Crossover - Michael Jan Friedman [73]
“From the holodeck?” Data suggested, extrapolating on the pattern. Obviously he was unaware that he was being humorous.
The chief engineer chuckled. “Actually,” he went on, “they were from the penal colony on Mab-Bu Six, but why split hairs? And don’t forget when some of us were captured by Lore’s Borg.” He winced involuntarily. “/ certainly won’t.”
Data looked at his friend thoughtfully. “Geordi, are you aware that I was to blame for the first incident you mentioned—and served as one of your tormentors in two others?”
The engineer returned the android’s scrutiny. “What are you saying, Data?”
The android shrugged. “It occurs to me that your life would have been a good deal less troublesome had I not been chosen to serve on the Enterprise.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Riker chimed in. “How about all the times you’ve saved us from one threat or another?”
“That’s right,” Geordi added. “When Ro and I were turned into virtual ghosts by that transporter accident a few years ago, you were the one we depended on to figure out we were still alive. And you didn’t let us down. You and your wide-range anyon beam brought us back from the dead … in a manner of speaking, of course.”
Data nodded judiciously. “I suppose you are right.” He scanned their surroundings. “I wish I could provide a solution to this problem as well.”
Riker clapped the android on the shoulder. “Don’t worry,” he said. “Something will come up. It always does. The important thing is for us to be ready for it.”
“Well, lad,” said a voice from somewhere in the maze of corridors outside their cell, “in that case, I hope ye’re ready right now.”
The voice was masked by echoes, but they all recognized its owner at the same time. The first officer quirked an incredulous smile as he turned to his chief engineer.
“Mister Scott …?” he murmured.
“But he’s dead,” blurted Geordi. “We heard the Romulans say they saw him die.”
The first officer grunted, finding new respect for Scotty’s talents. “Apparently,” he told the engineer, “our captors’ information wasn’t as dependable as we might have believed.”
A moment later, as if to put an end to their speculation, Montgomery Scott came bustling into view at the end of the corridor. As he approached them, Riker could see that the man had a disruptor in his hand and a sheen of sweat on his ruddy face.
But the way he was grinning, one would never know he was risking his life in the depths of a Romulan outpost facility. One would think he was having the time of his life.
“Captain Scott,” said the first officer, grinning just as broadly, “you’re a beautiful sight.”
“Which is nae more than I’ve been sayin’ all along,” Scotty replied. “Of course, I’d rather have convinced yer Counselor Troi of the fact, but there’ll be plenty o’ time for that later. Now, if ye don’t mind, I’m goin’ to have to ask ye to stand back. We dinnae have time to figure out the security code on this energy barrier.”
As Riker and his companions crowded into the back of their cell and shielded their eyes, the older man took aim at the energy barrier’s control panel. A second later, a dark blue beam stabbed the panel, eliciting a spray of sparks. In the second after that, the barrier wavered and then disappeared entirely.
“I don’t get it,” Geordi said, as he and his companions poured out of the cell, “The Romulans said you’d bought the farm.”
“Never trust a Romulan,” Scott replied, turning and making his way back down the corridor. “Especially when it comes to agriculture. They’re nae very good at it. And as for yer other questions—save ‘em. I’ll answer them after we get where we’re goin’.”
Good advice, the first officer remarked inwardly. He looked forward to finding out just what Captain Scott had in mind.
CHAPTER 18
Spock watched D’tan come forward hesitantly, but with a determined look on his face. Whatever the youth had to say, it was obviously very important to him.
“I spent my earliest years on Tavorus Four,” he began in a shaky voice. “At the time, it was one of the newest colonies in the