Chapter 35
Something was not right. For a few moments, Allen had seemed to disappear from her mind's eye. Where was he? She began to get angry. Yes, he had betrayed her again and again. But she still loved him.
"The timing needs to be right, Captain," Riker said, leaning toward Picard. "We need to start the holo- program at the same time we initiate the stealth technology."
"We are counting on Claudia relying on her basic instincts to protect the person she believes she is destined to be with," said Troi.
Picard nodded. "And we in turn have to rely on the fact that she is so focused on him that she will overlook logic and will simply follow him out into space, without questioning how he appeared there."
"I sense that she is still able to reason quite well, but no longer in a way that we would recognize as human. I believe that at least at first she will focus only on the fact that Allen is in distress and needs her help."
"Even though he tried to kill her?" Worf's booming voice was incredulous.
Troi turned slightly to look up at him. "Yes, Worf. Despite Doctor Harrow having committed what most people would classify as unforgiveable betrayal, Claudia believes she has no one in the universe to rely on other than Allen."
"She may be right about that," Picard muttered. "Alright then, let's get this underway," he said. "Data? Signal LaForge on a secure channel."
Data nodded and touched the ops console. "Geordi, is Doctor Harrow ready?"
"Affirmative," said LaForge. "He's all set. Just say the word."
Data typed into his console. "The holo-program is ready to initiate."
"Make it so," Picard ordered. Everyone fell silent with the exception of beeping from the various stations around the bridge. "Let's get a visual," said Picard.
The expanse of space was now dominated by the fiery glow of the star. Spinning directly ahead of them was the very convincing holo-program of
"Computer where is Allen Harrow?" asked Riker.
"Allen Harrow is not on board the Enterprise," replied the computer confidently.
Picard and Riker shared a glance. If the ship's computer was fooled into believing Harrow was not on board, Claudia and the Eve should be fooled as well.
Picard held his breath and sat forward in his chair. Suddenly the air on the bridge seemed to shimmer and he felt his skin ripple strangely.
"Captain," said Data. "The Eve has phased out of the confines of the Enterprise."
"Damage report," Picard said getting to his feet, eyes fixed on the view screen.
"Sensors detect no discernible damage, Captain. Structural integrity is at one hundred percent," Worf reported.
Amazing. She had departed the Enterprise, through the hull of the Enterprise without causing any further damage. On screen the Eve reappeared instantly, floating next to the holo of Harrow. The looming fiery red background of the star seemed to become richer. Picard thought he could see the swirling corona of the sun. Even more disturbing was that the Enterprise and now the Eve were being pulled at increasing velocity toward the star.
"What is the status of our shield strength?"
"Sir, shields are holding. However, we continue to be pulled toward the star."
"Engage the impulse engines," shouted Picard.
"Chief Engineer LaForge reports the impulse engines are currently unresponsive," reported Data evenly.
"Status LaForge? We need those engines back online." Riker stood with his arms dangling at his sides; fingers twitching unconsciously.
"Sir…" came LaForge's voice, sounding crestfallen. "Impulse engines are down and I'll need at least ten minutes to get the warp engines ready."
"That's time we don't have," snapped Picard.
Riker frowned. "Make it five minutes, Geordi, we're collapsing into that star."
"Captain," said Troi suddenly, getting up from her seat. "Look!" She pointed wide-eyed at the view screen.
Picard and the others turned their attention to the view screen which showed the Eve had edged up next to the hologram of Harrow. The hologram seemed to flicker briefly.
"What's happening?" Picard demanded. "What's wrong with the holo-program?"
"The integrity of Doctor Harrow's transporter pattern has been minimally compromised by the environment of space, Captain," said Data.
"She's figuring it out," Riker murmured. "We're in it now."
LaForge's frantic voice came over the channel. "Sir it was Doctor Harrow…he pulled the masking circuits off of his suit, and made a run for it. Security is trying to stop him before he—"
"Before he what?" shouted Picard.
"No! Get away from that hatch," Geordi was now shouting.
"She must have sensed the real Harrow was still present on the Enterprise when he sabotaged the plan, Captain," said Troi.
"Goddamn him!" Picard paced backward. "Security, do you have him yet?"
"Negative, sir," came an unknown voice. "He's locked himself inside one of the emergency airlocks."
He's absolutely insane. Picard stared at the view screen, now re-focused on the safety of the ship.
As though still exercising caution, the Eve attempted to bump the hologram lightly, and the nose of the ship passed right through the hologram. Turning fully toward the Enterprise, the Eve powered its lights on.
"Captain, the Eve is firing on us," reported Worf. The ship shook with the impact of the invisible energy pulse.
There were no evasive maneuvers to be had without propulsion. "Return fire," said Picard.
"The Eve is continuing to fire on us, sir."
"Fire at will." They watched as a spread of photon torpedoes and phasers shot outward toward the Eve.
"Direct hits, Captain," Worf indicated. "However, the Eve continues to advance on us," he warned.
"Captain," said Data with his usual calm, "I estimate less than ten minutes before we are unable to escape the gravitational pull of the star. When we were a safer distance away from the star, the principal risk was the shockwave which will occur upon the final collapse. But if we do not escape the gravitational pull, we will not live to experience the shockwave."