The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [147]
Obviously she had heard who the other prisoner was. “I’m fine,” I lied.
The look on her face indicated that she saw through that falsehood. “If you need to talk—”
“Of course,” I said dismissively and left sickbay. Now was not the time to indulge in emotionalism. I was captain of the Enterprise, and I had a job to do.
Daniels and Deanna were waiting for me in the corridor.
My security chief spoke first. “Captain, we’ve received orders from Starfleet Command. They’ll send an S.C.E. ship to tow the Pakliros back to Starbase 522. We’re to proceed to the rendezvous with the B’Orzoq and interrogate the prisoners here.”
Glancing back at sickbay, I said, “Glinn Driana is in no condition to be questioned.”
Nodding, Daniels said, “Understood, sir. I’ll proceed to the brig, then, and—”
“No. I will handle Gul Madred’s interrogation.”
Daniels frowned. “Sir?”
I could feel Deanna’s eyes burning a hole in me as I said, “I believe my words were clear, Lieutenant.”
“Er, yes, sir.”
Deanna said, “Captain, are you sure—?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’m fully aware of my history with the gul, Counselor, and I hardly need you to remind me of it. Nevertheless, I shall interrogate him. Return to your posts.”
I turned my back on them before they could acknowledge me and tapped my combadge as I headed down the corridor toward the turbolift. “Picard to bridge.”
Will replied. “Go ahead.”
“Proceed to the rendezvous with the B’Orzoq, Number One. I’ll be in the brig.”
There was a considerable pause before Will said, “Yes, sir.”
“Is there a problem, Commander?” I asked, even though I knew the answer already.
“Sir, perhaps it would be more appropriate if Lieutenant Daniels or Counselor Troi—”
“I’ve already spoken with both of them, Number One.” I let out a breath. “I appreciate your concern, Will. Carry out your orders.”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
I entered the turbolift. “Brig.”
“In this room, you do not ask questions. I ask them—you answer. If I am not satisfied with your answers, you will die.”
It begins that way. It continues with drugs designed to compel the truth from me. I remember little of that, save that I answer every question I am asked. My next clear memory is of being brought back into the room, again cuffed, this time also blindfolded.
“Captain Picard.”
I waste no time in asserting my legal rights. “I demand to see a neutral representative, as required by the Federation-Cardassian Peace Treaty.”
Madred removes the blindfold. “We have already sent a message to Tohvun III, the nearest neutral planet. They assure us they will dispatch someone.”
It is the first lie Madred speaks to me. It is not the last.
Madred’s wounds were being treated by Ensign Mak, one of Beverly’s medical technicians, when I entered the brig. Ensign Seo was in the brig with them, a phaser pointed directly at Madred’s head should he try anything, but the Cardassian seemed uninterested in that.
That almost disappointed me. A part of me wanted him to try to escape so Seo could kill him. He would be justified in the act, especially if Mak’s life was put in danger.
I found myself visualizing the phaser burning through Madred’s chest, his small eyes widening at the impact.
But Madred did nothing. He merely sat on the bunk and allowed himself to be healed. Mak finished his work and nodded to Seo, who in turn nodded to Lieutenant Houarner, the officer on duty at the brig controls. Houarner lowered the force field. Seo kept his phaser on Madred as he and Mak departed the brig.
Once they were clear, Houarner raised the force field again. Only then did Seo lower his weapon.
Mak walked up to me. “He’s fine, sir. Just a few scrapes and bruises.”
“Thank you, Ensign.”
Nodding, Mak departed.
I walked up to the edge of the force field. Seo, I noticed, did not leave but took up position next to Houarner’s desk. I debated ordering them both out of the room, but standard procedure during wartime was for two security guards to be present during any interrogation, and I saw no reason to put either officer in a conundrum by