Chapter 10
By now Captain Pamoria Charm, still holding her position on the ridge, was getting anxious. " I've a feeling there's something wrong" she said to her two companions, Lt. Commander Q and Dr. Romar.
" I'll go and investigate Captain", said Lt. Commander Q, but before he got a chance to click his fingers, Pamoria Charm stopped him.
"No!" she said sternly "We do this by the book, Commander"
"Yeah!" scoffed Lt. Commander Q, "Like the Syndicate is playing by the book"
Dr. Romar spoke up "Let's not argue like children" he said, "Focus on the mission in hand. What's your suggestion, Captain Charm?" he asked.
"We do a site-to-site transport to inside the cavern" she replied,
" It's risky, but it's better than waiting around here" she added.
The two men looked at each other, and then nodded their agreement.
"Bravo Two Zero to Avenger" she began, touching her communication badge, "Scan for a safe place inside the cavern, and initiate a site-to-site transport on my mark"
A few moments later, the reply came back "Mutz to Bravo Two Zero. Scan complete. Standing by for your signal"
"Thank you Mutz" answered Captain Charm "Energise!!"
In a shimmer of light, Bravo Two Zero disappeared from view, and appeared inside the cavern, on the designated spot, which Captain Mutz had scanned. Looking around quickly to ensure they were alone, Charm, Q, and Romar then pressed their bodies against the cavern wall, and crouched down for fear they were seen. Unaware that her comrades had been captured, Captain Charm scanned for their life-signs.
"I've got them on the scanner", she said in a hushed tone, "but they are not where they are supposed to be. I sense they are in trouble"
"Would you like me to go and investigate, Captain?" asked Q.
"Certainly not" answered Charm, for she knew what he had in mind. "We stay together." she added " So far we do not seem to have set off any intruder or proximity alarms". They headed off in the direction of where their scanners showed their comrades to be, with Captain Charm in lead position.
Meanwhile, the team of Alpha One Zero were sat on the floor of their storeroom cell, pondering an escape plan. Hearing the door being unlocked, the four of them stood up. They were greeted by the grinning smile of the Romulan who had captured them.
"I hope your quarters are to your liking, Federation spies", he said sarcastically.
"It's rather Spartan for our tastes. Rura Penthe would be more comfortable", replied Woof, reverting to insult mode. Looking around at his surroundings, he added with bravado "I'd like to complain to the manager"
The Romulan's smile quickly changed to a scowl, and his face was full of hate.