Chapter III: The Past Fulfilled

25 years earlier . . .

The beautiful solar band that wrapped itself around the peaceful planet of Retrous III indicated that it was 1500 hours. This was the only planet in the Retrous System the had such a thing. It was a wonder that the planet did not burn, due to the rays of the sun. The scientist say that the Solar Band is what protects the planet from the sun.

This beautiful planet known as Retrous III, is where I have chosen to stay for the time being. This is a Federation Colony. I am here to learn Federation law and regulations. My friend Matcen, and I, are considering joining Starfleet. We both had given up positions of power in the military. He was a Gul, and I was a Legate. In times of peace, however, power is not that exciting. That is why we are joining Starfleet. It seems to us that every time we check in on our Federation neighbor, they always have a new enemy. That is the life that I want.

It is my third day on Retrous III, and I have seen many people on this planet. One in particular is a human female named Sara I think it was. She is very beautiful for a human. I think I may have fallen in love with this woman. I do not know what it is about her, but she leaves me breathless at every glance. Whenever she is near, I cannot concentrate, she is always on my mind. My studies are not progressing at all, due to this woman. That is all about to change. I have received a massage from the Bureau of Central Intelligence. They said that they had intercepted a message from Sara. It said "The new neighbor, Gefferin I think it was, has taken a liking to me. I can feel it. You have to admit he is kind of cute for a Cardassian. I would like to get to know him a bit more. I hear he wants to join Starfleet. He seems . . . capable."

I sat there staring at the message. It seems that humans can possess "love" for a Cardassian like me. I have made up my mind. I am going to initiate contact today. I had decided to rest until 1400 hours. That is when she usually visits Martin's Earth style eatery. I am going to try to enjoy it, because I have no taste for Earth food.

It is a strange feeling leaving the militia like that. This place of peace is almost the exact opposite of how I was raised. For a man, who knows only the path of war, to settle on such a peaceful planet, is like a a Cardassian to go a long while without a bottle of some Kanar. The one thing that I do not like about these Federation Colonies, is that their replicators to not have any Cardassian provender. I have had to adapt to the other foods on the planet, and I can say that no food compares to Cardassian cuisine.

I have met some powerful people on Retrous III. One in particular is a Starfleet Admiral that goes by the name Andrew Jdaydani. He is what you would have called the model starship captain. I have glimpsed at his file while my employment at the BCI. No blemishes on his record at all not even during his days at Starfleet Academy. He seems to excel in everything he does. It is no wonder that he is an Admiral. It seems to me that he will be allowed into Starfleet Command in a few years. Times are stressful now after the Dominion war. I have been turned away from many shops, because I am a Cardassian. This Admiral Jdaydani has aided me much and I thank him for that. He will come to be a great asset in the future. As for Sara things are tough. Who could have thought a great Cardassian warrior like me could falter on such a task as speaking to a female. It infuriates me, because she is a very beautiful woman. Any other soldier would consider her a great prize. A prize worth the highest of the Cardassians. Yet I, the one without fear cannot even make first contact.

A week after that I had finally done it. I had done more than make first contact with Sara. I had found a friend that shared my point of view. She is holding her feelings back, I can tell. She has the same feelings for me that I have for her. I decided to tell her exactly how I really feel. I stood at the door to her house. She came out and looked somewhat happy. We looked at each other and said in unison. "I have something to tell you."

I decided to be the gentleman and said "You first." She looked at me and I knew it before she said it.

"Gefferin, there is something I must say," She said "Gefferin, I think I have fallen in love with you."

I saw it coming, I looked at her and said "Sara, I feel that same way about you." We stood there staring into each others eyes. She looked more beautiful tonight than ever. Weeks went by and we got closer and closer. It felt right. I loved her and she loved me. She then brought up taking our relationship to the next level. She wanted to get married. I said that we should wait. She reluctantly agreed. I said to her "Sara I love you, but I am not ready for marriage. I promise though that it will happen."

She looked at me softly and said "I understand Gefferin your people are extremely loyal so that means I can trust you."She understood and that was good.

About three months into my stay on Retrous III, I was visited by a Cadet in Starfleet. She came bearing a message. It read: Good Evening Gefferin. We had received word that you want to join Starfleet. Nod if this is true.

I looked around in confusion. I nodded. The text on the pad was replaced with this new text: Good. Gefferin listen to my words. You are different from your fellow Cardassians. As you are, Matcen is reading the same message. I can get you in Starfleet. The Academy starts in one month. Pack your bags you shuttle leaves the Retrous III space port at 1300 hours in two weeks. Drop this pad if you understand.

I dropped it. The Cadet picked it up, and said to me "Thank you for your time Mr. Rannian." After she left I thought to myself, This is my chance!

I decided to contact Matcen. He had in fact received the same message that I did. He was a happy person. He decided to come to Retrous III. Dakmen's Bar was the only place that served Cardassian food, seeing that it was a Cardassian establishment. We drank until dawn. We were happy and so was Dakmen.

Three weeks as the message stated, and we were on the Shuttle out of here. I had just recently learned that Sara's family is a powerful family in the the Federation. So she decided to come along. Starfleet Academy Was going to be that learning experience that we need to help us understand Federation law.

I heard a beep and snapped out of my 'trance.' A voice came out of the combadge and said. "Sir The negotiations with the Lert will begin in five minutes."

I quickly snapped to complete concisenesses. I tapped my combadge and said "I am on my way"

To Be Continued . . .