The shifting sands

Posted on Fri Oct 31st, 2025 @ 6:01am by Colonel Vedrum Hazuh & Chief Warrant Officer Karzen Son of Arjune, Son of Ragan MD, MPH

1,243 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: A New Dawn
Location: Deep Space Nine

Vedrum has eyes and ears everywhere, hell, it was what El-Aurian's did so well, it was how they survived, so it wasn't a surprise when he learned of a unique Klingon/Rihannsu arriving on Deep Space Nine, and using his contacts, set up a meeting with him, he was sitting in the conference room looking out into the black void of space.

A young woman, Karzen, didn't recognize him as he was finishing his meal. She passed on that Colonel Hazuh wanted to see him at his earliest convenience. Karzen thanked the woman, and she left. After a moment of sitting quietly, Karzen decided that now was a convenient time and headed to the conference room, where this Hazuh was supposed to be waiting for him. When he arrived, he rapped his knuckles on the door.

"Enter," Vedrum called out, still looking out into the blackness, feeling that call, that call that all El-Aurians felt, especially when they were getting close to another life-cycle, "ah doctor Karzen, son of two families," Vedrum said, still looking out the window.

"Colonel Hazuh," Karzen said. "With all due respect, I've had a very long journey on an atrociously slow ship, I've had a meal, and now, like many people at my stage in life, I'd like a nap. What can I do for the Maquis?"

"Please take a seat, this won't take long. What have you heard about what is going on with the colonies within the DMZ?"

"I just came from there," Karzen said. "So yes, I have heard some of it. Something about forming a government and making the Maquis into an organized military? On its face, the idea is not terrible. But if you're about to ask me to endorse you in exchange for a high position in the currently non-existent health ministry, allow me to inform you that I'd rather suck dirt up off the floor than be a bureaucrat. Still, if you sound valuable and sincere when it comes time to vote, I might vote for you."

This made Vedrum laugh out loud, catching his breath, he finally turned around, "oh how I missed Klingon humor," he said, pointing a finger at the Klingon, "no, no, nothing like that I would never do that to someone, but I do have a ship that needs a physician for their rew, does that interest you?"

Karzen thought about the offer. He'd tried to serve in Starfleet decades ago, but they rejected him because of his DNA. Then Worf became an officer. But now he had lived in the DMZ. He had provided care to the Maquis. He was probably on a list somewhere. This might be his only chance to do something like this.

On the other hand, he was on his way to interview for a prestigious position at a Bajoran medical school. That job would be... DREADFULLY BORING.

"Alright," Karzen said. "Once more into the breach, as the poet said. What ship? When do I start? I'm wearing my sash and carrying my tajtiq. I prefer to use my disruptor pistols, but if you insist, I might be convinced to use one of your weapons."

"The Ada Lovelace is the ship; she is a workhorse of the Maquis, your typical Ju'Day raider, but she is getting some TLC as we speak. I believe an EMH (emergency medical hologram) is being installed to help you in the infirmary," Vedrum said. "As for your sash, that is fine. Currently, we do not have a uniform. Your commanding officer is Captain Aleshanee. She has been the captain of the Ada Lovelace for the last nine months of the war, and this year, post-war," Vedrum added.

"The name sounds familiar," Karzen said. "Young, for a captain, if I recall, but I suppose not for a ship that small... if you had some progression to larger ships, which you don't. I suppose I should say 'which we don't'. I don't suppose Starfleet is assisting with upgrades? If anyone could cram an even minimally effective medbay into a ship that size, it's Starfleet." Karzen didn't say anything about the EMH. Someone had smuggled one to his clinic in the DMZ and insisted he try it. Personally, Karzen found the thing so insufferable that he did everything to avoid using it. But sometimes, it was necessary. Karzen wasn't sure until his portable server was destroyed, and then he missed the extra set of hands. On a ship with... what? 10 crew? A dozen? It would probably be superfluous.

"May I ask how you know who Aleshnee is? The reason I ask is that towards the end of the war, the Maquis scattered, and even during the war, you knew some, but many stayed in the shadows, whispers, and I know Aleshnee did everything in her power to be that," Vedrum said.

"She did," Karzen said. "But she tried to operate in silence and the dark of night. Whispers scream in silent darkness."

Vedrum smirked, "a bit dark, but her expertise was piloting the Ada Lovelace, and raiding freighters, delivering the cargo to colonies that desperately needed the cargo, go lay low and repeat," he said casually.

"Yes," Karzen said. "And I was a doctor often in need of supplies to treat my patients. Is it not conceivable that I might have encountered or at least heard of her in that capacity? Though for the recording, it sounds like you may have been running. If that was true, I only ever recall receiving medical supplies that obviously came from the Cardassian Union and then only during the Dominion War, a period during which I don't recall Starfleet complaining about the Maquis hitting Cardassian Union supply convoys."

Vedrum nodded, "It is conceivable that she delivered supplies, and most likely you have also treated her," Vedrum said, making a note that if and when they got an intelligence setup, they needed to do deep dives on all colonial defense force service members, if they are approved to be a colonial defense force. "So, is a yes on the offer?"

"Yes," Karzen replied. "Pending the approval of your conversion from what the Federation considers a 'terrorist organization' to a legitimate force, whether that is a defense force or a constabulary or both. Doesn't matter to me."

"Excellent, take this, and bring it to Captain Aleshanee. She'll most likely want to have a conversation with you, and I would think showing you around your new home," Vedrum said.

"Understood," Karzen said. "And now, if we're done with this engaging conversation, I take my leave. I wanted a nap even before this exhausting interaction. Now I want a nap even more. Farewell, Colonel."

Karzen wasn't convinced he'd actually made a good decision, or any decision at all, really. Certainly not a firm commitment. He had an easy out, as the likelihood that the Federation would grant the colonies of the DMZ permission to turn the Maquis, whom they considered terrorists, into a security force was very low. However, the old Klingon was willing to wait and see what would happen.

Karzen left without waiting for a response from Colonel Hazuh. He wasn't back in the military just yet. For the moment, he could come and go as he pleased. Besides, Karzen was overdue for that nap he'd mentioned to Vedrum when he'd arrived.

Vedrum couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he watched the Klingon leave, "...he'll fit in just fine," he muttered to himself.

 

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