The Tenth Voice -
The Journal of Orzal Dax.

The survey for the northern expansion of the colony is finally complete, which means construction can begin. Before anything on the surface can be built, however, all of the underground infrastructure must be put in place. This includes power connections and the links from every new building to the existing underground passageway network—which is used mostly during the harsh winters, but can also be utilized in emergencies. While the construction of the new area is managed by a separate team, they do liaise with my team throughout the process. The expansion should be fully completed by the end of the year, allowing new residents to move in sometime in early 2474. James and his team were able to fully repair the cargo vessel that arrived a couple of days ago, and it went on its merry way this morning. Although it didn't have any cargo for us this time, it is one of our regular vessels. We currently have four vacant homes on Docosie due to various reasons. While they are unoccupied, ...

It’s been a dangerously quiet day. Most of our work is up to date, and the colony expansion on the northern perimeter is entirely on hold while the survey team does their thing. The trouble with a lull is that it gives the mind room to wander. And when you’re a joined Trill, your mind doesn’t just wander, it brings along a committee of previous hosts. Naturally, they all decided to chime in on the exact same theme: How to Distract Yourself When Bored. Left to my own devices, I tend to get agitated. Case in point: earlier today, I found myself in the corner of my home office, actively standing on my head. Emony, being an Olympic-level gymnast, used to do this for relaxation. My symbiont apparently felt compelled to try it again. But just like Ezri, who once fell for the exact same muscle-memory trap... I just ended up with a massive headache. Tomorrow promises actual mental stimulation, thankfully, as we should finally get the expansion survey updates and make some real headway. James, ...

James seriously needs to improve the maintenance of his garden. While the immaculate patio area is entirely Jean’s domain, and always an absolute pleasure to sit out in, the rest of the garden and the vegetable patch are completely up to James to keep in order. As you can probably imagine, the contrast between the two areas is stark. I have frequently offered to help him, but James can be incredibly stubborn and often flat-out refuses my assistance.  Today, however, Jean finally told him in no uncertain terms to accept my offer, as things were starting to require some serious work. With her intervention, he relented. We spent most of the day sorting out his ornamental beds and tackling the vegetable patch.  James, like myself, thoroughly enjoys old-school gardening; we vastly prefer using traditional, manual tools rather than relying on 25th-century equipment.  While it certainly takes much longer, the manual labor feels genuinely more satisfying at the end of the day. Al...

It’s been quite hot today, but both Ranih and I were incredibly grateful for the breeze that held out pretty much all day. Despite the temperatures climbing into the high 30s, that steady wind kept things feeling a lot more manageable, closer to the high 20s. That’s the definitive feature of Docosie weather: scorchingly hot summers, bitterly cold winters, and no real in-between. And then, of course, there’s the rain. If some of these bursts lasted any longer, they could easily give Ferenginar a run for its money. After a typically heavy downpour, the nearby river roars loud enough to be heard all the way from the western side of the colony.  That’s usually the cue for the adrenaline seekers; it becomes absolutely superb for whitewater rafting and other watersports. It’s not personally my thing, I'd much rather stay dry, but plenty of my colleagues are right at home out there on the rapids. Ranih and I prefer a much more grounded pace, usually opting for long walks in the countrysid...

Back to work as normal today. I opted to work from my office on our orbital platform, which comes with the perk of an infinite view out into the depths of space. I often find myself, quite literally, staring into the void as I ponder the big questions. It is definitely warming up on Docosie right now, with the colony average hitting a balmy 28°C. Ranih looks fantastic today in a delightfully floral dress that flows elegantly whenever we catch a rare breeze.  As for me? I’m in my usual dark trousers paired with one of my trademark flamboyant, short-sleeved shirts. The material actually came from Ferenginar, sourced from the very same tailor that Quark and Rom use. I’ve built quite the reputation for my loud shirts. In fact, if I ever wear something even remotely subdued, people genuinely ask if I'm okay, assuming something must be terribly amiss. Now that the workday is done, I’m out in the back garden enjoying a few drinks with Ranih, James, and Jean. The temperature has dropped a ...

As I am needed back at our Central Complex tomorrow, today marked my final day helping the Bajoran Archaeology Group. I will be beamed up to the orbital platform tomorrow morning. Of the eight original settlers, it appears all but two perished in the tsunami. We know this because we uncovered two skeletons that were clearly buried in accordance with Bajoran customs, several months prior to the disaster.  Early indications suggest the first, a male, died of natural causes and is estimated to be around 90 years old.  The second, a female, was much younger, around 30 years of age, though her cause of death remains uncertain. The Archaeology Group will continue to excavate the site for another five days before restoring the area to its original state and returning to Bajor. Our small Bajoran community in the colony will be hosting a farewell gathering, which should be a wonderful conclusion to their visit. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience working with the team; I’ve ...

During this week of excavation, the temperature has steadily risen, not just here, but also back at the colony, though not quite to the same extent. Currently, we are working under marquees that give us much-needed shade, but we are still dealing with 33°C (91.4°F) heat and high humidity. The Archaeology Team has been doing some research on the site, and early indicators suggest the climate back when Vedek Buka and his followers arrived was somewhat colder than today's average temperatures, though only by a few degrees. Evidence suggests they brought with them seeds of various crops, which they had started to cultivate before the disaster. Docosie doesn't have many land animals larger than, say, a domestic cat, so their diet would have been predominantly vegetable-based, supplemented by smaller amounts of meat and possibly fish. This evening, we engaged in a bit of experimental archaeology. Using the replicators, the team provided us with a typical meal that the settlers may ha...

We had a rather heated debate this evening over drinks after dinner. The discussion centered entirely around the proposal for a memorial service for Vedek Buka and his followers. The core issue raised was that they were considered heretics to both the historical and current religious beliefs of the Bajoran people. Because of this, many questioned whether conducting such a service would be appropriate. Religion has been a contentious issue for over a millennium on countless worlds across the galaxy. Wars have been fought over opposing beliefs, and in the most tragic cases, entire civilizations have collapsed as a result. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the Bajoran Government. However, tonight we reached a quiet understanding: despite the controversial beliefs of Buka and his followers, they were still Bajorans who lost their lives in tragic circumstances, and the site deserves to be marked with a memorial. Because an official decision from the Bajoran Government may take time,...

​I am enjoying working with the archaeological team from Bajor. I'm getting to know them quite well; they are extremely methodical and thorough. ​Our evenings spent together at dinner are quite entertaining. Amidst the serious discussions of the day's excavation and discoveries are bouts of witty banter. Bajoran humor is different from Trill humor, but there are some things that transcend cultural differences. ​Further analysis was carried out today regarding the discovery of the marine sediment layer across the site. The tsunami wave that destroyed the colony was substantial, which leads the team to suspect an ocean meteor impact rather than an earthquake. ​One of the runabouts was then used to scan the seafloor to try and locate the impact site and, sure enough, there is a crater some 100km offshore. ​It's a shame when you consider that the settlement had just begun to become established when it was destroyed. Image from Unsplash by Jacob Dyer. 

There are two main topics of discussion over dinner after another day's excavation work: Buka Kromar and his followers, and the marine sediment layer covering the entire site. Earlier today, we found one of the identification markers for the Light Ship, which allowed us to trace its ownership back to the Vedek, Buka Kromar. In the months leading up to their departure from Bajor, Kromar and his followers were very much at odds with mainstream religious thinking. Some contemporaries even referred to the group as borderline heretics. It was when his frequent rival, Vedek Tejo Fayawa, was elected Kai that it became clear to Kromar that his people were no longer safe on Bajor. No details are available as to where they intended to go in the Light Ship, but somehow, they ended up on Docosie III. As for the marine sediment, the current theory, based on the site's destruction pattern and where most of the skeletal remains are being found, suggests the colony was wiped out by a tsunami. ...

Day two on-site at the Bajoran Discovery. The weather has been excellent for the excavation so far. While many different artifacts have been unearthed, we have found nothing that can identify who these Bajoran settlers were, why they came here, or how they ended up on Docosie III. We have found remnants of the solar ship they traveled in, but so far, we haven't been able to locate any of its identification markers. Finding these would allow us to search the Bajoran archives and hopefully discover the names of this particular craft's owners. I've helped out by doing a bit of excavating, under supervision, of course, and by setting up the direct communication links from the runabouts to the Bajoran Central Archives. I am also getting to know James's second-in-command, Tania T'Zella. Because James had to stay behind with the colony and our orbital platform, he sent Tania to be our technical expert on the ground. It's now late in the evening, and we are all sitting ...

A group of my colleagues, the Bajoran Archaeology Group, and I are currently at the site of the Bajoran discovery. We are all staying in temporary accommodations provided by the large runabouts we traveled in. We spent most of the day surveying the site and its outlying area for any other traces of the settlement. The Bajoran Archaeology Group is very traditional in its approach—some would call it "old school." We put up a series of marquees to shade us while work went ahead on the excavation. It's not a quick process, which is completely understandable considering the delicacy required to avoid damaging or missing anything. I have to admit, it's captivating to watch things unfold. I even got to have a go myself, and I was told I have a good grasp of the basics. Image from Unsplash by Trnava University.

An extra entry for today. I rarely share personal pictures here, usually keeping them to an absolute minimum. But today is a special exception: here is our wedding photo. Image was carefully & beautifully put together by a good friend of mine, Albert.  In his words... I’m a freelance digital artist and character designer who mainly focuses on cinematic illustrations, sci fi/fantasy worlds, creatures, and character driven artwork. I love creating pieces that feel atmospheric and tell a story rather than just being a simple image. A lot of my work is inspired by games, films, and detailed worldbuilding, so I always try to make every commission feel personal and immersive for the client. Portfolio: https://www.behance.net/albertportfolio Discord: artofalberto Please help support freelance artists like Albert.

​Quite an interesting day. The Bajoran Archaeology Group arrived this morning, slightly earlier than expected. The local Bajoran community appeared to have somehow anticipated this early arrival, so they were entirely ready. ​The welcome reception was fantastic and incredibly well organized. Once all the formal preamble was over and done with, we got to socialize with the group over a substantial buffet of traditional Bajoran dishes. ​It was at this point that a Bajoran lady sat next to me. Leaning toward me with a piece of hasperat in one hand, she asked, "Dax, were you once Jadzia and Ezri?" ​Dezi Zoler, as I had suspected, was the granddaughter of Kira Nerys. I smiled and said, "I was indeed. I knew your grandmother well." Dezi then mentioned that her grandmother, who is still around but rather frail, had told her many stories about Dax.  I smiled back and told her that I have plenty of stories about her grandmother as well, some of which she may or may not al...

​We expect the Bajoran Archaeology Group to arrive tomorrow morning. Accommodation has been sorted out for the team of eight. ​The Bajoran community on Docosie is pretty much ready for their arrival. Ranih and I had a walk through the area of the park where the "meet and greet" will take place. ​The decorations are really quite delightful, very bright and colourful. With this level of hospitality, I wouldn't be surprised if the group extended their stay, which wouldn't be a problem, of course. ​Regarding the Fynhar Curry, Jean has said she is more than happy to have a go at making it. I'm pretty sure I saw a brief, worried look on James's face. ​If Jean makes it according to my mother's recipe, I should be fine, being a veteran of the spices. James, on the other hand, I'm not so sure about. I'm hoping it will be both enjoyable and somewhat entertaining. Image from Unsplash by Nikunj Gupta. 

The Bembow arrived in the Docosie system this morning. She made a brief stop at our orbital platform, which gave me the chance to go aboard. They’re an unusual design, the Duderstadt‑class,  based on a much older vessel, the Wasp‑class interceptor. Sadly, I was only afforded an hour onboard, but it was enough to satisfy my curiosity. She departed shortly afterwards to begin her tests. The Bajoran community on Docosie is preparing a welcome for the Archaeological Group: traditional decorations, drinks, and food. It sounds wonderful. They’re a small community, but incredibly active. I’m hoping the Hasperat is nice and spicy, as it’s one of my favourite Bajoran dishes. Jadzia loved them too, but Ezri wasn’t fond of the spiciness and often had the replicator tone it down. I’ve enjoyed spicy foods since long before being joined with Dax. My mother’s Fynhar Curry was seriously good,  but dangerous for the uninitiated. I wonder if Jean would ever attempt making it. I’d love to see ho...

As well as the visit later this week from the Bajoran Archaeology Group, it seems we’ll also be receiving another visit from Starfleet, specifically the USS Bembow. The Bembow, whose name is said to come either from a legendary 17th‑century Royal Navy officer or the iconic fictional inn from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, depending on whom you ask, has recently undergone significant upgrades at nearby Starbase 665. She’ll be using the Docosie system to test several of her new sensor enhancements. Never a problem, of course, and always the perfect excuse for me to work from the orbital platform to catch a glimpse of any Starfleet vessel entering the system. The Bembow is a Duderstadt‑class ship, a class I haven’t seen much of, so you can imagine my interest. The Bembow will arrive tomorrow and remain in the system for approximately four days. I may see whether I can get permission to visit her, but considering her busy and rather tight schedule, I’m not entirely hopeful. ...

Surprises come in all shapes and sizes, often when you least expect them. James has always said that Jean is an excellent cook, but what I didn’t know was that she’d been learning dishes from various Federation worlds. So when Ranih and I arrived at their place yesterday evening, neither of us had the slightest idea we were in for a real treat. I didn’t even notice that the music playing in the background was a piece by the Trill artist Risal Vem, which probably should have been my first clue. What followed was an absolute delight. We began with a traditional Trill soup, Huh’ruj, served with freshly baked herb rolls. For the main course, we enjoyed a superb, hearty stew, Gretnal, complete with the most incredible dumplings. But dessert was the true showstopper. When it arrived, Ranih’s eyes practically popped out of her head. Sitting on a large silver plate was a stunningly decorated Yuh’ren Cake, topped with enough cream to buckle a duratanium bulkhead. It was absolutely divine. When ...

I’m pleased to say that I am, as James would put it, on the mend.  My isoboramine levels are now comfortably within the normal range , enough to satisfy the Medical Team, and I’m feeling much better for it.  The fatigue has all but vanished, and so has the monitoring device that had been attached to my right arm. The Medical Team may have eased off their observations, but Ranih certainly hasn’t. Then again, she does love me.   There’s also been a development with the archaeological investigation: a small Bajoran delegation will be arriving next week for a brief visit.  Their leader is a woman named Dezi Zoler, a highly respected Bajoran archaeologist following in her mother’s footsteps.  Her mother, Kira Ashumi, heads the Archaeology Department for Bajor. The name sounded familiar, and I couldn’t help wondering if she might be the daughter of Kira Nerys, and therefore, Zoler, is her granddaughter. There’s definitely a resemblance. I suppose I’ll find out so...

I’ve been at work for most of the day, though taking it far easier than I normally would. That’s on strict instructions from both my wife and the medical centre, and frankly, neither is a force I’m inclined to argue with. Since the initial tests yesterday, my isoboramine levels have improved, though only just inside the normal range. The medical team would prefer them sitting comfortably in the middle rather than clinging to the edge, but progress is progress. Isoboramine levels can be influenced by all sorts of factors, stress, fatigue, and viral infections among them, and it appears I’ve picked up the latter. I feel generally fine, but the tiredness is unmistakable, and the low levels are a predictable side effect while my immune system deals with whatever I brought home. It’s suspected I picked up the virus either during our time in Scotland or on the transport back. Nothing serious, just inconvenient timing. Even so, I’ve managed to sort through a good portion of the files needed f...

I’m sat in my comfortable chair at home, trying to unwind after what has been an oddly unsettled day. I haven’t felt quite myself for the last day or so. At first, I blamed it on overworking, hardly unusual for me. but I decided to be sensible and stop by the medical centre for a check‑up. I’m glad I did. I’m now wearing a small monitoring device because my isoboramine levels are lower than they should be. Isoboramine, of course, is the neurotransmitter that regulates and supports the link between a Trill host and symbiont. When those levels drift too high or too low, it can be problematic to both host and symbiont, so it’s not something to ignore.  I’ve been advised to take things a little easier for the next few days while they keep an eye on me. In fairness, I did get far too enthusiastic about the colony expansion project and the Bajoran discovery. Every previous host has had a tendency to throw themselves wholeheartedly into something, sometimes to their detriment, and it...

There have been a few new developments regarding the discovery on the neighbouring continent—one that now appears, quite convincingly, to be of Bajoran origin. The first is that the archaeological team is scheduled to arrive in two weeks to begin a full, structured excavation of the site. The second is that the Bajoran Government has been formally notified of the findings and will be dispatching their own specialists to work alongside our team, which is entirely understandable given the implications. Both groups will be eager to locate and recover the lightship. If we can uncover its identification markings, we may finally be able to trace its origins—who it belonged to, and ultimately, who made the journey to Docosie III all those centuries ago. I remain hopeful that I’ll be able to take part in the excavation. Governor Maura has said she’ll do what she can to help make that happen. It’s certainly the most exciting development Docosie III has seen in quite some time, and I’d love to c...

Long day. The team and I locked ourselves in the analysis bay and sifted through every scrap of data from the northern perimeter . Soil density maps, atmospheric drift models, drone telemetry, all of it. By midday, we were half-delirious from staring at holo‑projections, but the picture is finally coming together. James was in his element with the technical side of the analysis. Maintenance and updates are mundane and rather dull compared to something like this, and you can clearly see that he revels in it. The land up there could support the next phase of the colony. It’s rugged, sure, but rugged isn’t bad. Rugged can be shaped. I think we’re close to recommending a green light, though I’ll sleep on it before signing anything. A clear head never hurts. Ranih, my beautiful wife, has reminded me to try not to bring too much of my work home with me, as in, not to dwell on it after working hours.  Home is where we relax and unwind after work, even though I do, from time to time, wor...

I’m very grateful to know a reasonably reliable hangover cure, because I absolutely needed it today. Despite the Mixology Experience last night with Ranih, James, and Jean, I still managed to function like a normal adult. And honestly? Totally worth it. The whole evening was far more fun, and far more chaotic, than I expected. We didn’t just try several cocktails and learn how to make them. Oh no. We somehow ended up on a stage, shaking cocktails for full minutes while dancing to the music, followed by dramatic, borderline‑theatrical pouring of our freshly made creations. I’m pretty sure the audience was entertained. I’m also pretty sure we were, too. We tried and made the following cocktails: >Mangotini >Appletini >Cosmopolitan >Blue Martini >The Pink Bunkerdoo >Rigel Sunrise >Black Hole >Bolian Bolt I can’t even make fun of Ranih for being very drunk because I was just as bad. James and Jean weren’t far behind either. At some point, the four of us invented a c...

Finished work a little later than normal today. Nothing untoward or exciting, just catching up on various things that piled up while we were away on our honeymoon. I have a reputation for being on top of everything happening around the colony, and I certainly wouldn't want to jeopardize it! Heading out shortly with the usual suspects: my wife, James, and Jean. We have an experience booked at one of the bars in the central complex, where we’ll be learning to mix various cocktails. James keeps going on about a "Vodka Martini, shaken, not stirred" and acting all strange, not sure what that’s all about. Meanwhile, Jadzia thoroughly enjoyed that Ferengi cocktail, the Black Hole, last time, so I’m hoping to have a go at mixing one tonight instead of just drinking them. I’ll report back on how it went once we’ve recovered from the inevitable hangovers Image from Unsplash by Olena Bohovyk. 

There's a very old joke that the "0" in front of any time before 10:00 stands for "Oh my god, it's early." Today’s start was certainly that. ​On a normal work day, I usually get up around 07:30 to have breakfast and make sure I'm logged in or at the office by 09:00. Today, on the other hand, I was up at 06:30 to eat and prep for an 08:00 meeting. Once that wrapped up, we took a shuttle to the northern edge of the colony's perimeter to inspect the proposed site for the expansion project. ​James was there with two of his colleagues, and we spent most of the day surveying the massive 1.5km² site. The same river that scrapes the western edge of the existing colony runs right through this new area from west to east before heading toward the mountains. ​When it comes to the local landscape, our policy is always to minimize our footprint. We aim to keep as many of the existing trees in situ as possible and leave the path of the river completely unaltere...

James was considerably busier than I was today, handling another systems update for both the orbital platform and the colony’s entire network. The latter meant some systems were offline for an hour. This deeply frustrated our younger colonists, mostly those in the 16‑to‑30 age bracket, who rely heavily on the Federation‑wide social platform, The Nexus. Personally, I don't have an account; it's not really my thing. Ranih does, but she mainly uses it to stay in touch with our families and the occasional friend. I used the downtime to do some maintenance in our back garden since I was working from home today. I try to keep it in good order; the last thing I want is a checklist of chores staring at me while I’m trying to relax. James isn’t quite as on top of his own garden maintenance, so I have to resist the urge to start weeding when I’m invited over for a meal. Sometimes he lets me get away with it, but most of the time I get a groan followed by a firm, “Sit down!” Later, I rece...

With the recent revelation that the earlier settlement appears to match Bajoran architecture from that era, we’ve had to revisit our plans for future colony expansion.The main proposal now under consideration is as follows: Create connected, outer‑lying mini‑districts at the four points of the compass, each with its own central hub, all linked—underground—to the primary colony network. We wouldn’t construct all four at once; the northern district would be developed first. The two key factors remain resources and the projected arrival of new colonists. If our projections are accurate, the colony could eventually quadruple in size, expanding the perimeter outward one section at a time.Outside of the ongoing discussions about the colony’s future, the day has been fairly uneventful. I’m still in touch with Bahjaar Vox, who continues to do well in his current Starfleet assignment. Ranih had an excellent first day back at the school. The children were delighted by the pictures she brough...

The talk surrounding the archaeological findings from the original planetary survey, conducted long before the colony was even established, is absolutely rife at the moment. It is, admittedly, intriguing that no excavation work was carried out at the time. According to the latest information, however, a dedicated team will finally be examining the site in the coming weeks. One particularly fascinating detail, apparently leaked from early analyses, suggests that the structural remains, buried roughly three feet beneath the surface, are of Bajoran origin and approximately seven centuries old. Considering that the Bajoran system lies about 9.3 light‑years from Docosie, the idea isn’t entirely far‑fetched. We know the Bajorans were using lightships as early as the 16th century, and one such vessel was famously discovered on Cardassia, only 5.2 light‑yearsfrom Bajor. So it is entirely plausible that a crew could have ventured this far. The real questions are: who were they, and why were the...

Normality recommences today for my wife, and I enjoy saying this, and I have returned to work as well. There’s plenty waiting for me, especially the proposals for the colony expansion. Regarding the expansion, new information has come to light, information that has left most of us unsettled, particularly because it was kept from us for reasons that still haven’t been fully explained. One of the proposals involved establishing a satellite colony across the ocean, east of our current settlement. However, the newly released data reveals that evidence of a previous small settlement on Docosie was discovered during the initial survey. The site isn’t visible from the surface; the ruins lie several metres below the current ground level, directly beneath the area we had been considering for the second colony. There are alternative locations, of course, but this revelation has put everything on hold for now. The ruins themselves are not extensive, covering roughly 930 m², one of the survey team...

We arrived home late last night—just after 2300 hours, exactly as the transport captain predicted. We docked with our orbital platform, disembarked, and finally stepped back onto familiar ground. Ranih let me stop by to check in with my colleagues on the late shift while she beamed down with our luggage. She promised not to activate Jodo until I got there, which felt like a fair compromise. All was well in my absence, and James had managed not to get himself into any trouble. Mildly disappointing, really.I beamed down about thirty minutes after Ranih.  While we were away, Jodo’s program had been running a simulated cattery, so when we finally activated him, he was ecstatic. He meowed almost nonstop for over an hour, weaving around our legs like he was trying to fuse himself to us. Once he settled, we headed to bed and left the unpacking for the morning.Most of today has been spent doing exactly that—sorting, tidying, and getting ourselves back into home mode—until it was time to me...