1 Encounter at Farpoint by David Gerrold

Author:David Gerrold [Gerrold, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Science fiction; American, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780671652418
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 1987-08-31T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

DUST WAS BEING driven around the exposed areas of the old city by a lashing wind when Zorn's

assistant bowed Picard, Riker and Troi into Zorn's office. The gusts rattled the windows and forced

the yellow-brown powder through even the finest openings.

Although the wind-driven dust had always been a part of his life, it still made Zorn irritable and

edgy. The yellow pall it cast over the city depressed him. He had been prepared to be most gracious

to his visitors until he saw the Betazoid woman with the captain and First Officer Riker. The

information on Federation planets and races he had been given by Starfleet had detailed the

telepathic talents of Betazoids. Was she a trap set to catch him?

His greeting to them was formal, but somewhat abrupt. Riker noticed both that and the fact that Zorn

made no attempt to shake hands. He flicked a look at Picard, who did not realize it was out of the

ordinary. Zorn covered it with an offer of coffee, of juices, of pastries, anything they would like-all of which were politely refused.

Zorn settled behind his desk opposite his guests and

folded his long gray fingers. His back was stiff and upright, and his eyes kept straying to Troi.

"Yes. How may I serve you, Captain?"

"Now that the station is completed, and you have officially offered to open it to Starfleet, I have

been ordered to give it a close formal inspection before making final recommendations on acceptance."

"There would be no objections to that," Zorn said, with another nervous glance at Troi. "But I am

puzzled by your bringing a Betazoid to this meeting. If her purpose here is to probe my thoughts,

sir. ..." Troi leaned forward, smiling reassurance. "I can sense only strong emotions, Groppler. I am

only half Betazoid. My father was a Starfleet officer."

"I have nothing to hide, of course. The entire station will be open to your inspection, Captain."

"Mine, and that of my officers," Picard said pointedly. Zorn nodded, accompanying the gesture with a

nervous smile.

"Yes. Of course. And your officers." "Good," Picard said briskly, "since we admire what we've already

seen of your construction techniques. To have built this entire station in the short time you did

requires tremendous engineering skill. Starfleet may be interested in your constructing starbases

elsewhere."

"Captain, we are not interested in building other facilities. Especially not on other planets."

Troi listened to the conversation carefully, studying Zorn's face and body language for clues which

she as a trained counselor could interpret. Her senses strained toward him and easily felt his

nervousness. Then, at the edge of her mind, she became aware of something else . . . something

distressing and painful.

"Perhaps Starfleet could use the materials you would sell them," Picard suggested.

"But they are quite ordinary, Captain. Available on many planets."

The feeling crept deeper into Troi's mind. Dull pain. Endless. Loneliness. Hopelessness. Dimly, she

could hear Riker politely interrupt Picard. She forced her attention back to the men before her.

"If I may, Captain . . .?" On the Captain's nod, Riker turned to Zorn. "Perhaps a trade, Groppler?

Some things you need in return

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