Possession - J.M. Dillard [16]
“Of course it will change humanity,” Tarmud agreed brightly. “For the better!”
“I hardly think—” Picard began, but Tarmud interrupted heatedly.
“Captain, your reaction is typical—and, if you’ll forgive me, almost medieval in its superstitious insistence that we must yield to death because that’s the way it’s always been. Why? Why yield to such a curse, any more than we should yield to disease, to suffering, to poverty? Our greatest thinkers could be preserved to serve the Universe forever! Each of us could fulfill our destinies without the endless ticking clock that follows our every hour. Young victims of accidents could be saved to live out the life they were intended to.”
As a second wash of emotions buffeted Deanna, Beverly made a slight strangled sound, then spun on her heel and left the area before Troi could speak to her. Picard’s reaction, likewise, was so strong that the Betazoid moved toward him, trying to think of something, anything she might say to help him resolve his anger over Ito’s death. But one look at his face told her now was not the time.
“I’m sorry,” Tarmud said, visibly confused by everyone’s reaction. “My intent was only to make you think about your prejudices, not to upset you.”
“The crew has suffered a recent loss,” Deanna explained gently. “Our memorial service was just a short time ago in this very room. I’m afraid it was a needless death.”
“How tragic,” Tarmud commiserated, his emotions clearly sincere. “But, really, Counselor, all deaths are needless.”
Troi glanced at Picard, saw him visibly struggling to contain his anger. His jaw worked, then he said in a low voice, “Excuse me, Doctor, but I can think of at least two Enterprise captains who would have disagreed with you.”
Before the scientist could respond, Picard’s communicator beeped. He slapped the device on his chest harder than was necessary and growled, “Picard here!”
“Sorry to disturb you, Captain,” said a female officer from the bridge, “but there’s a priority message coming in from the planet Vulcan.”
“Send it to my ready room. I’ll be right there. Picard out.” Then he pivoted, spine rigid, and strode away.
Geordi and Data sidled away from the display uncomfortably as Deanna turned to her tall escort. “Will, I think I’ll take you up on that offer now. Take me out of here, please.”
Riker nodded and escorted her away from the man who was determined to defeat death.
Chapter Two
AS PICARD ENTERED his ready room from the bridge, he straightened his jacket and checked his appearance before calling for the message from Vulcan. He wanted to be sure his exterior wasn’t as ruffled as his interior felt. Dr. Tarmud must think him the most irascible captain he’d ever met, but, frankly, Picard didn’t care about that right now.
Assured that he appeared as captainlike as usual, he placed himself before the small viewscreen and signaled for the call.
The screen went black. The starkly simple logo of the planet Vulcan appeared a scant moment later, then was abruptly replaced by the austere features of an aged Vulcan male.
Master Scientist Skel? Picard almost said, assuming that his soon-to-be Enterprise passenger was contacting the ship to confirm the pickup arrangements.
But before the words could pass his lips, the white-haired Vulcan—clad in somber aubergine robes that marked him as a government official—lifted his gnarled hand in the classic Vulcan salute. “Captain Picard. I am Senat, chief of planetary security. You were scheduled to pick up the scientist, Skel, from the Vulcan Science Academy tomorrow at 0300.”
Picard scanned the schedule for the next day on a small screen by his hand, checking the hour and location. “That’s correct.”
“It is because of Skel that we have sent this emergency call. He is missing; we believe he has been abducted and removed from Vulcan.”
Picard frowned in confusion. “I don