By Invitation Only

Part Four

The small group sat glumly in the Observation Lounge. There were too many empty chairs around the table.

"I'm sorry, Captain, still nothing," Wesley announced wearily. He had reconfigured the sensors and scanned the entire continent, but Data was not to be found. "He may be underground, or in some kind of shielded facility."

"Have you located the Away Team?" Picard asked.

"Yes sir. They're in the centre of the city, in the main infirmary."

"Hmm. Liaise with Chief O'Brien, I want him to keep a lock on them, in case we have to get them out of there. But for the moment, I suppose we had better wait and see what the Bradari do next."

"Sir," Worf interrupted, "we could send a team of security officers back down to investigate. People on the ground may be in a position to notice what the sensors cannot show us."

"I know, Mr Worf, I know. But Speaker Deljardo asked us not to interfere, and I am reluctant to take any kind of provocative action. So far, no-one from the Enterprise has been harmed in any way. What has Technician Venapes said about the situation, Mr LaForge?"

"Well, sir, it's kinda strange. He doesn't seem to think there's anything unusual, except maybe for the fact that Data hasn't owned up at once to being the child's father."

"You inquired about genetic tests and so forth?"

"Yes, sir. But he just said it wasn't necessary, that the mother would know."

"In this instance, I think we can assume he is incorrect. Of course, he is unaware that Data is an android."

"Yes, sir. After the way he reacted to the computer, I didn't know what he'd do if he found out. But that's what worries me, sir. If they find out, down on Bradar, that Data is actually a machine, I don't know what'll happen, but my guess is, it'll be pretty bad. They'd certainly destroy him, and it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to kill everyone from the Enterprise."

Wesley took over. "They'd think we're tainted, Captain. For two hours after he heard the computer's voice, Powla could barely bring himself to speak to Geordi or me, he didn't want us to touch him or anything."

"He's calmed down now, but Powla is about as open-minded a Bradari as you can get," said LaForge. "He seems to have accepted that a computer with a human voice isn't necessarily an abomination, but I doubt if his fellow citizens would agree."

"In any case," Picard thought aloud, "they might simply act on instinct, and by the time rationality returned, it could be too late."

LaForge's face was creased with worry. "Data could be in real danger. As far as we know, he doesn't have any reason not to tell them he's an android, it could come out any time. If he explains that he isn't organic, that he can't be the father..."

Picard drew in a long breath, and sat back in his chair. "What puzzles me is that Data has not denied the accusation. He may be aware of the Bradari attitude towards humanoid machines. Or... Is it, do you think, absolutely impossible that he could in fact be the child's father?" The android's admission of 'intimacy' stuck in his mind. "Perhaps his creator endowed him with a store of... reproductive material?"

"I guess it's possible," Geordi said thoughtfully. "He could have a stasis chamber for genetic material. Of course, it would have to be compatible with Bradari DNA. Though how would he... uh..."

"Commander Data is an honourable man," said Worf gruffly. "He would not attempt to evade his responsibilities."

"Maybe... maybe Data wants to be the father," said Wesley. "He's always trying to be more human, this could be part of it."

"Hmm," said Picard. "I cannot help but feel there is some factor in the equation of which we are unaware. If we—"

Captain, Speaker Deljardo is hailing us.

"Put it through." Picard swivelled in his chair to look at the Observation Lounge's screen as it filled with the image of the Bradari Speaker. She was smiling.

"Captain, I am pleased to inform you that Lieutenant Commander Data has accepted fatherhood of my daughter's child-to-be. He and Marlen will take vows in three days' time." She went on to announce that Data, naturally, would remain on the surface as her guest, but the members of the Away Team would be released at once and permitted to return to the ship. The Speaker apologised for the uncomfortable situation that had arisen, offered her planet's heartfelt thanks for the Enterprise's help, and expressed the hope that all the crew members would attend the vow-making and partake of the celebration afterwards.

Picard, more than a little stunned, made a polite reply, and once the connection had been terminated, turned back to his officers.

"I don't understand—why would he do this?" said Geordi. "It sounds like he's being shanghaied into marrying this girl. What's the phrase—a shotgun wedding!"

* * *

Captain's Log

The Enterprise remains in orbit around Bradar. All crewmembers except Lt Cdr Data have now returned to the ship, although Lt LaForge and some of his engineering team have made a brief visit to the Tantene Edge plant in order to assist with the installation of the newly devised water filters. These are now working satisfactorily, so the threat from the reservoir has been eliminated.

Speaker Deljardo has informed me that, after the experience of working with Enterprise personnel, Bradar wishes to join the Federation. Accordingly, a Federation Ambassador is being sent to Bradar, but for now I have been authorised to welcome the planet in a formal ceremony which has been scheduled to take place shortly before Cdr Data and Marlen Deljardo take their vows. It is, in consequence, even more important that the Bradari are not made aware of the fact that Cdr Data is an android, as it is clear that in addition to putting Data's life at risk, this would destroy the good relationship between ourselves and the Bradari.

The Enterprise is still unable to locate Cdr Data, or to communicate with him, and so he is, as far as we know, unaware of the dangers of his position. We can only hope that he will not choose to reveal his artificial nature for any reason.

* * *

Valmar City Hall was a magnificent building, elegant in proportion and aligned with a long avenue of tall, sage-leaved trees. Like all the city's edifices, it was constructed of the local grey stone, but the octagonal interior of the great hall—which bore no trace of its recent use as a temporary infirmary—was decorated with silk and slender panels of ornamental glass. And, apparently also in common with the other buildings of the city, a good half of the building was underground: a map of the Hall, located next to the entrance, showed that it was at least as deep as it was high. Perhaps this pattern of construction was a legacy from the home world, where land was scarce and war prevailed.

The senior officers of the Enterprise, together with almost all the medical personnel and a good many other crewmembers, sat in tiers along two sides of the octagon to watch as Captain Picard (in full dress uniform) and Speaker Deljardo (in a surplice of shimmering silvery cloth and wearing a jewelled badge of office) played out a ceremony of gratitude and welcome. The adjacent quarter of the hall, similarly tiered, was occupied by locals, though it was not entirely clear whether they were dignitaries or family members gathered to celebrate a wedding. But then, Riker mused, perhaps the local dignitaries were members of the Speaker's family.

Picard and Deljardo were clasped in a final handshake when a commotion was heard at the door. Moments later, a small group burst in. "Speaker!"

"Kamva Enyiss! What are—ah. I see you have found our culprit."

Riker admired the Speaker's calm. The stately occasion was disrupted by five distinctly grubby characters, one of whom had his wrists fettered to two of the others, and yet the Speaker was no more ruffled than was Captain Picard.

"He was in the hills west of the Tantene, Speaker Deljardo," Kamva announced importantly. "He appeared to be setting up some kind of astronomical apparatus."

The captive was thrust into the centre of the hall. Although dishevelled he was unrepentantly defiant. The Speaker turned towards him, but maintained a dignified distance.

"Matani Delvane. You are accused of setting devices in the Tantene Water to cause the recent 'plague' through the city. You will be brought before the assembly—"

"No need for a trial, Speaker. I admit it."

There was a hiss of comment from the Bradari in the tiers opposite. Riker watched them in some unease, but they remained in their places, and quietened to see what happened next.

"What cause can you possibly have had to inflict such suffering on our people?" the Speaker asked him sternly.

"Our people are—"

Another dramatic interruption, this time emanating from the Captain's communicator.

Sir, sensors are detecting a fleet of seven ships entering the system.

Matani Delvane grinned in manic triumph. "Our people, Speaker, are in those ships. Coming to claim their share! I invited them! I told them nobody here would resist, that you'd all be delusional or too busy to notice them or stop them coming to settle this planet. I told them there was land here for all. You—" his gesture, though constrained by the ties on his wrists, encompassed the assembled Bradari, "you wanted to keep this world to yourselves, but I say, all Sheren's people should have the chance of a life without war!"

Captain Picard cleared his throat. "Speaker, if you will permit it, I will return to the Enterprise. If these ships are unfriendly, you are entitled to call upon Starfleet to defend you."

"I thank you, Captain Picard, and I hope you will indeed stand ready to defend us. Unlike this deluded idealist, I am not convinced that the people on our home planet will be coming in peace to share our world. However, they will find us less unprepared than they expected," Deljardo said grimly.

So much for Data's wedding, thought Riker, as he and his fellow officers were swiftly transported back to the ship.

* * *

Picard lost no time in establishing three-way communications with the incoming ships and the Bradari on the planet. However, the newcomers were not interested in talk. Neither were they interested in sharing anything with anyone: their intention was to take the planet from its present inhabitants, whom they appeared to regard with scorn, as cowards too weak for war.

Speaker Deljardo was unsurprised. "I think you may have to destroy them, Captain Picard," she said. "All the history I know of the Braf-yn tells me that these people are ruthless in the search for territory of their own. They won't tamely turn around and go away."

Picard frowned. "I don't think it need necessarily come to that, Speaker. Mr Worf, do the ships represent a threat to the Enterprise?"

Worf scowled at his console. "No, sir. Their weapons are insufficient to penetrate our shields. Their own shields are sufficient only for navigation, not for battle." Was there disappointment in the Klingon's tone? Surely not.

"In that case, target their weapons systems. We will not fire unless they make the first aggressive move."

"Aye, sir."

It took the incoming ships more than two hours to get within range of Bradar, by which time the Speaker had informed Captain Picard that such planetary defences as existed were now manned and ready for action. There were, it transpired, missile sites on selected hilltops and in orbit. Clearly the Bradari had been prepared to maintain their peaceful existence with some determination.

There was an abrupt hail from the commander of the Braf-yn fleet. "Alien ship! Leave now, or you will be destroyed!" Picard's eyebrows rose at this, but he made no comment, just caught his First Officer's eye.

"Shields up!" said Riker.

The seven ships broke formation and surrounded the Enterprise.

"Weapons systems targeted," Worf reminded the captain, and a burst of yellow light appeared on the viewscreen as the Braf-yn ships opened fire.

"Very well, Mr Worf. Fire at will."

Thirty seconds later, six of the Braf-yn ships were circling helplessly, as the seventh wallowed in space, its engines disabled by the same phaser fire that had nullified its weaponry.

"I think perhaps they might be a little more amenable to reason now, don't you, Number One?" Picard murmured. "Open hailing frequencies."

Back in his quarters, as he changed back into dress uniform (no sense wearing it on the bridge to conduct a battle, and besides, he hated the thing), the captain recalled with some satisfaction the astonished chagrin on the face of the Braf-yn commander as he was forced to offer his surrender.

* * *

Picard was impressed by the Bradari. Speaker Deljardo had proved remarkably unvengeful. She had invited the would-be invaders to remain in orbit—they were complying, under the watchful eye of Lieutenant Worf (Worf didn't care for weddings, anyway)—and to participate in discussions in three days' time. The Speaker had confided to Picard that she did not feel a fleet of invaders could ever integrate into Bradari society, and that it would be too great a risk to share the planet with such warlike people; but she was willing to offer them the data her people had gathered on the habitability of planets in reasonably accessible star systems. Picard had a shrewd idea that the Federation might be persuaded to assist the Braf-yn in their search for living space, if they proved reasonable. Since the rugged landscapes of Bradar were described as paradise by its inhabitants, it seemed likely that the Braf-yn would be tough enough to take on a less than idyllic world and make it into a new home.

Well, a Federation ambassador was already on the way, and would no doubt have his or her own opinions on the matter.

Smoothing a crease in the sleeve of his dress uniform, Picard prepared to beam back to the planet's surface once more. This time, surely, there would be no further interruptions to the scheduled ceremony. Though he was still uncertain whether he should attempt to intervene: he and his officers had discussed the matter endlessly, it seemed, and yet failed to determine Data's motives in consenting to this 'shotgun wedding'. Might he request a few moments with his officer before the ceremony began? What would be the safest course?

* * *

In the guest suite on the lowest level of the Speaker's house, a less decorous scene was being enacted.

"You lied to me!" The Speaker was furious. Her skin darkened and the tiny frills covering her ears splayed out aggressively. "You lied to me, and to our family and friends, and to the people of the Enterprise who were ready to attend your vows. Worst of all, you lied to this man, you allowed him to believe you were to have a child. How could you?"

"Mother, I had to. If I'd said there was going to be an invasion, you'd have thought I was hallucinating, affected by the plague." Marlen faced her mother pugnaciously, her small pointed chin thrust forward. Data, watching them in profile, noted that Jaren's chin was similarly pointed and similarly thrust. "This way, I knew the Enterprise would have to stay in orbit, they would be there to protect us when the Braf-yn came."

"Quiet, child!" Jaren commanded. "Don't try to justify yourself with more lies."

"I'm not lying, mother. I was trying to protect my home, Mother, and it worked! The plague was cured, the water filters were practically done—the Starfleet people were only here because they wouldn't leave Data behind! If the Enterprise had left, the Braf-yn would have destroyed our home and probably killed us all."

The Speaker, balked but still furious, paced angrily across the octagonal room. "If you knew the Braf-yn were coming, if you had proof—"

"That's just it, mother. I had no proof, I just… I just knew. When we went to Matani's home, we saw some papers, didn't we, Data? He'd left some of his notes, and a timetable, and I—I just—I can't explain the logic, but I was right… The Braf-yn did come."

"Then you should have told the proper authorities. We could have requested the protection of the Enterprise. The Council had already decided to join the Federation, they would have had no reason to refuse."

"Captain Picard would not have refused you protection, Speaker," Data put in gently.

"But I had no proof, and if I'd said the Braf-yn were coming, you'd have thought I was hallucinating," Marlen said.

"That is a possibility," said Data. "Marlen was exposed to the Tantene Water when she entered the lake to retrieve the first sphere. I hypothesized that she had contracted the plague during that time when first I learned that she had Named me as her child's father."

Both the Bradari females looked startled at that. Marlen began to laugh. "That never occurred to me," she admitted. "Is that why you didn't accept fatherhood straight away—because you thought I might have the plague?"

"It seemed inappropriate," Data admitted.

The Speaker snorted, but clearly her wrath was cooling. "Yet you did accept the responsibility, Commander."

"After sufficient time had passed, I knew that if Marlen had been affected by JBE, it would have become obvious. I assumed that you would have informed me of her state of health. Since I received no such message, I was forced to conclude that she had some other motive for making such a statement."

"I hoped you'd remember the story of Sheren and Yarga. Of course," Marlen twisted her ear frills, "Sheren actually was carrying a child, unlike me."

Data inclined his head slightly but made no comment.

"Did you…" the Speaker paused, looking uncomfortable. "Did you believe that she had conceived your child?"

"That is not possible," he replied, gently.

"Of course not, you're not Bradari," Marlen dismissed the notion.

"Nonetheless you Named the Commander," said Jaren. "And he was willing."

Marlen sighed, and appeared very much ashamed of herself. "I used you, didn't I, Data? You see, from what you said to me, I knew your captain would not leave you here alone, just because the mission to help us was finished. I am sorry, truly sorry, but I had to have some means of holding the ship here. I knew the Braf-yn would be here soon, because Matani meant them to arrive when we were all in chaos due to the plague. But…" she possessed herself of Data's left hand, "I wish you were staying. I think I would have liked you to be co-parent to one of my children, when I have them. You'd be a good father."

Data's lips parted slightly, and his eyes brightened. "Thank you, Marlen," he said gravely. "I would have been honoured."

"Instead it is time for the Commander to return to his ship," said Jaren briskly. "Taking with him your apologies and my thanks for his forbearance."

* * *

Commander Riker was waiting in the transporter room to escort Data to Sick Bay. Pulaski had obviously developed her own theories as to why the android had decided he was the father of Marlen Deljardo's child, and wanted to examine him before he was allowed back on duty. It was plain that Data thought this unnecessary, but he acquiesced and sat on the biobed doing his best to ignore the doctor's inquisitorial tricorder. Riker stood by, watching thoughtfully, then decided Data could probably do with some distraction.

"I take it the wedding is off?" Riker asked, a grin lurking in his eyes.

"Wedding, Commander?" Data wasn't a whit embarrassed. Of course he wasn't.

"You and Marlen Deljardo."

"Ah. You are under a misapprehension, Commander. The ceremony of vow-taking is not analogous to a human wedding. Unlike most humanoid races, Bradari do not pair-bond. Participants make vows committing them-selves to the upbringing of the child who is to be born."

"Oh. Then… I guess she decided to admit you weren't the father after all."

"In the Bradari culture, fatherhood is not based on genetic input but rather on the responsibility undertaken by a chosen male. The choice of father rests with the maternal parent: in general, the father is the genetic parent, but this is by no means inevitable."

"I see—then, it wasn't a case of mistaken identity, or sticking you with another man's indiscretion. You were chosen."

"Obviously you didn't tell her you were an android," said Pulaski abruptly.

Data's expression did not change. "No, doctor. It seemed unnecessary to volunteer the information, and I have observed that humanoids often display prejudice towards me when they are made aware of my artificial status."

Pulaski gaped like a goldfish for a few seconds. "Just as well you didn't, Commander. The Bradari regard machines with humanoid characteristics as abominations."

Data's eyebrows rose.

"It's fortunate that you didn't reveal it, either, isn't it, Doctor?" Riker observed innocently. "You thought we should tell the Bradari Data couldn't be anybody's father because he was an android."

Pulaski folded her tricorder with a snap and pronounced Data's system clear of jobethyloselecybinamide. He was at liberty to resume his duties whenever he wished.

"Thank you, Doctor," the android said politely, and stood. "Yes, Commander," he returned smoothly to an earlier point in the conversation, "I was chosen. Marlen Deljardo had other reasons for pretending to be carrying a child, but she informed me that I would be a good father." And he left.

Riker watched with a rueful smile as the door closed behind his friend. "I think she just might be right," he said, almost to himself.

Pulaski sniffed. "We'll never know, will we?"