Genre: StarTrek: The Next Generation

Title: New Civilizations

Summary: The Romulans arrive

Chapter 25

Though the Romulan transport effect was similar to that of the Federation, it, nevertheless, caused great surprise and consternation as several of the pointed-eared aliens arrived in the hall. The consternation increased when the two groups, Kronatina and Federation, noticed two of the Romulans were carrying phasers, aimed, in general fashion, at all of the hall occupants.

Captain Larek, surrounded by five henchmen, looked first at Deanna and told her, "Summon Captain Picard."

Before replying to her captor, she tapped her communicator insignia and spoke quietly, "Riker." Then, she said with as much righteous indignation as she could summon. "What is the meaning of this?"

Standing statue-still, his eyes glittering, Larek replied, "Just tell Picard to return as quickly as possible." Leveling his chin at his victims like a weapon, he taunted, "And don't expect help. At the very moment that we transported here, my ship powered up our phasers aimed at your ship, forcing your people to raise their shields. If they lower them for even one second, to operate the transporters, to take you out, or to bring down your security agents, we will fire."

Riker's concerned voice confirmed Larek' statements. Deanna continued, "Stand by Commander Riker, Worf, keep the channel open and record. Surely, the Treaty Organization Board will be interested."

"Recording, Counselor," rumbled Worf's answering voice.

Before Deanna could reply, Larek interrupted, "I will not hesitate to stun a couple of your friends here, if that will urge you to call Captain Picard." His eyes briefly turned towards two of the Kronatina standing close by before he watched Deanna raised her hand to her chest.

"Captain Picard? Would you please return to the hall? Captain Larek has arrived and requests your presence." Picard could not have failed to notice the slight quaver in the Counselor's voice.

His answer carried his concern, "I'm on my way. I'll be there in a few moments."

Larek spent the next few minutes gazing about at the unusual accouterments of the hall as if merely passing the time of day.

Unable to whisper, unwilling to speak aloud, the Kronatina said nothing. They did, however, wave and swing their arms a few times, apparently signaling to each other. As long as they did not move otherwise, the Romulans seemed content to let them be.

When Captain Picard entered, noting the Romulans weapons, he looked to the Away Team and around the hall as if afraid to see some sort of destruction. Assured, he strode to Deanna's side. "Counselor?" Picard did not need to ask for a report or for details of the preceding events. The comment was the shorthand of people well acquainted with each other.

Deanna quietly, concisely, filled in Picard, first assuring him that she was safe and well. When she had finished, Picard's patience snapped. He whirled to Larek and snarled, "What do you think you're doing?"

Captain Larek, his eyes condescendingly surveying the crowd in cool, calculating fashion, said, "We're rescuing you, of course."

"From what?" exploded Picard, his voice cracking in exasperation.

"From these duplicitous, conniving beings." He gave a withering glance to the Kronatina. "We've been carefully observing your interactions here, as well as scanning the entire planet for hidden weapons."

Picard stepped forward, drawing his spare frame into an imposing stance. He said, "Then why are you pointing your weapons at us? And again I ask, from what are you rescuing us?"

The Romulan smiled ruefully. "I didn't think you'd take kindly to our gracious act, so I am, shall I say, wary?" He glanced at his companions. "You Federation are known for taking far too long to recognize when you're standing in an acid bath even when it's already consuming your toes."

A's'kahn'a, who had returned with Captain Picard, had immediately assumed her position on her pedestal. She now spoke, leaning forward so that she seemed about to topple over as she bobbed and wove about. "You say we would bring harm to these people of the Federation?"

"You have already harmed them, showing that you are a clear and present danger," said Larek. The front of his eyebrows pointed downwards more severely in a frown. He turned back to Picard. "Your first officer was nearly killed! As if that wasn't enough of a warning, you also witnessed what they tried to do to the Ferengi, which they would have done to us had we permitted contact."

Both Picard and A's'kahn'a spoke at once.

"The harm was inadvertent."

"We have realized the error!"

Larek sneered, "Oh, of course. And when each of you," he waived a general hand at the away team, "is wearing one of those creatures on your head as part of the agreement to trade with these…" he could not seem to find a word harsh enough, "creatures and directed like trained dogs, I suppose you'll consider the bargain well met?"

Picard's hand strayed up to his chin, one finger tracing a horizontal line under his mouth. "By making these statements, you've proven you were eavesdropping on our transmissions. When did you stop listening in?"

"Shortly after those Ferengi animals had fled. Just long enough to hear you continuing your conversation here as if nothing wrong had occurred." Larek shook his head. "I've never been able to comprehend the human patience for being cheated and lied to. It's as if you revel in maltreatment. If we're to share trade ground with you, we cannot allow such abuse. We won't allow ourselves to be controlled and therefore won't allow you to be controlled."

Picard could have answered that last statement with several proofs of how much the Romulans seemed to have wanted to control the Federation in the last few decades, but decided to allow the Romulan to stick his foot just a bit further into his own mouth. "All right, you've rescued us from these, villains. Now what?" Picard's voice smiled better than his mouth.

Larek hesitated, calculated silently for a mere second, and then sneered again, "You need proof of my words? You will have it. In a few moments you'll agree that what they did," he pointed his finger dramatically at the Kronatin diplomats, "was an act of aggression, for which they will have to be subjugated and be made to relinquish any rights of fair trade. I'm sure that we, the Romulans and you, the Federation will be able to come to an equitable agreement, considering it is we who did the rescuing and considering the proximity to Romulan Territory." A genuine smile passed briefly over the Romulan's lips.

Annoyed, tired, and disgusted, Picard folded his arms across his chest and answered, "Prove away."

A tiny voice, inaudible from any distance, said, "Worf here. Sir, we're prepared to lower our shields and enter into fair combat with the Romulans. At your command, Sir." The addition at the end was not lost on Picard.

With an exhausted shake of his head, not bothering to lower his voice, he answered, "Not yet, Worf. The show is about to begin."

Larek had obviously heard but only briefly looked over at the Enterprise captain, then at one of his companions, and spoke to no one in particular. "Xarsa, here, is my, what you Federation refer to as, science officer. Better, however, than his manipulations of scientific data, are his powers of reporting exactly what he observes. He is, in many ways, a great deal like our Vulcan cousins in that he can even put his emotions on hold when observing."

The Romulan turned to the group of Kronatina, fronted by A's'kahn'a. "Which of you will give up your companion?"

Stunned, human and Kronatina alike, stood silent.

Picard's arms dropped to his side. "What do you intend doing?"

Larek turned menacingly, "I intend to prove my point, Picard, and I suggest you don't interfere."

Leaving his protective comrades and advancing towards the pedestals with the confidence of a master of ceremonies, Larek stared up at the Kronatin diplomats from under his eyebrows. "Speak up please, or I'll choose for you."

The group turned, one to the other, quickly bowing so that their carapaces touched briefly. Within seconds, one of the Kronatina turned and stepped down from her pedestal but instead of presenting himself to the Romulan captain, he turned as if to leave the hall.

"Stop! What do you think are doing?" Larek's voice squeaked with exasperation.

A's'kahn'a, the fur covered face showing no emotion, the voice braying in it's forced speech, said, "We are going to send for the one who was originally designated to make your acquaintance. We have asked P'rrdtl'a to tell one of our messengers, who will bring S'r'ahn'a, as is right and proper."

The frown did not alter on Larek's face. "I think not." He gestured at P'rrdtl'a and said, "Get back up on your perch."

The next happened so quickly no one else had a chance to move. A's'kahn'a stepped from her pedestal with lightning speed, took one step to Larek, raised a furry hand and gently tapped the Romulan on the side of his head just at the temple, said, "Don't be rude." With that, she turned and climbed back up on her pedestal.

The stunned Romulan quickly raised his arm behind him to the two armed men who, he knew, were taking aim. "No! Let him be," he snarled, "For now." Avoiding looking at the Enterprise away team, knowing the human penchant for finding humor in Romulan embarrassment, he glowered at A's'kahn'a. "I acknowledge the breach of etiquette; however, the next time you think to chastise me, I suggest you think better or you'll find how painful it is being stunned into unconsciousness."

A's'kahn'a stared passively at Larek and said nothing.

The Romulan Captain continued, "In fact, the rightness or correctness of your actions is not of consequence at the moment. What is of consequence is that I don't want any of you to move unless I tell you to do so. As you have no doubt observed, our Federation allies," he turned and looked at the members of the Federation Starfleet for a moment, "understand how to keep their movements to a minimum when under the watch of someone with a phaser in his hand." He turned back to the Kronatt on the front pedestal, "Now, let me make our rules a bit more precise. When I asked you to choose someone, I meant someone here in this room, now. When you have chosen, you may summon or point, but otherwise, do not move. Have I made this clear?"

Without another word, the Kronatina on the pedestals turned to each other, communed a moment in silence, then one turned to the group of doctors assembled on a nearby set of pedestals and called, "A'm'sehn'a? Will you consent to make the acquaintance of a Romulan being, not of the Federation?"

The feathers on top of the furred mufungan'a's head seemed to droop. The body inclined a bit and brayed a single sound that was translated as, "I will."

Larek raised a hand in gesture to the group of Kron doctors. "We have observed the process of removal, previously. If your companions there wish to lend you the support you seem to need, they may do so. However, I think Xarsa can take the creature himself, without aid."

Each group of Kronatina began shuffling and leaning towards each other. Picard could not restrain himself. "Please, Captain Larek, Xarsa, this has gone far enough. There are some facts of which you are unaware." He advanced a step and put his hand out in appeal. "I—"

Larek put up a warning hand and glared at Picard to silence him. "I shall prove how imminent your danger was, Picard." He turned to the trio of Kronatina in front of him. He watched as two of the doctors flanked the chosen victim. Bowing in front of Xarsa, who had come forward, the mufunga'na was trembling, apparently feeling A'm'sehn'a's anxiety.

Much to everyone's amazement, the process of removing the feathered creature was indeed gentle. First, Xarsa grasped the carapace in front, cupping his hands so that he was not touching the eyes. A look of interest crossing his face, he said quietly, "I do indeed sense sentient intelligence. I believe your guess that they are slaves and not merely favored pets was correct."

Captain Picard remembered that the Romulans, like the Vulcans, could be telepathic when they touched another being.

Xarsa's fingers dropped and curled under the narrow rim the creature. Pulling slightly, he quickly removed the Kronatt from the head of the mufunga'na and gently turned her sweeping the trail of feathers over his shoulders. As the Kronatt settled down, he pushed the front so that she rested against his forehead, allowing the cup of her body to embrace his head.

Larek stared expectantly at Xarsa, who stared out blankly as if waiting for something. Larek urged, "Hold steady. This creature cannot bring you to his subjectivity."

"There," said Xarsa, "It is making cont—," Xarsa's face broke into a wreath of smiles.

"Report, Xarsa," commanded Larek. "Fight the control! You are the superior intellect!"

The smile on Xarsa's face widened, as did his eyes, and he burst out laughing with a full and ringing, hearty sound.

Larek looked wildly to the others in the room, then turned and grabbed the laughing science officer by a shoulder. "Report! Cease the hysterics! Report!"

The laughter died but the smile remained. "Sir, I think you had better experience the thought for yourself." He raised his hands and gently lifted the Kronatt from his head.

Larek backed away a step, obviously aghast at the suggestion.

Xarsa's voice gained some of its original seriousness "I assure you, Captain Larek, with all respect, you will best learn first hand." Xarsa switched briefly from the common Galactic to the Romulan tongue. Whatever it was he said seemed to assure the captain.

Larek took the Kronatt from Xarsa, and as soon as he put his hands onto her, his confidence seemed to increase. He raised his hands, turned the sweep of the feathers towards the back, and settled her onto his head. A'm'sehn'a, as she had done with Xarsa, gently fit herself around the Romulan's cranium. Larek's eyes widened and then he also laughed, exactly as Xarsa had. He looked about at the Kronatina on the platforms and laughed again, paused, stared into space a moment, and said, "Good!" Another moment passed, and then came an incredulous, "What?" He looked at the group from the Enterprise and shook his head slowly, his face still broad with smiles. Then, he stopped shaking his head, and looked in wonder towards Captain Picard and walked over to him and, his eyes twinkling with his merriment, put his hands on both of his shoulders. "It's a good thing you can't mind-meld."

With that cryptic remark, Captain Larek turned from Picard, and removed the Kronatt from his head. Carrying her gently he walked back to the mufunga'na who was still being supported by the other two. He placed A'm'sehn'a back on the head of her furred carrier.

Standing upright, A'm'sehn'an immediately began communing silently with the other two doctors, touching carapaces. The feathers rose and rippled several times. They stood upright and walked over to the group of diplomats. A's'kahn'a and the others stepped down and conferred. Again the feathers of several rose and fell and rippled.

Meanwhile, Larek turned to his companions and said sternly, "Lower your weapons." He looked over his shoulder at the still mystified Picard. Turning to him he said, "We'll take our leave, now." He paused. The next words were obviously very difficult for him to voice. "My apologies to you, Picard. I hope you will understand my actions were not meant entirely for gain to the Empire. I was commissioned to hold to the treaty agreement and I did have some concern for your well being." His smile was small and tentative, but was the first of such expressions that Picard felt he could believe. The almost shy grin was quickly suppressed and in its place was the better-known, triumphant smirk. "Oh, and when you get the chance, ask our new friends here what they think of the Romulan ability to link telepathically." He swaggered to his companions, turned, and quickly disappeared in a transport effect.

As if released from invisible cages, the group of humans almost leaped together, all talking at once. Riker's voice could be heard issuing from each of the communications insignia in the hubbub. "Captain, the Romulan phasers have powered down."

The captain reassured his first officer, "Yes Commander, I doubt that they'll pose any further threat. You may take the Enterprise off Red Alert and lower the shields. We'll be returning shortly."

"What in blue blazes was that about, anyway?" asked Riker. Picard looked around at everyone nearby who seemed to be asking the same question. "I'm not sure, Number One, but I think our hosts can explain."

As the Away Team conferred with each other, so did the Kronatina. P'rrrdtl'a turned and gestured several times at the one remaining messenger who promptly left the hall in a quick lope. A's'kahn'a turned, looking at her new human friend.

Taking hold of the moment with a look and a gesture, Picard quieted his companions who took their places behind him. By this time, the Kronatina were rearranged on their pedestals. After a moment, Picard turned to A's'kahn'a and said, "Oh, A's'kahn'a, would you please enlighten us? We are somewhat at a loss at Captain Larek's words."

The furry mufunga'na that belonged to A's'kahn'a waved her hand gracefully in front of her body. P'rrrdtl'a spoke up, "A's'kahn'a's Requer is still fatigued, so I shall explain. The others designated to work with the Romulans, not of the Federation, will soon be in communication with them, again. A'm'sehn'a was able to learn much in her short acquaintance, even though she had not been educated in the Romulan way."

A look of consternation passed over Picard's features. "I hope that the ease with which you are able to communicate with the Romulans will not preclude our own communications?"

A brief moment passed before the furry creature beneath P'rrrdtl'a spoke, bobbing about. "Oh Picard, of the Federation, we have so much to learn of all space beyond us, many paths to explore. Because of our proximity to the home place of the Romulans, because of our mutual telepathic abilities, we may often turn to them, but we will continue first with you. You of the Federation," she raised her hand, palm up and lowered it, palm down, "are our mentors, our first contact, and you have so much to offer. Because, though, you and the Romulans, not of the Federation, use the vocal so well, there will be many times we will turn to them for finding better ways of speaking to you, or to understand better what you say. I believe we will perhaps make it part of any trade agreement with them. Of course, the way we find will be our way, which is right and correct, is this not so?"

Picard turned at what sounded like a stifled guffaw coming from the ship's veterinarian. Looking past the rest of the bemused team, his hooded eyes nailed the woman whose hand was covering her mouth.

D'Jang was bravely working up a sound that was something between a gag and a choke. "Sorry Captain," she coughed. "Hairball or something."

Accepting her apology and remembering his diplomatic manners as well as the discipline just meted to Commander Larek, Picard turned to face the Kronatina and answered, "Of course. It is your way and your way is always right and correct."

TBC to Chapter 26

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