Crossover - Michael Jan Friedman [77]
Scotty frowned back at him. “What are ye sayin, then? That ye’d abandon one of the greatest men who ever lived to his own devices? That ye’d sentence him to certain death?”
“I’m saying nothing of the kind,” the younger man rejoined. “It’s just that we’ve already made our share of blunders in trying to get you out—because we didn’t know there was a plan already in motion. By the same token, I’d hate to do something that would complicate any effort on the part of Captain Picard.”
“Then yer captain has a plan to liberate Spock? Scotty ventured.
“His intention, Data interjected, “was to negotiate for the unficationists’ release. He was in the process of doing so when we received your distress call.”
Scotty grunted derisively. Sometimes he wondered about these people.
“Negotiate, is it? With the Romulans?” He laughed. “Picard must be daft. I’d sooner negotiate with a mugatu than some cold-blooded, stiff-necked, backstabbing son of a praetor. Besides,” he went on, “there’s something yer captain does nae know—something which changes all the rules of the game.”
“And what’s that? asked Geordi.
Scott eyed him. “They know about Spock—that he’s one of the prisoners they’ve taken on Constanthus, I mean.”
“They who?” Riker inquired.
“They Eragian,” he replied. “I tapped into their computer system before I came to get you out. I dinnae know what tipped them off—but now that they know what kind of fish they’ve hooked, they’re nae going to waste any time takin’ advantage of the situation.”
The first officer shook his head. The engineer muttered something under his breath. And though the android just sat there, the captain sensed that he was concerned as well.
“So as ye can see,” Scotty continued, “we cannae leave this up to yer captain anymore. We’ve got to do something on our own—or leave Spock to the mercy of the blasted Romulans.”
Geordi turned to Riker. “Captain Scott’s got a point, sir. If Captain Picard doesn’t know they’ve discovered Spock is among the prisoners …”
“But he knew they’d find that out eventually,” the first officer argued. It was clear he preferred to play things by the book.
And maybe there was a time for that, Scotty conceded. Unfortunately, this wasn’t that time. They had to move quickly—or not at all.
“Our window of opportunity will not remain open for long,” Data remarked, echoing the captain’s thoughts. “Once Proconsul Eragian realizes the Yorktown is gone, he will mobilize his forces to find us.”
“Lord,” said Scotty. “Is everything a meeting with yepeople? Do ye nae give in to yer instincts once in a while?”
Riker straightened at the remark, as if he’d been slapped in the face with a gauntlet. “All right,” he said at last, responding to the challenge. “We’ll head for Constanthus—and do everything in our power to get Spock out of there.”
“Thataboy,” cheered Scott. “Mister Data—that course I requested?”
“Not so fast,” the first officer interjected. “First, while we’re out here on the frontier, we send a message to Captain Picard—alerting him to our intentions. Then we head for Constanthus.”
Scotty balked inwardly at the delay, but he had to admit it made good sense. “Aye,” he sighed. “Contact your captain, then. But for God sake, lad, make it quick. Our friend Spock could be roasting on a spit in the meantime.”
CHAPTER 19
Picard was pacing in his quarters like a caged jungle cat when he heard a beep, signifying that someone was standing in the corridor outside his door.
“Come,” he advised.
He expected that it might be Beverly again, coming to cheer him up. After all, she’d been up to see him twice already, though there wasn’t much she could do other than keep him company.
But this time, when the door slid aside, it wasn’t Beverly at all. It was someone just as welcome, though.
“May I come in?” asked Troi. Her classically lovely features showed considerable strain.
“By all means,” the captain told her, gesturing toward a chair.
The counselor entered. A moment later, the door slid closed in her wake. She sat down