Xena's Arc

Chapter 11 of 13

The shuttle limped into the Stargazer's bay and set down hard on the deck. The pilot cut power and the cabin lights dropped to standby. Xena kept her hand on Seven of Nine's elbow until Seven of Nine straightened and pulled her arm back. Steam rolled off the burnt panel behind them. Outside the viewport, the bay doors sealed and the pressure gauge climbed. Xena picked up her sword and stood at Seven's shoulder as the hatch cycled open. A line of officers waited on the deck in red-shouldered uniforms. Xena counted six, then the one at the front stepped forward. Word had come ahead of them. The crewman from the shuttle stood among the officers, and Xena saw he had already spoken. The officers looked at her sword, then at her, then at Seven of Nine's burned wrist. None of them reached for a weapon. The lead officer said the bridge was ready and a medic was on the way. Seven of Nine said the medic could wait. Seven of Nine walked Xena the length of the bay with her crew falling in behind. In the corridor a young officer in a black and red tunic caught up and matched Xena's step. He said his name was known to her by ship rumor only. He said the man in the dark suit had contacted the Stargazer on an open channel and told them Xena was the reason the shuttle came home. He said the crew had heard it. He asked to see the sword. Xena laid the hilt across his palm. The blade glowed steady under his hand. He gave it back and stepped aside for her to pass. On the bridge Seven of Nine took her chair and did not sit. She turned to her officers and said Xena stood at her side by her order and by the sword's own witness. She said any objection would be heard now, in the open, or not at all. The bay crewman spoke first and said what he had seen at the shuttle. The young officer spoke next and said what the blade had done in the corridor. One by one the others said nothing, which was the answer Seven of Nine had asked for. The lead officer said the post was Xena's. Seven of Nine said, adequate, and the word carried a weight Xena had not heard in it before. The medic came and Seven of Nine let him wrap her wrist while she read the damage reports. Xena stood at her right shoulder with the sword grounded on the deck. Seven of Nine did not look up when she spoke. She said the man in the dark suit was still out there and had not answered their hails. She said the ones who sent the three craft would send more. Xena said she would be ready. Seven of Nine said, yes, and turned the page on the report.