The Farther Shore - Christie Golden [34]
She always hated deals with the devil.
The guard posted outside sickbay stepped aside so they could enter. The door hissed open. Kaz turned around to see who his guests were. He looked preoccupied. Seven and Icheb lay on the beds. Icheb had his eyes closed and Seven turned her head with apparent effort to gaze at them with half-lidded eyes.
“You’re just in time,” Kaz said. He nodded at the guard. “Dismissed, Lieutenant. Thank you.”
The guard nodded and returned to his post. The minute the doors closed, Kaz let out a huge breath.
[100] “We did it,” he said.
Seven swung her legs over the bed and stepped lightly to the floor. Icheb did likewise. There was no hint of grogginess about either of them.
“You are premature, Doctor,” she said. “We still have to effect our escape.”
“We got this far, that’s a good sign,” said Kaz. He glanced at his four visitors, then his mouth curved in a wry smile. “So, which of you are the holograms?”
“We are,” said Chakotay and Tuvok. “Were you able to adjust the system?”
“Indeed I was,” said Kaz, “though I’m no engineer and I regret to say that it took me a while to figure out how to bypass the alert system. Seven and Icheb were able to double-check it for me when she arrived about a half-hour ago.”
Of course, Janeway thought. In order for the ruse to work, the holographic emitters placed in every Starfleet medical facility would have to be operating. Otherwise, there’d be no point in having an EMH. However, if they were activated, someone would notice. Kaz had had to figure out how to activate the emitters without attracting attention.
“They’re on. You may, uh, transfer your briefcases,” he told “Chakotay” and “Tuvok.”
They looked at each other, then nodded. With the touch of a button in their briefcase-size portable emitters, they shimmered and reformed as Seven of Nine and Icheb. There was a brief, uncomfortable moment as the real former Borg stared at their doubles.
“I realize it is unusual to see oneself so [101] realistically portrayed,” said Data, “but we do not have much time.”
“Data’s right,” said Janeway. “Let’s do this and get the hell out.”
The holograms of Icheb and Seven walked to their flesh counterparts.
“Here,” the false Icheb said to the real one, “this button will activate the holographic field. You will look and sound like Commander Chakotay, and if you’re stopped and searched, the briefcase will look as if it just contains ordinary items. They won’t be able to see the controls.”
“When you are safely away, this button will shut down the field,” said “Seven.” “It will also reveal the controls in the portable emitter, just so you know.”
“I understand,” said Seven, and then, hesitantly, “Thank you.”
The hologram smiled at her, then he-she-it lay on one of the beds. The one who looked like Icheb followed suit. The doctor pressed a few buttons, and a stasis field sprang into place around the two of them.
Data examined the display. “Well done, Doctor. Everything appears to confirm the illusion that Seven of Nine and Icheb are present and in stasis.”
“Thank you, Commander Data.” Kaz turned to face Janeway. “I’ve done everything I can to play up how ill Seven and Icheb are, which, unfortunately, is not much of an exaggeration. They’ll need several hours of uninterrupted regeneration as soon as possible.”
Janeway nodded. “I’ll see that they get it, though I’m certain Seven will argue that she’d be more valuable plowing ahead.”
[102] Seven raised a blond eyebrow in indignation.