The Devil's Heart - Carmen Carter [64]
“I’m still shorthanded on the Haverford,” said the captain. “I could use you on my next tour.”
Jiak rubbed gingerly at the sore muscles of his arm. His disappointment at being shut out of DiWahn hurt much more. “This was just my first stop.
I’m going to Dynasia next.”
“What! That godforsaken place is a trillion light years away from here.”
Despite her exaggeration of the distance involved, Del jabbed her hand to a specific spot just to the left of his head. Jiak had no doubt that Dynasia could be found by traveling beyond the tip of her finger; the freighter captain had an uncanny memory for all the backroad planets in the galaxy.
“I don’t care how far away it is,” he said sullenly. “That’s where I’m going next.”
“Then you haven’t got the brains of a Meegan glowworm.” When he remained silent, she heaved a deep sigh. “The Marshall is docked in Bay 3. Find First Officer Conrad, and tell him I sent you. His freight run will get you to Hayhurst Junction, which is the closest Federation outpost to Dynasia. After that, you’re on your own again.”
Jiak’s face flushed with shame at having resented her interference. “Thanks, Captain.”
“Only members of my crew call me captain,” said the woman. “My friends call me Del.” She wrapped the boy in her arms, squeezed the air out of his lungs with the strength of her hug, then stalked away without a backward glance.
Thanks, Del.
He almost changed his mind and ran after her, but the impulse faded with the thought of setting foot on Dynasia. Eager to secure his next berth, Jiak settled his pack securely on his shoulders and headed back toward the docking bays.
CHAPTER 18
“Engage.”
In Riker’s mind, that simple word was inextricably intertwined with the basso pulse of the starship engines and a dazzling starburst of warp light on the viewscreen. A feeling of suppressed excitement was underscored by Picard’s crisp declamation; he never issued that order in an offhand manner.
“At current warp speed,” announced Data, “our estimated arrival at Vulcan will be in three point six days.”
Picard never even slouched when he occupied the captain’s chair. At his most relaxed, he might cross his legs and lean back. Today, Riker noted, the captain had adopted his most regal carriage, with both feet planted firmly on the deck and his head held high as he studied the viewscreen. The very mention of Sarek and T’Sara’s homeworld seemed to trigger this unconscious show of respect; Picard’s only departure from a formal posture was the crooking of one arm to hold the Heart.
“I’ve been to Vulcan several times,” said the first officer, “but I’ve never had a chance to actually visit the planet surface. I’m looking forward to that opportunity now.”
When the silence that followed this comment lengthened uncomfortably, Troi leaned slightly forward from her position on the other side of Picard.
“Yes, I’m also looking forward to shore leave there. It should prove to be very interesting, if rather warm.” She spoke to Riker, but her eyes were on the captain.
Another silence.
“And I’m sure the Vulcan Science Academy will look forward to our arrival,” said Riker, forging ahead des pite a growing self-consciousness. He had started this damn conversation, but he couldn’t seem to stop it as easily. “The Heart is a most unusual—” “What did you say?” Picard turned to face his first officer. “What about the Heart?”
“Just that I’m sure the archaeologists at the Vulcan Science Academy must be very curious about it. As an historical relic, it should keep them occupied for quite some time.”
Picard reacted to that admittedly banal statement with a frown. His one free hand tugged at the hem of his tunic. “Yes, I suppose it will.”
“Isn’t that the purpose of this trip?” asked Troi, and Riker wondered what emotion she sensed that made this request for clarification necessary.
“To return the artifacts of T’Sara’s excavation to Vulcan?”
“Of course, Counselor,” said Picard with a grimace of impatience. “I was under the