AN: I hope you people out there like my new story. I'm almost finished writing it, so I probably won't change much of it. Part of the story will be set in the 2330's, the rest of it 50 years later, in the DS9 & Voyager timelines.
Chapter 7: Warriors Shed Blood
Three months flew by for Ro Tishito and Christian Kirk on Bajoran surface.
They had been taken in by Kai Opaka herself, assisting her during a special celebration in the temple itself.
But today, Christian would go out on his own.
He'd planned to find the shuttle he'd been forced to leave behind to retrieve anything that was possibly still usable.
Tishito wouldn't accompany him, since her wounds were still not completely healed.
"I regret I have to leave you behind, but I will return." and with that, he left the temple.
It was easy for the part-Vulcan to find his way back due to his strong memory.
The shuttle was still in its old place, even though it was slightly covered with sand.
The man entered the broken shuttle and started dismantling it, piece by piece. Searching for something he could still use to find his Illnoira.
"Do you wish to see it?" the Cardassian physician asked.
Illnoira's eyes were wide open. She'd just received the news that she was three-and-a-half months pregnant, with the third child of her husband.
"Yes, please." she replied, and the monitor was turned to her.
It only gave a grey toned image, but it was enough proof for the Cardassian woman that she was indeed pregnant. She had been throwing up quite frequently after her arrival on Terok Nor, which she'd disclaimed as a simple virus she'd picked up. So stubborn had she been, until Ipeni urged her to see a physician.
"Boy or girl?" the woman asked, turning to the female physician.
"It's a boy. Congratulations." the other female said, a sincere smile on her face.
"Thank you. Can I go back to my rooms?"
"You may. I'll set a date for your next check-up."
Later that day, when Illnoira was painting quite an expressionistic painting, Enabran Tain entered her rooms.
"The physician told me you're pregnant, and that it isn't full Cardassian." the commanding officer said.
The woman sighed. "You already deducted that I was an Hatorian bride, it's simply his."
"You still believe you belong with him." Tain stated. "I can't accept that."
"Then you're out of luck. I love my husband, and he loves me. I can feel it right here." and she ticked with her right index finger on her temple. "We have a mental connection."
"I hoped I could teach you how to be Cardassian, but maybe you need a different approach. Your biological parents and siblings are here to see you."
Illnoira huffed. "You can let them in, but I'm not quite interested in knowing them."
The Cardassian male left without another word.
Only a few seconds later, a Cardassian woman rushed in. "Illnoira!"
"There's no need for hysterics." the pregnant female said once the older woman stopped.
"I'm sorry, I just haven't seen you in 54 years." the older woman said.
"You may be the woman who gave birth to me, but that's of no significance." the Starfleet officer stated.
A tall man joined by her side. "You would say that to your own mother?!"
"I don't need to know you, I have a family of my own." and Illnoira turned away from the people who were her biological parents, walking to the window. "My home's out there, it's with my husband and children. Cardassia will never be my home, I would go crazy without my husband."
"Your husband must be special then." the older female stated.
Her husband sighed. "Damira…"
"Our daughter is happier out there Arhin, consider that fact for a minute!" and the greying woman turned back to her daughter. "What's your husband's name?"
"His name's Christian, he's a hybrid. Half-Hatorian, quarter Vulcan and quarter Human." the young Cardassian female told. "He's the Captain of a Federation starship and the grandson of an important Vulcan Ambassador."
"That's more information than I wanted to know." the Obsidian Agent mumbled.
"Be nice! He's still your son-in-law, whether you like him or not!"
The Starfleet officer laughed. She liked her mother, since that woman wasn't grumpy.
Chris removed a panel near the ground, the piece of metal was almost burned.
Inside the panel, only a few threads were broken and burned, but the data chip was still intact. So, he removed it and put it in the brown collection bag on his hips.
He'd dismantled a shuttle before, even if that one had been from the early 2150ies.
Suddenly, there was a phaser at his back.
"Slowly step back and out of this wreck." it was a male voice.
The part-Vulcan's lips twitched, but did as told.
Once outside the wrecked shuttle, he saw it were Cardassians who pointed their phasers at him. There were about half a dozen of them.
"This man isn't Bajoran." one of the officers told.
The Cardassian who had put the gun to his back walked around him. "Then… what are you?"
"I am a Vulcan, you find that my ears are… pointed." the Starfleet Captain told.
A female officer stepped closer, keeping her gun pointed at his chest as she moved his hair away. "He's correct."
"What are you doing on Bajor?" the leader asked.
"I am searching for an officer of mine, she was kidnapped by your forces while on a diplomatic mission to Aurora-Penthe Seven." the half-Hatorian replied. "She was aboard a Vulcan Transport that was practically defenseless."
"I'll check that." and the leading officer walked four meters away before pulling out a communicator and speaking in Cardassian.
Chris looked around. Behind him and in front of him were two long hills of sand. Far to his left stood an old structure, most possibly destroyed by a bomb or something. There was a shadow present, leaning just around the corner to watch them.
He then looked down to his boots, both his weapons were still there.
The officers were chatting in Cardassian among each other, not really focusing on him.
Slowly, the part-Vulcan let his hand glide down to the place of his staff, removing it from his boot.
The female officer was the first to see it, and screamed: "Guys…!"
But the Starfleet officer had already pressed the button to extend the staff, both the blade end and the electrical end. He stabbed the female with the electricity, making sure she had burns on her stomach before letting go and jump on to the men.
The Cardassians were fast with their guns, but they were incapable of defending themselves from a trained half-Hatorian warrior.
Pools of red blood was spilled on the sands of Bajor, with only a few drops of green since one of the officers managed to hit the part-Vulcan before meeting his end on the wrong end of the sharp iron blade.
When all of them were dead or bleeding out, Chris pressed the button on the handle once again, retracting the ends of the staff before hanging it on his belt.
The shadow was still there, but retreated.
The part-Vulcan ran up the hill to the stone structure, finding there had grown moss all over the stones in the shadow. He let his hand wander over it and feel the texture, something he'd always done with plants in his youth.
"Hello?" he asked, his voice echoing through the walls. "Is somebody there?"
The half-Hatorian spotted the shadow again, hastily retreating. "Wait!" and he began running after her.
Once outside the structure, he found an entire band of Bajorans. They were holding Cardassian weapons.
"What did those spoonheads try to do?" an elderly Bajoran asked.
"Nothing much." Chris replied. "I see you had wanted to attack them."
"We wish those invaders gone, they're all putting us up against each other!" one of the younger men yelled.
"Tabain, please." the elder said. "I'm Tobrak, what is your name?"
"My name is Christian." the Starfleet Captain replied.
Then, Tabain interjected: "You're no Bajoran, even your name is alien."
"You are correct, I am part Vulcan."
The younger Bajoran raised his eyebrows. "Part? So… you're a hybrid?"
The Starfleet officer nodded. "Again, correct. I am also part human and part Hatorian."
"I've heard the Cardassians talking about the Hatorians once. They quite hate you." the only female said.
"There is a mutual dislike between our species." Chris confirmed.
"If we don't hurry up, it'll be dark before we know. Why don't we go back and have dinner? You can question our friend later." the elder male said.
"Why aren't you eating?" Tabain asked, pointing at the meat stew that had been served.
"I am a vegetarian, meat is repulsive to my systems." Chris replied. "But do not worry, I am capable to go without food for at least three weeks."
The young Bajoran raised both his eyebrows in surprise. "I didn't know there were species out there who could do such things."
"There are many things in the universe that will surprise you once Bajor is free from the Cardassian Occupation." the part-Vulcan told.
"You believe we'll be free?" the female, Meru, asked.
"There is a human philosophy concerning this: 'when there is a will, there is a way.'" the Starfleet Captain replied. "If you truly want this, you shall be capable of doing it."
"I wish we could fight or something, but our d'jarras aren't allowing anything." Tabain said as he sighed, staring at the fire.
The half-Hatorian turned to the young Bajoran. "On Aurora-Penthe Seven, we too had a caste system once before the Cardassians came. Their wish to occupy us did not sit well with anyone, so the system was abolished for as long as we fought the Cardassians. The first time it took three days, the second time it took only one. After the second try, our politicians fully abolished the caste system. Our society had grown from primitive to warp capable in a very short time, thus they found the caste system no longer necessary to keep us restrained. Warriors had gained the ability to think instead of only following their primal urges."
"It would have to go through the Kai, only she's got the power to do it." the young female told. "All Bajorans listen to the Kai."
"I have met Kai Opaka, she seems a reasonable woman. Maybe if I asked her, she would listen to my words." Chris said.
"Tell me something about my grandchildren, you mentioned you had two." Damira said.
"Ammarine is eight, and very artistic. She loves painting landscapes. Zophar is only two, but he's probably going to become an architect. He builds structures all the time with various materials." Illnoira told, a wide smile on her grey skinned face.
Just that moment, Tain entered the room.
The Starfleet officer pulled her face back into a neutral one.
"We found your commanding officer on Bajoran surface, he said he was Vulcan. Yet, if I understand it right, Vulcans are pacifists. This Vulcan murdered six of my officers!"
"My Captain is also part human, he understands that not everything can have a peaceful solution." the helmswoman said as she stood up.
The commander of the space station smiled. "That's not the only thing. The only weapon that could have killed my officers is an Hatorian Electrical Blade Staff, the weapon of a warrior. He used deception as distraction. He broke several rules of the Second Alliance."
"My husband's only here to return me to the place I belong: with him aboard the Typhoon." Illnoira countered.
The officer behind the fat commander spoke up. "Your husband said you were on a diplomatic mission to the Hatorian home world, is that the truth or a lie?"
"It is the truth, my mother-in-law needed me to sign legal documents about a previously discussed matter that concerns his clan." the Federation officer said, her face as passive as that of a true Vulcan.
The Typhoon had arrived at Starbase 395 seven weeks prior to now, but the crew had been stuck there because Starfleet Command was making a fuss.
Admiral Kirk of Operations looked upon his oldest son. "So you're saying that my son went to a planet occupied by the Cardassians to save his wife? And the only one he took with him was a Bajoran refugee?"
"That's what happened, Admiral. Now he's been stuck there for three months!" David told. "I have a plan ready, but Command's making a fuss out of it."
The Admiral shook his head. "They won't risk the death of a very capable officer, your plan includes the harm of many Cardassian officers."
"It's the only way to save my brother from the killing wrath of the Cardassians and save Illnoira!"
"David, I advise you to let your brother work it out. He's less impulsive and listens easily to logic. His Vulcan side gives him an advantage. Your plan will only be a last resort." and the connection was broken.
It left the Commander frustrated, he hated it when his father preferred anything from his younger brother over him.
"Kai, I have come to ask you something." Prylar Meressa said upon entering the highest chamber in the Vedek Assembly.
"I already expected so." the young Kai said. "What is it that you wish to ask?"
The young woman looked at the ground. "I feel like I don't belong here, that I am meant for something else. But my d'jarra says I'm meant to be a priestess of the Prophets."
Opaka smiled. "Indeed, there are a few who are meant to be something below or above their d'jarra. Soon, The One will give us the reason to act differently. It is only a small wait now, you shall see."
Meressa nodded. "Thank you, Kai."
"You'll find your way, Alenis. May the Prophets guide your way."
"And why are we not all going to the Assembly?" Tabain asked.
"Because I have a bad feeling about it." Christian replied as they neared the tower.
The Bajoran rolled his eyes.
"Something will happen, I am certain of it."
"Do you see them?"
A Cardassian officer looked up to his commander. "The Hatorian and his Bajoran friend have entered the Vedek Assembly, our collaborator was correct."
"Perfect. Gul Tain's orders are simple: kill the Hatorian and bring his body to Terok Nor for his wife to see."
Winn Adami didn't like the presence of the alien man, he was disturbing everyone's daily life, the life they've been living since the day the d'jarras were installed. But now, she was absolutely furious at him.
"The d'jarras need to go." he had said as soon as the Kai had asked why he'd asked for a full audience with the entire Vedek Assembly.
"You'll need to provide us with some arguments." Opaka simply said.
The alien nodded. "I heard from a young Bajoran that the castes are put up against each other, fighting each other instead of the Cardassians. If you truly want to be free, do not simply ignore someone because he or she is from a lesser caste than you are. Even they can have good ideas to build up your land. Neither are some people meant to do in what caste they are born, maybe they are meant for something higher. You need passion for your occupation, otherwise you hurt yourself only further. You need a strong military, then build it with all that you are."
"Your words are well reasoned, I'll bring it before our government."
"You can't mean that!" Winn called out. "You're going to listen to an alien?! A man who doesn't know the way of our life!?"
"Adami, please. We all knew this day would come, it's written in our Scripts. 'The One will tell us to abandon things because of the Grey Warriors.', and I know that this man is The One." Opaka said, quite softly.
The part-Vulcan raised an eyebrow. "I was unaware I had a certain place in your history."
"Your words will bring Bajor to the state it's meant to be."
Then, the door was kicked in and various Cardassians entered the Assembly. They all pointed their guns at the Hatorian.
Illnoira had been locked up in her rooms after she'd told the man that her husband was not a liar at all but a man of the truth. She'd been sitting there for at least four hours, all doors locked.
Then, one door opened up, revealing her personal servant Ipeni.
"What are you doing here?" the Cardassian asked, standing up.
"I'm helping you to get out of here." the Bajoran replied, grabbing the grey skinned arm.
The grey skinned woman was pulled into the corridor, which lead to the slave part of Terok Nor… the place where all Bajorans were staying.
The Starfleet officer saw all of them looking at her, most probably wondering what Ipeni was doing with her here. "Where are you taking me?"
"Down to the surface. My husband's sister Leeta overheard communication officers talking about your husband's whereabouts. One of the collaborators told them his position."
"This Occupation is getting weirder every day." the Cardassian mumbled.
Ipeni shrugged. "As if it'll get better anyway. Now, where's that shuttle?"
"Everybody get out of the way so we can kill that Hatorian." the leader of the squad ordered.
"They really don't like you." Tabain pointed out.
"I told you before, there is mutual dislike between our two people." Christian said, leaning to the male Bajoran as he spoke.
The brown haired man pulled a face. "You murder one another, that's more than just dislike. It's practically war!"
Cardassian officers entered the Assembly further, guns pointed at the Bajorans close to the alien man.
The Starfleet officer nodded to both Tabain and Tishito, who then stepped away. Fear was clearly written all over their faces.
"My orders are clear. Kill you and bring your body to Terok Nor for your wife to see." and the squad leader pulled out a small gun, pointing it to the middle of the half-Hatorian's chest.
The part-Vulcan closed his eyes, his head still held high. "If that is necessary, spunau bolayalar t'Wehku bolayalar t'Zamu il t'Veh."
"I don't know what the fuck you said, but I don't care one bit." and the squad leader started pulling on the trigger of his phaser.
"C'tess." a voice from behind said, in perfect Cardassian.
The half-dozen men spun around, seeing an armed Cardassian woman on the doorstep dressed in a red and black Starfleet officer uniform. She was holding two phasers.
"You shall desist from killing him, or I will kill you slow and painful." her voice was as hard as steel, and it got the men tensing up.
"Who's that?" Prylar Meressa asked.
"She's my wife." Christian replied.
At that, everyone's heads turned to him with a bewildered expression.
"Drop your phasers and kick them to the side." Illnoira said, not reacting on the Bajorans.
Hesitant, the males dropped their weapons, kicking them into the wall.
The Starfleet officer smiled, then pulled both triggers.
This action resulted in the fall of two Cardassian officers.
"You will take your comrades with you and leave this place to never return with such intentions." the Cardassian woman said. "This place is a peaceful one, harmful intentions would be punished by the Prophets anyway."
"She's got some balls." Tabain whispered, now closer to his alien friend. "Are all Cardassian women on your home planet like that?"
The half-Hatorian shook his head. "Not exactly. Illnoira is a unique individual."
Elegantly, Illnoira walked towards her husband and kissed his lips. "Never thought I had to save you from getting killed."
"There are always dangers facing us." the Starfleet Captain merely said.
The Federation officer laughed, looking fondly at her man. "I got a message to Star base 395, David is coming with the ship."
Christian looked at the Bajorans. "How soon will they arrive?"
"Approximately within the next 72 hours."
"I need to do something before the ship arrives. But it will need to happen fast."
Their last days on Bajoran shore was spend running from Cardassian troops, calling the Bajoran people in action against the Occupation and speaking to Kai Opaka.
Christian initiated a Resistance cell together with Tabain and a Bajoran called Ugu Immon. He trained the two men and a couple of the refugee band he'd spend some time with how to defend themselves in hand-to-hand combat with Cardassians. His wife helped him with that one, as well as the weapons training.
Prylar Meressa left her position within the Vedek Assembly to follow the man that was 'the One' according to the religious texts. She trained with him, got to know him and his wife and learned all about the world outside Bajor that she never imagined to know. It was an honor to know the alien male, to find someone so sure of his purpose and the choices he made that got him on Bajor in the first place.
Tishito spend the days painting the alien man who'd taken her back home. Chris was becoming a hero to the Bajoran people, an example of will and strength.
When the day had come, Kai Opaka said goodbye to those leaving the planet. Not only the two Federation officers left, also three Bajorans.
"I wish you the best of all, may the Prophets guide your way." the woman said.
"Thank you, Kai Opaka. May Bajor be free of the Occupation in the future." the starship Captain said, raising his hand in the Vulcan ta'al.
Then, the five were beamed up to the Federation vessel Typhoon. They left Bajor, hopefully to return in a later stadium when the planet was free of the Cardassians.