Gateways 07_ What Lay Beyond - Diane Carey [118]
“There are dozens of ships, with many layers of enmity between some of these races. With the Gorn gone, it didn’t lessen the danger any.”
“Thanks a lot. What am I supposed to tell Captain Oliv? What if one of Desan’s people did it?”
“Don’t make rash accusations. With all the sensors working in this area, someone else may have picked up something.”
Riker’s eyes snapped wide. “I’m too tired to do this job,” he muttered.
“What have you thought of, imzadi ?”
“Hold on, I’ll patch you in,” Riker said, tapping a control on the desktop. “Riker to Taleen.”
“Go ahead, Commander.”
“Can you check your translocator logs, going back an hour or so?” the commander asked.
“For the entire region?” Taleen’s brown eyes narrowed and she frowned. “You suspect the Deltan ship was sabotaged, don’t you?” “I’m afraid I do.”
“I’ll check and be back to you in a few minutes.”
Picard and Chanik walked carefully, stepping around vines, roots that broke through streets, and the remains of a civilization that once ruled the world. They had poked their way into various buildings, walked up staircases, crossed bridges that linked buildings, and were generally frustrated by their slow pace.
Now they were well into the City, so the buildings were taller, obliterating the sunlight. Night was falling even more quickly here. With what light remained, Picard recognized he would have to stop the hunt and prepare a campground for them. He sent Chanik to find enough wood for a fire while he prepared some lean-tos for shelter. Their dinner would be some of the cured meat from the farmer and Picard would indulge in some of the wine but would sip carefully. Even though there was no hint of animal life, that didn’t mean predators did not exist in the ruins.
“How do we know where to look?”
“That, Chanik, is an excellent question,” Picard replied, as he watched the boy build an expert campfire. It seemed the youth possessed some skill at survival and was more than happy to contribute to the expedition. The question was on his mind long before the boy asked. Aimless wandering would mean the Resonator might be days away from discovery. He doubted the Alpha Quadrant would wait for days. As it was, he feared the days here already meant suns had gone nova. The worst part was, he had no way of knowing.
The pair ate in silence as Picard let his mind sort through possible ways to find the Resonator. It couldn’t be too large but had to fit the equipment, he suspected. But that could mean something as small as a data chip or as large as his fist. And where would a tool like that be maintained? With no power emanations, he couldn’t begin to suspect which building might have housed the gateway… or were there multiple gateways in something this large?
Chanik kept silent, working on the tough strips of meat. His only comment had been about it being so bland compared with what he was used to.
Picard withdrew the tricorder from his pocket and studied reports from previous gateway encounters. He was looking for some kind of clue. Maybe something in the placement of the device, or the architecture or ornamentation… He struggled with the small screen, enhancing every image until his eyes hurt with the strain. Giving up for the night, he pocketed the device and finished a piece of fruit.
“I like the stars,” Chanik said idly.
“Me too,” Picard agreed.
“I like that they’re there when I go to sleep. I think about what they are, what’s between them, and if anyone lives up there.”
“People have wondered that since the beginning of time, I think,” Picard said warmly.
They sat in companionable silence for a little while and Chanik scanned the skies with concentration. “Picard, look to the left. See those four stars going up and down in a straight line? It’s like a staff.”
“Yes, it might be. We call clusters of stars that make a picture constellations.”
Chanik tried out the word and smiled. “Who