"The Seeker of Truth"

93787.5

The shuttle doors opened and Sulayman Ibn Tariq al Firawn strode out with such purpose, one of the Ensigns on duty saluted him and muttered, "Captain."

If Sulayman heard the Ensign's mistake, he did not show it, nor did he particularly care. He was annoyed that he had been sent ahead to DS 13 whilst the al-Haytham was still at Earth Spacedock and was even more annoyed that the ship was not due to arrive at DS 13 for a couple of months.

Still, he was sent here to complete the final administration to induct the ship to the fleet and so upon her arrival, the al-Haytham could get to work immediately. Sulayman's ego was stoked a little when he realised that this was a job Captains normally do and so was not too bitter about the whole situation. But he was bitter, that much was certain and it showed when he marched up to the transport operator.

"You there. Are you off duty or on duty?" He barked at the man.

"Erm...on duty...sir?" The man replied, looking at the strange young man who had just yelled at him.

"Then look like it!" Sulayman bellowed at the top of his voice and with such ferocity that the man jumped a little and the entire shuttlebay fell quiet, looking to see what the commotion was.

"Is there anything wrong here?" An elderly commander asked, breaking the few seconds of silence that had descended.

"No sir." Sulayman's back stiffened magnetically, his hand flew up into a salute and his boots clicked together. "I was just reprimanding the Lieutenant here for slacking when on duty."

"Oh were you now?" The commander peered over his glasses, first at the transport operator who was frozen in shock and then to the boy standing in front of him.

"Lieutenant Commander al Firawn, First Officer - USS al-Haytham reporting." Sulayman introduced.

"Ah yes. Lieutenant Commander al Firawn. We were not expecting you for another two days."

"The shuttle pilot wanted to stop for a few days but I thought it was best to report in early sir," Sulayman explained. He had not moved an inch.

The Commander looked at the shuttle behind Sulayman where an exhausted pilot was stumbling out. He tripped when he stepped out and was caught by the Ensign who was on guard.

"Yes...it does seem that way. Come now Commander. Let's show you to your quarters." The commander turned and moved towards the turbolift before turning around to see that Sulayman had still not moved.

"With respect Commander, but my orders were to report to a Commander Caspius, for admin purposes."

The commander didn't even try to press his order forward. "Looks like you and Commander Caspius are going to be good friends," he muttered. "Do you need to fill in some paperwork?" He asked Sulayman. The lighting up of Sulayman's face when he said paperwork was all the answer he needed. "Yes. Very good friends..."

93797.4

Sulayman was sat, cross-legged on the floor. He had a Quran in his hands and although it was open and Sulayman flicked the pages every now and again, he had no need for it. He was praying out loud, in a gentle tune, and was looking out of the window to the stars. Sulayman had been taught by some of the greatest Imams in Arabia and he was a capable Hafiz, a person who knows the Quran by heart. Sulayman rocked gently from side to side as he prayed, contemplating the words and the meaning. A noise broke him out of his contemplation. Sulayman turned to hear the call to prayer coming from his PADD. Although prayer times were normally linked to the time of day, in space, this was difficult so Sulayman made it a habit to follow the times back home. It was less confusing that way. Sulayman slowly stood to his feet, closed the Quran, and brought it to his lips before placing it on the highest shelf in the room. Then, he went to pray.

Upon finishing his prayer, Sulayman remained seated on the prayer mat and stared out of the window to the stars again. The beauty of space never ceased to amaze him. "The sun and the moon [move] by precise calculation, And the stars and trees prostrate. So which of your Lord's favours do you deny?" Which indeed, Sulayman thought. Here he was. Amongst the stars, and the moons, and the suns which God had created. The very thought excited him. To be able to soar up and discover an entire universe that God had created, to unveil the mysteries of his creation. It was this thought that kept him going. This thought that had made him the very first al Firawn to leave Earth. Like the Islamic explorers of old, he was going where nobody had gone before. Whilst they had created and used sextants, Sulayman had created and used his own navigational tools. He stood and walked to the window. He felt like he could almost touch the stars. Out of the corner of Sulayman's eye, he could see the outer hull of the starbase, DS 13 stamped on the side. His thoughts quickly changed. Hopefully, he wouldn't be sitting around doing anything. He'd be able to get back to work, and show the base that he was more than his age. Commander Sivath's words had been stinging, but Sulayman didn't take them to heart. He knew that the Commander had a duty to all members of the base, not just to him. So his actions would have to speak louder. Sulayman climbed into bed and looked at his PADD to review the program he had sent. Cross-checking it with Commander Sivath's refusal, he saw, rather begrudgingly, that the Commander was correct. Had his design been implemented, it would have killed many of the crew. Sulayman sighed. He needed to be more careful and more thorough with his work. Placing his PADD down, he decided that tomorrow, he would get to work on analysing the local stars in the area. They've probably mapped the stars wrong, Sulayman thought happily and with that in mind, he slid under the covers and fell asleep.

Personal Log. Stardate 93819.4

People have told me that these logs are how senior officers track their thoughts so I think I should do the same. The voice seems unsure, as if it's scared to divulge anything important. A sigh is heard. Well here goes. I've been at DS 13 for a while now. Things were a bit hectic when I arrived, what with all the paper work but now...now I'm stuck doing part time shifts in the science department. It seems like my confident letter wasn't confident enough. The voice seems to grow in confidence Maybe LT CMDR Konieczko was right. I should've gone up the chain of command instead of throwing the notice at the highest ranking officer. But how was I to know? Commander Caspius was the only person I had met. And that LT CMDR Konieczko...what do people call her...Tilly? I screwed it up with her badly. And with her being a counsellor and all, she could file all my failures into my record and then...then I'd never get promoted. A head can be heard hitting the table and the voice becomes muffled slightly. Oh man I really screwed that up. But I did apologise...it's not my fault Swifty, yes I think that's his name, can't make Arabian tea. I wasn't that harsh on him, was I? Oh but I did meet other people in the bar. Perhaps I should go more often. There was the Captain, Quint, I think his name was. And the other Captain, Beylara? Of course there was Counsellor Tilly. Oh and the funny cadet who had never tried dates before! The voice isn't muffled anymore, and is more animated. Yes, she was funny. Riannia bint Marcus Tierno. Oh but she doesn't like that so I must not call her that. Just Rianni. She was a nice girl, nice and kind. They all were kind. Even Tilly, in a way. Oh but that other counsellor I met today, Eunha, she was really nice! She even helped me with my experiment. Well. Not really, *I* found out what the problem was myself. Sulayman still seems proud of his achievement She could be right though. Maybe if I gave people some more time, DS 13 will be home. I do have to stay here until the al Haytham arrives. Perhaps I should try and make *some* friends. I know I have work to do but I'm going to be driven insane if I have to stay on the Starbase for the next few months without even going into space. Maybe Eunha will let me on the Valley Forge for a bit. There is a slight ping Oh, my egg is ready! There's a shuffle as Sulayman gets up, followed by movement. Finally, Sulayman can be heard saying "mmm" Now *THAT* is the perfect half boiled egg! Computer, end log.

Personal Log - Stardate 94003.2

Sulayman's voice is kind of breathless as if he's been for a light jog.

I...really...don't know what just happened. She...she kissed me! On the cheek. Kissed...me! Just like that... It was...weird. Nice...but weird.

It seems to be moving forward so fast...I'm not sure I'm ready for this...I don't know what this is...I've never been in love with someone before - wait...is this love? I like her but...love? Is this what love feels like?

I mean she's very cute and very confusing. She makes me happy and makes me feel relaxed. I didn't know counsellors could make you feel that way. And she's very understanding. Very understanding. But sometimes she's happy and playful and then other times she's very closed and sarcastic...is that how people always are? She did say that's how she deals with people.

Oh, this is all very confusing... Relationships are very confusing. I think my work is beginning to suffer because of it; I made a coffee machine in my spare time for her! I could have used the time for something more productive! And look at all these love poems I've written;

There is a shuffle of paper before Sulayman reads something out;

"Your hair as soft as the pale moonlight,

Your smile which lights my way at night..."

He stops rather abruptly.

I don't know...I will indulge in this for a while longer and see if I can understand what this is. If not...my duties on the al-Haytham will provide a necessary distraction. Anyway, I shouldn't keep her waiting.

End Log.

Personal Log - Stardate 94040.7

Eunha and I went shopping! I didn't realise shopping could be so fun! She picked out some wonderful clothes for me, and then we went to got some ice cream...oh it was a fantastic day.

And then!

His voice grows with excitement.

The al-Haytham is finally here! I'm so happy! Finally, finally, finally! Oh what's this?

A scrabbling can be heard.

To Lieutenant Commander al Firawn. As you have no doubt heard, the al Haytham has arrived at DS13. Please come and see me at a convenient time so that we may discuss our orders.

Captain V'Lala, USS al Haytham.

There is a thunk and as the PADD is placed down.

So I am not dreaming! This has been the best day ever! Oh I have to go and see the Captain at once!

A door can be heard opening and closing and then there is complete silence for the next five hours of recording. The door is then heard opening again and there is what seems to be some movement. A voice can be heard singing before it stops. There are hurried footsteps that grow louder.

Oh, you have to be kidding me...has this been on the entire time?

End Log.

Personal Log, Stardate 94074.6

I have sinned. Not once, but twice. I knew it was wrong, knew it was forbidden but like Adam in the Garden, it was too alluring, too tempting for me. And it is a temptation I succumbed to because I am a man, weak in the desires of this world.

But I enjoyed it. I let it happen, I wanted it. Not just once, but twice. And I would do it again, though wrong it may be. With her...

A chair scrapes and the voice gets fainter. Sips of a drink can be heard.

Is it wrong to dream of a future when my life has already been written out? Is it wrong to want something, even though God did not intend it to be? But one can never know what God has written; we are but characters in a book, one that the author knows what the ending is like but us, the character, has no clue what lies on the next page. So we make our choices, believing that we are indeed the master and commander, but it is nothing - an illusion. For we are moved by a higher power, one that knows our final goal. It sounds depressing, knowing that whatever we do, nothing is ever in our power...and yet. And yet we despair. And yet we flounder and flail like our decisions matter. But is that not the point? Is that not what makes man...man? Is that not the test of what our morality is? Faced with the illusion of choice...what do we do? Do we do what is good and right, or do we do evil and wrong? Or do we do nothing, sit by whilst life passes us by and we wither way, turning into dust, without ever having had a chance to live? Through action, or inaction, we reveal to ourselves and to others who we really are. And this is what God tries to make us understand by this illusion of free will. Who we truly are. What we really are...

And what am I?

I know what I am. A fornicator. I committed Zina and I should be ashamed of it. I removed myself from temptation for twenty-seven years. And within two days, I threw that away not once, but twice. I did wrong...but I am not unhappy with myself. I know what was wrong and I have protected myself for all this time...for one person. If it is not she, then whom? If God had not intended that I be with her, then why did he open my eyes, my tongue and my heart? I should take steps to eradicate the problem and I have...but she does not believe and I respect her; Islam teaches tolerance and cooperation between all. So whilst I may want to move forward, she might not. And that is good. Commitments should be for life. They should not be rushed because of temporary lust. So what happens, happens. I cannot deny what I, or she, might want; the moments when we don't wish to part, where we love more than any love before, where our love and our souls entwine. I will not. I will embrace what we have. I do not know what God has planned. I do not know what lies beyond the second I live within. But I will use my faith, and my morals, and my heart to guide me to the future. I hope, I pray, that that is with Eunha. Because with her...God has said that marriage completes half of your faith. She completes the half of me that I saved for that special someone. So if it is to be, then it is to be. If not...then God knows what is best. He did create me after all, and to him, I will one day return.

The voice gets louder as it seems to return.

I enjoy my time with her. I do not feel guilty about what I have done. Maybe that in itself is a sign from God that all is well. Whatever comes, however, I will continue to grow my love for her. Maybe even until the day I die.

End Log.

94105.8

Sulayman was lying face down, sprawled on his bed. It was a good thing Eunha had not spent the night; even she would have faced competition over bed space that night.

The caffeine was slowly leaving his system and Sulayman was badly, badly hungover. Given that alcohol was prohibited in Islam and so Sulayman had never once consumed it, the caffeine hangover was a new feeling and he had no idea how to deal with it. Instead, he did what any normal human would do; lay in bed in total darkness, groaning in pain from his godawful headache.

"Captain to Lieutenant Commander al Firawn"

Sulayman groaned again and thrust his hand out to his bedside table, slapping it several times before he managed to tap his combadge.

"What is it?" he muttered.

"I beg your pardon?"

Sulayman rolled out of bed. "Al'ama!" he swore and scrambled for the badge.

"I mean, yes Captain, Lieutenant Commander al Firawn here."

"Did I disturb something Lieutenant Commander?"

"No Captain," he looked back at his bed.

"Very well, report to my ready room immediately.

"On my way sir,"

Sulayman fell back onto the bed and stared at the roof. His head hurt so bad. Gingerly, he stood up again and pulled on his uniform, washed his face and then stepping out onto the corridor, wincing at how bright the lights were.

"Enter," came the voice from behind the door when Sulayman had reached the bridge. He walked in and stood to attention.

"Sir?"

"Take a seat Number One," V'Lala was sat at her desk, sipping tea. Sulayman obeyed. "Is there anything wrong Lieutenant Commander?" she arched her eyebrows in the traditional Vulcan manner.

"No sir,"

V'Lala sipped her tea. "You've been on the al Haytham almost a month now. How do you think the ship and her crew are doing?"

Sulayman was not ready for such intense questioning, not in this state. He didn't even have time to prepare.

"Good."

"Good?"

"I mean..." Sulayman struggled. Why did she have to have the lights on so bright? "The ship has been excellent, although we have not had enough time to really test her potential. Her crew...they've been good."

V'Lala placed her teacup on the saucer and made some notes on a PADD. "Interesting. And how do you think you have settled in?"

"I have settled in very well..." he started confidently but with each syllable, his confidence drained. Why was she asking him? Oh no, he had screwed something up hadn't he?

"Are you sure?"

Oh no, he really had screwed something up. "Yes, Captain..." He was going to stick to his guns and see what happened.

V'Lala did not respond immediately and made a note. Sulayman shifted in his chair, trying to read anything from V'Lala's expressionless face. His effort was futile. "We have just completed an extensive survey did we not?"

"Yes sir,"

"98% completion to the plans submitted at the start."

"Yes sir, a commendable result," he lied. He did not think it was commendable and people were going to get yelled at later.

"Do you think 98% is commendable?" V'Lala raised her eyebrows again and Sulayman blanched. She didn't give him a chance to answer. "When you submitted the revised plans with the increased amount of experiments, you assured me that this would be within the limits of yourself and the crew. Were you in error?"

"No sir,"

"Why do you think the extra two percent was not achieved Lieutenant Commander?"

"I believe the crew did not give the extra two percent sir,"

"The crew?"

"Yes sir."

V'Lala made a note. "What do you think is the standing with you and the crew?"

"I think the crew...dislike me,"

"And why is that Lieutenant Commander?"

Sulayman paused briefly, "I make them work hard. I push them to their fullest potential."

"Why?"

"Because we are Starfleet officers and scientists. We are here to make breakthroughs. We cannot achieve that if we are not performing at our peak." Sulayman took the words he had heard officers at the bar use and strung them together in a sentence.

V'Lala nodded and made another note. "Very well. You are dismissed Number One. I remind you that we are to begin analysis on the data, but also that we will be on patrol again on the next week. Please submit the duty shifts to me for the next week within the day, and then the provisional duty shift for the patrol," she took her teacup and sipped her tea.

Sulayman stood and nodded. Before he got to the door, something, probably the caffeine, made him stop and turn. "I'm sorry for only achieving 98% Captain," he blurted out and regretted his emotional outburst almost before the words had even left his lips.

V'Lala looked at him, emotionless. "Sorry, Lieutenant Commander?" Sulayman looked back sheepishly. "Lieutenant Commander, do you know why I picked you to serve on the al Haytham as a First Officer?" Sulayman shook his head. "You are growing Lieutenant Commander. I do not want to hear apologies."

"Yes sir."

"You are dismissed Number One."

As Sulayman turned and left, V'Lala looked down to her PADD which she had not even turned on. In a certain light, her mouth could have been seen to curl into a small smile, before she sipped her tea.

Personal Log - Stardate 94127.3

You can't predict life; God knows best. If I had planned out my life, it would not have been like this, but alhumdulillah God knows best for me and has seemingly blessed my life. And I am thankful for it, truly.

I don't think I am the same person who arrived on this starbase, months ago. I have seemingly developed and changed, into a person who is...better? No, I don't know how you can measure betterness in terms of development. I'm different; whether that is for the better, or for the worse is yet to be seen.

Work has been great, the Captain seems to have faith in me and this study has been really fascinating. For my first project on such a grand scale, I think I have done really well, and I am proud of what I - no, what we, the crew, have done. But there is still much more work to be done.

As for other life...well. I think it's public knowledge that Eunha and I are together, and I'm not sure how I feel about that...would people treat us differently? It's been a few weeks since we've started living together, two nights at hers, two nights at mine. It's been weirdly beneficial for me, in terms of making me not work all the time. And it's been good for our relationship...I think.

Looking after T'Pia, Captain Se'Lai's baby daughter, was fun, but it made me think. What would happen if our relationship developed to the point where we start thinking about having children of our own? Am I ready for a child? Eunha keeps reassuring me that I looked after the baby well. Watching her, look after the baby, looking after the baby together...it felt like we were parents ourselves.

Captain Nimitz was right, overthinking is not good. But neither is not thinking...and how can I measure how much is too much thinking? My life has been built around planning extensively, but now? Ever since I arrived, my plans don't seem to hold much weight and things just start to develop by themselves...I know God has a plan for me, but it would just be nice to know that my plans for once are the right ones. But then again, my plans would not have ended up like this.

I'm just worried about messing things up. Messing things up with Eunha, messing things up on the al-Haytham, messing things up for my career.

My love for my work has had to be shared with my love for Eunha, and now...my love for something else...

As if on cue, there is a small bark.

I spent the entire visit to the pet store hidden behind Eunha, fighting the urge to run. That's when I saw her do the same, hidden in the corner. And then she turned to look at me, and I knew she had to be the one. She was beautiful, eye-catching even. In Arabic, the word for that is Rana. And so that's what I called her. Rana.

The dog gives another little bark at the sound of her name, and there is a shuffle as she jumps onto his lap. He chuckles.

Rana is such a breath of fresh air. She's adorable, she's smart and she's...perfect. Once again, God's plans are better than what mine would have been.

Okay, time to get back to work.

Rana yaps.

Of course, it's time to feed you first!

End log.

94136.2

Sulayman leaned back in his chair and then winced immediately has the pain from his side shot up his body. "Al'ama!" he cried and Rana yelped a little in shock. "Sorry Rana..." he said and slowly stood up, the pain in his leg adding to the pain in his side. All this just added to his frustration; frustration that he was not allowed to work and all the news Eunha dropped on him yesterday. He shook his head. "This is my punishment," he muttered to the empty room. "This is what I get for committing Zina. God is punishing me for this." He looked down to the AAR he was just writing and chuckled darkly. "You seemed to be punished too Captain, for your own fornication." Sulayman had thought that Captain Se'Lai and Captain Bishop were married, but her outburst in the mission last night had proven otherwise. "Why are you punished by death, and I not?" he mused as he stood up, placing his PADD on the table. "Surely...surely Zina is not that bad of a sin, that you are possibly dead for it. If so...was I meant to have died yesterday?" he walked to the window and took his shirt off in a well-practised motion and stood in the light of the stars looking at the bandage around his waist. "If God had written that I was to die yesterday, then nothing would have stopped it. I am alive because God wants me alive. I can repent...Captain Bishop...if you are dead...then you cannot." Sulayman stood looking at the stars. His mind raced. "How is this fair?" he suddenly roared. "How is it fair that I am allowed to live and repent and he is not?" He turned and violently kicked his shirt, pulling the bandage off his leg and sending another wave of pain up his leg. He fell sideways into a shelf; his hands flew up to stop his fall. He did but knocked a picture off the shelf. Cursing and bleeding, he stooped down to pick it up but froze when he saw what picture it was; the drawing of him and Eunha that Zee had done. It was perfect in its representation, as is she had taken a picture and stuck it on a canvas. Staring at it, he lifted it up and gently put it back on the shelf. What were they going to do now? What did the future hold for them. If they were even meant to be? "How do I fix this?" he mumbled quietly. "How am I meant to repent?" Sulayman stood and put on his shirt, marching out of the room and to the transporter pad. Transporting to DS13, he went directly to the mosque. Carefully making ablution, he went and prayed, uttering the words he had said so many times before. This time, however, it had his full concentration, his full thought. "All praise is to God, Lord of all the worlds, The most gracious, the most merciful, Master of the day of judgement. It is you alone I worship, and it is you alone from who I seek help, Guide me down the straight path; The path upon which you have invoked your favour, not the one of those who have gone astray. Ameen" After finishing his prayer, Sulayman stood and walked over to the Imam. "Salaam Alaykum, Brother Hakeem," he greeted, placing his hands in the Imam's. "Wa Alaykum Salaam. Sulayman, it is nice to see you again!" "Thank you, Hakeem saab, I have been busy of late." "How is your work? Mashallah, I heard that you completed a successful survey of a star, am I right?" Sulayman nodded. "Yes, I did." "I have been meaning to ask, if you are free on Friday, would you mind leading the Jummah prayer?" Sulayman blinked. Leading Friday prayers was a big honour. "I would love to Hakeem saab, but I can't..." "Why not? Are you busy?" "No..." Sulayman looked away ashamed. "I don't think someone who has sinned can lead Friday prayer..." Brother Hakeem looked at Sulayman. "Sulayman, if we were to look for someone who had not sinned to lead Friday prayer, we would not find anyone. We are humans Sulayman. We all sin, we all fall into temptation. But God is not called the most merciful for nothing. Our ability to know sin, regret sin, and ask for forgiveness is what makes God love us so. You are a learned man. I'm sure you've heard of the hadith where God said to Prophet Muhammed, "And if he comes to Me walking, I will go to him at speed." So walk towards him Sulayman, and do not despair. He knows what is in your heart." Sulayman looked up at Hakeem's kindly face. "I don't know Hakeem saab. I've been struggling to believe God's mercy recently, struggling to believe in the path he's laid out for me." "Sulayman, we all face doubts and we should. You are a scientist, you know you should always question everything. Such is true in Islam too. Questioning your faith is what makes you stronger in it..." Sulayman paused and thought on that. "If you are free Hakeem saab, and I am not taking up your time...can we talk?" he said after a while. "Of course Sulayman...that is what I am here for! Come, I believe the ladies' Quraan circle has just finished, we can use that room; I think they leave behind tea and dates..." he winked at Sulayman and walked off in the direction of one of the rooms. Sulayman followed with a small smile.

Personal Log - Stardate 94210.9

Computer, upload file E/S twenty-four seventeen foxtrot.

File uploaded

Save and end log.

94240.9

Ya Hayati

Oh, love light of my life,

To you I owe my life the world,

Though I have nothing to offer,

But my heart and soul,

Your tantalising beauty,

No words can describe,

Your angelic form moulded from the purest light all that is pure

Never have I deserved you,

A lost soul upon the turbulent seas,

Guided home.

My heart beats your name,

Your love sustaining,

This unworthy body soul.

My life has meaning because of you,

There is no desert I would not cross,

To be with you.

The only thing I need in life is you,

Chasing shadows in the pale moonlight blackened nights,

Without your love.

Your touch quenches this thirsty body, tongue, soul,

And my heart blooms,

Drinking in your love...

Sulayman put down his pen and looked at the picture that was on his desk. It had been a week and yet he missed her terribly. No amount of work could distract him from that fact. Love and worry overwhelmed him. How was she? He had been hesitant to call, fearing news that would beset him with worry. She had not called him either. Like Schrödinger's cat, she was both well and ill, and Sulayman had not the courage to open the box to check. What a great husband he was. He looked at the scribbled mess of words that contained a semblance of a poem for her. The poem was the only thing he could do to take his mind off the pain in his heart. He shook his head. The poem was heavily plagerised. His love couldn't even spur him to write a love poem to his wife. What a great husband he was. Sulayman looked at her face again, and his heart was skewered by pangs of love. Pangs which delivered fear into his bloodstream, like venom. Did they make a mistake by getting married? Did they even know what marriage meant? The commitment? Could they do it? Could he do it? "You already made that commitment when you put a baby inside me," Eunha's voice bounced around Sulayman's brain. But that commitment wasn't even a true commitment. Not until the baby was born. Until then, it was a thing of the future. Marriage. That was now. Eunha was his guiding star in the turbulent waters of life. But had he unfurled his sails too soon, in pursuit of the star? Unfurled the sails in a storm, which was sending him towards the jagged rocks which Eunha had tried to steer him away from? He had rushed into desert of love headfirst and now he was stranded without water. And what was worse, he had dragged Eunha and their unborn child into the desert too. They were all parched, and lost. What a great husband he was. The story fell into place almost instantly. The prophet Ibrahim was told by God to take his wife, Hajar and his first born son Ismail, and leave them in the desert. When the two ran out of water, Hajar ran between two mountains looking for water. That was when an angel came down and created the Zamzam well. This well lead to the city of Makkah being created, the most important city for Muslims. What did Hajar have that Sulayman didn't? Faith in God. Sulayman made up his mind there and then. He was going to go on Hajj this year, the yearly pilgrimage that all Muslims were instructed to do at least once in their lives if they could afford it. He was lucky to have done it several times already, such were the benefits of being born and raised in Saudi Arabia. But he had not been since he enrolled in the academy, around ten years ago. And this year, he had a lot to be thankful for, as well as a lot to seek forgiveness for. Sulayman looked at the picture of his beloved wife again. His fingers acted of their own accord. The connection was instantaneous, as if the person on the other end was waiting for it. "Hey, I was wondering when you'd call," Eunha smiled. "Hey ya hayati. I love you," Sulayman blurted out. Eunha chuckled. "I love you too," "How are you?" Sulayman's fears and worries evaporated as they talked, replaced with the familiar electricity of young love.

Personal Log - Stardate 94289.7

"I'm looking for a new XO and I think you would make a promising candidate," Me? She wanted me as XO? On a ship I only set foot on yesterday? I...I couldn't...so I refused. But maybe... It would have served me well; First Officer on a bigger ship, with more people and more duties. It was an offer I couldn't turn down...but I did. If...if I had received that offer a few months ago, I would have taken it. But now... with my wife, and a family... change is the last thing I need. Or want. Besides, the al-Haytham is my ship. Like me, she's made for science, not war like the Ballestero... Why did she want me? A big ship such as that needs a Commander to take the position of First Officer, not a Lieutenant Commander... and she needs someone who is tactically minded...not me. I don't know... I don't know if I made the right call. I should have consulted with Eunha before I made the decision to turn the offer down. But Eunha's been...distant of late. I don't think she's happy with me...I don't know why. Her morning sickness is just getting worse, she's starting to look a lot paler and she's been more irritable than usual lately. I've tried to be supportive, but everything I do seems to just...make it worse. What am I doing wrong? Why am I such a bad husband? I can't sort out my family life, how the hell does anyone expect me to command a ship? The Captain was wrong... I won't make a good Captain. Not in the shape I am right - A red alert siren can be heard. <C> "Dr Grey to Lieutenant Commander al Firawn," <C> "al Firawn here," <C> "Commander, we need you in sickbay immediately," <C> "I'm on my way Doctor, standby," Duty calls... End log.

94289.7

Sulayman strode through the corridors of the al Haytham, his face illuminated by the flashing red light, his ears ringing with the sound Red Alert siren. His nose wrinkled up as the smell of acrid burning wafted through the air. Something was clearly wrong.

"Out of the way!"

Sulayman turned and then jumped to the side as a hover-stretcher zoomed past him, followed by a nurse. She was running down to the turbolift, away from the medbay. Sulayman eyes caught a glimpse of the stretcher as it whizzed by. It's inhabitant was writhing in pain, his face scorched by what looked like a burn mark. Something was very badly wrong. Sulayman turned and bolted towards the medbay.

The medbay was full to the brim. Nurses and doctors yelled over each other as they scrambled to tend their patients. Even with the expanded medical bay, all the beds were full, and behind him, the badly injured patients were being carted off to one of the other two sickbays on the ship. Dr Kiera Grey stood in the middle, directing. A lady whose age was masked by her youthful face, Dr Grey was calm and collected, a stark contrast to what was happening around her.

"Ensign, she needs two CC's of Melathropaline and a dermal regenerator. No, he's cleared and can be taken back to his quarters, ready his bed for that Commander. Ivaana, I need you to contact DS13 Medical, we'll need some additional doctors and clearance to transport our badly wounded to the ICU. There's no room here, get him down to Deck Five," her eyes fell on Sulayman. "Commander, over here," she beckoned.

Sulayman wove his way around to her, stepping over crouched doctors and moaning patients. "What happened?"

"Explosion on Deck Six. The Biogenic compound Lieutenant Flores' team were studying in Lab 34? It didn't react well to the isoteric tubes and lepton radiation experiment that was going on in Labs 33 and 35. The compound went from 294.5 Kelvin to 7,021.3 Kelvin in less than 0.5 seconds,"

Sulayman winced. "How did that not rip the ship apart?"

"The emergency bulkheads we installed after the last explosive experiment failure kicked in and isolated the labs and the deck. Still, the blast ripped through at least four labs,"

"Casualty report?"

"Two dead, and around thirty-eight injured."

"Where's the Captain?"

Dr Grey did not hesitate to point the Captain out. She was lying on one of the beds, her face cracked and oozing green liquid. "She was doing a spot check in Lab 15 when the explosion happened. She's suffering from huge blood loss and multiple third degree burns. She'll be okay, but out for at least a month,"

"A month?" Sulayman's face drained of blood as he realised what that meant. Dr Grey caught him before he fell, administering a hypo with a flick of her wrist.

"Alright there Commander, calm down," Sulayman blinked up at her, spaced out. "Jesus Christ, Commander, we don't have time for this," she reached up to replicate a glass of water and dumped the entire glass over Sulayman's head. "Commander, you're in charge now, for Christ sakes don't screw up on us now," She let go of Sulayman. He swayed dangerously as if he was about to collapse but he didn't. Instead, he reached up and wiped the water from his face.

"Do you need another hand here?" he mumbled.

"No...we're fine for now. You should take Dhakku and Iter, and do a walk around the labs. See what damage has been done and whether the hull has been compromised. We need to know if we need to dry dock her, or whether we can fix her from orbit,"

Sulayman nodded as the colour began to return to his face. "Keep me updated on the Captain's condition,"

"I will do sir," Dr Grey offered a small smile of encouragement to Sulayman before snapping back to giving orders. "Benzaline, thomoropan and water," she said to a nurse as he wheeled a patient in.

Sulayman picked his way out of the medical bay into the deserted corridor. Turning a corner, and making sure nobody saw him, he hit his head on the bulkhead, cursing slightly, before standing up, straightening his uniform, running a hand through his soaked hair, and returning to duty.

Personal Log - Stardate 94307.1

It feels really odd to be around DS13 and to be on the al Haytham alone. I keep rolling over in bed, expecting Eunha to be there but my arms always cuddle nothing but the empty air. Not so long ago, I enjoyed sleeping alone but now... Now all I want is to have her alongside me. Last night... Last night was magical... Truly magical. It's been too long since Eunha and I have have truly loved each other and last night was a reminder of what love truly is. To be shared together, with the one whom you'd do everything for. Everything else fell into place after that, like she was the string I needed to pull to unravel the knotted mess of my life. Eunha's morning sickness is abating as she nears the end of her first trimester. I stepped up and took command of the al Haytham with little difficulty; assigned a temporary XO, streamlined repairs, requisitioned new crew, finished the damage report and reviewed the science policy on board to make the ship safer and more productive. We all accept the danger of space and science when we sign up, but that doesn't give us the excuse to throw health and safety out of the airlock. Captain V'Lala is still unconscious but stable and recovering well. Everything fell into place and we'll soon be ready to resume normal patrols. Life is making sense again. It was as if God was telling me, Look after your wife, the person you promised before me to serve, honour and love, and I will look after you. Subhanallah. God never goes back on his promise. God never lets me down. All the more reason to make the Hajj pilgrimage this year. Thankfully it's in August so I'll be back before she goes into the final stages of her pregnancy. I can't be away from her when she's about to give birth to our baby... Nothing, not even my job will keep me from being by her side when the time comes. After all she has given me, her time, her devotion, her love... Her womb... I will be with her when she needs me. That's what a husband does... Right? Eunha... I love her. She's my strength when I have none, my heart when I have none, my soul when I have none. She's my beginning and my ending. And I promise her that I will continue to do whatever it takes to make her happy... To be the person she fell in love with, no matter how flawed or useless I am. She's right after all, and I'm not just saying that as the tired cliché of a husband to his wife. I'm saying that through experience. She's hasn't been wrong yet. She did make the decision to marry me after all... That couldn't have been an easy decision... But it was the right one... I promise her.

End log.

//PERSONAL LOG = TEXT ENTRY - TIMESTAMPED: 94350.9//

Ya Hayati - 2 Comforting, your love shrouds me; Gently takes me to my knees, To make me thank the Lord up high, For gifting you, for all my life. My heart, your name it beats; For as long as I live, for you I'll keep, Your love around me, wreathed in heat, Of passion and longing until next we meet. My love, I rush into your arms; Like rain upon the desert palms. Hold me close and never set me free, You are my life, and soul, ya Hayati. ~ S. al Firawn

Personal Log - Stardate 94378.1

The Captain is back, unofficially, which means I'm slowly catching her up with the amusement of the last few days. I'm glad that I have less to work on now, especially since it's Ramadan. But I'm sad too... because the end of my command means I will have to say goodbye to Kuci; Captain V'Lala has told me that there is no space on the al Haytham for an officer of her skill set at the time being.

I wasn't sure how it would turn out, after meeting with Captain Se'Lai, I knew that I needed a First Officer. To bring one in on a temporary basis... I wasn't too sure. None of the other candidates in the book stood out. But she did, and I took a bit of a risk accepting her; she was the exact opposite to me. It turns out that it was exactly what the ship had needed. Within a few days of her being her, the crew just... I don't know... they just... worked. Perfectly. Like a well-oiled machine. Productivity has been through the roof and we've had zero accidents in the last two weeks, which I believe is a record!

Captain V'Lala keeps congratulating me, but I know who the real worker behind the scenes is. Kuci. She did what I could not, and I'm worried that without her, the ship will fall apart again; I've tried to explain this to the Captain, but she refuses to understand, or acknowledge. One of the two.

Like I promised, I will fill in her evaluation and then help her look for a new command. She's a valuable asset and I hope that one day we'll get to work again in the future; her... cavalier style is unorthodox, but it works and works well and hopefully, I'll be to continue to learn from her again soon. She has the makings of a fine officer...

The voice tails off.

Look at me... I sound like a Commanding Officer already. Let's not get ahead of myself. I have much to learn and Kuci bailed me out of a tough situation. I thought I was ready for command... it is evident I am nowhere near ready.

But that's that... oh hey Rana!

There is a bark and Sulayman can be heard cuddling the dog.

Missing Eunha? Yeah, so am I, but we both knew she was going to be busy! Oh... that's what I've forgotten... to tell Eunha that it is Ramadan and I'll be fasting for the next few weeks...

Wow... it's Ramadan already... time flies so quick... and not only that, we're already three days in. I spent the last Ramadan at home, in between trips to the court-martial for the experiment failure on the al Haytham. I was with family then. I didn't think I'd be with my own family again this year...

I should probably tell Eunha. It just slipped my mind to tell her; I'm so used to spending it alone, or with people who already know. It's different this time. I would ask her if she'd like to fast, but she's pregnant and pregnant ladies are exempted. Plus it's not her faith, she doesn't have to anyway.

There's a small whine from Rana. Sulayman chuckles.

Oh no, no! Don't worry Rana, you don't have to fast either! I'll come and feed you now and then we can relax! Sound like a plan?

A happy bark.

Good girl!

End log.

Stardate 94391.9

Sulayman quietly crept back into Eunha's quarters, not wanting to wake her. He had just come back from the nightly Taraweeh prayers, special prayers that were exclusive to Ramadan. Since the prayers required the recitation of one part of the Quraan per night, Sulayman was one of the few who led the prayers, since he was a Hafiz and knew the holy book by heart.

Sulayman knew that Eunha would be asleep when he returned and so slid in quietly, not wanting to wake her up. Rana had other ideas though and barked at him as soon as he stepped in.

"Rana! Shhh!" He whispered to the dog angrily. Rana did not let up, biting his trouser leg and tugging him towards the desk. "What is it?" he hissed. Rana merely jumped onto the desk and pawed at the console, whining lightly. Sulayman, his brow furrowed, sat on the seat and pulled open the console. A message popped up.

TO: Sulayman al Firawn

FROM: Layla al Firawn

Sulayman paused. What was it his mother wanted? With a slight trepidation, he pushed open the message. It was short.

Ya Ibni,

How are you and your wife? My love to her and to you. We are all very pleased the awards you were given recently. Both of you do us proud!

Sulayman... your Baba was rushed to the hospital earlier today. He is currently in intensive care, but we are not sure which way he's going to go. They believe it is something to do with his heart.

Call me when you can ya ibni. The rest of us are safe and healthy.

mu'Hibkum,

Sulayman carefully re-read the letter once, then twice, then a final time, his eyes skimming over the part about his father. He felt as if his heart had jumped up to his throat. With shaking hands, he pushed the call button. The console rang once, twice, three times, before failing to connect. Nobody was picking up on the other end.

They won't be at home, Sulayman's brain told him, but none of it registered. His eyes were fixed upon the letters on the message. Baba. Intensive Care. Heart. Sulayman was aware of his own heart beating and suddenly he was terrified. Standing up, he made his way to the bedroom, taking off his clothes in a slow, deliberate fashion and putting his night clothes on. Then he quietly slipped into bed, wrapping his arms around his wife. She moaned lightly and shifted back into him.

"Eunha?" he whispered quietly.

"Mmm?" came the muffled response.

"I... love you..." he said, his voice close to breaking. Eunha turned around to face him. Looking at him, she understood at once and wrapped her arms around him, pulling his head into her neck. Sulayman, for the first time in his life, was glad that she was telepathic. He didn't have to explain anything; she already knew. As he broke down in her arms, Eunha held him close to her. She could feel his pain and knew she could do nothing to ease them but to hold him tight. He needed that. And under all his pain and sadness, Eunha could sense a small amount of gladness that she was there. That was all the validation she needed.