Surak's Soul - J.M. Dillard [65]
“You’ve done a wonderful job, Lieutenant,” Archer replied warmly.
As he spoke, Lieutenant Reed and T’Pol entered the launch bay within two seconds of each other—Reed first, who stepped aside and motioned for the Vulcan to pass in front of him. It did not escape his notice, or Archer’s, that the sub-commander wore a phase pistol at her hip.
Archer gestured for Hoshi and Reed to enter the shuttlepod, then stared pointedly at T’Pol’s pistol and gestured with his chin. Softly, he said, “What’s this?” His tone was good-natured, but inquisitive; he had no desire, after all that had happened, to put her in an awkward situation.
She gave him a look of cerebral coolness; at the same time, he fancied he detected the faintest hint of good humor beneath it. “A phase pistol, sir.”
Archer tsked at her. “I know that, Sub-Commander, I just…”
She dropped her pretense of literal-mindedness. “I have reconsidered my position on self-defense, sir. While I still feel the use of force should be avoided at all costs, there are situations where it may be necessary.”
“Would it be too personal to ask what triggered the change? It seemed to me you did a pretty good job of showing what nonviolent resistance could achieve.”
T’Pol paused. “The Oanis, Captain. Ensign Sato pointed out that they did not believe in destroying microbes. This made me reflect that it is possible to take a worthy concept to an unhealthy extreme.” She glanced away no more than an instant, and it seemed to Archer that the faintest hint of reluctance came over her features. “It would not have been worth the destruction of their civilization. No more than it would have been worth allowing Wanderer to destroy human civilization, or any other group. It was mere chance that the creature could be defeated as simply as it was.”
Archer nodded slowly. “I want you to know, T’Pol…that, whatever your choice is on this matter, I respect it.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Archer gestured toward the hatch. “Come on. Let’s give the Oanis the memorial they deserve. I think you’ll appreciate the monument Hoshi has designed.”
She entered, followed by Archer; the hatch door closed, then the bay doors opened.
And the shuttlepod sailed once more toward the blue-green island planet.
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Enterprise: The First Adventure • Vonda N. McIntyre
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The Eugenics Wars: The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh, Books One and Two • Greg Cox
The Last Round-Up • Christie Golden
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Star Trek: The Motion Picture • Gene Roddenberry
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan • Vonda N. McIntyre
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Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country • J.M. Dillard
Star Trek Generations • J.M. Dillard
Starfleet Academy • Diane Carey
Star Trek books by William Shatner with Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens
The Ashes of Eden
The Return
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Star Trek: Odyssey (contains The Ashes of Eden, The Return, and Avenger)
Spectre
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Preserver
Captain’s Peril
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#2 • The Entropy Effect • Vonda N. McIntyre
#3 • The Klingon Gambit • Robert E. Vardeman
#4 • The Covenant of the Crown • Howard Weinstein
#5 • The Prometheus Design • Sondra Marshak & Myrna Culbreath
#6 • The Abode of Life • Lee Correy
#7 • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan • Vonda N. McIntyre
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#9 • Triangle • Sondra Marshak & Myrna Culbreath
#10 • Web of the Romulans