I, Q by John de Lancie & Peter David

Author:John de Lancie & Peter David [Lancie, John de & David, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science-Fiction:Star Trek
ISBN: 9780671024437
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 1999-08-31T10:00:00+00:00

“This is not the time for a confrontation, Captain, that will assuage a deep-rooted psychological need to triumph over an inner turmoil, incarnated in a persona that you find daunting,” Data said smoothly.

Heavens, I thought. Not only was he a walking calculator, he was a psychiatrist as well! What a bargain!

“Data,” Picard replied slowly, “the End of the universe is approaching. Not only is this the right time … indeed, perhaps the perfect time … but it is becoming evident that it may very well be the only time. Step to one side, please.”

“This is ridiculous,” I said with obvious irritation. “If Data can dispatch Locutus, then he should do so. This is no time for you to make a grandstand play just to overcome a personal trauma.”

“There’s no personal trauma, dammit! I’m simply the best qualified to handle him!”

“More denial?”

He fired me a look that spoke volumes. Then he looked back to Data and said once more, “Stand aside, I said.”

Data, of course, had no choice. Above all, he was obliged to obey his commanding officer.

It was quite a contrast. Locutus stood there, upright and arrogantly confident. Picard, on the other hand, approached with caution, in a semi-crouch. The mountains which had been so far in the distance earlier now seemed to be looming, and it became evident that we were heading toward a large valley.

Picard came within a few feet of Locutus and then stopped. They faced one another, each a distorted mirror image of the other. Every aspect of Picard’s body language signaled that he was truly intimidated by the opposition. But then, to his credit, he squared his shoulders and faced Locutus unflinchingly.

“Get out of our way,” Picard told him.

“No,” replied Locutus.

“So much for negotiations,” I said to Data.

Both Locutus and Picard said, “Quiet, Q.” It was rather off-putting for an all-powerful being to be scolded by the same voice twice, simultaneously.

“I’m not afraid of you,” Picard told him.

“Your fear is irrelevant.”

There was that word again, “irrelevant.” Didn’t this guy know any other words?

“I want you to move.”

“What you want is—”

“Irrelevant, yes, I know.” Picard shook his head. “I can practically hear every response of yours before you even say it.”

“If you know me so well … then you know how this engagement will end,” Locutus said.

“I know how you think it will end. But you may be surprised.”

“You cannot surprise me, Picard. You are me … only an early version.” He actually smiled, but on his face it seemed a horrific thing, an obscenity. “You can no more stop me than an infant can stop an adult. You and your desires are irrelevant.”

I knew if Locutus and I ever became friends, the first gift I’d give him would be a thesaurus.

I watched Picard lose his footing ever so slightly, but he kept talking. “Freedom is irrelevant, individuality is irrelevant; have you considered, Locutus, what will happen when you yourself become irrelevant?”

“Such considerations are likewise irrelevant,” Locutus said calmly. And then he took a step toward Picard.

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