Chapter 4

Sitting in the large conference room with the delegates of Niurex, Kirk glanced at McCoy on his left who nodded imperceptibly in reassurance, and then at Spock on his right, who under his calm and controlled posture, was as tense as the rest of the landing party attending this meeting. But at least the façade of his calm first officer gave him confidence.

He looked at Niurex governor, V'sder, who sat on the other side of the table. He glanced at the captain from time to time, discreetly gauging him, while pretending to be in the middle of an intense discussion with two of his counselors.

Kirk cleared his throat and everyone fell silent. "Gentlemen, regarding the occurrences of past months, we have come with a message from the Federation for you." Kirk could almost touch the tension in the room. He had everyone's full attention.

"Governor V'sder, we have evidences that in your planet, Federation rules are neglected in major scales." Kirk waited to see his reaction, although what he saw was not unexpected. V'sder scowled deeply at Kirk as if offended by the very sight of him.

"And how exactly did you come up with these evidences of yours? Stealth observation was not in the policy we agreed in our contract." a murmur of agreement erupted in the room. Kirk raised his voice to reach every one over the noise.

"No, there was no stealth observation involved. We have received considerable amount of communications, from your own people, reporting that there are some very severe breaches in the Federation regulations."

He nodded to Spock to supply them with the chip that contained the evidences and continued. "We had also sent in groups of investigators, with your own agreement and of course, previous arrangements, but they were prohibited from entering some of your important establishments, for instance your main armory and prisons. Thus, this led us to believe that the reports were not from 'some insignificant group who enjoy unsettlement' as you had declared them in your previous communication with us."

Governor V'sder and the rest of the delegates were going through the evidences on their own monitors and shaking their heads and whispering to each other, denying the evidences with rage.

V'sder, cut through the chatter that was about to swallow the whole room. "Captain! What is the meaning of this insulting speech?" He was fuming with anger. Kirk tried to keep his voice steady despite the not-so-friendly looks he was receiving from the delegates across the table. He cleared his throat, preparing himself for the hard part.

"Governor this is undeniable that the situation on Niurex needs to be changed. We are trying to help you…"

"No captain. I thank your offer but we have a complete control on the matters. We can handle those minor disturbances nicely."

But Kirk didn't relent. "What can guarantee that you will not repress your opposers again? We have proofs and witnesses who will confirm that your government is responsible for the execution of freedom fighters."

V'sder's harsh laughter was hysterical, almost scary. "So that's what you are calling them now? Freedom fighters? They are terrorists, Captain. A bunch of butchers who destroyed three of our important buildings! They killed people!"

Spock redirected those outraged stares to himself, and for that, Kirk was grateful. "And that is why we insist that a group of nonpartisan come to Niurex and judge the situation. I believe both you and your antagonists will have mutual benefits in this situation."

"Commander, as I stated before, we are completely in control of the situation. There is no need for outside's intervention."

"But the evidences show the otherwise. The rate of crime is alarmingly higher than a healthy society you claim to have. Your economy is almost nonexistent. with the help of the Federation in the last year, you should have been able to improve the condition of your citizens, even marginally. But as we can see the situation is significantly worse than a year ago." V'sder started to shout frantically, "They marauded the supplies you gave us! They are thieves and butchers…"

"And that's another reason that there was incompetency from your side. You were responsible to safeguard the supplies, to execute the ration schedules. The provisions, if used wisely, were more than enough to help you improve the living condition of your people.

Kirk spoke before they were sufficiently out of shock to start shouting, voice as firm as he could muster. "Governor V'sder, I'm afraid the Federation can no longer recognize your government as the legitimate ruler of Niurex. You can either surrender your position and allow a referendum, or we are compelled to ban the trades with your planet."

V'sder and other ministers were shocked, or pretended very convincing to be so.

"What?!"

"You cannot do that!"

"That's outrageous!"

"Impossible!"

Kirk continued, unfazed by the angry yet surprised uproar. His strong confident voice cut through the commotion. "This is an ultimatum, governor V'sder. Niurex must acknowledge the rules in the treaty. By ignoring the laws, you have given the federation of the planet freedom to act as they see fit. If your planet is to remain as a part of the federation, you must acknowledge the rules."

"We did obey the rules!" someone said louder than the other noises in the room. Still, Kirk raised his voice even more and continued.

"The Federation requests a referendum for the new leader. There should be representatives of the Federation observing the process. Every mature citizen should have the right to vote. No one should vote under duress. The competency of the candidates must be determined by neutral third parties. We can also guarantee safety of the election by troopers…"

"What gives you the right to invade our territory with your military forces…?" the first minister sitting next to V'sder yelled.

Spock turned to them this time, voice calm but authoritative. "Let me clear the intentions of this offer. Since the situation of the nation is in turmoil, we merely wish to make sure that the election will be conducted in its righteous manner. This will provide safety for all the parties involved."

But at that point, none of the delegates were listening. The room was filled with shouts and yells of protest. Kirk looked at V'sder, he could practically see the flames behind those brown orbs of his eyes.

"That's blunt disrespect! This planet can no longer tolerate your interference. Your affront is unforgivable!"

Kirk saw it coming. But frankly, Spock's words were the exact things he would have said. And he silently thanked Spock because the looks Spock received from the counselors and ambassadors were so… wild! It made his skin crawl.

By the look of Spock, he could see that he wasn't left unaffected. The rest of the landing party, excluding four security officers that, for the moment, were out of his sight, radiated anxiety. The ministers were speaking among themselves with indignation. V'sder yelled over other accusing shouts.

"This meeting is over, captain! We will seek help elsewhere."

Jim Kirk realized this was the moment things went to hell, but he could do nothing about it. Not even his diplomatic ways or his charm could get them out of this one. He wasn't really shocked. From the very beginning, he knew this mission was doomed to failure. Nevertheless, he had to save the situation and fast. After all, He was still the representative of the Federation.

"Gentlemen! Please! Let me explain …!"

"What is there left to explain, captain? You cleared your evil intentions! You are interdicting this whole planet because you didn't like the way we are trying to manage this dire situation… " Kirk cut him off. So very sick and tired of this innocent façade. "You can see it is not a complete ban. Food and other vital provisions will still be available in ample amount for your people." V'sder jumped to his feet, voice shaking with anger and sadness. "you know this would not be enough. If we cannot trade, then we will not be able to improve our economical state. Today everything became clear. Your Federation is trying to exploit Niurex and it is going as far as mass murdering our women and children. You want us to be dependent. Is that your noble humanitarian Federation you promised us? You are turning your back on us! How can you do this in these days of need?"

Kirk also stood up. Trying to keep his voice leveled. "Governor I must remind you that this situation was fully the creation of this government's incompetency. It can still end here with a very good outcome for everyone. If you care for your people, let then have the chance to choose their leader. If you believe you made no wrong acts, let your people be the judge of that. We are offering our sincere help to alleviate the problems of your people. But you must also acknowledge the treaty rules. We cannot continue to support this government with these behaviors." Kirk's voice was gentle, his eyes soft and understanding. He could tell that not all of this outward show of helplessness was a charade. They were truly desperate for outside aids.

But then, something changed. Kirk nearly believed that V'sder would resign there and then. But it was a naive hope.

The look of helplessness in his eyes vanished and it was like he was transformed to a different man altogether.

"I am the ruler of this planet and I give no one the right to order me to do anything. I say now, and for the record, that I did nothing wrong. It was all in the favor of my planet. I will not take orders from your federation or anyone else. And I shall say ere that I will never resign my position , and see no need for a referendum."

Kirk glanced at Spock, and Spock could read regret and disappointment, even sadness, in his captain's eyes.

"If that is your last call then…"Kirk said in a low voice. He trailed off meaningfully.

"It is. You and your Federation are not welcomed here anymore."

Guards stormed into the room with the slight node from the governor. The Enterprise's crew jumped onto their feet and formed a protective circle against the aggressive guard who surrounded them and closed their exit routes. In a second, the room was full of movement and shouts.

Kirk whipped out his communicator and hurriedly spoke into it. "Kirk to Enterprise, come in. Kirk to Enterprise." But the only reply to his calls was noises of heavy statics. They were greatly outnumbered. "Governor! What is all this for? This will not help your case any."

He tried to maintain a calm front. He looked around himself. McCoy shot him a concerned look.

The guards with pointed weapons were now a few meters away from them.

He tried again "Governor, you will not gain anything by harming my men. We are merely messengers…" The governor was not listening to him. He was whispering something with one of his subordinates. It was unnerving. Kirk subconsciously raised his voice a trifle higher to gain his attention.

"If you are trying to convince us of your well conduct, you are worsening the situation. The Federation will not look kindly on…"

With that, V'sder cut him short with a sharp look. Now I have his attention, Kirk thought with unease. "We do not need your Federation anymore, captain. You see, there are many others who are willing to give good money for our dilithium."

Suddenly Kirk's mouth went dry. "What…?" now he could see that sinister smile again. Before he could utter another word his communicator chirped. He flapped it open in a second. "Kirk here." "capt'n… emergency… beam out… "The Scotsman's voice was fading in and out. Even with the obviously highly boosted signal.

Kirk looked at Spock questioningly, alarm bells going off. The last thing he saw before the sparkle of the transporter began, was the devilish sneer of governor V'sder.

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