Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [45]
Although Eden shared the sentiment, she was equally cognizant of the danger her ship now faced. “Aye, sir. I’d like to request that the Galen accompany us,” Eden said.
“Very well,” Batiste agreed. “I’ll join the Hawking . I’d like us to get a better look at these subspace instabilities. Will they impede warp drive within the sector?”
“No, sir,” Vorik chimed in.
“Then let’s get to it,” Batiste said, rising from his seat.
As the room emptied, Eden noted Conlon moving swiftly toward her.
“Something wrong, Nancy?” she asked.
“I’m going to take the slipstream drive offline for at least the next twenty-four hours if that’s all right with you,” Conlon said.
“Why?”
“It’s probably nothing, but I’m not taking any chances,” Conlon replied, clearly puzzled. “We ran a full diagnostic just after the excitement ended this morning and there’s a processing delay somewhere between the drive and deflector controls. We might have burned out a few components. I need to do a visual inspection to be sure. At any rate, I wouldn’t feel comfortable attempting another coordinated slipstream flight until I find the problem.”
“Track it down,” Eden ordered.
“I will,” Conlon replied. “If you could manage to keep us out of any fights for the next couple of days it would be a lot easier,” she added semi-seriously.
Eden assured her chief engineer, “That’s always my goal.”
B’Elanna kept her seat as everyone began to hurry from the room. On their way out, Vorik and Seven paused to express their pleasure in learning that she and Miral were unharmed and B’Elanna assured them that she was delighted to see both of them again. She hoped they would speak again as soon as their respective duties permitted.
As they left she reflected that it had been years since she had participated in a meeting like this one and it was strange to sit there with no real responsibility resting on her shoulders. It was also refreshing to be intrigued by the prospect of encountering a new species. B’Elanna found it puzzling that the billions of life-forms present in the system would have chosen to explore space using only automated vessels.
Unless their primary intent isn’t exploration, B’Elanna thought.
A pair of familiar hands settled themselves on her shoulders. Turning, she saw Chakotay smiling down at her.
“Hey,” she said, smiling wistfully as Chakotay sank down into the empty seat beside her. The room was all but empty now.
“I still can’t believe it,” Chakotay said, irrepressible happiness writ large on his face.
“I’ve missed you too,” B’Elanna replied.
“When can I see Miral?”
“I’ll take you down to sickbay right now if you like. She’s probably sleeping, but you’re welcome to come just the same.”
Chakotay nodded. B’Elanna felt an uncomfortable weight nestled in her stomach. Raising her defenses she asked, “How come you’re not as pissed at me as the Doctor was? Or Harry, for that matter?”
Confusion flashed across Chakotay’s face.
“Why would I be pissed at you?”
A new and even more troubling thought entered B’Elanna’s mind. “You weren’t upset when you heard that I died?”
“I was devastated,” Chakotay replied seriously. “I’m sure everyone was.”
“Well, I’m sorry we had to put you through that,” B’Elanna apologized.
Chakotay took her hands in his.
“Listen to me. In the last few years I’ve lost too many people who were important to me. I’d give anything to have them back. I respect the choice you made. Truth be told, I probably wouldn’t have been much help to you at the time,” he admitted, chagrined. “But if I’ve learned anything, it’s this: Life is much too short to waste time wallowing in the past, especially when the future hands you a second chance. I love you, B’Elanna. You and Tom and Miral, you’re part of my family. There’s not a lot I wouldn’t forgive you.”
B’Elanna felt fresh tears rising but composed herself as she said, “Thank you. You don’t know how