Double Helix 06_ The First Virtue - Michael Jan Friedman [15]
Soft, muted colors were the rule in every aspect of the decor. Pale blues, delicate greens and purples seemed to dominate, but there was a hint here and there of a metallic hue such as silver or gold. Still, the overall effect was profoundly soothing.
Even the chamber’s walls were constructed of sound-absorbing materials. And its thick carpeting was designed to feel soothing to the feet-for those diplomats and observers who had such appendages.
Picard smiled appreciatively. It was a wise collection of decorating choices for a chamber in which so many disparate voices were liable to argue over so much.
However, it wasn’t just the decor that impressed the captain. Plainly speaking, the place was enormous. It easily sat the several hundred Benniari, Melacron, Cordracites and other interested species who were taking their seats for the morning’s peace talks-including a few avian visitors who perched on pedestals of native woods along the walls.
The captain was impressed with the power and ingenuity of the Benniari’s vision. It was for good reason, it seemed, that they were known all over the quadrant for their sensibilities in art, architecture and music.
“Some place,” commented Ben Zoma, who had accompanied him there along with Commander Crusher and Ensign Tuvok.
Picard’s first officer was dark and lanky with a rakish smile. He had a way with women the captain couldn’t help envying and loved a good joke, but was all business when he had to be.
“Indeed,” said Picard
Jetaal Jilokh, aide to First Minister Cabrid Culunnh, looked up at the captain. At a meter and a half in height, the Benniari was somewhat on the tall side for one of his people.
“Our council chamber meets with your approval?” he asked, his Benniar voice soft and breathless to human ears.
Picard nodded. “Very much so.”
“I am pleased,” said Jilokh. He looked about the room with what was clearly a flush of pride. “Bom the Melacron and the Cordracites were extremely generous in donating funds to build this hall. However, the design is strictly a Benniar invention.
“Before it was built,” the aide went on, “the sector was headed for war. Despite the obstacles, which were many and varied, we managed to craft a foundation for peace within these walls… a foundation that until recently seemed as solid as bedrock.” He shook his head with obvious sadness. It was an oddly human gesture, the captain thought
“Unfortunately,” Jilokh concluded, “that foundation is proving to be as fragile as blown glass.”
“But that’s why we’re here,” the captain said assuringly. “To see to it that that foundation becomes rock-solid again.”
Jilokh looked at him. “Of course,” he responded. With a claw-like hand, he gestured to the two-level speaker’s platform at the other side of the chamber. “Let us proceed. The First Minister awaits us.”
The universal translator built into Picard’s communicator badge translated the Benniari’s voice as thin and reedy. That, combined with his typically Benniar appearance-evocative of a small, furry Earth animal known as a koala bear-might have made those who didn’t know his people dismiss them as docile and ineffectual.
The captain, of course, knew better. “By all means,” he told Jilokh, “lead the way.”
Turning to face the speaker’s platform, the Benniari trundled down the chamber’s central aisle with a rocking gait. Picard and his people followed, glancing with curiosity at the assembled delegates as more and more of them filled the chamber.
The captain noted the presence of not just Melacron, Cordracites and Benniari, but Denesthians and Shera’sha-sha and Banyanans as well. There was even a Thallonian official, a tall, poised individual dressed in expensive-looking clothes that marked him as a man of high station.
He met Picard’s gaze and their eyes held for a moment Then the Thallonian nodded cordially and took his seat.
Commander Crusher leaned closer to the captain. “Seems