The Murdered Sun - Christie Golden [26]
"Or it wasn't important to them," put in Chakotay.
"That is correct, Commander," the Viha confirmed. "Our people went in to discover information about the base and the Akerians with an eye to fighting them--and, now that we know they exist, to freeing our enslaved brethren. We care nothing for wormholes--only our own survival."
Mentally, Paris shrugged. It was unfortunate from Voyager's standpoint, but it made sense.
Janeway sighed and drummed her fingers lightly on the table for a moment. "Ordinarily, I'd send in a probe. But its sensors would be just as confused as the ship's sensors are."
"Plus the sheer gravimetric force would crush it," added Torres.
The captain nodded her agreement.
Kim spoke up. "According to the transmission, neither the Victory nor the Conquest fired on the scout ship. It was only after it entered normal space that the Akerians mounted an attack."
"Viha Nata," said the Vulcan, leaning forward to address the viewscreen, "was your scout ship equipped with weapons of any sort?"
"Yes," answered the Viha. "Poor things in comparison to your weaponry, of course, but we, too, know how to harness the red lightning."
"You have directed energy technology?" asked Paris, the question bursting out before he could censor it.
"Yes, indeed, Lieutenant Par-is." Beneath the artificial voice created by the computer, Tom could hear the real sounds of Viha Nata's voice stumbling over the pronunciation of his name. "It is part of the gift of knowledge granted by the Ancestors. We have forgotten much of what they left for us. We had no need of so much of it, you see. At least," she amended sadly, "until the coming of the Akerians and the growth of Sun-Eater."
"The Akerians clearly have a very effective weapon in their gravity wave," said Tuvok. "And apparently, the small scout ship was not weaponless either. Yet neither antagonist fired a weapon while inside Sun-Eater. This would seem to indicate that it would be unsafe to engage in any sort of energy manipulation while inside Sun-Eater, be it firing weapons or even attempting to use the transporter."
Janeway nodded. "What we've heard from Mr. Kim appears to substantiate your hypothesis, Mr. Tuvok."
"We know something else," said Chakotay. "Both the Akerian vessels and the small Verunan scout had sufficient shield strength to protect them from the gravity inside Sun-Eater. Viha Nata," he said, turning toward the viewscreen, "you have expressed interest in rescuing your people."
"Indeed, Commander. That is a top priority." Viha Nata's voice was crisp and hard. The large eyes narrowed with determination.
"Captain, may I make a suggestion?" asked the first officer.
Janeway nodded that he might proceed. "Viha, your people would be safe from attack while inside Sun-Eater, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes," said the Viha cautiously. She, like everyone else, was clearly wondering what Chakotay was getting at.
"It's when you leave Sun-Eater, when the Akerian ships are free to attack, that your ships would be in danger."
"I see," said Janeway. "You're suggesting that we provide cover for them while they go in and rescue their people."
"And," finished Chakotay, "while one of us goes in with them to see if the verteron emanations really do indicate a wormhole."
Paris felt hope stir within him. He saw it reflected in the tired faces that encircled the table, in the sudden tautness with which the officers sat a little straighter. And he wondered if he really wanted to go home after all, home to prison, albeit a scenic one in New Zealand.
But Viha Nata was shaking her head. "It would be a fine plan; but unfortunately the only ship with enough shield strength to withstand the jaws of Sun-Eater was the scout vessel."
"You don't have any other ships with shields?" Kim's disappointment made the question sound like an accusation.
"We learned the shielding technique from a disabled Akerian vessel only recently," the Viha explained. "There was no time to