Equamar

Standing nervously near the woods at the usual meeting place, the lone figure watched as a black hovercar pulled up and another person stepped out with a clearly unhappy facial expression.  The tail of the person by the woods shuffled nervously.

Hovercar stopped before Woods.  “Well?”

“The plan was foolproof,” said Woods.  “There was no way we could have known the King would ask the Starfleet Captain for help or that they would have found the Prince in time.  The crash site was a known owalla hunting ground.  Jahk should be dead.”

“Yes, he should be,” said Hovercar.  “Tell me why you shouldn’t be as well.”

Woods gulped.  “I’ve worked for you a long time.  I always get the job done.  There’s still time.”

Hovercar scoffed.  “The Prince is under lock and key.  There’s no way to get to him now.”

“Then we need another plan,” said Woods.

“The Princess?”  Hovercar paused in thought.  “What do you have in mind?”

USS Eagle, Ready Room

Kirby was deep in thought.  Someone tried to kill Prince Jahk by sabotaging his glider.  Equamar Royal Security identified the saboteur, but were unable to find him.  He offered King Limmar the full resources of the Eagle to help, but so far, he hadn’t heard back.  He supposed it might be a matter of pride.  However things on the surface worked out, Kirby was concerned his people could be in the firing line if there was another attempt on the Prince’s life.  This was an important mission that Big Shots in Command were carefully watching, so he and his crew had to get it right.

I don’t want to be a food delivery service, thought Kirby.

Canbolla

Princess Yari was in her chambers thinking about what Berathor had told her.  She wanted a way out of the arranged marriage and he had given her one.  It was bold and brash and would most certainly cause an uproar beyond description, but did she have the courage to do it?

There was a knock on the door and her lady-in-waiting entered.

“Princess, it’s time.”

“Thank you.  I’ll be right there.”

“Yes, Princess.”  The lady nodded and left the room.

A meeting had been scheduled to discuss the itinerary of the dinner tomorrow where both families would formally greet the representatives from the Federation, followed by a dress fitting.  More duties, more obligations.  Berathor’s idea was looking better.

USS Eagle, Science Lab

“Why would I want to go to a dinner with a bunch of stuffy people that think they’re special and privileged?”

Nurse Renee Parker blinked in disbelief at Haia Ohtani’s comment.  “Why wouldn’t you want to go?  They are special and privileged, and because of your position, rank, and accomplishments, you’re special, too.”  Parker shook her head.  “Just imagine, a royal wedding!”

“I’ve been to weddings,” said Ohtani.

“Not anything like this,” said Parker.

Ohtani shrugged.

“Well, I want to go,” said Parker.  “We don’t have events like that back home in Alaska.”

“I imagine you spent your time avoiding moose and polar bears,” said Ohtani.

Was that a joke?  Had the stoic Science Officer said something humorous?  “Good one, Haia.”  Parker smiled.

“Good one what?” said Ohtani.

“Never mind,” said Parker.

“People say that to me a lot.  Curious,” said Ohtani.

Iziraa’s Quarters

Izi was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, the lights dimmed.  She didn’t understand why, but she couldn’t get her bond mates out of her mind.  Because of duty and circumstances, she had backed away from marrying.  Was it possible the upcoming Lenali wedding was affecting her emotions?  Was her heart regretting her decision?  It was certainly possible to marry and serve in Starfleet; many were doing it, but that wasn’t Izi’s way.  When she committed to something, she was all in.  She felt it wouldn’t be right to start a family, leave for Starfleet duty and barely see them.

She sighed.  Finishing this assignment and moving on was what she needed to clear her mind.

Sickbay

Doctor Weaver turned off the osteogenic stimulator and set it on a nearby table.  She grabbed a hypospray and pressed it against her patient’s arm.  “That should do it, Nick.  Your wrist will be stiff for a couple of days, but you’ll be fine.”

“So I can dance with a pretty Lenali girl at the wedding?” said Nick Saunders.

“You can dance with a pretty Lenali girl at the wedding.”  Weaver chuckled.  “Please just be careful the next time you going crawling through a Jefferies tube.”

“I will.  Thanks, Doc.”  Saunders hopped off the biobed.

“Before you go….”

“Yes?”

“About your leave with Izi to Delvis IV….”

Saunders rolled his eyes and chuckled.  “It’s my business, Doc, and Iziraa is sworn to secrecy.”

“I know.”  Weaver frowned.  “I tried everything, but Izi won’t talk.”

“Is there anything else, Doc?  I need to get back to engineering.”

“Nick, you’ve been different since you came back.  Your friends are just happy for you.”

“And the pool is up to…?”

“Five hundred credits.”  Weaver slapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.

Nick raised his left wrist.  “Thanks for the treatment.”  Chuckling, he headed out.

Weaver sighed.

USS Eagle, Ready Room

Satisfied with the list of who he would take with him to the Lenali dinner and wedding, Kirby turned off his computer and stretched.  Taking a deep breath, he had to stop worrying.  Whatever happened the rest of the way, they would handle it.  They survived the Borg.  What was political intrigue compared to that?

He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to explode.