[snip]

Now her gaze fell on the Captain ‘’The Dol is someone with authority over his people, Franz said a Dol may want to step down or a Dol will stay until dead before he is replaced doesn’t that ring a bell? Aren’t you familiar with history?’‘.

“I agree,” said Glen. “That tends to imply a system of government which is authoritarian, autocratic and possibly dictatorial. I have to say that on Earth in the past, states and regions were often ruled by appointed officials or even monarchs, and those officials could still rule on the basis of a constitution or with an elected parliament. However, there is a strong possibility here that the Dol rules a totalitarian state and for that reason, we cannot go down unprepared and undefended. In any case, strong rulers welcome and tend to admire the strength of other rulers. If we go there without weapons, he will think us to be weak. If he thinks us to be weak, then we will have much greater problems with him than if he thinks us to be strong.”

William cocked his head, was there some sort of subtext of the conversation he was missing, perhaps some sort of interpersonal conflict he didn’t or more likely couldn’t understand, he wrote some notes on the matter without looking at his PaDD and said aloud “This is not a pre-industrial planet, losing a few sidearms is not going to catapult their technology to a new level, reverse engineering something as complex as a phaser or a tricorder takes time and most likely would need them to keep the devices for the entirety of that time. Standard procedure would be to take any technology that belongs to us back.” He said in his usual calm tone “Regarding the shuttlecraft, keeping it locked and staffed is not unreasonable, two security officers guarding it and keeping it closed until they hear from the ship or us might be a solution.”

He looked down at his PaDD and nodded to himself in a satisfied manner “Regarding their political structure it’s impossible to guess with only the words of a child raised by the state and a single conversation with the governing body, a totalitarian regime is not unheard of and despite our moral objection to it as a state of government it is the way that they evolved.”

Cara Meow nodded her head vigorously during everything that was said regarding the limited investigation and about the state of development of the planet, but made no further comments.

Joe smiled, relieved at the decision the CO had made about the phasers. He slapped the table with the flat of his palm and said, “Sounds like we’re ready Cap !”

“Good,” replied Captain Glen, “So, to sum up, as regards security, we will treat this as any normal landing party, however, we will be as vigilant as we can be. Although we will take the shuttle, the Transporter is available for a quick escape. Everyone must be careful what they say and not to divulge any technological details that the Dol may not have. We must try to better assess their technological level and find the reason why they aren’t on the planet surface. After we know those details, then we can offer them tech in exchange for tech that is equivalent. We are especially interested in the technology behind the Spheres. We won’t take the child right now, but we will leave him behind when we go. And this is a meet and greet and fact-finding mission only. The nuts and bolts can be fixed later with a diplomatic mission. The most important thing today is that we don’t upset anyone. Anything that I missed?”

Glen looked at the time. They had best get down to the waiting shuttle if they were to arrive at the Habitat on time.

The CMO looked on ,she was ready to follow the Captain’s orders what ever they might be, secure in the knowledge that those present would cover her back should anything happen while that little voice reminded her that the previous Cross was gone .

With the boy under the watchful eyes of Hunter made her more at ease.

Just as the meeting was wrapping up two science NEs entered with PADDs, “..Sir! We just got a full report from the probe we sent back to that nebula. Pretty much confirms what those aliens on the habitat said, 600 years ago it was larger, but still likely declining even then, cause is unknown but we suspect there is possibly a tiny hole in subspace that is acting like a ‘drain’ on the nebula, there is also evidence that in even larger times past there could have been some kind of explosion that also hastened this along. Likely those aliens back then and even now could barely make out the nebula must less then or now detect any indications of subspace events. Or other events for that matter at that distance, based on your comm call I’d say technology wise back then and to some degree even now have a technology level of late 21st to early 22nd century Earth. Some things might be earlier then that or later. The only stand out is their organic power cell tech, but given they said they have had some interaction with other aliens in this region its possible they traded, or adapted tech given to them in their past..” the first said.

The second nodded then handed over his own report, “..We’ve also done a compilation of scans of the habitat, reviewed local public comm traffic and radio signals we can easily pick up and the like. Going off this I would say these aliens are lead by a single figure head, as Dr Cross said who takes up the title of Dol. They then are supported and in turn elected when needed by a central council body which in turn is itself elected when openings happen by the general populace by popularity vote of those who run. Based on what traffic we picked up they generally seem peaceful, though as the alien leader mentioned on the bridge to you Captain, some time further then 600 years ago in their past they had been slaves to others on another planet not of this system. These slaves were called the Dol, and back then the label was derogatory but now we’d say is used as a symbol of pride of their escape and past leaders. Again at some point in their past before 600 years ago they somehow overthrew their masters and made off into space like old Earth gypsies using sublight capable crafts and sleeper ships to go from system to system to get supplies, and find a home which would let them escape from any pursuit of their former Masters. Eventually sometime over 600 years ago again they settled here.” the second began to explain.

The first nodded, then picked up the tale, “..Again going off public traffic and records they seem to prefer living in space, as they feel that if they lived on a planet it would risk putting them back into a mindset of being slaves again. While we don’t think this would happen it just seems to be something deeply rooted in their culture, hence the massive space habitat which every couple of hundred years is expanded. I’d say they’re generally a peaceful sort, but willing to fit for their freedoms if pushed, as well as being inquisitive of others cautiously, hence their whole Seed Pod thing. It’s actually not a bad way to help orphans in their society I guess, the children get a family, learn new things, and if they can return here, can help their own people. Why many don’t return we can’t say though..” he finished up.

Tia had remained quiet in the back of the room, having slipped in late because of checking in on engineering after seeing the boy was settled. She was glad they would be checking on these folks before leaving the boy. But she knew from the Captain’s time, the child would be remaining here. Somewhere do inside, Tia felt a pang of loss already. But she knew it was best for him. Franz didn’t belong on her ship any more than she belonged in a parental position. Grateful they would at least be exchanging like for like technology, she started tapping on her PaDD for engineering to gather various technology pieces they could use that for twenty first and second century technology as well as early warp tech. It was a short list, but she hoped it would suffice. She then turned her attention back to the two who had come to report. It was interesting, indeed. To remain space bound for fear of acting like a slave if land bound.

Glen summed up, “So, these are people who could have developed a higher level of technology themselves, but their itinerant, nomadic history, together with their slave history, has informed their culture and heritage, and this still permeates their lifestyle choices today, meaning that they never put down roots long enough in one place, and instead developed this unusual way of gaining it from others. In which case, I move that the Prime Directive probably doesn’t apply here, though I wouldn’t wish to argue that in a Federation court, and we still stay with our Plan A.”

“Anything else?” Glen asked, “Any other security concerns? Any other observations?” Glen looked at the time again. “If there is nothing else, then we should make a move.”

-Glen, CO