Star Trek: The Lost Era - 07 - 2355-2364 - The Buried Age by Christopher L. Bennett

Author:Christopher L. Bennett [Bennett, Christopher L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781416537397
Amazon: 1416537392
Barnesnoble: 1416537392
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2007-06-26T07:00:00+00:00

Picard frowned. “What is it?”

“I’d like to discuss that with you in private. If you don’t mind,” he added to Ariel.

She looked them both over, then smiled. “Of course, Admiral Quinn. I really appreciate your willingness to help.” She shook his hand and left, smiling at Picard as she passed.

Picard caught Quinn gazing after her once she was gone, and he knew Quinn too well to dismiss it as an old man’s lechery. “What is it, Greg?”

“As I said, Jean-Luc, I’m inclined to authorize this based on the security concerns you raised. But I’m still not sure about these Manraloth. How much do we really know about them, after all? It all comes from her.”

“I trust her implicitly.”

The admiral gave him a small smile, missing nothing. “I don’t have that luxury, old friend. I have to look at her as a member of an alien species of potentially great power and unknown intentions and morality.” He frowned. “One thing we do know is that she’s genetically engineered.”

Picard stared at him. “I had thought, Greg, that we were well past the point of judging people on the basis of their genetics.”

“The laws against genetic engineering-”

“Are starting to bend. The Darwin Research Station-”

“Is a test case that should never have been authorized! It’s only a matter of time before it produces something disastrous-or someone. The laws are there for a reason.”

“Ariel’s no Augment, Greg. Her people thought of genetics as a functional tool, not a means to moral superiority or domination.”

“Can we be sure of that? Think about it. You beamed members of four species out of that stasis bubble-and she was the only one physiologically equipped to survive the damage. Why didn’t her people share that gift with the others?”

“We don’t know that!” Picard countered, putting his hands on Quinn’s desk and coming to his feet. “They were closer to the fringes of the field, more badly damaged. Maybe they could have regenerated otherwise.”

Rather than reciprocating, Quinn sank back into his chair and spoke gently. “Calm down, Jean-Luc. Don’t misunderstand me-I’m not accusing your ladyfriend of anything. I’m simply pointing out that there are questions we need to be aware of. We have to maintain a clear and objective view on this, no matter our personal feelings.”

Mollified by his tone, Picard sat down again and calmed himself. “You’re right, of course, Greg. That’s as important for scientists as for officers.”

“I’m glad you agree.” He leaned forward. “Because if I’m going to authorize this mission for you, I need to be sure of where your priorities-and your loyalties-lie. I need you to put your uniform back on-Captain Picard.”

It was some moments before Picard could reply. “I… appreciate the invitation, sir. I’ll consider it, but-”

“No, Jean-Luc. This is something like the fourth time you’ve asked for our help with your pet project in the past two years, and now you’re asking us to mount a secret mission into hostile territory. Now it’s your turn to give us something back. You want this mission to succeed? Fine.

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