Epilogue

DiNMR.

The meal in Quark’s had been superb. Now they sipped their brandy and relaxed. Around them the normal nightly activity of Quark’s had come up to full speed. But somehow it seemed to avoid their table, as if they were sitting in their own private bubble.

Riker wasn’t exactly sure why the meal had tasted so good. Possibly because he and Dax were finally allowed to finish a meal together. Or more likely it had been her company. And her laughs. He loved it when she laughed.

And when she smiled.

And when she just looked at him.

Just a plain enjoyable meal. In fact, at the moment he could not remember a meal being so enjoyable. Tender roast Jibetian duckling. Crisp young sprouts.

The finest of Quark’s brandy. He held the memory of the flavors like a treasured gem. He would not soon let go of them.

“You are just sitting there smiling,” Dax said. “A personal joke? Or a private thought?”

“It’s you,” Riker said, leaning forward to get a little closer to her. “For some reason you make me smile.”

“Thank you, kind sir,” she said, raising her glass. They toasted each other and he sipped his brandy again, letting the smooth, smoky flavor coat his mouth.

“I hear you volunteered to help set up the holodeck program, Dax said. “Is that true?”

“Very true,” Riker said. “And I’m looking forward to it.”

That afternoon, at the last meeting, Captain Picard had suggested that Gowron’s story of Pok be used as a Federation holodeck program to teach Federation personnel about Klingon customs and culture.

Gowron had loved the idea. No hesitations.

But Admiral Jellico had been a tougher sell. Finally Gowron had offered to be scanned for inclusion in this program and that had swung the admiral. It would be a very worthwhile project. Of that, Riker had no doubt.

“Well,” Dax said, glancing over her glass of brandy at Riker. “What would you like to do now, Commander? It seems we have some time free.”

Riker smiled at her devil-may-care look. Just at that moment a cheer exploded from the Dabo table. He glanced that way, then looked back at her. He could

feel the intense grin on his face, and for some reason

he had no desire to tone it down.

“First off,” he said. “I would love to play Dabo. I have a feeling I just might break Quark’s bank.”

Dax raised her eyebrows. “You must really feel

lucky tonight.”

He reached across the table and took her hand.

Then, smiling, he asked, “Don’t you?”

THE MAKING OF

STAR TREK: KLINGON.

by

David Mack