Paint and Powder

A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.

Doctor Bashir, I Presume?

"It's hideous."

Terok materialized in the Medical station, startling two of the people there.

"What is this? Why is there a Cardassian here?"

"That would be the Terok Nor AI," Bashir motioned, "Terok, this is Doctor Zi-"

"I heard. A Hyo-mon doctor trying to make more of the idiot Doctor."

"I beg your pardon?" the Hologram asked, "I-"

"Ignore her, she's always like that," Bashir sighed.

"Well, I suppose I could learn a thing or two from the Cardassian's programing," Zimmerman continued, "I do like the idea of outfitting the entire ship with holoemitters, it would allow greater access and mobility, something it would definitely need."

"And despite all of this, you have nothing positive to say about Doctor Bashir?"

"What's there to say? He's a desperate, wannabe Know-it-all, who thinks he's a lot more likable and popular than he really is," Terok huffed.

"I see. If I recall, in Cardassian culture, insulting and belittling a man is akin to flirting-"

Zimmerman dove under the table as Terok hurled a chair at him.

"I think we're done here."

"I like him, he's nice to me," The Defiant responded.

"...Is that really all you have to say?"

"There's not exactly a lot of stuff we do," she shrugged, "I wanted to do one of the Spy Holoprograms with him, but I got a weird look from Captain Sisko."

Zimmerman groaned, "I think that's quite enough."

Morn's Freighter shrugged.

Terok appeared.

"Bashir."

"Terok."

awkward silence came over the room.

"...I really don't have time for whatever snarky co-"

"I'm sorry."

"...What?" Bashir turned to look at her.

"There's a lot I don't really understand about humans. the Cardassians never really bothered with genetic enhancements."

Terok sat in the chair next to him.

"But I do understand the idea of not being wanted. Or that they think something is wrong with you."

"..."

"You're a good person. For a human."

"Well, I suppose that's the closest thing to a complement that I'll ever get from you."

"You're still an idiot, though."

"Yeah, I figured that..."

Written by Dramatic Spoon.