<<ooc: ok this takes palce two days after the breifing, just to give you a time reference.>> ==Mess Hall== Keylor walked in to the mess hall after spending several hours trying to find any more information as to what the Gott was doing out in the marsh. the search was frustrating because just when he though he had found something new to read, he was met by an 'access denied'. Now feeling a bit hungry he decided to mingle a bit with the crew while he ate something. He thought that seeing a more friendly side of their captain might help keep them at ease, or at worse give their mood a lift by creating more rumors. As he replicated a sandwich and some grape juice he turned and looked for an available seat. Off in the corner he saw a Bajoran man, wearing the rank of ensign. {That must be Terek.} He though. Making his way through the crowd he stopped short of the table. "Ensign Terek? May I join you?" he asked with a smile. Terek went to get something to eat, because for the last few days he somehow wasn't too hungry so he just took only something lighter in the morning and then nothing whole day, only drank a Rise tea. A very strong black tea originated from the Earth as he was told, but he loved it. It gave him energy and good feeling. So when stress of the past few days finally got on him he felt starving. Suddenly without warning hunger claimed him and it seemed that it didn't want to leave until he took some food. So his steps led him to the mess hall. He was here only once since he came aboard. He preferred to have something small in his quarters, but today he enjoyed it. He ordered the strong Hasperat. A burrito like traditional Bajoran food. Very spicy, very delicious. He took this opportunity as a small private celebration of his promotion to ensign he was given the day before yesterday as he never enjoyed great parties too much. Later he'll send some messages to his parents and to the Jessica. So with his Hasperat he ordered as a desert a Tuwaly pie and to a drink a large glass of a Springwine. Then he took his plate to the table in the corner of the mess hall to have a good view around. Then he said his thanks to the Prophets for the life that he can live and began to eat. He slightly consumed half of his Hasperat when person stepped to his table. He looked up and saw another Bajoran. It took him a little while before his senses recognized face patterns and correlated them with his memory to allow him realize that the person which came to him and asked him to join him was General Bretam himself. If you would say he was surprised it would be a weak word. He was shocked that some newly promoted cadet would even interest someone of the Keylor's reputation. He tried to mask his surprise, but didn't managed it as good as he would want to. He took a quick gulp of the bite currently in his mouth and responded: " Yes general, of course, p..please take a seat." said stammering a little and began to raise himself to attention. Unfortunately he brushed the table with his leg and spill a little of the Springwine. At least general still held his plate in his hands. "Sorry sir..." he smiled apologetically and finally managed to stand up. Keylor smiled," Thank you." He tried not to chuckle at the Ensigns clumsiness. Keylor set his plate on the table and sat opposite of Ensign Terek. He watched as Ensign Terek blotted up the spilled wine. Taking a sip of his grape juice, he leaned forward to inspect the liquid. "Spring wine?" he asked. "Is that replicated or the real thing?" "Only replicated. It isn't as good as the real one, but it has to suffice as long as I wasn't at home to get some before I've come here. My grandfather used to make a fine one. Our family brought some Kava fruit with them before they were forced to leave Bajor and fortunately on Valaris it has a good soil so we were able to grow it for almost three generations. Keylor nodded, "I find the replicated stuff has little appeal to me. I have a small supply of vintage spring wine. I will have a bottle sent to your quarters. Just in case you feel the urge and need some thing that tastes good." He smiled. Lifting his sandwich he took a bite. Terek didn't know what to say... : "It is really nice of you sir... I gladly accept and in the first possible opportunity I'll have you few bottles from our family for return..." he smiled Keylor then pointed to Terek. "So I was looking over your personnel record. You were raised on Valaris III and your great grandparents became federation citizens during the occupation of Bajor. How did you like growing up on Valaris III?" "Yes sir, my ancestors fled during the occupation and made it all the way to tha Valaris III. Well I can' comply being raised there. Fortunately it is an oceanic world with mild climate and I think that it is really nice there. Federation takes good care for the planet and people here are quite happy as far as I can say. My great grandparents even managed to bring with themself plants of the Kava fruit and it is growing there very good. So from that time our family makes our own Springwine as a hobby. I must admit that it has not precise taste as the one grown on the Bajor, but still it is better than this replicated one. As I promissed, I'll get you few bottles as soon as possible." Keylor nodded, "Well your grandparents were lucky to have escaped. I was not even born when the Cardassians invaded Bajor. But they left their mark heavily on Bajor, and me." He pointed to the scar on his face. "Sorry to hear that sir.... May I ask how it has happened?" asked Terek and took a bite from his Hasperat. Keylors expression turned a bit cold. "My mother and Father were part of the Bajoran resistance. They had been operating out of the mountains in Dakur province form most of the occupation. They had done rather well for themselves , making raids on the locally Cardassian encampments. Once my mother had become pregnant she moved back to our ancesterial home in the hills above Tempassa. Once day the Cardassians came for her. No one knew why, they all figured a colaboritor tipped the Cardassians to her involvement in the resistance." He said . Keylor talked with a far away look in his eye. "She spent 8 months in the detention camp. Then on the eve of the Cardassians leaving Bajor, A guard , playing some cruel game, thrust a blade in to her womb, Probably hoping to kill both of us. That is when I got this makr." He pointed to his face once again. He then focused back to Terek. " She struggled to live for two days, trying to hold out for as long as she could to make sure I lived. She gave her life for me." He said softly. Keylor had not realized it, but this was the first time he could remember any one askinghim how he got the scar, save the medical review board when he joined marine basic, and possibly Rangi when he first met her on SB aurora. Shaking the gloomy conversation off he quickly grabbed his glass. As he raised his glass and took a sip of his juice. " And Bajor, do you go there much? " he asked trying to get to know the ensign. Now this was something Terek was slightly ashamed for. Because for all those 20 years he is a burden to this universe he wasn't on his homeworld. So when general asked him he just looked down and said quietly: "I have never been there yet. First my parents said I'm too young and then I applied for the accademy and it took all my time... I'm ashamed that I've never been there, but I've sworn to myself that right when I'll get some leave off...." "Sir, may I ask you. Are you from Bajor? How is it there?" Terek asked with the curiosity in his voice.... Keylor took another bite of his sandwich as Terek talked. As Terek asked his question Jkeylro hastily swallowed his mouth full. "Yes.." he mumbled still trying to clear his mouth. "Dakur province, in the hills outside of Tempassa. My father raised me and my sister there." With the lump of food slowly sliding down his throat he took a quick sip of juice and then continued. "Not too bad. Most of the planet is running smoothly. Most of the farm land is now producing edible food and good yields, a leftover from the Cardassians occupation." He set his glass down. "I was just there a few weeks ago." He stopped short of explaining why he was at Bajor. "Well I hope you do get a chance. After all that is where your ancestors came from. When you get a chance give your self plenty of time, I suspect there will be a lot for you to see and experience." He said pointing at Terek. He took a small bite of his sandwich and then continued. "So are you a religious man? To you observe the traditional Bajoran religious rituals?" he asked. "I will sir. I'm looking forward to see Bajor." then he stopped for a while and took a sip of a springwine and then he continued. "Yes I have a faith. My parents raised me in the beliefs of our people and I'm proud of that." Said Terek nodding his head so the earring in his right ear chimmed... Keylor nodded, "Then they did you a great service. One should always know where they came from." he glanced out the window, "and how to get back." He added. He looked back to Terek, "Well we don't have any formal temple here, of course why would we, this is Starfleet. But I do believe there are a few holodeck programs of Bajor, including the Dakeen Monastery I believe. You might want to check the out if you get a chance." He smiled. Terek nodded, "I will sir, thank you. It should be interesting. It might not be the same as visiting Bajor, but is next best thing to the real thing." He smiled. Keylor took the last bite of his sandwich and then finished off the last of his juice. "Well Ensign, I should probably be off. The work for the captain of a ship never ends." He said standing up form the table. He picked up his plate and glass, "Oh and good work on the installation of the device in sick bay, I am sure engineering could use all of the help they can get right now." He smiled. "Thank sir." He replied with a bit of a smile. Keylor started to turn but stopped half way, he remembered one of the reasons he wanted to speak to Terek. "Oh an congratulations on your officers commission. Glad to have you aboard Ensign." He smiled. Terek nodded and repeated his last statement. "Thank you sir." ===End log=== BGen Bretam Captain & Ens. Terek Asst Sci. Officer