The Murdered Sun - Christie Golden [12]
Others came, thinking to fight the Akerians--most for their own purposes but a few on our behalf.
Their deaths are partially on our heads. We mourn them." She wiped her face with the back of a clawed hand and composed herself. "Every moment you linger here, within the space that the evil Akerians claim as theirs, you risk yourself and your crew."
"We are travelers from a far part of this galaxy," said Janeway.
"We were brought here against our will, and we're trying to find a way home. We have reason to believe that there is a wormhole in the concavity that might allow us to travel back to our home area of space."
Viha Nata's eyes widened. "Wormhole?" she repeated, clearly confused.
"Captain, worms cannot live in space."
Chakotay smiled a little at the miscommunication. The universal translator was clearly functioning perfectly--too perfectly, perhaps, translating the literal meaning of the word rather than the technical meaning it held for speakers of English.
"I apologize for our incorrect translation," said Janeway. "We use the term to describe a sort of tunnel in space, a corridor from one part of the galaxy to the other."
"Ah!" exclaimed Viha Nata, nodding her comprehension. "I understand now. I am familiar with the phenomenon, though I cannot say if there is one within Sun-Eater."
"Please," said Janeway, stepping closer to the screen. "Tell us what your scientists have been able to learn about the con--about Sun-Eater.
Anything would be helpful."
Viha Nata looked slightly uncomfortable. "Captain, I repeat, I do not think you realize the danger you are in every moment you tarry here.
Nor do I think you appreciate the dreadful danger we Verunans are in."
She paused, then continued. "Time is precious here on Veruna. We do not have much of it left. Yet perhaps if I answer your questions and inform you of the situation, you can be convinced to lend your help."
Chakotay glanced at Janeway, who flinched ever so slightly. "I can promise you nothing," said Janeway, "but I will listen.
Please continue."
By now, everyone on the bridge had turned their attention to the Verunan Viha. She and her lyrical words were far more interesting than the computer's graphics and strange, contradictory conclusions.
Everyone, Chakotay mentally amended, except for Tuvok. Yet even the dark-skinned Vulcan could not help glancing up from his station now and then to examine Nata.
And Chakotay knew that Tuvok was hearing and analyzing every word the reptilian mammal--mammalian reptile?--uttered.
"Sun-Eater appeared several millennia ago. Then, it was a harmless aberration, according to the tales. The Akeriansss"--Viha Nata hissed the word with obvious loathing--"came very soon afterward, as the shadow follows the body. They were more advanced than we, then and now, and we were helpless to resist when they came and stole our people right in front of our eyes. They simply... disappeared, fading as we watched!"
"Transporter technology," said Paris. Janeway nodded acknowledgment and agreement but kept her attention upon the alien.
"Why did they steal your people? How many were abducted?" asked the captain, compassion in her voice.
"They took five, six each time they came. As to why, we do not know."
Again tears filled the limpid eyes. Clearly, Verunan emotions were close to the surface. Nata lowered her head, fingered her bulky pendant as if seeking comfort.
"We never saw any of them again. They continue to do this to this very day. When we started to fight back several turns ago, they began attacking our planet. They are able to inflict damage upon our poor world that resembles earthquakes, which have had some dreadful consequences. A few months ago, an avalanche destroyed one of our hatching pits. Can you imagine an enemy so callous, so cruel,