Star Trek_ Generations - J M. Dillard [51]
Such potent bitterness swept over the scientists face that Soran could not entirely repress a grimace. I appreciate your concern, Captain. But this has nothing to do with destroying myself. Quite the contrary, in fact. He gathered himself, managed another unheartfelt smile. Forgive me if I dont respond to your emotional plea. You see, I dont quite believe that youve shown up because youre overwhelmed by concern for me. The only possible reason youre here is that youre not entirely confident you can shoot down my probe after all. So youve come to dissuade me from my horrific plan. He paused for emphasis, then said, with heavy irony: Good luck.
He turned his back to the captain and strode confidently toward the scaffolding.
Picard moved to follow. A bright flash blinded him, slammed him flat on his back against rock-hard clay, shoved the air from his lungs. He gasped, struggling for an instant to catch his breath, then sat up slowly and blinked until his vision cleared.
A forcefield, of course; but it had just as quickly disappeared from view, invisibly surrounding Soranand, Picard suspected, the scaffolding. The captain pushed himself to his feet and carefully made his way to what he hoped was the fields edge.
Beyond, Soran confidently ignored him, frowning up at the sky and then down at a padd nestled in his palm.
Picard kicked dust, and watched it glimmer briefly as the field repelled it. He was determined to get to Soranif not through his words, then somehow, through the field.
You dont need to do this, Soran, he called. Im sure we could find another way to get you into this nexus.
The scientist did not reactmerely stood, pale and black-clad like a mourner, with his back to Picard, and concentrated on the data cupped in his hand. He pressed a few controls … and Picard started as a small probe launcher decloaked near the scientist.
Soran moved calmly to the launcher, stepped up to its control panel, and began to work. With a tone as dispassionate and detached as one scientist explaining to another how to operate the panel, he said, Ive spent eighty years looking for another way, Captain. This is the only way. He hesitated, then angled his narrow face toward Picard; an honest grin played at his lips. Of course, you could always come with me. You fancy yourself an explorer. Heres a chance to explore something no human has ever experienced.
Picards tone frosted. Not if it means killing over two hundred million people.
Soran recoiled as if struck. So, Picard thought. Ive struck a nerve …
But the scientist quickly hid his discomfort; the calculated, calm expression descended once more over his features. As you wish, he said lightly, and turned back toward his padd.
Soran … Picard let his voice and features soften. I know that you lost your wife and family to the Borg; I know what it is to lose family, to feel lonely. Youre not alone in that. But fleeing to the nexus isnt going to bring them back
Soran looked up with angry swiftness, his pale face flushed incarnadine. Youre wrong, Captain. You havent been there; you havent the slightest idea what the nexus is, what its capable of. Everyone youve ever lost, Captainyou can have them all back. And more.
So thats why, Picard whispered. Youre going to get them back. You would do anything, kill anyone, to get them back.
The scientist said nothing; only gazed at Picard for a fleeting second with an expression of utter vulnerability, then quickly turned his face away.
I wonder, Picard said slowly. Did your wife Leandra know that she married a man