Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, don't make money off 'em.
Notes: RL has finally eased a little so I can actually work on this. Our heroes find themselves in an uncomfortable diplomatic situation...and in a lot of trouble.
Reviews, please! Thanks!
R/S
Rating: T
Four
The Trianara Council chambers reminded Hoshi of the Sanctuary of P'Jem. The floor-to-ceiling columns were inscribed with brightly-colored text and pictures, and the warm sandstone walls reflected the light from the torches. She glanced down at the floor at the intricate mosaics embedded there; sea-blue, crimson and verdant glass sparkled in the dim light.
"Ve'Char Reed, it is good to see you."
Malcom smiled and extended his hand to Marshall Subronn. "Marshall Subronn."
Subronn grasped his hand and shook it once before letting it go. He looked sideways at Hoshi, then at Captain Archer. "You must be Ensign Sato, the translator of Captain Archer," he said, with a friendly nod at both of them. Hoshi noticed that he used a dialect that marked them as equals to Subronn's rank and social status.
"Captain Jonathan Archer," Archer confirmed and also shook Subronn's hand. "And yes, this is Ensign Sato."
Subronn bowed deeply to her as she translated the words."It is an honor and pleasure to finally meet the di'nahra of the esteemed Captain, and the Kv'ohraiya of Lieutenant Reed. He has spoken highly of your translation skills."
She blushed; "di'nahra" roughly translated as "voice", which in a sense, was accurate. Kv'ohraiya meant something like "a military officer's mate, with all the privledges and honors therein, and a noblewoman in her own right." It was a title rarely used in high Trianaran society, though it did exist.
"Thank you," she replied. "May I ask...Kv'ohraiya?"
Subronn inclined his head at her. "I see the way he looks at you, Ni'Chara. My job is to notice things like that. I would not say otherwise, should the Prefect asks of your relationship with him."
"Ah." Hoshi said with a nod. Subronn was warning her about Prefect Gavva's intentions; Gavva would be less likely to attempt anything untoward. "I understand."
"Hoshi?" Malcolm asked.
"I was just clarifying some arrangements," she answered. Strictly speaking, it was the truth. "But I think we should still be careful."
"Agreed," Archer said. He nodded at Subronn. "Marshal?"
"This way." Subronn brought himself along Captain Archer as they walked down the corridor, as befitted his rank, while Malcolm and Hoshi took up the rear. Again, Malcolm offered his arm to her, and she took it and kept in step with him.
The corridor led to a large atrium with a skylight set high above it. Moonlight illuminated the room's mosaics and wall paintings, throwing rainbows of color. Huge transparent windows revealed a view of the nearby mountain valley. It was a breathtaking sight, if Hoshi was relaxed enough to enjoy it.
"Captain Archer." Prefect Gavva turned from a conversation with a minor official. An unnatural smile cracked his face as he offered a hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you face to face."
"Prefect Gavva," Archer answered, as he shook Gavva's hand once, as was customary. He nodded at Malcolm. "My armory officer, Lieutenant Malcolm Reed and my communications officer and translator, Ensign Hoshi Sato."
Gavva nodded at Malcolm. "Yes, we've already spoken on the comm channel. Be welcome, Lieutenant."
Malcolm only nodded at him and Gavva's eyes narrowed in a calculating look as he took in the formal uniform and the way Malcolm held Hoshi's arm. The Prefect's look of surprise was smoothly hidden under a polite expression.
"I did not know she was your Kv'ohraiya, Lieutenant," he said. "Forgive me; I meant no offense in our earlier conversation. You have my word that she will receive the best hospitality and care while she is under my eye here."
Hoshi translated his words and Malcolm replied in turn, "I appreciate your cooperation in this matter, sir."
Gavva turned back to Captain Archer. "Let me introduce you to my Council, then we will enjoy a meal before I and my Council listen to what you all have seen and experienced."
The next three hours crawled by as Gavva took them around the atrium, introducing them to every member of his Council. Hoshi translated the formal greetings and polite mouthings, while committing every face and name to memory. She noticed that each Council representative hailed from the largest and most influential sectors of Trianara. There were no people from the trade guilds, the mining caste, or the medical caste. Fully half were officers in the Trianara Forces, including Marshall Subronn. All of them were male and over 40 Trianaran seasons old. No one paid attention to her, despite the fact she was translating for the captain; it was as if she didn't exist, which suited her just fine.
"It's a miracle they get anything done, it seems," Malcolm commented, as they shared a mug of good Trianarian spring water. "There's what...close to sixty Council members?"
Hoshi shook her head. "Numbers are deceiving. Most of the Sixty take their orders directly from the military caste, who support Gavva. Effectively, Gavva has all of them dancing to his tune. It's a 'benevolent dictatorship'."
"No wonder it seems that the Council has no idea of how serious this crisis is."
"They do, but they can't even breathe without Gavva's explicit permission." She shook her head. "I don't like this, Malcolm. Even if we do tell them how bad it is, I doubt they'd do much unless he allows them to."
"A bloody shame. And what about the missing keracite?"
Hoshi frowned. "No one's even mentioned it. Either they don't know about it or no one wants to talk about it."
"Subronn would have told some of them. I can't believe they don't know about it." He glanced over as Gavva motioned the Council to take their seats. "Looks like the Prefect is calling the meeting to order. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"If I can get through to one of them, it will be worth it." Despite her brave words, it took all over her self-control to keep from shakiang like a leaf. All eyes would be on her, especially Prefect Gavva's. He had given her some unreadable looks throughout the introductions. She knew he was already revising his original plan, whatever it was.
Malcolm looked over at her and whispered in her ear, "I'll be right here and the Captain will be close by. We won't let anything happen to you."
She gave him a smile of relief. "Thank you, Malcolm."
The Council quickly assumed their seats and Gavva stood up from his position high above the others. "I have asked our guests to relate their experiences in helping our people in the wake of this attack. Please listen and think on what you hear; these reports will provide much information for our investigation." He inclined his head at Hoshi. "Please."
She took a deep breath and glanced over the Sixty. Their reactions ranged from curious, to suspicious, to indifferent. It looked no different from the panel she'd faced when she'd defended her thesis in linguistics years ago. As long as she kept that in mind, it wouldn't be so bad. So she took another deep breath and began to talk. She found herself slipping into what she dubbed "teacher mode", modulating her voice to keep her audience's interest. Her voice rang through the atrium and echoed like a siren song in a cavern.
Unconsciously, she used her hands and body language to make her points known, like a dancer. It was a habit that came naturally to her; she couldn't even restrain herself, even if she tried.
And close by, Malcolm marveled at her oratory skill as she kept the Sixty under her spell. He watched their reactions carefully. Those who were indifferent began to show some interest, those who were hostile softened their expressions, while those who were curious watched with awe. Gavva, in particular, kept his eyes on her, with something resembling a wicked pleasure.
Malcolm shifted slightly and attracted Gavva's attention for a moment. The Prefect's features hardened as their gazes met in a cold challenge. Malcolm's words were clear without being spoken: Touch her and I will kill you. Make no mistake of that. Gavva's mouth turned upward in a bemused smirk, then he returned his attention to Hoshi's lecture.
"He's a clever bastard, isn't he."
Malcolm glanced at Captain Archer in surprise. Archer's face was impassive as ever, but the low, angry tone told Malcolm what he was thinking. Such language was out of character, but Archer noticed things when it involved his crew.
"Yes, sir," Malcolm replied in a low voice.
"When Hoshi's finished, I'd like to get out of here as quickly as we can without offending them."
"I fervently agree with you, sir."
Hoshi's sharp hearing overheard the conversation and she smoothly brought her report to an end. She paused, looked over the assembly, bowed to Gavva, then took a step back towards Malcolm, blatantly putting herself back into his protection. Marshall Subronn pounded his tabletop with his fist; within moments, the rest of the Sixty took up the applause.
Gavva stood up and bowed back to her, causing a pleased and surprised gasp among the Sixty. It signified that he was willing to speak to her as an equal, an honor bestowed on very few. "Thank you for that enlightening report, Ni'Chara. We will take your words under due consideration and find ways to better serve our people during this crisis."
"I am grateful for your willingness, Prefect," she replied coolly.
Gavva made his way down to the floor and stopped a few meters away from her. Smoothly, Malcolm stepped between them as was his right as her protector. A pleased murmur swept through the Sixty at his actions.
"I mean her no harm, Ve'Char Reed. I only wish to honor our previous agreement." Gavva smiled and held out his hand. "If it would ease your mind, the Ni'Chara can hand the data chips to you, and you to me, and that way there is no contact between me and her."
Hoshi translated his words and Malcolm nodded. "Very well, sir," Malcolm replied.
Gavva nodded back. His face was schooled into a pleasant expression, though his eyes were hard ice chips. "Proceed, then."
Hoshi reached into her belt and withdrew the four data chips containing her interviews with the people in the medical camp. Of course, these weren't the only copies; T'Pol was analyzing them up on Enterprise and Trip Tucker was sharing them with the mining crew he worked with. Another copy was on its way to Starfleet Command. She sighed and looked down at the chips, then reluctantly handed them over to Malcolm. He offered them to Gavva, who accepted them. The Prefect's touch was oily, as if his palms were slicked with grease, and Malcolm repressed a shiver as his skin made contact with Gavva's.
"Thank you, Ni'Chara. All of Trianara is in your debt." Gavva glanced at Captain Archer. "You are fortunate to have such a person under your command, Captain."
Archer smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I am."
Gavva picked up one of the chips with his other hand and studied it. "We will view these tonight and debate until we have a long-range plan to help our people back to normalcy. Thank you, Captain."
They all heard the tone of dismissal and Subronn got up once again to escort the Starfleet officers out into the corridor. As soon as the atrium was far behind them, Hoshi let out a long sigh of relief. Archer reached over and squeezed her shoulder.
"Well done, Hoshi."
She shook her head. "I don't know how much help that will be, sir. Gavva says all the right things and acts the right way, but I'm not sure if he'll keep his word."
"We'll see. Once we get back to the ship, I'm having a word with Admiral Gardner. We're supposed to keep friendly relations with Gavva's government, but I think Gardner may have to rethink some of his proposals after I tell him about this."
Malcolm scowled. "Proposals?"
"I'll tell you later, Malcolm. I just found out about them this afternoon." Archer glanced at Marshall Subronn. "Thank you for your assistance, Marshall."
Hoshi translated his words, and Subronn managed a smile. "You're quite welcome, Captain. It is my hope that at the very least, this will ease our people's suffering."
"As is mine." Archer flipped open his communicator. "Archer to Enterprise. Three to beam up."
Hoshi took a deep breath as she waited for the transporter beam. The moment it swept over her, she knew something was wrong. Instead of golden sparkles, green bands overwhelmed her consciousness. The last thing she heard was the sound of weaponry echoing off the stone walls of the corridor, then there was nothing at all.
