The Last Stand - Brad Ferguson [40]
“As we said, Presider Hek, we would like to offer our services as mediator between your people and the people of the third planet in this system—”
“Oh, Captain,” Hek said, and Picard and the others could see him smile. “I appreciate that you are trying to show some regard for our sensibilities without really knowing what they are, but you really can say the word ‘Lethanta’ if you want to. We won’t be offended.”
“All right, then, Presider Hek,” Picard said. “We are offering our services as mediator between your people and the Lethanta. May I suggest a meeting between my top officers and your people, to be held at a location of your choice? We would, of course, welcome you aboard our ship if you should choose to come here—”
Hek held up a hand. “As I am sure you’ll understand, I can’t leave my post at this critical time, Captain Picard. You and your people are, however, welcome over here at any time. I presume you can dock somehow with this ship?” He grinned again. “Or run a gangplank between here and there, perhaps?”
“We can come over there by shuttlecraft, Presider Hek,” Picard said. “We can be there soon, if you like.”
“Time does seem to be of the essence,” Hek said, and they saw him grin again. “Shall we say, eh, thirty minutes? Our intrafleet docking facility is located amidships, and it should be adequate to handle a shuttlecraft the size of the ones you use—the very one you used to visit our friends on Nem Ma’ak Bratuna, for example. We’ll set indicator lights for you to guide you in.”
“That should be fine, Presider. We will see you in thirty minutes, then.”
“I look forward to our meeting,” Hek said. “Out.” He waved at them and, turning, walked away from the bridge window. Several Krann followed him, but most of the others moved closer to the windows to stare at Picard, Riker, and Troi.
“They are off the air, Captain.”
“Thank you, Mr. Worf. Computer, opaque these windows in front of me.” The windows instantly went dead black.
“Well, what do you think?” Picard asked his two officers.
“Interesting how he let you know that he knew about your visit to the Lethanta,” Riker mused. “He even mentioned the use of the shuttlecraft on Nem Ma’ak Bratuna.”
“He’s just trying to spook us, Number One,” Picard said dismissively. “I’d expect anyone with a halfway decent sensor array to be able to detect gross phenomena such as a shuttlecraft launch from a starship I’d been keeping a close eye on since I first spotted it.” He sighed. “Do either of you think we might be able to deal with this Hek person?”
“He only seems approachable, Captain,” Riker said. “I think it’s an act.”
“That’s certainly a possibility, Will, but the question is, will he do a deal with us? Can we still avert this attack by the Krann on Nem Ma’ak Bratuna?”
“Yes,” Riker said, nodding. “Yes, Captain, I think we can—if not by convincing Hek, then perhaps by persuading his associates.”
“One way or the other,” Picard said. “Picard to Worf. Get yourself to Justman as quickly as possible, Lieutenant. We’re leaving for the Krann flagship—you, the counselor, and I. You’ll serve as shuttle pilot. Given the circumstances, I want Mr. Data to remain here with Commander Riker.”
“Aye, Captain.”
“Picard out. Number One, you have the conn. Take the ship back out to five kilometers and maintain station there.”
“Aye, sir,” Riker acknowledged. “Good luck.”
Picard nodded grimly as he and Troi left Ten-Forward together.
“It is a huge spacecraft,” Worf observed as he flew Justman slowly along a heading designed to allow the three of them to eyeball the huge Krann flagship while still pretending to follow the indicator lights along the length of its hull. “However, it does not impress me very much.”
“Why not, Mr. Worf?” Picard asked.
“I mean, sir, that this design is haphazard. There is no elegance to it at all, not even the elegance of form following function. The other ships of the Krann fleet appear to be the same, only smaller. They appear to be constructed of a bunch of dissociated parts put together