It was a relatively normal day on the USS Voyager. Well,except for an incident with the replicator it was normal. Tom Parris was trying to get some fresh fruit to calm the pregnancy cravings of his wife B'Elanna and he had accidentally set it to replicate a a variety of different fruits. Now how were they going to get rid of three dozen pomegranates before they began to rot?! Captain Janeway shook her head. The issues that came up on this ship were certainly not covered at Starfleet Academy in any course she had taken.
"Captain,we're being hailed." said Tuvok said. "On screen" said Janeway and a humanoid male with pearly skin came up and tentatively said."Greetings to you from the world of Ollimy. I am the Ambassador Prino. May I ask what you are doing flying so close to our planet? We are a peaceful planet and our scans show you have quite good weapons capabilities." Janeway gave him a smile "I assure you we are not hostile towards you or anyone. We are passing though the galaxy." The man smiled "That is good. Perhaps you and your ship would like to stop here for a rest." Chakotay looked at his captain. "Shore leave would be good for the crew. It has been awhile and the ship seems to get smaller every day." Janeway nodded and turned back "We'll gladly accept the offer." The man nodded to her. "Good,I shall have a welcoming committee meet you at our docking bay."
A short time later the crew of the Voyager disembarked to explore the beautiful world of Ollimy. There was much to see and the locals were friendly. Janeway had an idea. "Harry Kim," she said ",can you and Mr. Neelix bring those pomegranates with you when you come out? We can distribute them to our new friends."
When they came out Harry was approached by five different women. Each one was lovelier than the last and it made him smile. "Ladies,care to try a pomegranate?" Their eyes grew wide and they smiled. "Really? You have enough for us all." Harry laughed "We have plenty. Come on. Enjoy." He handed one to each girl. They all giggled and then ran off. "What was that all about?" he asked. Neelix shook his head "I have no idea. The men I gave some to ran off too. Maybe that's just a local custom." Harry shrugged and went off to explore the planet.
A short time later,Janeway put out the call for her crew members to return to the ship for the night. She asked some of her crew how they liked the planet. Harry and Neelix told her about the reactions they had gotten from the locals they had given pomegranates to. Janeway was puzzled "Funny,I gave Ambassador Prino one and he looked at me strange and smiled. Wonder what that is about. I'll ask him tomorrow. He said for me to meet him by the town square fountain in the morning."
The next morning the captain met Prino and he was dressed in a suit of light blue that set off his skin. Then she noticed that five women and four men were wearing suits in the same shade. "What's going on here?" she asked. He approached her and took her hand. "Why,this is where wedding ceremonies are held. Can you think of a better place,my dear?"
Janeway drew her hand back. "WEDDING?!" The four men surrounded Neelix and the women took their places around Harry. "Yes." said Prino. "You gave us fruits,placing them in our hands. That is how we propose marriage." Janeway gave a small laugh of surprise. "We...we had no idea about this custom. We can't marry you." One of the women looked hurt. "But Harry,you said you could provide for us." Harry stepped away from the women. "We can provide but the thing is...I'm...I'm not ready for marriage. I mean,you've not met my mother yet." Neelix looked at his group of men. "And I'm a confirmed old bachelor! I'm not the marrying kind."
Prino looked at Janeway. "You honestly had no idea." She shook her head. "No,we didn't. I'm sorry. Is there a way we can end this without conflict and hurt feelings?" Prino stood away from Janeway. He thought for a moment and said "Well,we can kill." Each person drew a knife. Harry swallowed hard and Neelix stood behind Captain Janeway. Then in one fell swoop the knives rose and stabbed. The pavement was stained bright red. The pomegranates were stabbed and the juice was everywhere. Janeway had to keep from breathing a loud sigh of relief. "I'm sorry it didn't work out." Prino smiled sadly. "I am too. You are a lovely woman."
Later that day,the ship took off. Janeway told Chakotay all about what had happened. He laughed at the story. "Well,it could have been worse. At least nobody had the pomegranates thrown at them."
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