Q & A - Keith R. A. DeCandido [54]
And with that, he disappeared.
“Captain,” Worf said, relieved that Q had finally gone, “I did not wish to object in front of Q—or the admiral—but you cannot lead the away team.”
“I can and I will, Number One,” Picard said sternly. “The decision has been made.” Then he added, “Under normal circumstances, Worf, your instinct would be the right one, but if Q is this desperate for us not to know what’s down there, I have to see it for myself.”
Worf considered pursuing the argument—and were it anyone other than Q, he would have—but he knew that it would be a wasted effort.
“As you say, sir. However, I must insist you bring a full security team.”
Nodding, Picard said, “Agreed.” He turned to look at the table. “Commander Kadohata, Lieutenant Leybenzon, you will both accompany me to the surface.”
Kadohata nodded and said, “Aye, sir.”
“Lieutenant, bring two of your people as well.”
Leybenzon rose. “Sir, with respect, I would like to recommend a team of five.”
“Your recommendation is noted, Lieutenant. However, a team of three will be sufficient.”
“Aye, sir.” If Leybenzon was disappointed, he didn’t show it.
“We’ll meet in Transporter Room 3 in twenty minutes. Dismissed.” With that, Picard left the observation lounge, quickly followed by Crusher and T’Lana. Kadohata and La Forge gathered up their padds and departed moments later, leaving Worf and Leybenzon alone.
“Thank you, Commander,” Leybenzon said, only now letting his irritation show. “If you hadn’t insisted, he would probably have taken only me.”
“Yes,” Worf said. “The captain is sometimes blind to his own security needs. However, where Q is concerned—”
Shaking his head, Leybenzon said, “Yes, I know. I have read Starfleet reports about him, though I do not think I truly believed them.”
Leybenzon looked frustrated. Worf could sympathize, as he’d gone through the same difficulties when he was in charge of security and Q showed up.
To Worf’s amusement, Leybenzon asked, “Commander, how did you deal with it?”
“For the most part, I did not. Q cannot be dealt with, Lieutenant, he can only be…endured.”
Leybenzon let out a noise that was part snort and part laugh. “Well, fine, I endured Starbase 23, I can endure this.” He tapped his combadge. “Leybenzon to security.”
“Kapsis here.”
“Ensign, who are the next two up on the duty roster?”
“Stolovitzky and de Lange.”
Leybenzon nodded. “Good. Have them report to Transporter Room 3 for away duty immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
Wasting no time, Leybenzon was moving toward the door.
“Lieutenant,” Worf said, bringing Leybenzon up short.
“Yes?”
Worf hesitated, then spoke the words Will Riker had often said to him whenever Picard had insisted on leading away teams in the past. “Remember, your primary duty will be to protect the captain.”
“Of course, Commander, worry not.” He broke into a grin. “And afterward, we will share a bottle of Stolichnaya and you can tell me more stories of this Q fellow.”
“Perhaps we shall,” Worf said with a nod.
Leybenzon returned the nod and left the observation lounge.
14
Enterprise
In orbit of Gorsach IX
The day the universe ends
ZELIK LEYBENZON GENERALLY HAD VERY LITTLE patience with officers, never mind the fact that he was one—that wasn’t his choice, after all. In fact, the presence of so many officers was one of the reasons why Leybenzon considered turning down the assignment to the Enterprise.
As part of the detail that had been overhauling Starbase 23’s security procedures, Leybenzon had been serving as deputy chief under a less-than-competent Bolian named Commander Aenni. Having had enough, he had requested a transfer to the Bajoran sector. Leybenzon had been posted there before and during the war, and he wanted to go back. Unfortunately, none—Bajor, Deep Space 9, any of the nearby colonies, or even in Cardassian territory—had an opening for a junior-grade lieutenant in security.
And then he’d been summoned by Starbase 23’s commander, Admiral Vance Haden. Leybenzon had even less use for admirals, but Haden was the exception. Indeed,