String Theory_ Cohesion (Book 1) - Jeffrey Lang [75]
“Possibly,” Seven said. “But we have a limited amount of time. Before the explosion, we learned that Voyager is trapped between two layers of subspace.”
“We did?” B’Elanna asked.
“I did,” Seven said. “It is the only explanation for the readings I saw.”
B’Elanna resisted the urge to snarl. There was no point to arguing about data that she had not read. “All right. Then what’s their status?”
“It is difficult to say,” Seven said. “Borg vessels trapped in similar circumstances were never imperiled for the short term. The danger comes if they attempt to escape. Fortunately, we should be able to contact them with subspace radio.”
“Then speed is important, but there’s no way we can create the communication system we need from what’s here.”
“What about your ship?” Kaytok asked. “Do you have what you need there?”
“Yes,” Seven said. “Some of it would have to be adapted. Using materials from your shield experiments, we may be able to free them.”
“Who said anything about shield experiments?” Pad asked, his voice sharply suspicious.
“No one,” B’Elanna said. “But we saw the array on the roof and got a look at the equipment downstairs. It’s the only explanation that makes any sense.” One question still nagged her, though. “But why are you out here in the middle of nowhere doing this work in a lab that looks like it was deserted months ago? Who are you hiding from?”
Kaytok made a sound that the translator interpreted as a dry chuckle. “We’re not hiding,” he said. “We’re just not important enough that anyone would come look for us.”
“That makes no sense,” Seven said. “You are attempting to save your people. Why would the authorities not care what you do?”
“Because they’ve given up on saving everyone,” Pad said. “Didn’t you know?”
“We knew that someone is building evacuation ships,” Seven said. “We encountered one on the way into the system.” She decided it was best not to reveal the fate of the transport. Someone in the room might have had a relative or friend on the doomed vessel.
“And how many of those do you think the Emergency Council will be able to build?” Pad sneered. “Ten, maybe twenty if they’re incredibly lucky? How many people can they get off? One hundred thousand? Two hundred thousand?”
“So the council has no intention of removing your entire citizenry?” Seven asked.
“Just the ones whom they consider necessary to survive on a new world: engineers, pharmacists, teachers, farmers, and, of course, capable administrators.”
“Those are all reasonable choices,” Seven replied soberly. “Someone must make the decisions.”
“Maybe,” Kaytok said. “But shouldn’t everyone get the chance to make their case? What about artists and writers? What about children who haven’t shown what they can do yet? And even if you don’t let everyone have a say, shouldn’t the council at least tell everyone what’s happening? Almost no one in the thirteen cities knows they’re likely going to die before another year has passed.”
“A year?” B’Elanna asked. “How can you be so sure? And for that matter, how do you know all this when no one else does?”
“We have sources inside the council,” Kaytok said. “Someone who was once part of our group went to work for the council. We trade information. That’s how we know that though most of the council disapproves of what we’re attempting to do, a couple members believe we should get a chance.” His voice suddenly dropped low in disappointment. “Unfortunately, our resources dried up a little while ago and we’ve been struggling to complete the prototype. The experiment we performed yesterday—that was an act of desperation. Nobody thought it would really work.”
“What were you trying to do?” B’Elanna asked. “I still haven’t pieced it together. Obviously, you were trying to enhance your shield generator, but I still don’t understand what happened that Voyager disappeared into…wherever she is.”
Kaytok replied, “You’re right, we were trying to enhance the shield generator.