Unification - Jeri Taylor [41]
The Starfleet creature was telling him that Picard was remaining on the surface for an undetermined amount of time, and that the Kruge would be required to stay in orbit, cloaked, until such time as he chose to return.
K’Vada glared at Data. “We have more important things to attend to than acting as your nursemaids,” he grumbled.
Data’s voice was annoyingly calm. “Captain Picard regrets that he must detain you but it is necessary for a while longer. In addition, I will be requiring access to your ship’s computer.”
This statement caused K’Vada to lean forward abruptly, and he winced as a fierce pain lanced through his shoulder. “Access to our computer? For what purpose?”
“I am going to attempt to penetrate the Romulan central information net.”
In spite of the misery of his shoulder, K’Vada smiled. “Don’t bother,” he warned. “We’ve been trying for years.”
“I have unique skills that may permit me to succeed.”
The nagging suspicion that that was true annoyed K’Vada. He felt compelled to offer obstacles. “I can-not reveal classified Klingon entry codes to Starfleet.”
“Your entry codes can be easily reconfigured after we depart.” With great effort, thought K’Vada, and was prepared to refuse permission until Data added, “And Captain Picard has authorized me to share with you any information we obtain from the Romulan data banks.”
Captain K’Vada frowned and grunted, but his mind was giddy with the prospect of tapping into Romulan intelligence. This would bring him praise and commendation from the High Council. Romulan data banks! Never had the Klingons had such information. His mind accommodated a brief image of K’kam, in awe of her remarkable mate, aroused and growling, promising him any pleasure he wanted…
“Anything else?” he asked sarcastically, still trying to save face.
To his surprise, the android replied, “We will also need to communicate with the Enterprise in sector two-thirteen.”
“You do and the Romulans will instantly know our coordinates,” shot back K’Vada. Was the android mad? Surely he knew there could be no communication out of the Neutral Zone.
But Data’s equanimity was undisturbed. “Using conventional means, that would be true; however, I propose that we piggyback our signal on Romulan subspace transmissions.”
“Piggyback?” K’Vada had never heard the phrase; it sounded faintly silly. “A human metaphor—pardon me. We would use a Romulan signal as a carrier for our own, thus disguis-ing its origin.”
It was a stunningly simple idea. K’Vada cursed inwardly that it had never occurred to him. “It won’t work,” he announced.
“I believe it will.” The android, unaffected by K’Vada’s curt reply, proceeded to explain his ration-ale with measured calm. “During the last hour, I have conducted a systematic review of the entire Romulan subspace grid and compared my findings with the specifications of your transmission array. It would appear they are compatible.”
K’Vada studied him for a long moment. Something had occurred to him, something that was likely to bring him even more honor than information from the Romulan data banks. He brusquely nodded his approval to Data, who politely replied, “Thank you for your cooperation,” then exited the bridge.
K’Vada turned his new thought over in his mind for a few moments, and it was sweet. Almost smiling now, he moved to a comm panel and tapped in his entry code. “Captain’s notation,” he said confidently. “Recommend we study the potential for a Klingon artificial life entity.”
He had mused on the idea for several moments before he realized that his shoulder had stopped aching.
Spock saw the boy from the corner of his eye, running down the street, already out of breath, clutching the rose-colored lagga flower in his fist. It was D’Tan, a Romulan child not yet past puberty. Spock recognized him from his whippet body and smooth, gaited run; he had marveled at the boy’s boundless energy on several occasions. That is one thing age gives us, he