Myriad Universes 02_ Echoes and Refractions - Keith R. A. DeCandido [206]
“I’ve got this,” Sito said to the ensign at ops, and her hands flew over the controls.
“Decided to come into work today, have you?” Ro asked with a slight smile.
The illumination level on the bridge brightened, as the lights and alarms indicating a state of red alert ceased. Shields were still raised, but the ship was now at condition green.
“Standing by, Commander,” Sito said, looking up from the controls.
La Forge had come around the railing to the captain’s chair, a faint smile on his lips. “Sorry to leave you hanging up here, Ro, but you certainly got the job done.”
“I just had to draw their fire off your backs, is all.”
“And thank you for that,” Sito effused, glancing up. “If we end up going to Bajor, Ro, the raktajinos are on me.”
“I just might take you up on that,” Ro said, grinning. Then her grin faded as she glanced anxiously at the warbird, which now hovered at the center of the viewscreen. “But what about the Haakona?”
La Forge’s smile widened. “Don’t worry about them. The captain’s arranged for an offer they won’t be able to refuse.”
Crusher stood next to Lal, shuffling his feet as the hairless android prepared to open the next gateway. With La Forge and Sito safely back on the Enterprise, they were ready to put the next part of Picard’s plan into effect.
So much hinged on Crusher’s ability to explain the gateway science in a way that the Romulans could understand. Could he do it? Was it possible for him to couch the seemingly impossible physics in terms everyone else could grasp?
He realized that he was twitching, nervously, his hands tapping against his thighs. Then, to his surprise, he felt a soft, warm hand slip into his own, fingers threading through his.
He looked over to see Lal smiling up at him. “It is my understanding, Wesley, that humans often derive comfort in tense situations from touch, and in particular from the practice of holding another’s hand.” She glanced down at their hands, held tightly together. “I hope I have not given offense by employing such a tactic, but it occurs to me that you could likely use calming in these circumstances.”
“Oh, you mean waltzing into the midst of a bunch of Romulans who’d probably sooner shoot us than listen to anything I’ve got to say?” He smiled. “You’re right. And thanks.”
“My friends,” Picard said, calling over his shoulder as the gateway materialized, “this is our chance to set things right.”
Crusher caught Data looking his way, a strange smile on his face.
On the bridge of the warbird, the subcommander and her officers reacted with a mixture of shock, anger, and fear to the sudden appearance of the shimmering gateway in their midst. Disruptors were drawn and ready before Picard even stepped through. He’d insisted on going first, though, hoping that the sudden arrival of a Starfleet officer on the bridge would at least raise enough questions to give the subcommander pause, instead of opting for shooting first and asking questions later, if ever.
His gamble was accurate, but still that didn’t make him any more sanguine about staring down the barrels of a half dozen Romulan disruptors.
“Wh-what is the meaning of this?!” Subcommander Taris sputtered, almost unable to contain her surprise.
Behind Picard came Data, then Lore, Isaac, and finally Lal and Wesley Crusher. The gateway remained open, a door-shaped opening in midair connecting the warbird’s bridge with the hidden chamber in the city far below.
“I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion, Subcommander,” Picard said with a smile. “I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise.” He glanced at the others behind him. “This is my chief engineer, Crusher; Turing resident Lal; and I believe you know Data, Lore, and my chief science officer, A. Isaac.”
Subcommander Taris’s eyes widened, fractionally, but to her credit she maintained her composure. “I am impressed, Picard.” She glanced at