“And that we can find such a technologically advanced star system somewhere close by,” Valerie added.
“Nevertheless,” Maddox said, “we have the neutron beam and a sturdy shield. We can fight whoever thinks to cheat us.”
“Once we repair the deflector generators, you’ll have a shield again,” Dana said. “I don’t even know if any of the other ship’s systems are repairable. The star drive has taken all my thoughts and energy. We have to restore it now.”
“Agreed,” said Maddox. “That’s why you’ll continue attacking the problem with Meta, Keith and Riker helping you.”
Both Maddox and Dana glanced at Meta.
The former two G miner continued to stare forlornly at a distant and unseen point.
“Meta,” Dana said softly. “Is anything the matter?”
Slowly, Meta turned her head. She no longer had her hair bound up. It now swept forward, partially hiding her features. From what Maddox could see, her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy.
“We’re stranded in the void,” Meta said. “We’re fast running out of food. My metabolism runs hotter than ordinary. I’ll starve long before anyone else does.”
Maddox had wondered the same thing about himself.
“You can’t give up now,” Dana told her. “We’re closer to winning everything than ever before.”
Meta made a soft sound. “Do you know how long I’ve been hearing that? Try all of my life. Every time I win, I land in something worse. I thought the prison planet was the height of despair. Wrong. It’s being in a starship that can’t jump, with food and hope quickly dwindling into nothing.”
“No, no,” Dana said, obviously pumping heartiness into her voice. “We have a window of opportunity. This is the time to use it. You have strength and wits. We can eat for a little while longer. During that time, let’s work like demons and fix what we can. If we fail, well, we can worry about it as our stomachs shrivel into nothing. Until then, I’ll fight with all my strength against the universe. I’m not going to let it beat me. And if it does, well, it will know that it has been in the fight of its life.”
Meta turned weary eyes onto Doctor Rich. “I realize that’s one of your strengths. You refuse to quit. You’re remorseless and never say die. I’m finally seeing that every victory lands me in a worse position. Can’t you understand how demoralizing that is?”
“Bah!” Dana said, chopping a hand through the air. “I can’t accept defeatism from you of all people. Do you remember all those monotonous months on Loki Prime? You were the most stalwart Temple Savant of the lot. Your positive attitude was more valuable than your mechanical shrewdness and strength. It’s the person who keeps trying that eventually wins.”
Meta sighed wistfully.
Looking away, Maddox realized something he hadn’t suspected before. Dana needed Meta. Maybe the Rouen Colony woman was the only real friend Dana Rich had ever had. The doctor needed someone who believed in her. That was interesting. As their leader, he couldn’t afford to let any of them wallow in despair. Turning back to them, Maddox reached across the table and put a hand over one of Meta’s.
She looked up sharply, staring at him.
“I wish you’d come with me,” he said. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Where do you want to go?” Meta asked in a lifeless voice.
“Outside,” he said, removing his hand and standing. For several seconds, he didn’t think she would respond further.
Finally, with a heave, Meta stood.
“This way,” he said, motioning with his head. As he headed for the hatch, Captain Maddox didn’t wonder what he was going to do or say. For months, he’d fought to reach the alien starship. Now, the thing was in his possession. That was phenomenal. Not only that, but he’d faced three star cruisers, destroyed one and lived to tell about it. Now, he had to get this relic back to Earth.
Behind him, Meta closed the hatch.
Maddox kept walking down the corridor. He used a well-worn path, avoiding any crusted slime. When they stepped on the ancient substance, it put noxious fumes in the air. He walked until they turned a corner and the hatch was out of sight.
“Where are you headed?” Meta finally asked.
He heard the difference in her voice. She sounded exasperated instead of hopeless. His present action seemed to have stirred a tiny amount of anger in her. Maybe all wasn’t lost with the beautiful ex-miner. Maddox couldn’t believe it, but he found his heart racing and his palms becoming moist.
Something about Meta’s voice had driven him to notice her from the beginning. Her face was like a magnet to his eyes. He could be staring off into space and suddenly, he’d realize he was staring at her. He would look away, and soon he would find himself gazing at her sidelong. Not only that, but her shape tantalized him.
“Captain Maddox,” Meta said, and there was more than a hint of anger in her voice. “I’m not walking any farther until you tell me what this is about.”
He turned around, facing her. “I don’t understand you,” he said.
“That isn’t surprising. I don’t think you understand anyone.”
He grinned. He couldn’t help it.
“You find that amusing, do you?” she asked.
“You’re beautiful,” he told her.
Meta shook her head, making her dark hair swish back and forth. “No. You’d better not try any more of your tricks. If you do, I’m going to break an arm.”
“That’s better than quitting and moping.”
“Oh, I see,” she said. “You think you can perk me up with your witty ways. Well, it won’t work.”
Stepping closer, he said, “That’s exactly what I think.”
She watched him warily and raised her hands as if ready to enter a combat stance.
Maddox’s grin widened. He had been far too engaged with the quest these past weeks to try something like this. Now… well, why not press this beautiful creature against his chest? More than ever, he found himself wanting to kiss her and have her passionately kiss him back.
“Don’t try it,” Meta warned.
Maddox moved in, and Meta thrust a knee at this groin. He blocked with his leg but the crash of her knee against his thigh caused him to stagger back.
Meta laughed as Maddox regained his balance. “I warned you,” she said, and there was humor in her eyes.
“You did warn me,” he said. “Yet, that’s why I asked you to come out here.”
“For me to thrash you?” she asked.
“No,” he said, “to show you the power of persistence.” He moved at her again. Once more, she thrust a knee at his groin. He slipped to the side so her strike failed to connect. That caused Meta to lose her balance. She stumbled as he moved back, catching her in his embrace. For a moment, Maddox held the stunning woman in his arms. He felt her against him, and he bent his head, kissing her.
The Rouen Colony woman melted into his embrace. She gripped him, giving him a rib-shifting hug.
“Are you sure about this, Captain Maddox?” Meta whispered, staring into his eyes.
He almost lost his breath from her hug. Instead of admitting defeat—she kept squeezing—he hugged her back with his considerable strength. Then, he bent his head again and kissed her longer than before. This time, she returned it as the power of her hug lessened to something tolerable.
“Meta,” he whispered.
“Captain Maddox,” she said back.
He liked the sound of her voice. He liked the feel of her against him even better.
After a time, he released her. She also let go of him and swept her fingers through her hair.
He debated telling her not to give up hope. An instinctive part of him realized she might believe he’d done all this just to keep her going. This wasn’t the moment to tell her to keep trying. Maybe this wasn’t a time for words. Sometimes, a person simply needed to be wanted, to belong to another.