Section 31_ Rogue - Andy Mangels [29]
“Data, are there any survivors?” Picard asked, interrupting.
“Unknown, sir. The dispersal of the wreckage over such a wide volume of space has made it impossible for us to tell if any escape pods were jettisoned.” Data turned, looking over his shoulder toward Picard. “If there are any survivors, it is likely that they would have traveled to Chiaros IV.”
Batanides spoke up. “Have you been able to trace any combadge signals?”
“The planet’s atmosphere appears to be impenetrable to combadge signals and disrupts most other subspace traffic as well, including transporters and sensors,” Data said. “Ship-to-ground communication is possible only through the Chiarosan government’s orbiting communications tether.”
“Have the Chiarosan authorities made any progress searching for survivors?”
“They have been conducting searches ever since the delegation from the Slayton failed to arrive in the capital city. However, the authorities report that no Starfleet personnel have been located anywhere on the planet’s surface, either on the Dayside or the Nightside.”
“We can’t give up on them, Mr. Data,” said Picard. “Continue searching for survivors any way you can.”
A voice came from behind them. “There are other concerns, Captain.” Picard turned to see Ambassador Tabor, standing just outside one of the turbolifts. He had not heard the doors open, nor did he know how long the ambassador had been standing there.
“With all due respect, Ambassador, the Chiarosan negotiations can-“
“Captain, was not your primary mission to this system a diplomatic one?”
Picard seethed inwardly, resenting the ambassador’s intrusion. “Yes, it is. But there are missing Starfleet personnel who may be alive in an extremely hostile environment.” He pointed to the aurora-swept surface of the planet on the viewscreen, the backdrop to the floating debris from the Slayton.
“I’m well aware of that, Captain. One of those missing is an old friend of yours, and of Vice-Admiral Batanides. But since there seems to be little you can do at the moment to expedite the search, the preparations for my mediation between First Protector Ruardh’s government and Falhain’s dissident faction should take precedence. It’s entirely possible that the Slayton’s survivors are safe and sound in the company of the Chiarosan rebels.”
Such a development didn’t quite fit with Picard’s notion of “safe and sound.” His eyes narrowed slightly as he considered the ambassador’s words. He turned, addressing Riker.
“Number One, prepare a shuttlecraft. We’ll depart for the planet just as soon as it’s ready. We’ll be arriving a little early for the peace talks, but we can spend the extra time searching for survivors.”
“Here’s hoping we’ll find out what happened to the Slayton by talking to her crew,” Riker said, as he left for the shuttlebay.
“Amen to that, Number One,” Picard said quietly to Riker’s back. He turned again toward Tabor. “I trust this will be acceptable to you, Ambassador?”
“Certainly, Captain,” Tabor said, smiling graciously. “It seems you have devised a wonderful solution.”
“I’ll be in my ready room,” Picard announced curtly, and exited the bridge.
Chapter Four
The search had proved fruitless, with not a single trace of wreckage from the Archimedes-nor any combadge signals-showing up on the sensors, even once the Enterprise shuttlecraft Brahe had gone below the worst of the roiling atmospheric storms. As Picard and his away team traveled to the Chiarosan capital, sensors had picked up faint traces of energy signatures which could have belonged to Starfleet weaponry, but the ion-charged air had dispersed the particles so much that nothing conclusive could be found. Still, Picard was wary, remembering Marta Batanides’s assertions that the rebel factions were using stolen Starfleet weapons.
The shuttle had been joined by a Chiarosan escort as it neared the capital city, Hagraté, a glittering collection of low-built monolithic towers and spires. The ships had threaded their way between the buildings, flying just above