“Almost,” Theriault replied as she sealed the vial and returned it to her kit. “This algae sample is loaded with the meta-genome, but none of the surrounding vegetation has it. Neither does anything else, for that matter.”
Terrell nodded. “Just like Ravanar IV, and the other planets where it was found.” Whoever or whatever was responsible for the apparent scattered seeding of the complex gene sequence on so many disparate planets across the Taurus Reach, their choice of a dispersal pattern was as much a mystery as their reasons. “And no rhyme or reason to the target planets, either, even though this planet seems to be a lot like Ravanar.” This region in particular reminded him of what he had reviewed of the survey reports from the first system where the meta-genome had been discovered. The lake selected by the landing party for their survey was surrounded by mountains, which in turn were situated in the midst of a vast desert. The water here—fed to the lake by underground streams running through the mountain range—was crystal clear, affording the first officer an unfettered look at the sand and rocks forming the lake bottom. After determining that the water was safe for human consumption, he had dipped his hands into the lake and drunk from it, relishing the taste. It was cool but not, he suspected, so cold as to preclude swimming.
“Think we could convince the skipper to authorize a few hours’ shore leave?” Theriault asked, smiling as she returned various instruments and collection containers to the kit. “Don’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about it.”
“Only since we beamed down,” Terrell replied. Captain Nassir had opted to keep the Sagittariusin orbit above Traelus II, unwilling to sacrifice the greater effectiveness of the ship’s sensors while in space for the sake of landing in this idyllic location, even if only for a short while. Of course, his keeping the rest of the crew aboard ship made it easier to maintain Terrell and Theriault’s cover story of transporting to the surface to collect samples of dilithium and other raw minerals, which they had done while acquiring specimens found to contain the meta-genome.
Checking the chronometer display on her tricorder, Theriault said, “Well, I’m done, and according to this we’ve got about twenty minutes before our next scheduled check-in. Did you bring your swimsuit?”
Terrell’s reply was cut off by the telltale beeping of the communicator in his jumpsuit’s hip pocket. Smiling, he shook his head. “Right on cue. I told you the captain knows everything.” He extracted the device and flipped open its antenna grid before announcing, “Terrell here.”
“Clark,”said the voice of Captain Nassir, “we’ve got company up here. A Klingon scout ship is coming around the far side of the planet. We don’t know yet if it just warped into the system, or if it’s been here all along and hiding from us. Right now I don’t care. Stand by for beam-up.”
“Klingons?” Theriault said, her expression a mask of concern. “All the way out here?”
Frowning as he gestured to the science officer to hurry up with collecting her equipment, Terrell said into the communicator, “Are their weapons hot?”
“Affirmative,”the captain replied, “but their shields are down. I think they know you’re down there and they’re trying to bait me into raising shields so we can’t beam you back. So, get your asses in gear.”
Terrell knew that a planet like Traelus II, with its vast deposits of valuable minerals, would not escape the notice of anyone scouting for such materials. The Klingons required elements like dilithium, and their needs were perhaps even greater than those of the Federation. What concerned the commander now was whether the Klingon ship currently in orbit had any other reason for taking an interest in this particular planet.
Let’s hope not.
“Understood, Skipper,” Terrell said. Seeing that Theriault was ready to go, he began to report that they were ready for transport when a flickering light in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned to see four columns of coarse ruby-red energy appear out of nothingness. Within seconds each of the columns coalesced into the form of a bipedal figure.
“Clark,”Nassir’s voice called out from Terrell’s communicator. “Be advised that sensors are picking up the Klingon ship’s transporters.”
“Um,” Theriault replied, “we know, sir.”
Terrell’s hand was already moving to the palm-sized Type-1 phaser in his right hip pocket when the figures completed the materialization process and the Klingon at the front of the formation drew a sidearm from the holster at his waist with startling speed, leveling it at the first officer.
“Do not move, Earther.” He was tall and muscled, his dark uniform tunic and pants stretched tight across his physique. The disruptor pistol wavered not one iota as its muzzle pointed at Terrell’s chest.
Freezing in place and holding his arms away from his body to demonstrate that he carried no other weapon, Terrell asked, “What’s the meaning of this? We’re on a peaceful scientific survey mission here, and pose no threat to you.”
“You’re trespassing, Earther,” the Klingon snapped. “This world has been claimed by the Klingon Empire.”
“Since when?” asked Theriault, and when Terrell glanced at her he saw the ensign’s features cloud with uncertainty in the wake of her bold challenge.
The Klingons snarled as they regarded her, and the leader replied, “Since I said so, but if you wish to dispute that, I would welcome the challenge.”
“Goading an obviously inferior opponent into challenging you?” Terrell said, not even bothering to hide his scowl. “That sounds awfully dishonorable for a Klingon warrior.”
“What do you mean, inferior?” Theriault asked, her words laced with indignation.
Turning so that he could offer a scathing glare to the ensign, Terrell replied, “Oh, I’m sorry, Vanessa. Were you wantingto challenge him to single combat?”
Theriault glanced toward the hulking Klingon before pursing her lips and shaking her head. “I think I’ll just stand over here and be inferior.”
Nodding, Terrell said, “Good plan.” His encounters with Klingons had been few and infrequent during his career, but stories of the Empire’s supposed allegiance to the notions of honor and courage in battle were well known, dating back to Starfleet’s initial contact with the militaristic race more than a century ago.
As though considering Terrell’s words, the Klingon glowered at him, and for a moment the first officer was certain the disruptor would belch energy at any second. “You are fortunate that my orders do not afford me the luxury of showing you the errors of your arrogance.” He shifted the weapon to point its muzzle at the communicator in Terrell’s hand. “Tell your ship to retrieve you, now.”
“Or what?” Terrell asked.
The disruptor moved again, this time to aim at Terrell’s face. “Or I will disobey my orders and risk the wrath of my superiors.”
From the communicator, Terrell heard Nassir say, “That’s enough, Commander. Stand by for beam-up.”
Angry that the Klingons appeared to be getting their way, Terrell nevertheless clenched his jaw to keep from exacerbating the already tense situation. It took considerable effort on his part to restrict his response to “Aye, sir.”
Terrell and Theriault arrived on the bridge of the Sagittariusto see Captain Nassir standing before the main viewscreen with his arms crossed as he faced off with the image of another Klingon.
“All right, Commander,” Nassir said, his voice low and clipped, “my people are back aboard. Now, perhaps you’d be so kind as to show me some record of the Klingon Empire laying claim to this planet?”
Seated in a high-backed chair that blocked most of the area to either side, the Klingon leaned forward until his swarthy visage all but filled the screen. “Are you calling me a liar, Captain?”