Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [15]
“We don’t know, and we didn’t get a chance to take any tricorder readings,” the Changeling Chakotay replied. He wanted to get this over with, yet he knew that the real Chakotay would feel an empathy with this human and would take his time. He chafed at the forced kindness.
“It is likely that these…beasts…are what killed those of us who stayed behind,” Fortier continued, feeling his way to logic through his pain. “How strange this all is…we never saw any animals like them before. And now they have come like Death himself, out of nowhere, to take those we love. I am so sorry for your loss, Captain. Sekaya was a wonderful woman. We all felt so comfortable with her. She cared so much.”
Yes, yes, we’re all sorry for Chakotay and Sekaya, let’s get on with this, the Changeling thought.
He stood, hoping Fortier would take the cue. “There’s a saying among my people,” he said, making one up on the spot. “ ‘Action heals the wounds.’ I think it’s time I took some action. We need to leave this planet and return you to Earth. Someone will help you find a new home.”
Fortier shook his head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Captain. I understand that there are risks, but I would like to see if it’s possible to recover the remains of our fallen friends and families. And see if we can’t find a way to resettle and still protect ourselves from these creatures. The voices of our dead call to me.”
I don’t care if they’re using communicators, “Chakotay” thought. He took care to conceal his irritation.
“I’ll tell you what. We had to leave a shuttle on the surface. I’ll be transporting down to retrieve it. I’ll see what kind of readings I can get while I’m there and think about whether it’s too risky to consider recolonizing. Will that be acceptable?”
Fortier considered the offer, then nodded. “I must tell you that we are still hopeful we can return to our home, Captain. Despite the tragedies we have all endured.” He rose and shook Chakotay’s hand. “Again…please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss. I know what it is like to lose a beloved sibling.”
“Thank you.” The Changeling smiled tentatively. The smile evaporated as soon as the door closed behind Fortier. Damn the man and the typical human stubborn, “exploring” spirit. Well, it would probably be a good idea to have fake tricorder readings on hand anyway. It would silence any protest until he was able to complete his task.
He wished he could contact Moset, alert him as to his impending arrival. Probably he could contact him via Sekaya’s combadge, but he couldn’t risk either Campbell, the new ops officer, or Kim, the old one, detecting the transmission.
Speaking of which…“Chakotay to Kim.”
“Kim here.” The security officer was in command on the bridge while “Chakotay” talked to Fortier.
“We’ve got a shuttle on the surface that needs retrieving.”
“Understood, sir. I’ll send a security officer to pilot it back to Voyager.”
“Negative. I’ll go get it myself.”
“Captain?”
“You heard me, Lieutenant. I don’t want to put anyone else at risk.”
A long pause. “If I may speak freely, Captain, I know that your sister’s death has upset you, but surely—”
Thanks, Harry. Great idea. “Lieutenant Kim, I don’t recall you arguing against my orders when I was first officer and you were ensign.” It was a wild guess, but by the silence that followed, a good one. Kim had unwittingly just given the Changeling the perfect excuse for any “unusual” behavior Harry or anyone else might notice—distress and grief over the death of his poor, beloved Sekaya.
“As you wish, of course, sir. Do you want to inform Starfleet Command, or shall I do so while you’re getting the shuttle?”
Damn. “Chakotay” hesitated. “Neither, Lieutenant. When I get back, we’ll be returning directly to Earth.” He hadn’t told Fortier that, but who cared?
“Sir?” Kim’s voice actually cracked on the word. “Voyager has just lost its first officer!”
“Mr.