Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [103]
Reed still didnt feel sufficiently convinced to be able to stop himself from subjecting TPols reasoning to another round of verbal destruction testing. “The Aenar are very strong telepaths, Commander. I thought the esper ability was restricted to touch in Vulcans.
“That is certainly true for the vast majority of us, she said, reiterating a point she had made not long ago to Captain Archer and Doctor Phlox. “However, there have been exceptions. I have become convinced that the link Commander Tucker and I share represents just such an exception.
Knowing what he did about the neurological effects of the trellium-D to which TPol had once been addicted, Reed felt a good deal less sanguine than she apparently did about trusting her subjective feelings of certainty.
“Please forgive me for saying this, Commander, he said very gently. “But I think youre putting a great deal of faith in what might turn out to be nothing more than a dream. Or even some residual effect of trellium-D exposure, he thought, recalling TPols recovery from an addiction to the neurologically toxic mineral.
She said nothing as she stared straight ahead at the planet.
“It just doesnt seem very scientific to me, he said, uncomfortable with the spreading silence.
Seeming to balance her words very delicately on a bulwark of nettles and brambles, she said, “I am a Vulcan, Lieutenant. And Vulcans do not pursue mere dreams across parsecs of interstellar space.
Never underestimate the power of dreams, he thought. Or nightmares.
“Dreams. Visions. Gut hunches. Call them whatever you like, Commander, he said with a shrug. “I just have to ask whether its entirely logical for you to place so much trust in a phenomenon that neither of us can really look at objectively.
To her credit, the only sign of emotion she allowed herself to display was an inquisitive tip of the head as she turned to face him again. “If you truly harbor so many doubts about what were doing out here, then why did you insist on coming along?
Now that is a damned fine question, he thought; he had asked himself the very same thing more than a few times since she had first asked it just before they had absconded with Shuttlepod Two. In light of all the subspace chatter theyd subsequently picked up concerning the Klingon-Draylaxian conflict that had broken out since theyd left Enterprise, Reed could only hope that their current quest wouldnt prove to be as barmy as it might now look to Captain Archer or the rest of his crew.
“I already told you, Commander, he said at length. “We both want to rescue Trip if hes really in as much trouble as you say he is. Besides, I couldnt just let you go off on your own.
The eyebrow rose again. “Even if this entire endeavor ultimately turns out to bewhat is the phrase you humans use?a wild goose chase?
He smiled gently. “ Especially then.
After a pause, TPol said, “I am placing a great deal of faith in you as well, Lieutenant. Specifically in your discretion.
“I thought I already proved how discreet I can be when I didnt rat you out to Captain Archer, Reed said.
“Of course, Mister Reed. But that action only required confidence on a relatively small scale. In allowing you to accompany me on this mission, you are almost certain to discover one of my peoples most closely guarded secrets. And that knowledge will require a much larger degree of discretion.
Reed found it difficult to imagine the nature of any secret the Vulcans might be so intent upon protecting. Nevertheless, he shrugged and said, “I used to work for a bureau whose stock in trade was secrets. I think you can rely on me to keep mum when it counts.
A flashing light on the pilots console interrupted whatever she had been about to say in response. In that same instant, the shuttlepod shook violently before settling back to normal perhaps a second or two later.
“What the hell was that? Reed said as he consulted several conflicting sets of readouts that were vying for his attention across the copilots console.
“We appear to have encountered an intense warp