Have Tech, Will Travel (SCE Books 1-4) - Keith R. A. DeCandido_. [et al.] [84]
Geordi and Gold exchanged glances. Gold reached a decision. “Gold to Dr. Lense. Would it be possible to adjust 110’s brain and body in order to render him able to link with the ship?”
“I think so. If you’d wanted to do this with a human, the answer would be no, but the Bynar brains are much better candidates for such a link. And, judging by his brain-wave patterns, I’d say that there seems to be some kind of connection established between them already. It would take some surgery, but I—”
“110, get to sickbay right now,” ordered Gold. At once, 110 scampered to obey. “Wong, reestablish link. Attention, Omearan Starsearcher 7445. We would like to send an ambassador to your command center to speak with you.”
“Return my pilot. Then she and I will speak with your ambassador.”
Gold took a deep breath. Time for a little white lie. “Your pilot is unwell.” It was true. Dead was about as unwell as one could get. “She is currently in our sickbay.” Also true. “We have boarded you previously.”
“I remember.” The metallic voice was angry now. “When you kidnapped Jaldark.”
“We brought her to our ship, yes. But while we were aboard you, while you were inactive, you established a link with one of my crew.”
Silence. “Yes,” said the ship, haltingly. “I remember.”
“We think we can further adjust him so that he may link with you. We can explain everything to you most efficiently in that fashion.”
A long silence. Gold felt sweat gather on his brow. He let this ship take its time.
“I will permit such a contact,” said the ship after what felt like an eternity. Gold briefly closed his eyes in relief. “You should be aware that your crewmember will be vulnerable. If I do not like what I hear, I will not hesitate to kill him.”
Was it a bluff, or the truth? Either way, it seemed as though this was something 110 was intent on doing. And, much as Gold hated to admit it, it seemed as if it was their only hope. The Enterprise herself would have a hard time fighting an opponent that was virtually indestructible. And the little da Vinci was certainly not equipped to handle it.
“We are explorers, not warriors,” said Gold. “We have no intention of harming you. You will realize that once you link with my crewmember.”
“There is no deception possible in the link,” agreed the ship. “All your plans will be revealed.”
“We have nothing to hide,” Gold declared.
“Then you have nothing to fear.” Abruptly, the ship terminated the transmission.
Gold sank back in his chair, debating. He thought about contacting Starfleet and telling them to cancel the arrival of the Enterprise and the Lexington . Gold now knew the vessel wasn’t a Borg ship, and there was a chance that it wouldn’t even prove hostile. What was it Jaldark had said? That she was certain Friend wouldn’t hurt anyone unless someone hurt him first.
But if 110 couldn’t convince the ship—Friend— that Jaldark had already been dead for weeks before the da Vinci found her, then Gold imagined the vessel would consider itself grievously hurt. They’d need the Enterprise and the Lexington then. Hell, they might need every vessel in the fleet if the repaired ship went on a rampage again. It had done enough damage while still repairing itself. At full strength . . .
Gold chuckled a little. His father had had a wise saying that he would always trot out when David would start fretting about things that might happen. “Don’t go borrowing trouble,” he would say. And Gold realized that’s exactly what he was doing.
They had the tricorder recordings Jaldark herself had made. They had the body, which was in an advanced stage of decay. And they had 110. If these weren’t enough to convince the ship, then they’d just have to deal with the consequences.
“Lense to Gold.”
“Go ahead.”
“110 is tolerating the implants for the moment, but I don’t know how effective they’ll be. I also don’t know how long it will be before his body starts rejecting them. I’m sorry, sir, but it’s the best I can do.”
“Then, as always, Elizabeth, your best