Hastos past Zerna’s cell as Salvo originally suggested, they decided to create a fake surveillance feed. Salvo had made a suppression collar the night before. It didn’t function, of course, but it looked damn convincing.
Jaron took a moment to center his being then drew Hastos’ image to the surface of his mind. He had dressed that morning in a Cretzian uniform or as close to one as the utility printer could come. The simple brown garment was proportioned for Hastos’ bulk so it hung on Jaron almost comically. Jaron had never seen the brute in person, but Nikki had and she shared a detailed image with Jaron. Focusing on the likeness, Jaron sent a wave of transformative energy along the length of his body. Pain flared into blinding agony. It always hurt to shift, but becoming someone so much bigger than his natural shape was excruciating. His joints popped and his muscles stretched. He twisted and expanded until he took on the outward appearance of the Cretzian.
Panting harshly, Jaron braced his hands against his legs and fought back his need to heave. “That sucked,” he muttered borrowing one of Nikki’s words.
Malik and Salvo stood back waiting for him to indicate he was recovered, but Nikki moved to his side. She rubbed his back and spoke soft and low. “Every time I see you do that it leaves me awestruck.”
He shoved off his legs and straightened his back. “This is just the preshow.”
Salvo handed him the collar. “The latch just pushes close.”
Jaron nodded then wrapped the cool band around his throat, pushing the sides together in the back. Even knowing it didn’t work, a shiver passed through him. It was much too easy to imagine how frustrated and helpless Velmar must have felt.
Malik led Jaron from the control room to the waiting holding cell in an adjacent hallway. “Pace and brood, whatever feels appropriate,” Malik advised. “Don’t speak. Hastos is the silent, menacing type.”
“Understood.” Jaron walked into the holding cell and fell into character. He paced the limited space for a minute or two. The length of Hastos legs spanned the small cell in two strides so it was more like step, turn, step, turn, step. Dizzy from all the pivoting, he sat stiffly on the edge of the bunk, fists clenched on his knees. He stared straight ahead for what felt like an hour then lay down, draping his arm across his eyes.”
“That should be enough,” Malik’s voice came over the com system and the energy field that made up one wall deactivated. “Salvo will shuffle the three sections and form a longer loop.”
Jaron swung his legs over the side of the bunk and stood. A firm tug on the collar was all it took to unclasp it, so he pulled it off before releasing the shift with a groan. Reverse shifting burned like fire, but it was much faster. Anxious to move on to the actual mission, Jaron returned to the control room.
Salvo edited the fake surveillance feed while Jaron changed into a tunic and synth-leather pants. They watched the finished product and everyone agreed that it should serve its purpose nicely.
Jaron blew out a ragged breath and summoned Velmar’s likeness. They were approximately the same size and Jaron had taken on the sorcerer’s shape before so it was faster and much less painful than the first shift. Infusing “Velmar’s” tone with a hint of arrogance, Jaron held out his hand toward Nikki. “Shall we go?”
She shivered. “That’s uncanny.”
“We are watching every move Zerna makes,” Malik assured them. “If she tries anything at all, I’ll activate the magnetic cuffs.”
Jaron nodded, but as long as Nikki was involved, he had no intention of entering the cell.
“Let me do most of the talking,” Jaron suggested.
“Gladly.”
Anxiety surged across their link and Jaron stopped walking and faced her. “There will be an energy barrier between us and Zerna, and Malik is watching the security feed. With the flick of his wrist he can activate the magnet cuffs and she will be immobilized.”
Nikki nodded but wouldn’t look at him. “I heard.”
He tried to raise her chin but she twisted away.
“I’m fine,” she insisted. “It just freaks me out when I look at you. I know it’s you, but you’re wearing Velmar’s face and I’m still not sure what to make of him.”
He smiled, relieved now that he understood her reaction. “Let’s get this over with so I can put my own face on again.”