Ghost of a Chance - Mark Garland [54]
"That was one of the first things we were able to repair. It wasn't damaged very badly. I'm a little concerned about the engines, though.
They aren't exactly specification ready."
"What can you give us?"
"Sixty percent, maybe. And I can't guarantee how long that will last, or if it will be enough."
"I know a way to find out," Chakotay said.
B'Elanna nodded. "The computer is still working out the calculations, but we should be ready to attempt diverting the first moon in about an hour. I suggest we try the smallest moon first."
"That's also the one closest to us."
She nodded again. "It's up to you."
"I agree." He raised an eyebrow. "Completely. And thank you, Lieutenant. We'll begin as soon as you're ready. I'll have Paris get right on it as well. Anything else?"
She just looked at him, hands fidgeting at waist level as she stood there. "No, sir, I guess not," she said.
He didn't believe her. "I think you should give our guests another chance, B'Elanna." Chakotay stepped toward her, stood just in front of her. "There is nothing inherently wrong with people getting along. Or are you worried about the captain and Kim, or--" "If you want to get this show on the road, you're going to have to let me go back to work?"
B'Elanna said evenly.
Chakotay sighed. "That's it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well. Dismissed."
The door slid open again as the two of them moved toward it.
B'Elanna lingered for a moment in the opening, looking out onto the bridge. Mila and Tassay had gathered around Paris for an amicable chat. Jonal was standing near the captain's chair having a casual conversation with four other members of the bridge crew. Their small group suddenly chuckled at something Jonal had said, and then the banter quickly resumed.
Then Tassay looked up toward the ready room. She smiled and started toward Chakotay as soon as she spotted him. B'Elanna turned and stepped back into the ready room, clutching Chakotay's sleeve as she did so and pulling him back inside. She let the door hiss shut again.
"Don't you see it?" she said in a peppery tone, glaring at him.
"See what?"
"We have possibly hostile aliens on the bridge, in a tactical situation."
"The situation is unusual, but in effect the Drosary are ambassadors, so their presence is not unprecedented by any means," Chakotay said, considering. "Under the circumstances--" "But everybody likes them.
Jonal is the life of the party, Mila is practically sitting in Paris's lap, Tassay can't wait to see you--for God's sake, if she had a tail it would wag!"
"You just don't know her as well as I do."
"But you just met her!"
"She has quite a story to tell, B'Elanna," Chakotay said, trying again.
"Her people do. She comes from a very large, extended family. They have a great respect for all life, for their creator and the gifts he has given them. She says that, in their own way, the Televek have always had a similar philosophy. They are terribly misunderstood by most peoples, especially in regard to their business dealings. They believe that by selling comparable goods to both sides in a conflict they are in effect preventing either side from gaining an unfair advantage, thereby often preventing slaughter. They've made enemies because of this, and it's made them overly cautious, but--" "I guess I'm just a little too impressed, Chakotay. Did it ever occur to you that they also can make twice as much profit that way?"
"Yes, of course. But you're still not seeing the situation from their side. I am at least trying to."
"You think I don't see them clearly? I watch them, Commander, the way they talk and act, the way you and everyone else around here acts when they are around, and I don't know why, but I keep getting this urge to rip them in half."
"Then get over it, Lieutenant. Soon enough, if we cooperate with them, work with them a little, we will have the captain and the others back, and we'll also have our phasers back in working order.