The Red King - Michael A. Martin [111]
No doubt because you’re justifiably wary around empaths and telepaths, Troi thought. As are most people who like to keep deep, dark secrets.
“I appreciate your candor, Commander,” Riker said evenly.
“Thank you, Captain. We shall await your ‘go’ signal. Donatra out.”
The Romulan commander’s face vanished, to be replaced by an image of the Valdore, which dominated the viewscreen. In the background lay the lumpen, rocky cylinder of the Vanguard colony and a swarm of sleek, single- and double-hulled Romulan warbirds. The vessels were arrayed around the asteroid habitat in precise formation, arranged into a pair of pyramids whose bases touched while bisecting Vanguard. The invisible tethers of tractor beams held the entire assemblage together.
Will touched his combadge, and it chirped gently in response. “Riker to Dr. Ra-Havreii.”
“Ra-Havreii here, Captain,” the chief engineer replied, his words frosted noticeably with a broad-voweled Efrosian accent.
“Be ready to give us lots and lots of power, Commander. And then probably lots more on top of that.”
“Acknowledged, Captain. I will make you as close to omnipotent as the laws of physics will allow. We’re as ready as it’s possible to be down here.”
Beneath Ra-Havreii’s lightweight banter, Troi sensed a wave of sadness and regret that pushed against equally powerful crosscurrents of hope, trepidation, and confidence. She knew of the engine-room explosion aboard the Luna that had occurred under Ra-Havreii’s watch, during the prototype vessel’s maiden flight. She suspected he might be reliving that fateful incident right now.
“That’s all I ever ask of a chief engineer, Doctor,” Will said, grinning. “Riker out.” He turned, facing Troi again and fixing her with an inquisitive gaze; she knew his mind was still on their exchange with Donatra.
“Donatra’s not lying, Will. She did kill Suran. And under the circumstances she reported to us, at least in essence.”
Will nodded, his expression serious. “I didn’t think she’d try to lie right in front of you, especially about something as serious as killing Suran.”
“Me neither. But she’s definitely holding back something.”
“About Suran?”
Troi shrugged. “Perhaps. But whatever it is she’s concealing, I think it must be something quite important.”
He sighed, apparently satisfied that there was no way to solve this mystery anytime soon. He turned toward Dakal, and quietly ordered him to send Donatra the “go” signal she was waiting for.
Troi stared straight ahead at the Valdore.
Just what is it you think you still have to hide from us, Donatra?
She had no answers. Only the hope that their ally’s penchant for keeping secrets would get no one else killed.
Chapter Nineteen
U.S.S. TITAN, STARDATE 57047.6
When Titan came out of warp, Riker could feel it right through the bridge deck plates. He stood restlessly just in front of the forward flight control console as Ensign Lavena brought the impulse engines on line, guiding the starship and the towing convoy toward the last leg of its journey back to Romulan space.
Remaining aboard his ship while key members of his crew—specifically Vale, Tuvok, Keru, and most of Titan’s medical staff—were elsewhere, and quite possibly in danger, was an aspect of command that he doubted he’d ever get fully used to. Even when he knew that he’d deployed his people where they were needed most. After all, the Neyel soldiers Riker had deputized as Vanguard’s peace-keepers needed some oversight to ensure that minority species, such as the cattle-like aboriginal Oghen, were treated well.
Besides, the away team would still be in danger, even here, he reminded himself for perhaps the hundredth time. He thought of his wife, who had finally—if reluctantly—agreed to return to their quarters for a few hours of much-needed sleep. According to Dr. Ree, her time on Vanguard working