Double Helix 06_ The First Virtue - Michael Jan Friedman [27]
The Vulcan nodded. “Let us dismiss them for the time being.”
“So,” said Simenon, rephrasing the question, “who’s busy killing all those Melacron and Cordracites?”
The six of them exchanged uncomfortable looks.
“Aye, there’s the rub,” the engineer commented cheerfully, as if nothing made him happier than pronouncing doom. “Your Shakespeare did have a way with words-especially violent ones.”
Crusher stroked his chin. “Let’s try another angle. I’m willing to bet that whoever killed the G’aha on Melacron Five wanted to get away as quickly as possible. Let’s call up a list of everyone who left the planet between the time of the assassination and today.”
Joseph provided them with a list on his monitor screen. “Unfortunately, it’s pretty long,” he told the others.
Crusher inspected it and fought back a sigh. “So it is.”
“Exactly what are you hoping to find?” inquired the Gnalish, his crimson eyes bright with curiosity.
Crusher shrugged. “I just thought something might-“
But Tuvok stopped him with a gesture, his eyes locked onto the screen. “Fascinating,” he murmured.
“What is?” Vigo asked him.
The Vulcan pointed to one of the names on the screen. “That is.” Then he looked at Crusher. “I believe I may have something, Commander.”
Crusher smiled. “That’s great. But what is it?”
Tuvok told him.
Chapter Seven
NEARLY TEN HOURS after his away team first beamed down to Debennius II, Picard tapped his communicator badge and contacted the Stargazer. “Two to beam up,” he told Crusher.
“Aye, sir,” said the second officer.
The captain regarded Ben Zoma, noting inwardly that his exec looked as weary and frustrated as he himself felt. It took its toll, sitting in a room full of angry, argumentative people. What’s more, the food offered them by the Benniari had been less than appealing. Neither of them had been driven to eat very much of it.
“I don’t know what I want to do first,” said the first officer, “gorge myself or find someplace quiet to collapse.”
Picard frowned. “Unfortunately, we’re not going to get the opportunity to do either, Gilaad. We need to discuss the progress of our investigative team as soon as we get back.”
Ben Zoma grunted good-naturedly and turned a weary smile on his superior. “Slavedriver,” he said.
Then they were surrounded by the transporter effect. A moment later, they materialized in the Stargazer’s transporter room.
Glancing at the transporter console, the captain noticed that his chief engineer was working the controls. Simenon’s sharp, lizardlike face split into a grin that showed pointed teeth. What’s more, his tail lashed back and forth in what Picard had come to learn was an expression of eagerness.
“Progress?” the captain asked.
Simenon shrugged his narrow shoulders. “Some,” he replied, almost perverse in his terseness. “We’re all waiting for you and Commander Ben Zoma in your ready room, sir-though I should warn you, none of us is dressed as nicely as the two of you are.”
Picard pulled down on the front of his dress tunic and gestured to the sliding doors. “Lead the way, Mr. Simenon-and be glad I didn’t ask you to beam down as well.”
The engineer hissed to show his amusement. Then, complying with the captain’s command, he made his way out into the corridor and found the nearest turbolift. In less than a minute, the three of them were walking out onto the Stargazer’s bridge.
As Picard turned right and passed the communications station, he nodded to Cadwallader. The young woman smiled and nodded back-and didn’t say a word, vituperative or otherwise. It was good to be out of that damned council chamber, the captain reflected.
The doors to his ready room slid aside for him. Crusher, Tuvok, Greyhorse, Vigo and Joseph were clustered inside, no doubt discussing some element of their investigation.
“Sir,” said Crusher, turning to acknowledge Picard,
“I-“
The captain held up a