Deep Space 9: Apology

AUTHOR'S NOTE: My struggles with my recalcitrant muse persist. Now, with this very short one, she's going back to DS9 and the Emissary rediscovering B'hala. The painting was never named in Rapture, so I took a guess. I'll happily correct it if anyone offers a more accurate name.

Walk with the Prophets.

Vedek Donal's Communication Chamber, Bajor

An hour after sunrise

"Vedek Donal," a nameless prylar said, "there is an incoming communication."

The overworked Donal Hola sighed. "Prophets save us, that's the purpose of this department. Who's calling?"

The prylar breathed reverently, "The Emissary." No-one had ever doubted the depth of his faith. He was an Occupation survivor, as Her Eminence had been.

Vedek Donal sighed again. Though no-one could have doubted the words of Kai Opaka, Prophets bless her name, he'd never been happy about the notion of an alien being the Emissary to Them. A Federation man, no less. Surely They could've selected a Vulcan, or at least a Betazoid. "What's he calling about?"

"A matter he says will be of great importance to Bajor," the prylar answered. "He was no more forthcoming than that." He looked embarrassed. "In the Emissary's words, he...did not wish to spoil the surprise."

"Then put him through," Donal nodded. The screen before him lit up with the smooth-nosed countenance of the Emissary. "Yes, Emissary?"

"Vedek Donal," Sisko began, "are you familiar with the painting Marketplace Of B'hala?"

The Vedek nodded. "I have seen it displayed in the State Museum, a truly beautiful rendition." He shook his head. "Damn spoonheads held onto it for far too long. What of it?"

"The Bantaca Spire depicted gives B'hala's location."

"As was their function," Donal agreed, "save that two faces of the spire are hidden from our perspective. Thus there are insufficient data to locate B'hala."

"Except," Sisko grinned, "that while those two faces are hidden, they are not invisible. I realised that the artist - who was clearly a master - had painted the scene in such detail that the other two sides were reflected in the waterfall behind the spire. It wasn't easy to extract their images, reverse them, magnify and enhance them, and then read them, but I managed it. I put together those data with those from the two faces we can directly see."

As he realised the implication, Donal gasped. "Are you saying -?"

"- that I found B'hala? Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. As I speak, Kasidy Yates and myself are standing before that very same obelisk."

For a long minute Donal was too stunned to say anything. The prylar, too, was stunned, falling to his knees. He began a very quiet chant in the oldest language of Bajor, praising Them.

He managed, "Emissary...are you sure? B'hala was not the only Lost City of Bajor, only the most famed and revered, so -"

"I can't explain it. But the Prophets sent me what Major Kira describes as a pagh'tem'far, a sacred vision. I assure you, Vedek, I am very certain. You'll want to inform the kai, of course, and the Chamber of Ministers."

"Of - of course," Donal laughed, incredulous and overjoyed at the same time. "This is a great day for Bajor, almost eclipsing the day the Occupation ended! Oh, bless Their name forever! It seems the Prophets were right to choose you, Captain!"

"I'll call DS9 too, let Major Kira know," Sisko smiled. "I imagine her reply will be much the same."

Deep Space 9, Ops

A few minutes later

It was.

"You did WHAT?!" Kira nearly screamed incredulously. Two Bajoran aides fell on each other, laughing and crying, whilst another sang an ancient chant. Off to one side, Dax smiled warmly.

"I did exactly what I said I would, Major," the Emissary returned amusedly. "I studied the painting and tried to find B'hala, as so many others have in the last twenty millennia. The difference is, I did find it. The Ministers and the kai have been informed." Now his smile turned gentle. "I thought someone with your degree of faith and conviction would appreciate it, too."

Kira looked thrilled. "Appreciate it?! Sir, this is the best news I've had since the Occupation ended, or the Tears returned to Bajor! I -" Then she paused, and looked...guilty. "In fact...Captain, may I be frank?"

Now he grinned. "If memory serves, that's exactly why I asked for you. From day one you've never hesitated to give me your opinion, even if - especially if - you didn't agree with me. As I said on day one, requesting a Bajoran national as my First Officer and liaison to the Provisional Government made perfect sense, and it still does. And you've exceeded my expectations, Major." Now he looked solemn. "But you've become a friend as well, Nerys. I'm glad to give you such good news. So. What's on your mind?"

"Sir, I...I have always followed the teachings of the Prophets. Even in my darkest days - and believe me," she added with feeling, "during the Resistance there were more than a few of those - my faith never wavered. You know," she added in an aside, "the Bajorans believe one thing about the Prophets, and Starfleet believes another. But I don't think I've ever asked you where you stand, sir."

"Mmm. Starfleet thinks they're wormhole aliens existing in a different space-time continuum. The Bajorans believe they're the Prophets of their faith. But," he smiled, "who's to say we're not both right? Myself, Starfleet officer or not, I don't see any conflict. The one doesn't deny the other, either way."

"Or maybe," Dax put in, "the faithful are right and the Prophets are beyond understanding. Maybe both sides are wrong," she suggested philosophically.

Kira gazed curiously at her friend. "I didn't know you were religious, Dax."

Jadzia smiled gently, touching Kira's arm. "I'm not. But you are. I'm not mocking your faith, Nerys. I would never do that."

"Nor would anyone with sense who knows you," Worf rumbled.

Dax grinned now. "Seven and a bit full lifetimes have taught me not to belittle anyone's faith."

"Well," Kira shrugged, "our faith is flexible. There's room for differing opinions. One reason why we never had religious wars. Back to the point, sir: Even when Kai Opaka declared an alien to be the Emissary...it seemed unlikely to me, but who was I to doubt Her Eminence? Though for a time I did believe she was mistaken." She sighed. "But now I know she was right."

"Zocal's Third Prophecy," Sisko understood.

"Yes. Only one touched by the Prophets could find B'hala. And after all I've seen, all I've experienced, everything you've done…" she shook her head. "If I had any doubts, they are dead and buried. You are the Emissary, sent and guided by Them. Not even the most hardened sceptic can deny it now." She smiled wryly. "Not even Kai Winn."

"It takes a big man - or woman - to admit they're wrong, Nerys."

"It does," Kira agreed, "and for the record, sir, I will admit it. I was wrong, and I am truly sorry for doubting you or Kai Opaka. Please forgive me."

But Sisko was magnanimous as always. "You had plenty of reason to doubt it, Major. But," again he looked gentle, "that's when faith proves its value, isn't it? When there's reason to doubt. It's very easy to believe when you're certain of something. For instance, I believe if I were to drop this communicator it'd fall to the ground. Thus I have faith in the concept of gravity - I know it will happen. But when you're not sure, when everything you know rationally is telling you, no, it can't be true, yet you believe anyway...that's faith. You have that. No-one can doubt it." He smiled again. "Least of all me."

Kira too smiled. "You're gracious, Emissary."

"Or wise enough to know not to get on your bad side," Sisko quipped.

Kira turned, mock-serious, to her friends. "If anyone laughs, they'll greet the Prophets when I put them out the nearest airlock."

They all looked back innocently.

But Nerys could no longer stay serious, and laughed. "You guys are so easy!"

The Kai's Chamber, Bajor

"This is...incredible news, Hola," Winn Adami breathed. "That B'hala should be found, after so very long...and to think," she mused, "that at first I dared disbelieve Sulan whilst I was still a vedek. But no, she was absolutely right. Alien or no, Captain Sisko is the Emissary. He has proved it by fulfilling Zocal's Third Prophecy. As soon as possible after the ceremony to admit Bajor to the Federation," she instructed firmly, "I must humbly apologise to the Emissary for doubting him."

Vedek Donal bowed. "To doubt him was understandable, Eminence. I am sure he understood your scepticism," he assured her diplomatically. "After all, an alien, a non-Bajoran, who - if the rumours are true - did not even wish to be here at first? How could he be the Emissary? And yet," he breathed, "we were wrong, and Kai Opaka was wiser than we knew. Truly she too was guided by Them."

"I pray They are keeping her safe," Winn murmured, "until her time comes to Ascend and join Them." Then she looked brisk. "Come, my friend, we have much to do. A full expedition should be organised and sent to B'hala at once; perhaps the science of our Federation friends might help. And," she smiled now, "the people shall wish to rejoice! If the news has not already been announced, then let it be so!"

Donal grinned. "Her Eminence is wise. My staff are seeing to it even as we speak."

And indeed, not since Bajor declared herself free of her Cardassian oppressors had there been such gaiety in the streets.

Deep Space 9, Quark's Bar

And Quark discovered, to his joy, that his profits had quadrupled - even though most of his Dabo girls, including Leeta, had flocked to the Temple to give thanks to Them and to Their Emissary. "If this is how the Bajorans respond, you should discover a lost city every week," he quipped to Sisko.

"That's enough of that, Quark," Odo ground out. "This is a solemn occasion for the Bajorans. Don't cheapen it."

"Me?" Quark gasped, his hand over his heart (or, knowing the Ferengi as Odo did, his money pouch). "Constable, how can you say that? Of course the Bajorans have a right to celebrate! If that involves copious food, drink and use of the holosuites, so be it!"

"And of course," Odo said dryly, "the fact that they're paying for them is neither here nor there, mmm?"

Quark shrugged. "Celebrations can be thought of as a service. One I'm only too happy to provide."

"Hmp. At cost."

"Odo," Quark reproved, "your cynicism knows no bounds."

"Not where you're concerned, no," Odo riposted.

"All right, you two," Dr. Bashir smiled. "You know, Chief, one of these days those two won't be at loggerheads, and I swear by Aesculapius I will die of shock."

Benjamin Sisko merely smiled.

He felt there was more to come.

And he was right…

THE END

"Breathe," Kai Opaka commanded him.

"Kai Opaka, if we could discuss -"

She firmly grasped his left earlobe. "Breathe!" she repeated sharply.

With little choice in the matter, he did so.

"Ironic," she reflected softly after a second. "One who does not wish to be among us is to be the Emissary."

- Deep Space 9, "Emissary"