The Garden - Melissa Scott [46]
"So the Kirse were literally beaming those doors
into and out of existence?" Janeway asked. "Where
does the displaced matter go, a buffer of some kind?"
Torres shook her head. "I don't know. Logically, it
should, but we didn't pick up that kind of energy level on the surface. Either the buffers were extremely well shielded, or the Kirse simply move the mass from one point to another." She glanced at her padd again. "I also ought to mention that I didn't see any sign of any protection or special characteristics of the doorway areas, either."
"So what you're telling me," Janeway said slowly, "is that the Kirse have something that functions halfway between our transporter and-what?" She looked at the numbers on the datapadd.
"I don't know," Torres said. "The really interesting thing is, the emission patterns, the configuration of the beam, the phase lengths-it looks as though the Kirse were working on a system of their own, based on principles I don't recognize, but then someone told them about our system. And that someone presumably is that human, Revek."
"I would have expected Revek to know more about the transporter system," Janeway said, though the protest was perfunctory.
"He's-he was," Torres corrected herself, "a computer technician, when he worked for us, for the Maquis, I mean. And he was never Starfleet. He wouldn't necessarily have learned more than the minimum, and that wouldn't be enough to let them duplicate the system."
It made sense, and Janeway nodded.
Tuvok said, "I felt those two factors were significant, Captain. And also that they had security implications."
That was a typical Vulcan understatement, and Janeway smiled. As always, Tuvok looked faintly puzzled by her expression, but dismissed it as another emotional factor that he would never understand.
"First, I think we should assume that Mr. Revek is working for the Kirse, and willingly so, unless we see other evidence to the contrary."
Janeway made a face at that, but nodded.
"Second, I think we should also be aware while we are on-planet that this transporter capability is a potential weapon, to which I have as yet been unable to devise an effective counter."
Janeway drew a slow breath at the picture the Vulcan's words conjured for her. The Kirse transporter could be an effective weapon, all right, if a crude one. She imagined tons of wall suddenly displaced onto an enemy, or a section of floor suddenly disappearing, doors that opened onto killing grounds and vanished once the victims had passed through, leaving them trapped. "Any thoughts so far?" she asked, and knew it was only her training that kept her voice steady.
"Nothing useful," Tuvok answered. "Lieutenant Torres and I are working on it." He paused. "There is a third factor that had occurred to me."
"Oh?"
"I could not help wondering if the Kirse's apparent interest in trade does not derive from our possession of a working transporter."
"Ah." Janeway leaned back in her chair. That would make sense, particularly with Revek there to tell them of the Federation's resources-and, if Torres was right, to whet their appetite for a more effective system. "Unfortunately, Tuvok, we don't have a lot of choice. You've seen the doctor's most recent report?"
"I have." The Vulcan gave a stiff nod of acknowledgment. "It appears to weaken our bargaining position somewhat."
Janeway grinned in spite of herself, and once again received Tuvok's quizzical glance in return. "We'll just have to do the best we can."
"Captain," Torres said. "Permission to join the away team tonight."
Janeway shook her head. "No-"
"But, Captain, if I go, I might be able to get another look at their transporter, take some readings. I know what I'm looking for now."
Janeway shook her head again. "Then program a tricorder with those questions, Lieutenant Torres, and one of us will carry it. I have no intention of risking my chief engineer as well as my first officer and security chief."
Torres