Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [17]
“Why should they?” Geordi asked. “These gods of theirs give them a protected environment in which they don’t have to do more than hunt, herd, plow, plant, and harvest to live comfortably. There’s no challenge to them to create a technology.”
“If they did,” Thralen added, “and thereby increased their life spans, they could easily overpopulate these small habitats. I need to go out among them more, Commander,” he said to Riker, “let them get used to me so I can ask questions to determine whether their population is stable, or whether the habitats expand to accommodate an increase.”
They all tried to steer the conversations at the feast prepared for them in such directions, but the Elysians countered every question with a question of their own. The away team would have been completely frustrated had not their instruments given them some answers: Their tricorders and Geordi’s VISOR showed that the village had been expanded over a period of centuries, even though the style and method of building remained the same. “No ingenuity,” Geordi muttered to Data. “Very little variety. Look at the food-about as plain as it ever comes.”
Data nibbled at the food, always interested in trying new flavors, but found nothing of special interest. There was fresh fruit, a grain that had been boiled in water to the consistency of cooked rice, meat roasted over an open fire, and small crystals of a sweet substance produced by a local insect in the same way bees produced honey. But there were no sauces, no spices, not even the concept of blending ingredients into bread or cakes. Plain fare, nutritionally adequate, but uninteresting.
So Data did not take more than a taste of each dish except for the meat, which he did not try. He might not feel the revulsion some of his colleagues did at the thought of eating meat produced by killing animals, but he shared the same ethical considerations. Their hosts were not offended, for Worf and Riker showed no such reluctance. After the meal, things became much more interesting. It seemed that on those rare occasions when there were guests “from afar,” tradition required a ritual ceremony.
Drahanna stepped forward and began: “We welcome you, oh beloved of the gods. Feast with us in praise of the gods who have suffered you to brave the perils of the swamp, an honor few Elysians are granted. Tell us, blessed ones, of your journey to the sacred mountain.”
Riker frowned, clearly trying to decide how best to respond. Troi spoke up for him. “We have not reached the sacred mountain, Drahanna. We have not come near to it.”
“The gods must have further tests for you then,” said the Speaker. “May you prove worthy, and some among you be allowed the challenge when you have completed your arduous journey across the Great Swamp.”
If Drahanna was to be believed, Thralen had guessed right: The gods of Elysia wanted no one attempting to climb their sacred mountain without permission. Unfortunately, it appeared they would find out very little about the gods and their relationship to the mysterious and dangerous power surges by visiting only the Elysian habitats. The “gods” seemed determined to remain hidden.
The away team had already determined to stay the night, as if they were truly weary travelers grateful for rest from an arduous journey. After the conclusion of 49 the ceremony, most of them were led back to their hut, but Data and Thralen (who was too eager to gain more information about this enigmatic culture to be interested in sleeping) stayed behind, and spent the night talking with Drahanna.
By morning they had gleaned a few more facts about Elysia’s gods: each village had a Speaker, who was attuned to the gods; he or she received the messages the gods wanted delivered, which were usually such things as when to begin planting, or to stop hunting a particular animal until it had a chance to repopulate.
When Thralen asked how she received the messages, Drahanna explained that the gods spoke