Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [9]
Data, like his human colleagues, was unable to reconcile Tasha’s senseless death with any kind of justice in the universe. Slowly, in his search to comprehend human nature, he was coming to accept that
a primary characteristic of being human was paradox: not understanding certain things gave him more in common with man than understanding them did. The dark clothing, and Adin’s human-average brown-hairstbrown-eyes coloring, might have caused another man to blend inconspicuously into the background. But not Adin; even in the middle of a crowded shuttle bay, he was the center of attention.
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Captain Picard. “Mr. Adin, I’m glad to see you in one piece.”
“I’m glad to see you as well, Captain-though I must admit, these aren’t the circumstances I’d have chosen for our meeting.”
Picard nodded. “What are you doing here? This isn’t a recommended civilian space lane.”
“Starfleet opened it three months ago,” Adin replied. “It may not be recommended, but there’s nothing warning private craft away.”
“He is correct, Captain,” Data added.
“This is the fastest route for any craft capable of Warp Four or above to the quadrant of explored space along the neutral zone. Small craft are warned only that there are no inhabited planets or space stations, hence no refueling or repair depots. It might be foolhardy to take this route in a single ship, but there is nothing to indicate that it is not safe for three ships in convoy.”
Adin smiled. “I’m sure we can repair our ships, Captain Picard-if you will permit us to work here in your shuttle bay …”
“Of course,” Picard replied. “The engineering staff are currently on alert, because of those power surges from Elysia. Once we are back to normal status I shall assign some of our crew to help you.”
“There’s no need—” “We owe you,” Picard interrupted firmly.
Adin seemed surprised; Data didn’t understand why, as Starfleet policy was to offer aid in repairing any ship in distress. It was also Starfleet policy to make good on its mistakes, such as the one that had resulted in Dare’s unjust conviction.
“Now, I want all of your crew examined in sickbay, then assigned to guest quarters,” Captain Picard continued. “Feel free to work on your ships. And don’t hesitate to ask for assistance or equipment. In the meantime-was Picard tapped his communicator. “Bridge-anything new to report, Number One?” “It’s stopped-as if those surges never existed. was Riker’s voice hesitated. “Data, could your friends have done something to provoke the Elysians?” “Nothing,” Adin asserted. “We were merely cutting through this sector on the way to Braneherion. We had no intention of coming near Elysia-the first surge pulled us off course. The planet’s listed on the charts as pre-industrial and not desiring contact. We were skirting the outer edge of the star system when it just reached out and grabbed us.”
“I find it unsettling,” Picard added, “that something powerful enough to affect a starship can turn on and off like that.”
“Perhaps it is artificial,” Data suggested.
“But we did not show even radio transmissions from Elysia.”
“Captain-can we risk going closer?” Riker asked. “And if the surges begin again?” Picard asked. “The Enterprise withstood them before and pulled three other ships free,” Data replied. “I believe we can establish standard orbit and still maintain the ship’s 27 safety. The question is whether we should risk an away team.” “We’ll survey the planet from standard orbit then, Number One,” Picard instructed. “And