ENTERPRISE

"His Majesty, King Travis"

by J. B. Tilton

Rating: K

Disclaimer: "Star Trek", "Enterprise", and all related characters and events are the sole property of Paramount Pictures, Inc., except for those specifically created by me for this story. This is fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.

On an alien world, a good deed by Travis is rewarded by an engagement to the next queen of the planet. And refusal means war between Earth and this militarily superior alien culture.

ONE

Trip, Malcolm, and Travis wandered through the market place of this alien world. In many ways it reminded the three Enterprise officers of the market places that had once existed on Earth. Just about anything anyone could want could be found in a market place like this.

"You know," said Trip, "sometimes it's hard to remember these people have warp technology. This market place is almost primitive."

"Just a tradition of their culture, Commander," said Travis. "They reserve their technology for space travel. I think it's kind of refreshing to find a culture that doesn't rely on its technology for everything."

'Travis," said Trip, "we're off duty. You don't have to call me commander. Call me Trip like everyone else."

'I couldn't do that, Commander," said Travis. "It just wouldn't seem right."

"Remember when we were like that?" asked Malcolm. "Don't worry, Trip. I'm sure he'll grow out if it soon."

Natives of the planet bowed slightly as the three officers passed them. Many were startled for a moment when they walked up, but they quickly recovered. They would stare for a moment in surprise at the three humans, and then suddenly remember the traditional greeting of their planet.

It wasn't that the humans were alien to the planet. The Nogarrans had met alien cultures before. Physically, humans and Nogarrans were quite similar. The Nogarrans were slightly smaller than humans, but other than this they were quite similar.

What took the Nogarrans by surprise was Travis' dark skin. Most Nogarrans had never seen anything like it. Unlike Earth, Nogarra and most of the planets they dealt with did not have a variation within their dominant species. To see someone who appeared to be so different from others of the same race was something of a novelty for the Nogarrans.

"I wish they wouldn't do that," said Travis as more Nogarrans bowed before moving on. "It make me nervous and uncomfortable."

"Don't worry about it, Travis," said Trip. "We'll be gone from here in a few days and it will all be over."

"It still makes me uncomfortable," said Travis. "It's almost as if they think we're better than they are."

"Just a tradition of their culture," said Trip, "remember? As I understand it, it is a sign of respect and honor. A lot like it used to be among some cultures on Earth."

The three continued on down the street viewing the myriad items for sale. Nogarrans hawked their wares at any passersby. When they were politely turned down, they turned their attention to others on the street."

"Command," said Malcolm, looking down an alleyway, "it looks like there's some trouble down there."

Trip and Travis looked down the alleyway. A young woman was struggling with four men who seemed intent on dragging her away. Suddenly, one of the men pulled out something that looked similar to a hypospray and injected the woman. She immediately went limp.

"Hey," screamed Trip, always the knight in shining armor, "what's going on down there?"

The men turned in unison and looked at the three Star Fleet officers. They suddenly dropped the woman and hurried away from her. Trip and the others ran down the alleyway to the woman.

"Travis, make sure she's okay," said Trip. "Come on, Malcolm. Let's make sure her friends are gone."

As Trip and Malcolm hurried after the woman's assailants, Travis checked her over. She didn't seem seriously injured but her breathing seemed to be dangerously shallow. Whatever that injection had been meant to do, it might have been too strong a dosage. Travis looked around. A woman stood in the doorway of a nearby building looking at him.

"I need some help here," he called to the woman, picking up the unconscious woman. "Can you call for a doctor?"

Before Travis could move or the woman could speak, several Nogarran soldiers appeared, surrounding Travis. They were all armed and they had their weapons drawn, pointing them at Travis.

"Stand still, assassin," said one of the Nogarran soldiers. "If she has been harmed, you will pay dearly for your insolence."

Travis froze, staring at the weapons trained on him.