Ghost of a Chance - Mark Garland [14]
"I have no idea yet, Captain, but I am also picking up numerous energy signatures that are smaller but nonetheless similar to the main source.
Most appear to be mobile." He paused, touching points on the panel before him. "There does not seem to be an organizational pattern, however. They appear and move at random in the area, and for random periods."
"I've been watching the primary signature for a while," Kim went on.
"The power levels tend to spike downward, then slowly recover, also at random intervals. I don't know whether there is any correlation yet.
In general, though, the median level is slowly declining."
"I'll bet our Televek friends over there will say they don't know anything about that, either," Chakotay remarked.
"It is odd the Televek didn't mention it," Tuvok said.
"I agree." Janeway pursed her lips, still looking over the data.
The magnetic field fluctuations seemed to be playing havoc with the sensors, making it difficult to get good readings. Still, she was certain Kim was right. The power source was real, considerable, and unlike anything she had ever seen before. Then suddenly she saw something else in the readings, a faint shadow on the surface of the planet that faded from the sensors as quickly as it had appeared. "Did you see that, Mr. Tuvok?"
"Yes, Captain. A brief sensor reflection."
"What could cause something like that?"
"Processed alloy metals?" Kim offered.
"That is the likely explanation," Tuvok replied.
"So... a metal structure," Janeway postulated. "Or... another ship."
"Possibly," Tuvok said.
"I told you they couldn't be trusted," Neelix reminded one and all, hands clutched tightly against his chest. "Will you be needing me any longer, Captain?"
"Your advice is well taken," the captain assured him. "We may need more of it."
Neelix made a face that Janeway found unreadable.
"But if we know not to trust them, can't we use that knowledge to our advantage?" Paris asked. "I mean, they're the only game in town. We can't change that, but it doesn't necessarily mean we have to let them make all the rules."
"Agreed," Janeway said, "but asking the Televek for assistance or bartering for it would surely necessitate a transfer of knowledge and technologies. I don't want to give away any of Voyager's secrets to a race that probably shouldn't have them--perhaps this race more than most."
"Of course not," Paris said, "but information, to some extent, would have to flow both ways, wouldn't it?"
"The lieutenant makes an excellent point, Captain," Chakotay noted.
"As it stands, we are at a severe disadvantage, and it will only be a matter of time before the Televek fully realize that."
Despite the weight of the situation, Janeway felt a slight swell of satisfaction as she listened to this exchange between the members of her strange crew. Thrown together by fate and circumstance, seventy-five million light-years from home, their ship lacking half of its major systems, and hostile aliens hanging in orbit off the bow, and still they functioned well--as well as any captain could expect. Far too many of her decisions in this quadrant were difficult ones, but it helped to know she had the people to back them up.
"If we are to help anyone on Drenar Four, or help ourselves, it seems dealing with the Televek on some level is the only logical course," she said, acknowledging Tuvok with a nod.
"Couldn't we just leave the system?" Neelix asked.
"No, not yet," Janeway said. She stood silent for a long moment.
Then: "Mr. Tuvok, you will see to security arrangements. We don't want to appear unfriendly, but I'd rather not take any chances. I'll be stopping off at Engineering if you need me.
Let me know when they arrive. Mr. Kim," she added, turning to the younger officer, considering him a moment, "you're with me.
I want you to go down to the shuttle bay. I may have a job for you."
She turned on her heel and headed