Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [67]
In the lounge, Data spotted Darryl Adin sitting alone at a table near the viewports, looking out at the stars. While Geordi ordered drinks, Data went over to him, saying, “Sdan will complete the computer repairs in a few hours, and you will be free to go.”
Dare looked up at Data with a sardonic smile. “It doesn’t matter any longer. A message from Brancherion reached us today: as we did not arrive in time, the people we were to train and organize were forced to face their enemies without us. And won. It turns out we were not needed after all.” “Have you another assignment?” Data asked.
“Oh, yes. There is always work for the Silver Paladin. Starlleet won’t be very happy about this one, though.” He pulled a small tricorder from his pocket and inserted a message clip. com”…allyr ship’s security delivered this to me, still scrambled to my code. But Captain Picard has the right to know.” It was a plea from the government of the Samdian Sector for the aid of the Silver Paladin in resisting the Konor. “They are seeking help from everyone who will listen. Will you go to their aid?”
“I hate lost causes,” said Dare, “but I cannot resist a challenge. Problem is, I cannot determine which this is.”
Just then Geordi joined them. He set a tall glass of light brown liquid in front of Data. “Arcturian cider. Guinan suggested you try it, Data. If you don’t like it, there are plenty of other things to try.”
“Thank you, Geordi. Dare-?”
“Oh, join us, Geordi. I’m not keeping this a secret. I’m sure Captain Picard will make a fair decision, after I’ve made mine.”
“What decision?” Geordi asked.
“Whether to let us ride at the Enterprise maximum warp, and arrive when you do, or to drop us off as soon as our ships are repaired, leaving us to trail you into the Samdian Sector by several days.” While Dare brought Geordi up to date, Data tasted the cider. It was tangy-sweet with a hint of some odd but pleasant flavor beneath the fruity essence.
He pulled his attention away from the drink when Dare asked, “What unclassified information can you two give me about this conflict?” Data’s automatic attempt to access still occurred when people asked him direct questions. There was nothing to access.
“All I know is that the Konor are attacking the planet Dacket in the Samdian Sector, apparently without provocation.”
“That information is available on the public news services,” Dare replied dryly.
“I don’t know any more than that, either,” said Geordi. Data had not lost his curiosity with his android body; he was seized with a compelling need to know. “Let us move to a computer terminal,” he suggested.
TenForward was intended for leisure pursuits; however, just across the corridor were smaller recreation lounges complete with terminals. They found an empty one, and Data called up information on the Samdian Sector. It was a trade community of three planets colonized many centuries ago by a single humanoid race. To this day they had only subwarp space travel. They had a thriving culture and trade among their own planets, but did not seek or encourage interaction with the rest of the galaxy. Before the Federation was even formed, the three planets had joined forces to fight off an attempted Klingon takeover. After that, they had been pretty well left alone, as even when the rest of the galaxy developed faster than light travel they were technologically advanced enough to be difficult to conquer, and their planets offered nothing like gold or dilithium to tempt invaders.
Cultures seeking conquest turned to easier pickings, and the Samdians continued to live in peaceful isolation. There were a few pictures, a generation out of date. The few Samdian artifacts the Federation had were confiscated from Ferengi or Orion pirates, who were occasionally successful in attacking Samdian ships on the outskirts of the sector. Such raids were one-time affairs, however; repeated attempts were met by wellarmed resistance.
The three planets always supported one another.
Because of the Samdians” isolationism,