Star Trek #73: Recovery by J. M. Dillard

Author:J. M. Dillard [Dillard, J. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Space ships, Kirk; James T. (Fictitious character), Star trek (Television program), McCoy; Leonard (Fictitious character), Space Opera, Fiction, Science Fiction, Adventure, General
ISBN: 9780671883423
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek
Published: 1995-03-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

"HELLO? HALO? Anyone? Everyone? This is Nassar Omar!"

Ahab Saed paused as the booming, nearly hysterical voice filled the corridor. She and Ngo had climbed out of the shuttlecraft to find themselves in a large empty hangar. After spending some time running diagnostics on the war-weary Grace Hopper, Anab had grown restless and had consulted the computer for Riley's location. She and Ngo were enroute there when the sudden announcement interrupted them.

"Can you hear me? Can anyone hear me?" Omar wondered breathlessly over the shipwide system. "We are all in grave danger. Myron Shulman is insane, homicidally insane. Angelina Mola has been murdered.

Chia Noon has been murdered. And now every member of the FDRA is in danger of assassination.

Shulman will not rest until the Recovery is a ghost ship. He's taking us into Tholian space! There's nothing we can do! Secure yourselves. Hide. Be cautious--oh, Allah, no!"

Scuffling sounds. Omar's voice, already frantic-sounding, grew frankly hysterical. "Shulman, don't-pleaset"

A strangled cry, followed by a phaser's whine.

Anab started at the terrible sound, and exchanged looks with Josiah; his full lips were parted, his eyes wide with the same shock Saed knew her own expression revealed.

An uncomfortable silence ensued; and then, another male voice--this one strained and weary, but carrying an edge of rage--filtered over the ship's speakers.

"This is Myron Shulman. Monique Thibeau, according to the FDRA'S rules of succession, you are now the new head. Congratulations. But don't go to the trouble of selecting a chief of staff...."

The transmission ended.

Ngo gazed upward at the speakers, then uncertainly back at Saed. "I don't suppose this is a... surprise part of the simulation, sir?"

"No," Anab replied shortly, and began moving again in the direction of the indicated sickbay. As much as she had resented Riley's presence on the simulated shuttlecraft rescue, she was beginning to worry about him. In the brief time she'd been married to him, he'd shared only negative memories of his time in space, aboard the Enterprise; and though she'd heard from Earthside friends at headquarters that Riley was a changed man now, a competent, confident officer, she had trouble believing it. The Riley she had known was a fearful, timid soul, one who had begged her not to go into space because of its dangers; one who had languished for years in Starfleet without a single promotion. She had loved him even then, had tried to holster his confidence, had encouraged him to find what it was he really wanted to do.

But his unhappiness had come close to destroying her. She wanted nothing more than to be in space; Riley wanted nothing more than the security of Earth.

In the end, she had had to leave, even though it had torn at her heart.

Now here he was, promoted to a full commander, with Kirk's recommendation. The sight of him inspired both pain and hope: pain because she knew how she had hurt him, hope because her love for him had not entirely dimmed, and she could not help wondering whether there might be a chance for a real relationship at last.

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