Myriad Universes 02_ Echoes and Refractions - Keith R. A. DeCandido [111]
Perim said, “The Ferengi ship will cross the border in seven minutes.”
“We’re being hailed by the Ferengi ship,” Ro said. “The signal’s weak…”
“On audio,” Worf said.
“Federa…ajoran resistance. Requesting asy…eat, re…ing asylum in the Federation…” The message degenerated into static.
“Captain,” Krajensky said, “we must grant the asylum request.”
“I had no intention of doing otherwise,” Picard said tartly. “Ro, hail the Reklar.”
“Actually, Lemec’s hailing us,” Ro said.
“On screen.” Picard got to his feet. “Tie in Captains Shelby and Amalfitano.”
Lemec’s face reappeared. “Captain Picard, this does not concern you.”
“I’m afraid it does, Gul Lemec. That ship’s occupants have requested asylum in the Federation, which we will grant if they cross the border. If you cross the border, you should know that we have standing orders to fire on any Cardassian vessel that violates Federation space.”
Krajensky whirled around in surprise at that. Picard had been specifically instructed by Admiral Haden not to share that new standing order with Krajensky for fear that he would react just this way. Indeed, Picard himself had reacted thus, but Haden had made it clear that failure to comply with that order would not be looked upon with favor by the admiralty-especially after what had happened to Voyager, Intrepid, and the other ships.
“You’re welcome to try, Captain.” Lemec’s smile was wide and unpleasant, and gave him the aspect of a cobra.
Time then, Picard thought, to be the mongoose. “Screen off.”
“Red alert,” Worf said. “Arm all phasers and torpedo bays. Raise shields.”
“Ferengi yacht approaching the border,” Perim said over the alert siren.
Kadohata added, “I’m reading an imbalance in their intermix chamber. Estimate three minutes to a breach.”
Worf asked Ro, “The Cardassians?”
“Still on an intercept course. They’ll follow the yacht over the border.” Looking up from the readout, Ro asked Worf, “Permission to wipe them off the face of the galaxy, sir.”
“Stand by,” Worf said.
Picard kept his composure, but was no more pleased with Ro’s bloodthirstiness than he was with O’Brien’s, though it came from the same source. As a Bajoran, Ro had grown up under Cardassian oppression, after all.
To Krajensky, the captain said, “Mister Ambassador, if you would please report to Transporter Room 3. I believe we shall have to beam our refugees aboard, and you’re best qualified to greet them.”
Nodding, Krajensky said, “Of course, Captain.”
“Lieutenant,” Picard said to Ro, “have a security detail meet the ambassador there.”
“Sir,” Kadohata said, “the Reklar is coming around-they’re crossing the border now, sir.”
Shelby’s voice sounded over the speaker. “I’ll take care of Lemec, Captain.”
“Very well, Captain Shelby. Godspeed.”
The Excalibur veered off onto an intercept course with the Reklar. Ro put the tactical display back up, showing the two ships engaging.
Picard was pleased to see that the Reklar’s weapons fire-which had the same energy signature as the phased polaron beams that destroyed seven Federation ships days ago-were stopped by Excalibur’s shields. He gave silent thanks to Voyager and her crew for managing to send off the specs for the weapon before they were lost.
However, Excalibur’s shields were down to eighty percent.
“Ferengi yacht now across the border,” Perim said.
“Sladok right behind,” Kadohata added.
Worf said, “Prepare to fire on the Sladok as soon as it enters Federation space.”
“Aye, sir.” Ro said the words with relish.
Picard tapped his combadge. “Bridge to transporter room-can you get a lock on the occupants of the yacht?”
“Stand by, sir,” Chief Mun Ying said. After a brief