Equamar, Great Hall

“Captain Kirby, this is outrageous!” said King Randus su’Benna.  “Bring my daughter back!”

“I agree,” said King Limmar Korlus d’Cempus.  “It’s taken years for our nations to finally agree on a way to have lasting peace and now this happens.  Send her back, Captain.”

“It’s not that easy,” said Kirby.  “The concept of sanctuary is deeply seeded in our culture.  I need to respect Princess Yari’s request and hear her reasoning.”

“Nonsense.  Your ship is orbiting our world, so you’re subject to our laws,” said Randus.

Kirby was stuck in the middle of a very difficult situation.  He knew he had to speak with the Princess, but he also needed to inform Starfleet Command.  The Kings also had a point.  He had to do this one step at a time.

“My officers and I will return to the Eagle.  I will hear the Princess’ request and I will contact you when I have news.”

“This is unacceptable!” said Randus.

“It’s the best I can do right now.”  Kirby tapped his comm badge.  “Eagle, five to beam up.”

USS Eagle, Ready Room

“Where is the Princess right now?” said Kirby.

“She’s in the observation lounge,” said Weaver.  “Nurse Parker is sitting with her.”

“I’d like both of you to come with me when I talk to her,” said Kirby.  “Lieutenant, are you certain you have a rapport with her or did she just use you to get on board?”

Iziraa took several seconds to respond.  “I have a rapport with her, sir.  We made a connection about placing duty above our own desires.”

“I see.”  Kirby hoped whatever Iziraa said didn’t contribute to Yari’s decision to request sanctuary.  “All right, let’s get to it.”

USS Eagle, Observation Lounge

Kirby, Weaver, and Iziraa stepped into the lounge.

“Thank you, Parker, that will be all.”  When the nurse had left the room, Kirby studied the Princess.  He was surprised at how calm she was.  In fact, he got the sense that she was relieved.

“All right, Princess, tell me why I should let you have political asylum,” said Kirby once everyone was seated.

“Direct and to the point,” said Yari.  “I respect that.”

“Princess?” said Kirby.

“I don’t want to marry Prince Jahk.”

“You’ve put me in a difficult position.  If I’m going to allow you to stay here, I need more than that.”

“Captain, you’re a man of duty.  You do what is required of you even if it’s against what you personally want to do,” said Yari.  “I’m also a person of duty.  The difference between us is, you chose the Starfleet life.  I have no choice.  I’ve been the good little Princess, doing what I was expected to do.  Well, now I’m doing what I want.  It’s my life, after all.  I should have that right.”

Kirby was impressed at how mature and focused Yari was at such a young age.

“Princess, what you’re saying has merit, but there are larger issues here.”

“There always are, Captain,” said Yari.  “Do you know what impresses me most about your Federation?  So many races work together for the greater good, while still maintaining the rights of the individual.  I’m tired of not being allowed to be an individual.”

“Captain, if I may?” said Iziraa.

“Go ahead, Lieutenant.”

“Yari, my people have a strong sense of duty to the clan; we had to in order to survive and thrive on an ice world, but even in living that way, we still have individual freedom to choose our path.  If you marry Prince Jahk, an entire world will open to you.  You’ll travel in space and go to Earth, the first of your people to do that.  You’ll represent all Lenali to the Federation.  You’ll play a part in what happens in the entire Federation.  Isn’t that something special?”

The room grew silent.

“Don’t you think I’ve considered that already?” said Yari.  “Besides, do I really need to marry for Lenal to join the Federation?”

“I’m sure you already know that it’s required for membership that a world must be unified.” said Kirby.  “What do you think will happen once the news of this gets out?”

“You obviously don’t understand,” said Yari.  “I don’t care about any of that anymore.  I love someone else.  I want a family with him.  I want my life.”  Tears began to form in her eyes.

For the first time, Kirby truly began to understand the Princess and why she wanted something different.  In his heart, he felt compassion for her.  Before he could respond, a call came to his comm badge.

“Bridge to Captain.”

“Kirby here.”

“Sir, we’re receiving a call from Starfleet Command.”

“I’ll take it in my ready room.”

“Aye, sir.”

“Doctor, come with me.  Iziraa, stay here with the Princess.”  said Kirby.

USS Eagle, Ready Room

“Matt, I understand how difficult this is and I can sympathize with the Princess, but Lenal joining the Federation is important.  You’ve got to find a way to resolve this,,” said the Admiral.

“Sir, if I may?”

“Go ahead, Doctor,” said the Admiral.

“It’s clear to me Yari has been thinking about this for a long time.  I don’t see her changing her mind,” said Weaver.

“Then you might have to send her back without her consent.”

“Sir, she made a formal request and her reasoning is sound.  I feel we should grant asylum,” said Kirby.

“And I said I sympathize, but there are bigger issues here,” said the Admiral.

“There always are,” said Kirby.

“Excuse me, Captain?”

“The Princess said that very thing.”

The Admiral frowned.  “You have your orders.  Get it done.  Starfleet out.”

The screen went blank.

Kirby saw Weaver staring at him, the frown on her face saying what he felt as well.

“Now what, Matt?”

“I don’t know.  Things just got worse.”