Dyson Sphere - Charles R. Pellegrino [8]
Data paused, then said, “Something is certainly wrong with the Sphere’s exit program. When you see a sun going off center, it is a sure sign that the system has become unstable. So we must plan as though the doors of Dyson will slam shut after the Darwin goes in. When the Darwin wishes to come out, we will again approach with a probe or shuttle and turn the lock.”
“I wish it were easier,” Picard said. “The time allowed us here,” Captain Dalen said from the screen, “precludes a more elegant way. Going in poses no great difficulty for us, but coming out dictates in no uncertain terms that your Enterprise keeps station outside the Sphere. The only alternative is to probe the lock itself for a subspace pattern, or a code, if one exists, that we would use from inside to let ourselves and the Darwin out.”
Picard shook his head. “That may take longer than the time we have, Captain Dalen.”
Data turned to face Picard. “I must remind you, Captain, that we cannot use weaponry to open the lock. The Sphere is sheathed in a membrane of solid neutronium.”
“But the neutron star will penetrate it?”
“Nothing can stop such an object,” Data said.
“Captain Dalen,” Picard said, “some members of my crew will be aboard your vessel shortly to assist you.”
“We’re prepared to receive them, Captain Picard. Don’t take too long. Darwin out.” The view screen returned to normal.
Picard looked around, then stood up from his station. “Time now to decide which of us will go aboard the Darwin. Conference in five minutes.”
Lieutenant Worf took a seat at the conference table, then looked around at his fellow officers, wondering if they truly felt the danger that now faced them. The frozen smile on Dr. Crusher’s face was a sure sign that she was trying to push that danger to one side of her mind. Worf preferred to confront it.
Worf turned toward the head of the table. “Permission to speak, sir,” the Klingon said to Captain Picard.
The captain nodded in his direction. “Go on.” “I do not believe,” Worf continued, “that the Sphere is being targeted by a weapon. Stimulating as it is to consider such a war technology, I doubt that the Dyson Sphere merits an attack on this scale.” The natural universe, as every Klingon knew, was itself a fearful antagonist. “So how do you explain it?” Picard asked. “Perhaps a natural catastrophe at the center of our galaxy opened this wormhole and brought the neutron star here by chance.” “Mr. Data?” Picard asked. “That is possible, Captain, but not probable. Dyson has been here for as many as a hundred thousand years. The chances of the spontaneous appearance of neutrons now, during our visit, is at least as improbable as drawing a straight flush.”
Riker shook his head. “In hindsight, every hand is equally as improbable as a straight flush - or, for that matter, a royal flush. Each one of those hundred thousand years was equally improbable.”
“True,” Data responded, “but while it may be a mistake to ascribe intent to an event that happens to concern our interests, in this case the possibility of it being an unintended event seems unlikely to me. In either case, we cannot proceed on that assumption.” “An accident of nature.” Riker sat back in his chair. “It’s just too convenient,” he muttered.
“It seems convenient,” Worf emphasized, “but only the most cowardly antagonist would hurl so massively destructive a weapon, even after a declaration of war. There is little glory in such conquests, and no chance for a warrior to display his bravery.” He preferred to believe that what they were facing was a natural event, not out of any cowardice-he could hardly imagine such a contemptible feeling-but because standing against an enemy with such overwhelming technical superiority would require no ingenuity,