Star Trek_ Generations - J M. Dillard [50]
Mr. La Forge. Sorans voice neared until Geordi could sense the scientist standing directly in front of him. Sorans tone was brisk, hurried. As much as Ive enjoyed our little visit, its time to part. Stand, please.
Geordi rose unsteadily to his feet; huge, warm hands grasped his arms just above the elbows and steadied him while another pair of hands pulled soft cloth over his head. His tunic; his arms were guided into the sleeves, and then another pair of hands placed something cool and metal over his eyes.
He blinked and touched a hand to his VISOR as the world came suddenly into focus. Soran was smiling, his blue-gray eyes bright not with desperation, but with maniacal anticipation. Even the lines and shadows beneath his eyes seemed to have lessened, making him appear a younger man. Now, if you would be so kind as to come with us …
He gestured toward the door. Geordi swiveled his head, and saw that he was flanked by two towering guards, their bronze skull ridges terminating in shaggy, waist-length manes of dark hair. Klingons, he whispered, and turned to gaze at his surroundings as the guards pushed him toward the exit. This is a Klingon ship …
The quartet entered a cramped, dimly lit corridor. Soran strode in front of them, his attention focused on the hand that held the antique timepiece. Very astute, Mr. La Forge, he murmured with a distracted, irritable air. They do give a very thorough education at Starfleet Academy, dont they?
Sorans intensity had so escalated that Geordi feared for a moment that he was being led to his execution; but they soon entered a transporter room.
Soran stepped first upon a pad and uttered a single command: Energize.
One of the guards stepped behind the console and complied. Geordi tried to peer over his shoulder in hopes of spying the coordinates, but the second guard stepped behind him, blocking his view.
The transporter whined shrilly; Sorans image began to dematerialize, then reappeared with a sputter of sparks. The scientists features darkened with rage as the guard furiously worked the console controls. Sorans form once more wavered, then dissolved, but not before Geordi read the word on his lips: Imbeciles …
Then he was shoved upon a pad himself. The Klingon vessel faded from view and was replaced by the sleek, gleaming bulkheads of the Enterprise. Geordi got the faintest impression of Captain Picard dematerializing beside him, and then he was stepping forward and sinking to his knees in front of a waiting Dr. Crusher …
On the surface of Veridian III, Picard gazed up at the lilac sky and thought of Eden before the creation of humankind. No sound of aircars, of industry or voices, no sight of cities or ships streaking toward the horizon; the only sounds were the stirring of small mammals in the lush foliage, of birds singing high and sweet, the only sights those of clouds, mountains, ancient trees.
He stared down and saw that he stood on the dusty clay surface of a plateau ringed by greenery. Before him, a large scaffolding had been erected against a single towering rock facethe only sign of humanoid disturbance.
On instinct, he turned and saw Soran gazing calmly at his antique pocket watch. The scientist closed the timepiece, put it away, and smiled thinly at Picard.
You must think Im quite the madman. He seemed outwardly composed, but there was a hint of volatility in the way the corners of his lips trembled slightly, a hint of pain in his eyes.
Picard drew in a breath, hesitated, then yielded to the truth. The thought had crossed my mind.
Sorans blue eyes hardened faintly, though the smile did not change. Think whatever you like, Captain. He turned and began to move away, toward the scaffold.
Picard took a step. Soran … I understand you were interrogated by the Borg.
His body did not turn, but his head jerked back sharply to regard the captain with dark suspicion. What concern is it of yours?
I … have had experience with the Borg myself. Picard hesitated, choosing his words carefully not just for Sorans sake,