Survivors - Jean Lorrah [106]
“Go,” said Picard. “But Mr. Adin,” he warned as both Dare and Yar moved toward the turbolift, “understand that I have no intention of losing my Chief of Security.”
Dare’s smile was wolfish again, although not sinister this time. “That, I believe, is up to Tasha.”
They went to Yar’s quarters, where she learned that the Captain had guessed quite accurately what Dare would offer her. “We’ve always wanted to work together. I respect the fact that you must serve out your tour of duty. But then-” He put his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes and shaking his head with a smile. “What a pleasure it is just to know we can communicate! I will let you know where I go, and it’s never difficult to follow the Enterprise with all the chatter amongst the spacelanes.”
“You’ve known all along what I was doing?” she asked.
“Not always, but the occasional reference. Once you were aboard Enterprise it became easy. But I don’t want you light-years away, Tasha. I want you at my side.”
“Then why not accept Starfleet’s offer? Dare, after admitting its mistake, Starfleet Command would probably give you any posting you wanted. You could serve here, aboard the Enterprise!”
“Where you, my little kitten, are Chief of Security. I love you, Tasha, but I’m not ready to take orders from you.”
“Especially as you would far outrank me,” she agreed. “But I can’t step-“
“Don’t even say it! Tasha, I would never suggest such a thing; you have worked too long and too hard to get where you are. No, love, the only way you and I can work together now is as equals, and face it, that cannot happen in Starfleet. Join me, and learn what it is to be bound by no rules but your own conscience.”
“Dare, I can’t-“
“Don’t say it,” he repeated, placing a finger over her lips. “There’s no need to decide today, Tasha. Believe me, I do understand how important Starfleet is to you. But I also believe you will outgrow it. I will still be there, love. We’re survivors, you and I.” He replaced the finger with his lips, and Yar relaxed into his embrace.
He was right. She didn’t have to decide today-couldn’t, really. Her current enlistment had a long time to run … and Dare understood that she must serve it out. But he was free now. They would see one another again, as often as possible.
And one day, perhaps …
Chapter Twelve
THE ENTERPRISE was in routine flight. There were no clues that it was to be the most difficult day so far of Lieutenant Commander Data’s life.
He was at his usual post. Worf, on the upper bridge, reported no obstacles or vessels, then turned to Tasha and began to discuss the ship’s martial arts competition. Data heard the pleasure in Tasha’s voice as she realized that Worf had bet on her to win.
Tasha seemed happy, even though Darryl Adin had not accepted Starfleet’s offer of reinstatement. Data was pleased that he had found the evidence to clear Adin-for it was now obvious that Tasha’s reunion with the man she loved had made no difference at all in her friendship with Data, Worf, Deanna, and others.
Rikan was right: Data had confused two very different kinds of … love. He was still uncomfortable using that word, for as the warlord had suggested, humans also got its many meanings confused. Possibly Data had done so because he had been programmed by humans. Whatever the reason, he was secure now that the friendships he had formed aboard the Enterprise could only be enhanced by the addition of others to the circle.
Data’s consciousness was drawn from his personal musings when the mission suddenly ceased to be routine. Deanna Troi’s shuttle crashed on Vagra II, and Data, Riker, Tasha, and Dr. Crusher beamed down to rescue her and her pilot. But the away team was prevented from reaching the shuttle by the peculiar creature called Armus.
Even then, there was no warning, no apprehension. While strange life forms were nothing new to the crew of the Enterprise, none of them could take a talking tar pit very seriously. No one tried to stop Tasha when she attempted to walk brusquely