Imzadi 01: Imzadi by Peter David

Author:Peter David
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science-Fiction:Star Trek
ISBN: 9780671867294
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 1993-06-30T10:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

Breakfasting at their customary caf?, Riker and Roper looked up in surprise when Gart Xerx appeared next to them. “So here’s where you’re hiding, Roper,” he said in mock annoyance to the Federation ambassador.

Roper shrugged. “This is where I am every morning. Ask Mr. Riker here.”

“He is,” said Riker solemnly. “I can vouch for him.”

“Although actually,” said Roper, putting his napkin down, “I hate to say this, but I have to cut our usual morning ritual short. I have an early meeting this morning.”

He started to rise, and Riker automatically started to put his own food aside, even though he hadn’t finished it. But Roper quickly stopped him. “Just because I have to abort breakfast, Captain, doesn’t mean you do. Stay. Chat with our great friend Xerx.”

“Great ffiend,” said Xerx with an exaggerated harrumph. “Didn’t come to my daughter’s wedding weeks ago.”

Roper shrugged. “My daughter and the captain here attended on my behalf. And I did send a lovely gift, didn’t l?”

“Quite true,” said Xerx diplomatically.

“So there you are then,” said Roper with satisfaction. He gestured to the now empty chair. “Sit. Order something and charge it to me.”

“As you wish, Mark.” Xerx sat and then waited patiently until Roper departed. “He’ll regret that,” Xerx told Riker.

“Why?”

A moment later, the waitress walked up with a steaming plate of food and placed it in front of Xerx. Riker stared at it and said, “That’s the most expensive thing on the menu.”

“Yes, I know,” said Xerx cheerily. “Want some?”

“No thanks.”

Xerx looked at him quizzically. “By the way… ‘captain’? I thought you were a lieutenant?”

“That’s right. It’s a… well, a sort of running joke between myself and Mark.”

“Yes. He does have a peculiar sense of humor.”

“So,” said Riker, taking a sip of coffee before continuing, “how is your daughter doing?”

“You know how it is with young marrieds,” said Xerx with a small laugh. “They live in a world of their own making. At the moment they’re still doting on virtually everything that the other one does. The way each of them walks, talks, breathes. We had them over the other night, and it was amusing to see how Chandra simply sat and adored the way her new husband chewed his food.”

“Chewed his food?”

“Newlyweds. What can I say?” Xerx shrugged, and then his eyes narrowed slightly. “And how goes it with you and young Miss Troi?”

Riker raised an eyebrow. “Reading my mind, Gart?”

“Merely enough to confirm what I already knew. I noticed the way you were staring at her at the wedding and reception. And I also know that you’ve been seeing her socially. I’ve overheard Deanna and her friends discussing it at the university.”

“What were you doing at the university, if you don’t mind my asking?”

Xerx. took another forkful of food. “I’m a professor of psychology. Where else would I be?”

“Oh. I didn’t know that.”

“Somehow it never came up. I even have Deanna in one of my classes. “

“Is it the class where they teach about nude therapy?”

Xerx stared at him. Gart had been about to eat another forkful, but now it remained suspended several inches from his mouth.

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