Part 27 (1/2)
Riker turned slightly. ”Worf, see to the transfer of our cargo to Thiopa.”
”Right away, Commander.”
Picard stood before Amba.s.sador Undrun.
”Thank you for your support.”
”Thank you for your patience,” Undrun answered warmly.
”Number One,” said Picard, ”I believe we have one more item to see to.”
The first officer rose to his feet.
”To sickbay, sir?”
Picard responded with a nod and they strode up the side ramp. ”Mr. Data, you have the bridge.”
As the turbolift doors shut out the hum of bridge activity, Picard said, ”What would you recommend to the Federation about Thiopa?”
”I think the Federation should look somewhere else for a reliable ally.” ”Agreed,” Picard said. ”The real tragedy, though, is the future of this world.”
”Bareesh isn't really feeling the pain yet.
Maybe they'll change their tune when things get worse.”
”Maybe. But will anything ever make the Sojourners change theirs?”
They arrived at Dr. Pulaski's office to find Mori pacing nervously, alone.
”Where's the doctor?” Riker asked.
Before Mori could reply, Pulaski entered from her lab. ”Right here.”
Mori's whole body stiffened with pent-up antic.i.p.ation. ”Do you know-was Pulaski's mouth softened into a rea.s.suring smile. ”It's not your father's body in that tomb.”
The young Sojourner exhaled the breath she'd been holding and sank down into the nearest chair. The three stars.h.i.+p officers surrounded her, concern lining their faces.
”I thought you'd be happy to hear it.” Pulaski began.
”I am, in a way,” Mori said in a small voice. ”He's not dead inside that pyramid . .
. but he might still be dead.” She stopped, her eyes revealing confusion and something unexpected: shame.
Riker saw it clearly. ”There's something else bothering you ... Whatever it is, it's okay.”
She shook her head vigorously. ”No, it's not. was She groped for the right words, or any words.
When she found them, they were whispered. ”Part of me was hoping it was Evain buried there. Then at least I would have known.”
Her shoulders began to tremble, but she a.s.serted control over the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. ”So I don't know. Not for sure. But I will find out.”
”I believe you will,” Picard said, helping her up with a fatherly hand. ”We'll be leaving orbit soon. Time to send you home.”
With the Enterprise's two commanding officers flanking her, Mori paused at the sickbay door. ”Dr. Pulaski-thank you.”
”You're welcome. And good luck.”
On their way to the transporter room, they saw lanky Wesley Crusher and tiny Frid Undrun coming toward them around the curving corridor.
”Amba.s.sador Undrun,” said Riker, ”I didn't get a chance to thank you.”
”For what?”
”Captain Picard told me how you tried to get the Sojourners to turn me loose. That took a lot of guts, going down there alone. Not a lot of brains-but a lot of guts.” He smiled.
Mori tugged on Riker's sleeve. ”Hey, that's the same thing you said about me.”
”Well, you two have a lot in commonbullheadedness.”
”A good quality to have,” Undrun boomed. Then he smiled and added: ”When tempered with some clear-headed common sense. In any case, you're welcome ... Commander Riker.”
”I think I misjudged you, Mr.
Amba.s.sador.”
”No, you didn't,” Undrun said with a shake of his head. ”But I've realized something I should have known before: not every obstacle can be hurdled with a computer a.n.a.lysis and a five-year plan.”
Riker grinned. ”Do you think you can nurture this newfound wisdom?” ”I plan to try. I have to get used to the concept that experiences are to be learned from, not just filed away in mission-briefing reports.”
”C'mon, Amba.s.sador,” Wesley urged.
”We'll be late.”
”Late?” Picard's eyebrow rose. ”For what?”
”Wesley has invited me to address his cla.s.s in Problems in Cross-Cultural Contacts.
Maybe they can learn from my mistakes.”
Wes pulled the diminutive diplomat along, saying, ”Guest speakers don't get demerits for being late ... but I do!”