LtCmdr Salkath - A Good Source of Prophet

[Salkath]

((Promenade, Lower Level - Deep Space 9))

For one with a heightened sense of hearing, of smell, the promenade on the space station colloquially known as DS9 was a painful place to be. The press of bodies, the vendors hawking their wares, the odors and malodors that emanated from shops and restaurants, continually being on guard against the less savory elements of this corner of the quadrant and those from the next... Salkath wondered why he bothered leaving his ship in the first place.

There had been much enthusing throughout Engineering about the opportunity to visit DS9; throughout the ship, in fact. There was no denying it had historical significance. A quarter century ago, this had been the threshold of the Dominion War. It had started, been fought, and ended here. Of course, the war had spread throughout the Alpha Quadrant; Salkath would not belittle the pain and sacrifice borne by worlds such as Cardassia Prime, Betazed, and even nearby Bajor. It was just when history considered this major incursion, thoughts naturally tended to drift to this locale.

With so much fuss, and no little bit of cajoling by the engineers who would dare speak socially to him (he had a reputation for being antisocial among the engineers, for some unknown reason), Salkath finally relented and made his way onto the port where the Artemis was docked. At any point he could have turned around and returned to stationkeeping duties in Main Engineering or his own research, but he hadn't. And now he wondered why.

There was an awful cacophony of lights and sounds coming from the primary entertainment establishment, so of course the engineer steered away from there. Shopping for useless trinkets and souvenirs was illogical, so he avoided most shops. If he had only made an arrangement with the Bajoran government for a tour of the engineering and operations sections of the station, now that would have been a worthwhile field trip. An intoxicating intermix of Cardassian, Federation, and Bajoran technology brought to heel and made to work in harmony... Fascinating indeed.

Barring all else, one small entryway off the promenade, not well marked, caught the Vulcan's attention. A Bajoran temple was open to the public, and though Salkath did not have a personal propensity for the Prophets, he was a spiritual man. He found it agreeable to visit this place of worship and pay his respects all the same. 

As he entered the small foyer and followed the small hallway to the shrine proper, he noted there were a few Bajorans paying their respects. Salkath stood back, in deference to their experiences, until they were finished. He nodded to them respectfully as they passed, and they returned the nod. Apparently it was not uncommon for non-Bajorans to be in this temple, as they did not even bat an eye at the presence of a Vulcan in their midst. Salkath was left alone with an enrobed individual at the front of the temple, tending to an odd box on a podium in an alcove. He approached the individual.

Salkath: ::quietly:: Pardon me, Vedek. May I ask you some questions?

He believed that was the proper term for a figure who would tend to a temple in the Bajoran religion. He quickly discovered he was wrong when the woman chuckled warmly.

Ranjen: I am but a ranjen, my child. Still, I would be honored to answer your questions.

It felt odd for one as young as this woman to call him 'my child', but Salkath assumed it was an affectation in the religion and paid it no further heed. He nodded in the direction of the strange case at the fore of the temple.

Salkath: Is that where the Orbs are stored? I have heard of them, but have never seen one.

The priest lovingly touched the case, a touch of wistfulness in the way she carried herself.

Ranjen: When an Orb passes through the station, it is indeed stored here for safekeeping and worship. Those times are rare, however, and we do not currently have an Orb. In fact, I have not seen one despite serving here for two years. I am sorry to disappoint you, Commander.

She had been caught looking at Salkath's collar, though he hadn't acknowledged the action. Instead, he nodded kindly at her for her explanation. It was clear that this wasn't her first experience with Starfleet officers and their rank, which made sense considering the unique history this site had with the Federation's exploratory and defence arm.

Salkath: Please, I am off duty, and am not here on official business. There is no need to reference my rank.

One would assume if that was the case, then one wouldn't wear their uniform in their off time. One would be wrong. Therefore, Salkath could not fault his host for her choice in using his rank when it wasn't necessary.

Ranjen: As you wish, my child. Was there something else I could assist you with?

Salkath: Could you lead me in a small Bajoram prayer, Ranjen?

The Bajoran priest favored him with a slight smile.

Ranjen: Only if you'll lead me in a Vulcan one afterwards. I am pleased to share the words of the Prophets, but I feel that you and I have more in common than you think. I believe that all faiths are worthy of study and respect, and I would be surprised if you did not feel the same.

Salkath raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. This had been exactly his thoughts as of late. Recent experiences of seeing his own beliefs and meditations reinterpreted through the eyes of others had given him a curiosity to expand his knowledge. The engineer was by no means pious among his people, far from it, but even he had been bound by the archaic interpretations of the machinations of his religious beliefs. He now wished to see other religions through his own open, accepting eyes, so he could better accept such attempts by others to his. In the process, he just might gain a new appreciation and understanding of his own belief system.

Salkath: That, Ranjen, is a fair deal. Please proceed.

TBC

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Lieutenant Commander Salkath

Engineer, USS Artemis-A

A239111MT0