Captain's Log: Supplemental.
Since the disasters on the planets, our guests have been traumatized. However, they have requested an audience with me and Lieutenant Brookes. I have requested that Commander Data be present to record a log while we have the meeting. Though, since the Frugians are telepathic, his presence may be for support just in case of a medical emergency with the telepathic link. I have come to enjoy Brookes' presence on the ship very much. Being around her seems to be giving me great pleasure, I wonder if my admiration of her work is running to something deeper…though I hope not, because I am sure it would jeopardize our work relationship.
VII.
As the Frugians entered the room, Picard, Heva, and Data stood to welcome them. They moved so gracefully, as if they were floating. Their garments were nothing short of cloaks like that of wizards in fantasy tales, sparkling like the night stars. They stopped in the middle of the room and bowed together at the captain.
The three bowed back at them, Data glancing over at Heva longingly. One of the Frugian males gestured for Heva to come beside him, she complied.
He pressed two fingers to her forehead, her eyes rolled into her head and Data reached for his phaser, but the captain held an arm out. Her head lolled from side to side and then she faced them. "Do not be afraid," she said, her voice faraway, almost mechanical. "I am using the Lieutenant as my voice, since she is the relic of Vgila, the deceased one, she is the only one who can speak for us while we are here."
Picard and Data looked at each other then sat down, facing them. Heva continued to speak for the Frugian male while the others sat in a circle around him, facing the captain and Data.
"We do not know how to express our gratitude to you and your crew for rescuing us, Captain Picard. However now, we must make clear the situation at hand. We are aware that the eight of us are the last of our species in this system. We wish to find the ones who did this and speak with them, we want peace. Not war."
Picard nodded in agreement. "I agree, however if the species who attacked is who we suspect they are, they have no desire for peace. To them, it is irrelevant to their perfect existence. They want nothing more than to assimilate all species into their so called perfect world."
Heva looked over at Data, he knew it wasn't her looking back, but her gaze was something he had been waiting to catch. He opened his mouth to speak, but the voice interrupted. "You are an android, you are called Data." he nodded.
"Have they attempted to make you in their form, though you are not of organic make and design by the creator of this universe?"
"No. No they haven't."
"You are fortunate." he replied. "Do you know what it is to feel loss? Do you have any idea what it is to watch your loved ones suffer? Do you love?"
Data looked away at the captain, who was eyeing him with a strange curiosity. Data couldn't help it, he looked straight into Heva's eyes, knowing full well she wouldn't hear him.
"I have an emotion chip implanted in my system that allows me to feel what humans feel, what any species with a heart feels. In essence, the chip itself is my heart. I have known loss, of my comrades. I have watched my friends suffer and have felt remorse for not being able to save them. And yes…I love. Oh…I do indeed love."
Jean-Luc looked from Data to Heva and understood at once, making a note to speak with Data once things were done.
Heva's head nodded and blinked at him. "I understand, Data. Then you know why we ask for your help, since there are not many of us to accomplish our goal of peace?"
Data nodded slowly and looked at the floor.
"Captain," the Frugian inquired. "How long will you be allowed by your organization to remain here in the Effergon system?"
Picard looked at his computer, to see if any transmissions had been received during the conversation. None were there.
"I'm not sure. I requested an extended stay with them but have received no reply. What will you require of us to aide you in your quest for peace with this species?"
"Only your aide captain, an alliance is a strong component in the journey for peace. We are gentle beings, who want nothing more than to live harmoniously with others in the universe. All we ask is that you and your crew keep us safe, here on your vessel and help us to rebuild a colony on the first planet. This group alone is well capable of repopulating the system in less than a month."
Data looked up from his pad. "You can repopulate that quickly? For a whole system?"
Heva's head nodded. "Of course. We reproduce at an accelerated rate in times of distress and casualty. We believe that every newborn Frugian is a relic of those who have passed. They will receive the same names."
"Speaking of names," Picard said. "We haven't been introduced."
Heva's eyes closed and her head nodded a few times. "Yes, that is true. My name is Hruj. The three females beside me are Vruy, Yeuls, and Iuol. The four males on the other side are Truih, Frituy, Oigh, and Uhv. Frituy and Vruy are still in the maturing state. They were born only a week ago, before this happened to our particular planet. Yeuls, Iuol, and Oigh are considered our elders. The rest of us are in adulthood, but are reaching the elder stage quickly."
Picard nodded. "We will do everything we can do help you, Hruj. In the meantime, my crew and I are honored to welcome you as our guests."
Will entered and awaited by the doorway for the Frugian group as the captain waved them toward him. "This is Commander Riker, he will take you to your quarters. Our cook will be making you some food-"
"We do not eat, captain. We receive nutrition through a meditation. It is a complicated process that I do not care to explain at this time. But your cook can be relieved of his duties of preparing a meal for us. Thank you, captain, for your graciousness, and to your hospitality."
Picard nodded and Hruj released Heva. She rolled her head once and blinked rapidly, coming out of her trance. She smiled at the Frugians as they left the room and once they were out, sat in front of the captain's desk. Data studied her, seeing if anything might be wrong. The soft smile on her face made him feel satisfied, thinking that the experience was special for her.
"So, how are you feeling?" Picard asked Heva. She looked at him, unsure of how to answer in a way that would make him understand.
"Well captain…I feel…wonderful really. I felt like I've slept for 8 full hours, woke up, had a large breakfast and went out on my first date with a first love."
Data dropped his pad, both Heva and Picard ignored it.
"Did you see anything?"
"Yes, actually. I saw who attacked them. Hruj showed me. And…"
"And what?"
Heva stood and walked toward the window, she looked out at the planets and scanned the stars, for what, she wasn't sure.
"It's not the Borg."