Synthesis - James Swallow [102]
“At least, now we know we can defend ourselves against this threat,” said the captain. “The tricobalt warheads were the right call, Ranul.”
The Trill security officer frowned. “Desperate measures, sir. We might be up for a repeat performance, but beyond that I’m not certain. And if the next incursion by the Null is bigger…” He trailed off, leaving the bleak possibility unspoken.
“We can fabricate a few more warheads,” said Xin in a noncommittal tone, “but there is the issue of subspace stressing to consider.”
“Go on, Doctor,” prompted Riker.
Xin continued to talk into the padd, not looking up. “This area of space is already rife with distortion zones. It’s like a sheet of glass webbed by cracks, and they are the conduits that allow the Null to penetrate our dimension—and also give the Sentries their method of interstellar transit. Detonating dozens of tricobalt charges in scattershot fashion will be like pressing down on those fractures. They’ll widen and grow.” He paused for effect. “Implode,” he added. “Frankly, with the Sentries’ insistence on using their shear-slip drive, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already. If it does, this entire sector could become a huge subspace anomaly. A great sinkhole into the void, like the whirlpools on the maps of ancient mariners.”
“And beyond it, there be dragons,” Riker said softly. He glanced at Melora. “What’s your take on this, Commander?”
Melora took a deep breath, pushing down her frustration. “The data that White-Blue provided me, the information he was compiling about the patterns of Null incursion, well, sir, it’s pretty impenetrable stuff. The baseline of the Sentry sensor tech isn’t anything like ours, and just finding some kind of commonality with the records is taking a while.”
Riker nodded, but his lips were pressed thin. “Do you think we might be able to predict the point of the next incursion?”
“It’s possible,” she admitted. “But right now, I’m afraid I’ll still be putting the numbers together when it happens.”
“I have a suggestion,” said Xin. “I imagine it won’t be a popular one, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring it up.”
Vale’s lips curled. “Whenever you talk like that, I know you’re about to come up with something I’m really going to hate.”
The engineer gave the exec an indulgent look. “Well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you, Commander.”
“Let’s hear it,” Riker ordered.
Melora looked back across the table and found Xin gazing steadily at her. “Titan,” he said. “Or, more accurately, the avatar. She has, for want of a better phrase, the commonality with the Sentry AIs that Melora mentioned. If we give her unfettered access to White-Blue’s data and let her process it herself, without intervention by us, I’m certain she’ll give us the answers we need.”
“I thought we’d decided to keep things compartmentalized,” said Keru. “For security’s sake.” He glanced at Vale, who nodded in support.
Xin made an airy wave with his hand. “Whose security are we talking about?” He snorted. “This isn’t about that. Two points, Captain.” He held up both hands, an index finger on each raised. “One, the avatar can do this for us. Two, it gives her an opportunity to contribute to the mission. A way to feel useful.”
“So now we’re concerned about making the ship’s computer feel valued?” Vale almost rolled her eyes. “With all due respect, Doctor, that’s a hell of a long way down the list of importance.”
“Is it really?” he replied.
Melora cleared her throat, mulling it over. “Actually, it’s a good solution. Certainly the best in the time frame we have.” She paused. “I’m convinced that there will be another Null event, a much larger one, and soon.”
“What if the next incursion is too big for us or the Sentries to blast into submission?” added the engineer. “What then? We need every advantage we can muster.”
Riker’s hand strayed to his chin and ran through