380 , when Beckett Mariner was suspicious about Brad Boimler 's relationship with Barbara Brinson , she included Changelings in her list of what Barbara might be. ( LD : " Cupid's Errant Arrow ")

In contrast, in the same year conspiracy theorist Steve Levy claimed that Changelings were not real, and that " the Dominion War didn't happen. " ( LD : " No Small Parts ")

At some point between the end of the Dominion War and 2401 , a group of Changelings, still bitter over losing the Dominion War, broke off from the Great Link to seek revenge. To that end, one Changeling took the form of a Human under the name Titus Rikka in 2401 and procured a quantum tunneling device from Daystrom Station , using it to destroy the Starfleet recruitment center in District Seven at M'talas Prime . ( PIC : " The Next Generation "). Another Changeling infiltrated the USS Titan -A and replaced a member of the crew, Ensign Eli Foster . ( PIC : " Seventeen Seconds ") Vadic and her crew were defeated by the Titan -A and their ship, the Shrike , was destroyed. ( PIC : " Surrender ") It was subsequently revealed that Vadic's faction were working with the Borg , infiltrating the Federation to set up a Borg takeover as revenge for their defeat in the Dominion War. ( PIC : " Võx ") Following the destruction of the Borg, Admiral Beverly Crusher was able to devise a way to privately scan for irregularities, allowing Starfleet to detect Changeling infiltrators and Vadic's cohorts were rounded up and arrested. As they were in constant need for information, the Changelings kept but did not kill many of their targets whom Starfleet was able to find and rescue, including Tuvok . ( PIC : " The Last Generation ")

Mirror universe [ ]

In the mirror universe , the Bajoran wormhole remained undiscovered as of 2375 . Therefore, Changelings and other species native to the Gamma Quadrant remained unknown to the peoples of the Alpha Quadrant . The only exception was Odo , who was killed on Terok Nor during a workers' revolt in 2370 . ( DS9 : " Crossover ")

• Odo ( mirror universe )
• Titus Rikka
• Changeling who took Julian Bashir's form
• Changeling who took Eli Foster's form
• Changeling who took Krajensky's form
• Changeling who took Leyton's form
• Changeling who took Lovok's form
• Changeling who took Martok's form
• Changeling who took Miles O'Brien's form
• Changeling who took William T. Riker's form
• Changeling who took Tuvok's form

Appendices [ ]

Appearances [ ].

A list of all appearances of Changelings (excluding the regular appearances of Odo):

• " The Search, Part I " ( Season 3 )
• " The Search, Part II "
• " Heart of Stone "
• " Improbable Cause "
• " The Die is Cast "
• " The Adversary "
• " Homefront " ( Season 4 )
• " Paradise Lost "
• " Broken Link "
• " Apocalypse Rising " ( Season 5 )
• " The Ship "
• " Things Past "
• " The Begotten "
• " In Purgatory's Shadow "
• " By Inferno's Light "
• " Behind the Lines " ( Season 6 )
• " Favor the Bold "
• " Sacrifice of Angels "
• " Treachery, Faith and the Great River " ( Season 7 )
• " Chimera "
• " Penumbra "
• " 'Til Death Do Us Part "
• " Strange Bedfellows "
• " The Changing Face of Evil "
• " Tacking Into the Wind "
• " The Dogs of War "
• " What You Leave Behind "
• DIS : " All In " ( Season 4 )
• " The Next Generation " ( Season 3 )
• " Disengage "
• " Seventeen Seconds "
• " No Win Scenario "
• " Imposters "
• " The Bounty "
• " Dominion "
• " Surrender "
• " The Last Generation "
• PRO : " Kobayashi " ( hologram ) ( Season 1 )

Background information [ ]

Examining the species [ ].

The writers of DS9 believed there was a common "rigidity" among both the Founders and Odo. Robert Hewitt Wolfe described this characteristic as basically being "an obsessive-compulsive control freak." ( Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion  (p. 300))

DS9 : " Chimera " and DS9 : " Children of Time " confirms that Changelings have a life span of at least two hundred years, though Laas and Odo, being part of the Hundred, were not expected to reach the Great Link for another three hundred years in the late 27th century, indicating Changelings could live for at least five hundred years. It has also been suggested that Changelings might be immortal, with the Female Changeling remarking (in " Favor the Bold "), " You are a Changeling, you are timeless " – a logical assumption, given that the cellular structure of Changelings appears to be so fundamentally unique that it is incapable of decay.

Though Odo and Laas have been described as male and the Female Changeling as female, it is unclear what anatomical differences, if any, exist between male and female Changelings. Odo was able to assume the form of the Female Changeling, in " Tacking Into the Wind ".

Also, although an infant Changeling appears in DS9 : " The Begotten ", it is never made clear exactly how Changelings reproduce. Odo did display romantic affection for some female humanoids, most notably Kira Nerys , and was capable of sexual intercourse with humanoid species. He even had a sexual encounter with the Female Changeling, suggesting that two Changelings can mate in humanoid form, though the Female Changeling considered this version of intimacy unnecessary for their race, and pale compared to the Great Link . ( DS9 : " A Simple Investigation ", " Favor the Bold ") Ronald D. Moore opined that Odo could not reproduce with solids as he did not have the "authentic... gear" to fertilize an egg. ( AOL chat , 1997 )

The Changelings frequently assumed a form similar to that of Odo; however, Odo's unique appearance was the product of his difficulty with assuming convincing humanoid forms, not mandated by his racial makeup. Other Changelings have no difficulty with assuming convincing humanoid forms. The first time this was established was in " Heart of Stone ". " Not only do they look like you, but they copy your brain and know what you know. That's very dangerous, " said René Echevarria . ( Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages , p. 91) As the Changelings other than Odo are capable of looking identical to humanoids, they must therefore assume an Odo-like form out of choice. This may be because, before meeting Odo and the races of the Alpha Quadrant , they had no need to reveal themselves individually to outsiders, and thus had no need for a unique humanoid form to differentiate themselves from other species. Odo would have provided them with a useful template. Ronald D. Moore commented, " Odo modeled his look after Dr. Mora and the Founders then modeled their look after Odo. They did this initially as a compliment and way of reaching out to their long-lost Changeling, and later they kept doing it as a dig and reminder to him of his own limitations. " ( AOL chat , 1997 ) Although much older than Odo, Laas also seemed to have similar facial features, probably because of the same reason. Having been found by the Varalans , it can be assumed that the unique bumps on his forehead are typical Valaran features. (However, Odo doesn't have the Bajoran facial features of Mora Pol and other Bajorans; he comments in DS9 : " Past Prologue " that he always had trouble with their noses.)

The Female Changeling appears to be left-handed in " What You Leave Behind ". However, Odo seems to be right-handed during the course of the series. It is unclear whether a Changeling has a dominant hand when assuming humanoid form, or simply chooses which hand to use for different tasks.

Odo assumes the shape of a computer in " Paradise Lost ", but it is unknown whether he could simply mimic the computer's form or whether he could actually perform the complex calculations a computer makes.

Changelings do grow physically, to a point; as Changelings don't eat or drink, it is unclear exactly where the 'new' mass and energy come from. In " When It Rains... ", Julian Bashir asks Odo for a sample of his liquid form, and Odo only agrees on the condition that he will get it back after Bashir's tests are complete.

The articulated goo of the Changelings was probably one of the most challenging special effects to create for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . The standard process of creating the effect and inserting it into scenes typically involved action plates, background plates, blue-screen photography, and CGI , all integrated together, as seamlessly as possible. The Changeling goo (also known as "Odo goo") was specially designed computer animation. There was also a generic wire-frame CGI model that could be animated for representing the beginning of a Changeling transforming from its liquid state into its humanoid form. ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 27, No. 4/5, p. 104)

Episodic developments [ ]

Apart from Odo, Changelings were first mentioned in DS9 : " Vortex ". In DS9 : " The Alternate ", it is suggested that a malevolent Changeling (who turns out to be Odo) is responsible for several attacks on space station Deep Space 9 , although Ira Steven Behr was unimpressed with this plot point. " The red herring didn't quite work for me all that much, " Behr commented, " but it's window dressing [....] It doesn't annoy you because you're buying the package. " ( Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages , p. 68) Changelings other than Odo were referred to again in DS9 : " Shadowplay ", which Robert Hewitt Wolfe noted was one of the first mentions of the Changelings having a mythology and being mythological lifeforms. " [It] was a really nice bit. It's just one of those things; it's like that little seed that you start rolling down the hill, and it just gets bigger and bigger. " (" Section 31 : Hidden File 02", DS9 Season 2 DVD special features)

The Changelings were thereafter introduced in DS9 : " The Search, Part I ". In that episode and " The Search, Part II ", Michael Westmore was required to create the makeup for the Founders as well as Odo. For the non-speaking Founders, Westmore simply used foam latex appliances from the exact same molds as were used for Odo. The makeup designer specifically requested casting, for these parts, actors whose faces were similar in size to Odo actor Rene Auberjonois . For each of the Founders with dialogue, a mold was taken of their face then an Odo-like mask was sculpted over it. Explained Westmore, " It's all one solid piece that glues down around the mouth and eyes. The problem with that face is it has to line up perfectly with the mouth and eyes. " ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 27, No. 4/5, p. 113) Another issue with the Changeling makeup during the making of the "The Search" two-parter was that each mask could be accidentally broken by its wearer laughing. ( Starlog , issue #222, p. 30) Although the makeup department attempted to use the Odo mask for other Changelings as they started appearing, some of the faces of the performers portraying main Changeling characters were so unique and different that Auberjonois' mask couldn't be a one-size-fits-all prosthetic appliance. Consequently, the makeup department ultimately had to craft new masks for principal Changelings. A typical example of such makeup (Odo's) usually took two hours to apply. ( Star Trek: Aliens & Artifacts , pp. 137 & 139)

The sophistication of the average morphing shot was increased tenfold for DS9 : " The Adversary ". Visual Effects Supervisor Glenn Neufeld was hugely surprised by the complexity of that footage, which the visual effects team had only six weeks to do. ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 27, No. 4/5, p. 105) Morphs performed by Changelings in "The Adversary" were actually designed by Glenn Neufeld and executed with CGI by VisionArt Design & Animation . ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 27, No. 4/5, p. 114) " We had a ton of morphs, " said David Livingston . " You're never going to see more morphs in forty-three minutes than you will on this show. " The extreme amount of morphs in "The Adversary" resulted in the episode having an unusually long production period. ( Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages , p. 99) Michael Eddington actor Kenneth Marshall witnessed, first hand, the shooting of some of the footage required for the morphs. " It's fascinating how they do the morph sequences, " he commented. " I haven't actually seen them do the special FX, but they shoot it three different ways on the set. In the last shot, everyone tiptoes off the set so as not to disturb anything even a fraction of an inch. " ( The Official Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Magazine  issue 15 , p. 53)

Due to the Founders infiltrating the Alpha Quadrant, there was much conjecture about which of the characters might be a Changeling. " Many people have gone down many different paths with [speculating] who is a changeling and who isn't, " observed Ira Steven Behr. " There's some great theories. " ( Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion  (p. 43))

More Changeling sequences were created in CGI for "The Begotten", involving Odo and the Changeling infant in separate shots. For one scene in which Odo watches the baby Changeling shape-shift into a rough approximation of his face, the two Changeling characters were filmed on either side of a split-screen shot. Also, both footage of Odo transforming into a hawk in "The Begotten" as well as a shot showing the demise of a slowly dying Founder in " The Ship " were created with CGI done by VisionArt. ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 29, Nos. 6/7, pp. 41 & 42)

Several shots of Changelings were also created with visual effects for DS9 : " Chimera ". In that case, the footage included Laas in the form of a fish-like creature, flying through space, and Odo representing shimmering lights. Both shape-shifting sequences were worked on by Visual Effects Supervisor David Stipes , Visual Effects Coordinator Adam Buckner , and CGI effects company Digital Muse , where Matt Merkovich participated in rendering the footage as CGI with the computer program LightWave 3D. Stipes was impressed by both of the two sequences. ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 32, Nos. 4/5, pp. 64, 65 & 66)

Robert Hewitt Wolfe remarked that the figurative seed he imagined being rolled down a hill with the advent of Changeling mythology in "Shadowplay" was, by the conclusion of the series, "just huge." ("Section 31: Hidden File 02", DS9 Season 2 DVD special features)

Morphs done by Changelings in DS9 series finalé " What You Leave Behind " were created by Digital Muse and were intended to be as similar as possible to the other morphs in the series. " David Lombardi is doing some of them, and Brad Hayes , " noted David Stipes. ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 32, Nos. 4/5, p. 90)

Apocrypha [ ]

In the Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novella Olympus Descending , Odo learns from an elder Changeling that there are no "infant" Changelings, but just Changelings that are kept separate from the rest of the Great Link, as Changelings cannot reproduce since the departure of the ancient Progenitor centuries ago; Odo, Laas and the rest of the Hundred were sent out to find the Progenitor. During the novel, Odo discovers what appears to be the corpse of the Progenitor, prompting the rest of the Link to disperse, leaving Odo and Laas as the only two Changelings left to manage the Dominion.

External links [ ]

• Changeling at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• Changeling at StarTrek.com
• 2 USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-G)
• 3 Star Trek: The Next Generation

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Assignment: Execute Changeling Spy

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• Critical : 6%
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Security has uncovered and secured alive a Changeling spy onboard the ship. There can be only one possible action - execution.

This assignment is unique.

Critical : The execution went off without incident, and morale has markedly improved. Moreover, the incident has led to new security protocols that should be useful in similar future incidents.

Success : The execution went off without incident.

Failure : The Changeling was executed but rumors persist of the executed being innocent.

Disaster : The Changeling somehow escaped and stole a shuttle!

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You Don't Need To Know Star Trek: Deep Space Nine To Enjoy Picard Season 3, But It Helps

This article contains  spoilers for the latest episode of "Star Trek: Picard." 

The third season of "Star Trek: Picard" brings back a lot of fan-favorite concepts and characters from the beloved series "Star Trek: The Next Generation," but it has also resurrected a major plot point from one of its contemporaries, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." In episode 3 ( read our review here! ), Worf (Michael Dorn) and Raffi (Michelle Hurd) discover that, after the events of the Dominion War, the Changelings splintered into two factions: one connected to the Great Link, with Odo (René Auberjonois), and another that wanted to complete the domination goals of the Founders and get revenge on the Federation and the whole Alpha Quadrant. There's also a Changeling aboard the Titan, wreaking havoc and sabotaging the ship at every turn. The Changelings are back in a big way, and they don't necessarily require an understanding of the Dominion War or "Deep Space Nine" because they're objectively terrifying, but it does help make their motives make a bit more sense. 

The Changelings have also changed a bit since we last saw them on "Deep Space Nine," and they've evolved in ways that the "solids" (anyone who's not a Changeling) might not be prepared for. After all, the last time folks in the Alpha Quadrant saw a Changeling, they looked like something from a Capri Sun commercial.  Now, they're more like one of David Cronenberg's creepiest creations . So what's the deal with the Dominion War, and why are these "Deep Space Nine" villains back after all this time? Let's dig into it!

The Gamma Quadrant and the Founders

Worf was able to get the information about the Changeling splinter group from Odo, who sent a message from the Changeling home world, where the entire mass of the Great Link exist in one big ocean of goo. We know that the Changelings continue to exist in some form hundreds of years after the events of "Picard" because they're referenced on "Star Trek: Discovery," but that's all we've really heard about them since the end of "Deep Space Nine," when Odo returned to the Link in order to help cure a disease that was destroying his fellow Changelings. Sadly, we didn't get a chance to see Odo because Auberjonois passed away in 2019, but knowing that he's still out there, taking care of the Great Link after all of these years, is reassuring. (The only thing that would be better is if he got to leave and reunite with his old love, Kira Nerys, played by Nana Visitor.) 

Originally, the Changelings called themselves "The Founders," and they genetically engineered and trained two entire species to serve them: the Vorta and the Jem'Hadar. The Founders used the Vorta to handle all of their mundane and executive tasks, like interstellar butlers, while the Jem'Hadar were their soldiers, born addicted to a chemical called ketracel white. The Changelings and the Federation discovered one another because of a wormhole next to the planet Bajor, connecting the Alpha Quadrant (where the Federation exists) and the Gamma Quadrant (run by the Founders and their organization, the Dominion). Unfortunately, the Dominion are really into domination, and they try to take over the entire Alpha Quadrant before eventually being defeated by the Federation and their assembled allies and frenemies, led by Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) and the Cardassian leader, Damar (Casey Biggs). 

A new breed of Changeling

The Founders were laid low by a combination of the Alpha Quadrant's tactical prowess and the disease that was ravaging the Changelings, slowly killing all of them. Odo's return to the Link meant not only saving them from extermination, but helping them understand the Solids from his time among them. The Changelings that couldn't handle Odo's new way of doings things apparently set off on their own, untethered from the Link but still able to communicate with one another through some of the species' weird abilities. The Changelings have also seemingly evolved, and can now imitate blood, organs, and everything else that makes a solid a solid — they're indistinguishable from those they mimic save for the need to turn into goo form after a period of time. (The amount of time is different depending on the age and skill of the Changeling, but more than a week and they start basically melting.) The old version could be found out with a simple blood test, but the new ones? Not so much.

The evolved Changelings also look a lot grosser than their forebears, sliding around like a mess of flesh instead of the shiny silver boogers they were before. Since they're back for Dominion War 2: Electric Boogerloo, it's good that they at least got an upgrade. We don't know their ultimate motivation beyond revenge and finishing what they started before The Sisko defeated their evil butts, but they're a terrifying threat that make even the Borg look not-so-scary. It's unlikely that we'll see the return of the Vorta or the Jem'Hadar, who are probably busy trying to figure out how to survive without the Founders controlling their every move, but you never know. 

New episodes of "Star Trek: Picard" debut Thursdays on Paramount+. 

• Fleet Starbase
• Caitian NPCs
• Non-player characters
• Duty Officer Assignment Givers
• Earth Spacedock

Security Officer (FED)

• VisualEditor
• View history

The Security Officer is a Caitian Starfleet officer who offers a few security-related Duty Officer Assignments .

Security Officers can be found in the following locations:

• The Operations Center of Earth Spacedock
• In the lounge area outside the Transporter Room of Starbase 39
• The main area of Deep Space K-7
• The Security Office on the Promenade of Deep Space 9
• On the tactical floor of a Fleet Starbase with unlocked Tier III Shipyard. (This one is not a Caitian but will trigger the same interaction window.)

Each officer gives the same assignments.

Assignments given [ | ]

Notes [ | ]

• Not to be confused with the player's Security Department Head in the Duty Officer interface, who offers a random selection of Espionage assignments.

See also [ | ]

• Klingon Security Officer
• Romulan Republic Security Officer
• 1 Playable starship
• 3 Merian Command Science Dreadnought

Screen Rant

Every clue about ds9's changelings in star trek picard season 3.

The Changelings from DS9 are back in Star Trek: Picard season 3, and the first 3 episodes dropped several clues about the shapeshifting villains.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 3 - "Seventeen Seconds" Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 3, "Seventeen Seconds," ended with the bombshell that the Changelings from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine are back, but the first three episodes of Picard dropped numerous clues building to the reveal. Picard executive producer Terry Matalas promised season 3 would also serve as a sequel to DS9 and deal with the aftermath of the Dominion War. The Changelings emerging as the saga's villains not only deliver on that promise, but they were hiding in plain sight all along.

The investigation by Worf (Michael Dorn) and Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd) on M'Talas Prime yielded information on the Changelings that no one on the USS Titan-A is aware of thus far. Worf entered the picture because he was contacted by Odo (Rene Auberjonois) who warned him a rogue faction of Changelings couldn't accept losing the Dominion War and broke from the Great Link to exact revenge on the United Federation of Planets. These Changelings include one posing as a human named Titus Rikka (Thomas Dekker), and they broke into Daystrom Station to steal experimental weapons, including a portal-making device. Meanwhile, the Titan has at least one known Changeling aboard. Here are all the clues Star Trek: Picard season 3 doled out that the shapeshifters from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine are back.

Related: Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Brings Back DS9's [SPOILER]!

10 Beverly Crusher Warns Picard To "Trust No One"

Star Trek: Picard season 3 began with Dr. Beverly Crusher 's (Gates McFadden) medical ship, the SS Eleos XII, invaded by unknown aliens. Crusher was injured as she killed the marauders, so she sent a subspace coded message to Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) urging him to "trust no one." This included Crusher's instructions not to involve Starfleet. "Trust no one," was not Beverly being paranoid; it was the first hint that the enemies after her could take the form of anyone.

9 Someone Was Stalking Picard & Riker At 10 Forward

Admiral Picard and Captain Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) met at 10 Forward in Los Angeles to discuss Beverly's distress call and come up with a plan to rescue her. Neither Starfleet Officer realized that they were being monitored by an unidentified man holding a miniature USS Enterprise-D - one of "the fat ones" that 10 Forward's customers didn't care for. The unknown man dropped the mini Enterprise in a glass to follow Picard and Riker out of the bar.

8 "Ensign Side-Eye" On The Titan

Picard and Riker boarded the USS Titan-A under the guise of a surprise inspection for Starfleet's upcoming Frontier Day celebration. Will and Jean-Luc had some fun at the expense of the Titan's assembled officers and a bemused Commander Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), but one Ensign appeared more hostile to Picard and Riker than the others. This is Ensign Foster (Chad Lindberg), who fans dubbed "Ensign Side-Eye" for the dirty look he gave Riker behind his back.

7 Jack Crusher Says Whoever Was Chasing Them Has "Different Faces"

When Picard and Riker boarded the Eleos, they found Beverly Crusher unconscious in a med-pod and a young man claiming to be her son. This is Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), who is Jean-Luc Picard 's son as well. Before Picard and Riker learned Jack's name, Captain Vadic's (Amanda Plummer) starship, the Shrike, arrived to confront the Eleos. Jack admitted he doesn't know who is chasing him around the galaxy, but he told the Starfleet Officers, "each time, they had different faces" - perhaps the first obvious nod to the Changelings, although it wasn't enough information to come to that conclusion.

Related: What's Wrong With Jack Crusher In Picard Season 3?

6 Jack Crusher's Encounter With The Fenris Rangers

Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 2, "Disengage," began with a flashback to "Two Weeks Ago." Jack Crusher was delivering medical supplies to Sarnia Prime when he was boarded by Fenris Rangers - or people claiming to be Fenris Rangers. They didn't apprehend Jack at that point, but their leader ordered that "the Marked Woman" (i.e. Vadic) be contacted that they found Jack.

It's highly likely that these Fenris Rangers were Changelings incognito. However, their referring to Vadic as "the Marked Woman" is curious, and it hints that perhaps Vadic may not be a Changeling herself but is part of their plot against the Federation somehow. Then again, the Changelings may be using codenames and "the Marked Woman" is similar to how they called the statue of Captain Rachel Garrett (Tricia O'Neil) in front of the Starfleet Recruitment Center on M'Talas Prime Vadic attacked with her portal weapon "the Red Lady."

5 Jack Explains The Different People Chasing The Crushers

Back in Star Trek: Picard season 3's present-day, Jack Crusher offered what little information he knows about his adversaries. Jack expanded on his claim that his attackers had "different faces," describing Fenris Rangers, Klingons, and even Starfleet Officers taking turns trying to apprehend Jack and his mother, Beverly.

4 "Ensign Side-Eye" In The Titan's Transporter Room

Captain Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick) had Jack placed in the Titan's brig on suspicion of being a con man wanted by bounty hunters. When Jack escaped the cell, he high-tailed it to the transporter room where he was confronted by Commander Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan). Meanwhile, Jack was pointing a phaser at the transporter operator, who turns out to be Ensign Foster once again.

Related: Picard Season 3 Easter Egg Raises A Big Sisko DS9 Question

3 Titan Officers Giving Jack Crusher Side-Eye

At the top of Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 3, "Seventeen Seconds," Jean-Luc Picard and Beverly Crusher have their first conversation in over twenty years. Meanwhile, the subject of their discussion, Jack, waits in the hallway with Captain Riker. As the two men speak, a pair of Titan crewmen pass through and they both give Jack side-eye. Riker dismisses it as Titan officers who want to know why their lives are at risk but, in hindsight, there could be more than one Changeling aboard the Titan.

2 Beverly Confirms Different People Chasing Her And Jack

When Picard and Dr. Crusher's conversation shifts to Captain Vadic and the Shrike, Beverly reiterates what Jack said in the prior episode: each time they were attacked, it was by people posing as different species. First, Fenris Rangers, then Klingons, and even Starfleet Officers. Beverly sums it up, "Everywhere we go, someone turns on us." Another hint toward the Changelings.

1 Dual Changeling Reveals On The Titan And La Sirena

Finally, there are dual, simultaneous Changeling reveals in Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 3. After Jack deduces a saboteur is leaking verterium gas to allow the Shrike to follow the Titan, he and Seven of Nine try to stop the leak, and Crusher is attacked by Ensign Foster, who drops his facade and makes it clear he's a Changeling.

Meanwhile, on La Sirena, Worf and Raffi interrogate the captured Titus Rikka, who admits he and like-minded individuals who hate the Federation broke into Daystrom Station. Rikka, who is suffering physical withdrawals, is no longer able to hold his solid form and morphs back into his natural, liquid-based state. The Changelings are indeed back for the first time since the end of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , and the Federation is in mortal peril in Star Trek: Picard season 3.

More: Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Episode 3 Ending Explained

Star Trek: Picard Season 3 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.