Star Trek: The Next Generation - 119 - Armageddon's Arrow (34 page)

Without turning from the screen, Cruzen asked, “What about Jodis and Bnira?”

A new wave of sadness threatened to rush forth, but Picard forced himself to maintain his composure. “They stayed aboard.”

“They never hesitated,” said Chen, “never once thought about abandoning ship. They knew all along.”

“Yes,” Picard said. “They knew.” He was certain that the fleet of Raqilan ships that had assumed orbit around the moon had observed the
Arrow
’s end. It was likely that images of the weapon ship’s final moments already were being transmitted back to Henlora and perhaps Uphrel, as well. Within hours, every Raqilan and Golvonek would know what had happened here today. He hoped that was the case.

I will personally see to that.

34

Just as she was sure would happen, T’Ryssa Chen’s mood brightened the moment she entered sickbay and saw Rennan Konya sitting up in bed.

“Well, look who it is,” Konya said, smiling upon seeing her walk into the room. “Talk about your welcome sights.”

Crossing the patient ward to stand next to his bed, she reached out and placed a hand on Konya’s arm. “How are you feeling?”

“Like ten credits,” replied the security officer without missing a beat. “Doctor Crusher patched me up, good as new. There aren’t even any scars, even though I asked her to leave me just one.” He offered a mock frown. “I even told her I’d let her pick her favorite.”

Chen rolled her eyes. “You’re an idiot. You know that, right?” Despite his silly comments, it was wonderful to see him more like his old self. “You had us worried there, for a while.” She looked across the ward to where Tamala Harstad also sat on a bed, though unlike Konya she was dressed not in a patient’s pajamas but instead casual civilian attire. “What about you, Doctor?”

Harstad replied, “I’ll be fine. There was some ligament damage from the shrapnel, but Doctor Tropp made short work of it. I’ll be back to full duty in a day or two.” Nodding toward Konya, she added, “I opted against trophy scars, though.”

“Coward,” said Konya, his eyes narrowing in the mischievous manner he summoned all too infrequently, but which Chen had noticed was on the increase even before this mission. Before she could remark on that, the doors opened again, this time to admit Commanders Worf and La Forge.

“There she is,” said the chief engineer, his face brightening upon seeing Harstad.

“Here I am,” replied the doctor. “Where have you been?”

“Fixing the ship.”

“It’s always something.”

La Forge gestured to Worf. “Like having to repair and clean up the shuttlecraft other people leave with the aliens who capture them.”

The Klingon’s expression remained fixed. “The
Siouxsie
was returned reasonably intact.”

“Yeah, but not for their lack of trying,” replied La Forge, and it required physical effort for Chen not to laugh at the glare Worf directed at him. Following the
Arrow
’s destruction, the Raqilan had returned the
Siouxsie
to the
Enterprise
, but it was evident that their engineers had attempted to access the shuttlecraft’s systems. The security lockout programmed by Lieutenant Elfiki into its onboard computer had thwarted those efforts, but repairing the damage the craft had sustained during its encounter with Raqilan patrol ships would keep La Forge and his team busy for the next few days.

“The damage was as unavoidable as it is regrettable,” said Worf. “However, if I am not mistaken, all of the shuttlecraft were due for scheduled maintenance anyway.”

La Forge offered an expression of mock annoyance. “Yeah, that makes it all better.” He moved to Harstad’s bed and she shifted her position so the pair could greet each other with a warm embrace that made Chen smile.

“Lieutenant Konya,” said Worf as he moved to stand at the foot of the bed, “it is good to see you recovered from your injuries. Your actions aboard the
Arrow
were noteworthy, and I am pleased to inform you that I have submitted a request for commendation to Captain Picard.”

“Thank you, sir,” Konya replied, and Chen noted how he now sat a bit straighter in the bed. “I appreciate that.”

Turning to Chen, the Klingon said, “I have made a similar request on your behalf, Lieutenant. Your actions were well above the requirements of duty, in keeping with the finest traditions of Starfleet officers.” For the first time, he smiled. “And with the heart of a warrior.”

Surprised by the news but also the unexpected compliment, Chen felt a surge of embarrassment. “Thank you, Commander. I don’t know what to say.”

“I will notify the captain of your response,” said Worf. “I am sure he will take great pleasure from that.”

“Wow,” Konya said, unable to stifle a laugh as he reached to tap Chen on her arm. “Maybe you should ask Doctor Tropp for an analgesic cream or something to treat that burn.”

Appearing satisfied with himself, Worf turned and walked away without another word, leaving Chen once more alone with Konya.

“Is it me, or is he getting funnier?” Konya asked.

Chen replied, “It’s you.” Looking around to see if anyone else might be within earshot, she turned back to Konya reached for his hand. “Listen, about before.”

“Before what?”

“Don’t make me smack you,” Chen said, grinning. “You know what I mean. Before, on the
Arrow
. You, me, the apology.”

“Oh, right,” Konya said, drawing out his response. “That. I seem to recall suggesting we might discuss it later.”

Chen nodded. “Well, it’s later.” With everything that had happened, she had not had time to process their brief encounter on the
Arrow
. Like anything else not pertaining to the matters at hand, she had pushed aside those feelings, forcing them into their own little sealed compartment in the back of her mind until she could revisit them without distraction. Now, it seemed, was the right time.

Squeezing her hand, Konya smiled. “Look, I know I sprang that on you, but I meant what I said. I’m sorry about everything. No matter what, Trys, you’re my friend.” He paused, his gaze shifting to the sheet covering him from the waist down. “When I heard you were staying behind to help Jodis and Bnira, I was scared.” Bringing over his free hand, he rested it atop hers. “Scared I’d never see you again, and worried that I’d never get a chance to make things right between us.” As if sensing her hesitation, he added, “I’m not asking for anything. I’ll respect whatever you tell me, and I promise that we’re still friends, no matter what else might happen.”

Feeling the warmth of his hands on hers, Chen said nothing. Instead, she leaned toward him and kissed him. They held the kiss for several seconds before Chen pulled back, her eyes meeting his.

“I’m not sure I understood you,” said Konya, his expression deadpan.

This time, Chen did smack him, playfully and on the arm. “Idiot.”

“Hey, you two,” said Harstad. “Let’s keep it professional here.”

Chen and Konya looked over to see that the doctor had risen from her bed, and Commander La Forge now was escorting her to the door.

“Wait,” Konya said, “you got released?”

“Good behavior,” replied Harstad, “which means you’ll be here for a while yet. I’ve been given bed rest for a couple of days before I return to duty.” She nodded to La Forge. “So he gets to wait on me hand and foot until then. Doctor’s orders.”

“I’m regretting this already,” La Forge said.

Konya said, “Thanks for taking care of me on that ship, Doc. I owe you one.”

“Oh, no,” replied Harstad. “You saved my life over there. We’re even. You just take care of yourself, and you’ll be back to regular duty in no time.”

“Maybe I’ll ask for some of that bed rest.” The lieutenant smiled, nudging Chen with one finger. “I just need somebody for that waiting on hand and foot thing.”

Chen slapped him again. Harder this time.

*   *   *

“Captain Picard, I cannot thank you enough for all you have done on behalf of the Raqilan people. We eagerly await your address to our peace delegation, and feel that with y
our guidance and wisdom, we finally will achieve the peace which has eluded us for so long.”

Sitting at the desk in his ready room, Picard studied the image of Envoy Dnovlat on his desktop monitor. Unlike during their previous conversations, the Raqilan diplomat was brimming with enthusiasm, which she allowed to penetrate her otherwise composed, even detached façade. Her unfiltered emotion was contagious, and Picard found himself smiling in response.

“The honor will be mine, Envoy. I have already received authorization to meet with your delegation, and our Federation Council anticipates a constructive dialogue. Perhaps it will be the first step toward a longer, cooperative relationship between all our peoples.” Though the
Enterprise
was scheduled to continue with its exploration mission, Starfleet Command had approved his request for a brief extension of their time in the Canborek system. As Admiral Akaar had put it, there was much to be gained by establishing formal relations with the Raqilan and the Golvonek, the first potential Federation allies in the Odyssean Pass.

“That is my hope, as well, Captain
.
”
She paused, her expression softening.
“If I have one regret, it is that Jodis and Bnira cannot be with us
.
”

Picard nodded. “They will be there, at least in some sense, as the dream they held for peace is shared by many Raqilan and Golvonek. Pursuing that dream honors their memory.”

“They are being called ‘Ambassadors of Destiny’ in some circles,”
Dnovlat replied.
“It seems an apt title. With your help, we will see their dream realized
.
”
Something or someone off screen made her turn, and after a moment, she returned her attention to Picard.
“I am afraid that duty summons me, Captain. I look forward to meeting you in person and perhaps sharing with you some of the delicacies of our people
.
”

“I would welcome that, Envoy, and the opportunity to return the favor.”

“Farewell, Captain
.
”

With the communication finished, Picard sighed, relishing the end of the long day he and his crew had endured. There still was much work to be done, of course, aboard ship as well as with the Raqilan and the Golvonek, but soon the
Enterprise
would be off again, ready to encounter what might be waiting out among the stars.

Exiting his ready room, he stepped onto the bridge to find Commander Worf standing in front of the center seat, reviewing something on a padd. Upon noticing Picard’s arrival, Worf nodded in his direction.“Captain.”

Seeing Taurik standing near the aft starboard turbolift alcove, his hands clasped behind his back, Picard said to Worf, “Number One, you have the bridge.” He walked toward Taurik. “Commander.”

“You wanted to see me, sir,” replied the Vulcan.

Picard gestured for Taurik to accompany him into the turbolift. After directing the car to his quarters, he turned to face the engineer. “It seems we have matters of great sensitivity to discuss, Commander.”

Nodding, Taurik replied, “Indeed. In accordance with the Temporal Prime Directive, I have completed a detailed report for transmission to the Department of Temporal Investigations. I am ready to dispatch that report on your order, sir.”

“Is there anything in there you can tell me?” Picard asked, hearing the whine of the turbolift as it slowed its descent before moving horizontally.

“No, sir. Per regulations and after careful consideration, I have determined that there is nothing with which I am at liberty to discuss with you. The only thing I can offer is my assurance that with the Raqilan weapon ship destroyed, there is very little likelihood of this information being discovered or accessed by anyone else. I have compartmentalized and encrypted the data to which I was exposed, and it has been placed in a secure archive within the main computer. That archive is accessible only to me via voice authorization and a fractal encryption key, which I will provide upon order to Temporal Investigations agents when they arrive to retrieve it. I believe I have acted in the best interests of Federation security and the well-being of the
Enterprise
, its crew, and you, Captain.”

Picard smiled at the engineer’s resolve. “I have no doubt about that, Commander.” He could not deny his desire to hear more, especially anything that might pertain to future events involving the Federation. He also was intrigued by more straightforward information, such as the factors that were considered by Raqilan civilian and military leaders before making the decision to construct the
Arrow
in the first place. Despite his own feelings, Picard knew that Taurik was doing the proper thing by isolating himself with the knowledge he had obtained.

“Have you informed Starfleet Command about the wrecked planet-destroying machine?” Taurik asked.

“Yes. A science team will be dispatched to examine it and perhaps even collect the remains for transport to one of our research facilities, as was done with the original machine. I suspect this discovery will make some small group of scientists very happy.” With the loss of the original planet killer during one of Starfleet’s final confrontations with the Borg, Starfleet research specialists had been without any examples of the ancient alien technology. There would be much celebration when it was learned that another, possibly older version of the device had been found.

Taurik was silent until the turbolift began to slow, at which time he said, “Computer, hold turbolift.” In response to his command, the car halted its horizontal motion. Taurik waited for that before returning his attention to Picard.

“Captain, I must admit to a certain degree of trepidation regarding the knowledge I possess with regard to future events. It will be . . . agreeable . . . to discuss this with Temporal Investigations, but I am troubled about how they may react and what that might mean for my status aboard the
Enterprise
.”