The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [114]
It was ludicrous, when the sensors detected no signs of even low-level biological activity on Beta.
“Commander,” Taurik’s voice came over the comm. “Short-range communications are online, although there may be some interference.”
“Good work, Ensign,” said Deanna. “I’ll be right up. Raise the outpost.”
She went back up front. “This is Commander Deanna Troi calling the Ennis Outpost,” she said at a signal from Taurik. “We have an emergency situation. Please respond.” A moment later, she repeated the message.
The screen crackled in response and a jittery picture appeared. “Commander Troi?” More static. “This is Maher. We’re tracking Beta from here and it seems to have shifted again. What is your status?” The picture cleared enough for Deanna to discern Maher’s worried expression.
“An explosion caused one of our engines to malfunction, and we crashed into the moonlet,” Deanna said. “We’re not sure what caused it, although we’re working on a theory. Director Maher, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but Doctor Aaron is dead. His neck was broken in the crash.”
The pause was longer this time. Finally, Maher spoke again, his voice heavy with sorrow. “Understood, Commander. I’m sorry to hear that. You said you don’t know what happened?”
“No,” she said. “Lieutenant Commander Data has also been damaged, and we won’t know the extent of his injuries until we get him back aboard the Enterprise. We’re attempting to repair our systems now, but it may be a while.”
“I can send our shuttle for you. It will be cramped but it should get you back safely. Can you rig the runabout to self-destruct?”
“What?” said Deanna, startled.
“I think we need to cut our losses,” he said, running his hand over his tired face. “This project has been a disaster from start to finish. We need to destroy Beta before it causes more harm, and initiating a warp core breach on the runabout would probably be the easiest way.”
“Destroying the runabout is not an option I’m currently considering,” Deanna said, still not believing that Maher had suggested it. “Now that the crash has happened, the damage has been done, and as far as the runabout is concerned, it doesn’t seem to be irreparable. I don’t believe we’re in danger at the moment.”
“Doctor Aaron is dead, and Beta’s course has shifted yet again,” Maher said, his tone sharp. “How much danger do you have to be in before you act? Beta is still roughly on course to intersect with our orbit, and taking chances at this point would be reckless. If you don’t want to destroy the runabout, can you repair it and take off? Are your weapons capable of destroying Beta?”
“No,” said Deanna. “Even at full capacity, our weapons wouldn’t vaporize the entire moonlet—they would create a lot of debris, some of which could threaten the outpost as well. At the rate Beta is moving, there’s plenty of time to take action if we need to, especially if we recall the Enterprise from Chandra. Our long-range communications are damaged, so if you contact them—”
“Commander, I’d rather not involve the colony,” Maher said. “There are certain individuals on Chandra who’ve been working against this outpost from the start, and this will just fuel the fires. We can take care of this ourselves without any more excitement.”
Deanna sighed with frustration and hoped the continuing static had masked the noise. “Director, please. If you’ll contact the Enterprise, I’m sure Captain Picard can smooth things over with the colonists. He has a great deal of diplomatic experience.
“And there’s something else,” she went on, hoping she was about to say the right thing. “I don’t know if you’re aware, but I’m an empath—I’m half-Betazoid. I don’t know for certain, Director, but I thought I sensed something during the accident, and I think it’s possible there may be life near here, perhaps somewhere in the rings or on one of the other moons if not on Beta itself.”
Maher’s face was a picture of disbelief. “Life, Commander? Are you sure?”
“No, I’m not,” she