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Commander Riker and Commander Data materialized inside a barren cave about two kilometers from the Riis village. Walking at a normal pace, they made their way in the dark toward the village. Data hoped the Riis would immediately believe that they were travelers from a distant village. Fortunately, the fact they were arriving at nighttime would not dispel their religious beliefs.
As they drew near, Data heard children laughing and soon a woman hanging clothes came into view. She was a buxom woman with short brown hair. She wore a long brown dress with a rope-like belt tied around her waist. Gasping as she spotted them, the woman dropped the dress she had been about to hang and took several steps backwards.
"We mean you no harm," Riker said and the universal translator immediately translated so the Riis could understand.
"Who are you?" she asked, still quite leery. Her three children had stopped their play to gape at the newcomer. All wore the same style of dresses as their mother, although Data believed one of them was a male child. From their dress wear, Data was able to make two possible conclusions: They were a conservative people as well as an egalitarian society.
"My name is Riker and my companion here is Data. We have ventured far to come to your village. Our people are seekers of knowledge. We wish to learn about your people, how you live, what you believe."
The woman turned toward her children and said, "Get inside the cavern now!" The children appeared ready to protest, but when their mother fixed them sternly, they hastily ran inside.
"How is it that you've survived this long journey?" the woman asked them.
"We found refuge along the way," the android answered. "There are many caverns in the mountainsides suitable for bedding down, so we slept during full light and hunted and traveled during the night."
"Where is your gear?"
Data quickly processed an answer that sounded logical. "A creature entered our cavern as we slept and we did not have time to gather our possessions in our haste to escape."
The woman wiped her hands on her apron and stepped forward, holding her right hand up, fingers spread. Assuming it was some sort of greeting, Data also raised his hand and pressed it against hers. Riker followed suit. "I am Uneua," she told them. "I welcome you to the village of Riis. We do not have much, but what we have, I offer to share."
"We thank you for your kindness," Riker replied, "but we actually came to speak with your leader. Is he available?"
"I am not sure. Our leader is Krag. I will take you to his cave and if he is not in meditation, he will most likely welcome you." She turned, glancing momentarily at the cavern her children had entered, before pointing in another direction. "Krag resides about a half a kilometer in that direction." She began walking, and Riker and Data fell into step beside her. "Your arrival is very coincidental," Uneua commented.
"How so?" Riker implored.
"Six nights ago, two of our people returned from a venture of their own. They discovered a rather large and unusual village on the other side of the mountains. Perhaps you encountered it during your journey?"
The android wondered if it wouldn't be best for them to feign ignorance, because they didn't want to risk revealing too much to Uneua.
"We were frightened by some huge flying monsters," Data lied. "So we avoided that area and headed toward your village."
Riker nodded almost unnoticeably to show that he was willing to play along with the story Data was creating.
Data noticed that Uneua seemed unperturbed by the knowledge of other people. He wondered if other Riis were reacting the same way. Recalling Dr. Filio's reaction to Federation medical technology, he realized the irony of that possibility.
"Hmm, our two travelers encountered the same creatures and you would not believe what happened to them! I'm not sure I believe it myself and I have known Earon and Murten for a very long time. I will let Krag tell you the story. He is the wisest among us. He has been meditating thrice as much lately, trying to interpret the meaning of Earon and Murten's experience with the flying creatures and the villagers across the mountain. Maybe today, he has discovered an answer."
"Uneua, if these flying creatures do exist," Riker began, "are you frightened by them?"
"They would be creatures of Hazeus. How can I not be frightened of them?"
"Yet you seem so calm talking about them," Riker observed.
"That is, sir, because I do not believe in them."
Data furrowed his brow. "Then can we only conclude that you also do not believe what we are telling you?"
"That is for Krag to decide," she replied, dismissing the subject.
They past several caverns and came upon one with another woman, perhaps ten years younger and who had long black hair, standing in the entranceway peering out at them as they walked by. "Ala, go back inside," Uneua snapped. "You need to tend to Earon. Your children need your full attention."
"Who are these strangers you bring into our village?" Ala asked, not moving.
"They are from a far away village. Krag will deal with them. You needn't worry about things that do not concern you. Now go back inside!"
After the younger woman retreated, Data asked, "That woman, is she the wife of one of your travelers?"
"She is," Uneau replied and after a long pause added, "also the cause of our hardship and the reason her husband and his brother ventured into the village of these so-called flying monsters."
"How did she cause your people hardship?" Riker asked.
"Krag will explain." Data could detect bitterness in Uneau's voice. They neared another cavern and Uneau came to an abrupt halt. "You will wait here, while I summon our leader." She disappeared inside the cave and kept Data and Riker waiting for several minutes. When she returned, she simply said, "He will see you now," before wandering off back in the direction they had come.
Data watched her curiously for a moment. Obviously, she wanted to get back to her young children. Riker tapped the android on the arm, and Data turned to follow his superior into the cavern.
They found a frail elderly man with a long beard, sitting on an outcrop and holding a long stone staff. He had his eyes closed, and Data wondered if the man had fallen asleep.
"Come no closer," Krag suddenly ordered. "Both of you, state your names and the reason you have ventured into my village."
Data and Riker favored one another with a look of surprise before Riker spoke.
"I am Riker and my companion is known as Data. We are explorers. We traveled from a village called Valiant to learn more about your people."
"I am curious," Data said. "How did you know there were two of us?"
"You are standing in the ring."
Data and Riker both looked down at their feet. "Data, do you notice anything?" the first officer asked.
"There is a barely discernable thin white ring about four meters in diameter around us, sir," the android replied. "Quite possibly, your eyes are incapable of seeing it without proper lighting. I see nothing, however, that would indicate how the circle aids Krag in determining when someone enters, or how many someones enter. If you would like me to further investigate--"
"Enough Data." Riker returned his attention to the Riis leader. "Uneua said that you could tell us how a woman among you named Ala caused your people hardship."
The Riis leader finally opened his eyes and leaning against his staff, stood. "You will follow me."
The abrupt order surprised the android, especially since Krag, at least on the surface, seemed to be ignoring Riker's inquiry. Would Krag provide them with any information about Ala, or was the elderly man leading them into a trap? Data decided they had no choice, but to do as Krag insisted.
Slowly, Krag limped deeper into the cave, leading the Starfleet officers through a maze of stone corridors. After a few minutes, they came across a room dimly lit by two torches setting on either side of the entryway. At the other end of the cavern, two statues, approximately twenty meters tall, stood. Krag dipped his staff into the torch to his left, and to Data's astonishment, its tip easily ignited into a yellow-orange flame. Raising his staff high, Krag stepped closer to the statues. The faces of the statues became visible in the brighter light. Although their faces were identical to the Riis, the bodies were completely foreign with four long furry legs and sharp talons on each of their sixteen toes. Their puffed-out chests seemed to warn anyone who approached them that they were not to be trifled with. Around their necks, hung gold medallions. Data noticed an inscription on each, but not yet able to read the Riis language, he could not decipher a meaning from them. He decided to make a point of studying their language and filed the inscription for further analysis.
Krag knelt on one knee before the statues and chanted, "O-mar-tu, O-mar-tu," several times. "O' Powerful One, guide me in this venture, so I may do your bidding."
As Krag continued his prayer, Data spotted a yellow-orange beetle-like insect scurrying across the ground several meters in front of him. The android managed to watch its progress and analyze its behavior while continuing to pay rapt attention to Krag's worship. The bug followed a crooked path like a drunkard taking a sobriety test. Data had a tricorder hidden under his cloak, but he knew he didn't dare whip it out for fear Krag would turn toward him and see the device. So he continued to make the best analysis of the tiny creature as possible with his eyes. Eventually, the beetle disappeared behind a crack in the stone wall.
Riker obviously had not noticed the insect as he watched Krag with unwavering fascination.
Krag stood and faced them. "Omartu will permit me to talk freely with you about Ala's deed and the events surrounding Earon's journey. Daeniits was furious when Ala ended a pregnancy two months ago. Termination of a life, no matter how young or old, is strictly forbidden. Only Daeniits can decide when it is time for one to die."
"Who is this Daeniits?" Riker asked.
"He is the One who brings fertility," the leader replied with obvious affront. "Without him, all would whither and die. It is his anger toward Ala that has brought us a poor crop this season. Several have died from the hunger."
"What purpose does killing many serve in showing anger against the death of only one?"
"That is not for mere Riis to understand. It is Daeniits' bidding, and we must abide by it. Since his wife brought about the hardship, Earon felt it was his responsibility to bravely venture out into Hazeus' land in search of fertile ground. I quite agreed. Only he had a chance of soothing Daeniits' anger. So two weeks ago, he, along with his younger brother Murten, headed due west. I had my doubts that we would ever see them again, but I knew they were our only hope. We will all perish soon if we don't find enough food."
"Earon and his brother did return, though?"
"Yes, everyone was quite surprised when the brothers came strolling into the village. A celebration broke out in their honor--one that quickly transformed into shock and disbelief. The tales they told, what sane Riis could believe any truth in them?"
"You speak of the story of the flying monsters?" Data asked. "Uneau told us of their existence during the walk over here, but she did not supply us with any details. She insisted that we receive that information directly from you."
Krag nodded. "That is as I wish it. Omartu does not want the villagers discussing these beasts among themselves. They are creatures of Hazeus and should be highly feared. Speaking of them may serve as a summoner. We cannot risk facing a battle with creatures we do not know how to combat." He turned and pointed at the statues. "These serve as barriers against Hazeus and His demons. They are the sacred monuments of Omartu and Daeniits, the god of fertility. It is safe to speak freely here--and only here--about what we know of Hazeus' world.
"Earon came to me and spoke of what his wife had done," Krag continued. "I knew immediately that the journey he proposed was our only hope of reestablishing good faith with Daeniits. Our people are dying, Data, because Daeniits is unhappy. Earon took this journey, he and his brother, and they failed miserably. They did not bring back news of fertile land. No, they brought back the horrors of Hazeus and His minion. We are doomed! We most surely won't last another year."
"Have you thought of sending anyone in the opposite direction?" Riker asked.
"Earon is too weak," Krag replied as though no one else could possibly make the trip. "He would not survive another day in Hazeus' world." Krag furrowed his brow for a moment in deep concentration. "But you come from that direction. Tell me, what is the land like in your village?"
Neither Data nor Riker had an immediate response to that question. They could not tell Krag what the leader wanted to hear, because they had no guarantee himself that the land was fertile. Yet Krag thought they had come from that area so they couldn't tell the elderly Riis they didn't know what the land was like.
"If I were to tell you that the land in our village was so fertile that our people ate heartily at every meal," Data said, choosing his words carefully, "would your people soon arrive in droves to conquer our village? For the safety of our people, I am not at liberty to tell you anything about our land."
Riker favored his subordinate with a look of relief, obviously satisfied with Data's story.
"That is a sad, but wise choice," Krag conceded, bowing his head. "Anyway, Earon and Murten's experience in the demon village was very traumatic. One of the bipedal demons forced them inside a flying demon and escorted them to the evil village. The details of what happened there are still very sketchy, because Earon and Murten, quite understandably, are still in shock over the experience. How they survived and why Hazeus let them go only Omartu knows."
An elderly Riis, out of breath, rushed into the room. Data noticed two things simultaneously: Krag appeared disturbed by the other man's arrival and the elder Riis looked overly excited and frightened.
"What is the meaning of this?" Krag demanded, pounding his staff on the floor. "Torque, you were ordered never to set foot in this room again."
"And I never would have if it weren't so urgent," Torque replied, staring at the leader's feet. "Earon has returned to a fully conscious state. He has asked to speak with you, Krag." He glanced nervously at Data and Riker, fixing them quizzically. He seemed eager to say something to the visitors, but did not speak out of obvious fear of his leader.
"You will help our visitors find a cavern to bed down in for the day," Krag said, dismissing Torque. The leader beat the tip of his staff against the cavern wall until the flame extinguished. "While I tend to Earon."
The leader slowly ambled out of the room and Data, Riker, and Torque followed him through the maze, making sure to stay far enough behind so Krag could not hear what they said.
"I am Data," the android said.
"Riker here," the first officer said.
"It is good to meet the both of you and to learn, from your appearance, that there are others out there thriving. It gives me hope that my people will one night find the fertile land they seek."
"We have traveled a far distance from a place called Valiant," Data informed the Riis.
"Would you mind telling us why your leader has banned you from the room with the statues?" Riker asked.
"Because I am responsible for the famine."
Riker was taken aback by this news, but quickly recovered his composure. "We were told that a woman named Ala was responsible for the hardship among your people."
"I am the doctor who performed the abortion."
"Really? Then you are viewed as a murderer?"
The elderly doctor bowed his head in shame by way of an answer.
Data wondered why they had not considered the probability that Ala's doctor would share her blame, since it was so obvious that Ala could not have performed her own abortion. "Would we be correct in assuming that you have been ostracized by all your people?"
"Far worse than that, sir. I have been forced to perform menial tasks for the remainder of my nights. Grogs are more fortunate than I."
Data fixed the elderly Riis quizzically and asked, "Grogs?"
"Begging, scavengers, thieves. They squander for their living, taking what others work hard for. I am lucky the villagers haven't thrown me out to Hazeus' demons for what I've done. But they are naive to blame our hardship on my act."
"How have you arrived at this conclusion?"
"I am one of the very few, but growing, among us who have become enlightened. We see the sun for what it is: a glowing orange ball that warms the day and nurtures life, not destroy it. Before Ala's abortion, I had performed two others in the past three years. Yet two years ago, my people were enjoying a bountiful crop. No one suspected what I had done. The women who I had performed these abortions for will never come forward and admit it. You see, terminating a pregnancy is not only forbidden in the Riis village, but she who ends a new life is considered worse than dead. She becomes a Sharannai, which means 'the lowered one.' Until Ala confessed to having had an abortion, tales of Sharannai were considered myths. Who in their right mind would defy Daeniits?" Torque bowed his head once again in shame. "Now there are two of us."
"You do not believe that your action was the direct cause of your people's hardship, and yet, you seem to feel shame," Data pointed out. "You speak in contradictions. You say you are enlightened about a nurturing sun, and yet, you still fear the demon Hazeus."
"Do you not understand, dear fellows, that it does not matter whether my act is directly responsible, or if Daeniits even exists to be angered." Torque clenched his fists. "I took another life! For that, I am deeply ashamed. I deserve no less than the punishment I have received."
"Torque, what do you really believe?" Riker asked.
"I believe we set our own destinies and that I have made mine. There is no Hazeus out there in the enlightened world." He clutched his chest. "He lives within here. Every man is his own demon, or his own ally. If I were to tell any of my neighbors what I believe, I would surely be put to fodder."
They reached Krag's throne room and stepped outside. Torque looked toward the sky and said, "We must hurry! It will be light soon!" He quickened his step, heading west, and Riker and Data followed him.
"I do not understand," the android said, keeping up with the doctor's strides. Riker lagged only slightly behind. "If you do not believe in the demons, then why the urgency?"
"I run not in fear of demons," the Riis exclaimed, fixing Data with bewilderment, "but rather in fear of how my own people would treat me if they knew I do not share their beliefs."
Data chose his words very carefully, thinking about the many unknown entities the Enterprise had encountered. "My people have battled many creatures, the nature of which have been highly enigmatic."
"Are you saying demons do exist?"
"I have no absolute proof whether they do or do not exist. However, I do know that there is both good and evil in the world."
Torque slowed his pace, and Riker, somewhat out of breath, eventually caught up with them. "Your cavern is just over that hill," Torque said, pointing. "You're probably hungry. I could give you a portion of the stew I made for my dinner this evening, and then tomorrow help you gather enough rations."
"That is very kind of you," Riker said. "We appreciate your hospitality."
Torque laughed heartily. "You are the first person to refer to me as kind in over two weeks. People don't refer to me as anything--not anymore."
They descended the hill, and Torque led Riker and Data inside a small cavern. Torque pointed to a small opening about three feet in diameter. "You will find some bed roll inside there. I have to go now before the light comes. I will return tomorrow night." The elderly doctor made a hasty retreat.
Neither needing sleep, nor sharing the Riis' fear of the light, Data did not bother to remove the bed roll from the hole. Instead, he removed his tricorder from underneath his animal-skin jacket and began scanning the cavern walls.
Riker obviously had decided to forgo sleep as well, at least for a while, because he began exploring deeper into the cavern. Glancing at his superior as Riker walked further away, Data wondered how far into the mountain the cavern went. Perhaps it went all the way through and there was an opening on the other side. It was possible, even likely, that it also forked with other caverns. It could be easy for one not familiar with the caverns to get lost in the maze.
An insect, like the one Data had seen earlier in the statue room, flew out from a crevice, nearly striking Data in the face before zooming outside toward the dawning sky. Several others followed, and curious, Data stepped outside to watch the growing number of bugs gathering in the fresh light. Some of them began making a droning sound and flew in circles around a small area. Data scanned them with his tricorder, intrigued by the results.
He tapped his commbadge, which was disguised as a pendant. "Data to Commander Riker."
A few seconds passed before the first officer responded. "Riker here," came his voice.
"Sir, I have discovered something that may be of significant interest to you. A colony of aerial insects dwell in the Riis' caverns. Apparently, they come out at first light and collect energy from Cromebia's sun in much the same manner as most plants collect energy through photosynthesis. I believe these tiny creatures are the procreators of all plant life inside the caverns."
"I'm on my way. Contact Nevichi and let her know our status."
"Aye, sir. Data out." He then summoned Commander Nevichi. "Sir, we have successfully integrated with the Riis. They are currently all seeking refuge in their caverns due to the rising sun."
"How have they reacted to the Cromebians?"
"Some perceive the Cromebians as a myth, while others view it as an portentious sign. I have not attempted to correct any of them in any way." He went on to tell her about the insects. By the time he finished, Riker had joined him.
"Good. Keep us apprised of your situation whenever possible. Nevichi out."
