Star Trek ENT - 04 What Price Honor? by Dave Stern

Author:Dave Stern [Dave Stern]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780743462792
Publisher: Star Trek
Published: 2014-02-23T16:00:00+00:00

Reed had had his molecules successfully scrambled and unscrambled by the transporter before, so he wasn’t quite as paranoid as some of the crew about using it. Still, he had to admit he was relieved when the beam in front of him coalesced into the complete, recognizable form of Commodore Roan.

His relief was short-lived, though—he’d been right about the blood. The commodore’s robe was soaked with it.

Roan looked around the transporter room in surprise. Disorientation showed in his eyes.

“Matter transmission,” the commodore said. His voice was weak. “We are familiar with the theory, but—”

Roan tried to step forward, and wobbled. His legs folded beneath him, and he sat down hard right at the edge of the transporter platform.

Phlox was there instantly, his tricorder out in front of him.

“Extensive burns on the right half of his body—severe dehydration, oxygen deprivation, exhaustion.”

“I’m quite all right, Doctor, I assure you.” The commodore put his hands on the platform and started to stand. “I must—”

“What you must do is rest, sir,” Phlox said forcefully. He gripped Roan’s shoulder and kept him from rising. “You are far from all right.”

“The blood on his robe?” Archer asked.

“Not mine,” Roan said. “My aide’s. We were ambushed.”

“Ambassador Valay,” the captain said.

“Yes. She—” Roan sighed heavily, and shook his head. “I did not expect this from her. Or those she represents. Things are worse than I feared.”

“We need to get you to sickbay,” Phlox said, shutting the tricorder. “And conduct a thorough examination.”

“We don’t have time for a thorough examination, Doctor,” Roan said. “Ambassador Valay’s actions are part of a larger schism within my government. Unless I can move fast to contain the damage, a civil war is imminent.”

“Valay’s acting on her own,” Archer said.

Roan shook his head. “No. I’ve known her for years. She is not capable of such—”

“She’s jamming all frequencies in and out of the system.” Archer went on to explain what they’d discovered.

“But this is—” He shook his head. “Totally unlike her. I cannot understand it, Captain.”

“There’s a lot I don’t understand, Commodore. Starting with the purpose of your outpost. The history of the war between you and the Ta’alaat Among other things.”

Roan fell silent.

“Don’t you think it’s time you told us what was happening here?”

“I am not sure what is happening here,” Roan said. At that moment, he looked exhausted, and old, and confused. Seeing that expression on his face, Reed was suddenly catapulted back in time, back to the moment outside Goridian’s cell, when Valay emerged, her robe splattered with blood.

There was a connection there—Reed knew it. But for the life of him, he couldn’t see what it was.

“Help me up, please,” Roan said, extending his hand.

The captain took it, and pulled Roan to his feet. The commodore straightened his robe.

“Someone once said to me that relationships have to be built on trust.” The commodore’s eyes sought out Reed then, and he smiled. “It is time for me to trust someone, Captain. Let us find someplace to talk, and I will tell you everything.

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