The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [107]
“Commander Troi,” Picard continued casually, “you’ll lead the away team on the Colorado. Choose a science officer to work with Doctor Aaron, and a pilot, preferably one with engineering experience.”
Deanna’s eyes widened slightly, but she did not otherwise let her surprise show. “Yes, Captain,” she said.
“Thank you, Captain.” Aaron beamed. “I just need about twenty minutes to get my equipment together. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll meet you back in the shuttlebay.” He rushed out of the room.
“Yes, Captain, thank you,” said Maher. “This outpost has had a bit of a rocky start—no pun intended—and we’re very grateful for your help. If you’ll excuse me as well, I’m going to consult with my operations officer so she can start working up a requisitions list for the colony administrators.”
When Maher had exited, Picard turned to Deanna. “I hope you’ll enjoy this assignment, Commander,” he said. “It should be fairly routine, but it’s a good chance to stretch your wings. Any thoughts on your crew?”
“Can you spare Data, Captain?” asked Deanna.
“Excellent choice,” said Picard. “With Data as science officer, I would even suggest you choose one of our younger officers as pilot—this kind of survey is just the thing for eager young ensigns. And with Mister Data aboard, you’ll have plenty of backup piloting experience.”
After the group had rematerialized aboard the Enterprise, Deanna arranged to meet Doctor Aaron, Geordi, and Data for a working dinner at nineteen hundred hours. She turned to leave, with the intention of reviewing crew files and brushing up on away mission protocols, but as she exited the transporter room she found Will waiting for her just outside. He checked to make sure she was alone, then bowed deeply, sketching an exaggerated sweep with his arm and trying to hide a pleased grin all the while.
“Well, well. Your first away mission command,” he teased.
Deanna couldn’t help but smile back. “Let’s hope it goes more smoothly than yours did.”
Will groaned and pretended to stagger, hands clutched over his heart. “Ouch! Don’t remind me.”
Deanna laughed as they turned to walk down the corridor. “Well, it would take a lot to top that one, wouldn’t it?”
“Commander Troi,” called a voice behind them, cutting off whatever reply Will was about to make. They turned to see Geordi jogging toward them. “Sorry, I wanted to catch you before you left. Data is showing Doctor Aaron to his quarters now. I wondered if you would mind a suggestion for that pilot assignment?”
“Whom did you have in mind?” asked Deanna.
“Ensign Taurik,” Geordi said.
“I’ll look at his record,” said Deanna. “Any special reason for recommending him?”
Even if Deanna weren’t an empath, she could have sensed Geordi’s sheepishness. “Well, it’s just…he’s kind of driving us crazy in engineering right now. He’s been volunteering for everything and we’re running out of ‘extra credit’ assignments for him.”
“Looks like the after effects of those crew evaluations still haven’t worn off,” commented Riker. “I’ve seen the same thing with some of the junior bridge crew.”
“You’re not kidding,” Geordi said, shaking his head. “It’s been a month and a half, and all the junior engineers are still looking over their shoulders like they expect to see me with a clipboard and a whistle. I never thought I’d apply the term ‘eager beaver’ to a Vulcan, but—”
“I think there’s a little more to it in his case,” said Deanna. “Taurik and Sam Lavelle and Alyssa Ogawa were particularly close to Ensign Sito, and they’re still dealing with her death. For Taurik in particular, throwing himself into his work isn’t just practical, it’s almost the only socially acceptable way for Vulcans to react to grief—which they’re not supposed to be feeling, of course.”
“You may be right, Counselor,” said Geordi. “But that aside, I wouldn’t recommend Taurik just to get him out of my hair. He’s an excellent pilot and a damn good engineer. I think he’d be a good member of your team.”
“Thanks, Geordi,” said Deanna. “I’ll talk to Taurik and let