Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [64]
As Eden considered the possibility, Ensign Lasren’s voice came over the comm. “Captain, we are receiving an incoming transmission from the third planet.”
“Put it through to the conference room.”
“It’s not an audio message, Captain. It’s a set of transport coordinates.”
“Coordinates?” Batiste asked.
“Six life-forms are at the coordinates. I believe they intend for us to transport them aboard Voyager.”
“Any sign of weapons?” Eden asked.
“No, Captain.”
“Stand by to transport them aboard.”
“Captain?” Batiste asked.
“Weren’t you the one who said we needed to do a better job establishing diplomatic relations with the species we encountered in the Delta quadrant?” Eden said evenly.
Batiste could clearly see that she wasn’t going to let this go, and he wasn’t going to challenge her openly in front of the crew. He had promised Eden that she would have his full support, and it was gratifying to see that he planned to live up to his word.
“Batiste to the bridge.”
“Go ahead, sir.”
“Drop shields and transport our guests aboard.” Turning to Eden, he said, “Assemble your team to meet them.”
“Would you care to join us, Admiral?”
He surprised her by replying, “I’ll await your report in my office, Captain.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The Indign who appeared on the transporter platform was virtually indistinguishable from the ones they’d seen on the third planet. Kim didn’t know what he was expecting—perhaps some insignia or more formal dress that might indicate a higher ranking. The simple ecru tunic and light brown pants, accompanied by rough, worn boots, suggested that this cooperative could have just dropped their work in the fields before transporting aboard.
The Greech coiled about the Neyser’s right arm emitted a characteristic ear-shredding shriek as soon as the transporter effect faded. Captain Eden didn’t flinch, but the same could not be said for Ensign Donner at transporter controls.
The Irsk/Dulaph stood patiently at the Neyser’s side, cloaked only from the waist down in a pair of loose hanging, roughly woven trousers. Its bare feet, like the rest of its exposed flesh, glistened in the overhead lights.
Captain Eden stepped forward as their guests stood on the platform, looking about the room with placid curiosity.
“Welcome aboard the Federation Starship Voyager . We are honored by your visit.”
When the Indign did not respond, Eden continued, “We are explorers from a distant part of the galaxy. We have come hoping to better acquaint ourselves with other species. We regret the results of our first encounter with one of your vessels. Our sensors indicated that it was uninhabited. I offer you our deepest apologies.”
The Neyser met Eden’s expectant gaze briefly as the Greech undulated on its arm while making a shrill, whining sound. The Indign then stepped down from the platform and moved toward the transporter room door. The pair of security guards standing there looked to Kim to confirm their next move and Harry automatically looked to Eden.
“It’s all right,” she said. “Give our guests some room.” She followed the Indign out the door into the hallway, Patel, Sharak, and Cambridge right behind her. Harry motioned for the guards—Maplethorpe and Gaston—to fall in with him and the party began their tour of the ship.
The Neyser seemed content to make its way regally through the halls while the Irsk/Dulaph capered about. It ran its stubby hands along the hull and when it reached an operation panel, its legs extended themselves to better examine the display. Captain Eden attempted to engage it by giving a brief description of the unit’s function, but the Irsk/Dulaph ignored her, apparently content to gather its own intelligence.
When they reached the astrometrics lab, Eden asked Patel to bring up a display of the current system. As the multihued planets danced in their orbit of the system’s single star, the Indign simply walked gracefully over the platform, ignoring the show.
“Lieutenant Patel, bring up a display of the Sol system,” Captain Eden ordered, hoping to find a way to crack the Indign’s silence.
Eden