Spirit Walk_ Old Wounds (Book 1) - Christie Golden [22]
Janeway was a natural teacher, and she loved every minute of the class she and Tuvok were teaching. The young minds seated behind the desks were like sponges, soaking up everything she said. It didn’t hurt that the two old friends were teaching a fascinating subject—the Borg. Just yesterday the students had been treated to a question-and-answer session with Icheb and Seven, who had graciously volunteered to subject themselves to scrutiny. It had been a marvelous class. Janeway thought that more had been done in those two hours to dispel prejudice against Borg victims than had been done in the last fifteen years, and she was very proud of both of her former honorary crew members.
In fact, she had a few moments before her next scheduled appointment. Glancing at the chronometer, she realized that the think tank would be on its break. One of its members, a Mnari, had to sleep every three hours for at least ten minutes at a stretch or its powerful brain would suffer damage. It also, according to Seven, had to eat every two hours, so there was a constant supply of food available to what the Doctor had taken to calling the “Tankers.” “Hence,” he had lamented, “the ready availability of ammunition for the recent food fight.”
“Computer, contact Seven of Nine.”
Seven’s lovely face appeared on the viewscreen. She smiled. “Admiral. How nice to see you. How may I be of assistance?”
“Just checking in to see how you were doing after your inquisition yesterday.”
Seven arched a brow. “It was hardly an inquisition. Your students were perspicacious and attentive. It was a pleasure imparting information to them.”
“Still, they went at you pretty intensely. I was hoping that you didn’t have any negative reactions afterward.”
“Admiral Janeway,” said Seven bluntly, “I have endured more severe interrogation at the hands of Starfleet officials. I regenerated without incident.”
“Good. How are things going? You and I didn’t get much of a chance to talk yesterday.”
“Quite well, except,” she looked around and said softly, “I am concerned about the Doctor.”
“Really? Why?”
“He is putting a great deal of hope into his presentation. Too much, I think. He will be speaking to a group of individuals who are entrenched in their own opinions, and his speech, no matter how eloquent or logical, is unlikely to sway them.”
Janeway felt a stab of sympathy. Oliver Baines, though a champion of holographic rights, had really been no friend to holograms; he had done more harm than good. No one was feeling particularly sympathetic toward the issue now. It was a bad time for the Doctor to be speaking.
“Well, he’s a big hologram, he can take whatever they dish out.” She smiled at Seven. “You’ve got a good heart, Seven.”
“The heart is not the seat of emotions as poets would have us believe, Admiral. It is merely an organ whose sole function is to circulate blood throughout the body. Any kindness or sympathy I feel for the Doctor originates in the brain, particularly in the—”
“Now you’re teasing me, Seven.”
She smiled. “Yes, I confess I am.”
How far she’s come, Janeway thought. “Regardless of where the emotions originate, I’m glad you’re there to support him.”
“As am I.”
A shrill whoot-whoot-whoot sound made both women wince. “Ah,” said Seven, “Jish is awake. I need to return to duty, Admiral. Was there anything else?”
“Not a thing. Just a hello. Take care of yourself, Seven.”
“I will, Admiral. Seven out.”
Janeway sat back in her chair and stretched, gathering strength for the next conversation. She thought it would not go quite so well.
While molding young minds was definitely an important task, so was the one that lay before Janeway today—convincing a planet to stay in the Federation. She closed the door to her office, glanced at the chronometer, and said, “Computer, put me through to Amar Kol.”
After a second, Amar Merin Kol’s pleasant face appeared on the screen. The Kerovians were humanoid, with