Dark Mirror - Diane Duane [118]
“Come on, Barclay,” he said to the constant presence outside his door, and went off down the hall. Then he stopped. “I thought you were going to get some sleep.”
Barclay shrugged as he came after him. “I couldn’t. Captain, what is it? Do we need more people?”
“No. You and I will do just fine.”
“Where are we going, sir?” Picard cheerfully enough quoted him the coordinates. Barclay wrinkled his brow. “Storage? What’s down there?”
The ‘lift arrived; Barclay checked it, and they stepped in. “Mr. Barclay,” Picard said when they were under way, “what do you know about our present mission?”
“Not too much,” Barclay said equably enough. “But then we’re used to that.” An uninformed crew, Picard thought; tyranny’s best defense. “Something to do with … another Enterprise, another starship. From some other universe.” He shook his head. “It sounded like a fairy tale when most of us heard it. But here we are, and everything seems dead serious.”
“Well, what does another Enterprise suggest to you?”
“Another crew, I guess,” Barclay said, and looked at him sideways then, alarmed. “The same crew?—but different. Another—” He looked at Picard and wouldn’t say it.
“Another Barclay? Yes. But more to the point … another Captain Picard.”
Barclay’s eyes went briefly wide, and Picard could just this once as clearly read the thought behind them as if he were a full Betazed. The thought was, Isn’t one enough? “Another Picard,” said Jean-Luc. “We’re going to go catch him.”
Twain had been in his mind all evening since his meeting with the counselor. Now he was there again, but not in verse mode: he was thinking more of The Prince and the Pauper. Troi had been right. When he got out of this, her quick thought was going to be worth a great deal of commendation … assuming they made it home to a universe where such works were considered worthy to be commended.
They went hurriedly through the halls together. “Mr. Barclay, it’s very likely that when we get where we’re going, and while I’m busy having a talk with my … carbon copy”—he gave Barclay a droll look—”Counselor Troi will arrive. She’s going to want to get her claws into him, too.”
“I can see that, sir.”
“It is vital that she be kept away from that little t@ete-@a-t@ete as long as possible. I need to talk to that man, undisturbed. If you need to call extra people, do it.”
“Calling is a problem, Captain … comms are still down.”
“You’re quite right, of course. Do it any way you can. Commandeer someone to act as a messenger … but get the help you need. Just keep her off my case.”
“Yes, sir.” They were quiet together in the ‘lift for a few moments.
Finally Barclay said, “Captain …”
Picard nodded at him.
“About my promotion.”
Picard had to laugh out loud. “You know how to strike when the iron’s hot, don’t you?”
“We have been rather busy the past day or so. And I think without me …”
“Yes. Without you …” Picard looked gravely at the man, and after a few moments Barclay looked away. Picard hoped it wasn’t because he had frightened him in any way. “I will look into it. If your general service record until now accords with your behavior of the last few days …” He nodded.
Barclay, astonishingly, blushed and looked away. “Thank you, sir.”
The ‘lift stopped. They came out together on deck fifty-four, far down in the engineering hull, a quiet place, no need for anyone much to be down there. Without much trouble they found the room. Barclay had stopped someone they passed as they got out of the ‘lift, sending a message along. For the time being, he posted himself by the door to the storage area.
Picard looked at him. “Will you be all right?”
Barclay looked back at him with the kindly look that bodyguards reserve for their slightly insane charges. “Captain, I’m supposed to be asking you that.”
“You stay here,” Picard said, thumping him gently on the biceps. “I know