Nightshade - Laurell K. Hamilton [56]
Worf made a sound very much like a growl. It curved through the room like the beginnings of a storm, and the bodyguards shifted uneasily.
‘Lieutenant Worf, at ease.”
Worf scowled at the guards but gave a curt nod. “Aye, Captain.”
‘I give you my word that you will not be damaged. It is only pain, Ambassador. We are not complete barbarians.” She made the last word bitter.
‘Captain, may I speak?” Troi asked.
‘By all means, Counselor.”
‘Is Captain Picard the first human you will have tortured?”
‘Yes.”
‘Then there could be more extensive damage done than you realize. Human physiological responses may be very different from Orianian.”
Talanne nodded. “Yes, that is a very good point. We will be extremely careful. I will supervise the interrogation personally, if that will ease your fears.”
‘I think I would feel better if you explained the mechanics of your torture devices. Perhaps that way we could understand the process better.”
‘Well, I don’t know, one of the principles of torture is surprise. If a prisoner knows exactly what to expect you have lost some of your power.”
‘Unless the torture is so frightening, that the anticipation is frightening,” Picard said.
‘There is that. Very well, I will explain our concepts of pain to you. If it will help.”
‘It might,” Picard said. Frankly if Talanne’s explanation was not satisfactory, he wondered if he could in good conscience fight his way out. It would be the death of the peace mission, and perhaps their own deaths as well. Picard did not wish to sacrifice his people for his own self-preservation.
‘All our interrogation techniques rely on stimulating the nerves of a particular section of the body.” She stepped to a small white object that was about chest high to her. There was a small cage like arrangement on top. “The prisoner kneels and the head is strapped into place. The nerves of the face and skull are stimulated. The worst aftereffect is dizziness, and some temporary memory loss.”
She moved to a white frame from which cords dangled at regular intervals. The cords were obviously to bind ankles and wrists.
‘This reacts on the nerve endings in the skin. The pain is excruciating but once the machine is turned off, the pain stops instantly. There is no lasting damage.”
‘We cannot trust her, Captain,” Worf said.
Picard tended to agree but he had to know. “Counselor?”
‘Colonel Talanne believes what she’s saying, Captain.”
‘I would not lie about it, Healer.” Talanne sounded offended. “We will do your captain no permanent damage until the execution.”
The phrasing was strange, so Picard asked, “What do you mean?”
‘Assassins are tortured to death.”
‘You said these devices only cause pain, not permanent injury.”
‘There are levels of pain that the body cannot tolerate, Ambassador. It is not the injury that kills but the shock. The body’s own reaction is the method of death.”
‘Captain,” Worf said, “we must get you out of this place.”
‘No, Worf, I believe the colonel. I will submit to the… interrogation.”
‘No!” Worf’s voice filled the room. The guards drew weapons.
‘Worf, no!” Picard motioned his officer to be still. Worf froze with his hand on his phaser.
‘Captain, please . .
‘No, Worf, I will not endanger all of us because I am afraid of a little pain.” Picard was glad his voice sounded steadier than he felt. “You are not to try and rescue me, Lieutenant.”
‘Captain.”
‘That is a direct order, Worf.”
Worf wouldn’t meet his eyes. He stared at the bodyguards then back to Picard. “Aye, sir.” The words were a growl of anger.
‘One more question, sir,” Worf said.
‘Yes, Lieutenant.”
‘Counselor, is anyone in this room planning to harm Captain Picard. Do they see him as an enemy?”
Troi’s face grew blank, her concentration touchable. She shook her head. “They are doing their jobs. There is some worry over whether torturing him is wise, but no one is angry. It is all very practical.”
‘Must we discuss all this in front of your guards?