Ensign Tunis was looking forward to using the twenty-four hour pass that over half the Knight's crew had. He planned to stop by Quark's and the shops along the Promenade. He had twelve strips of latinum that was burning a hole in his pocket.
He walked into Quark's first and saw it wasn't that busy. There were only a few people here - three at the bar and five people sitting at the tables to the rear.
A Ferengi behind the bar came up and saw Tunis checking out his bar. "Excuse me. Is this your first time here?"
"Yes sir. I've heard so much about this place at the academy and from an old tactical officer I knew."
Quark was happy to hear this and smiled, showing his teeth. "Really? From which officer?" Quark asked.
"I know only his last name. It was Wallace."
"Chief Wallace?" Quark asked.
Tunis remembered meeting him twice on the Ilion, and was saddened to hear he was missing when the Ilion returned to the Federation. "I think he was at one time. Last time I saw him he was an Ensign."
"Well he used to come here once a month and order eight beers! He was my biggest beer drinker since Chief O'Brian left. Why don't you have one on the house, and... you buy, say, one keg for two strips of latinum."
Lunis had beer before and liked it and thought it was a good deal. "It's a deal!" Tunis extended his hand and Quark placed a PADD onto his thumb to get his thumb print.
Tunis smiled and took his beer. He turned around and saw another Trill. It was a female. She was short, pretty and had dark hair. He recognized her as Ezri Dax. She was wearing the rank of full Lieutenant.
"Hi there," Dax said, throwing Tunis off guard.
"Hello sir."
"No need to 'Sir' me. I'm not on duty. Are you from the Knight, Ensign?"
"Ensign Tunis sir. Assistant Science Officer. Of the USS Knight."
Dax smiled and said, "Perfect! I am speaking with a new member of your crew. He feels that he won't be accepted because of his race, and his race's past deeds. Moreover he really needs a friend, and since you're a Knight crewmember I thought you'd like to help him out by being his friend."
Tunis didn't understand racism, and hated it more then anyone. "Sure! Show me where he's at, Lieutenant."
Dax grabbed his hand lead Tunis to the second floor of Quark's. In a far table sat Doctor Bashir and a Jem'Hedar wearing a gold Starfleet uniform!
Tunis knew that this was the Jem'Hedar he helped at the academy get past his mathematics and warp theory tests. Tunis walked up to him and extended his hand and said. "Well! It's good to see you again MacLeod."
Ensign MacLeod shook Tunis' hand. He stood up and said. "Tunis! I feel much better knowing that you are aboard my ship."
Tunis turned to Bashir and Dax and said, "I helped MacLeod pass his warp theory test and his math classes. In turn, he helped me with Drill."
Bashir stood up and said, "Come on Ezri, lets go. These two have a lot to talk about."
Tunis sat down and asked MacLeod if he wanted anything to drink. As usual he said No.
"So MacLeod. How long have you been here on DS9?"
"I arrived on the USS Akira two days ago."
"Well, I was planning to explore and buy some things on the Promenade, and you're welcome to join me."
"I would like that very much," MacLeod replied.