Section 31_ Rogue - Andy Mangels [94]
“Report, Number One,” Picard said as he approached Riker.
“Geordi and Data are nearly finished loading their attack plan into the Romulan ship’s computer core,” Riker said as he rose from the chair. “And Lieutenant Hawk is getting her ready for launch.”
Picard nodded. “Good. How soon can we get the mission under way?”
“No more than another thirty minutes. Maybe sooner.”
Picard suddenly noticed how drawn and exhausted Troi looked. Who counsels the counselor? he thought.
“Have the survivors from the Slayton been keeping you busy, Counselor?”
Troi smiled gently. “They have required a lot of attention, Captain. But that’s to be expected, considering the ordeal they’ve suffered. Apart from their suspicions about Commander Zweller, their morale is actually quite good. I’m really much more concerned about our other guest.”
Picard understood immediately. “Grelun. Dr. Crusher tells me he’s already made a complete recovery. Has he been causing any problems?”
“Not at all,” Troi said, sounding surprised.
Riker grinned wryly. “I suppose it’s a lot easier to be polite when no one’s shooting at you.”
“I’m certain it’s only a temporary cease-fire, Will,” Troi said. “First Protector Ruardh isn’t about to simply leave him in our custody, political asylum or no. And she’d probably go apoplectic if she saw the VIP stateroom we issued him.”
Riker shrugged. “Big people need big quarters.”
“Do you think Ruardh would actually be foolish enough to attack the Enterprise?” Picard asked Troi.
“She’s certainly angry enough, Captain. But I don’t think she’ll do anything overt until after the results of the referendum are officially announced.”
“Grand,” Picard said, shaking his head. Still, his determination to safeguard Grelun from his would-be executioners had not wavered. “So we have to neutralize the singularity and withdraw to a safe position, all within a couple of hundred minutes.”
“At which time the Romulans will be within their rights to use force to get us out of the Geminus Gulf,” Riker said.
Picard heard a pair of doors swish open behind him. He turned and saw Admiral Batanides enter, to be followed moments later by Zweller. Picard had to fight back his surprise at the sight of the bruise on the commander’s jawline. He and Batanides both wore somber expressions; Zweller looked for all the world like a cadet who had just been put on report for brawling.
Picard turned back toward Riker. “You have the conn, Number One. I’ll be commanding the singularity mission myself.”
Riker frowned. Picard didn’t need Troi to read his first officer’s intentions.
“No arguments this time, Will. Mr. Data and Mr. Hawk will be with me. This operation can be executed best by a small crew, and it’s far too important for me to delegate.”
“With all due respect,” Riker said, “a crew of two seems a bit too small.”
Suddenly, the ship lurched hard to starboard, forcing everyone to grab at chairs, railings, and consoles to avoid being flung violently about the bridge. An alarm klaxon shrilled as Zweller toppled hard against a console and Batanides fell onto her knees. The vibrations forced Troi out of her chair, unceremoniously depositing her onto her backside. Riker stumbled, then clutched at a console and struggled back to his feet.
Picard stood beside the command chair, grabbing its arms to steady himself. He experienced a fleeting instant of vertigo. Shaking his head to clear it, he wondered if Ruardh had chosen this moment to launch a surprise attack.
Then, almost as quickly as they had come, the vibrations ceased. A quick glance around the bridge revealed that no one was seriously hurt.
“Number One, what just happened