The Truth Never Dies (Nevir/Juraan)

[Juraan Ren]

[USS Discovery - Outside Captain's Ready Room] (after S13M7)

Juraan had been asking for a meeting with Captain Tekin. He tried his best to get used to the new situation - solely out of self-interest - but still there were questions. Questions that made it hard for him to come to terms with the fact that he might be confronted with triggering memories caused by the arrival of a new crewmember every day. He was a doctor, he had basic knowledge in psychology but still all that knowledge was rendered useless with this personal issue of his. Just like he had told Kyjann before. He only have had one counselling session so far and while he had the feeling the ex Borg wasn't as tedious as other people of his profession it of course couldn't have done anything to help him change yet after one session.

So the simple reason Juraan had asked for the private meeting was to get some answers that hopefully would ease his mind.
Stopping in front of the door he palmed the chime without hesitation.

Once he would be called inside he'd step in and greet Nevir with a nod of his head, earring dangling slightly at the movement. "Captain. Thank you for sparing a few minutes for me", he said in Bajoran. He felt like it right now, it came easier to him and he hoped Nevir would join in.

[Tekin Nevir]

[USS Discovery - Captain's Ready room]

A quiet afternoon of writing reports and filing records was steadily interrupted by a chime at the door.  Nevir looked up and grabbed a drink of his tea before acknowledging it.

"Come." he said, sending off the report of the Meridian.  He didn't expect to see his medical officer there... though he had been trying to get a meeting.  Nevir accepted, but he must have lost track of the time.

"Dr. Jurann.  Please sit.  Sorry, I was just finishing some reports.  So... what did you want to talk about?"

[Juraan Ren]

[USS Discovery - Captain's Ready Room]

When offered to sit Jaraan sat down, leaning back the chair as he looked back at Nevir. Juraan couldn't be sure if Ian had reported of the small incident and his reprimand and good advice afterwards. The Captain's question hinted that the First Officer had not. Or Tekin was playing dumb about the situation or he simply had his mind not focused on it. Either way, Juraan became very aware that he knew next to nothing about the man sitting in front of him. Though he could hardly believe Nevir didn't have at least a vague idea why he was here.

When he recalled he Captain's question. about why he was here, Juraan hesitated briefly. "May I speak openly with you, Sir?"

The question was a little tricky. It could be totally harmless. Or it could mean to talk against regulations, the crew or even the command staff.
Juraan watched Nevir as he waited for a reply to the question.

[Tekin Nevir]

Nevir looked up at the doctor for a moment.  If he had been wearing glasses he would have been looking over them at him, but the Captain merely put his PADDs aside and turn off the monitor on his terminal.

"Of course, Doctor.  Go ahead." he said, leaning back to give full attention.

[Juraan Ren]

[USS Discovery - Captain's Ready Room]

Nevir's face didn't give away the slightest hint about what he was thinking. Juraan was sure though he must at least have an idea what this was about.

Holding the Captain's gaze Juraan began to speak after a brief pause. "Surely you have heard about the difficulties I had and still have with a certain member of the crew." He spoke calmly and with a steady pace, but there was something sparkling in his eyes that betrayed that collectedness. "While it had been pointed out to me that I am not to show my feelings about the situation openly I have been wondering what you are feeling about the situation."

It was clear that this rather innocent phrased question conveyed much more in it.

[Tekin Nevir]

The Captain looked through him as Juraan spoke, listening to every word.  It was only when he got to the end of his statement did Nevir speak, right at the end of it.

"You're asking why I would allow a Cardassian officer to serve aboard my ship." he said, not really as an accusation, but as a blunt statement of fact.  "I did hear about the altercation you had with Ensign Kell.  I have to admit that you did Bajor proud with your passion... I'm sure the majority of our world would agree with you.  So... why haven't I gotten rid of him?"

Nevir leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table.  "The Occupation is a lifetime ago.  Almost 30 years since its end, but not even a generation has passed since then.  Our children will never experience what we had to experience as very young children.  I was a very young boy when it ended, just around a decade old.  I remember the uncertainly, the fear, the mistrust, especially of the Federation.  And unlike most of our generation, my trauma with the Cardassians doesn't stop there.  I was nearly killed by remnants of the Obsidian Order around 10 years ago while trying to rescue my daughter."  There was emotion in his eyes, and it showed that the pain of his experiences never went away.  Despite that, with the exception of his eyes, Nevir remained calm.

"And yet... I approved the transfer.  Not only that, but I make a habit of looking through records of those officers who are looking for new assignments.  I saw his file and looked through it, much I did with yours.  So... why?"

The Bajoran stood up, going to the replicator and ordering a glass of kava juice.. the non-fermented version of Spring Wine.  He took a drink, putting it back on his desk and going to his window to look out of it.

"When we graduated the Academy, we took an oath.  An oath to hold to the principles and ideals of the Federation.  Something that Commander Galloway reminded us of when we were in the Gamma Quadrant... and something Starfleet Brass should remember.  You recall that oath, yes?  I assume you took it?" he said, turning around to face him, but staying at the window.

"Bajor is free and autonomous for the most part, but we are now a part of the Federation.  And we do not get to pick and choose which portions to follow and which to toss away.  The Federation is an ideal universe where all are equal, and you are judged by your actions, not your species.  Sometimes we forget that, but we are place where those who wish it can join and be part of it, even if their governments choose to be antagonistic.  Why did I accept Ensign Kell as a security officer?  Because she made the choice to join us.  And she had many more hoops to jump through than we did to get to where she is now.  Who are we to deny her that chance?"

[Juraan Ren]

[USS Discovery - Captain's Ready Room]

Juraan was not surprised that the Captain had instantly understood what was the real question. What surprised him though was his statement that his action had made Bajor proud and Nevir probably didn't even realize how much his words were balm for his soul.

When Nevir started with for how long the occupation was over and that he had only been a little boy when the occupation ended. Juraan wondered if this was a major factor for the different opinions. They were 12 years of age apart. While he would not consider it a big gap normally, in this case it seemed to be just that. Though when he learned that his daughter had been in some kind of danger because of the Obsidian Order and that he had been nearly killed he felt the rage he thought Nevir should feel and wondered even more why he didn't.

Nevir went on explaining that he had a habit of going through requests for new assignments - and casually dropped that he had done so with Juraan too. He realized his CV wasn't all nice and tidy. Quite the opposite actually and that it might have put other Captains off to pick him.

As the other Bajoran then moved about the room to get himself something to drink before stopping at the window Juraan's eyes were glued to the man. He observed him closely, hoping he'll find any hints of body language that might give him more detail other than what he was telling him at the moment.
At the end of his speech he of course went on to explain how the Federation was an organization that would give everyone a chance to be part of it. While he knew that this was generally a good thing - he had benefited from it too after all - he still could not understand how Cardassians could be allowed to be Starfleet officers.

After Nevir was finished Juraan held his gaze for a while without saying anything but rather let the silence fill the room for a moment. "To you it might seem like the occupation ended a lifetime ago, to me it feels like it was yesterday. The pain sometimes is as intense as it was yesterday. I'm not sure how you spent the years during the occupation, maybe you've been one of the luckier persons." He did not intend to play down whatever Nevir has experienced, Juraan simply didn't know how bad it had been for him. It sounded like he had been more concerned about the Federation since he most likely could remember that period better as he was getting older then than the time of the occupation. So Juraan thought he had to share his experience to make it clear to the Captain that it was not a matter of 'Time heals all wounds'. "I was six when my family and I were brought to Relliketh. I grew up there, I don't think I have to describe what it was like." He paused briefly to keep the memories from flooding his mind too much. "The first years of what I consciously remember was living under the Cardassian oppression. I've seen my mother die there, my father executed. I'm aware there are thousands of others who share a similar fate. I was able to escape when I was sixteen. What I'm trying to say is, I remember all of it. The insults, the beatings, the despair ... the loss of your loved ones." He swallowed, his eyes turning cold as he tried to keep the emotions down. "So I don't think it's hard to understand why it bloody freaks me out to see a Cardassian here! They are known to be ruthless and brutal, they enjoy torturing others, they are a xenophobic species." He looked at Nevir closely, feeling his emotions welling over despite his effort to keep them down. He lifted a stalling hand to any objections the Captain might bring in. "I know, Ensign Kell is another generation who had nothing to do with the occupation, but that won't change who the Cardassians are and what they are! Do you think they would hesitate for a moment to do again what they have done if they'd get another chance?! It's comfortable to seek resort in an organization like the Federation after their world had gone down in the fight but they were the ones who wanted the fight, they were the Federation's enemies and now we allow them to be amidst us."

Juraan had to stop himself and his rant. His face was stern and his hands balled into fists. He took a deep breath to come to his senses again. "I did take the oath", he then said, his voice still tense but less aggressive. "But that doesn't mean I support every decision the Federation makes." He looked Nevir straight in the eyes, confident of his attitude although there was the possibility his Captain might not like it.

[Tekin Nevir]

Nevir looked on at Ren, letting the man speak his mind.  It was harder for those older than him to understand; he knew that.  Ren was part of the last tortured generation.  Nevir remembered a lot, but he was a young boy; his counterpart across the table had grown through his childhood with it.

"Ren... listen to yourself."  he said, walking over to the desk.  He hoped using the doctor's given name would help.  "They enjoy.  They are.  They are known to be.  Do you remember who 'they' were?" he stated, taking a seat.

"Answer me this, Doctor.  How often did you see Cardassian families on Bajor?  Every single person on our world was part of their military; their 'Central Command'.  The same power that sided with the Dominion.  The same power that was destroyed after the Dominion War.  They don't exist anymore.  Those who follow that mentality are few and far between." he said, shaking his head.

"Bental mish'ri rokaya dajan; 'The Prophets do not see history'.  Its a relatively new expression, but do you understand what it means?" he said, leaning back.

"The Prophets do not see time as a linear construct, that is the literal definition, but the message is that we are judged not on our past, but on our present.  Its a philosophy that you don't pass judgement on descendants of history due to the actions of their ancestors.  The Cardassians were ruthless and brutal; they were xenophobic; and there are probably many who still are.  But remember that we were the ones who stepped in and assisted them as neighbors.  We could have let them die out on their dying world, but we didn't.  Look what it brought us: a democratic Cardassian government, peace envoys and cooperation with the Federation, and now Cardassians joining the Federation individually and joining Starfleet.  You don't have to like it, and you don't have to agree with it, but you do have an obligation as a Bajoran of the Prophets to judge her on her merits and actions, not on her people's disgusting history."

"Now... let's do just that.  Let's judge the Cardassian who dared joined my ship.  What has Ensign Kell done in the short time she has been aboard that makes her equal to the Central Command, or even the Obsidian Order?"

[Juraan Ren]

Lt. jg. Juraan Ren
[USS Discovery - Captain's Ready Room]

Being called by his given name did indeed help and ensured Juraan's attention. He had only been called from his family or his wife by his given name so it conveyed a sense of familiarity and brought this meeting to another level - it wasn't a crew member talking to his captain anymore, it was two equal Bajorans speaking their mind and heart. Looking back into Nevir's eyes he listened to what he had to say.

He didn't exactly know what Nevir meant when he asked if he remembered who 'they' were - of course he didn't remember names (not many at least) - but he didn't have to.
Juraan didn't agree on the statement that there were only a few following that mentality Juraan had described but didn't reply yet but let Nevir go on speaking.

At the mention of the Prophets Juraan snorted as he looked to the side, shaking his head. He was very much aware of the ear ring dangling at his ear at the movement and Nevir might be wondering why he would wear a display of Bajoran religion if the mention of the Prophets caused such a reaction from him.

He listened reluctantly to the explanation Nevir gave of the modern proverb before the Captain prompted him to point out what Ensign Kell had done so far to prove she was equal to the criminal Cardassians that had committed genocide to the Bajoran people.

The answer was clear. Nothing. She had done nothing. But Juraan, in his prejudiced and hatred-fed mind, wasn't able to assess that objectively. It rather made him angry that Nevir tried to force him into an admission that Cardassians could be good people.

Looking at Nevir he talked back promptly. "Their 'Central Command' might be destroyed, their world might be destroyed, but to me they will always be what they have shown to be their mentality, Captain. Brutal and ruthless. Whatever way they are acting today we've seen in the past what they are really like and I'm convinced that those Cardassians in charge back then didn't happen to be the brutal and ruthless of them. It is their mindset, their inherent character and that hasn't changed. I don't care what made Kell join Starfleet, but I tell you this: she is a Cardassian and she will act like a Cardassian sooner or later and by the time that happens I will be there to make you realise that."

Juraan took a deep breath but didn't try to keep himself from talking himself into a rage anymore. "Despite what the Prophets say I know we must not disregard our past, the past is what made what and who we are now. How can we ignore that?" At the question he leaned forward quite self-assertive as he expected a reply from Nevir.

It was pretty obvious now that Juraan was stuck in the past to some extend. He wasn't able to acknowledge the good efforts that had been made to settle resentments that naturally were there so he deliberately ignored the good and eligible points Nevir had brought in. The truth was that he didn't even want to try to acknowledge them. He wanted to stick to his hatred and racist attitude because he felt without it he wouldn't be himself anymore. These feelings had driven him to achieve things and accompanied him his whole life. He wasn't able (yet) to give this up and he didn't see how obstinate his own mindset was. It took him aback to not find his Bajoran Captain thinking the same.

[Tekin Nevir]

As he let the doctor speak, and the doctor seemed to get more and more passionate, or agitated, Nevir had tried to step in.

"Lieutenant-"

And again.

"Lieutenant.."

And again.

"Lieutenant!"

Until the Bajoran was finally done with his speech, and instead of Nevir doing what most other Captains would have probably done and shouted down the doctor, he decided to wait a few minutes.

"Humans have and will always be brash and arrogant.  Vulcans have and will always be emotionless automatons.  Andorians have and will always be cold hearted and callous.  Bajorans will always be rash and backwards, praying to their deity.  Does that sound familiar at all?" he stated, leaning back in his chair.

"Klingons will put honor and battle over any life.  Borg will always be a step away from trying to assimilate us.  Bolians will always talk their heads off.  Augmented humanoids will always be psychopaths.  Romulans will always stab you in the back.... shall I go through all of the species, or do you see my point?" he said, a notable sour tone in his voice.  Ren may have crossed a line back there.

"I am not saying that you have to like it.  And I am not saying that you have to be buddy buddy with Ensign Kell.  But what I will not tolerate is unwarranted intolerance.  Until such time as Kell 'shows her true colors' as you are insinuating," Nevir curled his fingers in quotation marks at that statement.  "I do expect you to treat her like any other member of the crew, and most certainly treat her the same way you treat your other patients."

"If you want to think that you're right and you want to be there to shove it in my face later, sure.  Be my guest.  But until such time, I do not want to hear of another incident between the two of you based on the actions of your peoples.  I don't expect you to forget what they did to us... I won't ever forget... but having one eye on the past is wise, having two eyes on the past will blind you.  Exactly like you are doing right now.  I will not accept any kind of department head who remains blind."

[Juraan Ren]

Lt. jg. Juraan Ren
[USS Discovery - Captain's Ready Room]

Juraan really was not worth Nevir's patience right now. Instead of being grateful for the forebearance the Captain showed towards him Juraan had shut down his receptors for reasonable arguments completely. Though Nevir was right, shouting would make things even worse.

Ren stared back defiantly at him and he was very well aware of the sour tone the Captain's voice had turned into so he held himself back to talk back once more. Apparently Nevir couldn't or didn't want to understand what he meant - that's how Juraan saw it. He didn't answer the rhetorical question after the species. To him it was something completely different if speaking about Cardassians or people of other species.

What Nevir said next should have been expected by Juraan, it basically was what Commander Galloway had already advised him of. Juraan wasn't sure he would be able to fulfull that. He also felt a deep feeling of disappointment and a lack of understanding that Nevir was so open-minded towards Cardassians.

His jaw clenched tightly to keep him from talking back - he sensed he should not thrash this out here and now - he listened to Nevir's words and his instructions on how he expected Juraan to behave towards Deryn.

Swallowing down all the things Juraan wanted to say or repeat he took one or two heavy breaths as he looked back at Nevir. "Is that an order?", he dared to ask. As if this needed to be an order ...

[Tekin Nevir]

Nevir stared hard at Ren, his lips pursed, as he stood up with fists on the table.  He was not the warm friendly captain now.. he was cold and angry.

"That would depend, Doctor." he said, his words slow and deliberate.

"Do I need to make it an order?"

[Juraan Ren]

Lt. jg. Juraan Ren
[USS Discovery - Captain's Ready Room]

Juraan's lips twitched, almost he would have opened his mouth to talk back once more. But the look on Nevir's face made him decide against it, although Ren stared back at him just as grimly. He had hoped this meeting would have another outcome and his disappointment sparked his anger more.

In response to Nevir's question that carried a warning for Ren's ears, he brought out a low "No, sir", through gritted teeth. After that he continued to stare back at Nevir, waiting to hear more words from him or to be dismissed.

[Tekin Nevir]

Nevir stared hard and long at Ren following the answer.  That No was purely for his benefit, and they both knew it.  He let himself linger on Ren for a moment longer, and then dropped the intimidating look.

"Good." he said, sitting back down and picking up a PADD.

"I would suggest you get familiar with Ensign Kell's medical files.  If there is nothing else, then dismissed."

[Juraan Ren]

Lt. jg. Juraan Ren
[USS Discovery - Captain's ready room]

Juraan seemed to have crossed a line with his Captain. The look he was receiving from him right now couldn't have been more intimidating and warning.

At Nevir's suggestion to look into Kell's medical file Juraan frowned, his lips twitching ready with a remark but he managed to hold himself back. He didn't understand why he should do it.

But instead of arguing Juraan acknowledged that he had been dismissed. Pushing the chair back he stood up, his stern gaze never leaving Nevir's. "No, nothing else, sir. Everything had been said", he said sharply and without waiting for another response he headed to the door to leave.