The Brave and the Bold Book Two - Keith R. A. DeCandido [44]
“Aye, sir.”
“Shields up, red alert, all hands to battle stations. Arm phasers and load torpedo bays. Can you identify them, Manolet?”
As the bridge was plunged into red lights and the alert klaxon started to sound, Dayrit said, “Configuration matches one of the ships that engaged Commander Sisko and his forces at Bryma last year.”
DeSoto nodded. “Hudson. He was one of the Maquis I met down there, along with another human—and Tuvok.” He sighed. “Put the Maquis on screen.”
To DeSoto’s complete lack of surprise, Tuvok’s face appeared on the viewer. He appeared to be standing in a mess hall that looked fairly generic. No one else was with him—a wise precaution, as it meant that no one aside from Hudson and that other human could be identified. “My apologies for forcing your exit, Captain, but I could not allow you to take me or my allies into custody.”
“‘Allies,’ huh?”
“I would have thought, Captain, that my theft of the Manhattan made my intentions clear enough. Since it has not, let me officially tender my resignation now. I am a member of the Maquis.”
“Good. That’s another charge I can add when I arrest you. We in range, Manolet?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Fire phasers on the Maquis ship.”
Two seconds passed, and no phasers fired. “Sir, I’ve lost weapons control. And shields are going down!” Dayrit slammed his hand against the console. “Dammit! I’ve been cut off.”
Hsu said, “I’ve lost helm control.”
“Internal and short-range sensors functioning,” Kojima said, “but long-range is offline.”
“Again, my apologies, Captain,” Tuvok said. “It would have been wise to change the Hood’s prefix codes after my departure.”
DeSoto gritted his teeth. They hadn’t changed them because they hadn’t expected Tuvok to use that knowledge against them, or give it to the Maquis.
“Something’s being transported into Cargo Bay 2,” Kojima said. “Sensors are reading an explosive device!”
Dayrit tapped his combadge. “Security to Cargo Bay 2.”
“Is anybody in there?” Voyskunsky asked.
Kojima shook his head. “No, the bay’s empty.” Then an alarm sounded. “Explosion in Cargo Bay 2! Hull has been breached; forcefields sealing it off. And sir—now I’m picking up the Malkus Artifact in the cargo bay.”
“I attached a small explosive to the artifact, Captain,” Tuvok said. “I told you that Starfleet was welcome to the Malkus Artifact. That was the truth. Tharia ch’Ren did not speak for the Maquis. We have no interest in attacking civilian targets such as the two planets in the Slaybis system—or Nramia, for that matter. Nor do we have any interest in a weapon that would have such a corrupting influence.”
“You expect us to just let you go?” DeSoto said.
“Yes, sir, I do. Going to warp with a hull breach would be ill advised.”
Hsu turned to look at DeSoto. “They’re moving out of orbit, preparing to go to warp.”
“Czierniewski to bridge. I’m negating the override of the prefix codes.”
“They’re going to warp,” Hsu said.
Voyskunsky shook her head. “Too damn late.”
Tuvok said, “I suggest you examine the artifact, Captain. You may find it educational. Tuvok out.”
The Vulcan’s face disappeared from the viewer, replaced by the Maquis ship, which went into warp.
“Czierniewski to bridge. You should have full functions now.”
“Helm control active,” Hsu said.
Kojima added, “I’ve got long-range.”
Voyskunsky waked around to the ops console. “Can you pick the Maquis up?”
He shook his head. “They’re not on the same heading.”
DeSoto sighed. “They beat us.”
Bitterly, Dayrit said, “Tuvok beat us.”
Voyskunsky raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure he did. He went out of his way not to do any permanent damage to us. He had access to our systems, so he knew Cargo Bay 2 would be empty. He did enough damage to keep us from going to warp after him, but that’s it. And he did all of it while consolidating his cover, because I’m sure that right now his Maquis buddies think he’s the bee’s knees.”
Dayrit said, “Commander, they’d also think that if he really did join them.”
“There’s one way to find out,” DeSoto said, standing suddenly. “Tuvok specifically