The two of them materialzed at the beginning of the foot path leading to the Western Enterance of Temple Vor-Huar. Pearched atop a cliff face the path was cut into the cliff wall, steep steps leading up the 200 foot side.
"I don't mean to complain, but exactly why did we have to beam down at the base of the cliff?"
Dayor Jaran marched up the slope, not looking back. "Respect. Out of respect. One does not 'beam' into the temple."
"Oh." she replied, already getting winded. "As long as there is a reason."
"You've never been to temple?"
They turned at a switch back and started to climb again. "No...not really."
"Never?" he asked in amazement.
"I think I did go thru Atonement, I was very small. Prylar Verna conducted it."
They reached the top and Jaran looked back at Nala.
"Not since then? A very long time. Maybe I will be able to help you as well."
Nala shook her head. Jarans implanted memories were starting to surface. While he was a deadly operative for the Bajoran Intelligence, he was also deeply religious. If he killed, it had to be at the orders of a Vedek, and then, there had to be a good reason. But once let loose on mission, he never failed. At least that was what the fabricated history was.
Reaching the main door Jaran pulled a chain, and a muffled chime some where deep in the temple could be heard.
Minutes later the great wooden door opened and an old hunched over Ranjen stood before him.
"Dayor Jaran! You have returned to us!"
Jaran stood looking at the man. Knowing he should recoginze him but it just did not come to him.
"It's me Jaran. Ranjen Foor. Praise the Prophets! You look like you don't recogize me."
Jaran stammered. 'I'm sorry. I..."
Nala spoke up. "Ranjen Dayor has had a bit of an accident. I'm afraid his memory is not quite all there."
The old man looked at her. "And you are?"
"Dr. Tal Nala. I'm with Ranjen Dayor to help his recuperation."
The man stood aside letting them pass. "An accident you say."
Jaran looked around the great hall inside. Frustrated at being a bit lost. Foor started down a side corridor. "Well.. Then you need to rest! That is what you need. All the time taking off on trips to who knows where. Why I bet its just exhustion!
The banter continued for the several minutes it took to arrive at a courtyard. Foor opened a pair of glass double doors and lead them thru a garden to the other side. Then he stood to the side of a wooden door, a thumb print key pad on the wall.
Jaran pressed his thumb and the door opened. The three went in and Nala was amazed at how beautiful the room was. Dark paneling and brilliant tapestries on all the wall. Lines of bookcases and at the far end of the room a grand desk set in front of a bay window looking out over the cliff.
"Your robes are all layed out Ranjen Dayor" Foor said pointing to a side bedroom. 'You get settled and I'll come for you at Dinner. Will you be joining us Doctor?"
Nala smiled, "Yes, please."
Jaran looked back at Foor. "Please prepare a room as close to mine as you can arrange. The Doctor will be staying for a while."
Foor looked up at the woman. 'I see. Well, that will not be a problem." and the old man excused himself.
Nala looked around and then pointed at the robes. "Why don't you get dressed for Dinner. I would imagine it will help jog your memory."
Jaran started for the bedroom. 'Nothing about this is familiar. Yet, I'm comfortable here."
He closed the door behind him and Nala looked over the vast collection of books on the shelf until he returned.
She had to catch her breath as he took the chair at the desk. He was the most striking Bajoran male she had ever seen.
"Commander Dayor. I must say. You look right at home." Nala said, trying to hide her attraction .
A post by Commander Dayor Jaran
Senior Research Administrator of the Bajoran Temple Vor-Huar
Clandestine operative of the Bajoran Intelligence Service
Previously Marcus Dinn
