Free Ghost of a Chance by Charles G. McGraw, Mark Garland Page B

malevolent in any case.
    Especially Tassay.
    “The surface of Drenar Four is unapproachable,” Jonal said then.
    “The Televek have tried. Your people would have failed to land there in any case.”
    Chakotay decided it was time to play bold with what facts he had and watch the Drosary’s reactions. “You should know,” he said, “that we have detected a substantial power source hidden several miles beneath the surface of the planet’s main continent. We also think the Televek may already have a ship down there, in the same region. I trust you intend to explain these things as well.”
    “Ah; Commander,” Jonal said, gently smiling, “my compliments to your ship and your crew. Perhaps some of your sensor technology would constitute worthy barter after all.”
    “Of course we can explain all that,” Tassay reassured the commander.
    “Then do,” Chakotay prodded.
    Jonal looked as if Chakotay had done him a favor—which was a welcome response, if not precisely what the commander had been expecting
    “Very well,” Jonal said. “You see, despite every effort, the Televek have been unable to assist the population below.
    Landings and even close orbital passes are impossible due to an advanced planetary defense system. Anyone traveling too near the surface experiences attacks that result in massive systems failures.
    If the approach continues, the result is destruction.
    The power source you spoke of apparently has something to do with this defense system, so far as the Televek can determine.”
    “In fact, the Televek have already lost a ship in just that way,” Mila said further. “The cruiser now in orbit was one of two.
    Daket, the commander of the other ship, felt certain that he could remodulate his shields in a manner that would allow safe penetration.
    Gantel did not agree. Finally Daket decided to make the attempt. His ship apparently crashed and has since been out of contact.”
    “And that’s what your friends were trying to warn our shuttle about?”
    Paris asked, incredulous.
    Mila put one slender hand on his forearm and nodded. “Truly it is,” she said.
    Paris frowned. “They couldn’t just open a channel?”
    “Gantel believed there wasn’t time for a discussion,” Tassay replied.
    “A warning shot seemed like the best choice.”
    “The Televek themselves have never encountered any offensive or defensive system like this one,” Jonal said. “It is intelligent, remarkably fast, and quite powerful. They even believe it may have come from some other part of the galaxy. Your part, perhaps, though you seem unfamiliar with it as well.”
    “That is true, at least so far,” Chakotay conceded.
    “We have another suggestion,” Tassay said, practically in Chakotay’s ear. He pulled away from her instinctively, putting a slight space between them. For now, at least, he told himself.
    “I’m still listening. What do you propose?”
    “Applied incentives,” Tassay said happily.
    “I heard you mention that before,” Paris said. “What is that all about?”
    “Incentives are the lubricant of life,” Mila explained. “They are utterly empowering, when properly exercised—something any Televek can tell you. And,” she added, grinning fondly at Paris, “this holds true for nearly all political, business, and personal negotiations.”
    “Simply,” Jonal said, “if Voyager could help the Televek analyze this remarkable defensive system, then disarm it, then both ships could work together to search for your shuttlecraft as well as for the missing Televek cruiser. Joint efforts could then be made to help the people of Drenar Four, as far as is practical.”
    “And for this, you would supply us with the repair components we need?”
    Chakotay said.
    “Without any other exchange of equipment or Starfleet technologies?”
    Neelix pressed. “No phaser specs, that sort of thing?”
    “Correct.” Jonal seemed quite pleased with himself, as did his lovely companions.
    Paris seemed