Unification - Jeri Taylor [79]
“Lay in a new course,” he commanded, “for Dulisian Four.”
The ensign at Conn complied, but before Riker could give the order to proceed, Worf’s voice broke in. The Klingon’s voice held a note of urgency. “Incoming message from Romulus—on all subspace channels.” “On screen,” Riker ordered.
And on the viewscreen there appeared the august presence of Ambassador Spock. The bridge grew quiet as everyone listened intently to his message.
“This is Ambassador Spock of Vulcan,” he began. “By now, Federation sensors are tracking three Vul-can ships crossing the Neutral Zone.”
The calm way in which he announced these measured words made Riker assume that he was going to announce the peace initiative. So it was with astonishment that he heard the Vulcan say, in his next sentence, “These ships carry a Romulan invasion force and must be stopped. I repeat, these ships—”
The image was suddenly scrambled and then it disappeared altogether. Riker was on his feet.
“Doctor, contact DullsJan Four and confirm that distress call. I have a feeling it may prove to be a false alarm.” He saw from the comer of his eye that Beverly had already started for the turbolift.
“How long will it take to intercept those Vulcan ships, Mr. Worf?.” asked Riker, returning to his command chair.
“Fourteen minutes, sir,” Worf responded.
So that was it. It was all coming down to a confrontation fourteen minutes from now—the whole circuitous route they had followed, from Vulcan to Qualor Two to Galorndorn Core; the encounters with Klim Dokachin, with Amarie and Omag—it was all leading to this final challenge. Riker’s heart was beating harder; his mind was racing, preparing options. He drummed his fingers on his leg, unconsciously. He couldn’t wait.
Chapter Twenty
SPOCK KNEW that his announcement had been terminated abruptly; he just hoped enough had gotten out to alert the people of Vulcan. He glanced at Data, who was still at the computer, working to ascertain if the transmission was successful. Picard still held the disruptor on Commander Sela.
Data turned to them. “Communication lines have been terminated at the transmitter,” he declared. “But I am quite certain the message was sent prior to the interruption.”
“Well done, Mr. Data,” said Picard, still keeping an eye on Sela. Spock noted that he seemed to take some pleasure in having bested this clever young woman; they seemed to have some prior history, and he thought he would have to ask Picard about that someday.
“You’ll never get out of this building,” insisted Sela, two bright spots of color on her cheeks. She was maintaining a contemptuous attitude in spite of the apparent disruption of her plans.
“I disagree, Commander,” Data told her civi!ly. “After studying the design of this structure, I have determined that our best route of escape would be the underground exit to the east of this wing. I have disconnected certain security scanners to assist us.”
Spock saw the color in her face darken again, and her eyes sweep toward the console that contained the security circuitry.
Data moved from the console and looked at Sela almost apologetically, and said, “I am afraid we cannot permit you to warn your guards.”
And then he did something extraordinary. He performed the Vulcan pinch on her. Spock watched as Commander Sela crumpled to the floor, and he turned to Data in amazement. He had certainly tried to teach others that maneuver in the past, including his former captain, James Kirk. No one had ever quite mastered the technique, and Spock had not attempted to impart the knowledge to anyone in decades.
But the android had accomplished the task, and apparently only from watching Spock’s own performance of the pinch on the Romulan guard. It was a brilliant assimilation of the procedure. Rarely had he seen anything quite so remarkable.
“Not bad,” was all Spock said, and they began to figure out how they could get out of that office and into the east wing of the building.
As soon as the Vulcan ships—which they now knew were carrying an invasion force—were within hailing range, Riker ordered