Dragon's Honor - Kij Johnson [95]
A very good point, Picard admitted. Lu Tung could hardly be expected to marry his daughter to a confessed assassin who was no longer remotely in line for the throne. There seemed no way to unite the warring factions now, unless …
Riker interrupted Picard’s musings. “I hate to bring this up at a time like this, but there’s something you really need to know. It’s about a poker game, which seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“G’kkau ships approaching Pai,” Lieutenant Melilli announced. She looked meaningfully at Data. “They are within range of our phasers, sir.”
Data shook his head. “The Prime Directive remains in effect, until the captain informs us otherwise.”
“It’s a wedding,” La Forge exclaimed. “How hard can it be?”
Data assumed the question was rhetorical, but answered anyway for the good of morale. “Captain Picard did suggest that there were unforeseen difficulties to be dealt with.”
“Can’t we just drop a few more photon mines?” Ensign Craigie asked.
“Not within the boundaries of the Dragon Empire,” Data said.
“Besides,” La Forge added, “I don’t think they’d have any effect on the G’kkau’s engines outside the nebula itself.”
“But we must do something!” Melilli said. Her earring rattled angrily as she spoke with great heat. Data began to understand why earrings were not considered proper Starfleet attire, even though concessions were made to Bajoran officers on account of their religious beliefs.
“Indeed,” he said, “we must do something ex tremely difficult in such a dire situation. We must wait.”
“You won what?” Picard said. He couldn’t believe his ears.
“Er, the planet, sir, and everything on it.” Riker repeated. “It’s a long story, sir.”
“Well, the short version, Number One, is that your planet is in serious jeopardy, and this latest complication does nothing to ease the situation.”
Picard paced in front of the altar, his mind racing to come up with a solution, any solution. There had to be a way to secure the alliance between Lu Tung and the Dragon, and thus fulfill the treaty between the Empire and the Federation, before the G’kkau rendered the entire planet a smoking ruin. All they needed was a wedding… . His head snapped up. “Will,” he said urgently, “how much did you win again?”
Riker looked miserable. “Let’s see, forty-two major properties in the Empire, a brewery dating back three centuries, about fourteen hundred indentured servants, and eleven full households, including wives and concubines. I’ve probably forgotten some of it, sir. And the planet, of course.”
“Of course,” Picard echoed. A plan was forming in his brain. It was a bizarrely convoluted one, but that probably made it perfect for the Dragon Empire. “That should be more than enough, Number One.” He strode decisively to the center of the temple. “Excellence,” he called out, raising his voice. “Everyone? If I can have your attention?”
“What is it, dear Captain?” the Dragon asked. All eyes turned toward Picard.
“A very simple matter, Excellence. I propose a marriage between my esteemed first officer, William Riker, and your granddaughter, the honorable Hsiao Har.”
“What—!” Riker exclaimed. Hsiao Har’s eyes lighted up as she stared at Riker with ill-disguised glee. Beverly and Deanna simply looked confused.
“At ease, Number One,” Picard said. Will’s going to have to trust me on this, along with everyone else. “I believe an exchange of gifts is appropriate at this juncture. As a brideprice fully worthy of the infinite prize of your granddaughter’s hand, Commander Riker offers the planet Pai itself, which he has recently acquired from your son, the former Heir.”
The Dragon’s eyes widened. “Is this true?” he asked Riker.
“On