Death of a Neutron Star - Eric Kotani [11]
Yet the Qavoks seemed to think they might be able to do it.
Impossible.
Yet...
WHEN THE LUNCHEON WAS OVER, JANEWAY, WITH B'Elanna, escorted Dr. Maalot down to the laboratory to start fashioning scientific instruments for the coming expedition near the binary neutron star. This event was going to require some special instruments, and Janeway didn't want to miss any of it, Qavok ships or not.
She was still having problems with the notion that the Qavoks seemed to think they could actually control a neutron star explosion. The scale of such control seemed beyond anything possible for the Federation, let alone a race like the Qavok. And then to use such a thing to destroy an entire homeworld system of an enemy. It was barbaric almost beyond comprehension.
In the lab Seven of Nine was already working, bent over a panel, focused. She didn't even bother to look up as they came in. Janeway smiled. Typical of Seven.
As a first step in Dr. Maakrt's quick orientation, Janeway showed him various astrophysical instruments that were already being used on Voyager. The first device she showed him was an X-ray imaging-spectrometer, the business end of the equipment- the X-ray detector itself-was mounted outside the ship. Within a few minutes, Maalot not only understood how the device worked, but was offering suggestions on how to enhance its time-resolution capability and dynamical range to make it more suitable for observing the rapidly varying emission from the neutron-star pair.
After an hour of intensive work together in the laboratory, Janeway, Maalot, Seven, and Torres had laid out a viable observing strategy for the binary neutron star.
"Let me review what we have got now," Janeway said, brushing hair back off her forehead. "We will, by the time we arrive, have the correct instruments modified to make observations in all electromagnetic wavelengths."
Torres nodded.
"All the way from gamma-ray to radio frequencies. In all instances we need to improve the time-resolution of existing detectors."
"Correct," Seven said.
"The gravitational wave detector will be a challenge," B'Elanna said, frowning.
"I am confident that we are up to the task," Seven said.
"Given the short time?" Janeway asked. She had her doubts if it could all be done, but something was better than nothing at this point.
Seven glanced at her. "The shortness of the time will pose difficulties, but I can have the task finished."
"Good," Janeway said, smiling and nodding. She knew that if Seven said something would be done, it would be done.
"I'll set up the observation program," Torres said. "We should be ready to start making preliminary observations in a few hours, at most. By the time we arrive at the binary, at any rate, every detector should be tested and operating."
Dr. Maalot bowed slightly toward B'Elanna, looking very formal as he spoke. "Lieutenant Torres, I would be delighted to assist you in this task. I am handy in jobs of this sort, if I may say so myself."
Janeway managed to not laugh at his sudden formality.
With a glance at Janeway, B'Elanna said, "Thank you, Dr. Maalot, I'll be happy to take you up on your offer."
"Let Chakotay know if you need more help," Janeway said. "He will see to it."
"Good," B'Elanna said.
"And when you are set up and ready, please report to my ready room," Janeway said. "I've got something I want to talk to you about."
B'Elanna glanced at her, then nodded.
"Seven, you come, too."
Seven didn't bother to look up from the panel she was working on. B'Elanna again only nodded, but she clearly looked puzzled.
"I'll explain when you get there," Janeway said. Then she turned and headed for the bridge, her thoughts already racing ahead to the binary neutron star, and what it might mean for them.
"This binary could be the break we have been looking for," Janeway said, as much to herself as to Torres and Seven as she