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Kim gave him an angry look. “About as well as it was two seconds ago when you asked me that. I’m going as fast as I can.” He shook his head. “Seven did a good job. Maybe too good a job.

“Show me what you’ve got,” Kaz said. Kim muttered something underneath his breath, then touched a pad. Kaz’s eyes flew over the words:

After a thorough analysis of the data presented, the think tank has come to a consensus. The conclusion we have reached is that

“Why didn’t she just tell us what the conclusion was?” Kaz asked, exasperation permeating his voice.

“That’s Seven for you. She’s so concerned about making sure her comments are comprehensive that she sometimes forgets about being concise.”

“Well, that little trait of hers is costing us precious time that we don’t have,” Kaz said.

“I know, Kaz, I’m going as fast as I can,” Kim said.

Kaz ran a hand over his face, finding it to be covered in sweat. He walked away a few steps, trying to collect himself. Why are you standing here? Gradak’s voice demanded in his brain. You’re the chief medical officer. He’s the head of security. You’re suspicious of Chakotay; why isn’t he in the brig right this moment?

“We don’t have enough evidence,” Kaz said under his breath.

Kim shot him a glance. “We may have what we need right here. This is the last of it.”

Kaz hastened back to look over Harry’s shoulder as the younger man deciphered the message.

…Captain Chakotay has been killed or abducted and is currently being impersonated by a

Kim’s shoulders sagged. “And that’s all there is.”

Kaz pounded a fist on the table, making Kim jump. White-hot fury rushed through him. “Damn it!” he swore. “Damn it! Captain Chakotay is being impersonated by a what?”

“A Changeling” came a smooth voice.

Both men turned, shocked, to see Chakotay—the Changeling—standing in the entrance. He had a gentle smile on his face, but Kaz saw the hatred in the dark eyes.

Kaz and Kim sprang into action. As Kaz reached for a laser scalpel, a poor weapon but the best he could find here in sickbay, out of the corner of his eye he saw Kim doing something on the computer. Gradak’s outrage washed through him. What is he doing? Gradak demanded. He’s chief of security, why isn’t he fighting the intruder?

Whatever Kim was doing, he paid the price for his delay. More swiftly than Kaz could have imagined, the Changeling sprang. He backhanded Kim so hard that the security chief went flying. He crashed into the wall and slid in a crumpled heap to the floor, unconscious—or dead.

Kaz took advantage of the Changeling’s intense concentration to leap on him with the scalpel. But the shape-shifter was faster. He easily, fluidly eluded the assault, and Kaz fell to the floor. Even as he tried to scramble to his feet, he saw the Changeling approaching, grinning manically.

“I’ve been waiting for this for such a long time,” “Chakotay” said.

Lyssa Campbell frowned at the flashing light on her console. It was a message from sickbay. As she touched a pad, a message began to flow across the screen:

After a thorough analysis of the data presented, the think tank has come to a consensus. The conclusion we have reached is that Captain Chakotay has been killed or abducted and is currently being impersonated by a

That was all there was, but that was all that was needed. A quick check confirmed that the message, sent to her from sickbay, had originally been transmitted by the think tank of which both Seven and the Doctor were members.

Suddenly everything made sense. Campbell realized what she needed to do.

“Red alert, all hands, red alert.” Lyssa Campbell’s melodic voice boomed throughout the ship.

The Changeling seized Kaz and wrapped arms that were stronger than iron bands around him, then paused to listen.

“Intruder alert. Captain Chakotay has been abducted. All crew are instructed to apprehend the intruder impersonating him. Use whatever force necessary.”

The message repeated and the Changeling seethed. He wanted to snap Kaz’s neck, but he needed the man now. Quickly he changed his form, and Kaz now stared wildly up