Caught in the Crossfire: Chapter Ten
"Spock! I've been hit!" McCoy's arm began to bleed, the blood running down his forearm and dripping from his fingers. He was confident the bullet had gone right through the meat, and would be easy to repair. He knew he couldn't let go of the cart handle to attend to his wound, so he hastily clapped his right hand over his sleeve. If he hesitated for just a second, they would slow down.
And then they would be sitting ducks.
Without stopping, Spock looked to his side to determine how badly McCoy had been injured. "Doctor, do you require us to stop?"
"Hell no! I wouldn't stop now even if I was missing a damn leg!"
Spock furrowed his brows. "It would be highly unlikely that you would be able to continue running with only one leg, Doctor."
McCoy grumbled and held his right hand over the aching hole in his left bicep. "Remind me to give you some lessons in sarcasm when we get back to the ship." He looked back over the cart, Mak'ai running frantically behind them. He didn't see the soldier following them anymore. "I think we lost our bad guy!"
They kept running, every bump in the path amplified through the lack of shocks on the wheels. Kirk groaned under the blanket, the small amount of padding Mak'ai had laid out for him not nearly enough. McCoy looked back at the flatbed, scowling when he saw a dark red stain beginning to seep through the fabric covering Jim.
Hang on, Jim. I'll have you in Sick Bay in fifteen minutes…
Commotion rang out all around them, and it seemed like the soldiers had split up, as their voices now echoed off the trees from all directions. A single red glowing figure darted behind the tall trees. McCoy just barely noticed him out of the corner of his eye.
"Spock!" The doctor's voice was a loud whisper. "There's one at my five o'clock. I think the others split off."
Mak'ai' offered a suggestion from the rear. "Mister Spock, it may be possible to subdue the warrior now that he is separated from his comrades. It may make our escape easier." The cart hit a rock in the road, causing Jim to gasp in pain.
"Dammit, we can't keep jostling him like this!" McCoy's grip slipped on the cart handle with the bump, warm blood making his palm slick. "She's right, Spock. If we rid ourselves of even one of those bastards, we wouldn't have to run as fast. The ride back there's gotta be like the rumble seat in my Granny's vintage roadster. Jim's not gonna make it if we keep this up."
Christ, I'm not even exaggerating.
I can't save him unless we get back to the ship.
He needs to make it to the ship…alive.
He needs evac now.
"It would be logical to assume that two soldiers would be easier to escape from than three. Unfortunately, we have little time in which to act. Mak'ai, do you have any suggestions?" Spock never looked back at her as he spoke.
"Kill him." Mak'ai's voice was cold.
McCoy was stunned. He had never heard such ferocity in her tone, even when she had been arguing with Druk'laan. Granted, he had only known her for a day, but he didn't think that she would be the one to offer such a drastic option.
"I hate to break it to you, Missy, but 'Ol Pointy-ears here won't kill him unless he shoots first," McCoy yelled back over his shoulder. "But we could stun his ass and hide him."
"Your derogatory reference to my ears aside, Doctor, you do have a point. Killing him without provocation in cold blood would only sully future talks with Ka'al, should Starfleet decide to attempt them. While I am sure you are able provide several reasons for me to end his life regardless of the situation, stunning the soldier would be the wisest course of action."
Jim writhed on the cart, his legs tangling in the sheet covering him. "Bones…can't…see you…m'stomach…hurts…"
"Jim, I'm right here. We're almost in the clear." McCoy swore under his breath. "Whatever you're gonna do, do it fast! He doesn't have much time."
"Doctor, I suggest we pull off to the side of the path. We can hide in the underbrush until the soldier comes this way." Spock began to slow his running.
"And just what to you expect me to do with Jim? I can't drag him off the cart and dump him in the forest! He's already at death's door!" McCoy was exasperated.
"You did not allow me finish. If we leave the Captain on the cart we can use him as bait. I believe his moans of anguish will lure Druk'laan's man towards us."
McCoy never wanted to punch Spock so badly in his life. "Not a chance, you ogre! He's not some worm that you dangle from a pole, hopin' to score a catfish! He's a human being, and we're not leaving him out there just so that damn bastard can come put a bullet in his head."
"Doctor, I understand your concern for the Captain's well-being. Let me assure you that I am more than confident in my marksmanship skills and can assure you that the 'damn bastard' will not get close enough to Captain Kirk to harm him."
McCoy huffed. He knew Spock was expertly qualified in marksmanship, second only to Jim. And as dangerous as his plan was, it did have an excellent chance of succeeding. Then they could have a fighting chance to escape back to the ship.
Jim, I hope this isn't a bad call.
I can't believe I'm gonna agree to this.
McCoy relented. "Spock, I swear to God, if even one hair on Jim's head is touched, I'll hold you down and rip those damn eyebrows out one strand at a time."
Spock had dragged the cart to a halt. "It would be unlikely that you would be able to suppress me in such a manner, seeing as though Vulcans are exponentially stronger than humans. Furthermore, I fail to see how removing my eyebrows would be fair retaliation to the Captain being harmed."
McCoy got right in Spock's face, his tone steely. "Don't screw this up."
Spock replied as he and Mak'ai hid themselves in the underbrush. "I do not intend to, Doctor."
McCoy turned his attention back to the cart and moved swiftly to pull the blanket away from Kirk's face. His heart nearly broke at the sight. Jim's eyes were screwed shut, his mouth twisted in agony. Pained moans escaped from cracked and dry lips.
"Jim? I need you to listen to me, okay?" Kirk cracked his eyes open and tried to focus on McCoy.
"Bones…hurts so bad…" His eyes rolled back in his head, and McCoy lightly slapped his cheek to bring him back around.
"Jim, we're gonna hide in the bushes. Spock's gonna stun the soldier that's following us so we can get out of here easier. Don't worry about being quiet…you moan as loud as you want. I know it hurts." McCoy felt his stomach rumble with anxiety. If this doesn't work…
…the Xentian will kill him.
And them.
"Don'…leave me…'ones..." Kirk's breathing was erratic. McCoy had never seen him in this much pain before. Ever.
The doctor leaned down and quickly kissed Jim on the cheek. "I'm gonna be right over there in the weeds. You're gonna be alright, you hear me? We'll be back on the ship in two shakes of a lamb's tail." He pressed his forehead against Jim's.
A small snort came from Kirk's mouth, followed by a pained chuckle. "What the…hell…does that even…mean?" Jim reached up with his good hand and held it against McCoy's face. "I'm…tryin' to…hang on…Bones."
McCoy closed his eyes, tiny tears slipping from the corners and dripping onto Kirk's face. "I know, kid. Don't leave me yet, alright?" He stood up and looked behind him, the red glow of the soldier getting closer. "I'll be right back."
He darted into the underbrush and lay on his stomach, keeping his eyes trained on the cart. Jim's pitiful groans carried through the quiet pre-dawn forest. McCoy had to try and block the sound out, as every fiber of his being was telling him to go back out there and help Kirk.
Dammit, man! Some kind of doctor you are. Letting your best friend…
…the love of your life…
…writhe in agony while some alien hell-bent on spilling more of his blood tracks us through the woods.
A hushed whisper came from next to him. "Doctor, when I take my shot, you and Mak'ai must quickly drag the body into the greenery. With our limited knowledge of Xentian physiology, I am unsure how long the stun effect will last. We need to tie him up swiftly."
"Got it, Spock. Just don't miss."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "The likelihood that I will miss is less than three percent. With the light from the steadily rising sun filtering through the trees, I have a clear line of sight. Furthermore, my marksmanship skills are unmatched only by the Captain himself. I am quite confident in my ability to hit the target."
McCoy rolled his eyes. "You know, Spock, it's hard to annoy me more than Jim does. But right now, you're doing a bang-up job."
Spock held a hand up. "Doctor, please refrain from speaking." He pointed down the path. The soldier had rounded the bend, taking cautious steps towards their location. The trio hunkered down into the bushes, lying as low to the ground as possible.
A loud groan came from the cart, and the soldier's head snapped to attention. He readied his pistol in front of his body and slowly made his way to the wagon, slightly crouched in a stealthy position. His lips curled into a sinister smirk as he got closer, Jim's cries beckoning to him.
Just a few more steps.
Hang on, Jim.
You had better not miss, you green-blooded bastard, or I'll wring your neck.
"…please…come back…Bones…"
Oh God, Jim.
I'm so sorry.
McCoy gritted his teeth and told himself that if he jumped out of the bushes now, they would all be killed. All Spock needed was a few more seconds and they would be golden. He rubbed his throbbing arm, blood sticking to his fingers.
This is nothing compared to what Jim is going through.
The soldier heard Jim's plea and began to swiftly move towards the cart, a menacing smile on his face. He came up behind it, peering over the rail to look down at Kirk's weak form. He began to raise his pistol.
A blue shot pierced the forest air, hitting the warrior in the neck. He immediately fell and Mak'ai and McCoy darted out onto the path, dragging his heavy body back with them. Mak'ai and Spock busied themselves tying him up with a length of rope from the cart, anchoring him to an ancient tree trunk. The soldier stayed unconscious.
McCoy flew back out onto the path, jumping immediately to Jim's side. He pulled the sheet back, exposing Kirk's bare chest and torso. Blood was beginning to pool underneath him.
Sweet Jesus, he's bleeding out.
"Spock!" His tone was hushed, but urgent. "We've gotta move now! I don't know how much more blood he can lose!" He hastily climbed on the cart, moving behind Kirk. He cradled his head in his lap, taking note that Jim's muscle tone was almost non-existent. "You two are gonna have to pull us. Light a fire under it and let's go!"
Mak'ai and Spock both grabbed a cart handle and began pulling once again, the cart jostling over every little bump and rock the path had to give them.
McCoy bent his head down and whispered into Kirk's ear. "Almost home, Jim."
XxX XxX XxX XxX XxX
"You fools!" Druk'laan screamed at his two remaining soldiers. "You've let them get away!" He frantically looked around. "Where is Grub-ali?"
The two warriors looked at each other, perplexed, and it seemed as if neither of them wanted to answer their leader. They both stood silently, avoiding eye contact with Druk'laan.
Their master approached and grabbed one by the throat with his remaining hand, squeezing. "You will tell me where he is, or I will crush your windpipe."
The soldier wiggled in his mighty grasp, bringing his hands up to claw at the fingers clasped tightly around his neck. "Master…he went off…on his own. He thought he…saw…them…"
Druk'laan let the man go, letting him fall to his knees to catch his breath. "Which way?" The other soldier pointed down the opposite path with his rifle. Druk'laan kicked the warrior on the ground. "Follow me! We cannot let those Starfleet monsters escape!"
They soon came upon Grub-ali, stunned and tied to a tree. One of the soldiers quickly ran into the underbrush and cut his bonds, the unconscious man listing to the side and eventually tumbling to the forest floor.
Druk'laan bounded into the forest, and kicked him. When he received no response, he pulled out his weapon and shot him twice in the head. He felt the terror rise in his throat as he realized that there was a real possibility that the Federation men would escape.
Then he would be killed.
He would not let his master down.
He the focused his attention back to his remaining warriors. Trying his hardest to push the creeping feeling of dread back into his stomach, he addressed them. "You see that?" He pointed with his gun to Grub-ali's corpse. "This will be all of our fates if we fail!"
He stepped back onto the path and knelt, placing his fingers in newly-formed ruts in the moist dirt. He stood and pointed down the path, his eyes following the trail made by the wheels of the cart.
"For Ka'al!"
He ran down the path, his warriors following closely behind.
XxX XxX XxX XxX XxX
The clearing was a couple hundred feet ahead. McCoy could see it every time he craned his neck backwards. Spock and Mak'ai ran swiftly, the cart almost jumping off the path several times in their attempts to move faster.
Jim had become quieter, a fact that worried McCoy. He knew the Captain didn't have much time left.
Almost there, Jim.
You'll be in surgery in twenty minutes tops.
The doctor ran his fingers through Kirk's short hair. The action caused the younger man to open his eyes slightly and stare up at him.
"Bones? I…don't thin'…gonna make…"
McCoy shushed him. "No way, Jim. You don't get to give up yet, because I sure as hell haven't!" He gripped Kirk's right hand firmly, compressing his fingers together. The blood on his hand stuck to Kirk's palm. "By tomorrow morning, you'll be back to your old game. You know, annoying the shit out of me."
He expected Kirk to attempt a smile at his remark, but the Captain merely nodded slightly as his eyes fluttered shut once more, a shaky sigh rattling his chest. He watched as Jim's breathing became more and more labored, each breath accompanied by a pained moan.
Run faster, dammit!
He twisted his neck to yell to the front of the cart. "How much longer? His tank's on empty!"
"Minutes, Doctor." Mak'ai pointed towards the field.
"Call ahead to Uhura and tell her to have M'Benga waiting with a trauma team!" McCoy looked down again at Kirk, his eyes staring off to the left under half-closed lids.
You're losing too much blood, kid.
Don't fade on me.
I need you too much…
Spock pulled his communicator from his belt loop one-handed. "Lieutenant Uhura, do you copy? Doctor McCoy has requested that Doctor M'Benga and a trauma team meet us in the transporter room. ETA, three minutes."
"Yes Sir, understood. Be careful."
"…Bones…" McCoy looked down at Jim's face to find him staring up at him with pained eyes. "…hurts when I…breathe…please help m…" Tears began to drip from the corners of Kirk's eyes.
McCoy couldn't even fathom the kind of pain the kid had to have been in.
He comforted Kirk as best he could. "Shhh, darlin'. I know it hurts like a son of a bitch. And I promise you'll get some drugs just as soon as we get back to the ship." He leaned over and kissed Jim quickly. "But you gotta stay calm right now, alright? We're almost in the clear."
Kirk swallowed hard. "…don' wanna…leave you…yet…"
"Then don't, dammit!" McCoy wiped the tears from Jim's cheeks with his thumb. His arm ached with the movement, but he didn't wince. He didn't want to worry Jim unnecessarily. "You just focus on me, got it? Listen to my voice."
Jim nodded weakly. " 'kay, Bones…" He yelped as the cart bounced over a divot. "This…s-sucks…"
"Damned if I didn't know that already, Jim." He held Kirk closer. "Tell you what, if you cooperate with me in Sick Bay, I'll even let you have that nasty Andorian candy that you love. We're gonna dock with a Starbase soon and I promise I'll find some."
Jim managed a feeble grin. "I do…love…the slimy…centers…"
McCoy curled his fingers in Jim's hair. "I still love you, though, even if your taste in sweets makes me want to vomit." He knew their conversation choice must have seemed absurd to Spock and Mak'ai, but McCoy would talk about the sexual habits of Gorn if it meant keeping Jim's attention on him. He needed him to stay conscious to minimize shock.
The doctor watched as the trees and flowers whizzed by the speeding cart. He would be glad when he didn't have to see them anymore. He never wanted to come back to this planet ever again. He was snapped from his thoughts when the trees suddenly disappeared and they were in the clearing. Spock and Mak'ai stopped the cart. McCoy gently eased himself out from under Kirk's head and scrambled off the flatbed. Mak'ai and the doctor tenderly pulled Jim from the cart and laid him on the forest floor. Kirk cried out in pain as he made contact with the ground.
"Lieutenant Uhura, we need immediate evac. Transmitting our coordinates now." Spock punched the digits into his device.
"The signal's sluggish, Sir. There's some interference in the atmosphere that's causing a delay. I'm trying to compensate now. Stand by."
McCoy knelt on the dewy grass, pulling Jim's limp body onto his lap. He could immediately feel the warm blood from Kirk's wounds seeping into his pants. "Hang on, kid. Just a few more seconds."
I hope.
Shouting came from the distance, the unmistakable red glow of very angry Xentians closing in on their position.
"They're coming!" Mak'ai glowed the most brilliant orange the doctor had ever seen. She ran close to him, kneeling at his side.
Spock urgently hailed the ship again. "Enterprise, we need transport now!"
"Almost got you, Spock. Five seconds."
Druk'laan and his men rushed into the clearing just in time to see the away team disappear into a mass of golden swirling filaments and fade away.
He sunk to his knees, staring dumbly at the clearing that the Starfleet officers had occupied seconds before.
Wordlessly, he brought his pistol to his temple and pulled the trigger.
The birds in the trees scattered as the shot fired.