Commander Etan Iljor: Glyshar Flight Part III

[Michael Meir-Wright]

(( Glyrshar Canyon, Bajor ))

The day’s events (and the fact he had an Orb of the Prophets strapped to his back) had left Iljor extremely distrustful. He was not usually a suspicious and paranoid person- quite the opposite- but something was deeply wrong in Glyrshar Canyon and he would take no chances.

That included the man stood before him, claiming to be a Vedek. He certainly looked the part, clad in the flowing robes of a holy order that maintained Vanadwan Monastery. But he was reminded of a human aphorism, “appearances can be deceiving”- who was to say that this man was not one of the Ohalavaru and had stolen them?

Etan: I’ve been shot at, my ship has been crippled, and I’ve been chased by heretical maniacs. So you’ll excuse me if I don’t exactly greet you with open arms. Who are you?!

If the man was perturbed by Iljor’s defensiveness he made no outward show of it.

 

Tersor: My name is Vedek Tersor Jayro, I am here to help you. I am not one for long formal greetings anyway. Who are you my friend?

He considered giving him a fake name, but lying had never been his strong suit- and nothing immediately came to mind. Instead, he gripped his phaser tighter, sliding a finger to the trigger. If the man was part of the Ohalavaru then he likely knew what he was carrying- and who he was- thanks to their suspiciously on-point intelligence. If the “Vedek” made another move towards him, Iljor would stun him.

Etan: Commander Etan Iljor.

Tersor: Well Commander, it’s a joy to meet you. Are you from the federation ship which is docked at the station?

Again, he hesitated. Yet he found himself nodding the confirmation. There were a number of Federation ships docked at DS9- the ‘Oumuamua was hardly alone. And soon another arrive, the Octavia E. Butler, one of the new Sagan-class vessels put into service in an attempt to get Starfleet back on an exploratory footing.

Tersor: You can call me Jay, after I met a rather tall human a few weeks ago who gave me that nickname, - I think he was from your ship - I like the name, and it seems to have sticked. ::smiles::

Etan: Sounds like Maxwell. ::he muttered to himself.::

Tersor: I didn’t get his name, (Beat) Now I fear that we do not have much time, I am going to return to my monastery, there I will inform them of your whereabouts and send help to you.

The Vedek turned to leave and Iljor felt his convictions waver. Either this man was a flawless actor or he truly was a Vedek from Vanadwan Monastery. He seemed to linger, however, his steps were slow and deliberate- as if he were dangling a carrot in front of him in temptation.

The First Officer looked around quickly. There was no sign of Peri- she could have been anywhere in the expansive canyon. 

Tersor: Or…you can follow me if you wish.

He scanned the (admittedly impressive) vista once again, praying to The Prophets that his friend appear. But she did not. So he turned back to his would-be companion, and decided to put him to the test.

Etan: Yalar’s New Insights: what is her third prophecy?

If the Vedek was who he said he was, he would know it. The tome was not especially known outside of the Order that Iljor’s family belonged to, but he also knew there was a library at Vanadwan and the monks there were academically minded.

Tersor: Response.

He was right. Mollified, although not completely, Iljor wavered before he lowered the phaser and got to his feet. He took a step towards the Vedek and chose to trust again. It felt correct and he felt a strange sense of peace coming from the Tear of the Prophets in his makeshift bag on his back.

Etan: Alright, I believe you. :: he said finally.:: I’ll accompany you.

Tersor: Response.

Etan: Our runabout was brought down by extremists. ::he paused.:: The Ohalavaru. My friend and I… we were on our way to Vanadwan to deliver an O- ::he caught himself, and quickly corrected himself.:: -something to the clerics.

He might have chosen to put his faith in Vedek Tersor, but he didn’t want to reveal that he was in the presence of an Orb just yet.

Tersor: Response.

Etan: I had thought they were a nuisance. :: he sighed again, and lapsed in thinking aloud. :: Maybe I’ve been away from Bajor for too long.

Tags! And TBC!

—

Commander Etan Iljor

Executive Officer

USS Oumuamua

NCC 81226

C239203TW0