Ghost of a Chance - Mark Garland [12]
It was worth a try, she thought. These aliens had to know something about what was going on down on that planet, and they had to know she was aware that they knew.
She waited for their reaction. The wait was a long one. Janeway began to pace a few steps away from Chakotay, followed closely by Neelix, whose continued silence was for him commendable. Then she turned, waited for Neelix to get out of her way, and walked back.
"Captain," Neelix said softly, "I was going to say--" "It was just a matter of time, Mr. Neelix," Janeway said. "Now, do you know anything about them?"
"I think so."
"Captain," the alien voice said at last. "You bring up an interesting point. That is, in fact, precisely what we are here for as well, to investigate the planet's unusual geologic disturbances and possibly to offer aid to the planet's inhabitants... if necessary. We only fired upon you because we thought you were going to attack us. We've never seen a ship like yours."
"Understood," Janeway said. "Please stand by." Again she signaled the channel mute. "Finish what you were going to say, Mr. Neelix," she told the short alien still beside her.
"I have been trying to do just that," Neelix said with minor indignation. "They are a very old race, these Televek. A rather... hmm, unsavory lot, you might say."
"Go on," Chakotay urged him.
"Their past endeavors have included slave trading and piracy, and worse, I'm told. Though in more recent times they have become very well known in this quadrant as weapons brokers. Dealers in death."
"Parasites that feed off hostilities among others," Janeway said, characterizing them.
"And encouraging them, I believe," Neelix added. "Good for business."
"The truth is, their kind are often necessary," Chakotay suggested.
"Where do you think outlaw resistance fighters like the Maquis got most of their weapons from?"
"These particular traders are not known for their scruples, Commander," Neelix went on. "They frequently sell to both sides in a conflict, or to all sides, raising the level of weapons technology little by little, and usually escalating the death toll in the process."
"Until their customers annihilate themselves completely," Paris said, shaking his head.
"Those practices could indeed generate many enemies," Tuvok suggested.
"Which might make them a little touchy," Janeway agreed.
"They are known to be very secretive," Neelix said. "I have never actually met one of their kind, or done business with them, I assure you. But as I understand it, they normally deal only through specially trained advocates."
"Captain," Tuvok said, "if I may make a suggestion."
Janeway nodded.
"Lieutenant Torres has just informed me that an EPS submaster flow regulator will be needed to restore the phasers. It will be extremely difficult to fabricate one from scratch. Since the Televek are apparently arms and technology merchants, and since they obviously have phaser technology, it is possible they may be able to assist us."
Captain Janeway had long relied on Tuvok for sage advice in all manner of situations. He had a knack for determining the most reasonable means to proceed, even when there seemed to be none.
Again she found herself looking at him with rapt regard. His idea was extraordinary at first take, but intriguing nonetheless.
"So you're suggesting we try to do business with them?" Chakotay said, eyeing the Vulcan curiously.
"We need what they likely have," Tuvok said. "It is logical, and possibly in everyone's best interest, to assume a replacement valve could be procured from them and then modified to fit our systems."
"I like it," Janeway said, thumbing her chin as she considered it further.