Justice is Blind - Part Two

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 9:40am by Commander Tienn Iteela & Lieutenant JG Tienn Durin & Tienn Jaina & Lieutenant Colonel Tienn Nerra

Mission: Mission 102: Sic Transit Tienn
Location: Various Locations - Bajor
Timeline: 1000Hrs - August 8th, 2393

Tienn Koll reached his family home a short time after leaving the shrine, he landed in his normal spot and he considered what was to come as he secured his personal shuttle. He decided that he would sell this one and buy an old surplus Starfleet shuttle. The mere thought of it made him smile, he felt almost giddy as he leaped to his feet. He opened the hatch as one of the neighbors was passing. "Hey Koll, Nice ride." he was admiring the shuttle.

"Thanks, it's yours now." and with that, Koll tossed him the keys. The man caught them as he looked astonished. "You for real?" he babbled, the astonishment in his tone indicated as much.

"Yes, look after her, she's served me well and her documentation is in the starboard console, you should be able to switch her to your name quickly. May she serve you as well as she has served me." Koll explained with a gentle smile on his lips.

"Thank you!" and with that, the man gave Koll a hug.

"Walk with the prophets. My Friend." Koll answered as he held the man in his arms, he did not know of what else he could say.

"Thank you." and with that, the two separated as the man went into the shuttle, he closed the hatch and fired her engines up before taking off as Koll watched in silence, a gentle smile on his lips. Nerra regarded Koll, a look of confusion on her face, rather than malice. "What happened to you?" she asked of him in a quiet tone of voice, as if she was waiting for him to yell at her.

"I was demoted back to initiate rank..." Koll stated before he turned to face his sibling. "I had something of an epiphany... I think... It might have been an orb experience without the orb... I don't know..." But you might say that my service to Bajor was wearing a uniform and rank and service unto itself... so I left, I left the shrine and the Assembly."

"What?" Nerra paused, the shock on her face was evident. "For the love of the Prophets man, why... You worked so hard..."

"I do not need a uniform or a rank to serve Bajor," Koll commented quietly. "In serving others, I have neglected my own family, I have caused great harm to others in our family, you and Iteela and I have destroyed my relationship with my wife and own children." he regarded her. "I got confused between my sense of duty and my sense of self-entitlement... I thought my zeal for the church was a good thing... But it was actually my own arrogance... and look where it has taken me... A ruined home, a destroyed family... I came to collect my things, I'll make no trouble and then I'll be gone..."

Nerra regarded him, she was not entirely sure of what to say. "Why don't you come and join us for breakfast," she commented. "It sounds like you have had quite a morning already and the least we can do is be civil to you.."

"I'd like that." Koll paused. "I am sorry for what I have done to you Nerra. I know my crimes cannot be forgiven and I expect no forgiveness," he responded in a quiet tone of voice. "I deserve none."

"I'm not sure of what to say, Koll. I... I dunno. But I do know that others need to hear this as well." Nerra answered. "Everyone is up and seated around the table."

"Okay. after you then." and he followed her into the house in silence. Was it his imagination or was there an extra spring in his step, could he jump higher? he actually felt like a massive weight had been removed from his body. As Nerra led her brother into the main area where a half dozen members of the family were sharing breakfast, they all turned to look at him. Kenris regarded his son in silence before he spoke. "Good Morning Koll. You seem... Rather happy." he looked and sounded confused.

"Yes. I was called before the head of my order, she demoted me back to initiate rank," he commented evenly. "I decided it was best to resign and set an example for once... " Koll paused. "Would you all object if I sat down and joined you for breakfast?" Koll commented. "I have much to share with you. If I am permitted..."

"Help yourself," Jeric commented in a light tone of voice. "So you lost more or less everything then?" he sighed softly. "You worked so hard for what you had. Yeah, you were highly aggravating but you are still my brother."

Koll sat down in silence, he lifted a plate and he began to spoon himself some food. "My service to Bajor will not stop because I left the order and the assembly.." he paused. "I did however get confused... between my pride and arrogance and what I felt was my service."

"Wait, you did what?" Moi inquired, in a shocked tone of voice. "I can hardly believe what I'm hearing."

"I had an Orb experience without the Orb..." Koll answered as he took a mouthful of the food. "Mmm..." he closed his eyes as he took a moment to savor the food, while everyone else around the table shared shocked and incredulous looks at each other. "Koll... What will you do now?" Jeric inquired.

"Try to salvage what I can of my own family. I doubt Durin will ever give me the time but I owe it to her to make the effort." Koll explained evenly. "Then try to sort out things with my spouse and children... If I am able."

"You have a great deal to do," Kenris commented. "I'm glad you finally came to your senses... It took a lot but you managed it." he paused. "Sometimes the truest test of character is not from without, it's from within."

"You might say I had an epiphany. Two Prophets came to speak with me... In the likeness of you two." He indicated Nerra and Iteela in turn. "It was an experience, telling me I needed to find another path... So I will." Koll paused as he considered the food on his spoon. "But what I do know now... is that I was not in service to Bajor. I was in the service of myself, to an idea, an idea that caused me to don a uniform, to wear a rank... I didn't join the military as all I wanted to do was to serve Bajor and her people." Koll paused. "I might as well have joined the militia... For all the good I have done."

Jerric nodded. "The land and the people are one."

"Exactly," Koll answered. "In chasing that idea. I lost sight of what was important... My own family. My wife is ready to leave me and my children dislike being around me. Thinking on it and looking back. I can understand why... Kosst, I wouldn't have wanted to be around me. I have much to reflect on."

Iteela regarded her brother in silence, she decided to ask the question. "What will you do now?" she inquired, in her flat tone of voice.

"I must leave Bajor for a time. I will need to meditate on my choices, to reflect on my life and the mistakes I have made." Koll answered quietly. "To figure out a way to resolve my problems... I brought myself here... Nobody else did... I have only myself to blame for my misdeeds."

"Without considering what mom or I want from you Dad?" Durin inquired as she came around the corner.

"I have caused our family and you, great harm Durin. I am not worthy-"

"Why?" Durin asked of her father. She indicated the assembled people present with her right hand. "Because someone else says you are not worthy of us?" she added. "If you were not worthy of us, you would not be sitting here, eating my cooking... Hows the Hasperat, by the way?" she inquired, a sudden smile on her lips.

"I've missed your cooking Durin," Koll answered, a gentle smile on his lips. "But I cannot ask forgiveness for what I have done to this family and you in particular," Koll commented. "I must learn to live with it and accept that my life works are a sham." Koll paused as he left out a sigh.

Jerric paused. "No Koll, you made a mistake, nothing more," he commented. "We all make mistakes, its what we learn from them afterward... You still did good work for others..."

"You are being too hard on yourself Koll. We all make mistakes my son." Jaina commented as she smiled warmly at her son. "Why don't you come and stay with me and my family for a time on Utgarde. We have a great need for people of your caliber. Maybe we can start your new path together."

"I will stay with you for a time, mom... At the least, it will let me see what's out beyond Bajor." Koll commented with a nod.