Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Young Adult Books #5: Arcade by Diana G. Gallagher

Author:Diana G. Gallagher [Gallagher, Diana G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0-671-89678-4
Publisher: Minstrel Paperback
Published: 1995-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

Sitting on a biobed, Jake watched Dax, O’Brien, and Dr. Bashir complete their preparations. Once he put on the headpiece, his own life would be in danger, too. He was scared—but fear gave him an edge. He would be alert and ready to cope with any problem the alien game presented.

Jake’s chest tightened as he looked at Nog. No trace of animated excitement showed on the Ferengi boy’s pale face. No mischievous plans were hatching behind the blank eyes. He just lay there, unmoving and quiet, wearing a Federation helmet modified to fit over his large skull and ears. The extended neural network would not be activated until the filaments in the Zhodran artifact made contact with Jake’s brain.

Then Nog’s fate, like Tena Lin’s and Rotor’s, would be in Jake’s hands. Or thoughts, Jake corrected himself. Now he understood the crushing pressure Benjamin Sisko lived with every day. Everyone on the station depended on his father’s decisions.

Nog’s father had stopped in to demand that Dr. Bashir get Nog back on his feet as soon as possible. Quark was making Rom do double duty as waiter and busboy. However, Jake knew that was just an excuse to get away from the busy bar. Rom was really worried about his comatose son.

Captain Gaynor and Tena Lin’s parents had come into the Infirmary a short time later, pressing for information and action. Dr. Bashir had handled them diplomatically, expressing high hopes for the children’s complete recovery. Then he had explained that having upset parents lurking about would hamper the treatment process. At first they had refused to leave, but Dr. Bashir had finally convinced them. Jake was uncomfortable being the center of scientific and medical attention. Being watched by emotionally involved parents would have made the stress unbearable.

“Almost ready, Jake.” O’Brien connected the Zhodran device to the data-chip recorder. Bokat’s equipment had been confiscated to save time. Commander Sisko had insisted on monitoring Jake’s progress through the game. If something went wrong, the officers could analyze Jake’s actions to avoid making the same mistakes. Benjamin Sisko would attempt the rescue in the event Jake failed.

But he was not going to fail. He was the best player on Deep Space Nine. He would beat the Zhodran Crystal Quest and save his friends. He absolutely had to—for reasons that went far beyond the satisfaction of winning. It was a matter of life and death.

“How are you feeling?” Sisko walked up to Jake, trying very hard not to look as worried as he felt.

“Fine.” Jake sighed. “A little nervous, maybe.”

“Nothing unusual about that.” Leaning forward slightly, Sisko whispered, “I always get nervous when it’s time for Starfleet’s senior officer evaluations. Butterflies, cold sweats, bad dreams, sick to my stomach. It’s awful.”

“Really?” Jake sat back, surprised. His father was the hard, demanding commander of Deep Space Nine. Oddly, knowing that the self-assured elder Sisko had moments of anxiety bolstered Jake’s spirits and confidence. “Being evaluated makes you sick?”

“Worse than diplomatic receptions.” Smiling tightly, Sisko stepped aside as O’Brien and Dr.

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