The Eyes of the Beholders - A. C. Crispin [76]
“It certainly had that effect on me,” the Klingon officer said.
“I believe that we have indeed solved part of the mystery,” the captain said, “but discovering the true nature of the artifact, while very interesting, still does not help us with our problem. The artifact, even if it is not intentionally destructive, nevertheless poses a grave threat to this ship.”
“And I suppose that we’re still going to have to try and destroy it,” Riker mused. “I wish we could find some way around that. The idea of blowing up an art gallery … well, I would have liked it better if I’d still been able to think of it as an abandoned doomsday weapon.” He shifted restlessly in his seat. “At least we don’t have to worry any longer about whether the place has an automatic defense system, I suppose.”
“Not necessarily, Number One,” Picard said. “Human galleries have security systems, remember. However, from these sensor readings”—he indicated the tricorder—”and our other information, I do not believe that the alien emplacement possesses defensive capabilities … except, of course, for the energy field that is able to absorb phaser blasts.”
“Photon torpedoes are our most powerful weapons,” Riker said. “And they employ a different kind of energy. Hopefully, an energy the artifact won’t be able to absorb.”
“Destroying the artifact might well mean that we would be destroying the last legacy of a now-extinct species, Captain,” Data pointed out. “That would be most unfortunate.”
“I know, Data. I agree.” The captain sighed. “If there were any way we could get free of that tractor field, or shut it down somehow, then I’d be willing to try it. But there is not.”
Geordi frowned. “Maybe I could go back with my ears plugged and search for the controls to the tractor field.” The chief engineer leaned forward, his voice low and intense. “Dammit, there’s got to be something we can do! I can’t bear the thought of destroying such beauty forever! Captain, the artifact could prove a galactic treasure, if its works could be studied and translated into terms all humans could comprehend.”
“You’re forgetting the mental compositions,” Riker reminded La Forge grimly. “Geordi, within sixty seconds you’d be a screaming wreck, and that wouldn’t get us anywhere.”
“Perhaps the Tellarite … ,” Worf said, and Picard glanced at him, raising his eyebrows in surprise. Art appreciation was not something one expected from a Klingon.
Riker shook his head. “Doctor Gavar isn’t a technician. Even if she could find her way around, blind and deaf as she’d have to be, she wouldn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of finding and shutting down tractor field controls.”
“Yeah,” agreed La Forge glumly. “The person who’s best suited for that role would be Data, but his circuits aren’t calibrated to handle that place.”
There was a short, depressed silence, then Picard straightened his shoulders, stood up, and addressed the group. “I wish we did not have to do this, but the safety of this ship must remain paramount.” He turned his attention to Worf. “Lieutenant, you will prepare to fire photon torpedoes on my command.”
Worf rose to his feet, still a bit unsteady. “Yes, Captain.”
“Captain,” said Data suddenly. “Please wait. I believe that I may have a solution.”
Picard sat back down, and Worf sank back into his seat a second later. “Go on, Mister Data,” the captain said.
“Lieutenant La Forge is correct in saying that my circuitry and programming are not calibrated to endure and comprehend the environment aboard the artifact.” The android’s golden eyes were extremely serious. “But, sir … I am a machine. I can be reprogrammed, and my circuitry recalibrated … adjusted, so that I could withstand the artifact’s effects.” Data turned to La Forge. “You and Doctor Selar could make it possible for me to function aboard the artifact.”
Everyone stared at the android.