The Last Stand - Brad Ferguson [42]
“Aye, sir,” Worf said, leaving his seat to take position just behind Picard and Troi. He reached over their heads and pushed the DOOR OPEN button. As the hatch slid aside, the three Enterprise officers stepped down to the deck. The hatch closed behind them and locked itself as Justman automatically entered security mode.
Presider Hek was in the forefront of the reception party. “Greetings, Captain Picard,” he said, smiling. He bowed very slightly from the waist. “It is good to meet you face-to-face—again.”
Picard bowed in exactly the same way and to the same meager extent as had Hek. “And I, Presider, am very pleased to meet you. If I may, permit me to introduce Counselor Deanna Troi, my closest advisor, and Lieutenant Worf, our chief of security.”
Picard noticed that most of the six Krann who had accompanied the Presider to the landing bay were trying very hard not to be caught staring at Worf, while the one who seemed to be the oldest of them was happily leering at Deanna Troi.
“A pleasure to meet you all, Captain,” Hek said. “These men here with me are the leaders of the six nations of Krann that comprise the fleet.” As if on cue, all six national heads bowed somewhat more deeply than Hek had. The oldest Krann slyly added a wink for Troi.
Diplomatically, the counselor ignored it as she and Worf bowed from the waist precisely as the national chiefs had. Picard noticed that Hek seemed surprised and a touch irritated at that.
“The counselor and the lieutenant are my most trusted department heads,” Picard said smoothly.
“Ah,” Hek said, apparently mollified. The six Krann chieftains formed an impromptu reception line as Hek took Picard in hand. “Jean-Luc Captain Starship Enterprise,” the Presider began in a more formal tone, “allow me to introduce Drappa Fuel Filter Examiner, Leader of the North Nation of Krann; Grek Heat Conductor Tester, Leader of the South Nation; Larkna Starboard Thruster Engine Wiper, Leader of the East Nation; Pwett Crop Grower, Leader of the West Nation; Scrodd Air Quality Boss, Leader of the High Nation; and Reckkel Metal Purity Guarantor, Leader of the Low Nation.”
“I am honored to meet you all,” Picard said. “Let me assure you that we have come here in friendship and amity, and we intend to form the basis of an enduring, rewarding, and peaceful relationship between the United Federation of Planets and the Krann Fleet as we meet here aboard your magnificent flagship.”
“Quite gracious of you, Captain,” Hek replied for them all. “We look forward to the creation of a lasting and rewarding friendship with your people as well. Now, we have a car waiting for us just outside the landing bay.” He turned and gestured toward the open door ten meters away. “If you’ll permit me—?”
“Of course,” Picard said. “Thank you, Presider Hek. I must admit I’m looking forward to taking a look around your very impressive flagship. It makes ours seem quite small in comparison.”
“That it does,” Hek said, not without a certain pride. “Our flagship has grown quite a bit over the centuries, Captain. That’s true of most of our older ships. The flagship is one of the oldest craft in the entire fleet, and one of the most revered. Many of her modules can be traced directly back to the Exodus.”
“The Exodus?” Troi asked.
Hek smiled at her. “Part of our history, Commander—one might say the whole of it, up to now. We’ll discuss it later, perhaps at our initial round of talks. Ah, here we are. Please step inside.”
There was a wide hatch open in the wall directly across the narrow gangway just outside the landing bay. Interior lights clicked on to reveal about a dozen comfortable-looking seats set inside the shiny, windowless shell of some sort of conveyance.
“This is the car?” Picard asked.
“Yes,” Hek replied. “We get around inside the flagship using these, when moving walkways and hanger lifts won’t do—as in this case. We’ll be going quite a distance. Please take a seat, everyone.” He gestured around as they entered the car. “Anywhere at all, anywhere at all.”
Worf held out his tricorder.