Q & A - Keith R. A. DeCandido [77]
To his great irritation, Worf had no idea what happened. The last thing he remembered was being in a battle with multiple Enterprises—and then everything was back to normal. The fissure, Gorsach V, and all the ships vanished.
Captain Picard had reappeared on the bridge in a flash of light. He yanked down his uniform jacket and said, “I see no reason not to continue our mission, Number One, and explore the surface of Gorsach IX.”
All the years Worf had served under Captain Picard, and yet this human still had the ability to surprise him. He considered what he read in Picard’s report about Q and the end of the universe, and decided that with all things Q, the less he thought about it, the more logical Q’s actions became.
Worf noted Leybenzon’s security requests. Tapping his combadge, he summoned the lieutenant to the observation lounge.
Leybenzon came and stood at attention. “Sir?”
Turning his chair to face Leybenzon, Worf said, “You have doubled your security requests for the Gorsach IX away team. Two security guards for every scientist, plus eight on rotating shifts at the base camp.”
“Yes, sir. I thought it best to be prudent.”
“The threat would appear to have passed, Lieutenant.”
Leybenzon shot Worf a look. “Because Q says so? I do not think that is a good reason, sir. While I recognize that there is little we can do against Q, I would be derelict in my duty if I did not try to make the away team as safe as possible.”
Worf nodded. “Very well—your request is approved.”
“Thank you, sir.” He turned to leave.
“There is one more thing,” Worf said, which caused the lieutenant to stop and stand at attention again.
“Yes, sir?”
“Doctor Crusher has expressed a concern about your inability to report for your physical.”
Leybenzon let out a long breath. “Commander, do you remember that quack back home, Doctor Dryanushkina? Always prescribed lemon juice for everything?”
Allowing himself a small smile, Worf said, “I saw him only once, when I was a boy. He refused to see me again after I ate his medical scanner.”
That prompted a laugh from Leybenzon. “Oh, I wish I’d seen that. The point is, I do not like doctors.”
“That does not excuse you from your duties.”
“Of course, Commander, I do know that. I was simply procrastinating. As soon as the mission to Gorsach IX is complete, I will—”
“No,” Worf said, “you will report this afternoon at fifteen hundred. Ensign Stolovitzky will replace you on the away team.” Before Leybenzon could object, Worf said, “This matter is not up for discussion, Lieutenant. Dismissed.” Worf started reading the padd again.
Leybenzon stood still for several seconds. “Yes, sir, of course, sir. I apologize for being derelict in my duties.”
Once the doors closed, Worf set the padd down. This time the smile was bigger. He hadn’t thought about Doctor Dryanushkina in a very long time.
After indulging himself for a few more seconds, Worf tapped his combadge. “Worf to Crusher.”
“Go ahead.”
“Lieutenant Leybenzon will report for his physical at fifteen hundred.”
“Thank you, Worf. I really didn’t want to remove him from duty.”
“You are welcome. Worf out.”
He picked up the padd and continued to go over the landing party recommendations.
Geordi La Forge walked into the Riding Club and looked around for the biosignature that matched Miranda Kadohata. She was alone. This would be an easier conversation to have one-on-one.
Putting on a pleasant face, La Forge walked over to her table and asked, “This seat taken, Miranda?”
She smiled. “Not at all, Geordi. Please join me. I was sharing lunch with Beverly. She got called to sickbay—Ensign LaMonica apparently tripped over the sofa in her quarters.”
La Forge winced. “She’s just not having any luck, is she?”
“I told Beverly to pass along my offer to babyproof her cabin like we did for the kids back home.”
“Not a bad idea.” Before La