Ahn of Deep Space Nine

A fan-novel, based on Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery and STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE.

DISCLAIMER: This was written solely for the sake of fun. No money is being made here, and no copyright infringement is intended. Takes place after "What You Leave Behind," the final episode of Deep Space Nine.

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EPISODE XXVII
A Night To Remember

"What do you think?" Ahn queried.

The blue one, by all means," answered Becky decidedly.

The two young ladies stood before a long mirror in Ahn's bedroom. Dresses of different colors and designs were spread over the bed, with matching shoes lined up across the floor. It was late evening, but Ahn and Becky had no intention of sleeping just yet. Important decisions had to be made.

Ahn's bedroom was a very different place from when she first arrived on Deep Space Nine. Back then, the little room gave off such unwelcoming airs that it sent chills down Ahn's back. But changes crept in over time, despite Quark's resistance, until it was as warm and inviting a nest as any being could desire.

The gold velvet carpet of Ahn's early visions had certainly never materialized; but her dreams had kept pace with her growth, and it is not probable she lamented them. The floor was covered with a pretty fuschia matting, and the curtains that enhanced the starry skies were of a matching patterned material. The walls were adorned not with Bolian tapestries, but with picture frames holding candid snapshots of dear friends. Ahn had only one photograph of Quark, but it occupied a place of honor, underneath her pillow. She made a special point of glancing at it before going to bed every night. Her furniture consisted of a simple metal shelving unit filled with books, a desk with matching chair, a dressing table, a full-length mirror and a bed decked out in frilly linens.

Ahn was choosing an outfit for the reception being held by Commander Kira. She was hosting a group of dignitaries from across the sector, and was looking to display some of the station's young talent. Four students were chosen to entertain. Alojza Schumann would perform a juggling act, then Ayla Krel would recite some traditional Bajoran poetry. Becky Peters planned to play some selections from Beethoven. To close out the evening, Kor Ahn would give a speech on inter-galactic unity.

As Ahn would have said at one time, it was "an epoch in her life," and she was absolutely thrilled by it. Nog was quite impressed by the honor conferred upon his cousin and Quark was not far behind, although he would have died rather than admit it. Instead, he questioned Commander Kira's wisdom in entrusting the entertainment of such luminaries to "a bunch of children."

The recital would be held the next evening, in the station's Amphitheater. Afterwards, the performers would join the guests at a special dinner.

"Do you really think the blue is the best?" queried Ahn anxiously. "I don't think it's as pretty as the green, and it certainly isn't as fashionable."

"But the blue suits you so much better," said Becky. "The sleeves hang so beautifully, and the beading accents your eyes. The green is stiff, and makes you look too dressed up. But the blue seems to flow on you - almost like water."

Ahn sighed and yielded. Becky always possessed a reputation for good taste, and her advice on such subjects was much sought after. She was looking very pretty herself in burgundy brocade, from which Ahn was forever debarred. Becky already knew what she was going to war, so her efforts were now focused upon her friend, who she vowed must, for the honor of the station, be dressed and combed and adorned to the highest standard.

"Why don't you wear some of your hair down; here part it horizontally, like that. Let the bottom half hang down, and pin up the top... don't pull it back so tight, just let it look soft. I'll put a little of this lipstick on you, and some liner around your eyes to bring them out."

"What about this bracelet?" asked Ahn. "It was a birthday gift from Cousin Nog, and I know he'd like to see me wear it."

Becky pursed up her lips, tipped her dark curly head to one side critically, then finally gave the thumbs-up.

"You look absolutely stunning," said Becky, with unenvious admiration. "You always stand so straight and proud. I, on the other hand, have a tendency to slouch. I know it's a bad habit, but I can't seem to help myself. Well, I suppose I shall just have to resign myself to it."

"But you have such lovely hair," said Ahn, smiling affectionately into the pretty, vivacious face so near her own. "Lovely curly hair, dark as a raven's wing. I have given up all hope of having such hair. My dark-hair dream will never come true; but so many of my dreams have that I mustn't complain. Am I all ready now?"

"All ready," assured Becky, as Quark appeared in the doorway, a figure much shorter and older, but with a handsomeness all its own. "Come and get a preview of tomorrow night. Doesn't our honored speaker look lovely?"

Quark emitted a sound between a sniff and a grunt.

"It's acceptable enough. The dress is fine, but I expect she'll ruin her hair before the night is through. Elaborate styles don't sit well with Ahn, but there's no point in changing it now. It's not like you would anyway. There used to be a time when my word was considered law, but now people like to do as they please. Everyone likes to go for the prettiest thing, without thinking about whether or not it will last. Just watch where you walk, Ahn. Don't slip in those heels, and don't trip over the bottom of your dress."

Then Quark stalked out of the room, thinking proudly how sweet Ahn looked, and regretting that he could not make it to the Amphitheater tomorrow because he knew the bar would be swamped.

"I wonder if I can make myself look like this tomorrow night," said Ahn anxiously.

"Not to worry," said Becky, linking her arm with Ahn's. "It will be a perfect night, and you'll hold up just fine. Oh, just look out at the stars."

"I'm so glad to have a window in my room," said Ahn, looking at Becky. "It's splendid to wake up and have billions of points of light there to greet me. Every morning, I feel as if my soul's been illuminated. My dear friend, I love this place so dearly. I don't know how I'll get along when I go to Bajor."

"Don't speak of going away tonight," begged Becky. "I don't want to think of it, it makes me so miserable, and I do want to have a good time before the end comes. What will you say tomorrow night, Ahn? Aren't you the least bit nervous?"

"Not a bit. I've spoken so often in public I don't mind at all now. I'm keeping what I'll say a secret, if you don't mind. I thought about adding in some lighthearted comments, but I didn't think Commander Kira would appreciate me making everyone laugh."

"What will you do if they request an encore?"

"They won't dream of encoring me," scoffed Ahn, who was not without her own secret hopes that they would, already envisioning herself telling Quark about it over steaming raktegenos. "Come on, we'd better go get some rest."

The next evening, some fifty ambassadors and esteemed guests slowly made their way into the Amphitheater. Meanwhile, the performers were already waiting in a room directly behind the stage. As they peeked out at the incoming guests, Ahn suddenly felt terribly out of place. Her deep blue dress, which, in front of the bedroom mirror, had seemed so dainty and pretty, now seemed simple and plain - too simple and plain, she thought, among the sea of fabrics, jewels, feathers, furs, and embroidery before her. What were her beaded sleeves compared to the Klingon's massive cloaks? And how poor her hair looked compared to the curls, braids, and upsweeps of the Betazoids! Ahn crossed her arms, and shrank miserably into a corner. She wished herself back in her own room, beneath the bed.

It got even worse near the end of the evening, when it was her turn to speak. The bright lights stung her Cardassian eyes, the smells and sounds bewildered her. She wished she were sitting in the audience next to Nog and Becky, who had completed her musical presentation to a standing ovation. Together, they seemed to be having a splendid time in the back. Filling out the row was a stout Risian lady in a multicolored pantsuit and a tall, thin Bolian lady in a pure white gown. The Risian stared straight in Ahn's direction until she, acutely sensitive of being so scrutinized, felt that she must scream aloud; and the Bolian kept talking audibly to her next neighbor about the "unsophisticated lot" that populated the station, languidly voicing her "great amusement" from the displays of local talent that evening.

Ahn believed that she would hate both those women to the end of time.

Unfortunately for Ahn, a Cardassian ambassador had also been invited to attend, and had been asked to speak. He was an older, impressive looking gentleman in a mustard-yellow suit with deep brown trim. He had a marvelously flexible voice and wonderful power of expression; the audience was transfixed by his words. Ahn, forgetting all about herself and her troubles for the time, listened with rapt and shining eyes; but when the recitation ended she suddenly put her hands over her face. She could never get up and speak after that - never. Had she ever thought she could speak on inter-galactic unity? Oh, what she'd give only to disappear!

At this unpropitious moment her name was called. Somehow Ahn got on her feet, and moved dizzily out to the front. She was so pale that Becky and Nog, down in the audience, clasped their hands in nervous sympathy. Ahn was the victim of an overwhelming attack of stage fright. As often as she had spoken in public, she had never before faced such an audience as this, and the sight of it paralyzed her completely. Everything was so strange, so bright, so bewildering - the rows of people in their finest dress, the critical faces, the whole atmosphere of wealth, power, and culture about her. This was light years away from the schoolroom desks filled with the faces of friends and classmates. These people, she thought, would be merciless critics. Perhaps, like the Bolian, they anticipated amusement from her "unsophisticated" efforts. She felt hopelessly, helplessly ashamed and miserable.

Her knees trembled, her heart fluttered, a horrible faintness came over her; not a word could she utter, and the next moment she would have fled from the stage despite the humiliation which, she felt, must ever after be her portion if she did so.

But suddenly, as her dilated, frightened eyes gazed out over the audience, she saw Tared Evron at the back of the room, leaning forward with a smile on his face - a smile which seemed to Ahn at once triumphant and taunting. In reality it was nothing of the sort. Evron was merely smiling with appreciation over the whole affair in general and of the effect produced by Ahn's blue-garbed form. On the other hand, B'Toreth, who sat next to him, had a face both triumphant and taunting. But Ahn did not see B'Toreth, and would not have cared if she had. She drew a long breath and flung her head up proudly, courage and determination tingling over her like a plasma shock. She WOULD NOT fail before Tared Evron - he would never be able to laugh at her, never, never! Her fright vanished, and she began her speech. Ahn's voice, filled with expression, reached to the farthest corners of the Amphitheater without a tremor or a break. Self-possession was fully restored to her, and in the reaction from that horrible moment of powerlessness she spoke as she had never done before. When she finished, the audience stood and burst into loud, genuine applause. Ahn bowed to them, blushing with shyness and delight. When she rose, she found herself staring into the eyes of the Cardassian ambassador.

"You did splendidly, my dear," he beamed. "I was deeply touched by your words. Why, I believe they're encoring you!"

"I don't know what to say," said Ahn confusedly. "I suppose I should think of something, or Mr. Quark would be disappointed. Even though he's not here, I want to show him I did well."

"Then don't disappoint Mr. Quark," said the ambassador, laughing.

Smiling and blushing, Ahn continued on, this time offering some of the lighthearted comments she had scrapped. Contrary to what she previously thought, Commander Kira and the rest of the audience were quite amused. The evening turned out to be a triumph for everyone involved.

When the reception ended, the Cardassian ambassador - a man by the name of Elid Kovit - took Ahn under his wing, introducing her to the guests; who treated her graciously for the most part. Commander Kira came and thanked her, stating she did the station a great service. Even the thin Bolian woman paid her a languid little compliment. The performers then had dinner with the guests in a large, beautifully decorated dining area.

When the evening was said and done, Becky and Ahn walked merrily out into the corridor. They each took a deep breath, and gave each other looks of absolute relief.

"Oh, it's good to be out again in the purity and silence of the night! My head is just swimming with memories; the murmur of the crowds, the colors, the lights. Oh! And the feelings of panic, then amazement, then relief!"

"Hasn't it been a perfectly splendid time?" sighed Becky, as they walked towards the Habitat Ring. "I just wish I could be an ambassador. I'd travel from world to world wearing jewels and low-necked dresses. I'd sleep in the finest rooms and have parties held in my honor. I'm sure it would be much more exciting than being a pianist. Ahn, your speech was the greatest, although I thought at first you were never going to begin. I think you surpassed everyone, including me."

"Oh, no, don't say things like that, Becky," said Ahn quickly, "because it sounds silly. I may not know much about music, but I can honestly say your performance was first-rate."

"Let me tell you what happened on the way out, Ahn," said Becky. "It was a compliment and I think you'd be pleased to hear it. There was a human sitting behind me...a handsome young man, with the deepest blue eyes. I learned that he is a distinguished artist, and that Mrs. Chel's cousin on Trill is married to a man that used to go to school with him. Well, I heard him ask, 'Now who is that young lady on stage with the splendid Titian hair? She has a face I should like to paint.' There now, Ahn. But what does Titian hair mean?"

"Being interpreted it means plain red, I guess," laughed Ahn. "Titian was a very famous Human artist who liked to paint red-haired women."

"DID you see how everyone looked?" sighed Becky. "They were simply dazzling. Don't you wish you could live a life as rich and exciting as they?"

"We ARE rich," said Ahn staunchly. "Why, we have the future ahead of us, and we have our minds and our health. Look around you. We couldn't enjoy the loveliness of life any more if we had a room full of latinum. You wouldn't change into any of those people if you could. Would you want to be that Bolian woman, turning your nose down at new experiences instead of showing interest? And what about the Risian who seemed so uptight? Her planet's supposed to be known for its relaxing atmosphere! Seems to me that despite the fine clothes and the jewels, ambassadors lead quite stressful lives. Even at parties, they're thinking about how to keep their world from chaos."

"I DON'T know exactly," said Becky unconvinced. "For all the stress of being ambassador, I think jewels and clothes would provide a great comfort."

"Well, I don't want to be anyone but myself, even if I go 'uncomforted' for the rest of my life," declared Ahn. "I'm quite content with all that I have now. What Mr. Quark has given me surpasses any luxury the universe has to offer."

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EPISODE XXVIII
A University Woman

Ahn's oratory triumph was now but a sweet memory, and the rest of the summer was spent in preparation for her departure to Bajor. There was packing to be done, and many things to be talked over and arranged. Ahn had an entirely new wardrobe, thanks to Quark, who for once made no objections over style or price. He even made arrangements for the furniture in her bedroom to be transported down to her dorm.

"You know, Mr. Quark," Ahn said with all seriousness, "I don't believe you ought to be so kind to me...you're making it harder every day for me to go away."

Quark paused for a moment, his mind reflecting over all that had happened in the past decade. He vividly recalled the days spent teaching and punishing; the nights spent paying and praying; not to mention the lecturing and rescuing that came in between. It had been a great deal of hard work for no monetary gain whatsoever. Yet Quark felt it was the best investment he ever made.

Suddenly, he felt wetness pooling in the corners of his eyes.

"Oh don't cry," said Ahn, reaching forth to rest her hands on his shoulders. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"I was NOT crying," said Quark with a sniffle and a few quick blinks. "I just couldn't help thinking of the changes that will have to be made once you're gone. For one, I'll have to find someone to take over your duties at the bar. Then, I was thinking that I could sell some of your old clothes and books. Oh, and maybe I could turn your room into a library or a beetle-snuff parlor. Now which do you think would be better?"

Ahn's face took on a pained expression. "I'm not even gone yet, and here you are going forth like I was never here! I know I've been trouble, but we've had some good times together. Aren't you going to remember me. Aren't you going to miss meeven a little bit?"

Quark turned to face Ahn. He sighed, and looked gravely into her eyes.

"You know I didn't mean any of that. It's just that sometimes - it's hard for me to say what I mean. I'm glad you're going to Bajor, but part of me wishes that you weren't. Sometimes, I wish that time could stand still."

"When I first decided to let you stay, I didn't think you'd be much more to me than a floor-sweeper. Instead, you've been better to me than some in my own family. I'd become so used to you being around that I don't know how I'm going to get along without you."

You're NEVER going to be without me," Ahn insisted, "No matter where I go...to Bajor...to the end of the universe...my true home will be here. No matter how much I change on the outside; in my heart I shall always be your Ahn, who will love you and Cousin Nog and Deep Space Nine every day of her life."

Ahn leaned forward, and pressed her ridged forehead to Quark's lobed one. At that moment, Quark would have given much for Ahn's power of putting her feelings into words; but nature and habit had willed it otherwise, and all he could do was receive in silence. Then with a suspicious moisture in his eyes, Quark excused himself and headed from his quarters.

In the dim light of the corridor he walked agitatedly towards the turbolift.

"Well now, I know as well as anyone that time can't stop," he muttered. "And it would be unfair to wish for such a thing. Ahn has a right to live her own life. She's pretty and smart, with a profitable future ahead of her. She's been a true asset to me, and she will become an asset to the rest of the universe."

The day finally came when Ahn set out for Bajor. Since Nog had been the one who brought her to the station, he felt it was his duty to bring her to the University. She and her cousin boarded the runabout Nile, after a tearful parting with Becky and an untearful practical one - on Quark's side at least - with Quark. The trip passed in absolute silence, with Ahn's gaze fixed on Deep Space Nine as it grew smaller - and smaller - until it was indistinguishable from the countless other bright dots in the sky.

Once Ahn had left the station, Becky dried her tears and went to a picnic in the Arboretum with some of her friends, where she contrived to enjoy herself tolerably well; while Quark plunged fiercely into unnecessary accounting and kept at it all day long with the bitterest kind of heartache - the ache that burns and gnaws and cannot wash itself away with Orion whiskey or Romulan ale. That night, as Quark lay in bed, he was for the first time, acutely and miserably conscious that the room opposite his was untenanted by any vivid young life. When he realized that there would no longer be any glow of nightlight or faint sounds of giggling, he closed his eyes, shedding silent tears that appalled him once he grew calm enough to reflect. How ridiculous it was to carry on so about a fe-male!

Ahn and the rest of the Deep Space Nine scholars reached campus just in time for orientation. That day passed pleasantly enough in a whirl of excitement, meeting all the new students, learning the instructors by sight, being assorted and organized into classes. Ahn intended to take the accelerated teaching courses recommended by Mrs. Chel; Tared Evron elected to do the same with economics. This would result in a undergraduate degree in two years instead of four, if they succeeded; but it also meant more work. Rislan Dana, Alice Pickett, Leslie Brooks, and B'Toreth not being troubled with the stirrings of ambition, were content to take the general freshman courses. Ahn was conscious of a pang of loneliness when she found herself in a cafeteria with fifty other students, not one of whom she knew, except for a certain wavy-haired Bajoran male across the room; and knowing him in the fashion she did, did not help her much, as she reflected pessimistically. Yet she was undeniably glad that they were in the same room; the old rivalry could still be carried on, and Ahn would hardly have known what to do if it had been lacking.

"I wouldn't feel comfortable without it," she thought. "Evron looks awfully determined. I suppose he's making up his mind, here and now, to make the honors list. What a splendid chin he has! I never noticed it before. I do wish Dana and Leslie had taken some accelerated courses with me. I suppose I won't feel so much like a caged animal when I get acquainted, though. I wonder who I can make friends with here. It's really an interesting speculation. Of course I promised Becky that no University student, no matter how much I liked them, could ever be as dear to me as she is; but I've lots of second-best affections to bestow. I like the look of that Bajoran with the grey eyes and the dark hair. He looks like he's got some interesting stories to tell; then there's that Human gazing out of the window. She looks as if she knew a thing or two about dreams. I'd like to know them both...know them well...well enough to walk arm-in-arm with, and call them funny nicknames. But just now I don't know them and they don't know me, and probably don't want to know me particularly. Oh, it's certainly lonesome!"

It was lonesomer still when Ahn found herself alone in her dorm that evening. She had a room all to herself for the length of her stay. Ahn would have liked to have roomed with one of her station classmates, but Quark felt she would do better in her studies without the "distractions" of "lesser minds."

All this might be quite true, but it did not materially help Ahn in the first agony of homesickness that seized upon her. She looked dismally about the room, which was furnished just as it was on the station. But instead of sensing comfort, a horrible choke came into her throat. She thought of Deep Space Nine, of the vast starry sky, of the brilliant flash of the wormhole, of the bar and the businesses and the school, of the sight of Quark and Nog in the morning, of the sound of Becky's voice floating across the Promenade.

Here there was nothing of this; Ahn knew that outside her window was the solid ground, and the faint sounds of alien feet. If she peeked out from behind the curtains, she would see the street lights gleaming on the heads of thousands of strangers. She knew that she was going to cry, but tried to fight against it.

"I WON'T cry. It's silly and weak...there's the third tear splashing down by my nose. There are more coming! I must think of something funny to stop them. But there's nothing funny except what is connected with Deep Space Nine, and that only makes things worse...four...five...I'm going home at the end of the week, but that seems a hundred years away. Oh, Cousin Nog is back on duty by now and Mr. Quark is at the bar, pouring drinks...six...seven...eight...oh, there's no use in counting them! They're coming in a flood. I can't cheer up...I don't WANT to cheer up. It's better to be miserable!"

The flood of tears would have come, no doubt, had not B'Toreth appeared at that moment. In the joy of seeing a familiar face Ahn forgot that there had never been much love lost between her and him. As a part of station life even a Klingon was welcome.

"I'm so glad you came up," Ahn said sincerely.

"You have been crying," remarked B'Toreth, without pity. "I suppose you are what they call 'homesick.' It amazes me how many species have so little self-control. I have no intention of falling prey to such weakness. The University is far more lively compared to that floating mass in space. I wonder how I survived up there for so long. You shouldn't cry, Ahn; it makes your eyes red, and then you seem ALL red. As for me, the day has been most amusing. My psychology instructor believes the answer to all conflicts is to sit down and talk. It took great restraint to keep from laughing in the middle of class. Have you anything to eat, Ahn? My stomach is growling. I figured that your people sent down some treats when you came. That is the main reason I decided to visit. If not, perhaps I will walk over to one of the farm houses outside campus and ask for some of their evening meal. They would never refuse a hungry student, let alone a Klingon."

Ahn was wondering if, after all, solitude and tears were not more satisfactory than B'Toreth's companionship when Dana and Leslie appeared in her open doorway.

"Well," said Dana with a sigh, "I feel as if I'd lived many moons since the morning. I ought to be at my desk studying... that horrid little physics professor is already giving us a quiz tomorrow. But I simply couldn't settle down to study tonight. Ahn, do I see the traces of tears? If you've been crying DO say so. It will restore my self-respect, for I was practically hysterical before Leslie came along. I don't mind being soft so much if somebody else is soft, too. Have you any treats? If so, may I have a tiny piece? It's only been a few days and I'm already longing for a taste of the station."

Leslie, catching sight of the Academic calendar pinned to the wall, wanted to know if Ahn meant to try for the honors list.

Ahn blushed and admitted she was thinking of it.

"Oh, that reminds me," said Leslie, "I heard the University will be handing out Opaka scholarships this year after all. I got the scoop from someone who works for the school newspaper. It will be front-page news tomorrow morning!"

An Opaka scholarship! Ahn felt her heart beat more quickly, and the horizons of her ambition shifted and broadened as if by magic. Of all the honors that a school could bestow, this was the most coveted.

The scholarships, named after the late beloved Kai, was the only award on the planet that paid tuition and expenses for the entire length of a student's education. Five schools were granted distribution rights each year, there had been doubts as to whether the University of Bajor would be considered. But the matter was quickly settled, and it was decided that the two students who scored highest academically at the end of the freshman term would receive the award.

That evening, Ahn went to bed with tingling cheeks. Before Leslie had delivered the news, Ahn's highest pinnacle of aspiration had been a teacher's license, within two years, and perhaps the honors list. But in a flash, Ahn saw herself winning, then going on to pursue her master's degree.

"I'll try for the Opaka with all my might," she resolved. "Wouldn't Mr. Quark be proud if I won? I could go as far as I desired, and he wouldn't have to pay a thing! Oh, it's delightful to have ambitions. I'm glad that I have so many. And there never seems to be any end to them...that's the best of it. Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still. It does make life very interesting."

- - - - -

EPISODE XXIX
Winter on Bajor

Ahn's homesickness gradually wore off, due in large part to frequent subspace calls to the station. As long as the warm weather lasted, the students gathered and mingled at the center of campus every weekend night. Leslie Brooks, B'Toreth, and Alice Pickett usually met Ahn outside her dorm building and they all walked over together in a merry party. Ahn thought those evening romps across the grounds, with the sun setting deep orange in the distance, were the best and dearest hours in the whole week.

Tared Evron nearly always walked with Rislan Dana and carried her handbag for her. Dana truly thought of herself as grown now; she wore her hemlines as high and her necklines as low as possible. She had large, sparkling eyes, a brilliant complexion, and a plump showy figure. She laughed a great deal, was cheerful and good-tempered, and enjoyed the pleasant things of life frankly.

"But I shouldn't think she was the sort of girl Evron would like," whispered Alice to Ahn. Ahn did not think so either, but she would not have said so for the Opaka scholarship. She could not help thinking, too, that it would be very pleasant to have such a friend as Evron to joke and chatter with and exchange ideas about books and studies and ambitions. Evron had ambitions, she knew, and Rislan Dana did not seem the sort of person with whom such could be profitably discussed.

There was no silly sentiment in Ahn's ideas concerning Evron. Men were to her, when she thought about them at all, merely possible good comrades. If she and Evron had been friends she would not have cared how many other friends he had nor with whom he walked. She had a genius for friendship; girl friends she had in plenty; but she had a vague consciousness that male friendship might also be a good thing to round out one's conceptions of companionship and furnish broader standpoints of judgment and comparison. Not that Ahn could have put her feelings on the matter into just such clear definition. But she thought that if Evron had ever walked her home from class, past the trees changing color, and the cool breezes ruffling their hair, they might have had many and merry and interesting conversations about the new world that was opening around them and their hopes and ambitions therein. Evron was a clever young fellow, with his own thoughts about things and a determination to get the best out of life and put the best into it. B'Toreth once told Leslie that he didn't understand half the things Evron said. "He rambles on just like that Kor Ahn whenever a thought hits her. I fail to see the point in thinking and talking and worrying about things when you don't have to."

As the months passed, Ahn gradually drew a little circle of friends about her, thoughtful, imaginative, ambitious students like herself. With the "grey-eyed Bajoran," Ela Rainad, and the "Human staring out the window," Arden Ewing, she soon became intimate. Despite her ethereal looks, the former proved to be full to the brim with pranks and risque mischief. In contrast, the latter was a wise old soul, possessing a vision of the universe as vivid and hopeful as Ahn's own.

After the Harvest Festival, the University students gave up their weekend gatherings and settled down to hard work. By this time all the scholars had gravitated into their own places in the ranks and the various classes had assumed distinct and settled shadings of individuality. Certain facts had become generally accepted. It was admitted that the Opaka contestants had practically narrowed down to three: Tared Evron, Kor Ahn, and another Bajoran named Zebulan Denovad. Of course, only two could be chosen.

Among the student population, Rislan Dana was thought of as being the loveliest of all the freshman class; Ela Rainad was considered to have the best sense of humor, and B'Toreth carried off - literally - the honor of being the strongest.

All the while, Ahn worked hard and steadily towards her goal. Her rivalry with Evron was as intense as it had been on the station, although it was not generally known amongst the University populace. It had also taken on a different nature, with the passage of time. Ahn no longer wished to win for the sake of defeating Evron; rather, for the proud consciousness of a well-won victory over a worthy foe. It would be worthwhile to win, but she no longer thought life would be unbearable if she did not.

Before anybody realized it, the winter had come and gone. Outside campus, hills of melting snow turned the ground damp and muddy. The sun shone warmer and stayed longer, while the trees above sprouted tiny green buds. Despite the emerging beauty, the University students thought and talked only of examinations.

"It doesn't seem possible that the term is nearly over," said Ahn. "Why, last fall it seemed so long to look forward to...a whole winter of studies and classes. And here we are, with the exams approaching in a matter of weeks. Friends, sometimes I feel as if those exams meant everything, but when I look at the buds swelling on the trees and the warm mid-afternoon breezes they don't seem half so important."

Dana, Alice and Leslie, who dropped by for a visit, did not hold the same view. To them, the coming exams were very important - far more important than breezes or budding trees. It may have made little difference to Ahn, who was sure of passing at least, but to the girls, time might just as well stop if they were to fail.

"I've lost seven pounds in the last two weeks," sighed Dana. "Look how skinny I've become!"

"It's because you worry so," Ahn said, waving her index finger with mock scorn.

"It's no use in saying don't worry," insisted Dana. "I WILL worry. Worrying helps some...it seems as if you're doing something when you're worrying. It would be dreadful if I failed to pass after all this hard work."

"Well, I don't care," said Leslie. "If I don't pass this year I'm coming back next. My family can afford to send me. Ahn, word around campus is that Tared Evron is sure to win one of the Opakas. However, the other one is still pretty much up for grabs.

"Now I don't know whether to feel happy or sad," laughed Ahn. "I suppose that as long as I know the trees will grow and the flowers will bloom, it doesn't make a great deal of difference whether I win the Opaka or not. I've done my best and I'm beginning to understand what is meant by the term 'try, try again.' Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing. Friends, let's not think that one failure is the end of all things."

"Well then, what are all of you going to wear when we go out this weekend?" asked Alice practically.

There was a moment of silence before Dana, Leslie, and Alice shouted their answers at once. With a fit of giggles, the conversation went full throttle into the year's latest fashions. Ahn smiled, but showed no interest in joining in. Instead, she turned and placed her elbows on the window sill, laying her cheek against her clasped hands. While her friends spoke of dresses and jewelery, her mind filled with visions of a different kind of material. It was much stronger than lace, and far more dazzling than any colored stone. It was the fabric of the future, and it was constructed from the threads of youth and optimism. Of all the beautiful things that one could wear, this is what Ahn desired the most.