The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [12]
“This request for assistance doesn’t appear to have come through official channels, Number One,” Picard said. “The source of the message is an acquaintance of the doctor’s.”
“His name is Ialona Daret,” Crusher said, “a Cardassian physician who’s been given the responsibility of caring for three critically injured Starfleet personnel captured in Cardassian territory.”
“Have we been able to confirm that they were not in Federation space?” asked Lieutenant Worf from where he sat to Yar’s right. Nearly too large for his chair, the muscled Klingon appeared ready to burst through the seams of the red and black Starfleet uniform stretched across his imposing physique.
“Yes,” Data replied. “According to our information, they were Starfleet intelligence officers on a covert mission across the border when their ship struck a gravitic mine and was disabled. Their distress message indicated that they landed on a small moon and were attempting to effect repairs when they were discovered by a Cardassian patrol ship.”
“Their original complement was five,” Crusher added, “but two of them died when they hit the mine. As for the survivors, their conditions have declined beyond his ability to care for them, but Daret has convinced his ship captain to attempt transferring them to Starfleet custody.”
“Hard to believe the Cardassians would just surrender such valuable assets,” Riker said, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the table.
Crusher nodded. “Daret’s message also said that the officers have been interrogated several times despite their injuries, but the captain has ordered those sessions terminated. He seems to feel that offering this olive branch while our governments negotiate a peace treaty is best for everyone.”
“Captain,” Worf said, his expression one of skepticism, “how do we know we can trust these Cardassians? How can we be sure that this physician is not lying, or being coerced?”
Riker turned to Crusher. “You were contacted directly, Doctor. How well do you know this Daret? Can you vouch for him?”
Crusher replied, “Seven years ago, when I was serving aboard the hospital ship Sanctuary, we treated casualties from a Cardassian attack of the Federation depot on Fradon II. Daret was among several Cardassian wounded, and I tended his injuries myself. As more wounded came onboard, Daret himself got out of bed and began assisting us. I watched him fight the pain of a collapsed lung to help both Cardassian and Federation patients. His efforts saved several lives we might otherwise have lost.”
Yar asked, “When was the last time you were in contact with him?”
“We spent several evenings talking aboard the Sanctuary before he and the rest of our Cardassian patients and prisoners were transferred to Starfleet custody. I’ve not heard from him since then.” Crusher shrugged. “To be honest, I wasn’t even sure he was still alive.”
“Well,” Picard said, “however he’s done it, he’s aware of your posting to the Enterprise and our current proximity to Cardassian space.”
“Maybe that’s why he bypassed protocol,” Riker said. “Whatever the reason, he trusts you to see this through. We’re certainly close enough to divert the Enterprise into Cardassian space in short order, Captain.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Picard replied. “This offer comes with strict stipulations, one of which is that the Enterprise herself cannot enter Cardassian territory. Doctor Crusher and one assistant will be allowed to travel by shuttlecraft to a rendezvous point across the border, where they will accept transfer of the patients and bring them back here. Further, no weapons are allowed aboard the shuttle.”
Yar leaned forward in her seat, her firm expression familiar to Crusher as the security chief displayed it whenever a situation did not sit well with her so far as the crew’s safety was concerned. “Captain, do they really expect