String Theory_ Cohesion (Book 1) - Jeffrey Lang [22]
“Do you know whether you can settle on the world you’re aiming for?” Chakotay asked as they boarded one of the small elevators.
Ziv reluctantly admitted that they were not certain. Their observations of the target world indicated it may be habitable, but there was no way to be sure.
“We performed only cursory scans as we passed it,” Chakotay said casually as the elevator door opened, “but I think you’ll be all right. The oxygen/nitrogen ratio is a little off, but there’s water and the life-sign indicators were good.”
Ziv stopped short just outside the elevator. “You know all this?” he asked.
Chakotay turned to look at him. “Well, like I said, these were cursory scans, but, yes. I’m fairly confident the scans are accurate.”
Staggered by the news, Ziv clacked loudly, though he immediately recognized that the Voyager did not know what the exclamation meant. “You have no idea,” he said, “what this will mean to my passengers and crew.”
The corners of the alien’s mouth curled up, and Ziv sensed his pleasure. “Happy to help,” he said. “This is the engine room. Please don’t touch anything without asking, but otherwise feel free to look around. I’ll only be a moment.”
Ziv found the entire ship astonishing, a marvel of clean, rounded edges and efficient design, but nothing amazed him as much as the engine room. Where his vessel’s engine bay was a cacophonous cavern of clattering, rattling moving parts watched over by clicking, stuttering, frantic harai, this place was like a temple overseen by slow, solemn acolytes who served an altar of coruscating blue light.
Studying the scene with reverent awe, Ziv’s peace of mind was shattered when a small, lithe figure abruptly planted herself before the alien commander and began barking sharp, staccato sentences. For a brief, confused moment, Ziv thought the newcomer might be some kind of priestess cursing them for their insolence, but, focusing on her words more carefully, he finally understood: she was an engineer.
The commander, to his credit, seemed immune to the engineer’s scathing tone and said simply, “Captain Ziv, our chief engineer, B’Elanna Torres.”
The engineer simply stared at Ziv for a moment as if mildly surprised to find him there, then said, “How are you?”
Ziv knew that she did not particularly care, but having met enough of these creatures to know it was a good idea to stay on their good side, Ziv said, “Dazzled. Before I came here, I had doubts that this tiny ship could draw the great behemoth we travel in across the heavens. But now, seeing this, my doubts are banished.”
Looking around her, the engineer threw back her shoulders, and Ziv felt a great swell of pride emanate from her. “Yeah,” she said, “it’s pretty impressive. Glad you could come see it.”
“The honor is ours,” Ziv said, then took a step back, allowing the commander to speak to his subordinate. Though he could not hear their words, Ziv could tell from their posture that Chakotay was placating the engineer, perhaps even reassuring her.
“…Tractor beam generator isn’t…” Ziv heard the engineer say as her voice rose above the pulsing conduits.
“…Wouldn’t ask anything of you or the engines that…” the commander rebutted. “…Just have to get them moving and then Newton’s driving…”
One of the passing acolytes nodded to Ziv as he approached a control surface and asked if he had any questions. Ziv thanked him politely, then nodded toward the engineer. “Is that one your haras?” he asked.
“Our…what?” the acolyte asked.
“Your…” Ziv searched for a word that came close to the meaning. “Is she your group’s organizer, primary planner, your…”
“Oh! Yes!” the acolyte said, comprehension dawning. “She’s the chief.”
“Chief,” Ziv said, savoring the flavor of