[Randallw]

It was a bright sunny day in Jo’Kara city. Many Bajoran families had taken the opportunity to get out into the sun, going to the neighbourhood temple or the nearest marketplace. A handful of Bajorans however instead hid themselves away from the sun. To them it was too important that their gathering not be witnessed, or at least it was important to the one who had called them all here.
“I’m telling you, the Founders are not the Prophets!” exclaimed Teris Surin, the impromptu leader of the hidden gathering, his voice echoing in the cellar.
“.but Kai Baren says…” replied one of the group
“I don’t care what the Kai says” interrupted Surin. The group was shocked. It was inconceivable that any one would doubt the spiritual leader of the Bajoran people. The group had chosen to meet here, in this dank, barely lit cellar, at Surin’s request as they were all his friends. Some of them began to wonder if it had been a wise choice.
“The Kai says he found proof in the ancient texts to support his announcement, correct?” continued the impromptu leader.
“Yes, I was in the temple when the Kai made the announcement” replied Garis Kar, standing at the front of the group facing Teris. “I saw with my own eyes the Prophets emissary appear in a hail of light at the Kai’s side”
“I looked further into the texts and the Kai is wrong, these so called emissaries aren’t from the Prophets!”
“Why would you look further once the Kai made his announcement?” spoke up another Bajoran.
“Does it not bother you that these emissaries come to us to trade for resources? Every month more and more of our minerals, produce and energy is taken by them. I ask, what need have the Prophets for such wordly goods?”
“The ways of the Prophets are beyond our comprehension” answered Kar.
“Yes, and to aid my comprehension I delved deeper into the histories. I searched the ancient texts at the library in Janiza province, and what did I find? Records describing these Jem’Hadar and their Vorta”
“The Kai quoted the same texts. There is no doubt that the emissaries match the description of the Prophets servants” explained Kar “The Jem’Hadar serve their gods, gods that match descriptions of the Prophets taking Bajoran form”
“But in these ancient texts I found information saying that the Jem’Hadar gods, these Founders, opposed the Bajoran people in the past. It was with the help of people from other planets that they were defeated”
“We are all aware of such fairy tales. Such stories of ships in space are only fit for children” Kar admonished Surin. Surin held up a hand silencing Kar. Turning about he pulled out a wrapped package nearby. Carefully he unwrapped the package and to the groups dismay they could see the book was ancient.
“It is forbidden to remove the ancient texts from the libraries” someone spoke up.
“I took this book from the library in Janiza, so that you could see with your own eyes the proof of my words”
Surin explained.
“I don’t think that was wise Surin” Kar spoke up “What if the temple guards catch you?”
“What if many things, what if my accusations are correct. Every day the Vorta emissaries ask more and more from us. Please, just read what I have found. For the sake of our friendship”
“Very well, but the book must be returned. I can just imagine how much damage the conditions here must be doing the longer you hide it”
“Thank you” answered Surin “ I promise you I am right. We must act or I fear we are doomed to be conquered much as the Pah’Wraiths “ at which every Bajoran made the sign of the Prophets to ward off evil “ and their servants, the Adasians, once ruled us”