Star Trek: The Next Generation - 119 - Armageddon's Arrow (35 page)
Read Star Trek: The Next Generation - 119 - Armageddon's Arrow Online
Authors: Dayton Ward
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Genre Fiction, #TV; Movie; Video Game Adaptations, #Literary, #United States, #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #Science Fiction, #Adventure, #Alien Invasion, #First Contact, #Military, #Space Opera, #Movie Tie-Ins, #Literary Fiction, #Action & Adventure, #Star Trek
It was not an unreasonable concern, Picard knew. It was likely that DTI agents would submit Taurik to extensive debriefing sessions with an aim of learning from the Vulcan every scrap of information he had seen. They also would expend considerable effort studying the information to which he had gone to great lengths to quarantine, with special attention paid to any information pertaining to the
Arrow
’s temporal displacement technology. Based on what he understood of the department’s voluminous rules and procedures for handling temporal violations of any sort, there was no way to predict any lasting repercussions to Taurik.
“Whatever happens, Commander, you have my full confidence and unwavering trust. Your integrity is beyond reproach, and I will support you to the utmost of my ability.”
Taurik’s right eyebrow arched. “Thank you, Captain. Your trust is most gratifying.”
After releasing the turbolift and excusing the engineer to carry on with his evening plans, Picard made his way to his quarters. The doors were still parting when a small ball of energy leaped from the sofa at the center of the main room and rocketed toward him.
“Papa!” said René, bounding across the room to take his father’s hand. “Look! Mommy’s home.”
Picard smiled at Beverly, who had found a comfortable place sprawled across the sofa. “Welcome home.” He had been looking forward to this all evening. The events of the past days had seen fit to keep both of them focused on their duties, and then there was poor René, who seemed none the worse for wear following an extended stay with Hailan Casmir and his staff in the
Enterprise
’s childcare facility. Just seeing his son was enough to alleviate the stresses of the just concluded mission.
Not bothering to move from the sofa, Beverly said, “It’s good to be home.”
Though she and the away team had been back aboard the
Enterprise
for several hours, she had been engrossed in patient care and he had been dealing with the aftermath of the
Arrow
’s destruction. As such, this was the first time they had spoken to each other since her return. “Are you all right?”
“Just tired,” Beverly replied. “Nothing a week’s worth of sleep won’t cure.”
“I like the sound of that,” Picard said, taking a seat on the sofa near Beverly’s head and allowing René to climb into his lap.
Reaching up to place a hand on his leg, Beverly said, “I don’t remember exploration being this exhausting. Is it going to be this way from now on?”
“It’s not supposed to be,” Picard replied as René shifted to a comfortable position before reaching for a book lying on the end table to his right. “The excitement of finding out what happens next is supposed to make us forget all about that.”
“What happens next, Papa?” René asked.
Picard smiled. “That’s a good question, and there’s only one way to find out. We have to go and look for ourselves, don’t we?”
“Then let’s go.”
“See what I mean?” Beverly chuckled. “Exhausting.”
Unable to resist teasing her, Picard said, “Of course, I suppose the simple explanation is that we’re just getting—”
“Do not finish that sentence.” A moment later, she asked, “I was thinking about a hot bath and a glass of wine. What about you?”
“He’s going to read!” René beamed, handing Picard the book he had retrieved. For his part, Picard was eager to lose himself in the pages of a book—any book—if only for a short while. That he could share one of his most treasured pursuits with his son made the activity all the more special. Already he could feel the pressures of command slipping away, allowing him a few precious moments of respite. They would return, of course, but not just yet. René would see to that.
Recognizing the tome his son had given him, Picard could not help the wry grin he directed to his wife.
“The one with the aliens,” René said. “They crashed on Earth a long time ago, and it was a big secret. Read it, Papa.”
Rolling her eyes, Beverly threw up her hands in mock surrender. “I’m leaving now.” She headed for the master bedroom, leaving Picard and René alone on the couch. The boy shifted his position again as he tapped the book’s cover, anxious to continue their shared adventure.
“What happens next, Papa?”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks very much to my editors at Pocket Books, who called on me to continue the adventures of Captain Picard and the
Enterprise
-E after the events of
The Fall
. One of the things I hoped to see after that miniseries was a return to exploration that is a hallmark of
Star Trek
, and when I was writing
Peaceable Kingdoms
I did my best to leave as clean a slate as possible for the next writer to take the baton for this new chapter in the story of
Star Trek: The Next Generation
. I had no idea at the time that I would be that writer, or else I might’ve set up things a bit differently. I mean, who doesn’t want to see Picard and the gang on vacation, solving a murder mystery on some resort planet before heading off to seek out new life and civilizations, am I right?
Hello? Bueller?
Thanks also to the incomparable Doug Drexler, whose artwork graces the cover of this book. In recent years, Mr. Drexler has created some truly beautiful art for
Star Trek
novels and calendars, including my personal favorite from the
Star Trek: Vanguard
novel series,
Open Secrets
. That said, I think he may have outdone himself this time. He showed me a rough version just as I was looking for that last little bit of juice to finish the manuscript. It was the perfect motivation to help me reach the finish line. You truly are a steely-eyed missile man, Mr. D!
I would be remiss in my duties if I did not offer a sincere salute and tip of my hat to renowned science fiction author Norman Spinrad. If you’re reading this part of the book first, then I won’t spoil it for you as to why I feel compelled to thank him for his inspiration.
Finally, dear reader, I offer my sincere appreciation for your continuing support of my work. I am very fortunate to do what I do, you are a big reason for that, and I remind myself of that fact each and every day. Thank you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dayton Ward has been modified to fit this medium, to write in the space allotted, and has been edited for content. Reader discretion is advised.
Visit Dayton on the web at
www.daytonward.com
.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR:
authors.simonandschuster.com/Dayton-Ward
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Cover design by Alan Dingman
Cover art by Doug Drexler/AliRies
ISBN 978-1-4767-8269-0
ISBN 978-1-4767-8270-6 (ebook)
CONTENTS
