The Eyes of the Beholders - A. C. Crispin [17]
Beverly Crusher took a deep breath and counted to ten, first in English, then German, then Vulcan. “Administrator Thuvat. You seem to think that Thala is mentally retarded as well as blind. Such is definitely not the case. She is an extremely bright child, and, with proper education, she could be successful at many careers—work with computers, for example, or law, or physics, teaching, writing, hundreds of jobs! And if she were properly outfitted with a prosthetic visual aid, she could perform any function any nonhandicapped person could do! Why, our chief engineer aboard the Enterprise, Mister La Forge, has been blind from birth, and he has had an exemplary career as a Starfleet officer!”
“Mmm …” was Thuvat’s only reply to the doctor’s impassioned peroration. The Andorian hesitated, then, evidently realizing that Crusher was not happy about the way the conversation was going, temporized. “You understand, Doctor, this is not my decision. I assure you that my agency will do everything expected of us in this case. I am merely informing you of the regulations concerning orphaned children.”
“Suppose that nobody in Thala’s family, on any Andorian world, will agree to take her. What then?” Crusher asked tightly.
“Then we will follow regulations, of course, and give her a place here on Thonolan Four.”
“A place,” Beverly repeated slowly. “What does that mean? What kind of place are we talking about?”
“There are several institutions in our largest cities for the care of those who cannot function in society. These unfortunate individuals are given food, shelter, and humane care.”
Humane care! Crusher nearly choked with indignation, picturing it. He sounds as though he’s talking about unwanted pets! “What about adoption?” she asked, controlling her voice with an effort.
Thuvat blinked in surprise at the suggestion. “I suppose it is possible,” he ventured finally. “Perhaps we could find something …”
Sure you will, Beverly thought grimly. Some nice family that needs someone to knit sweaters, or the Andorian equivalent, and sit in the chimney corner andbe grateful for handouts. Damn you! Her heart ached at the thought of Thala—or any child—living in a place where she wasn’t wanted.
“Administrator Thuvat,” she said finally, “I can put through a request for such a search to be conducted via Federation agencies. But, frankly, that will take a long time. Perhaps if you conducted inquiries, you could get faster results.”
Thuvat sighed. “Possible. I will do what I can, if you request it.” He was plainly hoping that she would not request it. A sudden thought seemed to occur to him. “Tell me, Doctor, did this child’s unfortunate parent have any property of value? That might make a difference in locating a family to adopt her.”
That was the last straw. Beverly Crusher fought a swift and silent battle between her automatic urge to tell the truth and the dictates of her conscience, then shook her head sadly. “I am afraid not, Administrator,” she lied smoothly. “There’s only a very small trust fund, which will go to Thala herself when she reaches adulthood.”
“Oh, that is unfortunate.” The administrator’s momentary interest faded away. “Well, I am afraid that I have other duties, so if there is nothing else? Do you wish me to request that records search?”
“No, thank you, Administrator,” the doctor said. “I hate to trouble you further. I’ll just let the Federation records people handle it.”
“Fine. I wish you good fortune in solving your problem.”
“Thank you very much, Administrator Thuvat. May all your problems be as small as this one,” Beverly said with poisonous sweetness.
Her sarcasm was lost on the Andorian. “Thank you,” he said. “Farewell, Doctor.”
With a savage poke, the doctor terminated the connection to Thonolan Four. “Damned little bureaucratic worm,” she muttered after the screen was safely dark. Sighing, Beverly ran her hands through her hair, then leaned her forehead against the heels of her palms. She quickly began a meditation-relaxation exercise.
I’ll have to tell Selar. Vulcan or not, this is