Possession - J.M. Dillard [43]
A sudden shiver ran up Skel’s spine as he blinked, dazed, even as his mother’s voice reminded him, Not their eyes. You can never meet another being’s eyes! This above all else remember!
He was hallucinating, he realized calmly. It was not the first time it had happened, but it was still disturbing. He really should call Dr. Crusher, but could not make himself do it. He struggled to maintain his outward calm, and the battle of voices in his head eventually subsided.
Skel went to the computer and turned to his work, the only truly successful therapy he’d ever had. He huddled over the console, the familiar and comforting march of equations and text easing his mind, his inner fears about his own adequacy to fulfill the role destiny had thrust upon him when he was but a ten-year-old child.
The door chimed.
He looked up, mildly surprised. “Enter.”
The doors parted to reveal a female ensign: young, comely by human standards, with dark hair, olive skin, and deep-set brown eyes; though small in build, she seemed muscular and athletic.
“Good morning, Master Scientist Skel,” she greeted him politely, but without the surfeit of pleasantries she might have displayed for another more emotional species; her tone was reserved, her expression serene.
Obviously, Picard’s people are well trained, Skel thought with a touch of admiration, as he signaled her to step forward. She did so, and the doors snapped shut behind her.
“I’m Ensign Barbara Evans, sir,” she continued. “Captain Picard assigned me to assist you during your stay aboard the Enterprise. The computer told me you were awake, so I thought I’d introduce myself and ask if you needed anything.”
She did not offer to shake his hand, as most humans might, but instead kept them respectfully behind her back. To shake the hand of a touch telepath was considered an invasion of privacy on Vulcan, though many humans remained unaware of the fact.
“Thank you, Ensign Evans,” Skel replied. “I appreciate your captain’s hospitality. You said the computer told you I was awake. Would it tell me if a colleague of mine were also awake?”
“Certainly, sir. I’ll show you.” She paused, then raised her face slightly and looked upward as she addressed the invisible entity. “Computer. Tell me the whereabouts of …” she paused and looked at Skel for the name.
“Dr. George Tarmud,” he finished.
“Dr. Tarmud is currently in his quarters,” came the computer’s nonemotional female voice.
“Is Dr. Tarmud awake at this time?” Ensign Evans asked.
“Yes. Dr. Tarmud is awake and working at his console.”
She gave a satisfied nod, then addressed Skel. “Of course, the computer is limited as to what questions it will answer. It would, for example, tell you nothing except Tarmud’s location if he had requested that. And it wouldn’t give an answer to a question that violated established privacy standards.”
“Most logical,” Skel commented. “It is good to know my colleague is awake and working. I did not want to disturb him. Now I can call on him. Thank you, Ensign.”
“My pleasure, sir,” she replied, and almost smiled—but she caught herself at the last moment. “You can find your way to Dr. Tarmud’s quarters by asking the computer for that information when you’re in the corridor. It’ll show you a map of the ship and help you find your way. Also, you may communicate with me through the computer if there’s anything you need during your stay with us. Is there anything else I can do for you, any service I might provide at this time?”
Skel studied her a moment: What service might she provide, indeed? Deliberately, he rose from his work station and approached her. “Tell me, Ensign Evans. When you are not providing assistance to me, what are your duties aboard this vessel?”
“I currently serve with the science team; I’ve been assigned numerous research projects involving stellar phenomena. Mostly, I work with the computer, collating data already collected. Since it’s a job I can come back to at any time, it allows me the freedom to act as a liaison for several of the guests.”
“Interesting,