"Vortex" is the 12th episode of the first season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures on Deep Space Nine, a space station located near a stable wormhole between the Alpha and Gamma quadrants of the galaxy. This episode focuses on Deep Space Nine's security chief Odo, a shapeshifter of unknown origin. In this episode, a criminal from the Gamma Quadrant claims he has encountered other "Changelings" like Odo. The episode aired on television in syndication the week of April 19, 1993.