Good Advice

The time was 02:00 hours and Dakul had just finished his shift. He was on his way to his quarters when he passed a Bajoran crew member. Dakul nodded to the Lieutenant as a sign of respect for a higher ranking officer, yet the Bajoran did nothing. Dakul decided to brake the ice before the Bajoran passed.

"Lieutenant." He said with another nod of the head. With that, the Bajoran officer turned and pinned Dakul against the wall.

"Don't speak to me again you spoon head !"

"But I..."

"I mean it" Said the Bajoran with a raised fist. Dakul realised he wasn't going to win this battle and put his hands up as a sign of surrender. The Bajoran let him go and carried on down the corridor.

*I've had enough of this* Thought Dakul.

"Computer locate Counsellor Devore"

<Counsellor Devore is in her office>

Dakul took a detour from his quarters to drop by at the counsellors office. He reached the door, took a deep breath and pressed the chime.

"Come in." Came a voice from inside. Dakul stepped in to find the Counsellor talking with Cadet McCaffee.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything...?" Asked Dakul.

"Not at all Lieutenant. I'll see you for lunch tomorrow Brayden." She said as he got up to leave.

"See you tomorrow Counsellor." He said with a smile

"What can I do for you Lieutenant ?" Said Counsellor Devore turning to Dakul.

"It's not so much my problem, but the crews problem..." Dakul seemed to struggle to get the words out...

"Go on..."

"They don't seem to accept me, every Bajoran face I see is filled with hatred, every human face looks at em with an odd intrigue as if to say, 'What is he doing here ? He's Cardassian !. I had difficulties with this on the Britain, but they were no where near as extensive. This crew has far more Bajorans than the Britain did, and at least while back there I had a
means of escape. I could leave the ship, go home, resign from Starfleet or just run a holodeck program. Out here, I may be stuck with these people for the rest of my life... There is no place for me to go, and with power cut from nonessential systems, I can't even run a holodeck program. I just don't know what to do..."

"This isn't entirely unexpected. Are you the first Cardassian in Starfleet ?"

"Yes."

"Being the first is never easy, The Cardassians have been at war with the Federation many times, and even while not at war, diplomacy between us and your government aren't exactly easy. Your people also occupied Bajor for sixty years, so there's going to be resentment from both federation and Bajorans. But you've got to look beyond that hatred. You have to make the
first step and show them that you have nothing to do with your government or what your people have done in the past. Show them that your an individual and that Cardassians can get along with anyone no matter what species they are."

"I'll try that. Ensign Grafton did come up to me in the mess hall and start speaking to me."

"There you go, there's a start, if you can make friends with him, then I'm sure more and more people will come to know you better."

"I'll do that. Thank you for your time Counsellor, you have been most helpful" said Dakul standing to leave.

"It was my pleasure Lieutenant. If you need any more advice, speak to Lieutenant Macleod. He had a hard time fitting into Starfleet too, but he managed to make friends with a Bajoran before he left the Knight."

"I'll speak to him if I have any more problems Counsellor."

"Don't wait till you have a problem Eran, speak to him anyway, make friends.. as many as you can"

"Well it's getting late, Counsellor I'd better be heading to my quarters."

"Ok then Lieutenant. Remember, my doors are always open if you need any advice"

"I shall speak to you soon Counsellor, Good night"

"Good night."