Slings and Arrows 01_ Sea of Troubles - J. Steven York [25]
The security team had stopped their phaser fire, and openly stared at the captain. Riker scowled. “You people have duties. Get to them.”
The phaser fire resumed, and the crew busied themselves at their stations, but the undercurrent of unease remained.
Picard managed a sour frown. “Number One. My ready room, now.”
As they stepped up to the door, the security officers stepped through first, sweeping the room with phaser fire before giving them the all clear.
Picard watched them through the closing doors. He stopped to examine the cylindrical fish tank, now empty, its occupants taken to the biolab because of the phaser fire. “This is becoming tiresome, Will.” He looked up. “What just happened on the bridge especially so. For a while, the continual security sweeps seemed to reassure the crew that we were taking precautions.”
Picard’s usual confident determination slipped for a moment, concern furrowing his brow and carving worry lines around his mouth. “But now, I feel I may be losing the confidence of my crew. In any other negotiation I could speak with them, discuss the importance and perhaps even the strategy of what I was trying to accomplish. But under the circumstances, I can’t do so without showing my hand to the Changeling. Even on the bridge, with all our precautions, there is the chance of discovery.”
Riker leaned against the edge of the desk. “Captain, they’re frustrated and concerned because they know there’s a Changeling among them. But I believe most of these people would hike their way around Andor with nothing but an ice pick and a light sweater if you asked them to.”
Picard nodded. “They’re a fine crew. I should never doubt that.”
“Begging the captain’s pardon, but it seems like it’s yourself you’re doubting.”
Picard smiled slightly, his confidence returning. “You’d never have said that so freely eight years ago, Will. You’ve become more than just a fine first officer to me. You’ve become a friend, and I trust your judgment.”
There was something in the captain’s voice, a hesitation, as though he wanted to say more. Riker prodded. “What exactly is it you’re asking of me, Captain?”
Picard looked away thoughtfully. “I don’t really think I need to ask. If I went too far in the name of diplomacy, if I put this ship and this crew at unreasonable risk, I believe you would tell me so.”
“I would, sir,” Riker assured him. He looked directly at the man he trusted and admired, the man who returned that trust. “But I haven’t so far, have I? I’ve got my concerns, yes, and in my judgment you’re walking this side of a very narrow line. But you are on this side.”
“I’m glad you think so, Will. I’ve always prized my skills as a negotiator, and in the past, I’ve always felt that no matter the circumstances, I knew at any given moment who had the upper hand, who was manipulating whom. Right now, I’d like to think I have the Changeling at a disadvantage, but I’m by no means sure that I’m not being played, and that I haven’t been from the very beginning.”
“You said it yourself, Captain. Deception is the very nature of the Changeling’s existence.”
Picard walked over and looked out the window. The nebula danced and taunted him beyond. “And that, I am very much afraid, is the problem. I’m trying to find some common ground with the Changeling, to earn its trust in some way. But I must keep reminding myself that my trust is all based on illusion, not substance.”
He turned back to face Riker. “In truth, the only substantive thing about the Changling is the nature of its character, and of that, I truly know nothing. It tells