To Storm Heaven - Esther Friesner [41]
When he revealed it again, it was just a mirror.
“A partially solar-powered communication device of some sophistication,” he said. “Unfortunately its alternate power source has been badly drained over the years. Naturally it did not activate without my intervention.” He turned it over so that they could all see the designs decorating its reverse side. What looked like a wreath of many different flowers could also look like an array of delicately fashioned control keys to the properly trained eye.
Riker looked at Data. “Ne’elat?” “Affermative.”
Chapter Seven
IN THE PRIVACY OF HIS CHAMBER above the taproom, Commander Riker touched his communicator and as quietly as possible said, “Riker to Enterprise.” “Enterprise. Worf here.” “Lt. Worf, is the captain there? We’ve got a lot to report.” “Captain Picard is still on the surface of Ne’elat.
His last message said that he and the Orakisan emissary Hara’el were raaking good time even though they were traveling by pack animal and that the last gateway before the community of Bovridash was already in sight.” “Can you relay our findings to him?” “Negative, sir. At this point, he and Hara’el must have entered the last gateway, which means he has temporarily surrendered his communicator to the guards. According to Mr. La Forge, no hightech artifacts are permitted beyond the last gateway and all travel from that point on must be on foot.” “Since when is Mr. La Forge an expert on Ne’elatian customs?” “Before the captain left, he determined that it would look extremely suspicious if all of the Enterprise’s most prominent officers suddenly disappeared from the Ne’elatian government palace. Dr. Crusher and myself have taken it in turns to visit, but our duties aboard the Enterprise prevent us from spending much time on the planer’s surface. In the absence of a crisis in Engineering, Mr. La Forge suggested that he would be the logical choice to accompany Legate Valdor as our permanent representative on Ne’elat.” “I‘11 bet he did.” Riker smiled.
In the pause that followed, Riker could almost picture the perplexed look on Lt. Worfs face. The Klingon officer did not pay a lot of attention to the subtler clues of budding affection in others. “Anyway, let me tell you what we’ve learned here so far.” When Riker finished giving his report, Lt. Worf asked, “What about the plant the Orakisans need?
Have you encountered any living samples of it there?” “Negative,” Riker said, glum. “Since this world was the original Skerrian settlement in this system, we had hopes, but it doesn’t look good. N’vashal’s not a staple crop; if they had it growing anywhere, they’d cultivate it in an herb garden. Ambassador Lelys has already made it her business to become friendly with the local women. You’d be surprised how much information you can gather about native plant life when you talk to the people who use it in their daily cooking.” “Yes, sir.” “Of course, Kare’al village is only one settlement,” Riker went on. “And there’s still the possibility that Captain Picard and Hara’el will have some luck in Bovridash. How soon do you think you might hear from them?” “I do not know. I only hope it will be soon. The situation on Skerris IV is fast approaching critical.” Riker didn’t want to ask but knew he had to: “Fatalities?” “Yes, sir. Ambassador Lelys’s brother was among them.” Riker was silent for a long, heavy moment, then said, “I’ll tell her. Riker out.” He cut off transmission to the ship, and before hiding his communicator under his pilgrim’s robes made sure that it was still adjusted to give silent notification of any incoming messages. No matter how convincing the Away Team’s resemblance to native Ashkaarians was, one high-pitched