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After a few hours of rest, 'A' shift returned to duty. Spock called for a conference. Much to everyone's surprise and delight, he announced there would be a second attempt. However the real surprise came when he stated that the rescue team would consist solely of Saavik and himself!
The encounter with Sebor had left Spock with a sense of new purpose and urgency. It took some time in meditation to sort through the injured man's thoughts. Spock did not relate all of the impressions shared with the injured man, as it was neither proper nor necessary to do so. However, those impressions had given him an insight as to why the original mission had failed. Therefore it would be possible to plan another rescue which had a much better chance of succeeding.
Accordingly, Spock and Saavik were ready in all respects when Enterprise took up a new orbit about Romulus. This time, they placed themselves a healthy distance from the Romulan dreadnought and the other ships now in orbit.
Changes to the rescue team were sweeping. First of all, instead of the Romulan military or imperial guard uniforms, they used a manner of dress associated with members of the Romulan diplomatic corps. McCoy called it typecasting or just a lack of imagination.
Cee's mistake had been to assume an easier access by posing as the palace or general military personnel. Normally this would have been a correct assessment, but the civil war had caused a massive rift within all of the services. The two main groups, calling themselves either loyalists or revisionists, were fighting each other with a savagery not imaginable by a Vulcan. Cee's men had become caught up in this struggle and, not being able to correctly identify themselves as members of either side, left them as enemies of both.
The next change involved the communications. Although the original system assured none of the signals could be detected other than by Uhura and that none of the team members could be identified as Federation operatives, it was not reliable. To counter the flaw, Spock borrowed a pair of comm units from General Koord. While Romulans might assume a Federation association due to the alliance, the fact that there was a Klingon ship in orbit might just negate that thinking. Klingon frequencies would not be completely unexpected and the codes that Spock and Saavik worked out with Uhura would more than frustrate any curious Romulan listeners. In addition to this arrangement, Spock was fitted with a standard viridium implant, similar to the one all other officers had, just in case. They also received the same failsafe devices Cee's team had. Finally, they would limit the size of the rescue team, hence just Spock and Saavik would go. Since they knew the location of the captives and the transponders were working, additional personnel were not required and therefore the risk of exposure reduced.
Before Spock left, he gave one final set of instructions. If this effort failed, Sulu was to make best possible speed back to Earth. No further rescue attempts were to be made.
Sulu agreed reluctantly and soon Spock and Saavik found themselves in the transporter room. With Koord's detailed description of the palace firmly etched into their minds, the pair beamed down. Rand had wished the pair good luck prior to their leaving. While Spock remained impassive, Saavik mouthed a 'thank you' before the transporter beam took full effect.
Their first communication was on time and reconfirmed at least five implant signals. Spock relayed approximate coordinates of the signals, which were all located within a few meters of each other.
Unfortunately, they missed the next two comm points, and once again, the mission looked like it would end in failure.
Sulu called for an immediate conference with all senior officers, including Koord. In order to accommodate the large number of personnel, the meeting was standing room only. The admiral kept the gathering brief and to the point. One more attempt would be made, by him. Would anyone care to join him?
Everyone present volunteered, including Koord. It was just as Sulu had expected. From such an incredible assembly of talent, experience and skill, Sulu chose his old friend, Chekov. It was an easy decision, actually. He and Pavel worked well together and Sulu knew how his friend thought. Additionally, Chekov had in-depth security training above and beyond that normally received in Command School or at the Academy.
Actually, Sulu couldn't really contemplate using anyone else as Chekov jokingly threatened to tell Walking Bear of Sulu's circumventing Spock's final directive. Hikaru suggested, tongue-in-cheek, he could eliminate the problem by simply 'losing' Pavel on Romulus and thereby negate the possibility of being turned in.
By the time Enterprise had made another pair of orbits, McCoy and Chapel had performed the necessary prosthetic surgery and the team was ready. The doctor explained that after so much practice, he was getting to the point where he could do them in just a few minutes.
The pair dressed as Spock had suggested, but communications reverted to the Orion crafted type with a few improvements suggested by Uhura and M'Ress to increase range.
Standing on the transporter pad, Sulu gave his final instructions to DeSalle. This must be the last attempt and, if DeSalle tried any more, Scotty had orders to take command and return to Earth. After much protest by the capable first officer, he finally accepted the edict.
Rand set the coordinates that Spock had included in his initial contact. Looking up at the pad, she smiled at Sulu and Chekov. Once it was determined there were no Romulans in the immediate area, the final rescue team was transported down.
Once the team had transported, DeSalle gave Rand a smile of confidence and turned to leave. Somehow though, Janice was not very reassured. But just maybe, the third try would be the charmed one, just as the old Earth saying suggested.
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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