Chapter 11

Grum was initially relieved to be aboard a Tellarite vessel again. The Terran starbase was so drab, whereas his own people favoured vibrant, clashing colours. His eyes savoured the sights in the engine room as he worked with the Garas' crew to coordinate the base's power transfer.

However, his relief was short lived. The crew seemed to be mocking Grum behind his back. Chuckling at him when they thought he wouldn't notice, and replying to his orders with sarcastic comments.

"Lock off magnetic constriction there," he said to a subordinate while he observed a monitor's readouts around the massive, cylindrical warp core. "Keep an eye on the plasma injectors, we may need to modify constriction. Starfleet systems can be unpredictable."

"Yes, sir," said the young engineer, smirking toothily. "Right away, sir."

Grum frowned. He knew what was wrong. He was being too polite.

These past few months working among Humans had changed him. The likes of Commander Patel and Ambassador Mamao'lani had convinced him that the best way to get things done was to conform to their customs. To their way of conversing. It was much cruder than Tellarite Civil Conversation, with its subtle nuances in how to address different individuals, leaning towards challenging everyone, and the Human way favoured across-the-board conviviality. No wonder his fellow Tellarites were mocking him. He'd gone native.

Lieutenant Commander Sandor, the Human chief engineer with the exchange program, flicked a few switches and spoke bluntly. "We shall observe the power flow from the command deck." He marched towards the turbolift.

Grum trotted after him. Riding in silence to the ship's equivalent of a bridge, Grum scratched his beard. If anyone might understand his situation, it would be Sandor, a Human working among Tellarites.

"Commander," he said idly. "How... How are you finding things aboard the Garas?"

Sandor kept staring at the 'lift doors. "It is fine."

"Are you... having any difficulties?"

"Difficulties?"

"Adjusting to the rest of the crew? I know our two peoples have vastly different cultures. And many other species have... trouble with us."

Sandor just shrugged. "I didn't find it so tough. I like the way your people do things. Nothing held back, no wasting time with pleasantries. It is refreshing. Reminds me of home."

Grum looked up at him. "And where is that?"

"Hungary."

The turbolift opened onto the command deck, and Grum again felt some mild comfort from his surroundings.

The bridges of Human - and most other alien - vessels tended to be centred around the captain, placing them at the focus of attention, but the Tellarites preferred a more communal arrangement. The ship's director sat towards the rear of the room, surrounded by their staff.

Director Brantik was no exception. To his right was Terev, his second-in-command, and there was an empty seat to the left where an advisor would sit. Other consoles encircled the director, allowing for greater input from personnel. Several viewscreens hung from the ceiling, arranged so that everyone had a view from their position. Perhaps, with this upcoming Federation, Starfleet might eventually incorporate this much more efficient design.

"Let's get this over with," Brantik said.

Sandor took the operations station towards the front of the room, and Grum sat in the advisor's chair, checking the small, freestanding console beside it.

On one of the screens overhead, Starbase 1's Operations Centre was visible, with Commodore North checking in. "Are you ready to receive the power transfer, Garas?" he asked.

Brantik looked to Grum and Sandor, who both nodded. "As we'll ever be, Commodore."

North nodded. "Mister Sylor, activate the beam."

The Vulcan comm officer acknowledged. Just as transporter signals were beamed via the communications array, so was this power transfer, hence why Sylor was responsible for activating it. While the transporter converted matter into energy, then transmitted it elsewhere to be converted back into matter, this beam would simply transmit energy itself directly from the base's fusion reactors into the Garas' warp core. Thankfully, the reactors were of Tellarite design, so it wouldn't be too difficult to convert.

"Beam received," Grum reported from his console. He input commands. "Converting energy signature."

"Lower transfer rate, Starbase One," Sandor ordered. Grum could see the rate was a bit too fast; could lead to overload if not careful.

"Understood, Garas," North said.

The transfer rate slowed to more acceptable levels. "Routing excess energy to tractor beam and structural integrity," Sandor said. "Should be ready now, Director."

"Only one way to find out," Brantik grumbled. He stood and looked up at the screen displaying the comet, which the piscine-shaped Garas now flew alongside. "Field strength?"

"Two hundred kilodynes," Sandor said, using Terran measurements.

"Should be sufficient, sir," Grum added helpfully.

Brantik just grunted at him, while Terev chuckled. Grum scolded himself. Obviously Sandor had used his own people's terminology as a deliberate insult to the others.

"Then lock onto that rock," Brantik ordered.

"Activating tractor beam," said Sandor.

On the screen, a greenish-yellow energy field was projected over the comet. Grum frowned at his readouts. "Trouble locking on. Something is scattering the beam."

"Source?" asked Terev, checking sensor scans.

"Not sure, sir," Grum said. "There's nothing in the comet's composition that would do it."

"Starbase One, increase power level without increasing transfer rate," said Sandor. "May help focus beam."

"Acknowledged, Garas."

"Partial lock..." said Grum. "Not enough to-"

"It's gone now anyway," Sandor interrupted. The tractor beam was indeed scattered too much again.

"Try rotating the tractor beam frequency" Brantik suggested.

"That would be stupid, sir," Sandor said. "Something is actively preventing it locking on."

All eyes were on Grum now. "Well?" Brantik asked, looking for answers

"I don't know!" Grum protested.

From the other screen, North interjected. "Could it be the creature itself? We know it's telekinetic; it could be psychically deflecting the beam, resisting movement."

Brantik threw up his hands. "All the more reason to destroy the beast! Terev, load torp-"

"Negative, Captain," North said sternly. "The creature has taken steps to defend itself. It has resisted. We cannot interfere further." He sighed. "I was hoping this would work, but alas... We must now focus all our efforts on evacuating the planet. I appreciate your help, Captain, and would extend that appreciation if you were to lend your vessel to assist in relocating our populace."

Brantik sat in his chair again and snorted. "Very well. It's your choice. Can't say I agree, but we'll help move your people."

North ignored the backhanded offer. "Thank you. Mister Grum, if you would remain on board. We may still have further ideas that require your input. Commander Chen has a notion about extending the Garas' warp field around the comet, but it may take too much time. However..."

"I'll be here, Commodore," Grum said.

North nodded, defeated, and closed the channel. There was an air of failure on the command deck. Grum couldn't help feel it was directed at him somehow; already the target of ridicule and animosity. Now he'd have to remain amongst it until the evacuation was complete.

I'll be here, Grum thought, reiterating his statement to North. Although I'd rather be anywhere else.