Homecoming - Christie Golden [68]
“You may proceed,” she said at length.
“Thank you,” he said, and began his adjustment.
“Perhaps this will eliminate the unusual sensations I have been experiencing,” said Seven.
“What kind of sensations?”
“It is a slight hum,” she said. “Almost like voices, but not quite.”
[202] Kaz froze for an instant, then continued. “Is it anything like you experienced when you were joined with the collective?”
“No,” said Seven promptly. “We were linked clearly to the hive mind. There was no confusion whatsoever. If there was any attempt by the Queen to give instructions they were, as a friend of mine would say, crystal clear. This is much fainter, much more incoherent.”
“Do you think someone might be trying to activate your implants?”
Suddenly realizing what he was asking, Seven grabbed his wrist.
“Seven, you’re hurting me,” said Kaz quietly, making no attempt to free himself.
She loosened her viselike grip but did not release him. “Why are you asking such questions?”
“You told me you were getting some kind of reception with your implants,” he said. “I was merely theorizing.”
“There is something going on with the Borg,” said Seven, knowing she should wait until she had legal counsel, but also suspecting that that might take a long time. “This is why Icheb and I were brought here. Tell me what is transpiring. I have no cause to love the Borg, Dr. Kaz. My loyalties lie with Admiral Janeway and what she represents. I would be pleased to assist, but I resent being thrown into prison without even knowing what I am accused of.”
“Let me go, Seven,” said Kaz. She did so, and he took a step back, rubbing his reddening arm. “You understand that I am bound by orders,” he said.
“I do,” Seven replied.
[203] “I have determined from examining you that you are not ... not what they think. That you are not doing what they think, nor is Icheb. I will do what I can to release you. But you’re going to have to assist me in return.”
“How?”
“I will tell the guards that you are not well and that your situation needs monitoring. That any time you wish to see me, day or night, you must be allowed to do so. And I want you to promise that you’ll come talk to me if anything changes with your implants.”
She eyed him. “You will be forced to tell them what you know,” she said.
“I will,” he said. “But the more I know about what’s going on with you, the more I can help you.”
“Why do you want to help me?”
“I told you. I’ve just examined you and I know that you’re innocent of ... what they suspect. I wish I could say more, but I have my orders, as I have said. I know I’m asking you to trust me based on nothing, and it’s your call.”
Seven reached to touch her facial implant. “You have not corrected the problem,” she said, slightly accusingly.
“I have indeed realigned your implant,” he said, “but it would seem that’s not what’s causing the problem.”
She was silent; then she rose. “If you have completed your exam, I should return to my cell.”
His blue eyes searched hers. Finally he said, “Very well. I will call your guard. Remember what I’ve told you, and be careful what you say and whom you trust.”
* * *
[204] Seven assumed that the two guards would escort her back to her cell. Instead, they took her to a turbolift, which, after a long interval, opened directly into a small, dark room. Seven threw her shoulders back. She knew what was about to happen.
One of the guards prodded her with a phaser. She stepped forward. Immediately the doors hissed closed behind her. She was in utter darkness.
“Seven of Nine,” came a cool male voice in the darkness. “I imagine you know what you’re here for.”
“I am here to be interrogated,” she said, keeping her voice as cool and unemotional as that of the stranger in the dark room.
“And why do you think that is?”
“I have no idea. I submitted to a full debriefing