Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [34]
The real Chakotay would have responded to Fortier’s attempted witticism with a friendly, heartfelt smile. The Changeling had no time for that. They were closing in on the truth, and he had to stop them before they unwittingly uncovered it.
“Who knows?” he replied to Astall’s comment. “Maybe something went wrong this time. Maybe there was something in human DNA forty-five thousand years ago that’s been diluted, or something new that’s developed. I know this is a terrible tragedy and a great shock, but I think it’s obvious that Loran II is now a dangerous place. Recolonization there is impossible.”
Fortier’s brows drew together and he opened his mouth to protest. The Changeling held up a hand. “I know what you’re going to say, Marius. But what’s going on down there is too important for me to get involved in right now. We need to return to Earth and consult with Starfleet Command before I can put any more lives at risk.”
He felt Astall watching him with great intensity, and saw Kaz looking confused. No, this wasn’t what Chakotay would have done. But it was what the Changeling had to do.
“Permission to speak freely?” That damned Kim, at it again. The Changeling wanted to say no, but instead he nodded, bracing himself for what the security chief was going to say.
“Sir, there are members of the Federation down there who need our help. Those colonists went to Loran II because we told them it was safe. Granted, there was no way we could have anticipated that things would unfold as they did, but now that it’s happened, we can’t just walk away and leave them there.”
“With all due respect, Captain,” said Kaz in his most formal voice, “Lieutenant Kim is correct. These beings were once human. There’s a chance that if we can examine them, we can isolate the alien DNA and make them human again. At the very least, we need to try.”
The Changeling realized that he should have known better. If he insisted on returning to Earth now, judging by the way both Astall and Kaz were looking at him, they’d pronounce him unfit for duty and relieve him. With “Ellis” gone, the next in line would be Kim, and that would spell disaster.
Sighing, the Changeling rubbed his eyes. “I’m sorry. Mr. Kim, you’re right, of course. I just don’t want to risk anyone else after we’ve lost Ellis and…and Sekaya. But my personal feelings shouldn’t get in the way of my duty to your people, Mr. Fortier. They need our help. So let’s give it to them.”
He turned to his helm officer. “Lieutenant Tare, set a course for Loran II. Warp five. Let’s get back to our stations, everyone.”
They rose, concern on their faces, and more than a few gave their captain glances as they left. To the Changeling’s vast annoyance, both Kaz and Astall stayed behind. Although he knew the two had just met on this mission, they had apparently bonded quickly and now presented a united front.
“Captain, I think you should come to sickbay,” Kaz said quietly. “I want to run some tests on you and treat those injuries.”
“Certainly,” the Changeling agreed readily, surprising Kaz a little bit. A sufficient amount of time had passed that he knew he would read as entirely human. Thank goodness for Moset.
“And while the doctor treats you,” Astall said, “I’d just like to chat a little with you.”
“Chakotay” folded his arms across his broad chest and sighed, looking amused. “You two are pretty obvious, you know that?”
They both tried and failed to look innocent.
“Seems like the Gradak incident has brought you closer together,” he continued. Keep the doctor off balance; remind him that he, too, was perilously close to being relieved of duty for his mental status.
Kaz wasn’t ruffled so easily, however. “It has, but as I told you, Gradak stays in the background when I stay busy with work. And treating my captain’s injuries certainly qualifies on that account.”
“I know what I sounded like,” the Changeling said. “And I admit it—I’m grieving. I’m upset and a bit rattled by what happened down there, and I don’t want it to happen to anyone else.”
“That’s a