• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

While the commander did return the handshake, the taller man’s grip was cold and stiff. “It’s been a long time, Captain.”

Frowning, Picard asked, “Have we met before?” He could not recall ever having encountered Sisko in the past.

“Yes, sir,” Sisko said in a dangerously quiet voice, “we met in battle. I was on the Saratoga at Wolf 359.”

Picard recoiled as if he’d been slapped. He quickly broke the handshake. There was a fury in Sisko’s eyes. If he was a survivor of Wolf 359-one of the few-Picard could hardly blame him. It had been seven years, but the memories of being transformed into Locutus, of giving the Borg everything they needed to destroy two score vessels…

Moving to the head of the table, Picard took his seat and looked at the lieutenant commander from security. He pointedly did not look at Sisko as the latter retook the seat opposite him. “I’m Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise.”

“Michael Eddington,” the man said. “I’ve been detached to your command, sir.”

“In fact,” Picard said with a glance at Worf, “you’re dispatched to Mister Worf 's. Or, rather, Captain Worf’s. As of now, he is in command of the Defiant.”

Ross had reacted badly to Picard’s suggestion that Worf be promoted, mainly because he was still unhappy about Worf 's ability to smuggle weaponry into the most secure spot in the Federation, but T’Latrek, Mazibuko, and zh’Thane all overruled him, pointing out that Worf had just saved all their lives. The necessary secrecy of Jaresh-Inyo’s replacement meant that Worf could receive no official commendation for his act, but a promotion seemed in order.

Besides, Picard felt that the Klingon was ideally suited to captain the Defiant.

“Sir,” Sisko said, “the Defiant isn’t ready. We’ve ironed out most of the power-consumption issues, but she hasn’t been tested.”

“Those tests will have to be made in the field, Commander,” Picard said abruptly. “We can no longer afford to wait until the ship is one hundred percent.”

Sisko put his hands flat on the table and stared at Picard with a cold fury that might have impressed the captain at another time. “I cannot authorize taking the Defiant out at this time, Captain.”

Picard couldn’t believe what he was hearing, and wondered how much of it was because of Sisko’s history with Locutus of Borg. Ultimately, however, he didn’t have the luxury of finding out, or of considering Sisko’s feelings. “You aren’t being given a choice, Commander. This is a briefing-I’m not asking for your consent. This mission has the support of the Federation Council and will go forth as planned. Now, given your knowledge of this particular ship, I would prefer it if you were to go as Captain Worf’s first officer. However, if you feel that following orders is too difficult for you, I’m sure Starfleet Command will happily accept your resignation.”

The Starfleet officers at the table were willing to sit and wait until this played out, but Kira Nerys had no such compunctions. “Why the hell are we even arguing about this?” She looked at Sisko. “I’ve looked at the specs for that ship of yours. It’s a monster, but it’s about a thousand times more efficient than anything I flew in the resistance, and we didn’t have a shipyard like this at our disposal. I’m sorry if your plasma manifolds don’t quite purr to your satisfaction, Commander, but there’s a lot more at stake here than-”

Holding up a hand, Sisko said, “Enough. You’re both right, of course. The Defiant’s simply a very-” He cut himself off. “It doesn’t matter.” Looking at the Klingon, he said, “Captain Worf, I accept the transfer to the Defiant as your first officer.”

“Good,” Worf said.

“Captain Scott will be assigned as chief engineer,” Picard said. “Your task is to install a cloaking device before the Defiant reaches the border.”

“You needn’t worry, Captain. After all,” he said with an avuncular smile that reduced the tension in the room, “I’ve a reputation as a miracle worker to live up to.” The smile fell. “I must be askin’, though, sir-what