Star Trek by Christie Golden Read Free Book Online Page A

stab at humor.
    â€œListen, I’ve survived a lot of up-close-and-personal encounters with the Borg,” La Forge said, “and while they’re definitely to be taken seriously, they’re not totally indestructible. Besides, the captain must think there’s at least a chance that it’s not a Borg ship, or else he wouldn’t assign you to this.”
    Bart brightened at that. “True,” he said. If Gold had expected the tricorder information to be recorded in standard Borg, the computer would already know how to translate it. The particular skills of a linguist wouldn’t be required.
    When they began their work in earnest, Bart was heartened by the fact that the language recorded was not Borg. After working with the computer, he narrowed it down to a branch of the Taklathi language, with some of the grammatical structure of the Nemar and Olisu thrown into the mix. By cross-referencing with languages as varied as Xlatitigu and Pe, he was able to establish a root structure from which the universal translator could extrapolate. He loved these moments. They were positively exhilarating, and it was a refreshing change to work with someone who, like him, respected and enjoyed language.
    Finally, the tricorder was adjusted and linked withtheir system. After a burst of static and snow—which gave Bart a bad moment, thinking they’d shorted the whole thing out—it began to transmit information onto the screen. Their eyes widened in shock at the first image, and the shock did not diminish as they watched. Engrossed, they listened to the entire recording with a growing sense of horror.
    At last, it was done. Geordi turned to regard Bart, who felt exhausted and emotionally drained after viewing the information.
    â€œThe captain needs to see this. Heck, I think
everyone
needs to see this.” Geordi’s voice was heavy and somber.
    Bart blinked rapidly and swallowed hard. “It’s pretty awful. How much of it do you want to show them?”
    â€œAll of it.”

    Lense regarded the still form of the solitary Bynar. She didn’t want to do this, but Gold had insisted. 110 had had the most direct contact with the computer system of that ship. He had information that had been downloaded into that buffer of his. He knew things the rest of them didn’t, things that Gold needed to know.
    She sighed. “Em, bring him around.”
    Emmett pressed a hypospray to the Bynar’s neck. It hissed gently, and 110 opened his eyes. Lense squeezed his newly healed hand gently and smiled down at him.
    â€œWelcome back, 110,” she said softly. “How do you feel?”
    He blinked slowly. “As well as can be expected.”
    With the tenderness Lense had come to expect from the surprisingly sensitive hologram, Em leaned forward and eased the Bynar up into a sitting position. 110 blinked, seeming a little dizzy, but, otherwise, he appeared to be fully recovered.
    â€œWe—I must speak to Captain Gold,” he told Gomez.
    â€œAnd he wants to speak to you. Let me run a few tests first, to make sure that—”
    â€œYou do not understand,” insisted 110. He turned his dark eyes to her. “The vessel is
alive
. It is in pain. And it is very, very angry.”

    110’s shocking announcement stunned everyone except Bart and Geordi, who exchanged glances.
    â€œBefore we act on the information 110 has given us,” said La Forge, “I highly recommend we watch this.”
    â€œTime is speeding by, Lieutenant,” said Gold. “I’ve got the
Enterprise
and the
Lexington
on their way here even as I’m having this pleasant conversation with you.”
    â€œI understand the situation, sir,” Geordi continued, speaking urgently, “but trust me, you all need to see this first. And I mean
see
it, not just have me brief you on it.”
    Gold’s brown eyes narrowed, and he regarded La Forge intently. Geordi didn’t