17 Stone and Anvil by Peter David

Author:Peter David [David, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, Star Trek fiction, Interplanetary voyages, Media Tie-In
ISBN: 9780743496186
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2004-09-26T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Now

i.

Captains Shelby and Calhoun stood outside the Trident brig, both of them with their arms folded in a stern manner. Dr. Villers was between them, watching the proceedings hawklike, her stare unwavering. Behind them were Soleta, Kebron, and Arex, and Arex looked none too happy, either.

Inside the brig, Janos could not have had more restraints on him. There physically was no room on his body. Huge electronic clamps ran the length of his arms, his legs. There was a muzzle on his mouth. Not only was the metal of the bonds beyond his capability to break, but if he gave the slightest sign of a struggle, they would automatically hit him with enough of a jolt to take down ten Janoses. At least, that was the theory. Shelby hoped they didn't have to test it.

Her greatest concern, however, was reserved for the individual within the brig with Janos. Ambassador Spock was studying Janos thoughtfully, walking back and forth, studying him from one side and then the other as if he were trying to line up a particularly tricky golf putt.

"Ambassador," Shelby said apprehensively, "are you certain about this?"

Spock halted in his preparations and looked at her with an arched eyebrow. "Certain? Within what context?"

"Are you certain this is a good idea?"

"All ideas, Captain, seem like good ones at the time they are being undertaken. It is only with the full clarity of hindsight that we determine whether our initial impulses were correct or not."

"Terrific," muttered Shelby. She turned to Calhoun and said, "If anything happens to him, it's your fault."

"My fault? How is it my fault?"

"Because Kebron, Soleta, and Janos are all your people, and they're responsible for talking the ambassador into taking this risk."

"The ambassador decided to take 'this risk' entirely on his own. Besides," and he directed the question to Soleta, "what's the worst that could happen?"

"If Janos's mind proves too strong, Ambassador Spock's consciousness could be permanently damaged, triggering the onset of assorted neurological diseases and eventual death," replied Soleta.

"Oh, that's just perfect," said Shelby.

Spock paused in his preparations to look at the officers standing beyond the boundary of the brig. "I am capable of hearing every word you say, you know. The decision to aid in this matter was mine and mine alone. None are responsible except me."

"Well, that's not precisely true, is it." It was Janos, speaking in a muffled voice through the restraints upon his mouth. "I'm the one who's responsible for this. For all of it. Captain Calhoun, perhaps it would best serve all concerned if I were simply turned over to the Selelvians now and be done with it."

"Who told you about that?" demanded Calhoun, his eyes narrowing.

"Keeping a secret on a starship is always an exercise in futility, Captain," said Janos. "It doesn't matter how I found out about it. The facts at this point seem incontrovertible. I killed one of their people. They demand justice or vengeance or both. It doesn't matter. They are entitled to it, and in my opinion, it should be given to them.

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