Q & A - Keith R. A. DeCandido [38]
While she waited, T’Lana perused the latest issue of the Journal of Psychology, specifically an article by Doctor Chiroka of Bolarus on the subject of the effects of colonization on the group dynamic of Bolians. T’Lana had generally found Chiroka to be a specious theorist, and this article did nothing to change her opinion. T’Lana considered writing a rebuttal.
The doors parted as T’Lana reached the conclusion of the article. Geordi La Forge entered with a smile that humans dubbed “sheepish” for reasons T’Lana had never understood. (She’d seen sheep—they didn’t and couldn’t smile. Further research led her to believe that it was the timid nature of sheep, and humans’ tendency to anthropomorphize animals. However, she was still puzzling over why, since most had never seen a sheep, that arcane term survived.) “Sorry I’m late.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. Your presence in engineering was obviously required. This session was at your request.” T’Lana set down the padd with the journal, not sure whether she’d bother reading the balance of the article. “Please have a seat.”
T’Lana had made very few changes to the counselor’s office since Deanna Troi’s time. The room had bright but not harsh colors that tended to engender a relaxed attitude in most humanoid species. The walls also were capable of changing color to accommodate other species. Blues and reds currently dominated, with two chairs separated by a small table. The chairs were comfortable enough to put the patient at ease, but not so comfortable as to be soporific. The only touches T’Lana had added were to place some Vulcan sculpture on the walls in spots that seemed unnecessarily blank; T’Lana assumed that Counselor Troi had had decorations there but had taken them with her to Titan.
La Forge was fidgeting in the chair opposite her, a sign of agitation that T’Lana did not need her years of experience to recognize. Knowing that humans often wanted something to do with their hands in times like that, she asked, “Would you like something to drink, Geordi?”
“No, thanks, I just—” La Forge blew out a breath, expanding his cheeks. “I’ve been noticing some behavior in myself that I’m not liking all that much.”
“What behavior is that?”
“I’m just not…comfortable around Miranda Kadohata.”
Not surprised by his answer, T’Lana asked, “Why is that?”
That prompted a smile. “I was kinda hoping you could tell me that. It can’t just be that she’s new. I mean, we get new people on board all the time, and I haven’t had problems with any of them. Not even Leybenzon, after last night.”
“What occurred last night?”
“In the Riding Club, Leybenzon was holding court with his security people, drinking and telling stories. I joined them after dinner, and it was great. It’s weird, he’s a completely different person off duty.” He let out a sigh. “The thing is, until last night, I didn’t even like Leybenzon. Hell, I’m still not sure if I do or not. But I like Miranda just fine, yet every time she’s around…”
T’Lana raised an eyebrow as La Forge trailed off. “It is hardly classified information that you were very close friends with Commander Kadohata’s predecessor. Some resentment is to be expected.”
“It’s not that,” La Forge said. “I don’t resent her at all. She’s a good officer, and she’s perfect for the job. In fact, she was going to be in the job anyhow—Data is supposed to be first officer now. If I should be resenting anyone, it’s Worf. But…”
La Forge trailed off again, prompting T’Lana to ask, “Are you concerned that Commander Kadohata will not perform to Data’s standards?”
“No, of course not. Data’s the one who picked her, and he wouldn’t do that without believing she