Taking Wing - Michael A. Martin [45]
“Commander Donatra,” Riker said, favoring the stern yet attractive young Romulan woman on the viewer with a reserved smile. “You look well.”
Donatra offered a wan smile in return. “If that is so, then I am fortunate indeed. Congratulations on your new command, Captain Riker. And welcome to the Neutral Zone.”
A place where nobody is supposed to be, Vale thought, feeling her heart thump heavily in her chest. Including the Klingons. She hoped that nobody on any of Khegh’s or Donatra’s vessels was spoiling for a fight.
“Thank you, Commander,” Riker said simply. “We have come on a mission of aid. I’m sure you have been informed that our presence has been requested by both the Romulan and the Reman peoples.”
“I have, Captain,” Donatra said, raising an elegantly arched eyebrow. “Do you recall what I told your former captain when last we saw each other?”
He nodded. “You said that he had made the first of what you hoped would be many friends in the Romulan Empire.”
Donatra smiled with what Vale took to be genuine warmth, an intuition confirmed by Troi’s smile. “Very good, Captain. And despite the fact that Picard is not here, I extend that friendship to you and your crew. There are more than a few…rogue elements in the Empire who might wish to interfere with your mission here. Therefore, I shall assign three vessels from my squadron to escort you and your entourage directly to Romulus.”
“Rogue elements.” That’s the exact term that Akaar used earlier, Vale thought with a start. Is that just a coincidence, or is it something more?
Riker bowed his head slightly toward the screen. “For that, you have our gratitude.” Vale knew that Riker must also be considering the briefing that Akaar and his three Vulcan aides had conducted the previous afternoon. T’Sevek had warned them that Donatra was in league with Commander Suran in the leadership hierarchy of a powerful independent military faction. T’Rel, in particular, had seemed to distrust Donatra’s motivations quite a bit.
“Your people, as well as your Klingon escorts”—a subtle, momentary sneer seemed to creep into Donatra’s voice at this point—“may feel the need to be…cautious while we escort you. Feel free to raise your shields or adopt whatever mode of readiness you deem appropriate. I certainly can understand the sense of unease that all of you must be experiencing.”
She paused for a moment, then added adamantly, “But do please inform the Klingons that appropriate readiness does not include fully charging their weapons.”
Riker nodded again, his face as impassive as Akaar’s. “I appreciate your candor, your discretion, and your assistance, Commander.”
“Then we shall speak again soon, on Romulus,” Donatra said. A moment later, the screen image changed back to that of the various ships—Romulan, Klingon, and Federation—that were arrayed around Titan as she proceeded inexorably toward Romulan space. And plunged headlong toward whatever fate awaited her there.
Riker turned to Vale.
“Rogue elements,” he said. “Curiouser and curiouser.”
Chapter Eight
U.S.S. TITAN
“We’re being hailed again, Captain,” said Cadet Zurin Dakal, who was currently backing Keru at tactical by manning communications.
It had been less than twenty minutes since Commander Donatra and her squadron had appeared to escort the convoy toward Romulus—and since then Donatra’s warbird had reactivated its cloak, vanishing from sight, though perhaps not from the general vicinity of the convoy.
Riker turned his chair in the direction of the youthful Cardassian trainee. “Who’s calling us this time, Cadet?”
“Romulus sir.” Dakal glanced down at his readouts, and the young Cardassian’s eyes suddenly became enormous. “The signal is coming directly from the Romulan Hall of State. It’s Praetor Tal’Aura.”
Riker felt his own eyes widen involuntarily as well. Then he noticed that both Deanna and Vale, seated in the chairs that flanked his own, had turned their expectant gazes upon him.
“Should