A Time for War, a Time for Peace - Keith R. A. DeCandido [104]
Shifting his feet and looking down at the deck, Alexander said, “Not all of them, sir. It’s kind of difficult on the Ya’Vang to get time to listen to music privately.”
“Dixieland,” Worf added, “is not commonly heard on Defense Force vessels.”
“I imagine not.” What little music Riker heard on the I.K.S. Pagh during his brief tenure as first officer of that ship fourteen years earlier was not remotely compatible with Earth jazz. For that matter, I’m not entirely sure it was compatible with anything other than the mating cry of a hoarse moose.
“In any event,” Picard said from his chair, “I did not just summon you and Commander Vale to see old friends.” The captain pointed at the viewscreen.
Taking his seat to Picard’s left, Riker followed the gesture to see that a Prometheus-class ship had joined them in orbit of Qo’noS.
From behind him, Vale said, “That’s the U.S.S. Cerberus—Admiral Ross’s ship. And he’s requested permission to beam over.”
“Grant that permission please, Commander, and please meet him in the transporter room,” Picard said.
“On my way, sir,” Vale said. Almonte returned to the tactical station at her departure. Watching Almonte reminded Riker that they had yet to assign a new deputy chief of security to replace Jim Peart. Peart and the alpha-shift conn officer, Kell Perim, had resigned together after Tezwa to go off and be a happy couple. Thinking over the crew roster, Riker also recalled that Almonte was due to rotate off the ship to a new posting at Starfleet Headquarters as soon as they returned to Earth. And here I am, trying to poach the chief, too. Well, that’s Data’s problem now, not mine, he thought with amusement.
Picard said, “It appears that Emperor Kahless’s departure has been delayed a bit longer, and we still have to be back on Earth for a certain major event.”
Putting both hands on his chest, Riker said, “You mean there’s a major event happening on Earth at the same time as Deanna’s and my wedding?”
From behind him, Worf muttered, “I had hoped, Commander, that your sense of humor would have improved by the time you received your own command.”
Before Riker could defend his wounded pride, Picard said, “Hope, Mr. Ambassador, springs eternal. In any case,” the captain added, cutting off Riker’s second attempt to speak, “Admiral Ross will join the Ditagh in conveying Emperor Kahless back to Cygnet IV, where, it is hoped, he will have the chance to finish the landscape he started.”
From the ops console, Data turned and said, “I believe that such an effort would not be worthwhile, sir. Based on the emperor’s style, his attempts at realism are sorely lacking, and he would be better off adapting a more pointillist style—or perhaps a neo-Vadrian mode.”
This, Riker thought, is your fault, Geordi—you’re the one who encouraged him to start painting all those years ago. Aloud, he said, “I’m gonna miss you, Data.”
“I will miss you as well, sir.”
A few moments later, Ross came onto the bridge, escorted by Vale, and also accompanied by Go, Genestra, Russell, and Scott.
Picard and Riker both stood, the former saying, “Welcome aboard, Admiral.” For his part, Riker wondered why Go and her team were on the bridge. The four of them stood in front of the environmental control console. Go and Genestra were as inscrutable as ever, Russell looked almost constipated, and Scotty had the same genial expression he always seemed to carry. I hope that means good news, Riker thought. After everything we’ve been through, it’ll be a nice change.
“Thank you, Captain. Good to see you all.” Turning to Worf, Ross added, “And you too, Mr. Ambassador.”
Worf simply inclined his head.
As Ross stepped down into the command well, standing between Data and Picard, the captain asked, “To what do we owe the privilege, Admiral?”
“I came on board for two reasons, actually. The first is to congratulate you all on passing the inspection with flying colors.”
Several whoops and cheers broke out among the bridge