The Farther Shore - Christie Golden [35]
Janeway grinned. “See?”
Kaz grinned back. “Tie her down if you have to, but make sure she regenerates. Icheb, too. His newfound ability to sleep a little bit has helped stave off much of the damage, but he needs several hours as well.” He hesitated. “I’m not certain I approve of your choice of allies, but as the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures.”
“I’d say these are desperate indeed,” said Janeway. “We’ll be in touch.” She glanced at the holograms. “You’re sure they won’t be disturbed?”
“I’ll do what I can, of course, but Montgomery does have the right to sever the stasis if he sees fit.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t.” Her gaze shifted to Seven and Icheb and she smiled slightly. “Suit up, you two. It’s time for our next abduction.”
Janeway, Data, “Chakotay,” and “Tuvok” were admitted into the Doctor’s cell. A guard, as usual, stood outside. It was Lieutenant Debby Garris, who smiled when she caught sight of Janeway. The admiral was a frequent visitor, and she always made a point of being pleasant to the guards she encountered. Although she disagreed with them this time, she knew they were good people just doing their jobs.
She returned the smile. “Good morning, Lieutenant Garris.”
“Good morning, Admiral. Commanders.” She looked slightly troubled and glanced into the now-empty cell [103] across from the Doctor. “They were put into stasis this morning, for their own safety,” Garris said quickly. “They’re all right.”
“Your compassion for my concern does you credit, Lieutenant,” Janeway said warmly. “We were just in time to talk to them before Kaz completed the process.”
She relaxed, relieved. Janeway briefly glanced up to see the small red light glowing steadily. Not unexpectedly, she saw they were still under surveillance.
The Doctor had risen to greet them. “Commander Data,” said the Doctor, clearly surprised. “May I ask why you’re here?”
“A few years ago, I was put on trial for my own rights as an individual, Doctor,” said Data. “When Admiral Janeway informed my captain of your situation, I realized that it was necessary for me to assist you in your own quest for the same recognition. A Federation citizen should not be held against his will with no charges.”
“They think I’ve got something to do with Baines, but they’ve yet to present any sort of case,” the Doctor said.
Data nodded. “I see.” He turned to Garris. “Lieutenant Garris, I am here to act as the Doctor’s legal counsel.”
Garris looked confused. “But he’s just a hologram,” she began.
“And I am just an android,” said Data. “And yet I am recognized as a person.”
Janeway felt a bit sorry for poor Garris as she opened and closed her mouth, uncertain as to how to reply. She stepped in and saved the younger woman the trouble.
“Whether or not the Doctor is a person has yet to be proved, but until it is, it might be a good idea to err on [104] the side of caution and assume individuality until that’s proven not to be the case. Therefore, he’s entitled to a private conversation with his legal counsel.”
“I really should get permission from Admiral Montgomery,” said Garris.
“Go ahead,” Janeway said. She said it lightly, as if the outcome was certain, but in reality, such was not the case. Montgomery might deny her just to be unpleasant.
“He’s unavailable right now. Perhaps if you return tomorrow—”
Data shook his head. “That would not be advisable,” he said.
“Commander Data’s an extremely busy man,” said Janeway. “Captain Picard would be disappointed that he gave his crewman leave and Data didn’t even get to meet with his client.”
She wasn’t above exerting a little pressure if need be. They’d gotten used to her and her crew by now, which was well and good; but the names of Data and Captain Jean-Luc Picard still dazzled the younger members of Starfleet. The name-dropping had the desired effect. Pushing her advantage, she said, “I’ll take full responsibility if Montgomery has any sort of problem with this.”
That did it. Relief spread over Garris’s young, attractive