To Storm Heaven - Esther Friesner [81]
The Ne’elatians have no reason to end the present state of affairs. Even if Ma’adrys succeeds in making her people understand how they have been used by Ne’elat, the situation will not improve. The Ashkaarians may decline to share their spiritual goods with the Ne’elatians, but a boycott of that nature will not in any way harm the Ne’elatians.” “How can a whole world claim to hunger after things of the spirit and refuse to see that what they’re doing to get them is simply wrong?” Geordi drove his fist back against the tree trunk. A light sprinkling of needles showered over the two officers.
“I do not know,” Data said, brushing the spicy forage from his shoulders. “Perhaps not all Ne’elatians are to blame. They may not be aware of what their leaders have been doing.” “Maybe we should make them aware of it, then. If enough of them object, the Masra’et will have no choice but to—” “That, too, is not a very practical solution, Geordi,” Data said. “For one thing, the uncertainty of effective results is too great. For another, it would be impossible for us to undertake such a project without violating the Prime Directive.” “I know, I know.” Geordi’s sigh blended with the mountain breeze that stirred the branches overhead.
He glanced back toward the house. “They’re still inside. I wonder what they’re saying.” A bittersweet smile pulled up one corner of his mouth. “Does eavesdropping violate the Prime Directive, Data?” The android’s head made a tiny, speculative jerk to one side. “A joke?” “Yes, a joke.” Geordi slumped a bit against the tree.
“I guess it’s always easier to go through the motions of a hundred rituals instead of just doing what’s right.” “Very few groups of sentient beings in the known universe agree on what is the right thing to do, in the moral or ethical sense,” Data remarked. “Fewer still are willing to do the so-called right thing for its own sake. They are generally motivated by some form of personal reward, real or implied, actual or spiritual.” The android’s forthright analysis jolted Geordi out of his dispirited state. “Don’t tell me you’re turning into a cynic, Data.” “I am merely presenting my personal observations,” Data replied. “The Ferengi are motivated to action by profit, the Klingons by honor, but the Ne’elatians have nothing to motivate them to correct their past offenses against Ashkaar. They do not even view their actions as offensive, since offense can only occur between equals. They have made it quite clear that they find the Ashkaarians so technologically and culturally backward that there is not the remotest chance of equality between the two worlds.” Geordi’s chin lifted. “That’s it!” he cried, snapping his fingers.
“Is it?” Data inquired mildly.
“EqualityIno—superiority! The one thing the Ashkaarians have that the Ne’elatians don’t! And it’s something the Masra’et will understand right away: Power.” “Geordi, I do not see what sort of military advantage the Ashkaarians have over the Ne’elatians. They have not even recovered the technology to manufacture simple firearms.” “They don’t need to.” Geordi glanced back at the oberyin’s house. Bilik and Ma’adrys were just coming out. The oberyin looked downcast but resigned, even though the girl held his hand. Geordi was so caught up in his own revelation that he forgot to feel the least twinge of jealousy. He ran toward them, happily shouting Ma’adrys’s name.
Chapter Fourteen
“No,” MA’ADRYS SAID, her eyes burning. And again, louder, “No. I refuse to obey what I do not understand. I have been deceived too often. I am no longer a fool who goes blindly where others command.” “Ma’adrys, please, you know I’d never ask you to do anything wrong, anything that would hurt you,” Geordi pleaded. He stood with her on the far sido of Bilik’s house, out of earshot of the oberyin and the others. “I thought you trusted me.” “And I thought you respected me,” Ma’adrys shot back. “To tell me that I must do this thing—or anything!—and ask no questions, that