by John Peel
Something hit the station’s force-shields. The energy field absorbed the blow, but for a second the power blinked, and the inertial dampers failed. The deck beneath Jake’s feet shook as if it were an earthquake.
On the beam Riv gave a strangled cry of surprise and lost his footing.
Jake saw Riv stumble and then fall. For one heart-stopping second, he was convinced that the Bajoran boy would die.
Then Kam flung herself forward. Her left hand wrapped about Riv’s wrist, and her other circled the beam. With a cry of pain she fell sprawled across the beam. She clung tightly with her right arm, and just as tightly to Riv with her other hand.
Riv swung below her, a hundred feet above the floor. There was pain on his face—and fear. He glanced down and then upward. Kam’s face was twisted in agony, and Jake saw that she was losing her grip on the beam.
“Let go!” Riv yelled at her. “If you don’t, you’re gonna fall, too! Let me go!”
“No,” Kam snarled. “I’m not going to let you die.”
“You can’t help it!” Riv shouted. “There’s no point in us both going!”
“No!”
Jake had been frozen to the spot, unable to move. As he watched Riv swinging in Kam’s tight grip, he saw that she was losing her hold on the beam. Her arm wasn’t strong enough to hold her weight and Riv’s. Jake didn’t like heights much, but he finally managed to get his feet moving. He jumped through the gap in the ceiling and then stepped out onto the beam. Behind him, he heard Nog gasp.
One quick glimpse of the Promenade far below him made him jerk his head back up to look out at Kam.
“Hang on!” he called. Slowly, his arms held out to keep his balance, he took small steps along the terribly thin beam. It sagged slightly under his added weight. If only it could stand this strain!
“Be careful, Jake,” his father called. Jake could hear the worry in the voice. “Odo’s getting some of his men to bring a portable tractor beam up here.”
“Okay,” he said, his teeth clenched to stop them chattering. Step by slow step, he moved out, struggling to keep his balance. Kam was barely able to hold on to the beam, but her grip on Riv’s wrist never weakened.
Then Jake was close enough to fall forward, along the beam. He put his left arm around it to lock himself in place, then reached down with his free hand. “Give me your other hand,” he ordered Riv. The Bajoran boy grabbed his hand, and Jake clutched back, taking most of the weight.
Kam sighed and managed to strengthen her hold on the bar now that she wasn’t having to support all of Riv. “Thanks, Jake,” she said.
He looked directly into her eyes. They were filled with pain and resolve. He knew she would have died rather than let go of Riv. “You’re the hero,” he told her. “I’m just trying to help out.”
Then he felt a strange sensation, as if invisible fingers were enfolding him.
“Got them,” said Odo’s voice with deep satisfaction. The portable tractor beam must have arrived. “All right,” the constable called. “You can let go of the beam now. We’ve got all three of you locked in.”
It was one of the hardest things Jake had ever done to loosen his hold on the beam. He was terribly afraid that when he did, he would fall and then smash into the floor far, far below. But he knew he could trust Odo. He let go.
And didn’t fall. The invisible fingers held him tightly. He didn’t let go of his grip on Riv’s hand, though, nor did Kam. She unwrapped her arm from the beam. The ghostly fingers tugged them gently back toward the gap in the wall. Jake couldn’t see behind him, but then he felt real hands grab him and pull him in. Equally firm and strong hands reached out as soon as he was through the hole to draw in Riv and Kam.
The invisible fingers relaxed, and Jake staggered to his feet. His father’s arms held him up, and he grinned back at him. His father gave him a wink. Then he looked at the Bajoran boy and Cardassian girl, who were being helped to their feet by Odo and one of his men. Slapping his communicator, he called, “Sisko to Kira: What’s our status?”
“It was just a warning shot, Commander,” her voice reported. “It was meant to hurry up our search for his daughter. Shields took the blow. No damage and no casualties.”
“There almost were,” Jake’s father said. “Tell the Gul that he almost succeeded in killing his own daughter, but that we have her and she’s safe. Sisko out.”
Jake stood beside Kam and Riv. The Bajoran didn’t seem able to raise his face to look at the others. “Are you going back to your father?” Jake asked Kam.
“I don’t have any choice,” she told him miserably. “If I don’t, he’ll attack this station.” She looked at Jake’s father. “I can’t ask you to let me stay now. It wouldn’t be fair.”
The commander nodded. “You’re a very brave girl. What will your father do when you get back?”
She shrugged. “He’ll probably kill me. I’ve embarrassed him in public by running away. He knows I wasn’t kidnapped, whatever he says.”
Riv stared at her now. “You’d go back to him? Even knowing you’re gonna die?”
“I don’t have any choice,” she said sadly. “If I don’t, he’ll blow up Deep Space Nine, and everyone will die.”
Riv swallowed. “I was really wrong about you, wasn’t I?” he managed to say. “You’re braver than I am—and a whole lot nicer, too.” His face set in a severe frown. “And I won’t let him hurt you.”
Nog snorted. “I don’t see what we can do.”
Riv grinned. “She may be braver and nicer than me, but I’m obviously still smarter than all of you. I’ve got a plan.”
Odo glared down at them all. “This,” he said, “I’ve got to hear.”
Major Kira glanced up from the main control panel in obvious relief. On the main screen Jake saw Kam’s father. Just looking at him made Jake shudder. Ashley gave a cry of pleasure and started across the room toward them, T’Ara following behind.
Jake, Nog, and Riv moved quickly to intercept them. It was vitally important that neither of them give anything away. “It’s okay,” Jake said loudly for the benefit of the Gul. “We’re fine. She didn’t hurt us.” With his back to the screen, he held a finger to his lips, hoping they’d follow his lead. If only Riv’s plan worked…
For a second it looked as though Ashley might say something. Thankfully, T’Ara caught on immediately. “We were most worried about you both,” she said. “I am glad you are safe.” Then she gave a wink before going stone-faced again.
“What is going on?” Gul Gavron demanded. “Did you rescue my daughter?”
“Daughter?” Jake’s father asked, putting as much anger as he could into his voice. “Then you accept responsibility for her actions?”
“Actions?” the Cardassian echoed, puzzled. “What are you talking about? She was kidnapped.”
“Kidnapped?” Commander Sisko shook his head. “You know that isn’t true. She’s a spy. And she kidnapped my son and his friends to try to hold them hostage.”
Gul Gavron’s eyes widened in shock. “She what?”
Taking her cue, Kam stepped forward, a meek expression on her face. “I’m sorry, Father,” she said. “I was just trying to make you proud of me. I was wrong.”
This was obviously not what the Gul had been expecting at all. “What do you mean? What did you do?”
Kam took a deep breath. “I wanted to be a good daughter to a Gul, so I stowed away on a freighter heading here to Deep Space Nine. I’ve been hiding out for a week, trying to learn the weak spots. I thought I’d make you proud of me by being a good spy, but I kind of screwed up, didn’t I?”
Gul Gavron’s face furrowed in a frown. “And you look all three of those boys hostage?”
Kam spread her hands helplessly. “I didn’t know what else to do. When the guards came after me, I panicked. I thought they’d come to arrest me, not to tell me you were here. So I took hostages.”
“Well!” Gul Gavron was starting to look almost proud.
Jake�
�s father glared up at the screen. “She’s a criminal and a spy,” he declared loudly. “If it were up to me, she’d spend most of her life in prison. However, in the interests of peace, I will allow her to return to you. I insist that she be treated as a criminal and punished very severely. Is that understood?”
“I understand, Commander,” the Cardassian replied.
“But you have no authority over me. I shall deal with her as I see fit. Now—send my daughter back!” He switched off the viewer.
Odo gave a sharp bark of a laugh. “A wonderful piece of acting, Commander,” he said. “I almost believed you myself.”
“The question is,” Jake said, worried, “did he believe it all?”
Riv snorted. “Are you kidding? He bought the whole thing.” He gave Kam a grin. “The art of telling a really good lie is to make sure it’s what the person listening really wants to hear. He’s gonna be as proud as anything of you for trying to be a spy.”
Kam nodded. “And since the commander insisted that I punished, he’ll treat me better than normal, I think, just to show he can’t be bossed around.” She sighed. “I hate telling such lies, even to him, but what else can I do?”
“Nothing,” Jake’s father said. “They started with the lies. If you told them what you really think, they would only punish you. That won’t help anyone, will it?”
“No.” Kam smiled wistfully. “I wish I could stay with you, but I must return. I won’t forget any of you. I promise that I’ll make sure that some Cardassians know the truth about what you’re really like.”
Riv grinned. “I bet you’ll do it. I’ve got a lot of faith in you.”
Ashley shook her head. “I’m missing something here. Riv likes you?”
The Bajoran punched her lightly on the arm. “Don’t let it go to your head,” he told her, “but even you’ve grown on me.”
Kam moved across to the transporter pad. She gave them all a sad wave. “Goodbye,” she called. “I promise I won’t forget!”
“Goodbye!” they all chorused as she vanished.
A moment later Dax looked up from her science station. “The ships are moving away,” she reported. “They are headed home.”
“Good.” Commander Sisko turned to Major Kira. “Cancel red alert. Odo, did your men find Riv Bothna?”
“Yes,” the constable replied. “They’re on their way here with him now.”
“Fine.” Jake’s father looked down at the Bajoran boy. “There’s just one thing to clear up now,” he said.
Jake shook his head. “Two things, actually.” He turned to Nog. “I think you’d better give Riv his earring back.”
“It’s mine,” Nog insisted. “I found it!”
Riv’s hand flew to his ear, and he reacted as he realized that he’d lost the relic of his parents. “It must have come off in the struggle,” he said. “I’d forgotten about it with so much happening.” He held out his hand. “Thanks for finding it for me,” he said.
“It’s mine,” Nog insisted. “I found it; it’s mine. That’s the Third Rule of Acquisition.”
Riv smiled slowly. “Then I guess I’ll just have to pierce your ear so you can wear it,” he said. He held up his fist and took a step forward.
Quickly Nog held out the earring. “Take it,” he said nervously. “The Seventy-Sixth Rule of Acquisition says: ‘Every once in a while, declare peace.’”
“Thanks.” Riv took his treasure back and pinned it in place just as the turbolift arrived. Two of Odo’s men pushed his uncle Bothna out of it and over to the commander.
“Commander Sisko!” Bothna said. He sounded on the verge of panic, but there was anger in his voice. “What has that evil little creature done now?”
Jake’s father glowered at the fat Bajoran. “Kidnapping,” he snapped. “Menacing. Endangering the lives of everyone on this station. I’m revoking his parole.”
Bothna looked happy. “Then you’ll throw him in jail where he belongs at last?” he asked.
“No.” Odo smiled as Bothna’s face went white with shock. “If you recall, when we last met, I told you I was releasing him into your custody. And that I was holding you responsible for his actions. I don’t think you quite understand. He isn’t being charged with those crimes—you are!”
“Me?” howled Bothna, on the verge of fainting. “But—but that’s not legal!”
Odo smiled at the Bajoran. “No, I agree. But it is justice.”
“You see,” Jake’s father explained, “I’m convinced that Riv has seen the error of his ways and given up his bad behavior. But I’m not convinced that you have. You have done nothing but complain about Riv. You’ve shown him no affection and no caring. Now, if I have your word that you will do your best to change and to try and give him a good home, then I’ll let you out on probation—under Riv’s care.”
“And if not?” asked Bothna, trembling.
Odo smiled nastily. “Oh, about thirty years in a jail cell, I think.”
“I accept.”
The commander smiled. “I thought you might.” He turned to Riv. “Do you think you can take responsibility for him?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Riv. He looked up at his uncle. “Today I’ve learned that a lot of my ideas were way off target. Maybe my feelings about Uncle Bothna were, too. I promise I’ll do my best.”
The tubby Bajoran looked down at his nephew, a frown on his face. “You will?” he asked, hardly able to believe it.
“Yes, Uncle,” Riv promised. “I’m sorry for everything I said to you in the past.”
Bothna looked at him, and then at Commander Sisko. “Well, if even Riv can change, then I guess I can, too. I give you my word, Commander, that I’ll do my best.”
Jake’s father smiled. “I can’t ask for more than that. Good luck … both of you.”
The two of them left Ops together. Jake’s father turned to face his son. “Jake, I am very proud of what you did today. You and your friends helped a great deal in all of this.”
Jake blushed. “Uh, thanks, Dad.”
“However,” his father finished, a little more severely, “this is still a school day. If you are not all down there within ten minutes, I shall recommend detention for the lot of you.”
Jake looked at Nog, Ashley, and T’Ara. The four of them turned and fled. As they did so, they heard both the commander and Odo chuckling.
“I don’t think he’s really serious,” Jake said as the lift took them down.
“Nah,” agreed Nog. “Grown-ups just hate having to owe kids for anything.”
“Back to school,” said T’Ara. “It will seem awfully quiet now if Riv behaves and now that Kam has gone. I miss her.” Then, as she realized that sounded suspiciously emotional, she added, “She presented an interesting opportunity to learn about the Cardassians.”
“Yeah,” Ashley agreed. “I’ll miss her, too.” Then she grinned. “On the other hand, this time when I fix the replicator, it’s gonna stay fixed. No more stew and cheesecake-ever!”
“I don’t know,” Jake managed to say with a perfectly straight face. “I was actually starting to kind of like it….”
About the Author
JOHN PEEL was born in Nottingham, England—home of Robin Hood. He moved to the U.S. in 1981 to get married and now lives on Long Island with his wife, Nan, and their wire-haired fox terrier, Dashiell. He has written more than forty books, including novels based on the top British science fiction TV series, Doctor Who, and the top American science fiction TV series, Star Trek. His novel, Star Trek: The Next Generation: Here There Be Dragons, is available from Pocket Books. He has also written several supernatural thrillers for young adults that are published by Archway Paperbacks—Talons, Shattered, Poison, and the forthcoming Maniac. He is working on his next Jake and Nog story, Field Trip, to be published next year.
About the Illustrator
TODD CAMERON HAMILTON is a self-taught artist who has resided all his life in Chicago, Illinois. He has been a professional illustrator for t
he past ten years, specializing in fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Todd is the current president of the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists and Illustrators. His original works grace many private and corporate collections. He has co-authored two novels and several short stories. When he’s not drawing, painting, or writing, his interests include metalsmithing, puppetry, and teaching.
