51 Crossover by Michael Jan Friedman

Author:Michael Jan Friedman [Friedman, Michael Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Star Trek fiction, Interplanetary voyages, Space ships, Media Tie-In
ISBN: 9780671896768
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 1996-09-30T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

As McCoy got his old bones comfortable in the command center, he could feel Counselor Troi's scrutiny. Turning to his left, he saw that she wasn't exactly the picture of confidence. In fact, she looked a little green around the gills.

But then, she hadn't heard the admiral's conversation with Picard in the observation lounge. She'd had no reason to expect anyone but her captain to assume the center seat.

"You're surprised," McCoy noted.

The counselor nodded. "Yes, I am."

"Don't be," the admiral told her. "Captain Picard and I had a little disagreement, that's all. I'll be in charge around here until we've pried Spock loose from that den of vipers."

Tapping his communications badge--a gesture he'd never quite gotten used to--McCoy looked up at the intercom grid hidden in the ceiling. He tried to imagine the Enterprise's crew looking back at him.

"This is Admiral McCoy," he intoned. "Until further notice, I will be replacing Captain Picard as commander of this vessel. I expect you to respond to my orders just as you would respond to his. That'll be all."

Troi didn't say anything in response--not at first, anyway. But that changed after a minute or so.

"Admiral McCoy," she said, "you are well within your rights to take over command of the Enterprise. However, I sense a certain . . . impatience on your part, which may be impairing your ability to think clearly."

McCoy grunted, "Little lady, I haven't thought clearly in a great many years. And what does Starfleet do?"

He let the question hang provokingly in the air. She shook her head, not sure how to respond to him.

He put his hand over hers in an effort to reassure her. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to have any immediate effect.

"I'll tell you what they do," he went on. "They refuse to let me retire. And then, to add insult to injury, they make a blasted admiral out of me." He smiled at her. "So if you're not pleased with my state of mind, take it up with them. They obviously know a lot more than they're telling either one of us."

The counselor shook her head. "Sir, this is not a joke. It's been a great many years--" Abruptly she stopped.

The admiral could feel his spine stiffen at the suggestion that his age was a hindrance to him. "Yes?" he prodded.

Troi frowned. "I didn't mean to offend you," he said. "But it has been a long time since you served on a starship. Captain Picard has been doing it almost every day for the last thirty years."

"These are people I'm all too familiar with," McCoy returned. "And they've got my friend, for God sake. I'll be drawn and quartered before I let someone like your captain--"

Worf cut him off before he could finish. "Admiral McCoy," he said, "I have obtained a communications link with Constanthus."

The admiral turned to the main viewscreen. It was showtime.

"Who are we dealing with here, Lieutenant?"

"You will be speaking with Governor Tharrus," Worf told him.

It gave McCoy a strange feeling to be conversing with a Klingon this way, on the bridge of a Federation starship.

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