Past Life by Robert Greenberger

Author:Robert Greenberger
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science-Fiction:Star Trek
ISBN: 9780743428811
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2002-04-14T07:00:00+00:00

“Why aren’t you doing something?”

Cuzar looked at Helanoman with unconcealed contempt. She always feared some loss of power, but had hoped it was through democratic means, not a coup. Her desktop screens flashed with information showing the devastating results of the earthquake. In all her life, she had never experienced one, never had to govern through one—she only knew of the term from the cultural information exchange they had had with the Federation.

The man who would be her successor looked equally inexperienced. And Cuzar was sure that he had not availed himself of the Federation database that would have at least given him a name for the phenomenon that racked their world.

“I can’t stop the planet from shaking,” he shouted at her. “What would you have me do?”

“Help the people,” she said quietly, refusing to let her emotions escalate this into a screaming match. “Dispatch your troops to render aid, fly out medics, see what supplies are needed. If we’ve lost power, as I fear, you’ll need engineers.”

“I should risk more lives?” He seemed out of his element, capable of fighting wars but not governing, and this, strangely, brought her a sense of satisfaction.

“It’s over,” she pointed out. “Go help the people you are trying to preserve from alien contamination.”

Helanoman glared at her and then removed his portable communications device from the ornate belt he wore. Quickly, he barked orders that were almost word for word what the regent had suggested. She smiled but remained still at the desk, studying the telemetry reports. A flashing light to her left caught her attention.

“The da Vinci is trying to make contact.”

“Ignore them,” the security officer demanded.

“Hard to negotiate with them when you won’t talk to them.” She folded her hands and watched him, feeling more serene by the moment.

“I have a planetary crisis to tend to, the Federation can wait.” He paced a bit, barked some more orders to his troops, and then walked behind Cuzar, and she instinctively flinched. He chuckled mirthlessly and leaned over her right shoulder, looking at the screens. His fingers tapped with nervous energy against the desktop, and although this was annoying, it quietly pleased the woman. If he wanted to run a planet, so be it. There’s more to it than private rooms and having people curry favor. He’ll learn, she thought.

Her thoughts darkened. But will he learn before another quake occurs?

* * *

Instantaneous was not fast enough for Corsi. She desperately wanted to free her colleagues and get them off the planet. Bad enough a coup broke out, but severe tremors were another thing. People she could beat; entire planets were something else. Even for her.

The transporter beam released her and the phaser rifle was already swiveling back and forth, seeking the first target. Corsi took aim at three figures near her colleagues, thumbed an adjustment to widen the beam, and then pulled the trigger. The bright amber beam was filtered through the dust still hanging thickly in the air and it looked odd to the security chief.

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