The Farther Shore - Christie Golden [22]
“I’m pursuing every avenue I can think of.”
“Including getting Mr. Data to perform as an attorney, I assume. Oh—surprised you again. I’m not superhuman, Admiral. But I have been watching you. It doesn’t take a genius to assume that an android who’s been declared sentient would want to do what he could to save a sentient hologram.”
With respect, Janeway said, “Your talents were wasted on Lynaris Prime.”
The smugness faded. He seemed genuinely pleased when he said, “Thank you, Admiral. I think we could be allies.”
“I don’t ally with terrorists and murderers.”
“The deaths of those people were a tragic accident. All of the bombs were set to detonate when the [64] buildings were supposed to be empty. They are casualties of war, Admiral, and I’m sorry. But steps need to be taken, or there will be more casualties—holographic causalities. I know that you would mourn the deletion of your Doctor as much as you would the death of any flesh person, and because of that, I’m giving you this warning. He leaned forward into the viewscreen, his eyes intense. “We are planning to liberate the Doctor.”
“How?”
“There are many at the prison site who are not flesh beings anymore. I’ve replaced key personnel with holographic doppelgängers.”
“But how can—”
“Your Doctor is no longer the only hologram with a portable emitter. Mine aren’t quite as sophisticated, but they will do.”
So the Doctor had been right. B aines had been able to create a portable emitter for his holograms.
“Don’t think about warning anyone,” Baines continued. “I’m going to put my plan into action the minute we terminate this conversation. I didn’t know your timetable, if any, for any rescue you might be planning. It’s my understanding that you have three friends in that prison. I didn’t want you to get hurt if by chance you were ... involved.”
“You don’t seem to care much about human life,” Janeway said.
“That’s not true! I only—”
“Why are you warning me?”
“As I said, we could be allies. At the very least, the old adage applies—the enemy of my enemy is my [65] friend. We’re more alike than different. You are one of the few organics in any position of power who understands what I’m fighting for.”
Chakotay had remained utterly silent and immobile. Neither he nor Janeway wanted Baines to know that anyone else was overhearing this conversation. She felt his eyes on her but didn’t give him away by even glancing quickly in his direction.
This was no short warning. Baines was sincere, at least in part—he did want her as an ally. He wanted to talk. A thought flickered in her mind. Perhaps she could take this opportunity and dissuade him. After all, he was right—they shared a common goal, although they were worlds apart on how to achieve that goal.
“You’re right, Mr. Baines,” she said smoothly. “I want the Doctor whole and unharmed. I have no desire to see the other EMHs’ potential so degraded. I do think there should be rights granted to holograms.”
His body posture softened slightly. “Yes,” he said, “Yes, I knew you would understand.”
“You and the Doctor had a brief conversation, is that correct?”
“Yes, and for that he was sent to prison. Which is why I must ensure that he is freed before they do this terrible thing to him!”
“The Doctor told me that he tried to dissuade you from violence.”
“He did. And I listened to him. A strike isn’t violent. I did nothing to interfere with any EMHs or any holograms that were in a position to save lives.”
He desperately wanted credit for what he’d done right, Janeway thought. Almost like a child.
[66] “You did. But—”
“And I told you, the bombs weren’t supposed—”
“But they did, Mr. Baines. They did kill people. You made that decision to destroy property and took some innocent lives right along with it. You’ve got to live with that choice, but you also have the chance to not make things any worse. You say this attack on the complex where the Doctor is being held is going to be violent. That’s escalating things from accidental deaths