Death of a Neutron Star - Eric Kotani [49]
"Surprised to hear that from you." Janeway grinned. "I thought you found it irritating."
"Let's just say it grew on me," Chakotay said. "In any case, we are ready."
"Yeah," Janeway said, softly, never taking her gaze from the screen. "We sure are."
She just wished she felt as certain as she sounded.
Seven unhooked the energy containment from its connection with the outside conductors and sealed the container. The standing waves of gravitational force were bouncing from the sides of the container in such a way as to keep any feedback problems from building up in it. It was a shame that such an incredible store of energy had to be used in this fashion. Seven doubted they would ever again have the chance to gather this much, or solve the problems of how to use it.
She placed the container inside a security force-field to make sure it remained stable, then lifted the entire thing with an antigrav carrying unit. "Step ahead of me," she told Dr. Maalot. "We must deliver this to the shuttlebay."
Dr. Maalot strode out ahead of Seven enthusiastically while she focused on moving the container smoothly and slowly to its final destination. She supposed it was lucky that this experiment in gravitational wave energy containment had worked. Otherwise, the two warp-core breaches of the small ships would not have been enough to get the desired results. It was only the release of this energy at the same moment that even allowed this plan a chance of success.
Dr. Maalot had the shuttlebay door open and Seven floated the containment through.
"In the shuttle," Torres said, moving to open the door for Seven.
"This must remain mounted inside the security forcefield," Seven said. "That way it will ride safely until the moment it is needed."
"I got that," B'Elanna said. "Don't worry."
"I am not worrying," Seven said, wondering, not for the first time, why her crewmates were constantly projecting their own pesky emotions onto her. "I am simply stating an instruction."
Lieutenant Tuvok turned as Seven entered and studied what she and B'Elanna were doing. Beside Tuvok stood Lieutenant Tyla. She too was just watching.
As Seven held the containment steady, Torres secured it to the inside of the shuttle. After a minute the engineer said, "Remove the antigrav unit now."
Seven did as she was told and stepped back. The containment held as B'Elanna ran a series of checks on it.
"Done," B'Elanna said, smiling after the last scan. "I can think of a hundred better uses for this energy."
"Assuming that we could control its release," Seven said.
"Yeah," B'Elanna said. "Assuming."
"We will never know if we would have succeeded now," Seven said.
"You have succeeded in containing the energy," Tuvok said. "Such success does not preclude success in the future."
"It is an amazing feat," Dr. Maalot said, his voice broadcasting admiration. "A fantastic accomplishment."
"Agreed," Tuvok said.
Torres only snorted.
"Thank you," Seven said. Deep inside she could feel a small part of her taking in the compliments and being proud of the accomplishment. She did not dwell on the feeling. Simply noted it. She would think to ask Captain Janeway about such feeling later, if the opportunity presented itself. It might make for an interesting discussion.
"Captain," Ensign Kim said. "I'm picking up three Qavok ships on long-range scan. Heading this way."
Janeway snapped around. Thirty-one minutes until the Qavok had to explode their device to change the path of the neutron star into the Lekk system. They might be ornery, but they were also punctual.
"Can you get a reading on the ships?" Chakotay asked, standing and moving up to Tuvok's position.
Kim frowned for a moment, then said, "Two Qavok warships and a ship of unknown design between them."
"Round in shape?" Janeway asked.
"Yes," Kim said.
"The ship Lieutenant Tyla found the plans for. Good. At least we know what we're up against."
"That will help," Chakotay said.