FYI: Class F is a yellow-white star whose temperature ranges between 6,000 and 7,500 degrees Fahrenheit. A Class K is an orange star whose temp. ranges between 3,500 and 5,500 degrees. Our own sun's temperature ranges between these two at 5,200 and 6,000 degrees.

Planet temperatures mentioned vary more than is mentioned below depending, of course, where you are located. The cities of the Capitol and Tormikan Bay are approximately level with Kansas in the US; Spain and Italy in Europe; Afghanistan and Japan in Asia when you look on a map of the world. I don't include latitude and longitude because Sentari is slightly larger than earth, and the scale isn't quite the same. This is just a general idea of where the cities are in relation to the equator. 138 degrees F. is equal to 59 degrees Celsius. 98 degrees F. is equal to 38 degrees C. - in case you didn't want to look it up.

No Warnings . . .

PROLOGUE

Aloni Ranah pushed her mount onward toward the palace through the crowded streets of the capitol. Trying to make headway at this time of day was an effort in futility. Glancing overhead, she could see that Zur, the class F yellowish star of Sentari's twin sun system had already reached its zenith; Zol, the cooler class K orange star, would be following suit shortly.

It was Sentari's cool season; named after the smaller sun because Zol was closer for half of the year. The other half, life was only tolerable because of Sentari's elliptical orbit kept the planet a distance from Zur. Even so, the Zur season became very warm by most Federation civilizations' standards with the average temperature of 138 degrees. Today, however, was a chilly ninety-eight degrees. She suppressed a shiver and raised her internal body heat slightly to compensate.

She wished she had sent her daughter's message out in the morning, but she had been running late all day. Now it would have to wait until evening to be posted. Her long, dark brown hair was pulling free from where it was secured at the back of her neck. Her grey-green eyes noted the positions of the people around her so as to not cause injury to the unwary. In truth her caution was unfounded for most Sentarians. It was only the very little children who had yet to develop the awareness of their surroundings and a bit of self-discipline that the horse-bound traveler must keep watch for.

As she pulled out of the marketplace, Aloni was able to spur her horse into a brisk canter, and covered the rest of the distance quickly. She reigned him in and dismounted, leaving him to one of the palace's stable hands as she bounded up the marble steps, taking three at a time. One last glance at the noonday sky told her that it was nearly second zenith. She had only minutes to reach the council chamber.

Noa would be furious with her if she were late. Having no emergencies at the medicenter meant that she would also have no excuse. Aloni knew that the queen wouldn't mind, but her husband was a different matter altogether. He refused to consider her tardiness as being fashionably late. She rolled her eyes thinking of Noa's peeve. One would think the man would have been used to it after nearly twenty seasons of marriage.

Reaching the council chamber, Aloni pushed open the double doors and crossed the room with only seconds to spare. She flopped down in her chair, tossing her husband a delighted smile where he sat across from her. The scowl on his face indicated how close she had cut it, but soon his frown began to melt under her cheerful disposition. In all their seasons together, only Aloni could tease the man out of his grumpiness with only a look.

"Don't look so smug," Noa whispered brusquely. "You almost didn't make it."

"Ah, but I did now, didn't I? Don't sulk, dear; it's unbecoming a man of your position," Aloni winked at her husband mischievously.

Looking around the table, Aloni noticed that there were two others that hadn't made it on time. She leaned over the table conspiratorially.

"It would appear that we are missing a couple of people," she said.

Noa answered without looking up from his notes.

"Frishka Tennot should never have made the council," he grumbled. There was no love lost between Noa and the councilwoman. "And Her Majesty is probably making sure you made it here before she did." He glanced up at her. "Did you call to tell her you were running behind?"

"No, I didn't," Aloni crinkled her nose at the man. "I know you and Frishka don't like one another, but could you at least attempt a little civility when she is in the room? She was appointed to the council the same as you were," she admonished.

"Not just like me either! I earned the right to be here; just as you did. She's a civilian, for the Almighty's sake." The word left an unpleasant taste in his mouth.

Aloni frowned at his language, and was rewarded at the slight flush that covered his cheeks. It was another achievement that only she could manage.

"I'm the head physician and you are the Commodore of the planet's military. Hardly the same thing, you realize. She had to be voted into the civilian's council before she could be appointed, unlike you and me. Our positions alone guarantee our place here," she reminded him.

Noa frowned at her. "Since when did you become her defender?"

Aloni ignored his question. "Civilians aren't so bad, you know. Without them, you wouldn't have a job . . . Or food, or clothing, or a home, or . . ."

"Alright already," Noa raised a hand as he interrupted her. "You've made your point. But does she have to be late every time?"

"She's not late every time," Aloni point out with a smirk. "Sometimes I am."

"Why are you taking up for her all of a sudden? You like her even less than I do," Noa countered. He eyed his wife suspiciously.

"Don't try to outflank me, Noa," Aloni returned his glare. "I am your wife; not your enemy. I'm just reminding you to be nice once in a while."

"Not in my job description," her husband snarked back at her.

"If you can't say something nice . . ."

She didn't have the chance to finish as the doors to the chamber opened with a loud noise as they banged into the walls catching everyone in the room's attention.

"Well," Noa drawled loudly; leaning back in his chair. "Speak of the devil."

Aloni shot him a look of warning. His eyebrows rose in mock innocence.

Noa Ranah settled back into his chair, determined to ignore Tennot's disruption. He was not a happy man today and his countenance bespoke his disposition as loudly as if he had bellowed it. The other council members were doing their best to avoid attracting his attention. Only Aloni had the nerve to challenge him . . . Of course, she was the reason behind his mood in the first place, and it had nothing to do with her habit of tardiness.

He had been forced to listen to his wife's opinion of their daughter's last communique the previous evening and he was less than pleased. It was bad enough that Kaura had insisted on leaving her homeworld and joining Starfleet, but now Aloni was convinced that the girl had foolishly gone and fallen in love . . . And not with just anyone, but with her commanding officer, no less; an offworlder!

Frankly, he couldn't see what Aloni had been talking about when he had watched it. He had noticed how impressed she seemed to be with her head of security, but he was certain that was merely a professional opinion and a sign of respect. While he could admire a man who believed enough in his ideals to make a career out of defending them, Noa wasn't ready to witness his only child forsaking a relationship with one of her own people in order to court romance with an offworlder. The very idea was impossible!

Unfortunately, even Queen Britania had expressed interest in this offworlder that had apparently so captured the attention (and heart?) of her only goddaughter. He had sat through an uncomfortable evening of listening to the two women devising a plan of action in an effort to meet this young man. So, it was that Noa's evening and this whole day had been spoiled by the queen's decision to do the unheard of and grant the man visitation privileges if he agreed to accompany Kaura home on her next shore leave.

Now, he sat with the council, some of whom he didn't particularly like, waiting for meeting that would change Sentari forever. He wondered how much Kaura's communique had influenced the decisions that Britania's was about to present the council. He had listened to an overview of the meeting's itinerary the previous evening. If the queen had her way, his job protecting this world would become that much more difficult.

He couldn't imagine the council would agree to this. He only prayed that the queen would be willing to listen to common sense. She had purposely ignored his advice last night, but certainly when the rest of the council members repeated his arguments, she would listen to reason. But, if by some disaster, the queen's plans for Sentari went through, Noa would likely need to call Kaura home. He would see to reinstating her to her previous position in Sentari's military. She was her father's daughter, after all, and he trusted her at his side than anyone else on the planet.

He watched as his wife exchanged a few pleasantries. Every day she grew more beautiful to his eyes. Her long, dark hair, currently upswept for convenience, remained untouched by gray, and her face virtually unmarked by the seasons. She was his center when life became chaotic. She grounded him when his temper boiled. Simply knowing that she would always be there for him calmed his ragged nerves.

"This meeting will be called to order."

"All bow in reverence to your queen," the chancellor's voice rang out.

All thirteen members rose out of their chairs as one. Stepping away from the table, each dropped to one knee; their right fist against their chest above their hearts.

The woman that entered the chamber was stunningly beautiful. Her long, golden hair was swept up in an artful tangle of loose curls; soft tendrils framing her face and creating a halo effect when she stood in the sunlight. Her brilliant, emerald green eyes were windows to the wisdom and compassion with which she ruled her people. She carried herself with the grace and nobility of her birthright; commanding the attention of those around her more from the respect she had earned than from the title she bore.

Queen Britania of Sentari rolled her eyes at the formality. Everyone's heads were bowed, so no one would notice her lapse. She was eager to get this meeting started and was impatient for the delay.

As she walked the length of the table, she surveyed her council of advisors. Each of them differed in their opinions in nearly every item that was brought to the table; leading to some rousing arguments, but they all had, at one time or another, proven their wisdom and leadership in times of trouble and peace alike. Their loyalty to Sentari was unquestionable, and it went without saying that each would willingly sacrifice their very lives if called upon to do so. A few of them had even become friends.

Taking her place at the head of the table, Britania clapped her hands to permit her counselors to be seated. She winced a little in sympathy for Rohan Benoit, the eldest of her advisors; representing the science and technology division of the planet's southern hemisphere, as he struggled to his feet. The man was 48 seasons if he was a day. She was careful to keep her sympathy to herself. The old man's ego wouldn't stand for what he condemned as pity.

The planet's two hemispheres were separated by a large stretch of uninhabitable desert that encircled the world like a fat, white ring. Six advisors represented the southern hemisphere of Sentari, and six, the northern half. Each representing one faction of the people she ruled over. And then there was Noa Ranah, the Commodore of Sentari's vast military. His power was second only to hers. Not even her heir could gainsay the man; at least, not until he ruled in her stead.

A number of seasons away, she thought; amused. She was feeling on top of the world at the moment; anxious to usher in a new era for all of Sentari. But first she had to convince thirteen of the most stubborn, recalcitrant men and women on the planet.

She was glad that she had decided to approach Noa and Aloni Ranah first. For her plans to be successful, it would require their support, and she trusted no one as she did these two; her closest friends. Friendship, however, did not guarantee they would back her. Noa hadn't been convinced last night. Britania knew without saying that the couple discussed the topic late into the night after leaving the palace. But who convinced whom as to what the right path would be?

"I called you here to discuss our association with the United Federation of Planets," she began.

She had their attention with that phrase. Every eye was on her. There were a number of the council that believed Sentari should renounce their membership and return to the planet's previous reclusive and solitary existence. She saw speculation and hope in their eyes. Too bad she was about to disappoint them.

"We have been members of the Federation for fifty seasons, and we have yet to open our world to them or venture to other planets in either commerce or tourism. It is time we reevaluate our position amongst our neighbors," she told them.

Benoit frowned in speculation. "Will we be dropping out of the Federation, your majesty?"

"I never said that, Rohan," but Britania didn't bother to elaborate. She wanted opinions. "Will any of you speak your minds?"

Frishka Tennot, the most vocal of the group, stood. "What exactly are your suggesting, your highness? That we should consider granting offworlders open access to the planet?" It was plain in her voice that the woman disapproved.

"Perhaps not 'open' access, but something along those lines, Councilwoman Tennot," Britania told her. "Do you disagree?"

Noa scanned the faces of his fellow councilmembers; curious as to their reactions to this extreme measure. Tennot was inclined to be forceful in her views, and, if she were supportive of the queen's suggestion, then most of the others were likely to be as well. As much as he dislike her personally and they had their differences of opinion, he could only admire her tenacity. Tennot represented the northern hemisphere's commerce and industry's interests in affairs of state; she being the daughter and wife of a merchant herself. The oft time conflicting views between economics and the military always kept the two members at odds with each other. Tennot's people were predicted to benefit from this idea, but it was also a well-known fact that Tennot was a traditionalist.

Noa was interested in what came out of that woman's mouth for the first time since he met her. Surely the merchants of Sentari could only benefit from this easing of sanctions, but he knew Tennot would never completely approve of any plan that opened their world up to the rest of the Federation. The conflict, this time, would be with herself.

"I'll admit that doing so would expand our commerce considerably . . ." Frishka admitted reluctantly.

Always the businesswoman, Noa thought. She remained true to form.

"But how far are you proposing to allow this access? Surely your majesty isn't suggesting a retraction of our most sacred law, after all, it was ordained for the well-being of the galaxy."

When Britania made no comment, Frishka blanched. "If the law wasn't so vital, why would its violation hold the penalty of death? Could we live with ourselves should a war erupt?"

Rohan leaned forward. "War would most certainly be the result of such a foolish maneuver! You would condemn our children and grandchildren, indeed, all our future generations to a future of never ending battle!"

Britania sighed.

"At the time that the law was created, it was proven to be a wise decision. To introduce to the galaxy what was an immeasurable destructive power would have very well made our people the accomplices to the murders of innumerable planets. It would have plunged Sentari into an eternal war in order to protect this vital, natural resource and place on our heads a well-deserved burden of guilt.

"But I have recently reviewed the constitution of the United Federation of Planets and have found it worthy of a measure of our trust and certainly of our obligation as members to contribute to the continued growth and enhancement to the lives of its citizens. Our forefathers thought enough of the constitution to begin our alliance with the UFP some fifty seasons ago. During this time, we have benefitted from the wealth of the Federation's scientific and technological advances, and yet in return we have stubbornly refused to offer anything of ourselves or of our planet in return."

Britania searched the faces of her most trusted advisors; looking for some modicum of contrition. "We have become uncharitable and self-seeking. And yet we pat ourselves on the back for our altruism and vainly proclaim ourselves the keepers of humanity. And I, for the first time in my existence, am embarrassed of my world. I am ashamed of myself for allowing Sentari to become a leech at the neck of our allies."

All of this, Noa was aware of. He couldn't say that he approved wholeheartedly, but he could see where their self-imposed isolation shamed their people. It had been part of Kaura's argument that had led to his and Britania's yielding to her request to join Starfleet. Well, that and the opportunity to critique Starfleet's military acumen and their training techniques.

It had been interesting to hear her report. Starfleet relied heavily on its weapons and technology. Their hand to hand skills were less than impressive in comparison to Sentari's people. Kaura had been amused when she had been offered a position as a training instructor upon completing her time at Starfleet Academy. Tempting though it had been, she had instead requested a position in security on Starfleet's own flagship.

It wasn't surprising that she had been granted her request. Kaura had finished early and at the top of her class. She had even refused a promotion, preferring to go aboard as a mere ensign and working her way up by conventional means. On Sentari, Kaura's military rank was equal to that of a Starfleet captain. She was the youngest to have ever reached such a rank aside from her own father. That she would turn this down to enter Starfleet as a lowly ensign, annoyed him greatly. Had she remained on planet, she would have likely been awarded the 4th commander's position by the age of eighteen seasons.

Britania yanked Noa's thoughts back to the present with her next announcement.

"In six weeks' time, Sentari will be hosting the Galactic Diplomacy Meeting for the UFP in Tormikan Bay. Ambassadors will be traveling here from across Federation territory in order to renew their oaths to the Federation of Planet and work out difficulties and create treaties with their neighbors while under our largesse," Britania told them.

He sat forward in his chair. The queen had said nothing of this the night before. His eyes darted to his wife, but she, too, appeared startled by the announcement. Stunned silence answered her.

Noa cleared his throat. "Your grace, do you think this is wise?"

The look she bestowed on him would have had anyone else at the table on their knees, but Noa wasn't the Commodore for nothing.

"You will be opening up our world to the presence of hundreds of offworlders, many of whom hold onto their Federation citizenship by the skin of their teeth and a benevolence granted to them only by the distance spread between them and their neighbors," he stressed. It was difficult to contain his anger, and from the looks on Aloni and Britania's faces, he was failing spectacularly.

"This has been on my mind for couple of seasons," Britania replied. "Recent developments have simply made the opportunity too good to pass up."

Frowns around the table mirrored his own, but where their expressions were marred by confusion, Noa and Aloni's both understood all too well. Kaura's last few communiques had sparked the queen's curiosity. How long ago had she determined what Aloni and he had only just discovered? That Kaura was in love with an offworlder . . .

But this action seemed a bit extreme for the queen to arrange to meet her goddaughter's love interest! She must have indeed been planning this action for a long time. That Kaura had found herself a beau was, but a mere bonus.

Two chairs away, Pax, the northern representative of urban development, spoke up. "This is why you had the new conference center built!"

The conference center was a modern marvel of architecture and engineering. One of the largest buildings of its kind. Noa had toured it on numerous occasions with an eye for security. It was a jewel in the crown that was already Tormikan Bay, one of the most beautiful cities in the northern hemisphere.

It had its own nearby dormitories and apartments, created not for housing Sentarian representatives obviously, but for a flood of visiting offworlders. At least here, Noa could see that the queen had kept the city's inhabitants in mind. Better to keep all the offworlders contained in one area. Safer that way, and he had no doubt the visitors would be allowed out only in specially arranged tours of carefully chosen points of interest.

His mind swirled with infinite details that he would need to arrange before the ambassadors' arrival. It could be done, he thought. It wouldn't be easy, but it could be done.

"I hope to address the Federation representatives about the qualities of our natural resource and prepare the way for more of our people to live, work, and explore the galaxy beyond our own system," Britania added.

At this, a collective gasp went up.

Not resources . . . The queen had said 'resource', and Noa had no doubt that had been done purposely. There was only one resource on the planet that was linked directly to Sentari's most sacred law.

"No." It was but a whisper. Noa didn't dare speak aloud. But he wouldn't have to; everyone present was thinking the exact same thing.

Their people were highly disciplined. It began at infancy and never ceased throughout a person's seasons. It followed him into the grave itself. No one spoke of or demonstrated the use of the sunstones in the presence of an offworlder . . . Any offworlder! To do so promised death to both the Sentarian and offworlder alike . . . Swift and unforgiving death.

"You seek to recall the Law of Secrecy?" Frishka gasped.

"It is time," their queen decreed.

Aloni sent him a panicked look. His own face had closed down; hiding his emotions and his own reservations about the wisdom or foolishness of this plan. He was leaning heavily towards foolishness. He could not imagine a happy outcome once the news of this got out.

The people would not agree to this.

REVIEWS WELCOME . . .

This is a new fandom for me, but this story has been simmering in my mind since before there was an official fan fiction site. I had begun this with the intentions of publishing it, but it began to go places that worked better here than in canon. Consider this an AU . . . Although, I stray only a tiny bit at this point.

Could you figure out who the Starfleet officer is? If you are a fan at all of the original series and its subsequent movies, it should be glaringly obvious. :D