The Murdered Sun - Christie Golden [63]
Chakotay thought of B'Elanna, complaining that Verunan technology was half child's play and half total mystery. Now, the mystery was about to be explained.
There was even more to the vessels than Torres had guessed.
A slow smile spread across his face. "Come on. Let's get back to the others. We need to get the pilots and the engineers in here immediately. B'Elanna Torres is about to be made very happy indeed."
"But... I wonder something," said Nata thoughtfully. "How do I get it to stop?"
"Tell it to stop," said Chakotay. "Simple requests usually work best."
"Computer, stop," said Nata. Obediently, the program ceased, to be replaced by the hologram of the Sentinel. "I understand that with one amulet, I can operate the computer. What would happen if all five Vihas inserted their amulets?"
"Five keys are necessary to engage mobility," replied the computer.
"I don't understand," said Nata, though Chakotay thought she did.
He could not believe what he was hearing.
"With five Viha at the controls, the launching sequence may be engaged and the ultimate destination may be programmed."
"You mean," breathed Nata, "that with all five Vihas, with all five keys, this ship can fly?"
"Correct."
Of course, that was only in theory, Chakotay told himself in an effort to throw water on the hot hope that suddenly burned in his heart. Of course, the ship might be damaged beyond repair after so long a time.
Of course, there would not be room for all the Verunans. Some would have to be left behind, even if the ship were still spaceworthy.
But his efforts to curb his joy evaporated like water in the hot Verunan sun when he looked at Nata's face. She looked like a prisoner who has just had a death sentence remanded. Because, of course, she was.
CHAPTER 12
Chakotay, Paris, Torres, and the Verunans had put the four remaining hours Janeway had given them to good use. The computer system of the Soul had proved to be, to use the twentieth-century terms extremely "user-friendly." Its tutorials on the functions, controls, and technology of the Guardian ships had been simple but thorough. After about an hour of staring, engrossed, as the holographic tutorial played itself out, Paris and Torres had grasped everything. Another half an hour of interpreting it for the Verunans, and Anahu knew enough about the ships for the Verunans to be able to finish repairs on their own.
Chakotay silently marveled at it. It seemed miraculous to him.
Then again, when one considered that the minds of the Verunans had evolved so that they never forgot the tiniest scrap of information once they'd learned it, it did not seem quite so startling. Now, it would stand the Verunans in good stead.
Torres and Anahu returned to the underground bays while Paris, the devil knew how, somehow managed to cajole the computer into constructing a flight simulation for the pilots.
Finally, Chakotay felt comfortable enough to leave them in order to make a report to the captain. He needed to step outside to do so. The material that prevented sensors from penetrating the ship also efficiently blocked communication. He'd barely stepped out into the hot, thick air when his comm badge chirped.
"Janeway to Chakotay."
"Chakotay here."
"You're overdue for your report, Commander. I was starting to worry."
He winced. He'd completely lost track of time. "Apologies, Captain, but we've found"--How to even phrase it?--"some wonderful things inside."
"I can hear that grin through the comm link, Chakotay. What have you got?"
"As I suspected, the Verunans aren't native to this planet.
Their ancestors, the K'shikkaa, were fleeing--of all ironic things--a dying sun. The Verunan ship was the first colony venture. Thanks to Nata, we were able to activate the