To Storm Heaven - Esther Friesner [17]
As Lelys spoke, Counsellor Troi could sense the Orakisan’s mounting emotional stress. Her diplomatic training is good, but she has held the mask of professional neutrality in place for too long. The lives of all her family depend on her and she knows it, just as she knows that the n’vashal seeds taken along by the colonists of Ashkaar are their only hope. But Ashkaar is dead. The question is, did the seeds die with it?
Udar Kishrit heard out the ambassador’s story, his face the perfect image of concern. “N’vashal?” he repeated when she was done. “Ah, my lady, is that all?
How small a thing! You shame us by asking for so little—you, our beloved kin, who will restore to us the means to reunite with the stars. I hope you will not think me impertinent, but if sometime before we part you would permit me the supreme honor of viewing the blessed vessel which brought you to usw” Ambassador Lelys lowered her eyes. “That is not for me to say. It is not an Orakisan ship, but a Starfleet vessel.” “Not yours?” A tiny crack appeared in Udar Kishrit’s jovial mask, but was quickly patched away.
“No Orakisan starship could have brought us here as swiftly as the Enterprise, and speed was—is of the essence.” “Orakisa has long been a valued member of the United Federation of Planets,” Captain Picard said.
“Starfleet has been requested to do whatever possible to aid their colonists on Skerris IV. We were glad to be of service.” “Starfleet. The United Federation of Planets.” Udar Kishrit repeated the names with a childlike awe, then erupted into fresh smiles. “Ah, so much, so very much for us to learn! Great things. Our sisterworld must be powerful indeed if she commands such servants.” “Oh no, Udar Kishrit, you mistake me,” Ambassador Lelys said quickly. “The Federation stands ready to aid and defend all its members, regardless of the individual planet’s importance.” “Is this so?” The head of the Masra’et considered this new information, then made a discreet motion for the council members at either side of him to lean in. They whispered among themselves for a short interval, then settled back on their cushions. Udar Kishrit’s expansive smile had spread to his colleagues like a case of Denebian swamp fever.
“We rejoice in the good fortune of our sisterworld to have earned the favor of so mighty a shield as your Federation. We pray that you will enrich us by describing how it was you won this prize.” “Udar Kishrit, I’m afraid you don’t understand,” Picard said. “Orakisa did nothing extraordinary to earn membership in the Federation. When a world wishes to join the United Federation of Planets there are, of course, the proper channels for application, but these are open to all. If any world should desire to—” “Any world?” The Ne’elatian waved his hand over the tabletop and a panel irised open to allow a hidden platform to rise, bearing refreshments. He poured a thin, blue liquid from a decanter like a giant emerald and passed walnut-sized silver cups to all present.
However, he made sure to serve the first cup to Captain Picard. “Even this?” “Yes.” The captain responded in a guarded manner.
“But we are so—so primitive, by your standards.” “We have seen a good deal of your city since our arrival,” Picard replied. “I would hardly call it primitive. I confess, I was not expecting to encounter this level of technology. The surviving records on Skerris IV indicate that the founders of Ashkaar left to establish a simpler way of life.” “That was long ago, Captain,” Udar Kishrit said, abruptly solemn. “I cannot vouch for the intentions of my ancestors. As to our technology, it would be an insult to compare it to yours. Your ships sail the stars!
Ours are confined to this system alone.” “How is that possible?” Commander Riker asked.
“The Skerrians had starships with warp drive. Your ancestors couldn’t have come this far from the homeworld on impulse power; they’d still be in transit.” Udar Kishrit sipped his drink. “You came here seeking a world called Ashkaar; Ashkaar