Star Trek: The Fall: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Page A

of concealing were just the head of the gree-worm. Across the room, Khob had been leaning on the far bulkhead, and now the big Suliban flinched, stepping away as a seam appeared and panels retracted into the deck. Revealed beyond the mess hall was a hidden compartment lined with charging slots and equipment lockers. Racks on either side of the chamber were heavy with a variety of different weapons—energy pistols, ballistic guns, portable photon cannons.
    Sahde pushed forward and gathered up a bulky phase-compression rifle, hefting it in her hands. “This, I can work with,” she noted. Nog saw the glint of something savage in her eyes, and he didn’t like it.
    Velk’s hologram scowled at her. “I reiterate. You will leave no trace. You will draw no outside attention. You will find these targets.”
    The Elloran woman spoke directly to the Tellarite. “And when we find them . . . we terminate them?”
    â€œThat’s not what we . . .” Tom Riker hesitated. “That’s not what Starfleet does.”
    Velk glanced toward Kincade and back. “This is not an execution detail. Your primary objective is to capture President Bacco’s killers alive . Once retrieved, they will be taken to trial in public so that every power in the galaxy can know the facts of their guilt. These beings have committed a high crime against the people and the concord of the United Federation of Planets. They must be brought to account.”
    Kincade folded her arms across her chest. “How do we proceed from here, sir?”
    â€œAdditional details have been transmitted to the Snipe via an encrypted side channel. You will find further information there as to your initial objective beyond the Beta Rigel system. I expect full mission reports every twenty-four hours, standard time.”
    Tuvok rose from his seat to address the hologram. “Sir, with respect, this is highly irregular. I have several questions.”
    Velk’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t doubt it.” Then without another word, the image of the Tellarite grew indistinct and winked out.
    Ashur snorted quietly. “He hung up on you, Vulcan.”
    At another table, Lieutenant Ixxen was examining a star map. “There are coordinates here,” she announced. “Just like he said. A system in the Zokod Barrens. That’s a large dust cloud this side of the Hromi Cluster. We could be there in three days.” She glanced at Tuvok, reflexively looking toward the superior Starfleet officer for guidance.
    â€œLieutenant,” said Kincade with enough snap in her tone to shift Ixxen’s gaze to her. “Plot a course, nothing that will draw attention. Follow civilian traffic routes.”
    â€œAye, uh, Colonel,” replied the Bolian, looking away.
    As Nog watched, still trying to assimilate what he had heard, Tuvok turned to the other officer. “Were you aware of the parameters of our assignment?”
    â€œNo. But I had an inkling. Does this present a problem for you, Commander? I’ve seen your file. It’s not like you’re a stranger to covert operations.”
    â€œMy undercover infiltration of the Maquis was conducted with full Starfleet oversight,” he replied. “Mister Velk made no mention of similar supervision of this operation.”
    Nog realized that everyone else in the room was silent, waiting to see how this conversation concluded.
    â€œYou want to refuse this mission?” Kincade asked without weight. “That could be a little problematic.”
    â€œI did not say that,” said Tuvok after a long moment, his stoic expression remaining unchanged.
    â€œI’m glad we got that settled.” Kincade looked around the room. “All right. As Ixxen says, we’ve got three days until we reach our area of operations. I intend to use that time for drills to get us working like a unit. Everyone, familiarize yourselves with the