Young, Ed:Outrageous, Contagious Joy: Five Big Questions to Help You Discover One Great Life
- Livres de poche 2007, ISBN: 9780425219089
Pocket Books. Very Good. 4 x 0.75 x 7 inches. Mass Market Paperback. 2001. 200 pages. <br>Intendant Kira, Overseer for the entire Klingon-Ca rdassian Alliance, must deal with Deanna… Plus…
Pocket Books. Very Good. 4 x 0.75 x 7 inches. Mass Market Paperback. 2001. 200 pages. <br>Intendant Kira, Overseer for the entire Klingon-Ca rdassian Alliance, must deal with Deanna Troi, the ambitious cons ort of Regent Worf, and B'Elanna Torres, half-human Intendant of the Sol System, as she enters into a dangerous liaison with Annik a Hansen, an undercover agent of the Obsidian Order, who has orde rs to kill Kira. Original. Editorial Reviews Excerpt. ® Reprint ed by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One For the firs t time, Deanna Troi was uncomfortable on the bridge of the Negh'V ar, the flagship of the Alliance Armada. Next to her, Regent Worf reclined on his imposing command chair. The rest of the Klingon crew stood at their stations around the long narrow bridge. Tro i didn't have a station. As Intendant of Betazed, she wasn't offi cially part of the Negh'Var's crew. Instead, she preferred to sta nd near the support beams directly to Worf's left, close enough t hat he could speak to her privately or she could make suggestions . The bridge was darkened except for the display panels, so she w as shadowed and thus could observe the officers. But her joy at being by her Imzadi was ruined by the presence of Kira Nerys. Tr oi had never imagined Kira would join them on the Negh'Var. When Worf had heard that the new Overseer was making a grand tour of the shipping lines through the former Terran Empire, he changed c ourse to intercept Kira's starship. He insisted he must observe h er activities. Troi couldn't argue with that. Yet within days o f meeting up with the Siren's Song, Kira's ship was docked in the largest launching bay on board the Negh'Var. At eight decks high , the Siren's Song was really too big for the cavernous bay, but somehow Kira had wedged it in there. One morning Troi woke up and found that Kira had moved her crew, staff, and slaves into quart ers on the Negh'Var. She did not appear to be in any hurry to lea ve. Kira had even appropriated a spot on the bridge directly op posite from Troi, on the other side of Worf. Whenever Troi looked at Worf, she couldn't help but see Kira, her short red hair inco ngruous on the somber bridge. It was galling to be outflanked on her own ship. Kira had been nothing but a nuisance since she had become Overseer. Troi's last attempt at getting rid of Kira had been destroyed by the death of Winn Adami. She wasn't sure who h ad killed Winn. The only evidence was a Klingon knife. But Troi s uspected that Kira had something to do with it. Kira didn't try t o hide her satisfaction that her political rival on Bajor was gon e. Suddenly Kira laughed out loud, making a comment about the D ohlman of Elas to Worf. She acts like a painted replica! Troi s ensed sexual overtones in Kira's use of the word replica. It made Troi narrow her eyes while Worf grunted in amusement. A moment a go he had been irritated because the young Dohlman of Elas was re sisting his demands for additional vessels to accompany the Armad a as an honor guard through their sector. But Kira seemed capable of charming Worf at almost any time. Troi normally would have been enjoying Worf's display of strength in appropriating the Doh lman's vessels. But instead, she hardly paid attention as double disruptor beams suddenly pierced one of the tiny vessels, blowing it up in a burst of blue-orange heat. Sparkling debris showered over the bridge dome, reminding Troi of the gorgeous meteor showe rs on Betazed II. She had watched them every night from the cliff s of New Hope while she had waited for Worf to return from Bajor last time. Maybe she was thinking more about the revised plans for New Hope that her architect had sent for approval, because Wo rf's heart wasn't in this confrontation. Much of his anger had be en drained by the glorious battle against the Romulans in the nam e of Duras. With fresh legions fighting on the front, continuing to press the Romulans back, the victory had been enough to assure Duras a place in Sto'Vo'Kor. Worf had then gone to Terok Nor, wh ere Kira had welcomed the victorious warriors. After he returned, he had actually been...mellow. Troi yawned as the screen showe d the proud Elasian beauty humbling herself and begging Worf's fo rgiveness for the delay. Worf could lay waste to much of the Elas ian territory if he chose, but Troi sensed his boredom. He was pr obably thinking, Why bother? Kira said, I suppose this means we' ll shift the trade route closer to the Lissepians and choke the E lasians into proper obedience. Worf agreed, The Dohlman will le arn her place in the Alliance. Without glancing at Troi, he order ed, Change course to the Lissepian sector. As Worf's crew insta ntly obeyed their commander, Troi exerted every bit of empathy sh e possessed to sense what Kira was feeling now. The Bajoran was e xcited by Worf's display of power and the destruction of the Elas ian vessel. Her fiercely sensual reaction disturbed Troi. It was too much like her own emotional rapport with Worf. Kira was cle arly engaged in a rivalry with her for Worf's attention. In many ways she had already managed to interfere in their relationship. Just last night, shortly after Troi had dismissed Keiko, she and Worf had been interrupted by a request from Kira. Worf had disapp eared for almost an hour before returning to her bed. Sir! Firs t Officer Koloth announced. We are receiving a message from the G roumall, requesting permission to rendezvous with the Alliance Ar mada. Gul Dukat! Kira exclaimed, her voice filled with loathing . The first officer confirmed, I have the Groumall on long-rang e sensors. Tell him to get lost, Kira said with a wave of her h and. Who wants him around? Worf frowned, pulling thoughtfully o n his beard. Troi felt a quickening of hope. Worf had fallen in to the habit of doing whatever Kira suggested. But this time, he clearly thought it wiser to not offend a fellow Alliance member. From the way he glanced at Kira, he also didn't like her arrogant assumption that he would do whatever she said. Request granted , Worf told his first officer. But what about the festival you' ve been planning? Kira asked sweetly. Dukat will ruin it. Worf clearly had not considered the Kot'Baval Festival, but he almost never rescinded an order. He slumped deeper in his chair, scowlin g. But Kira laughed and shrugged it off. Who knows? Maybe Dukat w ill get drunk and turn out to be the life of the party. Troi co uld tell that Kira really didn't care about Dukat joining them. H er objection had been as fleeting as her other desires. Troi foun d that flightiness difficult to understand. As an empath, she was accustomed to judging actions according to people's emotional mo tivation. But Kira used her feelings as a playground. Emotions we re called up and romped around, but nothing was taken seriously. Troi didn't know what was important to Kira, but she was certainl y determined to find out. If she didn't do something fast, Kira c ould fascinate Worf beyond Troi's powers to combat. The Kot'Bava l Festival celebrated the ancient victory of Molar the Unforgetta ble over Kahless. Worf and one of his strongest warriors reenacte d the fifteen-hundred-year-old ritual of Kahless attacking Molar with a strange new weapon called the bat'leth. Molar, with his su perior strength, wrested the weapon from Kahless and slew the con tender for his claim to the Klingon Empire. Troi's mood was lif ted by the high spirits of the Klingon crew, but having seen this particular ritual enacted many times before, she was not really moved. Even with the blade singing through the air, passing withi n a hairsbreadth of Worf's chest, she was hardly concerned. She k new exactly which move Worf would make to parry the thrust and wr est the bat'leth away. She liked things raw and unpredictable, bu t Worf cherished his rituals. Now that the battle had been comp leted, Worf was at the front of the hall, drinking and talking lo udly among his warriors. Both men and women butted their heads in merry disregard for their skulls. The smell of sweat and leather competed with the swirling smoke from the lanterns. For a moment , Troi forgot they were on a starship. The few non-Klingon gues ts seemed out of place, clearly lacking Troi's unique ability to meld into any situation. Kira Nerys was drinking with the second officer, while her Terran slave solemnly surveyed the riotous cre w. A few male Rutians, with their distinctive white streaks of ha ir, gathered to one side of the hall. They drank large flagons of bloodwine, and seemed to be handling the intoxicant well. The most unusual presence in the great hall of the flagship was Gul D ukat and his aides. Troi vividly remembered Dukat's reaction at t he Alliance gathering when Kira was named Overseer of the fallen Terran Empire. His outrage and sense of betrayal had been palpabl e, though he hardly moved a muscle. Troi had been pleasantly surp rised by his reaction. It was not often that Cardassians revealed themselves so clearly. Their deceptive natures led them to hide their most cherished desires even from themselves. It was the ult imate way to keep their enemies from discovering their weak point s. So Troi was pleased that Gul Dukat had joined them for the K ot'Baval Festival. Dukat certainly acted like an ally rather than an enemy. His pleasant smile and gently clasped fingers betrayed nothing but polite interest in the ritual. His face was a pale g reenish-gray spot among the dark Klingons, and the crew instincti vely avoided the table where the Cardassians were seated. Kira came toward Troi laughing, the effects of the bloodwine clear in her step. But even tipsy, she managed to look seductive with her knowing smile and swaying hips. Kira wore a black skin-suit, simi lar to the Klingon uniform Troi preferred. So Troi had begun wear ing dresses to avoid comparisons. Worf had complimented her on he r vibrant blue dress, cut to a deep V over one breast. He had enc ircled her waist with his hands, lifting her for a kiss. As he sw ung her around, her hair had loosened and came tumbling down arou nd her shoulders. He insisted she leave the long dark curls free, gently kissing one tress before leaving the privacy of their qua rters. Feeling smug, Troi allowed Kira to approach. The Bajoran had been drinking quite a bit and would perhaps reveal more than she intended. Come on, Seven! Kira called teasingly. Turning t o Troi, she added, She's afraid of you. Afraid you'll read her mi nd. Sorry to disappoint you, Troi told both Kira and the statue sque blond Terran. But I'm not telepathic. Maybe not, Kira agre ed. But everyone says you know what people think. She grabbed Sev en's hand and pulled her even closer to Troi. I bet you can't fig ure out Seven... Troi was offended. She's your Terran slave. No! Kira laughed out loud, drawing attention to them. Seven's a F ree-Terran. Troi considered Seven in spite of herself. Her own concealed half-Terran heritage usually made her avoid the few Fre e-Terrans she encountered. At a glance, she could tell this woman was unique. She was quite tall, and dressed for the occasion in a Cardassian military uniform. The strong diagonal lines made a d ramatic counterpoint to her serene expression. Her attitude was g ood -- her hands were clasped behind her back and her boots sprea d as if she was poised to defend herself. Troi could sense a touc h of inner uneasiness, though her full lips never trembled. When they began to receive more attention from the boisterous Klingons , Troi got the impression that Seven was always this self-possess ed. Several of the Klingons were suggesting, not so quietly, what they could do with a woman like Seven. But the Terran ignored th em. She's not what she seems, Troi said briefly. That's amazi ng! Kira exclaimed. You're right. Seven may look Terran, but she was raised as a Cardassian. I was talking to Gul Dukat over there . She jerked a thumb in his direction. In response, he stood up a nd began to approach. He knows the family Seven used to live with . Ghemor is on the Detapa Council now. What are you doing so fa r from Cardassia? Troi politely asked Seven. Nerys invited me t o come with her on the tour, Seven replied. Kira let out an una pologetic yawn as she languorously stretched. And now it's time t o leave. Come on, my dear. The company around here is not to my t aste. This last was said with a glance over her shoulder at the a pproaching Gul Dukat. Kira glided away before Dukat reached the m, swinging her hips in suggestive appeal. Seven supported her ar m, staunchly clearing a way through the staggering Klingons. Troi felt no animosity from Kira. There was nothing but curiosity and , after Troi's assessment of Seven, admiration for her empathic s kill. Gul Dukat arrived in time to look after Kira's retreating form. His eye ridges were drawn in displeasure. Troi was reminde d of that unguarded moment at the Alliance gathering when his emo tions ran strong. You are distressed, Troi quietly said. No. Dukat quickly covered his momentary lapse of attention with a cor dial smile. It's natural for you to feel betrayed, Troi assured him. First Kira seized the Intendant's post without your approva l, and now she has taken the Overseer's position from you. I wa s her commanding officer, Dukat said by way of explanation. His u rbane demeanor belied his warrior's armor, and she wondered if he was a good fighter. Assessing him quickly, she decided that thou gh he was imposing and physically well-formed, his temperament wa s compelled toward covert manipulation rather than hand-to-hand c ombat. Troi ventured a light laugh. Perhaps you and Kira were c loser than fellow officers. Now his smile grew cold. Not likely . Troi was tempted to push this line of questioning, feeling hi s response despite his negative reply. He did feel an attraction for Kira, perhaps even tenderness. Unusual for a xenophobic Carda ssian. But before Troi could continue, Dukat gestured. Look at her with the Regent. Troi slowly turned, having steeled herself to never reveal her jealousy. That would be her undoing. Yet she knew that she was going to be sorely tested. Kira was leaning on Worf's arm, her curvaceous body bumping into him as she laughe d. Worf supported her when she nearly collapsed in mirth, while h e tossed back his head and joined in. Troi so rarely saw Worf lau gh, and it made her nervous. He was off his guard tonight, and sh e knew Kira had something to do with it, Pocket Books, 2001, 3, Funtastic, Australia, 2007. Medium Trade Paperback. Good. Medium Trade Paperback. 126 pages. *** PUBLISHING DETAILS: Funtastic, Australia, 2007. *** CONDITION: Good. Lightly tanned pages. Moderate water damage to covers and text. *** ABOUT THIS BOOK: By day, Miley Stewart is an unassuming 14-year-old student who enjoys hanging out with her friendsby night, however, she transforms into pop sensation Hannah Montana! Miley must keep her secret identity just that from everyone but her father, brother, two hilarious best friends if she wants to lead any sort of normal life! Hannah Montana is the hottest new show for tweens and Funtastic is proud to present the next two in a series of Hannah Montana books: Super SneakMr Stewart makes Miley and her brother, Jackson, stay at home and study while he goes to a meeting. But Miley and Jackson want to go to the premiere of Ashton Kutchers latest flick! Mileys friends Lilly and Oliver talk her into sneaking out. When they get to the theatre, they find a big surprise. Mr Stewart is there and it looks like hes on a date! *** Quantity Available: 1. Category: Children & Young Adult; Teenage Fiction; ISBN/EAN: 9781741921311. Inventory No: 12010112.. 9781741921311, Funtastic, 2007, 2.5, UsedGood. Pages are clean with normal wear. May have limited markings &/or highlighting within pages &/or cover. Includes dustjacket, if applicable. May have some wear & creases on the cover. The spine may also have minor wear. Does not come with CD/DVD, if applicable. Access code has been used, if applicable. 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