Chapter Eight


     Data pulled out the tricorder he had hidden in his uniform.  He
checked a few settings.  He turned to Picard.
     "The guards did not find the tricorder.  Would you like to
see the recording, captain?"
     "Of course, Data."
     Data handed the tricorder to him.  Picard played back the
two hours of recordings.
     "Notice, sir, that building.  It is large enough to contain
an experimental space vessel.  It may also contain experimental
transporter equipment.  I was able to determine that the Kryons
that beamed aboard the Enterprise came from that building."
     "Were you able to determine the contents of the building?"
     "No, sir.  I overheard someone say 'Starfleet', and I stopped
to listen.  That was when I was captured."
     "You might have something.  Perhaps we can get Admiral McCoy
to look around."
     "Yes, sir.  But we are unable to contact the Enterprise
without our communicators."
     "Does anyone here have any comments?"
     "They don't seem to care too much about us, do they?  My
neck is so sore from those leashes they used."  Riker interjected.
     "I sensed nothing but the desire to do their duty.  But
I think Jihx Rah is hiding something."  Troi said.
     "There are a lot of questions I want to ask that false
warrior."  Worf stood up from his seat.
     "I believe I have located a weak point in the force field
surrounding this prison cell."  Data announced.
     "Can you shut it down, Data?"
     "I believe I can.  Working..."


     "We are receiving a transmission forwarded from Starbase
One Seven Four, sir."
     "On screen, lieutenant."
     The Starfleet Command emblem flashed for a second.  A conference
room appeared on the screen.  LaForge could see Admiral James T.
Kirk at the head of the table.
     "Lieutenant Commander LaForge, Starship Enterprise.  This is
Admiral James T. Kirk."
     "Yes, sir."
     "A negotiation team is being sent to you from Starbase One
Seven Four.  Do you think you can handle being the leader of this
negotiation team?"
     "I'll try my best, sir."
     At that moment, McCoy walked in.  Kirk reacted with much
surprise.
     "Bones!  What are you doing there?"
     "Treating a bunch of terrorists."
     "I order you to return to Earth.  The U.S.S. Toyota will be
arriving at your present location in one week.  I want you on
that vessel, heading home."
     "But, Jim..."
     "No buts, doc.  I want you back here.  You are too valuable
to Starfleet to be in such a volatile location."
     "All right Jim.  I'll get ready right away."


     The force field dissipated.  The Enterprise's senior
officers slowly and carefully walked into the hallway.  They could
see two guards in the distance.
     "I believe I have found what appears to be a cache of weapons."
Data whispered.
     "Good work, Data."
     "Follow me."
     Data led them to a reinforced metal door.  A computer code was
required to open it.  Data tried several combinations on his tricorder.
Ten minutes later, the door opened.  They found not only weapons,
but Kryon military uniforms as well.  Each one of them put on
a uniform, and a helmet, and grabbed a laser rifle.
     Data looked outside and then came back into the room.  "The
two guards we saw earlier are approaching."
     A minute later, the two guards looked in.  "You're not supposed
to be lounging in here!  Move to your assignments."  one of them
yelled.
     "Yes, sir."  Data replied.  After the two guards left, Data
took out his tricorder.  "Captain, I believe the exit to be at 
this location."  He pointed to a spot on the map on the tricorder
screen.
     "We'll head that way then."
     Halfway there, a siren sounded.  They heard an announcement
from a hidden speaker system.  The words filled them with dread.
     "The Federation prisoners have escaped.  All forces begin
massive search.  Split up in two-person teams.  Use invasion
search protocol alpha.  Your orders are to shoot to kill the
prisoners once found."
Chapter Nine

     "You don't understand, sir."  LaForge told Jihx Rah.  "We
did not trick you, and we did not purposefully use the virus
to commit genocide on your people."
     "You have shown me no evidence to the contrary.  Without such
evidence, the council will not release the prisoners, and will not
negotiate with you for a new treaty."
     "We do not want war.  Can't we negotiate for a treaty
at the same time we try to prove that we are not guilty of genocide?"
     "I will discuss it with the council.  However, I do not
believe the council will approve.  Large groups of protestors
are forming against the Federation.  In their view, I should not
even be talking to you now.  There are very influential people
among the protestors."
     "Will you allow me and some Federation negotiators to speak
to the council?"
     "Be at tonight's council meeting.  Now, leave me."

     Jihx Rah looked up.  A Romulan stood before him.  He hoped
LaForge and the negotiators had not seen the Romulan.
     "What are you doing here?  Federation representatives were
here not five minutes ago."
     "I know.  I would like to make you an offer you can not
refuse."
     "This better not be a waste of my time."
     "You will convince the council to start a war against the
Federation.  We will provide you with super-efficient weapons
and enough dilithium crystals to power two dozen starships for
two years."
     "How much do you want?  Your offer is too good to be true."
     "We only ask that you give us seventy-five percent of the
Federation once you have defeated them."
     "I will talk to the council.  I am sure they would be most
pleased to hear your offer."

     An ensign from Engineering walked onto the bridge.  The ensign
proceeded to LaForge and saluted.
     "Engineering reporting, sir.  All systems on-line.  Communications
should be restored within the hour."
     "Thank you ensign."  LaForge turned around.  "Ensign Wilhelm,
move to standard orbit around Kryona, warp two."
     "Aye sir.  Engaged."
     The red alert klaxon sounded.  Terror filled Ensign Dong's face.
The Enterprise stopped moving.
     "Engineering has exploded, sir."


     "Data, Number One.  Go down this corridor.  Deanna, Worf.  Go
down the west corridor.  I will travel alone down the east corridor.
Mingle with the military patrols if you have to.  Pretend to be
looking for us.  If we are lucky, at least one of us will make it."
     "But sir.  I think this is too dangerous."
     "Number One, we don't have time.  Hurry."
     Data and Riker continued toward the exit to the compound.
Several teams of military police passed by them without incident.
They turned the last corner before freedom.
     Riker's hopes at escape fell at what appeared before them.
A blockade guarded by two patrols was between them and the
exit.  He and Data walked up to the blockade.
     One of the guards signalled for them to place their ID
badges in a card reader.  They complied.  The guard looked
at the output produced by the card reader.
     The guard looked at Riker.  "You are supposed to be with
Seargent Inka searching the north corridors, lieutenant."  He
turned toward Data.  "Miss Kaya, you are supposed to be searching
the restrooms."
     One of the other guards grimaced.  "Why are you two not
with your patrol partners?  Why are you here?"
     "Sir, our patrol partners have been killed by the enemy.
We received orders to search outside of the prison for the
enemy."  Riker said.
     The guard picked up a phone, and began a conversation
with someone in the Kryon native language.  A minute later,
he hung up and turned toward Riker.
     "You received no such orders.  I will allow you to search
outside though.  Those criminals must be killed."
     "Thank you, sir." Riker said as he and Data walked out
of the prison.


     "Evacuate whoever's left and seal off Engineering!"  LaForge
yelled.
     "Aye, sir.  Evacuation procedure has started.  Engineering
will be sealed in ten seconds.  Containment field at 70%.  We
have a small radiation leak."
     "Sickbay, prepare anti-radiation treatments.  We have
a radiation leak."
     "Sir, the containment field is weakening."
     "Prepare to dump engine core, ensign."
     "Engineering sealed.  Fifty casualties.  Attempting to
stabilize containment field.  Engine core dump on stand by."
     "WARNING!!  RADIATION LEVEL TWENTY PERCENT ABOVE SAFETY
MARGIN.  LETHAL DOSAGE IN FIVE MINUTES."
     "Contact Starbase One Seven Four and the U.S.S. Toyota.
Inform them of our situation."
     "Aye, sir."
     "Computer.  Captain's log.  Stardate 49290.3.  Lieutenant
Commander Geordi LaForge commanding.  While awaiting the start
of negotiations for a new Kryon-Federation treaty and for the
release of five Enterprise senior officers, a critical part
of Engineering has exploded.  Unless we can stabilize the
containment field, I will be forced to dump the Enterprise's
engine core to prevent severe casualties..."
     "Sir, communications are still down.  We can't call
for help."
     "WARNING!!  RADIATION LEVEL FORTY PERCENT ABOVE SAFETY
MARGIN.  LETHAL DOSAGE IN TWO MINUTES."
     "Sir, the U.S.S. Toyota has arrived.  We are being hailed."
     "Open frequencies."
     "Communications still down."
     "Shutdown nonessential decks.  Create force field around
containment unit.  Divert excess power to force field."
     "Aye, sir.  Engaged."
     "Prepare evacuation lifeboats.  Power on emergency transporters."
     "Aye, sir."

     "Sir, communications have been restored.  The U.S.S. Toyota is
aware of our situation and is prepared to receive us if we evacuate
the Enterprise."
     "Good."
     "Sir, Security has arrested a Kryon and a Kryon spy."
     "Good work, lieutenant."
     "WARNING!!  RADIATION LEVELS CRITICAL.  LETHAL DOSAGE IN
ONE MINUTE, TEN SECONDS."

     LaForge went to the Engineering station on the bridge.  He
keyed up a diagram of the Enterprise.  He thought of something.
     "Computer, overlay power circuity on this diagram."
     "WORKING..., DONE.  WARNING!!  RADIATION LEVELS CRITICAL..."
     "No, nothing there..." LaForge said to himself softly.  Out
loud, he ordered the lower fifteen decks abandoned.
     Suddenly he noticed the source of the problem - a blockade
in a power conduit and the destruction of a lot of circuitry.  He
hailed Transporter Room Two and had Chief O'Brien beam him directly
into a clean room on Deck 36.
     He quickly put on a radiation suit.  Only 40 seconds left...
He entered the radioactive chamber and located the power conduit.
He pulled out large chunks of debris that had entered the conduit
during the explosion.  Only 20 seconds left...
     He ran to a panel and began overriding everything.  He rerouted
stuff away from the severed circuitry.  With seconds left, the
engine core returned to a stable state.  LaForge breathed a sigh
of relief.


     The route Worf and Deanna was taking was the long way.  They
saw strange looks from patrol teams passing by.  A member of another
patrol team stopped them.
     "Where do you think you are going?"
     "To find the escapees."
     "You are in the wrong quadrant.  You are supposed to be searching
the south side.  Now move it!!"
     Worf and Deanna began walking back the way they came.  Right behind
them, the man whom Worf guessed to be a Kryon sergeant followed.  After
walking about ten yards, another Kryon approached them.
     The Kryon gestured at Deanna.  "Inek, there you are.  Come along,
we have to catch those murderers."
     Deanna nodded and followed.  After some hesitation, Worf also
followed.  The Kryon sergeant grabbed him.
     "And where do you think you're going?  You're with me, remember?"
     The Kryon that had called Deanna "Inek" turned around.  "No.  He
can come with me if he wants."
     The sergeant relunctantly let them go.

     Deanna and Worf followed the Kryon through a maze of passageways.
When they were at a desolate location, the Kryon stopped.  He removed
his helmet.
     "Captain!  How did you get a general's uniform?"  Worf asked.
     Picard put the helmet back on.  "Not now.  We must find Jihx
Rah's quarters."
     "What do we do when we get there?"
     "Force the truth out of him."
Chapter Ten

     "Captain's Log.  Stardate 49305.6.  Lieutenant Commander Geordi
LaForge commanding.  In ten minutes a negotiation team and I will be
beaming down to Kryona to negotiate a new treaty and to find out the
truth about what has been going on the past few days.  The Kryons so
far refuse to answer our hails.  Work is proceeding well.  The
Enterprise should be repaired in two months."

     LaForge and the team walked into the council chambers.  From the
looks of things, it was another public session.  The Tenth Council
walked in.

     "This council is now in session." said Jihx Rah.  "Mr. LaForge,
representative of the United Federation of Planets, San Francisco,
Earth, I have the unfortunate duty of informing you that the five
we arrested have now escaped.  Under the laws of Kryona, this is
punishable by death.  I have ordered our police and military forces
to shoot to kill if they find any of the five escapees."
     "Sir, I have information that Kryona is not what it seems.
We have captured one of your people.  He tried to destroy the Enterprise.
He is under the jurisdiction of Starfleet and will be court martialed."
     "Congratulations.  You have captured one of our greatest
military strategists.  We want him back."
     "You give us our people."
     "You underestimate us, Mister LaForge."

     LaForge's communicator beeped.  He tapped it.
     "Enterprise to LaForge.  Seven unidentified warbirds have
uncloaked."
     "Estimate strategic strength, ensign."
     "Odds in enemy's favor, sir, if we engage in battle."
     Jihx Rah smiled.  "So Mister LaForge, what say you we deal on
my terms?"
     "What are your terms?"
     "We will give you your bridge officers in exchange for our
military strategist and the Federation leaves us alone for the next
fifty years."
     "I don't know.  Let me think about it."
     "But LaForge, your ensign said my ships were stronger than
yours.  You dare refuse my offer?  I am not a fool, LaForge.  I
know how weak your Enterprise is.  The seven of my ships can
easily destroy it."
     "Let me talk to Starfleet Command."
     "You have one day, mister."

     LaForge and the team beamed back onto the Enterprise.  LaForge's
mind was in complete turmoil.  Here was an engineer that had to do
something beyond what he was trained for.
     On the way to the turbolift to the bridge, he ran into Dr. Ching
Tai.  Tai was typing on a personal access display device.
     "Doctor, how are you doing today?"
     "All right.  I've got work to do.  I'll see you later."
     "Sure, doc."


     LaForge entered the bridge.  What he saw both suprised him
and shocked him at the same time.
     "Captain..."
     "Geordi, nice to have you back."
     "But how did you get back?  I thought the Kryons had you."
     "The five of us split up and we managed to escape alive."  Riker
interjected.CONCLUSION:  PRIMITIVE LIFE
Chapter 11

     "Captain's Log, stardate 49310.6.  The Enterprise is now on
its way to Starbase One Seven Four for major repairs and overhaul.
After my return to the Enterprise, it was decided that Kryona was 
not yet ready to resume inclusion in the Federation.  Although it 
had achieved a high level of technology, the people of Kryona have 
not yet learned the need for cooperation, nor have they learned how 
to handle discussions and negotiations.  The two terrorist attacks 
on the Enterprise, and the mock trials only prove that.  Because
of that, Starfleet has decided to take the risk of the Kryons being
our enemies forever."

     "I have the final report for you, sir."  Worf announced.
     "Yes, lieutenant?"
     "Lieutenant Dong and Commander Johnson have died.  Ensigns
Wilhelm and Mitchell have been promoted to lieutenant, and ordered
to return to Starfleet Command.  Starfleet has given Lieutenant
LaForge and Doctor Ching Tai the job of repairing the Enterprise.
All other personnel have been given shore leave until the Enterprise
is repaired."
     "Sir, I estimate the Enterprise will not be repaired until
stardate 51043.7."  Data said.
     "Really?  Mister Data, slow to quarter impulse, heading
074 mark 315.  Let me know when we are docked."

---------------------------The End---------------------------------