The Valiant - Michael Jan Friedman [85]
The doctor looked unperturbed. Leave that to me.
The second officer knew that they were about to tread new ground in the field of biomedical research. They were about to go where no human scientist had gone before.
He just hoped they wouldnt end up regretting it.
16
CHAPTER
Captains log, supplemental. I have discussed Dr. Greyhorses idea with Mr. Ben Zoma, the only other officer on this ship who knows every facet of my mind in these complicated times. Unfortunately, he is less sanguine about the doctors scheme than I am. Ben Zoma had come to think of our attack on the Nuyyad supply depot strictly as a ruse to bring our saboteur to the surface, in keeping with our original intention. Now that I am suggesting we actually go through with the assault providing the doctors clinical studies pan out Ben Zoma is like a man who thought he was playing Russian roulette with a toy phaser and has discovered his weapon is real. One thing is clear to me if we are going to attack the depot, we need to put our saboteur problem behind us. I am not oblivious to the irony in this sort of thinking. Before, we pursued the depot strategy as a way of eliminating our saboteur. Now, in ef-feet, we have to eliminate our saboteur in order to pur-sue our depot strategy.
As Picard walked down the corridor, he reflected on the charge Simenon had leveled against him Captain Ruhalter was the same way .
As the second officer noted at the meeting, he had respected and admired Ruhalter. However, he realized now that he wasnt completely comfortable with the mans approach to command.
Ruhalter had indeed relied on his instincts, often to the exclusion of other potentially valuable information and opinions. For a long time, of course, that method had worked for himbut in the end it had produced a bloody disaster.
Picard wasnt spuming the value of instinctquite the contrary. He had gone with his gut more than once since his captains demise. But he preferred to poll his officers, to obtain their feedback and draw on their expertise before he made a decision on a major point of strategy.
And not just his officers. He was willing to solicit advice even from the most unlikely sources.
Like the one he was about to visit at that very moment.
Up ahead, the second officer saw the open entrance to the brig and caught a glimpse of Lieutenant Pierzynski, who was leaning against a bulkhead inside. The rangy, fair-haired Pierzynski was the security officer who had taken Pug Josephs place on guard duty.
As Picard got closer, Pierzynski must have caught sight of him, because he straightened up suddenly. If his behavior wasnt enough of a clue, the ruddy color in his face gave away his embarrassment.
Anything I can do for you, sir? asked Pierzynski.
There is indeed, said the second officer. As he entered the brig area, he spotted Werber sitting on his cot behind the electromagnetic barrier. You can repair to the hallway for a moment, Lieutenant. I would like to speak with the chief in private.
The security officer hesitated, no doubt weighing the wisdom of leaving Picard alone with seven mutineers. In the end, however, Pier/ynski must have thought it was all right, because he said, Aye, sir. Ill be right outside if you need me.
Thank you, the second officer replied.
As Pierzynski left the room, Picard pressed some studs on a nearby bulkhead panel and altered the polarity of six of the seven barriersWerbers being the exception. The effect was to make those barriers impervious to sound as well as light. Then he pressed another stud and saw the doors to the corridor slide shut.
Finally, he turned to Werber and nodded. Chief.
The weapons officer shot him a dirty look. Nice of you to visit, he declared, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Id offer you a chair, but I dont seem to have any lying around.
The second officer didnt take the bait. This isnt a social call, he replied. Ive come on ships business.
The prisoner laughed bitterly. What do I care about your ship, Picard? If youre in