Gauntlet - Michael Jan Friedman [65]
It took a moment for Picard to process the information. “Our problem?” he repeated inanely. Then it sank in, making his heart beat against his ribs. “You mean our sensor problem?”
“Actually,” said Valderrama, “I haven’t been able to come up with anything regarding the sensors.”
The captain’s hopes fell precipitously. “I see. Then what have you come up with?”
“A way to see in this gas soup, sir. But it doesn’t have anything to do with our sensors.”
Picard looked at the science officer, making no attempt to conceal his confusion. “I’m afraid you’ve lost me.”
“Sorry,” said the lieutenant. “What I mean is, there’s a data-gathering option we’ve overlooked. It’s a bit antiquated, I’ll admit, but I think it’s perfectly suited to this environment.”
The captain leaned forward in his chair. “I would be interested in hearing more,” he told her.
Valderrama went on to explain her theory in considerable detail. Partway through the process, Picard found himself smiling. It was a brilliant idea she had come up with, and one that wouldn’t be at all difficult to execute.
“And that’s it,” she said finally.
He nodded. “Let’s put it to the test.”
Obviously pleased with the captain’s reaction, Valderrama said, “Aye, sir. Right away.”
Picard looked up and addressed the intercom grid. “Captain Picard to Chief Simenon.”
“Simenon here.”
The captain glanced at his science officer. “Lieutenant Valderrama has suggested a novel alternative to our sensor scans. I would like you to assist her in implementing it.”
“And what exactly is this novel approach?” the engineer wondered.
Picard shrugged for the science officer’s benefit. “Why don’t I let her tell you herself? Picard out.”
Valderrama took that as her cue to stand up. “Thank you, sir,” she told the captain.
Picard knew what she meant, but he shook his head. “No, Lieutenant. Thank you.”
He watched her depart, then sat back in his chair and experienced a surge of satisfaction. And why shouldn’t I? he asked himself. He had shown faith in someone, and that faith had been rewarded.
Picard was proud of Juanita Valderrama. In fact, he was proud of them both.
Ensign Nikolas rubbed his eyes, cursed softly to himself, and focused again on his monitor screen.
He was studying the same sensor graphics as before. Except now, the areas in question were much smaller, much more proximate to the ship. And they weren’t changing, because the Stargazer hadn’t gone anywhere in the last few hours.
Still, there were reasons to keep up their watch. They didn’t know enough about this system to predict what it might throw at them. And even if nature didn’t come after them with a vengeance, the White Wolf might not be so accommodating.
“Tired?” asked Caber.
Nikolas shrugged. “No more than anyone else.”
He wasn’t sure anymore what to make of Caber. The guy couldn’t have been nicer to him or more supportive. In fact, Caber seemed to be that way with everyone.
With one notable exception, Nikolas added silently.
He glanced across the room and saw Obal hard at work, absorbed in whatever graphic was occupying his screen at the moment. Nikolas didn’t understand why Caber had it in for the Binderian. He had asked, but Caber didn’t seem inclined to offer an explanation.
Maybe there was no explanation. Maybe it was just a matter of chemistry. But quite clearly, there was something about Obal that rubbed Caber the wrong way.
Fortunately, Nikolas had exacted a promise from his roommate—no matter how Caber felt about the Binderian, he would leave the little guy alone. No more mocking, no more instigation.
And until then, Caber had been as good as his word.
“I could use a break,” he said.
“A break?” Nikolas chuckled as he turned back to his screen. “While we’re sitting here without a stitch of protection? You like to live dangerously, don’t you?”
“Come on,” Caber rejoined. He leaned back in his chair and stretched. “The White Wolf’s not even thinking of coming after us.”
“How do you know that?” Nikolas asked.
“Because he knows this system and we don’t. All he’s got to do is stay