Have Tech, Will Travel (SCE Books 1-4) - Keith R. A. DeCandido_. [et al.] [90]
“Seems like, the last time, you were called late on the scene, David,” he replied.
Gold laughed, a short, quick bark. “Starfleet called us in to clean up after the Enterprise. Run any marathons recently, Jean-Luc? You’re looking a little soft around the middle.”
“Not for some time,” Picard answered, “but I could still beat you, old man.” His dark gaze flickered to Gomez. “Commander Gomez, Lieutenant Commander Duffy. A pleasure to see you both again. So, David, I understand you called the Enterprise and the Lexington all the way out here on a wild-goose chase.”
“And we caught the goose,” Gold said. “Wong, please transmit the information we learned about Friend to the Enterprise .”
“ ‘Friend’?” echoed Picard. “An odd name for a ship, especially one that did so much damage to an innocent planet.”
“It’s a long story, Captain,” said La Forge, “but one with a happy ending, I hope. This isn’t a Borg vessel, but the ship was designed to uniquely bond with its pilot. It’s sentient. It—sort of panicked when its pilot died. Went a little crazy. They were searching for a new homeland for her people. They seem like a benevolent, peaceful race, and I’m hopeful that the Federation might be able to lend them a hand in that quest.”
Picard had been listening intently, and now he nodded. “We’ll do what we can. If this species is, indeed, as peaceful as you say they are, then I’m certain we’ll be able to assist them. I understand that your last few missions have not been without cost, David. I’m sorry for the loss of 111.”
“Thank you, Jean-Luc. I’ll pass that on to Soloman.”
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 good-bye 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 good-bye to Friend. And I am glad to have the chance to say good-bye 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.