First Contact
Chapter 9
First Contact. A term which typically describes the first formal meeting between two cultures that were previously unaware of each other. If this island and its "unique" residents were real, then the rules of first contact as established by the Federation Council and Starfleet Command were to be enforced and followed accordingly.
The Prime Directive, the guiding principle of Starfleet, prohibits interference with the normal growth of civilizations that have yet to achieve warp capability. The fairies of this land were most definitely pre warp, however it was also a most unique situation. The residents of this land have been long aware of humankind and Dr. Griffiths had achieved a kind of first contact all her own.
"There are so many of them," Dr. Crusher observed. She and her fellow officers were surrounded by thousands of the tiny winged creatures, each no larger than a human hand.
"It's like they are a society," Geordi said with a joyful smile at witnessing such an incredible event.
"Geordi, I believe we have discovered a complete civilization," Data clarified.
"Yes," Picard said in agreement. "With what appears to be a system of government, rule of law and possibly even division of labor." He had spied two tiny humanoids, one was short and skinny with red hair while the other was taller but overweight. Both were attired in green colored garb made from leaves and vines and both were holding what appeared to be miniature tools: a hammer and some kind of simple, makeshift drill.
The fairies flitted about, some getting close and observing the humans. Others ducked behind leaves, tree branches or rocks, clearly afraid of them. One in particular, a slightly taller female dressed all in purple and with long black hair got in particularly close, moving from one to the other. She then crossed her arms and jingled something before turning her back and fluttering away. The manner in which she did gave Captain Picard the impression that the little winged creature did not care for them.
"Now be nice, Vidia," Elizabeth said to her. "My apologies, Captain, she can be a bit naughty at times."
"What did she say?" Geordi asked.
"Oh, uh… well, she said that you don't look like much."
Picard smiled, she was clearly being diplomatic. "Yes, I suppose we are not very striking at all." Jean-Luc remembered from when was a boy the portrayals of Captain Hook in the theater. Hook was elegantly dressed in elaborate finery with a long coat and sported a broad brimmed hat. The pirate's hair was long and curled and in some interpretations he smoked a double cigar holder. By comparison, their own simple yet functional uniforms and haircuts looked positively plain and unassuming against such a standard.
He then turned his attention to the lovely fairy monarch. The one Dr. Griffiths referred to as Queen Clarion.
"Your Highness, I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the U.S.S. Enterprise," he said. "We discovered your world quite by accident. We mean you no harm. Our stated purpose is to seek out new life and new civilizations."
The fairy queen nodded that she understood. Then she spoke, her words just more jingling.
"Her highness wishes to know the details of your purpose here, Captain," Dr. Griffiths translated.
"Our world has altered significantly since you last encountered it," Picard prefaced. "Human civilization has evolved dramatically since the cataclysm of World War III. Our technological advances have allowed us to leave the Earth and explore the stars. Our central purpose is to engage in scientific discovery and build alliances with peaceful cultures."
"It is these advancements that have brought us here. We discovered a rather unusual form of energy which revealed your world to us. Now that we are aware of your existence our only purpose is to establish normal political relations with your civilization to the benefit of both cultures."
She studied him carefully, then spoke. "You mentioned a vessel," Lizzy translated.
"Yes. I captain the U.S.S. Enterprise," Picard answered. "However, my vessel is not a sailing ship, but a starship. It can travel to other worlds. Worlds with their own unique races, cultures and languages."
The queen jingled at Dr. Griffiths. "Queen Clarion would like to know what kind of people you have encountered."
Captain Picard smiled, he was making progress. It would take some time to try and explain the entire history of Starfleet, warp travel, The United Federation of Planets and every culture they had encountered thus he summarized as best as he could.
"We have made peaceful alliances with many humanoid species," Picard explained. "By name, some of these civilizations include the Vulcans, who have made logic the philosophy which guides their lives. Klingons, a proud warrior race with a deep sense of honor. And Betazoids, a human like race with advanced mental abilities. However, there are so many other worlds it would be impossible to list in such a short span."
The queen appeared deep in thought.
Jean-Luc then turned to Data and presented him. "This is Commander Data, my first officer. You may notice his rather strange appearance. Data is an android. A machine capable of thinking and acting just like a human."
"Is he a servant?" the queen asked through Dr. Griffiths.
"No. Mr. Data is recognized as a sentient life form and is entitled to the same rights and privileges as any other sentient being. Mr. Data possesses a keen intellect and a free will and is highly valued member of my crew."
Queen Clarion came forward and carefully inspected Commander Data. She noted the strange color of his eyes and paleness of his skin. To prove the point that Data was a product of superior technology Geordi carefully opened the service access to his positronic brain.
Many of the fairies who witnessed this gasped in horror and shock. One of the ministers fainted dead away.
"I am not injured nor and I in any pain," Data stated.
Indeed he showed no such outward symptoms of being in discomfort. Clarion hovered a bit closer to study the interior of Mr. Data's head. Commander LaForge briefly explained the inner workings of the positronic matrix as best he could, though it was clear that the elegant regent did not understand him.
Still she was impressed by this remarkable demonstration.
He then thought to ask, "Your Highness, how have you been able to keep your presence a secret from the outside world?"
The queen jingled her response, Lizzy translated. Over the tens of thousands of years that fairies have been bringing the seasons to the mainland, fairies have always had to hide their presence from the human world. The first time humans saw fairies myths and legends quickly began to arise. Stories were told that cast fairies as tricksters and child abductors. They were thought to be in league with the Devil himself.
Certain rules were set down to prevent a further recurrence. Fairies were to stay away from human cities except when bringing the seasons. They were to hide from sight and would often work very early in the morning or evening when most humans were indoors. Once work in a town or city was done, the fairies moved to the countryside and completed their tasks before returning. Visiting the mainland was also restricted to those talents necessary for changing the seasons and only for that purpose.
Many of those rules were eventually relaxed after Tinker Bell earned the right to visit the mainland and soon after she met Lizzy. They formed a strong and enduring friendship.
Clarion then began to speak of a much darker chapter in their history.
"After the great calamity," Lizzy said through translation, "we were told what was happening. Your global war turned into genocide through the use of devastating weapons. Unfamiliar with your nuclear warheads a number of scouting talents were dispatched to assess the status of mainland. Most did not make it back. Those that did arrived extremely ill and died quickly afterwards."
"Radiation poisoning," Dr. Crusher explained. "The radiation from the nuclear blasts permeated their bodies and killed those poor souls."
"Indeed," the queen continued via her human translator. "Dr. Griffiths explained what had happened and which cities were most likely affected. Afterwards, all fairies bringing the seasons to the mainland were instructed to avoid all major cities and towns and to only visit the countryside. They have been doing so every year since."
"How many were lost?" Crusher asked, empathy present in her voice.
"Twenty scouts, and more than two hundred total of the other talents in the years since," Clarion replied. "Including several good friends."
There was a brief silence until Picard spoke. "On behalf of the United Federation of Planets we apologize for your loss. Rest assured those days of internal strife are long behind us. War among humans for political gain or tracks of land is a thing of the past."
Clarion nodded her acceptance. "Thank you, Captain Picard. However, that was many years ago. We have put their passing behind us. Now then I am certain you are most curious about our world."
"Indeed we are," he replied. Picard then asked to learn more about these talents and what they did. How were they capable of changing the seasons on the mainland, as they called it?
Queen Clarion turned to Dr. Elizabeth Griffiths and spoke to her. The doctor then turned to Picard and said, "Her Highness, will consider your request for normal relations between your world and this one. However, she believes an exchange is in order. She wants to visit your world to see how it has evolved, but first Queen Clarion would like to take you on a tour of Pixie Hollow. It will help to answer your question."
"It would be an honor," Picard replied.
In geosynchronous orbit above Earth, a battered ship arrived at dry dock. The U.S.S Titan. The Titan, a Luna-class deep space scientific vessel, was under the command of Captain William T. Riker. Riker and his wife, Deanna had served for many years under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard aboard the Enterprise for several years before Will agreed to accept a promotion and the captaincy of this ship.
The Titan had been assigned a diplomatic mission to the planet Romulus. Their government had been in upheaval ever since the incident involving Shinzon. The new temporary ruling body had extended an olive branch to the Federation for assistance. For many years the Romulan Star Empire was hostile towards the Federation and Starfleet.
This change in stance was highly controversial among Romulans and a small band of hardliners calling themselves Loyalists emerged and began attacking Federation vessels in an attempt to provoke conflict and put an end to the possibility of peace between The Romulan Star Empire and the Federation.
A similar event was occurring within Cardassian borders though their rebels had dubbed themselves The New Obsidian Order, named after the intelligence agency which had once maintained loyalty through force and terror.
During the return trip to Earth the U.S.S. Titan was attacked by four vessels under the command of the Loyalists in an attempt to sabotage the mission. The Titan held its own until assistance arrived and two of the four Loyalist vessels were destroyed. The other two escaped but not without heavy damage and great loss of life.
Riker looked though the massive view screen and noticed that the Enterprise was still in orbit. "A beautiful lady, isn't she Deanna?" he asked.
"Yes, but I thought the Enterprise was supposed to be underway by now?"
Worf, who had once been Ambassador for the Klingon Empire to the Federation, was at his captain's side as First Officer. Worf had been made Ambassador as the Dominion War neared its end, but found the life of a diplomat to be dull and highly frustrating. He resigned and rejoined Starfleet serving first aboard the Enterprise and now on the Titan.
"Hail Starfleet Command," Worf bellowed to the communications officer. "Let them know we've docked."
"And send our regards to Captain Picard," Riker added.
Minutes later engineering crews began descending on the U.S.S. Titan to begin the massive repair effort.
I hope you enjoyed this next chapter. Thank you for reading.
