Star Trek_ Generations - J M. Dillard [20]
The comm link on the command-chair arm suddenly signaled; Sulu punched a toggle with the edge of his fist, jostling the tea in its cup. Bridge.
Captain. Lieutenant Djugashvilis habitually calm monotone was pitched a half-octave higher than normal; her exhilaration was contagious enough to make Sulu set his cup of tea on its saucer and straighten in his chair. Magnetic interlocks are nonfunctional; were losing coolant. Warp breach is imminent.
Sulu glanced up at Valtane, who had stopped stroking his mustache, curved hand frozen in front of his lips. Lojur, the Halkan navigator, heard and stared over his shoulder, his family symbol, tattooed in red between his pale eyebrows, deeply furrowed. Beside him at the helm, Lieutenant Shandra Docksey turned as well, dark auburn hair swinging.
Docksey was the newest addition to the crew; she shot a swift panicked look at Lojur, who laid a reassuring hand on the back of her chair. The two had been inseparable since Dockseys arrival from Starfleet Academy only days before, with Lojur playing the role of seasoned veteran/mentor/instructor to the hilt.
How much time do we have? Sulu asked Djugashvili.
Less than three minutes, sir.
Not enough time, Sulu knew from past drills, to evacuate all engineering personnel to the primary hulland the Excelsior was too far out to transport them to safety. Evacuate everyone to the lifeboats.
Aye, sir.
Red alert, Sulu ordered as he severed the comm link, and the klaxon began to screech unnervingly overhead. He swiveled his chair toward the helm, so quickly that the tea sloshed over the side of his cup and spilled onto the fragile china saucer beneath. Lieutenant Lojur. Prepare to separate from secondary hull.
Yes, Captain. Lojur turned back toward his console and began to work.
Docksey. Approximate distance from planets or other structures?
The young lieutenant seemed to have recovered from her moment of disconcertment; she replied smoothly, One half parsec to the nearest starbase, sir. No planets within a five-parsec radius.
Sulu nodded approvingly. Stand by to take us to maximum warp, Mr. Docksey. I want at least two parsecs between us and the secondary hull when she goes. Mr. Lojurinitiate separation procedure.
Initiating.
Mr. Valtane
Valtane, who had hurried to his station the instant the red alert began, turned to reply, his restlessness replaced by the same intense anticipation shared by those on the bridge.
time left before detonation? Sulu finished.
Two minutes, six seconds, Captain.
Sulu nodded, satisfied, and waited, silently counting the seconds until at last Lojur called, Separation procedure complete, Captain.
The view on the main screen shifted, from starry black void to the image of the secondary hullengineering and the warp engine nacelles. Sulu watched as a swarm of tiny lifeboats erupted from the sides of the hull like angry bees spilling from a threatened hive. Time?
One minute, thirty seconds, sir.
Sulu turned to his navigator. Lojur. Youve got thirty seconds to transport those lifeboat operators aboard.
Yes, sir. With Dockseys wide, green-eyed gaze upon him, the Halkan set to workwith, Sulu noted, the faint, confident air of an old salt showing the newbie how it was done.
Captain. Gold-and-silver hair pinned up to reveal a graceful neck, Rand turned smoothly from the communications board. Of all the bridge crew, she had the most experience; she had watched the events unfold with an unruffled, detached air. But now there was a note of curiosity in her voice that made Sulu glance at her in earnest concern. You have an incoming personal message. From Earth.
From Demora, Sulu decided, with parental eagerness and pride; probably to give an excited report of her first day aboard the Enterprise-B. He was pleased she had thought to contact him, disappointed that he could not respond. Itll have to wait.
Its from Pavel Chekov, Rand said. Only then did her composure waver to reveal a subtle catch