Part 14 (1/2)
”Bioagent 23,” Garan explained, holding up a marble-size canister between his fingers. Jared nodded. Dren had carried several such canisters aboard the satellite stations over Vemla. They contained a virulent biotoxin that destroyed the integrity of the synapses in the central nervous system. It was a quick-acting, extremely potent agent; this one canister could wipe out six crews the size of the Enterprise before they knew that there was anything wrong.
Jared opened the cavity in his left index finger and inserted the tiny vial. Theoretically it would kill every carbon-based life-form on the Enterprise, leaving only the androids alive on board. If given the chance, he would deploy the toxin first, rather than destroy himself in an explosion. But he was quite willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of his people.
Besides, they could always make more Jareds. That was one of the advantages of being an android.
Androids. Jared considered Data. He would most likely not be affected by the biotoxin, and there were other aliens on board, like the impressive-looking Klingon. There was no guarantee that the toxin would affect Worf and the other aliens.
”Give me a gun,” Jared said as he closed his finger. ”Something small and lethal. For Data, should he survive, and other possible obstacles.”
Garan reached behind him seemingly without looking and picked up a cylinder no longer than his ma.s.sive pinkie. Jared took it and placed it in his belt pouch.
”Four charges only,” Garan warned. ”Pick your targets for maximum effect and damage.”
”No need to remind me, my friend. You taught me those lessons long ago. And if it is taken from me, I can kill with my bare hands, if need be. We will have freedom if we must kill every living thing on the Enterprise.”
The thought of murder on that scale did not greatly appeal to Jared. But the fate of his people was at stake, and he knew enough to strike while he had the advantage. Data's solution, though it gave him some hope of peace, more importantly gave him an opportunity to save the lives of his people. At the expense of others, and perhaps himself, he knew, but it was a price he was willing to pay for the ideal of freedom.
”Prepare yourself and the others, and wait for my signal,” Jared said. ”If I don't return, you are to be in charge of the fighting.”
”As you wish,” the giant said, nodding simply. ”Good luck, my friend,” he finished, catching Jared's eye with his own, and then turned immediately to his work.
Chapter Ten.
”CONTINGENCY PLAN ALPHA is ready to be executed at your command, Captain,” Worf said over the intercom.
Riker was in the conference room with Captain Picard, who had a busy telescreen in front of him. He nodded and responded. ”Excellent, Mr. Worf. Stand by.”
”Are you sure this is going to work?” asked Riker, doubtfully. As much as he trusted Worf's opinion on such matters, there was still a potential for failure, which might prove disastrous to the s.h.i.+p.
”No, I'm not,” Picard answered tiredly. ”But it's an inspired plan. Mr. Worf is growing more diplomatically adept, Number One. No doubt he will make an excellent captain himself one day. Now, back to this hearing business,” he said, tapping the screen with a forefinger.
Will checked his own screen for the requirements of such a hearing. They were not arduous, but it was vital that the proper forms were observed in this case. Regardless of the outcome, the two men were accountable to Starfleet and the Federation, and neither wished to give the androids anything less than a fair hearing.
”The hearing is to be held before you and two senior officers, appointed by you. They are to advise you, but you are to make the final decision.” He looked up from the screen and fixed Picard with a knowing look. ”In this case, I would recommend that you not choose Commander Data for this duty.”
Picard nodded. ”Under the circ.u.mstances, I agree. I appoint you and Dr. Crusher for the task. I think you are both capable of making a decision on this order,” he said, smiling.
”After the last person speaks, you adjourn, consult with your advisers, and make your decision.” Riker looked up. ”It's that simple.”
”Very well, make the necessary preparations. And make sure that Worf keeps his eyes on the navy; in case of any problems, you have authority to activate his plan.”
”Captain, I think Worf should watch the androids, as well,” Riker added with a frown.
”You expect problems?” Picard asked.
”Always,” Will said, with a half smile. ”Maybe my brief service aboard a Klingon s.h.i.+p made me a little paranoid. But I don't trust Jared farther than I can throw him, and I consider any group of self-proclaimed terrorists potentially dangerous in my book. I'm probably wrong, but I'd hate to be right and get caught unprepared.”
Picard pursed his lips and nodded. ”Agreed. Make it so.”
”Good,” Will said, relieved that the back door would be watched too. ”I think it's time to get this show on the road.”
This time, there was no temple courtyard-the holodeck had been set up to look like a conference lounge, and already many of the crew had settled down to watch the proceedings. Though the occasion was somber, the atmosphere of the gathering was almost festive, and Picard, taking note of it, decided upon entering the room to force the hand of reason and civility. Though the parties involved were virtually at war there was no need for disorderly proceedings.
He wore his dress uniform, and had instructed the other partic.i.p.ants from his crew to do likewise. Straightening his jacket, he surveyed the room. On the right-hand side stood the Vemlan delegation-Alkirg in a formal gown standing impatiently behind a table with Commander Sawliru, who wore a black uniform, encrusted with medals. He knew the navy shuttle that had brought them had been empty, save for the two of them and a pilot; it waited now off the Starboard bow, where it was regularly and thoroughly scanned by Worf.
Kurta and Jared, dressed in their stark tan uniforms, stood to the left. Picard thought they looked more like prisoners than representatives of a race trying to enter the Federation. A calculated maneuver, perhaps? Data, who stood with them as their counsel, was also wearing a blank expression, but Picard hadn't expected anything else from him. He nodded to the security personnel at the door-also in dress uniforms, though the phasers they carried were standard issue-and spoke to the computer.
”Begin,” he said simply. There was a dimming of the gallery lights, and the star map surrounded by a laurel wreath that was the symbol of the United Federation of Planets formed dramatically on the wall behind the panel's table at the head of the room.
”Captain on the deck,” the computer boomed forcefully upon his entrance, drawing the attention of the crowd and quieting their murmurs.
”Be seated,” he called to everyone. Riker and Dr. Crusher entered immediately after him and sat, immediately followed by the rest of the a.s.sembled. He surveyed the room, noting everyone was prepared. He turned to Number One and nodded.
Riker returned his nod, one eyebrow raised, and began. ”This hearing has been convened to hear the pet.i.tion and application of the Vemlan androids for members.h.i.+p in the United Federation of Planets. The pet.i.tioners' representatives will please present the doc.u.ments to the hearing officers.”
Jared stepped forward and placed an isolinear chip on the table, then returned to his seat. Riker inserted it into the computer slot, and displayed it on the screen in front of him. It was simultaneously entered into the official record and displayed for the audience to see. ”Everything seems to be in order,” he said, nodding to Picard, the chairman.
”Objection,” Beverly Crusher called. The three panel members had consulted exhaustively to prepare for this hearing-to play devil's advocate-to ensure that no legal question had been overlooked. As primary judge of the application, Picard had to make certain that all considerations were brought up fairly and discussed. The record would doubtlessly be intimately scrutinized by Starfleet and the Federation upon their return to the more civilized parts of the galaxy, and he wanted his actions to be above reproach.
Picard considered the entire process fascinating, on one level, for here the honest question of whether or not Jared and his people were a race-for the purposes of the Federation-was to be decided. Such decisions were not made lightly, nor did one get the chance to make them very often. He was making a bit of history here, and had no idea where it was going to lead. He nodded for Beverly to proceed.
”The pet.i.tioners do not represent the populace of a planet.”
”There is ample precedent for nonplanetary members.h.i.+p, Doctor,” Data interjected. ”Beginning with the very first years of the Federation, where the artificial habitats in the asteroid belts of the Centauri systems were admitted. The Slao-vecki species, whose planet was destroyed in a nova, was also admitted, as were the Aeorethians, who have no permanent planetary home. In all cases, the races in question have become valuable members of the Federation despite their lack of a planet. Last but not least, the number of Federation citizens who live and work on artificial habitats or s.p.a.cecraft-such as our own USS Enterprise-have no declared planetary home, but may not be denied their rights as citizens. Shall I quote the pertinent legal precedents?”
”No need, Mr. Data,” Picard said. ”The objection is overruled. The Chairman-myself-recognizes the Vemlans as an organized and self-governing body, as supported by legal precedent,” Picard finished. That question was relatively clear-cut. Before he could begin the actual deliberations, however, they had to clean up a stickier issue- ”Objection,” Riker stated flatly, looking over the doc.u.ment on the screen in front of him. ”The pet.i.tioners are machines, mechanical constructs, not true living beings, and are therefore not qualified for members.h.i.+p.”
This was the much more controversial part of the hearing. It also hit very close to home. It had taken a landmark legal decision to cla.s.s Data as a living being with rights and responsibilities, and thus far the ruling had gone unchallenged. If a case could be made that the Vemlans were not living, and thus not eligible for members.h.i.+p, then Data's own legal standing was once again in doubt.
Picard didn't like this part.
”The Vemlans are androids of sufficient complexity to rate as living beings by any suggested scale,” Data argued.
”That's preposterous!” Alkirg exclaimed. ”They are no more alive than you are!”
”There has been a challenge to your claim, Mr. Data,” Riker observed. ”Do you wish to defend it?”
Picard watched with interest as Data arose and looked intently at the alien politician.
”I submit that the Vemlans cannot be proven not to be alive by any reasonable method. I address the one who posted the objection. Commander Alkirg, why are they not alive?”
”Don't be obtuse. They have no biological functions!” she insisted, with an irritated wave of her hand.
Data, had he been faced with such a statement before the hearing, would have replied in a logically exact manner that would have answered the question as quickly and efficiently as possible. He had, however, in the interest of the security of his newfound friends and an interest in his own legal rights, taken the few hours available to him for preparation to study law and legal techniques. He found the area most revealing of human strengths and weaknesses. Though the present-day Federation did not depend as heavily upon laws, rules, order, and legal frameworks as human civilizations of the past, there were techniques and forms that went back to a variety of historical eras. He had devoured entire law libraries with inhuman speed and comprehension, placing the talents and wisdom of such ancient legal giants as Hammurabi, Clarence Darrow, and Jose Tarentino at his disposal. The hearing that he had been so instrumental in calling was not technically a legal matter; it was a mere step in the bureaucratic ladder of the Federation. Yet it held a courtlike ambience and order that made knowledge of a twenty-first century trial procedure, the apex of the Legal Era on Earth, invaluable. Unfazed by the intensity of his opposition, Data proceeded calmly with his reply.
”We have an expert witness on all forms of biological activity available to the hearing. Doctor Crusher, I ask your professional opinion. What are biological functions?”