A Call to Darkness - Michael Jan Friedman [20]
Picard saw Geordi’s Adam’s apple move up and down at the image. He sympathized.
“No,” said Riker. He met the Klingon’s gaze. “If anyone goes first, it’ll be me.” He managed a smile. “Why do you think they call me the first officer?”
Worf scowled. A couple of the others chuckled.
Picard waited a moment before he went on. He wanted Riker’s jibe to be forgotten before he broke the news to him. It would be embarrassing to the younger man in any case-no need to rub it in.
“All right, then. It seems that the transporter route is our only viable option. Nor is there any reason to delay. Mister Data, maneuver us to the boundaries of the mantle. We will beam over in, say, twenty minutes. Full containment suits and life-support gear.”
Riker was looking at him, the smile long gone. “We, sir?” He returned the look with equanimity. “Yes, Number One. I’m taking charge of this away team.”
His first officer flushed slightly, but he didn’t press the issue. It was the wrong time and place.
“Mister Worf,” said Picard, “I’d like you to accompany me. Also, two of your people. Mister La Forge, the same.”
“Aye, sir,” said the Klingon. Geordi nodded.
Finally, Picard addressed Pulaski. “You and I will round out the group, Doctor.”
She didn’t look too happy about that. Less happy, in fact, than she had been about attending this meeting in the first place.
“Captain,” said Pulaski, “I have a sick man to attend to.”
“A task,” said Picard, “which I’m sure is well within the capabilities of your staff. Whereas our investigation of the research ship calls for the highest level of expertise we can muster. And since you are my chief medical officer…”
Seeing that he would not budge on this matter, the doctor swallowed her pride. For the second time in the last hour, the captain noted.
“As you wish,” she said. “Sir.”
When she first came to the Enterprise, Pulaski wouldn’t have hesitated to make a scene over something like this. He was grateful that they understood each other a little better now.
“Good,” said Picard. “Then everyone is dismissed-except for you, Number One. I believe we have something to discuss.”
He could have put Riker in the position of having to request a private meeting. But why postpone the inevitable?
Once out on the bridge, with the lounge doors safely closed behind them, Geordi turned to Data. “Boy,” he said, “I’ll bet there’ll be some fireworks in there.”
The android stopped and tilted his head to one side. “Fireworks?” Comprehension seemed to dawn a moment later. “Ah. Fireworks. Pyrotechnics. An incendiary display for the purpose of entertainment.” He paused, suddenly at a loss again. “But why would the captain and Commander Riker engage in…?”
He cut himself short when he saw Geordi shaking his head.
“I am being too literal again,” Data concluded.
“Yes,” said the chief engineer. “What I meant is that Commander Riker may have some harsh words for Captain Picard. And I can’t say I blame him.”
“Harsh words?” echoed the android. “For what reason?”
Geordi began to explain, then thought better of it. He didn’t want to be standing out here when one or both of his superiors came storming out.
“Tell you what,” he said to Data. “I’ll explain when I get back.”
“Sir…”
“You need not say it, Will. I know. Of all personnel, the captain is the least dispensable. It is the role of the first officer to act as the captain’s surrogate in situations that appear dangerous or unpredictable.”
Riker frowned. “That’s right.” His voice was even, but it had an edge to it. “And from where I stand, this situation is both. An entire crew died on that vessel. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you expose yourself to whatever it is that killed them.”
Picard felt the other man’s emotion as if it were something tangible. Riker wasn’t just doing his duty. He meant it.
The captain grunted. “I didn’t expect you to let me go without a fight. But I must remind you-the choice is ultimately mine.”
His first officer