Part 7 (1/2)
”Captain, if there are people starving on Thiopa-was ”They may not be starving merely because of ecological catastrophe,” Picard suggested.
”Their plight may be caused as much-or more-by political decisions made by the government in Bareesh. If that's the case, then who's to say that our emergency relief supplies will ever get to the people who truly need them?”
Riker planted his elbows on the conference table.
”The Thiopans must really need that food, and not just to feed those Sojourners and their sympathizers out in this Endrayan Realm. Things must be worse than that feast made them appear or they wouldn't have sent such an urgent S.o.s. to the Federation.
Agreed?” He glanced around for signs of dissent, got none, and continued. ”Let's proceed under the a.s.sumption that we've got something they want and they've got something we want.”
”Information about just what's going on down there,” said Troi. ”Right. So let's go through the motions of making our delivery, but we'll drag our feet, make them think we just night take our container s.h.i.+ps and go home.”
”A reasonable first approach, Number One,”
said Picard. ”Apply a little gentle pressure.
Which I can also apply when I meet with Sovereign Protector Stross tomorrow.”
”I am scheduled to meet with Dr. Keat tomorrow as well,” Data added ”So our approach is threep.r.o.nged.”
Picard leaned back in his chair, his eyes revealing his weariness. ”Tomorrow had better provide us with some answers. I want to start tying up loose ends-the quicker the better. Data, what about this weather control project? Is it possible?”
”In principle. Weather is a product of atmospheric density and const.i.tuents, land ma.s.s arrangement, air and water temperature, wind speed and direction, amount and intensity of sunlight reaching the planet, cosmic radiation, angle of planetary axis, precession of equinoxes, and effects produced by flora and fauna, including-was Picard waved his hand impatiently. ”I don't need a catalog of factors.”
”Of course. As I started to say, weather control is theoretically possible, up to a point. In terraforming a planet, technicians and designers can actually create weather in an environment where none exists. But that takes years, or decades, depending on the original state of the planet.
However, even the most advanced technology in the Federation is not capable of controlling or manipulating the weather around an entire planet simultaneously.”
”What can be done?”
”Pockets of artificially controlled weather can be created by interrupting, redirecting, or augmenting key natural wind currents, modifying the temperature of large bodies of water, adding or deducting atmospheric moisture-was ”All these strategies sound as if they'd require immense amounts of energy,”
Picard said.
”That is true, Captain.”
”It also sounds like a house of cards,” said Riker. Data tilted his head quizzically, so Riker explained. ”Complex interrelations.h.i.+ps of factors-change one, and it affects all the others, which in turn add their own effects.”
Data grasped the meaning. ”That is correct, sir. And even advanced computer modeling is inadequate for predicting exact results, since there are too many variables that cannot be controlled or even charted.”
”Bottom line,” said Picard. ”Can the Thiopans successfully accomplish what Stross and Dr. Keat say they're going to do?”
”Based on our limited observations of Thiopa's level of technology, and the Thiopans'
lack of success in managing their environment, I would tentatively conclude that such a project is beyond their capabilities.”
”Tentatively?” Picard said.
”Yes, sir. It is possible that they possess knowledge of which we are not aware. Possible-but unlikely.”
”When you meet with Dr. Keat tomorrow, try to find out enough to make that a.n.a.lysis more definite.
All right, then, if there's nothing else ...”
Riker lifted a hand. ”There is one thing.”
”Which is ...?”
”Undrun. Do we tell him what we're planning?”
Picard nodded. ”He is the Federation's liaison with the Thiopan government so far as the relief supplies are concerned. He has a right to be informed as to why we're not delivering them just yet.
Computer, where is Amba.s.sador Undrun?”
”Sickbay.”
”Picard to sickbay.”
Kate Pulaski answered, her voice tired and hoa.r.s.e. ”Sickbay here. What is it, Captain?”
”Rough day for you, too, Doctor?”
”Only since Mr. Undrun checked in.”
”Is he awake and lucid?”
”He is.”
”Amba.s.sador Undrun, this is Captain Picard.”
Undrun's voice came over the intercom. ”I want you to force the Thiopan government to provide a more suitable place to store the Federation's emergency supplies.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Picard saw Riker shake his head wearily. ”We are not permitted to force them to do anything of the sort. I'll send you a transcript of the conference I just had with Commanders Riker and Data and Counselor Troi. If you review it, you'll be completely briefed on the decision we've just made to delay delivery of the relief cargo to the Thiopans.”
”I want that food delivered as soon as possible,” Undrun bl.u.s.tered. ”Mr.
Amba.s.sador, you're the one who just said that the Thiopans haven't provided an appropriate storage facility. That is what you and Commander Riker will see to first thing tomorrow. The delay is merely procedural.”
That caught Undrun off guard and he stammered for a moment. ”I-I-That food has to get through to starving people. Is that clear?”
”Quite clear, sir.”
Undrun lowered his voice suspiciously. ”I may be drugged, but I'm not stupid, Captain Picard. If you interfere with the completion of my relief mission in any way, I'll lodge a formal protest with Starfleet. I can make you very sorry-was ”I already am,” Picard muttered under his breath.
”What was that? I didn't hear you.”
”I started to say I am in agreement with you about the importance of this mission. Good night, sir.”
Picard's jaw muscles twitched. Somehow, when it came to Amba.s.sador Frid Undrun, the single simple word ”vexatious” no longer seemed adequate.
IN TIM SA'DRIT VOID, on the high side of noon, the sun held dominion. It filled the sky and parched the land. It whitewashed everything within sight of its unblinking glare. Only now, as it rode toward the barren horizon, did merciful shadows begin to steal across baked. rock and dust, like creatures creeping from daytime hiding places.