I do not claim any characters from the Trek Universe, and am only using any named herein to tell a story meant for entertainment purposes only.
Star Trek: Lost Mare
4
"I don't know about this," Lt. Myers protested as they approached the planet at half impulse, and without a holographic emitter operating. They had gotten the orders just two days ago to return to E'osta, and to do so with all speed. Apparently, the diplomatic mission had hit a snag, and the planetary rulers wanted to see Helen personally.
Along with her ship.
"What's to know," Helen asked, hiding her own anxiousness, though for different reasons. "The envoy wants my help, and the Prime wants to see our ship. I don't think it's unreasonable."
"But transporting down without an escort now that they know about us…."
"I did it before," she cut Andrea off.
"In secret. You're going to be going down there unarmed, and alone, in front of at least fifty potentially dangerous hostiles," the Morean complained.
"I won't be alone. The envoy will be there, too."
"Diplomats," Dee snorted. "They're useless. Half the time, a loaded phaser, and a strong right are all the diplomacy you really need."
"Antiquated thinking, Lt. Meyers. Even for you," Captain Sawyer grinned.
"Kirk didn't think so. He's the only reason we even joined the Federation. You need more men like him, and less….."
"Like me," Ben asked her as he watched Helen climb onto the transporter pad. They, as she, had gradually gotten used to her new body over the past months, thought the doctor had a few close calls herself adjusting to her body's new limitations, and requirements. She was, for instance, now most definitively a vegetarian. And so far, Dr. Marcan had been right. The Federation's best minds had yet to find a way to reverse her new genetically modified form, let alone explain it.
Many of them were very eager to learn more of the planet's organic medical sciences.
"No, no," Dee sighed, knowing she had all but insulted him. "You're a good captain. But most of them I've met tend to be so cautious I'm surprised they ever left Earth orbit."
Ben chuckled at that one. "Even Jim Kirk knew when to quit, lieutenant. He might not have liked it from what I heard, but he knew when to quit."
"Hmmph," was her only reply.
"I'm ready. Let's do it," Helen called from the platform where she stood proudly in her modified Star Fleet uniform now molded to her new physique. "Coordinate transport with the Carlisle, and energize."
ST
The council gasped in shock as the air seemed to abruptly hum before them, and seven silhouette's of light began to coalesce in the center of the council chambers before the Prime's advisors and counselors. The Prime himself stood up, staring at the energetic patterns that began to solidify before their eyes, revealing six familiar males that called themselves human, and one Exanter filly who wore the strangers' peculiar uniform.
The female looked exactly like one of his people, and he felt his mouth drop as she stepped forward, bowed low to him, and addressed him in perfect X'terian.
"Great Lord Prime, we are honored you have accepted our presence, and I hope our peoples can learn from this moment, and go forward to become as one in the eyes of the Great Maker."
The older male blinked as he looked down from his post at her, amazed by her formal manner, and the quite correct address of his station. He ignored his advisors, whose panicked murmurs betrayed that they now had no doubts at all these were truly alien beings. For the near primitive Southern Coalition could never have pulled off such a ploy.
The huge ship everyone had seen approaching on the holo-feeds the astronomers displayed was obviously no clever illusion. It was real. These people were real.
"You honor us with your presence, Dr. Slater," he gathered his wits to reply as he studied the young female. No wonder Marcan was so taken with her. She was beautiful. And those wide blue eyes. They all but glowed with life. And so much more.
"My captain extends an invitation to visit our ship anytime you wish. Meanwhile, I do hope we can continue with the process of getting to know one another, and….."
"If you don't mind, Dr. Slater," one of the diplomats stepped forward. "We'll take it from here. This is our show."
"Not doing so well, though, are you," she snapped back quietly, and the Prime snickered at the by-play they likely thought unheard. But his hearing was excellent despite his age, and he heard every word. And understood it now, thanks to the little device still in his ear just then. It truly was a miraculous machine, too. And to be so small!
The man beside the filly glared at her, but turned away when another beside him motioned for him to be silent. The Prime had no doubt now, they were people just like his own. They even had their own self-important chancellors, much like the sort even he had to suffer.
"Sir, I hope you, and your people will now accept that the Federation is genuinely interested in a peace between us, and perhaps even an alliance. At your request, I have come back to see you. Our ship is at your service. And these more learned men here," she now gestured back to the surly envoy, "Are ready to work out the details of any future alliance, or meetings between our peoples."
"Might I ask a question," one of the Prime's advisors all but demanded as he rose from his seat.
The filly looked to the Prime, nodding to him, which was again proper form. The young filly obviously knew much of their ways if she could behave so correctly when his own people often did not.
"Ask, Lord O'lyn. But do not be rude to our guests. They have obviously come a long way to be with us," he stated, leaving no doubt he now accepted their tale of their travels.
"Just what do you hope to gain by allying with us? Do you seek slaves? Some kind of trade? Do you want our gold, or silver? What is it you seek? Or will you continue to spout utopian ideas that mean little to real people outside this august gathering on the streets," he taunted her.
"Lord O'lyn," the Prime snorted furiously. "You insult….."
"Sir, I do not mind replying. If you permit it."
The old male smirked at the Prime as if daring him to disallow her. The Prime looked down at the young filly, and saw past her age in those bright, canny eyes. "Speak, Lady," he said, giving her equal standing among the lord's caste.
Again his people murmured, but he merely sat back down, and yielded to her.
"Lord O'lyn, is it? Yes," she nodded when he did. "I will reply, because neither I, nor the Federation has anything to hide. As to trade, that is possible, if our leaders decide upon it, and you and your people are the ones that will set any limits you wish to choose in that regard."
He only grunted before she went on.
"Silver, or gold? We quit using those base metals for currency many generations ago. Now, our currency is found in service, and knowledge. We are explorers, teachers, and scientists. We build our ships to pursue those goals. Not to conquer, or invade. Yes, we can defend ourselves. Not everyone we meet is friendly, after all," she told him pointedly. "But as to our purpose? We are here to make new friends, and to learn from them. And if you wish, we will in turn teach you some of what we know. Even how to detoxify your environment in the rural lands where poisons still blight your people."
The council murmured anew at that one.
"As to slaves? We gave up such forced servitude long ago when we accepted that all beings are equal in the eyes of the Great Maker. This being true, how could we subjugate those who are, in essence, our brothers and sisters? Now, my lords, will you accept my words? Or will you return to the wilds to revel in your backward ways, and your obviously cultivated ignorance?"
The cleverly veiled insult sent many in the chamber into paroxysms of laughter. The Prime stood again as O'lyn sputtered furiously, his ears twitching in distress, but could not seem to summon a reply. The Prime held up his hands, and silenced everyone.
"Our people will again meet with your envoy, lady," he told her. "The first meetings will begin after I return from seeing your ship. I would do so now."
"As you wish, sir," she bowed to him, pulling her communicator from her belt.
"I shall summon you again once I return," the leader of the Northern Coalition told the diplomats who stood in silence beside her. "You may depart until then."
The head of the envoy nodded to him, then the Prime fearlessly came down to stand beside Helen. "Will you take us to your ship now," he asked.
"Of course. Just stand close," she told him as he eyed her while pulling out her communicator. "Slater to Sojourner. Two to beam up. Energize."
The council stood there, numb with wonder, as the seven beings vanished, and took their leader with them. Not one of them spoke in the silence that followed their disappearance. Not even O'lyn, who still distrusted the newcomers.
To Be Continued…..
