The Battle of Betazed - Charlotte Douglas [14]
“Those feathery red plants lining the walk are Diomedian scarlet moss,” the director explained with enthusiasm as they made their way toward the administration building. “The delicate ground cover over there in the shade of the poinciana tree is Draebidium calimus, similar to Terran violets, and those unusual flowers to your right are Zan periculi, native to Lappa Four.”
“A Ferengi world?” Deanna didn’t have to be an empath to sense the director’s fascination with what was obviously his pet project.
Lanolan nodded. “We’ve gathered specimens from all over the quadrant. Not only does our garden furnish a tranquil atmosphere for our inmates, but tending it provides them with fresh air and exercise. It’s recreational therapy.”
“Will Tevren be allowed to work in the garden?” she asked.
“Of course, if he wishes. The surrounding force field isolates him from other prisoners and blocks his escape. The psionic inhibitor implanted in his brain when he was convicted suppresses all his telepathic abilities. The man is harmless as long as the implant is functioning.”
They reached the entrance to the administration building, and Lanolan motioned Deanna inside. ” Tevren is waiting for you in counseling room two. Please report back to my office after you’ve completed your interview.” His firm expression softened. “And don’t worry, Deanna. He’s a challenging patient, but I’m certain you can handle him.”
“I’ll do my best.” Straightening her sand-colored tunic with its red-and-gold prison emblem on the sleeve and clasping her padd tightly for reassurance, Deanna marched down the hallway.
A guard at the entrance to the counseling room opened the door for her. “I’ll be right here if you need me, Counselor.”
With butterflies of apprehension dive-bombing in her stomach, Deanna stepped inside. Sunlight from floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the simply furnished room and shone through the force field that divided the space in half. On the other side of the shield, a short, nondescript man sat calmly facing Deanna, his hands folded on a table.
She had seen his holo in his file, but Tevren’s was an eminently forgettable face, the kind that would never stand out in a crowd. Although he was only eight years her senior, his dark hair was already receding at his forehead and thinning at the crown. At first she found it hard to reconcile the milquetoast appearance of the man before her with that of a mass murderer.
Until she looked into his eyes.
The dark Betazoid irises glittered like chunks of black ice, and the pinched smile on his face seemed insincere.
Most disquieting of all, however, was the man’s total lack of emotion. Unlike the effect created when a Betazoid shielded his thoughts and feelings from another—a phenomenon similar to what Terrans described as “white noise”—the psionic inhibitor implanted in Tevren’s brain created an impression of emptiness within the man. Instead of the familiar reassurance of white noise, Deanna faced a forbidding yawning abyss, a black void that chilled her to the core.
Suppressing a shiver, she sat at the same table bisected by the force field and made herself meet Tevren’s gaze.
“I’m Counselor Troi.”
Tevren’s smile broadened, although it never reached his eyes. “I wasn’t aware that I’d be given special treatment. You’re very pretty.”
“My appearance is irrelevant. I’m here to help you.”
“Really?” He blinked as if in amazement. “And how do you propose to do that?”
She mustered a smile. “I’d like to begin by asking you questions.”
He leaned back in his chair, amusement flitting across his unremarkable face. “What kind of questions?”
“You do understand why you’re here?”
His mouth widened in a sly grin. “They’re afraid of me.”
“They?”
“Everyone.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I enjoy killing people.”
Deanna suppressed her instinctive revulsion and forced herself to stay focused. “Tell me about yourself. Start with your childhood.”
Tevren heaved a bored sigh. “Oh, must we play these psychobabble games?”
“Not at all,” she replied evenly. “You can return to your cell anytime.”
He appeared