25 Endgame by Diane Carey & Christie Golden

Author:Diane Carey & Christie Golden [Carey, Diane & Golden, Christie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, Star Trek fiction, Interplanetary voyages, Media Tie-In, Janeway; Kathryn (Fictitious character), Space ships, Space flight
ISBN: 9780743442169
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2001-06-25T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 1 1

THE BIOBED FELT COLD AND DID NOT BECOME WARM. SEVEN OF

Nine fixed her eyes on the ceiling and steadied herself to her purpose. This would be a weekly maintenance check like none other, for after the next few moments her future would be altered.

"You're fine," the Doctor said, "aside from some minor inflammation around your biradial clamp. Let me know if it starts to bother you."

He put down his tricorder. The examination was complete. Seven was expected now to stand and leave the sickbay.

She continued lying on the biobed, listening to the blips and bubblings of mechanical analysis deep within the systems of the sickbay consoles and processors. A pleasant noise. She recalled the idea of sound as a mode of entertainment from a deeply seated memory which had no roots, but floated free in her mind.

The Doctor almost went back to his work when he realized she had not altered her position.

"Is there something else?" he asked.

Seven hesitated. This move was unwise. It would weaken her, She should cling to her isolation and strength.

Must she give up her strength in order to grow?

She cleared her throat. "Do you remember three months ago, when my cortical node shut down?"

The Doctor struck an expression. "How could I forget?"

"You . . . you said it might be possible ... to remove the failsafe device that was causing the problem ..."

"Has it been giving you trouble again?" He moved closer to her.

"No. But.. . I've . . . reconsidered your offer to extract it."

The Doctor paused. His voice grew softer. "I've been hoping you would."

An uneasy pause broke their conversation as Seven sat up on the biobed and noted that her hands and legs were as cold as the cushion.

"You said it would require several surgeries ..."

He fought down a smile. "Actually, in anticipation of your change of heart, I've studied the problem in more detail. I now believe I can reconfigure the microcircuitry with a single procedure." He was eager about his new knowledge, proud of himself in his anticipation.

How could he know so conveniently that she might return with such a request? She hadn't thought about such a daring choice until. . . until Chakotay.

"You'll be free," the Doctor went on, "to experience the full range of emotions. Everything from a hearty belly laugh to a good cry."

She looked down at the long plane of her stomach, and wondered why anyone would laugh at it. "How soon can you do it?"

"Today, if you'd like." He obviously preferred a quick turnover, though he didn't outwardly offer any pressure or timelines.

"My watch ends at eighteen hundred hours."

"It's a date!"

His joy disturbed her. She was afraid of alteration. But how could there be progress without change?

Forcing herself to accept what she had now scheduled, she pushed off the bed and started toward the door.

"Speaking of dates," the Doctor called, "once the failsafe is gone, you'll be free to pursue more intimate relationships."

He bounced on his holo-toes.

Seven looked at him. "I'm aware of that," she proclaimed, attempting to seem in control.

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