The Struggle Within is a Star Trek eBook, an installment of Star Trek: Typhon Pact by Christopher L. Bennett released in October 2011.
Description[]
- An original e-novella in the acclaimed Typhon Pact series! The USS Enterprise-E is on a diplomatic mission to the Talarian Republic, the last holdout in the Federation's efforts to expand the Khitomer Accords in response to the emergence of the Typhon Pact. In the wake of Andor's recent secession, the Federation is more concerned than ever with strengthening its alliances. The Talarians have been a tenuous potential partner at best, given the history of conflict and mistrust between them and the Federation. But the negotiations between Picard and the Talarians are disrupted by a growing public protest of those who are demanding greater rights–and before long, it becomes clear that the dissidents are not limiting themselves to nonviolent means…
Summary[]
The USS Enterprise-E is dispatched to Talar for Captain Jean-Luc Picard to enter into negotiations with Ambassador Endar and Jono on behalf of the Talarian Republic with the intention of bringing them into the expanded Khitomer Accords. However, the Talarian people view the Federation as arrogant and dominating.
Meanwhile, chief of security Jasminder Choudhury speaks to Worf, requesting a leave of absence ostensibly to take time off and find her serenity, having been emotionally uncentered since the loss of her homeworld of Deneva at the hands of the Borg during their 2381 invasion. After being granted the leave, Choudhury meets with T'Ryssa Chen in private, revealing that a contact in Starfleet Intelligence has requested Choudhury join members of the Unification movement and attend protests occurring within the Holy Order of the Kinshaya in order to observe, learn, and if possible, subtly influence their attempts to unseat the current regime.
In the Talar capital city of M'leint, Commander-in-Chief Ronzel meets Picard and Worf, with the opening of negotiations being largely ceremonial. Jono noted that there are a high number of women - who typically act in servile, custodial, and support roles - until they practically filled the room. Suddenly, one of the women began to loudly protest the Ronzel regime. Endar apologized to Picard for the disruption and Ronzel dismissed the protest as fanatics and had the Starfleet officers beam back to the Enterprise.
The next day, the Enterprise continued to monitor from orbit while the ongoing protest essentially shut down society, with services halted and a blockade of government and military facilities. On the third day, the Talar delegation was able to find a new location, and when talks resumed, Picard was confident that all the negotiators wanted the alliance to succeed so long as the Talar interests were not compromised. A number of females returned to their duties, which Ronzel remarked that they came to their senses and resumed their responsibilities. After some hours of talks and several rounds of food, the Talarian males began to cough and slump over. Doctor Crusher beamed down and diagnosed them with food poisoning, and used the ship's transporter biofilteres to screen out the toxin. Talks resumed the following day, now with added security and medical personnel including Crusher, however another disruption occurred as anesthetic gas canisters were beamed into the hall, and the female protesters kidnapped Jono and Beverly.
On the Romulan world of Glintara, Choudhury and Chen met with the Unification movement contingent, their appearances altered to pass as Romulan and cover stories arranged by Starfleet Intelligence. The group traveled to Janalwa in the Holy Order of the Kinshaya, now the seat of government, where they met with the Devotionalists. Although some factions of the Kinshaya protestors suggested that violent means may be necessary, others along with the Unificationists insisted that only non-violent resistance be used. At a public rally the next day in Niamlar Circle at the heart of Rashtag, the leader Yeffir spoke, calling on Pontifex Ykredna to stand down and allow reformation. However, in short time, the Inquisitors declared the assembly sacrilege and demanded the crowd disperse, and when their orders were refused, began to strike with clubs and force field projectors. Faction leader Nagrom, T'Ryssa Chen, and others began to fight back, but suddenly dozens of Breen appeared and fired disruptor shots into the crowd, scattering the rally.
On the Enterprise in the Talar system, Rennan Konya reported to Captain Picard that they were unable to locate the missing individuals, as there is considerable sensor interference. While Talarians do not have that technology, nor the ability to beam gas canisters through shielding, the Tzenkethi are a likely candidate for being involved. With outside involvement now suspected, Endar reluctantly suggested that the Starfleet vessel and crew has resources better suited to find the captives and neutralize the threat from the female protestors, and doing so would prove the Federation a worthy ally. Picard struggled internally with the decision, weighing his orders from Starfleet to cooperate with Talar and bring them into the Khitomer Accords - and save his wife and mother of his child - versus the Federation's stance of not interfering with planetary politics.
On the planet, Crusher awoke as Velet and the Talarian women dragged the captors to Matron Dirin, leader of the protestors. Velet believed they kidnapped Crusher in order to convince her of their cause, but Dirin believes that she is Starfleet and cannot understand their situation. As Velet secured the prisoners, Dirin moved to another room and Crusher realized there is a Tzenkethi, Dezinor, who is influencing the protest movement. As the captors brought the prisoners food, Jono spoke of the influence and strength of his grandmother, and Crusher made them reconsider the influence of the Tzenkethi. As their resolved faltered, Jono realized the likely course of action of Endar and Ronzel and Beverly insists they be allowed to contact the Enterprise to prevent any action.
On Janalwa, after the Breen attack, the government took drastic measures, including seizing control of the public information network and doctoring the footage to make it appear that the attack was initiated by the Devotionists. Nagrom insisted that they must meet these new challenges with force, but Choudhury inadvertently ended up as the center of attention arguing for the continued use of non-violence. The next demonstration in the circle numbered nearly twenty thousand, and the Kinshaya government had the Breen enforcers step up their threats. When the crowd did not disperse, Rasec ordered Ghoc Reyd to have his troops fire on the assembled, triggering a riot. Lorrav and Chen broke the restrictions on the information network and raw footage of the attack was broadcast.
On Talar, Dezinor Nen Fel-A was confronted by Dirin, no longer convinced of their actions. Jono and Beverly were freed and returned to the Enterprise. Picard, Ronzel, and Endar realized that if Starfleet had gone through with the rescue operations the Tzenkethi had tried to maneuver the Federation into, the Pact could decry it as hypocrisy. Having realized the Admiralty had placed politics above all else, Endar recommended to Ronzel that Talar not join the Khitomer Accords.
Following the hostilities on Janalwa, the Kinshaya took the Breen into custody but the footage triggered unrest across the Holy Order. Edicts were issued reasserting the divine infallibility of the Pontifex but a moderate movement of reformation began to form. The Romulans, Gorn, and Tzenkethi condemned the massacre, and Reyd was branded as a loose cannon and somehow self-immolated in his holding cell. Vranien wished Choudhury and Chen well, revealing that she had seen through their artificial disguises. The two reunited with the Enterprise, with Choudhury agreeing to help teach Chen meditation techniques and reconciling with Worf.
References[]
Characters[]
- T'Ryssa Chen • Jasminder Choudhury • Beverly Crusher • Dezinor • Dirin • Endar • Gezel • Huang • Hycneb • Jono • Rennan Konya • Lorrav • Nagrom • Jean-Luc Picard • Rene Jacques Robert Francois Picard • Rasec • Reyd • Ronzel • Senis • Taurik • Tepesor • Tropp • Velet • Vranien • Worf • Yeffir
- Referenced only
- Leonard James Akaar • Nanietta Bacco • Gautama Buddha • Threlas ch'Lhren • Cesar Chavez • Antigone Chen • Jack Crusher • Wesley Crusher • Data • Ezri Dax • Jadzia Dax • Mahatma Gandhi • Mata Hari • Gell Kamemor • K'Ehleyr • Kira Nerys • Alynna Nechayev • Riva • Ro Laren • Connaught Rossa • Spock • Surak • Sylix • Deanna Troi • Natasha Yar • Ykredna
Starships and vehicles[]
Locations[]
- the galaxy's Alpha or Beta Quadrant
- Alrescha Control • Cathedral of State • Glintara • Janalwa • M'leint • Niamlar Circle • Rashtag • Talar
- Referenced only
- Ab-Tzenketh • Andor • Argelius • Ba'ku • Betazed • Deneva • Dorvan V • Earth • Egypt • Galen IV • Gre'thor • Hell • India • Inquisitorial Palace • Kevratas • Romulus • Tezwa • T'Met • Vulcan
Races and cultures[]
- Referenced only
- Asian • Ba'ku • Borg • Cardassian • Denevan • Ferengi • Gorn • Indian • Kobheerian • Kreel • Middle East • Tholian
States and organizations[]
- Devotionalists • Episcopate of the Holy Order of the Kinshaya • Holy Order of the Kinshaya • Inquisitors • Khitomer Alliance • Starfleet • Talarian Republic • Typhon Pact • Tzenkethi Coalition • Unification movement • United Federation of Planets
- Referenced only
- Breen Confederacy • Cardassian Union • Federation Diplomatic Corps • Ferengi Alliance • Gorn Hegemony • Imperial Romulan State • Klingon Empire • Romulan Star Empire • Starfleet Command • Starfleet Intelligence • Tholian Assembly • Threishya
Science and classification[]
- astronomy • biology • cartography • communications • matter • measurement • technology
Astronomy[]
Biology[]
Anatomy and medicine[]
- anesthizine • biofilter • hair • muscle • psychology • tri-ox
Lifeforms[]
Communications[]
Materials and substances[]
Food and drink[]
Cartography and measurement[]
Technology and weapons[]
- biofilter • deflector shield • disruptor pistol • force field generator • handheld amplifier • phaser • sensor • starship • transporter
Occupations and titles[]
- admiral • ambassador • bishop • captain • command division • commander • commander-in-chief • crew • crewman • doctor • engineer • Federation Starfleet ranks • Federation Starfleet ranks (2370s-2380s) • ghoc • Grand Inquisitor • lieutenant • lieutenant commander • matriarch • medic • officer • patriarch • physician • Pontifex Maxima of the Holy Order of the Kinshaya (Pontifex Maxima) • Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire (praetor) • rank • sciences division • scientist • Vicar General (general, vicar)
Other references[]
- blockade • B'Nar • boot • Borg Invasion of 2381 • British Raj • Buddhism • clothing • cthia • day • Dominion War • emotion • Federation Standard • government • hair • Hinduism • Khitomer Accords • Kir'Shara • Lysistrata • military • nationalist • Nexanral Period • Niamlar Massacre • par'Mach'kai • Prime Directive • quarters • races and cultures • science • Starfleet brat • Starfleet uniform • Starfleet uniform (2373-2380s) • status quo • Surak's Analects • taboo • telepathy • state • title • uniform
Chronology[]
Appendices[]
Related media[]
- TNG episode: "Suddenly Human" - The Talarians first appeared in this episode.
- TOS novel: The Final Reflection - The Kinshaya were first mentioned in this novel.
- Star Trek: Countdown - The author acknowledges this comic miniseries for the Romulan mourning ritual.
Images[]
Connections[]
| Star Trek: Typhon Pact |
|---|
| Zero Sum Game • Seize the Fire • Rough Beasts of Empire • Paths of Disharmony • The Struggle Within • Plagues of Night • Raise the Dawn • Brinkmanship |
Timelines[]
Publication history[]
Translations[]
- 2013
- German language: Kampf, translated by Susanne Picard. (Cross Cult)
External links[]
- The Struggle Within article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Author's Annotations