Under Fire: Chapter 21
No Mas. She'd seen a boat named that once and for some odd reason it flashed through her mind and Christine didn't hesitate in bringing her left elbow up, and with every ounce of power she could muster, hit the man behind her squarely in the nose.
Not only had she hurt him, but she had surprised him as well. Turning to face him when his hands fell away, she gave a kick to his right knee which buckled backward. There was a ghastly crack as cartilage tore and bone splintered.
Her would-be attacker was on his back and she didn't intend to let him get up and she had to stop his cries of pain.
Christine dropped her knee down across his throat and held it there until he lost consciousness. Only then did she look around to make sure no one had seen them, her breath still coming hard and jagged.
Taking him by the arms, Christine dragged him as far as she was able into the shadows, close to the building. He smelled strongly of spirits, and she hoped it would look as if he had passed out.
Pulling the scarf back over her hair, she turned and almost ran right over Kurta. The child's eyes were full of admiration and she had the closest thing to a smile that Christine had seen thus far.
Holding out her hands, she offered a dirty bundle to the doctor.
Christine's adrenaline was still pumping and without a word, she reached for Kurta's offering.
"Our equipment! My God! Thank you."
She wrapped up the little girl into a strong hug. Christine felt her stiffen and released her.
"Thank you, Kurta. This equipment may help me find my friend and get us all, including you, the help we need."
Christine turned on the tricorder and began to scan for humanoid life signs. There! Less than half a kilometer away, a Vulcan bio-reading.
She started to move away in Spock's direction when Kurta grabbed Christine's hand tightly.
Startled, the tall doctor looked down and said, "I think your sister will be looking for you and where I'm going isn't safe."
Kurta firmly and vigorously shook Christine's hand still holding on like a vise.
"I guess you're used to 'not safe, huh? And if I don't take you, you're going to follow me anyway. Even if I don't wish it?"
Christine felt the pressure on her hand increase again. Finally, she released a heavy sigh.
"I'll take that as a 'yes.' Come on, kid, let's go find ourselves a tall, greenish, handsome man."
Guards were stationed at every corner of the building where Spock was being held. No approach was going to be possible without being seen.
Christine didn't want to wait any longer, but, from the noises down the street, the night was still early for drinkers and there could be more than four if she was discovered and a mob descended upon them… This may be the best her odds would get.
Now that she knew where he was and alive, she could be patient a while longer.
One of the guards saw movement in and out of shadow. In the early morning hours with fatigue overtaking him, he wasn't sure he hadn't imagined it.
Without wanting to be thought a fool, he moved off into the darkness to check for himself whether it was real or the light playing tricks on his tired body and mind.
He didn't know the alien being held captive, but he was told to keep him secure until the next day-if he didn't the penalty would be severe. If he had to choose between himself and the Federation spy, well, too bad for the alien inside.
As the guard moved farther from the light, he could hear a child whimpering or crying. He turned and hurried back and motioned for the other guard on the same side to come with him.
The two separated and one when to the left and one to the right, and the sounds of the child grew louder. They closed in on a girl sitting in the dirt with her back to a large tree, head down on her arms, face hidden.
"A camp rat! These dirty vermin are everywhere," the second guard sneered.
The first watchman snarled at her, "What are you doing here?! It is forbidden for you to be out of your camp at all, especially at this time of night. Come, before I club you and leave you to rot!"
The second guard reached to grab the child when she raised her head and jammed a hypo into his arm. Without a word he hit the ground, almost landing atop her.
Kurta thought he made a satisfactory thump and smiled to herself.
Before his comrade could react, Christine stepped from behind the tree and another hypo dispatched him.
Two down. Two to go.
Spock had lost all feeling in his arms. He could still stand but the ropes tore mercilessly into his wrists and his shoulders and arms felt as if they were pulled from his body.
Christine!
The Vulcan had thought they might have a tenuous connection and he could sense whether she was safe or not. Before he had been unsuccessful, but now, he felt her close by.
Spock forced all the energy he could muster into their delicate bond, "Go back. I gave you an order, Lieutenant."
Seconds later, he could hear her mind project quite clearly.
"Like hell I will."