CREWMAN JERADDO. MEDICAL ASSISTANT. U.S.S. BRISTOL NCC-81299 NEBULA CLASS

"Crewman Jeraddo."


"aye sir?"

"You have been in Starfleet for 2 years, 3 months and 16 days. Why do you regularly disobey the standard dress code?"
"Oh, the earring? I've noticed a few of the Bajoran crew wear theirs on duty so I thought it was okay for light duties."
"You are mistaken, while Starfleet does make special cultural concessions for some. However, jewelry and other religious iconography is prohibited while on duty. This is for health and safety reasons. This you must know crewman?"
"Ah, yes Commander. I will remove it."
"There is also another matter. Your hair and mane."
"Oh? Is it untidy?"
"It's too long. You will report to the ship's Barber before your next shift."
"Excuse me sir. I can trim the mane down but my hair is another matter! It's...It's..Uhh"
"Clarify, Crewman Jeraddo. Is it's length culturally significant to you? Or is it for vanity?"
"No! Nothing like that...It's like a Sihk's beard...kindo of. Or a cat's, or Caitian's whiskers! Yeah, that's a better analogy!"
"So you rely on the sheer volume for balance?"
"Not exactly, but it would be very...uh...Can we just comprimise? I can lose some of it's length and tidy it!"
"You are required to have it cut to the maximum regulated length. There is no comprimise unless you are willing to file a cultural exemption request to Starfleet Command."
"I think I will sir. My hair will grow back after all."
"And then you'll have it cut again. In the meantime, may I ask you a personal question?"
"Yes sir."
"I understand that you have spent 2 years on Bajor and later on Betazed during the Dominion war. Why do you wear the earring?"
"Well, when Doctor Seris took me from Deep Space 9 to Bajor for education and...study, I was exposed to the culture. Being so young as a Zorua, I felt a part of the society as I evolved and learned to speak, read and write. I began to worship the Prophets! It seems strange, not being from this universe, but I do feel a strong connection to them! I even had an Orb experience! Not every Bajoran, let alone an alien. I saw things. Beautiful things; troubling things; past; future. I wear this earring to show my respect."
"Understood. You will still refrain from wearing it or any other items while on duty. Only in your free time Is that understood?"
"Aye Commander..."