Homecoming - Christie Golden [58]
“I’m only sorry we’re seeing each other under these circumstances.” She indicated a seat, and as he took it, she pointed to the monitor. He glowered, but nodded his understanding.
“I’m going to do everything I can to see that they don’t deactivate you again,” she assured him. “And I’m also going to do my utmost to get you legal counsel.”
He sighed, slightly dramatically. “I appreciate your efforts, Admiral. But I can’t imagine who would be willing to defend a hologram.”
She smiled and patted his hand. “Oh, I’ll think of [172] someone. Leave that to me. Now, you have to tell me everything.”
Janeway listened intently as the Doctor described Barclay suggesting that he write a sequel to Photons Be Free, his distress that no one was thinking to consult him about his remarkable achievements, and how great a balm to his wounded ego Baines’s visit had been.
“At least, at first,” he amended. “He hid his real purpose for seeing me until he got to the apartment.” The Doctor related the conversation. “I was certain I had convinced him that peaceful protest was the only proper means for him to pursue.”
“Strikes aren’t violent,” Janeway pointed out. She filled him in on what had transpired; apparently his captors had not seen fit to do so. “Thus far, nothing dire is happening.”
“Other EMHs? Are they striking as well?”
“I’ve heard nothing about EMHs refusing to render aid,” she assured him. He was visibly relieved. “But not many people are going out for dinner these days, and various other processes have come to a screeching halt.”
“Well, thank heavens no one’s been hurt or killed,” said the Doctor.
Janeway hesitated, then said, “I have a bit of bad news.”
His eyebrows shot up. “That wasn’t bad?”
“As I said, so far, nothing serious has happened, but Starfleet feels that if Baines was able to access these systems, he could access others if he isn’t found and stopped.”
[173] “I agree entirely,” said the Doctor. “Baines is quite passionate about the issue of photonic rights. If he doesn’t see some movement in that quarter very soon, he may raise the stakes.”
“Baines couldn’t do all this by himself,” said Janeway quietly.
“He did say he had a lot of allies.”
“Doctor,” she said as gently and compassionately as she could, “you were spotted at several of the break-in sites.”
He stared at her. “That’s not possible! I’ve barely left Mr. Paris’s apartment. He’s quite the taskmaster, and though I adore my goddaughter, I’m frankly a bit weary of playing nursemaid.”
“I know,” she said, “but the fact is, we have sworn testimony to the fact that you were there. Please—give me something to take back to Admiral Montgomery that can help me get you released.”
His dark eyes were thoughtful for a time, and then a dawning comprehension spread across his face. He pounded his fist on the table.
“Baines,” he said. “That clever devil.”
“Beg your pardon?”
“Admiral, I’m a hologram. I can easily be duplicated, and in fact, Baines had an entire slew of EMH Mark Ones at his disposal.”
“Yes,” agreed Janeway, “back at the dilithium-processing facility. But you’re the only hologram with a personal emitter, Doctor. That technology came from Starling. No one else has it.”
The reality of that statement sank in. “But ... I didn’t [174] do it!” the Doctor said weakly. “Surely you believe me?”
“I do,” she assured him. “The trick is going to be getting other people to believe you.”
“What about innocent until proven guilty?” said the Doctor angrily. She didn’t answer. “It has to be Baines,” he said. “He’s come up with something, some version of my holoemitter. It’s the only explanation. He’s an intelligent man, whatever his flaws may be, and he’s been the only human surrounded by EMH Mark Ones for several years. He’s had ample time to develop something that would help his holograms have freedom of movement.”
She smiled sadly. “It is, as Tuvok would say, quite a logical assumption. But