Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [91]
“The Indign pose no tactical threat to our vessels.”
“Not one at a time,” Eden agreed, “but their fleet is quite large and I really don’t want them chasing us all over the Delta quadrant seeking revenge.”
Seven swallowed her frustration.
The door chimed.
“Enter,” Eden commanded.
Counselor Cambridge crossed in a few long, loping strides to stand at the railing that separated Eden’s desk from her more casual conference area.
“Sorry to be late,” he said. “Either Conlon’s got it in for me, or the turbolifts on my deck are lower on her priority list than they should be. It doesn’t matter. How soon before we depart on our little mission to the fourth planet?” he asked cheerfully.
“You’ve already been briefed on Seven’s request?” Eden asked.
“I have.” Cambridge nodded. “Seven, Chakotay, and the Doctor have concluded that this matter should be investigated further. I was with another patient, or I would have been here sooner to add my support. I assumed you would have granted your blessing long before now, Captain.”
“Then you assumed wrong,” Eden replied.
Cambridge raised a quizzical eyebrow, but said nothing further.
“The Indign have asked us to leave their system,” Eden said.
Cambridge looked puzzled.
“ That’s the problem?” he finally asked.
“Yes, Hugh,” Eden replied. “That’s the problem.”
“But that’s ridiculous,” he said with a shrug.
Chakotay dropped his head forward to hide his smirk.
“Counselor …”
“No,” Cambridge said firmly. “Never in all of my years of anthropological, sociological, and psychological study have I come across anything like the Indign. We’re supposed to be damned explorers. Why are we here if not to explore this exact sort of culture?”
“Were you absent the day at the Academy when they explained the Prime Directive?” Eden countered.
“No. The vision provided to Seven could easily be construed as an invitation, which makes the Prime Directive irrelevant. We leave the third planet alone. But a call for help from the fourth planet? A planet we know to be inhabited by a warp-capable species? How can we ignore that?”
“I do not believe we can,” Seven said with a nod.
Eden turned to Chakotay, obviously hoping to find backup. His face was calm and his thoughts were his own.
“That’s quite an assumption, Hugh,” Eden finally said.
“Not necessarily,” Chakotay said, before Cambridge could respond.
“Et tu?” Eden asked in mock annoyance.
“We have to consider the possibility that the Indign who was sent to speak to us did not necessarily represent the wishes of all Indign,” Chakotay offered.
“You think they lied to us?” Eden demanded.
“Wouldn’t you in their place?” Cambridge shot back. “A heavily armed group of ships arrives in your space, you tell them whatever you must to make them go away. Fortunately for them, we are respectful and accommodating enough to take them at face value.”
The look on Eden’s face said clearly that she hadn’t considered this possibility.
“Damn,” she finally said softly.
There was a tense pause as everyone waited for the captain to render final judgment.
“All right,” she finally said. “We’re going to do this. But we’re going to do it quietly. Under no circumstances, Seven—should you succeed in making contact with those on the fourth planet who initiated communication—are you allowed to disclose what we know about the Borg or Caeliar.”
“Aye, Captain.”
As Seven and Chakotay rose to leave, Eden said, “Counselor, a word.”
“Something on your mind, Captain?” he asked immediately.
Years ago Eden had learned to rely on Cambridge’s frank and uncensored opinions. “I want you to keep a close eye on Seven and Chakotay during the mission. At no time are you to leave either of them alone.”
Hugh seemed equal parts intrigued and surprised. “Do you have a specific concern, Afsarah?”
“None that I’m going to share with you right now. Suffice it to say that I am concerned, especially in light of recent events.”
“You’re talking about the series of ship malfunctions?” he surmised.
Eden nodded.
“I will, of course, do as