Riker, straightening abruptly to attention, winced involuntarily as a bruised muscle protested. “May I remind the captain that his duty is to remain on the ship in cases of potential danger?”
“Objection overruled, Commander.” After a moment Picard let a smile lift the corners of his mouth. “For one, you’re in no condition to move fast if it becomes necessary. But more to the point—I’ve got the authority to conduct this diplomatic mission. And unless I miss my guess, we’re about to enter the last round of the negotiations.”
“Very well, Captain.” Riker looked unhappy, but Picard had effectively shot down his best arguments.
“In that case—we’ll beam down in twenty minutes. Meeting adjourned.”
They materialized in a deserted corridor in the center of the Governance Complex. Zelk’helvk’veltran pointed to a door near the end of the corridor. “The transmitters are in that room,” it said.
Worf moved forward, phaser at the ready position and flanked by two of his men. Cautiously, he pushed at the door. At first it wouldn’t budge, but with a little more pressure it swung inward. One of the security guards, crouched to make a smaller target, scuttled inside. After a minute he stepped out again, gesturing to Picard. “Captain, come see this.”
The equipment was in ruins, the consoles so thoroughly battered that Picard couldn’t begin to tell which device was which. Broken glass, wires, and fragments of chip matrices covered everything. Of the Jarada who had vandalized the room, there was not a trace.
Troi joined Picard. “That explains why they didn’t answer our message,” she said as she surveyed the wreckage. “There is no way they could have received it.”
“Indeed.” Picard turned toward Zelk’helvk’veltran. “You said you could take us to Zelfreetrollan.”
The Jarada bobbed its head. “There is a high probability that I know where he is hiding. However, we may not be lucky enough to find him there.”
“Show us the way.”
Zelk’helvk’veltran started down the corridor, its claws clicking against the tiled mosaics. The Enterprise security men fell in behind it, phasers ready to stun any Jarada who challenged them. At first their course seemed random, and Picard was unable to tell where they were heading. After five minutes they reached a sloping ramp and began descending. From then on, every time they reached a split in the corridor, Zelk’helvk’veltran chose the downward route.
Twice they met groups of Jarada, crazed individuals who charged them with bone-jarring shrieks. With great glee Worf cut through their ranks with his phaser, leaving mounds of stunned Jarada to clog the tunnels. Picard felt himself grinning as he watched the enthusiasm the Klingon put into protecting his captain.
The corridors twisted and turned, going first in one direction and then another, but always heading downward. It took Picard several minutes to figure out the pattern and realize that they were heading for a location deep beneath the heart of the Governance Complex.
On the lowest level Zelk’helvk’veltran stopped before an unmarked section of the wall. The Jarada tapped against it, its claws beating a complex rhythm against the rough plaster. Nothing happened, and Zelk’helvk’veltran repeated the sequence. Suddenly every light in the corridor went out and Picard heard the grinding of security doors closing behind them. A heavy sweet scent filled the air, and then he lost consciousness.
Picard groaned and tried to open his eyes. The light was like twin spikes jabbing through his head. He slapped his hands over his eyes to block out the painful brilliance. Heat singed the backs of his hands briefly, then unaccountably lessened. Perhaps he wouldn’t be roasted to death today after all.
“Forgive the manner of our bringing you here, Honored Picard-Captain.” Zelfreetrollan’s voice was apologetic. “You have seen the nature of the affliction that troubles our people, and we had to be sure that no one could learn of the entrance to this place.”
“A simple ‘Please don’t tell’ would have been sufficient.” Picard removed his hands from his eyes and was relieved to discover that the light had been reduced to a bearable level. He and Zelfreetrollan were alone in what appeared to be a private sitting room. Half a dozen Jarada-shaped chairs and a few low tables, one of which held a pitcher and some glasses, were the only furniture.
“That technique might work for your people, but it would not have been sufficient for those of my hive who were with you.” He paused, watching Picard examine his surroundings. “Please do not concern yourself for your companions. They are receiving refreshments in an adjoining area while we conclude our business.”
“I take it, then, that you have some proposals that you wish to discuss.” Picard shook his head to clear it. Somehow, his words seemed backward, although he could find no other sensible explanation for Zelfreetrollan’s actions. The Jarada must have something new he wanted to talk about, or he would not have admitted them to his sanctuary.
“Yes. I was told that your doctor has solved the problem that baffled our best minds.” Zelfreetrollan reached for the pitcher and poured two glasses of fruit nectar.
Picard accepted a glass. “Actually, it was a group effort. My people are not that different from yours. They rarely work in isolation.”
Zelfreetrollan waved one claw in a gesture that dismissed Picard’s words as irrelevant. “It is of little importance. I was originally going to trade you back your hive workers as payment in full for that knowledge, as is usually done in these matters. Now, I suppose I will have to convince your next in command that he must release this information in exchange for your lives.”
Ransom? Picard touched his chest, feeling the blank spot where his communicator should have been. With the Jaradan transmitter out of commission, Zelfreetrollan needed their communicators to contact the Enterprise with his demands. The devices were probably somewhere nearby, well protected against any attempt to reclaim them.
Suddenly Picard felt the answers click into place. The Jarada, for whatever reason, could not accept a gift of the medical knowledge and the trace element supplements that Dr. Crusher had prepared for them. They had to have something to trade for them and, he guessed, such hostage exchanges were a standardized ritual among themselves.
Remembering the carvings on the Audience Chamber doors, Picard decided he was on the right track. If their honor would be satisfied by accepting the information and the supplements as a payment to release him and his security team—well, it was without doubt one of the more bizarre transactions of his career. He drew in a deep breath and began speaking.
“First Among Council, as commander of the Enterprise, I will order Commander Riker to give you that information.” He paused, trying to guess how the Jarada was reacting to his words. When Zelfreetrollan said nothing, Picard moved to press home whatever advantage he might have. “In addition, if you will return our weapons and communicators to us, we are prepared to give you three months’ supply of the necessary mineral supplements and our geochemical surveys of this planetary system. With that information you will be able to obtain what you need by your own efforts.”
Zelfreetrollan studied him for so long, nervous sweat started crawling down Picard’s back. If he had guessed wrong, if the Jarada were playing by a different set of rules, they were all doomed. Finally, the Jarada nodded its head. “There is one final condition to which you must agree. This is the most important condition of all.”
Picard clenched his hands on his thighs, fighting not to show any reaction to seeing defeat loom again after he had gotten this far. “And what is this condition, First Among Council?”
The Jarada sipped his nectar while he looked Picard up and down, much as he would have examined a laboratory slide of an unpleasant disease organism. “After due consideration, my people have decided that we do not wish to be involved with your people or your Federation. You must promise that you will leave our planet and that your Federation will not disturb us again.”
“If that is your wish.” Picard let out a huge sigh. “My superiors w
ill expect me to ask you to reconsider your decision, but I think we both know how effective that will be.”
“Indeed we do.” Zelfreetrollan hummed a minor chord. He stood and held out a hand toward Picard. Opening his claws, he offered Picard his communicator. “I have come to respect you, Picard-Captain, but my people have no desire to associate with outsiders. If you will request delivery of the items you promised, I will permit you to return to your ship.”
“As you wish.” Picard activated the communicator and relayed his orders to Riker.
“There. That’s the last survey.” Riker shifted the screen so Zarn could read the file header. “Now we have delivered everything that the captain promised.”
The Jarada bobbed his head. “Yes. All the terms of your agreement have been fulfilled.”
Riker leaned back in his chair, moving carefully to avoid aggravating his bruised muscles. “Does it have to end this way?” he asked. “Your people and mine could learn so much from each other.”
Zarn emitted a high-pitched, whistling sigh. “I, too, believe this would be good, but that opinion is not held by the majority of my people. I am bound to serve according to the wishes of my Hive, until such time as their ideas change. That is the way it has always been.”
“If they change their minds, give me a call. I’d like to have a rematch with your musicians when I’m a little better prepared.”
The Jarada clacked his claws together in amusement. “I think they would appreciate that as well. I am glad we were able to rescue your instrument for you from all that confusion.”
Riker stood and reached for the trombone case. “Thank you, my friend. I am grateful for your thoughtfulness.” He bowed, his gesture matching the formality of his words.
“And farewell to you, my friend.” Zarn gave Riker a deep crouch, holding the position until the transporter beam took Riker.
* * *
Six hours later the Enterprise headed out of the Beltaxiyan system after delivering the last of the recovered Jarada to Bel-Minor. Picard relaxed in the embrace of his command chair, grateful to be back where he belonged.
“Do you think we did the right thing?” Riker asked, watching the image of the system dwindle on the viewscreen.
Picard shrugged. “It was what they wanted. It’s not Federation policy to force people to join us if they don’t want to.”
“Still, I imagine Commissioner T’Zen will have something to say about all this when she gets our final report. Kind of makes you glad we’re this far out, doesn’t it?”
Picard groaned. “I’m sure she’ll have plenty to say.” After a moment a smug grin spread across his face. “Which was why I recommended that she be the next person to try negotiating with the Jarada. I’m sure they will appreciate her almost as much as we do.”
Riker chuckled. “That sounds just about perfect.”
“Coming up on safety point for initiating warp drive,” Chang said from the conn.
“Warp factor two. Engage,” Picard ordered with relief. “Take us to our next assignment.”
Look for STAR TREK fiction from Pocket Books
Star Trek®: The Original Series
Enterprise: The First Adventure · Vonda N. McIntyre
Final Frontier · Diane Carey
Strangers From the Sky · Margaret Wander Bonanno
Spock’s World · Diane Duane
The Lost Years · J.M. Dillard
Probe · Margaret Wander Bonanno
Prime Directive · Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens
Best Destiny · Diane Carey
Shadows on the Sun · Michael Jan Friedman
Sarek · A.C. Crispin
Federation · Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens
Vulcan’s Forge · Josepha Sherman & Susan Shwartz
Mission to Horatius · Mack Reynolds
Vulcan’s Heart · Josepha Sherman & Susan Shwartz
Novelizations
Star Trek: The Motion Picture · Gene Roddenberry
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan · Vonda N. McIntyre
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock · Vonda N. McIntyre
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home · Vonda N. McIntyre
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier · J.M. Dillard
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country · J.M. Dillard
Star Trek Generations · J.M. Dillard
Starfleet Academy · Diane Carey
Star Trek books by William Shatner with Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens
The Ashes of Eden
The Return
Avenger
Star Trek: Odyssey (contains The Ashes of Eden, The Return, and Avenger)
Spectre
Dark Victory
Preserver
#1 · Star Trek: The Motion Picture · Gene Roddenberry
#2 · The Entropy Effect · Vonda N. McIntyre
#3 · The Klingon Gambit · Robert E. Vardeman
#4 · The Covenant of the Crown · Howard Weinstein
#5 · The Prometheus Design · Sondra Marshak & Myrna Culbreath
#6 · The Abode of Life · Lee Correy
#7 · Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan · Vonda N. McIntyre
#8 · Black Fire · Sonni Cooper
#9 · Triangle · Sondra Marshak & Myrna Culbreath
#10 · Web of the Romulans · M.S. Murdock
#11 · Yesterday’s Son · A.C. Crispin
#12 · Mutiny on the Enterprise · Robert E. Vardeman
#13 · The Wounded Sky · Diane Duane
#14 · The Trellisane Confrontation · David Dvorkin
#15 · Corona · Greg Bear
#16 · The Final Reflection · John M. Ford
#17 · Star Trek III: The Search For Spock · Vonda N. McIntyre
#18 · My Enemy, My Ally · Diane Duane
#19 · The Tears of the Singers · Melinda Snodgrass
#20 · The Vulcan Academy Murders · Jean Lorrah
#21 · Uhura’s Song · Janet Kagan
#22 · Shadow Lord · Laurence Yep
#23 · Ishmael · Barbara Hambly
#24 · Killing Time · Della Van Hise
#25 · Dwellers in the Crucible · Margaret Wander Bonanno
#26 · Pawns and Symbols · Majliss Larson
#27 · Mindshadow · J.M. Dillard
#28 · Crisis on Centaurus · Brad Ferguson
#29 · Dreadnought! · Diane Carey
#30 · Demons · J.M. Dillard
#31 · Battlestations! · Diane Carey
#32 · Chain of Attack · Gene DeWeese
#33 · Deep Domain · Howard Weinstein
#34 · Dreams of the Raven · Carmen Carter
#35 · The Romulan Way · Diane Duane & Peter Morwood
#36 · How Much For Just the Planet? · John M. Ford
#37 · Bloodthirst · J.M. Dillard
#38 · The IDIC Epidemic · Jean Lorrah
#39 · Time For Yesterday · A.C. Crispin
#40 · Timetrap · David Dvorkin
#41 · The Three-Minute Universe · Barbara Paul
#42 · Memory Prime · Gar and Judith Reeves-Stevens
#43 · The Final Nexus · Gene DeWeese
#44 · Vulcan’s Glory · D.C. Fontana
#45 · Double, Double · Michael Jan Friedman
#46 · The Cry of the Onlies · Judy Klass
#47 · The Kobayashi Maru · Julia Ecklar
#48 · Rules of Engagement · Peter Morwood
#49 · The Pandora Principle · Carolyn Clowes
#50 · Doctor’s Orders · Diane Duane
#51 · Enemy Unseen · V.E. Mitchell
#52 · Home is the Hunter · Dana Kramer Rolls
#53 · Ghost-Walker · Barbara Hambly
#54 · A Flag Full of Stars · Brad Ferguson
#55 · Renegade · Gene DeWeese
#56 · Legacy · Michael Jan Friedman
#57 · The Rift · Peter David
#58 · Faces of Fire · Michael Jan Friedman
#59 · The Disinherited · Peter David
#61 · Sanctuary · John Vornholt
#62 · Death Count · L.A. Graf
#63 · Shell Game · Melissa Crandall
#64 · The Starship Trap · Mel Gilden
#65 · Windows on a Lost World · V.E. Mitchell
#66 · From the Depths · Victor Milan
#67 · The Great Starship Race · Diane Carey
#68 · Firestorm · L.A. Graf
#69 · The Patrian Transgression · Simon Hawke
#70 · Traitor Winds · L.A. Graf
#71 · Crossroad · Barbara Hambly
#72 · The Better Man · Howard Weinstein
#73 · Recovery · J.M. Dillard
#74 · The Fearful Summons · Denny Martin Flynn
#75 · First Frontier · Diane Carey & Dr. James I. Kirkland
#76 · The Captain’s Daughter · Peter David
#77 · Twilight’s End · Jerry Oltion
#78 · The Rings of Tautee · Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch
#79 · Invasion! #1: First Strike · Diane Carey
#80 · The Joy Machine · James Gunn
#81 · Mudd in Your Eye · Jerry Oltion
#82 · Mind Meld · John Vornholt
#83 · Heart of the Sun · Pamela Sargent & George Zebrowski
#84 · Assignment: Eternity · Greg Cox
#85-87 · My Brother’s Keeper · Michael Jan Friedman
#85 · Republic
#86 · Constitution
#87 · Enterprise
#88 · Across the Universe · Pamela Sargent & George Zebrowski
#89-94 · New Earth
#89 · Wagon Train to the Stars · Diane Carey
#90 · Belle Terre · Dean Wesley Smith with Diane Carey
#91 · Rough Trails · L.A. Graf
#92 · The Flaming Arrow · Kathy and Jerry Oltion
#93 · Thin Air · Kristine Kathryn Rusch & Dean Wesley Smith
#94 · Challenger · Diane Carey
Star Trek: The Next Generation®
Metamorphosis · Jean Lorrah
Vendetta · Peter David
Reunion · Michael Jan Friedman
Imzadi · Peter David
The Devil’s Heart · Carmen Carter
Dark Mirror · Diane Duane
Q-Squared · Peter David
IMBALANCE Page 25
