Chapter Two.
Chakotay tried not to let his mind digress from the task at hand, but he could not help worrying about how Kathryn and B'Elanna were getting on with the Tagorian Proconsul. They had beamed down to the mining area to negotiate for Dilithium ore in exchange for medical supplies, engineering parts and expertise to help and advise the Tagorian technicians with the repairs of their atmospheric converters.
Chakotay and Neelix had beamed down to the Bagothan agricultural side of the planet, in the hope of procuring much needed fresh food supplies. Curious to see how the two worlds and species co-existed, Chakotay's interest in anthropology helped to take his mind off Kathryn somewhat, while he concentrated on the matter at hand.
They ventured into what looked like a market place with stalls and people milling about to see what they could trade with. The Proconsul had warned them that the Bagothans were extremly primitive and hostile and did not wish for any contact with the outside worlds and other races.
The people did not seem to be openly unfriendly, but instead cautiously curious towards Chakotay and Neelix, as they approached the stalls. They had dressed native style but their physical appearance was not altered so they hardly blended in with the locals without attracting attention.
A crowd was gathering around them, chatting away excitedly, Chakotay gave a reassuring friendly smile or at least he hoped it would be interpreted that way. He approached a stall that was laden with all manner of colourfull looking shapes and sizes hoping it was a fruit and veg stand, he pointed to the food and to his mouth and said eat, the man behind the counter seemed to catch on and nodded.
Neelix had never seen such produce, but fresh food was fresh food and he would find a way to prepare it no matter what. Maybe the Tagorians had some recipes in their data base on how to prepare Bagothan food stuffs seeing as the universal translator was not being very helpful in understanding the locals to be able to ask.
Neelix held out a cooking utensil and pointed to what looked like potatoes and said "Exchange"? The stall holder grabbed the pot and examined its thickness and strength by banging it against the stone piller that supported a rickity wooden roof over his wares.
He seemed satisfied after checking the pot for dents or cracks and realising he'd damaged the piller instead. He scratched his head and beamed a radient albeit somewhat embarresed smile at Neelix, the crowed laughed and tensions abated. The bartering began in ernest.
Someone gently took hold of Chakotay's arm from behind, he turned to face a man in his early fifties, who was dressed more regally than the others and carried an elaboratly ornamented carved staff. The crowd had made room for him and bowed their heads.
"Are you from the Tagorians?" He asked in a mild gentle voice.
Chakotay handed Neelix the sack of exchangeables and instructed him to carry on with the barganing.
"No we are from a passing star ship, we come in peace and mean no harm. We are low on supplies and would like to bargin and exchange things that you might need, for any food that you can spare.
The universal translator seemed to be having no problems with the speech of this man to which Chakotay was grateful, it made negotiations much easier. He seemed a man of authority and power maybe even a leader of the people.
The man looked at Chakotay intently and then nodded, seeming to be satisfied with what he had seen and heard, and indicated for him to follow.
"I am Raphiel, Council to the Regent" He explained as they walked. He led Chakotay to a brick building with a thatched roof. It looked like a meeting hall, an audiance chamber, as it contained a long rectangular table with chairs and a very ornate carved throne at one end of the room.
At the sound of a chime, two burly warriors entered, escorting a young female of about ninteen, who seated herself on the throne. Raphiel whispered into the girl's ear, who nodded and looked Chakotay up and down with interested scrutiny before indicating that he should come closer and take a seat.
"Where are you from?" She asked softly.
"From a planet thousands of light years away from here called Earth." Chakotay explained.
"Are you affiliated with the Tagorians?"
"No we're just passing through the area on our way home and contacted them because our sensors picked up traces of Dilithium on your world, which we need to power our ship.
"You are negotiating for the resources of this planet that the Tagorians have no claim or right to be selling. I am Shantari, Regent of this tribe, and this planet belongs to the Bagothan people."
"I'm very sorry, we were led to believe that you share this planet, and that they are your protectors and guardians." Chakotay informed the girl, mortified by what he had just heard.
"That is what they want everyone to believe, but it is all lies. They came here only to exploit and deplete this planet of what ever resources they can sell at the Interplanatery Trade Market.
They treat my people as slaves in their mines, and are destroying the echo system with their infernal machines and polution."
Chakotay was shocked and angered, it brought back thoughts of his own homeworld invaded by the Cardasians, so he could imagine what these people were going through only to well.
He tapped his com-badge "Chakotay to Voyager."
"Voyager here" Tuvok responded.
"Has the Captain returned from her meeting with the Proconsul ?"
"No, not yet Commander. Is anything wrong?" He asked sensing concern in Chakotay's voice.
"Get her back to the ship as soon as you can, but without raising any suspicions from the Tagori. Chakotay out ".
"I will speak with my Captain as soon as she gets back on board and alert her to the situation. I hope we can come back with something on the table that will be mutually beneficial and acceptable to all concerned." Chakotay said.
'I doubt that very much Commander, but you are welcome to try." Shantari responded with candour.
A/N This story is complete on paper, just hope my pc does not pass out while i type it up onto documents, its making some funny noises. Not to mention things have changed here since i last posted a story and i can't get it proof read or checked like i used to, so please do excuse mistakes. If spotted please notify, Thanks.