Star Trek TNG - 23 Perchance to Dream by Howard Weinstein

Author:Howard Weinstein [Howard Weinstein]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Star Trek Fiction
ISBN: 9780671708375
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2014-01-25T16:00:00+00:00

Lieutenant Worf glanced up from the tactical console above and behind the command well of the Enterprise bridge. “Commander Riker, incoming message from the Glin-Kale. Visual signal.”

Riker got up from the command seat. “Let’s see it, Worf. Main viewer.”

An instant after Riker’s order, the deceptively tranquil face of Domarus was replaced on the viewscreen by the Teniran bridge—and the startling image of Captains Arit and Picard standing side by side, their faces and uniforms still smudged with dirt.

“Captain!” Riker blurted, relief and concern clashing in his voice. He sensed Worf leaning forward behind him, and knew the Klingon security chief would be more than a little anxious to get the captain safely back aboard the Enterprise.

“Number One,” Picard said with an ironic nod of greeting. He was well aware of the shock value of his sudden—and bedraggled—appearance.

“Are you all right, sir?”

“Quite all right, Commander.”

“Begging your pardon, sir—but what the hell are you doing over there?”

“No time to explain now. Is Mr. La Forge there?”

Geordi strode down from the engineering alcove at the back of the bridge and joined Riker. “Right here, sir.”

“Good. Commander La Forge, the Teniran ship is in critical need of engine repairs. I want you to transport over here with your best team of diagnostic propulsion experts—”

Riker took a step forward, his posture wary. “Captain, I don’t know any way to say this except to be blunt. Are you being forced to make this request?”

“I am not a prisoner, if that’s what you mean, Number One,” Picard said, spreading his hands in a gesture of reassurance. “I have no way to prove that to you, except to say that Captain Arit and I have agreed to a truce. All shields down. And, based on the condition of their vessel, I do not believe the Tenirans currently present a threat to the Enterprise.”

“Mr. Worf,” Riker said over his shoulder, without turning away from the big viewer, “confirm Teniran shield status.”

“Their shields are down, sir,” the Klingon rumbled.

Riker knew that tone of voice—Worf clearly did not trust the Tenirans and neither did he. What the hell is going on here? He had no reason to disbelieve the captain’s statement, but neither did he have any reason to accept it.

“Will,” Picard said urgently, “I understand your skepticism, but there is no time to waste.”

Orders or no, Riker wasn’t ready to fold. “Captain, you’ve been missing for almost twenty-four hours—and now you turn up on the Glin-Kale, out of the blue, without explanation. We have no idea if you’re under duress, or even brainwashed. Under these circumstances, it’s my job to be skeptical, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Picard said, his jaw muscles twitching the way they did when he had to make a grudging admission.

“Captain, are you giving me a direct order to send Geordi over there?”

“No, Number One,” Picard said, advancing toward the viewer. “I am not. Compliance with this request is entirely at your discretion.”

With that reply, the tension in Riker’s posture reduced a notch. But he still wasn’t ready to comply.

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