The Star Trek: The Badlands: Book One of Two (Star Trek: The Next Generation 1) by Susan Wright

Author:Susan Wright [Wright, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek
Published: 2000-01-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

DATA NOTED that Commander Riker looked disturbed. At first the android was busy locking down the systems, storing the information they had gathered in the Badlands. But with no sensitive data or systems on board the Hawking, he was able to finish his tasks quickly.

As they were drawn into the hanger of the Cardassian warship, they passed numerous energy-exhaust ventilators and weapons ports aimed at the Hawking. Observation windows lined only a few decks, with the vast majority of the hull consisting of layers of gold iridium plating. According to the latest Starfleet intelligence, the Cardassians achieved a 54 percent increase in structural integrity and shielding with their design, a fact that was stimulating debate on the design of future vessels at Starfleet Headquarters.

Data wondered if it exhibited a socialized prejudice to prefer the appearance of the Enterprise to this Galor-class warship. Then again, it could be his creativity program expressing aesthetic preferences. The Enterprise had graceful curves and sparkled like the starfield, while the Cardassian ship was angular and dark despite the golden gleam of iridium.

The green forcefield over the hanger flicked off just as the nose of the Hawking hit the threshold. Riker let out a hissing breath at the close call. Data reasoned this was typical Cardassian procedure; their military posture would dictate that shields be dropped for a minimum amount of time.

“Follow my lead,” Riker told Data, as he went to the door. Data obediently fell in behind the commander. On the way, Riker glanced at the security bin, which held fully charged hand phasers, but he did not open it.

Riker opened the door to the Hawking and stepped outside. The lighting levels were lower than those in the shuttle, and Data’s autonomic systems instantly adjusted the irises of his eyes to enhance the focus.

Several Cardassian guards in gray uniforms were stationed in front of the Hawking. One stepped forward, almost at Data’s shoulder as he left the Hawking. The officer immediately entered the shuttlecraft and began scanning the interior.

“Is that necessary?” Commander Riker demanded.

“They are following my orders.” Gul Ocett stepped from the shadows, coming closer. Her uniform consisted of black plated armor edged with darkly reflective strips to form a dramatic V-shape from her shoulders to her waist. She waited at some distance while the tallest gray-clad Cardassian held out a huge hand scanner. He passed it up and down in front of Riker.

“No weapons, Commander. No implants. This,” he added, gesturing toward the comm badge, “is a communications device.”

“If you had asked, I could have told you that,” Riker said to Gul Ocett. He ignored the one performing the scan. “We aren’t carrying any weapons.”

Gul Ocett crossed her arms, waiting as the officer scanned Data.

“Commander! This one is not a biological life-form. Twenty-four kilograms of tripolymer composites, 12.8 kilograms of molybdenum-cobalt alloys, and 1.3 kilograms of bioplast sheeting.”

“To be accurate,” Data corrected, “my body consists of 24.6 kilograms of tripolymer composites.”

“Some kind of machine?” Gul Ocett walked closer.

“I am an android,” Data informed her.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.