Part 3 (2/2)
”Everyone knows that, my lord,” Ootherai said, trying to soothe his leader. ”These monsters take that love and pervert it into this?” Stross gritted his teeth angrily. ”If they want death, I'll give them death. I'm the sovereign protector and I'll live up to that t.i.tle.”
”They're sand spiders,” said Ootherai.
”We'll crush them.”
”Ruer,” Ayli said urgently, trying to reach him through his rage, ”you can't let the Sojourners distract you from your goal: Fusion for Thiopa. If you get sidetracked into a war and forget what you're trying to do for this world, your enemies will win-even if they lose.”
Stross shook his head. ”What can I do?” 39 ”Draw a shroud over them so their poison cannot escape. Above all, you must keep the Federation and its emissaries from hearing their demon's version of the truth.”
Stross remained silent for a long moment. He wanted nothing more than to crush the Sojourners for mocking him, but he heard the sense in what his shadowreader was telling him.
”All right,” he said finally, ”we'll do as you suggest, Ayli.” He turned to his policy minister. ”Tighten your security precautions for the anniversary feast, Ootherai, and make sure there's not a Sojourner or one of these”-he crumpled the propaganda leaflet in his hand-”within a hundred miles of here when the Enterprise arrives.”
”Yes, Lord,” Ootherai said.
”I'll be in my workshop. If anyone bothers me, it had better be important.” Stross rose and shuffled out of the chamber through a side door. The policy minister watched him go, and shook his head.
”I cannot understand why a leader, whose government policy is built on the development of technology, can give credence to the ritualistic p.r.o.nouncements of a woman who professes to foresee the future in the flickerings of light through prisms and mirrors.”
”Again you fail to see what is right in front of you, Ootherai,” Ayli said. ”Ruer Stross listens to me because I am right.”
War TmTomorrow a final command into his console.
”Standard orbit established, Captain.”
”Thank you, Mr. Crusher. Mr. Data, sensor readings?”
”Close-proximity scans confirm Wesley's earlier findings, sir.” The android turned halfway toward Picard and Riker, who were seated behind him. ”Since the causes of Thiopa's environmental difficulties will be vital to our evaluation, I will need additional historical data on Thiopa.”
”What sort of data?” Picard wanted to know.
”Weather and water temperature records, readings on levels of atmospheric and oceanic pollutants, rates and methods of industrial development. I would like to conduct my research via direct contact with Thiopan scientists and information banks, with your permission, Captain.”
”By all means. If they'll talk, we're certainly free to listen. Keep me informed. Mr.
Worf, contact the planetary government.”
”Channel open,” said Worf.
”This is Captain JeanLuc Picard of the U.s.s. Enterprise, requesting contact with Sovereign Protector Stross.”
A reply came quickly. ”Enterprise, this is the Thiopan s.p.a.ce Communications Network. Please stand by while we transfer you.”
”Enterprise standing by.”
After a couple of seconds the image of a bald man with a beard replaced the planet on the bridge viewscreen. ”Captain Picard, I am Policy Minister 4otherai. Sovereign Protector Stross asked me to welcome you to our world.” ”Is your sovereign protector available?”
”At the moment, he isn't. But I am authorized to speak for him and on behalf of our government, Captain. We extend our warmest greetings and our appreciation for the emergency supplies you've brought to help us in our time of need. Lord Stross is busy preparing for tonight's anniversary feast here in our capital city of Bareesh.”
”Anniversary feast?” Picard wasn't sure he'd heard that last word correctly.
”Yes. The fortieth anniversary of Lord Stross's elevation to the protectorate. He has been our leader longer than anyone else in Thiopan history. We would be most honored to have you and your senior officers as our guests at the feast.
Do you need some time to consider the invitation, Captain Picard?”
Picard smiled cautiously. ”No, not at all, sir. We shall be happy to attend.”
Ootherai clapped his hands. ”Wonderful! The feast will commence in about two hours. Beam down to the government center coordinates you've already been given. I'll be there to greet you myself.”
”Thank you, Minister Ootherai. Now, as to the primary purpose of our mission-have your storage facilities been prepared to accept our cargo of relief supplies?”
”Yes, they have. If you care to transport down and examine them ...”
”Actually, I'll be sending my first officer, Commander William Riker, down for that purpose.
We have the coordinates.”
”Excellent, Captain. I shall inform Facility Supervisor Chardrai. And I and the Sovereign Protector will look forward to meeting you and your party at the reception. Until then, Captain Picard ...”
”Your hospitality is appreciated. Picard out.” The planet reappeared on the viewer, rolling on its axis ten thousand kilometers beneath the Enterprise. Riker's eyes narrowed skeptically.
”A feast? They're in the middle of a famine and they're having an anniversary feast?”
Picard looked at him. ”Perhaps it won't actually be a feast, Number One. If food is as scarce down there as we've been led to believe, the menu may be a meager one.”
”The celebration could be a morale-booster,”
Counselor Troi suggested. ”When circ.u.mstances are especially trying, people can benefit from an appropriately scaled celebration to lift their spirits and help them look forward to better times.”
”Like those jazz concerts you've been trying to 43 organize,” Picard said to his first officer.
”Morale boosters for times when the captain behaves in a particularly tyrannical fas.h.i.+on.”
Riker grinned. ”Which reminds me, Worf . .
. Geordi's sold me on the idea of you auditioning for me. He says you're pretty good on that Klingon instrument you play.”
”A chuS'ugh, Commander.”
”First chance we get.”
Picard leaned close to Riker. ”Worf in a jazz band?” he murmured. ”Why do I have a hard time picturing this?”
”He may discover a whole new career,” Riker shrugged He could tell Picard would need additional convincing.
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