Have Tech, Will Travel (SCE Books 1-4) - Keith R. A. DeCandido_. [et al.] [97]
Ross said, “Captain, Starfleet was contacted earlier this morning by representatives of the Tholian Assembly. They reported the presence of what appears to be a derelict Federation starship within their territorial borders. I don’t think I need to tell you how upset the Tholians are.”
It was an understatement, Scotty knew. The Tholians had always been protective of their region of space, only rarely allowing foreign vessels to cross their boundaries. Relations between the Assembly and the Federation had improved in recent years, but they were still nowhere near what Scotty would call “stable.”
“This is of great concern to us,” Marshall said, insinuating himself into the conversation in that manner all diplomats seemed to employ and which almost always annoyed Scotty to no end. “Just seeing one of our ships in their space is enough for the Tholians to declare all-out war.”
“I don’t think the situation is that extreme, Mr. Marshall,” Ross countered. “One of the few good things that came out of the Dominion War was better diplomatic relations with the Tholians.” He didn’t bother to shield the skeptical look on his face as he added, “At least, that’s what we keep hearing from the Diplomatic Corps.”
“Those relations came at a very high price, Admiral,” Marshall said, bristling at Ross’s jab. “We intend to cultivate them, not jeopardize the peace every time one of your captains steers a ship where it’s not supposed to go.”
Ross didn’t rise to the baiting. “Sir, Starfleet has not authorized any vessel to enter Tholian space. This incident was a complete surprise to us, just as it should have been. The ship in question hasn’t seen active duty since stardate 5685.5.”
The date struck Scotty with the intensity of a physical blow. All of the puzzle pieces fell into place as the completed picture became clear to the seasoned engineer.
“The Defiant ,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.
“That’s impossible,” Grelin blurted, his antennae twitching noticeably in alarm. “The Defiant is currently docked at Deep Space 9. They couldn’t possibly have traveled to Tholian space in such a—”
“Laddie,” Scotty said, cutting the Andorian off, “did they stop teaching history at the Academy altogether, or are ye just too accustomed to hearin’ five-digit stardates?” He turned to Ross. “Now I know why I’m here, sir.”
Ross couldn’t suppress a smile. “Gentlemen, in 2268 the Constitution -class U.S.S. Defiant was lost with all hands when it traveled into an interspatial rift in an area of space subsequently claimed as a territorial annex of the Tholian Assembly. According to the Tholians, the rift reopened two weeks ago, and the Defiant has been scanned drifting in and out of it nine times since its initial reappearance. The average duration of its visibility is three hours and twelve minutes, though the intervals are by no means consistent.
“In more than a century, just one Federation starship has encountered the Defiant since her disappearance. That ship had the only opportunity to learn what happened to the ship and her crew.” Ross indicated Scotty with a gesture. “We’re just lucky enough to have a member of that ship’s crew with us today.” Steely blue eyes fixed on the engineer.
“Scotty, do you want another crack at her?”
The Defiant . It was one of many memorable missions Scotty had been a part of as a crewmember of the original Enterprise . It also was one of a handful of mysteries they’d encountered that remained unsolved. Leaving the Defiant locked in the spatial rift had never set well with him. The vessel numbered among the original Constitution -class starships, and it was one of two such vessels that Scotty had seen lost or destroyed during his tenure aboard the Enterprise .
Three, counting the ol’ girl herself , Scotty reminded himself.
Constitution -class ships held a special place in his heart,