Slings and Arrows 01_ Sea of Troubles - J. Steven York [21]
Picard smiled just a little, an expression of wry amusement. “We have little need of those services at the moment, Mr. Hawk, and your record shows excellent performance in the relevant security class work. In any case, this would be a temporary assignment. But I have a particular reason for giving the assignment to you.
“We do not know that the Changeling killed Lieutenant Addison, but it remains a possibility, and it was certainly there when she died. It has used her likeness and her memory for its own purposes. It has deceived all of us, you especially. I would suppose that makes you angry.”
Hawk hesitated. He didn’t like exposing his emotions in a duty situation. But in this case, there was little choice. The captain’s tone left no room for equivocation. “It does, sir. I’m angry at the Changeling for defiling her memory and for deceiving me. I’m also angry at myself for being deceived as long as I was.”
“But it was your work that ultimately exposed the Changeling, Mr. Hawk. And it is my hope that you will find it possible to channel your emotions to positive use. I believe I can trust you never to treat the Changeling with anything except suspicion and a desire for justice.”
“Yes, sir, I think I can do that.”
“You will do it, Mr. Hawk.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, then.”
“Captain? As chief of security, may I speak?”
“Proceed.”
“Captain, I’m not sure why you’re talking with the Changeling at all, under the circumstances. If it wanted diplomacy, it should have approached us in a good-faith manner rather than through sabotage and deception, and possibly murder. You’re placing yourself at risk for no good cause that I can see.”
Picard stood for a moment, contemplating his answer. Finally, he nodded slowly. “You may be right, Mr. Hawk, but slim as the chances are, the potential benefits are too great to be ignored. It is a matter of the ratio of risk versus reward. This is our first and possibly only opportunity to negotiate directly with a Founder. Moreover, this one claims to be different, to have its own agenda, and in this respect at least, I believe it. And while it is true that the Changeling has not approached us in a manner we would interpret as benign, I’m not sure we can apply our own standards in this case. Deception is the natural state of a shape-shifter, and Changelings reportedly have a long history of violence and oppression directed at them by humanoids.” Picard furrowed his brow as though considering an idea. “Counselor Troi, did you recall sensing any emotion from the Changeling during our prior meeting?”
“Nothing unusual. None of the anxiety or nervousness one might expect from a spy in fear of discovery.” She considered for a moment, mentally reviewing the earlier meeting. “In fact, I remember thinking that she seemed extremely calm and comfortable for an officer reporting for her first day of duty as a new department head.”
Picard nodded. “Exactly. At that point, maintaining the deception, the Changeling was in its comfort zone. A Changeling in the presence of any potential threat is going to be least comfortable in its natural liquid form.”
Hawk frowned. “Forgive me, Captain, but it sounds to me like you’re defending the Changeling’s actions.”
“I’m trying to understand them, Mr. Hawk, not defend them. There is a great deal of difference. Fresh from Earth, you’ve likely had little experience dealing with aliens- “
Hawk started to protest, but Picard held up his hand. “I know you’ve encountered many aliens at the Academy, at Starfleet, and here on the Enterprise, but that is far different from dealing with extraterrestrial sentients operating solely on their own terms with no regard to your sensibilities as a human, as a citizen of the Federation, or as a Starfleet officer.
“Our intelligence tells us that the Founders of the Dominion seem to think of us as, at best, useful animals and, at worst, vermin to be exterminated. This individual,” he said the word carefully, as though qualifying