Star Trek_ Generations - J M. Dillard [15]
Without warning, he released his hold, then lunged at the reporters neck. Before he could squeeze the mans windpipe, Chekov stepped swiftly behind him and emptied a hypospray into his arm.
The El Aurian fell unconscious beside the wide-eyed journalist, who put a hand to his throat as he asked, What was he talking about?
Chekov never got the chance to answer; beside him, a woman stumbled. He caught her arm, stopping her in midfall. Easy there …
There seemed no physical reason for her weakness; a scan revealed no injury. She was a small woman, not beautiful but handsome, with the agelessness typical of El Aurians, and a cascade of tiny black braids that fell halfway to her waist from beneath a large purple cap. She gazed up at Chekov with dark face, dark eyes so deep and full of such radiant peace and, at the same time, such agonizing pain that he drew in his breath.
Its going to be okay, he said, smiling warmly at her in an effort to distract her from that pain. Here, just lie down …
And he led her to a biobed.
In the years to come, when he remembered that day and thought of James Kirk, he would also think of that woman, and wonder what had become of her.
The Enterprise engines groaned, straining against the pull of the energy tendril, to no avail; the ship shuddered constantly, helpless, as the ribbon lashed against her.
Inertial dampers failing, Demora reported on the shaking bridge, just before Scott called out: Engines not responding!
Harriman gripped the arms of his trembling chair with enough force to turn his knuckles pale yellow; he glanced up at Kirk and said quietly, I didnt expect to die my first day on the job.
With a small, grim smile, Kirk bent closer to the younger captains ear, holding on to the edge of the chair to keep his balance. The first thing you learn as captain is how to cheat death. He straightened, then called, Scotty?
Indignant at what he knew his captain would ask next, Scott shouted, Theres just no way to disrupt a gravimetric field of this magnitude!
In the midst of her shuddering, the ship reeled hard again; Demora clutched her console and cried, Hull integrity at eighty-two percent!
Kirk said nothing, simply kept his eyes focused on Scott, who at last grudgingly allowed, But, I do have a theory …
Kirk grinned. I thought you might.
Scott nodded at the ominous sight on the screen. An antimatter discharge directly ahead … it might disrupt the field long enough for us to break away.
Kirk nodded slowly as he considered it. A photon torpedo?
Aye.
The older captain turned toward Demora. Load torpedo bays, prepare to fire on my command.
Captain. Demora swiveled toward him, unmasked dismay in her eyes. We dont have any torpedoes.
Dont tell me. Tuesday. Kirk closed his eyes briefly, then opened them at Harriman, who gave a defeated nod.
Captain, Scott said, it may be possible to simulate a torpedo blast using a resonance burst from the main deflector dish.
Fighting to keep his balance on the unsteady deck, Kirk turned to him with a fresh surge of hope. Where are the deflector relays?
Deck fifteen, Demora replied at once. Section twenty-one alpha.
Harriman rose, his bearing unsteady because of the shaking floor beneath his feet. Ill go. You have the bridge. And without pausing to hear the response, he headed for the turbolift.
No, Kirk said sharply. As tempting as it was for him to slip into the empty captains chair, this was Harrimans ship; and the younger man had just proven his worth. Only a true captain would swallow his pride and turn over command for his crews sake.
Harriman straightened, and turned to stare at the older captain behind him. No, Kirk said. A captains place is on the bridge of his ship. He paused. Ill take care of it.
Harriman smiled with his eyes only; his jaw was set grimly as he gave Kirk a nod that acknowledged far more than the older captains words.
Kirk turned to Scott as he headed for the turbolift.
Keep her together until I get back. I always do, Scott said.
Kirk gave him a smile just before the turbolift doors slid shut.