Date: 27 May 2013 23:04 Title: Chapter 5
I knew Bashir was going to do that, and he's doing so for his own beliefs and it's rather symbolic. This clash of beliefs for determining the fate of Aron's life, and Crag and Katalia shunning Aron was just as I feared.
And right now I'm on Bashir's side here, I do not understand Crag's and Katalia's reaction, even if it was in accordance with their beliefs. I like to consider this with an open mind but it's totally irrational what Crag and Katalia did and a Bajoran sect with a covenant of such irrational restrictions is messed up.
So did Bashir do any Aron any favours? I'm not sure, it is either a life cut short or being abandoned by his parents. If this were in a Federation world there wouldn't be this problem, and if I were in commander Sisko's position I would have ordered that Aron receive treatment. But it's not a Federation world so -- and taking Sisko's position here -- I would have no choice but to side with the parents which is rather galling. But the Federation has no authority over Bajor, so...
Now that is one great morality tale, the sort which really provides some emotional stakes for the reader and makes them decide what they would do, and while there is no happy outcome for Aron. It is a realistic outcome and very much in keeping with DS9.
On a different note I take it those escape pods were temporary buffers used to absorb some of the Breen's torpedoes while Kira took some potshots at those Breen raiders?
Date: 17 May 2013 20:16 Title: Chapter 5
I thought, just for a moment, that Bashir was going to let the boy die. He seemed to be ready to let him go but he rode into action as I knew he would. He did a good thing and I completely agree that he did the right thing. Letting the child die for the sake of beliefs when there is treatment to save them is wrong ... again, this goes back to a larger issue with the Federation in general where the Prime Directive so often gets in the way of things like saving an entire people when they have the power to do so.
Sisko ripped into him good but he didn't seem too broken up about it. As he admitted before, he would have signed off on the treatment if not for other concerns. Bashir did what Sisko could not. It's sad to see Aron get rejected as he was but the boy seemed to take it well ... I hope he goes on to have a full life.
Kira chimes in here with her little plot, and acts in typical season one Kira fashion-a bit rash and a bit brash, but ultimately succeeding due to her experiences.
Author's Response: Yeah, it was a risky decision Kira made, and one she's probably had to make many times in the Underground, of keeping civilians out of the line of fire without regard for her own welfare and safety.