Seven of Nine - Christie Golden [53]
"What?" Janeway turned to the Doctor. "Can you confirm this?"
"I can," replied the Doctor grimly. "Seven has told me how the Skedans use their telepathy. Their brains have developed an extra section that I've never seen in any other race. This organ gives off electrical impulses, in much the same fashion as neurons.
Except the Skedans can direct and control what kind of electrical impulses they emit. Not only among themselves, but among other species as well."
"Let me see if I remember my Academy classes," said Janeway. "This electrical impulse propagates a signal in one neuron, and a chemical process transmits the signal to another or to a muscle cell, right?
So, if the Skedans send an artificial stimulus to another person's neuron, the body and brain think that it's just a naturally occurring impulse."
"Correct," approved the Doctor. "Perhaps you should be my assistant instead of Mr. Paris. The Skedans could make you dance, smack yourself in the head, or imagine that you are lying in a spring meadow if they want."
"It is easily countered among the Borg," said Seven. "A simple adjustment prevents our neurons from receiving external signals.
Unassimilated beings are not so fortunate," "There is one clue that is unmistakable," said the Doctor. "And as far as Seven knows, the Skedans aren't able to control this. When they send out a signal to another brain, they inadvertently activate the olfactory system. The receptor of the impulse smells their favorite scent if the Skedans are attempting to make the experience pleasant, a foul odor if they wish it to be unpleasant."
"Fresh brewed coffee," said Janeway, softly. "When I first met Tamaak Vrs, I could have sworn I smelled freshly brewed coffee." She smiled sadly. "I thought it was just wishful thinking."
Ok
"In contrast," said Seven evenly, "I smelled carrion."
"If I had been a mere human," said the Doctor, rather smugly, "I would have been fooled, too. I would never have noticed the electrical impulses the Skedan children were emitting-they wouldn't have let me read my instruments correctly. Apparently, mastery of telepathy to the point where the impulses can be controlled comes with adulthood."
"I believe that we have a group of telepaths on board, and I believe they've been manipulating our minds-and, in the case of Seven, to the point of torture," said Janeway. "I can see where they'd resent her, but why us?"
Seven hesitated before replying. "As I said, I have reason to believe that their goal is to kill the Emperor.
They were almost totally defenseless when the Borg came upon them.
Perhaps they hold him responsible for their planet's destruction. When the Doctor completes his adjustments, I should be able to home in on any weapons they might be carrying."
"But we checked them for-" Janeway stopped in mid-sentence. "Damn. I bet the security guards smelled something really nice when they checked the Skedan packs. Seven, thank you. I've got enough to get Tuvok on it. Doctor, continue. When Seven's adjustments are done, let me know at once."
"I told you," said Tamaak, his large eyes pleading with her, "We are doubly victims-of the Scarlet Death and of prejudice."
Now that she knew what to look for-or, rather, sniff for-Janeway could easily detect the rich scent of fresh coffee.
"I smell coffee," she said, her voice hard. "That's my favorite smell in the universe. Tell me, what did Mr. Paris smell? Or my security guards? Your attempt to destroy Seven of Nine failed and she's recovered her memories. All of them, including knowledge of your telepathic skills. She'll be joining us shortly, Borg technology and all, and you may be able to make me think or see what you want, but you won't be able to fool her. Just as you weren't able to fool the Doctor," she added.
All the wind went out of Tamaak's sails. He literally seemed to grow smaller before her eyes. The smell of coffee faded. "I deeply regret the necessity of lying to you, Captain. Please believe that."