The Last Stand - Brad Ferguson [53]
“I believe they know that you cannot be stopped,” Worf said. “They already know they are going to die.”
“Presider Hek,” Picard said quietly, “there are two billion people on Nem Ma’ak Bratuna, and not a single one of them has ever done you or your people any harm whatsoever.”
“They are the inheritors of enormous guilt,” Hek snapped. “They must pay for the crimes of their ancestors.”
“These people have done nothing to you,” the captain replied.
“Picard, how the hull can I tell the fleet that we are not going to attack the Lethanta?” the Presider suddenly shouted, his frustration clear. “They murdered our people without conscience! We have been pursuing them for that crime for six thousand years! We’re now less than two days from our goal!”
“They have it coming,” agreed Reckkel, and there was a murmur of assent from the others.
“Would you stop, Picard?” Grek challenged. “Would you withhold vengeance?”
“I hope I would have the wisdom to do so, yes,” Picard replied calmly. “I hope I might have the courage to try.”
“Don’t accuse us of a lack of courage, Jean-Luc Captain Starship Enterprise,” Pwett said, his teeth clenched. “We have been through more misery and deprivation than you will ever see—or so you should hope.”
“I intended no offense,” Picard said. “Surely, however, you must realize that there must be some alternative here, some way you can avoid murdering two billion people—men, women, and children— who have done you no injury? Cannot the past be pushed aside before it destroys the future?”
“The leading elements of our attack force will be in place in less than two days,” Hek said.
“Divert them,” Picard said urgently. “Stop them.”
“No,” Hek said flatly. “There is no reason to do so.”
“There is every reason to do so,” Picard insisted.
“Such as what?” Hek returned. “What could the Lethanta possibly have to offer to make us stop?”
Picard seized upon the opening. “Since I have been authorized by the Lethanta to approach you, I can, if you wish, find out what they’d offer. Shall I?”
Hek looked vaguely surprised. “Why, yes,” the Presider said slowly. “Yes, why not? Go ahead.”
“Then,” Picard said, “if it is acceptable to you, I will go to establish some basis for negotiation, if possible. I will report back to you in twelve hours.” He rose, and Troi and Worf rose with him.
“Wait a minute,” Grek said, puzzled and angry. “Did we just make a peace overture? I never voted to authorize any such thing! We attack! That’s it!” The other national leaders began to complain loudly over this latest turn of events.
“Quiet!” shouted Presider Hek in a very loud voice, and the leaders quickly settled down. “It will be exactly as I have said—or do I have to remind any of you who is in charge of this body? Captain Picard, please be back here in twelve hours with the offer from the Lethanta, if there is one.”
“Excellent,” smiled Picard. “I shall be here at that time. Presider Hek, we were a bit disappointed that we did not get to see much of your flagship on our way here to this chamber.”
Hek spread his hands. “Well, Captain, I’m sorry, but we did go straight from a landing bay to a car tube and then to the hospitality module. Time was of the essence, or so you told us.”
“Yes, but we are also very interested in learning all we can about your people,” Picard said. “Yours is a fascinating story, indeed, and we have never before encountered a culture such as yours. I wonder if we might exchange observers over the next day or so. We might learn a great deal about each other that way.”
Hek waved a hand. “We don’t have the time right now to send anyone over to your ship,” he said almost disdainfully. “Frankly, I don’t know whom we’d send. Everyone is tied up right now, as I suppose you can imagine.”
“I regret that, Presider Hek. Then might I send an observer aboard your flagship and take a look around, to meet with your people and walk about at will without interference? Perhaps in disguise?”
Hek shrugged. “We have nothing to hide, Captain. Feel free to have your observer come aboard. Send