Chapter 14
North was unable to concentrate on the reports on his desk. He was still in shock from Heidelburg's actions.
Thankfully, Vaughn and the other test subjects now seemed to be recovering well, although they weren't out of danger yet. Both North and T'Ling were suspicious that Heidelburg was using the treatment process as an excuse to continue his research, but they had no other option than to concede to his methods.
North could also not shake the feeling that maybe Heidelburg should be allowed to complete his experiments.
What if these mental abilities were the next stage in Human development, albeit forced in this case? Did he, or anyone, have the right to put a stop to it?
Less than a century ago, the Human race was confined to a single planet. Now, here they were on a world 100 light-years from Earth. Who was to say where humanity was headed next?
His train of thought was interrupted by the intercom.
"Sir, Captain Volland is here to see you," said Lieutenant Walters, Vaughn's temporary replacement.
North was surprised by this. So far as he knew, Captain Volland hadn't left Llamrei Station since arriving, constantly watching over the engineering staff's shoulders as they repaired his vessel.
"Send him in," North replied.
North rose from his chair as the hefty captain entered, looking oddly sheepish.
"What can I do for you, Captain?" he said, gesturing at the chair across from him.
Volland grumbled to himself as both men seated themselves. "Your Chief Engineer tells me the Velikan is ready to depart tomorrow morning," he said more clearly.
"Excellent news," said North. "I hope everything was satisfactory for you?"
Volland sighed, and was avoiding North's eyes. "More than satisfactory, Commodore. Your crew have been great. Fixed up my ship better than new. I… I wanted to say thanks."
North was taken aback by this uncharacteristic gratitude. "I'll… pass that along to Commander Patel."
Volland shuffled in his seat, still averting his gaze from North. "I also… I also wanted to apologise."
North frowned in confusion. "Apologise?"
"For the way I behaved. When I first got here. I was a little… upset at being woken up so early. Expected to see us in uncharted space, not broken down practically at the end of the street from Earth.
"I guess I was also embarrassed at having to ask for help from Starfleet. That old UESPA pride." Volland smirked and shook his head. "But you guys don't deserve that. So… I'm sorry. And thanks again."
Volland stood and offered his hand.
North, still somewhat overwhelmed, also stood and accepted the firm handshake. He wondered what had spurred Volland's sudden change of heart.
Then it crept into his head: Could this be Secretary Thorpe's doing again?
Had the Secretary heard about Volland's attitude towards North somehow? Had be threatened or bribed Volland in some way? It was the type of thing a politician would do for a 'friend.' The uncertainty was killing North at this point.
"Did he say something to you?" he said, his hand still tight around Volland's.
The other man's face screwed up. "What?"
"Did he tell you to say all this?"
"Who?"
"Thorpe."
Volland looked absolutely bewildered. "Your First Officer?"
"No, his father."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Volland's face was twisted in frustration now, and he forcibly withdrew his hand.
It suddenly occurred to North how absurd he must seem. "I… I'm sorry, Captain, I thought…"
"I come in here to apologise 'cause I was an ass, and this is the thanks I get?"
North stood there like a fool, unable to find the words to justify his insane accusations, while Volland stormed out.
"Maybe you're the one who's been out here too long," Volland called back to him as he exited.
As if North wasn't mortified enough, Ambassador Mamao'lani then popped his head through the door.
"Knock, knock!" he cooed. North hung his head and beckoned the ambassador in as he fell back into his chair, clutching his forehead.
"Everything alright?" Mamao'lani said.
"I'm not sure," said North.
"What was all that about?" asked Mamao'lani, nodding his head towards the door.
North sighed. Although Mamao'lani's flamboyant enthusiasm tended to grate on him, North had found him easy to talk to. Perhaps it was because they were both in leadership positions. Regardless of the reason, he decided to fill the ambassador in on his experience with Secretary Thorpe and the suspected repercussions.
Mamao'lani just laughed when North had finished his account. "Welcome to the world of politics, Commodore. Although, it's usually the opposite: Bad things keep happening and you wonder if it's because you recently riled someone in power."
North scoffed. "So you're saying I should be grateful?"
Mamao'lani shook his head. "I've been in this situation myself; I know it's no picnic. Once, during a Coalition conference, I offered to show the Kreetassan delegation round the botanical gardens in Golden Gate Park. It was only a friendly gesture after I learned how much they value trees…
"Afterwards though, they started requesting that I be present in all their deliberations, often only speaking to me directly. Even got brought me gifts on occasion. They took a shine to me, and some of my colleagues started to suspect that there was shady goings-on behind the scenes; an exchange of favours, or the like. Understandable, really, considering how difficult it is to get on the Kreetassans' good side." He chuckled.
North leaned back in his chair, curious. "What did you do about it?"
Mamao'lani shrugged. "Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Nothing." Mamao'lani nodded. "At the end of the day, you can't control what people think about you, no matter what you do. Any attempts to force someone's opinion just make you look worse.
"Politics is a fickle game, Commodore. It messes with the head, and you don't always win by playing fair… But you never lose either."
North didn't exactly feel comforted by this, and it showed.
"If you want further advice though," said Mamao'lani, "there is someone who has more experience with exactly the same scenario."
North, of course, knew exactly who Mamao'lani was referring to.