Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [90]
“Damn. I had so hoped…you were right, I do want to take it. Put her through.” Janeway felt a pang as Merin Kol’s pleasant face appeared on the viewscreen.
“Amar Kol,” she said. “From what I understand, this is perhaps the last time we will talk.”
“Officially, yes,” said Kol. In a voice laced with regret, she added, “Most likely unofficially as well, I’m afraid. Despite my personal fondness for you, Admiral, I cannot in good conscience allow my people to continue to be a part of the Federation.”
“We’ll miss you,” Janeway said. “Kerovi has always been a highly regarded member.”
Kol’s wide mouth stretched in a sad smile. “This is truly the best thing for us, Admiral. I hope you can respect that decision.”
“Of course I respect it, and I respect you. I only wish things had turned out differently.”
“As do I. I wanted to say a special thank you for your crew’s assistance in safely recovering my friend and adviser, Alamys. I had no idea that he was being impersonated by a Changeling for so long. It’s a frightening thought. Too bad you weren’t able to capture him.”
“Indeed,” said Janeway. “But at least we’re aware of him, and we know that he’s only able to impersonate humanoid males. That limits the damage he can do.”
Kol shuddered. “I earnestly hope so. Farewell, Admiral Janeway. Getting to know you has been one of the few bright spots in a difficult time for my world. The decision wasn’t made lightly, as you must know.”
“I do know that, Amar. I wish you and Kerovi all the best. I hope your decision is indeed the right one. And don’t forget,” she added, “you can always rejoin. We’d love to have you back.”
“Thank you, Admiral. But that won’t be happening.”
“Good-bye, Amar.”
Janeway tried not to feel a sense of failure as Kol’s image was replaced by the Starfleet insignia on the screen. She didn’t succeed.
Amar Merin Kol sighed, tossed long red hair, and let itself change back into the form it was most comfortable with—Andrew Ellis.
Wearing the face of a dead man, the Changeling reflected that it was an unfortunate thing that Moset had turned out to be so untrustworthy.
The Cardassian’s research was really starting to get somewhere.
About the Author
Award-winning author CHRISTIE GOLDEN has written twenty-four novels and sixteen short stories in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
She is best known for her tie-in work, although she has written several original novels. Among her credits are the first book in the Ravenloft line, Vampire of the Mists; a Star Trek Original Series hardcover, The Last Roundup; several Voyager novels, including the recent bestselling relaunch of the series, Homecoming and The Farther Shore; and short stories for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel anthologies. Sales were so good for Homecoming and The Farther Shore that they went back for a second printing within six weeks of Homecoming’s publication.
In 1999 Golden’s novel A.D. 999, written under the pen name of Jadrien Bell, won the Colorado Author’s League Top Hand Award for Best Genre Novel. Golden has just launched a brand-new fantasy series entitled The Final Dance through LUNA Books, a major new fantasy imprint. The first book in the series is entitled On Fire’s Wings and was published in trade paperback in July of 2004. Look for the second in the series, In Stone’s Clasp, in 2005.
Golden invites readers to visit her Web site at www.christiegolden.com.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
About the Author