Captain's log, stardate 41255.6. We are in orbit of a planet designated Rubicun Three, the home of a life form who call themselves the Edo. Our away team has beamed down to make arrangements concerning some well-deserved recreation.
The first thing that struck a discordant note when Soriana, Riker, Yar, and Worf materialized on the greenery of the Edo settlement, was the running.
Plants of varying sizes and shapes were everywhere, and a sort of grassy moss coated the open spaces such that there was really no need for footwear. On Haliia, or indeed most worlds, this sort of environment would lend itself to leisurely strolls (or slow slithering, or lazy gliding - whatever passed for energy-conserving movement for a given species). Here, every Edo they saw was either still, or running at full speed.
Soriana quickly determined that it was simply the Edos' preferred manner of movement (maybe for health?) when Riker warned Worf before he could draw a phaser on the man and woman coming after them at full speed. Still, as the Edo quickly stepped up to each of the members of the away team and began expressing physical affection - hugging, caressing, nuzzling - she could see that Worf was not at all comfortable. He managed not to vocalize his mounting distress, but Soriana could feel it in his surface thoughts.
"There are others who would like to visit here," Riker began after initial pleasantries, "if you would give us a limit on the numbers."
"Whatever pleases you," the man, Liator, assured him. "We can discuss it at the Council Chambers."
"Shall we go there now, or remain and play?" the woman, Rivan, asked.
"Play?" Riker asked. Soriana could tell that he believed he knew what Rivan meant (and he did), but he wanted her to be more explicit. As legal counsel, Soriana appreciated the wisdom of Riker doing this.
"At love," Rivan answered. "Unless you don't enjoy that?"
"Perhaps later?" Soriana stepped back, looking to see if there were any buildings nearby. The overt sensuality was assailing her mind as well as her physical senses, and like Worf, she was somewhat put off by it. "If you can take us to the Council Chambers, and introduce us to your leaders? There are a couple of matters we need to make clear."
"Certainly," Riator gestured. "Let us run!"
*****
As they entered the Council Chambers, they passed many more of the Edo, all men and women, all adolescent or young adult. All were quite healthy, although Soriana noticed their range of skin, hair, and eye colors were significantly narrower than Haliian or human variety. Each insisted on a greeting, and many welcomed the away team to join them. Their attitudes towards the aliens were universally friendly and curious.
"This is Korvas and Milmar," Liator introduced another man and woman that appeared that same healthy adult age as Liator and Rivan. "The four of us act as the Council this cycle. What was it that we needed to talk about?"
Riker nodded to Soriana, who explained. "We understand you've not received many visitors before," she began. "So before we join you, here, it's important we have a agreed on the rules of interaction between our two peoples."
With a smile, Rivan said, "Our people interact however they are individually comfortable. We do not restrain them in matters of play, as long as each respects the other."
"And yet," Soriana insisted, "when enough people… interact, there will be misunderstandings. People will make mistakes, and harm will happen whether we intend it or not."
Korvas nodded. "We have the mediators for such things," he supplied. "There is always a mediator nearby, and they are equipped to deal with any violation of the law."
Soriana nodded, "Yes, but that is not the custom when members of one people visit another."
Liator frowned. "It is not the custom for you to administer justice?"
"It is," Riker interjected, "for our own people. Our laws apply directly only to members of the Federation."
"Then, what happens when a visitor breaks your laws?" Liator asked.
"They are sent home," Soriana explained, "and perhaps not allowed to visit again. Furthermore, their own rulers may very well punish them for what they did."
"So, each people is subject to punishment by their own laws, even when they are visiting somewhere else?" Korvas repeated.
"Right," Soriana agreed. "So if one of us were to break your laws while we are here, the mediator's role would be to determine what happened, then return the citizen to the Enterprise for discipline."
"That part is entirely according to your discretion," Will supplied. "Visiting your planet is under your rules. We are here at your invitation, and you can partially or fully revoke it at any time."
"How dreadful," Rivan moaned. "We certainly hope nothing like that will be needed while you are here."
"We certainly do as well," Soriana agreed. "But it's our obligation to make sure that you, and your mediators, understand how you are expected to treat our people before they can visit."
All four of the Edo council members nodded vigorously. Liator said, "Thank you for making that clear, Soriana. We agree to this, and will let our mediators know to take your people to you if they break the law. You will administer justice to them."
"And if any of your people visit the Enterprise," Will offered, "the same rules will apply."
"I would love to see your ship, if you'd take me," Rivan purred.
The commander's grin was unmistakable as he hit his comm badge. "Riker to Enterprise."
His grin quickly fled when they didn't answer.
*****
Captain's log, stardate 41256.2. After five days of relaxation alongside the Edo, we are departing on a less than pleasant note. Although the aliens who have appointed themselves guardians of these people have decided not to object to our presence, it is unlikely that much further cultural interaction will occur after today's tragic event.
Picard stared across his ready room desk at Soriana and Tasha, both of whom were ashen-faced.
"How could we have been so completely blindsided by this?" the captain asked. "We really had no idea?"
"None, sir," Yar admitted. "Their laws and customs were detailed quite extensively. They just never explicitly mentioned any punishments for violating them. Usually that means it's up to a local magistrate to determine an appropriate sentence."
"And so not only my crew, but their spouses and children," Picard spat, "have been running and playing alongside men and women who are ready to inject lethal poison at a moment's notice!"
"Our people were in no danger, sir," Turhal insisted. "Mediators were instructed to turn any of ours over to us for… punishment."
"The result of which," Picard rejoined, "is that an eight-year-old boy watched a girl his own age die right in front of him, and then was carried - by the man who killed her - to what he was told would be the same fate."
Soriana bowed her head. "A terrible trauma, sir. But, to be frank?" She waited for Picard's nod before continuing. "It's an inevitable part of interacting with alien cultures. We are going to encounter barbarities, and customs that we have grown beyond. Like Klingons having duels to the death, or Anticans slaughtering live animals for food."
Picard stood and looked out his window for a long moment, while his two female bridge officers waited. Finally he let out his own sigh. "Let's add law enforcement actions, and particularly punishment, as a necessary part of our cultural reports in the future."
"Yes, sir," Yar barked.
"Who knows?" the captain mused. "Maybe, in interacting with the Federation and others, the Edo will eventually learn that justice can't always be meted out in absolutes."