Страница 73 из 89
“Well, I’m not going to do that anymore, sir. You’re my captain, and I have a duty to you. If you’re convinced Titanand Commander Troi are still out there, then I trust you. And we just have to make sure we find them and get you back together with your family.” She lowered her eyes. “It’s too late for me to get back the time I lost with my children. I’m not going to let you lose out on yours.”
Riker gave her a slow, heartfelt smile. “Thank you, Aili.”
LUMBU
“She’s beautiful,” Nurse Mawson said as Dea
“Even without a clarfel,” Nurse Hewton added, but Mawson shushed him.
The delivery had been very smooth, ironically an anti-climax after all the melodrama leading up to it. Dea
And now she had the most beautiful creature in the universe in her arms, and the only way she’d be happier was if Will had been here to see it. But she knew, deep in her soul, that he was alive, and during the arduous euphoria of the birth, she had felt his essence touching her, reaching out to her. It had been distant, the barest thread, and the psychologist in her recognized that the perception could have been a memory, a hope, a piece of herself reflecting him. But her heart knew.
Now that matters were calm, Dea
“Doctor?” Dea
Ree made a noise akin to throat-clearing. “Ah. Counselor. Yes.” Another rumble. “I, um…Upon reflection, it seems I have been somewhat…overzealous in my protectiveness. I…seem to be thinking more clearly now.” He gave a convulsive shake of his head. “I had not realized guardian mode was so…intense.”
“It may not be, as a rule,” she told him, sensing his sincerity and giving Tuvok a subtle nod to that effect. He remained wary, however. “What I was broadcasting to you…my anger, my resentment…it must have been difficult for you.”
Tuvok raised a brow. “Then you believe that releasing your repressed anger has brought about a resolution?”
She gave a wry grin. “It’s never that simple, Tuvok. I…have a lot to talk out with Ree yet, and a lot to work out within myself. Honestly, it may have been my euphoria from the delivery,” she said, gazing down lovingly at her daughter, “that counteracted the effect. Or maybe the sheer intensity of the experience overloaded Ree’s empathic reception.”
“Or maybe,” Ree said, looking as sheepish as a raptor could, “you simply shouted some sense into my thick head. There can be value in rudeness…when wielded judiciously. Counselor, I am so sorry.”
“Ohh, let’s not start that again,” she urged him.
Mawson tentatively reached out and stroked the baby’s hand with a finger. Dea
“Well…”
“Excuse me,” Tuvok said. “Now that matters are in hand, we should not linger. The local military may arrive at any time. And we have caused enough disruption to this world.”
“Oh dear,” Ree said. “That’s right. I’ve violated the Prime Directive rather badly, haven’t I?”
“Indeed. I shall have to place you under arrest and take you back to Titanfor a hearing.”
“Tuvok,” Dea
“That, my dear Counselor, is for the hearing to decide,” Ree said. “The commander is quite right.”
As Krotine and Hriss helped Dea
Dea
Mawson puffed her clarfelin embarrassment. “It’s not my place to advise spirits on their ways. But we mortals are no proper caregivers for her kind. Best to keep the veils up between the worlds, I say.”
The new mother smiled. “Thank you, Mawson. We’re grateful for all your help. But we’d appreciate one more favor.”
The Lumbuan nodded sagely. “A spirit encounter should be a private thing. Isn’t that right?” she said sternly to the others, who nodded obediently.
Tuvok and his team led the others out into the halls, making their way to the exit. De
“But spirits appearing in the flesh?” Krotine asked. “Having babies in their hospitals? Isn’t that a little more concrete than usual?”
“Animists see spirits within every aspect of nature,” Dea