After a moment, the computer’s 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 isn’t being used.”
“I hope that’s 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. She’s a bit on the—well, arrogant side. I know she’s a friend of yours, but—”
“It’s hard not to be arrogant after three hundred years, Captain.” With a small half-smile, he said, “I’ll 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, “It’s—good to have you back, Captain. You had us worried.”
“I’m afraid the center chair is going to remain occupied for a while longer, Commander,” Keogh said, allowing himself a smile.
“And you’re welcome to it, sir. I’m just glad I didn’t 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 wasn’t so sure.
As they entered Ten-Forward, he said, “I suppose you’ll want that Saurian swill of yours.”
“Actually, sir—I think I’d like to share a whiskey with you.” Shabalala broke into a grin.
After blinking in surprise, Keogh then smiled again. “I’d be honored, Commander.”
Within minutes, they sat at a table, sharing a bottle of syntheholic whiskey.
“Captain, if you don’t mind my asking—what happened?”
Again, Keogh frowned. “What happened when, Commander?”
“What happened to make you decide not to let anyone call you ‘Deco’—or even say the name in your presence?”
Instinctively, Keogh started to shoot down this line of conversation, but then stopped. If he isn’t 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 a—well, a wild man.”
“Really, sir?” Shabalala said, sounding surprised.
“Yes, really. I insisted everyone call me ‘Deco,’ and that informality stretched to—many 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 someone’s birthday—I don’t even remember whose—and 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 roster—perfectly within my rights as chief of security, mind you—and 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 moment—twenty-two years ago? Wasn’t that when—”
Keogh nodded. “The coup, yes. All five of my people down there died when the an-Jirok attacked—including Ensign Manojlovich, who should’ve 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 can’t 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 didn’t 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.”
“That’s not the point,” Keogh said angrily. “I was going to attend, and the only reason I didn’t was because I thought a party was more important than being ready to do my duty.”
“Maybe.” Shabalala hesitated, then put a hand on Keogh’s shoulder—a familiar gesture that surprised Keogh, and angered him slightly. “And certainly you’re not going to change your ways now. But you still can’t 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 I’m in a quiet room, I can hear her voice begging me to kill her. And yet, no matter how much that day haunts me—I don’t regret what I did. It needed to be done, I did it, and if I had to go through it again, the only thing I’d do differently is that I wouldn’t have hesitated before firing the phaser. Life is far too short to waste on might-have-beens, Captain.”
Keogh then heard a sound he hadn’t 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 hadn’t realized that what I said was so amusing, Captain.”
“It’s not that, Commander, it’s just—one of the reasons why I told you about the Lexington was that I wasn’t 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 wouldn’t go signing up for sessions with Counselor Zumsteg just yet.” Another hesitation. “But I’m 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.”
“I’ll definitely drink to that—Deco.”
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 disturb—or even discover the existence of—the 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 task—he 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 what’s 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 al
l civilians and nonessential personnel before their mission to the Gamma Quadrant, but that still leaves the death toll in the hundreds of thousands—merely 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 valiant 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 Ninenovel 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 crew—the first time Pocket Books has published a series focusing on Star Trek’s most 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 world’s 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
Spock’s 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
Vulcan’s Forge • Josepha Sherman & Susan Shwartz
Mission to Horatius • Mack Reynolds
Vulcan’s Heart • Josepha Sherman & 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
Captain’s 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 & 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 & Myrna Culbreath
#10 • Web of the Romulans • M.S. Murdock
#11 • Yesterday’s 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 • Uhura’s 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 & 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 • Vulcan’s 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 • Doctor’s 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 Transgr
ession • 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 & Dr. James I. Kirkland
#76 • The Captain’s Daughter • Peter David
#77 • Twilight’s End • Jerry Oltion
#78 • The Rings of Tautee • Dean Wesley Smith & 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 & George Zebrowski
#84 • Assignment: Eternity • Greg Cox
#85-87 • My Brother’s Keeper • Michael Jan Friedman
#85 • Republic
#86 • Constitution
#87 • Enterprise
#88 • Across the Universe • Pamela Sargent & George 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 & 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
The Brave And The Bold Book One Page 20
