Mosaic - Jeri Taylor [39]
In ten minutes, they were on the surface, then onto the platform, toweling vigorously to restore warmth to their bodies, eating and drinking and laughing with a giddiness that belied the trauma they were processing. When they had rested, warm and full, they climbed the quarry face again, giggling at how easy it seemed compared to what they'd been through. On the top, they looked back down at the water that had so recently tried to destroy them both.
Hobbes eyes sought her face. "You saved my life, Kath," he said simply. "I'll never forget that."
She shrugged, embarrassed. "You'd do the same for me."
"Yes, I would," he said, and there was something in his voice that made her look sharply at him, but she saw nothing in his face. "Well, we better get back," she said, feeling suddenly awkward. "I'd say that's a very good idea," said a voice from behind them, cold and potent.
They whirled, and Kathryn saw her father standing there. "What were you two thinking? You know the quarries are off-limits."
"It's my fault, sir," Hobbes said instantly. "I've been here with my father, and I asked Kathryn to come swimming with me."
Her father's eyes shifted to her. "Kathryn?" he said simply, and while every part of her wanted to let Hobbes' gallant statement stand, she knew she couldn't lie to her father. "Hobbes is being a gentleman, Dad. I was here with Emma and Mary. I talked them into it. Hobbes came later." She glanced at Hobbes. "Thanks anyway." Vice-Admiral Janeway tapped his commbadge and then took each of them by an arm. "Janeway to Ops Center. Three to beam in."
And in an instant they were standing inside Ops, where curious officers looked at them, smiling at the incongruity of two young people in swim gear standing in the pristine room.
Kathryn's father ushered them into an adjacent corridor. "Is there anything else you have to say about this little escapade?"
"It just seemed like fun. We swam and we dived some." Kathryn held her father's gaze firmly. She wouldn't lie to him, but choosing to omit some of the details seemed perfectly justifiable. There was no way she was going to tell him about their near-miss in the cave opening. "But you knew you weren't supposed to be there?"
"Yes, Dad."
"You're grounded for the next week, Kathryn. And no holodeck privileges, either. Hobbes, I expect you to tell your parents about this. What they decide to do is up to them."
"Yes, sir."
"Dad... was Kathryn was trying to keep the despair out of her voice. "We're only going to be here another week. I made plans, and there's a party next Saturday-was
"You should have thought of that before you headed for the quarries. Now go back to quarters and be prepared to spend the week there."
She felt tears begin to form, and quickly blinked them back. There was no way she was going to cry in front of him, no way she'd let him know this unfair punishment meant anything to her. She lifted her chin and looked him right in the eye.
"Yes, sir, was she snapped, and turned on her heel and stalked out. As she left, she heard Hobbes talking softly with her father, apologizing, trying to take more responsibility for the incident, hoping to spare Kathryn. She hated him for it.
Indignation mounted in her. How could her father treat her like this? He was never around anymore, always off conferring with Starfleet officials-what right did he have descending on her just to mete out punishment? The unju/s of it enveloped her like a noxious fog. But those thoughts didn't suppress the one that had tickled her mind ever since they had climbed up the rockface from the quarry: some day, she would go back there. She would be prepared. She would dive into the quarry, enter the cave opening, and explore the Olympus Mons system. No matter what her father had to say about it.
CHAPTER 9
"REPORT." CAPTAIN JANEWAY STRODE ONTO THE BRIDGE WITH renewed determination. She