Reunion - Michael Jan Friedman [5]
In fifteen years of active service, he had learned never to ignore his feelings. So it was with some trepidation that he stepped forward, triggering the entry mechanism. The doors slid apart silently. The pool sprawled before him, its blue depths lit from below.
And among the shifting light shadows floated Phigus Simenon, former chief engineer of the Stargazer. Notic-+ Kuznetsov’s entrance, the Gnalish looked up, his slitted ruby eyes evincing amusement. “Ah,” he said. “Admiral. So good to see you.” He raised his tail out of the water languidly, then let it submerge again. His scaly gray body gleamed in the bluish light. “Care to join me?” My Goal, thought Kuznetsov. Is there no escape? Morgen had served aboard the Stargazer for only nine years, but it seemed like much more. His presence was such that when Picard recalled his decades-long foray into deep space, he could swear that the Daa’Vit had been at his, side from the first to the last. Apparently, Morgen felt much the same way, or he would not have honored his Stargazer crewmates by asking them to be his honor guards.
But as the, transporter platform became host to the Daa’Vit’s reassembling molecules, Picard wondered how much Morgen had changed in other respects. conAfter all, the last time he’d seen him, the Daa’Vit was still a junior-grade lieutenant. Now he was a captain-a peer. And more than that-Morgen was only days away from ruling one of the Federation’s most powerful allies. Then again, this prodigious fate had always been in the cards for the Daa’Vit. And he had never tried to gain special treatment because ocom it. Nor had he let it temper his sense of humor-a caustic wit that was apparently typical of his race. Ensconced in a shaft of blue light, Morgen began to take on — shape and substance. Picard recognized the features-long and angular, with jutting cheekbones
and wide, deepset eyes. Fearsome-looking by human standards. And his protruding collar and hip bones only reinforced that impression.
Transporter Chief O’Brien made a final adjustment to his controls and completed the process. Morgen’s eyes, a fiery yellow that contrasted with the green tint of his skin, came alive at the sight of Picard.
“Captain,” he said.
“Ens—er, Captain Morgen.” Picard frowned. “Forgive me. Old habits die hard.”
“No need for apologies,” said the Daa’Vit. As always, his tone was subdued, almost conspiratorial. “Not between you and me.” And in that moment, Picard realized that nothing had changed about Morgen-nothing significant, anyway. It was like old times again. True, this was not his ensign standing before him—but neither was it the head of a powerful empire. It was simply Morgen. Stepping down off the platform, he extended his hand. Picard grasped it.
“This is how you humans greet one another-isn’t it?” “Yes,” Picard smiled. “I am glad to see your years in Starfleet have produced some cultural improvements.” The Daa’Vit smiled back, obviously delighted. “Piti-fully few, I’m afraid.”
Picard chuckled. He was tempted to clap his former officer on the shoulder. “It is good to see you, Morgen.” The Daa’Vit looked around. “And where is the full-dress review appropriate for a guest of my stature?”
“Indeed,” said Picard, “I have assembled my officers comthough not here, and not in full dress. Rather, they await you in our Ten-Forward lounge-an environment
I thought better suited to your … er, grave and formal demeanor.” Morgen looked at him askance. If he didn’t know the Daa’Vit so well, he might have been alarmed by the intensity of the scrutiny. “Do I detect a note of sarcasm, Captain?” Picard shrugged.- “In all our years on the Stargazer, did you ever once know me to be sarcastic?”
“Come to think of it, no. But then, I wasn’t wearing all those pips on my collar then-and you were.”
Picard grunted. “Strange. I don’t believe I can remember that far back.” He straightened his tunic and gestured in the direction of the exit. “Come. Let’s see if