3 days earlier ...
Kirk was in the conference room talking to Prime Minister Coltan of Meriah Five. He could tell the minister was not too happy to see the Enterprise back in his planet's orbit, however, he seemed to be more cooperative than the last time he remembered talking to him. Guilt is a good motivator, Kirk thought. He wouldn't hesitate to remind Coltan of the brutal attack of his Secretary of Defense, Delihan, on Dr. McCoy, if he thought it could get him closer to his aim of finding more information about Tamulok, the Romulan Commander, and Tal Shiar agent, and his whereabouts. "You are obsessed with that man," Bones had told him, and Spock had agreed, although he hadn't said anything then, but Kirk knew anyway.
He didn't quite know himself why he so feared Tamulok, but he did. He just knew that the Romulan was planning something. He was dangerous. Maybe it was because Tamulok seemed to have an aura that made him seem quite likeable at first glance. People were compelled to trust him. Kirk had been fooled as well, until Tamulok had killed dozens of people in a bar and kidnapped Spock and himself.
"He just ruffled your ego, and you want revenge!" Bones had further argued. He was usually right about things like that, but in this case, Kirk had a feeling that Tamulok was an actual threat to the delicate peace in the whole quadrant. Ironically, only Velal, another Romulan spy, and resident of the Enterprise's brig at this very moment, seemed to share his concerns.
"We do not know where that Romulan is, Captain. In fact there are no Romulans at all on Meriah. Why do you think he has reason to be here?"
Kirk was almost certain now that Coltan was lying. But he had to be careful to not let it show. He didn't want to provoke him. Coltan was willing to begin negotiations with Federation diplomats and Kirk did not want to destroy that. He smiled. "It was just a guess, Prime Minister. Actually, ..." Kirk schooled his face into a mask of uncertainty, "there is something else I want to talk about."
Coltan's expression seemed to show relief and curiosity. "What is it?"
"Well, ..." Kirk had hoped that he would be able to get to the information without using his last ace up the sleeve, but now he had no choice. "May I ask what happened to Secretary Delihan?"
"He was sentenced to life in one of our labor camps, for assault, treason and abuse of authority," the Prime Minister said, then added: "I hope your Dr. McCoy is able to find at least some consolation in that."
Kirk cringed mentally. Bones actually did not care what happened or had happened to Delihan, he just wanted to forget the mind rape. Unfortunately, if Kirk's plans worked out, McCoy would have to face his tormentor once again.
"Yes, about that. Prime Minister, we are very thankful that you have acted in the name of justice in that affair, although the offender was a high official in your government. Such behaviour is anything but granted."
Coltan seemed to grow a few centimetres. Kirk could tell he'd liked what he'd heard. "Well, captain. On Meriah, all people are equal before the law. And what Delihan did is certainly against our law."
"Yes. But as I said, I know many governments that would have covered up any crime of its members."
"Not on Meriah."
"I am glad. And so is Dr. McCoy."
"I hope he is alright."
"Well, he does have some difficulties with coming to terms with the whole incident," Kirk said, observing Coltan closely.
"I'm sorry to hear that. As I said, he might find some consolation in knowing that justice has been served."
Kirk nodded slowly and almost smiled. He was going to achieve his goal. "It may. ... Prime Minister, in our world it is custom that after an offender in a trial has been sentenced, the victim is allowed to see and talk to the convict. It often helps to give them some kind of gratification."
Coltan imperceptibly raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You mean revenge?"
Oops, Kirk still had to be careful. "No, not revenge. As you said, it just gives the victim some kind of consolation to see for himself that justice has been served. Also, it may help to understand the motives of a person. It is considered to be healing in the whole process of digesting such an act of violence. But of course, that's just our system. I've found that on other worlds an offender's interests often outweigh the interests of the victim. It is a matter of opinion, I guess."
Coltan's eyebrow had come down again, but now it seemed to be too low. Kirk waited. He just hoped he had been reading the guy correctly. Not all species used the same body language of course.
"Does Dr. McCoy want to talk to Delihan?"
Kirk bowed his head in relief. "It would mean a lot to him."
"Alright. He has the permission to visit Delihan in the prison and labor camp of Prolia tomorrow morning."
"That is very kind of you, Prime Minister. We do appreciate your courtesy. Will he have to come alone, all by himself?"
Coltan sighed and his shoulders sagged which made Kirk think that Meriahni body language was not so different after all.
"If he wishes, you can accompany him. However, you must realize that this is an exception made only out of courtesy. Normally, aliens are not allowed outside our capital and government district. Our people do not wish to come into contact with outworlders. It is not xenophobia, it is our custom."
"Of course. And thank you again, Prime Minister."
o0o
When Kirk had ended the conversation with Meriahn's Prime Minister Coltan, he absentmindedly chewed the inside of his lip. So far, so good. Delihan had been on Tamulok's ship. He probably knew more about him. Maybe he even had an idea about where he might be at the moment. Kirk was fairly sure that he would be willing to tell them, especially when they told him that Tamulok had destroyed his own ship with all of his crew, including Delihan's daughter.
There was just one thing that bothered him. McCoy. He had to come with Kirk into the labor camp, otherwise Kirk's explanation of why he had to see and talk to Delihan would be of no use. And Bones would not be thrilled.
