Wait, What?

Posted on Fri Jun 12th, 2026 @ 7:35am by Lieutenant JG Abrasax & Ilyas Horn

1,076 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 9: Across Time
Location: Worker’s Market, Promenade
Timeline: 20 Years Ago

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After Ruka gave Ilyas a more suitable cloak, Ruka guided Ilyas to the station core. One 3rd of the station was gated off to keep the workers away from the Cardassian population. Only a select few could pass through the gates as they pleased who were non-Cardassian, and just as many Cardassians discreetly seek companions among the workers.

Security doesn’t really interfere unless an accident happens. Zeymar had been part of the investigation team several times so he knew most of his fellow security officers. They in turn knew he often met with a certain well known Bajoran woman. They teased him about her being out of league, but weren’t of high enough rank to attempt their own plans with her.

It was one of the reasons why he worked so hard and ruthlessly to keep her safe. Ruka had offered her hand to Ilyas at the start of their walk and at the corridor to the core Zeymar waited for them.

“Well, we meet him in the second level of the bar.” Zeymar told them and offered his hand to Ruka, she accepted it with her free hand. “Now let’s get you to safety,” he said to Ilyas.

It was clear both, by their forced smiles, wanted to go with him but their own plans were so deep in the works that leaving would ruin everything.

"Is he going to help me get home?" Ilyas asked, very aware of the tension his current guardians were experiencing, "and you're coming too right? Eventually?" The boy looked anxious, holding on tightly to Ruka's hand even though he hadn't held his mother's hand in quite some time.

Technically that was the goal, to get out of the Union. Zeymar wasn’t sure where they’d go, Bajor was the first choice but Earth could be better as they’d have Ilyas to raise.

“Eventually,” he confirmed with a smile.

Ruka nodded. “After a brief stop over on Bajor.” She added, the trio entered the multilevel bar that was similar to Quarks on Deep Space Nine but far differently decorated. They went up the stairs and found a human looking male at one of the lower lit tables, who stood at their approach.

“Greetings,” the man said and examined all three of them.

“Thank you for accepting the late invitation, we are looking to get this young man off this station. He can supply a destination once he is safely away.” Zeymar spoke with the authority of station security.

Ruka sat down and guided Ilyas to the one next to her. Both men sat down as well a moment later.

“I see,” the man offered his hand to Ruka then Ilyas.

Ilyas didn't take the offered hand, much in example of his father whom he never saw shaking hands either. Instead, the teenage boy did smile. "Thank you taking me sir," he said gratefully, "I just hope I can get home...soon."

"Well mannered boy," the man said and put his offered hand on top of Ilyas' head. This instantly forged a connection telepathically. Images rushed passed until one stuck in his mind, it was of a familiar device. The Beacon!! He realised, the man's eyes widened. "You touched the Beacon?" He asked, shocked.

Ilyas flinched at the touch, not appreciating being touched without warning or permission. He appeared Vulcan enough to warrant such courtesy. "Yes," he whispered, "it was pretty and I felt drawn to it. And now I wish I never had because it took me here..." Tears welled up in his eyes. "I just want to go home..."

The man raised his eyebrows, he'd been trying to escape the beacon but suddenly it is connected to this youngster. "You are in luck, I was part of its construction and that was a while back. My name is Davin Strix. What are your names?"

"Zeymar," the Cardassian security officer replied.
"Ruka," the Bajoran woman added.

"Ilyas," the boy answered quietly, deliberately not giving his last name.

"Well its interesting to meet you all," Davin said and smiled. "Don't worry Ilyas, I can get you back to the Beacon. We just need to go back to where you arrived and together we can try to telepathically call the Beacon."

The boy fell silent, looking at his current guardians, visibly hesitating.

"Where did you appear here?" Davin asked, hopeful it was an easy place to get to at least.

"I think it was a science lab?" Ilyas answered thoughtfully, "at least it is when I come from."

Davin frowned. "That's going to be difficult but we better try. Can you take us there by the way you got out?"

"I can try and get in there before you." Zeymar said and was about to leave to do just that but Davin stopped him.

"The longer we go the harder it will take to send him back," Davin offered, "that said, I cannot guarantee anything but I will try."

Ruka and Zeymar shared a look and both focused on Ilyas. "We better try, if it doesn't work we will get you to the transport."

The boy nodded slowly, casting suspicious eyes onto the man, while staying close his two alien caretakers. "How will this work?" He asked timidly.

"Through your connection to the Beacon, I will tell it to pull you back to it." Davin explained, "that said we will need at least a couple of minutes to do so."

He eyed Ilyas. "You better tell your father to destroy it or at least give it to Betazed to secure it as it is a telepathic device." Davin told the boy in a non-negotiable tone. "I'm not sure how it got there in the first place."

"I have to make it home first sir," Ilyas answered softly, "why should he give it to Betazed?"

"That's where its made," Davin said, thinking nothing important will come of it but soon he will find out that he was going to be utterly wrong.

"Because it's made there, doesn't mean it belongs there," Ilyas mused, "if it's dangerous it should be destroyed."

Smart boy, Davin mused with a half smile. "It's only dangerous in the wrong hands and it's not up to me but whoever commissioned it, son." He told Ilyas as they began their trek to the Science Lab, Zeymar and Ruka following behind them.

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Zeymar, Ruka and Davin played by Abrasax

Ilyas played by Peter Horn

 

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