The Valiant - Michael Jan Friedman [77]
Thats correct, said the medical officer. Suddenly, it occurred to him where Joseph might be going with this. Santanas all right, isnt she?
The other man looked up at him, jolted from his line of questioning. Shes fine, as far as I can tell.
Then this isnt about her health? asked Greyhorse.
No, Joseph assured him. Its about an act of sabotage. And he went on to describe the way one of their command junctions had been tampered with.
But what does this have to do with Ms. Santana? asked the doctor.
Obviously, she couldnt have sabotaged the shuttle herself. But Commander Picard and Lieutenant Ben Zoma think she might have manipulated someone else into doing it.
Someone else? Greyhorse echoed, considering the possibility for the first time. You mean
You, said Joseph. He looked disturbed by what he was saying. Or me. Or anyone on the ship.
The doctor sat down on the edge of a biobed and thought about it. It was an eerie proposition at best. Unfortunately, he didnt know enough about Santanas abilities to confirm the theory or deny it.
Its possible, he said at last. But I cant say for certain.
The security officer looked disappointed. Commander Picard thought you might say that
Greyhorse had an idea. Have you checked the internal sensor logs? They would tell you who might have approached that command junction.
Joseph smiled a tolerant smile. That was the first thing we tried. But internal sensors arent very dependable in the vicinity of the warp engines, which is where the junction was located. And whoever did the tampering was smart enough to take off his or her combadge so we wouldnt be able to track them that way either.
The doctor shrugged. It was just a thought.
Thanks anyway, said the security officer.
But he didnt leave. He just stood there, his eyes glazing over, as if he had fallen deep into thought.
Lieutenant? said Greyhorse.
Joseph looked at him as if he had woken from a dream. Hmm?
Are you feeling all right? the physician inquired.
Im okay. Just a little preoccupied is all. The security officer hesitated. Then he said, Can I level with you?
Greyhorse nodded. Certainly.
Joseph smiled againa little sheepishly, this time. To be honest, I dont have a whole lot of friends on the ship. Its always been that way for me, I dont know why. But when I was guarding Ms. Santana, I well, I sort of came to like her.
As a friend? the doctor asked.
That, said the security officer, and maybe a little more. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I think I fell for her the first time I saw herwhen she was sitting on her cot in the brig.
Even Greyhorse had to chuckle at that. Quite an image, he conceded.
I thought she liked me too, Joseph confided. Maybe not the way I liked her , but at least a little. Then I found out that she was playing me for a chump, right from the start.
Playing all of us, the doctor interjected.
But me most of all, the security officer insisted. I mean, I trusted her. I let a pretty face make me forget my training. He looked embarassed. Ill bet that never happened to you .
Greyhorse was about to agree with the man, at least inwardlywhen a sequence of images flashed through his mind, coming one after the other with jolting familiarity.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone carrying a wounded Gerda into sickbay. Then he took another look and realized that it was Gerda who was doing the carrying, and that it was Leach who had been hurt.
The doctors heart began to pound as it had pounded then. Even if he managed to forget everything else about Gerda, he would never forget that sight as long as he lived.
Greyhorse regained his composure. Never, he agreed, lying through his teeth. But that doesnt mean you should be beating yourself up over it. Were people, Lieutenant, not machines. We have feelings. And sometimes, like it or not, those feelings get in the way of our jobs.
Joseph considered the advice. Maybe youre right.
But Greyhorse knew the security officer didnt mean it. He would continue to berate himself, advice or