STAR TREK - The Brave and the Bold Book One Read online

  Keogh reacted immediately. Computer, scan the shuttlebay for any anomalous readings and report.

  After a moment, the computers voice calmly said, No anomalous readings.

  Shabalala had taken out a tricorder. The artifact is reading as inert, sir.

  Sisko shrugged. Probably shutting down now that it isnt being used.

  I hope thats all it is, Keogh said.

  After Kira departed, Sisko, Keogh, and Shabalala went to a turbolift.

  Would you like to join us in Ten-Forward, Commander? Keogh asked Sisko.

  Perhaps later. I want to bring this thing to Dax for safekeeping. Someone from the Rector Institute on Earth is scheduled to come to DS9 and pick it up in a month or two.

  I have to say, Commander, Keogh said to Sisko, I was less than impressed with your science officer. Shes a bit on thewell, arrogant side. I know shes a friend of yours, but

  Its hard not to be arrogant after three hundred years, Captain. With a small half-smile, he said, Ill be sure to let her know of your assessment.

  Keogh and Shabalala got off at deck ten, leaving Sisko to continue up to deck eight and the guest quarters.

  After a hesitation, Shabalala said, Itsgood to have you back, Captain. You had us worried.

  Im afraid the center chair is going to remain occupied for a while longer, Commander, Keogh said, allowing himself a smile.

  And youre welcome to it, sir. Im just glad I didnt have to lose another CO so soon.

  Keogh frowned. He knew the details of Patnira, of course, but had thought Shabalala recovered from it. Now, he wasnt so sure.

  As they entered Ten-Forward, he said, I suppose youll want that Saurian swill of yours.

  Actually, sirI think Id like to share a whiskey with you. Shabalala broke into a grin.

  After blinking in surprise, Keogh then smiled again. Id be honored, Commander.

  Within minutes, they sat at a table, sharing a bottle of syntheholic whiskey.

  Captain, if you dont mind my askingwhat happened?

  Again, Keogh frowned. What happened when, Commander?

  What happened to make you decide not to let anyone call you Decoor even say the name in your presence?

  Instinctively, Keogh started to shoot down this line of conversation, but then stopped. If he isnt as over Patnira as I thought, maybe my story will do him some good.

  You may find this hard to believe, Commander, but I had something of a reputation in my younger days as awell, a wild man.

  Really, sir? Shabalala said, sounding surprised.

  Yes, really. I insisted everyone call me Deco, and that informality stretched tomany things. Mostly to women and drinking. He held up his glass. Usually liquids far stronger and less syntheholic than this. He took a sip from the glass, then set it down, staring at the amber liquid, imagining he could see his younger self. One night, twenty-two years ago, I was security chief on the Lexington. I indulged in both pursuitsrather aggressively the night before we arrived at Altair VI to attend a presidential inauguration. It was someones birthdayI dont even remember whoseand we had a very loud party on the rec deck. I woke up the next morning with an overloading phaser in my head, cotton in my mouth, and a sudden desire to not attend a dull ceremony. So I changed the duty rosterperfectly within my rights as chief of security, mind youand stayed on the ship at tactical while sending down my assistant chief in my place, along with the five other security guards that had been requested to attend the inauguration.

  Shabalala gave Keogh a look. Wait a momenttwenty-two years ago? Wasnt that when

  Keogh nodded. The coup, yes. All five of my people down there died when the an-Jirok attackedincluding Ensign Manojlovich, who shouldve been safe back on the bridge. But, because I was young and stupid, he died.

  Shabalala took a sip of his whiskey, then gave Keogh as serious a look as the captain had ever seen from his first officer. Sir, you cant blame yourself for that. Every two years since the founding of the Federation, Starfleet has sent three ships to attend the inauguration at Altair VI. The only time they didnt was during the time the an-Jirok ruled, and that only lasted three years. Starship crews live in dread of getting the assignment. There was no reason for you to attend as chief of security for an event that had, until that point, had the same level of security concerns as walking to the bridge from your quarters.

  Thats not the point, Keogh said angrily. I was going to attend, and the only reason I didnt was because I thought a party was more important than being ready to do my duty.

  Maybe. Shabalala hesitated, then put a hand on Keoghs shouldera familiar gesture that surprised Keogh, and angered him slightly. And certainly youre not going to change your ways now. But you still cant blame yourself. Every day, I think about what happened on Patnira. Every time I close my eyes, I see the horrendous thing that Captain Simon became. Every time Im in a quiet room, I can hear her voice begging me to kill her. And yet, no matter how much that day haunts meI dont regret what I did. It needed to be done, I did it, and if I had to go through it again, the only thing Id do differently is that I wouldnt have hesitated before firing the phaser. Life is far too short to waste on might-have-beens, Captain.

  Keogh then heard a sound he hadnt heard in quite some time his own laughter.

  Several heads in Ten-Forward turned in surprise, as their captain laughing was a unique experience.

  Shabalala himself was grinning. I hadnt realized that what I said was so amusing, Captain.

  Its not that, Commander, its justone of the reasons why I told you about the Lexington was that I wasnt sure if you had gotten over what happened on Patnira. Looks like I was the one who needed the therapy.

  Well, if I were you, sir, I wouldnt go signing up for sessions with Counselor Zumsteg just yet. Another hesitation. But Im glad we had this conversation, nonetheless.

  As am I, Commander, as am I. Keogh raised his glass. To many years of serving together, Mr. Shabalala.

  Ill definitely drink to thatDeco.

  Over the years, the Klingon Empire had built a large base on Narendra III. Proximate to both the Romulan and Federation borders, it was the site of a treacherous attack by several Romulan warbirds. Only the sacrifice of the Starship Enterprise, commanded by Rachel Garrett, enabled the base to survive.

  In all the years that the Klingons occupied the world, though, they never managed to disturbor even discover the existence ofthe metal box with the green glow.

  The screams had continued all but uninterrupted. Their only pause had been a century ago. There had been hope then, but it was fleeting.

  That hope revived itself with a second chance for freedom. This one was much better suited to the taskhe was a fighter, a warrior, and, best of all, a warmonger. The signs were much better than they were the last time.

  But he too failed.

  And the screaming continued.

  However, now four more minds joined the three that had imprinted themselves before.

  Now there were potentially seven to fight on behalf of Malkus the Mighty.

  When the time was right

  Second Interlude

  Station log, Deep Space 9, Commander Benjamin Sisko, Stardate 47999.2

  The U.S.S. Yorktown and Venture are on their way to the station, the former to transport the survivors of the Odyssey, the latter to begin the cleanup work on whats left of the New Bajor colony.

  To say that the existence of this new threat from the Gamma Quadrant troubles me would be a vast understatement. The Dominion has made its hostile intentions clear with the destruction of New Bajor and the kamikaze attack on the Odyssey that resulted in the deaths of Captain Keogh, Commander Shabalala, and the rest of their fine crew. Captain Keogh at least offloaded all civilians and nonessential personnel before their mission to the Gamma Quadrant, but that still leaves the death toll in the hundreds of thousandsmerely to prove a point.

  I have requested that Starfleet assign additional forces to the station. The deaths of the good people of New Bajor and the valia
nt crew of the Odyssey will not go unavenged.

  TO BE CONTINUED

  About the Author

  After a trip to the galactic barrier in order to save an injured Klingon, Keith R.A. DeCandido found himself seventy thousand light years from home and put on trial for the crimes of humanity, after which he was declared Emissary. Eventually, after switching bodies with an insane woman, he was able to become one with the Prophets, stop an anti-time wave from destroying the multiverse, and get home with the help of his alternate future self. These days, he writes in a variety of milieus. His other Star Trek work ranges from the Star Trek The Next Generation novel Diplomatic Implausibility to the Star Trek Deep Space Nine novel Demons of Air and Darkness to the TNG comic book Perchance to Dream to the DS9 novella Horn and Ivory. In addition, he is the co-developer of the Star Trek S.C.E. line, and has written or cowritten over half a dozen eBooks in this series of adventures featuring the Starfleet Corps of Engineers (some reprinted in the volumes Have Tech, Will Travel and Miracle Workers in early 2002). The year 2003 will see the debut of Star Trek I.K.S. Gorkon, books starring Captain Klag and his Klingon crewthe first time Pocket Books has published a series focusing on Star Trek 'smost popular aliens. To say Keith is thrilled at this opportunity would be the gravest of understatements. He will also be contributing to the Star Trek The Lost Era mini-series.

  In addition to all this Trek kin, Keith has written novels, short stories, and nonfiction books in the worlds of Andromeda, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Doctor Who, Farscape, Magic The Gathering, Marvel Comics, and Xena. He is also the editor of the upcoming anthology of original science fiction Imaginings.

  Keith lives in the Bronx with his girlfriend and the worlds two goofiest cats. Find out even more useless information about him at his official Web site at the easy-to-remember URL of DeCandido.net, or just e-mail him directly at [email protected] and tell him just what you think of him.

  Look for STAR TREK fiction from Pocket Books

  Star Trek Enterprise The First Adventure Vonda N. McIntyre

  Strangers From the Sky Margaret Wander Bonanno

  Final Frontier Diane Carey

  Spocks World Diane Duane

  The Lost Years J.M. Dillard

  Prime Directive Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens

  Probe Margaret Wander Bonanno

  Best Destiny Diane Carey

  Shadows on the Sun Michael Jan Friedman

  Sarek A.C. Crispin

  Federation Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens

  Vulcans Forge Josepha Sherman amp; Susan Shwartz

  Mission to Horatius Mack Reynolds

  Vulcans Heart Josepha Sherman amp; Susan Shwartz

  The Eugenics Wars The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh, Books One and Two Greg Cox

  The Last Round-Up Christie Golden

  Novelizations

  Star Trek The Motion Picture Gene Roddenberry

  Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan Vonda N. McIntyre

  Star Trek III The Search for Spock Vonda N. McIntyre

  Star Trek IV The Voyage Home Vonda N. McIntyre

  Star Trek V The Final Frontier J.M. Dillard

  Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country J.M. Dillard

  Star Trek Generations J.M. Dillard

  Starfleet Academy Diane Carey

  Star Trek books by William Shatner with Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens

  The Ashes of Eden

  The Return

  Avenger

  Star Trek Odyssey (contains The Ashes of Eden, The Return , and Avenger)

  Spectre

  Dark Victory

  Preserver

  Captains Peril

  1 Star Trek The Motion Picture Gene Roddenberry

  2 The Entropy Effect Vonda N. McIntyre

  3 The Klingon Gambit Robert E. Vardeman

  4 The Covenant of the Crown Howard Weinstein

  5 The Prometheus Design Sondra Marshak amp; Myrna Culbreath

  6 The Abode of Life Lee Correy

  7 Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan Vonda N. McIntyre

  8 Black Fire Sonni Cooper

  9 Triangle Sondra Marshak amp; Myrna Culbreath

  10 Web of the Romulans M.S. Murdock

  11 Yesterdays Son A.C. Crispin

  12 Mutiny on the Enterprise Robert E. Vardeman

  13 The Wounded Sky Diane Duane

  14 The Trellisane Confrontation David Dvorkin

  15 Corona Greg Bear

  16 The Final Reflection John M. Ford

  17 Star Trek III The Search for Spock Vonda N. McIntyre

  18 My Enemy, My Ally Diane Duane

  19 The Tears of the Singers Melinda Snodgrass

  20 The Vulcan Academy Murders Jean Lorrah

  21 Uhuras Song Janet Kagan

  22 Shadow Lord Laurence Yep

  23 Ishmael Barbara Hambly

  24 Killing Time Della Van Hise

  25 Dwellers in the Crucible Margaret Wander Bonanno

  26 Pawns and Symbols Majliss Larson

  27 Mindshadow J.M. Dillard

  28 Crisis on Centaurus Brad Ferguson

  29 Dreadnought! Diane Carey

  30 Demons J.M. Dillard

  31 Battlestations! Diane Carey

  32 Chain of Attack Gene DeWeese

  33 Deep Domain Howard Weinstein

  34 Dreams of the Raven Carmen Carter

  35 The Romulan Way Diane Duane amp; Peter Morwood

  36 How Much for Just the Planet? John M. Ford

  37 Bloodthirst J.M. Dillard

  38 The IDIC Epidemic Jean Lorrah

  39 Time for Yesterday A.C. Crispin

  40 Timetrap David Dvorkin

  41 The Three-Minute Universe Barbara Paul

  42 Memory Prime Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens

  43 The Final Nexus Gene DeWeese

  44 Vulcans Glory D.C. Fontana

  45 Double, Double Michael Jan Friedman

  46 The Cry of the Onlies Judy Klass

  47 The Kobayashi Maru Julia Ecklar

  48 Rules of Engagement Peter Morwood

  49 The Pandora Principle Carolyn Clowes

  50 Doctors Orders Diane Duane

  51 Enemy Unseen V.E. Mitchell

  52 Home Is the Hunter Dana Kramer-Rolls

  53 Ghost-Walker Barbara Hambly

  54 A Flag Full of Stars Brad Ferguson

  55 Renegade Gene DeWeese

  56 Legacy Michael Jan Friedman

  57 The Rift Peter David

  58 Faces of Fire Michael Jan Friedman

  59 The Disinherited Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger

  60 Ice Trap L.A. Graf

  61 Sanctuary John Vornholt

  62 Death Count L.A. Graf

  63 Shell Game Melissa Crandall

  64 The Starship Trap Mel Gilden

  65 Windows on a Lost World V.E. Mitchell

  66 From the Depths Victor Milan

  67 The Great Starship Race Diane Carey

  68 Firestorm L.A. Graf

  69 The Patrian Transgression Simon Hawke

  70 Traitor Winds L.A. Graf

  71 Crossroad Barbara Hambly

  72 The Better Man Howard Weinstein

  73 Recovery J.M. Dillard

  74 The Fearful Summons Denny Martin Flinn

  75 First Frontier Diane Carey amp; Dr. James I. Kirkland

  76 The Captains Daughter Peter David

  77 Twilights End Jerry Oltion

  78 The Rings of Tautee Dean Wesley Smith amp; Kristine Kathryn Rusch

  79 Invasion! 1 First Strike Diane Carey

  80 The Joy Machine James Gunn

  81 Mudd in Your Eye Jerry Oltion

  82 Mind Meld John Vornholt

  83 Heart of the Sun Pamela Sargent amp; George Zebrowski

  84 Assignment Eternity Greg Cox

  85-87 My Brothers Keeper Michael Jan Friedman

  85 Republic

  86 Constitution

  87 Enterprise

  88 Across the Universe Pamela Sargent amp; Geor
ge Zebrowski

  89-94 New Earth

  89 Wagon Train to the Stars Diane Carey

  90 Belle Terre Dean Wesley Smith with Diane Carey

  91 Rough Trails L.A. Graf

  92 The Flaming Arrow Kathy and Jerry Oltion

  93 Thin Air Kristine Kathryn Rusch amp; Dean Wesley Smith

  94 Challenger Diane Carey

  95-96 Rihannsu Diane Duane

  95 Swordhunt

  96 Honor Blade

  97 In the Name of Honor Dayton Ward

  Star Trek The Original Series The Janus Gate L.A. Graf

  1 Present Tense

  2 Future Imperfect

  3 Past Prologue

  Errand of Vengeance Kevin Ryan

  1 The Edge of the Sword

  2 Killing Blow

  3 River of Blood

  Star Trek The Next Generation Metamorphosis Jean Lorrah

  Vendetta Peter David

  Reunion Michael Jan Friedman

  Imzadi Peter David

  The Devils Heart Carmen Carter

  Dark Mirror Diane Duane

  Q-Squared Peter David

  Crossover Michael Jan Friedman

  Kahless Michael Jan Friedman

  Ship of the Line Diane Carey

  The Best and the Brightest Susan Wright

  Planet X Michael Jan Friedman

  Imzadi II Triangle Peter David

  I, Q John de Lancie amp; Peter David

  The Valiant Michael Jan Friedman

  The Genesis Wave, Books One, Two, and Three John Vornholt

  Immortal Coil Jeffrey Lang

  A Hard Rain Dean Wesley Smith

  The Battle of Betazed Charlotte Douglas amp; Susan Kearney

  Novelizations

  Encounter at Farpoint David Gerrold

  Unification Jeri Taylor

  Relics Michael Jan Friedman

  Descent Diane Carey

  All Good Things Michael Jan Friedman

  Star Trek Klingon Dean Wesley Smith amp; Kristine Kathryn Rusch

  Star Trek Generations J.M. Dillard

  Star Trek First Contact J.M. Dillard

  Star Trek Insurrection J.M. Dillard

  Star Trek Nemesis J.M. Dillard

  1 Ghost Ship Diane Carey

  2 The Peacekeepers Gene DeWeese

  3 The Children of Hamlin Carmen Carter

  4 Survivors Jean Lorrah

  5 Strike Zone Peter David

  6 Power Hungry Howard Weinstein