Mosaic - Jeri Taylor [93]
CHAPTER 19
TRAKIS THE PHYSICIAN STARED CALMLY INTO THE EYES OF MADE Dut. He felt strangely composed, considering what would seem to be the seriousness of his situation. Maje Dut was not known to be magnanimous toward those who had failed him. But Trakis knew that the Maje was also somewhat deficient in intellect (like most Kazon, in his opinion), and he felt confident he could weather this latest mishap. The Maje, it was true, was furious, his forehead ridges dark and his eyes red-rimmed. He gestured toward the prisoner, lying motionless on the examination table. "You've accomplished nothing. We know no more than we did before you began your inept examination. And now you've butchered him."
"It's you who's butchered him. You insisted that he be continually narcotized. I warned your minion that the drug might kill him, and now you see I was right."
At least, thought Trakis, the prisoner hadn't suffered. He simply proceeded from oblivion to death-and what, after all, was the difference?-without even being aware of it. Of course, he had no idea if the being had anything approaching awareness, anyway. The Kazon's foolish insistence on narcotizing him had precluded any of the sophisticated testing that might have allowed Trakis to ascertain if the species was sentient. All he had was a catalogue of anatomical and physiological data-not particularly helpful for the Maje's purposes, he suspected. "Careful, Trabe. That tongue could be pulled from your head if it's not kept in check." The Maje glowered at him for a moment, but Trakis merely held the look with an even stare.
Maje Dut circled the examination table, gazing at the body of the prisoner. "It was a miracle that we found any of these beings. We have no access to another. This was our one opportunity to study the species." He glanced back at Trakis. "It would seem your usefulness is at an end, physician." The implication was clear, but Trakis wasn't cowed. "You're wrong about that, Maje. I can perform a necropsy. I'm likely to discover a great deal more from this specimen dead than I was able to alive."
Maje Dut's eyes flickered with renewed interest. "Such as?"
"Brain structure. Neural architecture. Synaptic integration. I can probably determine just how the Krett were able to control them."
The Maje's arm snaked out and grabbed Trakis by the throat, holding him firmly. "You'd better do just that, Trabe. And quickly. Once the Federations are dispatched we must act quickly."
"If you want me to do this with any efficiency, then keep the Control out of here."
"Nimmet? He hasn't been empowered to harm you."
"His presence is harmful. He's a nattering fool who constantly interrupts my thought processes with inane comments or superfluous commands. I could complete this project much faster without him."
Maje Dut stared at him for a moment, and Trakis knew he was weighing the request. Trakis smiled ingenuously and spread his palms. "After all, Maje-where could I go?"
Dut finally nodded curtly. "Very well. But I want hourly reports from you. And I expect those reports to be substantive."
Trakis inclined his head in acquiescence. "I think you will be most surprised, Maje."
Dut swept out and Trakis turned back to the carcass on the table. The eyes, in death, were as dark and unfathomable as they had been in life. "I'm sorry, friend," Trakis murmured. "I would rather not have harmed you. But perhaps we can still be of use to each other."
And after invoking a brief blessing for the dead, Trakis began to lay open the creature's brain.
Never had Neelix been so grateful for Tuvok's unflappable bearing. It was possible that panic might have overcome the group under other leadership, but Tuvok simply proceeded as though this enigmatic situation were a rou- tine mission, easily accomplished. His superior Vulcan eyesight had quickly adapted to the darkness, and he was able