The Valiant - Michael Jan Friedman [72]
What happened ? he asked.
Thats what 7 would like to know, said Santana. She glared at Jomar with unconcealed animosity.
A misunderstanding, Kcard assured her. Nothing more. Nor is it likely to happen again. He glanced at Jomar. Isnt that right?
The Kelvan shrugged. It will not happen again, he agreed.
It would be best, the second officer advised, if we forgot about this and resumed our work.
Taking her cue from him, Santana managed to submerge her anger. Commander Picard is right, she told the other Magnians. Lets just get back to what we were doing.
Having done her part to smoothe things over, she helped Brentano back to his seat. A moment later, Jomar and the other colonists returned to their workstations as well.
Nonetheless, the damage had been done. The second officer could see that with crystal clarity. None of the colonists would be comfortable working with Jomar after what they had just seen.
Nor could Picard blame them.
Unfortunately, the Kelvan was still the foremost authority on vidrion generation. Despite everything, he would have to remain in the control chamber for the foreseeable future.
But he wouldnt remain the Stargazers only representative there. The second officer resolved to dispatch one of his other engineers as wellperhaps Simenon himself, since he and the Kelvan seemed to have a good rapport.
As for Santana she seemed inclined to remain alongside Brentano for the moment, helping him see what it was about his work that had produced the Kelvans objection. A good idea, Pi-card reflected.
He had barely completed the thought when Santana glanced at him. Im glad you think so , she replied.
The second officer acknowledged her remark with a nod. Then he tapped his communicator and asked Vandermeer to beam him up.
He would still speak with Williamson, to at least let the man know what had taken place. Despite Picards concerns about the Magnians, this alliance was still important to the Stargazer .
And he didnt want Jomars penchant for insensitivity to wreck it.
13
CHAPTER
I icard watched Shield Williamsons reaction from across a large and ornate wooden desk.
With luck, the man said, what the Kelvan did was an isolated incident and well see no repeats of it.
That is my hope as well, the Starfleet officer told him.
Williamson sat back in his chair. Actually, Commander, Im glad youre here. My engineers have pointed something out to me.
Oh? said Picard.
They see an opportunity to not only repair your equipment, but to modify itmuch as your people are modifying our shield technology to make use of the Kelvans vidrion particles.
Which systems are we talking about? asked the second officer.
Sensors and tractors, said Williamson. However, I should tell you for these modifications to be of any utility, youll require Magnian operators. He paused. And from what I gather, youre already uncomfortable with our presence aboard your ship.
Heard was surprised by the remark, but he absorbed it without flinching. Am I to assume youve been reading our thoughts?
The colonist smiled. We havent had to. Its apparent in the way your people look at us, the way they follow us wherever we go.
As I instructed them, the second officer admitted.
Because you dont trust us?
Heard sighed. Because I cannot afford to.
An honest answer, Williamson observed.
To an honest question, Heard replied.
They both fell silent for a moment.
Consider this, Williamson said at last. Were operating on faith as much as you are. Once we help you repair your warp drive and your weapons systems, whats to keep you from taking off for Federation space and leaving us to defend ourselves against the Nuyyad?
The second officer frowned. Which could be why you want to place some of your people on the Stargazer to keep us from reneging on our bargain when the attack comes.
The Magnians eyes narrowed. Touche.
Heard shrugged. My apologies. It seemed to be the obvious response.
This time, the room seemed to echo with their silence.
Any agreement, said Williamson, is only as strong as the intentions of the parties involved in