The Children of Hamlin - Carmen Carter [64]
“Dr. Crusher has found traces of an unknown chemical substance, a drug, in the Choraii atmosphere, which has affected him. It may have also affected the child. Under the circumstances, I can’t regret my decision to bring them both aboard and I will strongly recommended to Starfleet that we make every effort to recover as many other adult captives as possible.”
Ruthe uncoiled her body, standing straight up on the bed, glaring down on the captain. For a moment, Picard thought she was going to attack him. Instead, the woman leapt down to the deck.
“Show me this drug” She drew the billowing folds of her cape back around her body and followed Picard out of the cabin.
When they arrived at sickbay, Beverly Crusher assumed the neutral manner of a medical professional, but not before Picard caught the look of relief in her eyes. He also saw Deelor’s surprise … and a hint of displeasure at the captain’s success.
Ruthe repeated her demand to see the drug, and Crusher handed the translator a small glass vial holding a few milliliters of amber liquid.
“I noticed the scent when Lieutenant Yar returned from the Choraii ship.”
Ruthe unstopped the end and took a tentative whiff of the contents. “Cinnamon,” she whispered.
She remained frozen in place, cupping the vial in her hand, until Deelor called to her. “Ruthe?”
“I’d forgotten.” Her eyes were still focused on some inner vision. Then Deelor’s touch on her arm pulled her back to the room in which she stood. She slipped the top back onto the vial, sealing in the aroma.
“You’ve encountered this drug before?” asked the captain.
“Years ago,” Ruthe said. “When I was a child.”
Picard did not understand. “But how is that possible?”
She slipped the vial into the folds of her cloak. “I was born on a Choraii ship.”
Chapter Fourteen
“SHE DOES’T USUALLY tell anyone,” said Deelor as he and the captain walked into the Ready Room. With a pointed look at the doorway of her office, Dr. Crusher had made it clear she wanted to speak to Ruthe without the distractions of an audience. “And it wasn’t my secret to reveal.”
“Yes, I can understand that,” Picard said, nodding. “The surprises on this mission never seem to end,” he added.
The captain took his place behind the office desk, leaning back in his chair and swiveling to the side in order to talk to Deelor, who was admiring the lionfish. “When was she rescued?”
“In the first exchange, fifteen years ago.” Now that her origins were known, Deelor decided there was little point in keeping back the details. “She was one of the five captives traded to the Ferengi.” By settling down onto a chair, he exchanged his view of the aquarium for that of the star window behind Picard.
“And all three of the adults died,” recalled Picard. “No wonder Ruthe refused to help bring Jason back to the Enterprise. What of the other child?”
“Alive and well. She was younger than Ruthe and adjusted to living with humans rather quickly.” According to their case histories, Ruthe’s transition had been more difficult, but that was none of Picard’s business.
“Well, I certainly admire her courage,” said the captain. “This mission must be a painful reminder of her own captivity.”
“She volunteered for the work. With her help, the Federation has recovered five Hamlin offspring over the last few years.” Though Deelor suspected that several captives had slipped away before he learned of her aversion to trading for adults.
“I suppose the opportunity to help rescue other Hamlin survivors makes the distress worthwhile,” said Picard.
“Yes, it must.” At least Deelor had thought so at first. Yet once the exchanges were complete, Ruthe never asked about the children. That thought brought another to mind. “How did you persuade her to come to sickbay?”
“Reverse psychology.” Picard outlined the strategy he had used. “So the only way she could fight my decision to rescue more adults was to come to sickbay and prove they aren’t being mistreated by the Choraii.”
“Yes, of course. Quite clever, Captain.” Deelor had spent his career manipulating people in