An Unlikely Connection

Posted on Tue Dec 19th, 2023 @ 11:08pm by Lieutenant Aenar Torek & Commander Joren Tal

1,065 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Broken Mirror
Location: Science Office
Timeline: Current

::ON::

Joren liked to be diligent. One of the things that entailed was reading the bios and service records of his senior officers - It always paid to know which skills or hobbies you might be able to rely on in some rare circumstance.

The bio of Lieutenant Torek, however, took his particular interest. As such, he decided to head down to the Science department and pay the man a visit.

"Lieutenant," Joren said, before continuing "do you have a moment?" - in Bajoran.

Looking up and over his shoulder from the science monitor he was scrutinising, Aenar automatically answered, 'of course,' in Bajoran before frowning at the greying human commander at his door, 'you speak Bajoran, sir?'

Joren moved towards the Bajoran and extended his hand. "Commander Joren Tal. New XO."

'A pleasure to meet you, I'm sure,' Aenar replied and accepted the hand. 'Your Bajoran is good - better than a lot of people I've ran in to. But your accent isn't Homeworld?'

"I was born on Setlik 3, in the border zone. Even as I was young, Bajoran traders'd come and I picked up a few words, and as I got older it came in handy at times." Not a native speaker, the Bajoran of Joren was crude at places, using simple words and not always getting the grammar correct. But it was perfectly understandable otherwise.

'In the border zone I'm sure it was handy,' Aenar said as he released the proffered hand. 'Particularly once things started falling apart out there.'

Joren's face darkened. He had, of course, expected the war to come up. But it was still a dark time in his and his family's life. "Indeed. Played translator for some human and Bajoran smugglers. Was part of the movement." While he didn't specify, it was clear he meant he Ma'quis movement. "How'd you end up in Starfleet?"

'When my family was able to return after the Occupation ended, the Federation and Starfleet assisted the colonists on Bajor Seven to settle in. The improvements they made to the family farm were appreciated.' Aenar smiled, and shrugged, 'they taught me baseball.'

He looked at the human, 'I don't know why I joined Starfleet, really. But they were the first people to show my family compassion and care. I want to pay it back, somehow, I guess.'

"Nothing wrong with that," Joren answered gruffly, "While Starfleet can be... difficult at times, it's really a good organisation to be aligned with. 'though I will admit, you're the first person who joined Starfleet 'cause they tought them baseball." A hint of a smile entered Joren's lips.

Aenar's smile broadened, 'there's not a sport like it.' The smile faded, and he looked at the Executive Officer with open curiosity, 'how did someone from the border areas end up in Starfleet? You still don't see many around the organisation.'

"Used to be resistance. Dam' good at it too." Joren answered, "One day got a message from one of our fighters, told us they were in trouble. Moment we jumped in - half a dozen Starfleet vessels 'round us. Not even sure there was a troubled fighter to begin with. Anyway, realized I was outsmarted and outgunned, so I ordered the men to stand down. I'm all for fighting a good fight, but starting something there'd just ended up in suicide." Joren sighed.

"Put cuffs on me, dragged me all the way to San Fransisco on Earth. 'Listen, Joren,' they'd say, 'You want to fight for a good cause? we need people like you.' Guess I only then really realized what Starfleet actually stood for. That, and a lifetime in prison didn't really appeal to me either. So they drafted me, put me in an Ensign getup, shipped me off to the USS Paladin... And well, here I am."

'Starfleet did have ways of putting the Maquis in tight spots and offering them ways out,' Aenar replied sympathetically. 'I take it then you saw action during the War?'

"I did. Could say I wouldn't have been here without the war. If those dam' boneheaded Cardassians hadn't started it, might've been a herbologist or something. Did the war affect you or your family?" Joren asked.

'Not as much as on Bajor itself - I'm from a colony world in the same system,' Aenar responded, 'it was mostly agricultural products, so so long as we kept our heads down, and supplied them with foodstuffs, they mostly left us alone, you know?' He smiled ruefully, 'I don't think I even saw a Jem'Hadar and Vorta until almost the end of their time occupying the system. Even then it was from pretty far away. There was a resistance cell the next valley over ... they razed it to the ground. Must have been chasing someone who had managed to escape their cordon, the group was moving very fast.'

The Bajoran sighed, 'I mostly remember the smell of burning, and the smoke hanging in the sky.'

"Doubt it was a nice time for anyone in the area." Joren said gruffly. "Anyway, just wanted to meet you. If there's anything you need, let me know."

'Yes,' Aenar smiled weakly, 'of course. Thanks for taking the time to stop by, Sir. It's much appreciated. There's an occasional Bajoran Cultural Night hosted in the Main Lounge if you're ever interested too. Not much of us, but we have a bit of fun.'

"Might take y'up on that," Joren said, "I've found it surprisingly hard to find a good bottle of Bajoran Springwine out here." He paused for a second, before adding "Good 't meecha. We'll be in touch." Adding a respectful nod, Joren turned around and, with a brisk, near military grade gait, stepped out of the office, already with his mind on the next objective on his mental to do list.

Looking at the back of the officer for a moment, Aenar contemplated the conversation. He hadn't really met the previous Executive Officer, and appreciated the call. The Bajoran wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Or the memories he had dragged up.

Settling back into his chair, he pushed the thoughts away and activated his workstation.

::OFF::

Commander Joren Tal
Executive Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Aenar Torek
Chief Science Officer
USS Calypso

 

RSS Feed