The Devil's Heart - Carmen Carter [119]
She watched as the first officer sauntered across the command deck. His carefree air would convince anyone but an empath that he had just enjoyed a casual exchange with the captain. A quick sidelong glance toward the aft deck nearly gave Riker away, but Lieutenant Worf was too absorbed with his tactical sensor readings to catch the telltale sign of wariness.
Once Riker settled down beside her, however, he shook his head. No success.
“Now what?” asked Troi in a low voice.
He shrugged. “Your turn again.”
“No, I can feel his emotional reserve heighten whenever I approach him. If he won’t even listen to me, he certainly won’t relinquish the Heart to my care.”
“Well, then …”
In perfect accord, she and Riker both turned and fixed a speculative look on the android working quietly at the helm.
Since Picard appeared entranced by the view outside his window, Data stood patiently in front of the ready room desk, waiting for the captain to break out of his reverie. While he waited, the android considered how he might best attempt to fulfill Riker’s directive.
Persuading Captain Picard to give up the Heart would prove an interesting challenge in interpersonal dynamics, but it was an area in which Data judged himself to be somewhat inadequate.
Considering the strong emotions that were involved, Data doubted that he would be able to succeed where Doctor Crusher and Counselor Troi had failed.
Then, catching sight of one of the books on the office desk, he was reminded of the captain’s deep respect for T’Sara and Ambassador Sarek. Vulcans did not appeal to emotions, yet Picard was often persuaded by these writings.
Perhaps logic could provide a more promising approach.
Under his breath, Picard muttered, “How long must I wait for an answer?”
Data determined the captain was addressing the Heart resting in his hands. Apparently he received no response from the stone, because Picard then swiveled his chair around to face the android.
“What is it, Mr. Data? Am I to be subjected to a visit by each of my senior officers in turn? How can I think straight with these continual interruptions?”
Without any preamble to soften his intent, Data said, “We are concerned about the extent to which your actions are being governed by the Heart.”
“Then you need worry yourself no longer. I am acting of my own volition.” Evidently Picard regretted the overly curt nature of this response, because he stopped to take a deep breath and then said, “Data, there is something the Heart needs, a place it must reach, for reasons I don’t entirely understand, that I may be incapable of understanding, yet its urgency is unmistakable.”
“Does this mean you will relinquish the stone so that it can reach that destination, Captain?”
“Yes … of course.” Picard’s eyes widened ever so slightly as he contemplated that scenario. “But not until the time is right.”
“Intriguing. When exactly will that time occur?”
“Not yet,” said the captain. “I’ll know when the time comes.”
“I admire your certainty. However, my analysis of the Heart’s history indicates that if you delay too long, the stone will ensure its own release by leaving us vulnerable to attack.”
“No! The Heart offers us protection.”
“Does it?” asked Data. “On this journey you speak of, the Heart has left a trail of death and devastation in its wake. This is not legend or myth, but fact. We have seen the evidence ourselves in the destruction of the Orions and the Ferengi.”
“The Heart is not to blame for those deaths,” said Picard with a vehement shake of his head. “The Orions died due to their own greed, as did the Ferengi; they courted their own downfall.”
“And what of the Vulcans? Did T’Sara deserve her fate?”
A spasm of grief, akin to pain, creased the captain’s face. This time he shook his head more gently.
“From what I have observed,” said Data, “the protection it offers has a tendency to fail if the Heart can secure a more useful host. When