The evening rays of Bajor-B'hava'el glistened on the gold domes of Temple Vor-Huar. A single deep tone of a huge bell echoed thru off the valley, calling out the dinner hour.
Dayor Jaran, playing his role as a Ranjen of the Temple, escorted Dr. Tal to the main dinning room. For such a large complex, the table was small, set for only three. Clearly it could accomdate more and Jaran wondered at it as he looked around the room. Around the walls were portraits of other Ranjen, and over the mantle of a grand fireplace the larger image of Kai Rhetta . Her young face looked out of place amoung the older visages around the room. None of them touched Jaran. He turned back to the door they had entered and to the left was a portait of Vedek Comina Kira.
Her name immediately came to mind and he whispered it to himself.
Nala looked at him. 'You recognize her. Very good."
"I know her name, but...I can't remember meeting her."
He was interrupted as Ranjen Foor entered from behind them carrying a patter of food.
"Jaran! Jaran! I can't tell you how glad I am you are home again. The place is just so empty without you." the little man exclaimed as he set down the platter in the center of the table.
Jaran came over and looked down at a Hasperat souffle, a small Ratamba stew, and bottle of Baltrim's wine.
"A feast" Jaran smiled for the first time. "You have gone to much trouble Foor."
"No...No trouble." he said as he began to poor the wine into tall crystal. "And I knew you would want the Baltrims. It has been your favorite ever since your trip to Jeraddo."
The image of vineyard appeared in Jaran's mind. He could see himself sitting and talking to Vine Master the day he purchased that very bottle. "I remember." he said looking at Nala.
She smiled nodding.
Ranjen Foor finished and stepped back looking at the presentation. 'Now. If you will excuse me." he started to leave.
"Aren't you joining us?" Jaran asked.
"Oh no."
The main door the dinning room opened and the last light of the day silhouetted the body of Vedek Comina Kira. She was not dressed in her Religious Robes but in a tight fitting uniform. Her long black hair pulled back sternly.
"You enjoy." Foor said and made his out the back door.
"Commander Dayor. It's good to see you up and about." the Vedek said walking briskly to a chair and lifting a glass of the wine to her lips.
Jaran knew who she was, yet had no memory of any interaction with her.
Dr. Tal spoke up. "The Commander is making good progress."
Kira looked him up and down. "You always liked your Religious Robes Commander." she sat down. "I don't see what comfort you take in them. Myself, I avoid them if at all possible."
Jaran and Nala took their seats. "No one else in this complex is eating tonight?" Jaran asked.
Kira looked over at Nala. "I thought you said 'good' progress."
Nala smiled. "It is going to take some time Vedek Comina. But I do see progress in Jaran's memory returning. It will come in bits and pieces. The more he remembers, the faster the rest will return."
"How do you feel Commander?" Kira asked.
"I feel fine. Just a bit lost. I find that very uncomfortable."
Returning to Jaran's question. "There is only a small maintence staff in the Temple. You and Foor are the only Ranjen. The temple is more a library for the Order than anything. There is a small village in the valley you serve. For appearances of course. Foor handles the weekly services for them. You only help for the Cerimonies."
Jaran nodded. The image of him conducting the Festival of Gratitude appeared in his mind. "Yes...I see it." he said.
"See.... Good progress." Nala smiled.
Kira poked at the stew. "Well, .... Good progress or not." she stared over at Nala. "I'm afraid I need you Commander."
"Oh?"
"Sevrta Bor is starting to make to much noise." she put her fork down. Something has to be done."
"Sevrta Bor?" Jaran repeated.
"Really Commander. We've discussed this before. Sevrta Bor is the head of the Bauther Party in the Southern Province. He's rather against al things Human, the Ephyra Colony in particular. And with the closing of the Wormhole, its added fuel to the fire."
"And you would like me to do something about it?"
"No... I don't want you to kill him. Just.....discredit him. Handle it Commander." she took a mouthfull of the Hasperat and moaned. "I really am going to steal that little man from you one day."
She washed it down with the last of her wine and stood up. "Ok then. You have your orders. I'll be watching the news" she turned to Nala. "Doctor... you keep working...apparently you have a way to go." and without a good bye the Vedek left the room and the pair to finish their meal.
Jaran looked at Nala. "Not the most pleasant woman."
"She has to keep her distance. She can't become emotionally involved with her agents."
"Yes...agents." Jaran sat conflicted by his cover as a Ranjen of the Temple and his true role as an operative for the Bajoran Intelligence Service.
They finished their meal and Jaran walked Nala back to her quarters. They stood at her door for a moment.
"Jaran...I know its hard. But it will all come back Give it time."
He nodded, Not really beliving her .
She entered her room closing the door behind her. The lights coming up automatically. Vedek Comina was standing next to a sofa.
"I am pleased." she said.
"Foor is playing his part well." Nala replied. "The wine worked. I'll slowly bring back images. The farther along we go the faster the process will proceed."
"The mission will help. And it will give us an idea of how much of his human skills remain." Kira looked at the Doctor. "You look worried."
Nala sat down. "It... may be nothing. It's just..."
"Just what?"
"Did you notice Jaran was left handed at dinner?"
"So?"
"Ravana Oler was left handed. Marcus Dinn was right handed."
"I see no problem.. I doubt personality controls either."
Nala looked out the window, soft moonlight illuminating a small garden. "I'm sure you're right."
Yet, the concern would not leave her.
Off:
A post by Commander Dayor Jaran
Senior Research Administrator of the Bajoran Temple Vor-Huar
Clandestine operative of the Bajoran Intelligence Service
