STAR TREK - The Brave and the Bold Book One Page 11

  that I would never assume such an undignified position. I leave that to you, as you have just proven yourself quite adept at it.

  McCoy abandoned all pretense of the straight face, and was now grinning. Holding up his hands, Masada joined McCoy in his grin and said, Fine, fine, I surrender. He indicated the artifact. Anyhow, that things all yours. I need to head back up to the Constellation. Commander Spock, it was a pleasure working with you. He held his hand up in the Vulcan salute. Peace and long life.

  If Spock was surprised at Masadas knowledge of Vulcan ritual greetings, he didnt show it. Instead, he simply returned the gesture and said, Live long and prosper, Lieutenant Masada.

  To McCoy, he offered his hand. And Doctor, congratulations on surviving the experience of working with Lew. I dont know whether to offer condolences on having to work with him or give you a medal for not killing him.

  Ah, hes not that bad, McCoy said, returning the handshake. Hes got good instincts, he just needs a little more experience. Give him a couple years, hell make a damn good physician.

  Tell you what, in two years, Ill let you know if hes gotten tolerable.

  Fair enough, McCoy said with a smile. For now, Id just settle for him slowing down a little. When we were on the Enterprise, he jostled my arm while we were preparing some of the antidote. Spilled some Capellan acid on my lab table. Ill never get that damn spot out.

  Really? Masada grinned. Rosenhaus had twice been involved in incidents in the mess hall that resulted in food and drink on the flooronce with a particularly aggressive Tellarite security guard. Vascogne and Takeshewada had managed to defuse both situations, but they had quickly become part of the Constellation 'sgossip network. Masada was looking forward to adding this to it, as well.

  The two Enterprise officers boarded the shuttle, Spock now carrying the artifact. Masada took out his communicator. Masada to Constellation. One to beam up.

  As the transporter returned him to his ship, he wondered if hed get a chance to work with them again.

  He hoped so. If ever anyone needed a practical joke played on him, it was Lieutenant Commander Spock

  The third planet in the Narendra system was Class-M. Located in territory proximate to Klingon space, the empire had been eyeing the planet as a possible base for some time.

  Buried deep under the ground of the smallest of Narendra IIIs twelve landmasses lay a metal box, emblazoned with the name of its former owner on one side. The slight green glow it gave off was lost in the rock and dirt that encased it.

  Within the box, a telepathic voice screamed. Unencumbered by the limitations of a larynx, it had continued this scream for over ninety thousand years. That mind had lived alone in the box for all that time.

  The first chance for freedom had finally come after so longbut she turned out to be weak and foolish. A nobody with insignificant dreams of a pointless vengeance.

  Suddenly, and only for a moment, the artifact glowed brighter. When the glow dimmed back to normal, three brain patterns had imprinted themselves on the box.

  Now the telepathic voice had company, after a fashion. Three minds that could be controlled.

  When the time was right, in any case

  First Interlude

  Captains personal log, U.S.S. Enterprise, Captain James T. Kirk, Stardate 4208.5.

  In my official log, I noted that Matt Decker died in the line of duty when he piloted the Enterprise shuttlecraft into the so-called planet-killer. Though his actions were tragic, it did lead us to the solution to stopping the planet-killer before it reached the Rigel Colonies.

  In this personal log I wish only to add that I regret that the commodore was unable to take the advice he had given me on Proxima over a year ago not to let my sense of failure overwhelm me. Ultimately, Matt was unable to get past the deaths of the crew of the Constellation, whom he had beamed down to the third planet of System L-374 only to watch helplessly as that world was destroyed.

  I also wish to express my regret for the loss of the Constellation crewCommander Takeshewada, Lieutenant Masada, Dr. Rosenhaus, Lieutenant Vascogne, and the rest of the men and women who served on that fine vessel. I only hope that the Enterprise can live up to their example of courage and bravery.

  Part 2 The Second Artifact

  2370

  This portion of the story takes place shortly before the Star Trek Deep Space Nine second-season episode The JemHadar.

  Chapter Eight

  W ELCOME TO THE O DYSSEY , Commander Sisko. Im Joseph Shabalala, first officer.

  Joe Shabalala offered his right hand to Benjamin Sisko as he stepped off the transporter platform. The U.S.S. Odyssey had just arrived at Station Deep Space 9, a Bajoran station administrated by Starfleet and commanded by Sisko. Shabalala knew of the tall manas tall as Shabalala himself, in fact, not a common occurrenceonly by reputation, mainly due to the sudden prominence both Bajor and DS9 had gained almost two years earlier when Sisko had discovered a stable wormhole in the Denorios Belt. That wormhole linked the Alpha Quadrant to the Gamma Quadrant and turned the station from an insignificant backwater to the most important port of call in the sector.

  The handshake Sisko gave in return was firm, the smile that accompanied it friendly. A pleasure to meet you, Commander. I was sorry to hear about Captain Simon.

  Shabalala blinked in surprise. You knew the captain?

  She was two years ahead of me at the Academyand, Sisko added with a grin, captain of the wrestling team when I joined.

  Chuckling, Shabalala said, Ah yes, what she called her misspent youth.

  Sisko looked around the transporter room. You seem to have done well for yourself. First officer of a Galaxy -class ship.

  Thinking about the disastrous final mission of the U.S.S. Fearless at Patnira, Shabalala said gravely, Perhaps. But Id rather have the captain back. Wed been together on three different ships, you knowgoing back to when she was a full lieutenant and I was an ensign on the Bonaventure. And then she chose me to be her first on the Fearless when they gave it to her. Itsvery odd to be serving under someone else. Banishing thoughts of the past out of his head, he forced a smile onto his face and indicated the door to the transporter room. Speaking of which, we shouldnt keep Captain Keogh waiting. Shall we?

  After you, Commander.

  They walked in companionable silence to the captains quarters. Sisko suddenly seemed a bit skittish. As they approached Keoghs quarters on deck nine, Shabalala asked, Is everything all right, Commander?

  Sisko shook his head as if trying to shoo away a fly. Its nothing. Justsome odd memories of my last trip aboard a Galaxy -class ship.

  Nothing more was forthcoming, so Shabalala shrugged it off and touched the doorchime for Keoghs quarters. Come, came the captains deep voice from behind the doors, and they obligingly opened.

  Keogh was standing near his desk, ramrod straight, his hands behind his back, as if he were conducting an inspection. When he had first reported to the Odyssey three months earlier, Shabalala had thought that Keogh was just an on-duty pain, but hed since seen the older man in a variety of situations, both on and off duty, ranging from a meeting with the admiralty to drinks in Ten-Forward to a pitched fistfight against members of his own crew that had been mutated by spores. No matter what, he always stood perfectly straight, always maintained a hard, cold expression on his face, andif at all possiblehad his hands behind his back. It had been a difficult style for Shabalala to get used to after so many years of Captain Simons easygoing manner.

  Still, hed lasted three monthshe was halfway to tying the Odyssey 'srecord for tenure by a first officer. The ship had left Utopia Planitias shipyards five years previous and had never had a first officer last more than half a year. One only lasted a week.

  Greetings, Commander Sisko, Keogh said with as small a smile as it was possible for his face to engage in and still be recognizable as such. Im Declan Keogh. Welcome to my ship.

  Thank you, Captain.

  Walking toward the replicator, Keogh asked, Can
I get you a drink?

  A raktajino would be nice, Sisko said after a moments consideration.

  Keogh looked expectantly at Shabalala, who shook his head. He could have asked for what he wanteda syntheholic Saurian brandy. But if he did, he would have had to endure yet another tirade about how he should try a real drink like whiskey, not this Saurian swill. It had only taken the first officer a week to determine that sharing drinks with the captain wasnt worth the trouble. As it is, he thought, Siskos probably going to get an earful about his choice of beverage.

  A raktajino and a black coffee, Keogh instructed the computer, which obligingly provided two mugs with same. As he handed the former to Sisko, Keogh said, Klingon coffee, eh? Cant abide the stuff. Never could see how a human could handle it. Like drinking an oil slick.

  Unable to resist, Shabalala added, Only without the tangy aftertaste.

  Sisko laughed. Keogh didnt. Shabalala shrugged, having expected precisely that reaction.

  Curzon Dax introduced me to it when I served under him as an ensign. Im afraid its become something of an addiction. Sisko took a seat on the couch against the outer bulkhead of the quarters.

  Through the window over Siskos head, Shabalala could see the spires of Deep Space 9 from the Odyssey 'svantage point at one of the stations upper pylons. Looking like a hollowed-out crab, the station had the aesthetic sense that Shabalala would have expected from the Cardassian Union, who built it as the seat of their occupation of Bajor decades before hideous. Shabalala preferred the sleeker, rounded designs of Starfleet.

  You knew Dax? Keogh said, taking a seat on the chair perpendicular to the couch. Good lord, I havent heard from the old man in years. How is he doing?

  He isntexactly, Sisko said with a smile. Curzon died three years ago. Dax is now in Jadzia, a lieutenant in Starfleet, and my chief science officer.

  Jadzia? You mean to say that Curzon Dax is a woman now?

  Sisko nodded.

  Some would call that ironic. Others would call it poetic justice.

  Again, Sisko smiled. I call it lucky enough to get a damn fine science officer.

  Diplomatically put, Shabalala thought, but was wise enough not to say aloud.

  Keogh tilted his head. Perhaps. In any event, Commander, we didnt come to your station to talk about mutual acquaintances. Whats this assignment you need my ship for?

  Sisko took a sip of raktajino, then set the mug down on the coffee table and leaned back on the sofa. Its several assignments, actually, Captain. Admiral Todd-man said youd be detached to the Bajoran sector for the next two weeks.

  Shabalala smiled. Those are the precise words he used with us. They were also the only words he used.

  We were told you would elaborate, Keogh added.

  Bajor is still trying to rebuild after the Occupation. Unfortunately, Cardassian mining operations have ruined some of their most arable lands. My first officer, Major Kira, has come up with a plan to convert a part of Bajors second moon to farmland. She and Lieutenant Dax wrote a proposal that both the provisional government and Starfleet approved.

  Keogh nodded. And you want the Odyssey to set up the farm?

  Eventually, yes, Sisko said with a small smile. Theres something you need to do first.

  Oh?

  Shabalala had to stop himself from grinning. Keogh only said Oh? like that when he expected to hear something he wouldnt like.

  Well, whats a farm without farmers? You need to pick up a group that has volunteered to toil in the fields. Theyre presently in the Valo system on the Cardassian borderspecifically on the ninth planet. The Enterprise relocated them there two years ago.

  This rings a bell, Shabalala thought. Isnt that where many Bajorans set up resettlement camps?

  Nodding, Sisko added, And also the base for some of their offworld terrorist activity against the Cardassians. One terrorist in particular has stayed away from Bajor even as all the other refugees were welcomed home after the withdrawal.

  Keoghs eyes smoldered. Youre talking about Orta, arent you?

  Thats the one, Sisko said with a grin.

  Standing, Keogh said, Commander, you cant possibly be serious. Ortas a terrorist of the worst kind. He was never interested in Bajors freedom, he just wanted revenge against the Cardassians for maiming him.

  I see youre familiar with Ortas file, Sisko said dryly.

  Ive had my share of run-ins with the Cardassians over the years, Commander Sisko. Ive made it my business to know as much as I can about themand their enemies. In any case, assuming Ortas desire to come home and be a farmer is genuinewhich I very much doubtwhy on Earth do you need my ship to get him back?

  Orta refused to be escorted by a Bajoran ship. He asked for the Enterprise, but theyre unavailable, so he said another Starfleet ship would do. Since youre in the area Sisko shrugged.

  Wonderful, Keogh said, sitting back down. Ive been reduced to Picards understudy.

  Shabalala kept his best poker face on and asked, After weve delivered Orta and his followers to their new home, Commander, what then?

  Then, Sisko said, picking up his raktajino, its a matter of getting the farming colony started. Theres some material youll need thats on Bajor right now, plus part of the plan calls for use of a starships phasers to change the composition of the land.

  Keogh actually looked intrigued by that. Really?

  The moons surface is primarily rock, but the top layers are cooled lava. Dax has come up with a way to use a ships phasers to convert that to soil. Well provide you with all the specifics, Sisko added quickly as Keogh opened his mouth to ask another question. Again, Shabalala kept his poker face intact.

  Sisko went on Once thats done, well have some supplies for the New Bajor colony that youll need to bring through the wormhole to them, and then Admiral Toddman wants you to patrol the Cardassian border for a few days. Things have been a bit tense in the DMZ lately, and Starfleet wants a top-of-the-line ship to do border patrolremind the Cardassians that were taking things seriously.

  And perhaps remind our own people of what we stand for, Keogh said irritably.

  On this, Shabalala could get behind his captain. Many Starfleet personnel had been joining the Maquis lately. A recent treaty ceded several Federation colonies near the Cardassian border to the Cardassian Union and vice versa, and also declared a Demilitarized Zone between Cardassian and Federation space. It probably seemed reasonable to the politicians who negotiated it, secure in the knowledge that it would have no direct bearing on their lives.

  Meanwhile, Federation citizens who refused to give up their homes, even though those homes were no longer in Federation space, found themselves harassed by the Cardassian military. The situation deteriorated quickly, and a group of terrorists formed, naming themselves after the Maquis, resistance fighters from a twentieth-century war on Earth. Indeed, one of the Maquis founders was a former Starfleet lieutenant commander named Cal Hudson, and several Starfleet personnel had defected to the Maquis since then.

  Keogh stared at Sisko. Ortas really interested in becoming a farmer?

  Ive spoken with Major Kira on the subject. She knows Orta better than anyone else on the station, though shes only met him once. From the sounds of it, he doesnt want to fight anymore, but he doesnt trust the provisional government, eitherand he has no interest in setting foot on Bajor again.

  Why not? Shabalala asked, confused.

  He was tortured on Bajor, Sisko said quietly. Its not always easy to put aside those associations.

  Shabalala thought about how he would react if he ever had to return to Patnira. I see your point.

  Again, Keogh stood up. Well, if thats what Starfleet wants us to do, its what well do. But I dont see any good reason to like it. Mark my words, CommanderOrta is a killer. Ive studied many freedom fighters in my time, including your own Major Kira, and he does not fit the bill. Hes a killer who happened to find a semi-legitimate outlet for his need for vengeance. Bringing him to Bajor in anything other than a prison transport is a mistake
. I just hope we all live to regret it.

  Sisko and Shabalala also stood up, Sisko finishing his raktajino as he did so. I hope so, too, Captain. Ill have Lieutenant Dax forward the specifications of the farms setup to you so you can study it on your way to Valo.

  Again, the just-barely-a-smile. Thank you, Commander. Mr. Shabalala will show you to the transporter room.

  Well see you back here tomorrow, then.

  Barring complications, yes. Keogh shook the tall commanders hand. The captain looked even more sour than usual as he looked at Siskos smiling face. He was definitely expecting those complications.

  After they left, Sisko said to Shabalala, You were awfully quiet in there.

  Had nothing to say.

  Sisko shot him a look.

  Smiling, Shabalala added, Well, nothing that was worth trying to get a word in to say, anyhow. Ive found that Captain Keoghs monologues are best left uninterrupted. He always finishes them anyhow; it just takes longer if he has to start over.

  Sisko laughed at that, and Shabalala joined in the laugh.

  As they entered the turbolift, Sisko said, Keogh may be right about one thingOrtas record isnt exactly spotless. Hes not the only former resistance member whos stayed away from Bajor, but he is the most vocal.

  I know, Ive seen some of his speeches. At Siskos surprised look, Shabalala shrugged. Captain Keogh isnt the only one whos studied Cardassias enemies. Ortas a borderline anarchist. He makes those Kohn-Ma fellows you put down last year look positively calm by comparison. I just dont see him as the farming type.

  The turbolift stopped and its doors opened. As Shabalala led Sisko out, the latter said, I tend to agree, but this is what the chamber of ministers wantedand they wouldnt approve the farming plan if Orta wasnt part of it.

  I thought Bajor needed this farm. Why would they jeopardize it just to please someone like Orta?

  Sisko smiled. Theyre politicians.