Star Trek - TNG - 63 - Maximum Warp, Book Two

by Dave Galanter

  "Of course," Riker said. "And someday it might even complete."

  The Romulan woman lowered her eyes in acceptance. "Perhaps."

  As they opened the gate before them, Deanna asked, "And the Caltiskans?"

  "Their system is safe, once again," Folan said. The last to step through the yard's small gate, she closed it behind them all. "The technology that allows their star and planet to not be torn into the black hole is unchanged, and again under their care. We are in negotiations regarding reparations for their civic and population losses."

  Deanna nodded approvingly. "And Tobin?"

  At the mention of his name, Folan seemed to shrug. "He is welcome to stay with you. The terms of the treaty are such that one cannot 'defect' as such. He may return to Romulus should he wish it. Should you speak with him, you may tell him he's been decorated with the highest civilian honor for bravery."

  Riker chuckled. "I'm sure he'll be pleased."

  Just as they reached the door, Folan put a hand on his arm and drew his attention. "And tell your... tell Picard he should have been granted one as well."

  "You have my word on it," Riker said, and smiled warmly.

  "Well, someone should ring the bell." Deanna looked for a button to push on the side of the door.

  Riker made a fist and wrapped on the door. "This'll do."

  A few moments' wait, and Nien was opening the door. She saw first Deanna, then Riker, and was obviously stunned with delight. "Oh ... my ... Ri-ker..." Then she noticed Folan and a look of worry creased her face. "Who are you?"

  "Commander Folan, ma'am," she said softly. "Jolan true to you."

  Still a quick detector of good character, Nien opened her door widely and smiled. "Jolan true. Please come in." She gestured for them to enter, then looked up at Riker. "I didn't think to see you again."

  Riker reached down and kissed her hand. "Hey, someone buys me, they buy the best." With his other hand he reached into his tunic pocket and pulled out a small bag. "I couldn't let you give your life savings for our cause and see nothing in return." He pressed the bag into her hands.

  She opened it, slowly, old fingers fumbling with the tie. "Latinum?" she asked with a gasp. "This is far more than--"

  "Courtesy of Starfleet."

  "And," Folan added, "I hear from someone with Senate influence that your husband's pension has been increased."

  With sparkling eyes that seemed to know all, Nien

  winked at her fellow Romulan. "Someone of influence, eh?" She set the bag of latinum on the table next to her and closed her front door. "Can you all stay for dinner?"

  Riker threw up his hands in surrender. "How can I resist an evening with three charming and beautiful ladies?"

  "You cannot," Nien said, glowing with delight. "Just one thing, child." She patted him on the arm and drew them all into her home. "I'll do the cooking."

  "People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion."

  --albert einstein

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  As always there are people to thank when a task such as this is finally complete. These are the people who collectively make it difficult for me to be anything but humble when someone tells me they enjoyed my book. It's never just Greg's and mine--not when so many other people put their time and effort into seeing the project through to publication.

  Since I'm the one writing the acknowledgments, I'll start by thanking the other guy whose name goes on these books. Greg Brodeur provides most of the plot and a lot of the characterization of what you read. He chips away at what shouldn't be in a chapter, and lets me know what should be in one. Despite all that, I assure you anything you didn't like is his fault, and anything you loved was my idea. That said, I will be tearing this page out of his copies of this book. I'll send him a thank-you card and tell him I skipped acknowledgments this time. So this is all between us, right?

  A hearty thanks must go to Keith R. A. DeCandido. His eye for detail and overall creative touch was much appreciated and needed. And boy does he know his Trek! Thanks, Keith.

  It goes without saying that I thank John J. Ordover,

  Trek Senior Editor and head honcho supreme. A more reasonable and tolerant editor there never was.

  My thanks also to Josh Lothridge, a "starving" writer himself, who not only was quick with needed research, but pretty good on picking out an awkward phrase and rubbing my nose in it the way only a twerpy little brother can. Thanks, Josh.

  Of course, thanks also to the many friends and family who understood there were occasions I was too busy working on these books to hang out with them: my parents, Diane, Lydia, Gordon and Ben, Alvaro, Steve, Pino, Lyn, Len and Wendy, my cousins, Peg and Larry, and all my ComicBoards.com buds who wondered why I wasn't on-line as much.

  One last thank-you to those of you who E-mailed me feedback on our last book, Battle Lines. Whether people enjoyed it or not, they took the time to let me know, and that's always a good thing. Okay, it was better when they enjoyed it, but I'll take the bad with the good. Seriously, thanks for keeping in touch.

  Cheers, Dave Galanter DaveGalanter@ aol. com www. comic boards com dave