Shakedown #157"
By: Lt Commander Jim Hawkins, Temporal Agent, [NPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58204.07 1900

Qul Tuq == Quark's bar ==

It was time to go to dinner with Commander Hawkins, as she made her way to Quark's bar, she was still thinking about the discussion she had had with Jack O'Neill the S31 operative. Although what he has told her was quite disturbing she would not allow it to spoil her evening.

As she entered the bar, wearing her new dress, the first person to see her enter the room was Quark, who almost leapt out from behind the bar and hurried over to her. He rubbed his hands and smiled saying, "Doctor Dane welcome back in my humble establishment, what can I get you"?

Before she could answer, Quark continued. "Have you perhaps changed your mind about Ferengi? A beautiful woman such as you, would be very welcome on my arm. I have some nice Holodeck programs.." Quark looked at Teilani from head to toe.

Teilani glared at the Ferengi and snapped, "Come near me Quark and I will shove you out the nearest airlock".

He grinned and said, "Oh, you are so beautiful when you are angry." He reached up to touch her blazing red hair, but then saw Commander Hawkins approaching. Deciding that it wouldn't do to grope the customers in front of Hawkins he picked up a glass instead, cleaning it with a cloth.

"Are you antagonising customers again Quark?" Jim said as he approached, a smile on his face.

Quark glared at him and responded. "Commander, you know I'd never do anything like that." He grinned and, looking back at Teilani, said, "What can I get you Doctor?"

She looked him over and requested "A Romulan Ale, and you can bring it over to our table in the corner". Quark nodded and walked away.

Teilani turned to the commander and said, "Have a seat, Sir". As they both sat down, Teilani asked, "Tell me commander, how did you end up on this station? I can imagine that it is hard work, the responsibility etc.".

"It's a long story doctor," Jim replied, looking at her for a moment before continuing. "I guess you could say I'm just following my destiny." He smiled at her, knowing it was a cryptic comment, but not sure if he wanted to tell a stranger his 'life story'. Not until they became a friend, at least.

"Hm, I see", Teilani said, then paused as Quark came back with their respective drinks.

"Thank Quark," Jim said, taking his coke. He hadn't ordered, but Quark knew the drink he always chose. He sipped it as he studied Teilani, wondering what her own story was. "What about yourself?" he asked. "Where were you before the Zion?"

"Well," Teilani responded. "My life is not that interesting, after I graduated I was assigned to the USS Starchaser untill it was decommissioned, then I was offered a job at the Medical academy, which was quite fun, but i decided that i wanted something more challeging, so I was on my way to Qul with the Kittyhawk, when we were attacked." Teilani's face was without expression, she still had trouble coming to terms with the loss of many lives, amongst which of them were many friends.

"So commander, to keep a story short, I applied for the Doctor's position at the Zion. Which I must say is quit an impressive ship."

Jim nodded at her as a Ferengi brought over their meals. As they began eating, he said, "I served on the Scorpion once it was commissioned before becoming CO of Qul Tuq a short while ago. I know what it's like to serve on a Sovereign-class ship - it's quite exciting." He smiled at her as he took a bite from his fork.

"Hm, Teilani said, then you know exactly what I mean. But the Scorpion you say, I have heard rumours about it, didn't something happen to it?"

"Yes, it went back to the universe its crew came from. My friends." He looked at her, studying her reaction to what he'd just said.

Teilani tilted her head a little as she looked at the Commander, "You mean they went back to an alternate universe?" But what about the temporal directive", would'nt it change history"? Something happened here didn't it, something happened which needs to be corrected, am I right?"

Jim grinned at her. "No, nothing like that. We came through via an accident... Do you remember hearing about the destruction of the Federation ship the USS Tornado a few months ago?" She nodded curiously, and he continued. "That was my ship, which was also the USS Tornado. After discovering that they weren't the 'good guys', we ended up in a battle and they lost. That's when we were found by the Maquis and brought in. We didn't know that we had destroyed one of the most vicious protagonists of the Federation... Anyway, to cut a long story short, after we went on another mission for the Maquis to save Captain Riker, we were ambushed, and were almost destroyed ourselves. But a rescue ship from our own universe found us in time, sent the Federation running, and brought us all back to Qul Tuq. In exchange for our services against the Federation, and the intel we gathered about their recent capabilities, the Klingons insisted that we had earnt the right to be given the Scorpion, the second Sovereign-class ship to be built here."

He paused as he took another bite, and looked at her. "I hope I'm not boring you with any of this?" he asked, with an apologetic smile.

"Absolutely not, Teilani responded with a smile. But I am a bit confused, so there were 2 Uss Toronado's of which one got destroyed, your ship was saved, so you ended up here? Don't you want to go back home? Please continue". She was so fascinated by the story that she completely forgot about her food. Who would have thought that she would meet someone from an alternate universe.

"Your Federation's Tornado got destroyed, yes," he said, hoping to make it clear to her. "Ours survived, and became part of the Maquis, before being destroyed in an ambush." He sipped from his drink as he pondered her question about wanting to be back home.

"Yes, I do want to be back home, but I chose to be here instead. When the Scorpion went back some weeks ago, I stayed here, to... to follow my destiny, if you will."

"Your destiny?" she asked?

He nodded. "It seems that Bajor's Prophets have chosen me to be their Emissary, which is something I decided to embrace rather than to deny." He smiled at her.

"I understand, tough decision though," Teilani responded. "I've heard and read about the prophets, have you met them, nobody seems to know what and where they are. I know that the Prophets form a very strong foothold in the Bajoran beliefs," Teilani continued. "So you might think that the emissary would be a Bajoran. How do the Bajoran's think of it, that a human is being chosen as their Emmissary?"

As Teilani waited for the commanders response, one of the Ferengi waiters came and collected their plates and asked if they wanted to order any desserts. Both the commander and Teilani declined.

"As long as the Prophets are working for the Bajorans, they don't mind who it is," Jim said. "Kai Opaka has announced it to the Bajorans recently, and it has brought some semblance of order back to the planet, bringing the people together. This will only be a good thing for the Maquis, who rely on the Bajorans for resources." He paused a moment, thinking about her other question. "Yes, I've met them," he said. "Quite a unique experience."

Teilani was silent for a moment. Who would have thought that the text on the Bajoran scrolls was right. As she wanted to ask another question, the commanders combadge chirped.

"Commander Hawkins, please report to ops."

"On my way," Jim replied and tapped his badge to close the comm link. He sighed, looking up at her. "I'm sorry, but duty calls." He stood up and pushed his chair back in. "Thanks for dinner, doctor. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay onboard this station." With a smile at her he turned and left, neatly sidestepping Morn who had just entered the bar.

"My pleasure, Commander, Teilani responded, as she watched the commander leaving. She remained seated for a few minutes but then decided to head back to her quarters. There were still some unfinished reports and she needed to sent a quick hallo to her brother at home.