Crossover - Michael Jan Friedman [85]
“So what do we do?” asked the counselor. The captain recognized it as a rhetorical question, designed to open debate.
“I’ll tell you what we don’t do,” said McCoy. “We don’t go traipsing after them. That’s the kind of shoot-from-the-hip behavior that got us into trouble before.”
Picard turned to him, noting how the man’s timidity had suddenly vanished. “Then you think we should rely on their resourcefulness? Count on their succeeding without our help?”
The admiral’s lips pressed together. “I don’t like the idea,” he admitted. “My natural inclination is to light out after them and damn the photon torpedoes. But the way things are panning out, maybe we’re better off practicing some … hell, some restraint.”
“Restraint,” Picard echoed.
“Damned right,” McCoy told him. “If we go charging in after Scotty and the others, we’ll be risking even more lives. As for Spock …” He sighed. “Spock will find a way to avoid being used as a political pawn no matter what— even if it means his death.”
“I respectfully disagree,” insisted Worf.
He leaned forward, the muscles working in his jaw. His eyes were fixed intently on the captain’s.
“They are our comrades, sir. We cannot allow them to attempt the ambassador’s rescue on their own.”
Picard looked to Troi. She acknowledged his scrutiny, but said nothing. No help there, the captain mused. The doctor was silent as well. This was a matter of strategy, not medicine.
Picard bit his lip. It was up to him. As it always was, when one came right down to it. In the end, the captain’s decision was the only one that really counted.
“Admiral McCoy makes a valid point,” Picard remarked at last. He could see the disappointment in Worf’s eyes. “As it stands now, there are only four lives at stake—five, if we include that of Ambassador Spock.”
“But, sir—” the Klingon began.
The captain silenced him with a gesture. “Let me finish, Mister Worf. As I was saying, risking a thousand lives to save a mere handful is not only bad arithmetic, it’s bad command philosophy.”
Doctor Crusher swallowed. No doubt, she believed Picard’s words were the seal on her friends’ deaths. That is, until he added one more, very significant word to his utterance…
“Usually.”
Worf looked at him. “Usually, sir?”
The captain nodded. “Under normal circumstances, I might be inclined to sit tight and wait for Commander Riker to find his way home. Preferably, with Ambassador Spock in tow.
“However,” he said, “these circumstances are anything but normal. With Spock’s identity exposed, negotiation is no longer an option. Nor is Ambassador Spock the only one capable of being used as a pawn by the Romulans. So now, are three Starfleet officers—four, if you include Captain Scott—and that aspect of the situation is not to be taken lightly.”
Counselor Troi nodded approvingly. But then, she alone had had an inkling of how Picard would stand on this all along.
“What’s more,” the captain added, “our long-range sensor reports indicate that patrols are remarkably light in Constanthus’s sector—as they seem to be in many portions of the Empire these days. And unlike Commander Riker, we know what to expect vis-a-vis the acceleration of events there. Hence, we have an excellent chance of getting through.”
McCoy slumped back into his chair. His expression was one of surprise. No, Picard thought—of outright disbelief.
“You’re going after them?” he rasped.
“I am indeed,” the captain informed him. “There is a time for patience and a time for action. This is a time for action.” Turning to Worf, he said, “Make sure the battle bridge is in working order, Lieutenant.”
The Klingon suppressed a smile as he rose to carry out his orders. “Aye, sir.” The doors slid aside as he approached them.
Picard glanced at Troi. “Prepare the crew for saucer separation, Counselor. We will be taking leave of our civilian population in twenty minutes.”
Troi nodded. “Right away, Captain.” She, too, got up and started from the room.
Next the captain looked at Doctor Crusher. “You’ll be in command of the saucer, Beverly. I want you to wait here until we get