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Sub Space 9204_C08
PRIMITIVE LIVE
by Barnett C. Hsu, 1990-1
This is a simple re-print of "Primitive Life" written by
Barnett C. Hsu. I have no way to contact the author. I hope he
won't mind. Mr. Hsu retains all copyrights to this material.
Bill
Chapter One
"How are the repairs going, Mr. LaForge?" Captain Jean-Luc Picard
asked.
"Another three hours and we'll be ready, sir." LaForge responded.
"Sir, a distress signal is coming in from the Federation Kyron
outpost." Worf said loudly.
"On main viewer, lieutenant." Picard said as he walked from the
back of the bridge to his usual place in front of the viewer screen. He
watched as the neutral display of stars was replaced by the transmission
from the Kyron outpost.
"Any Federation vessel, this is an emergency. Repeat, this is an
emergency." said the man on the screen. He wore an admiral's uniform.
"This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise. Can you
hear us?"
"Enterprise! This is Admiral McCoy of Starfleet Medical. Contact
Starfleet for me and tell them that there is a meningitis outbreak on the
planet, and the inhabitants are blaming the disease on us. They are
arming to attack us."
"Understood. We will contact you when we have more information
for you. Picard out."
Picard turned around. "Lieutenant, do as the admiral said." He
sat down at his seat, pressed a button, and said, "Senior officers to the
conference room, please."
The relief personnel, Ensign Bob Mitchell and Ensign Mark Wilhelm,
were both recent graduates of Starfleet Academy, and both the best in
their class. A claim which can be proven by their record achievements in
the Begins simulator, a simulator test required of all students before
graduating from the Academy as of stardate 47516.9. They took their
places at the helm and ops.
"We're ready to go. All functions normal. Diagnostic checks
clear." LaForge told the rest of the senior officers.
"Starfleet Command has given us permission to delay our current
mission and to head to Kyrona. A medical supply ship is headed this way
from Starbase One Seven Four, but will take several days." Riker said.
"Did the admiral specify what caused the panic and the decision
to blame the malady on the Federation outpost?" Data asked.
"No, he did not. However, he did say that there were several
deaths at the outpost as well. Several of the dead had supposedly been
innoculated against the disease. But they caught it and died. There is
an Ensign Rodriguez among them."
"I remember her. She was a medical supervisor stationed on the
Enterprise in Engineering two years ago. Last I heard, she had been
transferred to a starbase. And yes, she was innoculated. In fact, I did
the innoculation. The innoculation was supposed to last at least five
years." Dr. Crusher said.
"Bad batch of medicine, perhaps, Doctor?"
"Possible, but I don't think so. There were others who were
innoculated on the same day, and they still have the antibodies against
meningitis."
"A strange mystery, indeed." Picard said. "Dismissed."
Chapter 2
"Approaching Kyron sector now, Captain." Data announced.
"Standard orbit, Commander." Picard replied.
A minute later, Data announced, "Standard orbit, sir."
"Number One, Data. Prepare to go down to the planet in a
shuttlecraft to see Admiral McCoy. The Kyrons lack transporter
technology."
"Aye, Captain." Riker responded. He was standing next to
LaForge at Science Station One.
The relief, Ensign Bob Mitchell, took over Data's position at ops.
Data headed for the turbolift. Riker followed.
"Deck Ten." Riker told the computer.
The turbolift began moving. But just as Riker was about to say
something to LaForge, the turbolift stopped and the lights went out.
"Power is now off in all nonessential decks." the computer
announced. A second later, the computer added, "RED ALERT.. INTRUDERS IN
TURBOLIFT TWO."
"Wait a minute! That's us!!" LaForge said.
"Riker to bridge." Riker said into his communicator. There was
no response. LaForge tried his. Also no response.
"Data, is there any way to override from here?" Riker asked.
"No, sir. Any tampering will raise the security alert level."
Data replied.
"Computer, reactivate turbolift two." Riker shouted.
"ALPHA CLEARANCE REQUIRED... RED ALERT... INTRUSION LEVEL TWO IN
TURBOLIFT TWO." the computer announced.
"The computer thinks we are intruders. Our normal security
clearances are invalid now." Data told the others.
LaForge leaned on one of the turbolift walls and said, "I wonder
how long before a security team gets here."
"DANGER! INTRUDER AFFECTING SHIP INTEGRITY. INTRUSION ALERT LEVEL
THREE IN TURBOLIFT TWO."
"We must be careful now. Any further move which the computer
considers dangerous will result in the computer firing bolts of
electricity at us." Data said.
"I know, Data." Riker replied.
"Yes, sir."
"Sir, intrusion alert in turbolift two." Worf announced.
"Deactivate the sirens. Continue red alert." Picard responded.
"Aye sir."
The red alert klaxon became quiet. The flashing red lights
continued to flash. Picard nodded at Worf.
"I have ordered a security team to go to turbolift two." Worf
said quietly.
"How could a Kyron get on board without our knowledge?" Ensign
Jimmy Dong asked the lieutenant commander which led the security team.
"I don't know, but we'll find out. Those Kyrons have triggered
every single security alert available. I wonder how long it will take
Engineering to repair the damage to the turbolift." Lieutenant Commander
Johnson replied.
They got off on deck fourteen. As far as they could tell,
the deck was quiet and dark. Johnson realized that this was one of
the decks the computer had selected for deactivation. He remembered
how Picard had reacted when the computer indicated that too much power
had been used up. The computer had activated automatic power shutdown
much to Picard's surprise.
They reached the turbolift where the intruders were located
Johnson looked at Ensign Dong. Dong lifted his tricorder in response
and began keying in clearance codes. The computer was slow to
respond.
"Ensign Pratt and Donalds, have your phasers on stun. Lieutant
King and Taylor, have your phasers on kill. We must be ready for whatever
occurs. Ensign Dong, are you ready to pop open this door?" Johnson asked.
"Aye, sir." Dong responded.
The door opened. The turbolift was halfway on deck fourteen and
halfway on deck fifteen. The four men with the phasers got as close to
the doorway as they could. Dong backed away and stood there. Johnson
moved into a position that allowed him to see the occupants. His mouth
opened wide.
"Commmmmander! We-e-e didnnn't knnow." Johnson stammered.
"It's okay. At ease!!" Riker ordered jovially.
The security officers lowered their phasers and helped the three
senior officers out of the turbolift. As soon as they were out, Dong
entered the codes to temporarily put the turbolift out of service until
Engineering had the time to repair it.
"Should I call Sickbay?" Johnson asked.
"No. We'll go to Shuttlebay One as scheduled. Let the bridge
know we'll be late getting down to the planet." Riker said.
"That kind of malfunction should be impossible." LaForge muttered
to himself.
"Sir, the security team reports they rescued the away team from
turbolift two." Worf said.
Picard's eyebrows went up. "Thank you, lieutenant." he said
softly.
"Sir, we have a problem. It seems the power shutdown trapped some
people on Ten Forward, and on holodeck two."
"Get them out, lieutenant."
"Sir, the woman on holodeck two is dead."
Chapter Three
An Engineering team headed toward Ten Forward. A security team,
consisting of Lieutenant Commander Johnson, Ensign Dong, and Ensign Pratt
followed.
As usual Dong was given the task of finding the right codes to
open any doors which required clearance codes. He was one of the few
personnel on the Enterprise who knew the constantly changing codes.
Dong wished he could have a different position, but Starfleet felt that
he was not qualified for anything besides keeping current clearance
codes in a tricorder. He had never been promoted either due to behavioral
problems.
"Computer, open this door." Johnson said.
"Beta clearance required."
Dong began entering codes into a tricorder. He then pressed the
transmit button. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the door slid open.
Dong entered a command to the computer which kept the door open. Dong
then entered the codes to allow the engineers the necessary access to the
controls which were located in a sealed box inside Ten Forward. The
engineers began their work.
Dong left Ten Forward and headed for the Engineering team that was
waiting for him in front of holodeck two. A medical team was also there
to take the body away. Just prior to leaving the bridge, Dong had made
sure that holodeck two was inoperable and placed into a permanent "Freeze
Program" state. All of this work would probably best be completed by
Lieutenant Worf, but Worf's shift had already ended. Picard had given
Dong a temporary promotion to lieutenant so that Dong would have enough
security clearance to complete his duty. After this was over, it was back
to the old Ensign Jimmy Dong, who spent most of his time tailing security
teams, and following the orders of his superiors.
The two teams waiting for him were glad to see him when he arrived.
Dong went to work immediately, and in another minute and a half, the door
slid open.
They rushed in to find that the holodeck image was of a large
forest. The dead woman was on the ground next to a large oak tree.
Dr. Crusher began examining the body with a medical tricorder.
"This woman was dead before the power shutdown." she said as she
looked up. Picard had just entered.
"Are you saying that her holodeck program killed her?" he asked.
"Yes."
"I want a full investigation into this. Someone run the program
and see what went wrong." Picard said.
"I will do it." Pratt said quickly.
"Make it so. But be careful. And freeze the program if something
goes wrong."
"Tell me, Admiral, what caused the Kyrons to suspect the
Federation of causing the malady?" Riker asked.
"One of the first to catch it was a member of one of the
work crews. He spent most of his time outside the outpost."
"Why are the hallways so desolate?"
"Other than me, the only other surviving outpost personnel
is Dr. Ching Tai, a computer scientist."
"Did he catch it or was he innoculated?"
"He was innoculated several years ago. The people he spent his
time with were innoculated more recently."
"What is the current security status?" LaForge asked.
"It is fine now, but rumors are floating around that a rebel
group is planning to attack the outpost soon."
"You aren't part of the regular crew here, are you?" Data asked.
"No. I came here a couple of weeks ago as part of a tour of all
Starfleet medical facilities. After all, I'm a doctor, not a
button-pusher."
"Are the medical facilities at this outpost acceptable?" Data
asked as he began walking around the room with a tricorder.
"Not very recent. The outbreak and the deaths are proof the
facility here is unacceptable."
"Admiral, a medical supply ship will be here in a few days. The
Enterprise has been asked to transport the most severely ill Kyrons to
quarantined quarters on the Enterprise until the medical supply ship
arrives." Riker said.
"Understood. I'll have Dr. Tai search his computers for the names
of persons to transport."
"Good." Riker said. He pushed his insignia/communicator, and
said, "Enterprise. Three to beam up."
"Stand by. Enterprise is on red alert. We are under attack by
Romulans. Stand by." Transporter Chief O'Brien replied.
Chapter Four
"Status report, ensign!" Picard said as he got up from the ground.
"All decks report only minor injuries." Dong replied. "Shields are
holding at 70%, sir."
"Confirmed, sir." Data said.
"Fire phasers." Picard ordered.
"Firing ... direct hit. 10% damage on flag ship." Dong said.
"Fire torpedos at will."
"Firing ... four hits. minor damage, all Romulan ships."
"Fire phasers."
"Firing ... phaser hit. four torpedo hits."
"Fire all at will."
"Romulan flagship has suffered major damage." Data reported
"We've been hit. Shields holding, sir."
The Romulan ships continued to fire at the Enterprise as their
flagship retreated.
"Shields holding. Minor damage on all Romulan ships."
Five minutes later, Data reported, "Shield failure in two minutes.
50% damage on all Romulan ships."
"They have just lost their shields and their weapons. They are
retreating, sir." Dong said a minute later.
Worf entered the bridge. He immediately checked the instrument
panel, and nodded to indicate that Dong could leave. He then looked up at
the main viewer, and said, "Lieutenant Worf, reporting for duty, sir."
"Damage report." Picard said as he nodded to Worf.
"Decks reporting in now. No casualties, sir." Worf responded.
"We are very vulnerable to further attacks, sir. It will take at
least four days to make necessary repairs." Data said.
"Understood. Keep me apprised."
"Shields are down now. You can beam up." Chief O'Brien
transmitted to the away team on the planet.
"Understood, O'Brien. On my signal." Riker turned to McCoy.
"We'll get back to you. O'Brien! Three to beam up... energize."
Riker entered the bridge two minutes later. He found the captain
had an audio-only communication link with Admiral McCoy.
"Status?" he asked Worf.
"The outpost was attacked immediately after you beamed up, sir.
If you had beamed up any later, your lives would have been in grave
danger."
"The outpost shields will fail any minute." McCoy said.
"We are sending down a security team to assist. However, we need
your shields down before we can use our transporters."
"By then it might be too late."
Picard looked at Data. "Outpost status?" he asked.
"Outpost shields down to 30% efficiency. Outpost will be incapable
of returning fire in forty seconds." Data responded.
"Worf, send a second security team. Have O'Brien beam them down
immediately behind the Kyron forces."
"Aye, sir."
Data turned around to look at Picard. "Sir, the outpost has just
lost its shields. Kyron fire now penetrating the outer walls of the
outpost. The outpost has switched to emergency environment control."
"Lieutenant, send two audio/visual probes to the surface. I want
to be able to see firsthand what is going on down there." Picard said to
Worf. He turned to Data and said, "Commander Data, continue monitoring
the situation."
"Aye, captain."
"Inform the bridge that Pratt has entered Holodeck Two,
ensign." Lieutenant Commander Johnson told Dong.
"Excuse me, commander, but Picard has promoted me to lieutenant."
Dong replied.
"Sorry, lieutenant. Just do as you were ordered."
"Everything seems all right so far." said Lieutenant LaForge, who
was looking at the panel next to the doors of Holodeck Two.
"Good." Johnson said.
There were two persons from Engineering, and five from Security
now standing in front of Holodeck Two. All of them were very tense.
However, no one could come up with a better way to find out what went
wrong with the holodeck.
"Computer, initiate constant report of the number of live sentient
beings in Holodeck Two. Do not include those beings which are computer
generated." LaForge said.
"Working ... one... one ... zero..."
Everyone gasped. Sweat was forming on LaForge's face. The
security personnel drew their phasers. LaForge studied the panel in front
of him.
"Computer, where is Ensign Pratt?" he asked.
"Ensign Pratt is not on board this ship."
"How could this be?"
"What happened?" Johnson asked.
"Computer, allow us entry into this program." LaForge said.
"You may enter when ready."
LaForge stepped up to the door. Suddenly, it opened and a dozen
Kyrons with weapons drawn appeared. A phaser battle between the Kyrons
and the security personnel began.
"Sir, deck nine is reporting a disturbance." Worf said anxiously.
"Sir, the Kyrons have now penetrated the outpost." Data said as he
quickly pressed several buttons.
"Lieutenant, send a security team to deck nine. Get me a
communication link to the outpost and to Starfleet Command. I'll take it
in my ready room. Commander Data, you have the bridge. Keep me informed."
said Picard as he entered his ready room.
LaForge lay on the ground. "I've got to get out of here." he said
to himself. He began to crawl toward the nearest turbolift. He heard
several screams behind him. He entered the turbolift.
"Bridge." he said.
The turbolift began moving. "How in the world did Kyrons get on the
Enterprise? And in a holodeck, too? What happened back there?" he thought
to himself.
He collapsed just as the doors opened. Worf quickly dragged him
out. LaForge looked at him and tried to get up.
"You are badly injured." Worf said. "You are bleeding on the
arms and legs."
"Yeah. I guess I am." LaForge said as he looked at his injuries.
"Sickbay, this is Lieutenant Worf. Emergency on the bridge.
Captain Picard, return to the bridge, please." Worf said as he tapped his
communicator.
Picard ran onto the bridge. Riker was already there.
"LaForge, what happened to you?" Riker asked.
"Kyrons...Ambush...Holodeck Two...No..." LaForge's voice
trailed off as he collapsed again.
Dr. Crusher and two other medical assistants entered the bridge.
They quickly put LaForge onto a stretcher and left the bridge.
"Okay, what's going on here?" Picard said loudly to no one in
particular.
"It seems that some Kyrons have managed to board the Enterprise
and ambushed the people at Holodeck Two. Something may have happened to
Ensign Pratt." Data said.
"Lieutenant Worf, send all of your men to handle the sitaution.
We can not have renegade aliens ambushing everyone on this ship!"
"Captain, I can not locate Ensign Pratt on this ship." Data said.
"Computer!" Picard said. "I need the whereabouts of Ensign Pratt."
"Ensign Pratt is not on this ship."
"Status, lieutenant?" Picard said anxiously.
Everyone turned around as Dr. Crusher reappeared on the bridge.
She immediately walked up to Picard.
"The situation may be worse than you think. Almost the entire
security team that Worf sent to guard Pratt is now in sickbay with phaser
wounds. In Commander Johnson and Lieutenant Dong's case, their injuries
are so bad I have to keep them under sedation." she said.
Behind them, Worf suddenly ran toward the turbolift and quickly
left the bridge. Picard wondered what else could be wrong.
"Captain, our probe is showing the Kyrons have taken Admiral McCoy
and Dr. Tai and placed them in the outpost's holding cell." Data said. A
minute later, he added, "Our security teams on the planet have retreated
and returned to the Enterprise. There are several injuries."
Picard activated the shipwide intercom. "This is Captain Jean-Luc
Picard. In one minute I will be initiating a red alert. It appears that
the enemy has invaded the Enterprise. All personnel are advised to arm
themselves. Non-essential personnel and all families are advised to seal
themselves in their rooms."
The relief at Worf's station pressed a few buttons on the panel.
Immediately the alarm klaxons began sounding and the red lights began
flashing again.
"Captain, the Kyrons have taken over Transporter Room Four. More
Kyrons are being beamed on board, sir." Data said.
"Bridge, this is Lieutenant Worf. We are outnumbered. I have
ordered all security teams to retreat to Shuttlebay Two."
Picard stood up and looked at Riker. His face was pale. "What do
you suggest, Number One." he said.
"If it gets any worse, we might have to evacuate the ship." Riker
replied.
"Agreed, Number One." Picard turned toward Data. "Commander Data,
is the invasion confined to a part of the ship?"
"The saucer section, sir. The stardrive section of the ship has
not been invaded." Data replied.
"Number One, command the battle bridge and take the stardrive
section back to Starbase One Seven Four."
"Yes sir."
"Data, prepare for separation. Prepare for evacuation sequence in
saucer section."
"Aye sir." Data replied. "Entering sequence now... switching to
main viewer..."
"All hands, prepare for saucer separation. Two minutes to saucer
separation." Picard said over the shipwide intercom.
Two minutes later, Data announced, "Retraction has started...
completed. Captain, sensors have picked up several Kyrons who tried to
get into the stardrive section but did not make it."
"Are there any Kyrons in the stardrive section?" Picard asked.
"Negative. We are now far away enough, sir."
"Captain, transmission from Commander Riker." Worf said.
"Main viewer." Picard said.
"Ready to head for Starbase One Seven Four, sir." Riker said.
"Make it so, Number One." Picard said. As the screen returned to
the neutral stars picture, Picard turned to Data. "Activate evacuation
sequence. Program in coordinates for the safest location on the planet."
"This is not a drill. Evacuation sequence protocol now in progress.
All personnel head to nearest Transporter Room or Shuttle Bay. Evacuate as
follows..."
Pandemonium broke out throughout the saucer section. Several more
persons were killed by the attacking Kyrons as they stood listening to the
seldom heard computer evacuation announcement. Thirty minutes later, the
ship was deserted except for three bridge officers and a swarm of five
hundred Kyrons roaming the ship.
"Computer, activate self-destruct sequence." Picard said.
"Does first officer concur?"
"Acting First Officer Data here. I concur." Data said.
Working... Accepted... Sequence, Five Minutes...Four Minutes,
Fifty-Nine Seconds...
As the three bridge officers carefully made their way toward the
nearest Transporter Room, they saw Kyrons running by them. Picard wondered
why the Kyrons who were so intent on killing them hours earlier were now
all ignoring them. Picard noticed that Data had taken out a tricorder and
was now pressing several buttons.
"Captain...we must return to the bridge." Data whispered.
"Why, Data?" Picard asked.
"All of the Kyrons are evacuating the Enterprise. They realized
that we were destroying the Enterprise. They have all beamed down to the
Federation outpost." Data whispered.
"Make it so." Picard said as he began running back to the bridge.
Data and Worf followed.
As soon as he arrived on the bridge, Picard said, "Computer,
deactivate self-destruct, no computer feedback on command."
"Acting First Officer Data here. I concur with deactivation
request." Data said.
Chapter Five
"Computer, how many beings on board this ship?" Picard asked.
"One Human, One Android, One Klingon."
"No one else?"
"Affirmative."
"Captain, incoming transmission from the Kyrons on the planet, sir."
"Main viewer." Picard said.
An old Kyron appeared. "Enterprise, I would like to know why you
attacked us?"
"You attacked my ship and our outpost at the same time. You have
captured our outpost, and you accuse us of attacking you?" Picard responded
angrily.
"We are at war, Enterprise. The Federation attacked us when the
outpost personnel gave us meningitis."
"We are peaceful peoples. Let us negotiate."
"That reminds me... we have captured all of your crew,
Enterprise. Thank you for giving them to us as hostages."
"I request a negotiation as specified in Kyron law."
"You have two hours to prepare for the negotiations, Enterprise.
When the time comes, we will let you know where to beam down."
"Agreed." Picard turned to Worf and whispered, "End transmission."
"How much longer before the supply ship will arrive?" Picard asked.
"Two days, sir." Data responded.
"Contact the supply ship and see if they can arrive earlier."
Picard told Worf. "Oh, and contact Commander Riker. Tell him to
bring back the stardrive section."
"Yes, sir." Worf said. A minute later, he said, "The supply
ship is aware of our situation and have increased their speed to warp
two point three seven. Commander Riker is also on his way, warp five."
"The supply ship will arrive in twenty three hours, fifty nine
minutes." Data said. "The stardrive section will arrive in twelve
hours, fourteen minutes."
"Contact the Kyrons and inform them we are ready to negotiate."
Picard ordered.
"You won't get away with this!" LaForge fumed. The Kyrons had
placed the Enterprise's crew into four of the outpost's nine holding cells.
"You are hostages. We do with you what we wish." The guard told
him. Another Kyron walked up and the two conversed for several minutes.
"Captain Picard wishes to negotiate. Our leader has agreed to
allow a Lieutenant Commander Geordi LaForge to be present to show our
goodwill." The guard announced.
"Show me the way." LaForge replied.
LaForge walked into a large assembly room. On one side was Picard
and Data. On the other side were seven Kyrons. The guard told him to sit
in between.
"Stardate 49275.6. Negotiation with the Kyrons for release of
Federation hostages and a new treaty between the Kyrons and the Federation."
Picard dictated into his portable log.
"This session of the Kyron Council is now in session. The chair
recognizes Federation Starship Enterprise Captain Jean-Luc Picard." Kyron
president Jihx Rah said.
"I petition the Kyron Council to negotiate a new treaty with the
United Federation of Planets to establish peace between the two nations,
and the release of the Enterprise crew." Picard said.
"Your petition has been recorded." Secretary Hyik Wyiq announced.
"I request a pre-negotiation vote as outlined by Code 4.27, Chapter
12." Council member Rol Syir said.
"Agreed." Jihx Rah said.
"Question: Should we negotiate with the Federation?" Hyik Wyiq
said.
"Nay."
"Nay."
"Nay."
"Aye."
"Nay."
"The vote has been recorded. Four Nay, One Aye. Captain Picard,
you may make your opening statement." Hyik Wyiq said.
"Around Stardate 9021.6, the Federation starship Discover found a
new race in the beta sector. The race called themselves Kyrons. Stardate
9743.1, five Kyrons died from a disease known as meningitis. The cause was
determined to be association with a human carrier of the disease. The Kyron
Council decided by vote that the Federation was not at fault, and that they
would innoculate all of their peoples to prevent such occurances again. It
appears, however that a new strain of this disease has appeared on Kyrona.
Today, however, the Kyron Council has decided not to follow precedent, but
to choose the reverse. I will prove today that the Kyron Council does not
have the evidence to make the change in policy. Thank you." Picard said.
He sat down, and drank a cup of water.
Jihx Rah stood up. He nodded at everyone in attendance, and then
said, "I will now make the opening statement for the Council. There is
clear evidence that precedence should not be followed. The Council
believes that Decision One Seven Two, Stardate 9744.5, is wrong. Since
the five died due to a human carrier, it is clear to us that the Federation
was at fault, but the council members on Stardate 9744.5 did not rule that
way. We, the Tenth Council, believe that the First Council, purposely made
an improper ruling on Stardate 9744.5 in order to stay friends with the
Federation. The Tenth Council, in Decision Nine Two Four, makes it clear
that the Federation is at fault. We can not help but take hostages when the
Federation Outpost and the starship Enterprise attacks us. The Council
believes that Decision Nine Two Four, as made by this council this morning
was fair, impartial, and should stand."
As he sat down, Jihx Rah rang the attention buzzer. "We will now
have a ten minute recess."
As soon as the Kyrons had left the room, Picard turned to Data and
said, "Well, what do you think?"
"The Council will probably argue that the Federation was at fault
for not providing medicine. We must argue that the Kyrons must learn to
make their own medicines, and other essential items for their people, and
that we are not babysitters."
"We must be careful." Worf remarked.
"Agreed. Let's keep our eyes and ears open."
"Captain, may I make a suggestion?" Data asked. When Picard
nodded, he continued. "It seems quite strange that the Kyrons were able to
board the Enterprise, and capture Ensign Pratt, since they have no
transporter capability. May I suggest that the Kyrons may be more
technologically advanced than the Federation has been led to believe?"
"I think the Kyrons are in league with the Romulans. The surprise
Romulan attack is most disturbing." Worf said.
"Let us not accuse them without further evidence. Data, enter the
nearest Kyron village, and check for signs of Romulan activity." Picard
said.
"I will have only five minutes."
"I think we can do without you for an hour. If we need you
desperately, I will contact you by communicator."
"Aye, sir."
"Will all rise for the Kyron council!" the baliff announced as the
members of the Kyron council entered the chamber once more.
"Captain Picard, the council believes that the Federation never
wanted to help and support Kyrona. If the Federation did, then why did
you contaminate our peoples with a fatal disease?" Jihx Rah asked
menacingly.
Data entered the Soniak village ten minutes later. Because of
his costume, the villagers did not recognize him as being someone from
Starfleet. Data carried a tricorder in his jacket. The tricorder took
measurements and made recordings which were immediately transmitted to
Data himself. This allowed Data the freedom to move around and not have
to check the tricorder's readings.
The street was full of Kryons. It was "rush hour." The Kryons
were returning home from work. Some of them stopped to talk to merchants
that were still selling their wares.
Data overheard a Kryon mention the word Starfleet. He stopped
to listen.
"Starfleet has a vessel orbiting Kryona this very moment."
A merchant nearby remarked, "Starfleet has no business keeping
a vessel and an outpost here. The council will force them away for
sure now that so many have died."
"Yes. My son was one of those that died. It pains me so that
Starfleet would trick a civilization like ours and we fell for it."
"I hear the council plans to make the hearings public."
"Good. Soniak will be there..."
"I am curious as to why you think that Starfleet tricked you." Data
interrupted.
"Do you have children?"
"No." Data replied.
"Then you don't know how it feels to have an evil organization
like Starfleet do this to us..."
"There have been casualties in Starfleet due to the outbreak
on this planet as well. Why do you think that..."
"Wait a minute... something is strange about you.." the Kryon
paused. "yes... I know. You're a Federation spy!"
A commotion ensued. Kryons from nearby shops ran toward Data.
Cries of "We caught a spy!" could be heard for miles.
