Reunion - Michael Jan Friedman [103]
Recognizing the gesture, the Tactical officer complied. Nodding to Riker, he said: “Done, sir.”
“Good,” the first officer told him. He glanced at the viewscreen, where the Romulan was consulting with
another of his officers. He looked skeptical-but at least he wasn’t firing on them. Not yet.
Lifting his eyes to the intercom grid, Riker called on Geordi La Forge.
“Aye, sir,” came the chief engineer’s response “We’ve got trouble,” Riker advised. “Romulans. I need warp one-and I need it now.” For a moment Geordi hesitated. The first officer’s heart sank. If they couldn’t rouse the warp engines even that much, his plan was useless.
“Ail rightea”[*thorn] La Forge said finally. “We can give it a shot. But I’ve got to warn you—we’re probably not far enough from the slipstream yet. Even if we can get the warp drive to respond, it’s probably only going to get us stuck in subspace again.”
Riker smiled. “I’m counting on it.” He turned to Wesley. “Heading one four five mark nine oh, Mr. Crusher. Warp one-on my order.” “Warp one,” the ensign confirmed, locking in the new information. Riker looked at the viewscreen. The Romulan commander was glaring at him, considering his options. He still appeared confident; he wouldn’t act hastily. Not unless something changed. Something like the powering up of the Enterprise’s warp engines. “Got “em going,” said Geordi over the intercom. “But we’d better move quickly-1. don’t know how long they’ll last.”
A split second later, the Romulan received the news. His brow furrowed as he saw the possibility of his prey slipping through his net. He whirled to address his weapons officer— And the viewscreen reverted to an exterior view of the
Romulan vessel. The enemy had made the communications blackout mutual.
“Engage,”” shouted Riker, bringing his hand down for emphasis. Wesley carried out the order.
The first.officer steeled himself against the jolt of the Romulans” barrage. A second ticked off. Another … No impact. That could mean only one thing … “Proceeding at warp one,” Wesley announced. He made no effort to disguise the mixture of relief and uncertainty in his voice. “At least, that’s what the engines are-was Before he could finish, there was an abrupt surge in speed. They could hardly help but notice it. And the starstreaks on the viewscreen began darting by with frenetic intensity. “Commander—the Romulans are giving pursuit,” the man at Tactical reported.
Riker nodded. Now, if there was any justice at all in the universe …
“What’s their speed?” he asked.
The Tactical officer was prompt. “Nine point nine five, sir. The same as ours.”
“Commander?” It was Geordi.
“It worked,” Riker told him. “We’re back in the slipstream. And so are they.”
“Which is just the way you wanted it.”
Geordi had caught on. And judging from the look on Dr. Crusher’s face—a mixture of admiration and relief —Geordi wasn’t the only one.
“That was the plan,” the first officer agreed. Of course, he’d taken a big chance. They were still sitting ducks if the warbirds decided to fire. But by now
the Romulans were no doubt discovering they had more important matters to worry about.
“How’s the warp drive?” he asked Geordi. A pause. “Better than I figured it would be.”
“Have we got enough juice to try your shield maneuver again?” Another pause. “Not yet. Can you give me an hour?” Riker said just what the captain would have said. “Take a half. was Geordi said he’d see what he could do.
The first officer returned his attention to the forward viewscreen. After all, his work wasn’t over.
“Raise the Romulan commander,” he told the Tactical officer. Seconds later, his adversary’s face filled the screen again. But this time that air of