"The Nature of Man"

[Cmdr JFarrington 0]

“The Nature of Man”

 

"They are so fragile," said Ne’e. He and Kree perched on a nearby bough watching Vai tend the female Traveler. A pre-dawn breeze, bringing with it the sweet scent of night-blooming Sem’ulat, rustled the leaves above. Ne’e pulled his robe around him against the pre-dawn chill, gave a small sigh, and turned towards the flower to savor its scent.

 

“So fragile,” Ne’e repeated in dismay, reaching with one slender finger to touch a delicate petal, which immediately withered. "Their exteriors tear and puncture so easily," he continued, referring to Ritah’s skin, now more pale and wan from the effects of Hopper poison. "Only a cloth covering gives them protection from the elements. They communicate and survive by artificial means. Their ignorance is astounding. One wonders how they travel the stars and survive. And to have come from another galaxy…." Ne'e seemed to have exhausted words to explain his astonishment, but it lingered on his face.

 

Kree merely listened. He had tried to explain the Travelers’ vulnerability, but explaining and experiencing were two different things. To fully realize their plight took first hand experience. This night’s dual tragedy had given Kree the opportunity to show Ne’e the true nature of the Travelers.

 

"Like justborns," Kree offered after a moment of silence.

 

"Yes. Justborns. Defenseless."

 

"Without deception… or aggression," added Kree, with slight emphasis on each operative word. Ne’e showed no sign of argument.

 

Kree’s discussion with Ne’e and the Council had centered on the Arcarians, whose smooth words had lured the Qin into interstellar war for Arcarian gain. The Hora, also, were a bitter memory. Their fierce attempt at conquest fifty cycles ago had left villages decimated and few alive on Qin-a.

 

“They have sufficient technology, but not so much as I had thought,” said Kree. He held up Ritah’s disabled commbadge, then handed Ne’e her tricorder. “And this is a curious instrument.”

 

Ne’e shifted his gaze from the Sem’ulat to stare at the device. He turned it over a few times, activated it, and read the screen. His expression immediately changed from curiosity to concern. “She is a healer?”

 

It was a rhetorical question. “Prime Sentry Kai deduced as much,” said Kree. “This Traveler was seen ministering to others many times. They called her Ri’i ta’a.” Kree let his comments hang; the implications were clear. Healers, like his mate Vai, were highly revered – above lawmakers, above sentries, and above scientists such as Kree, Ne’e, Mea, and Thora. To injure a healer was anathema; to lose one out of ignorance was worse.

 

"What will you do?" said Ne’e. He disabled the tricorder and placed it on the wide bough next to Ritah’s disabled commbadge. “Without healers they will surely not survive – here or anywhere.” He studied Kree's face, as though waiting for an answer. Kree had none.

 

A long silence ensued. When finally Ne’e spoke he listed Kree’s mistakes as a father would list transgressions to a child, yet his tone was even and non-accusatory. "You have defied the Council. You have violated our First Order by befriending an untried Traveler, even though she is a healer. She is in your home. She is tended by your family." Ne'e paused, half in worry, half in exasperation. “Now what will you do?” He shifted his gaze back to Ritah and Vai. “And if she lives….” Ne’e sighed.

 

Kree had no response. Ne’e’s reprimands often annoyed Kree, but this time Kree had no case. He had acted irrationally in a moment of compassion. He had moved forward with no regard for the consequences and with no plan other than to save the healer’s life.

 

“If she lives,” said Kree, “she must be returned.”

 

Ne’e stifled a gasp. “How can she be returned? How will you avoid their sentries? How will you do this and still protect our people?”

 

Kree nodded, acknowledging Ne’e’s concerns. It seemed an impossible task. However, “The full plan has yet to be devised,” he said. “Prime Sentry Kai has an idea.”