Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [48]
“What’s your theory?” she asked calmly when he had finished.
“I haven’t got one, other than we’re all going mad,” Kaz said.
“Admiral, I’m with the Doctor,” said Kim. “You know how well I know Chakotay. Something’s very wrong. He’s just not himself.”
“I agree with both of you. Certainly, Seven and the Doctor need to be brought in on this, if nothing else. Figuring out a way to get the colonists back to normal needs to be a top priority.”
She sighed, looking into the distance for a moment, her sharp mind already working on the problem. “All right, let me think about this and I’ll get back to you. Is this a secure channel?”
The two Voyagers exchanged glances. “Not exactly,” Kim admitted. “We’re, um, kind of going behind everyone’s back.”
A smile tugged at Janeway’s lips. “I see.” More seriously, she added, “If that’s the case, then you’d better send me everything you have documented. We might not get a chance to speak again. I’ll do my best to be in touch. Janeway out.”
Both men breathed a sigh of relief. Kaz knew that he certainly felt better, knowing that Kathryn Janeway, of Borg-thrashing fame, was on the case.
Kim’s fingers flew over the controls. He was sending everything they had to Janeway: the report on the autopsy, the DNA from the creatures who had once been Federation citizens, everything. Kaz knew it was because he, like the Trill, thought this might be the only chance to do so.
“Okay, that’s everything,” Kim said.
“Any sign that anyone’s on to us?”
“Nope. Not yet, at least.”
“Then let’s contact Seven and the Doctor,” said Kaz. “Give them everything, too.”
“The longer I stay here doing this, Kaz—”
“The greater the chance of discovery, I’m well aware of that, Lieutenant. But this could be our only chance. I’d feel a lot better if I knew those brilliant minds in addition to our humble ones were working on this problem.”
“You have a point,” Kim conceded. Again doing everything he could to misdirect anyone who might be snooping, he sent a message through.
The lovely Seven herself answered the hail. Her usually perfect hair was slightly mussed, and Kaz thought she looked exasperated. She seemed surprised and pleased to see them, though.
“Doctor. Lieutenant. What can I do for you?”
Something whizzed past her in the background, and she closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again, clearly forcing herself to stay calm and professional. Kaz bit back a laugh, wondering what exactly went on in these “think tank” sessions.
Kim, however, was all business. He was already touching control panels as he spoke to his former colleague. “I’m sending you some information,” he said. “We’ve got a situation here that we want your group brought in on.”
“We’re doing this clandestinely, Seven,” Kaz added. “Do not under any circumstances contact this ship. Especially say nothing to Captain Chakotay.”
The urgency of his voice chased away any distractions she might have been experiencing. Despite the fact that she and Chakotay had once been more than fellow crewmates, she didn’t bat an eyelash at Kaz’s statement. “Understood” was all she said, slipping into the icy demeanor that Kaz had seen only once or twice before.
“We’re sending everything we’ve got,” Kaz continued, “and Janeway’s in on this as well.”
From the side the Doctor poked his head in and beamed when he saw his friends. “Please state the nature of the medical emergency,” he said jokingly.
“It’ll be clear enough when you have a chance to—” began Kaz.
Kim swore and immediately terminated the conversation. “That’s it. Someone’s on to us.”
Now Kaz, too, swore in his native tongue. “Were they able to track it?”
“I don’t think so. I made it look as much like a ghost as possible the entire way through. But like I said, Lyssa’s one sharp cookie. It may be a matter of time till we’re thrown in the brig for what we’ve just done.