Pantheon - Michael Jan Friedman [146]
“Was he told of the claims made by Daniels and Santana?” asked Ruhalter. “That the Nuyyad were gearing up to cross the barrier?”
“He was,” Eliopoulos reported soberly. “And according to Jomar, those claims could well be true.”
Ruhalter leaned back in his seat and regarded his officers. “All right,” he declared. “I think we understand the situation. When does Command want us to leave for the barrier?”
“Immediately,” said Eliopoulos. “But on the way, you’re to make a stop at Nalogen Four. Apparently, Jomar is an engineer by training. He feels certain that he can adapt Starfleet tactical systems to make them more effective against the Nuyyad.”
That got Werber’s attention. Simenon’s, too.
“What’s wrong with the systems we have now?” asked Leach.
“I don’t have the details,” Eliopoulos told him. “You’ll have to ask Jomar that question.”
“I intend to,” the first officer said.
“One other thing,” Eliopoulos remarked. “For the sake of convenience, Jomar will assume a human appearance. However, he’ll be more comfortable in his natural form and at times may wish to revert to it.”
“His…natural form?” asked Paxton. “And what might that be?”
“Something with a hundred tentacles,” Eliopoulos told him. “That’s all I know, I’m afraid.”
“That’s enough,” said Cariello.
“We’ll accommodate our friend Jomar as best we can,” Ruhalter declared. “Just as we would any guest on the Stargazer.”
Picard changed the subject. “Naturally,” he said, “we’ll need the coordinates of the Nuyyad positions if we’re to investigate them.”
Leach scowled at the notion. “Assuming, of course, that there are any Nuyyad positions.” Clearly, he wasn’t convinced yet.
“You’ll have the coordinates,” Eliopoulos promised them. “But Command doesn’t want you searching for the Nuyyad on your own, given our lack of experience beyond the barrier. That’s why they’ve provided you with a guide.”
Simenon looked at him askance. “Meaning?”
Eliopoulos glanced at the engineer. “Meaning Jomar won’t be your only guest. Either Daniels or Santana will accompany you as well.”
Werber cursed beneath his breath. Simenon didn’t look very happy either.
“Captain,” said Leach, turning to Ruhalter, “someone didn’t think this through very well. As soon as these people arrived, they were thrown into the brig…that’s how little we trusted them. And now we’re ready to give them the run of the Stargazer?”
“Not the run of her,” Ruhalter assured his exec.
The captain seemed a good deal less perturbed about the prospect than Leach was. At least, that was how it appeared to Picard.
“In fact,” Ruhalter added flatly, “whoever comes with us will be watched day and night. Isn’t that right, Mr. Ben Zoma?”
The security chief nodded. “It is, sir,” he said crisply.
“Nonetheless, sir…” Leach began.
“Thank you for your input,” the captain told him pointedly.
Then he turned to Eliopoulos again. “Tell me,” he said, “did Starfleet Command determine which of your guests I’m to take along?”
The bearded man shook his head. “They left that up to us.”
“In that case,” Ruhalter told him, “I’d like to meet Daniels and Santana. Now, if possible. And unless you’ve got some objections, I’d like to bring a couple of my officers with me.”
Eliopoulos shrugged. “Suit yourself, Captain.”
“I usually do,” said Ruhalter, quirking a smile. He turned to his second officer. “Commander Picard, Lieutenant Ben Zoma…you’re with me.” He glanced at Leach. “You’ve got the conn, Number One.”
His first officer didn’t look very happy about the decision. Clearly, he would rather have beamed over to the starbase with the captain. However, he couldn’t object to Ruhalter’s choice…not in front of Eliopoulos and the entire senior staff.
“Aye, sir,” was all he said.
On that note, the captain dismissed his officers and sent them back to their respective assignments. Then he led Eliopoulos, Picard, and Ben Zoma out of the lounge.
As he followed Ruhalter down the hall, the second officer caught sight of Leach out of the corner of his eye. The first officer was standing with Simenon and Werber and