StarTrekTheNewAdventures

Entil'zha Xanxa · Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:18 pm Post subject: Chosen

[This is one of my fanfiction stories which I'm posting here as it is part of my character's history and background]

It was a long time since I had spent any significant time on Minbar, despite it being my mother’s homeworld. For the past five years, I had been stationed on one of the secret Anla’shok training bases but now Entil’zha Ignacius had decided to send me to Shai Alyt Neroon for further training. Neroon was the obvious choice, partly because he was a F’hursna, or Denn’bok Master, and also because he was from the same Warrior Clan as my mother’s family.

Under the leadership of Ignacius, who was a Minbari/human hybrid, the Anla’shok had embraced more progressive ideas, most notably the recruitment of other species besides the traditional Minbarii and humans. Thus our ranks were now filled with the likes of Drazii, Brakirii, Vree, Centaurii and even the odd few Pak’ma’ra. As far as I knew, I was the only Centauri/Minbari hybrid, but as I happen to look more or less human, nobody had ever made an issue of it. However, I felt certain that Neroon would not overlook this detail.

I dressed in my best ceremonial Anla’shok robes and arrived early for our first meeting. I had polished my Anla’shok pin and my denn’bok and I wore my very human-looking hair in neat braids, hoping to strike the correct balance between appearing studious and warrior-like at the same time.

Shai Alyt Neroon was fashionably late. I had thought this to be a unique trait among humans, but apparently not. It didn’t bode well. He strode purposefully into the room and looked me up and down several times without saying a word. I felt extremely nervous.

I bowed in front of my new mentor and made the correct triangle sign with my hands. “Greetings Shai Alyt Neroon” I said. “I’m Anla’shok Xanxa ra’Fi’sulurae, reporting for duty”. Neroon looked me over again then finally spoke. “How do you claim to be of my clan?” “From my mother’s side of the family, Shai Alyt” I replied, bowing again dutifully. “Your father is human?” he enquired, an expression of distaste forming on his previously expressionless face. “No, Master, my father is Centauri. Lord Ozric Symanah of House Symanah and Couro Prido”. “Centauri aristocracy does not impress me” Neroon stated coldly. “I am still struggling to understand why Entil’zha Ignacius has sent you to me”. “So am I, Master” I replied, knowing that this was exactly the wrong thing to be saying.

Neroon chuckled to himself then looked at me again. “Very well” he said. “Perhaps we can figure this out together. I can tell that you’re not the typical Anla’shok trainee”. “I’m not the typical anything, Master” I said, feeling bolder now. Neroon laughed again and walked to the centre of the room.

Neroon extended his denn’bok and advanced towards me. I had my denn’bok ready almost instantly and moved to intercept him. I managed to dodge his first strike and block his second, but the third caught me on the shoulder, knocking me off balance. I struggled to remain upright and struck out wildly with my denn’bok, almost making contact with his bone ridges. We sparred about for a few more minutes, then Neroon clicked his denn’bok shut and clipped it back to his belt. “Not bad for a Centauri” he remarked. “I suppose you learned to use one of those coutari things?” “Yes Master” I replied. “I was initiated into the Couro Prido on my Ascension. They’re not that particular, really, despite being an elitist duelling society”.

Neroon laughed again and enquired “Did you also study humour with Reebo and Zooty?” I was surprised that he even knew who they were, and for a few moments, I was laughing too hard to form a coherent reply. Eventually I answered “No, Master, their skills are surplus to requirements for basic Anla’shok training!”

“I see” he said, regarding me with apparent amusement. “I think I am beginning to understand why Entil’zha Ignacius places such high value on you. The capacity for humour is a sign of great intelligence, and we should ignore it at our peril”.

From that moment on, Neroon and I became friends as well as teacher and student. We enjoyed working together and also enjoyed watching old Reebo and Zooty shows. It was strange for us to be howling with laughter while the rest of the Anla’shok trainees sat there in total silence with confused expressions on their faces.

Although Neroon was a man of principle and fairness, it wasn’t long before he pronounced me his “Chosen”. It was a moment of great honour for me which I will always treasure, all through my subsequent Anla’shok training, then the many missions I undertook, the friends and enemies, the laughter, the tears, and the becoming.
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Entil'zha Xanxa ra'Fi'sulurae

Admiral Kathryn Janeway · Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:55 pm Post subject:

Such a wonderful incite to your life.
huh and I thought starfleet training was tough.
I often have to remind my self just how easy we have it and how lucky we are as a race.

As for the other side of me, the real side, I often ignore, I guess I have it far too easy.
Which is partly why I ignore it and try to do things the hard way, the more rewarding way.
Theres something to be said for actually accomplishing things with hard work and determination, rather than a quick snap of a finger.

That being said, your hard work makes mine still look like a snap of a finger by comparison.
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Dismissed ... That's A Starfleet Expression For ... GET OUT!

Entil'zha Xanxa · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:28 am Post subject:

Thanks Admiral. I'll be posting a few more of these at intervals.

I should have mentioned that a denn'bok is a melee weapon, like a staff, it's made of metal and is collapsible. By tradition, it is only used by members of the Anla'shok or Minbari Warrior Caste, although others have occasionally had the use of one.
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Entil'zha Xanxa ra'Fi'sulurae