The Tenth Voice -
The Journal of Orzal Dax.

Before leaving the moon base the other day, I managed to get a fabulous picture of Docosie III. So much so, I'm starting to consider publishing more of the photos I take in my journal. I seem to have a talent for taking good pictures. I have thought about what will become of my journal when I'm gone and Dax has a new host. I'd like to think that my child, son or daughter, as we don't know yet, will hold on to it and read it to remember their parents, and perhaps it might even be useful from a historical standpoint. Countless other documents have provided a window into the past over the centuries: the Rosetta Stone, the Bayeux Tapestry, and the Orion Oolan, just to name three. I don't think my journal will be of as much historical significance as those three documents, but it will serve as a record of events on Docosie III in my lifetime from my perspective. On my walk this morning, I happened to pass by the Bajoran cemetery. I stopped for a while, as it's such a...

Beautiful day today. Ranih and I, along with James and Jean, went to the central complex to visit our favourite coffee shop. ​I tried something different from my usual Cortado today: an iced caramelised banana latte. I'm getting the impression that the names of this new style of coffee are getting longer. Almost more of a mouthful than the drink itself. ​Back to the drink, which was extremely refreshing and very enjoyable. Everyone enjoyed their beverage, even Ranih, who now can't have caffeine due to being pregnant. ​That being said, she isn't happy about it, despite understanding exactly why she can't have caffeine. We ordered a drink recommended by one of the workers at the café, who said it tastes as good as something caffeinated and is perfectly safe for pregnant women. ​Ranih gave it a 9/10. It's good, but it's not quite as good as a fully caffeinated coffee. Still, I think she will be okay eventually. ​I tried it myself and I can see where she's ...

There is something that Joined Trill seem to be very good at. Well, myself and others whom I've met over the centuries, at least. ​This is being able to learn from the past without letting it dominate the future, knowing that it can't be changed and that looking forward is best for all concerned. ​Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone says or does things they regret and get dragged over hot coals for. I am certainly not immune to this. ​There are people who will continually remind you and torment you over these mistakes or lapses in judgment, like a stuck record. ​It's not easy, but you just have to accept the past, take note, and move on. Going over it repeatedly does no one any favors, especially not you. Life is a journey to be enjoyed and treasured. ​Anyway, back on Docosie today, after an enjoyable visit to the Moon base. I've made sure I have the next four Dracula films lined up to watch. ​Maura, our esteemed governor, recommended one I don't believe they ar...

A colleague of mine is dealing with a troubling family situation. I won't go into details out of respect for his privacy, but it has started to affect him at work. As his supervisor, I've noticed the toll this stress is taking on him. Specifically, he is struggling to focus because he has trouble sleeping. Once he explained the situation, which he was actually managing to stay on top of, I commended him on how well he was handling everything. He hadn't realized how well he was doing because he tends to focus on the negatives. Having witnessed similar situations with previous hosts and their loved ones, I understand what he is going through. I suggested two techniques to help him sleep, both of which I practice myself. The first is to write down whatever is running through his mind before going to bed. It’s a way to offload and park those thoughts to review at a better time. The second is to set aside even just 30 minutes to lie back and relax. He can play soft music, open a...

We've had a very productive day on the moon base. It's an incredibly peaceful place. The orbital platform is peaceful as well, but there's definitely something different about the atmosphere on the moon base. For  lunch, James and I opted for a dish popular in the Southwestern United States and tried something called a chimichanga.  It  features a flour tortilla packed with fillings like meat, beans, rice, and cheese, folded and cooked until the outside turns golden and crispy. It was quite spicy, tasty, and definitely very filling. We  return to Docosie tomorrow, and I'm both looking forward to it and not at the same time. On one hand, I’ll be back with Ranih and my home office; on the other, I’ll have to deal with the build‑up of all those darn seed pods in the garden. Only  a few more months and the trees will stop shedding them, and then we can have a reprieve,  even if it’s somewhat short, before the next garden battle arrives. The crew of the moon bas...

Ranih was greeted with cheers by her class when she let them know she was expecting. Apparently, one of her colleagues is already looking into ideas for a baby shower, though Ranih told me that Marie loves a party and will find any excuse to throw one. Last year, she tried to throw a small event, what she called a "fuddle", just to celebrate that the children's playroom had been redecorated. I love a party, but not quite that much. Still, I appreciate her enthusiasm. I've been helping James today with updates and maintenance work throughout our moonbase. Most of the systems are slightly more up-to-date than those on our orbital platform, as the base is more recent. The moon is also the location of our long-range space telescope and sensor platform. I will put this out there: it is categorically not used for any nefarious purposes, including spying. We leave those sorts of underhanded and dangerous activities to Section 31. We have a team that looks after the facility ...

My trip to our moon base with James has been moved to today, so we set off this morning. It’s nice to be able to do my work from more than one location; it allows me to visit different parts of the colony's infrastructure and meet new people. The view of the colony from the moon is quite spectacular, a vivid reminder that everything in this chaotic universe of ours is seen through countless different perspectives. Everyone views the world slightly differently, and that’s what makes us unique. However, it can also cause arguments that lead to conflict and the loss of life. No one is born with prejudice, hatred, or bigotry; these are all learned through observation and the teachings of others. Sadly, despite our societal advancements, these darker sides to our nature endure through the centuries. I try my utmost to be open and transparent about my views and opinions, as well as kind and courteous to whoever I meet. I evaluate people purely on how they treat me and others. Not their r...

It was shaping up to be another relaxing day, right up until early afternoon when James asked for my help in his garden. I'm always happy to lend him a hand, if for no other reason than it helps prevent tension with Jean, whose patio area is persistently immaculate. However, there was decidedly more to his request than I had anticipated. Once we actually got our hands dirty, he finally dropped the real news: Jean had developed a mild case of baby fever. I reminded James that while Ranih and I had indeed been trying for a baby, but we certainly hadn't expected things to happen this quickly. Regardless, he can't really blame us for Jean's sudden maternal streak. As for the garden itself, he had decided to alter the shape of one of the flower beds. Luckily, there wasn't much planted in it yet, which made reshaping the border fairly straightforward. James is stationed at our moon outpost next week, and I might end up joining him around midweek. There's always someth...

Ranih wasn't feeling great earlier. Her morning sickness has started, and she's certainly not happy about it. In particular, she isn't looking forward to the heightened sense of smell that is such a common symptom of Trill pregnancy. My mother often tells me that when she was carrying me, scents she normally loved became completely overpowering and frequently made her nauseous.  That  being said, she also mentioned that this heightened olfactory sense could actually be quite useful. It made finding things much easier, especially when venturing into the neighbouring woodlands for Dorban berries.  When  ripe, the berries give off a distinctive aroma that anyone can pick up in close proximity, but a pregnant Trill can spot them from several meters away. Sadly, Dorban berries are native to Trill, so the ones we enjoy here are replicated. While they’re still tasty and nutritious, they just don't possess that vibrant, natural scent as prominently as the real deal. In the m...