Ghost of a Chance - Mark Garland [13]
"Maybe they could think of something," Chakotay suggested.
"From what I've heard, they are quite good at that, Captain," Neelix said. "But I don't recommend you bargain in good faith."
"No?" Chakotay asked.
"No. How can you be sure that they will?"
Janeway nodded at this. "Point taken, Mr. Neelix." She signaled Tuvok to open the channel once more. "Director Gantel, we may be able to work together," she said. "Help each other. An exchange of some kind, a mutually beneficial trade. Would you be willing to discuss such an idea?"
Once again the wait was a long one.
"Perhaps," came Gantel's reply. "We are a reasonable people.
What do you suggest?"
"Captain, we have significant new data on the planet," Tuvok said, leaving it at that, letting Janeway decide whether she wanted to hear it now.
"A moment, again, please," she told Gantel. She made a slashing gesture with her hand, and Kim muted the communication link. "Go ahead," she said to Tuvok.
"Drenar Four is coming apart," Tuvok replied. "The seismic activity is increasing steadily. At the present rate Drenar Four probably will not survive as we know it, and the end will come relatively soon. I've noticed a considerable change in the stability of the planet's magnetic fields as well. They appear to be reorienting themselves."
"If the molten core of the planet is moving about, it would have that effect," Janeway said. She nodded to Kim. The link opened again. "We should be able to agree on one thing at least," Janeway told the Televek director. "The populations on Drenar Four are in grave danger, and we are both concerned about them.
That might be a starting point. What can you tell us about them?"
"Tell you?" Gantel's voice came back.
"Yes. We are reading numerous primitive villages, some large enough to be cities, but we know nothing at all about the inhabitants. Have you made contact with them?"
"Why, no, Captain, we have not. We also know very little about them."
"I see." She paced a moment, then looked up, wishing she had a face to talk to.
"We would like to discuss terms," Janeway told him. "We are hoping you can help us obtain some hardware we require. I'm sure that, in return, we can help you with any relief or rescue operations you are conducting here on Drenar Four."
"Of course, Captain, we commend you for suggesting the idea. You seem a shrewd and reasonable people indeed. But we suggest a meeting to discuss this in more detail. On your own magnificent vessel, if you like. I'm sure there exists a variety of terms we can agree on. We can send a small team of representatives over in an unarmed pod. Will you agree to this? And will you guarantee their safety?"
Janeway looked to Chakotay, found her first officer looking back at her. They both shrugged at the same time.
"We aren't getting anywhere just sitting here," the commander whispered.
That was obvious. "Very well," Janeway said. "We will be waiting, and you have my assurance that your people will not be harmed."
"Mr. Chakotay, you have the bridge," Janeway said as soon as the aliens had signed off.
"Captain," Kim said, then waited for Janeway to look directly at him.
The ensign had not served with her very long, but she had no trouble reading the subtle concern in his expression.
"What is it?"
"There is something else, Captain. I ran it twice to be sure; the interference is pretty bad."
"Go on," Janeway said.
"We've detected a highly advanced stationary power source located several kilometers beneath the planet's surface. It does not match any known configurations."
Janeway quickly made her way to Kim's station and began examining the data for herself. This time Neelix stayed put, apparently content to remain with Chakotay.
"Where?" she asked the ensign. "Display, please."
"On the main continent, under a ridge of foothills just east of one of the largest villages." He showed her the spot on the monitor. She turned to face