((Capital Spire, Formica))

As on Derganix the Starfleet away team beamed down to the pre designated coordinates. In addition to Commander Wong was Sogh’la Bamet of the KDF, Lt. Siss, and a single security escort. The Starfleeters were all docked out in their dress whites, and the security escort carried a holstered type 2 phaser. Bamet wore her duty uniform with a polished 2 and half inch wide chainmail sash that was apparently a gift from her father.

In contrast to the meeting on Derganix, the away found an entire hillside full of Formicans there to meet them, hundreds, if not thousands of them. A smaller group of the large ant-like species, about 20, were standing at the base of a winding ramp that led up to a massive cone shaped sandstone spire that was easily 300 metres tall and 200 metres wide at its base.

A lone Formican, indistinguishable from all the rest as they appeared nearly identical with minor variations in size, broke off from the smaller grouo and approached them. Also, from centre of the group 2 Ferengi emerged and followed the lone Formican.

“Welcome to Formica. I am the A-1 of Colony 688, and I have been designated as…our diplomat.” The large insectoid said as if trying to recall the word ‘diplomat’.

“Greetings on behalf of the Duwallan Mining Company and the Consortium of Ferengi Traditionalists.” A squeeky voiced chubby Ferengi added.

“Hello, on behalf of the Federation of Planets, we thank you for your hospitality. I am Commander Daniel Wong, the Executive Officer of the USS Blythe. This is Lt. Siss of the Starfleet Diplomatic Corps, LCdr Bamet of the IKS Slivin, and Petty Officer Morales.” Danny said with small bow.

Lt.Siss executed a motion with her forearms, and a slight side movement if her head, the Formarian, made a slight, but instinctive receprical movement.

A1/C688 head titled slightly. “If you don’t mind, several of us are curious as to the functionality of the devices on Morales’ and Bamets hip, as well as the device in your left pocket?”

Wong gulped. As was standard on most away missions he carried he personal type 1 phaser in his pocket.

“Certainly, they are all personal defense weapons, that we carry as a part of our standard procedures. No offense is intended, but we have had some regretable instances in the past that has caused us to adopt those procedures to ensure our own safety when making first contact with new lifeforms. If you wish, we would be willing to relinquish them in exchange for reasonable gaurantees of our safety while we are here.”

The A-1 tilted his head again as if hearing something, and then looked to the Ferengi to his left who gave the faintest of nods.

“We appreciate your honesty. You may keep your weapons, though I do not envision you having any need of them. If you all will agree to follow me, we shall conduct the remainder of our meeting in the Colonial Council Chambers.” The A-1 turned slightly and motioned towards the massive spire behind him.

“Gladly.” Wong replied and then the group all made there way towards the group of 20 Formicans that were congregating at the base of the ramp that led up to the sandstone spire.

When he thought the A-1 was out of earshot Morales asked Siss in a whisper “What do you think? Telepathy?” Referring to the A-1s mannerisms and verbiage.

“Of a sort. The Formicans are evolved from a Hive mind – directed and controlled by a complex mix of pheromones, racial memory and Cafield-Orston links, whilst evolving to a far more individual level of consciousness, the Formicans retain varying levels of this mutual connection and drive to cooperation and conformity…It does include a form of telepathy ” Siss appeared as if she intended to say more but checked herself. “For intents and purposes our hosts do possess telepathy yes” She gave a self conscious smile to Morales.

The A-1 turned and said. Though the Formicans didn’t have anything that resembled ears, their 2 antennae had fluted, flared and bevelled orafices that served the same function as humanoid auditory sensors organs.

As they approached the group of Formicans they skittered apart into 2 groups, forming a 10-15 gap between them that A-1/C688, the 2 Ferengi and the away team walked through as they made their way into the Council Chamber.

Council Chamber

The away team was escorted to the large sandstone platform in the middle of the stadium style Chambers. The Ferengi broke away and went over to a partitioned section at the base of the large terraced room. The hundreds, or even 1000+ other Formicans who had been on the hillside to the left as the away team beamed down all filed in and took their places in the terraces, eventually filling the entire Chambers.

The 4 away team members were escorted to the middle of the large central platform.

“We shall hear you now. Your initial communique mentioned an offers of various types of assistance, though we found it curious that no price for was mentioned for any of the assistance.” A-1 said after everyone had taken there places and the room had quieted down.

“Indeed, no price was mentioned because our assistance does not have a price. It would be free.” Danny said.

The A-1 replied, “Free? What’s free? We do not understand that word in the context of the cost of goods or services. To us the word free is only used to describe the state of something or someone, or in the scientific context of being free from external forces, or free forming substance.”

Siss bobbed her head and again gestured oddly, “ You are correct Representative. All interactions are naturally and properly based upon exchanges intended to provide mutual benefit. When we use the phrase ‘Free’ in the context of Federation assistance the reciprical exchange is based upon Goodwill,  future peace and cooperation. Our price, if you will, is that your people and ours will co-exist harmoniously.”