Death of a Neutron Star - Eric Kotani [48]
She just hoped that Captain Janeway would give the files to her when this was all over.
"FIFTY MINUTES REMAINING," THE COMPUTER SAID.
"All right, that's it. Turn off that stupid reminder," Janeway said. She was standing beside Ensign Kim, going over the data from the last three successful retrievals of probes.
"Gladly, Captain," Chakotay said.
"Thank you," she said, ignoring his smile.
She went back to studying the probe retrieval reports. Ensign Kim had gotten better and better at holding a lock on the probe and then transporting it back at the exact right moment.
"Tuvok," Janeway said, glancing up at her security officer. "You feel comfortable enough to risk your life on this?"
"I do, Captain," Tuvok said. "The risk is minor compared with the reward of success."
Janeway nodded. "I'm glad you feel that way. Ensign Kim, you think you can get him out of there at the right time?"
"I do, Captain," Kim said.
"Good. Tuvok, get to the shuttlebay and make sure you're familiar with how B'Elanna has the shuttle and yacht connection worked out. Then stand by there for launch."
"Understood," Tuvok said. He started for the door.
"And good luck," Janeway said, smiling at her friend.
"I would rather depend on skill and percentages," he said. "But thank you."
He stepped through the door and she moved down to her chair. "Harry, keep an eye on those long-range scans. If the Qavok are going to move, they'll be doing it soon. They've got to set off their explosion ahead of ours."
"Yes, Captain," Kim said.
"How are you doing, Tom?" she asked. His shirt was soaked in sweat and his hair was damp. He never took his eyes away from his control panel.
"It's getting rougher by the hour," he said. "But I'll last until we're away from here."
"Good," she said. "Can I have Mr. Neelix bring you anything?"
"Doing fine," he said. "Thanks."
She dropped down into her chair and let herself, for the first time in the last hour, study the binary on the screen. Even visually, it was clear the end was near. The two stars almost looked as if they had a ring around them as matter was ripped off and flung away from the distended secondary.
"Everything ready?" Chakotay asked.
Janeway glanced over at her second-in-command. He'd been stuck on the bridge while she, Seven, B'Elanna, and the two Lekk guests had been getting everything ready. "All set," she said. "Seven and Dr. Maalot have gone over the math more times than I care to think about."
Chakotay laughed. "And they both loved it, I'll bet."
"Can't speak for Seven," Janeway said, "but you're right on the money with Dr. Maalot.
"Lieutenant Tyla also found a second computer on board the yacht, loaded with Qavok military plans and information."
"Gold mine for her," Chakotay said. "You going to let her keep the information after all this is over?"
"I don't honestly know yet," Janeway said. "I'm not sure how far past the Prime Directive we are here, trying to save these planets in the first place. And I'm not sure how much further I want to go in this situation."
"She did capture the yacht herself," Chakotay said. "And she was the one who found them."
"Always loopholes," Janeway said, smiling.
The ship bumped hard and Janeway grabbed for her chair to hold herself in position.
Another sharp bump, and then the deck seemed to shudder and settle back to its normal, calm state.
"Sorry, Captain," Tom said as his fingers flew over his controls. "Getting worse and worse out there."
"You're doing fine, Captain Proton," Janeway said.
Tom glanced around at her and smiled. Then he turned back to his work.
"What's left to do?" Chakotay asked.
Janeway stared at the binary, then said, "Nothing but wait. We're actually ready early."
"Seems the countdown helped," Chakotay