"Unsettling"

[Cptn Ja'Lale 0]

“Unsettling”

11012.14

 

The Betazed vessels came about and flanked the much larger Challenger to escort the ship to Betazoid. He settled back into his seat as Challenger slowly followed her escorts. Over the course of his service in Starfleet, Ja’Lale was involved in several first contact missions, but none were as interesting and surprising as this one.

 

Ja’Lale would admit that prior to this mission, he was not aware of the existence of the Betazeds. Thus, the fact that they can read minds took him by surprise. They seemed to know a lot about the Challenger, even mentioning some of the crew by name. But, at the same time, they weren’t aware that he was now in command.

 

The Betazeds mentioned Captain Seiben, who was just reassigned as the new ambassador to Magna Roma. Minister Grax didn’t seem to know about Ja’Lale and seemed genuinely perplexed by his presence and seemed extremely uncomfortable speaking with him.

 

This was rather curious, Ja’Lale thought wondering if Grax was able to read Ja’Lale’s mind when they talked. Anatomically, his Chelon skull was much thicker than that of humans and the layout of his brain was also vastly different. He wondered if these factors would hinder Grax or any other Betazoid from reading his mind.

 

As the away team prepared for their away mission, he could understand that they were feeling apprehensive about this mission. He knew that humans liked to keep their thoughts to themselves and wondered how they would cope when their most intimate thoughts were open for the Betazoids to read.

 

At the same time, Ja’Lale was well aware of how Grax seemed hesitant and flustered when speaking to him. If Grax felt this away about him, how would the rest of the Betazoid populace feel about him? He knew now that he made the wise move in staying aboard the Challenger for this mission.

 

But, he knew that the Betazoids may want the Captain to beam down to the surface. He wasn’t sure how he would handle that. He also hoped this wouldn’t affect their mission. Would the Betazoids be willing to join the Federation if there were races of aliens with minds they could not read?

 

For a second, he wished that Captain Seiben were still in command. Seiben could have easily joined the Away Team and made their mission that much easier. But, he quickly banished those thoughts from his mind. He was sure Kimiko and company would do a fine job.

 

If the Betazoids were willing to meet with the Captain, he would have to handle that aspect when it arose. He only hoped if that happened, everyone would take it well.