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He had brought with him a long, sharp scalpel. It was something that was normally out of place in a high-tech science laboratory, but fortunately for the Changeling, Moset liked to utilize more “primitive” technology from time to time. And for the Changeling’s purposes, a laser scalpel wouldn’t quite do the job.

Ellis was coming out of stasis now. His breathing grew steady, and beneath the still-closed lids his pale blue eyes darted about. A hand twitched.

The Changeling struck. With more pleasure than he thought he would experience, he leaned over the human and began to lacerate him with the knife. The first few cuts weren’t deadly, and Ellis’s eyes flew open at first shock of pain. He struggled, still groggy, still unable to coordinate the movements of his limbs in order to defend himself and save his life. He stared up into the face of a Starfleet captain, that utter shock costing him precious nanoseconds.

It was a lost battle from the beginning. The Changeling had had enough of the game and quickly darted in and slashed Ellis’s throat. Scarlet fountained onto the ground as Ellis spasmed. Quickly the Changeling stepped back. He didn’t want Ellis’s blood on him; not yet, anyway.

It took longer than he expected for Ellis to die. Finally the human lay still. His eyes were wide open, staring at nothing.

“Good riddance,” muttered the Changeling. “I was you for too long, Ellis. Now I’ll never have to wear your pale, pinched face again.” He was tempted to kick the body, but refrained. He had a job to do.

The Changeling imagined how he might look if he had been attacked by the creatures. Gashes on his face, certainly. On the throat, too, but not too deep. He wanted the look of a narrow escape. Nothing too extensive, nothing requiring Kaz’s tender loving care upon immediate return. Just some cuts and slashes…

The wounds began to appear as he visualized them. Two claw marks raked his face and continued down his neck. Was Chakotay right- or left-handed? He realized he didn’t know and cursed himself for not being more observant. To be safe, he created a few shallow scratches on both lower arms, as if he had held them up to protect himself.

Three across the abdomen; enough to tear the uniform and bleed a little, but nothing to arouse real worry.

Excellent.

He tapped his combadge. It was time to begin the performance.

“Chakotay to away team,” he said, his voice tense but still calm, still in control. “Report.”

Silence. The Changeling frowned. Perhaps his creatures had not obeyed his orders to frighten, not kill.

“Kim here.” His breathing was ragged. “Captain, we’ve come under attack.”

“I know, so have we. Any casualties?”

“Sir? Are you on the planet, too?”

That’s right, thought the Changeling. “Ellis” never told them that Chakotay and Sekaya had also taken a shuttle down.

“Affirmative. I repeat, any casualties, Lieutenant?”

“Negative. Patel’s been hurt pretty badly, but I think she’ll make it. Niemann, Kaylar, and I were all knocked unconscious and we’re scratched up. Are you all right?”

“We lost Ellis and Sekaya,” the Changeling said, putting just the right amount of grief and stoicism in his voice.

“Sekaya? Oh, Captain, I’m sorry,” said Kim, sincerity radiating in every word. The Changeling shook his head, grinning. They were so easy to manipulate, these Solids.

There’ll be time for grief later. Where are you right now?”

“We’re where Commander Ellis told us to report, at the main habitation area of the colony.”

“I want everyone back to the shuttlecraft immediately. Prepare for liftoff the minute I join you. We’ll have to—damn it!”

He pulled out his phaser and fired at a tree.

“Captain, what’s going on?”

“I’m under attack!” It was difficult to keep the amusement out of his voice. This was simply too much fun. But he deserved a little fun, after the years of pain he’d suffered. After all the Solid nonsense he’d been forced to put up with.

“Do you need assistance?”

“Negative! Get back to