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Star Trek(70)

By:Christopher L. Bennett


“Do not lead me astray with Federation lies.”

“It’s the Families who are lying to you!” Sangupta insisted.

“We do not do this at their request,” Ganaiar shot back. “We heed the truth that has been brought to us—the same truth that has come to the Families. The truth that your Federation has hidden about the secret crimes of its members. The biological warfare Earth waged against the Klingons. The Vulcans’ support of the corrupt rulers of Coridan. Your vaunted Admiral Archer’s abandonment of the Valakian race to extinction.”

“Oh, for the—seriously?” Sangupta asked. “Where are you getting this ‘truth’ from, the Alrond Newsfeed?”

“Rey,” Mayweather cautioned. He turned back to the chieftain. “So you’re saying you’ve been contacted by some other power? Someone from outside the Rigel system?” He set his jaw. “If they have accusations to make against us, let them do it to our faces.”

“They will not grant the likes of you the privilege of gazing upon them, mammal.”

Sangupta seized on that. “So they’re not mammals? Maybe something more like yourselves, more reptilian?”

Ganaiar hesitated, casting a glance back toward the large hut. Mayweather nodded, a small smile forming. “I’ll take that as a yes. And at least one of them is here right now. Let me guess: shaped like us, but with gray scales and no hair?”

“Of course you know of them,” the chieftain spat. “How else would they know of your abuses?”

“Malurians,” Mayweather and Sangupta said almost simultaneously. The first officer went on. “Velom, we have dealt with them before, and, well, they’re not exactly known for their honesty. At least, not the ones you usually find outside their home system.”

“Of course they try to slander us,” came a new voice. The humanoid who emerged from the tent was just what Mayweather had expected: a Malurian, his gray-scaled head adorned by a series of low, parallel ridges across his cheeks and scalp. “Don’t listen to them, Velom. Now that they know I’m here, we can’t take any chances. You should kill them at once.”

Ganaiar glanced sidelong at the Malurian and replied with controlled patience. “Had I wished to kill them, they would be dead already. Sajithen may have been an impediment to our goals, but her death would backfire. And killing Federation officers could bring down a tukhanthik on all our heads.”

“Then what is it you have planned?” Sajithen asked.

“You must answer for the crimes of the Federation and its Commission puppets. We will put you on trial before all Rigel, and prove that our grievances are just.”

The Malurian came forward. “No, you mustn’t! They’ll give away our presence.”

“If you join with us in a just cause, you should not fear to step forward.”

I can work with this, Mayweather thought. “We do not fear to step forward!” he declared. “If you want to put us on trial, fine. I will stand trial and answer whatever charges you have to make.”

“He lies,” the Malurian said.

“I have no reason to lie, because I’m not afraid of the truth. Have we made mistakes?” He nodded. “Sure. Some of us have made some questionable calls. Or done things that seemed right at the time but turned out badly. Every society has. But it’s only by facing those mistakes that we can try to make ourselves better. That’s why the Federation wants people in it who hold a wide range of different viewpoints—even people like you. Because having people who disagree with us keeps us honest, forces us to question ourselves and recognize our mistakes.”

“He’s right,” Rey Sangupta said. “Listen, I’m from a former colony world myself, and sometimes we feel like we’re an afterthought, like our point of view gets drowned out by the big voices. But the fact is, we get to express that point of view, and nobody tries to stop us. And that’s what the Federation is about.”

“Propaganda,” the Malurian said. “Surely you aren’t blinded by this.”

“Do not question my vision, Rinor,” Ganaiar barked. “I will hear and assess all arguments. You will not dictate to me which one I believe.”

“Fine, that’s fine,” Mayweather said. “Put me on trial if you have to. But let the others go.”

Rinor sneered. “How noble.”

“It’s more than that. Velom, this Malurian’s allies have kidnapped two of my crewmates. We think they’re still alive, but we don’t know how long that’ll last. Please, we’re just trying to rescue our people. We came to you to see if you could help.” He looked at the chieftain imploringly. “If I agree to stand trial for you, will you let the others go and tell them what you know about where our people are being held?”