Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [84]
“Youre welcome, TLuadh said with what Trip thought was an overly theatrical pout.
Terix exited the saloon without so much as a backward glance, and Trip followed a short distance behind him. As they wended their way through the rough and shopworn spaceport district toward the austere launch pad where they had left their small scoutship, Trip considered what might await them in the Taugus system. They would either root out the thieves who had raided Ehrehins lab, or else walk right into a trap set for them by TLuadh and the Ejhoi Ormiin dissidents.
Life or death, to be determined by capricious fate as much as by their own brilliant improvisations. As they strapped themselves into their seats in the vessels cramped cockpit and worked their way through the pre-launch checklist, Trip hoped the former would take a back seat to the latter.
“Scoutship Drolae, said a tinny voice from Cherons spaceport traffic control facility. “You are clear to depart from launch pad khider.
“Scoutship Drolae acknowledging, Terix said after toggling open the channel. He entered a brief series of commands into the console before him, and a moment later Cherons broken and silent mausoleum cities fell away into the infinite night as the chase resumed.
“Leaving Cheron orbit, Trip said, casting a sidelong glance at Terix. The centurion acknowledged him with a silent nod before returning his attention to his console and the star-sprinkled blackness that filled the forward window above it.
Trip continued studying his traveling companion surreptitiously, and wondered what would happen in the event their mission succeeded. After all, he still couldnt allow the Romulan military to obtain the secret of the warp-seven stardrive. And he felt certain that Terix still regarded him merely as a useful enemya resource to be exploited, but tolerated only for the duration of the current circumstances.
Am I going to have to kill this guy before he gets a chance to turn on me?
Prepared to remain alert and vigilant throughout the entire voyage to Taugus III, he gazed forward into the boundless void and hoped he was betraying no outward sign of his internal turmoil.
He wondered if Stillwell and Harris would be reassured by his newfound paranoia.
Enterprise NX-01
“Sometimes venting at a computer screen just wont cut it, Archer said as he stepped into sickbay. “Phlox, youre the only other person aboard I can really talk to about this.
“Captain, Phlox said in a gently bantering tone. “You know I only sleep six days per year, whether I need it or not. And unless Im very much mistaken, I wont need to do it again for another seven or eight of your months. The doctor busied himself feeding one of the exotic alien animals he kept in his small therapeutic menagerie.
“I need TPol and Malcolm here, Phlox, Archer said. “Captain Hernandez and I need their help sorting out this Draylax business. We still dont have a clue about the real reasons behind the Klingon attack. Or why the Klingons felt it necessary to destroy their own ships to stop it.
Phlox adopted a patient expression, as though he were ministering to a particularly challenging patient. “But you said yourself that Commander TPol and Lieutenant Reed left Enterprise prior to the Draylax crisis.
“I did, Archer said, almost snapping despite his best efforts to remain calm. “But that doesnt do us any good at the moment.
Phlox nodded. “Youre angry because they left without official authorization.
“Of course Im angry about that! Again, frustration seemed to be getting the better of him, but he felt too damned tired to fight it off any longer.
“Thats certainly understandable, Captain, Phlox said, unfazed. “Would you like a mild sedative?
“Thanks, but no, Archer said as he rubbed at eyes that felt as gritty as a sandlot baseball diamond. “I should have seen this coming. And kept a closer eye on TPol. I cant believe I missed the warning signs!
Phlox closed up the container that housed his specimens, then focused his icy