Orion's Hounds

That was the other reason why the Pa’haquel let it be, according to Qui’hibra: It was the one cosmozoan even they didn’t feel they were entitled to kill. It was just too far beyond their scope. “We revere all the beasts we hunt, and feel that we must earn the right to hunt them through our own risk and sacrifice. But how could we ever earn the right to prey on such a great embodiment of the Spirit of Life? Particularly when it may be the only one of its kind. This is a precious and holy place to us.” More practically, because of its lure as a “watering hole,” it was of more use to the hunters intact than destroyed.

On the practical side, though, the Proplydian had its drawbacks. Its intense magnetic field had ionized the dense local medium, creating sensor and comm interference. Plus some of the cosmozoans in the area might be dangerous—and Riker couldn’t be certain whether the Pa’haquel fleets in the vicinity would see Titanas an ally or an enemy. The star-jellies, though, had considered it an excellent place to meet, and to recharge after the ordeal with the spi

But as amazing as the Proplydian was, Riker had to focus his own attention on other matters: specifically the star-jellies and the Pa’haquel, and what could be done to salvage their relationship—ideally without compromising Federation principles any further than necessary. Dea

“Sir,” Jaza called from his console, interrupting Riker’s train of thought. “We may have a problem.”

“Explain.”

“I’m detecting a group of Crystalline Entities approaching the system at over warp seven. ETA about forty minutes. I would’ve spotted them sooner if not for the interference. There seem to be…yes, there are four of them.”

Riker’s eyes widened. “So much for them not usually travelling in packs. Maybe Qui’hibra doesn’t know them as well as he thinks. Any sign that the nearby Pa’haquel fleets have detected them?”

“No, sir. Both of them are farther away from the Entities, and they still don’t have sensors as good as ours.”

Dea

“We should abort the rendezvous,” Vale advised. “Try again somewhere else.”

Riker thought it over. “Things are tenuous enough as it is—I don’t want to chance upsetting them by breaking the arrangement.”

“I think they’d understand our reasons.”

“But retreating could be taken as a sign of weakness,” Dea

After another moment, Riker spoke. “Dea

Dea

“Attempt to communicate,” he said grimly. “Without the Pa’haquel watching, we’ll be free to try Data’s graviton-resonance effect.” He met her eyes. “God knows I’d like nothing better than to use that graviton beam to shatter them all to dust. But I have an obligation to at least try to make peaceful contact.” He widened his gaze to include Vale. “And I’d like to manage to find a constructive solution to at least one thing in this whole mess.”

Dea

Actually I think you do it very well.

Throwing him an affectionate glare, Dea

Qui’hibra’s arrival was right on time—but he came in more force than expected. The star-jellies notified Dea

Stay calm,Dea

A pause. Yes. And many more [suspicion/betrayal?].

Please wait before you do anything. You know he was expected. Hail them for me, all right?Aloud, she addressed Tuvok, Keru and his team. “Qui’hibra’s fleet is here.”

A moment later, Qui’hibra’s image appeared on the sensation wall, which the jelly had kept around for her benefit.

“Commander Troi. Where isTitan?”

“Not far. They went to make observations of a group of cosmozoans they detected in deep space not far from here.” She could only hope Qui’hibra would not press the issue or attempt to scan for them. She had asked the jellies to position themselves on the opposite side of the star from the Crystalline Entities’ approach vector; the intervening mass and EM field of the Proplydian would make detection more difficult. And she had emphasized deep space in the hope that the Pa’haquel would assume it was a non-warp-capable species, years away from endangering anyone and worth passing up for now.

Luckily, Qui’hibra seemed more concerned about Titanitself. “And left you undefended?”

She raised her chin. “The star-jellies can defend us and themselves, if necessary. Will it be necessary, Elder Qui’hibra? You seem to have brought your entire fleet. That could easily be taken as a hostile gesture.”

“I appreciate how the livemounts feel about our use of their dead. But as we discussed, they must learn to accept it. We ca