Chapter Nine:
As Quartermane was conducting tests on the insect carcasses aboard the Valiant, Data continued to scan the area where he had found the colony of insects. Still his scans provided no further information. "There is no indication that a natural cause is eradicating these insects," Data informed Riker. "Therefore, I recommend we look for other sources."
"Are you saying that the Riis may somehow be causing their own devastation?" Riker asked, surprised.
"I do not believe so. I suggest we look into our own scans of this area. Perhaps it is time that we demand that Mij explain exactly how his scanning device works. Permission to consult with Commander Quartermane on this matter?"
"Granted."
Data tapped his combadge and hailed the Valiant. After speaking with Data for several minutes, Commander Quartermane agreed to check the insects for any possible side effects from the scans of the area. No more than fifteen minutes later, he paged Data with the results. He had found minute traces of a substance called diocet.
"Diocet," said Riker, standing beside Data? "Where have I heard that before?"
"It is indigenous to the Ferengi homeworld," Data reminded him.
"Data, give me a full report on any known side effects of diocet."
"Aye, sir. Accessing. . ." Data's eyes grew familiarly distant as he accessed his computer banks. After a moment, he had the information they needed.
An hour later, both away teams along with Lindenberg and Commander Quartermane were seated in the conference room aboard the Valiant. Mij looked particularly nervous. He knew that they were expecting answers from him. Had he been aware of the documented side effects of diocet? Did he take the necessary precautions when using the substance? They would not let him out of this room without those answers. To his surprise, the captain directed his first question at Nevichi.
"Commander, did you have any idea that Mij's scanning device contained diocet?"
"None whatsoever," she replied coolly. "Although we have grown quite close in the past couple of weeks, as you know, Mij has not shared any information about his invention with me. He's been extremely protective of it."
An accurate answer. It made Mij all the more nervous.
"It's true," he admitted, "but I didn't keep it a secret because I knew it would have devastating side effects. I kept it a secret, because I didn't want anyone else to steal my invention."
"Are you trying to tell us that you were not aware of the side effects of diocet, a substance indigenous to your own homeworld and that which is a key factor in the mechanics of your invention?" the captain asked.
"No, no, of course not. I researched the substance extensively for the past couple of years. You must understand that I was just as unaware that there were intelligent people living in that region when I started making the scans. And you must also be made aware that usually diocet is harmless unless ingested in large quantities. I did not expect the small amount that it took to make each scan to make a difference on this world.
"Okay, we've established the cause," Riker said. "Now how do we go about reversing the effects?"
Everyone turned to Quartermane. "A simple decontamination scan like we use with transporters should do the trick," Quartermane informed them.
"Commander Data, you can handle the necessary decontamination scan," Lindenberg ordered.
"Aye sir," the android replied.
"Now, the two of you better get back down to the Riis village. It will be dark soon, and we don't want them to discover you missing."
Both Enterprise officers stood to leave the room.
Nevichi also stood. "Sir, permission to beam back down to Brakinz. I would like one last opportunity to observe and communicate with the Cromebians before we leave."
"Granted, of course. You and Rosenthal may return to the planet as well. I'll inform Ambassador Avech that you're returning."
Mij stood to protest his conspicuous exclusion, but when Nevichi fixed him with a stern look, he thought better of it. Closing his mouth, he sat back down.
"We'll discuss this matter later," she muttered to him. Then turning to Linenberg, she nodded, saying, "Captain," and walked out of the room. Dr. Rosenthal followed in her footsteps.
On their way to the transporter room, Rosenthal asked, "You can tell me to butt out if it's none of my business, but are you angry at Mij over this? I couldn't help but notice the way you looked at him back there."
"Amanda," Nevichi began without slowing her stride, "it is not anger that I feel. What I feel toward Mij right now is an overwhelming sense of disappointment. He assumed far too much in this situation when he should not have assumed anything. We have been so concerned about how the Cromebians will effect the natural development of the Riis and all along we have been initiating what could potentially be the extinction of the Riis. It's a bit ironic, wouldn't you say?"
"We will rectify this situation," Rosenthal assured her as they stepped into the transporter room.
They beamed inside the conference room where they found Avech alone waiting for them. "I am glad you decided to join me again," the Cromebian said, approaching them. "Would you like for me to give you a tour of the area? I can introduce you to some of the citizens, since you are here to observe."
"We would be most grateful," Nevichi replied. "Having you along would probably ease our way into an interaction with your citizens."
"We'll begin in the center of the city," the leader said. "There's a lovely fountain and a walkway that leads to other parts of the city. Many citizens park their vehicles in the large parking lot just across from it and use the walkway to get to their places of employment. I'm sure that you will agree that the view is breathtaking."
"It is good that your people are in the habit of walking," Rosenthal observed. "I have noticed that most Cromebians are in good health."
"Maybe it is also, because we are all vegetarians, my dear lady."
The doctor tilted her head in a sideways nod, indicating both an understanding and a concession.
"Shall we?" Avech asked, pointing at the open door.
The two Starfleet officers went through the door and he followed them through and out of the building. Once they were outside, however, they allowed him to take the lead. They listened intently to his tour of the sites they passed.
The tallest building was the hospital. It was elaborately designed with stone statues of famous Cromebians decorating its lawn. Across from the hospital, a park provided many interesting rides for children of all ages. But by far the most fascinating site to the two Starfleet officers was the zoo. If they were not hear to speak with the people, Nevichi would have enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time studying the indigenous lower lifeforms of this planet.
"Would you consider me too bold," Avech said as they reached the fountain, "if I told you that I'm in the company of two of the most beautiful sites in the area."
Rosenthal blushed at his words, while Nevichi placed her hands behind her back and furrowed her brow at the alien. "We are not here to receive flattery. Please start introducing us to your citizens as you promised you would."
Naturally, most Cromebians, who passed them, fixed them with curious stares if not with a bit of fright. It was public knowledge that Federation members were visiting the planet. That knowledge only seemed to heighten both their curiosity and their fearfulness. Few of them wandered close to the small group, many even going out of their way to avoid getting too close. Nevichi made a mental note of this irrational and illogical behavior. She wondered if they had reacted similarly to the two Riis who wandered into Brakinz.
"You approach them first," Nevichi advised the ambassador. "Make sure they are willing to speak with us. I don't want to frighten any of them unnecessarily. But we do need to communicate with enough of them to get a general idea of what to expect from your people if they are to interact with the Federation on a continual basis." Even as she made her request, Nevichi continued to form her opinion. She wondered if this exercise would do little or no good. The Cromebians were certainly one of the most peculiar races she'd ever encountered.
"There's someone I know," Avech said, pointing at a young woman walking on the other side of the walkway. "Lalee!" he called out to her and rushed toward her.
The young woman stopped, and obviously having recognized the ambassador's voice, turned around with a smile. They spoke for a long moment, while Nevichi and Rosenthol waited several yards away. Growing impatient, Nevichi began to tap her foot on the stone walkway. She busied herself by peering at the intricate markings on the fountain. She wandered what each symbolizing, knowing that one could learn a lot about a culture by studying its artwork. Finally, to her relief, Avech headed back toward them with Lalee in tow.
"Here is your first interviewee," he said proudly. "Lalee is a nurse at the capitol hospital."
"Lalee, are you nervous?" Nevichi asked in a soothing tone.
"I'd by lying if I said I wasn't ," Lalee replied, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "But I'm also thrilled that you're here. I've always been a great admirer of science fiction, and I am so happy to have the chance to see it become reality during my lifetime."
"Have you spoken with many friends about us?"
"Oh, it's all anybody can talk about. There has been so much gossip going around, I'm not sure what is the truth and what is lies."
"Why don't you tell me what you believe."
"Well, you are a group of united planets." Nevichi nodded. "You ought to be strong if you have so many different planets, different races all working together. I know how difficult it is to keep peace on a single world. I can only imagine what it must be like having so many worlds joined together under one alliance."
"That is why conditions for entrance into the Federation stipulates that you must be a United Planet," Nevichi responded. "I realize your people were oblivious to the existence of the Riis, but now that we know of their existence, we cannot ignore their needs. We cannot consider them an adjunct to your petition. They obviously will not be ready for introduction to any of our technology for a long time to come-if ever."
One by one, several passers by stopped to listen in on the conversation. They kept their distance, none of them speaking up in protest or agreement. Nevichi wondered if they were all too afraid to let their voices be heard.
"I understand that," Lalee said, letting herself be their voice. "Won't you consider this: Since it is true that we went without knowing the Riis existed, consider the counter. The Riis went without discovering our existence. This went on despite our advancing technologies. Due to their seclusion in the mountains, they did not see our flying vehicles or any of our other inventions. It sounds almost impossible and yet it is the truth. If we had discovered one another a millennium ago, we would have made those advances together. So I'll ask you if it sounds so impossible to let the Cromebians join the Federation without the Riis being further disturbed?"
"You're forgetting one thing in this equation," Rosenthal spoke up. "You now both know of each other's existence. "What makes you think the Riis won't poke their heads out again? We would only be lending to their corruption."
"Then their corruption is an accident," Avech argued.
"You have all been listening intently," Nevichi called out to the crowd. "Why are you so hesitant to join in? Fear will only hinder your chances for admittance into the Federation."
A middle-aged man approached Nevichi faster than she expected. "Haven't you already made your decision?" he challenged. "The moment the Riis showed up, I assumed we were condemned by your Federation. We've violated your 'united planet' clause and yet you come here insinuating that there may still be a chance for our people! I don't enjoy being toyed with. We deserve a definitive answer. Show us your technologies and judge us now."
Nevichi turned first toward her colleague and then let her eyes wander through the crowd.
"I think it's a good idea," Rosenthal said in a low voice. "If they cannot handle the sight of our tricorders and phasers, then we'll know now to recommend rescinding their petition. But if they can, maybe there are still possibilities."
The first officer nodded as she began removing her tricorder. Rosenthal followed suit. "Tell me, sir," Nevichi directed at the middle-aged Cromebian, "Would you like to be the first of your people to examine a tricorder? It is a scientific device that allows us to scan an area."
"It's not harmful to anything living?" he asked, hopeful.
"I assure you that a great deal of research has gone into the safety features of all our technologies," Rosenthal responded. "This tricorder has never been known to cause any harm to any living creatures."
The man accepted the tricorder with a nervous smile, and as he did so, several members of the crowd moved a few steps forward. The Cromebian examined the inert object in his hand until he finally discovered the button that turned the tricorder on. It blipped a couple of times, and although he gasped, he didn't seem frightened by it. He aimed it in Nevichi and Rosenthal's direction. Although he couldn't read the Federation standard English on its tiny screen, he began pressing buttons. The tricorder whirred to life and scanned the general area.
"It looks like there are letters coming across the screen," he told Nevichi, "but I cannot read them."
"That is because they are in a language called Federation standard English. It is the language I am speaking. A device inside my communication badge-" She pointed toward the badge on her chest. "-known as the universal translator allows you to hear whatever I say in your native language. Without it, communicating with new races would be virtually impossible."
"What does it say?" he asked, handing the tricorder back to the commander.
"It tells us the atmosphere of this planet. It's made of hydrogen and oxygen and that there are many lifeforms in the area."
The man chuckled. "I can see that with my eyes. And I know that the air is good and clean, because I've been breathing it."
"Of course, there are many things that the tricorder can detect that we cannot with our sensors."
Another woman stepped boldly forward. "Can it detect illness?" she asked.
"We have a similar device called the medical tricorder that we use when examining people. And yes, it can detect illness and injuries." She looked to the crowd. "Will no more of you come forward? This device will not harm you. Your fear could lead to misunderstanding between our people, and I don't want that alone to stand in your way."
"Don't you understand?" Avech interjected. "We are a peaceful people. We do not lash out at what we fear."
"In a way," Nevichi said, looking at him, "that's just as scarey." She looked again toward the crowd and she saw Avech's fear echoed in the eyes of each citizen. She decided against whipping out her phaser. They were not yet ready to learn of its use. "Are you implying that you have no need for weapons? That there's no violence on your world?"
"Unfortunately, that is not entirely true," Avech replied, bowing his head. "We do have some violence on our planet. We're not free of atrocities such as murder."
"Then how do you go about incarcerating these murder suspects? And furthermore, how do you punish them?"
"Law enforcers are permitted to carry hand-held pistols, which they use only in extreme situations. Any law enforcer who has wounded or has been wounded must go through a special cleansing ritual."
Nevichi glanced at Rosenthal, nodding at her to indicate that she wanted the doctor to take over the questioning.
"When one is injured in a battle of good versus evil," Rosenthal began, choosing her words very carefully, "how do you tend to the wounds? Surely, you don't just let them die."
Lalee chose to answer this question. "No. That would be inhuman. As part of the medical profession, I go through a daily cleansing ritual to prepare me for any potential injured patients that will come into the emergency room on any given day."
"And how many wounds do you usually deal with?"
"On average, maybe two or three a day. People do have accidents. We recognize the need to prepare for them."
Rosenthal mused over this for a moment. "You take care of the wounded, and yet those with terminal diseases are not offered the option of possibly life-saving surgeries."
Lalee frowned in confusion. "Surgery?"
"Yes. It has already been brought to our attention that your people do not even understand the concept. It is something you'll have to learn not only to understand, but also to accept. Surgery is a life-saving technique. It involves laser scalpels, which are used to cut open portions of the body." Several members of the crowd, including Lalee, blanched at these words. "It is necessary to perform surgery when internal organs are malfunctioning. Sometimes portions of a person's anatomy need to be removed to save that person's life. And sometimes that person is given what is called a transplant. This is when a real or artificial organ is used to replace the organ that was removed. How many people have died on your world, who could have been saved by surgery? Before you walk away from me in disgust over the mere thought of anyone performing surgery, contemplate that question. How many of you have lost family members, friends, colleagues to an illness that could have been prevented through surgical methods? Lalee, how many patients have come into your emergency room complaining of abdominal pain, who you could do nothing for, because you are naive to surgical methods that could have saved their lives?"
Lalee closed her eyes and brought shaking hands to her mouth. Tears slowly trickled down her face. "I feel so utterly ashamed," she admitted, "when I compare our ways with that of your Federation. All my life, I've accepted my world's taboos and cleansing rituals without question."
"It may take a long time to change your world's culture," Nevichi said. "But as individuals, each of you can begin to make changes in your lives. Look to your hearts. Decide for yourselves. I am upheld by what is known as the Prime Directive not to interfere with your world's development. It is only due to your petition for admittance into the Federation that we are permitted to give out the information we have today. It is now up to each of you to decide for yourselves whether you want to cling to old beliefs or embrace new ones." She turned toward her colleague. "I believe we have observed quite enough of this world." She tapped her commbadge. "Nevichi to Valiant. Two to beam up."
A moment later, the transporter beam took them away.
Nightfall was descending on the mountain region as Data ran the decontamination scanner along the cavern walls. Riker stood at the mouth of each cave as they progressed, watching for any Riis. They could not have any chance encounters, which would lead to the aliens discovering the device in Data's hand. The natives had already been exposed to too much technology.
"I have finished the decontamination scans," the android informed his superior as he switched off the scanner and concealed it with his jacket.
Riker sighed with relief as he walked toward Data. "How long before the insects regenerate themselves enough to effect the Riis' crop?"
"Most probably several weeks, but we have done all we can here to aid them without violating the Prime Directive."
"Of course. It just seems so unfair. We're the ones who caused their famine and they still must endure it for a while longer."
"Shall we wander back into the village now, sir and say goodbye to everyone?"
"Yes. We can do that at least. And then we will return back the way we came and beam back up to the Valiant once we are out of their visual range." They walked to the mouth of the cavern together and Riker paused to look up toward the sky.
"I believe it is dark enough, sir," Data encouraged him.
Agreeing with a nod, Riker stepped outside and the android followed him. As they approached Krax' cavern, they noticed the leader had a table set up outside, and he was sitting with several other Riis.
"Would you like to join my family for breakfast?" he asked them when they drew near.
"Thank you," Riker replied. "But I think we've accepted too much of your hospitality already." Riker looked at the food on the table. "You barely have enough to feed yourselves. I would feel enormously guilty if I took any of it from you. Data and I need to be heading back to our village anyway. We'll hunt for our feast along the way."
"Be careful that you don't end up like Earon," Krax warned. "He killed the beast, but not without it almost taking him as well."
"I'll keep that in mind." Riker turned toward his officer. "Data?" He nodded in the direction they were heading.
As he wended his way around the table, Data told the group of Riis, "Enjoy your meal," and then followed the first officer down the path.
"May Daeniits smile upon you," the leader called out to them.
They passed several more Riis, who were preparing for breakfast, along the way, but fortunately none of them offered to share their meal. Once they reached the location they had originally beamed down at, Riker tapped his commbadge and instructed the Valiant to beam them up.
After Lindenberg ordered his helm officer to set course back to Starbase two-one-two and they were underway, he called a meeting of all the away team members. Once they were all seated, the captain turned to his first officer. "I am most anxious to hear your report," he admitted. "If it were under your power to decide the fate of the Cromebians' petition, how would you decide now?"
"But it's not my decision," she said in a logical Vulcan tone. "However, I would like to believe that my observations will have a strong influence on Starfleet Headquarters' final decision in this matter. I would like to recommend a probationary period for the Cromebians. We should neither deny nor accept their petition at this time. It is my opinion that they will require a slow integration with our people and our technologies. They are clearly not ready for membership at this time. However, if we work with them, coupled with their eagerness, they may be ready in a few years."
"And what about the Riis?" the doctor challenged. "They are already confused by what little exposure they've had to the Cromebian society. What will happen to them if the Federation moved in?"
"There is no way to reverse the damage that has been done to the Riis culture," Lindenberg admitted. "We can now only work toward minimizing its advancement. It is my opinion that the Federation with its Prime Directive could better oversee the development of the Riis situation than the Cromebian government. That is why I have decided to back Commander Nevichi's recommendation. Are there any further comments?" he asked the group.
"I was a bit discouraged by their reaction to the notion of surgical procedures," Rosenthal replied. "I understand that Dr. Crusher went through something similar with Dr. Filio. I suggest that we make a conservative effort to resolve this problem first."
"Agreed, and I believe that Dr. Crusher already strongly made that point. Well done, all of you. You may now enjoy some off-duty time until we arrive at the starbase. Dismissed."