Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [97]
Troi asked, “If we can find someone who can communicate with you, “soul to soul’ as you put it, would you accept that person as your equal and listen to what he or she has to tell you?”
Certainly. Providence may have created Konor among other races than the Samdians. We would welcome contact with them. Troi turned to Pulaski. “Then there is a chance we may find an ambassador the Konor would respect. I suggest you try Dr. Selar’s Vulcan abilities.”
“She’s not a very strong telepath,” Pulaski said. “That’s why she’s a physician instead of having taken the training to become a Vulcan Healer.” “All Vulcans have enough telepathy and training to broadcast to other telepaths, even if they must touch to do so. We must try, Kate.” “Of course,” Pulaski agreed.
However, although Dr. Selar also received the Konor’s thoughts clearly, she, too, failed to reach him mentally. So did two other Vulcans from among the ship’s families, whom Selar recommended as having stronger ESP than hers.
Data, meanwhile, called up from the computer the names of all crew and family members with high ESP ratings. One after another, they tried to contact the Konor; one after another, they failed in their attempts. When they had tried thirty people of a variety of races, all with the highest ESP ratings, Captain Picard called a halt.
“It’s obvious we’re not going to succeed at this.
Prepare that man to be returned to the planet.”
“Captain,” Worf said, “is that wise?
You heard what he said: his people think all the technological advancements made by non-Konor are theirs for the taking. Now he will report what he has seen here, and the Konor will want starships.”
“They knew of the existence of starships before our arrival, but they hardly have the technology to take them from us, Mr. Worf,” Picard said. “Now,” Worf growled. “What about a generation from now?”
Picard stared at nothing. “We can only hope,” he said, “that by then we shall have found a way to 270 convince them they are not masters of the universe by divine right.” Before beaming down the Konor in sickbay, Picard tried to do just that one last time.
The Konor stared defiantly. This is nonsense. We have proof of who and what we are.
Providence provides. Dacket is ours by right, as (okarn is and Gellesen will be.
Data spoke up. “You have no right to take other people’s lands and property. Might makes right only until greater might comes along.” After the Konor was taken back to the transporter room and returned to Dacket, Captain Picard called a meeting in the observation lounge. “We have now done everything that Starfleet allows,” he explained. “The Samdians have obviously heard of the Prime Directive. They knew we couldn’t fight the Konor for them once we knew it was a civil war, that’s why they tried to keep us from discovering that it was their own people attacking them.”
“Captain,” Dr. Pulaski said, “we can’t just desert the people of Dacket!” Geordi added, “Surely the Prime Directive will allow us to stop the Konor before they kill or enslave all the other Samdians!” “You know it will not, Lieutenant,” Picard replied. “It does not permit us to aid some planets even in case of plague or natural disaster.” “That’s only when such aid would interfere with their natural development,” Pulaski said. “That’s not the case here; the Samdians have star travel, even if it is sublight, and are perfectly aware of progress made elsewhere in the galaxy. We would help if they were 271 suffering an epidemic or an earthquake. This situation is as bad. We have to help them, Captain!”
“I agree,” Geordi said. “The development of this broadcast telepathy-couldn’t we say that’s a medical emergency?” “You would have us break the Prime Directive?” “This is a clear case in which it would be wrong to invoke it,” Pulaski argued.