‘So?’ The simulacrum spins. ‘What do you think?’
Kathryn cocks her head. ‘Do I really look like that from behind? Wow.’
‘You did ten years ago, at least.’
The scowl on Kathryn’s face is thunderous. ‘All right, all right.’ She narrows her eyes. ‘Why the long hair? Why that era me?’
Hologram Janeway shrugs. It’s the version of you that the Federation saw on broadcasts for years. The captain of the Delta. The most familiar to them.’
‘Rather than me now, going grey and being less inspiring and more grumpy.’
‘It was what my designers decided.’
‘Dr Zimmerman?’
‘Yes, his team, mostly, but also your EMH and Harry Kim. Just to make sure I seemed true to you.’
‘Couldn’t I have been part of that conversation?’
The hologram shakes her head. ‘Never a good idea. People you’ve spent a great deal of time with are always going to be able to pick up on things about you more than you can yourself.’
‘I suppose.’
‘You more than suppose , you know that, really.’ The hologram shoots her a deliberate look. ‘I know you know.’
Kathryn shakes her head. ‘It’s weird. You were developed from neural scans only a year ago, but you look… younger. I feel like you look less jaded than you must feel.’
‘Some of that was adjusted in the programming.’
‘Sensible.’ Kathryn walks around the hologram. ‘You’re lucky you don’t actually have to do your hair, you know. I did a lot of early mornings to get that done each day.’
‘Hence this, I’m guessing.’
Hologram Janeway holds up a hand and a large metal mug appears. She sips from it.
‘Oh no. No no no. You can’t be serious.’
‘It’s part of your reputation.’
‘Where the hell is The Doctor’s loyalty? Harry’s ?’
The hologram takes another sip.