Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [12]
“So we steer clear of the mountain,” Riker said, “and try to keep the natives from equating us with the Clarion crew. It’s probably best to avoid contact with the Elysians, but it may be impossible to prevent it. I suggest that everyone who beams down be capable of passing as Elysians. If we are questioned we can claim to be from a different habitat.”
“Mr. La Forge, I’m afraid Commander Riker is right,” said Picard. “You’ve seen the records: Elysians look much like humans, and certainly do not have the technology to comprehend an android, or even your VISOR. There is no response to our attempts to communicate with them from here. If it weren’t for the danger these gravitational anomalies pose to travel through this quadrant, we wouldn’t go near the native settlements at all.”
“Captain,” Worf said, “I believe there is an easier way to prevent the Elysians from equating our away team with the Clarion crew.”
“What do you suggest?” the captain asked.
“Send Data, Geordi, Thralen, and me.”
Pulaski broke into a moment’s laughter, but controlled herself at Picard’s stern glance. “You have to agree, Captain,” she said, “Lieutenant Worf is absolutely right.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” the Klingon replied.
“It’s perfect!” Geordi exclaimed. “My vision, Data’s ability to accumulate information, Lieutenant Thralen’s knowledge of sociology to help us with local customs, and Worf for security.”
Picard shook his head. “I’ll consider you four as a secondary team. However, I believe Commander Riker’s plan to avoid contact with the Elysians is preferable. If you four were seen, even from a distance, the natives would certainly investigate.
Mr. Thralen, do we have any indication as to whether the Elysians intended to send away all strangers, all humans, all Starffeet personnel, the crew of the Clarion in particular … ?” He stopped, a raised eyebrow asking the Theskian to choose an option or provide one of his own.
“No, sir,” Thralen replied calmly, in the clear, sibilant tones characteristic of his race. The Theskians were related to the Andorians, with similar slender physique and high-strung nervous energy, but culturally they were far more gregarious. The deepening of blue coloration in his face and the slight quivering of the curved antennae which thrust up through his furlike yellow hair indicated Thralen’s frustration. “It 34 is not even clear whether the Elysians grasped the fact that the Clarion crew came from off the planet. The proscription could apply to any strangers. On the other hand, it may no longer be in effect-the presentday inhabitants may know nothing about it.”
The captain rubbed his chin, then nodded. “We’ll proceed with our original plan, and go to Mr.
Worf s, in a different habitat, if the away team encounters hostility.”
“Although I agree that we should not seek contact with the Elysians,” added Counselor Troi, “their habitats are quite small. Encounters with the natives may be unavoidable. Therefore I volunteer for the away team to act as liaison.”
Picard nodded. Argyle from Engineering and Johnson from Security were chosen to fill out the team.
“One final note,” the captain added. “If we discover that the Elysians or whoever keeps them here in such an obviously artificial environment has control over those gravitational anomalies, we still must not violate the Prime Directive.”
“What will we do in that case, Captain?”
Pulaski asked. “Nothing,” Picard answered.
“Absolutely nothing except to record every bit of information, close this space lane to all traffic, and refer the problem to the Federation Council.”
“And if the surges turn out to be a natural phenomenon?” the doctor asked. “I can’t answer that until we know, one way or the other,” Picard replied. “So far as we can tell, the surges don’t affect life dison the planet’s surface.
If the populace appear to be in danger, then we