Demoness
Chapter 1 of Ardra
Archaeologist Dr Howard Clark had spent weeks on Ventax II at the government's request. Authorities were desperate to learn more about the demoness Ardra, prophesied to return after a thousand years to claim the planet. It was the price of her intercession to end the frequent wars of past centuries. Ventax had prospered as a result; a thousand years was a long way in the future. But payment always comes due, and this was the day of reckoning. People stayed home from work; crowds thronged the exits from the capital city; the media were in panic mode.
Captain Picard regarded the man's frantic features on the Enterprise main viewer. "Dr Clark, surely you don't give credence to this nonsense. You're a man of science. Still, I'm prepared to beam you aboard, since you requested evacuation. I'm going down with a delegation, just to assure the ruling council."
"Well and fine," Clark said, "as long as I'm off planet before you leave the ship!"
Counselor Troi made the sign to cut audio. "He's genuinely afraid. And there's a high level of anxiety among the populace."
"No matter," Picard decided. "When nothing happens, things will get back to normal." He signaled for the return of audio. "Dr Clark, we'll meet you in the transporter room." To Riker: "You have the bridge, Number One. Counselor, Worf, you're with me." He rose and tugged down on his tunic, joined the others in the lift. During the ride down, he asked for opinions.
Worf sneered. "These people are little better than ho-flies."
"Now, Worf," Troi chided. "They've been conditioned by their mythology all their lives. Now their self-serving media are whipping them into a frenzy. Their ad revenue must be off the charts."
"Let's hope it's nothing," Picard added. "Things are seldom that easy for this crew."
They made the brief walk down the transporter corridor and went in. Dr Clark, a tall, scholar type, rushed to meet them. "Captain, there's no need to go down there. You're merely her to evacuate me, as I requested."
Picard mounted the platform. "It would be remiss not to pay a courtesy call since we're in orbit. Besides, we mustn't give the appearance of running away. Energize."
The trio materialized in the high council chamber. Only a few officials remained, pacing about in an agony of hand-wringing.
The high minister, Accost Jared, led his small group to meet them. "Captain Picard, your presence here is most encouraging. Yet I'm not sure it's safe for you to be here. We're down to a matter of minutes, in Earth time. Even the power of your starship cannot stand before the might of a demigoddess."
"I notice," Troi said, "the council throne has been cordoned off."
Jared nodded. "Where else would Ardra appear when she arrives to claim the planet?
Picard was tempted to sit on the throne, if not for it being disrespectful. "I must ask, Minister—what happens when she fails to show? Do you allow an extra week out of caution? A month?"
"That isn't how prophecy works." He beckoned them to an area beneath a skylight, where sunlight was about to fill an ebony circle in a low-walled enclosure. "Our time is up at noon."
Worf consulted his tricorder. "The noon meridian occurs in thirty seconds."
The councilors backed away from the throne, crowded close to Picard's trio. Worf glowered at two who sought safety in his hulking nearness.
A blue flash heralded Ardra's arrival on the throne. She wore dark hair piled, and her clinging black gown sparkled with tiny stars. She stood up, hands on hips, her voice magnified in the chamber. "Greetings, my loyal subjects. Your time is expired!"
End of short introductory chapter.