Possession - J.M. Dillard [107]
He closed his eyes again, still sighing, still sinking into the bliss of his own untainted consciousness, pure and clear.
And yet his mind was still not entirely his own, but this time, the realization evoked no dismay. Quite the opposite: Now that his thoughts were free from domination, he could clearly sense the other who shared it—an entity calm, controlled, compassionate.
“Mother,” he whispered with dawning understanding, and the silent reply came:
I am here, my son. I have always been here… .
For a brief, blessed instant, two Vulcans yielded to joy and felt no shame.
With Riker beside him, Picard stepped onto his bridge, where a viewscreen displayed the image of two Galaxy-class starships hovering in front of the much smaller Vulcan science vessel in a protective stance. The screen blinked, then Captain Tiyo Soga’s dark, normally friendly face filled the screen, but for the moment, his expression and voice were reserved.
“Captain Picard.”
“It’s good to see you, Captain Soga,” Picard said, unsmiling. The situation demanded facts rather than diplomacy or charm. Both the Skal Torr’s captain and the Odyssey’s captain were listening and watching the encounter. “Have you been briefed on our … situation?”
“Your Commander Data has barraged us with information, to be frank,” Soga confirmed. “We have not only the historical information from Starfleet and Vulcan archives, but logs and a summary of events leading up to this moment, including detailed plans on the devices he claims captured the infectious entities. My staff are still reviewing the material; they confirm the likelihood that Commander Data is immune and probably telling the truth.”
Picard wanted to relax but couldn’t. “However, you are still feeling a great deal of concern.”
“Yes,” Soga admitted gravely. “Your ship is carrying a full complement of crew, and you’re ferrying almost half of the Federation scientists slated to attend the TechnoFair. The possibility of spreading this infection at the fair—”
“Understood,” Picard interrupted. “Tell me how we can prove to you that we have indeed eradicated the infection.”
“Well, that’s just it, Jean-Luc,” Soga admitted, with a faintly sheepish expression. “My staff has yet to be able to come up with a sure-fire way to guarantee you have wiped out this threat. My Betazoid counselor assures me that you and your staff ‘read’ clean, but—”
“You still have your reservations,” Picard finished. “Just as I would have mine.”
“Captain,” Ensign Bron interjected from her station. “All ships are being hailed by the Vulcan vessel.”
“On screen.”
Soga’s image wavered and metamorphosed into that of the Vulcan captain’s. Beside her stood another female wearing the traditional long robes of a healer.
“Federation captains,” the woman said, addressing her audience, “I am the Healer T’Son. I have come from Vulcan to help my patient, the Master Scientist Skel. Skel and I are mentally linked. Since he has been the carrier of this terrible infection, and you believe you have freed him of it, I can confirm that through a mind meld.”
“Excuse me, Healer,” Picard said apologetically, “but you’ve melded with Skel in the past, and never detected the entities hiding within him. Why do you think you would now?”
“There are many levels of the mind meld, Captain. Mine did not extend to the deepest reaches of Skel’s consciousness, where the entities apparently dwelled; I am prepared to do so now. Also, if I come aboard your vessel and am infected, we will know you have not completely contained the entities. But if my meld is successful, I believe I can guarantee the safety of all.”
“I am willing to agree, Healer T’Son,” Picard said. “Captain Soga?”
“My counselor assures me this will be a trustworthy test,” Soga replied, after a pause. “Good luck, Healer T’Son.”
Captain Picard stood alongside Will Riker and watched the stately form of the Vulcan matriarch coalesce on the transporter pad. When she was fully integrated, Picard stepped forward, consciously reminding himself not to offer his hand. “Healer T’Son. I am