A couple of days passed since the Leviathan crew stuck in the holodeck was finally free. Rashad still felt a little exhausted, but that was no time for rest or shore leave.

Having finished her duty shift for the day, the Romulan-Bajoran changed out of her uniform, and glanced at the chronometer on the wall. Seeing the star date, she realised that it was once again time...for her annual Bajoran memorial ceremony she performed on the anniversary of her parents' capture by the Cardassian authorities.

"Computer, activate program Rashad-prophets-gamma. Authorization T'Kul beta 4-6-2"

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The lights dimmed, and the surroundings of the quarters immediately became a Bajoran Orb temple. On the altar at the front of the temple stood a prophetic orb, and, although it was covered, it still hinted a bright bluish glow from under the curtain.

T'Kul approached the altar and kneeled. She said the traditional Bajoran prayers of remembrance, and, upon completing them, lifted the veil.

A bright blue light overtook the quarters, and she was taken back to the time she was i-T'Kul t'Rashad - a 10-year old girl and member of the Resistance together with her parents...

In the light, she saw her parents. Both were very happy as they approached their daughter. Her dad gave her a traditional Romulan nod, while Rashad Aranna - her Bajoran mom - ran towards T'Kul and gave her a warm Bajoran hug and ear pinch.

~Mom, Dad... I miss you both so much, ~ Warmth and peace filled Rashad as her mind turned to telepathic communication. ~There is something I have to tell you... a Cardassian officer saved my life this week...~

She expected disapproval, but instead got only raised eyebrows with a nod of understanding from her father and a smile from her mother.

~You must let it go, i-T'Kul. Not all the Cardassians are your enemies. You must accept it and let the good ones among them be your friends...~

With that the vision ended, and the XO rose to her feet. "Computer, end program."

Once her quarters returned to normal lighting, Rashad spent a few minutes in Vulcan meditation, and then reached for her combadge: "Rashad to Lt. Dakul, meet me in Ten Forward in fifteen minutes, Lieutenant."

[Will be there, Commander.] Came the reply.

Ten minutes later Rashad exited the turbolift on level ten and made her way to Ten Forward. Eran Dakul was already there, waiting for her at one of the tables next to the large space viewer.

"Thank you so much for meeting me, Lieutenant," said Rashad to the Security Chief, as she took her sit next to Dakul. "We have not had a good start between us, and for that I apologize..."

"I understand, Commander," nodded the Cardassian. "After all, I also lost my parents in the war..."

"I hated all of your people, Lt. Dakul, but you saved my life. Now I would like to set everything right between us, so I would like to invite you to partake in a Bajoran reconciliation ceremony with me..."

"I would be honored, Commander," Dakul gave her a broad Cardassian smile. "I'm glad that you now realize that not all of my people are the bad guys."

"Come with me, Lieutenant," T'Kul rose and bade the Security Chief to follow her. "I have made the appropriate preparations in my quarters."

With a smile on his leathery face Eran Dakul rose and followed her to the turbolift.