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By Root 918 0

have the chance to kill only an insignificant number of Fandreans before they were slain. But without the force field without the preserve, the Tsorans would lose the opportunity to experience kaphoora under such challenging conditions-conditions that Tsora itself could no longer replicate. The older, more established civilization of the two, with untold generations of kaphoora and daleura-building behind them, the Tsorans had managed to eradicate the dangerous species on their own planet. Until they’d developed renewed trade relations with Fandre and agreed to Fandrean restrictions regarding the hunt—that the animals were not to be killed, that the Tsorans could gather only a token trophy of hair or claw and spine tip, that they could use none of their technological hunting tools to do so—the Tsorans had faced a rising daleura based dueling rate despite strictures against the same.

On Fandre, behind those technology-damping fields, the daleura waited for Tsora’s bravest. And now Akarr, alone of all on Tsora, had acquired as escort and pilot the captain of the Enterprise, flagship of the Federation.

Not that the Fandreans truly understood. But that was irrelevant.

In fact, it was hard for Akarr to believe that their two species were related, despite the obvious similarities in appearance. The soft Fandreans had initially created the

force field and the carefully balanced ecological environment within simply so the beasts that called Fandre home would have a place to live, and so that the Fan dreans would not be forced to eliminate them to insure their own survival. Absurd. Only the Tsorans saw the true worth of the place. The challenge of tooth and claw.

“Due to the number of people involved—the ReynTa’s own Tsoran escort, and our security personnel, along with Mr. La Forge—we’ll be using two modified cargo shuttles. Geordi, will you see to it that both are specially appointed for this purpose?”

“Consider it done,” La Forge said, with no hesitation that Akarr could see, and even a certain amount of cheerful willingness. Interesting. He would have to take careful note of this human. How, while clearly remaining under the command of the ship’s captain, did he maintain that air of independence? A useful tool to cultivate … at least, until Akarr was assured of his appointment as ReynKa, and no longer bowed to anyone. This trip would help insure that the ReynKa did not adopt the obscure decision to pass his reign on to his second-born.

The engineer, however, did not appear to be finished. “Captain,” he said, “given what I’m hearing about the forcefields and tech dampers, I have to express some concern about shuttle integrity. Do we even know if our shuttles will function in that environment?”

“Starfleet has worked with the Tsorans and Fandreans to be sure that they will, and Admiral Gromek has forwarded the details regarding shuttle operating parameters while under the forcefields.”

“I don’t suppose we can delay long enough for me to examine these calculations myself?” La Forge asked.

Akarr didn’t give Picard a chance to respond. “Absolutely not,” he said. “There can be no delay.” Not with

the kaphoora fete behind him. Any delay at this point would look like hesitation on Akarr’s part, and would forever cast doubt on his prime kaphoora.

Picard did not acknowledge Akarr’s statement. “I’m afraid not, Geordi. Nadann lesson suggested that the kaphoora might come into play some weeks ago, before we knew the Enterprise would be involved; there’s been time to check it out. I’m sure Admiral Gromek had her best people investigate the matter.”

“I’m sure she did,” La Forge said, sounding unconvinced. “I just think it’s wise—”

“And I do not disagree. But we don’t have the luxury of following through. We’ll use the figures that the Tsorans have provided.”

La Forge gave a short nod and leaned back in his seat—almost a defiant slouch, Akarr would have said, except that the human was too relaxed. Still disagreeing, perhaps, but accepting.

As long as he did as was required, Akarr didn’t care how much he disagreed.

“Geordi will