Free Encounter at Farpoint by David Gerrold Page B

and gold figure worked into the background.

    “Isn’t it nice that he happened to have exactly what you asked for?” Riker asked, with just a light touch of sarcasm.

    Beverly glanced at him, then back at the merchant, who was smiling serenely and waiting for her decision. “Thank you. I’ll take the entire bolt. Send it to the
Enterprise
when it arrives, charged to Doctor Beverly Crusher.”

    The merchant bowed and ticked off the information on a flat credit monitor that hung at his waist. Then he gathered up the bolt of cloth and took it inside the shop to be wrapped. Beverly looked around at Riker with a bemused expression on her face. Riker held out his hand, indicating a direction they could take. She nodded and walked with him.

    “You were saying, Doctor?” Riker asked.

    Beverly looked at him uncomfortably. “I was saying that you were inventing work in order to curry favor and impress your new captain.” Her chin came up and she met his eyes squarely. “I apologize for that, Commander Riker.”

    “My name’s Bill.”

    “Yes, I know.”

    “That gold-patterned cloth wasn’t in the pile when we first looked at it, Mother. I’m sure of it,” Wesley said.

    “I agree.” Beverly paused and looked back at the shop where the merchant had once more appeared behind the table to present his wares. “Maybe this
is
something Jean-Luc would be interested in knowing.”

    “Jean-Luc? You know Captain Picard?”

    Wesley interrupted proudly. “He served on the
Stargazer
with my father.”

    Beverly put a hand on the boy’s shoulder and smiled apologetically at Riker. “Wes. Commander Riker isn’t interested in family history. I couldn’t say I know Captain Picard personally, Commander. We met, that’s all. And it was a long time ago.” She frowned thoughtfully. “That incident with the cloth
was
peculiar. Tell you what, I’ll keep my eyes open and let you know anything else I see.”

    “I appreciate it—Beverly, isn’t it?”

    She nodded, concealing a smile. Most senior officers were on a first name basis on any ship, but she had no intention of letting young Bill Riker get too familiar too fast. Still, his observations on the odd incidents that had occurred appeared to have some basis in fact. What were the Bandi, and what were their intentions with this staging station? Riker was correct in asking everyone he could contact to stay alert and report anything unusual for Picard’s attention.

    “Sir—” They turned as Geordi LaForge hurried up to them. “The
Enterprise
is arriving, but—”

    “Is this an official report, Lieutenant?” Riker interrupted crisply.

    “Sorry, Commander.” LaForge pulled himself up to attention and delivered the message formally. “
Sir
. Lieutenant LaForge reporting the
Enterprise
is now arriving, but without the saucer section.”

    Riker exchanged a quick, concerned look with Beverly. “Stardrive section only? What happened?”

    “No information, sir. Captain Picard has signalled that he wants you to beam up immediately.”

    “Our new captain doesn’t waste time,” Beverly observed.

    “Which makes it a good rule for me, too,” Riker said wryly. “Thank you, Lieutenant. I appreciate your finding me so quickly.”

    “Yes, sir,” LaForge said. “Sir, if I may, Ensign Hughes and I noticed something earlier that we thought worth bringing to your attention—”

    Riker raised his hand. “File a report with me back aboard ship.” He touched the communicator worn on the left breast of his uniform. “
Enterprise
, this is Commander Riker on Farpoint Station. Standing by to beam up.”

    “
Enterprise
to Riker. Energizing.”

    The air around Riker shimmered and danced. Slowly the glittering beams covered his image, and then faded away into thin air. Beverly had never ceased to be amazed at the transporter process, even though she was fully aware of its operating principle. Starfleet technology was replete with wonderful achievements, but the