Hard Crash - Christie Golden [27]
"Thank you, Jean-Luc. I'll pass that on to Soloman."
Now Gomez almost giggled at the expression on Picard's patrician mien. "I beg your pardon?" asked the captain of the Enterprise.
"110 won't be coming back with me, Captain," explained Geordi, stifling a smile of his own. "He's decided to stay on with the da Vinci--unpaired. Captain Gold has nicknamed him Soloman."
Picard frowned. "You run a bit of a lax ship, Gold."
Gold appeared unruffled. "You know what we do, Jean-Luc. What we deal with every day. My team's sharp enough when it counts, and that's what matters to me."
Picard relaxed. "As it should. I've worked with some of your crew, and you know I think they're among the finest in Starfleet."
Gomez felt a blush suffuse her cheeks.
"Mr. La Forge, I'm certain you'll be reluctant to rejoin our boring old vessel after serving with this crew. But we need you back here."
"Aye, sir. I'll be there right away."
"Picard out." The screen was filled with the image of the Enterprise, awaiting Geordi's transport.
"Geordi La Forge," said Gold expansively, "the door is always open. We could use someone like you more than occasionally, you know."
La Forge smiled. "Thank you, sir. It's been quite the experience." He looked over at Gomez. "Commander Gomez, it was good to see you again."
Sonya smiled, a warm, genuine smile. She'd worried about clashing with La Forge, about him stepping on her territory. But he was a good man, and had been a good friend. She was glad she had been granted the opportunity to work things out with him, and found herself realizing she was going to miss him.
"It was wonderful to see you, Lieutenant," she said, and the words could not have been more sincere. "Give my best to everyone over in Engineering, will you?"
"You got it. Picard looks like he's itching for me to get back, so do me a favor. Say goodbye to Bart and Soloman for me, will you?"
She nodded, and followed him with her eyes as he stepped into the turbolift. He almost bumped into Soloman.
"Whoa!" exclaimed Geordi. "Shouldn't you still be in sickbay?"
"I must say goodbye to Friend. And I am glad to have the chance to say goodbye to you, Geordi."
"Take care of yourself, Soloman," said Geordi, as the turbolift doors closed.
"Captain...may I?" asked Soloman.
Gold nodded. "Wong, contact the ship. Go ahead, Soloman."
Gomez watched intently, her gaze flickering from the screen, on which Friend appeared, back to Soloman. "How are you feeling, Friend?" the Bynar asked.
"I am a little afraid," the ship admitted in a halting voice. And we thought that thing was a killer on a rampage. Thought it was Borg. How wrong can you be?
"So am I," said Soloman. "But I think we have chosen the right path, you and I." He hesitated. "If you would like, we could transport Jaldark back to you, so you may deliver her body to her people. Or else we can send her to the stars, as is the custom with Federation ships."
Gomez couldn't believe it, but her eyes prickled with tears again. It had been a long, long time since any mission had moved her this deeply. Perhaps it was because one of their own had been so profoundly affected. Or maybe it was because they had seen the young, lively Jaldark before her death. Regardless, the whole thing was stirring up deep emotions inside her.
"I...I think I would like to have her with me. I would like to take her home, one final time."
Soloman turned to Gold, who nodded. "We will transport the body in a sealed coffin, Friend. We will handle her with all respect and honor," said the captain.
"I am sorry for my attack on your ship, Captain Gold" apologized Friend. "You are kind to forgive me."
Gold cleared his throat. Gomez shot him a quick glance. His face revealed nothing, but that one sound told