Star Trek The Next Generation - 23 - Perchance to Dream by Star Trek

Author:Star Trek
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780671708375
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 1991-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

“Lunchtime,” Deana Troi called from the open shuttlecraft hatch.

Working at opposite sides of the cavern, Wesley and Gina picked up their tools and sample containers and converged on the ship. They climbed in, set their gear down and found Data and Troi in the aft cabin, waiting with small trays of heated rations.

“How would anyone know it’s lunchtime?” Gina groused as she slid into a seat.

“It is twelve-hundred hours,” Data said. “Is mid-day not the customary time for the mid-day meal? We are endeavoring to maintain a standard daily cycle.”

Wesley shoveled a forkful of his food into his mouth. “I think Gina meant her question rhetorically, Commander.”

“Don’t tell me what I meant, Wesley! It’s not day or night or anything down here and I—” She stopped abruptly and her eyes darted around the small cabin. “How come Kenny’s not eating? What’s he doing up there?” she said, nodding toward the cockpit.

Troi rose to her feet, sudden concern clouding her dark eyes. “I didn’t know he was in the shuttle. I thought he was outside with you.”

“He was,” Wesley said. “But I thought he came back into the shuttle.”

Data stood amidships, looking into the command cabin up front. “He is not here.”

He turned to see Troi opening the hatch and jumping down. He followed her out, as did Wes and Gina. With flashlights in hand, they fanned out to search the corners of the cave and the openings of several tunnels converging on the main cavern, calling Kenny’s name.

But only the echoes of their own voices replied.

They met back at the shuttle hatch. “It would appear that he is no longer in this immediate vicinity,” Data said.

Wesley kicked the ground, “Damn him! I can’t believe he did this.”

“Cannot believe he did what, Wesley?” asked Data.

“Went looking for a way out of here.”

“What?” Gina blurted with a disbelieving laugh. “Mr. ‘I Don’t Wanna Be in Caves’? Go wandering off by himself?”

Her face grim, Counselor Troi looked hard at Wesley. “What makes you think he went to search alone?”

“He said it, but I didn’t think he meant it. Damn him—I never thought he’d do anything so stupid. I am such a jerk!”

“Ensign,” Data said, “exactly what did Ken say?”

“He said the only way Gina would ever notice him was if he saved us singlehandedly.”

Gina reacted with embarrassed amazement. “He said what?”

“I never thought he was serious,” Wesley went on. “I thought it was just, y’know, guy talk.”

“No, no, no,” said Gina frantically. “You’ve gotta be wrong.”

Wes sighed. “I wish I was.”

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