Gateways 07_ What Lay Beyond - Diane Carey [106]
“The Young God knows much,” Hamish said in admiration.
His being a god to them, though, that could pose problems.
La Forge looked at the tricorder and showed it to Kliv, the engineer who appreciated the intricacies of the Petraw hodgepodge technology as much as he did. The Klingon nodded once and then stared deep into the open panel of the gateway device.
“There’s nothing left to do,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“No doubt about it,” La Forge agreed. He snapped the device closed and tapped his communicator. “La Forge to Riker. Sir, there’s nothing left to do. We’ve rerouted everything possible, but there’s no way to stop this ship from being destroyed.”
Once the gateways throughout the galaxy were turned on, each used their sophisticated programming to stay powered up even at the expense of all nearby sources of power. In this case, it meant the lead Petraw ship was a ticking time bomb and the best efforts of the two engineers could not defuse it.
“The Ambassador is about done with the evacuation onto the other Petraw ships,” Riker reported. “You and the security team will be the final ones to come back.” Geordi was already moving, leaving the massive engineering deck, heading for the bridge in the ship’s center. Kliv remained at his side, a tight bond having been quickly formed between the men. One would not leave without the other and neither would leave the ship until the remaining vessels were safe. Their fast walk became a trot until the two were racing from deck to deck, making sure there would be sufficient time remaining to do their duty.
Boots echoed on the metal deck plating as heavy feet moved with increasing speed. Neither said a word as they wended their way to the ship’s nerve center. Once they entered the now-vacant space, each took one of the low-slung stations and began entering coordinates. They called forth details to each other in a rapid staccato, making sure all the redundancies were in synch. A star chart on Kliv’s station showed the vessel moving away from the pack, heading away at an accelerating speed.
“We’ll never make warp the way this thing is sucking the energy reserves,” Geordi said.
“Then today might be a good day to die, after all,” Kliv replied, stabbing blunt fingers at a side control panel.
“Not yet,” his partner replied. “The engine integrity fields will collapse in about four minutes. Maybe we’ll be far enough away.”
Kliv shook his head.
Before he could say anything else, La Forge snapped his fingers and summoned his commander once more. “Beam us back, and at the same time, have Kerim push us farther away with concentrated tractor bursts. Every inch will be useful.”
“Acknowledged. Stand by to beam up.”
Once back aboard the Enterprise, the two once more raced for a bridge, this time to watch the fruits of their labors. Out of breath and perspiring, La Forge couldn’t help but notice that his partner seemed utterly fit and not even breathing hard. He vowed to start Dr. Crusher’s exercise regimen, ignored for two months now, tomorrow.
“Nice work, gentlemen,” Riker said from the center seat. Data flashed them a thumbs-up gesture that made Kliv blink in confusion. Chuckling, La Forge showed his friend the engineering station and they monitored the death throes of the Petraw engine core. Within seconds, the ship began to buckle then flare and a moment later, nothing remained on the viewscreen.
“Shock waves in five… four… three… two… one,” Data announced.
The mighty starship bucked once, then twice, then settled down without incident. La Forge rolled out the chair at the aft station and sat, letting out a breath he never knew he was holding. Kliv stood impassively by his side.
Perim turned to Riker, who was still