Ring of Treason
Chapter 21
"We laugh at honor and are
shocked to find traitors in our midst."'
CS Lewis
Promptly at 0900 the ships' Captains and their Executives Officers assembled in the mess for coffee and pastries. Jim greeted them affably, chatting about the Klingon battle and the battle still to come the next day. He stopped to speak with Captain Simon Thompson of the JFK and with Captain Russo and Commander Constantine, from The Potemkin. Jim looked for Spock and saw him talking with Captain Tyron, from the Hood and his XO, Commander Mananess, and Captain Rodriguez and Commander Thomas, from the Rodger Young.
"How's it going, Jim," asked Russo? "Great battle strategy, by the way. Best flying I've ever seen. Your helmsman is outstanding."
"Thanks, Leo, I certainly think so, I'm lucky to have him."
"You've been pretty busy these last few days. The War Games, the press conference, the shooting, the new Trans Warp drive. How's that going, by the way, ready to test it yet?"
"I am knee-deep in drives, but that won't last long. Just last night I found out from my CE that the Cochrane Techs and their Chief Engineer are not happy with the way the installation is going. They want to take it off-line, and return it to Cochrane House and recalibrate it. My CE tried to talk them out of it, but no go. It's going off ship tomorrow morning and until they're happy it's not coming back. That's going to delay Enterprise from testing the drive by several days at least."
"That's too bad, Jim. I know you're disappointed about the delay."
"Yes, well, not much I can do it about it; not my decision, but you're right, I am disappointed at the wasted time for my ship and crew. Excuse me, Leo, there's a few more people I want to say hello to before we start."
As he greeted and talked to more ships' Captains, Jim made sure his disappointment about the delay in installing the Transwarp Drive was clear, but understated.
At 0930, he strode to the front of the mess and raised his voice. "Gentlemen, if you would all be seated, we'll start the debriefing. I remind you that all conversations will be recorded and logged and sent to the War Games Observers on board The Columbia. Also, I hope all of your communication officers sent the holos of the battle on as required."
The debriefing went smoothly. The ships' Captains and First Officers offered comments about Klingon battle tactics, suggestions for upgrading Fleet tactical maneuvers, the new Sick Bay protocols, and then reported on their readiness for tomorrow's Romulan battle simulation. Blue Team would be the Romulans and all known Romulan battle tactics were already being downloaded into Blue Team ships' computers. The Imperial Romulan Warbirds fought very differently from the Klingons. Jim suggested to his Captains that they run some sims to familiarize themselves with the changed tactics. He was pleased that he would continue as Blue Team Leader by virtue of his success in the Klingon Battle and Captain Todd would also remain as the Red Team Leader. The two Captains exchanged a grin across the table; they were looking forward to going up against each other once more.
At 1100 hours Jim adjourned the meeting and stood up to shake hands and bid everyone goodbye. He looked across the room and exchanged glances with Spock who nodded his head infinitesimally, satisfied that the Trans Warp gossip had already been shared.
After the mess emptied, Jim refilled his coffee cup. "A job well done, Mr. Spock. Let's see what this evening will bring. Let's talk with Giotto and Scotty before reporting to the Bridge." There was a new bounce to Jim's steps as they exited the mess; he was looking forward to some action this evening.
"Yes, sir," Spock said, following his Captain.
Commander Giotto and Scotty were already in engineering. Jim was pleased to see that the giant storage crates had already been brought in. Now to decide exactly where to put them. "Scotty, let's put two of the crates against that wall facing the drive. Let's push them as far back as possible with just enough room behind them so that Spock and I can get in and out. The other one by the door, I think, as far back as it can go. Commander, you and your men can hide behind that one and I leave it to you to decide how many men can fit back there. Let's put some tools, paint cans, and stuff on top of them, that way they'll look as if they've been here a while."
He glanced around. The Trans Warp Coil looked very innocent sitting next to the main warp column. It was already disconnected and its transport box sat next to it in readiness for its fictitious transport.
"Looks good, Scotty, let's dim the lights to 60 percent; dark shadows are our friends this evening. I want Engineering to look deserted so be sure your techs know they are to stay out of this area."
"Aye, Captain, but I dinna' like it."
"Neither do I, Captain," said Giotto. "Something could go wrong and …."
"Gentlemen, we've been through this. Mr. Spock and I will be well hidden and armed behind one of the crates, as will your men, Commander. I don't expect any problems apprehending who ever shows up. "
Spock suppressed a very un Vulcan frisson of trepidation. If he had been human, the phrase 'tempting fate' would have reverberated through his psyche. Since he was not human, he assessed his eidetic memory instead, and rapidly flashed through all the times when I don't expect any problems' had proven to be a vast understatement on their away missions. He looked at Commander Giotto and a glance of perfect understanding passed between them.
"I think everything is ready. We'll be down here after Alpha shift is over, Scotty. Let's go mind the store, Mr. Spock."
After Alpha shift, Jim and Spock made their way to Engineering and met Giotto and his team at 1800 hours, stopping only to get their Phasers and communicators. Engineering was deserted; the lights were dim and the giant crates were in place.
"Looks good, Commander. Hide your men as you think best, and let's get ready for a long wait," said the Captain. "Spock and I will hide behind the crate closest to the drive. Phasers on stun. We want to take them alive; Admiral Nogura wants to question them."
They all squeezed in and took their places between the walls and the crates and settled in for a long wait.
After two long hours, Jim was bored and restless. He hated waiting. After what seemed to him like an interminable wait, Jim whispered very softly into the Vulcan ear nearest to him. "I wish we had brought the small chess set. It would help to pass the time. What time is it?"
Spock could clearly sense Jim's barely leashed impatience; could smell the sharp piney smell of his after shave as he shifted restlessly in the small space, but he whispered back patiently, "Jim, it is 2100 hours, 20 minutes since you last asked me….and our present situation is not the best for the type of concentration that is required for one of our chess games."
Jim relaxed his stiff shoulders slightly and chuckled softly. "Still thinking of your recent loss, Commander?" He patted the blue sleeve comfortingly.
"Indeed Sir, I am at a loss as to how you managed it. I have gone over every move in my mind, and still do not understand how it happened." Spock's soft whisper didn't hide his puzzlement.
"I'll be glad to deconstruct the game with you, if you'd like me to." Jim smiled in the dark. He knew Spock's insatiable curiosity would not rest until he knew how Jim had done it.
"I would appreciate it. It would be most helpful, Captain."
Suddenly Jim felt Spock's grip on his arm. His Vulcan hearing had picked up the silvery whine of the transporter. Jim moved silently to the edge of the crate and cautiously peeked out. Four figures had materialized in front of the main warp core. He felt for Spock's sleeved arm and tapped out 1, 2, 3, 4.
Spock's hand gripped once, his silent understanding. Jim reached for the Phaser at his belt, and felt Spock do the same.
Jim could hear the four men talking softly to each other, but he could not make out what they were saying. He slid silently from behind the crate, his Phaser drawn. Spock followed at his shoulder.
"Gentlemen, you're all under arrest for Treason," Jim said loudly, as he stepped forward, his Phaser pointed at the group. "Commander, lights please." Giotto and his team stepped out from behind the other crate. The sudden brightness from the huge engineering lights was disconcerting.
The four men looked at them in stunned surprise as Giotto and his men surrounded and disarmed them. Jim didn't know three of them, but his heart clenched in his chest to see who the fourth one was.
"Commander Trax." Jim felt sick to his stomach and when he spoke his voice was rough with anger. "I don't understand. Why? Why would you betray your Star Fleet oaths, your loyalty to the Federation, your Captain?"
Trax looked at him, contempt in his face. "For money, of course. More money then you could ever dream of after working all your life for Star Fleet. I need money, and this was an easy way to acquire it. I'm not like you and Captain Campbell; I have no long history or great loyalty to Star Fleet. It provided me with a way out of dire poverty and off of my miserable world; Star Fleet was always just a means to an end."
"This is going to break Leo's heart, he trusted you implicitly, Trax," said Jim. His heart ached for his friend at the betrayal from this officer who had been at his side for who knows how long.
A faint flicker of regret crossed the Rigillian's face, but he said nothing. He stood silently, relaxed and at ease, arms at his side.
His eyes shifted sideways, and suddenly Trax pushed hard against the three men standing next to him. They all toppled like dominos to the floor, taking some of the Security guards with them. Trax took off, running unbelievably fast, vaulting behind the Trans Warp coil and table. He ran to the cat walk ladder and began to climb with astonishing speed. Giotto and Jim picked up the three fallen prisoners as the guards scrambled to their feet. Spock took off running after Trax and followed him up the ladder.
"Spock," Jim yelled, running after him. He looked up to the climbing Rigillian. "Trax, there's no place for you to go. Stop! I don't want to shoot you."
Trax, from a race almost as strong as Vulcans, climbed higher, sure and quick as a cat, with Spock following after him at breath-taking speed.
Spock reached Trax and grabbed at a foot with one hand, his grip superhuman in its strength. As Trax held on with both hands to the next rung, he began to kick, his booted foot stomped hard on the hand Spock was using to hold on to the ladder. Spock could hear his fingers break under the boot, and he had no time to prepare for the onslaught of excruciating pain. Unable to hang on, Spock let go of the ladder rung. He dangled in mid-air, hanging on in a desperate grip to Trax's booted foot. The Rigillian looked down at him, gave a bitter smile and let go of his hold on the ladder. Jim watched in helpless horror as both men fell from 4 meters high to the Engineering floor. Spock landed on top of Trax and lay absolutely still.
"Spock, Spock!" Jim, terrified at the height of the fall, ran over to him, gently turned him over and pulled him carefully off the Rigillian's dead body. Spock was not breathing. He flipped open his communicator and yelled. "Sickbay! Bones, Bones! Answer me, Bones! I need you in Engineering!
Jim looked wildly around. "Giotto! Get over here!"
"McCoy here. Jim what's wrong, what's the matter."
"Get down here to Engineering. Spock fell from 4 meters high and he's not breathing! We need the trauma team. Hurry, Bones; he fell on top of the another body; it cushioned his fall, but he's not breathing. Tell me what to do." Jim's breathing was harsh as he knelt by Spock. He touched Spock's face; it was cold and clammy. "I need a blanket over here," he yelled at the guards.
"Jim, calm down and listen, Ok?" Bones voice took on a soothing clinical tone. "I'll be right there, but you have to calm down and do exactly what I tell you to do. You have to get oxygen to that big Vulcan brain of his…he can only be without oxygen for four minutes, you hear me; so you have to keep breathin' for him. You understand, Jim?"
"Yes, yes, I understand! What do I do?"
"OK, turn him over on his back very gently, I just hope he doesn't have any broken bones or internal injuries, but that can't be helped now. I'll deal with that later. Getting him to breathe is our first priority. His heart is where his liver should be, so you're gonna' do compressions right below his rib cage and directly above his waist. Six compressions, one every second, and then one full deep breath into both his mouth and nose immediately after the sixth compression. His heart beats faster than humans, so you've got to keep those compressions going, one per second, to the count of six, than a deep breath. You got that Jim? He needs all that extra oxygen. You're gonna' need help; it's hard to keep the rhythm going unless you get help. Is Giotto there? He's strong, so get him to help. You need to get started now. I'll be there as fast as I can. Oh, and cover him as much as you can, Jim, he needs to stay warm to prevent shock."
"We're on it, Bones. Just hurry up!" One of the guards brought him a blanket and he hurriedly covered Spock, tucking it in all around him.
"Giotto, I'll do the compressions, you breathe for him."
Giotto got on his knees at Spock's head, and Jim, also on his knees, bent over Spock and started the compressions, counting out loud…1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; Giotto's mouth covered Spock's nose and mouth and he breathed deep into the Vulcan and saw Spock's chest expand. Again, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; breathe. Time stopped; Jim's perception narrowed down only to his hands and Spock's body, nothing else mattered except those compressions and Giotto's life saving breath into Spock's lungs. Sweat poured from his face and body as he moved, never pausing, never breaking rhythm. He kept talking to the still body under his hands. "Breathe, Spock, damn it, breathe. You're not allowed to die on me. I need you, Spock. Breathe for me, please, Spock." His arms were trembling from his efforts; he was beginning to tire. Where the hell was Bones?
"Captain, let's change places, your arms are getting tired." Jim looked at Giotto; his arms were burning from his efforts and he nodded. "On my count, Captain; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; breathe." Giotto moved lightning fast around Jim and immediately began the compression count again. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; and Jim breathed into Spock's nose and mouth. Jim listened for Giotto's count of 6 never taking his eyes from Spock's face. Suddenly, Spock gasped; he took a deep breath and then another and Jim felt burning tears of relief behind his eyes as he heard those rasping torturous breaths.
And then Bones was there, kneeling beside Giotto. "Let me see, Commander." His gentle hands ran the medical scanner over the Vulcan as he muttered to himself. "Triox for his lungs, Cordrazine for his heart, broad spectrum antibiotics, pain-killer, he's in a lot of pain." He looked up at Jim. "He has a broken collar-bone, dislocated shoulder, a broken tibia, four broken fingers, lacerations, and bruising from the compressions. Looks like falling on that Rigillian probably saved his life. He's gonna' be all right, Jim. You and Giotto saved him."
Jim rubbed his face with his hands, wiping the dripping sweat mingled with the tears he didn't even know he'd shed from his face. He felt slightly detached from his body; his relief so great, he was dizzy with it.
"Come on, let's get him and you to sick bay. I don't like your color; you're white as a sheet."
Jim stood and pulled himself together. "I'm fine. Just exhausted. Mr. Giotto, take these men to the brig and the body to the morgue…. and Commander, thank you. You helped save his life."
"Aye, Sir. Glad I could help. You know we all think the world of Mr. Spock."
Jim followed the anti-grav stretcher out of Engineering. "I know Commander." With a shaking hand, Jim patted his security chief's arm in silent thanks on the way out.
In sick bay, he watched as Bones put Spock on a bed and began working over the Vulcan. Spock was still deeply unconscious, but his breathing was deep and regular.
"Sit down, Jim. Rest. You look like hell; you're still pale as death."
Jim sat down in the chair close by Spock's bed; he felt dazed and sleepy, the massive dose of adrenaline in his body had drained away leaving him unable and indeed unwilling to think of what might have happened. It had been too damn close…he shied away from reliving the horror of that fall. The warmth and quiet peace of sick bay filled him, and he could have sat for hours luxuriating in the fact that Spock was alive and would be fine, but he knew he had to stand up and call the Admiral and tell him what had happened. He looked at Bones chronometer on the wall; it was only 2230 hours. Everything had happened in an hour and a half; it seemed like half a lifetime.
He sighed, his body bone weary as he stood. He spared one more look at Spock's still face and said, "Bones, I need to use your comm to call the Admiral. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Take your time. Spock won't wake up for hours. I'm going to use the bone knitter while he's out. Much more comfortable for both of us." He took a keen look at his Captain and was relieved to see that his color was coming back and the shocked look had receded from his face. "After the call, I want you to get some rest. You're all in."
Jim nodded wearily and went into Bones office and closed the door. He spared a thought for Todd Campbell and how the news of his First Officer's betrayal would hit him. He wondered how he would feel if it had been Spock, but that thought was so outlandish, Spock's loyalty so bone deep and fundamental to his character, that Jim couldn't even imagine it and gave up on the thought.
He commed Nogura at home; the comm only beeped twice and the Admiral answered it himself. He took one look at Jim's face, and simply said, "Tell me." And Jim did.
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