Chapter 9
***"We're not getting anywhere," Janeway seethed internally. Outwardly, she took a deep breath and looked at each of the men across the ready room conference table in turn. To Consolat Trag, she said, "We need to compromise. I realize what my people did was wrong. They violated our laws too, and I assure you they will be punished. But, they are my people, not yours."
"They were on my planet; therefore, under my government."
"Yes, I understand that."
"I don't think you do, Captain," one of the other men said. Janeway didn't care what his name was.
"Never mind, Bloak." Consolat Trag held up his hand. "The Captain cares about her people and wants to see them unharmed. I can understand that. It's noble. I recognize qualities of good leadership when I see them. You're willing to go to any length necessary to reclaim your people."
"Yes I am."
"You'll try everything, even if it doesn't work."
"Consolat Trag, I'd appreciate it if we could get back to the subject at hand."
"Most certainly. I agree that we need a compromise. I have one to propose."
Janeway sat back in her chair. "Well, let's hear it."
"I ask two things before I begin."
Janeway glanced at Chakotay and Tuvok. "I'm listening."
"First, I ask that you disarm the weapons you have aimed at my planet."
"Fine." Janeway nodded to Tuvok, and he left quietly.
"I also ask that you hear me out without interruption."
"As long as you agree that if we don't like your compromise, you hear us out without interruption," Janeway countered.
"Agreed." Janeway nodded. "Your people have helped to undermine the government of Plona. On our planet, the punishment for treason is death. However, because you are aliens, I would be willing to let them live and return to you after they make a public apology and declare for all citizens to hear that everything Shyla claimed about there being a hole in the containment system and members of the government involved in the conspiracy are false."
***"You're right, Harry."
Harry's response was to keep on snoring.
"The hole can be covered. Now, if I could just figure out how."
Before she could continue, the metal door slid open squeakily. One unarmed security guard entered. Before the door closed, he told his two armed companions to remain close to the door in case the prisoners tried anything.
"Sit up and listen to your orders," the guard said to B'Elanna as he kicked Harry.
Both humans struggled into sitting positions.
"My name is Klorban. I am the first in command of Plon security. My orders from the Consolat are to inform you of your orders."
"We don't take orders from you," Harry said defiantly.
"You will if those same orders will be coming from your own Captain."
"She won't take orders from you either," B'Elanna said.
"As we speak, a conference is being held to discuss your release to the custody of your Captain. I'm sure she will see the wisdom in complying with the Consolat's requirement for your unharmed release."
"You call this unharmed?" Harry held up his broken wrist and indicated B'Elanna..
Klorban touched a button on his lapel, and the door squeaked open. One of the guards came in and shot Harry in the chest. He aimed for a second blast, but Klorban held up his hand. "That's enough. For now," he added glaring at Harry.
Harry didn't give them the satisfaction of showing how much that blast had hurt.
The guard let himself out.
"Now, may I finish without interruption?"
"Go ahead," B'Elanna said sarcastically.
"The Consolat will be requesting your presence on the steps of the judging building soon. When you get there, you will say exactly what I tell you or you will be shot with the highest setting on our weapons." He paused and eyed the two humans, daring them to protest. "You will say you are sorry for causing so much trouble. You will go on to say that all the claims Shyla has made against the government are false. There is no hole in the containment system, and there is no conspiracy against the citizens of the mountain region."
"Captain Janeway will never agree to anything like that," B'Elanna said through clenched teeth. "And neither will we." She stared directly into Klorban's eyes.
After a moment, he looked away and opened the door. "We will see."
***"That is completely unacceptable!" Janeway slammed her hands flat onto the table and stood. "I will not make my people lie just to save your asses."
"Kathryn," Chakotay said soothingly. "It's our turn."
She gave him a slightly confused look, then slowly sat down. "Yes. It's my turn." She took another moment to compose herself. "Commander Chakotay has compiled a list of our most valuable cargo. Anything you need from this list we are willing to trade for our people." Chakotay passed the PADD across the table.
The Consolat gave the list a brief glance. "This list may contain something we need, but it doesn't matter. Our people need to see retribution."
"Consolat Trag, we were hoping to diplomatically negotiate the release of our people. Whether diplomacy works or not, I assure you we will get our people back."
"They have destroyed the government of Plona and must be punished," the Consolat said firmly.
Janeway pursed her lips. "You're looking for a scapegoat. Well, let me tell you something, Consolat. You've come to the wrong place."
***"Can't we stop and rest?" Tamil stopped and collapsed on a root to catch her breath.
"We're taking a rest," Shyla called ahead to Silando and Kilando as Blin gave Tamil some water.
"Again?" Kilando asked.
"Remember, they haven't had the training we've had," Silando said calmly.
"At this rate, it'll take us two hours more to get to the mountain region than planned."
"It is better that we get there in good health than arriving and fainting. Even if it means we travel slower."
"Tell me again why we didn't use the shuttle," Tamil whined.
"We have to go through some narrow back trails the shuttle wouldn't-" Blin explained patiently.
"Wouldn't fit in," Tamil finished as he helped her to her feet.
*** Loyden sat at the head of the conference table.
"Your sister still hasn't been located," Klorban said. "Do you have any idea where she could have gone?"
"None."
"We have contacted the Intelligence offices of the government. They've given us Shyla's file." He motioned for the Second in Command to hand him a folder. "We found something interesting. It says here," he continued reading from the top sheet in the folder, "that Shyla has a brother, Loyden, in security. That's you. It also says that she has a sister, Tamil who lives in the mountain region. Did you know about this sister?"
"No. No, I didn't. Shyla and I were never really that close. Certainly not close enough for her to tell me about a sister."
"We did a little more research." Klorban was handed three more folders. He took the first one. "This is the file on a Samayda Corlonie. She gave birth to three children at the Main Medical Hall in the science district. Those three children were named Loyden, Tamil and Shyla. The three children lived together with their parents. Each child went different ways after graduation from secondary school." He closed that folder and opened the other three. "Loyden went into security training. Tamil was married and moved to the mountain region. Shyla followed her father into engineering." He closed all the folders and looked at Loyden.
Loyden blinded.
Klorban shuffled the folders and opened Loyden's. "I looked at your application for the position you hold now and for all previous positions you have held, including your position as a cadet at the security training academy. Under the family history section of the application to enter the academy, you list two sisters. However, on subsequent applications, you list only one sister." He closed the folder and looked at Loyden.
Loyden looked at his hands folded on the table.
"Would you care to explain?"
Without looking up, Loyden said, "When Tamil moved to the mountain region, I thought listing that information in my family history would decrease my chances for advancement."
"You thought right," Klorban said. "And, lying has disqualified you from the position you have been offered. You will be placed on probation."
Loyden looked up.
"You have the right to appeal these decision later. For now, we have another more important issue to discuss. Do you think Shyla could have been going to the mountain region to warn Tamil and her family?"
"No."
"We know she is en route to the mountain region. Why else would she be going there?"
"She and Tamil didn't get along either," Loyden said to stall.
"We're not concerned with any family relationship problems. We are concerned with capturing your sister. Security guards are in place around the perimeter of the mountain region to arrest her when she tries to enter. If you can tell us where she might go, it will help us capture her."
"I don't know why else she would go there." Loyden was sweating.
"We have ways to make you willing to help us. You know those ways well. In fact, I believe you have a particular favorite."
He couldn't take it anymore. He had just lost the money and status the new position offered because he lied; he didn't want to give Klorban any more reason to turn down an appeal. "She didn't go to warn Tamil because Tamil was in my guest house."
Before Klorban could say anything else, a cadet slipped into the room and informed him that the Consolat wished to speak with him.
