Death of a Neutron Star - Eric Kotani [18]
The second screen showed a male face that looked almost human; perhaps these people were distant kin to the Lekks. Wide, green eyes and wide nostrils accented the thin face, making it seem more doll-like than anything else.
The Qavok spoke first. "I am Qados, captain of the Qavok Imperial Space Force warship Invincible."
Like Captain Qavim, this Qados was gruff and to the point. Janeway instantly wondered why a warship was so close to the binary. A question she would get to later.
"Greetings," she said, nodding.
"I am Captain Fedr of the Xorm astrophysical survey ship Gravity," the second captain said.
"Greetings to you, also, Captain," Janeway said. "I am Captain Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager."
Captain Fedr bowed slightly.
Captain Qados made no move at all.
"I'm afraid, Captain Janeway, " Fedr said, "that I am not aware of a race such as yours in this area."
"Nor I," Qados said.
It was clear that Qados had not been informed from home yet about their rescue of the two Lekk escapees. She had no doubt he would be shortly.
"We are simply passing through this region," Janeway said, smiling. "Our primary objective is scientific exploration and an event like this could not be missed."
"It is special, isn't it?" Captain Fedr said, smiling. "A rare, rare opportunity for all concerned."
Captain Qados said nothing. She doubted, if there was truth to what the Lekks had told her, that he even cared about the science aspect of what was going on around him at all. He simply saw the phenomenon as a weapon, more than likely.
"I see that we are all here on an astrophysical expedition," Janeway said, glancing first at Chakotay to make sure he understood where she was going. "Why don't we bring our science officers into this conference at the beginning to make sure our communication lines in technical matters are open and uncluttered."
"Good idea," Captain Fedr said immediately, smiling. He looked sideways off the screen, then called out, "Dr. Janss, would you come and join us in this conference, please?"
Qados followed Fedr's move, then shook his head in near disgust. "Very well. If that is what you both want, give me a moment. I will summon Dr. Qentor, our senior science officer."
"I will need a minute, also," Janeway said.
She signalled Kim to cut the connection, then turned to Tuvok. "You up for playing science officer in this?"
Tuvok nodded. "I have a basic understanding of what is occurring with the binary neutron star. I should be able to, as humans say, fake it."
Janeway laughed. "Good. Because I can't spare B'Elanna or Seven at the moment. And I don't think our neighbors out there would like it if I played both parts."
"I assume you have a reason for this idea," Chakotay said.
"Just wanted to test their reactions," she said. "I'm surprised that the Qavok apparently have a science officer whose official functions are to conduct astrophysical research. I would not have expected as much from them, considering what the Lekks have told us they overheard."
Chakotay nodded.
"They may also be 'faking it,' Captain," Tuvok said.
"True," Janeway said. "Ready, Tuvok?"
"I am, Captain," he said, stepping down to stand beside her command chair.
Janeway signalled Kim that the connection should be opened.
Standing beside Captain Qados was another Qavok. "I am Dr. Qentor," he said.
"Dr. Janss," the Xorm standing beside Captain Fedr said.
"Tuvok," Tuvok said, bowing slightly in greeting. "According to our analysis of the preliminary data, the end to the life of this binary pulsar should come in a time span of about one day. Do you agree?"
Janeway wanted to smile at her security officer's opening. When you are playing from the weaker hand, play aggressively.
"That agrees with our predictions, from our initial observations," Dr. Janss said, nodding.
"Both your predictions basically agree with ours," Dr. Qentor said. "So, obviously you have