The Murdered Sun - Christie Golden [89]
But Janeway was not about to be baited so easily. "It is not cowardice, First Warrior, but rather a desire to let the empire and Veruna Four solve their own problems. But here's a suggestion for you.
You might better be employed in removing your scientists from the planet rather than sending more guards after those six ships." She spoke in the same cool tones Garai had used.
Again, Garai was silent before speaking. "I repeat my earlier question. What is your purpose here? Your last words sounded more like a threat--something one would hardly expect from an exploratory vessel."
"It was not a threat. It was a gesture of friendship. I would not wish to be responsible for the lives of people who have done nothing on that planet but honorable research for their empire."
Garai sat up straighter. Janeway hid a smile. I've got you now, she thought. She waited a second longer, then, to save the warrior face in front of his crew, explained her statement.
"We are travelers who are not native to this part of the galaxy.
We are searching for a way home. Your concavity seemed to us to house a wormhole--a shortcut, if you will, back to our part of the galaxy.
Our search has availed us nothing. If there is a wormhole, First Warrior, I ask you to tell us of it."
Garai snorted. "If I knew of such a thing, why should I tell you of it?"
"I'll tell you why." Janeway's voice was deceptively soft. She tilted her chin slightly higher, and her eyes snapped blue flame.
"Because if there is no wormhole in here, no way for us to get home, then I intend to fire a photon torpedo at the mouth of your precious concavity. It ought to have collapsed long ago. You're feeding this abomination with the sun of a people who have done you no wrong. And I think... I hope... that somehow you know that it's wrong."
She paused, letting her words sink in. "So what's it going to be, First Warrior? Is there a wormhole that we've somehow missed?"
He was silent for a long time. Only the tense clenching and unclenching of his fingers in their protective gloves betrayed his inner turmoil. Finally, he spoke.
"I am no liar. There is no wormhole within the confines of the spatial concavity. But I ask you, Captain Janeway--as one commander of a proud people to, I think, another--please reconsider your decision to destroy everything we have wrought here."
There was a slight tremor to his voice. Janeway could guess how much the statement had cost him. She felt a twinge of sympathy for his plight but no more.
"I appreciate your honesty, and I reiterate: it is time now to save lives, not destroy them. Evacuate your people, First Warrior."
He did not reply. With a savage grunt, Garai brought his fist slamming down, and abruptly, the communication ended. Janeway found herself staring at the whirling miasma of star matter once again.
But not for very long. Almost at once, the Destroyer leaped into motion. It reversed with a surprising speed and headed directly for the dead planet.
I hope I got through to him, Janeway thought grimly. Aloud, she said, "Follow him. Full impulse."
***
Paris's injured left arm throbbed with distracting pain, but there was no time for it. He was on the comm link at once to his fleet, his eyes fastened on the huge ship that was approaching with steady purpose.
"Everybody, follow me!" It was their only option. Directed energy fire might collapse the concavity. He could only hope that the Akerian ship knew it, too. It was a curious position: staring straight at your enemy and being unable to fire. He thought about hailing the ship but decided against it. Paris tried to move his left arm, found it still dead, and swore as he made the right do the work of two.
Quickly, expertly, the shuttlecraft veered sharply starboard.
The five other ships followed, keeping their remarkably perfect formation. Paris set the screen to rear view and kept an eye on the Akerian ship.