Gemini Read Free Page B

glass. He professed no fondness for Romulan ale but, Kirk noticed, he didn’t often turn it down. “After all, the Federation spent years helpin’ them improve their planet by education, industrialization, cultivation—”
    â€œTrue, Mr. Scott,” said Commissioner Roget, patiently, “but the Nadorians do have the right to turn down membership. And to force them would be against everything the Federation stands for.”
    â€œAye,” grumbled Scotty, “but it would still be damned ungrateful of ’em.”
    â€œScotty’s an engineer, not a diplomat,” said McCoy, dryly.
    â€œAnd thank God for it,” said Scotty, fervently, reaching for the bottle. “Give me a warp-drive engine, cranky and temperamental as she may be, instead of a room o’ bureaucrats any day o’ the week—” He stopped, remembering his audience, and looked up, sheepishly. “Beggin’ your pardon, Commissioner, I meant no offense … ”
    â€œNone taken, Mr. Scott,” said Commissioner Roget, with a smile. “I have to admit, there have been many days in the last thirty years when I’ve thought the exact same thing. The Nadorians can be a very stubborn people. And,” he said, cautiously, after a brief pause, “there are some rather obstreperous political factions you should know about.”
    Kirk and Spock exchanged a brief glance. “Go ahead, Commissioner,” urged Kirk. “We know the population of the planet’s main continent was composed primarily of two major tribes who’ve spent the majority of the past few centuries trying to wipe each other out.”
    â€œMust put you in mind of the good old days on Vulcan, Mr. Spock,” said McCoy, blandly.
    â€œIndeed,” nodded Spock, evenly. Kirk smiled to himself; Spock’s refusal to rise to the bait would irritate McCoy more than McCoy’s barb had irritated him. “That similarity between the two planets as warring cultures does exist, as does another, more pleasant similarity. As I recall from my reading of your summary of Nadorian history, Commissioner, the tribal leaders finally realized that their culture’s progress was coming to a virtual standstill. It was then that the tribal leaders finally realized, when they were first contacted by the Federation, that their efforts would be better spent in working together rather than against each other. Quite commendable; it speaks highly of them as a people.”
    â€œExactly right, Mr. Spock,” said Roget, with the enthusiasm of an expert in an obscure subject who has found a kindred spirit. “To that end, the prince of one tribe and the princess of the second married. It is their sons who are next in line for the throne, though to all intents and purposes they rule the planet now.”
    â€œYes, ‘Their Serene Highnesses’ Abon and Delor,” said Kirk. “I recall that they were named for the tribes they were descended from, the Abonians and the Delorites. But from your lead-in, I’m afraid things aren’t running as smoothly as all that.”
    â€œUnfortunately, that seems to be the case. Though most natives have accepted the idea of a united planet to keep themselves competitive in this shrinking galaxy, there are a few diehards who still like things the way they were.”
    â€œThere always are,” said McCoy, glumly.
    â€œThere are some unpleasant constants in diplomacy, Doctor,” said Roget with a resigned sigh. “The two representatives of the tribes are Counselors Docos and Hanor—Docos representing the Abonians and Hanor the Delorites. Those posts as ‘representatives’ are entirely self-granted, but they do serve on the Planetary Council, and they do carry great influence among the people as a whole.”
    â€œWell, what about this Regent Lonal?” asked Scotty, in a tone of mild irritation. Kirk smiled slightly. A practical man, in