Constable Odo

From LoveToKnow Sci-Fi

Constable Odo is the chief of security on the space station Deep Space Nine. He is a member of the Changeling species who were later discovered to be the race known as the Founders. Long ago, these shapeshifting beings traveled the galaxy in advanced starships. Due to the inherent distrust they received from humanoids (whom they refer to as "solids"), the Changelings retreated and hid on a remote planet to avoid persecution.

Constable Odo - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Their thirst for exploration was not quenched, however. The long-lived Changelings sent out 100 infants to every part of the galaxy, each imbedded with a latent desire to return home and share their experiences. Odo was one of these infants. During his stay on Deep Space Nine, Constable Odo struggles to cope with existing with humanoids and fights a constant battle within himself to accept who he is and what his people have done as the Founders.

History

Odo was found adrift by the Bajorans in 2356 near the Denorios Belt. He had not yet learned to take a humanoid appearance and thus remained a shimmering pool of liquid. The scientists were unsure what this material was and so placed it in a jar labelled "unknown sample". The Cardassians, who were in control of Bajor at the time, saw the sample and labeled it in their own language -- odo'ital, literally, "nothing". Even after it became clear this was a sentient life form, the name Odo Ital stuck and was eventually shortened.

As he learned about the solids he was now living with, he was given a job in security aboard the Cardassian space station Terok Nor, what would later be called Deep Space Nine. The Constable was the chief of security aboard the station during both the Cardassian occupation and Federation control. Because of his shapeshifting abilities and desire for justice, he is a respected security chief aboard the station.

The Changeling

Initially Odo was unaware of his past or who his people were. He struggled to justify his existence among the vastly different life forms he had learned to live with. Later he began to learn more about the race known as Changelings and realized he was one of them. Following what was essentially a hunch, he traveled to a remote planet in the gamma quadrant and discovered his people's home world hiding in the darkness of space. Here he learned the frightening truth about his people: they were the Founders, the leaders of the Dominion that were terrorizing and controlling the gamma quadrant through the wormhole.

The Changelings became a fiercely united species after their self-imposed exile from the galaxy. No Changeling has ever harmed another Changeling, as seen many times throughout Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Odo became the first to kill one of his own people when defending Deep Space Nine from an attack. As punishment, the Founders removed his shapeshifting abilities. The Constable was unable to change forms for several months. Eventually Odo discovered an infant Changeling who was dying. The infant integrated itself into Odo's physical body, restoring his shapeshifting abilities.

Constable Odo, Changing

He remained fiercely loyal to the Bajoran and Federation people he served with on Deep Space Nine. He made it very clear he did not condone the actions of his people and did not wish to join the Founders and their rule of terror. But a great disease was killing his people, including Odo, and with the help of Starfleet he found a cure. When the war ended, he returned to his home world and entered the Great Link, a shimmering pool where all of his people exist as one. His people were saved, and he taught them the wonders of living amongst humanoids, hoping to inspire in them a new respect and love for solid species.