While the B-side plot seemed rather irrelevant, again ala DS9 style, it was a clever move to wrap it up with the A-plot. That was a clever resolution device!

As for Bashir being let off the hook, well he had to for the sake of plot continuity so I'm not really complaining. But I find it telling that Bashir convinces himself he made the right course of action after that conversation with Sisko. It was Bashir's way of burying the ambiguity to the righteousness of his actions, so there is a lot of psychological insight in that small scene alone.

All in all this story got over some important moral quandaries and it was clear that what the parents did was wrong. There is no other way of seeing it from the human point of view, but you were clever enough to balance that with respecting other cultures and believes no matter how much they conflict with our own sense of values.

Ultimately Bajor is not part of the Federation and so subject to its laws, so while Sisko may have morally made the wrong decision, in a legal sense and cultural sense he made the correct one. But such a decision merely delays the inevitable, the inevitable being when such a situation arises after Bajor has become a member of the Federation. Would Sisko's decision still hold under those circumstances?

For a story less than ten thousand words, there is a lot to think about from a cultural, spiritual, legal and moral position so this is a very well put-together story which addresses such sensitive issues. And to you credit you did address both sides fairly and didn't skew who was right or wrong to anyone particular side. You let the reader make that choice so that takes some skill getting rid of any bias.

The dialogue and characterization was nearly flawless (apart from Aron's lass line of dialogue were he was gleeful for some reason, that confused me if Aron is going to lose his parents why would he be gleeful?) and this could be a DS9 episode since the story was so on it.

To conclude I give this story four and a half stars out of five for being such a great little gem and for throwing in so much with less than ten thousand words, and yet there is a story which does not feel rushed. Condensed less but it does not detract from its effectiveness. I would have given five stars but the B-side was a filler, but I'll let you off the hook for mimicking DS9's episode format!

A great read!

Author's Response: Glad you enjoyed the whole story. The B-plot may have seemed irrelevant, but the two stories did sort of tie in the end. Kira made a bold move that paid off, while Bashir not so much. I thought I made the point that Bashir worried for Aron that he did not know his long term fate, but seems I didn't (a lot of these decisions regarding custody of a child are made without that child's input).

“Just remember some advice Curzon once gave you. That sure is people who have absolutely nothing to lose. You and I just make a decision and get on with life.”

A word or a couple of words are missing here and that makes it harder to work out the significance of what Jadzia told Sisko, but it's only a little bone I've got to pick with you.

The thing I'm surprised about is that Sisko didn't consider his role as Emissary. He could so easily decree that this is the will of the Prophets that Bajorans can be injected with foreign bodies, in this case blood transfusions. He could so easily do that, though I see why not as it would cause some serious consternation amongst this sect, but surely they would follow the words of the Emissary? But this being season 1 Sisko, I can see why he has not considered this.

Though since Aron's parents, Crag and Katalia, do not refer to Sisko as the Emissary -- as Sisko himself realised -- perhaps the words of the Emissary have less sway over this Bajoran sect?

Author's Response: I guess then, it should say, "Being sure/certain is people with nothing to lose". It's another reminder of how making a decision is easy with nothing on the line, but the real challenge is making decision when the potential gains and losses are considerable. As for Sisko's role as Emissary, this was at a time when he didn't entirely embrace the role and when it had far less significance to the series as a whole. At this time, it's more understandable that some Bajorans would be skeptical of the idea of their Prophets appointing an alien Emissary.

Already this sect the Bajoran parents belong to is getting me thinking. I mean they refuse to have foreign bodies injected into themselves and their son. But what about drugs? Aren't the drugs being used to treat the boy a foreign body of sorts? Classic Star Trek right there and already to have this much food for thought so early on is really great! So this story of yours is already shaping up very nicely!

Finally it is nice to see Bashir's counterpart doctor Girani been given some lines and character development! I didn't know her name but I do remember that Bajoran woman being a part of Bashir's staff from season 1 and onwards. So it is a nice touch!

Author's Response: As the opening notes indicated, some of the plot points were derived from an episode of Grey's Anatomy where one of the patients was a Jehovah's Witness. They believe that one's blood is akin to a distinctive life-giving force and another person's blood would contaminate that life force. The Bajoran doctor in this story is the one repeatedly referenced in a Season 7 episode, and is not the same person as the Bajoran nurse from Seasons 1 through 3. And she sure does speak to how diverse a people the Bajorans are, which strays from Trek's tendencies to portray non-humans as monolithic races.

And so ends a good story. Bashir's ethically dilemma is classic Trek at its finest, exploring a deep and confusing issue through a futuristic setting. Bashir's characterization was spot on throughout as was season one DS9's crew. Before they all became weighed down by war and paranoia, this crew was one that was young.

It was good to see the ending here as Sisko let Bashir go this time. Sisko's observation was a true one and I'm glad to see Bashir isn't beating himself too much about it. A very episode-esque story and one I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Oh, this is a tough pill to swallow for poor Bashir. Sisko's internal debate and thought processes on this decision are spot on. Often in Trek we get commanding officers who face decisions like this and must weigh the pros and cons. Sisko, in this case, has a very big con here and that's the relationship with Bajor. As the CO of the station he is charged with fostering that relationship, not harming it up.

The parents seem dead-set on sacrificing their child to prove a point about their religious beliefs. It doesn't seem they're there to get help at all but rather to use the station/crew to further their agenda ... I find myself hoping Bashir says "to hell with it" and saves the boy. The child doesn't need to be made into a statement.

Oh, Bashir, you and I are thinking exactly the same thing friend. But I fear he's playing a dangerous game ... as his assistant point out, the treatment is only going to keep the boy alive for a few weeks more and it won't heal him. Bashir is betting on his ability to convince the parents to save the boy's life, but what if they don't?

A hugely ethically challenging dilemma and one that is very much in the vein of the best of Trek. Bashir is written well here, that young season 1 arrogance here and accounted for. His thoughts on the matter ring true to the character, and the chiming in from the rest of Ops is nice, though ultimately unhelpful for him. Sisko will make a pitch too, but I fear this will be all for naught.

This looks to be a good read. Continuing on.