Marooned - Christie Golden [78]
Confusion was plain on Neelix's face, but he did as the Vulcan instructed. When he glanced at the "herries," he gasped and dropped the handful of beetles in horror. "But-but-" he spluttered.
"You see? It clouds the mind, tries to poison you!" cr&Fd Hrrrl. "Evil, wicked creatures!"
"On the contrary," said Tuvok, his eyes on the tricorder's readings. "These beetles are extremely dense nutritionally. There is absolutely nothing harmful about them. If the kakkik urged Neelix to eat them by persuading him that they were a more appealing foodstuff, then we must assume two things: the creature is intelligent, and it is not hostile-possibly even benevolent."
"Furball?" asked Neelix, glancing down at his pet with wide eyes.
"The kakkiks?" echoed Hrrri, his voice a rumble of skepticism.
"Then why isn't our communicator translating its noises?" asked Torres.
"Not every intelligent creature communicates through a verbal process," Tuvok reminded her.
"Given its ability to influence thoughts, it is probably a pure telepath. The sounds it makes are more likely kin to our sighs and other non-verbal noises than to actual speech." He turned to Janeway. "Captain, I believe it is trying to establish a mental link with me."
"Janeway," rumbled Hrrrl, "they have long been mistrusted by my people."
But Janeway was regarding the small creature with narrowed eyes and a thoughtful expression. "That may be, Hrrri. But with all due respect, perhaps you simply misinterpreted a friendly overture as an attempt at mind control. I leave it to you, Lieutenant. Perhaps Furball has some information that could help us."
Neelix looked utterly bewildered, but handed the kakkik to Tuvok. The Vulcan sat on the earth, the little winged creature sitting on its hind legs in his lap. It placed its forepaws on Tuvok's chin.
They waited, quietly. Neelix caught sight of Paris, and turned to Janeway with a question on his lips. Janeway put her finger to her own lips, indicating that he shouldn't break Tuvok's concentration, and Neelix nodded. He moved quickly to Paris's side, knelt, and took his hand. The pleasure on Tom's face, despite his own agony, made Torres turn away quickly in embarrassment. She directed her attention instead to Tuvok.
Emotions flitted across the Vulcan's dark face: pleasure, fear, amusement, determination, all with a rapidity that was startling, especially on Tuvok's normally composed features. His lips moved, but no words came out. Instead, strange murmurings, yips, and crooning sounds issued forth. At last, he broke contact, and Torres noticed that Tuvok stroked the little being gently before tossing it into the air. It at once took flight and hovered about them.
"It is as I suspected," said Tuvok, appearing once again his normal, composed self. "I couldn't even get a name-just an image of wind rippling the water of a still pool. They are native to Mishkara, extremely intelligent and playful, and have been greatly pained by the fear of the Sshoush-shin, whom they believe to be intelligent and whom they know they can help."
"Amazing," breathed Hrrrl, looking with renewed respect on the airborne telepath. "They tried to contact us. We feared their manipulation of our thoughts."
"They are incapable of communicating in any other way. Even with me, the images were not truly coherent, nor did they resemble any language I have ever encountered." He turned to Neelix, who with a last smile for Paris had come up eagerly to listen. "Mr. Neelix, the kakkik-whom I shall call Wind-Overwater for simplicity's sake-is very fond of you. He thinks of you as a beloved pet."
Torres was hard put not to laugh at Neelix's shocked and mortified expression. Even Janeway had to turn away to hide a smile. "But-but-Good heavens," said the Talaxian at last.
"He-for it