Nightshade - Laurell K. Hamilton [1]
Worf’s hand was a steady, solid presence. She took a deep breath and stepped away from him. “I’m fine.” Now that she was prepared, Troi could ride the pain and the rage. Everyone’s attention was fixed on the viewscreen, no one but Worf had seen her momentary weakness. Troi was grateful for that. It was inexcusable to allow other people’s emotions to throw her so badly. Composing herself, she moved to take her seat on Captain Picard’s left.
The battered man on the screen said, “I have honored you beyond our customs by allowing you to see my face. I hoped it would convince you. Our enemies, the Venturies are determined to stop these peace talks. Captain Picard, please reconsider. It is far, far too dangerous to risk a Federation ambassador. You see what they have done to me.” He raised his good hand to emphasize the cuts on his face. “If it had not been for my bodyguards, I would not be speaking to you now.”
‘I assure you, General Basha, that I will take all precautions for my safety. But I do not intend to allow terrorists to derail these negotiations before they even begin,” Captain Picard said in his careful accent.
‘Captain, please, I want these talks to go on as scheduled. Our scientists say we have only a decade at most before our planet can no longer sustain life. This civil war has devastated our lands and our people. But I cannot ask you to give your life in our war.
‘That is commendable, General, but…”
‘At least promise you will bring bodyguards,” the general said.
Captain Picard sighed. “If you believe it to be necessary.”
General Basha stared at Picard, his brown eyes looking suddenly tired. “My second in command was assassinated yesterday evening, Captain Picard. If you insist on coming down here, then yes, by all means, bring bodyguards.”
Captain Picard nodded. “I am sorry for your loss.” Basha made a small push-away gesture with his good hand. “It happens, Captain. Our war has lasted two hundred years, it happens. I will meet you as soon as I have been attended to.”
‘Do you need any medical assistance?” Picard asked.
‘Thank you, but no, our medical facilities are quite good. I pray that you do not find out how good.” With that the screen went blank.
‘Well,” Picard said, “what do you make of that, Number One?”
Commander William Riker’s round, bearded face frowned. “I request permission to act as ambassador to Oriana.”
‘Why, Number One, trying to steal some of my thunder?” Picard smiled slightly as he said it.
‘Captain, two assassination attempts in twenty four hours, one death. It’s too dangerous to risk your life.”
‘I disagree. This planet is dying, Will. If this war is not stopped, the Orianians are facing genocide, I have been requested as ambassador, and that is what I am going to be.”
‘With all respect, Captain,” Riker said, “it is too dangerous.”
‘I agree with Commander Riker,” Worf said, leaning over his console to loom above the captain’s chair.
‘I appreciate the concern, but I will not be frightened off.”
Riker frowned. “Then at least take a full security complement.”
‘I have every intention of taking security with me, Will. I am not eager to fall prey to an assassin’s attack.”
‘It is still very dangerous, Captain,” Worf said.
Picard scooted his chair so he could see his Security Officer. “Are you saying, Lieutenant Worf, that your security personnel could not see to my safety?”
Worf stiffened. “I did not say that.”
Picard smiled. “Good. Pick three people and meet me in the transporter room in an hour.”
‘Very good, Captain,” Worf said. He didn’t salute, of course, but Troi could hear it in his voice, a growl of respect. He left the bridge to gather his security team.
‘Only two guards, Captain?” Riker asked.
‘I am not going to take another army down on the planet, There are quite enough armed camps down there already.” He turned to Troi. “What did you think of General Basha, Counselor?”
‘He was in a great deal of pain, but hid it well. He is very strong, both physically and emotionally. He feels sorrow over the death of his second-in-command. He is full