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“Chakotay” considered this. “Let me do it,” he said, and Kim’s hopes fell. He had thought that Seven might be trying to contact them privately by sending her aunt as a “front.” But if Chakotay contacted her, there’d be no chance for her to tell Kim what they might have discovered.

“I’ve got Seven, sir,” said Campbell.

Seven of Nine’s lovely, cool face appeared on the viewscreen. “Captain Chakotay,” she said. “What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?”

Kim didn’t dare risk looking up at her; he didn’t want to give the game away. He concentrated instead on his console—and his eyes widened.

The woman was brilliant. She’d anticipated every possible problem. She was currently sending him an encrypted message, piggybacking it along the official channel. Quickly he began to download it.

“Seven, your aunt is trying to contact you,” Chakotay said bluntly. No hellos, how are yous.

Her eyes widened slightly. “I apologize, Captain. My aunt has been having…some difficulty lately. I hope she did not cause any problems.”

“No, but I thought you might want to know.”

“Thank you. I will contact her immediately.”

Kim almost had it. Keep talking, Seven, he thought fiercely.

“Is there anything else, Captain?”

“No. Chakotay out.”

Kim hoped he was the only one who caught the flicker of distress that passed over Seven’s face, like the faintest ripple in the surface of a pond when a stone was tossed into its depths. He hadn’t gotten all of the message, but he’d gotten most of it. Now to crack the code and share whatever information was there with Kaz.

“That was weird,” said Campbell. “I didn’t know Seven’s aunt was having problems. I’m so sorry to hear it.”

“You’re on duty on the bridge, Campbell,” said Chakotay. “Attend to your station.”

Campbell’s fair face turned bright red. “Aye, sir. My apologies, sir.”

The strain of the façade must be getting to the impostor, Kim thought. He wasn’t even trying to ape Chakotay’s mannerisms and demeanor anymore.

Kim burned to get at that message, but he didn’t know how he would manage to excuse himself from the bridge and escape the eagle eyes that belonged to someone who wasn’t Chakotay.

Libby thought Kim’s voice was so controlled it was almost cold. She was startled, but immediately logic kicked in and she thought: He knows something’s going on. I should have realized that would happen. Harry’s not stupid. At least he’ll have his wits about him.

She wanted so badly to discuss it, to ask him what he knew, what was going on, but she couldn’t. She had to play the role of pretty, bright, talented girlfriend, and besides, it was obvious she wasn’t going to get a chance to speak to him privately. So she let her face register the hurt she knew she ought to be feeling. It’s too bad we can’t be allies. I hate deceiving him like this.

Once his face had disappeared from the screen, she shifted gears immediately, going into the detached, emotionless state that had become such familiar territory over the last few years. She knew she was going over Fletcher’s head but didn’t care. Libby would be able to explain it to him; they had a good working relationship and he relied on her judgment.

Libby sent the message.

Chapter 17

IRENE HANSEN BEAMED as she regarded her niece. “Well?” she asked brightly. “How did I do?”

“You were convincing,” said Seven.

“From Seven, that’s high praise,” said the Doctor. “I thought you did a magnificent job, Ms. Hansen.”

“I confess, when you first proposed the scheme, I was a bit nervous,” the older woman said. “I don’t like the idea of trying to fool Chakotay. But when I did it, I have to admit, it was a lot of fun. Made me feel positively young again.” Somewhat wistfully she added, “You will tell me what all of this is about? When you can?”

“Of course I will, Aunt Irene,” Seven assured her. “Once everything has been declassified.”

“I’d better let you be about…whatever it is you’re about,” said Irene. “Do keep me posted.”

“I will. Thank you again.” Seven hesitated. “You did a fine job.”

Irene smiled, waved, and signed off.

“Do you know if Lieutenant