DS9: Okanogan Incident Chapter Seven
Chapter 7 Ezri and Nerys
Ezri sat at the bar, her fingers idly tracing patterns on her condensation-covered glass. Her black hair long enough to be braided with interwoven ribbons in the traditional Trill style. Her eyes, a piercing blue, held a glimmer of uncertainty as she swirled the amber liquid within.
She was confused about the planet-wide announcement of the new treaty with the 'Children of the Prophets' at the start of the festivities. How a mysterious group of genetically engineered people just appeared out of nowhere and were proclaimed to be the long lost children of the wormhole aliens.
I mean what the hell!
"You can't tell me it's not connected," she insisted, her voice laced with a touch of frustration. "That you invited me here in time for this big announcement of a new treaty, with augments."
It seemed suspicious to Ezri. She had seen the screening of the signing full of pomp and ceremony. The attractive young leaders who signed the treaty, seemed too inexperienced in Ezri's opinion. An irony lost on her, who was over three hundred years old but appeared in her mid-thirties.
The alcohol did little to soothe Ezri's restless thoughts, instead adding a weight to her words that mirrored the heaviness in her mind. She couldn't help but attribute her need for another drink to Jadzia's lingering influence, it was easier that way. Her melancholy mood in contrast to the coloured lights and jovial spirit of the patrons surrounding the two old friends.
Across from her, Nerys sat with a calm demeanour, her short red hair catching the dim red lights of the bar, any white hairs tinted red in the lights. Her dark brown eyes held a hint of sympathy as she shook her head gently in exasperation. "Only tenuously," she replied, her tone carrying a sense of resolve.
"It's an exciting time for the Bajoran people," Nerys smiled at Ezri, hoping she would see how important this was to her and her people. When she had gone to the Vedek's all those years ago about her confusing visions from the Prophets, she had discovered she wasn't the only one.
That the Prophets were reaching out to all of Bajor. Nerys was a true believer, she had drawn great solace from her religion during the occupation. She felt no compunction at hiding this planet wide communication from her Star Fleet colleagues or the Federation.
Ezri pressed on, her brows furrowing in contemplation. She couldn't help but see a link with Julian's precipitous arrival and this revelation. After all he was an Augment, the only one she knew, in fact.
"What about Julian's visit here, was that a coincidence too?" she questioned, her voice tinged with uncertainty. As Jadzia, she had seen the potential of the young doctor. But as Ezri, all Julian had done was disappoint her.
A loud cheer went up at a nearby table, momentarily breaking the tension.
"And I have no idea why Julian suddenly arrived at the station at such short notice," Nerys truthfully stated.
'Julian!' She didn't know what to think or feel about Julian. She had been shocked when First Minister Ceyitar had given her a list of their new citizens who had diplomatic immunity. Julian Bashir's name had practically leapt from the screen and slapped her across the face.
"But you won't tell me why Julian was here," Ezri countered, her frustration bubbling to the surface.
Nerys's tone sharpened slightly, a hint of impatience creeping into her words. "You asked me not to talk about Julian, yet you're the one who keeps bringing him up," she pointed out, tapping her finger lightly on the table. 'Prophets! Should she order another drink? She needed another drink to calm her spinning thoughts,'
"And why did you have to meet with First Minister Ceyitar?" Ezri added, her voice rising to be heard over the boisterous crowd.
Nerys's response was firm, her voice steady as she met Ezri's gaze. "I assure you, Ezri, that it was purely station business and I had to meet with Ceyitar." Ezri's reaction was what she had feared. The Federation and its members really had a centrist view of the Galaxy.
"Did this meeting contain something like, 'Can you make Julian a Bajoran citizen as well 'cause he is an Augment too? So, he can escape the consequences of his actions'," Ezri quipped, her attempt at humour falling flat in the tense atmosphere.
Nerys jumped at Ezri's words, but luckily for her, it looked like the Trill was too distracted to notice her reaction.
Julian was a Bajoran citizen now, but not for the reason Ezri had suggested. He apparently was a 'Child of the Prophets,' sent by his people to assess Bajor for the safety of his fellow Augments. She had realised when the Prophets started to speak with the Vedek's that they were going to send people to Bajor to investigate. She just hadn't expected it to be one of her friends.
She had yet to process her emotions in regard to this revelation about Julian, who she found out wasn't even human. She had been excited to think about the Children of the Prophets walking amongst them. It wasn't quite as wonderful when she found out it was Julian.
Julian was her friend now, chosen family in fact. Like the annoying little brother who eventually grew up to be a less annoying little brother. She had heard from one of her old friends, who was a Vedek, that the Children of the Prophets were meant to have wondrous abilities.
The only power she could imagine Julian to have was the ability to get both feet in his mouth at the same time. She snorted when she remembered their first conversation and he had practically insulted her people and culture.
She shook her head in bemusement.
She had long had reservations about the Federation, even though the Star fleet crew stationed on the Deep Space Nine had become her family. They had a certain underlining arrogance that maintained the only correct way of doing something was the Federation Way. This had been demonstrated by Ezri's reaction to the announcement, who seemed to be taking the announcement personally.
Three years after the wormhole had appeared and the discovery of the Prophets home, the people of Bajor had started to have strange visions. Obviously, these mainly came to the Vedek's.
It had taken months of debate and investigations between the different religious orders before a consensus was reached.
'The Prophets had literal children in the Galaxy, and they wanted them on Bajor.'
This had started an eleven year negotiation between the Children of the Prophets and the Bajoran Government mediated by the Bajoran Religious orders. The treaty negotiations went a lot smoother, when it was discovered, there was only twenty-seven thousand of them and they were fully self-sufficient and had enough latinum to support many times their number.
Nerys's expression softened at Ezri's attempt to lighten the mood, a small smile playing at her lips. "No, not even close," she replied, her tone gentler now.
"Then why won't you tell me what's really going on, Nerys?" Ezri's frustration was palpable, her emotions beginning to match the weight of the alcohol in her system. "We used to trust each other, remember?"
Nerys sighed sympathetically, her gaze softening as she reached out to grasp Ezri's hand. "It's just diplomatic protocol, Ezri," she explained, her voice carrying a note of understanding. "Being a liaison between governments means keeping certain things confidential. I know you understand this."
Ezri's brow furrowed deeper; her confusion evident as she struggled to make sense of the situation. She leant on the table resting her hand in her head, the whirl of the bar and the alcohol wasn't conducive to thinking clearly.
"But what could the treaty possibly contain with Bajor that needs to be hidden from the Federation?" she questioned, her voice wavering slightly with uncertainty. She winced at another celebratory shout from a table nearby. Her fingers rubbing at the aching temples.
"You haven't changed sides, have you? Don't tell me you think the horrors of the Occupation are worth risking again... with whatever the so called 'Children of the Prophets,' are offering."
Nerys bristled at the suggestion, stung by the unthoughtful insult. Her pride in her heritage evident in the fire that sparked in her eyes. "It's not about sides, Ezri," she replied firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
"I'd sooner die than betray Bajor. It's about what is best for my people and the Prophets. The Primes, the leaders of our newest citizens, have just made a treaty with us, there are ceremonies that need to be concluded. That's all, Ezri. Are you satisfied now?" She gazed at her friend, willing her to understand Nerys's position.
Ezri's reaction was unexpected, her words tinged with a melancholy that mirrored the weight of their conversation. "I miss being Jadzia," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nerys blinked in surprise at this unexpected turn in their conversation.
"She would have tried to understand this with science," she wished she understood what was going on. Even though she had been stationed on Deep Space Nine for years, this, this treaty had completely blindsided her. She felt betrayed by Nerys. She knew this was foolish, that Nerys served her planet first and couldn't abandon her duty just to appease her friends curiosity
Nerys leaned forward, her own drink forgotten as she listened intently to Ezri's words. "I know exactly what you mean," she murmured, her voice soft with understanding. Her hand gently touching her friend's hand in comfort.
"So, these Primes, they've made a treaty with Bajor?" Ezri asked, trying to piece together the puzzle.
Nerys nodded, her expression grave. "Yes, the Children of the Prophets have finally returned to Bajor. The Vedek's have been receiving visions from the Prophets, about their long-abandoned children, urging us to offer them a home." Nerys thought it was safe enough to reveal this much to Ezri.
"And that's why you wanted me to visit, to see the announcement?" Ezri queried, beginning to understand.
Nerys nodded again, a hint of pride in her eyes. "Exactly. The announcement was made at the beginning of the celebration of Hospitality, welcoming our new citizens with open arms." Nerys put as much warmth as she could in her smile. "I wanted you, my dear friend, to be with me to witness this momentous occasion."
Ezri nodded with a tight smile.
"But... what does this mean for Bajor's relationship with the Federation?" Ezri asked, her mind spinning with the implications, a frown forming on her face.
Nerys's expression softened, a small smile playing at her lips. "It means that Bajor won't be joining the Federation, at least not for now. We don't object to being allies, but we won't join due to the Federation's prohibition on genetic engineering. It's a decision I've long supported."
Ezri nodded slowly, taking in the information. "And what about Julian? Was he invited too... or just another one of your coincidences?"
Nerys's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. "I didn't invite him." Hoping Ezri could see the truth on her face.
She now had her suspicions on just how Julian participated in the treaty. But his behaviour over the last eight years baffled her. The knowledge that he now had diplomatic immunity through the Children of the Prophets spoke of a high position in their power structure. So why did he fall apart in Star Fleet?
'Was it all a ruse? For what purpose?' Nerys shook her head, trying to get her muddled thoughts about Julian in order.
One thing was true, Nerys no longer felt comfortable talking about Julian with Ezri, what with this latest revelation.
She really wanted to talk to Julian, and soon.
Ezri nodded, sensing that there was more to the story than her friend was letting on. "I trust your judgment, Nerys," she said sincerely. "And I'm grateful, to be here to witness this momentous occasion with you."
Nerys smiled warmly, grateful for her friend's support. "Thank you, Ezri. It means a lot to me."
Nerys shifted in her seat, a bubble of anxiety forming in her middle. Ezri was right about one thing. It was too much of a coincidence that Julian turned up at the station just as the treaty was signed.
Nerys rubbed at her sternum, unconsciously trying to relieve the building tension.
"Some food?"
Ezri hesitated for a moment, "Sure, why not. It's a party after all," the other woman said.
Nerys looked around the bar and raised her hand to catch the attention of a busy server.