Homecoming - Christie Golden [67]
She still had not been told why she and Icheb had been incarcerated. They were treated well enough, and she was more pleased and moved than she wanted to admit that they were able to talk with the Doctor. Seven knew she had to present a strong, confident front for Icheb’s sake as well as her own. He was watching her now more intently than ever he had before, and she needed to do all she could to reassure him. Having the Doctor to talk to helped her to maintain her proud, fearless façade, and she was grateful.
One of the guards approached and deactivated the forcefield. “Please come with me,” he said.
“Where are we going?”
“You’re to see Dr. Kaz.”
She glanced back at Icheb, who gave her the first hint of a smile that she had gotten from him since the entire absurd and unjust affair began, and went quietly.
Dr. Jarem Kaz was a Trill. He turned to look at her with large, friendly blue eyes and a smile that appeared genuine. He was tall and well built, approaching middle age. His spots were quite dark and were clustered closer to the hairline than was usual with his species.
“Please, come in and sit down,” he said. Seven eyed [200] him, trying to take his measure. Since Icheb had given her a reassuring smile while she was being led to see him, Kaz was therefore someone she was inclined not to negatively prejudge.
Her initial positive impression of him was further heightened when he turned brusquely to the lingering guard and said, “Thank you, that will do. I’ll take care of her,” and all but pushed him out the door. When the door hissed closed behind the guard, Kaz sighed and shook his head. He turned back to Seven.
“I’m Dr. Jarem Kaz,” he said.
She didn’t answer.
“You aren’t monitored here,” he said. “Not that I expect you to speak freely, but I wanted you to know.”
Seven lifted a golden eyebrow. “Thank you,” she said stiffly.
“I must apologize for the red tape that kept Icheb in pain for so long,” he said, picking up a medical tricorder and beginning to scan her. “There’s no excuse for that. I’ve recommended that he be allowed to speak to a counselor if he chooses. I understand that the people who beat him so badly were fellow Starfleet cadets.”
Seven said nothing to confirm or deny his statement. He paused, as if waiting for her to speak, then continued.
“Bad business, that. Fear makes people do cruel things, things they’ll be ashamed of later.”
“Such as bringing in Federation citizens and holding them without charges or counsel,” said Seven.
Kaz nodded and sighed again. “Such as that,” he agreed. “Well, if I keep running my mouth, then they’ll probably toss me in with you.”
[201] She looked at him hard. “Is that truly a possibility?” she inquired.
He laughed. “No, I’m just teasing you.” He looked at his tricorder and frowned. “It appears your ocular implant is out of alignment.”
He approached with a tool but she ducked back. “How do you know how to correct it?” she demanded.
“I’ve read everything the Doctor has reported on you and Icheb,” he said. “I’ve only just finished, which is one of the reasons I’m unforgivably late in seeing you. I should have been allowed to see Icheb sooner, though; his injuries had nothing to do with his being Borg.”
“He is no longer part of the collective,” Seven said, “and neither am I.”
“I understand the difference,” said Dr. Kaz. “I won’t try to adjust this if you don’t want me to. The misalignment is minor and it’s not a vital implant.”
Seven thought about it. Jarem Kaz struck her as a good person, better than she had expected. Only the