Star Trek: The Next Generation: Stargazer: Enigma by Michael Jan Friedman

Author:Michael Jan Friedman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: 2004-08-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

ELIZABETH WU WAS LYING on her bed, staring at the ceiling of her quarters as if she might somehow find all the answers she wanted from Ulelo displayed there.

She ran her conversations with him over and over again in her mind, sifting them for just a nugget of something she could use. But it was to no avail.

The second officer was so intent on her introspection, she barely heard the chime that announced someone at her door. And she had a sinking feeling that it wasn’t the first time it had rung.

Getting up from her bed, she left her bedroom behind and emerged into the adjoining anteroom. Then she said, “Come in.”

As the doors opened, Wu saw that it was Jiterica. The ensign was looking remarkably like a humanoid in her new, improved containment suit. But if the look on the ensign’s face was any indication, she was anxious about something.

“Good to see you,” said Wu. She indicated a chair on one side of the room. “Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you,” said Jiterica.

Not so long ago, she would have found it painfully awkward to sit down. Her new suit seemed to have eliminated that problem.

“Is everything all right?” Wu asked.

Shortly after Jiterica came on board, the second officer had appointed herself the ensign’s unofficial guardian. Back then, Jiterica was lonely and unsure of herself, uncomfortable in an environment built for higher-density beings.

Fortunately for Jiterica, that had all changed, and she didn’t need a guardian as much as she used to. However, Wu had yet to relinquish the position.

“It’s Ensign Paris,” said Jiterica.

Ah yes, thought Wu. Paris.

Jiterica and her fellow ensign had become rather close over the last couple of months. And the second officer, who harbored a liking for both of them, had been delighted to see how much they enjoyed each other’s company.

Of course, there was that brief period where Paris appeared to want to avoid Jiterica, when he had pulled back from her. It had bothered Wu to see it, almost to the point where she had said something to him.

But thankfully, that phase had passed, and Paris and Jiterica had become constant companions again. So it was perfectly understandable if Jiterica was concerned about her friend.

“You want to know about the shuttle,” Wu concluded.

“Yes,” said Jiterica. “Has there been any word?”

Wu wished she had better news. “Not yet.”

Clearly, the ensign wasn’t pleased. “Shouldn’t we have received a message by now, either from another ship or from a starbase?”

The second officer nodded. “Perhaps we should have. But I’m not going to jump to conclusions. Unless I hear something to the contrary, I’m going to assume Commander Ben Zoma and his crew found safe haven.”

Jiterica took a moment to consider the remark. “You believe they’re uninjured?”

“I do,” said Wu.

The ensign smiled. “Then I will believe that too.”

Wu was gratified that Jiterica placed such faith in her. She just hoped that when it came to the Livingston, neither of them found a reason to be disappointed.

* * *

On the

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