Gateways 07_ What Lay Beyond - Diane Carey [100]
“I cannot waste time,” Picard said. “If I am to seek this Master Resonator, then send me.”
One of the other men rose and walked to the console. He labored over the controls, constantly consulting the screen, as if he were being fed directions. They seemed not to know their own equipment and tools, Picard noted.
Minutes ticked by and everyone remained in now uncomfortable silence. Finally, the man seemed done and turned back to the group. “I have found the world. Captain, I am not sure I speak for all, but for myself, I wish you luck. I, too, do not want to see these gateways destroyed. It might be nice to visit newfound… friends.”
At least one of the others seemed embarrassed by the sentiment and one remained stonily silent, but the others nodded in agreement.
A gateway formed in the room, with no apparent generating device. Merely a rip in reality, large enough for one man to enter just like the gateway on Iconia that Picard had used a decade earlier. There was one location in sight: a lush, green world, not dissimilar to the one they stood on.
Picard nodded toward the Iconians, not sure of what to say. Of all the meetings he dreamed about, this was not among them. The thrill of meeting these idols was muted by the reality and it was a disappointment. And a lesson to be learned about idol worship.
Without a backward glance, Picard once more stepped into the gateway.
Chapter 2
“Message from Admiral Ross,” Data said.
“On screen.”
“Commander Riker, have we heard from the captain?” Clearly Ross was anxious for some good news.
“Not at all, sir.” Riker wished for word from his friend, too, but at least was closer to the action. He could busy himself with monitoring forty-eight potentially lethal ships and maintaining a fragile alliance where the now long-gone Gorn had already betrayed them once.
“Damn” was all the admiral would say. After all, he remained on Earth and could merely absorb reports from the fleet, most of which were of a catastrophic nature. All in all, Riker was glad to be on the Enterprise.
“How go things back home,” Riker asked, knowing full well that it would not be pleasant.
“We’ve achieved a holding action, which is better than being deluged,” Ross admitted. While not quite a victory, it was the first positive news in too many hours. “We have some news from Deep Space 9. The Orions are officially out of the bidding, at least, and they managed to successfully evacuate Europa Nova. Unfortunately, it looks like Colonel Kira may have been lost.”
Riker winced. He had only met the Bajoran woman a few times, but he’d been impressed with what he saw. The commander also knew that Ross had great respect for her.
“We’re still waiting for word from the Excalibur and the Trident, but I can’t get them to tell me everything.”
“Captain Calhoun is known for his unorthodox methods,” Riker said dryly.
“That’s just it. I’m beginning to think that neither Calhoun nor Shelby are aboard their respective ships, but I can’t get them to tell me where they are.”
A moment was all it took for the realization to hit the first officer. “You think they entered a gateway and are lost, don’t you?”
Ross’s silence confirmed the worst for Riker. Before either could speak, Lieutenant Vale interrupted. “There’s a message from Desan coming in on the other channel.”
“Back to your duty, Commander,” Ross said, and the screen blinked once and his hangdog look was replaced by the more attractive visage of the Romulan commander.
“How can I help you, Commander?” Riker asked, leaning back in the command chair. It would never be comfortable, he realized. Not with his friend missing in action.
“Why are we rigging a simultaneous connection among all the Petraw vessels?”
Riker blinked. She looked unhappy about the matter and he matched her mood. It wasn’t something he had assigned.
“News to me,” Riker began, when he heard the turbolift doors slide open. Before he could turn around, the heavy footsteps were a clear signal.
“Are we not to be consulted?” thundered Captain Grekor, leader