[snip]

”..It is so true..” The woman said to Cross, “..our system for dealing with more serious crimes is as you say, those who break our laws and are without redeeming desires are still contributing to the habitat and society. Yet their own needs for a lively hood are still provided, it is not as we were given to slavery in our long past..” she said.

And then those darn hats, the doctor wanted to examine one for herself just to be sure it was not affecting these people line of thoughts.

Cara spoke up to try to calm the situation. “But don’t we also wear funny medals and strange hats sometimes on special occasions too? There are many races within the membership of the Federation of Planets that wear items that are symbols expressing, or indicating affinity to, religious or political or cultural affiliations. We have always been careful to be sensitive to their beliefs and customs, even when those symbols have tended to marginalize the wearer, or remove their dignity. On some planets we have found there was forced body mutilation, or even state sanctioned filicide and uxoricide, but it is really not our place to impose our own cultural beliefs upon different cultures and civilizations. We are not some kind of galactic cultural police force out to ostracize the transgressors of whatever ideology that we deem is civilized behavior. In the history of Earth, it would put us in the same boat as the Spanish Inquisition, the Taliban and Colonel Green! We can only listen to witnesses, try to understand the social context, and to educate without imposition. To do otherwise would make us just as bad as those we would hope to change! “

‘’I do agree with you but…’‘Cross stopped for a moment thinking how the Jews made certain that none would forget the Holocaust and their children would be taught about it from a very young age.

‘’Is it important to wear it all the time even when taking their kids out to play? Six hundred years is a lot of time to think back about when they were slaves ,Cara would you ask one of them to at least handle one tin foil hat and examine its inside and do it without raising any suspicion ?’’ .

“If the opportunity presents itself, then yes, I will,” replied Cara.

Then Cross turned back to the mothers and waited for an answer on how they discipline their children or reward them for good behavior.

A small girl walked up to cross “Hello are you and that man together because you keep looking at him with a slight blush and he keeps stealing glances at you” she said will a smiled and giggled away. At this time the kids have Doges piled on the cos but he was Abel to sit back up due to his upper core strength. He continues to play with the kids.

Cross looked down at the child and did manage to put on a smile, she bend down to her level ‘’Hello there sweety are you having fun playing with him?’’ the doctor asked ‘’Yes we are together he’s my friend, now of you go and play ‘’ and as the child went bouncing away happily Cross remembered how happy and carefree she had been at that age.

It occurred to her how these children will never know how it feels to play in the sand, look for colorful sea shells, to swim and feel the warmth of the sun, to explore their surrounding .Had they ever heard the rain or the wind ?It was then that it hit her, these people were not slaves for others…….. they now had become slaves of their own doing.

The conclusion that Miri had come to, was the same one Joe had reached earlier. He was generally not thought to be an intelligent man. He didn’t think of himself as one. But he did pay attention. He was one eager to learn. He had for instance not been judgmental of other cultures but drawn parallels with those he knew of from Earth. Cultures there who had insulated themselves from others nearly all ended badly. China alone was a shining example. When a nation turned in on itself it tended to have to do and say things to keep people where they were supposed to be. Self-enslavement wasn’t natural.

At that point Cross realized Joe had already came to that conclusion, her face was grief stricken for it seemed that there was nothing they could do and for the doctor it looked like they were wasting their time ,she had doubts that this species would ever leave the Habitat.

He kept quiet. He had seen the look that Miri had given him. Any odd statements on what he was seeing he’d save for the captain and in the meantime try to keep Miri from disappearing. He rubbed his forehead, took stock of everyone then and then looked at Miri with the little girl. “I’ve always been told that a smart man should have daughters.” he said with a laugh. “For in his old age his wife may ignore him and stop cooking for him, but his daughter will always feed daddy!”

For a brief moment it seemed Cross went into a trance, she had never knew her biological father but grandpa had took it upon himself to care for her and she would be forever grateful. Standing next to Joe Miriam whispered ‘’That is until a handsome young man comes along and the daughter falls head over heels in love, while poor daddy will have to accept that his little girl is all grown up’‘. and from her facial expression it looked like she had lots of experience about the subject when in truth Cross had none.

By this point Sal had returned to the group, she looked over the teams progress in talking to others and viewed the children with a smile at play. “..It would seem your little detour is proving quite enjoyable to all concerned. Forgive my own delay I had been asked some last minute questions for the voting happening this evening for my position and others open on the habitat right now..” she said.

The mother who had been talking to Cross, gave a polite nod of her head for Sal’s position still, “..I do hope you win once more Councilor Sal. In my opinion your handling of our cultural and societal issues is better refined and believable to achieve them those of your opponent Mr Pok..” the woman said.

The female doctor had to fight the urge to put both hands over her ears even if those around her would came to the conclusion that this woman was nuts.

Sal smiled politely, “..I do appreciate your confidence. I am glad to continue to serve our people and habitat if that is what the people decide. Mr Pok has some ideas worth perusing though if he does turn out to win in the voting. For example his ideas of expanding our habitat to a newer construction match my own desires. The issue we disagree on is that I feel all workers able to do so should contribute to such a massive undertaking, where as Mr Pok feels only those who are in criminal rehabilitation with such skills should..” Sal said.

”..Yes! That there is my problem with his views and idea on that topic. He seems to think that such a labor force will be sufficient to build another habitat over the next 100 years that we require before it becomes an issue here. I and others feel as you do that it is not a large enough force due to the low criminal rates and even lower criminals that have such skills to do such a project..” The mother said.

Cara had wanted to examine the metallic headgear just as much as Cross, but now she was concerned that the situation here was getting inflamed again, even without their help, and she didn’t want to make it worse by touching such as sensitive subject. Clearly they had arrived during an election at a critical time for the Habitat.

Sal nodded, “..Regardless of the outcome, I do hope if he wins we will all do our part to do what is best for our community..” she said.

The mother on this point nodded and did agree to do so, turning back then to Cross.

But she was looking at the classes that Sal talked about. Unexpectedly, typically without warning Cross moved..........

Joe looked at Cross with a concerned look for only a few seconds before sliding between a few people and with the finesse of a hammer coming down on someone’s toe made it look like a natural thing as he slipped his arm around Cross and pulled her tight against him. He could feel the tension in her body as he smiled and said in a low stern voice. “Take a deep breathe Lieutenant. You don’t want the likes of Hunter taking over your sickbay, do you? Then you’d force me to miss you all again and I don’t want that now.”

As Cross felt his body touching hers she felt a flutter in her stomach Guess this is what is described as butterflies in the stomach she thought, though it didn’t take long for the butterflies to be replaced by hornets .’‘If you don’t let go of me I’m going to shout at the top of my voice that you are keeping me hostage and what is it with Hunter? ,why do you hate the guy,he’s an excellent doctor and surgeon ,maybe you’re jealous cause he’s a handsome man’’ the female doctor was trying to work the Cmdr up ‘’I’ll keep my last card for when you need sickbay…wait and see’’ apparently Cross was not one to mince her words.
After all she only wanted a peep at the class rooms ..that’s all.

At this time Lance too had walked over trying to get her to clam down “I think it is time to rejoin the rest of the group” he said as a fact not a suggestion.

Lance did not fare any better ‘’Oh is that so,have you had enough of goofing around now!’’ Cross then crossed her hands over her chest with fingers of one hand tapping on the other .

A red shirt who was among them kept his head down Oh great ,now the team is fighting with each other! he thought to himself ‘’What else could possible go wrong?’‘.

Joe only laughed and said to Cross,” Go ahead and scream about being a hostage Miri. If it’s anything like the time we met, you won’t be screaming for too long or too loudly.” He released her then but still kept his hand, on her shoulder, as he spoke saying,” And Hunter? He’s smart, skilled, knows it and is arrogant about it. But more than anything he’s not you and you should know that. Sometimes I think you just like to hear me say it.”

Cross opened her mouth to say something but then changed her mind and said nothing with regards to doctor Hunter.

Joe looked around for Sal then and asked her. Ms. Sal could we see the children’s classrooms please? Several of us are particularly interested in education. Joe turned then to Del Wolf and said with a smile. “Skirmish line take point Mister Del Wolf. ” Then turning to the other red shirt Joe said simply take up drag and make sure we have no stragglers. Joe looked at Cross then and chuckled. “Anyone ever tell you you’re cute when you’re trying to be mad?”.

She looked a him with a scorned look ‘’ I daresay what does it take to make you angry,it seem like you take everything with a pinch of salt?’’ Cross questioned the Cmdr.

The red shirt was quick to respond with ‘’Yes Sir ‘’.
At this point it was Cross who held onto Joe’s arm, she suddenly felt dizzy and it looked like the place was going around in circles but it was short in duration and she said nothing to know one.

Cara was relatively new to the ship and hadn’t known Cross long enough to have seen this kind of behaviour from her. “Sir, is the Doctor well? Anything I can do to assist?” she asked the XO. “Also, Sir, respectfully, we can only ever be observers here, and we need to get our act together if we don’t want to create a diplomatic scene.” She thought there would be ample time later to discuss what they had seen here with those who were actually in charge. She didn’t think that this was the right time to fall on her sword about it. It was the Dol and his Executive who made the decisions about how this society was structured. The ordinary people were just following the rules and their orders. However, if Captain Glen was thinking of providing them with scientific and technological research, or equipment, before they left, then those could come with provisos that the people got a better deal too. She would also put everything she saw and heard into her log, and report it back to Starfleet.

It was the doctor who responded ‘’I’m fine Cara there is no reason to be alarmed and yes I do think its best that I stay quite and just go with the flow’’ Cross realized that
as an anthropologist this was Cara’s particular field of ability and expertise.

Under the circumstances, she thought it best to ask Sal if she could examine one of the metallic hats once they had returned from the tour.

Joe with Cross holding onto his arm had begun to move forward again. He listened closely to Cara and then after a pause replied to her. “You are of course right Cara. I should let others tend to diplomacy. I am terrible at it you can check my record or ask anyone who knows me. Lieutenant Cross for instance. She’ll tell you. I’m terrible at pretending. Which of course is all diplomacy is at the end of the day. “

Joe smiled and nodded to some people who were passing by before continuing with Cara. “I myself am tired of diplomacy. I would sooner give someone a good kick in the shins than be diplomatic anymore today. I am for all intents and purposes from this point on just a tourist. I will leave it to the experts to ask the questions. Oh yes and that would be you Ms. Meow . So let’s see some of that scientific curiosity at work shall we ? I expect answers from you as to the whys, hows, and a prediction of the future of a nearly self enclosed society and how the federation should treat said society.” Joe paused cleared his throat and said playfully . “Someone might want to ask questions and take notes. You know what a stickler the CO is!”

“Sorry Commander, I take my direction from you, and I wasn’t meaning to criticise at all, but I think that what we are doing here is a little more than being tourists. This isn’t just sightseeing, and like you, I expect some future Federation policy will come from it. Yes, don’t worry, I am recording everything down that I see and hear, and anything that can be inferred. As for the whys and the hows, I’ll have to consult with someone more expert than me before writing my reports. And sorry again, but I get so excited by seeing such a native culture, untouched by Federation values, that I forget myself. I don’t like sentient beings suffering or being abused either, and despite all my training and all the politics, I agree that there are some things that can be plainly wrong on any level.”

-Cara Meow, Ship’s Anthropologist and Sociologist.