Have Tech, Will Travel (SCE Books 1-4) - Keith R. A. DeCandido_. [et al.] [103]
Gomez smiled just enough for him to take it personally, then turned to the ship’s cultural liaison. “Carol, what’s your take on the Tholians at this point?”
Carol Abramowitz shrugged her shoulders just a bit as she drew in a breath. “This is my first time dealing with a Tholian who wasn’t a training hologram. My contact on the Tholian ship is curt bordering on rude, guarded with information beyond any specific requests, and quite snippy when I don’t report regularly and precisely according to his timetable.” She shrugged. “In other words, business as usual.”
Gomez stifled a snicker. “We all appreciate your extreme patience here, Carol. Your role in keeping the Tholians calm and informed on our actions is as important as anything any of us will be doing. I might sug—”
A tone from the comm system silenced Gomez and Lieutenant Commander Domenica Corsi’s voice followed it from the speakers.
“Captain Gold? This is ahead of schedule, but we’re in visual range of the rendezvous point.”
Gold answered, “We’re on our way.” Duffy turned to catch the captain’s eyes widening and a hint of a grin creeping across his mouth.
Duffy was one of the first to step onto the bridge, only to stop in his tracks and fixate on the da Vinci ’s main viewer. A pair of hands on his shoulders guided him to one side and without looking he could tell the touch was Sonya’s. At any other time he might have reacted or commented on her touch, but his attention was riveted to the viewscreen and the captivating image cast upon it.
The area of torn space itself was unremarkable, unless one stopped to notice that no stars shone there. What seized Duffy was the shimmering lines and apparition-like form of the starship drifting within the rift, hanging askew in relation to the da Vinci, with the top of its primary hull flat enough to clearly read the dead ship’s name and registry number: U.S.S. Defiant , NCC-1764.
The low number bespoke the antiquated status the vessel held, Duffy knew. Here was a vision straight out of history, a physical manifestation of the challenges and adventures that had more than likely inspired every member of the da Vinci ’s crew to enter Starfleet and see what mysteries the universe held for themselves.
The electric-blue glow infusing the century-old starship bathed the da Vinci ’s bridge and the dozen or so people gathered there. As they watched, the Defiant continued to fade and solidify, winking in and out of existence.
As far as this universe is concerned , thought Duffy, the Defiant is both real and unreal .
“Sensor scans are inconclusive,” Corsi said as she vacated the command chair, “but readings indicate she hasn’t been there too long. We can’t confirm any power sources or atmosphere.” She directed a wry smile toward Gomez. “I’d watch my step if I were you, Commander.”
“Away team, to the transporter room,” Gold said. “It’s time to go to work. Mr. Duffy, you have the conn. Take care of my ship.”
The order from Captain Gold raised a chill on Duffy’s skin, but one fueled by responsibility, not alarm. His attention turned to Gomez as she and the others moved toward the turbolift. His eyes found hers as she smiled just a bit and held his gaze.
Just for her, Duffy puffed out his chest and winked.
As the doors closed, Duffy blew out a long breath. For better or worse, the bridge was his.
CHAPTER
4
As the transporter beam released her, Sonya Gomez experienced a momentary feeling of weightlessness before the magnetic locks of her boots pulled her back to the deck.
“No gravity,” she said, confirming her suspicions that many of the Defiant ’s systems would be off-line or without power. That was to be expected, of course. Not even considering that the ship