The Battle of Betazed - Charlotte Douglas [3]
He had time for only one thought.
Damira —
In an instant, the escape pod exploded in a burst of light, and Sark Enaren with it.
Chapter One
C OMMANDER D EANNA T ROI STARED out the wide expanse of windows in her quarters aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. Sadness darkened her deep brown eyes, and worry etched the smooth perfection of her attractive face. Her long dark hair, usually sleek and shining, looked as if it had recently been attacked by a Myrmidon wind devil. She gazed at a cluster of stars that she knew included that of Betazed, her homeworld, shining through the spires of Starbase 133 as if mocking her with their peaceful glow. For once, the sight of home failed to brighten her spirits. If anything, it depressed her more.
“A fine state for a ship’s counselor,” she muttered, aware that her mood fluctuated between depression and anger but unable to throw off the negative emotions and provide for herself the cheer and encouragement she supplied so readily for the rest of the crew.
The Federation had been at war with the shape-shifting Founders of the Dominion, their genetically engineered soldier species, the Jem’Hadar, and their Cardassian allies for more than a year now. Four months ago, they had invaded and annexed Betazed, gaining a strategic hold in the very heart of the Federation. Starfleet’s attempts to break that hold had so far failed disastrously. On every front, casualties were growing daily, with no end in sight. Too many ships lost, too many dead, too little hope of victory against an enemy that bred new soldiers faster than Starfleet could recruit and train cadets.
Deanna rubbed her burning eyes. Every bone in her body ached with fatigue. In less than two hours she had to report for duty, but she hadn’t been able to sleep. How could anyone sleep, knowing what was happening out there? Every time she closed her eyes, she saw—
The chime on her door sounded.
She didn’t answer, knowing who it was and hoping he would leave. The last thing she felt right now was sociable.
The chime sounded again. She flung herself down on the window seat and pulled a pillow over her head.
Imzadi?
She sensed Will Riker’s presence, picking up telepathically his concern for her. Will had been her first true love and would always be her best friend, her Imzadi. But she was in no mood to face anyone now. Not even Will.
“Go away,” she called.
For an instant there was quiet, and she was breathing a sigh of relief when the doors to her quarters slid open and Will stepped inside. He’d used his security override to enter.
She bolted upright. “What part of ‘go away’ don’t you understand?” Anger filled her voice, but her more rational side realized it wasn’t Will who angered her.
It was the damned war.
Will crossed the room and slid onto the window seat beside her. “I’m worried about you.”
“You have a ship to run. Go worry about it.”
He cocked his head in that little-boy gesture that always tugged at her heart because it seemed so at odds with the strength and maturity of the tall, seasoned Starfleet officer with his piercing eyes and regal beard.
“Maybe I should call Beverly,” he suggested. “Have her look in on you.”
“I don’t need a doctor, Will,” she snapped.
Will inclined his head toward the tabletop next to her. “You never met a chocolate you didn’t like. And you’re losing weight. I think Beverly should check you out.”
Deanna glanced at the dish on the table that had once held a sinful concoction of chocolate ice cream, hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles. The bowl’s untouched contents were now indistinguishable from a mud puddle.
“I’m all right,” she insisted.
Will slid closer on the bench, draped his arm around her shoulders, and fixed her with a stare. “Try again.”
Deanna couldn’t help smiling. Will knew her better than anyone, and although she was the ship’s counselor, he could give her a run for her money in the listening department any day.
Remembering the source