Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [98]
“Does that include you, Lieutenant Kim?” Batiste asked pointedly.
“Yes, sir,” Kim admitted without reservation. “But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t ready to accept Command’s decision. I believe this mission is necessary and am happy to do my part. But I can’t speak for everyone.”
“This is ridiculous,” Paris said angrily. “No one who served under Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay would endanger this ship. We’re more than comrades in arms. We’re a family. We risked our lives for one another day in and day out for seven years and that doesn’t change just because we might have reservations about our new assignment. If anything, we’re all more determined than ever to prove our worth to Command, who frankly didn’t seem to have much use for us in the Alpha quadrant.”
“Tom, facts are facts,” Eden said flatly. “For what it’s worth, I, too, find it very hard to believe that anyone, least of all Chakotay, would do this. I agree with your characterization of your old crew. But we can’t simply ignore the evidence.”
“Will Chakotay get a chance to defend himself against these accusations?” Paris demanded.
“Chakotay will be confined to the brig until a hearing can be scheduled,” Batiste said in a tone that brooked no argument. “He will be assigned counsel and will have every opportunity to make a case for his innocence.” Turning to Eden he said, “Where is Chakotay now?”
“He, Seven, and Counselor Cambridge were dispatched to the fourth planet of the Indign system to investigate a potential communication Seven believed she had received.”
“May I say one more thing?” Paris asked.
“Of course,” Eden replied.
“Apart from the fact that Chakotay just wouldn’t do this, I think you also have to consider the reality that I’m not sure he could .”
“Commander?” Conlon asked.
“This is high-level programming. Seven of Nine, B’Elanna, Vorik, even you, Lieutenant,” Paris went on, with a nod to Conlon, “have the appropriate skill-set. But this just strikes me as too subtle an attack for Chakotay. Which is not to suggest,” he added hastily, “that I’m accusing anyone else I just named. If Chakotay were trying to sabotage us, this isn’t how he’d do it.”
Eden surprised herself by agreeing with her first officer. Chakotay was certainly capable of subterfuge, but she wasn’t sure that he was capable of such a technologically advanced attack.
“A point I’m certain you’ll have the opportunity to make once his hearing is convened,” Batiste replied briskly, his right eyebrow twitching with annoyance. “However, bearing that in mind, Captain Eden, I would also suggest that Seven be detained as well.”
Eden nodded, as a cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Batiste went on, “Once they’re aboard, have Chakotay and Seven confined to the brig. I’ll begin questioning them as soon as they arrive.”
“You will?” Eden asked incredulously.
“Absolutely,” Batiste replied firmly. “I hardly think any of their former crewmates should have a duty such as this imposed upon them.”
“As chief of security …” Kim began to object.
“You report to me, Lieutenant,” Batiste barked. “End of discussion.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Commander Glenn didn’t have to think twice when she received word that Counselor Cambridge was requesting emergency transport for himself, Chakotay, and Seven to Galen’s sickbay. She immediately approved the request and sent word to Voyager, assuming that one or more of them had been injured during their away mission.
She reached the sickbay to find Chakotay and Cambridge conferring quietly while the Doctor treated an unconscious Seven on one of the main biobeds.
“Report,” Glenn ordered as soon as she entered.
The Doctor did a quick scan of his most recent diagnostic results before crossing to join the small group and said quietly, “She has suffered mild neurological inflammation, undoubtedly brought about by the communication she received from the Neyser. It appears to have overwhelmed her catoms.”