Requiem - Michael Jan Friedman [26]
The android continued. “We face additional problems as well. If the captain is currently alive and if he is still in possession of a functioning communicator, then he will be easy to locate. However, we will have to allow for the possibility that he is lost in the past. In that case, finding signs of his appearance on a given world will be extremely difficult, especially considering that the Enterprise will be relying on a single orbital scan.”
Riker shrank inside. Data was only saying what the first officer had known all along: that the mission they were embarking on was nearly impossible. Probably completely impossible, when you factored in the time-travel factor and the time constraints. He had secretly been hoping the android would come up with some magic solution to the problem.
“You’re right, Data. But I’m depending on the captain”s ingenuity. He should recognize that the Enterprise will be searching for him. I’m counting on him to have left a sign, something that will be relatively easy to find.”
“I think I may have found a way to take the guesswork out of the search, sir,” Geordi announced, suddenly turning away from his engineering console.
Riker listened to the other man’s solution, and found his spirits rising again. It was simple, it would work and, in fact, seemed as close to foolproof as they would get on this mission.
“Brilliant,” he said simply. “Thank you, Mr. La Forge.”
Geordi just nodded. The Enterprise’s chief engineer might have just saved the mission and the captain’s life, but Riker could see that his mind was already on other matters.
“Are you ready to go right away?” he asked.
Geordi nodded. “Yes, sir. I’m just here to collect Data.”
The android got up immediately and joined his fellow officer.
“Where’s the rest of your team?” Riker asked.
“In shuttle bay one, checking our equipment. I’m keeping the party small—just myself, Data, O’Connor, and Barclay.”
“Lieutenant Barclay?” Usually, he made an effort not to question an away team leader’s choice of personnel, but this time his surprise betrayed him.
“Yes, sir,” said the chief engineer. “I think he’ll be an asset while we’re sorting out the alien systems.”
Riker didn’t grill Geordi any further. Even though the first officer had heard the reports about the incident on the alien station and Barclay’s performance, La Forge was the one who had been there. If the Enterprise’s top engineer thought Reg Barclay was fit for this away duty, then Riker was satisfied. But still, Barclay …
“Geordi, Data … I wish you luck,” the first officer said.
“You too, sir,” Geordi replied.
Riker nodded. “Report in via subspace at one-hour intervals and don’t take any unnecessary risks. If you see any signs of trouble, any signs at all, don’t wait—get off the station.”
Once again, the engineer nodded his assent. Together, he and Data turned and entered the turbolift.
Perhaps two minutes later, Riker watched the shuttle’s departure on the viewscreen. Once the craft was safely aboard the alien station, he would give the order for the Enterprise to warp out of orbit and begin the search. But first, he had one more duty to perform.
“Ensign Ro, in the ready room, please,” he intoned.
Ro looked up from her forward position at conn.
Moments later, from behind the captain’s desk, Riker watched Ro look at him expectantly, almost impatiently.
The commander paused, drew out the moment, and then began, “I’m assigning you to be acting first officer, Ensign—effective immediately.”
“Sir?” Ro replied incredulously.
Riker didn’t respond to that. He decided to wait until she had said what was on her mind. Of course, he didn’t have to wait long. The ensign quickly composed herself.
“I don’t understand, sir. There are more senior officers on board.”
Suppressing a grin, Riker responded coolly. “Ensign, am I to understand that as your first duty as first officer, you are questioning my judgment in assigning you the job?”
“No, sir,” Ro countered. “Your judgment is impeccable. But I am … curious about your logic.”
Riker nodded. “Of course. You’re correct when