Mission Gamma: Book Four by Robert Simpson

Author:Robert Simpson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: 2002-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

13

Dax signaled at Vaughn’s quarters. No answer came. She tried again, and again the chime went unanswered. “Sir, it’s Dax,” she said in a raised voice. “I need to speak with you.”

Silence again, which made Dax’s frustration grow. She was debating whether or not to order Chao to beam her directly inside the cabin when she heard Vaughn’s voice.

“Come.”

The doors parted. She looked inside before entering. Like all the rooms on Defiant, the C.O.’s cabin was smaller in comparison to its counterparts on most other Federation starships, albeit a little larger than the crew’s quarters on board. Vaughn was sitting on the edge of the room’s single bunk, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees, hands folded. His uniform jacket was tossed over the chair by his desk. He looks, Dax thought, as if he hasn’t slept in days.

“In or out, Lieutenant,” he said when Dax hesitated a second too long.

Dax entered and waited until the doors hissed shut behind her. “Pardon the intrusion, sir. But I need to speak with you about the current situation aboardship.”

“Which situation is that, Dax?” Vaughn asked wearily, lowering his head. He was looking at the combadge he held in his hand.

“I think you know what I’m talking about, sir,” Dax said, unable to keep the edge out of her voice.

“And I think you’ve forgotten that what you’re talking about isn’t open to discussion,” Vaughn said without looking up.

“Be that as it may,” Dax said, “we’re going to talk about it. Now.”

Vaughn looked up. “Excuse me?”

“Sir, you can throw me in the brig after I’m done if you want, but I’m going to have my say, and you’re going to listen.”

Vaughn laughed quietly. “You think getting in touch with your inner Curzon is going to make me put up with this? You’re dismissed, Lieutenant.”

“Dammit, I’m not trying to be Curzon,” Dax snapped. “I’m trying to be your first officer, and your friend. Or are you so wrapped up in yourself that you don’t need either one anymore?”

Vaughn rose to his feet suddenly, staring down at Dax. “I strongly suggest you walk out of here now, Lieutenant, while I’m still willing to pretend this insubordination never happened.”

Dax didn’t budge. “Why aren’t we on our way to the Alpha Quadrant, sir?”

“I’ve already said—”

“The Borg have been here, Commander,” Dax said. “They’ve been to the Gamma Quadrant. We should be learning everything we can about this incursion and taking that intelligence home as quickly as possible. Instead, you’re making the restoration of Commander Tenmei our top priority and putting the crew at unnecessary risk. Why?”

Vaughn said nothing.

“You’re the captain of this ship,” Dax went on. “You have a duty to these people who have done nothing but serve under you faithfully for this entire voyage. And you have a duty to the Federation to put its security before personal considerations.”

Vaughn’s hands, Dax saw at the periphery of her vision, had clenched into fists. He was shaking visibly now, but once again Dax held her ground, and his stare.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.