AN: Usual disclaimer, the rights to Star Trek etc. belong to someone else. The entire story is complete on my PC, and I'll try to load up a new chapter every few days. Please read and review – constructive feedback will help me finalise the remaining chapters.
Chapter 9
'Can I have your attention please', boomed Prime Minister Irin, the room immediately quietened down. 'It gives me great pleasure to have you here, for today is an auspicious day. Hopefully, the beginning of two factions uniting'. Pausing for effect, Irin clapped his hand twice, in walked a calmer Samson with four guards carrying an ornately decorated box - covered with red velvet and each corner tipped with gold. He gracefully approached the guards and popped open the clasp on the box.
'I present you all with the Sunstones, the symbols of hope and unity for my people. Let these be inspiration for us all'. Dramatically stretching his arms towards two glowing orbs. Naturally spherical with no imperfections as far as the eye could see, they were the same size as of two footballs. The colour of sunset, their iridescent sheen illuminated brightly. Were the guest permitted to touch them, they would have been surprised to find stones ice cold to the touch.
McCoy let out a low whistle, 'Now, those are some pretty rocks...looks like they're worth a bit too judging by those guards and they way big red is eyeing it and us up...' Kirk could only concur.
One by one guests approached, fascinated by the dazzling sight. When it was Uhura's turn, Kulj'ita motioned the guards to bring the stones closer. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he drew her towards him, an intimate gesture in plain sight of Kirk. If the attention was unwelcome, she gave no indication.
'Leave it Jim...', McCoy hissed out the side of his mouth in reaction to the low growl emitted from the captain. He too had noticed Kulj'ita weird claim on Uhura.
'As you can see Commander, they are actually solid and their unique make up means they will forever glow at this intensity'. Kulj'ita watched Uhura with great interest as she stooped to examine the majestic objects. She was utterly fascinated; the colours seemed to jump from one to the next.
Kirk tensed his jaw, 'Samson went to great lengths to point out monogamy is not the done thing; Nyota wanting space...'. Both he and McCoy keeping a watchful eye over the proceedings in front of them.
Uhura tilted her head sidewards, 'They are emitting a faint hum...'
Kulj'ita's grin widened, only a handful of people ever noticed the low frequency noise emitted by the Sunstones. 'The noise increases exponentially as the Sunstones are separated. Like a pair of lovers unwilling to be parted...', she turned to face him, those eyes boring straight through her. She knew he was attracted to her, and found it flattering but had absolutely no intention of reciprocating no matter how attractive she found him. Skilfully she maneuvered herself out of his grasp.
Attempting to reassure his friend, 'Nyota's no fool. See, she's onto that creep. Worry about the Ranyari, now there's a whole heap of crazy...' McCoy thumbed around the room. Suddenly, he stood alone. Ah hells bells Jim...
'Captain...', greeted a guard, Kirk taking the opportunity to examine to magnificent objects. In the background McCoy worriedly shook his head, and Uhura dropped her eyes back to the ornately decorated box very aware Kirk may have witnessed the exchange between her and Kulj'ita.
'Provost Kulj'ita, they're very beautiful...Don't you think Commander?', Kirk's passive aggressiveness registering with Uhura. Inwardly cringing, she was all too aware he had noticed.
'If you'll excuse me, Provost-', before she could finish, he interrupted 'call me Kulj'ita, it is my name after all...', she tightly nodded, before moving off amongst the guests. Leaving the men awkwardly standing by.
McCoy couldn't take his eyes off the hypnotic train wreck in front of him. Left alone, Kirk and Kulj'ita would cause that intergalactic incident Scotty warned them about. Now nursing the rising inferno of indigestion, he was unsure if the cause was the scene in front of him or all the running earlier on. He had to do something so intercepted Kirk, 'Captain didn't you want to speak to Citizen Kenzii' plastering a fake smile onto his face, as he deliberately manhandled Kirk in the direction of the Ranyari.
Lurking in the shadows, Freedan observed the testosterone fuelled posturing by both men; it amused him no end. Casually tapping his dagger with his forefinger, displeasure fleetingly flashed across his features, as McCoy brought up Spock's study of the caves. The Vulcan's inquisitiveness would take him awfully close to areas he should not be. He would have a word with Shyloh, after all she was being paid to do a job. She'd better not fail. Now irked about the timing of the intervention, nothing and nobody was to interfere with his plans. Even the idiot Ranyari's ridiculous assassination attempt might prove to be a useful distraction.
Kirk focused his attentions on Citizen Kenzii and the robust denials of having anything to do with that man. Satisfied Kenzii was telling the truth, Kirk made it explicitly clear the rest of his party were to make themselves available for questioning after the brunch. Having completed that official duty, he joined Getta and McCoy, with the Prime Minister.
'...They're priceless...', in response to McCoy's enquiry about the Sunstones value. Irin's voice more sombre than they were used too, 'there were dark days on this planet when the stones were lost to us. You see, until they were found and united as a pair my people were mindless savages. We fought over everything, families torn apart by greed, apathy and war. This is why we owe it to others to help fix problems, so they don't suffer like us...'
'The security surrounding the stones is quite...intimidating...' Getta's eyes darted across the marque. Counting 8 guards around the stones at all times. 'Are they normally so numerous?'
'No. Not normally...' Irin beckoned them closer into a huddle. 'Samson has reason to believe there will be an attempt to steal them', dismissively he continued 'I think she worries too much, but if it reassures her, why not...'
Stepping out of the huddle, Kirk inwardly groaned. The intervention and their time on Perpetous was becoming more calamitous with each passing hour. Not for the first time he was pleased Dr Shanay would soon take over.
Noticing the dismay on Kirk's face, 'My dear Captain, who would be stupid enough to attempt such a thing?' A plate sized palm clapped Kirk on the back, who in turn stumbled forward and nearly split the content of his drink onto the floor.
With a loud guffaw, McCoy made his excuse to leave. It was nearly time for him to begin his shift at the inoculation centre.
'I'll come with you Bones', Kirk using the opportunity to go get changed in the free hour before the beginning of the intervention.
Overhearing Irin's comment about the potential theft threat, a memory jarred Uhura. With the event coming to an end, she summoned Getta and called for two to be beamed back to the ship. On the way to the communications lab, Getta filled her in on the rest of Irin's declarations. Recalling Behan's earlier discovery - something about artefacts, that recording had to be found and analysed.
In the lab Getta stood over Behan, directing the officer to work with a small team analysing the data currently being transferred to the ship. Somehow he had persuaded Irin to let them review the intel alluding to alleged theft of the Sunstones, Uhura made a mental note to find out how. Calling the rest of her team around the main computer terminal, their orders were to focus on the intercepted comms and find anything that could either prove or disprove the theft of the sunstones. Approaching Behan, she was tasked with updating the Captain about the message. At the moment it was circumstantial, but it was better than nothing. Since Behan had made the discovery and the ensign was putting in extra hours to move up the command track, the interaction with captain would be beneficial. Having dictated her instructions, she left them to it, venturing back to her quarters to freshen up. If they found anything of significance they would let her know.
The solitude of the empty room pleased her. After spending three hours making small talk and dodging the advances of Kirk, Uhura was frazzled as she collapsed onto the sofa. She ordered the computer to play soothing music and kicked off her shoes. From the corner of her eye several carelessly scattered PADDs on her bed. The blinking lights demanded her attention. She wearily frowned, she had promised they would talk later, and for all her indifferent posturing whenever Kirk tried to engage her earlier, she did want to know what was on his mind. She wondered if the time permitted would be enough to do his ramblings justice.
Transported to the clinic where the first batch of inoculations was taking place, two guards accompanied McCoy; his brief attempt at chatter was met by stone cold silence. In very different surroundings, this area on Perpetous was very arid, dust kicked up at the slightest movement. Wondering when it had last rained, images of cool raindrops hitting the ground, followed by the earthy smell as the browns and reds of the landscape darkened entertained him.
His team had arrived earlier that day to begin treatment. Carefully approaching the makeshift clinic with a medibag slung over his shoulder, queues of desperate Perpetuans stretched as far as the eye could see.
'Doctor!', the terse call from nurse Chapel, he recognised the tone, less gawping and more working.
'Where do you want me?' He shouted, pushing through the crowd to his station. Suddenly it dawned on him, it was going to be a very long day indeed. He prepared his equipment and was soon ready to work.
'Next!' he commanded, an elderly man shuffling towards him with the aid of a boy no older than 15. McCoy reassuringly encouraged them to both take a seat, their inoculations the first of many he would complete that afternoon. It had not escaped his attention his guards remained nearby, what do they expect a stampede of hypospray stealing quickly shaking his head to remove the ridiculous image.
Elsewhere, 150 miles away from McCoy and just a few metres away from the cave entrance Shyloh, Spock, and his team checked their equipment one last time. The cave network was situated deep within a rainforest; the tall luscious trees draped the surroundings with their mega green leaves. Sunlight peeking through whatever gaps it could find. Everything, it seemed, was much bigger on Perpetous.
Shyloh was dressed in a similar outfit as their first meeting, the rest of them where dressed accordingly. The grey and burgundy skin tight, Starfleet uniform left nothing to the imagination. Designed to regulate their temperature in underground environment, the material wicked away sweat whilst maintaining core body temperature. Criticism from his human crewmates about the hated outfits, they would soon appreciate the protection deep in the cave network. Spock crouching down to the ground pulled the straps tighter on his backpack, before assuredly rising to his full height. Shyloh spiritedly gave the guards who had accompanied them their returning set of orders. Dismissed, four silently returned to the waiting shuttle, whilst two made their way to the mouth of the cave. Spock watched her approach, a smile fixed onto her face. He was interested why six guards were needed to accompany a team of four.
'Are you anticipating trouble in the caves?', Spock turned his steely gaze from the shuttle to the cave.
'No, Commander. But Freedan insisted we take no chances'. The smile no longer so prominent.
'Why?' Spock quirked his head to the side. 'Starfleet reports no issues of concern. Yet since our arrival we've been overtly, and no doubt, covertly monitored'. Her answer evasive, he sensed an underlying point of contention.
Shyloh hesitantly looked around, reticent about responding. 'There have been thefts of artefacts from other historical sites. Those who have been unfortunate to be present have not fared well. So trust me when I say it's for our protection'. She moved off to the other Starfleet personnel.
When she was out of hearing range, he acted. 'Spock to Captain Kirk', intent on sharing the curious exchange. When Kirk finally answered, he sounded as if he were on the move. 'I'll be quick Captain. Shyloh has revealed the reason for our armed guards. Artefacts are being stolen...'
Kirk halted his rapid descent down the stairs. One hand on the banister rail, he nodded a friendly greeting to a passing Perpetuan. Glancing round for privacy 'what else did she say?', he demanded.
'She alluded to the criminals being dangerous'.
Kirk stroked his chin deep in thought, Behan's update become all the more relevant. 'You're at the epicentre of a wealth of stuff, be vigilant'. His capacity to think torn in too many directions at once. He still had reports about Hybro to read through and an update from his team about Kenzii and co.
'I am aware of the value of artefacts within the cave. Hence yours is a wise observation. I will inform the others. Spock out'
As the line went dead, Kirk began his journey once again. Feet moving faster, he rushed through the grounds towards the congregating crowd. Cutting it fine, he arrived just as everyone took their seats. Uhura and Getta already in position at the head of the table casually conversing, the vacant spot in between them nominally his. Slowing his pace, he tried to steady his breathing; he saw Citizen Kenzii and his representatives settled PADDs in front, with a list of their demands. Citizen Monan ending a conversation with Kulj'ita, his representatives seated, preferring to note their issues traditionally pen to paper. Kulj'ita appeared to be on friendly terms with Monan, a shared joke bringing merriment to that section of the room. As Kirk finally arrived between Uhura and Getta, he signalled to Getta to begin the proceedings.
'Welcome. Before we begin I will summarise the schedule for the next few days. This afternoon, Captain Kirk will set the scene explaining what has brought your people here today, then each side will have 45 minutes to present their cases. Tomorrow morning from 1100 Dr Shanay will take over proceedings; she and Commander Uhura will meet with Citizen Kenzii and his representatives. Captain Kirk and I will meet with Citizen Monan and his representatives. During this event each side will talk candidly about their requirements and throughout the day Starfleet will act as intermediaries brokering the final outcome of the negotiation. On the final day we return as a group to agree terms and hopefully cement a lasting truce'.
Getta's succinct appraisal of the next few days drew murmurs of agreement from around the room. Kirk began detailing the intra-planetary disharmony. Ranyari was now a planet of two halves, the royal tribes each ruling over a hemisphere of the planet. The atmosphere toxic, inhabitants made their homes within sprawling interconnected domes dotted across the planet. The catalyst for their disagreement - energy, one side had the means to mine the crucial element the other side the capacity to refine and supply. It took an unfathomable amount of energy to maintain the upkeep of each dome, and the breakdown of the symbiotic relationship had far reaching consequences. The Kitari had discovered a vast underground source of minerals, no longer so reliant on the Zoszhani, this issue had lead them here today.
'So, before we begin are there any questions?' Kirk swept across the room, he might not have the answers but could bank the questions for resolution later. When he thought none were forthcoming Kulj'ita spoke up.
'I would like to sit in with Dr Shanay and Commander Uhura, before joining you and Communication Officer Getta', his sight never wavering from Uhura, only at the last second acknowledging Kirk with a smile never quite reaching his eyes. 'As hosts to this event and genuinely neutral it's to everyone's best interest if everything is documented...'. His insinuation that Starfleet would act anything but appropriately sorely testing Kirk's resolve. A carefully timed cough from Getta returned Kirk to the job at hand.
'As you wish Provost. However I can assure you and everyone else here Starfleet is entirely impartial and will follow regulated process at all times, as we always do'. A sharp pain to his right ankle he shot a withering look at Uhura. Her meaning crystal clear, this was not the time or place for a pissing match. Back to engaging the Ranyari, 'to decide who goes first presenting their case, we will use an ancient earth custom...' From his pocket he pulled out a shiny newly replicated coin, and explained the process. Up into the air the coin flew. 'Call it, Citizens...'.