Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [39]
Moset threw back his head and laughed uproariously at his pun. Chakotay felt sick at the revelation. For almost his entire Starfleet career, “Priggy” Ellis had been an impersonation. Quickly he did the math—the Changeling had assumed Ellis’s form when he was twenty-two or twenty-three. A fake. All the kudos Ellis had received, the reputation he’d built—it was all a fraud.
Moset wiped at the tears. “My, it’s good to laugh. It hasn’t been all fun and games the last few years, let me tell you.”
“How did the Changeling lose his powers?” Chakotay probed.
“He doesn’t talk about it much. Something about how they were taken from him. But let’s not dwell on the negative. Things are taking such a positive turn. I’ll soon have the Changeling back to normal, and I’ll have lived up to my end of the bargain. Then I can devote all my time to my little friends.”
Chakotay felt as if he’d awoken to madness. This couldn’t be happening. It was right out of one of Tom Paris’s Captain Proton scenarios, the one about the mad scientist. Moset was even laughing maniacally at a mildly humorous pun. He was creating monsters à la Victor Frankenstein, attempting to fabricate a master race à la Adolf Hitler. He was helping a murderer recover his ability to murder more effectively.
And he was using Chakotay’s body to do it.
Even as the thoughts passed through Chakotay’s mind, Moset approached with a hypospray.
“Let’s get back to work, shall we?”
Chapter 12
KAZ STUDIED THE COMPUTER SCREEN, which displayed the scan he’d just taken of Chakotay. At least he’s all right physically, the doctor thought. The wounds were superficial and easily healed, and a scan with the medical tricorder had revealed nothing serious. But to have lost his sister—that had to have been awful. Well, judging Chakotay’s emotional state was Astall’s field. Kaz at least could pronounce that Chakotay was physically fine.
While he was conducting the tests, he quickly did a read on himself and grimaced at the results. The damn isoboromine levels were dropping again. He rubbed his eyes, and when he opened them, a shadow had fallen over him.
“I think it may be time to call in Vorik,” said Astall, very gently.
Wearily Kaz nodded. He rose and returned to where Chakotay sat on the biobed.
“Captain, you’re fine physically,” he said, “although I, apparently, am not. With your permission, I’d like to contact Lieutenant Vorik and ask him to perform a mind meld.”
Chakotay glanced from Kaz to Astall. “What do you think?” he asked the Huanni.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Astall replied. “Vorik will be able to interact directly with Gradak. Perhaps he can convince him to settle down for a bit.”
“Very well. And, Counselor, how am I doing?”
She smiled sweetly, compassionate sorrow in her eyes. “You’re doing as well as anyone could expect.”
“Good.” Chakotay managed a grin. “I don’t think my ego could take it if young Kim had the run of the ship.”
As Chakotay slipped off the bed, Kaz asked, “When will you contact Starfleet Command and Admiral Janeway?”
Chakotay hesitated. “It’s late, and we’re all tired. We won’t get back to Loran II until the morning anyway at this rate.”
Not for the first time, Kaz wondered why Chakotay was going at such a comparatively slow speed. Maybe to give them time to digest what had happened.
“I’ll contact her in the morning. In the meantime, this has been a grueling day for everyone. I suggest we all get some sleep.”
Chakotay headed for the door, but Kaz called after him. “One last thing, Captain.”
Chakotay froze. “Yes?”
“I’d like to contact Seven of Nine and the Doctor. Get their think tank going on this.”
“Tomorrow, Doctor.”
“But, sir, it’s midday in San Francisco right now,” Kaz protested. “Surely—”
Chakotay turned and Kaz almost shrank from the anger in his eyes. Maybe Astall hadn’t diagnosed him correctly after all. Almost immediately, though, Chakotay softened his expression.