***
Whentheywerebackintheliftdescendingtowardsthehold,Samlookedatthe
Doctorcuriously.'LookslikeLysetWynter'sgoingtohaveherdestinyfulfilled
likeyousaid.Didyouthinkouttheargumentfortakingheralongassoonasshe asked?AndwereyoureadytospeakupforDelrayaswell?'
'Itdidoccurtomethattheirproposedparticipationmightinfluencematters
somewhat,'theDoctoradmitted.'CaptainLanchardwasobviouslythinkingalong
thesamelines,soIthinkitwasinevitable.Anyway,Rexton'sresponsesuggests
heknowsmorethanhe'slettingonaboutthederelict.
He'sactingonmorethanmerespeculation.'
'Yeah,heknowssomethingallright,'Samagreed.'ActuallyI'msurprisedhe
letustagalongsoeasily.'
'Probably because he realised our presence, as Moderators, might dissuade theNimosiansfromtakingdrasticactionagainsttheboardingparty,'theDoctor
explainedmatter-of-factly.
Sam found that her mouth had gone curiously dry. 'So we're a sort of
insurancepolicy?'
'Somethinglikethat.Ihopeourpremiumsarefullypaid.'
***
Vegahadtheboardingparty-exceptReng,whowasstillworkingontheshuttle
modifications-assembleinthebriefingroom.Onthebigscreencoveringmost
ofonewallwerepicturesofthealienshiptakenfromeveryangle.Foranhour
theyhadanalyseditseverydetailandplottedlikelypointsofaccess,referringto the enlarged views showing what they tentatively assumed were hatchways,
almosthiddenamidthecomplextopographyofitshull.
AstheyconferredVegaexaminedtheteamwithacriticaleye.
Lieutenant Matt Tane, third in command and the Indomitable's armaments
specialist, would lead the party. Exhibiting his usual external coolness, he was making careful notes on his personal datapad. First Pilot Del Argen was half smiling,hiseyesflickingacrosstheimagesasthoughitwasanewlandhewas
about to conquer. In contrast Second Tech Render, Reng's assistant for the mission,lookedquietlyresignedtohisduty.
Seated behind them were the six marines who would provide their escort, appearing professionally alert and easily concealing any anxiety they might be feeling.Afterall,thiswaswhattheyweretrainedfor.Alittleapartfromthemwas thesolidformofSquadleaderHarrenSho.Asalwayshisfacewasunreadable.If
hehadeverexhibitedanysignoftheslightestoutwardanxietyinanysituation,
Vegahadneverheardofit.Hewasnotacomfortablepersontohavearound.His
men respected but did not like him, and as far as Vega knew he had no close friends.Butifyouneededsomebodytorelyonabsolutelytogetajobdone,no
matterwhatthecost,hewasyourman.
Whenthebriefingwasconcluded,Vegaaddressedthem.'Althoughwestill
believe the vessel is empty, after what happened to Kerven we can't take any chances. The energy discharge and gravity shift may have been a routine functionorsomedefencemechanism.Beextremelycautiousbeforecommitting
yourself.Rememberthismaybeafirstcontactsituation.
Makeitpeacefulifyoucan-we'renotlookingtomakeanynewenemies.
Butdon'thesitatetodefendyourselvesifitbecomesnecessary.Aliensmust
learntotreatNimosianswithrespect.
'We'venoideawhytheEmindiansaresointerestedinthealiencraft,butif
they're willing to risk facing us down with a civilian ship carrying Federation passengersthen,intheopinionoftheIntelligenceanalystsbackhome,itmustbe something important. A task force will be dispatched from the Fourth Fleet to reinforceus,butevenattopspeedthey'reoveradayaway.
Meanwhile the Emindians may try to land a party on the alien craft with a viewtooccupyingit.Hopefullywewillboardfirst,inwhichcaseyourmission
istodiscoverwhatevertheEmindiansareafterandrecoveritforouruse.Thisis yourprimeobjective.Ifthatisnotpossibleand,inyourjudgement,theitemor
knowledge could pose any possible threat to Nimos, then at the very least you will deny it to the Emindians.That'll be your decision, Matt, if there's no opportunitytoconferwithme.'
Tanenoddedslightly.'Understood,sir.'
'IftheEmindianseffectentryandestablishabridgeheadonthecraftbefore
we do, then they must be removed, peacefully if possible. But if it becomes necessary, you are authorised to use whatever force necessary to achieve your objective.'
***
Thebriefmessage,relayedviashipphonetotheirsuite,statingthatCouncillor
Rexton would be honoured if Ms Lyset Wynter and Mr Don Delray would
accompany the craft soon to be dispatched to explore the derelict, was greeted withunalloyeddelightbyLyset.
'TheDoctorcamethrough!'sheexclaimed.'Hemusthavesomepull.'
'Sohemust,'Delrayadmitted.
Lyset had already turned out her camera case and was sorting its
contents.'Whatdidhesayhewasagain?'
'Just a functionary,' Delray said glumly. 'Apparently civil servants stick together.'
Lysetpausedinherworktoreachoutahandtobrushhischeek.'Don'tfeel bad about it, Don. Just because this time you couldn't swing it for me.' She turned back to her case again before he could take her hand, half talking to herself:'Betterusefilmwiththatinterference...nofancycircuitry.WishI'dhad the Hamnex vacuum-proofed. Have to take the Scintar with the booster tube...
andthemini-floods.Maybeaninfraredconverteraswell.
Delray watched in silence for a minute as she checked over the equipment with her quick, practised hands, then asked, 'Are you sure you want to go throughwiththis?Itcouldbedangerous.'
Shelookedupathimwithfrankpuzzlementshowingplainlyacrossherface.
"That's never stopped me before, you know that. What's different about this time?'
'Because I'm actually here and 1 couldn't stand seeing anything...' He
fumbledforwords.'Triteasitsounds,meetingyouwasthebestthingthatever
happenedtome.'
'That romantic encounter in Evan's waiting room,' she said with a
reminiscentsmile.'Ialwayswonderedifheplannedthat.'
Delraymanagedaweaksmile.'Agoodagentcanarrangeanything.'
'True. Hey, hadn't you better let him know what's happened, and get ready yourself?'Sheturnedtoherwardrobe.'Now,where'smyfieldkit?'
***
'Theinsurerswillneverstandforit,Don!'EvanArcoviansaidfiveminuteslater astheystoodintheloungeofhisowncabin."Theywerestickyenoughoveryou doing that dive for real in your last picture.' He threw his hands up in the air.'This'llkill'em,Iswearitwill.'
'Well they're going to have to live with it, Evan. I'll sign a waiver or somethingifnecessary,butifLyset'sgoingthenI'vegottoaswell.Nochoice.
CanyouimaginewhatthenewsslotswouldsayifIdidn't?Anyway,thinkofthe
bonusside:publicity.I'llbepartofarealadventureforonceinmylife...'Hesaw the little man's face fall and added hastily, 'There's probably nothing to worry about.Thething'sjustanoldhulkwithsomebadpowercells.'
'Don - you felt the kick that thing gave us earlier. What if it does it again whileyou'reonboard?'
'Look,Rexton'sleadingthisjaunt.Warheroornot,Idon't
thinkhe'driskhis
skin unless he thought he had a pretty fair chance of making it through safely.
He wants the top job, remember? Anyway, Evan, just fix it. Earn that ten per cent.'
'Don'tIalways,Don?'
Delraysmiled.'Fine.NowI'vegottogetready.'
He turned about and left the cabin quickly. He didn't see the expression on Arcovian's face as he went, or hear the quiet:'Take care, Don', spoken to his retreatingback.
Chapter6
AMeetingattheRail
LesterPlechtwaswokenbyhiswife'selbowdiggingintothesmallofhisback.
Years of habit caused the words, 'What's wrong, dear?' to issue from his lips evenbeforehewasfullyawake.
'Doyouhearthat?'RhondaPlechtsaidindignantly.
Lester raised his head from the pillow and listened. The distant shuffle of feetandraisedvoiceswerefilteringthroughfromthecorridorsideofthecabin.
'Justsomepeopleoutside,dear,'hesaiddrowsily."They'renotveryloudand I'msurethey'llgoawaysoon.'
'What'sthetime?'
Hesquintedattheilluminatedbedsidedisplay.
'Uh,halfpastone,dear.'
Rhondasniffed.'Ithoughtso:themiddleofthenight.Somewildparty,no
doubt.Iassumedwewouldonlyhavepeopleonthisvoyagewhoshowedproper
considerationforothers.Findoutwhotheyareandtellthemtostop.'
'Rightnow,dear?
'Ofcourse.'
'Can'twejustcallthesteward-'
'They never do anything. Remember how unhelpful they were last time I
complained.Nowgooutthereandstopthem.'
'Yesdear,'Lestersaidresignedly,throwingbackthecoversandsearchingfor
hisslippers.
***
Lesterdidnotfindthedrunkenmerrymakinghiswifehadassumedwastaking
place, when he cautiously emerged from his compartment. Instead, a steady streamofpeople,manystillintheirnightclothes,ashewas,weremakingtheir
way to the promenade deck. Most were carrying cameras and several had
childrenwiththem;somewerebeingdraggedalongbytheiroffspring.
Puzzled, Lester joined the flow. On reaching the promenade he found the railsalreadywellcrowded.Pushingforwardasvigorouslyashisnatureallowed,
hemanagedtosqueezehimselfintoanarrowgapandpeeroutintospace.There
wastherathersinister-lookingbulkofthealienvessel,andtoonesideofitthe smallerformoftheNimosianwarship.Nothingseemedtohavechanged.Yetall
around him people were talking and pointing and holding their cameras ready.
Whatwasgoingon?Therewasabulkyblue-skinnedYevronmaletohisleft,but hewasalwaysnervousabouttalkingtoaliensforfearhemightunwittinglysay
somethingrude.
'Excuseme,butwhat'shappening?'heaskedthepersononhisleft,realising
onlyashedidsothatitwasayoungandratherattractivewoman.
Sheturnedabrightfacetohimandgaveacarefreesmile.
'Anyminutenowthey'resendingashuttleovertoexplorethederelict.Lyset
WynterandDonDelrayaregoingwiththem.'
She was tall and lithe, rising half a head over his small and slightly portly figure. He realised she was quite unselfconsciously dressed in a very brief nightshirtwhich,hecouldn'thelpnoticing,washeronlygarment.Thecrushof
bodiespressedthemtogether,butitdidn'tseemtobotherher.Hewassuddenly
acutelyawareofherwarmthandthescentofherbody.
'Really,'hesaid,graspingforwords.'How...exciting.'
Shefavouredhimwithanothersmileandhebaskedinitsinnocentwarmth.
'Delraymustbedoingitforthepublicity,ofcourse,butIwonderwhatsort
ofpicturesWynterwillbringback?Haveyouseenmuchofherwork?'
Beforehecouldreplyanall-too-familiarvoicecutthroughthebabbleabout
him.
'Lester!Wherehaveyoubeen?'
Hespunaboutguiltily.Rhonda,wearingherfulllengthdressinggownpulled
tightlyacrossherfront,wasglaringathim.Aspacerapidlyopenedupbetween
them, as it tended to before the force of her glare, leaving him feeling terribly isolated.
'Justtryingtofindoutwhatwasgoingonasyouasked,dear,'heexplained
rapidly.'It wasn't a party after all.They're sending a shuttle over to the alien ship.'
Rhondawaseyeinghiscompanion.'Well,ifwearegoingtobewokeninthe
middleofthenightbyhordesofcuriosityseekersmarchingpastourdoor,they
might at least dress correctly. There are certain standards of decency, you know.'
Theyoungwomanglanceddownathercostumeinmildsurprise,thenather
accuser. 'You're lucky I stopped to put it on,' she replied simply. 'Sorry if it bothersyou.'
InadesperateattempttodivertRhonda'sscorn,Lestersaid,'Apparentlythat
actor,DonDelray,andLysetWynterwillbeontheshuttle,dear.'
'Lysetwho?'
'The photographer, dear. Remember those striking pictures of the Tor-zak
war-'
'Thosepictureswerequiterevolting,'Rhondasaid.
Lester seemed to shrink a little.'Yes, dear. But I only meant that... they broughthometherealityofthesuffering.'
Hefelthimselfbegintosweat.Outofthecornerofhiseyehesawthatthe
youngwomanwasstillwatchinghim.Whyshouldsomebodysoattractivehave
tostartpayingattentiontohimnowofalltimes?
'Wedonotneedtobeexposedtothenauseatingdetails,'RhondaPlechtsaid
flatly.'Everybodyknowswarsareunpleasant.'
'Yes,dear,'Lesteragreedmeekly.
'But perhaps some people need to be reminded from time to time?' the girl said, unexpectedly standing her ground against Rhonda in a way Lester hadn't donefortwentyyears.
Rhonda Plecht sniffed again, as though to indicate that respectable people knewwhatshouldbeseenandwhatshouldbeleftwellalone.
'I must say it is a little inconsiderate of the company to send a party over thereafterwhathappenedtotheNimosians,'Lestercontinued,tryingdesperately
todivertRhonda'sattentionfromthegirl,whowasstillstandingreallytooclose tohim.'Itmightbedangerous.'
'Mightit?'cameanexcitedvoice.
Dan Engers had joined the growing crowd at the rail with his slightly
embarrassedfatherintow.
'That child ought to be in bed,' Rhonda Plecht told Engers Senior. 'Let him have his fun,' the young woman said before the man could respond. Lester cringedandtookasurreptitiousstepawayfromher.Shewasactuallygoingto
arguewithRhonda!
However,Danspokeupforhimself.'I'mallowedtostayupwhenwe'reon
holidayifthere'ssomethingspecial.DonDelraymightbechasingaliensoutof
thereanyminutenow.'Hehadclearlycomepreparedtodobattleinsupportof
hishero,armedashewaswithatoyraygun.
'They won't be doing anything of the sort, young man,' Rhonda Plecht said censoriously.'Really!Allthisfussaboutanoldwreck.Still,anythingtoprevent thosedreadfulNimosiansfromgettingtheirhandsonit,Isuppose.'
'Yes,dear,'LesterPlechtsaidwithrelief.
'Well,ifyou'vesatisfiedyourcuriosity,weshallreturntoourcompartment
andtrytogetalittlesleep.'
With a last disapproving glance th
at took in the gathering crowd on the promenade, she swept away, Lester trailing meekly behind her.As he rounded the corner he glanced back wistfully at the sight of people innocently enjoying themselves. He caught the eye of the young woman again, and she gave him
another of those wonderful smiles, tinged with sympathy. He was sure she understoodhissituationandfeltsorryforhim.
He felt his hand begin to lift in an acknowledging wave, but then came a shoutof,'Theretheyare!'andsheturnedherattentionbacktothestars.
Chapter7
OutoftheShadows?
Kale Rexton stared intently at the image of the derelict as it filled the monitor screenthatextendedfromthearmofhisseat.
He felt that familiar heightening of the senses he associated with going out onpatrolinthedayswhenhe'dbeenflyingfromthegoodoldGriffon,blessher
creakinglaunchramps.Itmadeeverydayexistenceseempallidbycomparison,
merelyapreludetotherealpurposeoflife.Itwasafeelinghethoughthehad
lostforever.Butnowfetehaddealthimonemorehand.Atlast,afterallthese
years,theyoughthavetheanswerstheywanted.Byourresolveweshallprevail,
heremindedhimselfsilently.
HeglancedaroundhimatthecrewoftheshuttleDoria.
The Doctor and his assistant were currently examining the image of the
derelict on their own screens and exchanging murmured words. He'd have to keep an eye on them, especially the Doctor. He was harder than he looked.
Rextonresentedtheirpresence,ofcourse,butmilitarytraininghadtaughthimto turn circumstances to his advantage.The pair might yet have other uses before themissionwasover.
ThesamecouldprobablynotbesaidaboutDelrayandWynter.Hecouldjust
abouttoleratethephotographer,butanactor!Still,theirpresencehadundeniably improved morale on the Cirrandaria .The rails had been lined by waving
passengerswhentheysetoff.Hejusthopedthepairwouldstayoutofhisway.
Theprofessionalshuttlepersonnel,hedecided,probablyrepresentedthebest
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