Resistance - J.M. Dillard [46]
Beverly was surprised to find herself repressing an instinctive dislike. It was hard to feel gracious toward anyone who challenged the captain at a time when he most desperately needed the support of his entire crew, but her reaction did not really suit the situation. Beverly realized that her emotional response was more that of a lover than a chief medical officer. T’Lana was only being logical in her doubt. Secretly, the doctor wished she had a better handle on her own reservations.
“Unless you’re experiencing a medical emergency, I’m afraid I’ll have to speak with you another time,” she said, hoping that she didn’t come across as overly dismissive. “I’m working on an extremely urgent project for the captain.”
T’Lana took a step closer. “He is precisely the reason I have come to speak with you. I would be grateful if you would hear me out before you continue your efforts to transform him into Locutus.”
Beverly lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “You’ve spoken to the captain recently.”
“I have just come from his quarters. I realize that you have an intimate relationship with the captain. At the same time, you hold the most crucial position aboard the ship: that of chief medical officer.”
“I’m aware of my responsibilities,” Beverly replied coolly. In one statement, T’Lana had put into words the same internal conflict the doctor had been trying to avoid for the past hour. “If there’s a point to this conversation, please make it. I have a job to do.”
“I submit that transforming the captain into a Borg and sending him over to their vessel is a reckless and dangerous act. The risk is high that he will again be assimilated, and I need not remind you of the countless Starfleet personnel who died when he was last Locutus.” She paused, tilting her head to study Beverly more closely. “You Earth physicians have a saying: First do no harm. At the very least, you are harming the captain…and the potential harm to others is extremely great.”
Beverly felt herself start to color. She was not about to explain herself to the new counselor. It would be impossible for a Vulcan to fully understand why she was going along with Jean-Luc’s questionable plan. In order to keep from showing anger, she began to turn back to her monitor. “I have my orders.”
“That is the point,” T’Lana persisted. “You are chief medical officer. If the captain makes an irrational decision, you can relieve him of duty.”
Beverly whirled to face her. “So that’s why you’ve come.”
“You have the power, Doctor. Someone else could take command and follow Admiral Janeway’s orders.”
“That is not an option,” Beverly replied coldly. Too coldly, she realized. T’Lana’s suggestion was only logical, from the counselor’s point of view. But still, Beverly couldn’t help what next came out of her own mouth. “I’ve always heard that Vulcans were extremely loyal to their commanding officers. What makes you the exception?”
Only the most observant eye would have seen T’Lana start, seen her posture stiffen, seen the single flash as she blinked, the infinitesimal lift of her chin. “That is an inaccurate assessment. My loyalty to Captain Wozniak of the Indefatigable was noted by Starfleet Command.”
“We’re talking about Jean-Luc Picard,” Beverly said. “You asked to come here, Counselor. You asked to serve him. And right now, you’ve shown him nothing but distrust; in fact, you’re doing everything in your power to undermine his authority. Why? Does it have something to do with the Indefatigable being destroyed? Are you so afraid that the same thing is going to happen to you again? Is that why you refuse to put your confidence in Captain Picard?”
She’d struck a nerve. T’Lana moved not a muscle; her face was set as stone, but the intensity in her eyes was breathtaking. “Vulcans do not experience fear,” she said woodenly. “My actions are based in logic. I question whether yours are as well.”
They studied each other in silence for a time.
T’Lana was the first to speak. “I suspect that you are wondering the same thing about yourself.”
Beverly would have smiled if the nerve that T’Lana had