Chapter Eight
Torment
"You want to what?" Jonathan Archer did not believe he had heard the Teer correctly. The statement the other had made was so outrageous he was ready to call the negotiations off right then and there.
Akaar, believing his host had not understood his words, rephrased himself. "I wish to complete the viewing of your vessel in the presence of both Maavs, so that we may conclude our negotiations."
"And you want me to order Saal removed from detention." He had already received such an order from Admiral Black, but had hesitated at implementing it. He could not do so indefinitely, but if he could limit the exposure of the man to his crew, he could keep a potentially explosive situation from going completely out of all control.
Now even that 'loophole' was taken from him in the face of his 'guest's' outright demand. He wished he could send the three of them back to Capella IV without the Shuttlepod.
"It is only in deference to your unusual customs and concerns about your woman that I have permitted my Second Maav to remain confined yesterday. Today, however, I have need of his insights and advice. Further, under Capellan law, Saal has committed no offense. It is only by courtesy that I have permitted him to be confined."
Archer stared into the eyes of the taller man, matching his hard expression. While it was clear that the Teer was used to having his commands obeyed and Archer knew little of their customs of hospitality or anything else, this was his ship and he was as much in command as the Teer was in his camp.
This 'First Contact' mission was, in Archer's opinion, a disaster. He would like to have thrown Akaar and his people off the ship as soon as the incident had occurred, but he had not. Trying to negotiate for topaline – and fulfilling the Admiral's orders – was looking more like a no-win situation by the hour.
He had two choices: negotiate or throw them back to the planet and turn in a report of failure. He knew he had crossed the emotional line when the latter started to actually look more appealing than the former.
Additionally, the conversation he'd had this morning with Hoshi Sato rang in his ears. 'They'll probably think Starfleet would throw them to the wolves when it suited their own needs.' 'Almost their exact words.'
But he had to make a decision. He wished he had T'Pol's ability to turn off his emotions, for the decision he had to reach nearly caused his gorge to rise. "Saal may join us on this tour, but he will be under guard and will not be permitted to have any freedom of movement whatsoever."
Akaar saw in his host's eyes that he had gotten all the concession he is going to. "Agreed."
x
Malcolm Reed and a team of Security Guards accompanied Archer and the Capellans on the 'tour'. Though they had the Capellans' solemn word that they would cause no disruption to the routine of the Starship, Reed believed this as much as he would a report of T'Pol's doing stand-up comedy in the Mess Hall.
The three men had been deprived of the last of their weapons, the otherwise ever-present kligats, but that in no sense made them safe as far as he was concerned. Yesterdays' assault of a capable officer had been without a weapon, and he was determined not to allow any other disruption.
Normally Archer would have toned down the man's very obvious distrustful manner, but this time he allowed his Security Chief free reign, wanting to drive home as clearly as he could his own displeasure and dissatisfaction.
Several times, even before leaving D deck, they'd encountered lone crewwomen who took one look at the three Capellans together and turned away, finding other routes to their destinations. Each had met their Captain's eyes; and the looks that had been exchanged skirted the limits of regulation behavior of junior officer to Captain.
None had gone beyond that limit, but each had made her thoughts quite plain indeed.
Archer concentrated, as he walked, on the careful balance of negotiation until, with the certainty of systemic destruction following a supernova, the inevitable happened.
As the group approached the office assigned to Mother Patricia McCabe, the Chaplain's door opened and she stepped out into the corridor, accompanied by Ensign Dina Samuels.
The two groups stopped, barely two meters separating them as Dina Samuels froze, her eyes locked on Saal.
She stopped breathing, staring at the huge Capellan towering over her, and in her eyes was a stricken expression as horrible as it was inexpressible. The woman began to tremble violently as McCabe turned, trying to move her back into the room. Dina stood riveted to the spot, unable to move save for a trembling that increased second by second as she stared, not breathing, a small whimper the only sound she could make.
Patricia McCabe reopened her door and actually pushed Dina inside, closing the door after them.
x
The lights had gone off when they'd left the room, and came on again automatically as they came back in. Patricia had actually thought that in this morning's conversation some progress had been accomplished, in that Dina had been able to speak, albeit brokenly and unwillingly, of her feelings about what had happened. She had received and seemed to accept assurances that she was safe, and that the Priest would help her through the trying times ahead.
Now Dina stood frozen just inside the door, trembling violently and still not breathing. "Dina?" Patricia took her trembling hands. "Dina, breathe! Come on, you have to breathe!" She held on as the Biologist stared at her and to Patricia it was as if the woman were looking into Hell itself.
Dina's first breath came in a convulsive gasp, but as she clutched the Priest's hands in her own trembling ones her breath began to come faster, and faster still, sharp and rapid as she panted, going out of control as the trembling shook her violently. She was breathing so fast; and faster still; that Patricia started to fear for her.
"Dina! Dina, hang on! You can do it!" Tears flowing down her face, Dina started to scream. Patricia clung to her hands, trying to provide a steadying rock to cling to as Dina screamed and screamed, her voice rising to a hysterical pitch as she desperately threw her arms about the woman, clinging to her tightly as she continued to shriek.
x
Jonathan Archer turned the 'tour' around, heading back to the guest quarters on the other side of D deck, the last of his patience and tolerance gone. Even as they moved away he could hear the receding screams rising in pitch to a shrill accusation that would haunt him for the rest of his days.
He did not trust himself to say a word until they'd cut across the diameter of the saucer, returning to D/147. Just before entering, he reached for an intercom panel on the corridor wall, trying to keep his voice level. "Commander T'Pol, report to guest quarters 147."
"Acknowledged." Came the immediate reply.
"Sir, with your permission." Malcolm began. The two men had served together long enough that Archer had no need to ask.
"Granted."
The Security Chief moved off, back the way they had come. The three Security Guards, undismissed, remained with their Captain and his 'guests'.
Archer pressed the button which opened the door. "Gentlemen." His tone was utterly controlled. He followed them in, the three guards following him. Archer considered the scene appropriate; Akaar had been surrounded by his guards when in his tent. He should not miss the significance.
When the door closed, Archer faced the Teer. "I presume by now you understand fully our use of topaline. You've also seen much of our ship, but before we conclude our negotiations I want to remind you of our limits." He made certain Akaar understood his stressed words. "We will not trade weapons or anything that might be used as a weapon, nor any devices that are not consistent with the present level of technology of your planet." They heard the annunciation sound from the door. "Come!"
The door slid open and Sub-Commander T'Pol entered. Archer was glad of her calming presence. She would provide the emotional restraint he was completely out of.
"So, it is time to reach an agreement. What do you want in exchange for the rights to mine topaline on your planet?"