The Children of Hamlin - Carmen Carter [15]
“And not very informative,” said Riker as he and Data circled the table. “They all act as if we’re the enemy.”
Picard saw Troi tense as the first officer passed behind her chair. The reaction confirmed his suspicion that she was unusually sensitive to Riker’s moods. The force of the man’s present frustration must be battering against her emotional defenses.
“Let’s begin the briefing,” suggested Picard, moving away from Troi to sit at the head of the table. He realized his own impatience was probably adding further turbulence to her emotional surroundings.
“I don’t understand what’s going on,” fumed Riker as he settled in place. “According to the first officer, Deelor is an efficiency consultant assigned to improve operations and maintenance procedures of the Ferrel, but according to Starfleet personnel records he’s not a member of the crew. He’s not even listed as being aboard the ship.”
“I ran a full computer identity check on his name,” confirmed Data. “And came up with nothing. There is no record of an Andrew Deelor in Starfleet or in any Federation civilian population in this sector.”
“And the Ferrel crew won’t talk about who tried to kill him or why. It seems they were all looking in another direction when he was shot,” said Riker with obvious disgust. “Deanna, tell the captain what you felt.”
Troi hesitated, struggling to put the impressions she had gathered into words. “Such a tangle of conflicting emotion. Sorrow for their captain’s death; anger, almost hatred, at the mention of Deelor’s name; and always the need for secrecy. If they know anything, they will not admit it, not without considerable duress.”
“This is not an inquisition,” said Picard with an admonishing wave of his hand. “Yet I can’t allow this incident to remain unresolved. I must know what happened to the Ferrel, to protect the Enterprise if nothing else.” He frowned at the unbidden image of his own ship torn and mangled, its crew and passengers floating amid the wreckage. “What about the other civilian, the woman?”
“Her name is Ruthe,” said Riker. He uttered a sigh of exasperation. “She won’t give us a last name and she won’t answer any other questions. She just repeats ‘ask Deelor.’ “
“Who isn’t feeling strong enough to provide any answers.” With the announcement of Manin’s death, Deelor had developed a convenient fainting spell. “His injuries are real enough, but the timing has a familiar ring. He’s faking weakness,” said the captain grimly. “Just as D’Amelio was faking shock. But why? What are they all hiding?”
Yar’s intercom message brought a temporary halt to the briefing. “Farmer Patrisha has called the bridge. Again.” The lieutenant’s voice was hardened by her annoyance. “She insists on speaking to you personally, Captain.”
“Tell her-” But Picard thought twice before completing the statement. He began again. “Tell her everything is under control and I will meet with her just as soon as my duties allow.”
He severed the link with a flick of his finger. “Passengers, like children, should be seen and not heard,” he said to no one in particular. Dismissing the Oregon Farmers from his mind, he returned to the puzzle. “Hamlin. To me, that means only one thing-the Hamlin Massacre. I was only a small boy at the time, but I remember the incident well.”
“I read the historical accounts at the academy.” Riker caught Troi’s questioning look and provided an explanation. “Hamlin was a mining colony located on the Federation frontier. Fifty years ago they reported first contact with a new alien race, then suddenly all communications from them stopped. The next supply ship to reach the planet found that everyone in the colony had been killed.”
“Not everyone,” corrected Data. “Just the adults. The colony’s children were missing, presumably also dead.”
“Some say eaten.” Picard murmured the dark words as if echoing a long-forgotten phrase.
“Inquiry: eaten, as in consumed? As in food source?”
“Yes, well, the more sensational reports mentioned the possibility.” Picard regretted his comment immediately and tried