Pantheon - Michael Jan Friedman [176]
Glancing at the chronometer that sat alongside his bed, he saw that it was almost time for him to get up anyway. And if it had been any other morning, he wouldn’t have minded doing so in the least.
However, he had been up the better part of the night laying in wait for Werber and his compatriots. And even after the second officer had sprung his trap, he had had trouble sleeping.
It was understandable, he told himself. Armed mutinies had a way of unsettling one.
Swinging his legs out of bed, Picard got to his feet and pulled a robe on. Just in case his visitor was a tardy mutineer, he picked up the phaser he had acquired and tucked it into the palm of his hand. Then he made his way to the next room.
“Come,” he said.
The sliding doors whooshed open, revealing the lizardlike form of Phigus Simenon standing in the corridor outside. The Gnalish’s eyes were slitted and even more fiery than usual.
“Are you crazy?” he demanded of Picard, gesticulating as he entered the room. “Have you lost your mind entirely?”
Perhaps it was his weariness. Perhaps it was the undeniable frustration in Simenon’s voice. Either way, the second officer wasn’t inclined to take umbrage at the way he was being addressed.
“I would have to say ‘no’to both questions,” he answered drily. “Why do you ask?”
“Why do I ask?” the engineer echoed. “Could it have something to do with the way you’ve treated Werber and half a dozen other officers—throwing them in the brig just for disagreeing with your decisions?” He waddled up to Picard and glowered at him nose-to-snout. “While you’re at it, Commander, why don’t you throw me in the brig as well?”
The second officer waved away the notion. “You misunderstand,” he said. “I didn’t have Mr. Werber and his friends incarcerated because they disagreed with me. I had them incarcerated because they invaded my quarters with phasers in their hands and mutiny on their minds.”
Simenon looked at him askance. “Mutiny…?” he rasped.
“Indeed,” Picard confirmed. “And it would have succeeded had it not been for Lieutenant Vigo in the weapons section, who overheard Werber and two of his fellow officers making plans to neutralize me.”
The Gnalish gaped at him, then shook his head. “You’re lying.”
“I assure you,” said the second officer, “I am not. Werber led an attempt at mutiny last night. If you have any doubts, you can ask one of the security officers who helped capture the conspirators.”
In all the weeks Picard had spent on the Stargazer, he had never seen Phigus Simenon at a loss for words…until that very moment. The engineer looked positively deflated.
“You know,” Simenon grated after a while, “it’s not in my nature to admit that I’m wrong.”
“So I gather,” said the second officer.
“That fact notwithstanding,” the Gnalish continued, “it seems I may have misjudged you.”
“Actually,” Picard said generously, “I may have misjudged you as well.”
Simenon’s eyes narrowed. “How so?”
“Frankly,” the second officer told him, “I expected to find you among the mutineers. In their forefront, in fact. I would say we’re both capable of jumping to conclusions.”
The engineer snorted. “Apparently.”
Picard considered Simenon. He and the Gnalish hadn’t ever spoken at length before, especially about personal matters. But now that they had, the second officer found himself liking the fellow.
“I think I’ll slink off now,” said Simenon. “I’ve got some friends in the brig who’ll no doubt need cheering up.” He hesitated. “That is, if it’s all right with my commanding officer.”
Picard nodded. “Go ahead. Just one request.”
“What’s that?” asked the Gnalish.
“Don’t slip any of the prisoners a phaser. I don’t think the guards I’ve posted would appreciate it.”
Simenon chuckled. “You have my word.” Then, dragging his scaly tail behind him, he left Picard’s quarters.
The second officer watched his doors slide closed behind the engineer. Then he returned to his bedroom and put down his phaser.
Someone had once told him that something good comes out of even the worst circumstances. If he had established even a small bond of trust with