The Children of Hamlin - Carmen Carter [49]
“Not now, Dr. Crusher.” Picard’s breath had finally returned. He snapped shut the connection with sickbay. Casualty reports would have to wait until later. “Lieutenant Yar, lock narrow phaser fire on the edges of the cluster, but steer clear of any spheres with life-sign readings.”
“Warp nine-point-seven,” warned Data.
Yar selected an uninhabited sphere at random. “Phasers locked and ready.”
“Fire!” cried Picard.
Just as before, the target exploded at the beam’s first touch and its interior atmosphere sprayed out from the shattered shell. Globules of liquid boiled away into the vacuum of space. Picard held his breath, waiting for the enemy’s reaction.
At first there was no change. Then the deck lurched.
“The Choraii are reducing speed to Warp eight,” said Data. “Warp six.”
“They’ve given in,” said Riker with an admiring grin. “I knew you could outsmart them.”
The captain smiled back and tried to hide his own relief at the outcome of the struggle. Data’s count continued downward, keeping pace with the slowing of Picard’s pulse.
“Wild Ones, enough!” came the message from the B Flat when it had coasted to a full stop. “Take Jason, only stop your fire.”
“Agreed,” answered the ambassador before Picard could speak. With the starship at rest, Deelor was back in control of the mission. He turned to the aft bridge. “Lieutenant Yar, prepare to board the Choraii ship.”
“Alone?” asked Yar. Her eyes widened.
“I have no intention of going over myself, Lieutenant.” Deelor glanced uneasily at the viewer. “The Choraii bear close watching during a trade, and I can best observe their actions from the bridge.”
Riker was quick to jump to the defense of his away team member. “Request permission to accompany-“
“Denied, Commander,” said Deelor flatly. “This isn’t an invasion. And if Ruthe can handle these transactions by herself, I’m sure Lieutenant Yar can muddle through also.”
The security chief reacted just as Picard knew she would. And as Deelor must have predicted as well. “I’ll go over, sir. If there’s any problem, I can signal for backup.”
The captain protected Yar in the only manner open to him. “Mr. Riker, Mr. Data. Accompany the lieutenant to the transporter room.”
As the turbolift compartment dropped downward, Data described the curious composition of the Choraii ship’s environment in greater detail. Yar listened calmly to the detached clinical terms which were unconnected to the terror of submersion. Her composure was put to a greater test when they reached the transporter room; Dr. Crusher was waiting there and her advice went to the heart of Yar’s fear.
“Don’t fight against breathing in. Force as much air out of your lungs as you can, then inhale.”
“I’ll beam you in a few spheres away from Jason,” said Data, taking over the transporter controls. “That will give you time to adjust to the environment.”
“Let’s go, then,” said Yar, leaping onto the platform. She didn’t want time to dwell on what was ahead.
Yar materialized in the calm sea of the Choraii atmosphere. Regardless of Crusher’s instructions, she immediately held her breath. Her every instinct fought against exhaling the air in her lungs.
Treading in place with fine movements of her hands and feet, she concentrated on orienting herself in the alien surroundings. She was suspended in a sphere some ten meters in diameter. Music echoed faintly all around her, and a reddish glow radiated from the curving walls, filtering through the clear liquid to the very center of the orb. She could see no openings.
Yar knew she could hold her breath for several more minutes, possibly long enough to find her way through the next sphere and even to return the captive to the Enterprise. If all went well. If not, she would have to breathe in eventually. Better to do so now before her fear grew too strong to overcome. She quickly blew out a stream of air bubbles, then inhaled. Her mind was clouded by a momentary panic as her lungs filled with a thin, warm liquid, but against all expectation she did not suffocate. She took