Foreign Foes Part 4

Perhaps that is what distresses you. So much hate, so much anger ... and no one to kill.

You are mistaken, Picard.

Zhad burned Kadar with a glare.

Ihave someone to kill.

Not here, Zhad. Not on this planet, and not in Federation s.p.a.ce.

Velex isnt a Federation colony, Urosk countered. It was the first time the Hidran captain had spoken in more than an hour. Riker had expected him to be one of the more vocal delegates, but he hadnt been.

Velex is a Federation protectorate, Picard corrected firmly, and there is a starship in orbit.

With that threat Picard let the anxiety grow. That the delegates werent human didnt matterapprehension showed on every alien face.

Picard began moving around the hall, stalking, closing in on each side as he spoke.

This is the way its going to work, gentlemen. The Klingon Empire will supply an amount of aridium that will be determined and collected by the Federation. On the Hidran side, he said, holding the back of Zhads chair, Amba.s.sador, your government will give the vaccine to us, and when both sides have contributed, they will receive the supplies they need.

Zhad twisted around in his seat.

What is to gain by these talks if we get nothing but the aridium? Will they stop raiding our outer planets mining colonies? Will they continue to hara.s.s our vessels?

I dont know, Amba.s.sador, Picard said frankly, and I truly do not care. I can tell you that you gain your life, and the lives of your people. Your power plants will safely produce the energy your society needs.

And Kadar gains the health of his people, Riker said, a more relaxed thumb over his phasers trigger.

The captain hadnt really needed his help, but two rational voices were always better than one.

Picard nodded.

The Klingons will get the vaccine for a crippling disease that neither kills nor is curable.

We will not consent to this, Kadar said.

They must agree not to attack our mining ships.

Zhad gripped the arms of his chair until his fingers were a bright pink.

The mining ships that destroy the planets of our system! We will not agree unless they arrest all mining!

Enough!

Picard barked, moving back to the head of the table.

The only terms of this agreement have already been stated. The Hidran get the aridium, the Klingons get the vaccine. That is all. It is agreed.

It is not agreed!

Zhad wailed.

You have no right to delegate terms to us, Picard.

Really, Picard! How dare you presume to tell us when we agree To what, Kadar?

Picard asked.

To survive?

Kadar and Zhad exchanged a hateful look, then turned it to Picard. The captain appeared to be struggling to keep a smile from his lips. He had achieved his goal and angered the two parties into working togetheragainst him. They were finally joined in something, Riker thoughttheir resentment of the captain.

You will agree to these terms or the Federation will not help at all, Picard said as his comm badge sounded. He hit it immediately.

Not now, he snapped, and stabbed it back off.

Perhaps the Federations help is bought at too high a price, Zhad hissed.

Perhaps, Picard agreed bitterly.

Perhaps it will take your cities growing dark and your people freezing before you put behind you the prejudice of a war twenty years pa.s.sed.

The captain then spun about toward Kadar.

And perhaps it will take a disease destroying your fleet before you can do the same.

Kadar averted his gaze.

Zhad looked down at his ruby fist for nearly a full minute. Then, in his first calm moment since his arrival on Velex, he said, You seem to leave us without alternative. But let me tell you this, Picard.

You and the Federation have much to learn. You think that because you have had a form of peace with the Klingons for some time that they are like you. You are wrong. You may be worthy of trust, Captain ...

but it is naive of you to think the Klingons are the same.

The amba.s.sador rose slowly, calmly.

I.

suspect you will regret your dealings with the Klingons, Picard. I know I will.

Chapter Three.

IAPPRECIATE THIS , CAPTAIN,.

Barbara said.

Private operations so far out just dont see state-of-the-art equipment.

She gestured to the small cl.u.s.ter of makeshift buildings that made up the Velexian industrial colony.

Except for the ancient meeting hall, they were spa.r.s.e boxy structures, built more for function than form. She gave Riker and Picard the grand tour, all five minutes of it, and diminished her accomplishment at building it all in a weeks time. That wasnt what she was here to do. Anyone, she thought, could dig a hole and pitch a tentcolonies had been popping up everywhere for hundreds of years.

But Barbara was supposed to be investigating the planets native crops, not just starting a colony. She wanted to get past building labs and opening boxes. Shed run into difficulty, and she worried about explaining her problems to those who had hired herat her insistenceto market the Velexian grain.

We set up a few labs with some basic equipment, she said, but resources are tight. Im hoping the reason we cant scan the indigenous flora is because our equipment is inadequate.

Captain Picard looked over the colony as if he himself were scanning it with sensors.

My science department reports that we are unable to scan your grain as well. It may contain some native compounds that evade traditional scans. Commander Data wanted to do a crust/core sample before we left to see if we could isolate the substance.

Perhaps we could work together, Captain?

Were always willing to share our facilities as time provides, Doctor, Picard said.

If your facilities can help me figurethat out, Ill be indebted.

Barbara pointed toward the rolling saffron-colored grain that could be seen at the eastern edge of the camp. Where the dirt path ended, grain began, and ran into the horizon. It waved her forward, stalks of jasmine swaying and calling in the breeze. They paraded down to the edge of the camp, where the field began suddenly, an army of wheat marching to the tune of the wind.

Picard plucked a stalk out of the ground and turned it back and forth in his fingers.

It looks like normal grain. Whats so mysterious beyond the sensor problem?

He handed the tawny stem to Riker.

Hands behind her back, unwilling to touch it herself, Barbara said, Well, it grows in soil that has few nutrients. We tried transplanting on our second day here, to see if it would grow on other planets, in systems closer to the trade routes. It withered and died the next day.

She lowered her voice and glared out at the field.

As far as we can tell, it shouldnt be growing here at all. Nothing should.

Im afraid I havent done my homework, Riker said.

Whats so important about this particular grain?

Everyone wants it, Mr. Riker. I admit I didnt believe the myths and stories myself, but I tried it personally earlier this week. It has the strongest medicinal effects of any unprocessed naturally growing flora ever discovered. When ingested ... well, it has a measurable effect on your health.

You mean it makes you feel better, Riker said.

No, she corrected.

You actually get better. Nothing miraculous that weve found yet, but weve measured some physiological improvements. The effect varies from person to person and species to species.

How does it work?

I honestly have no idea, she said quietly.

Thats why I agreed to host this circus you call diplomacy. I need your computers, Mr. Riker. I need your technicians. I need your a.s.sistance. And if I cant solve this one little problem, Ill need another job.

Im sorry. I hope we can help.

Riker pressed her shoulder and guided her away from the grain. He preferred her spirited smile to the frown that touched her lips now.

We should be getting back.

She nodded and they started toward the meeting hall, three pairs of boots plodding along the gritty stone street.

Captain, I can set up some simulations and tests and leave them running, if youll allow.

Once the initial data is in, Ill return for the feast were having tonight. Despite little to celebrate, Ive been talked into commemorating our first week here. You, the delegates, and any members of your crew who wish to, are welcome to attend.

I appreciate your hospitality, Doctor, Picard said.

It might be just the thing to keep our friends occupied while we await final treaty confirmation from the Hidran government. I only hope the use of our research labs can return the favor to you.

As Riker held open one of the thick wooden doors to the hall and allowed Barbara and Picard to enter, she smiled, that certain kind of glint in her eye again.

Perhaps Commander Riker will return the favor.

Riker flashed his best little-ol-me?

grin.

Whatever I can do ...

Be my escort tonight?

After the slightest nod from Picard, Riker said, Id be honored.

She turned smoothly on a heel, her silver-blond hair swinging softly behind her.

I should be back by three oclock. Anyone here can tell you where my home is. Will you meet me there?

Before Riker had the chance to answer, she was back out the door, and he and Picard were alone.

The captain crossed his arms.

Three oclock is closer to teatime than suppertime, Number One.

Riker shrugged and his brows went up.

Wouldyou argue with her?

Deck twelve.