The Heart Of Starfleet, The Soul of Bajor Part II
Posted on Fri Sep 26th, 2025 @ 4:51pm by Captain Marc Kidd & Commander Mariko Tao & Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal & Lieutenant Jonathan Corwin & Lieutenant Vincent 'Ghost' Zandrell & Lieutenant Sarah Graesyn & Lieutenant Yvette Beauvoir & Lieutenant Siadra Molaur & Lieutenant Maya Canak & Lieutenant Ezra Van Wijnbergen & Lieutenant JG Lwaxana Myles & Ensign Nala Rider & Hunter Hawkin & Lieutenant Loktor & Ensign Coln Jena
Edited on on Fri Sep 26th, 2025 @ 5:27pm
4,761 words; about a 24 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Nypara, Rakantha Province Bajor
Timeline: MD016 1700 hrs
“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.
Nala fiddle with her amethyst colored Pirate blouse as she materialized on the platform, then drew in a sharp breath at the finery before her. After picking up the basket of Swizzlemint Pawpaws from beside her brown calf-high flat heel boots peeking out from under the hem of emerald green pantaloons, Nala descended the stairs and walked over to Lieutenant Commander Layal and her family.
"Good evening, Lt. Commander Layal, Mr. and Mrs. Brock, Vedek Seral. My name is Nala Rider, and it is truly an honor to meet all of you," Nala hopped she was addressing each person properly.
"We're glad you could make it, Nala. Please, call me Layal," Layal replied, not bothering to correct her on Bajoran naming practices. As she met people they would tell her what they wanted to be called, so she would be fine. "My mom, Sylil, and my dad is Brock. Just make yourself comfortable here," she said warmly. "We want you to feel at home. Help yourself to anything you see out, once everyone from this ship is here we'll make an announcement before bringing out the main meal."
"Thanks, C...Layal. Vedek Seral, M...Sylil and M...Brock. Sheesh, this is gonna take some getting used to. Again, thank you for the invitation and it looks like a great spread!" Nala blushed at being so formal, looking around again at the beautiful scenery and delicious looking food. Nala decided to slip away while she still had a little dignity left. The spread indeed looked spectacular...and smelled even better! Nala wandered among the tables, smelling the floral arrangements and picking random foods to try. There were multiple people to watch and listen to, and of course LOTS of food to eat!
Yvette and Jena arrived together. Jena wore traditional Bajoran clothes in a pale blue, complete with the earring she'd created years ago. With her she carried a small sack that contained Mapa Bread, her family's recipe.
Yvette wore French National Dress. This consisted of a long white dress, covered by a short dark blue jacket, both trimmed in red. Her hair was up in a tight bun. Her gift was a fine piece of scrimshaw, she'd made during a long undercover mission.
Jena approached first, Mr. and Mrs Corin, Vedek Seral, thank you for the great welcome, I am Coln Jena and this is my aunt Yvette Beauvoir. My mother is Bajoran, Coln Tela of Kendra Province, my father is a Starfleet officer, Jason Beauvoir. We have brought gifts, handing over the sack she said. "Napa bread, made according to our old family recipe."
"Mr. and Mrs. Corin, Vedek Seral, as you know I am Yvette Beauvoir." Yvette said. "This scrimshaw an ancient Earth tradition, seafarers would carve intricate images into animal bone, when voyages were long. This one I carved myself, and I would like you to have it."
"This must be very meaningful to you, Ms. Beauvoir. No gifts were expected here today. Are you sure you are ready to part with something so precious?" the Vedek asked with sincerity as she examined the piece.
"Yes, Vedek." Yvette said. "My father instilled in myself and my brothers, among other things, that when you are invited to someone's home you bring something of personal significance as a gift."
"I shall ensure that it is kept on display here. All who travel through here will be able to lay eyes on it. You are truly an artist, Ms. Beauvoir. On Bajor, artists and their work are held in high regard," Seral replied.
"Thank you, Vedek, I am most honoured." Yvette said and gave a brief bow.
Maya was next to greet the Vedek and the family. "Thank you for your hospitality. I'm Doctor Maya Canak. I was taught by my grandfather to always thank your host with a gift." She handed over the container of herb teas. "My family is from the Yucatan on earth. We have used the same herbs that were passed down from our ancestors. I hope you will enjoy them."
Layal had been letting herself fade into the background somewhat, but when Dr. Canak presented them with her tea she stepped forward. "Thank you, Doctor," Layal turned to the others. "I've already had the pleasure of sharing some of Dr. Canak's tea blends already, she grows the herbs herself."
Corin's father nodded approvingly as her mother took the container and admired the collection. "Perhaps you might like something from our garden to add to your collection. If you have the space. I'm sure it's limited on a starship.
"Thank you. I would love something from your garden," Maya replied warmly. "The space is limited, but I rotate the herbs to provide more variety and I'm always looking for something new." She smiled at Sylil. She would definitely find the space.
"I'd love to show you around later," Sylil offered. "Tell you about some of the medicinal properties. Let you pick out what you might like."
"That's very generous of you. Thank you." It was a wonderful opportunity she'd been offered, and Maya would be honored to take her up on it. "I would love to learn more about the medicinal properties of your plants. I am available whenever you have the time."
"We might have enough light after dinner to take a look at the one here that we cultivate," Sylil offered. "If you were interested in a proper forage for some of the more wild grown plants that should probably wait until morning."
"Tomorrow morning is perfect. I haven't been foraging in a while." Maya smiled warmly. "Thank you." Perhaps she could bring a copy of a book on Central American herbs as a thank you gift.
Ezra arrived just as the light shifted--the gold hour stretching across the fields like a breath that could not be held. He came in from the west, his boots coated in a trace of dust, Milo loping ahead with a lazy herding gait, Trigger close behind his heel, silent but still very alert.
He cut a striking figure. Broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted, moving like a man who knew how to disappear if necessary. His red suede jacket clung to him unintentionally, but nevertheless had the effect--deep crimson against the pale of his shirt, a few buttons undone, a suggestion of something carved just underneath. His grey trousers were creased and utilitarian, equally suited for leisure or formality. He looked like someone who had done hard things with care, and come through only mostly intact.
Corin Brock had met him some time earlier, shaking his hand firmly. Ezra had accepted the greeting graciously and quietly, offered Milo and Trigger some time in the open land nearby. The dogs had needed it. Ezra too, though he would not have said it out loud.
Now, as the others greeted, gifted, bowed and smiled, Ezra made his way forward. He cut through without ceremony, finding a lull in the conversation with a nod to Brock, a soft smile to Sylil, and reverent nod to Vedek Seral. He locked eyes with Layal for a moment, offering a thin-lipped smile.
"I didn't bring anything--at least not anything new," Ezra said, his eyes momentarily dropping.
He slipped a hand into the inner fold of his blazer, fingers careful. What he drew out was wrapped in plain linen cloth, soft from use and age. He unfolded it gently and slowly, revealing an old book--leather-bound, some wearing at the corners, the title barely legible anymore.
The Complete Poems of Robert Frost, it read, just above the crease of the binding. Below the title was imprinted the year 1966.
"I've had this since I was seventeen," he said, his voice quiet and low. "It's... been with me through most things. I read it at least twice a year. I don't have much to offer beyond that. But I thought maybe--" He paused, his thumb brushing the edge of the book before wrapping it again in the linen cloth and placing it gently into Sylil's hands. "Maybe something that brought me warmth could offer some to others."
Milo wagged his tail happily and sniffed at the Vedek's hands.
Layal hadn't noticed Ezra's arrival before now. She didn't realize he was a part of the crew - how could she have missed it. After he directed his attention to her mother, she pretended to be watching those in the line that was forming to present more gifts. In reality she was now distracted by his presence, and listened intently as he addressed her mother. Had he known this was her village?"
Sylil offered Ezra a warm smile. "This truly is a precious gift. Did you tell us your name, young man?" She asked. "My daughter loves books, old ones especially. We passed around Bajoran texts during the Occupation. She was so little, but an avid reader. She always handled them with such great care. Do you know Layal?"
Ezra inclined his head, courteous but clipped.
"Ezra Van Wijnbergen," he said. His tone was steady, but not warm. The name felt like something recited, not openly offered. His gaze touched Sylil only briefly before cutting--clean and purposeful--to Layal.
"I don't know her at all," he said simply. There was no anger and no accusation. Just a statement of fact that landed heavier than if he'd raised his voice.
Trigger leaned against his leg, the ever-silent sentinel, and Ezra scratched the dog's neck without looking away. He let the silence ripple outward for a moment longer, then drew back, a smile appearing on his face as he met the gaze of Sylil.
The words hit Layal like the chill from the coldest Andorian wind. Perhaps he meant them to sting. Perhaps she deserved it. She wanted to react, to respond, but it wasn't the time or place. She kept her expression neutral as she stepped forward, taking a place next to her mother.
"Welcome to Nupara, Ezra," Layal greeted him with a warm, but guarded smile.
Ezra inclined his head at her welcome, more a diplomat's gesture, not a friend's.
"Nupara is beautiful," he said, his voice level and unbroken. "Your home is beautiful. The air feels older than most places I've been."
It was the sort of thing you might say to a Vedek, to a parent, to a stranger at a table of bread and fruit. It was entirely harmless--but true. The truth was often the safest mask.
"Please make yourself at home," Layal gestured to the tables. "Mingle, get yourself something to drink. The food will be served as soon as it looks like everyone has arrived."
Ezra nodded once, letting his eyes linger a moment longer on Layal that courtesy would've demanded. He eased into the crowd, aware of every gesture, every shift in conversation, yet somehow he was apart.
He paused at the edge of the gathering, watching Milo's golden fur catch the light as the dog half-stretched in the shadow of a table. And for a heartbeat, he let himself imagine a different meeting, one without the careful diplomacy, without the distance he had only recently worked so hard to maintain--where his words might roll over the boundaries of time and of choice. But only for a moment.
Layal let out a slow and steady breath as Ezra walked away and quickly painted on a smile to receive the next batch of crew who were eager to make formal introductions. She was growing weary of the airs, but she had realized it was expected.
When the transporter effect ebbed away Lieutenant Myles looked at her surroundings in awe. This was the first time that she had seen Bajor after all. To her it was quite different than her home, and she was glad. "Beautiful." She smiled. She nodded in greeting to everyone
Three more bodies materialized onto the grounds. One was Vincent Zandrell, who was dressed in his formal uniform. Holding his hand was his 8 year old daughter Cassie who was in a red dress made of Bajoran fabric and a matching ribbon in her hair. On the other side of Vincent was Loktor, in his own formal uniform with a matching Ferengi cover behind his head.
Zandrell took a moment to kneel down and give Cassie a once over. "You look nice in that dress, Kiddo. I remember when your mom bought if for you." He said softly as he took a moment to comb his fingers through her hair, brushing some of it aside and out of her face. As he stood up, he looked back to the gathered group and added. "Let's try to keep out of trouble."
"Dad." Cassie replied softly, brushing her own hair, as she spoke softly as memories of her mother worked through her mind after the comment her father made. "I'll behave."
"Actually." Vincent countered, as his eyes looked down to Cassie with a smirk. "I was talking to Lok."
Loktor gave a smile, looking over to Cassie, as he added. "Staying out of trouble wouldn't be any fun." He chucked slightly, looking over to the group before muttering. "Let's just hope there isn't anyone from Bajoran Military Intelligence here."
Vincent looked over to Loktor, giving him a raised brow and concerned side eye, as he leaned in a bit closer. "Is there something I need to worry about?"
Loktor glanced to Vincent and shrugged slightly. "I may have spent some time, as my black market weapons smuggler, dealing with an few unsavory Cardassians who could have used those weapons to fight some Bajoran Militia. I don't know if they've been notified I was undercover at the time."
He closed his eyes and looked down with a deep sigh. "Dammit, Lok. You couldn't have brought this up before we came down."
"I honestly forgot about it. It was such a long time ago and these things tend to blend together." Loktor countrered as he looked back to the gathered group. "I do recall every ounce of the profit I got while working that job went straight into a charity for Bajoran Orphans and Refugees. Thankfully, the weapons I sold the Cardassian group were rigged to a low setting so no one died by them."
Vincent shook his head and began to walk to the party. "You've always had bad timing, Lok."
Loktor chuckled slightly and soon followed behind the two. "Can I help it, after being treated so long as a typical Ferengi, I blend into the role so well? People expect a greedy troll so I give them one as long as its necessary."
One thing Hunter had been taught as a kid that when he was invited to a party, even if there were instructions not to bring anything, that he brought something as a gift. Not that he'd been invited to many parties, the last one being years ago when he met his then girlfriends' parents.
He felt awkward being there, everyone was talking and it was really loud. Loud enough he knew he wouldn't be staying for too long. Given he had only been on board a handful of days, he didn't know everyone so had tried to memorise what Layal and a few others looked like. He spotted her easily enough; she was had just finished talking to some other people so it was the perfect opportunity to go and introduce himself.
Walking up, Hunter pushed up his glasses again and cleared his throat politely enough to garner her attention, "Lieutenant Commander Layal? I'm Hunter Hawkin, the new Forensic Entomologist." He put on an aire of confidence and a smile to boot, "I just wanted to introduce myself and say this is a beautifully arranged party, thank you for the invite. I did bring a gift I hope you and your family will like." He produced the box. Inside, it was a simple but pretty gift: a perfectly preserved and framed Bajoran butterfly featuring a host of colours ranging from forest green to white and blue, the white on the wings forming a kind of heart shape. It was from his personal collection that he hoped the hosts would like.
"Hunter, you said?" Layal repeated as she took the box. "Please, just Layal. No need for rank and formalities with me." Layal gave him a smile before she turned her attention to the box and opened it. She recognized the specimen immediately. The butterflies reminded her of her time after the Occupation. Her early teen years when they were free to roam the fields and would see them come out toward the end of spring. She would chase them, their beauty always seeming just out of reach.
"This is really beautiful," Layal said to the young scientist. "I'm sure my parents won't mind if I keep this for myself. A reminder of home when I'm far away.
Siadra beamed down, and with her was Jonathan, she turned to him
"Look, it is very important for you to come down and hopefully get things worked out, somewhat. It was lovely to have been invited to come to Layal's home."
"I don't know about this Siadra, I am anticipating a rather cold welcome from her." Jonathan looking uncomfortable.
"At the very least you've got to offer your apologies. C'mon Jonathan, lets go find her." linking her arm with his and set them on their quest to find Layal.
Nala wandered around, not really sure where she wanted to light...and not really sure if she wanted to light anywhere as there was so much to watch and do. Suddenly, movement close to the ground caught Nala's eye, and her heart lifted as she spotted a pair of DOGS standing near a strikingly handsome man. Nala swallowed both the food in her mouth and a squeal as she walked over.
"Hello! My name's Nala. Um, may I pet your dogs?" Nala asked, trying to remember if she knew the man in front of her.
Trigger saw her first. His ears pricked, his body lifting just enough to suggest he'd rise if Ezra allowed it. Milo, on the other hand, gave a slow thump of his tail against Ezra's boot, the same way he always did when someone's approach smelled of sugar and nerves.
"Go ahead," Ezra said, his voice warm. "They love the attention. This is Trigger, and that's Milo."
At the sound of his name, Milo rolled onto his side in the dust, surrendering his belly as if it were a peace offering. Trigger sniffed Nala's boots, very decisive, then looked up at her face as if he were asking, 'What sort of person are you?'
"Thank you! Aaaw, you two are so CUTE! Nice to meet you Milo, and you too, Trigger. Um, can you tell me their breeds? I think I recognize them, but I'm not sure. Oooo! So FLUFFY!" Nala couldn't stand it any longer and buried her face in Milo's soft fur!
"Trigger's a Belgian Malinois," Ezra explained, one hand resting lightly on the dog's shoulder. "Sharp as they come, but he only works when I ask it of him. And Milo--" he nodded toward the heap of his golden fur wriggling under Nala's affection--"he's a Retriever-Collie mix. Thinks every stranger's a long-lost friend."
Milo sneezed in agreement, pawing gently at Nala's arms for more. Trigger, still watchful, relaxed a fraction when Ezra gave the faintest nod.
"*Giggle*. That makes sense. They're both very well behaved...and Milo's such an attention-aholic," Nala giggled, happily obliging.
Ezra's mouth tipped into a half-smile as he watched her crouch into the dogs' orbit. There was a brightness about her--something in the way she laughed at herself while giving in to Milo's canine charms. He'd seen that often enough in trauma work: people softening first toward the animals, then, cautiously, toward him.
"Attention-aholic's about right," he said. "They were both trained to work with patients, but Milo... well, Milo thinks his real job is convincing everyone he's irresistible."
"Oh wow, that's amazing! I think a lot of dogs are like that...and you're doing such a good job at it!" Nala cooed, stroking Milo some more.
Trigger leaned his weight subtly against Ezra's leg, still steady as a pillar. The Malinois tolerated the petting but he was always the consummate soldier--alert, but never willing to yield too much of his dignity.
Nala took notice of the 'Military Precision' Trigger was displaying, so she gave him one more scratch behind the ears, then refocused on Milo.
Ezra glanced back to Nala, his tone kind but curious. "And you--you're with the Artemis, too? I've only recently come aboard. Ezra Van Wijnbergen." His hand lifted above Milo and toward Nala in a gesture of introduction. "I work in Victim Advocacy. And these two are my colleagues in fur."
Milo huffed, as if seconding the newly-christened title. Trigger merely blinked, wholly unimpressed by any of it.
"Yep! I'm the head Facial Reconstruction Specialist. Oh, wow! It's nice to officially meet you, Ezra. Are you three settling in ok?" Nala took Ezra's hand, carefully shaking it overtop of Milo's head while continuing to pet him. It had been a pretty long time since she'd been able to cuddle a fuzzball, and she was REALLY enjoying it!
Ezra's grip was firm but never crushing, a handshake measured to the moment. He let it go just as carefully, his eyes steady.
"That's... delicate work," he mused. "I imagine you need both patience and imagination in equal measure." He flashed a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes but carried warmth all the same.
"Totally, and it's quite invigorating! While the WHY of my work is heartbreaking, it feels good to give people closer." Nala noticed where the smile stopped, but felt that it was more his not being warmed up to her yet than her herself.
[New place, new crew, heck, everyone goes through the 'New Kid On The Block' phase!] Nala thought, determined to give her best effort to making the threesome feel at home on the Artemis!
"That's no small gift to give," Ezra said softly. His gaze slid over to Milo, who was now sighing happily under Nala's ministrations, one paw crooked as if he'd found the perfect position for eternity. "In my work, I've found people never truly get closure. Sometimes all we can manage is to just sit with them. Dogs help with that, too--they don't care what's been broken."
He fell quiet a moment, eyes scanning the area as the rest of the Artemis' crew milled around Layal and her family. Ezra realized his brow was furrowed and tried to ease his expression so as not to give Nala the impression he was a grouch. Though, he couldn't decide whether he was feeling forlorn because of the subject matter, or whether he was experiencing ambivalence after his first contact with Layal in nearly ten years. Either way, it wasn't a feeling he was comfortable experiencing.
Ezra returned his attention to the pretty young officer who continued to hold Milo in her thrall. "How long have you been aboard the Artemis, Nala?"
"That's the teeth kicker right there. Wish they'd always had animals helping out...bet lots of baddies'd not have gone bad. Ahem, I've been with Artemis bout a year, give or take a few months. This here's a good batch a people that have each other's backs, and I'll thump anyone that says otherwise!" Nala lapsed in to a small funk at the gravity of Ezra's job, then bounced back to her chipper self as she mock defended her crew. Nala'd taken note of Ezra's melancholy mood, but again knew it wasn't directed at her, so she absorbed the information he provided/didn't provide, and tucked it away for later analysis if need be.
Lax just strolled around a little bit. After all it was her first visit to Bajor. She was sure to take it all in in order to accurately describe it. She mentally kicked herself because she didn't have a camera. "No pictures " she shrugged. "Oh well "
"Beautiful isn't it?" Jena asked approaching Lax.
"It definitely is!" Lax said "I'm loving the scenery. The climate. Everything!"
Jena smiled. "Its great to be back, I was born here, well not here, here, I was born several kilometres away, in a different province, but you know what, I mean." She said.
Lax nodded. "It's my first time." She replied. "But I totally understand. I'll be back for sure."
Jena smiled again. "I'm Coln Jena, by the way, Artemis' Forensic botanist." She said.
Lax smiled back. "Pleasure to meet you. Lwaxana Myles, Forensic Engineering. Everyone calls me Lax "
Jena looked over at a flock of sheep-like animals in a nearby paddock. Pointing them out, she said. "Lax, look, that's a flock of shafren, we raise them for there wool, it takes a lot of skill to shear them, you have to avoid the boney spikes on their backs."
A Joint Post By
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 Ezra Van Wijnbergen
Victim Advocate Counselor, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Maya Canak
Chief Medical Officer/Medical Examiner, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Captain Marc Kidd
Commanding 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
Lieutenant Vincent Zandrell
Criminal Apprehension Officer, USS Artemis
Commanding Officer, Emergency Services Unit
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Loktor
Criminal Investigations Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Yvette Beauvoir
Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Executive Officer, Emergency Services Unit
Starfleet criminal Investigations Unit
Ensign Coln Jena
Forensic Botanist, 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
Hunter Hawkin
Forensic Entomoligist, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Commander Mariko Tao
Executive Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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