Kirk turn in that direction to see Lieutenant Uhura approaching, her expression one of frank admiration. “If you think the art they have in here is nice, you should see what’s in the anteroom leading to their council chamber,” she said as she drew closer, holding up her tricorder for emphasis. “It’s some of the most beautiful work I’ve ever seen.”
“The Dolysians have always held the arts in high esteem,” Sortino said, “but even more so in the past few generations. According to the first-contact reports I read, they’re enjoying something of a cultural renaissance that was already going strong, but seems to have gotten a boost in just the last year or so.”
Kirk said, “I suppose they have us to thank for that.”
“Yes, of course you’re right, Captain,” Sortino replied. “First contact with us definitely seems to have spurred on the Dolysians, and by all accounts that looks to be a positive development, despite the unusual nature by which the contact came about.” She paused, releasing a small sigh. “I just hope we’re not doing these people a disservice in the long run. Other cultures we’ve encountered that are on par with the Dolysians haven’t always reacted well to being ‘befriended’ by an advanced civilization.”
Kirk nodded, having seen in his extensive travels the sometimes disastrous results of good intentions when it came to contact with lesser-developed societies. “That’s why the Federation sends people like you, Ambassador,” he said, offering an encouraging smile. “To make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Anything Sortino might have said in reply was interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing from one of thepassageways leading into the chamber, and Kirk looked over to see a Dolysian male entering the rotunda. Like other males he had seen since their arrival, this one had no hair atop his smooth, pale-yellow skull, and his fair skin contrasted with the dark robes that concealed his body from neck to feet. The garment lacked ornamentation, with the single exception of a silver sash worn over his left shoulder, crossing his chest and falling to a point below his right hip. With his hands held together before him, he walked with a purposeful stride, covering the expanse of the chamber and reaching Kirk and his party in a handful of seconds.
“Ambassador Sortino,” he said, and Kirk got the impression that the Dolysian had only just learned the name’s proper pronunciation moments earlier, “my name is Phirol Jlen lu Brak, Chancellor Wiladra’s assistant, though it likely will be easier for you to refer to me as Jlen. The chancellor has asked me to convey her apologies for keeping you waiting. The council’s morning session took longer than expected to conclude.”
Sortino offered a small bow of her head. “No apologies are needed, Jlen,” she said, utilizing the custom—at least in the region of the planet from which the Dolysian hailed—of employing a shortened version of the formal given name. After introducing Kirk and Uhura, she added, “We are grateful that the chancellor is able to meet with us. I have no doubts that she and the rest of the council are very busy.”
“The council only meets once each season,” Jlen replied, “and it seems that the planners schedule every available waking moment. However, everyone is excited to meet with you.” He gestured toward the door through which he had entered the rotunda. “If you will follow me,I will take you to the chancellor’s study. She has asked to meet with you in private before you are introduced to the rest of the council.”
Kirk asked, “Does the chancellor have some concerns about our presence here?”
“I would not call them concerns,” the Dolysian answered, then smiled. “Though she does have some questions, and she is simply exercising one of the few perquisites of her office.”
Smiling, Kirk said, “Well, we can’t blame a lady for that, now, can we?”
With Jlen leading
“The Dolysians have always held the arts in high esteem,” Sortino said, “but even more so in the past few generations. According to the first-contact reports I read, they’re enjoying something of a cultural renaissance that was already going strong, but seems to have gotten a boost in just the last year or so.”
Kirk said, “I suppose they have us to thank for that.”
“Yes, of course you’re right, Captain,” Sortino replied. “First contact with us definitely seems to have spurred on the Dolysians, and by all accounts that looks to be a positive development, despite the unusual nature by which the contact came about.” She paused, releasing a small sigh. “I just hope we’re not doing these people a disservice in the long run. Other cultures we’ve encountered that are on par with the Dolysians haven’t always reacted well to being ‘befriended’ by an advanced civilization.”
Kirk nodded, having seen in his extensive travels the sometimes disastrous results of good intentions when it came to contact with lesser-developed societies. “That’s why the Federation sends people like you, Ambassador,” he said, offering an encouraging smile. “To make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Anything Sortino might have said in reply was interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing from one of thepassageways leading into the chamber, and Kirk looked over to see a Dolysian male entering the rotunda. Like other males he had seen since their arrival, this one had no hair atop his smooth, pale-yellow skull, and his fair skin contrasted with the dark robes that concealed his body from neck to feet. The garment lacked ornamentation, with the single exception of a silver sash worn over his left shoulder, crossing his chest and falling to a point below his right hip. With his hands held together before him, he walked with a purposeful stride, covering the expanse of the chamber and reaching Kirk and his party in a handful of seconds.
“Ambassador Sortino,” he said, and Kirk got the impression that the Dolysian had only just learned the name’s proper pronunciation moments earlier, “my name is Phirol Jlen lu Brak, Chancellor Wiladra’s assistant, though it likely will be easier for you to refer to me as Jlen. The chancellor has asked me to convey her apologies for keeping you waiting. The council’s morning session took longer than expected to conclude.”
Sortino offered a small bow of her head. “No apologies are needed, Jlen,” she said, utilizing the custom—at least in the region of the planet from which the Dolysian hailed—of employing a shortened version of the formal given name. After introducing Kirk and Uhura, she added, “We are grateful that the chancellor is able to meet with us. I have no doubts that she and the rest of the council are very busy.”
“The council only meets once each season,” Jlen replied, “and it seems that the planners schedule every available waking moment. However, everyone is excited to meet with you.” He gestured toward the door through which he had entered the rotunda. “If you will follow me,I will take you to the chancellor’s study. She has asked to meet with you in private before you are introduced to the rest of the council.”
Kirk asked, “Does the chancellor have some concerns about our presence here?”
“I would not call them concerns,” the Dolysian answered, then smiled. “Though she does have some questions, and she is simply exercising one of the few perquisites of her office.”
Smiling, Kirk said, “Well, we can’t blame a lady for that, now, can we?”
With Jlen leading
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