The Children of Hamlin (Book #3)

by Carmen Carter

Called to aid the Starship USS Ferrel, the Enterprise arrives to find the ship under attack by a group of alien ships. Managing to free the crippled ship from their crushing hold, the Enterprise beam aboard the remainder of what appears to be a skeleton crew, plus a Federation operative called Deelor, and his companion, Ruthe. The Enterprise discover that the elusive attackers were a nomadic race called the Choraii, who, many years ago, attacked a peaceful colony called the Hamlins, slaughtering all the adults and vanishing with the children.
A Ferengi vessel aiding a crippled Choraii ship, trade five of the captured children for much needed metals to repair their ship. They then returned the children to the Federation. Over the years, eight more children are returned in similar ways.
Another trade was in process with the Ferrel when something went wrong and the Choraii attacked. The Enterprise go after the Choraii, and eventually catch up with the ship. After Ruthe communicates with the Choraii with a musical flute like instrument, she manages to re-establish the trade, and she brings back a small child. But the Enterprise discover that there is another Hamlin captive on board the alien ship, and the Enterprise do a trade for him too. But after failing to integrate the man into the human way of life, he dies. The child, because of his young age, copes with the massive change.
Also on board the Enterprise is a colony of farmers, en route to their new home. But on eventual arrival, find that the Choraii have attacked their newly terraformed homestead, killing everyone already there. They also stole one child. Once more, the Enterprise goes after them, and Ruthe, who they discover was the first child of Hamlin that was rescued years before, sacrifices her freedom for the release of the child.

Notable Imzadi moments:
Pages 205 to 206

Riker was no longer listening. "Deanna."
Troi didn't turn until he had called her name twice over. "What's wrong?" Riker asked sharply when he saw her face.
"I'm just tired," said the counselor. Her hand lifted up and touched the dampness on her cheek. "Oh, I've been crying."
"Deanna..."
"I'm fine, Will. I've just spent too many hours with the Hamlin captive. He's so lonely, so filled with despair."
Acutely conscious of the side glances of passing crew members, and of Data's undisguised curiosity, Riker was unwilling to abandon Troi. "I'll walk you to your cabin."
"Thank you, Will," said Troi, the quickly added, "but I'd rather be by myself right now. These are only borrowed emotions, but until I untangle their influence...I'm vulnerable." Quickening her pace, Troi followed two passengers into a turboelevator.
"Deanna!"
The doors snapped shut between them.
"I also have a number of questions concerning the production of tears," said Data. "Perhaps this would be a good..."
"Not now, Data," snapped Riker, and broke into a fast walk. "Then again, perhaps not," said Data to himself. He added another query to his running list of perplexing human behaviours.
~~~~~~~~
Page 217

Once again the conference room was filled to capacity. Captain Picard contrasted this briefing session with the one that had occurred some two weeks ago and noted the differences. Wesley Crusher, who usually made a point of sitting away from his mother, had headed straight for her side in search of comfort. Counselor Troi, also shaken by the news of the colony's destruction, was less obvious in her need, yet she was seated next to Riker. Their close proximity would mean little to most of the room's occupants, but the captain recognized its significance.

Thank you Carol for putting this together =)