Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [59]
“While we do not yet have all the facts, and the facts that we do have are perplexing and seemingly contradictory,” Tuvok said, “logic still supports your conclusion.”
He is believed to be dangerous. Take all precautions when apprehending.
So lost in thought was Janeway, her mind examining the options and coming up with only one that would fit all the evidence, she jumped when the computer chimed. At once Peregrine’s warning vanished from the screen. She had committed the few words to memory, knowing that once the message was gone, it would be gone for good. Peregrine was not about to let himself—herself?—be traced.
“Another message on my private channel,” said Janeway. “I’m in for a busy afternoon.”
Seven of Nine and the Doctor appeared, looking serious.
“For people I no longer work with, I’m seeing quite a lot of you two,” Janeway said. More seriously, she added, “What do you have for me?”
“Dr. Kaz was correct,” Seven said bluntly. “The DNA is from Guillaume Fortier. It’s been restructured and crossed with a variety of other sources of DNA to create a new species.”
Janeway forced herself not to shudder. This monstrosity was exactly why genetic engineering had been made illegal in the Federation. It was too easy to go too far, to do something horrific in the name of advancing science.
“Is it possible to reverse the damage?”
The Doctor and Seven exchanged glances. “Fortunately, Opharix is a specialist in the field of genetics. It’s hard at work on that right now,” the Doctor said. “Naturally, we have been able to offer valuable input as well. But as you know, Admiral, it’s easier to destroy than create.”
“Whoever did this to Guillaume Fortier thought he was creating,” Janeway said.
Seven’s eyes flashed in outrage. “Whoever did this needs to be found and brought to justice. What happened to the colonists is not creativity, nor science. It is a crime.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more, Seven,” Janeway said. “I’ve learned a little something myself. If,” she added, with a nod in Tuvok’s direction, “my source can be trusted.”
“Who might that be?” the Doctor inquired.
“Someone who calls himself Peregrine,” Janeway said.
The Doctor and Seven exchanged glances. “Peregrine was accurate in his suspicions the last time he communicated with us,” Seven said. “What does he have to say this time?”
Janeway recited the message, and again the two old friends exchanged glances. The Doctor sighed heavily.
“Admiral,” he said slowly, “our group has come to the conclusion that the murderer of Commander Ellis has to be—”
“A shape-shifter, possibly a Changeling,” Janeway finished for him. The Doctor’s eyes reached for his hairline, and even Seven looked surprised.
“May I ask what made you reach that conclusion?” she asked.
“It’s the only answer that fits the evidence. Ellis wasn’t a mole. He couldn’t have been. The poor man has been in stasis for six years while someone else has been impersonating him. Chakotay is acting completely unlike himself and I tripped him up on a ‘remember when’ story when I last spoke to him. There’s no trace of DNA on the body that isn’t Ellis’s own, and the mole Peregrine warned us about has been reading up on Voyager’s crew. How this all ties in with the genetic manipulation of the colonists, I’ve no idea. But I’ll find out.”
Seven and the Doctor were solemn. “What would you like us to do, Admiral?” Seven asked quietly.
“Keep doing what you’re doing. There’s got to be a way for us to return those colonists to their human state. Tuvok, Paris, and I will do what we can on our end.”
“Admiral,” said Tuvok, “Starfleet Command must be advised of the situation.”
Janeway thought hard. “Not yet,” she said, “and I’ll take that responsibility on myself.”
Controlled as his features were, Janeway knew her friend well enough to recognize surprise and disapproval on that familiar, dark face. “Admiral, I strongly suggest that you reconsider.”
She shook