Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [65]
I’ve got to stop him. I’ve got to.
“Nice little ship you got there,” the Changeling mused as he regarded the Delta Flyer. “Shame I’m going to have to blow it to bits.”
“Delta Flyer to Carrington, stand down.”
“Your record has lots of complaints about your attitude, Paris,” said the Changeling mildly. “I’m starting to understand why.”
Kaz intently watched the being who wore the face of Harry Kim, trying not be obvious. He was both tense and calm at the same time. Inside him, Gradak demanded to be in the forefront, and Jarem let him. A doctor was of no use in this scenario. A rebel fighter was.
“If you know my record, Changeling, then you know I’m also stubborn as hell,” Tom’s voice continued.
“That’s gotten you into trouble before.” The Changeling adjusted his features, and suddenly Kim’s body wore Paris’s face. In Paris’s own voice he said, “And it’s going to get you into trouble again, right now.”
The moment had arrived. The Changeling was having fun, playing tricks, mind games, taunting Paris. His attention wasn’t on Kaz anymore. Deliberately Jarem retreated. The Kaz that sprang, roaring, upon the startled Changeling was Gradak Kaz, not Jarem Kaz.
Taken by surprise, the Changeling, in his clumsy human body, toppled out of the chair. Kaz did not attempt to take control of the ship; he couldn’t defeat the Changeling and he knew it. But he could hamper the bastard. He brought his elbow slamming down on the weapons controls. Sparks flew upward and he smelled smoke. Pain shuddered up his arm, and then, for a moment, it went numb.
The Changeling was up now and launched himself on Kaz. Fingers far more powerful than mere human hands closed on his throat. For a moment Kaz couldn’t breathe. Slowly he felt the inhuman fingers contracting, crushing him, and he let go. He surrendered to the inevitable. He had died in a good cause, attempting to save his friends. Both Gradak and Jarem agreed on that.
And then, suddenly, the pressure eased, and elation surged through Kaz. The Changeling needed him alive. Gasping for breath, he stared into the now-distorted face of Harry Kim and managed, “You need a living hostage, don’t you, you bastard? You can’t impersonate two people at the same ti—”
He felt pain explode across his head, and then knew no more.
The Carrington was almost to the planet. Paris didn’t question the stroke of luck that had taken out the shuttle’s weapons but was silently grateful for it. If only that piece of luck had extended to lowering the shuttle’s shields, he might be able to get a lock on Kaz and the Changeling and—
He swore as the shuttle disappeared into the swirling storm on the planet. All at once, all traces of it vanished from his sensors.
“Delta Flyer to Voyager. The shuttle has disappeared into the storm system on the planet.”
“I’m not surprised, unfortunately.” Kim’s voice, still weak.
“You okay, buddy?” Tom inquired.
“I’ll tell you all about it once you’re onboard. Dock the Flyer and then join me on the bridge as soon as you can.”
Paris strode onto the bridge of the familiar vessel a few moments later. Red alert blared, and the bridge was bathed in a scarlet light. Kim sat in the captain’s chair. Blood streamed down his face and a large lump was starting to rise, but otherwise he looked all right. Campbell gave him a quick, tremulous smile of greeting, but everyone was tense. As Paris entered, Kim rose from the chair and offered it to his old friend.
For a moment Paris just stared at it. He was the highest-ranking officer present, but it just felt strange for him to be in the captain’s chair. His place was normally at the helm, and he stole a quick glance at his old position. The incredibly gorgeous woman seated there gave him a measuring glance, then returned her attention to her duties.
Cut it out, Tom. Focus.
With no more hesitation, he slipped into the captain’s chair while Kim took the first officer’s seat.
“Campbell, open the ship’s channels,