Ghost of a Chance - Mark Garland [17]
You must understand, the Televek deal in the finest, and often the newest, technologies in many a sector, especially defensive technologies. Therefore--" "And these are offensive technologies, perhaps?" Neelix said, apparently unwilling to let this last pass unchallenged.
"As the premier merchants in their field, the Televek offer a full range of merchandise," Jonal said in answer.
"And why shouldn't they?" Mila proposed, using an almost pleading tone. "What right does anyone have, after all, in a universe such as this, to pass judgment on others without true knowledge of their circumstances?"
"Agreed," Chakotay said, seeming eager to hear the rest. "Please go on."
"Yes, please," Janeway concurred, leaning forward.
"Their position makes them the focus of many races' attention, and for many reasons--from all manner of agreements and disagreements to outright piracy," Jonal said. "This can produce complications. Not everyone is willing to pay a fair price, for example."
"Yes," Tassay added, folding her slender hands almost prayerlike in front of her. "You see, some races will stop at nothing to get the technologies they desire."
"Furthermore, each time the Televek honor a contract, they make friends, and enemies," Mila said. "Some enemies have been known to carry a grudge. It happens often enough."
"So I hear," Neelix remarked, not quite under his breath. All three of the advocates stared silently at him.
"This is very interesting," Janeway said honestly, "but I still find their aggression toward this ship, a vessel they admit was unknown to them, a bit disturbing. I might be willing to overlook it, but I would like to know more about what the Televek are doing here, in orbit around Drenar Four. If their only purpose is to help the primitive population below, then I am curious as to what interested them in this planet, or those people, in the first place."
"We'd also like to know what other terms Gantel had in mind," Chakotay added, watching the visitors carefully.
"We want only what is best, of course," Jonal replied.
"And reasonable," Tassay said, again speaking to Chakotay. The two of them sat looking at each other for a moment, as if the conversation had momentarily ceased to matter.
A passionate people, Janeway thought, not at all certain she liked the idea, though she found it harder to object to Jonal's apparent fascination with her.
"We understand your concerns," Jonal assured her. "We would be happy to answer all of your questions, and then we hope you will answer some of ours. The Televek can supply your people with almost anything they might need to get you up and running again, I am sure. And you may have a great deal to bargain with. At the same time, your ship and your technologies are new to them and, frankly, quite fascinating."
"Our technologies," Janeway repeated.
At that Jonal seemed to stop in spite of himself. "Of course," he went on, as he glanced about the room. "I'm sure you can understand. After all, your vessel is unique in the Televek's experience. It is along those lines that they are most interested in what you intend to offer them."
Janeway had been waiting for this. They seemed a sincere and malleable bunch, these Drosary, but she had the distinct impression she was about to haggle with a polished salesman, perhaps a team of them. She didn't have a great deal of experience in that field, but nearly all negotiations, like first contacts, were based on a number of common principles, and she had read more than one period novel that dealt with the subject.
The best approach to such a dilemma was to carry very little currency in any one pocket--but to bring plenty of pockets.
"We can offer you certain medical techniques and technologies that I'm sure you would find most valuable," Janeway said.
"We have excellent medical science," Mila responded, a flat statement of fact.
"We can also arrange to let you download most of the contents of our library," Janeway continued, smiling