The Children of Hamlin - Carmen Carter [44]
She carried a young child in her arms.
Only one person was prepared for the sight. Dr. Crusher sprang forward and plucked the boy from the translator’s careless grasp. The doctor placed a palm over the child’s chest and pushed her hand gently but firmly beneath his rib cage. He coughed up fluid, then gasped in his first breath of air. Seconds later he began to cry.
“You’d better tell the captain,” said Crusher to Riker. She wrapped the screaming child in a blanket and raced for sickbay.
“A child?” stormed Picard when Riker had completed his intercom report to the bridge. The captain turned on Deelor, who still sat beside him. “Were you aware of this situation, Ambassador?”
“Not in this instance,” said Deelor, lowering his voice. “But we have recovered other descendants of the original Hamlin group.”
“A fact you failed to mention during the briefing,” Picard pointed out without any drop in his own volume. “And one that increases the complexity of the entire issue. The Hamlin Massacre is still a sensitive episode for the Federation, even after fifty years. That the humans held by the Choraii are growing in number can only inflame emotions.”
“I am well aware of that, Captain, but this is neither the time nor the place to discuss the matter.” Deelor nervously scanned the bridge. “This was one aspect of the Hamlin project which I had hoped to keep restricted to a smaller circle for precisely the reasons you just stated.”
“I trust my crew’s discretion,” snapped Picard. “Which is more than I can say for-“
“Captain,” said Troi. She had taken Riker’s seat on the bridge and her call forced Picard to turn away from Deelor. “With your permission, I’d like to offer my assistance to Dr. Crusher. I haven’t been of any use in our dealings with the Choraii, but I am certain I can help with the captive.”
Picard granted the counselor’s request with a curt nod. Troi rose from her chair and walked to the forward elevator. When the doors parted, she stepped aside to let Ruthe leave the compartment. “How is the child?” Troi asked anxiously.
The translator shrugged. “Well enough, I suppose,” she said before Troi was whisked away. With an unhurried stride, Ruthe approached the command center. Her hair was still wet from her immersion in the Choraii ship’s atmosphere, and small beads of fluid trickled down her neck, darkening the yoke of her robe. She was careful to hold the wooden shaft of her flute away from the damp cloth.
“Why didn’t you tell us about the child?” demanded Picard.
“The exchange was for their captive. Age wasn’t the issue.” She lowered herself into the chair Troi had vacated. “Has the lead been transported yet? The Choraii will expect a parting song.”
Picard shook his head. “Lieutenant Yar will beam the metal over as soon as the ambassador orders us to do so.”
“We have waited patiently for the Choraii,” said Deelor. Leaning back, he stretched his legs forward, out onto the deck, and crossed them at the ankles. “They can wait until we’ve checked the condition of the trade goods.”
“And do we return the boy if he is damaged?” asked Picard bitterly.
“No, but I might insist on a reduced price.”
“Your humor is offensive.”
“I wasn’t trying to be funny,” said Deelor. “I’m looking at the situation from the perspective of the Choraii. You could do with a little more objectivity yourself, Captain.”
Picard clenched his jaw. Several seconds passed before he tapped at his com link. “Picard to Crusher. Please report on the Hamlin child.”
“Male, approximately two years of age. His lungs are handling the transition to an oxygen environment quite well.” A wailing cry could be heard in the background. “The results of my exam are still being compiled, but he appears to be in excellent physical condition. He’s been very well cared for.”
“Of course he has been,” said Ruthe at the conclusion of Crusher’s evaluation. “Humans are highly valued by the Choraii.”
“Valued