Rojosh

Posted on Fri Jan 22nd, 2021 @ 11:35am by Chief Petty Officer Remal Kajun & Captain Rhenora Kaylen

Mission: Healing of Minds
Location: USS Liberty
Timeline: Current

Captain Rojosh sat with the rest of the survivors of his colony in the cargo bay. The majority of them had been healed and were simply waiting patiently for the Liberty to transport them back to the colony they had been trying to reach. There was little to do, the list of what had been lost had been compiled and sent to Captain Savar, and short of checking the supplies himself he seemed to be a little lost.

Freed from medbay, fed and tired as hell, Remal heard there were Bajorans on board. In particular, Bajoran outcasts and as he currently felt like an outcast himself he found himself walking to the cargo bay instead of his quarters.

Minutes later the doors parted revealing a throng of Bajorans milling about, waiting for their absolution. He looked around the crowd for familiar faces, finding familiarity in their look alone. They had come far and yet had lost so much. He sympathized with their plight. Raising his hands high he spoke above the din of chatter. "My fellow Bajorans, welcome to the Liberty. For anyone who wishes to talk, to share their story, I am all ears. I have some Springwine and plenty of time, so join me, please."

Rojosh looked up from the small group he was talking with, seeing the solidly built Bajoran who seemed to hold authority enter the cargobay. The young Captain was curious and went to speak to this newcomer.

“We thank you for rescuing us, and providing aid and assistance” He started graciously, thinking that this man must be high up the chain of command.

"That is what the Federation does best, we help others who need help. My name is Remal Kajun and I am here to help. Would you care to sit and enjoy a glass of wine with me?" Remal was as cordial as can be. There were no faces he recognized from his days in the resistance but every Bajoran had at some point been in the same position and therefore they were all kindred spirits on a sub level.

"I am Rojosh" he sat next to Remal and settled in, taking the glass offered and taking a whiff.

" It has been many years since I have tasted springwine" Rojosh commented as he regarded the glass. He wanted to savour every mouthful. " We have lived in exile for years. We were so close to our new home, to our new lives" his voice trailed off as he could resist tasting the wine no longer. The flavour exploded in his mouth, floral and tangy notes with a delicate aroma. It was a very good vintage.

Remal enjoyed sharing the wine and seeing the joy on the man's face most of all. "Tell me, Rojosh, why was a group so large in exile from fair Bajor?" He had an idea but a large part of his soul needed to hear the kindred words. Especially after the ordeal he and his wife had just been through.

Rojosh considered his words, wondering if this man would accept his views or reject them like every other Bajoran had

" We do not consider those that reside in the wormhole as God's. We refuse to worship them, nor accept the religious rule of our planet. For this we have been cast out of society and forced to live in exile" he hung his head, expecting the barrage that generally followed such a statement.

"Hmm." Remal thought for a proper way to respond before nudging the man on the shoulder, "Then drink up my friend for you are in good company. My wife and I have just been through a series of personal struggles where I personally denounced the wormhole aliens as the interfering frauds that they are. It may bite me in the end, but it is good to know I'm not alone." He took a heavy swig of his wine.

"You are here with your wife? Are such places not dangerous?" Rojosh couldn't help but look at Remal with wide eyes. "Tell me of your experience though,I must admit I am relieved you haven't started a lecture yet. Unless one is coming of course"

"I can't see myself giving lectures. More of a listener myself. Actually I'm a counselor by trade and my wife is Captain of this boat, so I feel pretty safe here. Other than the odd energy being or vengeful Cardassian, life here is good. I imagine your new home will be just as wonderful when you get there." He thought about his experience and how he should paint the picture for this stranger.

"The Vulcan one is not the Captain?" Rojosh sounded confused but moved on. Perhaps this ship had a unique command structure. Still it was no concern of his.

"We hope our new colony will be all we have dreamed of. The reports showed it favourable and plentiful in many areas. The high humidity has turned many before us away but we shall prevail." He said confidently before turning his attention back to Remal. " Tell me of your struggles, have you found your belief differs from that of convention?"

He allowed a small chuckle at the thought of 'the Vulcan' as CO. "You'll know Rhen when you meet her. She's Bajoran and a bit of a spitfire." He couldn't help but smile as he thought of his bride. "Your planet sounds like it will work out well for you." He took another long drink.

"As for my beliefs… I found that my faith lies with those I care about most, namely my wife. Our path is our own, to lay down as we see fit. Surely as a traveler on a space faring vessel, you have found a certain freedom out here among the stars?"

"I am no captain, I am merely the leader of this ragtag group of outcasts."Rojosh admitted, hanging his head a little. "Before a week ago I had never set foot in a spacecraft. I did some reading though" he shrugged "how hard can it be?" He cast an eye over to Remal and took a swig of the wine. "How is it you are not outcast for your beliefs? Both from Bajor and your wife, unless she believes as you do of course."

"Ah, well, I cannot speak for her though to say our paths are one now. But before yesterday I was not an outcast but a firm believer. I spent years growing up in the Brotherhood, studying and planning. Had an Orb experience when I was young which guided my path right to Rhenora. But in the last few years things sort of changed, mostly since I left the place I once called home.

Venturing out into space opened my eyes to a universe of choice beyond Bajor. Then despite the Celestial Beings telling me my life was with my wife, we found ourselves separated lightyears apart for almost five years. It was then I realized the Prophets were not walking with me anymore. I mean how could they be right?

And then we found one another again. And of course that was a cue for the Prophets to interfere again. But, I was done. I refused openly to walk their path any longer. Instead choosing to forge my own way." He sighed heavily. "If I return to Bajor, which maybe someday, I will be labeled an outcast as you are. But for now, my place is here, drinking springwine with a kindred spirit." Realizing he had just unloaded onto a stranger he smiled and asked apologetically, "So is that similar to you lot?" He gestured acknowledging the crowd that was now closely listening to his conversation.

Rojosh listened intently, having the distinct feeling that Remal needed someone to talk to, to explain his point of view to an impartial party. At first there had been the two of them, but now a circle of at least twenty gathered around to hear them talk. There was nothing else to do in the cargo bay.

“ Your story is one of great struggle it seems. I too feel the Prophets are not worthy of our devotion nor the weight that our government tends to put on them. We should have freedom of choice, and freedom of speech no matter what we believe. I hope that if you return to Bajor things will have changed and you are not treated as we were” Rojosh commented, putting a brotherly hand on Remal’s shoulder.

"It may be some time before the government and the people that support them adapt to have more open minds. But I will drink to your choice to be free." He raised his bottle. "Salute."

“Salute” Rojosh echoed, raising his glass and taking a swig. “ I pray you find your path brother” He said with a sad smile “You are most welcome to join us if you so desire”

Remal smiled half heartedly, "perhaps some day. Right now though, my place, my path is here, meeting fellow individuals such as yourself. I do have one question for you though. Have you thought about what you're going to call your new home once you get there?"

Rojosh thought for a second, rubbing his bearded chin thoughtfully. “ We have no name allocated as of yet - we were going to see what it was like when we get there - to see what word called to us, what is worthy of it” He explained, revealing that he had only limited knowledge of this planet they would inhabit.

"Might I suggest, D'Arra Kajal in your list of options. I know literally calling it a Home of Freedom is on the nose but maybe that's the point, right, to declare to the Universe that you are free."

"A bit on the nose, yeah, but I will gladly add it to our list of options." Rojosh jovially replied. They spent a few more moments just chatting before time came to get up and allow someone else to take a seat. In Remal, Rojosh had found a kindred soul. One who had seen his share of hard times and was coming out the other side smelling like roses.

Rojosh headed back to where he had been sitting previously - his head filled with hope that there were others outside of his group that felt as he did. One person at a time there may be a revolution of freedom on Bajor. He would attempt to keep in touch with this Remal. They had been gifted a long range communication system and he made a pledge to use it.

Remal spent the remainder of the time the Bajorans were on the Liberty to get to know Rojosh and his fellow outcasts. He spent time reflecting on his own demons and listening to the demons of others. Afterall it was who he was now. When time came to say goodbye he bid his farewells by shaking hands and sharing paghs as fitting. When the last one was off the Liberty he took in a breath, realizing a weight had been lifted, not from his physical structure but from the depths of his soul.

He left the transporter room in search of a bite of food and some real sleep.

OFF