Star Trek: Picard: The Dark Veil by James Swallow

Author:James Swallow [Swallow, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781982154134
Google: BEf5DwAAQBAJ
Amazon: 1982154063
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2021-01-05T00:00:00+00:00

TEN

The Ochre Dome had moved into a night cycle, with the overhead illuminators dimming to simulate the end of the day, but Deanna Troi barely noticed.

Her world had contracted to the space in the corner of the temporary infirmary, where Thad lay on the biobed, his breath coming in shallow stutters. She watched her son and time seemed to slow. She had been there for hours, keeping a vigil after her husband had reluctantly returned to the Titan.

Will had wanted to stay, to give over command of the ship to Christine Vale and sit here with Deanna, but that would have solved nothing. He was captain and he had a crew to supervise, a vessel with repairs to oversee—and Deanna knew well enough that Will would be better off with something to distract him from worrying about Thad.

She took on the burden because she knew she could bear it. Countless times, Troi had been there to guide other people through their own crises just like this one, and she knew how to cope.

Don’t I? She took a deep breath that almost sounded like a sob. Counselor, counsel thyself.

Not since her father died when she was a little girl had Deanna faced the specter of losing someone so precious to her. She had wept for Tasha Yar and again for Data when death had snatched her dear friends away, but despite how close she had been to them, they were not her blood. Thaddeus was hers, the child she brought into the world, he was the bright, amazing son she had watched blossom and grow over these past few years.

In these times, when there were so many trials and darker moments at hand, Troi always sought out the good and the light. She found it every time in her son’s laughter and inquisitiveness, and the terrible possibility that she would see that extinguished filled her with a dread like no other.

She took Thad’s limp hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. More than anything, she wanted him to react to her presence. “Come back to us,” she said quietly. “If you can. Please come back.”

The soft rustle of the tent’s flap drew Troi’s attention, and she used the heel of her hand to wipe away a tear.

Zade stood hesitantly in the collapsible vestibule, and at his shoulder was the floating drone orb she had seen earlier.

“Commander Troi,” said the Jazari, inclining his head. “May I enter?”

“Of course.”

Zade approached, and the drone followed, maintaining a respectful distance. He offered her a Starfleet ration pack. “I thought you might require sustenance.”

“That’s very kind.” Releasing the child’s hand, she took the pack, and found a water sachet inside to drink from.

“Has there been any improvement in Thaddeus’s condition?”

“Doctor Talov has done all he can. We need to wait and see if my son can heal on his own.”

Zade’s expression was full of sorrow. “The advent of the migration was meant to be a great event for my people. A new beginning. Instead it has become a mire of tragedy.

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