The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [115]
“Commander, surely you know that indigenous life in this part of the system is extremely unlikely. There’s no energy source, and there’s been no sign of biological activity anywhere. We surveyed extensively before we began building the outpost.”
“I understand, Director. But since neither we nor the outpost appears to be in immediate danger, it would be irresponsible to destroy Beta if there’s even a remote chance of finding life.”
Maher sighed. “Commander, with all due respect, being irresponsible is exactly what I’m worried about. You’re responsible to Starfleet, and I’m responsible to the scientists who work here and the colonists who’ve entrusted me with this project. I disagree that there’s no immediate danger. Are you sure you’re not just worried about being blamed for losing your ship?”
Deanna fought to control her anger. “Director, I assure you, that’s the least of my concerns. Please contact the Enterprise and we’ll be able to determine if there’s anything to my hunch. If not, the Enterprise will be able to help you deal with Beta.”
“I’m sorry, Commander, but the answer is no,” Maher stated flatly. “I’m not going to let you or Captain Picard jeopardize my outpost without more than a vague hunch to go on. I’m sending the shuttle to Beta, and I suggest you either find a way to lift off or prepare to come aboard the shuttle when it gets there. Maher out.”
Deanna stared at the starfield that had replaced Maher on the viewscreen, her thoughts racing. The life-form, if there was one, wasn’t here on Beta—at least, she didn’t think so.
She could almost hear Captain Picard’s voice asking for options, so she answered him in her thoughts. If they took the runabout back to Beta’s point of origin—assuming Taurik could restore propulsion—Maher might really attack the moonlet with the shuttle. His weapons would be limited, but he could probably do a fair amount of damage.
Or she and Taurik could try to restore subspace communications and contact the Enterprise.
“Ensign,” she said, “which system is more badly damaged, long-range communications or propulsion?”
“Communications, Commander,” Taurik said. “The power surge shorted more relays than we can replace. Propulsion is down one engine, but now that we’re stationary, I should be able to manually disconnect it and compensate with the other engines. One of the starboard thrusters is also damaged, but I believe I can fix it.”
“Warp drive?” Deanna asked, knowing it was too much to hope for. Under warp, they could get to the rings and back before Maher could blink.
Taurik shook his head. “No, ma’am. The impact knocked the warp coils out of alignment and, well, warped them. They won’t generate a stable field.”
Impulse power, then. But how to keep Maher from attacking the moonlet?
If only Data were functioning properly, surely he would think of a way—
Data. She turned and looked at the back of Data’s motionless head. Then she looked at the space-suit locker, and back at Data.
“Ensign, drop everything else and work on propulsion. Keep me informed of your progress.” She walked back to the science station. “Computer,” she said, taking a deep breath. “How long can Lieutenant Commander Data survive in a vacuum?” she asked.
“Unknown,” said the computer.
“Will Data’s current condition affect his ability to survive in a vacuum?”
“Unknown.”
Deanna sighed. She was fairly certain she’d heard Data relate an incident in which he’d been unprotected in a vacuum, but she wasn’t sure.
One last question. “Computer,” she said. “What is the status of the runabout’s EVA suits?” Deanna mentally held her breath.
“The EVA suits are undamaged,” said the computer.
As Deanna struggled into her suit, she vowed to practice emergency procedures back on Enterprise at least once a week. She’d kept up with Starfleet’s minimum certification hours, but clearly they weren’t enough. Beside her, Taurik was already snapping his helmet into place.
“I don’t think we’ll be able to wrestle Data into a suit,