The Last Stand - Brad Ferguson [89]
“Go ahead, Counselor.”
“—and so, Captain, I agree with Commander Riker’s assessment. I was being shown something we were meant to see, and I was intended to get away with it.” Troi motioned to Riker to pass her what was left of a glass of water that was sitting on the nightstand, and he did so. Thanks, she mouthed. “I was meant to see the weapon in Bay Fourteen and, I presume, I was intended to report its presence to you.” She took a sip of water.
“But what is it?”
“I couldn’t tell, sir. It looked like no weapons system I am familiar with.”
“Did your Krann friend say this whatever-it-is could hurt us? Did he give you any indication of what it could do? Fire a missile or shell at us, that sort of thing?”
“Wiggin would not tell me, Captain. I made some silly comment about a death ray, which he ignored.”
“Was there only one of these things?”
“I got that impression, yes, sir.”
“Good Lord. I feel as if I’m playing ‘Twenty Questions.’ All right. Clearly the Krann wanted to ensure that you saw the device, whatever it is and whatever it can do. Perhaps its presence is intended to intimidate us, or at least make us more uncertain about the capabilities of the Krann. What do you think, Will?”
“I agree we’re being scammed, Captain,” the first officer replied. “I’m not sure about the reason. It may just be that the Krann are attempting—rather successfully, I think—to distract us. Perhaps there is something going on aboard this ship that we are not supposed to notice.”
There was a brief silence as Picard thought about that. “I don’t believe any single weapon possessed by the Krann can do anything of consequence against us,” he finally said, and Troi saw Riker nod.
“If I may, sir,” Riker added, “I think it’s important to note that Wiggin made contact with us not very long after we were beamed aboard the flagship. Somehow the Krann realized we were there. We can’t have been recognized.”
“I agree, Will. They know about the transporter, or they deduced its use somehow. Either way, I agree that the secret is blown, but I think we’ll maintain appearances anyway. We’ll travel to the flagship via shuttlecraft for the next round of talks. Sometimes there’s great value in not letting them know that you know that they know.”
Riker looked confused. “Er, yes, sir.”
“In line with all that, Will, I want you and the counselor to remain aboard the flagship until the next round of talks begins in about, um, eight hours. Presider Hek set the schedule, and the timing happens to coincide with the arrival of the main elements of the Krann attack force in standard orbit around Nem Ma’ak Bratuna.”
“That doesn’t sound on the level,” Troi said.
“No, it doesn’t. I want you two there so you can keep me informed about what you see aboard the flagship—assuming the Krann allow you to make such reports, that is. The transporter chief will keep a lock on both of you until you’re safely back, so don’t go into the gray zone unless it is absolutely necessary. Now, anything else?”
“I don’t think so, Captain,” said Riker.
“Not from me, sir,” Troi added.
“Get some rest, then. Good night. Picard out.”
“Good night, sir. Recon party out.”
“No word from Data or Ro yet,” Deanna fretted. “That can’t be good, Will.”
“If anyone can make it through, they can,” Riker told her. “Don’t give up on them yet, Counselor. I haven’t—and neither has the captain.”
Deanna tried to stifle a yawn and failed. “Been a long day,” she said. She closed her eyes.
“I hate the holidays,” Will joked. “Don’t you?” He looked around the room, rubbing the back of his neck. It was small but neat, it had been painted not long before, and it was carpeted. All there was for furniture was a narrow but comfortable bed, a small bureau, and an even smaller table. There was no chair for the table. “At least there’s a head,” Riker observed. “There’s a shower stall in there, too, of all things. A water shower, I mean. Haven’t seen one of those in a while.”
Deanna’s eyes opened. “A water shower? Oh, I love those. Is the water hot?”
“Let me check.” Will ducked inside and