Death of a Neutron Star - Eric Kotani [15]
"You make me sound ungrateful, Captain," Tyla said. Her words rang hollow in the small room. And instantly she wished she could take them back. For the first time she understood that she had been ungrateful. But the words were out there, and Captain Janeway was staring at her.
Finally, Janeway shook her head, spun on her heel, and left.
Tyla stood, staring, feeling the shock of being a fool. Finally the guard beside her nudged her gently with the point of his gun. "Let's go."
She glanced up at him, straight into his brown eyes.
"I'm sorry for hitting you," she said. She turned to look at the other guard. "And you, too."
The second guard nodded. "Apology accepted. Now, please move forward, through the door and to the left."
She did as she was told, eyes down, thinking about what had been said. And knowing that she would try the same thing again if given the chance.
Janeway needed a moment to cool down. From experience, she knew that helping someone who was not grateful angered her more than it should. She made the choice to help others not for the reward, or for the thanks, but simply because it was the right thing to do.
But having someone like Tyla around didn't help her resolve, that was for sure.
She stopped just outside the engineering lab and took a long gulp of the warm coffee. It soothed her nerves a little, focused her on the important aspects of what was ahead: observing a dying neutron star binary, possibly getting energy for a faster trip home, and stopping a Qavok attempt to destroy another race. Tyla's concerns were not on that list at all.
She stepped toward the lab door and it opened. Inside, Torres and Seven were hard at work, side by side, both bent over the same panel. In front of them a part was being replicated, just shimmering into place.
B'Elanna heard the door open and turned. "Almost finished, Captain."
"There is little chance this will function," Seven said, also straightening and turning to face Janeway.
"Why do you say that?" Janeway replied, moving to the panel and studying the work they had done on the energy-containment device. At first glance, it looked fine. Exactly what she had wanted.
"The energy will set up a standing wave pattern inside the container," Seven said. "It will rupture within three days' time."
Janeway glanced at Seven, then at the parameters for the container on the board.
"Not necessarily," Torres said wearily. Clearly the two of them had been arguing this point for the last hour. "Standing waves will form, but they can be broken regularly."
"Change the shape of the container," Janeway said, punching up her idea on the panel. After a moment she let the computer form a three-dimensional image of the new container, filled with energy. Then she set the image in motion. After a moment she nodded. "See? Let the waves break themselves apart."
Both Torres and Seven studied what she had done.
"It will take extra time," Seven said.
"It might work," Torres shot back, still studying the data.
"How long?" Janeway asked.
"Ten hours," Seven said.
"Do it," Janeway said. "I think we have the time. And keep me informed as to your progress."
"Understood," Seven said.
B'Elanna only nodded, clearly lost in the data on the panel.
Janeway started back toward the door, then stopped and turned. "Where is Dr. Maalot?"
"Engineering," Torres replied. "Since we needed this space for this project, I assigned him to help calibrate sensors."
"Any problems from him?"
B'Elanna looked puzzled. "None. He's like a kid with a new toy."
"He is overzealous," Seven said. "That is a dangerous trait."
Janeway smiled. "Noted."
She waited until she was out in the corridor before downing the last of her coffee. Even cold, it tasted wonderful.
"PUT US IN A CIRCULAR ORBIT, MR. PARIS," JANEWAY said, dropping down into her command chair and staring at the sight ahead. "Keep a distance of