Star Trek the Next Generation #27: The Guises of the Mind by Rebecca Neason

Author:Rebecca Neason [Neason, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, General
ISBN: 9780671798314
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek
Published: 1993-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

IT TOOK TROI several minutes to persuade Mother Veronica to help her try to reach the hidden recesses of King Joakal's mind. The counselor knew she needed the help; she had no chance of succeeding in this type of endeavor alone. Yet, as she remembered Mother Veronica's past, Troi also understood the nun's hesitation and tried to go gently as she explained to Mother Veronica what it was they needed to do.

Now Troi, Mother Veronica, and Joakal sat in a tight circle, holding hands. Their eyes were closed and their faces drawn up into frowns. Especially Troi's. She had used several different techniques she had learned during her years of training on Betazed to try and reach the hidden depths of the young King's mind. So far she had had no success. For the first time in several years Troi wished for full telepathic talents.

Although Mother Veronica had agreed, albeit reluctantly, to allow Troi to establish the link with her mind once more, and the nun's psychic strength was augmenting Troi's own, Mother Veronica was untrained. They could not work truly in tandem. There was a part of Mother Veronica that was holding back. At times her personal horror at using her mind to invade that of another being, however willing, was so strong Troi found herself having to struggle through a backwash of Mother Veronica's emotions while still trying to find the way through Joakal's mental defenses.

Finally, Troi sighed. She released her hold on the hands of her companions and opened her eyes. The captain sat a few feet away, watching them and willing them to succeed. Troi met his eyes and she shook her head in answer to his worried expression.

"I'm sorry," she said. "Joakal's shields are too strong. And they are shields, Captain. Now that I've touched them, I have no doubts."

"But I did feel something," Joakal said. He searched for the right word. "A . . . a stirring, or something."

"Counselor?" the captain asked.

"Perhaps, sir," Troi answered, carefully keeping her voice neutral. She had felt no such response, but this was the first time since they had awakened in Joakal's presence that she had sensed any positive emotion in the young King.

"Maybe after we have rested," she continued, "and any lingering effects of the drug have worn off. . . ." She let the statement remain unfinished; she did not want to deny their hopes or raise false ones.

Again the captain's eyes met hers, and she knew he understood exactly what she had not said, and why.

"Very good, Counselor," he replied aloud. "And you're right, of course. I know that I, for one, still have a pounding headache."

"Someone should bring some food soon," Joakal said. "My captivity may not be in the most comfortable surroundings, but Beahoram is quite insistent that I do not starve."

Picard nodded. "Then I suggest we all try to rest until the food arrives."

Their little group broke up. As Troi looked for a way to be comfortable on the cold stone of the cell, Joakal retrieved the blankets he had been given for warmth.

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