The Devil's Heart - Carmen Carter [28]
“Power reserves holding steady,” said Data as sensor chatter echoed noisily across the navigation consoles.
“A trap?” asked Riker.
“I don’t think so, Number One.” Picard studied the view of the space surrounding them and confirmed what he had expected the Enterprise had plowed into the middle of a field of debris.
Chunks of dark, twisted metal were scattered in all directions, their serrated edges glinting in starlight. “I suspect we’ve found the second player in this drama.”
Flashes of blue light danced across the viewscreen as more of the fragments ricocheted off the protective envelope of the deflector shields.
“My analysis of the particles supports that theory,” said Data. “The total mass of the debris appears equivalent to that of another vessel, although one somewhat less formidable than the Marauder class.”
“Any speculation as to its origins?”
“That may be difficult to determine since the wreckage has been distorted by intense heat.”
The android magnified several different sections of the viewscreen until he located a twisted beam that still retained identifiable form. “This molded tritanium truss is characteristic of the Orion Signet series.”
“An Orion ship?” Riker turned to Picard. “They usually give wide berth to the Ferengi.”
“Yet this time it seems two scavengers have fallen on each other.”
“To the detriment of both,” said Data. “I detect no life-signs aboard the Ferengi vessel.”
“And the blood is still flowing,” murmured Picard.
Riker frowned at the repetition of T’Sara’s dying words. “So you think this battle is related to the attack on the Vulcans?”
Worf’s deep voice thundered down from the tactical station on the aft deck. “One can find the Pagrashtak by following the flight of carrion-eaters; keeping it is not so easy.” The Klingon leaned over the rail and added a more subdued explanation. “That was a quote from The Ballads of Durall.”
Riker was struck speechless by the unexpected declamation, but Picard’s composure was still intact. “Thank you, Lieutenant.” He agreed with Worf the mythic quality of this quest seemed to invite the heightened language of ancient texts.
“Well,” said the first officer, “if the Orions had T’Sara’s relic when their ship was destroyed, we’ll be sifting through space detritus for weeks. So I suggest we search the Ferengi Marauder first.”
“Agreed, Number One. Prepare an Away Team for …”
Touching the Ko N’ya would be like touching history itself.
“No,” said Picard suddenly. “Belay that order.”
“Sir?”
“Indulge me, W. I’d like to lead this mission.” The temptation was simply too strong for Picard to resist, but he would prefer to persuade Riker into agreement. A confrontation over this issue would only waste time and delay the recovery effort. “You know that I’ve been fascinated by the legend of the Heart for most of my life, and if it should actually exist …”
To his relief, Riker gave way with a broad grin. “Understood, Captain. Just don’t make a habit of doing my job.”
He was already out of his chair. “Worf, Data, with me.”
With each step up the bridge ramp, Picard felt like he was marching his way into one of Robert’s epic tales of heroic adventure. His two Away Team companions followed on his heels into the turbolift, obedient knights sworn to attend their liege lord.
By the time the three of them reached Deck 6 and mounted the transporter dais, Picard had banished the fantasy image from his mind. He was a Starfleet captain on a mission. Of all the dreams he had held as a child, this one was the most powerful.
“Ready for transport, Mr. O’Brien.”
“Aye, Captain.” The chief checked his console settings. “I’ll set you down in the main bridge.”
The transporter chamber glittered away. Then, in the space of a heartbeat, new surroundings materialized around Picard.
He coughed reflexively as swirling smoke entered his lungs. The air was cold, a sign that life support systems were failing.
At a glance, Picard could see that the command center of the Marauder was smaller than the main bridge of a starship. Everything in its interior, from the decks and walls