Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - 044 - Mission Gamma 4 - Lesser Evil by Robert Simpson

Author:Robert Simpson [Simpson, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780743410243
Google: IIPyQwAACAAJ
Amazon: 0743410246
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2002-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

Kora II, Cardassian Union

2347 Old Calendar

Holding the small forcefield-isolator carefully, Lieutenant Commander Elias Vaughn moved the device in a two-meter-wide arc, like a painter making broad, unbroken brush strokes across a gigantic canvas. Hundreds of bright spots danced briefly along the incision, dying fireflies lining his makeshift bypass of the Cardassian security perimeter. Of course, the device couldn’t actually slice through the installation’s energized boundaries. What it did instead was mark the precise location of the intended ingress-point and relayed the data back to the orbiting scout craft. From there, it was a relatively simple matter for T’Prynn to distract the local security subroutines and manipulate the shape of the forcefield remotely.

Vaughn gazed upward into the chill, moonless night. One of the countless points of light that wheeled slowly overhead would be found on no Cardassian star chart. “Please tell me that Cren Veruda’s brainchild hasn’t detected either of us yet, T’Prynn,” Vaughn said into his combadge.

The Vulcan’s response was somewhat distorted, thanks to the scrambled comm beam. “I’ve detected no alarms thus far,” she said. “However, I suggest you pick up Dr. Veruda quickly. I cannot keep the security systems occupied indefinitely.”

“Acknowledged. Try to give me an hour. I’m willing to bet I’ll only need half that long, but why take chances?”

T’Prynn’s response was characteristically sardonic. “Prudent, Commander. As always.”

Vaughn stood before the coruscating aperture he’d outlined and squinted into the darkness. Beyond lay dense stands of towering vegetation and an impenetrable communications shadow. Five kilometers from Vaughn’s present position lay Kora II’s artificial intelligence lab, the workplace of Cardassia’s answer to Richard Daystrom or Noonien Soong. Other Starfleet operatives had cultivated a relationship with Dr. Veruda during recent months; they had learned of his conscience-driven desire to defect, and had discreetly worked out the logistics involved in making the distinguished cyberneticist an asset to the Federation.

It was Vaughn’s job to cross paths with Veruda during his evening constitutional. And to get him clear of this place. Discreetly.

“One hour,” Vaughn repeated. “Mark.”

He moved through the aperture, heading toward the predetermined coordinates. The combadge was dead, cut off by the security system. Either he was going to return to the transport-zone with the defector in tow, or he’d never be heard from again.

Ten minutes later his tricorder confirmed that he had reached the predetermined spot. It also made it clear that Dr. Veruda was not present. Damn. Something’s gone wrong.

Vaughn began moving back the way he’d come. He’d have to reach the gap in the forcefield in order to signal to T’Prynn that he needed a beam-out. The mission was a scrub.

A voice issued from his combadge, startling him.

“Hello, Commander.” The voice was a smooth baritone, its inflections refined and cultured. Vaughn recognized it immediately and smiled.

“Dr. Veruda, where are you?”

“This isn’t Cren Veruda, Commander. But you might consider me a close relative.”

Vaughn’s heart sank. He knew he was conversing with Veruda’s A.I.

A proximity alarm light flashed on the tricorder. A trio of flesh-and-blood pursuers was suddenly on his tail. He broke into a run.

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