Bajor "
By: Clarice, Orphan , [RNPC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Margaret Rose MacAlister , Marine CO, [RNPC]
Sister Moira , Clinic Director , [NPC]

Stardate: 58206.28 0800

==QulTUq==

Wright looked around the docking ring of QulTuq.  It was a fairly busy day, the concourse was full of space travelers coming and going.  Wright had planned to attend some of the medical conference, however, when he woke up he just could not bring himself to go. He felt the call of Bajor and now found himself here. 

After his wife's death Wright had spent a good deal of time there working with the local population.  Despite their liberation from the Cardassian's life was hard in some places on Bajor.   Wright found his days long and the work hard while on Bajor but it was worthwhile work and he was able to take satisfaction from the time he spent there.

A red light turned green above the docking door and the door slid open.  The people around him, mostly Bajoran, began moving in the direction of the door.  Wright picked up his bag and joined them.  He found a seat on the transport and tried to relax as the rest of the passengers found their places.  Wright allowed his mind to wander back into the past.  He though briefly about his wife, he found, to some surprise that the pain of her loss was no longer as bad as it once was.  Perhaps, some healing was possible after all.  Wright thought about the many friends that he had on the USS Comfort, some of them no longer living.  There was no longer much point in living the past.  He had to admit that taking the position on the Zion was a good move for him, it allowed him to heal and make new friendships.

Wright was pulled from his thoughts by the transport as it pulled away from the station and set a course for Bajor.  It would not take long to get there.  Once he landed he would look in the market place for Trass Delvan. Delvan would be able to get him transportation to Rakantha Province.  Wright watched out a window as the transport descended through the atmosphere.  In no time at all they had arrived.  Wright left the space port and made his way to the market place.  Now all he needed to do was find Delvan.

***

MacAlister combed through the streets of Kalkyra, where she thought she'd find the orphan she'd befriended some three weeks earlier.  She'd had her outfit on a routine training mission then, and they'd found the child hurt and cold and hungry.  She'd left her XO in charge and had personally taken the young girl to the local clinic.  It hadn't been because she was the motherly type..  Gods forbid if that ever happened.  But at the time, the child had clung to her and shied away from the men.

The girl reminded her of one of her nieces.  Oh, not in physical appearance really, but definitely in spirit.  She'd stayed with her while the woman who ran the clinic had seen to the child's needs, only leaving to rejoin her men once she was assured the girl would be taken care of....  And after she'd made a promise to come back.  That was the reason she was back here today. After all, a MacAlister did not go back on their word.

She'd brought the young girl something in the way of food and clothing, having noticed that the young girl didn't seem to eat very well, and her clothes looked like they were nothing more than tattered rags.  There was definitely something going on with the child but the girl had stubbornly refused to confide in her.  She was hoping that today she could find out just what had happened to her three weeks ago, and what her true circumstances were.

***

It had been quite a trip on the land transport that Delvan had arranged for him.  Rakantha Province was left a dusty wasteland after the Cardassian occupation.   The Bajoran Governments were working to purify the soil to make it life giving again, however, this could only happen so fast.  Wright watched in amazement at the changes that had taken place since he was last here.  When they had arrived in the town of Kalkyra he thanked the person who brought him and made his way thought the streets towards the small clinic where he had volunteered.

Wright stood outside and was surprised.  The condition of the small building had been in excellent shape when he left.  Now it was what he could only describe as a wreck.  He stood outside the building for a moment wondering what could have happened before entering.   Wright entered the building and to his surprise, even though the outside was a mess, the inside was neat and well kept.

Wright waited for a few seconds and a human woman of about forty, with slightly graying hair entered the room.  "How can I help you," she asked, without even looking up at him.

"Hello Moira," said Wright.

She looked up, "Doctor Wright," she said pushing aside her surprise, "It's about time you got here."

"It's good to see you too Sister," laughed Wright, "How have you been?"

"As good as one can be in this unhappy place," she replied, gesturing out the door.

"I noticed the mess on the outside of the building.  What is going on," asked Wright.

"Sit down," she said, pointing at a table, "I will get you caught up on current events."

***

Madge was a stubborn, obstinate woman and she knew it.  She was generally the first one to admit it.  After looking for over two hours she realized that it was her Scottish stubborn streak that was keeping her combing the streets without any trail of the girl whatsoever.  Madge was also a very bright woman.  Having admitted to herself that she was still combing the streets out of sheer stubbornness, she decided it was time to change tactics.  She was a good investigator and right now her intuition had her feet turning in the direction of the small clinic she'd taken the girl to when she'd first met her, hoping to pick up her trail there.

***

Wright shook his head, "It's too bad," said Wright after he had been caught up on current events.  "This area has enough to worry about." Wright sighed, "How is Clarice?"

Moira looked at him with a disapproving gaze, "You should not call her that," she demanded," You know she does not like that name."

Clarice, as Wright called her, was a orphan girl who spent a good deal of time around the clinic.  She was not well accepted in the community because she was of both Cardassian and Bajoran heritage; a product of Cardassian war crimes.  Her mother died during the occupation, and no one knew who her father was.

Wright shrugged, "How is she?"

"I am afraid that her life is not a happy one," said Moira, "She spends much of her time trying to stay away from other children her age. She is lonely."

"There must be some place better for her," said Wright, thinking out loud.

"She is not accepted by the people here," said Moira, and I doubt she would survive long with the Cardassians."  The old woman paused, "Not too long ago she was found by a young Maquis Marine.  She had been beaten very badly."

"The marine brought her here?"

Moira nodded, "I have been in contact with my community, and they are trying to find her a new place to live."

"I will see what I can do as well, " offered Wright.

"How long will you be staying?"

"About a month, at least until the Zion is repaired," replied Wright.

"That is good," she said, "There is plenty of work for you to do."

***

MacAlister's long legs covered the distance in a fairly short amount of time.  There was more than one appreciative eye that followed the six foot tall redhead as she strode through the streets of Kalkyra.  She was dressed in khaki cargo pants with a sage green short-sleeved shirt tucked into the belted waistband.  Sturdy boots covered her feet and her hair was wound into a tight twist and secured to the back of her head with wispy tendrils escaping their confinement to frame her face rather attractively.  A ball cap and dark glasses kept the Bajor sun from making her squint.  The backpack resting on her back and the stout walking stick she carried gave her the appearance of simply being a tourist out for a hike.

Her gaze took in the clinic as she approached it, her mind automatically assessing it for tactical advantage, defenses, strengths and weaknesses.  As a whole, the building was quite unimpressive looking.  Which was normally a good thing, tactically speaking that is.  She stepped into the doorway and paused to look around, get her bearings and let her eyes adjust to the difference in light.  A few moments later she reached up and removed the dark glasses, hooking them into a breast pocket and revealing startling Nordic blue eyes.

She spotted the Sister she'd met when she brought the young girl in, along with a man she'd never seen before.  Her gaze took in his build and body language, and even his clothing and the cut of his hair as her mind once again went into clinically assessing-mode.  She telescoped her walking stick down and slipped it into her backpack as she made her way over to the pair. Her smile was genuine as she paused beside them, waiting till there was a break in their conversation before speaking.

"Good day tae ye, Sister.  If ye both will pardon me for the interruption," she greeted the woman in her soft Scots accent, and then paused to glance at the man, extending her smile to him and giving him a slight nod in acknowledgement before continuing.  "I've come tae visit the young bairn I brought tae ye, and couldnae find her anywhere.  I was hoping she'd be here or ye would ken where I can find her...."  She left the sentence hanging in a question as she waited for the woman to respond.

Although not dressed in her Marine garb as Moira had seen her last time, MacAlister was a woman who was quite easily recognizable.  Not only because of the color of her hair and eyes and her accent, but also because of her bearing.

"Well, I'll be," said Moira standing up, "This is the young marine who rescued our young orphan.  Miss?"  She could not remember Madge's name.

"MacAlister, ma'am.  Margaret Rose MacAlister," Madge introduced herself with a broad smile, tickled at being called a "young Marine".

Wright also stood up.  He offered to shake her hand, "I'm John Wright," he said.

"'Tis being a pleasure, Mr. Wright," MacAlister took his hand in her firm grip and looked him in the eyes.  "Call me Madge," she told them both.

"The child you wish to see is not here at the moment, " said Moira, "I expect her back before dark though.  Would you care to sit with us and wait?"

Madge frowned at the news, instantly concerned and it showed in the depths of her eyes.  "Aye.  I would," she nodded.  "Do ye ken where she went?" MacAlister asked ,  "I scoured the city searching, and dinnae see any sign of her.  I'm a wee bit worried."  She quietly took the extra seat as they sat down and settled her backpack at her feet.

"I would be surprised if you had," said Moira, "She has gotten very good at hiding herself."

"Ahhh...  But I'm usually verra good at finding things," Madge countered with a smile, still a bit concerned.  However a child that was in hiding and knew the area better than she did would be able to elude her.

"It seems,: said Wright, "That the locals, especially the children, do not accept her.

"Eh?"  Madge arched a brow.  "And now why would that be?  She's a lovely lass."

"I am sure that you noticed by her appearance, that she is both Cardassian and Bajoran," said Moira.

"Aye...  I noticed," she nodded thoughtfully.  "'Tis prejudice then?  Now that 'tis a shame...  Is there no place she can go and be accepted?" she asked.

"I have my Order trying to locate a place for her," said Moira, "and Doctor John here is going to see what he can do as well."

"It's hard," he said, "The war is not going to make it very easy."

"A doctor, eh?" Madge quirked a brow and smiled.  "I'm sure Sister can use yer capable hands," she commented.  "Do they nae have other orphans of mixed parentage?  Is there nae facility for them?  I'll put out my feelers too, if that's alright?"

"Any help you can give is appreciated," said Wright.  No sooner had the word came out of his mouth when the door opened and in walked the child, "Hello Clarice," said Wright with a smile.

"Bah!  You know I do not like that name Doctor John," said the girl.  She looked side to side and seemed very uncomfortable with the unexpected company.

MacAlister looked relieved as she studied the child but didn't interrupt her conversation with the doctor.  She did crouch down until she was eye level with her though.

Wright could see several minor cuts on her hands and some bruises on her face and arms. "Will you forgive me then," he asked.

The girl threw up her hands, "All I have is you and Sister Moira here and she is leaving soon.  I guess I have to."

Wright looked at the old woman with surprise, "You are leaving Bajor?"

Even MacAlister looked up at the Sister, her eyes holding only curiosity though as she waited to hear her answer.

Moira sighed, "I am an old woman and I have been away from my religious community for far too long."

Wright could see the how weary she really was and there was no doubt in his mind that she deserved a rest, "You will be hard to replace."

"Already done," she said with a smile, "A younger member of my order will arrive in a month's time to take over for me."

Clarice, as Wright had called her, looked at Madge, "You are the lady who saved me from Lyrr's gang."

"Aye, that I am, Lass," she turned her blue gaze back to the girl and smiled.  "I promised I'd come back.  Did ye have another run-in with them then?" she asked, reaching out to motion to the bruises and scratches the girl sported now.

The girl shrugged, "They are morons," she said, her voice dripping with disdain, "I would have gotten away but Lyrr's sister got in my way."

"Aye Lass.. Bully's usually are morons," Madge agreed.

"You could just stay here," observed Moira, even though they had discussed this several times before.

Clarice threw her arms up in frustration, "An let them keep me prisoner here?  I will be no ones prisoner."  Clarice put on a defiant expression, however, the truth was that she did not want to turn Sister Moira into a target and she was afraid that Lyrr would hurt her.  For the first time, however, she had some faint hope.  Doctor John was back and this mysterious Madge, who dropped into her life like one of those angels that Sister keep telling her about, maybe they could help.

"Of course ye won't be, Lass. And we're here tae help make sure that doesnae happen," she assured her.

"Well," said Wright standing up.  Wright picked up a medical kit and looked to the young girl, "we should-" Wright was cut off by the sounds of a commotion in the street outside.  Going to a window he could see a nearby house had caught fire. Wright made his way to the door, "There is a fire out there."

"Is there a local fire suppression team?" Madge asked rose to her feet immediately and moved to join Wright. "We'll need a water supply..." She was already slipping her arms out of her backpack and setting it on the floor.

Moira shook her head. She watched as Madge slipped out the door and ran after Wright. Moira said a silent prayer and then followed them outside.