The Farther Shore - Christie Golden [46]
“Which is?” asked Tom.
Data turned to address him. “There would be a total of eight security guards of the rank of lieutenant and upward stationed on Voyager for the duration of the project. They would work in four-day shifts of twelve [136] hours each. Therefore, at any given time, four people would be on active duty.”
“And the rest would just hang out here?” asked Tom.
“They would be assigned individual quarters aboard Voyager and take their meals and entertainment here.”
Chakotay and Janeway exchanged glances. “Those aren’t bad odds,” said Chakotay.
“No,” Janeway agreed. “First things first. We’ve got to get Seven and Icheb regenerating.”
“Watson seemed dubious when you described our purpose here,” said Tuvok. “I do not think he fully trusts us. His suspicions would be aroused if we activate two regeneration chambers.”
“We’ll explain it as part of the research we need to do on the Borg virus,” Janeway replied.
“Commander Tuvok is correct,” said Data. “Seven of Nine and Icheb will be unable to utilize their holographic disguises while they are in the regeneration chambers. Commander Watson will know that his suspicions are accurate if he appears in Cargo Bay Two and discovers two former Borg regenerating.”
“Then we have to make sure he doesn’t find out about it,” said Janeway. “Tuvok, you were my head of security on this ship. I’m going to entrust you with keeping Icheb and Seven safe from discovery while they’re regenerating. Harry, I need you at Ops. Can you dismantle the system to the point where Watson won’t be able to detect our poking around in the regeneration chambers?”
“I think so,” he said, “though B’Elanna’s better at that sort of thing.”
“We don’t have B’Elanna and we do have you,” Janeway said pointedly. “Can you do it or not?”
[137] “Yes, Admiral.”
“Good. While you’re at it, I want you to be able to block any attempts Watson might make at contacting Montgomery.”
Kim nodded. “That’s actually easier. What about any incoming messages?”
“Download them into a buffer and read them when you get the chance. I want to know about every contact that’s made.” She squeezed his arm. “Do it.”
He grinned. “Aye, Captain. I mean—”
“I think I like Captain better anyway.” She winked at him as he turned and headed for the turbolift.
When they entered Cargo Bay Two, Janeway felt the shock almost like a physical blow.
“Oh my God,” said Paris, giving voice to what they all felt. Behind her, Janeway heard Seven of Nine take a quick breath.
It almost looked as if Cargo Bay Two had been under attack. Two of the five alcoves had been completely removed, probably for further study in a more controlled environment. Another one was utterly destroyed. The remaining two looked almost as bad.
Calmly, Data took out a tricorder. “The destruction is largely cosmetic,” he said, reassuring them slightly. “None of the units is functional at the moment, but I believe that we can repair these two. We will need to utilize components from the third.”
“Then let’s get cracking,” said Janeway. She put a reassuring hand on Icheb’s shoulder. “We’ll get you two in there in no time.”
* * *
[138] Harry Kim felt very odd as he rode up the turbolift to the bridge.
How many thousands of times had he done this over the last seven years? And yet this time was profoundly different. This time, he wasn’t reporting for duty, as a trusted crew member of a ship he was devoted to. This time he was returning as an infiltrator, a spy, almost. He wasn’t supposed to be here. He didn’t belong on this ship anymore. What he was about to do could be construed as treason. He knew that he might well be facing a court-martial in a few days.
Then again, there might not be anyone to conduct a court-martial in a few days. He didn’t know the precise rate of infection, but he knew enough to make him scared to death. Which was why he was here, all but a fugitive aboard his own ship, about to do what he was about to do.
As the