Immortal Coil - Jeffrey Lang [103]
Picard could barely believe what he was hearing. “I see that your reputation for arrogance is well-earned, Professor. Let me remind you that I have recently saved your life, and that you are at least partially responsible for our current dilemma. I am fully prepared to use deadly force if necessary, but these androids were victims long before they became a threat. Now, I would sincerely regret having to put the single greatest mind in human history in my brig, but unless you put that mind to work and help me to resolve this crisis, I’ll do exactly that. Do we understand each other?”
For a moment there was silence on the bridge, then remarkably, Vaslovik inclined his head. “Well met, Captain. But in my long life, I have been a soldier more than once. When faced with an unknown enemy, I have always made it my policy to shoot first and ask questions later.”
“It may be time to learn new policies, Professor. My belief is that we are morally obligated to help such beings when we create them.”
Vaslovik’s eyes narrowed, his estimation of Picard seeming to rise considerably. “You truly believe that, don’t you?”
“I do,” Picard said.
“In that case, Captain … please tell me what I can do to help.”
No sooner had the Enterprise implemented its countermeasure, throwing the iceship’s propulsion systems offline, than Rhea and Data had each been seized by two of the androids and separated. Data had been confined in a featureless metal room so small he could touch all four walls without extending his arms fully. They hadn’t taken his combadge, perhaps because they knew he wouldn’t be able to raise the ship. He wondered what intentions the androids had for him—to keep him prisoner rather than terminate him outright?—but that concern was secondary to the anxiety he felt for Rhea.
Then something altogether unexpected happened.
“Data? Can you hear me?”
The sound of Rhea’s voice startled him. But it wasn’t external; Data suddenly became aware of a foreign component affixed to his auditory sense cluster, beneath his artificial skin.
“Rhea?” he said aloud. “I can hear you. Can you hear me?”
“Loud and clear.”
“How have you done this?”
“Akharin installed a transmitter when he repaired you, as a precaution. It’s a match for one in my own head. You don’t need to speak aloud. Subvocalize. We don’t want our captors knowing we’re communicating.”
“Agreed,” Data said silently, forming the words deep in his throat. “Where are you? Can you describe what happened after they moved us off the bridge? Perhaps I can find my way to you after I extricate myself from my current predicament.”
“They put me on a turbolift,” Rhea recalled. “And we went down several levels. The ride took nine point two seconds with no stops. If my internal guidance system monitored movements correctly, I’m four levels directly below the control room.”
“I believe I may be in the lowest sections of the ship,” Data replied. “Seven decks below you and fifty-two meters aft. The room I am in is … small. And featureless. Where are you?”
“I’m standing in a room lined with very old-looking machines, dominated by a circular, bisected turntable. The turntable has intendations on either side, both of them the size and shape of a humanoid. I’m flanked by two androids who are holding my arms. A third appears to be prepping the machines.”
Data recalled Soong’s memories of Exo III. “I believe they are preparing to duplicate you.”
“I guessed as much. Akharin’s experiences on Exo III are part of my library databases. I recognized the technology. But what I don’t understand is why.”
“I believe I do,” Data said. “They wish to use your holotronic brain and superior form as the template for a new generation of Exo III androids, and transfer their minds into new bodies.” Data paused as a new thought occurred to him. “Rhea … what would happen if the androids obtained what they wanted? Would that satisfy them?”
“You mean, will they settle