Unification - Jeri Taylor [38]
Picard looked quickly around the room, trying to assess the situation. Were these people an underground movement of some kind? One that operated with Pardek’s support and approval? Or was this some kind of ruse, intended to throw him off balance and force him to reveal his true purpose?
Pardek’s voice was reassuring. “I am Pardek. You are among friends, Captain.”
He looked into the man’s eyes and knew he must take the risk. He had not come across three sectors to Romulus and into the midst of the Federation’s enemies because he intended to play it safely. The stakes were too high for that.
“I have come on an urgent mission from the Federation,” he announced. “I am looking for Ambassador Spock.”
There was silence.
Then, from the depths of the cavern, through a tunnel shrouded in darkness, came a voice.
“Indeed,” it said.
All heads turned toward the sound.
Footsteps began to echo on the cave floor, emanating from deep within the tunnel, the measured steps ringing with amazing magnitude in the silence of the cave.
The steps grew closer. Picard strained to see into the tunnel, but there was only gloom. The footsteps echoed louder and louder in the stillness.
Then a shadowy figure began to emerge, a tall person, regal and poised, his face still shrouded in darkness. The man stepped into the light.
It was Spock. “You have found him, Captain Picard,” he intoned. There was no warmth to his voice, and his piercing eyes were cold. He stared at the man who had traveled so far to see him, but there was no welcome in the look.
Chapter Eleven
WHAT SEEMED LIKE several minutes passed in a strange kind of suspension. Picard was aware of the hushed silence of the onlookers, the eerie glow cast by the kekogen lamps in the cave, of Data’s curious gaze and Pardek’s puckish face in the shadows. He was aware of all those things. But he saw only Spock’s eyes.
Dark and probing, they held Picard’s in a look that caused him to feel the blood pounding in his head. There was no outward indication of anger; Spock’s face was expressionless. But those eyes were black fire, a window to some deep and unfathomable part of the man where anger churned and seethed.
Picard was fascinated, held in that grip like a bird mesmerized by a snake’s eye. It was not until Spock uttered his next words that Picard felt released from the hold of that powerful gaze.
“What are you doing on Romulus?” No preamble, no niceties, just blunt frontal assault. But the words restored Picard to a sense of himself, and when he spoke, his voice was clear and calm.
“That was to be my question for you, sir.”
“It is no concern of Starfleet’s.”
“On the contrary, Starfleet is most concerned.” Picard was finding the dialectic comfortable; debate put him on familiar ground. “You are in a position to compromise the security of the Federation.”
Spock’s look hardened. “You may assure your superiors that I am on a personal mission of peace, and will advise them when appropriate.”
Picard’s voice echoed Spock’s resoluteness. “That will not be satisfactory.” And he saw a flash in Spock’s eye, felt the conflict growing, knew they were polarizing.
“You cannot remain, Captain,” retorted Spock, as though that final statement ended the dispute.
“And I cannot return without a full explanation.” Picard took a breath, then plunged ahead. “Ambassador, with the greatest respect for all you’ve achieved on behalf of the Federation, this sort of cowboy diplomacy is not easily tolerated any more.”
Picard noted that he had scored with that. Spock seemed almost amazed as he repeated, “Cowboy diplomacy?”
“If you wish to undertake a mission with potential repercussions to the Federation, it is appropriate to discuss it with the Federation. I am here as their representative. You will have to discuss it with me. NOW.