41 Worlds of Deep Space Nine by Una McCormack & Heather Jarman

Author:Una McCormack & Heather Jarman [McCormack, Una & Jarman, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, Star Trek fiction, Interplanetary voyages, Life on other planets, Star trek; Deep Space Nine (Television program), Voyages; Imaginary
ISBN: 9780743483513
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2004-05-18T23:00:00+00:00

3

Studying the fist-sized beetle perched on her plate, Prynn leaned down in her chair so that she was at eye level with the table and tried formulating an eating strategy; she didn't have a clue where to start. She scanned the cavernous waiting area of the shuttleport, searching for other travelers who might have made a similar food choice. Most of those milling around or lining the rows of benches gnawed on steaming bread pockets or fruits. Apparently, the "insect delicacy of the Archipelago" wasn't too popular. No wonder there wasn't a line at that kiosk, she thought regretfully. But I'm so hungry!

The food vendor had handed her an elongated utensil with a smallish three-pronged head to go with the plate. She examined the utensil (that she'd started to think of as a baby pitchfork) and at the speckled exoskeleton, wondering if she should spear the beetle's underbelly, thus releasing any edible fluids or flesh. Or whether she should attack the beetle like a Bajoran tidal crab: first, the legs were ripped off, then the body decapitated before the fork was plunged into the tasty innards. Regardless of what approach she chose, Prynn didn't like the way the beetle looked at her with its prismatic eyes and ebony pincers. She looked around, hoping to spot a friendly replicator.

"Prynn," Shar said, tapping her on the arm.

"Oh, hi. Any luck on finding passage to Zhevra?"

He slipped into the chair opposite her and shook his head. "Travel was suspended just after we landed. No public shuttles or transporters until after the storm passes and the climate-control protocols are lifted."

"I was afraid you'd say that."

"We'll need to find shelter for the night. It's less than two hours to sunset and another seven before Deepening. I doubt circumstances will change before then."

"Deepening?"

"Midnight."

"So where do we go until we can head to the capital?"

"With Phillipa. To Cheen-Thitar Keep."

Prynn arched an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Public accommodations are full. Between the storm and the festival, we will have better luck with Thantis than finding space to sleep in an empty alleyway."

"I see. And you're okay with showing up without an invitation?"

"No," he admitted. "But it may be a preferable way to wait out the storm, the forecast for which is increasingly unfavorable for the next day, possibly two." He hesitated. "And

I've been thinking about the fact that there are certain rules of hospitality in my culture, rules that override personal considerations. These rules apply not only to the giver, but to the one in need."

"Meaning what, exactly?"

"Meaning that I would cause great offense if Zha Sessethantis were to learn that I was on Cheshras Island under these circumstances, and that I could have turned to her for help, but did not."

"Even though you're unwelcome there?"

Shar nodded. "To deny her the opportunity to be generous would only make the situation between our families worse."

"But so what?" Prynn asked. "She already shut you out. You don't owe her any--"

"This isn't just about me, Prynn," Shar said softly. "Or about her. Insulting the Zha of the Clan of Cheen also affects Zhavey and the political struggle here.

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