Oblivion - Michael Jan Friedman [61]
“Why is that?” asked the glinn.
“There’s a raised spine that runs around the outside of the hull, designed to house certain power-distribution conduits. Of course, the Chezzulid needed access to those conduits in case something malfunctioned.”
“And do you know how they arranged that access?” asked Tain.
“I do,” said Picard.
“So you can get us into that spine?”
The human nodded. “Yes.”
“How close can we get to your friend?” Tain asked.
“Close enough to touch her,” said Picard, “if not for the bulkhead separating her from us.”
“Which we can break through with our disruptors,” the glinn said, picturing it.
“That is the idea,” the human agreed.
“But we will have to move quickly,” said Tain. “Otherwise, Steej’s men will be on top of us.”
“More than likely,” said Picard, “the majority of Steej’s officers will be deployed at the entrance to the detention facility. They will not expect a problem to emerge from the direction of my friend’s cell.”
It makes sense, the glinn thought.
“And even after they have determined what is happening,” said Picard, “it will not be easy for them. The entrance to the room that contains Guinan’s cell is a narrow one. Steej’s men will not be able to get inside it all at once—especially if they have to worry about being fired upon.”
“And by then, we may be gone.”
“Precisely,” said Picard.
The more Tain heard, the more he liked the idea.
“There’s just one problem,” said the human. “The Chezzulid are not exactly masters of warp-drive mechanics. The only way they can muster enough power for faster-than-light travel is to cheat in the area of life supports.”
“What does that mean?” asked Tain.
“It means they only have heat where it is absolutely necessary. The rest of the vessel is allowed to drop to a temperature well below freezing.”
The glinn scowled. He found Oblivion cold enough, and it was generally kept at a temperature most species considered comfortable. He cringed at the prospect of moving through an environment with hardly any heat at all.
On the other hand, he had a mission to carry out. He wasn’t eager to tell his superiors that he had let his personal comfort come before his duty.
“That’s not an obstacle,” he said.
Picard nodded. “Good. The other thing you will want to know is that the spaces we will be passing through are rather narrow.” He took in the Cardassians at a glance. “I doubt that all of you will make it through.”
The glinn considered his men, of whom there were now six. A couple of them were rather fleshy, now that he thought about it.
Fortunately, Tain himself was in good shape. He wouldn’t be one of those forced to stay behind.
“Then we won’t all go,” he said.
“As long as you accept that,” said Picard.
“How soon can we do this?” asked the Cardassian.
After all, time was a factor. If the authorities had closed in on Picard and his friend for asking questions, Tain and his underlings might become their next targets.
Picard shrugged. “Now, if you like.”
Tain nodded. “Let’s get started.”
The human held his hand out. “I will need my weapon back.”
“For what purpose?” Tain wondered.
“We are breaking into a heavily guarded detention facility.”
“And?” asked the glinn.
“And what if Steej’s men fire at me?”
“Then,” said Tain, “I expect you’ll die. Or at the least, sustain painful injuries.”
The human made a face. “I am not terribly fond of either outcome.”
“How fond are you of dying here and now in this abandoned shop?” the glinn asked.
Picard glanced at Karrid and Beylen again. “Point taken,” he said.
“Then we’re agreed,” said Tain.
“Yes.” The human started for the exit.
“Just one other thing,” said the glinn.
Picard looked back at him.
“If at any time I even suspect you’re trying to deceive me, I will put a burning hole in your back the size of your head. Is that clear?”
“Quite clear,” the human assured him.
“Then let’s go,” said Tain.
Chapter Fifteen
GUINAN SAT IN THE SAME CELL Picard had occupied the day before, looking out through a transparent barrier at a portion