by Eric Kotani
“Nice job, Tom,” Janeway said. “Stand ready in case we have to make a quick escape. I want to be able to warp out of here almost instantly.”
Paris nodded. “Will do.”
Janeway stared at the incredible sight. In all her years, she’d never seen anything like it. At this new distance, the ship traveled around the neutron star pair at a breathtaking rate of seventeen minutes per revolution, or at a velocity of almost a thousand kilometers a second. It was the only way the ship could hold against the incredible gravitational forces of the two neutron stars. They had to be traveling at a speed that would throw them away from any normal planet or sun, yet here they were held in orbit over the two neutron stars by the incredible gravitational forces at work.
The two other ships seemingly held positions stationary beside Voyager on the screen, even though they were moving as fast. The relative positions of the three ships remained virtually constant by their choice of similar orbital elements, a distance far enough to avoid most of the deadly tidal forces of the two neutron stars, but sufficiently close to enable the precise observations necessary for determining exactly when the moment of truth would arrive: the moment when the lesser of the two stars would explode and fling the primary away.
When that happened, Janeway wanted everything to be ready, and for Voyager to be a distance away. A long distance away.
“Any identity on the other two ships?” she asked, forcing herself to sit back in her chair and take a deep breath. “Any response?”
“No, Captain,” Ensign Kim said. “One appears to be Qavok, but I’m not sure. The other, I have nothing to match it.”
“Agreed, Captain,” Tuvok said. “Second ship is of unknown configuration and armaments. I recommend caution.”
“Screens are up, Mr. Tuvok,” Janeway said. “But recommendation noted.”
“Enlarge on screen,” Chakotay said.
The images of the two ships filled the main screen, for the moment replacing the image of the binary. Janeway studied them. She had to admit that one of the alien ships had the primitive ruggedness of the Qavok frigate that they had rescued Tyla and Dr. Maalot from, except this one was substantially larger. Like the frigate, the ship had the outline of a misshapen ovoid with all sorts of protrusions. It reminded Janeway of pictures of a rhinoceros ready to charge. Ugly ship. Just plain ugly.
“Tuvok,” Janeway said, “can you get a reading on strength of armaments and screens on that large ship?”
“It is the same as the other Qavok ship,” Tuvok said after a moment. “It does not appear to present a real threat.”
“Good,” she said. “What about the other one?”
The second vessel looked eerie and almost ephemerally elegant beside the first. The exterior might have been conceived by a Rousseau or a Chagall. Although its shape did not really resemble it, the ship somehow evoked in Janeway’s mind the image of Taj Mahal under a moonlit sky. The designer had a very strange vision as far as Janeway was concerned. Where she expected to see sharp, defined edges, she found only gentle curves. There were lines where no lines needed to be, portals where none seemed likely. Very strange, yet surrealistically appealing.
Both ships were similar in size, about on par with Voyager. And considering their location so close to the binary neutron stars, they were clearly shielded and powerful enough.
“Both ships are now hailing us, Captain,” Kim said.
Janeway glanced around her bridge. It seemed that everything, at least for the moment, was on track.
“Set up a three-way conference, Mr. Kim. Make sure the other parties can see each other.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Janeway was not surprised to find a Qavok captain staring at her from the first screen, his reptilian teeth showing in what seemed to be a greeting.
The second screen showed a male face that looked almost human; perhaps these people were distant kin to the Lekks. Wide, green eyes and wide nostrils accented the thin face, making it seem more doll-like than anything else.
The Qavok spoke first. “I am Qados, captain of the Qavok Imperial Space Force warship Invincible.”
Like Captain Qavim, this Qados was gruff and to the point. Janeway instantly wondered why a warship was so close to the binary. A question she would get to later.
“Greetings,” she said, nodding.
“I am Captain Fedr of the Xorm astrophysical survey ship Gravity,” the second captain said.
“Greetings to you, also, Captain,” Janeway said. “I am Captain Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager.”
Captain Fedr bowed slightly.
Captain Qados made no move at all.
“I’m afraid, Captain Janeway, “Fedr said, “that I am not aware of a race such as yours in this area.”
“Nor I,” Qados said.
It was clear that Qados had not been informed from home yet about their rescue of the two Lekk escapees. She had no doubt he would be shortly.
“We are simply passing through this region,” Janeway said, smiling. “Our primary objective is scientific exploration and an event like this could not be missed.”
“It is special, isn’t it?” Captain Fedr said, smiling. “A rare, rare opportunity for all concerned.”
Captain Qados said nothing. She doubted, if there was truth to what the Lekks had told her, that he even cared about the science aspect of what was going on around him at all. He simply saw the phenomenon as a weapon, more than likely.
“I see that we are all here on an astrophysical expedition,” Janeway said, glancing first at Chakotay to make sure he understood where she was going. “Why don’t we bring our science officers into this conference at the beginning to make sure our communication lines in technical matters are open and uncluttered.”
“Good idea,” Captain Fedr said immediately, smiling. He looked sideways off the screen, then called out, “Dr. Janss, would you come and join us in this conference, please?”
Qados followed Fedr’s move, then shook his head in near disgust. “Very well. If that is what you both want, give me a moment. I will summon Dr. Qentor, our senior science officer.”
“I will need a minute, also,” Janeway said.
She signaled Kim to cut the connection, then turned to Tuvok. “You up for playing science officer in this?”
Tuvok nodded. “I have a basic understanding of what is occurring with the binary neutron star. I should be able to, as humans say, fake it.”
Janeway laughed. “Good. Because I can’t spare B’Elanna or Seven at the moment. And I don’t think our neighbors out there would like it if I played both parts.”
“I assume you have a reason for this idea,” Chakotay said.
“Just wanted to test their reactions,” she said. “I’m surprised that the Qavok apparently have a science officer whose official functions are to conduct astrophysical research. I would not have expected as much from them, considering what the Lekks have told us they overheard.”
Chakotay nodded.
“They may also be ‘faking it,’ Captain,” Tuvok said.
“True,” Janeway said. “Ready, Tuvok?”
“I am, Captain,” he said, stepping down to stand beside her command chair.
Janeway signaled Kim that the connection should be opened.
Standing beside Captain Qados was another Qavok. “I am Dr. Qentor,” he said.
“Dr. Janss,” the Xorm standing beside Captain Fedr said.
“Tuvok,” Tuvok said, bowing slightly in greeting. “According to our analysis of the preliminary data, the end to the life of this binary pulsar should come in a time span of about one day. Do you agree?”
Janeway wanted to smile at her security officer’s opening. When you are playing from the weaker hand, play aggressively.
“That agrees with our predictions, from our initial observations,” Dr. Janss said, nodding.
“Both your predictions basically agree with ours,” Dr. Qentor said. “So, obviously you have analyzed the data prop
erly.”
“That’s good to know,” Janeway said, smiling.
“We are all here for a scientific quest,” Captain Fedr said. “That much is clear. We all have the same objective—advancing our scientific knowledge. As it is, we are probably all a little short-handed and cannot do everything to our satisfaction. I suggest we help each other.”
“And how might that be possible?” Janeway asked.
The Qavok captain seemed uncomfortable.
“If you two will agree, why don’t we exchange a technical officer on a temporary basis? Possibly for only a few hours. For one thing, it will facilitate communications among our three ships. Working together we should be able to accomplish more. Gather more data,” Fedr said.
Janeway was actually surprised at the suggestion. She wanted to find out if those two other ships were indeed here for their stated purposes and sending an observer to each alien ship would be a good way to accomplish that goal.
“I agree,” she said. “A splendid idea, as long as the advisors have the ability to come and go as needed.”
The Qavok captain appeared reluctant, and Janeway didn’t blame him. They had put him in a terrible position. If his true mission here was to use the runaway neutron star as a massive weapon, hiding that fact from a trained observer would be difficult. Yet declining such an offer would also raise suspicions.
“We are perfectly capable of conducting our own research program,” Captain Qados said, “without any help from either of you. But, if you both feel that you need help, I shall not begrudge it. I will agree to your proposal. As a favor.”
Janeway smiled at the other two captains. “I’m sure Dr. Janss’s team is also quite competent to carry out their objectives. As for Voyager’s astrophysical program, I have full confidence in our team’s abilities. I’ve agreed with this proposal, however, because I do not wish to see any of us miss out on anything important.”
“Granted, Captain,” Captain Fedr said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Nothing should be missed.”
Janeway noted that the Xorm captain didn’t miss much at all, at least on the political side of things. She would not underestimate him, and she hoped to keep him squarely on her side.
“I told you already I was agreeing, didn’t I?” Captain Qados said. “Let us proceed.”
“I will need one hour to pick my two technicians,” Janeway said.
“One hour it is,” Captain Fedr said, and bowed slightly.
Captain Qados only cut the connection, leaving both the other captains smiling at each other before Janeway signaled to Kim that he should cut the communication link.
“Nice job, Tuvok.”
“I did not do very much,” Tuvok said flatly, moving back to his post at security.
“You did enough,” she said, sitting back down and staring at the beautiful, fast-moving neutron stars spinning outside. Just once she’d like to observe an event like this without the politics involved. Just once. Was that too much to ask?
She sighed. In this case it was.
She stood and turned to Chakotay. “Have Neelix meet me in my ready room in five minutes.”
“Understood,” Chakotay said.
She was almost off the bridge when the thought dawned on her and she turned back.
Chakotay was standing, facing her, smiling. “I’ll have him bring a cup of coffee with him,” he said.
“Thank you,” she said. Then she laughed as she turned and went into her ready room. Five cups? Six cups? Who was counting?
* * *
“Sorry for the delay, Captain,” Neelix said as he entered seven minutes later. “I had to brew another pot.”
The wonderful, thick, rich smell of the coffee filled the room as he set the cup on the edge of her desk. It was as if she had been suddenly in a friendly kitchen, safe from the dangers of the universe around her. Steam drifted from the cup, beckoning her to take a sip.
She picked up the cup and held it under her nose, letting the smell and the heat fill her with strength.
“How much do we have left of the beans?”
Neelix shrugged. “Enough to last until Lieutenant Torres has time to replicate more.”
Janeway only nodded. She very much hoped that Neelix was right about that. She took another sip, then nodded to him. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Captain,” he said, smiling.
“So, I need what you know about the Qavok Empire, and the Xorm people.”
“Xorm?” Neelix said. “We’ve met Xorm?”
“We have,” Janeway said. “Is that bad?”
“I’m not sure,” he said. “I’ve heard only legends, since my people never got to this area of space. They are concerned with science, art, and other pleasures of life.”
“More advanced than the Qavok?”
“In some areas,” Neelix said. “And clearly the Xorms are the more civilized of the two races. They have never used military conquests to further their needs. But they can defend themselves if pushed.”
“So you think we might be able to trust them?”
“From what I know, I’d say we could, within their own rules.”
“So, what do you think we can expect of the Qavok?” she asked, taking another sip of the wonderful coffee. The temperature had dropped just enough to make it perfect.
“The Qavoks are extremely warlike, with a cultural tradition that matches their outlook of the world. They cannot be trusted, Captain.”
Janeway nodded. She already knew that.
“To a Qavok defeat is not an acceptable option—not at least from their official point of view. They tend not to fight if defeat is possible. They can be quite tricky.”
“Somehow, that does not surprise me, Neelix,” Janeway said, smiling at her friend.
“Anything more, Captain? I have some wonderful reeds simmering on the stove for stew.”
“Just one more thing,” Janeway said. “How about the Lekks? You know anything about them?”
“Very little,” he said. “First I ever met were the two we had the lunch for.”
“No general information,” Janeway asked.
Neelix thought for a moment. “I have the impression that the Lekk are a strange people. A little backward, no real strong areas. I doubt if they’ve been around long. More than likely since the Qavok/Xorm alliance broke apart.”
“Alliance?” Janeway said, putting her coffee down and staring at Neelix. Sometimes getting straight information out of the Talaxian could be so darned annoying.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Captain,” Neelix said. “Their alliance broke apart centuries ago, and I felt it made no difference now.”
“You know what happened?”
Neelix shrugged. “The history goes that the more warlike Qavoks broke away centuries ago to pursue a goal of building a galactic empire of their own. Since then the two races have been at odds with each other. But the Xorms know how to defend themselves and the Qavok haven’t been able to make much headway. Must get under their skin.” With that, Neelix grinned.
“So maybe this Lekk system is just a little trophy they’re fighting over,” Janeway said.
Neelix shrugged. “I can see no other reason for the Qavok to take it over. The Lekk systems offer them nothing.”
“Nothing but systems to rule,” Janeway said. “And some just want to rule for the sake of ruling.”
Neelix nodded. “There is always that.”
CHAPTER 7
“CAPTAIN,” ENSIGN KIM SAID. “WE’VE GOT A problem.”
Janeway pulled her gaze away from the hypnotizing effects of the revolving neutron stars and glanced around at Kim. The ensign had that worried look on his face he got every time trouble was headed their way. She had come to recognize it, and right now he was looking as worried as she had ever seen him look.
“Six Qavok warships are headed this way at top speed.”
“Confirmed,” Tuvok said. “Estimated time of arrival, two minutes, thirty-seven seconds.”
&nbs
p; “So much for our little scientific exchange program,” Janeway said. “Mr. Paris, get us away from here. Put the binary between us and the approaching Qavok ships, then hold position. If we have to fight, I want to have some room.”
“Understood,” Paris said. His fingers flew over the panel in front of him.
On the main screen the images of the binary neutron star shrank. Janeway felt an odd sadness, as if she had been ordered to leave a friend. But at the moment she had no choice. There was no way she was going to ask Paris to hold an orbit close to two neutron stars while she fought with six ships. Too many chances for mistakes. But they would be back in time to watch the once-in-a-lifetime event from the perfect seat. She was going to see to that.
She stared at the screen for only a moment longer, then turned to Tuvok. “Are you monitoring Qados’s ship?”
“I am,” Tuvok said. “The Invincible bas just gone to an alert status and powered weapons. They have not moved to follow us.”
“And the Gravity?”
“The Xorm ship has raised its shields, but nothing more.”
Janeway nodded. “The Invincible will follow the lead of the other Qavok ships. And we’ll have seven against one. What are our chances?”
“Against all seven Qavok warships at once,” Tuvok said, “we would have an approximate chance of survival of point one five, owing to the synergetic effect of their weapons.”
“How about us against just two or three?”
Tuvok glanced at her. “Considerably better,” he said.
She glanced at the screen. The neutron star binary was still centered there, the two stars circling each other only hundreds of kilometers apart but not quite touching. Of course, when one did touch the other, Voyager had better not be anywhere near here.
She punched the comm link for Engineering. “Dr. Maalot?”
A moment later the Lekk physicist said, “Yes, Captain.”
“Do you have an estimated time remaining for the life of the binary?”
“About twelve hours,” he said. “More than likely twelve. Why have we pulled away?”
“I’ll explain shortly,” she said. “Thank you.”
She broke the connection and glanced at Chakotay. “Have Lieutenant Tyla brought to the bridge at once.”