Have Tech, Will Travel (SCE Books 1-4) - Keith R. A. DeCandido_. [et al.] [67]
“Early indications are that the environment inside the ship is a nitrogen-oxygen mix, similar to Earth’s. But that’s no guarantee that the crew was humanoid,” said Geordi. He smiled a little. “We’ll find out soon enough.”
“So, here’s the situation.” Gold leaned forward and laced his fingers together on the table. “The ship has deliberately plowed into the heart of downtown. It’s far less damaged than it ought to be for the impact it took. It is inactive at the moment, but we’re still getting signals. No signs of life, but as Corsi astutely pointed out, that doesn’t mean that something’s not still alive in there. Now, sensors indicate there’s only one central command area in the thing. Pattie, you get to examine the outside.”
“Certainly, Captain.” She wriggled several of her legs. “I could use a little exercise.”
Gold continued. “If we can get a transporter lock inside, you five—Commander La Forge, Gomez, Duffy, Faulwell, and 110—will be transporting into a ship about which we know absolutely nothing. Anything can happen, or nothing.”
“In short,” said Duffy, grinning, “an assignment much like any other.”
But Faulwell wasn’t laughing. Out of the corner of his eye, Bart had noticed that the Bynar had physically shuddered at the news that he was being assigned to the team. It was, as a Vulcan would say, the only logical choice. 110 was their computer specialist, until Starfleet sent them another one. 110 had been very brave up until now, expressing a willingness to continue with his work despite what had to be— had to be—extreme personal grief. But it was clearly taking a toll on the little fellow. He’d already delayed going home once. Now this had come up.
Even as Bart regarded the Bynar with sympathy, 110 straightened, pulled his tiny shoulders back, and resolutely lifted his large, hairless head. Faulwell was filled with admiration.
CHAPTER
2
Jaldark? If you are conducting a test of some sort, you may cease. I am starting to worry. Please, please come in.
The worried face of the Intari Makestru, the leader of his people, appeared on the viewscreen. “Captain Gold,” he said anxiously. “You are a welcome sight. We have done nothing, as per orders from Starfleet, but I must say, it’s been alarming having this ship just sitting there in our capital city.”
“I’m certain it has,” soothed Gold. “We’re preparing to transport our people over to the ship. We’ll contact you once we have the situation well in hand.”
“We are grateful.” The image blinked out. On the screen now was the strange, seemingly dead ship. Gold took a breath, said a quick prayer, and instructed the away team to report to the transporter room.
* * *
As they gathered in the transporter room, Sonya Gomez was still a bit on edge from the confrontation she’d had with Domenica Corsi. Normally, she got along with “Core-Breach” Corsi better than anyone else aboard the da Vinci . But Corsi was still stinging from the rebuff she’d gotten from Gold during the briefing. While Gomez was heading for the transporter room, Corsi had fallen in step beside her and insisted that she be allowed to accompany the away team.
“There’s no indication that that will be necessary, Dom,” Gomez had said, as sympathetically as she could.
“There’s no indication that it won’t,” Corsi had retorted.
“Look,” Gomez had finally said, exasperated, “the captain wants you on the bridge. And I think he’s right. Suppose something does go wrong? We’ll need you up here, in case that ship proves to be a danger to the Intarians.”
When even that logic failed to placate the chief security officer, Gomez had added, “That’s an order, Lieutenant Commander.”
She disliked pulling rank, especially here, with this crew, where at times it seemed so unnecessary. They had worked together long enough that everyone knew what to do and usually didn’t need to be told. She especially disliked having to do it with