Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [25]
Clearly, a simple infusion of Chakotay’s DNA would not suffice. More drastic manipulation was called for.
He turned around, his eyes still on the tricorder, and almost bumped into Chakotay.
Moset gasped and dived for something, anything, he could use as a weapon, but the human was faster. Chakotay reached and gripped both of Moset’s wrists, crying, “Calm down, Crell, it’s just me!”
Though the voice was Chakotay’s, the sense of arrogance that wove through the words was familiar to Moset, and he slumped in relief.
“Don’t ever do that again!” he snapped, rubbing his bruised wrists. “You nearly scared me to death.” Suddenly the full implications of the Changeling’s presence struck him. “Is something wrong? Aren’t you returning to Earth?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just left a shuttle on the surface.” He grimaced. “If I’d been thinking properly I’d have piloted it back. I couldn’t risk anyone else transporting down here, so I came myself. It’s put me behind schedule. On the plus side,” he added, “you can give me another treatment.”
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.” Moset had recovered—mostly—from the shock and was in control again. He stepped to the computer. “It has only been a few hours since your last one. I’d feel better if we could wait.”
“Chakotay” shook his head. “I’m not going to let this opportunity slip by.”
Moset thought fast. The real reason for his reluctance was the fact that he’d been working on the creatures, not on the Changeling’s predicament. But he didn’t want his benefactor to know that.
“I don’t know if the treatment will be much different. I haven’t had a lot of time to work on this, you know.” He knew he sounded defensive and that worried him. But he was getting awfully tired of the Changeling’s demands.
“Let me have it anyway. And give me some more for the trip, too,” the Changeling added.
“More?” The treatments Moset had stockpiled were supposed to be used on the creatures.
“More,” demanded the Changeling. He bent his neck to the side to give Moset easier access. Resentful but seeing no alternative, Moset prepared the hypo and pressed it into the skin.
The Changeling closed his eyes as the chemicals coursed through his body. Moset stepped back warily. “Chakotay’s” features blurred and ran together. They reformed themselves into those of Moset. The Changeling grinned at Moset’s annoyed and discomfited expression. Then again he assumed the form of Chakotay. No, not quite; this form was more slender, with long black hair, larger eyes, curved red lips.
Moset’s eyes widened. Was he doing it?
The Changeling growled and suddenly snapped back into Chakotay. He slammed his fist into the wall.
“I almost had it,” he muttered.
“Sekaya?”
The Changeling nodded. “I couldn’t reduce the mass sufficiently for a female humanoid. I don’t dare even try to do an insectoid or anything else.”
“But you came closer than I’ve ever seen you,” Moset said, trying to encourage the Changeling. The scientist wanted him out of here so he could continue with his experiments on his children. When the Changeling and Voyager were safely out of this area of space, Moset would breathe more easily.
“True,” the Changeling said thoughtfully. It extended its hand and the fingers grew smaller, more slender, with longer nails. He smirked a little. “Got her hands, at any rate.”
“You probably shouldn’t delay,” Moset nudged, none too subtly. Chakotay’s dark, intense eyes regarded Moset thoughtfully. Moset stared back, trying not to reveal his unease.
“You’re right. Chakotay’s crew is obedient and they’re fond of him, but some of them are starting to question my decisions. Give me the injections and I’ll be on my way.”
Moset could think of no way to refuse him. Swallowing his disappointment, he stepped to a cabinet and opened it. Inside were several containers.
“How many do you need?”
“All of them. And the reversal ones, too.”
Moset’s heart sank and for a brief moment he was furious. This was a very delicate formula to replicate; the containers he now regarded had taken him weeks to create.