Requiem - Michael Jan Friedman [18]
Picard hit the controls to the door separating him from his people again, but it didn’t budge. He recognized that the effort was futile—there was nothing he could do on the inside. Their fate was in Worf’s hands now.
“Lieutenant, get them aboard that shuttle. That’s an order!” the captain barked, enduring the frustration of watching the team’s final struggle.
“Yes, sir,” the Klingon replied evenly. And then the security chief made good on his word. Picard saw the shimmering of the transporter effect—and a moment later, the team disappeared.
“Mr. Worf?” the captain asked hopefully.
“They are aboard, and apparently sound, sir,” said the security chief. The captain let out a long breath.
“Excellent work, Lieutenant. Excellent work.” Picard saw the lights in the station flicker again, tentatively, and then attain a steady, if low, illumination.
“Captain, we are having difficulty locking transporters on to you. The structure of the station seems to be interfering with the transporter beam. If you can open the inner door to the airlock, we should be able to beam you aboard before—”
Picard cut him off. “I am afraid not, Mr. Worf. The controls are frozen, even though the station seems to have minimal power.”
Suddenly, the captain’s comm badge activated. “Sir, Riker here. Maybe the Enterprise would have more luck. If we come in closer, our transporters may be able to get through the interference.”
“All right, Number One,” Picard replied. “But proceed with caution. And take the Enterprise out of the area if there is any sign of danger. The station seems to be behaving erratically, at best. That goes for you too, Mr. Worf.”
“Yes, sir,” came their simultaneous replies.
Waiting, the captain saw that the level of illumination in the station was rising steadily. And the humming had resumed along with the occasional flash of power along lines in the ceiling, floor, and walls.
In the distance, Picard could see the Enterprise approaching on a direct line to the airlock. As the humming rose, louder than any time previously, he felt a growing sense of … unease. This rise in power seemed different than the other, previous surges, which were short in buildup and duration.
This increase seemed to be slower in coming, and the telltale hum deeper, more resounding.
Fortunately, the Enterprise was only a few thousand meters away. Picard decided that he would be glad to have this whole business resolved.
“Captain,” Riker said. “Power readings are very high …” The voice disappeared into static: “… interference curve …” was the only other phrase he could make out clearly. The humming was thunderous now, as flashes of power ran through the panels of the station.
Something is going to happen, Picard thought with certainty.
“Commander Riker, remove the Enterprise to a safe distance now. Mr. Worf, do the same.” The captain spoke into his communicator but could hear no discernible reply.
Watching out the small window, he could see the Enterprise and the shuttle clearly, and neither seemed to be moving. But the airlock’s large, outer barrier was once again in motion. It rose quickly, and suddenly the airlock was completely open to space. It made little difference, Picard thought. The atmosphere was probably already gone.
He had only a flash of warning in the form of a momentary hiss—and then the door in front of him flew open as well.
The captain’s arms flew outward and caught the doorway on each side, keeping him from being cast into space. But the pressure from behind was terrific, and the roar of air competed with the now deafening hum of the energy throbbing through the station.
As Picard felt his arms yielding to the outrush of the station’s atmosphere, he hoped that the Enterprise would be able to lock on transporters quickly. He wouldn’t last