Nightshade - Laurell K. Hamilton [4]
Picard started to follow her, but Worf moved in front of him. Picard sighed as he followed his security officer’s broad back. The three remaining guards took up their posts to either side of Picard and Counselor Troi. This mission was going to be hard enough without Worf taking his safety so terribly seriously. It was not that Picard did not appreciate his own possible danger, but how was he to negotiate peace when his own people were so obviously ready to fight? He wondered if Commander Riker had had a parting word with Worf. Riker took his duty to protect his captain very seriously.
Of course, if Picard insisted on lesser safety measures and was killed for it… Well, he would never hear the end of it, so to speak.
Troi followed the captain. The security guards to either side obstructed most of her view. The filter mask was uncomfortable, cutting into her face.
The robed guards were a mixed bag of emotions: resentment, anger, fear, anticipation, worry, hope. General Basha’s wife, Talanne was worried, frightened. Her husband had almost been killed. it was a normal reaction. but Troi felt the fear was more than that. Colonel Talanne feared them. They were the newcomers, an unknown. It was normal to fear the unknown, and yet… Troi shook her head. She had no words for it, or even a specific feeling. Talanne meant them no harm, in fact was worried for Picard’s safety, yet… Something was wrong, but what?
They were led into a low-ceilinged hallway. The walls were a brilliant buttercup yellow. It was at least one solid color, which was a relief after the courtyard. Worf and the three security guards had to stoop to enter the door. It was only then that Troi realized that all the Orianians were small. None of them were as tall as the Captain, while Worf, Kelly, Conner, and Vincient towered over them.
They towered over Troi as well, but she was used to it. Once in the small enclosed space of the hallway, the size difference made the robed guards nervous. Troi could feel the guards judging them, anticipating treachery.
Worf’s eager attention was like a pressure on Troi’s mind, She often felt the emotions of people she knew stronger than strangers. Worf was, to an extent, in his element. A warrior among warriors, with violence threatening to erupt.
But Troi trusted Worf not to act irresponsibly. Captain Picard’s irritation at Worf’s solicitousness made Troi smile. It would be a battle of wills between them.
There was only one door at the end of the hall. The pale walls stretched back toward the outside door smooth and perfect. Talanne stood to one side of the door. Two robed guards moved in front of her. The door opened. The guards went in weapons at the ready. They didn’t hesitate, or doubt. They just went in ready to kill or be killed. They did not fear death. No, Troi thought, that wasn’t it.
She could feel their minds as they searched the room. They were not afraid, that was true, but they thought of nothing but their task. Their concentration was purely on the situation at hand. if they concentrated hard enough on just their duty, Troi guessed, there was no time for fear.
All the guards waited, their emotions going into hold, their senses alert for… duty. Troi suppressed a shudder. She had been among warrior races before but nothing like these people. They didn’t know any other life. The war had consumed them as surely as it had consumed the other resources of the planet.
The guards came back to the door. “All clear.”
‘Good,” Talanne said. “Captain, welcome to my home.” She entered the room.
Picard tried to follow her, but Worf was still in front of him.
‘Lieutenant. I trust our hostess and her people. I do not think these extra precautions are necessary.”
A variety of emotions played over Worf’s mind. Troi felt them like waves over her body; anger, loyalty, respect. “As you like, Captain.”
Picard took a deep breath and straightened his uniform, a bare pull on his jacket. “Lieutenant.”
‘Thank you,” Troi followed him inside the room. Worf and his people