Reunion - Michael Jan Friedman [44]
“If that’s all,” she said, “I should be getting back up to the bridge.”
No one objected. But as she made her way to the exit, she found Ben Zoma walking beside her.
She had a feeling it was no accident, but they were in the corridor-out of earshot of the others-before he confirmed it. “Counselor,” he said, looking straight ahead, “there’s a problem-isn’t there? I mean beyond this slipstream phenomenon.”
“A problem?” she echoed.
He turned to her, as serious as she’d ever seen him. “I’ve been at this too long not to know when something’s wrong. First ocom all, there’s an excess of security officers around-even if they’re trying their best not to be obvious about it. Second, Morgen’s spent an awful lot of time in his quarters lately. And third, the holodecks are suddenly off limits. Now, I don’t know what the others think, not having discussed this with them. But I’d be surprised if they weren’t a little suspicious as well.”
Troi looked him in the eye. “If you have a question,” she suggested, “you should take it up with the captain.” She smiled, hating the need to be evasive. “Even ship’s counselors aren’t privy to everything, you know.”
Ben Zoma didn’t quite buy her act; she could tell. But for now, he let the subject drop. “Very well, then,” he said, a glimmer of humor creeping back into his voice. Or was it irony? “I’ll let you go now. I’m sure you’ve got other duties to attend to.”
“Thank you,” she answered, and headed for the turbolift. Picard glanced around the conference table at Geordi’s four-member crisis team. “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” he said. “How will reversing engines allow us to escape this thing?” “It won’t,” said Geordi. “But it might slow us down —buy some time.”
The captain nodded. “And time is a factor here, isn’t it?” He considered the strategy from all angles. “What about the stress it would place on the ship? Will the hull stand up under such circumstances?”
“There’s no way of knowing for sure,” said Simenon. “But my guess is that the stress will be within manage-able limits.”
“Plus, we can administer reverse thrust gradually,” Wesley advised. “That way, if we see there’s going to be a problem, we can back off.”
Picard drummed his fingers on the table. “It’s risky.” Data leaned forward slightly. “Captain, our present position is characterized by risk as well.”
Picard looked at the android. “I suppose that is true, Commander.” He turned to Geordi again, his decision made. “Very well, Mr. La Forge. We will give it a try.
Rising, he tugged down hard on his tunic and led the way out of the observation lounge. As he took his seat in the command center, he saw Data proceed to Ops and
Wesley to Conn, replacing the personnel who had been posted there. At the same time, Geordi took up his position at the engineering station..
Since the seats on either side of the captain’s were unoccupied, Simenon took one of them-where Riker usually sat. “You don’t mind, do you?” he asked Picard. “After all, I have to sit somewhere.” The captain almost smiled. “I thought you hated to be on the bridge.”
“It wasn’t such a novelty back then,” explained the Gnalish, already intent on the viewscreen.
“Really,” said Picard. It felt good to have Simenon beside him again-just like old times. Nor could the suspicion that had fallen on the Gnalish quite dampen the captain’s confidence in him. Putting such thoughts aside for the moment, Picard raised his head and spoke. “This is the captain speaking. Secure all decks. In a few seconds we will be attempting a maneuver which may toss us about a bit-but not to worry. The ship is well under control.” It sounded good. Now they would see how much truth there was to it. Picard nodded to Wesley, who had turned around in his chair to wait for the captain’s signal. Facing forward, the ensign made the necessary preparations.
“Warp factor one,” said the captain. “Reverse thrust.” “Warp factor one,” Wesley confirmed. “Reverse