Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [121]
The Klingon doctor growled something at the woman in their native tongue, but the words were too quick and low and guttural for Phloxs translator unit to pick up. The woman glared again, baring her fangs, then stepped up to Phlox.
He swiftly pulled his eyes up from where they werehis gaze had immediately focused on the point where her deep cleavage swelled most provocativelyand met her angry gaze.
“If you harm Krell any further, she snarled, “you will not see another sunrise, DenobuluSngan . She spat out the Klingon name for his race as though it were a curse.
As she moved away from him, Phlox stepped in to examine the work already being done by KonJef and the other Klingon medic. The work seemed to be competentat least so farbut Phlox feared it would leave Krell with only partial use of his hand.
“Please allow me to assure you and the admiralswife, that I will do everything in my power to help him.
KonJef glared at him with hard, steel-gray eyes. “Shes his sister . I am his husband. And I will make certain you do nothing wrong.
Being a Denobulan with three wives, each of whom had three spouses of her own, Phlox had no reason to find Krells family arrangement in any way unusual. Nodding, he reached for a microscalpel that lay on a nearby tray. “Do you have a pair of fiber-enhancers and some brighter surgical lights? he asked the other two medical personnel. “Id like to make certain that Admiral Krell regains the full use of his arm.
Archer sat up painfully on the hard surgical slab as Chancellor MRek strode into the medical chamber, flanked by several warriors.
“Captain Archer, MRek began. “Your tenacity and stubbornness, not to mention your savagery in battle, mark you as a spirit who was probably meant to be a Klingon. The pink, fleshy form that spirit now resides in notwithstanding.
Archer tried to smile, and winced at the pain in his face, a lingering souvenir of Krells attempt to rip his cheek from his skull. “I consider that a great compliment, Chancellor. He put up a hand to discourage Phlox from approaching. Phlox backed away, lowering his gaze as well as the medical scanner in his hand.
“Despite your unwillingness to kill your opponentan outcome we truthfully thought to be impossible to begin withyou have fulfilled your part of our bargain, MRek said.
“So youre going to tell me the plain truth about the attacks on Draylax.
MRek shook his head. “No, I will not. That duty will fall to Admiral Krell. He turned to regard the Klingon whom Archer had been told was the High Councils chief physician. “Doctor KonJef, can you rouse Krell long enough for him to perform his duties?
Archer thought he saw a look of anger flicker over the doctors face, but the man merely nodded. Archer imagined that even a chief physician would think very carefully before daring to defy the wishes of the leader of the Klingon High Council.
“He has just endured a long and intricate surgical ordeal, Chancellor, KonJef said. “It will be painful for him, but I believe I can wake him without causing him any permanent harm.
“Do it, MRek said. Turning back to Archer, he said, “The evidence that he shows you will not be allowed to leave QonoS.
“But how am I supposed to convince my superiors that
“That is your problem, Terangan, not mine, MRek said, interrupting him. “Your government expected us to take your word as to its intentions. If your superiors expect us to trust you, then surely they will not mind affording us the same respect.
Archer nodded. Whatever Im about to learn must embarrass the hell out of the Klingons, he thought. Or else they wouldnt care so much about hard evidence leaking out.
He could only hope that, as MRek had said, his own word would be enough to assuage the suspicions and fears of the decision-makers of the Coalition of Planets.
THIRTY-ONE
Taugus III
T RIP FELT A PALPABLE SENSE of relief when his own eyes finally confirmed that the explosion that had laid waste to Sopeks hideout hadnt taken the Scoutship