by L. A. Graf
The Tellerite swung past their table without slowing down, pitching three menu cards among the litter of leaves and petals. Chekov watched Sulu and Uhura eagerly scoop their menus out of the foliage, then caught his with one finger and slid it close enough to look at without actually lifting it off the table. Nothing in the long list of flowers and ivy looked much like food to him. “How late do you think the human restaurants are open on Sigma One?”
“Do you really want to risk running into some of the humans hanging around this station?” Uhura reached across to duff him on the shoulder with her half-eaten flower. “You know Aaron Kelly’s looking for you.”
Chekov frowned across at her, not sure at first that they were thinking of the same person. “Aaron Kelly the auditor?”
Sulu laughed, and Uhura explained, “I ran into him on my way to the restaurant.” Her dark eyes twinkled with humor. “He said he feels a special kinship with Starfleet after everything that’s happened on this mission. He wanted to thank you and show his appreciation.”
Chekov couldn’t help uttering a gruff sound of disgust, even though it earned him an admonishing finger-shake from Sulu. “Don’t snort,” the helmsman told him. “Kelly’s decided you walk on water after you saved his butt in that brig shootout with Purviance. He went over the captain’s report of the mission and has decided to preempt John Taylor’s recommendation to the Auditor General—they’re not going to try to restructure security after all.” Chekov raised his eyebrows, and Sulu grinned. “You and your department are safe.”
The security chief rocked back in his chair, feeling smug. “Maybe I should break auditors’ noses more often.”
“Chekov,” Sulu said with a sigh, “I think you’re taking the wrong lesson away from all this.”
The disjointed rustling of larger-than-Tellerite bodies among the greenery broke across their conversation. Chekov saw Sulu flick a startled glance toward the back of their little clearing, and Uhura’s eyebrows lift with surprise, just as Kirk’s voice assured them, “This is all just a misunderstanding—don’t anybody worry.” Then Sigma One security guards closed in on all sides.
“Oh, no—” Chekov stood when one of the dozen or so black-clad patrol officers motioned to him with her phaser. “I thought we had this sorted out,” he said, lifting his free arm so another of the guards could dart forward and pat him down.
“Lieutenant Pavel Chekov, you are under arrest for disturbing the peace, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm in a restricted civilian area, and violation of bail without appropriate legal bond. You have the right to remain silent—”
Chekov cast Kirk a helpless look over the closest guard’s head, and the captain spread his hands in distressingly contrite chagrin. “I’ve tried to explain that the Orions who filed those original charges won’t be around to make the court date,” he said. “But—”
“But—” Sigma One’s security chief turned the reader card in her hand as though to display whatever was printed on it, even though she took it back too quickly for Chekov to see. “There’s still the matter of bail violation. No matter where your Orions are, only a Federation judicator can dismiss outstanding criminal charges. Until those original charges are dropped, I have a legal obligation to hold you in custody pending receipt of appropriate bail.”
“But Lieutenant Purviance—” Even as he said it, Chekov realized they had a slight problem. “Never mind.”
Kirk nodded with a rueful grimace. “Exactly.”
At least, the station chief looked equally unhappy as she accepted the wrist locks and belt restraint passed forward from the back of her squad. “Whoever posted bail for you, sir, he wasn’t Lindsey Purviance. In fact, Lieutenant Purviance was murdered several hours before your release.”
“But I thought it was Lindsey Purviance!”
She nodded and opened the wide belt restraint. “No matter what you thought, sir, I’m afraid it’s still jumping bail.”
Kirk stepped in to catch at her wrist before she could fasten the belt around Chekov’s waist and cuff down his hands. “Is that really necessary? He’s got one arm in a sling, for God’s sake.”
“We were told he was dangerous,” one of the other guards volunteered. “Our report said he beat an Orion military officer to death on board your ship.”
Sulu burst out laughing, and Uhura elbowed him sharply. “He had his arm in a sling when he did that, too,” the helmsman pointed out, ignoring a warning glower from Chekov.
Kirk fixed stern hazel eyes on his helmsman, and Sulu fell silent even though he didn’t look any less amused. “You’re not helping,” the captain said coolly. Chekov had to agree.
“I hope they get a judicator in port before we’re scheduled to leave,” Chekov said to Kirk. The guards locked his left hand to the belt, then hesitated over his right as though unsure whether to remove the sling or not. He wasn’t about to offer them any advice.
“Don’t worry,” Uhura said gently, “we’ve got three more weeks here—somebody’s bound to show up before then.”
He knew she meant that to be reassuring, but somehow the concept of spending three weeks in Sigma One’s tiny brig didn’t do much for his morale. He wondered if Sulu could be talked into a judicious jailbreak.
“I’ll have you out within an hour.” Kirk grinned when they all turned to look at him, and Chekov recognized the smug gleam in his captain’s eye. “You’re a dangerous commodity,” Kirk said with no small amount of relish. “If Max Petersen won’t remand you to my custody, I’ll just give him a tour of the Enterprise’s shuttle bay.” He angled a mockthreatening look down at his security chief, and his smile widened. “Then I’ll threaten to leave you here when we ship out.”
THE LONG-AWAITED STORY OF A YOUNG JAMES 1. KIRK’S FIRST ADVENTURE IN SPACE
STAR TREK® BEST DESTINY
A NOVEL BY DIANE CAREY
As James T. Kirk prepares to retire from a long and illustrious Starfleet career, events in a distant part of the Federation draw him back to a part of the galaxy he had visited as a teenager—a mysterious world called Faramond whose name takes Kirk on a journey back into his youth.
At sixteen, Kirk is troubled, estranged from his father, and has a bleak future. However, a trip into space with Kirks father, George, and Starfleet legend, Captain Robert April changes James Kirks life forever, when a simple voyage becomes a deadly trap. Soon, Kirk and his father find themselves fighting for their lives against a vicious and powerful enemy.
Before the voyage ends, father and son will face life and death together, and James T. Kirk will get a glimpse of the future and his own BEST DESTINY …
Available in hardcover from Pocket Books
594
A COMPLETE SHOW-BY-SHOW GUIDE TO THE SMASH TELEVISION SERIES! INCLUDES ALMOST 200 PHOTOS!
STAR TREK® : THE NEXT GENERATION™ COMPANION
by Larry Nemecek
Here at last is the official guide to the adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise™ NCC 1701-D—a compendium of information including plot summaries and credits for each show, as well as fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpses into the STAR TREK® universe.
You’ll see the genesis of the new series, and hear from the stars and production personnel responsible for its success. Illustrated with almost 200 photos (including at least one from every episode), this is the official reference guide to the latest STAR TREK legend—STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION.
Available in trade paperback from Pocket Books
595
POCKET BOOKS IS PROUD TO PRESENT TWO EXCITING STAR TREK® CALENDARS FOR 1993.
THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY
1993 CALENDAR
Relive the excitement of this epic space adventure with this special calendar, which includes twelve action-packed, full-color photos from the film.
1993 CALENDAR
Spend 1993 in the future with this incredible calendar and enjoy twelve full-color photos from the most exciting moments from STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
’s spectacular fifth season.
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ENTER A NEW GALAXY OF ADVENTURE WITH THESE EXCITING
STAR TREK® AND
TRADE PAPERBACKS FROM POCKET BOOKS:
THE STAR TREK COMPENDIUM by Alan Aslmman. The one must-ham reference book ford STAR TREK fans, this book indudes rare photos, behind the scenes production information, and a shciw-by-show guide to the original television series.
THE STAR TREK INTERVIEW BOOK by Alan Ashennan. A fascinating cofledion of riterviews with the oreakxs and stars of the origmal STAR TREK and the STAR TREK films.
MR. SCOTVS GUIDE TO THE ENTERPRISE by Shane Johnson. An exciting deckby-deck look at the inside of the increcfde U.S.S. Enterprise™, this book features dozens of blueprints, sketches and photographs.
THE WORLDS OF THE FEDERATION by Shane Johnson. A detailed look at the alien worlds seen in the original STAR TREK television series, the STAR TREK films, and STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION—with a full-color insert of STAR TREK’s most exotic alien creatures!
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION TECHNICAL MANUAL by Rick Sternbach and Michael Okuda. The longawaded book that provides a never before seen look inside the U.S.S. Enterprise 1701-D and examines the princles behind STAR TREK: ThE NEXT GENERATION’s awesome technology—from phasers to waip drive to the holodeck.
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Coming in mid-November…
NIGHT SHADE #24
by Laurell Hamilton
Captain Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise™ are sent to help the people of the planet Oriana negotiate a settlement to a two hundred year civil war. Just as Picard, Lt. Worf, and Counsellor Troi beam down to the planet, the U.S.S. Enterprise is called away on another urgent mission. Alone, the U.S.S. Enterprise team learns that there are people that would rather finish the devastating conflict than talk peace. When Picard is accused of murder, Worf and Troi must unravel the truth and prevent planet-wide disaster, before time runs out for Oriana and the U.S.S. Enterprise….
Coming in mid-December…
STAR TREK®
GIANT NOVEL
PROBE
by Margaret Wander Bonanno
PROBE—an epic-length novel that at last picks up the story of the U.S.S. Enterprise™ and her crew where STAR TREK IV left off. A novel that reveals the secrets behind the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Earth—and whose reappearance sends Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and their shipmates hurdling into unparalleled danger … and unsurpassed discovery.