The Brave and the Bold Book Two - Keith R. A. DeCandido [80]
“Bajor is farther from Narendra III than the region where Colonel Kira was found,” Data said.
“Yeah, but I wasn’t fighting him tooth and claw on Bajor,” Kira said grimly. “He caught me off guard. I may have just worn him down.”
“Earth is even farther away, yet Captain DeSoto was sufficiently enthralled to steal the artifacts,” Data added, sounding nonplussed. Klag had heard that the android was emotionless, so this almost petulant tone was something of a surprise.
Tereth bared her teeth. “While I am sure he is a fine leader, Captain DeSoto is not a warrior.”
Klag nodded. Unlike Klag, Tereth had never met Kira, but they both knew her reputation.
“And for all we know,” Picard said, “DeSoto is fighting control just as hard.” Klag smiled at Picard’s attempt to come to the defense of his friend. “Such speculation, however, is irrelevant for the moment. Colonel, how many ships are defending Narendra III?”
“I’m not sure. At least three were in orbit when I took the St. Lawrence out, but there could have been more. And there was a civilian ship. I wasn’t exactly in a position to do a full scan. But all those ships were under Malkus’s control.”
“Understood. Captain, I suggest we rendezvous at the Narendra system’s Oort cloud. We can survey the system from there, then plan our next move.”
Tereth cast a disdainful glance at the viewer. “There is only one next move, Picard—to attack this Malkus and destroy him, so we can rescue those he has enslaved and cure those he has infected.”
“Yes, but Picard is right,” Klag said. “We need to reconnoiter before charging in.”
“Of course,” Tereth said, conceding the point.
“Have you made any progress regarding the sensor readings, Captain?” Klag asked.
“No.” Picard spoke with a certain amount of annoyance.
“Nor have we, though Lieutenant Toq has, at least, eliminated several possibilities. We will send you what we have done so far.”
“We will do likewise.”
“Good.” Klag stood up. “We are due to arrive at Narendra in seven hours. We shall speak again then. Gorkon out.”
Kira stood up as the viewer went blank. “Captain, I think it might be best if I was sedated in your medical ward.”
“You anticipate Malkus reasserting his control?” Tereth asked.
“He might. And if he does, he’ll know everything I know. That’s too much of a security risk, if we’re going to catch him off guard.”
Klag considered. “A wise move. My physician is, of course, not available,” he said with a wry smile, “but I’m sure her nurse can handle so simple a task as administering a sedative.” Klag opened the door to the wardroom and said to one of the guards posted outside, “Take the colonel to the medical ward and have Nurse Gaj attend to her.”
The guard nodded and Kira headed toward the door.
As she reached the threshold, Tereth said, “Colonel?”
Kira turned around.
“Should we live through this, I would be honored if you would share a drink with us. There is a song you might wish to hear.”
Kira frowned. “Really?”
“We do not often immortalize our defeats, but—after the war, a song was written called ‘The Battle for Deep Space 9.’ It was about Gowron’s failed attempt to take your station four years ago. The third verse is primarily about you and the way you slew ten warriors in your operations center while mortally wounded.”
Kira gave her an odd look. “Actually it was only five, and the reason it wasn’t more was because the fifth one stabbed me, but—” She broke into a smile. “Thank you, Commander. I look forward to hearing it.”
Toq also stood up. “With your permission, Captain, I will transmit data to the Enterprise and see if theirs is of any use.”
Klag dismissed him with a nod. Once he departed, Klag was left alone with Tereth. She had a look on her face that Klag had learned to recognize over the past few months. He was also quite sure that Tereth herself didn’t realize that Klag could read her so easily. “You are concerned?”
Tereth looked up suddenly in surprise.