Requiem - Michael Jan Friedman [51]
Meeting the commodore’s gaze squarely, Picard replied, “No, I was not aware of that immunity. And as for the other peculiarities you noted, all I can say is that I have in the past sought treatment from alien physicians, who apparently did a better job than I realized.”
The dining room never recovered its light atmosphere. The remainder of dinner and dessert passed quickly. When it was over, Travers thanked them all for coming. Then he directed his attention to Picard again.
“Mr. Hill, would you mind staying behind for a few moments? There’s something I’d like to discuss privately with you.”
Julia immediately spoke up. “Can it wait, Commodore? Mr. Hill must be exhausted. I’m sure he would like to go back to his quarters to rest.”
Travers eyed her pointedly. “No, Doctor, I don’t think it can wait. Mr. Hill?”
“Of course,” the captain answered.
Picard and Travers stood as the others were ushered out. When they were alone, the commodore turned to his guest.
“Who are you really, Mr. Hill?”
“I don’t understand,” Picard replied evenly.
“I believe you do. Julia considers you charming and something of a puzzle. I agree with the puzzle part, but I think you’re dangerous. Very dangerous.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Commodore, but I am a simple—”
“Damn that!” Travers shouted. “I don’t know who or what you are, but you’re not a merchant captain. You’re playing some kind of a game with me, and that means you’re jeopardizing the lives of everyone in this colony. You don’t belong here, mister. I can feel it.”
The commodore composed himself for a moment and then continued. “When I was at the academy, we studied star charts of this and the surrounding sectors. You know what they said? ‘Here there be dragons.’ Now, it was someone’s idea of a joke to use old mapmaker nomenclature, but there are still rumors about this part of space. Legends about dragons, shapeshifters, and every other kind of monster you can imagine.
“The officer in me recognizes that most of that talk is just old myths, the kind that have circulated since a ship meant only a vessel that floated. But I’ve been in Starfleet for thirty-eight years, and I’ve seen enough to realize that most stories born in space have some basis in fact. And sometimes those facts are unpleasant.”
Travers brought his face close to Picard’s. “Now, it’s my job to initiate peaceful contact with alien races whenever possible, and I take that job seriously. However, it is also my responsibility to protect the five hundred and twelve people under my command. You may not understand what that’s like, but understand this: If you’re lying to me, I’ll find out about it. If you’re here peacefully, fine. But if you pose any danger to my people, you’ll wish you had never even heard of Cestus Three.
“In the meantime, I think you’re hiding behind a good doctor, who for some reason trusts you. I invite you to come out of hiding, Mr. Hill—and tell me the truth. That is, if you have the courage.”
The commodore considered Picard for a moment in the silence that followed. In that moment, the captain wanted to tell Travers at least a portion of the truth. But as before, he kept his silence.
“I didn’t think so,” observed the commodore. “You’re dismissed.”
Outside, Picard found Julia waiting. “I’m sorry, Dixon. If I had any idea that he would behave so—”
“It’s all right,” he told her. “Believe it or not, I understand the commodore very well.”
They headed for the residence area. “I’m not sure that this assignment was good for him,” she remarked. “Even though he presides over dozens of families, as a commander, a family wasn’t feasible for him. I think he needed one. It would have made him a better man.”
Picard nodded. “It is one of the things many of us give up for a life in space.”
“I know what you mean,” Julia said, becoming thoughtful. “I don’t regret my choices, but a career on the frontier of anything doesn’t leave room for much else.