The Farther Shore - Christie Golden [50]
“Where are the Voyager crew members at the present time?”
“Harry Kim is on the bridge. Commander Data along with Dr. Kaz are in sickbay. Admiral Janeway, Commander Chakotay, and Lieutenant Commander Paris are presently in the turbolift. Commander Tuvok, Ensign Jackson, and Lieutenant Moore are in Cargo Bay Two.”
Watson paused in his chewing. “What’s Janeway’s destination?”
“Unknown, sir.”
“Cargo Bay Two is where most of the Borg technology is located,” Watson said, thinking aloud. He pushed the plate away, his meal half-eaten.
“Well, sir, that would make sense if they are working on the Borg virus,” said Janssen hesitantly.
“Yes, it does make sense,” Watson agreed, rising and taking a final swig of tea, “but I still think I’d feel better if I had someone in there with them. Report to Cargo Bay Two, Janssen, and give me updates on the hour.”
“Yes, sir. Anything else, sir?”
“That’ll be all. Dismissed.”
Janssen snapped to attention, then turned and left. Watson was sorry that Montgomery hadn’t been so insistent about no contact. Watson had a couple of questions he wished he could ask.
In the meantime, his instincts were still telling him that something was very wrong.
* * *
[149] “Keep them up where I can see them,” Taylor said, her voice crisp. Kaz was only too happy to oblige.
“What seems to be the problem, Lieutenant Commander?” asked Data.
She didn’t answer, only tapped her comm badge. “Taylor to Watson.”
“Go ahead.”
At that instant, the Doctor materialized immediately behind Taylor. Kaz kept his gaze rigidly on Taylor’s face so as not to give the game away, but she had heard something. Fortunately, the Doctor was faster. He grabbed a hypospray from a tray and pressed it to her neck just as she turned around, and she collapsed limply into his arms.
“Taylor? Report.” It was Watson, his voice coming from the comm badge. Easing Taylor to the floor, the Doctor tapped the badge, ending communication.
“Computer, alter EMH’s vocal patterns to replicate those of Lieutenant Commander Susan Taylor.”
“Completed.”
The Doctor touched the badge again. “Taylor to Commander Watson.”
Kaz stared, then started to grin. The Doctor was indeed speaking with Taylor’s voice.
“Watson here. What’s going on, Taylor? Any problems?”
“Negative, sir. I thought that perhaps you might want me to assist our guests in sickbay.”
“Are you there right now?”
“No,” lied the Doctor. Kaz hoped that Watson hadn’t asked the computer the same thing.
“Then yes. Keep an eye on them. Something’s wrong [150] here, but I can’t put my finger on it. Is there anything suspicious in their behavior?”
“Negative, sir,” said the Doctor, still speaking with Taylor’s contralto voice. “Everything seems pretty much by the book.”
“Hmm. Well, stay there. Let me know if you do notice anything that looks ... odd.”
“Will do, sir. Taylor out.” The Doctor ended the message and then exhaled. “That was too close.” He frowned at the sound of Taylor’s voice issuing from his lips. “Computer, restore the EMH’s standard vocal patterns.”
“Doctor, that was brilliant!” exclaimed Kaz.
Picking up Taylor, the Doctor smirked slightly. “Thank you,” he said in the voice of the standard EMH. “I’ve had a lot of practice. She should be out for several hours.”
“Practice?” queried Data.
The Doctor gently laid the unconscious lieutenant commander into a cadaver drawer, removing her phaser as he did so. The drawer with its contents would slide back into the bulkhead. Kaz winced. Even though Taylor would be fine, he hated the sight of a living being in a cadaver drawer.
The Doctor looked slightly discomfited. “I had a great deal of time in my cell,” he said, sounding embarrassed. “I ran through several possible scenarios. You know—fighting my way out of the prison, rescuing Seven of Nine, what to do if I were to be discovered on Voyager.”
Kaz tried not to grin. “I’m sure I’d have done the same thing,” he said sincerely.
“Do not