Q & A - Keith R. A. DeCandido [50]
For that reason, Sheel and his crew might never have noticed the anomaly, since their sensors would not have been able to detect it. Instead it, and the two million isotons of antimatter waste it was carrying inside of tanks that were inadequately protected by three shields, one of which was in danger of collapse, simply disappeared.
13
Enterprise
In orbit of Gorsach IX
The day the universe ends
WORF CHANGED OUT OF HIS MOK’BARA UNIFORM in his quarters and allowed himself a smile.
I am happy.
They were three words he rarely had cause to use in succession. His four years as the Federation ambassador to the Klingon Empire were productive ones, allowing him to serve both his homeworld and his adopted home. Worf had surprised himself by becoming a good diplomat, but it was not a career that fulfilled his needs.
A new Federation president had been elected, and as was expected Worf offered his letter of resignation. While he was being pressed on all sides to stay, Worf realized that he had his fill of diplomacy and politics. No sooner had Worf regained his commission than he was once again assigned to the Enterprise. That was the last time, Worf recalled. The last time he remembered thinking he was happy.
This was the life he was meant to lead.
The morning Mok’bara class had been well attended—Leybenzon had brought Stolovitzky and de Lange, and Doctor Tropp was progressing to where he no longer was a danger to other students.
“Commander,” said a pleasant voice from behind him as Worf left his quarters, “I was just coming to see you.”
Turning around, Worf saw the small, graceful form of T’Lana. “Counselor,” he said. “I am on my way to the bridge. You may accompany me.”
“Thank you.”
She fell into step with Worf as they approached the turbolift. To his surprise, she was able to keep pace with him. Worf was silently appreciative. He still did not know what to make of T’Lana. She had opposed Worf’s appointment to the position of first officer and had disagreed with the captain throughout the encounter with the Borg. While they seemed to come to some kind of rapprochement after the incident, Worf felt that T’Lana was not comfortable with him in a command position.
After a few seconds, T’Lana spoke. “Your suggestion of ignoring Q was an excellent one, Commander. The tactic is psychologically sound—as far as one might determine the psychology of a being such as Q.”
Worf looked down at her as they walked. “His personality has proved remarkably consistent every time he has appeared.” As they approached the turbolift, Worf touched the call control.
“I’ve never encountered him, of course,” T’Lana said, “but I have read about Q in Starfleet reports. I find his apparent fascination with the Federation in general and humanity in particular to be intriguing.”
“That is not the adjective I would have used,” Worf said in a dry tone.
“Understandably, since your concerns during your other encounters were related to the security of the ship. But I find his obsession to be quite odd for one of his powers and capabilities.”
The lift arrived, and they entered. “Bridge,” Worf said, then he added to T’Lana, “Q would have us believe that we are beyond his understanding.”
Before T’Lana could respond, Worf found himself briefly blinded by a flash of light. When it cleared, Q stood between them, wearing one of his smugger smiles.
“Absolutely, you’re beyond my understanding. The sooner you figure that out, microbrain, the happier you’ll be.”
Worf found it remarkably easy to follow his own orders. He’d spent the last four years listening to the incessant prattle that was part and parcel of a diplomat’s life. After that, ignoring Q was quite simple.
“And as for you,” Q said to T’Lana, “stop trying to drown me in your tiresome psychobabble. I’m a Q. We don’t have psychologies or neuroses or