String Theory_ Fusion (Book 2) - Kirsten Beyer [122]
“Commander, I don’t understand,” Neelix said under his breath.
“B’Elanna was right,” he replied. “The parasites that infected the Monorhans did not kill them. They were transformed, just as Tuvok is being transformed. They mean us no harm. The Doctor said that Tuvok should not have survived his injuries. They might have infected him to save his life. We’ve been here long enough that had they wished to do the same to us, they could easily have found a way.”
“But you said the creature you and Tom saw…” Neelix began.
“These creatures retain physical aspects of the host bodies that were infected by the parasites,” Chakotay answered. “The first one we encountered was different. It displayed none of the serenity or self-control we are seeing here.”
“Maybe they’re just waiting for us to get a little closer,” Neelix suggested.
“I do not believe that is so,” Seven said. “The Doctor described the transformative process in Tuvok as a merging. The original parasite must merge with the consciousness of the host. The more horrifying creature you saw could have been created if a parasite infected a body that was devoid of such consciousness.”
“Assylia,” Chakotay nodded.
“Quite possibly,” Seven replied.
There was a flutter of motion near the base of the sphere. Though the creatures kept their distance from the away team, their anxiousness was palpable.
“Let’s go,” Chakotay said, starting toward the sphere.
They were within a few paces of it when the creatures closest to the base retreated from their position in a flurry of motion.
As they cleared an opening, Phoebe appeared amid the rapidly retreating throng and placed herself between Chakotay and the lock.
“You have taken something that belongs to me,” she said solemnly. “Your captain and I have reached and understanding. You will return with me to your ship and bring the Key with you.”
Chakotay hesitated to respond, but the creatures did not. They closed the space around the away team and Phoebe, cutting off all access to the chamber’s exits.
“I’m not sure we’re going to be allowed to do that,” Chakotay finally replied.
A faint smile lit Phoebe’s face… a smile that did not touch her eyes.
“Is the captain alive?” Chakotay demanded.
“She is awaiting our return to Voyager as we speak,” Phoebe replied.
Chakotay tapped his combadge.
“Chakotay to Janeway.”
The only response was a sharp burst of static.
Phoebe took a step toward him and said, “Take my hand, Chakotay. It is necessary for me to return you to your ship. Your captain is waiting.”
The agitation of the creatures was palpable. They closed the circle, floating within a meter of the away team and the Nacene. The only path open to Chakotay led past Phoebe, directly to the lock.
“Do not be afraid of these abominations,” Phoebe said. “I will not allow them to harm you. They are of no consequence. Only the spores that live within them matter.”
As if to prove her point, a razor-sharp tentacle flew from Phoebe’s side, encircling the torso of the first creature it encountered and forcing it to the floor of the chamber. For a few tortured seconds it writhed in obvious agony, until it ceased to struggle. Once it was dead, a small translucent worm emerged from its belly and crawled toward Phoebe’s feet.
Phoebe bent and collected the small wriggling spore.
“Do we understand each other, Chakotay?” she asked.
Chakotay didn’t honestly know whether the captain was alive or dead. But he was certain that if she was, whatever “deal” she had struck with Phoebe did not include the arbitrary sacrifice of innocent lives.
“Do we understand each other?” Phoebe asked again.
“Perfectly,” he replied.
Lowering his phaser rifle, he aimed it directly at Phoebe and fired.
Chapter 15
“You lie!” Assylia shouted, closing the small distance between herself and Tuvok.
B’Elanna and the captain instinctively reached for their phasers, sensing the hostility buried for so many years within Assylia and now given leash. But Janeway also immediately realized that