Star Trek_ Generations - J M. Dillard [54]
Perhaps Deanna sensed it, tooor maybe she simply sensed his own discomfort. Either way, he was aware of her dark eyes studying him with an expression of concern; he did not meet them, but focused his attention on Worf, who studied the readout on his monitor with a decided frown.
Any luck, Mr. Worf?. He leaned over the console.
The Klingon shook his head. No, sir. I am still unable to locate the captain.
Riker turned as the turbolift doors slid open. Data stepped forward onto the bridge and headed for his station. The androids mood had changed radically from the last time Riker had seen him. Datas lips curved upward in a faint grin; his posture was straight, his step buoyant.
Data, Riker said. The sensors cant penetrate the planets ionosphere; theres too much interference. Can you find another way to scan for life-forms?
Data settled behind his station and glanced up at his commanding officer; his grin broadened. I would be happy to, sir. I just love to scan for life-forms. He set at once to work, ad-libbing a merry little song: Life-forms … tiny little life-forms … where are you, life-forms … ?
Rikers lips parted in aghast amazement, he dared not turn round, for fear of catching sight of Deannas eyes. But his gaze accidentally met the Klingons, who shot him a look of such long-suffering martyrdom that Riker looked away quickly, before he erupted in laughter.
Atop the dusty plateau, Picard moved warily, giving an occasional surreptitious kick and noting where the pebbles bounced off the fields perimeter. Overhead, the sky still shone brightly with the Veridian sunbut not, the captain feared, for long, Soran bent, utterly absorbed, over the launchers control panel. If he was not stopped soon
Soran, he said loudly; the scientist did not look up. I can see that despite everything, you still possess compassion. You could have killed my engineer
Without taking his focus from his task, Soran interrupted harshly. I didnt have the time.
I dont believe that. Picard took a few more steps around the fields perimeter, managed another swift, unnoticed kick. Dust and pebbles collided with the field in a colorful burst of sparks, then fell to the sand. It would have been just as easy to kill him as let him go. Soran … you had a wife, children. They died in a senseless tragedy. Cant you see that youve become what you most despised? What youre about to do is no different from when the Borg destroyed your world. Two hundred thirty million wives, husbands, children …
Keeping his attention focused on the launcher controls, the scientist at last repliedwith such soft, cool detachment in his voice that Picard shuddered inwardly. Youre right, Soran said. And there was a time when I wouldnt have hurt anyone. Then the Borg came … and they showed me that if there is one constant in this universe, its death. He paused to key in a command, then continued in the same even, conversational tone.
Afterward, I began to realize that none of it mattered. Were all going to die anyway. Its only a question of how and when. You will, too, Captain. You might contract a fatal disease … you might die in battle …
He lifted his face and fixed Picard with a gaze that pierced to the captains soul. … or burn to death in a fire.
Despite himself, Picard froze. Soran stepped down from the launcher and moved closer until he stood just on the fields other side.
You look surprised, he said softly. But you shouldnt be. Ive been to the nexus, Captain. I know things about people. He leaned closer, his eyes bright with the desperate intensity Picard had first seen in Ten-Forward; his voice dropped to just above a whisper. Arent you beginning to feel time gaining on you? Its