The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [18]
Yar saw the uncertainty in Crusher’s eyes as she reached up to brush a lock of dark red hair from her eyes. “All three will need emergency surgery for the most serious injuries. I can perform that here and stabilize them for transport, but they need better care facilities than you’re able to provide. The Enterprise sickbay will do, but a starbase would be better.”
“Then we shall endeavor to get you on your way with all due haste,” Edal replied. Turning to Yar, he added, “I apologize for my second’s behavior, Lieutenant. Rest assured it will not happen again.”
Yar was not so foolish as to be taken in by the gul’s apparent civility. Still, she was forced to admit, there was something in the Cardassian’s eyes—weariness, perhaps even guilt—that implored her to believe him.
Oldest trick in the book, she mused. Even if he’s on the level, Malir’s probably the type who gets in trouble for disobeying orders.
Watching Edal leave the infirmary, Yar pushed aside her thoughts of unease. Doctor Crusher might need her help as she prepared for surgery, and she would not benefit from a distracted assistant.
“Have you taken leave of your senses?” Edal asked, barely waiting until he and Malir had stepped out of earshot of the guards positioned outside the infirmary doors. He was mindful to keep his voice low so that it would not carry down the narrow corridor. As with most common areas of Galor-class warships, this passageway of the Kovmar lacked sound-suppression paneling, requiring one to stand in close proximity to a companion in order to talk at a reasonable volume. Conduits for ventilation, plumbing, and power distribution were visible overhead and below the deck’s metal grating, contributing enough background noise to mask the Cardassian officers’ conversation.
Though Malir had taken a moment to compose himself, Edal still saw the harnessed fury burning in his second-in-command’s eyes. “She was insolent, and in front of subordinates. They both were. I cannot allow that sort of challenge to my authority.”
“I witnessed the exchange,” Edal replied. “It was an excellent demonstration of articulating your position.”
Bristling, Malir released a sharp exhalation. “She’s definitely not a nurse.”
“Of course she’s not,” Edal replied, unable to help the small laugh that escaped his lips. “She is the Enterprise’s chief of security. I’m surprised you did not consult the intelligence briefings once the humans identified themselves prior to coming aboard. I had no doubt Captain Picard would send someone capable of protecting Doctor Crusher.” He had expected nothing less from the Federation flagship’s commander. Jean-Luc Picard, a well-respected officer by all accounts, was renowned in Cardassian intelligence circles for his military prowess as well as diplomatic accomplishments. For him to allow his chief medical officer to venture into enemy territory spoke volumes about the trust he placed in her, as well as the esteem in which Crusher herself held Ialona Daret.
I only hope such faith is not wasted.
“All the more reason to keep them both under watch,” Malir said. “A security chief makes for a capable spy.”
“They’re not here to spy,” Edal said, “and if they were, there is nothing here for them to learn. We are but a single ship, tasked with no mission of great import. Besides, are our governments not at this moment negotiating for peace? Allowing the humans here to treat their comrades, particularly at this critical time, cannot help but be viewed as a cooperative venture illustrating how our peoples can work together.”
Malir shook his head. “It seems like such a waste, much like those endless peace talks. We can defeat the Federation. All we require is for our leaders to stop wavering in their support of the military and provide us what we need to secure victory.”