The Disinherited by Peter David

Author:Peter David [David, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Star Trek Fiction, Space Opera, Fiction, Science Fiction, General, Media Tie-In
ISBN: 9780671779580
Publisher: Star Trek
Published: 1992-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

navigator named Pavel Chekov.

* * *

As Uhura emerged from the turbolift with

Baila a step behind her, Wesley glanced in their

direction. While casual on the surface, his

scrutiny conveyed the intended meaning. Officers were

not to report late to his bridge--unless they had

a damned good excuse.

However, as she didn't have a good excuse,

Uhura simply made her way to the commodore's

side and stood there silent. She could hear the soft

padding of Baila's boots behind her as he

exchanged places with the communications officer from the

previous shift.

Wesley seemed intent on the viewscreen, with

its sweep of Rithramen landscape. But he

wasn't nearly as intent as he seemed.

"You're a little tardy," he acknowledged, rubbing

it in--though he spoke too softly for anyone but

Uhura to hear him.

"It won't happen again," she assured him,

also sotto voce.

He looked up at her, the beginnings of a

smile softening the line of his mouth. "Good. Then

we can get to the bottom of this statuary question."

Without turning, he addressed his communications

officer, who'd barely had a moment to settle

in. "Raise present-cycle governor

Endris, Mr. Baila."

"Aye, sir," came the response.

It took a while for Endris to appear. Which was

understandable, Uhura mused, given the fact that the

Rithrim weren't expecting a communication right

now. As she waited, she went over the kinds of

signals she might use to convey their curiosity

about the statues.

Abruptly the image on the viewscreen

shifted, and there was Endris. As before, he was

surrounded by the kind of brightness that made Uhura

squint.

"Greetings," said the Rithrim. "I have been

told you wish to speak with me." His hands posed the

question why?

Wesley smiled. "Nothing terribly

important, I think. However, part of the reason

we're here is to gain a better understanding of your people,

and if we're to understand you, we must ask questions."

There was no need for Uhura to do very much; the ^ws

would speak for themselves, even to a Rithrim.

"I agree," Endris assured him. His

gestures underlined the sentiment.

"Good," said the commodore. He cleared his

throat. "Back at the procreation center, I

couldn't help but notice the statuary around the

building. Fine workmanship, too. But it looked

as if some statues had been removed." He

leaned forward slightly in his seat. "Is there a

reason for that?"

This time Uhura had a bigger part to play. She

had to expand on Wesley's praise for the

statues, then make his request as polite as

possible.

Whether it was her doing or not, the Rithrim

seemed unperturbed by the query. "The conditions at

Girin Gatha have not been kind to some of the

statuary," he explained. "We have found it necessary

to repair or replace certain pieces." His

signs invited further inquiries if Wesley

thought they would be productive; Uhura said as

much.

The commodore shook his head. "No. I think

we've got our answer. Thank you for your

patience, Present-cycle Governor." The

lieutenant embellished the expression of

gratitude.

"It was no trouble," Endris told him. His

expression seemed to change subtly;

likewise, Uhura noted, the position of his

hands. "Unfortunately, I must convey some news

you may not find pleasing."

A crease developed in the center of

Wesley's forehead. "Oh?"

The Rithrim clearly didn't know how

to respond to that. Uhura used her signs to turn

it into an appeal for additional information.

"There has been an alteration of plans," said

the governor. "We have decided against providing a

site for your observation facility.

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