Akorem Laan

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In the fictional Star Trek-universe, Akorem Laan was a male Bajoran poet who lived during the 22nd century (Earth calendar), and was considered one of Bajor's greatest poets. His work, Gaudaal's Lament, would be something Bajoran schoolchildren would learn by heart.

In the Bajoran year 9174, Akorem departed Bajor in a lightship. His vessel was damaged in an ion storm, and drifted into the Denorios Belt, where he opened the Bajoran wormhole and entered the realm of the Prophets, who healed his injuries. They then returned him to the Alpha Quadrant in 2372, two hundred years later, in order to ensure that Benjamin Sisko remained as their Emissary. Upon emerging from the wormhole, Akorem believed himself to be the Prophets' Emissary; his presence allowed Sisko, who had grown weary of being the Emissary, to give up the role. However, Akorem believed in the d'jarra caste system that Bajor had used prior to the Cardassian occupation, intending to bring it back to Bajor.

Despite knowing this massive change in Bajoran society would prevent Bajor's entry into the Federation (as caste-based discrimination is not permitted in the Federation), Sisko stepped aside; it was only when Vedek Porta killed a man for not following his d'jarra that Sisko realized he must intervene. Akorem and Sisko entered the wormhole together, where the Prophets revealed that Sisko was their true Emissary. Akorem's presence in the 24th century was for Sisko's benefit: to convince the captain to accept his own role as Emissary. The Prophets then returned Akorem to his own time.

One minor temporal paradox resulted from this action: in the prior timeline, Akorem's greatest work, The Call of the Prophets, was left unfinished after the twelfth stanza; but upon his return, Akorem finished the poem - something Kira Nerys found confusing, as her memories of the incomplete poem remained. As Sisko put it, "The Prophets work in mysterious ways." (see Accession (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine))

Akorem Laan was played by actor Richard Libertini.