A Weary Life by Robert Greenberger

Author:Robert Greenberger [Greenberger, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek
Published: 2012-07-13T17:36:18+00:00

Riker excused himself to return to the command center to talk with Maass and await La Forge’s report. That left Daniels with Tregaar, who looked none too pleased to have the security chief standing in the same corridor with him.

“What’s your problem?” Daniels asked.

“Nothing,” Tregaar said.

“Why don’t I believe you?”

They walked aimlessly through the ship’s corridors, every now and then passing another member of the Maquis crew. Most matched the Tellarite’s scowl and look of disapproval at Daniels being aboard.

“It’s not easy having you here,” Tregaar finally said.

“You represent the enemy.”

“Starfleet shouldn’t be anyone’s enemy,” Daniels said. “We’re largely an exploration operation.”

“Right. When was the last time you did any of that, mister security man?”

“I’ll admit our main mission has been set aside, but it’s not like we invited the Dominion to the quadrant. Do you really think we go looking for fights?”

“Don’t you?”

“No, and I object to your tone, mister angry at the galaxy,” Daniels shot back. “Really, what’s your problem with us?”

“You abandoned the people living in the DMZ. You let the Cardassians in and preferred politics to actual protection,” Tregaar said, his tone actually softening as they spoke. They stopped by a room filled with containers of different shapes and colors. There were two straight-backed chairs in and around the stuff. He gestured and Daniels gratefully sat.

“Which world were you on?”

“Tellar,” Tregaar said.

“Then you’re not even affected by this,” Daniels said, more than a little surprised.

“I grew…disillusioned…when I saw how my government could willingly abandon its people rather than fight a recognized evil. I attended many meetings, heard a lot of provocative ideas…”

“So you just bought into the rabble-rousers. Did you even bother to ask any of the residents what it was really like there?”

“No, no I didn’t,” he admitted. “I didn’t think I needed to. The news services more than clearly showed how hard things were getting. And then as time passed, the DMZ protests remained but the main coverage diminished. There were other things for them to waste time on, like the elections.”

“So you just up and left home to become what, a freedom fighter? I don’t get it, Tregaar. Let’s say the Maquis win, whatever it is they want. Let’s say it’s dumping both the Cardassians and Federation out of the DMZ. People move back to Salva II and everyone can prosper without fear. What happens to you?”

The Tellarite stared at Daniels, anger in his eyes. He breathed deeply several times, looking ready to yell or leap across the space. Daniels tensed, expecting the argument to become a brawl. Instead, his host seemed to calm down and finally form a reply.

“I’m not really sure.”

“Then what are you fighting for?”

“I want them at least to have a chance,” Tregaar said, practically imploring Daniels to understand. “It’s all they deserve. I want the original agreements followed. What about you, great explorer? You’re in security, the strong-arm division of Starfleet. What do you get out of exploration?”

“I want galactic peace,” Daniels said, somewhat challenging Tregaar. “Neither one of us are likely to get that.

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