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Table of Contents
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The first thing Pavel did when he came to was check on his travel companions. Of the two other Starfleet officers, Rameriz was least affected with just minor cuts and abrasions. Quickly, he turned to Shaya-tar. The Inspector General's chances looked dim, at best.
Rameriz still wasn't fully recovered from his statis captivity and the collapse didn't help very much. After making Rameriz comfortable, the Russian moved to the Caitian and checked him, but it was too late for any type of assistance.
This was no time to remain in one spot and it was obvious they could not rejoin Sulu and Kirk, even if they were still alive. Chekov hoped that was the case, but right now he had to focus on the situation at hand. He made a decision to get out from the influence of the palace shield and return to the Enterprise. One way or the other, he was determined that there would be no more casualties. If necessary, he could return later and check on Sulu and Kirk.
Chekov helped Rameriz to stand and moved along the corridor as fast as possible. If Rameriz had been traveling just a little bit slower before the explosion, the Russian would be all alone now. Looking at his companion, the security specialist and starship captain was wondering how he was going to explain the presence of a Starfleet officer within the Imperial Palace, in the middle of a civil war.
Sulu was satisfied that Kirk was unharmed. The image of Shaya-tar's peril would not go away, but at least Kirk was okay. With any luck at all, hopefully Chekov and Rameriz were safe as well. Sulu pulled his communicator to check, then thought better of the idea. A signal would easily be picked up and traced. With the ongoing civil war, it was a sure bet that all signals were being closely monitored by the Tal Shiar and other agencies. He put the device away; Pavel would do just fine. He had a survivor's instinct and the luck of the Irish, despite his Russian heritage.
The recent captive was sitting up, trying to regain his bearings and watching Sulu closely. "Can't risk using the communicator?"
Sulu smiled slightly, "Too easy to trace, but I'm sure Chekov and Rameriz are okay."
Kirk instantly picked up on what his friend didn't say. "Shaya-tar?"
Shaking his head slowly, Sulu explained, "Sorry, sir." He pointed towards the massive pile of rubble. "He's under that."
Slumping visibly Kirk cursed. "Damn, so close. Just what the hell is going on around here?"
"Civil war, sir," Sulu said flatly. "Been brewing for a long time, but came to a head just recently. It's one of the reasons we came when we did. There is a movement which advocates the elimination of all aliens and alien influences within the Empire. We believe that the movement was originally directed towards all the slaves and hostages, but it also included the preator's captives; you and the others."
Shaking his head in disbelief, Kirk spoke quietly, "You mean these --"
Admiral Sulu supplied the word, "Revisionists."
"-- revisionists, plan to eliminate all aliens and the preator as well?"
"Yes, sir. It seems very few people on Romulus are in a secure position these days."
"Except Romulan diplomats, I take it." Kirk was pointing at Sulu's traditional robes.
Picking at the garment Hikaru smiled, "Spock's idea. It's worked fairly well, so far."
"Spock's here? Who else?" Kirk was now visibly excited at the mention of his old friend's name and he was gaining strength and clearness of thought.
"Just about everybody: McCoy, Chapel, Saavik, Scott, Uhura, DeSalle, Riley, Rand, Kyle, and even General Koord, plus more." Sulu finished on a broad smile.
Hearing the names seemed to put a spark back into Kirk's soul and a familiar twinkle back into his eyes. "Sounds great, Hikaru, can't wait to see them! When's the next comm check?"
Consulting his chrono just to be sure, Sulu shifted and stood up. "About twenty-seven minutes, sir. We'd better be going. I'm not sure how long it will take to get back to our comm point. My primary route's been cut." He indicated the recently blocked corridor with a nod.
"Understood," Kirk slowly scrambled to his feet and looked eager. "Which way do we go?"
Sulu produced a small device from his robe and took some quick readings. "We were going to use the same route we entered by as an exit but now we need to improvise."
A curious Kirk nodded toward the small device, "Is that a new type of tricorder?"
Smiling, Sulu answered, "No, sir, pocket secretary!"
A surprised look overcame Kirk.
The two began moving towards the only open walkway available as Sulu explained, "Best I could do at the last minute, it belongs to Kyle. It's a common item, available anywhere --"
"-- so it can't be traced to Starfleet." Kirk finished the explanation matter-of-factly.
Hikaru continued, "Even the ship's replicators would leave a signature of sorts."
Shaking his head in agreement, Kirk fell into step next to his friend. "Do these side corridors go anywhere useful to us?"
"Not sure, the palace is laid out like a series of cross streets in a big city, at least that's what General Koord said. If so, any one could be an alternate route." Sulu's brow became furrowed. "What I don't understand, is why our escort took such a circuitous route to get here."
"Simple, they knew something you didn't," Kirk suggested.
"Exactly, I'm afraid we don't have much choice though." Sulu put the small device back inside his robe. "Well, let's try our luck, sir."
Smiling, Kirk admonished his old friend, "Let's try your luck, mine hasn't been too good lately!"
Moving cautiously, they took the first available corridor with Sulu in the lead.
Chekov's luck was incredible. Even without the pocket secretary, he had made excellent progress. In fact, his major concern was the occasional sound of an explosion or weapons discharge. What helped most was the fact that the corridors were nearly empty. It was as if someone had transported most of the occupants out. That or everyone was hiding. Maybe they had all left the palace for the relative safety of the city. Regardless, he had his first challenge. They had avoided contact up to this point, by hiding whenever the need arose. But now, in the middle of a long expanse of corridor, the two Starfleet officers were spotted.
Pulling his low energy weapon, Chekov started to position himself for battle as soon as he saw four Imperial guards. When another dozen joined the original four, Pavel knew he was hopelessly out gunned. Remembering his basic laws of survival, he turned his weapon towards his companion.
Rameriz was horrified until Chekov whispered, "You're my escaped prisoner."
The Spaniard assumed his new role, playing it to the hilt.
As the Romulans drew near, Chekov gave Rameriz a hard shove, causing the man to stumble, and nearly fall. Rameriz responded with a feigned gesture of retaliation.
As the captain of the guard approached, he drew his weapon. Chekov could not tell what setting the weapon was on, but he was sure it was not a stun setting. Nothing he had seen since arriving on Romulus suggested they ever used that particular setting, if it existed at all. "Where are you going with this... Federation alien?" The captain had evidently gotten up on the wrong side of his bed.
Chekov did not hesitate. "Quick, you must go to the stasis chambers. They have been damaged and the prisoners have escaped! I saw more down that corridor." Chekov pointed in a direction away from where he had come, just in case Sulu and Kirk were somewhere behind him."
The lie worked wonders and the captain snapped to attention. "How many are free?"
"All, I fear. I am only a diplomat and could not catch the others. We must return them all to custody!" Chekov just loved playing this part and Rameriz helped.
"You dirty bastards, kill me now... I'd rather die than be put back into stasis as a prize for your filthy preator!" Rameriz spit the words out like a curse,
Pavel cuffed him lightly, but the man dropped to his knees for effect. Chekov then returned his attention to the captain. "Don't worry. I can handle this one, but Kirk is loose. You must act quickly!"
The Romulan gave a quick salute and motioned his squad to follow. The group hurried off at a trot.
As soon as they disappeared, Chekov helped Rameriz to his feet. "You okay?"
Miguel laughed at Pavel, "The day a puny punch like that can hurt me is the day I retire. I'm just surprised the Romulans bought it!"
"Me, too; let's get out of here before they come back."
Rameriz grabbed Chekov by the shoulder with a muscular hand, "How long to comm point?"
"About seventeen minutes, if we can get there." Chekov hated to sound pessimistic, but he wanted to be honest with the man.
Shrugging, Rameriz moved off with Chekov at his side.
Spock and Saavik were now making excellent time and Saavik was starting to feel optimistic about their chances of succeeding.
As the two approached the shield control area, they located their communication and search devices. Spock put his communicator away immediately and began taking readings with the search unit.
Generic in appearance and actually Orion in design and construction, it was chosen not for its technical merit, but, as Cee had planned, its non-Federation origins.
Spock was visibly frustrated and, to Saavik's surprise, he even looked puzzled.
She verbalized her observation, "Is something wrong, sir?"
Checking the small Orion device again, Spock spoke as if confused. "I'm not sure, Commander. But it appears that I have... misplaced two of the viridian signals, while two more are much stronger." The Vulcan changed his stance and pointed, "The scans are indicating several directions." He then turned back to Saavik. His right eyebrow hit new heights as he proclaimed, "The signals also seem to be... in motion."
Saavik sighed and her voice betrayed her disappointment. "They must be moving them to a more secure location."
Thinking for a moment, Spock responded, "Not necessarily. Our failure to make comm point may have prompted Admiral Sulu to take alternative measures to effect the recovery of the captives."
Frowning deeply, Saavik offered, "But you left orders that no further attempts be made if we failed."
Nodding Spock explained, "I agree, but perhaps Admiral Sulu reinterpreted my orders or found an alternative method that would give subsequent rescue teams a superior chance for success."
"In other words, he chose to ignore your orders and launched another rescue mission."
Looking surprised, Spock explained, "I believe that is what I was saying, Commander. In any event, dropping the shields will help our cause considerably, would you not agree?"
"Yes, sir... shall we proceed?"
Without any further conversation, Spock turned on his heels and led the way at a decidedly accelerated pace.
"Not bad,' Saavik thought, 'for a person who was dying of a heart attack not long ago.'
Sulu and Kirk were not making progress as fast as they would have liked, but considering the circumstances, they were doing well. At least they had been doing well.
"How much further?" Kirk kept checking their progress. Partially from curiosity, but also because he was not in control of his destiny and time was his biggest enemy.
"It's not good, sir. As you know, we still must get out from under the shield in order for the viridian transponder to be picked-up. My communicator will work, if I use it. However, our people would not be looking for it much before the comm point anyway. Since we risk discovery by using it, it must be a last resort."
The two continued to make their way around rubble and bodies in an attempt to make comm point.
Kirk smiled, "We couldn't be transported, but if they received an emergency signal, they would know we are here, right?"
"And give them a reason to remain, just a little longer, right?" Hikaru smiled at his own statement. "Okay, but only if we miss comm point."
Eying his old helmsman with a knowing look, Kirk asked, "Longer than what, Hikaru?"
Sulu was trapped. "Longer than my original orders called for." He became very quiet. "I told DeSalle to leave if we didn't make the next comm point. Earlier, if the Romulan fleet moved against our ship."
"The Romulan fleet is here?" Kirk froze in his tracks.
Pausing to face the man, Sulu responded with optimism. "Yes, sir, but our ship is cloaked; chances of discovery are minimal."
"But still possible, right?"
Nodding, Sulu admitted the possibility. "Correct."
The pair resumed their movement, and Sulu could see Kirk thinking. The man was getting stronger, but he was still not one hundred percent; his thought processes were a bit slower than usual.
Suddenly Kirk cursed, "Since when did Federation ships come equipped with cloaking units?"
"Since General Koord became a Starfleet contractor!"
Smiling at the comment, Kirk stated, "Okay, let's pick up our pace; this I've got to see for myself!"
The two continued until they came to a corridor which was twice the size as the others they had previously encountered. This was the one Koord had said was off limits to all but loyal Romulans. He stopped abruptly and signaled Kirk to take cover, he had heard a noise and there was no sense in taking an unnecessary chance.
A squad of ten Romulans had appeared out of nowhere. Apparently they did not see Sulu or chose to ignore him and his apparent status of ambassador.
Just then, three high energy bolts struck just above Kirk and Sulu and they both dove for cover, in opposite directions. Evidently they had been spotted after all and the Romulans were just waiting for a better angle for firing.
Rising slowly from behind the marble busts of several Romulan Senators, Sulu took a pot shot at the squad. The little stun weapon did nothing except to further anger the imperial guards. He checked his position and was relieved to find another means of egress behind the gallery of statuary.
As he turned to share the good news with Kirk, he was horrified to find no trace of his old commanding officer.
Nearly panicked, Sulu moved quickly while dodging disrupter and burn phaser shots. He found Kirk, across the hall, a good twenty meters in distance, attempting to find cover of his own. The Admiral was also assessing the situation and did not like his position at all. Unarmed and separated from Sulu by a wall of lethal weapon's fire, his options were few.
Catching his mentor's attention, Sulu used crude sign language to tell him to sit tight. He then proceeded to the door behind the gallery, hoping that it connected to an adjoining corridor behind the Romulans.
Now, Kirk was becoming edgy. His friend was gone and the Romulans were steadily advancing. Soon they would rush him, as it was obvious that he wasn't armed. Checking the area nearby, he found no weapons, save one, a piece of sculpture. Kirk pried it loose from its display and hefted it. If it wasn't intended as a weapon originally, then its maker was working in the wrong trade.
After securing the piece, Kirk noticed a door behind the rows of artwork that surrounded him. "Any port in a storm, James," he said in a whisper. He kept the improvised weapon and crabbed over to the doorway, praying it wasn't locked.
About the time he reached the door, the area he had been sitting in turned to near liquid rock by multiple burn phasers. They also vaporized many pieces of artwork in the process.
'Perfect,' thought Kirk, 'a diversion made to order.' He slid over to the door sensor and activated it. Mercifully, it snapped open which allowed him to do a rolling dive into the darkened room.
As soon as the door closed, he stood and located the control mechanism, mostly by feel. To prevent any guests from making a sudden and unwelcomed appearance, he used his artwork weapon and smashed the circuitry until the indicator lights went out. Nodding with a deep satisfaction, he turned to explore the rest of the room.
Sulu had found what he was looking for, a means of outflanking the Romulan guards. His senses told him the next doorway should open into the corridor behind his attackers. If they were totally absorbed with getting to Kirk, then there was a chance for the element of surprise.
Checking the setting, Sulu ensured the weapon was on a wide field and maximum stun. It probably wouldn't get all of them, but the odds would be pared down to a manageable level. Taking in a deep breath, Hikaru jumped into the range of the door's sensor. As it snapped open, he ran out and fired two quick bursts, one to his right and the other to his left. Lady luck was with him, almost the entire squad fell. Quickly, he dropped to the floor. The three guards that remained standing were dispatched by the next shot, before they could get a bead on him.
Rising quickly, Sulu breathed a sigh of relief. Checking his victims to be sure that none were 'playing possum,' he found that all were most definitely stunned. He made his way back to Kirk's position and was horrified by what he saw. Most of the area was blackened and still hot from combined hits of high energy weapons.
Almost hopefully, he called out. "Admiral Kirk, are you okay? Admiral?" Sulu closed in on the position and was struck by Kirk's absence and the total destruction of the area. "DAMN, Damn, damn!" Sulu was outraged. "All this, for nothing!" He was shaken and it required a healthy measure of mental discipline to regain control.
Looking around him, he saw several Romulan burn phasers lying on the polished stone floor. Picking up the nearest one, he stared at the ugly weapon and thought of what it represented and who it had just killed.
Hikaru Sulu, Admiral of Starfleet, ship's captain and career officer, put the weapon in his robe and discarded the small stun weapon. All the planning they had done was for nothing. Kirk was gone, Shaya-tar and, for all he knew, maybe even Chekov and Rameriz. Now it was no longer a rescue mission, it was simple survival. No, it was much more than that. It was war; a very personal war with the Romulan Empire! And God help the next Romulan who got in his way!
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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