The Farther Shore - Christie Golden [60]
[178] He glanced over at the chronometer. “It’s almost rendezvous time. Who should go?”
“I should,” said Kaz. “You don’t really need me.”
“On the contrary, Doctor,” said Data, “we need your expertise a great deal. You are more familiar with this virus than either of us. Besides, if a doctor were to be found wandering the corridors when he was supposed to be working on curing a virus, it could arouse suspicion. I shall go.” He turned to the Doctor. “If you modify your image programming to imitate my physical appearance, you can continue working here even if someone enters.”
“But then if that someone also ran into you in the corridor, they’d know something was wrong,” Kaz said. “I have to tell you, no offense, Doctor, but this whole hologram version of musical chairs is starting to become confusing.”
“No offense taken,” said the Doctor. “I’m having trouble keeping it all straight myself.”
“The simplest solution is often the most effective,” said Data. “Perhaps the Doctor should continue to deactivate if anyone approaches. I can always tell the truth, which is that Admiral Janeway requested my presence.”
“Good luck,” Kaz said. “Take Taylor’s phaser. We’ve got hyposprays if we need them.”
Data accepted the phaser, nodded to them, and strode out the door.
They met up in Cargo Bay Two, as Janeway had ordered.
“Status report,” she asked. “First, has anyone run into any guards yet?”
[179] “I have Constance Goodheart tied up in the holodeck,” Paris said.
“What?” exclaimed Chakotay.
“One of the guards is playing Constance Goodheart in my Captain Proton scenario,” Paris explained, clearly trying not to smile but failing. “The computer had my physical parameters for Proton as reference, and she kept them intact. It was easy to substitute myself for Proton and turn her stun weapon on her. The scenario’s still running. There’s a chance someone will go in after her, but they’d have to battle the Moolian Fleet to do it.”
“Couldn’t they turn the program off?” Kaz was slightly in awe of Lieutenant Commander Paris’s imagination.
“I designed the program,” Paris said, “and they never bothered to transfer the codes. I can’t lock the doors, but I’ve reprogrammed the computer with a code word. They can’t shut the program down unless I authorize it.”
“Very good work, Mr. Paris,” Janeway said, admiringly. “I see that Tuvok has disabled a guard as well.” Kaz looked over to see the prone, trussed up, and gagged figure of a fair-haired young man. He looked quite upset. Kaz couldn’t blame him.
“How are you three faring in sickbay?” Janeway continued.
“We had a surprise visit from a guard, but we disabled her. The Doctor did, actually. I can see why you’re all so fond of him. She’s presently unconscious in a cadaver drawer, but a hologram of her is standing around smiling, just in case anyone comes to check.”
Janeway was smiling openly now. “Chakotay and I took one down in the corridor. He’s stashed in a Jefferies tube and should be unconscious for quite some [180] time. We should put their comm badges in their quarters, in case Watson tries to locate them.”
“How many phasers were we able to obtain?” asked Tuvok.
“Three,” replied Janeway. “I don’t think Tom’s Constance was carrying a real weapon in the holodeck.”
“No, more’s the pity,” said Tom.
Janeway’s expression sobered slightly. “I haven’t heard anything from Harry, so I’ll try to contact him when we’re done here. Dr. Kaz, Data—what have you learned about the virus?”
They brought everyone up to speed, and Kaz desperately wished that he had better news. At least the Doctor seemed to think they had a direction now. Janeway was silent for a while, then at last she spoke.
“I’ve been thinking hard about this, gentlemen. We’ve eliminated half the guards, but there are still four left. One of them is Watson, whom I think suspects us, and another is on the bridge. I also don’t think we’re going to be able to let Seven and Icheb regenerate as long as Dr. Kaz would like them to. We need