2200 Hours
It had been a long afternoon for Riker, boredom enhancing his need for sleep. He had tried to pay attention to the talks but found that he understood very little of what had gone on- to him, the talks had gone nowhere but to make him thankful for modern medicine.
Riker had wanted to spend some time with Deanna, but it was late and she would most likely be asleep by then. Besides, the next day he would have to tour the Nilaains' colony with Ken; he was supposed to observe their lifestyle and look for evidence of just how long they had been there.
He was extremely curious about their people and was excited about going, but he was completely against going with Ken Smith. He would much rather suffer through the boredom of T'Pic and his Vulcan-ness, or even Lwaxana and her personality. At least neither of them would taunt him with questions about Deanna and so forth.
He hit the release to Deanna's quarters, walking in as quietly as he could in his exhaustion and dim lights. He stripped off his uniform, donning on his shorts and short-sleeved shirt before sliding into bed next to Deanna's sleeping form.
She shifted slightly with his presence, allowing Riker to cuddle next to her. He kissed her hair, his hand settling over her stomach. His eyes shut closed, sleep coming easily.
Ketrel, Nicop
Riker landed the shuttle pod expertly on the outskirts of the large city. He and Ken stepped out, looking over at the city Nicop, the Nilaain's largest city. The Commander placed his phaser in its holster, checking quickly to make sure he had his tricorder. With that done, he motioned for Ken to follow him into the city.
As they grew closer to the city, both Humans observed that it was made up of hundreds of small houses made of clay and trees easily found where they lives. Large two-story buildings stood out in the center of the city and wide dirt streets gave way for the inhabitants.
What was even more impressive was their location. They lived on a small, tropical continent, shown well by the rain forest the city was built inside- trees having been cleared to make way for houses and yet the canopy still covered the city well.
As they approached, Riker spotted the two diplomats from the other day. As agreed upon, they would be the ones to lead them through the city and tell them whatever they wished to know.
"It's good to see you again," Riker greeted with a smile.
"You as well, Commander, Ambassador. If you're ready," Scartin said as he gestured toward the nearby city.
"Shall we?"
Ketrel, Sagara
Deanna landed the shuttle craft smoothly outside the Fruma city, her mother sitting beside her complaining that she shouldn't be flying no matter how many times she assured her that she could fly just fine.
Though the argument was never finished, Deanna grabbed a phaser and tricorder and strolled out of the shuttle, knowing her mother was only steps behind her.
"Mother, I know how to fly, Will taught me. We need to force a-" She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes catching the sight of the Fruma city.
Standing in front of them was a large crystal ocean, spanning a far as the eye could see. Just off the beach, the Fruma had constructed houses of, what appeared to be, crystal or glass panels. The water's waves lapped upon the white sand, meaning nothing to the opposing structures.
Once their shock had dimmed, they walked closer, watching the people as they strolled casually from one place to another. Every Fruma appeared to have light blue skin as Riegla and Teah. They also all wore long flowing robed; the children's however were shorter, cutting off just below their knees.
But, besides the children's laughter and racing, not a word could be heard. The quiet, however, did not bother the two as they had been born and raised on Betazed where few verbal words were exchanged in public, unless someone was a non-telepath. Lwaxana even felt that their minds were disciplined enough that, perhaps, they too were telepaths to some extent.
"Ambassador Troi," one of the Fruma greeted aloud, bowing slightly to show her greeting.
"Hello again, Teah," Lwaxana said with a polite smile. "This is my daughter, Deanna Troi. Enterprise's Ship's Consoler."
Teah smiled and nodded her own greeting. "Consoler."
"It's a pleasure."
"Is Riegla not joining us, today?" Lwaxana asked, noticing the other diplomat's absence.
"Unfortunately yes. She had some important business to attend to. But I agreed to guide you on my own. Shall we?" Deanna and Lwaxana nodded and followed Teah into the city.
Ketrel, Mearah
Just as all the other, Worf and T'Pic flew their shuttle to the surface of Ketrel, landing near the Cadda's major city. Of course, because of the particular continent's sub-zero climate, the Cadda lived in caves underground.
As they had been explained to, it was a complex system of caverns and connection, leaving few exits or entrance connected to the surface. But there were a few.
The two had trouble, at first, locating the entrance- T'Pic not enjoying having to stand out in the cold, even if he was protected by a heat-suit. After a short time, they entered a lift, spending nearly fifteen minutes traveling down the shaft.
Once to the cavern, they could easily see that the tunnels were made and supported by a crystal-like material. The green crystals produced a faint glow that, seemingly by themselves, allowed the occupants to see.
The two looked around for a moment, but no one was there to greet them. Deciding to explore rather than wait, Worf choose to continue to their right, T'Pic merely arching an eyebrow and following after him, making a mental map as they went.
Ketrel, Nicop
Riker walked comfortably with the others, their silence not a bother to him. He looked closely at this and that, taking in the city as they grew closer to its inner walls.
He watched as the children ran about, screaming and shouting and laughing as they went. Men and women walked through the streets, eyeing Riker and Smith with interest but little thought.
Trinia quietly pointed him to a large building, standing two-story tall. She called it their most sacred museum, holding everything remembered of the first settlers. The two gave them a quick tour, allowing them to roam around.
Riker paused when he saw a panting of a middle-aged man. For a moment it seemed that he knew him, that somehow he recognized him, but quickly dismissed it. He looked over the man, noticed his natural appearance as a Nilaain- dark skin and black hair. But it was his eyes that distinguished him- they seemed to glow blue.
"That is Sarwar Trou," Scartin announced from behind him, startling Riker. "He was a great leader and chief in our history. He lived on the old world and saved many of the people who then populated our world."
"Saved them from what?"
"The old world was invaded. He led the attack that allowed hundreds to escape and find this place. My many great-grandparents lived there. They just gave birth to their child at the time. If it wasn't for Trou, I wouldn't be alive, neither would many of the people you see here."
Riker looked back to the picture of the seemingly harmless man. He still couldn't shake how familiar he looked. Then his eye caught Trou's eyes and asked, "Did everybody use to have eyes like his?"
"Everyone. There was this… nectar, or rather still is. Back then, they would drink it constantly over the age of sixteen. It was something they would drink at parties, ceremonies, and to help conceive. Drinking it to get pregnant works well; the liquid causes the child to be born with the glowing of the eyes. Even today it is still used for conception and ceremonial purposes," Scartin explained.
"Is that why only your irises are blue?"
"It is the most likely reason, yes."
"Interesting."
Ketrel, Sagara
"If I may ask, why did your people choose a path of religion?" Lwaxana asked, walking through the streets of Sagara.
"Centuries ago, our people lived on another world, far from here we assume. They lead a peaceful enough life before an unknown enemy attacked them. Hundreds were slaughter before they were able to escape. Our ancestors took sanctuary here and choose to live a life without the violence they had seen."
"And the conflicts on this planet? How did they start?" Deanna asked, looking back at Teah rather than the crystal buildings she had been observing.
"A few decades ago, our people wanted to expand its knowledge of the planet we had grown to love and cherish. What we found was the Cadda with their weapons and violent ways. We never agreed on much anything, including violence, and things… just began."
Teah shrugged, sighing. But then she smiled at them, leading them onward to see other things.
Ketrel, Mearah
Worf and T'Pic had wandered aimlessly through the tunnels, stopping after about twenty minutes to see where they were. The last fork they had seen was about five minutes behind them, and it was starting to look like they should have gone the other way.
Worf suggested that they turn around, T'Pic silencing him as he heard faint footsteps behind. Both turned quickly, surprised when they saw Ambassadors Derik and Fakhr. Worf stared at them, his expression vague but annoyed for they had been followed for nearly five minutes, neither of them noticing.
"Lieutenant Commander Worf, Ambassador T'Pic," Derik greeted, his voice as skeptical as it had been the other day.
"Ambassadors," T'Pic replied.
"Did you see anything?" Fakhr questioned, suddenly, not bothering with formalities.
"No, why do you ask?" Worf's voice was a low growl, not able to trust anyone that could out match his skills as easily as those two.
"Then we should get moving. You are here to see and learn, are you not?"
T'Pic looked from Derik, and then to Worf, the Klingon returning his gaze. Then, the other Cadda replied, "We should get moving then."
