Part 1 (1/2)

POWER HUNGRY.

by Howard Weinstein.

SAG AND aRa.s.s HARM-ORM danced and soared, filling Will Riker's cabin with the intricate contrapuntal melody of Pachelbel's timeless Canon in D. The First Officer of the stars.h.i.+p Enterprise reclined in his armchair, eyes closed, savoring the final notes, the crystalline trill of a solo trumpet. When that last pure and perfect note had faded, Riker opened his eyes and propped elbows on knees, looking for reactions from his companions, Captain JeanLuc Picard and s.h.i.+p's counselor Deanna Troi, both seated facing him. ”Deanna?”

”Absolutely beautiful.” Tcoi's large dark eyes glistened with pleasure. ”I've never heard that piece before.”

”It's very old,” Picard said, ”Seventeenth-century earth, I believe.”

”That's right,” Riker said. ”I've always been partial to baroque.”

”I had a hunch,” Riker said, grinning through his beard.

Picard's eyes narrowed. ”Imagine-we're listening to music composed seven hundred years ago .... What a pity the creators of great art can't know their work lives on long after they've gone to dust.”

The tall first officer leaned back again, hands clasped behind his head. ”I wish I'd had the time to learn more about music, maybe try my hand at composing.”

”It's never too late to learn something new,”

Deanna said. ”It would be refres.h.i.+ng for you to develop some new activities for your spare time.”

”That's true-but then I'd need to develop some new spare time,” Riker said ruefully. He smiled. ”My commanding officer keeps me pretty busy.”

The electronic tone of the cabin intercom sounded and was followed by the calm voice of Lieutenant Commander Data. ”Bridge to Captain Picard.”

”This is Picard. What is it, Mr. Data?”

”We have received a priority code communication from Starffeet Command, sir.”

The captain and first officer exchanged concerned glances. ”Pipe it down here.”

”Yes, sir.”

The comm screen over Riker's desk lit, displaying the Starfleet insignia. ”Request voice print identification,” said the computer's soft feminine voice.

Picard leaned forward and crossed his arms.

”Picard, JeanLuc, captain, U.s.s.

Enterprise.”

”Voice print verified.” The insignia's stylized starfield was replaced by a severe-looking woman in a wine-colored Starffeet uniform. She peered out from under dark bangs that were long enough to cover her eyebrows, and she spoke with a slight drawl. ”Captain Picard, I'm Captain Kimberly Schaller, Starfleet Command. We've intercepted some Ferengi communications-looks as if they've developed quite an interest in the sector you're headed for.”

”The Thiopan system?” Picard's jaw tightened. ”What sort of interest?” ”We believe they would like to make it part of their alliance. Thiopa is centrally located between our border and the Ferengi fringe systems. They've traded with other nonaligned planets out there, but haven't been able to establish a heavy presence before. How familiar are you with Thiopa's current situation?”

”I know the standard mission profile,” Picard said. ”Which I take it is about to be substantially complicated?”

Schaller managed a small smile. ”I'd say that's an comunderstatement, Captain Picard.

We'll feed all the latest information to your computers.

I strongly suggest you and your senior staff review it before you get to Thiopa.”

”We shall. Should we expect a Ferengi presence in the area?” was ”Expect” may be too strong a word-what we intercepted wasn't that specific.

Let's just say you should be cautious. I know you're on a mercy mission, so I'm sure you would prefer to avoid a military confrontation with a Ferengi task force.”

Picard frowned. ”The Ferengi are usually quite reticent to engage in direct combat. Does your information indicate a change of heart?”

”I can't say for sure. But they do know the Enterprise 3 is traveling alone with five automated cargo carriers. In their eyes, that might make you an enticing target.”

”Understood. We'll be careful.”

”Very good, Captain Picard. If we get any other relevant information, we'll transmit it to you as fast as possible. Schaller out.”

Picard faced his officers. ”Your musical composing career will have to wait, Number One. We'd better get up to the bridge.”

Captain's log-Stardate 42422.5.

The Enterprise is two hours away from the Thiopan star system on what has become a dual-purpose mission. We are responding to an urgent request from Thiopa's planetary government for Federation a.s.sistance in dealing with a critical drought and resultant food shortage.

The Thiopans have only recently disengaged from along-standing a.s.sociation with the despotic Nuaran Imperium. And now Starfleet has informed us that the Ferengi Alliance has designs on this sector.

It is hoped our convoy of food and other desperately needed supplies will not only alleviate Thiopa's crisis but will also give the Federation a chance to establish formal ties with the planet before the Ferengi can take advantage of the chaotic situation.

THE ENTERPRISE CRUISED sERENELY through open s.p.a.ce with five stubby cargo s.h.i.+ps trailing her in delta formation like ducklings tagging along behind their mother. The freighters were linked directly to the stars.h.i.+p's main computer; any changes in course or speed made by the Enterprise were automatically copied by the entire convoy. The only hindrance to the stars.h.i.+p caused by the presence of the cargo drones was a reduction in speed; they were simply incapable of anything faster than warp three.

JeanLuc Picard sat alone in the captain's ready room just off the main bridge, enjoying the view of s.p.a.ce offered by this chamber, a view unimpeded by the enhancements of viewscreen technology. Stars glowed in a rainbow of colors, veils of dust reflected and refracted the starlight s.h.i.+ning through them, tendrils of gaseous material drifted and roiled like tinted smoke. Picard found the sights of outer s.p.a.ce endlessly fascinating, soothing and stimulating all at once-a paradox that never failed to please him. He enjoyed those sights here more than anywhere else. The ready room had become his favorite place on the s.h.i.+p, a sanctum for private pondering, yet only steps away from the main bridge.

But the very existence of this little refuge from the hurly-burly of command had come as something of a surprise ....

Darting like a skimmer-bug on a pond, the shuttle pod in which Picard was a pa.s.senger turned smartly and approached the maze ofgirders...o...b..ting high over the ruddy surface of Mars. With a bit offree time on his hands, JeanLuc Picard had hopped a supply transport on its way from earth to the Utopia Planetia Fleet Yards. It was a purely unofcial visit, but curiosity about the first of the new Galaxy cla.s.s stars.h.i.+ps being built here was reason enough to come and take a look.

Cradled inside its construction bay, the U.s.s Enterprise, NCC-1701-D, was still the object of intensive activity, with work crews swarming over her. She was now nearly complete, and Picard's solemn features softened into a smile of satisfaction as he gazed at her.

”She is beautiful, Captain Picard?”

Lieutenant Snephets, Picard's escort, was an Oktonian female with four pale pink eyes.

Like all Oktonians, she phrased statements as questions.

Picard replied with a nod and just a tinge of awe.

”She is indeed, Lieutenant. ”She was, without a doubt, the most beautiful s.p.a.cecraft he'd ever seen. He smiled inwardly at the affection he already felt for this vessel he would soon command. He suspected shed be an easy s.h.i.+p to love. Picard had spent the bulk of his career for that matter, most of his adult life-as an explorer. .for twenty-two years he'd commanded the deep-s.p.a.ce trailblazer Stargazer. Shed been a good s.h.i.+p, taken Picard and his crew through some dicey situations, but no one who'd lived aboard her would ever have described her as top of the line.

”Captain, a pleasure it has been working on Enterprise?”