Ghost of a Chance - Mark Garland [46]
"They have delegates who convene to form a governing council, which makes the laws and supports several regional chiefs," Tuvok said. "Nan Loteth, I believe, is one of the delegates."
"It reminds me of the Five Nations," Janeway said.
Tuvok looked at her. "I do not believe I am familiar."
"The Iroquois Confederation," Janeway said. "A self-governing Native American coalition of sorts. It guaranteed peace and cooperation over an entire region. The framers of the early American Constitution drew heavily upon the Indians' ideas."
"I'll bet Chakotay would have gotten a kick out of this conversation," Kim said.
"When we see him, we'll tell him about it," Janeway answered.
"In the meantime, we have to find a way to make that possible.
The Televek are the key. I'd like to go poke around their cruiser, see what kind of shape it's in, maybe get some idea just what they're up to."
"I can tell you that." Nan Loteth had apparently heard much of their conversation.
"Then tell us," Janeway prodded, "please."
"They want to steal the spirits of our ancestors. They have come for the Jun-Tath."
Tuvok cocked his head. "How do you know that?"
"I saw it in a vision. The spirits themselves have shown me.
That is the most important reason for your being here, I think.
You are not here for us alone. You are to help us save the Jun-Tath from the demons."
"But how could anyone steal a ghost?" Kim wondered.
"May I remind you, Ensign," Tuvok said, "that these particular ghosts show up on our tricorders, and that their EM signatures are virtually identical to those of the unidentified underground power source?"
"A source they seem inclined to cluster about, and which the Televek cruiser is presently practically on top of," Janeway added.
"So," Kim said, attempting to catch up, "you're saying that if the ghosts are somehow connected with the energy source, and if the Televek are after that source, then in effect they are after the ghosts."
"A logical assumption," Tuvok agreed.
Janeway nodded. "That's what I was thinking. Which is why we need to learn more about their plan and its progress so far."
She faced Nan Loteth. "You must take us to the Televek demons' sky-boat," she said, "as soon as possible."
"Very well," came the Drenarian's answer, followed by a shrug.
"But first you will eat."
They arrived just then at a merchant's stall. A tarp covered a street-facing table full of foods. A young female Drenarian stood on the other side, smiling. Janeway was handed something that reminded her very much of a sweet potato. She started to peel it, but the young woman minding the booth told her to leave the skin on.
"Its slight bitterness counters the sweetness," the woman explained.
Then she handed over a bowl of brownish sauce thick with floating herbs, and waved them toward it. The captain dipped the tuber into the sauce and took a cautious bite, remembering the water. She was pleasantly surprised.
"Ah, good!" the Drenarian woman said when she saw Janeway's smile.
She then gave the captain a small loaf of very dark bread into which large chunks of sweet fruit had been baked.
"Kim, remind me to have Neelix talk to these people," Janeway said, talking with her mouth full. Ensign Kim seemed to understand completely.
As she was washing the meal down with a sharp but palatable milky juice, a third tremor, much more violent than the others, rumbled up through the rock beneath their feet. It shook the landscape and rattled the booth's sturdy table, then rattled Janeway's teeth. This quake was felt more than seen. It was not as severe as the first one, but the tremors seemed to be coming closer together now. She put the empty juice cup down and turned to her host.
"These earthquakes represent a great danger," she told him, thinking it time. "They're the result of a larger problem, one you may not be entirely aware of. Your world is apparently re-forming itself,