The Color of Truth
Chapter 2
Disclaimer - Paramount and Viacom own the characters from Voyager, although they didn't often treat them right. The story line belongs to me.
A special thanks to: My friend and editor of all my stories, Mill3rs.
Tom and Harry took the new shuttle down to the planet's surface after a few fancy moves to 'check it out', as Tom put it. They were immediately greeted by guards from the Governor's residence and escorted into his grand home. The Krill were a handsome looking people. They had pale blue skin similar to the Bolians, were short in stature, and had the shell-like ears of the Ocampa. Their silver hair and dark, obsidian eyes were quite striking. As they were escorted through the long hallways, Tom noticed several children shyly peeking at them from behind the heavy wooden doors. Tom gave them a warm smile. One of the young girls caught his eye, and he gazed steadily into her eyes for several seconds before he was forced to turn away to catch up with Harry and the two guards. Tom shook his head as he felt a faint dizziness but quickly attributed it to the lighter atmosphere on the planet.
Several men who were sitting with the Governor, rose as Tom and Harry entered the large room at the end of the hall. A fire burned brightly in a huge stone fireplace, the flames reflected in the glass-topped table dominating the center of the room. Several tall bottles filled with brightly colored liquid were set on a tray in the middle of the table. A young girl, with hair down to her waist, entered the room with a tray of amber colored glasses and passed them out to the men. Tom and Harry were motioned forward to two thickly cushioned chairs. They sat quickly and were each handed a glass filled with a clear liquid that gave off a pleasant aroma. The others in the room resumed their seats as introductions were made.
"May I present: First Director, Kelan and Administrator Golmar of our Navigational Department." Governor Barall gestured towards the two men to his right.
"They were quite intrigued to learn of a starship from the Alpha Quadrant. We have not had visitors from so far away."
Tom shifted slightly in his seat, experiencing once again a slight feeling of dizziness causing him to close his eyes momentarily to clear his head. "I'm Lieutenant Tom Paris and this is Ensign Harry Kim. Captain Janeway sends her appreciation for your assistance in plotting a course through your system. As you know we are still a long way from home. The Alpha Quadrant is almost 60,000 light years from here." Tom replied as he sat back in the chair the dizziness having faded.
"I understand that you are the chief pilot of Voyager, Lieutenant." Director Kelan said as he slowly sipped his drink.
"Yes, Sir and Harry helped design our Astrometrics Lab. Captain Janeway felt that we would be best suited to work with your department." Tom's face lit up in a grin as he spotted one of the children standing in an open doorway next to the fireplace. She was the girl who had caught his attention in the hall.
Governor Barall followed Tom's gaze and smiled warmly as he beckoned the girl into the room. She moved quickly to his side, continuing to look at Tom's face. "Lieutenant, Ensign, I would like you to meet my daughter, Kyree. I'm afraid her curiosity has overcome her manners." The girl stood proudly next to her father. She looked to be about twelve years old.
Tom smiled at the girl once again. "That's quite alright. As you said, you have not had visitors from so far away. I'm sure that we fascinate her." He turned to the girl. "My name is Tom, Kyree, and this gentleman to my left is Harry."
"You came from the Starship orbiting our planet?" The girl asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "You are the pilot?"
"Kyree, that is quite enough. You should go with the others. It is close to the Gathering Period." The Governor spoke softly but with authority to his daughter. She smiled sadly and left the room through the door she had entered. "I'm sorry for the intrusion. Kyree has always been somewhat rebellious. Now let us get on to the business of star charts and navigational matters."
* * * * *
Several hours later, Tom and Harry were shown to the rooms, where they were to spend the night. Their guide was the same young girl who had served them drinks. She looked up and down the hall apprehensively before shyly entering the sitting area.
"Is it true that you are a pilot and that your captain is a female?" She blurted out as soon as the door closed behind her. "We can never become captains or fly a starship. That is only for the males."
Harry gave the girl a surprised look but, remembering the difference in cultures, he replied. "On our world females may indeed become captains and even pilots of starships."
"Kyree told me that you two had kind faces and gentle voices. She was right. Kyree is very smart. That is why she does not look forward to the Gathering Period." The girl suddenly looked to the floor as she realized she had told the strangers more than they should know.
"What is this Gathering Period and why does Kyree not look forward to it?" Tom asked softly, feeling sympathetic towards the girl who looked like she was about to be punished for revealing a huge secret.
"When females come of age they gather in the great hall and are promised to a mate. This is someone that has been chosen for them by their parents when they are very young. Kyree does not have feelings for her future mate but she can not disappoint her father." The girl spoke rapidly and then excused herself and hurried from the room before the two men could question her further.
"That must be awful for Kyree and the other girls. She seems too young to be forced to live with someone she doesn't love." Harry stated as he shook his head over the alien culture.
"Well, we can't change their customs, Harry. You know, the Prime Directive and all that. Let's just get a good night's sleep so we can finish our negotiations tomorrow and get back to Voyager." Tom yawned and headed for one of the bedrooms.
* * * * *
The negotiations went well and the crew was invited to spend time on the Krill home world for some much-needed shore leave. Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay set up a rotation schedule so the entire crew was allotted time on the planet over the course of three days. The crew was quite taken by the gentle Krill people and grew close to the many children on the planet.
to be continued…