The Heart of Starfleet, The Soul of Bajor Part I
Posted on Tue Aug 26th, 2025 @ 5:53pm by Captain Marc Kidd & Commander Mariko Tao & Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal & Lieutenant Jonathan Corwin & Lieutenant Christopher Blake & Lieutenant Vincent 'Ghost' Zandrell & Lieutenant Sarah Graesyn & Lieutenant Yvette Beauvoir & Lieutenant James Constantine & Lieutenant Siadra Molaur & Lieutenant Sorine Kaida & Lieutenant Maya Canak & Lieutenant Ezra Van Wijnbergen & Lieutenant JG Lwaxana Myles & Lt JG Adalyn O'Rourke Ph.D. & Ensign Nala Rider & Cassandra Frost & Hunter Hawkin & Captain Kiyoshi Shingoen
Edited on on Tue Aug 26th, 2025 @ 5:57pm
2,346 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Nupara, Rakantha Province, Bajor
Timeline: MD016 1500 hrs
Her parents had made a home with Layal in the village of Nupara once they had been freed from the Occupation. Layal felt a sense of nostalgia as she walked arm-in-arm with her aging mother through the tables that had been set up to welcome the Artemis crew for dinner later this evening.
The Artemis crew, was it her crew now? She hadn't planned on staying after the trial, but the longer she was on board the more the crew and the Captain had grown on her.
Communal celebrations around food were common among her people, and the local vedek had extended a formal invitation to Captain Kidd inviting the entire crew for one of those celebrations. When the Captain had accepted, the town had been eager to show their hospitality.
The outdoor setting looked like something out of a storybook compared to the condition her village was in when she left for Starfleet Academy many years ago, just six years after the Occupation had ended. She'd been home many times since, each time the city flourishing a bit more, benefitting from the rich lands of the Rakantha Province. Fresh fruit and bread were already being placed on the tables, along with with cuts of fresh flowers in ornate vases designed by local artists.
"I know the Captain is looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the family," Layal mentioned as they walked to the transport site. "He's... personable."
Her mother laughed softly. "Why do you say it like that?"
Layal shook her head dismissively. "I don't know really. I guess I just expected starship captains to command with more of an edge to them, or be less approachable. I don't know what I thought. I didn't really expect to get dispatched to a ship out of the blue and get the Captain's ear so easily. But then again, I'm usually going out because of some issue with a crew member, so I don't know really."
Sylil would have picked her daughter's brain more about her indecision on the permanent assignment, but her husband was standing with Vedek Seral, and they were preparing to receive Captain Kidd and Commander Tao.
"It is good to see you again, Layal. The Prophets have blessed us with a beautiful day to receive our guests." Seral greeted them with a warm smile. "We've received word from the Artemis... Captain Kidd and Commander Tao are ready to beam down."
Layal nodded and stood ready to greet them. She was wearing her Starfleet uniform, but had added a simple accessory often not worn when she was on duty, her Bajoran earring.
Marc stood on the transporter pad and waited for Mariko to arrive. He had been raised to never arrive empty handed and as such he had his mother's famous mint cheesecake in hand. Marc decided to forgo the uniform for this informal gathering and instead wore a pair of denim jean, and a flannel shirt. When Mariko arrived he smiled. "Well Mariko are you ready for some of that famous Bajoran hospitality?"
Mariko approached the transporter room dressed in a deep indigo yukata, its subtle crane motif catching the light with every step. In her hands, she carried a slender cedarwood box bound with green silk cord—inside, a set of preserved Kintochi plum rice cakes, a gift from her home province. It was a quiet gesture, but one rooted in tradition and honour. She nodded to Captain Kidd with composed grace. “I’m ready, Captain. I hope Bajoran hospitality isn’t wasted on those of us with restrained appetites.”
When the transporter effect completed Marc looked around and decided to take it all in. There was something magical about Bajor. Something that somehow made the planet a tad more beautiful than Earth despite the similarities. He spotted Corin and made his way over to where she was after nodding to Mariko to follow. "Quite the spread you have here."
When the transporter effect released them into the warmth of Nupara’s evening light, Mariko took a moment to absorb the scene: the tables, the flowers, the rich scent of bread and fruit. Everything spoke of care, of community. She moved to follow the Captain, her gift still nestled in her arms. “It’s beautiful,” she said softly, her tone almost reverent. “And clearly loved.”
Layal took a few steps toward the Captain and the Commander, meeting them partway. "Thank you, and welcome to Nupara, Captain, Commander. My people enjoyed putting this together. You could say it's our way."
Layal smiled humbly and gave them each a deferential bow of her head.
"My father, Corin Brock, a member of the village counsel, farmer though mostly retired. My mom, Sylil. And this is Vedek Seral, who serves a larger region, and made a special trip here."
Seral stepped forward and extended a hand first to the Captain. She was a tall regal woman, whose face wore the deep creases of years of laughter and worry.
"Captain Kidd, I know your journey must have been a trying one, I hope this evening can be one of relaxation and joy for you and your crew."
Marc smiled at everyone gathered and took the hand of the Vedek. "Thank you for having us..." He pointed toward Mariko almost out of habit. "This is the first officer of the Artemis Mariko Tao. As much as seeing space in all of its wonders is something to behold. Returning to a planet, especially one as beautiful as Bajor is often something magical."
The first officer was in civilian clothes so the Vedek was not immediately able to identify her rank, choosing instead to use her title as an honorific. "First Officer Tao, welcome. Please, feel free to look around. If our accommodations are adequate, we can begin receiving the rest of your crew at your leisure."
Marc smiled. "I am sure they are all looking forward to it." He tapped his comm badge. "Kidd to Artemis. Feel free to transport here when you are ready. Kidd out."
Mariko offered a respectful bow, her hands gently clasping the gift box in front of her as she addressed Vedek Seral.
"Vedek Seral, you honour us with such a generous welcome. Your village radiates a quiet strength—it is evident not only in the land, but in the care your people have taken to receive us." She then turned to Sylil and Corin Brock, her tone warm but measured. "It is a privilege to meet you both. Your daughter serves with conviction and clarity—qualities Bajor seems to instill with admirable consistency."
She glanced around, taking in the flowering vases and delicate arrangements with genuine appreciation. “Hospitality such as this reminds us that peace is not merely a political state—it is something cultivated, table by table, word by word. We are grateful for the chance to share in it.”
Then, with characteristic subtlety, she offered the cedarwood box to Layal’s mother. “A small gift, from Anbara-sei. Preserved Kintochi plum—modest, but made with care.”
Sylil stood with a similar radiant strength as that of her daughter, their features were similar, though the years had aged her, soft wrinkles around her eyes and laugh lines around her mouth seemed to show the mixed emotions she'd experienced throughout her life, from joy to grief, and plenty of worry. She reached forward, graciously taking the box from Commander Tao with both hands.
"I am honored, Commander. Both with the thoughtfulness of this beautiful gift, and with the kind words you speak of Layal. We are very proud. Thank you, this will be a reminder of this special occasion."
Layal stood nearby, both honored and a bit surprised by the Commander's words. She hadn't realized that the first officer had formed an opinion of her at all, not because of anything that Tao had or hadn't done throughout her work on the case. Layal was just in the habit of focusing on her work somewhat in isolation, and it hadn't occurred to her that others would be watching.
Kiyoshi didn't live in his uniform. Not really. But not having it on when he was on duty felt strange to him. But he would have been out of place otherwise, which would have been even more uncomfortable. Unlike the Captain, though, he hadn't thought to bring. He'd walked in just as the gift was brought out He considered going back to the ship to get something, but didn't. He'd already been seen. He walked up and gave a short bow. "This is such a wonderful place you have here," he said though the words seemed a little hollow in his ears.
Maya joined the group, carrying a selection of herb teas from the Yucatan as a gift for their host. She'd chosen to dress simply in a light blue tunic top with embroidery on the hem, neck and sleeves and a dark blue skirt as this was informal. Her first priority was to give the gift to her hosts and thank them for their hospitality. Then she wanted to look around.
Sarah had opted to dress in a form fitting emerald dress; not too fancy but suited to a night on the town. It was paired with black heeled boots that gave her an extra inch and a half of height and when she was released from the transporter beam she held a bottle of Vintage Chateau Picard in hand and looked down to check that the small crate of the same had come with her. She smiled and approached Layal and her family, offering the bottle. “I hope I brought enough to share among everyone; I have had this sitting in my quarters waiting for a special occasion”
"Chateau Picard, that will be fun to put out. I doubt many people here have had a chance to try it," Layal commented. "Dad, you've heard of Admiral Picard. This is from his actual vineyards."
"Is that so? May I?" Brock reach out to take the bottle from Sarah's hands. "So this is what he's been doing in his retirement?"
“Well; from his reputation alone I suspect it is not the only thing he does in his retirement; but the quality is absolutely top notch.” Sarah grinned widely and relinquished the bottle of wine. “I had the privilege to attend a couple of lectures at the Academy that Admiral Picard did. Truly one of my personal heroes.”
"It will be a fun treat. Especially for the Bajorans," Sylil said jumping in. "I know many of them know of Admiral Picard. Let's get this passed around, so that they can start serving. I think the food will be ready soon."
“I should get out of the way so that you can welcome the others then.” Sarah chuckled, looking around to try and locate a seat for herself.
A Joint Post By
Captain Marc Kidd
Commanding Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Commander Mariko Tao
Executive Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Christopher Blake
Chief Flight Control Officer, USS Artemis
Second Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Cassandra Frost
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Vincent Zandrell
Criminal Apprehension Officer, USS Artemis
Commanding Officer, Emergency Services Unit
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Yvette Beauvoir
Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Executive Officer, Emergency Services Unit
Starfleet criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant James Constantine
Criminal Investigations Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Captain Kiyoshi Shingoen
Prison Warden, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Sarah Graesyn
Chief Engineering Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Junior Grade Lwaxana Myles
Forensic Engineering Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Siadra Molaur
Chief Forensic Science Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Ensign Nala Rider
Facial Reconstruction Specialist, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Hunter Hawkin
Forensic Entomoligist, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Maya Canak
Chief Medical Officer/Medical Examiner, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Junior Grade Adalyn O'Rourke
Ship's Counselor/Profiler, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Sorine Kaida
Assistant Chief Counselor, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Ezra Van Wijnbergen
Victim Advocate Counselor, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal
Judge Advocate General, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Jonathan Corwin
Defense Council, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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