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DeSoto leaned over and whispered to Morrow as they approached the door to the huge chamber, “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”

Morrow nodded. DeSoto’s support had been very helpful. Morrow knew the man’s war record-the Hood had suffered a great deal during the Dominion War-but DeSoto showed no signs of wear and tear. He was friendly and affable, and just the person to keep the Trinni/ek-who were apprehensive about their second trip to Earth-from worrying overmuch.

If only it worked on me.

As they entered, Morrow noticed that the room was packed. Most of the hundred and fifty-four councillors seemed to be present, seated on either side of the large pathway in the center of the room. President Bacco stood at her podium, smiling. In the back of the room, the gallery was packed with reporters, civilians, some government staffers-

- including Esperanza, who smiled at him as he entered.

Morrow hadn’t expected to see her here, but he was glad for it. He was really growing to like the chief of staff.

“If you start drooling, it’ll be real embarrassing,” DeSoto whispered to him.

Trying to keep his dignity, Morrow whispered back, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Right. Those diplomatic skills may need a little refining there, Colton.”

Morrow said nothing, as Ytri/ol came to a stop at the center of the speaker’s floor.

Bacco said, “The podium recognizes the delegation from Trinni/ek, as well as Federation Ambassador Colton Morrow and Starfleet Captain Robert DeSoto.”

“Thank you, Madam President.” Ytri/ol’s voice sounded even weaker than it had on the Hood. “First, I must-I must offer the humblest apologies to the people of the Federation for the rather-embarrassing display that my staff and I put on in this-in this building three months ago.”

I don’t like the way he sounds. Morrow shot a look of concern at DeSoto, who returned it. They both started to inch closer to the speaker.

“We very-very much- ” The speaker’s breathing was becoming labored now. “- wish to-to open- “

Three of the delegates collapsed. A gasp shot through the room even as DeSoto ran to the one who fell first.

“I’m sor- ” Ytri/ol wasn’t able to get the word out before he, too, collapsed, as did the final aide.

Slapping his combadge, DeSoto said, “Medical emergency in the council chambers, five Trinni/ek have collapsed, repeat, five Trinni/ek have collapsed.”

The guards at the door were also summoning people. Nobody would be beaming in, Morrow knew, as the chambers were shielded against transporters.

Moments later, six people in Starfleet uniforms ran in, and Morrow recognized one of them: Dr. Catherine Papadimitriou, the chief medical officer on the Hood. The other five were navigating gurneys into the chamber. Moments after that, two more people entered, both dressed in blue lab coats emblazoned with a caduceus, indicating that they were also medical personnel.

“Somebody talk to me,” President Bacco said after a tense moment as two doctors examined the five Trinni/ek forms with medical tricorders while the others assisted.

The civilian, a Rhandaarite male, said, “I’m not sure what to make of this.”

“I am.” Papadimitriou had been kneeling by Ytri/ol, but now she stood and addressed the podium. “Something has shut down their peripheral nervous systems.”

The other doctor sounded dubious as he asked, “How can you be sure?”

“I can’t-but that’s what the indicators are based on, from what I’ve studied of them on the way here from the Hood.” Papadimitriou turned back to the podium. “Madam President, the best nearby medical facility is on Starbase 1. Request permission to transport the patients there.”

Bacco, to her credit, didn’t hesitate. “Go.”

Morrow and DeSoto helped the others load the five patients onto the gurneys, as did the guards. As they did so, the Rhandaarite said, “Are you sure they’re safe for transport?”

“Transporting has no effect on the nervous system.” Papadimitriou didn’t look up from her tricorder as she spoke.

“Of most humanoid species,” the Rhandaarite said. “They beamed down right before they collapsed.