Dark Matters_ Cloak and Dagger (Book 1) - Christie Golden [15]
"Who do you think you are?" she hissed between clenched teeth.
He glanced down at her contemptuously, then left without even answering.
/ Jekri let the red light blink for a moment while she gathered her thoughts. She had not come as far as she had in this life without trusting her instincts, and everything in her was screaming that Lhiau could not, and should not, be trusted. The cloaking technology he offered was exciting; it would advance the Romulan Empire beyond anyone's wildest dreams. But Jekri knew better than to believe mat anyone, even the rulers of her Empire, could get something for nothing. And as she turned back to the angry red light to resume the abruptly terminated conversation with the Triumvirate, she wondered when Lhiau would collect payment, and just what that payment might be. She would watch him. And wait.
Neelix was anxious to make their new guest feel at home. He had taken it upon himself to give Telek a tour of Voyager. There had been some concern about showing Telek too much; if, by some freak chance of fate he were to return to his own time and place, he would know a great deal about how far the Federation had come in twenty years. Such knowledge could-and certainly would-be exploited by others with less conscience than their highly principled visitor. When Neelix had mentioned that concern, Telek had looked hopeful for an instant, men relapsed into resigned sorrow.
"It is doubtful I will ever return, but should that happen, I would be more than content to have my memories of my time here erased. That is," he had added, "if Commander Tuvok would agree to a mind meld."
"It is an intimate contact," said Tuvok, "but for the higher good, if the situation arose I would agree."
Neelix had been pleased. This way, they could open their arms to the man who had sacrificed his family, and do what pathetically little they could to make him feel welcome. After setting a course that zigzagged in as unpredictable a manner as they could contrive yet still kept them heading in the general direction of the Alpha Quadrant, Telek was released into Neelix's care.
Nothing made the Talaxian morale officer happier than to please others, to see them laughing and content. He suspected it would be a long, long time, if ever, before he got that reaction out of the Romulan. Telek was unfailingly courteous, and asked many polite questions as Neelix took him all around the vessel. But there was little genuine interest. He was directed inward, grieving, and Neelix's heart ached with sympathy. He, perhaps more than anyone else aboard the ship, could understand.
At one point, taking his courage in his hands, he said gently, "You know, Dr. R'Mor, I know what it's like to lose family."
Telek favored him with a mildly amused glance. "Do you indeed? What, did you experience the loss of an elderly grandfather going to the grave at a ripe old age?"
Neelix felt as though he'd been struck. He stopped dead in his tracks, momentarily choked with fury. It was not an emotion he felt often, and even as it raced along his body, tightening his muscles and sending his heart rate soaring, he was startled at its
intensity. His fists clenched, but when he spoke, he forced his voice to be calm.
"I wish that was all it had been. I lost my entire family during a war in my home system. Millions died on my planet, including the one person in the universe I was closest to-my sister, Alixia. So you see, you don't have an exclusive claim to suffering!"
By the time he'd finished, Neelix was shouting the words. Startled by his outburst, he stepped backward, realizing he had been advancing menacingly on their guest.
"I-I apologize, Dr. R'Mor. I don't know what came over me."
"No, Mr. Neelix," said Telek, "it is I who owe you an apology. War is a terrible thing, and to have lost your family all at once like that must have been dreadful. I offer