Have Tech, Will Travel (SCE Books 1-4) - Keith R. A. DeCandido_. [et al.] [98]
Hoping his voice wouldn’t break, he said. “Aye, that I do, sir.”
“Admiral,” Commander Grelin said as he leaned forward in his chair, “what’s to say this isn’t some kind of ploy to lure us into a trap?”
By way of reply, Ross thumbed a keypad on the tabletop that activated the briefing room’s main viewscreen. It promptly displayed an image of the century-old starship, glowing a fluorescent blue seemingly from within and winking in and out of sync with the universe.
“This was relayed to us from one of our Epsilon deep space reconnaissance stations that was retasked to monitor the region,” Ross said. “We’ve no reason to believe what we’re seeing isn’t authentic.”
Scotty remembered that day, ages ago, when he had first laid eyes on the missing ship. “Admiral, that’s just what she looked like from the bridge of the Enterprise .”
“This invitation to reclaim the Defiant doesn’t come lightly,” Ross said. “The Tholians aren’t excited about a Federation ship working in their space, but they want this situation resolved before word of the rift and the ship spreads to every sightseer and salvager in the quadrant. They’re grateful enough for our assistance during the Dominion War that they’re allowing us an escorted attempt to get the Defiant back. We’re going to take it.”
Marshall nodded. “We’re looking forward to working with the Tholians in such an atmosphere of cooperation. It is an unprecedented endeavor and could do much to improve our relations with the Assembly. But know this, gentlemen: I believe the progress we’ve made with the Tholians is far more important than the recovery of some relic that’s remembered only by history buffs.”
Diplomats, Scotty huffed to himself. “Mr. Marshall, I dinna know about all the political ramifications, but surely ye’d agree that it’s important to bring the ship’s crew home for the final respects they deserve.”
Marshall was unmoved. “I don’t think it’s important enough to risk war.”
Scotty could sense himself falling victim to what he dubbed the “Robert Fox Syndrome.” It was a term coined by his longtime friend Leonard McCoy and used to describe a longing desire to launch an insufferable politician from a photon torpedo tube. Whereas Scotty might have been tempted to indulge that inclination in his younger days, age and wisdom instead told him he would be better off if he simply returned his attention to Ross.
“Admiral, I’d like to head out there and help with recovery. No one alive knows the ins and outs of a Constitution -class ship better than I do.”
“If time wasn’t an issue, I’d agree,” Ross replied. “But the Tholians aren’t a patient people, and they’re already complaining that we’re taking too long. Given the difficulties we’re likely to encounter during the mission, both technical and political, it’s vital that whomever we send to lead this mission be an innovative thinker as well as a level-headed diplomat. There are two ships with S.C.E. detachments in range of the Defiant : the Musgrave and the da Vinci . Your opinion?”
“I’d send the da Vinci , sir,” Scotty said. “Captain Gold has the temperament to handle the Tholians, and if anybody can get the Defiant out of that mess, it’s Commander Gomez and her team.”
Ross stood, signaling an end to the meeting. “Very well. Proceed as you think best, Captain, and keep us informed.”
Walking toward the door, Marshall halted abruptly and turned on his heel to face Scotty. “Remember, Captain, that preserving the peace between the Federation and the Tholians is more important than a single starship, whether it’s the Defiant or the da Vinci .”
Not replying to the diplomat, Scotty instead looked