The Valiant - Michael Jan Friedman [56]
A moment later, the doors slid apart, granting him access to a suite. Leaving Pernell to close the doors again, Werber and the others moved into the darkness within.
Reluctant to warn the suites occupant, the weapons chief decided not to turn on the lights. Instead, his phaser held in front of him, he advanced to the sleeping quarters at the apartments far end.
So far, he reflected, everything had gone smoothly. But their job wasnt over yet. Far from it.
The door to the bedroom was open. Taking a deep, slow breath, Werber made his way inside. Then he trained his weapon on the vague outline of the bed and reached for the light padd on the wall.
As he turned up the illumination, he fired his phaser. Its lurid, red beam slammed into the bedcovers with enough force to stun an oxor in this case, the misguided commanding officer of a starship.
But as Werbers eyes adjusted to the light, he saw that something was wrong. Picards bed was empty except for a small, bronze object of some kind. He took a closer look
and saw that it was a combadge.
Suddenly, the weapons chief realized what he had stumbled into. His throat constricting, his blood pounding in his temples, he whirled and launched himself back through the doorway. But by then, the dimly lit anteroom was rife with ruby-red phaser bolts.
Before Werber could do anything about it, one of the beams caught Chen in the chest and drove him into the wall behind him. Then a second shaft slugged Ramirez hi the jaw, spinning him around.
As Ramirez collapsed alongside Chen, Werber fired at one of the several cranberry-colored tunics in the room. Whats more, he thought he hit one. But as he tried to squeeze off a second shot, he felt something kick him in the wrist and saw his weapon go flying out of his hand.
Cradling his injured wrist, Werber saw who had disarmed him. It was Picard, a phaser in his hand. And there were three other figures behind himPug Joseph and two of his fellow security officers.
Picard to Ben Zoma, said the second officer, making use of the ships intercom system since his combadge was elsewhere.
Ben Zoma here, came the answer. Weve discovered a few rats in my quarters, but they wont bother us again. And you?
Weve taken care of Werber, Picard replied soberly.
The weapons chief scowled at the byplay. This wouldnt have been necessary if youd made the right decision, he spat.
Picard didnt argue the point. Instead, he gestured with his phaser, indicating the corridor outside. Take these mutineers to the brig, he told the security officers. If they require medical attention, Dr. Greyhorse can see them there.
Aye, sir, Joseph replied.
Rather than wait to be manhandled, Werber put his head down and made his way to the turbolift.
Picard wasnt sure how many times the chimes sounded outside his quarters before he woke enough to acknowledge them.
Glancing at the chronometer that sat alongside his bed, he saw that it was almost time for him to get up anyway. And if it had been any other morning, he wouldnt have minded doing so in the least.
However, he had been up the better part of the night laying hi wait for Werber and his compatriots. And even after the second officer had sprung his trap, he had had trouble sleeping.
It was understandable, he told himself. Armed mutinies had a way of unsettling one.
Swinging his legs out of bed, Picard got to his feet and pulled a robe on. Just in case his visitor was a tardy mutineer, he picked up the phaser he had acquired and nicked it into the palm of his hand. Then he made his way to the next room.
Come, he said.
The sliding doors whooshed open, revealing the lizardlike form of Phigus Simenon standing in the corridor outside. The Gnalishs eyes were slitted and even more fiery than usual.
Are you crazy? he demanded of Picard, gesticulating as he entered the room. Have you lost your mind entirely?
Perhaps it was his weariness. Perhaps it was the undeniable frustration in Simenons voice. Either way, the second officer wasnt inclined to take umbrage at the way he was being addressed.