Prologue

Personal log, Lt. Cmdr. Rehnor Vox’s, Stardate 54406.7… I have been anxious for days to undergo the zhian’tara, the Trill Rite of Closure, which will give me the opportunity to “meet” the former hosts of my symbiont Vox. The Victorious is now en route to the Verdana System to rendezvous with the Trill vessel Katral and to pick up Dr. Konar Zohl, a Trill Guardian who will be performing the rituals.

A few days before, I was contacted by the Symbiosis Commission on Trill to schedule my first and only zhian’tara since my joining five years ago. On behalf of Captain Cooke, who is currently suffering from partial memory loss, Commander Mickael Patterson has granted me a personal favor. He has given me permission to meet Dr. Zohl and go through the zhian’tara for a few hours before we proceed to our next mission in the Kayleb Sector.

Dr. Rehnor Vox sits impatiently in his Sickbay office, waiting for Dr. Zohl’s arrival on the Victorious. “Vox to Bridge,” he says as he taps his communicator. “How long before we get to our destination?”

“Well, Doctor, aren’t we getting a little restless?” A firm and authoritative voice answers him in a taunting way. It is Commander Patterson himself on the Bridge. The first officer turns to Lieutenant Junior Grade Freija Brynn, the half-Klingon, half-Betazoid helmsman on duty. “Lieutenant, how long before we reach the coordinates?”

Brynn quickly checks and turns to reply, “At present course and speed, approximately 7 minutes, sir.”

“Did you hear that, Vox?” taunts Patterson. “You will just have to learn more patience.”

“Loud and clear, sir. Please let me know when we’re ready to beam Dr. Zohl aboard the Victorious. Thank you. Vox out.” Then Vox cuts the channel and tries to keep busy.

“He’s excited about this whole zhian’tara business, isn’t he?” Patterson remarks to the small group of people on the Bridge. Everyone just smiles.

A few minutes later, Lieutenant JG Brynn calls out to Commander Patterson. “Sir, we’re now entering the Verdana System. The Katral is holding position at the following coordinates: 223 mark 74.”

“Slow to impulse,” Patterson orders Brynn.

“Commander,” says Ensign Zeven, a young Vulcan tactical officer, “the Katral is hailing us.”

“On screen,” the first officer replies. “Greetings. I’m Commander Mickael Patterson of the Federation starship Victorious.”

An elderly man’s image appears on the main viewer. “Ah, Victorious, yes, we have been expecting your arrival. I’m Dr. Konar Zohl, the Guardian who will be performing the zhian’tara for Dr. Rehnor Vox. Are you ready to receive me and my party?”

“Yes, Doctor. Our Chief Medical Officer has been expecting you. Please prepare to beam over to the Victorious. Patterson out.” And with that Patterson rises from his chair and taps his communicator. “Patterson to Vox. Meet me in Transporter Room 2. Your guest will be arriving shortly.”

“On my way, sir! Vox out,” an excited voice answers.

The first officer turns to the large Klingon who is sitting at the science station. “Margh, you have the Bridge.”

Margh snaps to attention, “Aye, Commander.”

When Patterson arrives in Transporter Room 2, Vox is already there, pacing back and forth. Patterson orders the transporter operator on duty to beam over Dr. Zohl and two of his companions from the Katral.

“Welcome aboard the Victorious,” and the first officer greets the arriving party. “I’m Commander Mickael Patterson, and this is our Chief Medical Officer, Lt. Commander Rehnor Vox.” Vox smiles and nods at them.

“Greetings. I’m Dr. Konar Zohl and these are my two aides, Valok and Rokos,” Zohl replies as he and his companions step down from the transporter platform. Patterson and Vox shake hands with them.

“Doctor, it’s such an honor to meet you. I’ve been anxiously waiting for this day to come. I realize you’re going to be here only for a few hours, but we have arranged quarters for you and your party. I’m sure you require some time to rest and prepare for the ceremony,” Vox says.

“I sense your excitement. Don’t be nervous, child,” Zohl replies. “Thank you so much for your hospitality. Perhaps my two aides would like to go to our quarters. However, I’m ready to start anytime, seeing that we have about two hours before you leave for your next mission.”

“In that case, I will have Security escort your companions to quarters on Deck 10. Meanwhile, please join us in a brief meeting so that we can further discuss the zhian’tara ritual,” Patterson tells Zohl.

“I have already chosen four volunteers, including Commander Patterson here, and I have given them basic explanations of the procedures. I would like to introduce the others to you and let you answer any questions they may have,” Vox adds.

Patterson contacts the three crew members and orders them to report to a meeting in Conference Room 3. Vox, Zohl, and Patterson arrive at the meeting site to find three other officers waiting there. Everyone sits around the long rectangular conference table. Vox introduces the Guardian to his friends: Helm officer, Lieutenant Junior Grade Brynn; Chief of Security, Lieutenant Junior Grade Gordon Johnson; and Tactical officer, Ensign Zeven. Dr. Zohl provides more explanation to the crew, answering questions in a clear and informative manner.

“Uh, so you want us to surrender our bodies to a bunch of dead people?” Gordon asks Rehnor. Everyone laughs as Dr. Zohl starts to explain the zhian’tara ritual in detail.

During the meeting, it has been decided which crew member will embody a particular former host. While one volunteer undergoes the zhian’tara with Vox, the rest of the crew go back to their assignments until they are called.

I. The Path Not Taken

Ensign Zeven decides to be the first volunteer. He, Vox, and Zohl walk inside the Holodeck. Once there, Vox taps the computer. “Computer, run program Vox Zeta One.” The empty room soon transforms into a darkened ceremonial chamber, illuminated only by dozens of candles of different shapes, colors, and sizes. The walls are covered with dark-colored silk drapery.

At the center of the room, the three stand before a burning lamp placed on a small circular table.

“Don’t be afraid,” Zohl says. “The zhian’tara is but a ritual that allows a living host of a symbiont to talk to his predecessors. As I have explained, I will telepathically transfer the memories of one host from Vox to a temporary host body, in this case, Ensign Zeven’s. Zeven will have complete control of his body and will be in a semi-conscious state. Are you both ready?”

Vox and Zeven nod in agreement.

“Then let us begin,” Zohl continues. “Let us all hold hands as we stand around the fire. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Clear your minds. Focus on the present.” The Guardian starts to chant.

“An vatru ah Rehnor ka’thira zavatal Vox, Jan’zalo kai vidu an Trill jentu. Zha’manzal ulazu at kazanar ah vidu va’karaan. Par havak Rehnor zha’lita ninzur. Jo’tavoz ventix ja’mano Evahni Um’thira an vatru ah Zeven. Beraz, zhian’tara ja’rido.”

At that moment, Vox’s body starts to glow, and then the radiance transfers to the body of Ensign Zeven. As everyone opens his eyes, the Guardian turns to the two Starfleet officers.

“Before we proceed, I would like to ask each of you a question. Evahni,” says Dr. Zohl as he turns to Zeven. “What is the last thing that you remember?”

“I was at Orvid Vox’s zhian’tara,” the Zeven/Evahni entity replies.

“Dr. Vox, think back to the time prior to Algar’s joining. What do you remember?” “Nothing. This is strange; it’s as if parts of my memories are missing. I don’t—“

“It is all right. This means the transfer of memories is successful. I shall let the two of you speak to each other now,” says Dr. Zohl as he steps away to meditate from a distance.

“You’re Evahni,” Vox says as he starts to speak to the personification of the first host. “I’m honored to meet you in person.”

“You’re the youngest host I’ve seen since Algar,” Zeven/Evahni replies. “Tell me, young man, how old were you when you were joined with Vox?”

Rehnor smiles and starts telling Evahni all about his life—about his childhood dream of being joined as a Trill and choosing a career in Starfleet. Rehnor describes his training in the Trill Initiate Program, his days at Starfleet Academy, and his Starfleet duty assignments, relating his many experiences and the great pride of being joined with a symbiont. Although Rehnor is already familiar with the biographical profiles of his previous hosts when he studied them as an initiate, he very much enjoys the conversation he is having with Evahni. The zhian’tara gives him a chance to get “up-close and personal” with his predecessors.

“Evahni, you were a man with many accomplishments in life. I sense great pride in you through Vox. You were the first to host Vox; not only that, you did it for nearly 100 years. You were a famous athlete in your youth, having been a four-time decathlon champion in the Trill Global Games. You were a successful businessman. Somehow I sense you were somewhat unhappy with something. It had something to do with your career.”

Evahni smiles at Rehnor. “I suppose there’s no sense hiding it from you. After all, I am a part of you. Tell me something. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to be a doctor? A Starflleet officer? A joined Trill?”

“Yes. Well, I didn’t count on being a doctor, but it’s a very rewarding and honorable profession,” Rehnor replies.

“Then you must be very happy and proud that all your dreams have been fulfilled. I wish I could say the same for myself. I suppose you already know the reason for that. As a child, I wanted to be a successful physician someday, like you.”

“When I graduated from secondary school, my father said he needed me to run the family business because his health was failing and he did not have many years left. Since I was the oldest of three children, he chose me. I thought it would have been disrespectful to deny his request; furthermore, I knew he took great pride in our growing family business, which we had owned and managed for three generations. He could not have just sold it.”

So I went to the University and majored in business administration on an athletic scholarship. After my athletic career was over at age 28, which was several years after my father had died of a debilitating illness, I took control of the operations of our manufacturing business for the next 60 years. I did my job to the best of my ability as Father would have expected me to. Then I passed on the legacy to my children. Believe me, I lived a long and happy life. But there were times when I couldn’t help wondering what things would have been like had I taken a different path in my career.”

“Now I understand,” Rehnor answers, touched by Evahni’s story. “See, this is the best thing about the zhian’tara. I learn more about my former hosts—things that I didn’t learn in the biographical profiles. And it’s so different actually hearing it from you. I admire you, Evahni. Knowing that you’re a part of Vox gives me great pride, and you don’t have to feel that way. In essence, you could say that your dream of becoming a doctor has been fulfilled—through me. Who knows? Maybe that’s why I became a doctor, and a damned good one, too.”

Rehnor embraces Evahni, thanking him and telling him what a pleasure it has been to meet him and to have him as one of Vox’s hosts. Dr. Zohl comes back from his meditation, holds hands once again with Ensign Zeven and Rehnor, and reverses the zhian’tara ritual by restoring Zeven’s personality and Evahni’s memories.

“Thank you so much, Ensign. How do you feel?” Vox asks Zeven.

“I am quite well, Doctor, thank you for asking. It has been an honor participating in this ritual. It is quite fascinating. Permission to return to duty?”

“Granted,” Rehnor says as Zeven walks out of the Holodeck. Rehnor taps his communicator once again. “Vox to Lt. Johnson. Please report to Holodeck 2 for the zhian’tara.”

II. Unfinished Business

On the Bridge, Lt. Johnson hears his comm badge beep followed by Rehnor’s message. “On my way, sir,” he says as another officer takes over the Security station to relieve him.

No sooner does the half-Bajoran, half-human Chief of Security arrive at the Holodeck than the Guardian initiates the telepathic transfer of memories between him and Rehnor.

“Gordon?” Rehnor asks.

“No, it’s Algar,” Lt. Johnson replies.

“Professor Algar! I’m pleased to meet you,” says Rehnor, shaking hands with the personification of Vox’s second host.

“So you’re Vox’s new host. Last time I remember, it was a man named Orvid. You’re still young. You must have been my age when you were joined,” says the Algar persona.

“Actually, I was younger than you by a year. I was a few months shy of twenty years old when I was joined, but that’s not important,” Rehnor boasts.

“Then you must be the youngest host in Trill’s history!” exclaims Algar.

Rehnor just smiles at the old professor’s amazement. “Professor, would you like a tour of our ship?”

Rehnor and Algar exit the Holodeck. As they discuss each other’s career, family, hobbies and interests, they stroll along the hallway of the Victorious.

“So when the Trill homeworld was admitted to the Federation during my time, I saw it as a golden opportunity for our people, in terms of cultural, technological, economic, and sociopolitical advancement. I stopped teaching political science at the Legal Academy and shifted my interest toward physical science, specifically, astrophysics. I realized that we were now a part of a greater community. The Federation opened many doors of opportunity to our people in the areas of diplomacy, exploration, and scientific research. So for the next six decades of my life, I was working side by side with Federation scientists aboard Starfleet science vessels.”

“I admired your work in spatial/temporal anomalies. I figured I must have inherited my interest in science from you. I majored in General Science at the Academy during my pre-med years,” says Rehnor.

“As you know, I was working on a scientific project with a Vulcan scientist named T’Seris when my health began to fail. I never did finish a research paper on a theory I had about the emergence of unstable of wormholes. I regretted not having been able to deliver a dissertation at the University. I was too old and too ill,” Algar states in a sad voice.

“Your Vulcan friend T’Seris concluded the project for you. She also delivered the report on your behalf to your colleagues at the University on Trill, giving you due credit. You made enormous contributions to that project, and it became one of the most respected scientific theories in astrophysics. Ask any student at the University or at Starfleet Academy about the T’Seris-Vox Theorem.”

“It makes me proud to hear that, especially the first time I heard it from my subsequent host Nezari,” Algar says.

“Why don’t we go to Stellar Cartography, Professor? You’re going to love it there.”

Later, the professor and the student return to Holodeck 2 where Dr. Zohl reverses the zhian’tara. Rehnor thanks Lt. Johnson for his participation. Afterwards, the Chief of Security returns to duty on the Bridge.

III. Missed Chances

“If you will just slide over to the helm station,” Lt. Johnson tells the Ensign at the Security station on the Bridge. “Lt. Brynn, I believe it’s your turn for the zhian’tara.”

Lt. Brynn turns to face Lt. Johnson, saying, “I know. He contacted me a couple of minutes ago. In fact, I’m on my way to the Holodeck right now.” She rises from her seat at the helm and heads toward the Turbolift.

At the Holodeck Rehnor cannot help being surprised at Lt. Brynn’s transformation after Nezari’s memories have been transferred to the young helmsman. Brynn, a usually spunky young officer with fiery Klingon eyes, soon transforms into a mild-mannered and contemplative middle-aged woman.

“Hello, Nezari,” Rehnor greets the third host of Vox. “I’m honored to have this moment with you.”

She extends her hand and says, “Likewise, young man. You don’t mind me calling you that, do you?”

“No, not at all. In fact, I’m already getting used to it,” Rehnor replies with a smile.

“It’s just that I always called one of my children young man or young lady. How do you like your zhian’tara so far?” she says as they approach the Holodeck door.

“Believe me, I’m enjoying every minute of this. Getting acquainted with my previous hosts on a personal level gives me a chance to learn more about them—and about myself,” Rehnor answers. Then he adds, “I really admire your paintings, especially The Lady in White, which is now displayed at the Pozhta City Museum of Arts. It’s a fine work of contemporary impressionism. I’ve studied your artistic works from secondary school all the way to Starfleet Academy.”

The two exit the Holodeck and start to talk about their lives before and after their joining. They go to the Observation Bay where they watch the stars through the transparent aluminum window.

“Did you find your transitional period difficult?” Rehnor asks Nezari. “I know you had been trained well as an initiate, but in my experience nothing could prepare a Trill for the actual joining.”

“Oh, I believe every joined Trill has had to undergo that grueling experience. At first I was overwhelmed with 172 years worth of memories and experiences of two men inside my head, but I overcame it. Still, some mornings I woke up thinking I was a man!” Nezari exclaims with a chuckle.

“It’s funny that you say that because sometimes I wake up thinking I’m a woman—and you were Vox’s only female host,” says Rehnor as the two of them laugh.

Nezari stares at Rehnor, “You know, from this angle you look like my oldest son Enstor. What a handsome lad he was.”

“You loved your three children very much, didn’t you?” Rehnor asks.

“I suppose one of the greatest forces in this universe is a mother’s love for her children. I miss them dearly,” says Nezari as her voice shifts toward sadness.

Rehnor places his hand on top of hers. “I know, sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night remembering my—your last days in the hospital. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—“

“It’s all right. That’s what the zhian’tara is all about,” replies Nezari. “I had been very busy working on an art concept for a firm. Then I decided to make plans to spend some time with my three children. I told them we would all go on a one-week vacation to Risa after I came back from the art exposition on Xanathos IV.”

Nezari sobs then continues with her story. ”The day after my arrival on the planet, I learned in the news that there was an outbreak of the Terellian virus in the capital city. I wasn’t entirely sure where it came from or how it spread through the city’s population; all I knew was that people were dying at an alarming rate. I immediately made plans to go back home, but the authorities had quarantined the whole region. I was very frustrated. I couldn’t get out of my own dormitory. No one was allowed any access to long-range communications. Waiting for a long time and not being able to do anything else was the worst part of it. Then days later symptoms began to appear and I knew I was infected.”

“A Starfleet medical vessel, the Nightingale, sent all available medical personnel. But even the best minds in Starfleet could not work fast enough to find a cure or slow the onset of the Terellian plague. I loved my children . . .” says Nezari with tears running down her cheeks. “I wanted to tell them . . . I never got the chance to say goodbye to my little ones. I never got to tell them how much I loved them.”

Rehnor also starts to cry and embraces the woman to comfort her.

After a few minutes Rehnor says, “As Orvid might have told you, he paid your children a visit two weeks after he was joined with Vox. Your children knew how much you cared for them, and they loved you so much.”

Back in the Holodeck Rehnor thanks Nezari and bids farewell before Dr. Zohl reverses the zhian’tara. Lt. Brynn, still moved by the experience, returns to her duty on the Bridge.

IV. Forgiveness

“Well, Dr. Zohl, how are you doing? You know…I’m really fascinated by this . . . zhian’tara ritual. I can’t tell you how much I’m honored to be a part of this. I realize how much this means to Vox. In fact, I’ve been doing a little research on certain Trill customs and traditions—“ says Commander Patterson nervously.

“Commander,” Rehnor interrupts Patterson. “Relax. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Worry? Me? Who says anything about worrying?” says Patterson with a sarcastic chuckle.

“Shall we begin?” Vox asks impatiently with a smile.

As soon as Doctor Zohl transfers the memories of Vox’s latest host to Commander Patterson, Rehnor and the embodiment of his former mentor are excited to see each other.

“Rehnor! How are you doing, my boy?!”

“Senator! Senator! It’s you! I can’t believe it!” Rehnor exclaims, hugging Commander Patterson and laughing, as though Patterson were really the late senator of the Trill People’s Assembly.

“My goodness, son. Look at you. You’ve changed so much. You’re in Starfleet now. How long has it been since we last saw each other?” says Orvid with amazement.

“Senator, how would you like to have your favorite dessert for old time’s sake, Jabbalian sundae with banana cream and caramel?” ask Rehnor.

“Well, it sounds good to me! One thing that hasn’t changed in you is your eagerness to please people,” Orvid laughs.

“Which is why I hold the rank of Lieutenant Commander already,” Rehnor jokes.

The two exit the Holodeck and proceed to Ten Forward. As the “old Senator” sits down at a nearby table, Rehnor orders a bowl of Jabbalian sundae for Orvid and two glasses of cold Rigellian honey-tea from Toman, Captain Cooke’s personal chef. Toman hands them their order and they take a seat.

“Senator,” Rehnor starts, “I’ve really missed our conversations. It’s been over six years since we walked the complex of the Symbiosis Commission, enjoying the sun and the warm summer breeze.”

“Yes, indeed. Those were the days. I remember when I was still able to walk a good five kilometers every morning, when my Kovazar Syndrome was still in its early stages,” Orvid says in almost in a nostalgic way as he finishes his dessert.

“You were a very strong man…the strongest I’ve ever known, physically, emotionally, and mentally. You and my father, of course,” Rehnor replies.

“Indeed. So, young man, how is your zhian’tara going so far?” asks Orvid.

“It’s a very enlightening experience; that’s all I can I say for now,” replies Rehnor. “Senator, there’s something very important I want to tell you,” Rehnor continues, his voice changing into a more serious tone.

Orvid senses Rehnor’s hesitation and says, “Go ahead, son. It’s all right.”

“When you were on your deathbed, you told your family how much you loved them and that you wished your oldest son, Kaymin, was there so that you could say goodbye to him,” Rehnor says.

“Well, as you know, we did not exactly have the best father-and-son relationship. I suppose it was my fault because I was too hard on him when he was a young man. I expected him to follow my footsteps, to be a public servant. I was shaping him into something he did not want to become,” says Orvid, sounding regretful.

“You only thought you were doing what was best for him; you were a good father, always acting in the best interests of your son and your two daughters,” says Rehnor.

“Was I really? I came from a long line of proud politicians; I thought Kaymin had a good chance of winning a seat in the People’s Assembly. I thought he could have even served as a representative in the Federation Council someday. Little did I know that my own sense of pride would ruin my relationship with my son; he sought a different avenue. He wanted to become an educator, and I should have respected and accepted that from the very beginning,” Orvid states.

“Before he went to the University, he and I had an argument,” Orvid continues in a sad voice. “We never spoke to each other for a long time; and although we eventually made up when he married and started to raise a family, things were never the same between him and me. His own children were much closer to me than I to him. As I lay dying in that hospital room, one of my last wishes was to see him and beg for his forgiveness,” Orvid says on the verge of tears.

Rehnor placed his hand on Orvid’s shoulder. “You didn’t have to. He was there all along. He loved you immensely. I spoke with him whenever he and I saw each other at the hospital. He said that no matter how unpleasant things were between you and him, he could not stay mad at you. You were his father. He watched you for hours, not wanting to leave your side, although you were asleep or unconscious most of the time. You weren’t in any condition to speak with anyone; that’s why you didn’t know.”

“No sooner did he leave the hospital to go home for a few hours to rest than your condition began to destabilize. The doctors could do no more. You were awake for a few minutes, and in the few minutes you were conscious, you were able to talk and say goodbye to your family, although you felt very weak,” Rehnor continues as tears start to form in his eyes. “Two minutes after you were pronounced dead, Kaymin arrived. He was so heart-broken to realize you were gone. He even asked for your forgiveness as he wept for hours. A week after I was joined with Vox, I did the same thing you did for Nezari when she died. I went to visit your family and talked to Kaymin. I explained to him that everything was all right.”

“What did he say? What did my son say?” asks Orvid tearfully.

“He said he loved you and he was sorry your plans for him didn’t work out. I told him there was no need to feel guilty, that you were always proud of him for what he had become. I told him that you also sought his forgiveness. He said there was nothing to forgive,” Rehnor answers.

“Thank you, Rehnor. It means so much to me,” says Orvid as he embraces the young officer.

Epilogue

Commander Patterson once again joins Rehnor in Transporter Room 2 as Dr. Konar Zohl and his two assistants prepare to leave the Victorious.

“Dr. Zohl, I can’t thank you enough for helping to perform the zhian’tara. This whole experience has been a wonderful gift to me, something that I will remember for a long time,” Rehnor tells the Guardian.

“The pleasure is all mine, Dr. Vox,” replies Dr. Zohl. “In a few days I’m due to perform the zhian’tara on another host, and she happens to be a young Starfleet officer like you. Tell me, Rehnor, do you know a young Trill woman named Ezri?”

“Of course, Doctor, I met her at the Academy. She was one of my friends before she graduated and accepted a post as assistant counselor aboard the Destiny. Last time I heard, she was joined with the Dax symbiont during the Dominion War, and her joining was under the most unexpected circumstances. I believe she’s now a lieutenant on Deep Space 9. Could you please do me a favor and say hello to her for me?” Rehnor states.

“Certainly, Rehnor. In four days I am expected to arrive at the Bajoran/Federation station,” says Dr. Zohl. He shakes hands once again with Commander Patterson and Rehnor and bids farewell.

“Pleasant journeys, Dr. Zohl,” Patterson says as he turns to face the transporter operator standing behind him. “Chief, energize.”

A radiant beam of light envelopes Dr. Zohl and his two aides, transporting them back to the Trill vessel Katral.

“Commander,” Rehnor says, “how can I thank you for this?”

“Don’t thank me. Thank the Captain,” Patterson answers with a smile.

“Of course, I will do that, too,” says Rehnor with a nod.

As they exit the transporter room Patterson asks, “Well, how about joining me for a game of tennis in the Holodeck? Lt. O’Neil and I were supposed to compete against two crewmen tonight, but O’Neil is working overtime on an Engineering detail.”

“I’m game! What time should we meet?” asks Rehnor.

“We start at 21:00 hours sharp in Holodeck 2,” says Patterson. “And don’t forget to bring your own racket,” he jokes. “Now I must get back to the Bridge.”

“I’ll see you later, Commander. I have to go back to Sickbay.”

Rehnor walks in Sickbay and sees Nurse Miranda Chapel assisting the Emergency Medical Hologram in treating a patient with a broken knee.

“Is everything all right here?” Rehnor asks.

“Rest assured, Dr. Vox,” says the EMH. “Ensign Jeddo is in capable hands—mine.”

“Well, if anyone needs me for anything, I’ll be in my office catching up on some work. I’ll bet I have stacks of reports waiting on my desk,” Rehnor says, smiling at Nurse Chapel.

Rehnor walks in his small office and studies Captain Cooke’s medical chart first. The captain seems to be making progress in regaining his memories gradually.

“Memories . . . memories and experiences,” Rehnor mutters to himself. He stops reading his reports for a moment to reflect on the zhian’tara. “Computer, begin recording personal log.”

“Lt. Cmdr. Vox’s Personal Log, Supplemental: I have just concluded the zhian’tara, and I am very grateful to my friends and crewmates who participated in the Trill Rite of Closure and to Dr. Zohl, the Guardian who performed the ceremonies.”

“The zhian’tara has been a very enlightening experience, to say the least. As a joined Trill, I possess the memories and experiences of four lifetimes—of four wonderful people who were, at the very core of their being, still ordinary people like me who had their share of ups and downs. I have had the opportunity to know on a personal level the individuals who held the same Vox symbiont as I do now. The zhian’tara has given me a greater understanding of Vox, the former hosts, and most of all, myself. End log.”

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