The Iconian portal was an artifact that was created by the ancient Iconian civilization.
History
In the Mirror Universe, the Iconians had a similar history of having a large empire based on their gateway technology. One such artifact was discovered by a Breen where it was confiscated by the Bajoran Paqu who in turn gave it to Benjamin Sisko. He gave it to his employer who made use of it as part of her plans to gain a position of power within the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. After Sisko accidently used it and appeared before her, the Intendant tested it on her of her slaves who teleported before the Empress of the Romulan Star Empire where he was killed swiftly by her Royal Guards.
Overview
This device was round and flat which had incised symbols on its surface. A slight dent at one edge operated a silent mechanism that opened the object like a clam shell. This was where the true appearance of the machine came which had a top half polished surface similar to a mirror. The bottom consisted of overlapping triangular leaves of metal and was much heavier then it appeared though ultimately it looked like an ornamental mirror.
This portal was activated when the user concentrated on the mirror surface and imagined a person or place. Once enough focus was made then the artifact forced the user into its surface where it dissolved in front of them as the person was sent spiralling into the vortex. After its use, the device became inert and it was possible to prevent teleportation by covering the mirror based surface.
A study of the incised configurations and the triangles was capable of revealing the artifact being of Iconian design with some similiarities with the larger gateways. Furthermore, a computer analysis was capable of determing that the casing of the portal contained a large percentage of neutronium similar to the gateways themselves. Essentially, it served as a miniature version of the gateway technology capable of transporting individuals many light years away. (DS9 novel: Dark Passions)
- The artifact was not given definitive name during the two novels where it featured and was simply referred to as either a transportal or portal.