The Valiant - Michael Jan Friedman [57]
I would have to say no to both questions, he answered drily. Why do you ask?
Why do I ask? the engineer echoed. Could it have something to do with the way youve treated Werber and half a dozen other officersthrowing them in the brig just for disagreeing with your decisions? He waddled up to Picard and glowered at him nose-to-snout. While youre at it, Commander, why dont you throw me in the brig as well?
The second officer waved away the notion. You misunderstand, he said. I didnt have Mr. Werber and his friends incarcerated because they disagreed with me. I had them incarcerated because they invaded my quarters with phasers in their hands and mutiny on their minds.
Simenon looked at him askance. Mutiny ? he rasped.
Indeed, Picard confirmed. And it would have succeeded had it not been for Lieutenant Vigo in the weapons section, who overheard Werber and two of his fellow officers making plans to neutralize me.
The Gnalish gaped at him, then shook his head. Youre lying.
I assure you, said the second officer, I am not. Werber led an attempt at mutiny last night. If you have any doubts, you can ask one of the security officers who helped capture the conspirators.
In all the weeks Picard had spent on the Stargazer , he had never seen Phigus Simenon at a loss for words until that very moment. The engineer looked positively deflated.
You know, Simenon grated after a while, its not in my nature to admit that Im wrong.
So I gather, said the second officer.
That fact notwithstanding, the Gnalish continued, it seems I may have misjudged you.
Actually, Picard said generously, I may have misjudged you as well.
Simenons eyes narrowed. How so?
Frankly, the second officer told him, I expected to find you among the mutineers. In their forefront, in fact. I would say were both capable of jumping to conclusions.
The engineer snorted. Apparently.
Picard considered Simenon. He and the Gnalish hadnt ever spoken at length before, especially about personal matters. But now that they had, the second officer found himself liking the fellow.
I think Ill slink off now, said Simenon. Ive got some friends in the brig wholl no doubt need cheering up. He hesitated. That is, if its all right with my commanding officer.
Picard nodded. Go ahead. Just one request.
Whats that? asked the Gnalish.
Dont slip any of the prisoners a phaser. I dont think the guards Ive posted would appreciate it.
Simenon chuckled. You have my word. Then, dragging his scaly tail behind him, he left Picards quarters.
The second officer watched his doors slide closed behind the engineer. Then he returned to his bedroom and put down his phaser.
Someone had once told him that something good comes out of even the worst circumstances. If he had established even a small bond of trust with Simenon, perhaps there was an upside to the mutiny attempt after all.
In all the months he had spent on the Stargazer , Lieutenant Vigo had never visited the captains ready room.
He had seen plenty of other officers entering and leaving the place from his vantage point at the bridges weapons console. Sometimes, he had even gotten a glimpse of what it looked like inside. It was just that he himself had never been summoned there.
Until just a couple of minutes ago.
Standing outside the ready room doors, Vigo waited for the internal sensors to recognize his presence and alert Picard to the fact. A moment later, Vigo knew that the sensors had done their job, because the doors whispered open and gave him access.
He could see the second officer standing near an observation port, to one side of the captains sleek, black desk. Picard smiled. Please, Lieutenant. Take a seat.
Thank you, sir, Vigo replied. He pulled out a chair that stood across the desk from the captains and tried to make himself comfortablenot an easy thing for a being of his bulk.
Picard regarded him for a moment. Then he said, I take it you heard about Lieutenant Werber.
The Pandrilite nodded. That he was caught. Yes, sir.
Vigo had been forced to carry out his regular assignments, pretending that he didnt know anything