Summon the Thunder

Waiting as Qui

“All right, Qui

Looking up from the helm console, Qui

Pe

His eyes narrowing in suspicion and irritation, Qui

Holding up a hand to forestall any more of what he was sure would be Qui

He knew it was a risky move, revealing his knowledge of Qui

I’m trying to dispose of one secret, and I find myself dealing with someone else’s.

After the loss of the U.S.S. Bombayand her crew, including Lieutenant Oriana D’Amato, the ship’s helm officer and the woman with whom he had been sharing a short but fiercely passionate love affair, Pe

Of course, T’Pry

Looking back on it now, I might have been better off if I’d putmyself down one of those chutes.

Not that he would ever seriously consider such a course of action, and not that it mattered right now, anyway. What was important was that he was certain T’Pry

To his credit, Qui

“Okay,” the pilot said, “but you have to swear you’ll keep your mouth shut about this. None of that damn reporter ‘on-and-off-the-record’ crap of yours, you understand?”

Pe

Pausing to draw what might have been a calming breath before releasing a heavy sigh, Qui

“Dammit, Qui

Grunting in his own form of pain and irritation, Qui

Still grasping the top of his head, Pe

Qui

“What’s on them?” Pe

Shrugging, the pilot replied, “Damn if I know. I figure she’s up to something with Starfleet Intelligence, trying to mislead the Klingons or something.”

Given the pain he still was feeling, it took an extra moment for that last part to register with Pe

“Wait,” he finally said, sitting up in his chair. “Klingons? You mean she asked you to intercept a Klingon sensor drone?”

“You got it,” Qui

“And you don’t think this might get us killed?” Pe

“Oh, I’m absolutely sure it could get us killed. If we get caught, that is.” Turning back to the helm console, Qui

“Fine idea, mate.” Shaking his head, the pain he still felt making him regret the action, Pe

Qui

“So if we get to the probe after it transmits whatever data T’Pry

“You got it.”

Nodding, the journalist leaned forward in his seat until he could get a better look at the computer display on Qui

“That’s what I’m checking.” Qui

“Neither have I,” Pe

Or, why T’Pry

As Qui