The Valiant - Michael Jan Friedman [101]
Then he proceeded to do just that. When he was done, not everyone was happySimenon least of all. But even the Gnalish understood the second officers need for secrecy at various times.
Greyhorse, who had apparently bruised his chin during an accident hi sickbay, didnt fully grasp Werbers contribution.
Chief Werber, Picard explained, was the one who predicted that the phaser junctions were likely to be tampered with next.
But he didnt know which junction? the doctor asked.
That is correct, said the second officer. We only found that out when Vigo detected a problem in the line. And it wasnt until we spoke to Jomar in sickbay that we understood his objective.
Greyhorse nodded. I see.
Picard looked around the room. If there are no further questions, I thank you for persevering hi such trying circumstances and commend you to your respective assignments.
He watched his command staff file out of the lounge, one by one. However, one of his officers declined to leave.
You have something on your mind, Ben Zoma told him. And it has nothing to do with flow regulators and distribution manifolds.
Picard nodded. Youre right, Gilaad. You see, my mother taught me that one can learn from every experience. I am trying to puz/le out what I can learn from this one.
The other man shrugged. Not to listen to your fellow officers all the timeespecially if theyre as wrong as I was about attacking the depot?
The commander smiled. Perhaps. Or rather, he said, thinking out loud, to draw on every resource available to you
Even if it means taking the advice of a sworn enemy as seriously as that of a friend.
Picard mulled it over. That was certainly the way it worked out.
You know, said Ben Zoma, I think your mother would have been proud of you right now.
I hope so, the second officer replied earnestly.
Captain Ruhalter would have been proud of you too.
Picard looked at him askance. You think so?
His friend smiled. Dont you?
The second officer wanted to believe that Ruhalter would have approved of his performance. However, he wasnt so sure that that would have been the case.
And he was even less certain of what they would have to say about it at Starfleet headquarters.
As the Stargazer hung motionless in space, her computer running yet another shield diagnostic, Gerda Asmund gazed at the immense, rose-colored expanse of the galactic barrier.
Of course, she didnt blame Commander Picard for wanting to be thorough. The navigator wasnt eager to go through the phenomenon with a soft spot in their shields either.
Beside her, her sister waited with the patience of a hunter for the order to engage engines and send them soaring through the barrier. Until recently, Idun had known everything about her.
But she didnt know about Carter Greyhorse.
Life is funny, Gerda mused. Just when she discovered that battle was no longer enough for her, just when a hole had opened in her life, she found what she needed to fill it.
Everything checks out, said Vigo, interrupting her reverie.
Gerda liked the Pandrilite. He had been raw and unproven at the time of Werbers mutiny, but no one could have done a better job at the weapons console than he had. In fact, he seemed to gain confidence with each passing day.
Picard turned to Vigo. Thank you, Lieutenant. Looking to the viewscreen, he said, Helm warp six. Then, with a gesture that suggested forward motion, he added, Engage.
And they sailed into the scarlet abyss of the barrier.
2O
CHAPTER
icard considered the pinched, dark-haired man in the admirals uniform seated across the desk from him.
Admiral Mehdi was still studying the logs posted by the second officer in the wake of the Nuyyads ambush. He looked grim as he read from his monitor screen, his wrinkled brow creased down the middle.
Finally, Mehdi looked up. You had quite a struggle, I see.
Heard nodded. Yes, sir.
And a number of difficult choices to make.
Picard sighed. Admiral, he said, I am