Gemworld 02: Book Two by John Vornholt

Author:John Vornholt
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science-Fiction:Star Trek
ISBN: 9780671042714
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2000-02-01T10:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

FROM A SAFE DISTANCE, Captain Picard, Commander Data, and Keefe Nordine watched the Yilterns swarm all over their shuttlecraft. As the odd creatures flowed in and out of the hatch, they looked like packing blankets shifting in the wind.

The captain glanced around nervously. He felt exposed, floating in the open between two giant prisms that stretched into the sky. However, he could think of no reason why they would be in danger, now that they had lost most of their belongings. As usual, the biggest danger was of wasting time, but there seemed to be no way to avoid that. He tried to tell himself that they had made good progress and were ahead of schedule for securing the six crystal keys. But it was hard to be cheerful when one’s only means of transportation had been taken over by the locals.

“Do you really think they’ll try to fly it?” asked Nordine curiously.

Data cocked his head. “I would presume so, judging by the fact that they appear to use most of the equipment they have procured.”

“Can they do it?” asked Nordine.

“They showed considerable manual dexterity in operating their computers,” answered the android. “If they can comprehend the concepts and basic operation, I see no reason why they cannot pilot a shuttlecraft. They are at least as intelligent as a first-year Starfleet cadet.”

“More, I’d say,” replied Nordine with a wry grin.

“I take it you don’t think much of Starfleet?” asked Picard.

“Did I say that?” The young man looked abashed. “You have to have connections to get into Starfleet, plus good grades, and I never had either.”

The captain scratched his chin, thinking that Nordine had become more pensive and serious since their encounter with the Gendlii, although he occasionally reverted to his flippant attitude. The young man probably just needed some encouragement and direction.

“You have the prime requisites for Starfleet,” said Picard, “an urge to explore and a sense of adventure. I’d hate to think we’re going to fix your legs and take you all the way back to Earth just so you can turn around and get lost on another harebrained lark.”

The young man grimaced. “A ‘harebrained lark’? You wound me, Captain. Believe me, I’ve had enough harebrained larks for a while.”

Although he feigned indifference, Nordine cast a sidelong glance at the veteran captain. “Do you really think I could make it in Starfleet?”

“I know that you showed considerable character holding up under your experience with the Frills. You’d need all that and more to get through the academy, especially with your wild streak.”

Nordine smiled. “More courage than good sense, right?”

“Courage is a necessary trait in a Starfleet officer,” concluded Data. “Unfortunately, there is no accurate way to assess courage until an individual is observed under stressful conditions. I would concur—you possess more courage than good sense.”

Nordine laughed and patted the android on the shoulder. “Why, thank you, Data!”

“You are welcome.” In a low voice, Data added, “By the way, if you require ‘connections,’ the captain has them.”

“I’m sure he does.

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