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“One logical explanation might be that this disease had been deliberately created. But by whom, and why?”

“Exactly what it’s our job to find out. For security reasons, I’d like you to deliver this to Dr. Crusher personally. Then have a chat with our little friend.”

Tuvok studied the locket gravely. ” ‘Security reasons,’ Admiral? Even on the grounds of the Academy?”

Uhura made a wry face. “Yes, I know. It’s made it all the way from Ki Baratan to here untampered with, but I can’t help thinking, now that it’s my responsibility…”

“Understood,” Tuvok said.

Chapter 4

“This is not intended to be a formal interrogation,” Tuvok began. “Merely an attempt to establish the veracity of the information you have given us.”

“Of course,” Zetha said in a tone which suggested she believed just the opposite. The tone was not lost on Tuvok.

The disciplines of Kolinahr, even unfinished as Tuvok’s had been, left resonances. While all Vulcans were touch telepaths, he had learned to augment his innate skills to such a degree that often touch was not needed. In addition, his years among humans had instructed him in the nuances of body language. The angle of a head, the tension in a spine, the nervousness of a gesture, a dilation or contraction of the pupils, changes in respiration, pulse, body heat, all told their tales. The ability to read them was a vital part of his armamentarium as scientist, security officer and, where necessary, interrogator.

Feral child, was his first thought, watching Zetha once more through the mirror wall. If she was in fact a trained intelligence operative, she was relatively inexperienced. Or very, very good.

The room Uhura had consigned to her was windowless and secured from the outside but, in all other respects, as comfortable and well-appointed as an officer’s billet aboard a starship, complete with a sleeping alcove, a replicator, sanitary facilities, a library computer, even a wardrobe containing several changes of clothing in the correct size.

Tuvok noted, however, that having satisfied her hunger with several trips to the replicator, Zetha seemed content to leave the other amenities untouched, and to wait until someone told her what to do next, however long that might take. In the meantime, she had curled up in one of the overstuffed chairs with her feet tucked under her, and was devouring matter of a different sort, running several information programs on the computer simultaneously.

No doubt, Tuvok thought, she realized that everything she was reading could be monitored, and attempts to access sensitive materials would be blocked. His supposition was confirmed when, seeing him in the doorway, Zetha sat up and put her feet on the floor like a child interrupted at her homework, but made no attempt to hide what was on the screen. Tuvok heard the drone of a basic Romulan/Standard language program in the background.

“A wise choice,” he commended her in Romulan. “Learning our language will facilitate your time with us.”

“You’re a Vulcan,” she responded by not responding. “How do I silence this thing without losing what I’m reading?”

“Computer, mute program,” Tuvok said, and it did.

” ‘Computer, mute program,’ ” Zetha mimicked him, almost perfectly.

Tuvok watched her process a multitude of impressions, not least of which was the surprise of meeting her first Vulcan, without any overt reaction, though he detected an increase in her pulse and respiration.

“I am Tuvok,” he said. “Admiral Uhura has asked me to make certain you are comfortable, and to speak with you.”

“Tuvok,” Zetha acknowledged, glancing at his insignia. “You are less than an admiral.”

“My rank is lieutenant,” he acknowledged. “You are observant.”

She shrugged.

“Shall we begin?”

She shrugged again. He activated the universal translator and the recorder.

“Zetha,” she said, before he could ask. “Born in Ki Baratan, or so I am told.”

Tuvok’s eyebrow rose. “You do not know for certain? There is no record of your birth?”

“None that I am aware of. So I can’t tell you how old I am, either.”

If Tuvok found