Kravokh would bring about that change. And he would bring Ch’gran home to Qo’noS. That was the most important thing of all…
Part 3
Fierce Flames
Burnt Round the
Heavens
2343—2346
Chapter 19
Shuttlecraft Woodlawn
“Have you found her yet?”
Lieutenant Elias Vaughn—or, rather, Lieutenant Commander Elias Vaughn; he still wasn’t used to the new rank—spoke through gritted teeth as he piloted the shuttlepod through the turbulent storm that was ravaging the northern continent of Devniad, the restraining straps cutting into his chest. The Woodlawnwas a small craft, with only room for four people to sit, and at that it was cramped. All remaining space was given over to the experimental warp engine— and why they felt the need to field-test the new miniature propulsion system on this mission is a question I will probably never get an adequate answer to,Vaughn thought as he compensated for yet another updraft. The staccato pounding of the rain against the hull and viewport combined with the difficult maneuvering to give him a sharp pain behind his right eye that he knew would be a full-blown headache in about five minutes.
Next to him, Lieutenant Commander T’Prynn manipulated her console, a receiver protruding from her pointed left ear. “I am still registering neither a human life sign, nor any signal that can be identified as Federation.” She looked over at Vaughn. “We have now scanned the entire continent. Logic suggests that we expand our search.”
“If nothing else, the weather’s probably better.” Vaughn set a new course. “Can’t imagine how a Federation special emissary would get to another continent while a hostile military takeover’s going on around her, but you’re right—it isthe most logical course of action.”
One of T’Prynn’s eyebrows climbed up her forehead. “Do you not believe that Special Emissary Tartovsky is capable of fending for herself?”
“If she is, she’s unique among the diplomats that I’ve known.” Gunning the thrusters, Vaughn took the shuttle southward—the next nearest continent on Devniad was to the south—and keeping an eye on the sensors for Cardassian ships. So far, their tiny shuttle had evaded detection, but that couldn’t possibly last. Damn you, Tartovsky, why couldn’t you stay put so we could have found you and gotten you out?
But that was hardly fair. All Vaughn knew for sure was that the Cardassians had suddenly, and violently, taken over this planet in neutral space while Raisa Tartovsky was in the process of negotiating a trade agreement with the natives. According to the gul in the fancy new ship of a type that Starfleet Intelligence had thought was still on the drawing board, Federation citizens were permitted to remain on-planet but would be subject to Cardassian law.
Relations with the Cardassians and the Klingons deteriorating, while both powers are engaged in a massive military buildup. Relations with the Romulans nonexistent. Relations with the Tholians and the Tzenkethi never all that great to begin with. We do live in interesting times.The Federation was on the brink of four potential wars—five, if you counted the Romulans, which Vaughn generally did. True, they’d been withdrawn since Tomed, but Vaughn was therefor Tomed, and he knew that the Romulans’ isolationism would not be permanent.
“Approaching the southern continent.” Vaughn noted with relief that the rainstorm did not extend southward, and the weather was clearer. Unfortunately, that also meant that the shuttle was not masked by cloud and rain cover, which made their being seen by the Cardassians a greater likelihood. He deliberately did not mention this to T’Prynn, as her quoting the odds of same would just add to his headache.
“I am receiving a Federation signal,” T’Prynn said. She adjusted her console. “Computer verifies that it is the frequency and code assigned to Special Emissary Tartovsky. However—” She hesitated. “I am receiving no readings from that position.”
T’Prynn had transferred the coordinates of the signal to Vaughn’s display. “No life signs means she may be dead.” Dammit.
“I did not say there were no life signs, Commander, but that I am receiving no readings. However, scans indicate a cave system at those coordinates, and the initial planetary geological survey of Devniad indicated a high fistrium content in the crust.”
“So Tartovsky could be alive and hiding where she can’t be scanned. Luckily, her transmitter can penetrate the fistrium.”
Again, T’Prynn’s eyebrow raised. “Fistrium only interferes with the signals from sensors and transporters. There is no evidence that it has ever impaired subspace transmissions.”
Vaughn smiled through his recently grown salt-and-pepper beard. “Isn’t that what I said? I’m going to bring her in for a landing.”
“Acknowledged. And, of course, the fistrium has also rendered moot your objection to this vehicle.”
I guess I should have expected that,Vaughn thought, holding in a sigh. He found a clearing about ten meters from the source of the signal where he could put down the Woodlawn.When he and T’Prynn had been given this assignment, Vaughn had objected to their being issued an experimental shuttle with no transporters. After all, transporters were a most valuable tool in an extraction. However, they needed a warp-capable craft small enough to avoid easy detection by the Cardassian conquerors. The fresh-out-of-the-shipyards Woodlawnfit the bill, but it was too small to be equipped with a transporter.
Ever since Ian Troi saved his life with a shuttle transporter in the Betreka Nebula, Vaughn had come to appreciate shuttles that were so equipped.
As he brought the pod down, he thought about Ian. When Rachel Garrett was given the Enterprise,Ian had been promoted to second officer of the Carthage,and he was likely to become first officer any day now. Vaughn hadn’t seen him since Kestra’s funeral. The thought of that poor child drowning at such a young age made the sixty-eight-year-old Vaughn grateful that he’d had as much life as he did—and, at the same time, feel deeply sorry for Ian and Lwaxana that their oldest daughter would not have that opportunity.
Good Lord, that was seven years ago. Deanna’s the same age now that Kestra was when she died. Time’s slipping away too damn fast.He made a mental note to send a letter to Ian on the Carthagewhen he got back to the starbase.
But first,he thought as he touched the Woodlawndown on the dirt of Devniad’s southern continent, to business.
Just as Vaughn unbuckled himself from his seat, T’Prynn said, “Picking up several Cardassian life signs—one-point-three kilometers away and closing.” She looked over at him. “It is likely that they also detected Special Emissary Tartovsky’s signal and are tracking it. You must move with dispatch.”
Smiling grimly, Vaughn grabbed a tricorder from the small supply cabinet under the console. “I wasn’t planning to dawdle, believe me.”
Opening the hatch, he stepped out into the warm air. A stiff breeze blew through his graying hair, and he had to hold up his hand to shield his eyes from the bright, red sun.