Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [46]
“True enough, said Juan, who was staring at the com interface from the opposite side. “But look at the frequency bands the transmitter used.
“Hell, Nora said. “I didnt tell the damned thing to use the snail channel.
“Looks like the transmitters subspace capabilities must have gone down, Juan said with a cool, appraising nod, his hitch aboard the Horizon evidently having inoculated him against finding any sort of technological glitch surprising. He turned toward Paul. “The computer must have automatically enabled the regular EM radio antenna as a backup. So ECS Central isnt going to receive that transmission for over a century, Jefe.
“You know, I think I like Jefe even less than I like Skipper, Paul said.
“Sorry, boss, Juan said as he returned to scrutinizing the com console. Paul wasnt sure whether he was talking about the title or the balky transmitter.
Regardless, he knew there was no point in chewing anyone out over this little setback. After all, virtually instantaneous interstellar communication via the subspace bands was still a relatively recent innovation, at least for humans, and therefore wasnt yet completely trouble-free even under ideal circumstances. And that micrometeoroid swarm that had forced the Horizon s most recent unscheduled layover couldnt exactly be described as an ideal circumstance; the crew might continue to encounter yet-undiscovered meteoroid damage for weeks to come.
“Well have to take the entire com system offline for a few hours at least while we get this problem sorted out, Juan said.
“The sooner you two get those subspace bands tuned back in, Paul said, “the sooner I can cross that report off my list.
Perhaps ten minutes after Nora and Juan had pulled open the bridges primary com system access panel, Charlie pointed directly toward the main viewer.
“What the hell is that ? he said with a puzzled frown.
Looking at the forward screen, Paul could see for himself that his helmsman wasnt simply imagining things. A long, tapered shape had indeed suddenly appeared like an apparition before his startled gaze, seemingly materializing out of nowhere.
Nora and Juan both abruptly set aside their com system repairs, transfixed by the approaching ship.
“Must have roared in pretty damned fast, Juan said. “Id guess she must have been doing warp four or better before she went sublight.
“What kind of ship is she? Nora wanted to know.
“I hope its not what it looks like, Charlie said, his eyes suddenly going nearly wide enough to see in the radio spectrum.
Paul swallowed hard as he nodded in silent agreement with the Horizon s pilot. The bulbous projection at the nearer end of the incoming vessels long, narrow body marked it as something no freighter captain wanted to encounter. As did its two widely spaced, ventrally curved engine nacelles.
The dull glow Paul saw emanating from the depths of the newcomers forward weapons tube wasnt exactly an encouraging sign, either.
“Whats a Klingon battle cruiser doing way out here in the Gamma Hydra sector? he said, addressing nobody in particular. “Were a hell of a lot closer to the Romulans stomping grounds right now than we are to Klingon space.
“Lets just hope they keep right on going without noticing us, Juan said, standing beside the com console, transfixed by the image on the screen.
Equally absorbed by the approaching apparition, Charlie said, “Not much chance of that. What are the odds theyd just happen to drop out of warp almost right on top of us?
“Im receiving a hail, Nora said. “Audio only.
“Put it on speakers, Paul said, nodding.
A deep, gravel-coated voice resounded through the small bridge. “Nov Duj. Pejeghbe Duj. Ghuh tIjta pagh QIH.
“Dunno what hes saying, Charlie said. “But it doesnt sound friendly.
Paul was forced to agree. “Run that through the translation matrix, Nora.
“Already on it, she said as she finished entering a brief series of commands into her console.
A few tense heartbeats later, the computer substituted a synthetic English-speaking voice for that of