Marooned - Christie Golden [71]
"I can carry Parrris," said Hrrrl.
Janeway considered. "I'd rather you didn't, Hrrrl. We need you out front, unencumbered. You're our point man. We could perhaps make a travois-"
"I can carry him," said Torres suddenly. "I'm half Klingon, remember?"
"We've got a long way to go," Janeway reminded her.
Torres shrugged, trying not to let her concern show. "I'll let you know when I'm tiring. We can try a travois then. In the meantime, it would only slow us down."
"All right," Janeway agreed. "But don't push yourself too far, Torres. We've all got to keep our strength up." She rose, took a final swig from the canteen, and packed it away. "I'll take Tom's pack. Let's get going. We've still got a few hours left of the night."
Torres put on her own pack. Hffri stood beside her, holding the concealing cape. She knelt beside Paris, slipped her arms underneath him, and hoisted him as gently as he could.
For the first time she could remember, she was suddenly grateful for her Klingon blood. She could carry Tom, thanks to the strength it gave her. She could perhaps save his life. A fierce tenderness washed through her, spreading a sudden calm. She could help, because of who she was, in a way that no one else could. That was something of which to be very, very glad.
He was not much of a burden in her arms. She shifted Paris gently, trying not to wake him. Hrffl placed the cape on her shoulders, and gave her back a quick circular rub.
Bearing her precious burden, Tomes followed her captain into the night.
Kes hit a final button, and the screen went dark. She stretched and her stiff muscles popped. It felt good. She suddenly realized that she had been sitting here in front of the console for several hours, feeling no need to move or eat, intent only on teaming what this alien computer had to teach her. In another chair a few seats away, Kula Dhad lay with his head on the table, sound asleep. He'd become quiet some time ago, but Kes had only barely noticed. She had sat, blue eyes wide and hardly blinking, her face, like a flower turned toward the sun, bathed in the radiant glow that imparted so much information.
She hadn't done much investigation into the Federation's technology of terraforming. She knew a few of Starfleet's principles with regard to such things, of course. The regulations were very strict. Planets with indigenous life-forms were not to be terraformed. The only planets that could spring to new life thanks to advanced technology must be truly dead.
But the Federation's terraforming technology operated on a planetary scale. The furry creatures known as Sshoush-shin, who had erected the protective dome of this place they called New Hann, had been able to regulate the scale on which the technology was enacted. An area as small as five square miles could be teffaformed.
Kes had allowed herself to be slightly sidetracked while researching the terraforming information. She had learned about the Sshoush-shin, the Xians, and the other races who had once been imprisoned here, about some of the extremely dangerous native life that called Mishkara home. With nothing else to do for these hours other than learn, Kes had absorbed information like a sponge. Now, her body, forced to be still for so long, was paying the price.
She rose and went over to Dhad. "Wake up," she said softly, gently shaking his shoulder. Kula Dhad sprang to alertness with an intensity that startled Kes. He leaped to his feet, drawing his weapon. She stepped back, raising her hands. "It's all right!" she said. "It's just me!"
Slowly, Dhad lowered the weapon, looking embarrassed and still blinking himself awake. "How long?"
"I'm not sure." Kes fought to keep the mirth from her voice. "It was very interesting."
"Clearly," snorted Dhad, rubbing his eyes. "Are you finished?" She nodded. "Good. I might have the chance to get an hour or so of sleep