To Storm Heaven - Esther Friesner [10]
“The beasts must first be adapted to bear the higher radiation levels of S’ka’rys, just as the settlers have been. The process is time consuming and impractical.
We must find an answer elsewhere or stand by and watch our motherworld die all over again.” “But we have found the answer.” Hara’el asserted so unexpectedly that all eyes snapped onto him.
Under this sudden scrutiny, he pushed back into his chair and meekly added, “Father told me so. He said that the Federation medical teams on S’ka—Skerris IV—know what’s wrong and have informed our government how to correct it.” “You have the answer?” Dr. Crusher looked puzzled. “Then what—?” “An answer is not a solution,” Mr. Data commented. “According to the reports that I have assimilated, Federation scientists had little trouble determining the cause of the Skerrian settlers’ problem. Their bodies fail to produce a particular enzyme that would permit them to effectively metabolize plant nutrients. The stock animals suffer no such inability.” “I take it that we’ve already tried synthesizing this enzyme from the animals?” Dr. Crusher asked.
“The enzyme in question has a unique, highly unstable configuration. While it can be synthesized, the process is complex, inefficient, and does not yield sufficient quantities to meet the existing demand.” “What about replication?” “That, too, was tried as a matter of course. The synthesized enzyme broke down under artificial replication.” Although Mr. Data’s face seldom revealed much, for an instant he appeared to wear an expression that implied, “I could have told them that.” “But we do have an answer and a solution,” Hara’el insisted. He motioned for Captain Picard to change the holographic image a third time. Dr. Crusher felt a whisper of relief, followed by a pang of guilt, when
Vi’ar’s face was replaced by a green sprig of vegetation with wide, sawtoothed leaves and abundant clusters of pink-edged purple flowers.
“N’vashal. “Lelys stared at the image and breathed the alien name as if it were a holy thing. “The life of S’ka’rys, if we find it. And if not…” The humble flower turned slowly under their eyes, carrying the weight of untold lives on its fragile petals.
Chapter Two
“NOWHERE?” COMMANDER RIKER REPEATED, incredulous. “Not on one of the Skerrian colonies?” “Not so far as the Orakisans have been able to find out,” Counsellor Troi replied, and sipped her drink.
“I don’t know why you’re so surprised,” Dr.
Crusher put in, running her finger down the side of her empty glass, tracing patterns in the condensation. The three of them were sharing a table at Ten Forward, enjoying each other’s company along with the view.
“It’s not unheard of for an entire species of plant or animal to vanish. The original Skerrians destroyed themselves and most of their planet; they just happened to destroy the n’vashal plant at the same time.” “So now it seems they’ll be taking their Orakisan descendants with them too,” Riker remarked.
“Oh, you’re an optimist,” Dr. Crusher said.
Riker hastened to defend himselfi “I’m only making an assumption based on what you told me. I’d love to be wrong.” Troi sighed. “So would the Orakisans. The delegation maintains a mask of hope, but I sense that each of them is fighting despair in his or her own way.
Legate Valdor uses his anger and resentment