Note from the PHOENIX: Sorry I haven't been around for a while. I was dealing with some medical issues, but it looks like I'm going to live. Hugs.

Chapter Thirty-eight

"Ow! Damn it."

Razor muttered a few more choice cuss words. Having mostly forgotten about his mutilated ear he'd pulled his hands through his thick black hair and bumped into the still healing cut. He still had no interest in having the now pointed ear reconstructed. As far as he was concerned having it repaired would be little more than an act of vanity, and he'd never been one to care what other people thought of him.

"Besides, it would take more than that to ruin my rugged good looks." Razor chuckled to himself.

Pulling on his one piece ops uniform Razor checked his belt to make sure everything he was going to need was there. Satisfied that all his gear was in place and in working order he left his room and stepped out into the hallway. He had barely slept the night before in anticipation of this mission. The no holds bars, destroy everything in sight, assignments had always been his favorite.

"Days like this remind me why I took the job."

Humming to himself Razor made his way to the briefing room where Beckett would give them any last minute information needed. Rather than taking his normal route Razor detoured so that he could swing by Salen's room, in case his partner was still there. He was still worried about Salen, but he felt a nice simple mission would help.

Coming to Salen's door Razor could swear that he had heard a growl of pain coming from behind the door. Razor passed his hand over the panel that activated the door chime, but he received no answer. Becoming concerned Razor physically knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Salen's voice asked from the far side of the door.

"Razor."

"I am not ready. I will meet you in the briefing room in a few moments."

"Um...yeah, okay."

Razor had decided against asking Salen if he was alright knowing that the Vulcan would only lie to him if something was wrong. Walking towards the briefing room Razor was staring to have a bad feeling about allowing Salen to come along. When he reached the meeting Razor hunted out Beckett. Although only a handful of the Dogs were going to be on the planet's surface nearly the entire crew was at the meeting to keep up to speed on the mission.

"Sir, can I talk to you?" Razor asked.

"Go for it."

"In private."

"Now?"

"Yes, now." Razor confirmed.

"Let me guess: you don't think Salen's ready for this."

"I know that he's ready, I just think there is something physically wrong with him that he's hiding."

"He looks healthy to me." Beckett motioned for Razor to look over his shoulder.

Salen had just entered the room. Beckett was right Salen looked like he was raring to go and fit enough to run a marathon. Joking with a few of the other Dogs Salen smiled brightly as he made his way through the crowd towards Beckett. Razor yelped in surprise when Salen pounced on him, throwing his arm over his shoulder and pulling him close in an uncharacteristically over exuberant greeting. Razor noticed that Salen's chest was heaving as though he'd been running.

"You look like you're in a good mood." Beckett chuckled. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I could tear this ship apart with my bare hands." Salen beamed as he released his partner.

"We'd better get you down to the surface so that you can put that destructive energy to good use again Dankort and his men."

"I am looking forward to it, Sir."

"Then let's get this briefing underway." Beckett nodded as he noticed that Cobalt and Ice had just joined the crowd. "Hang on one second, looks like Cobalt's got something on his mind."

Razor looked Salen over as Beckett went over to talk to Cobalt. The Vulcan looked like he was going to crawl right out of his skin at any moment. His eyes darted around as he seemed to be looking at everything at once. Salen suddenly noticed the look he was getting from Razor and trained his dark eyes on him. When Razor didn't say anything Salen raised an expectant eyebrow.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Salen asked.

"Are you on drugs?"

"Drugs? No. There are few drugs in the galaxy that even effect Vulcans." Salen replied and started to shift his weight from one foot to the other. "Why do you ask?"

"Cause you look like you've taken a heavy dose of Speed or something."

"I am simply excited."

"It's like you're bi-polar." Razor huffed. "This must be why normal Vulcans keep such a tight hold on their emotions."

Razor could tell that he had hit a nerve the moment he had said 'normal Vulcans', but by that time it was too late. Salen's eyes narrowed into dark icy slits and his lip curled slightly. Razor tensed fearing that Salen was about to attack him. Panting for breath Salen took a step back. Razor watched as Salen composed himself and forced a smile.

"Salen..."

"I am fine, Razor." Salen interrupted.

Before Razor could question his partner further Beckett drew everyone's attention by announcing that the meeting was going to begin. Everyone turned towards Beckett to give him their attention.

"Alright, Dogs, slight change of plans. As we all know Dankort is an illegal arms dealer with an impressive arsenal. Cobalt and Ice were down planet side to do some quick snooping about in the nearby native village and it would seem that Dankort took seventeen hostages last week after a handful of locals tried to run him off the planet. Dankort has no demands, he seems to just be holding the hostages to prevent further up risings.

Seventeen civilian lives is an unacceptable loss. The original team of fourteen is still going to beam down, however, a team of four is going to infiltrate first and at the very least locate and protect the hostages while the rest of the team cleans the compound out. Cobalt, Ice, Razor, and Salen will be the infiltrating team. If you can't get into the compound without setting off alarms I need you to stand down until we can better determine the state of the hostages. At any point if it comes down to your lives or that of the hostages I do fully expect you to turn tail and run. Any questions?"

"No, Sir." Was the chorus that rang out.

"Shit." Razor muttered. "There goes our 'simple' mission."

"Do not worry, Razor, they will never even know were are there."

"I can't decide if I like this new confidence of yours or if I find it dangerously cocky."

"Cocky?" Salen repeated in confusion.

"Never mind."

"You do not trust me." Salen accused.

"I didn't say that, it's just that it's my job to notice when things are out of place and something about you seems out of place lately."

Salen smiled brightly and took a breath to say something, but Beckett arriving distracted him. Beckett came up and put his hand on Salen's shoulder. Razor had the vague feeling that he was being left out of the loop on some important piece of information.

"Salen," Beckett greeted "I know I said that you weren't going to have to do a mind meld on this mission, but things have changed. We might need you to in order to find where the hostages are being held. Can you do that?"

"I...uh..." Salen stuttered in sudden fear, he reached up and rubbed at his ribs.

"It won't be necessary, Sir." Razor came to Salen's rescue. "We will find those hostages the old fashion way."

"I am sure you can, but Salen could save precious time and probably lives by getting the information for you."

"It's a small compound, there are only so many places to store seventeen people."

"True, but every second you spend sneaking around is another second that you risk capture..."

"I can do it, Sir." Salen interrupted. "I will get the information from the first of Dankort's men that we get our hands on."

"Salen, if you don't..." Razor started.

"I said I could do it, Razor." Salen growled. "I understand my orders, Sir, am I dismissed?"

Beckett nodded and Salen turned around sharply and left the briefing room to head down to transport. Razor watched Salen leave. The feeling that something was terribly wrong was growing stronger.

"You gonna just stand here and let your partner go down to the planet without you?" Beckett chuckled.

"Sir,..." Razor hesitated "Sir, I think mind melding with these criminals is ruining Salen."

"Ruining him how?"

"I don't know." Razor admitted. "He just seems like he's running faster and faster to keep from falling on his face. He's also getting more aggressive."

"That's a good thing. Now get your ass to transport or I'm pulling you from this mission and finding myself a new Team Leader."

Knowing that Beckett wasn't kidding Razor made his way to transport. Everyone except Salen was already down on the planet's surface. When Razor stepped into the room Salen smiled and stepped up to him.

"For a moment there I thought you were going to make me go on this mission alone."

"Never."

"Good." Salen nodded in approval. "Razor, I know you think I am losing my mind, however I am slowly learning to cope with the stress of this life style. Just give me a little more time, and a few more missions before you judge me too harshly, I will even out I promise."

"Perhaps I have been looking too much into your behavior lately." Razor smiled. "I tend to forget that you're new at this. Come on, let's go add another scumbag to your resume."

Feeling better about the mission Razor jumped up on the transporter pad. Salen joined him and they were beamed down to the planet with the others. They landed a few miles away from Dankort's compound in a forest of pine like trees. After a quick regroup they made their way towards Dankort.

It was dusk when they arrived on the bluff that over looked the arms dealer's hide out. Tyger knelt down at the edge of the cliff and brought out a pair of high powered binoculars. Down below was the sprawling compound that was set up like a small town that had a pulse-wire fence around it. The trees had been cut away around the structures and huge spotlights kept the surrounding area brightly lit. The original plan had been to surround the compound and take down anyone who came into view while others set up explosives.

Salen had asked if they ever destroyed targets from the Black Diamond itself. He was told that they never did because of the special energy signature that Starships leave behind. The last thing Starfleet needed was someone figuring out that they were operating on neutral and at times un-contacted planets illegally.

"I don't like your chances of getting in undetected, Razor." Tyger announced. "There are six guards that would need to be taken out almost simultaneously to keep them from raising the alarm."

"At this distance I don't think I can snipe them." Ice said. "Certainly not one right after the other fast enough to keep them from alerting the others."

"We'll have to get into the trees closer to the compound and try to find a blind spot to sneak in through." Razor said.

"I can get the guards from here." Salen said as he laid down on his belly next to Tyger on the edge of the bluff. "It took me a moment to do the correction calculations for this distance and angle, but I have them now. Ice, can I borrow your sniper phaser?"

"Have you ever fired one of these?" Ice asked, hesitant to give over his weapon.

"Standard Academy training."

"Not this phaser, this baby is custom." Ice said proudly. "It fires a tiny burst of gamma that is invisible to the human eye, three times as powerful as your average sniper phaser, and twenty times as accurate which means it is more sensitive to mistakes."

"Accuracy will assist me."

"Salen, you've never sniped anyone." Razor pointed out. "It is not like firing while under fire to protect yourself, it is a lot closer to cold blooded murder. Sniping is far more intimate."

"You think I will hesitate to kill the others after the first shot?"

"It has happened to men in the past."

"I will not have time to think about it. By the time the first one falls to the dirt the last will be on his knees. I can do this, and then we will have at least ten minutes before anyone even realizes that no one is on guard."

"Razor, if Dingo can do it we'll have an easy in." Cobalt said.

"And if he misses or only kills half of them the alarms will go off and the hostages are as good as dead."

"That will not happen." Salen assured.

"Ice, it's your weapon, you think Dingo has any chance of making that shot."

"Technically it has the range, I just don't have the reflex speed for it. Being Vulcan...yeah, I think he does have a chance."

"Okay, Dingo, I'm going to let you off the leash for this one."

"You do not sound confident."

"Honestly I'm not. However, I don't think we'll get within twenty feet of that compound without being spotted, they've got that place lit up like a super nova."

"I will take the eyes off us." Salen replied. "Tyger, spot for me."

"You got it."

Ice handed over his large sniper phaser like it was a child. Salen set the weapon up on it's small bulit in tripod and settled into to his prone position. The scope on the weapon offered him a somewhat closer view. The men that Tyger had spotted were spread out, four of them in small look out towers. Before taking any shots Salen reached up and pressed his hand over his side. Razor furrowed his brow, but then realized that Salen's heart would be right under his palm. He was probably trying to calm it. Taking a deep breath Salen calculated the shots one last time before rapidly pulling the trigger. The phaser fire had only lasted a few seconds.

"Holy shit." Tyger hissed as he watched through the binoculars. "All six targets are down, and dead, very dead. Heart shots on everyone of them that I could see."

"Not bad, Dingo." Razor smiled. "But you took eight shots, by my count that's two missed shots."

"No." Salen shook his head and got to his feet. "At the last moment I noticed that there were seven guards not six, and I used the eighth to knock out the power to the pulse-wire fence."

"Awesome." Cobalt chuckled.

"Good work, Dingo." Razor nodded. "Okay, boys, let's go. The rest of you get to your positions and wait for our word."

Razor, Salen, Ice, and Cobalt quickly made their way down off the bluff by rappelling down on ropes. As they raced through the trees they kept in radio contact with the others who had a better view of the compound. So far no one had realized that the watchmen were dead. Razor just hoped that it stayed that way a little longer.

With the pulse-wire no longer activated the fence was easy to get through. Usually the energy that coursed through the pulse-wire was strong enough to kill. They still had to dash through the brightly lit circle that surrounded the compound, however no one was still alive to spot them. Staying in the shadows they broke into the largest of the buildings. Once again they discovered that the compound was deeper than it was wide. The first level was little more than a warehouse with a way down off to the far right.

"What is it with scumbags and hiding underground?" Razor grumbled.

"They don't like the light, just like any other vermin." Cobalt offered.

"If I was going to house hostages, I keep them on the lower le..."

Razor was cut off as Tyger suddenly started chattering in his ear piece. Tyger had just enough time to inform Razor that one of the dead guards had been spotted when the alarms shrieked out.

"Shit, I thought we'd have more time. Okay, they know we're here, we need to find those hostages fast."

"I will find them." Salen announced before running off.

"Salen!" Razor cried. "Wait!"

"Razor, trust me." Salen stopped long enough to make his point. "Make a diversion to keep them from going straight to the hostages, and I will find them. If we don't figure out where they are in the next five minutes they are as good as dead."

"I'll come with you."

"I can move faster on my own."

"Sale..."

"He had a point, Razor." Cobalt interrupted. "And a plan, which is more than we have at this point."

"Fine, go, find them."

Salen nodded and headed off again There was a hole with a spiral stairwell that lead down into the depths of the compound off to the right. Instead of using the stairs Salen simply jumped over the railing and disappeared down the pit that they spiraled around. Razor looked around to see what would make a decent diversion. In the far corner of the warehouse was a large stack of boxes that were marked as food supplies.

"Cobalt, how about we blow that stuff up?"

"Sounds like fun."

"Go for it. Just check to make sure that they aren't weapons first. Ice, keep watch on that door, shoot anyone who comes through."

"Aye, Sir."

Outside the shouts of alarm were getting louder. Razor caught a few words and smiled. Cobalt was looking through the boxes and was just starting to set up charges. Trotting over to the explosions expert Razor knelt down next to him.

"Cobalt, it sounds like they think we're still out in the trees. Hold off on the explosion for now, but still set it up." Razor clicked on his radio. "Tyger, they think we're still out in the woods, why don't you help them believe that? Just a few shots, don't give away our numbers."

"Aye, Sir."

Razor could just barely make out the sounds of phaser fire in the distance. From the sounds of things Dankort's men had raced into defensive mode. Razor furrowed his brow, something didn't seem right. Although it made sense that a marjory of the men would go to the defensive front, it seemed odd that no one would come to the main warehouse.

"I don't think the hostages are here." Razor muttered to Cobalt. "These kind of scum tend to grab at least a few of their hostages to use as human shields."

"They certainly tend to. There could be more than one entrance to the lower levels."

"Or in a different building completly. We should split up and search."

"Just give Salen a few minutes."

"I would rather find the hostages before he finds someone to 'ask'." Razor growled. "Besides I don't think anyone is down there."

"What's our next move then?"

"I want to draw attention away from this building. Let's level the building on the far back corner of the lot as a distraction, and then search for the hostages. Did you bring along anything that can do that?"

"I brought along several things." Cobalt smiled.

"Excellent, let's go."

Razor, Cobalt, and Ice ran through the streets towards their target. They came across several hostiles, however they easily brought them down. Ice took a phaser hit to the shoulder, but his uniform absorbed the energy. Unsurprisingly the men they were up against were heavily armed. After making sure that there were no hostages inside the storage building Cobalt set a charge on the small building and they retreated to a safe distance. Razor was just about to give Cobalt the go ahead when Salen's voice came over the radio.

"Razor," Salen's voice sounded weak over the radio "Razor..."

"Salen, are you alright?"

"The hostages..."

"Did you find them?"

"They are all dead." Salen whispered.

"What? Already?"

"They have been dead for weeks. Dankort took them, but he never had any intention or letting them go or caring for them. They are in a shallow ditch..."

"It doesn't matter where they are now." Razor interrupted. "Are you in a safe place?"

"For the most part."

"Stay there for another five minutes, we're gonna make some fireworks up here and then we'll regroup at the East edge of the compound in the trees. There should be enough confusion after the explosion for you to get there."

"Understood."

"Tyger,"Razor barked into his radio "open up on these assholes."

"What about the hostages?"

"They're dead, make sure everyone else here except us follows in their footsteps."

"Can do."

"Cobalt, turn that building to cinders."

The massive explosion lit up the night sky with a plume of fire. Razor slapped Cobalt on the back in acknowledgment of a job well done. They retreated to the shadows once again as yelling men came running back towards the explosion to put the flames out before it spread to the ammunitions.

"Okay, I want you two to place as many charges as you can. We'll coordinate the next explosion and trigger them at once, flush these rats from their den. If you find an ammo depot set that puppy to blow sky high. If you see Dankort, kill him, but don't go out of your way to hunt him down, the charges are more important at this point. I am going to regroup with Salen and we will meet you in the forest on the East side in ten minutes. Got it?"

"Sounds like a plan." Ice nodded. "We'll give Dankort your best."

"You do that." Razor chuckled.

Razor provided cover for Cobalt and Ice until they were out of view. Clicking his radio to hail Salen Razor called for a his partner a few times. When Salen didn't answer Razor broke into a run back towards the warehouse. One of Dankort's men was laying in wait behind one of the buildings and jumped out as Razor ran past.

The man landed on Razor's back and drove them both to the ground. In no mood for distractions Razor reached over his shoulder and grabbed a handful of his assailant's hair. Keeping a tight grip on the man's hair Razor got to his feet and flipped him forwards over his shoulder. The man hit the ground hard and was knocked mostly senseless. Razor was going to leave him there since really was only Dankort that they were trying to kill. However when the man tried to trip Razor he pulled out his phaser and shot him in the chest.

When he got to the warehouse there were several men outside. Aiming to kill Razor brought down the men guarding the door. There were two more inside who came out when they heard the phaser fire. Razor dropped them as well. He tried Salen on his radio again and got nothing.

"Tyger," Razor hissed "how is it going out there?"

"We're out gunned, no surprises there, but we are far from being out classed. These lights are actually working in our favor, they can't see shit out into the trees."

"Any sign of Dankort?"

"None."

"Keep them busy just a little longer."

"Not a problem. A few are starting to try and run away into the woods, what are your orders on them?"

"Shoot to kill, one of them could be Dankort."

"Sounds good."

Razor tried Salen on the radio again before heading into the warehouse. With all of the panic and confusion several men ran right past Razor without even realizing that he wasn't one of them. Rolling his eyes Razor peacefully allowed them to pass. With his phaser out Razor made his way down the winding staircase. There were stacks of weapons from cases of phasers to full sized photo torpedo launchers and everything in between. Beyond just Federation weapons Razor caught sight of both Romulan and Klingon firearms as well. It was a maze of boxes and equipment.

"Razor," Cobalt's voice came over his ear piece "we are all ready up here. Where are you two?"

"I can't find Salen, he's not answering his radio. Is he at the regroup spot?"

"Not. Do you want us to come back and help?"

"Negative, you have the detonators. Stay put, I'll find him."

"Razor," Tyger's voice broke in "they are getting more brazen out here, they are dragging up the big guns. We've had to fall back, they are about to reduce the forest to the North to ash to get rid of us."

"Retreat completely."

"Sir?"

"You heard me. Cobalt and Ice have this place ready to blow, we've won this one already. I just need to make sure we all get out."

"Aye, Sir."

"Cobalt, give me exactly ten minutes and blow this place to pieces." Razor ordered.

"Razor, you are going to want to be a good distance from the compound before we light it up."

"I will be."

"What about Dingo?"

"He'll be with me."

"I'm going to give you fifteen minutes."

"I hate to admit that I need it, but I might."

While Razor had been barking orders he had been making his way through the corridors of weapons. It was becoming a little eerie that he couldn't find anyone. After five minutes of searching Razor realized that he was starting to run out of time. He tried Salen once more on the radio before risking calling his name out loud. Razor still got no answer.

"Damn it, Salen, where the fuck are you?"

A door with an open access panel caught Razor's attention. He knew that Salen had developed a skill for gaining access to computers after his stunt on the Intrepid. The door was still unlocked so with his phaser ready Razor slid it open. Beyond was a short hallway that lead to an open door.

The large room beyond the door was completely out of place. Thick Taurisian rugs covered the walls as well as the floor. There was a well stocked bar next to a plush lounge couch. A digital pool table and other various distraction littered the room as well. Set into the back corner was a hot tub that bubbled quietly to itself.

"Salen?"

Still not get an answer Razor explored further. There was another open door that lead to a lavish bedroom. It looked like there had been a serious phaser fight in the room. Scorch marks and the smell of ozone was heavy in the air. Sprawled out on the floor was the bloodied body of Dankort.

"Salen?"

This time razor heard someone stirring. He rushed to the far side of the bed and found Salen laying on his stomach on the floor in a small pool of green blood. The source of the blood seemed to be from his nose. He struggled to lift his head up to look at Razor. Razor knelt down and helped Salen to his feet. He had to slip under Salen's arm to keep him standing.

"Salen, what happened?"

"I...I...can no longer do this..." Salen panted. "I can not...share my mind with these animals..."

"We won't ask you to do it again."

"That is a promise that Beckett made to me before."

Salen pushed away from Beckett and instantly fell to his knees. Doubling over he retched violently. He brought his hand up to his ribs and pressed against them hard. Howling in pain Salen seemed to find the strength to get to his feet on his own. Keeping his hand on his side he looked to Razor with tears streaking his face.

"When I look into their minds it is as if I am them, their memories are my memories...Dankort he...he raped...he murdered all those people. Some weren't even killed by the phaser shots...they were just thrown injured into the pit and buried alive. It is one thing to know about such atrocities, to even witness them...it is another to feel yourself giving the orders."

"I can't even imagine." Razor said sympathetically. "Come on, we need to get get out of here."

Salen just nodded and began staggering towards the door. When Razor tried to help him Salen pushed him away and insisted on standing on his own. Salen looked injured as he limped along at Razor's side, but there was no evidence of blood beyond what dripped from his nose. They just made it back outside when Cobalt came over the radio.

"Razor? You find Dingo? Things are getting heavy out here."

"I've got him. Give us two minutes to get to the trees."

"Got it."

"Time to run, Salen."

Salen just nodded, his hand still pressed hard against his side. Razor took off on a mad dash towards the tree line. For nearly half the way Salen managed to keep pace with him, but with a cry of pain he suddenly crashed to the dirt. It took Razor a few steps to skid to a halt and turn around.

"Salen!"

"Run..." Salen panted.

Razor tried to get Salen back on his feet however it was impossible. He was just about to simply pick him up when Salen went into violent convulsions. Green blood jumped to his lips as he arched and clawed at his ribs over his heart. Razor grabbed Salen around the waist and hauled him up. Slinging Salen over his shoulders Razor carried him the rest of the way into the trees.

"Cobalt, do it!" Razor ordered.

The heat from the explosion blasted against Razor's back as he continued to flee into the thick forest. The charges that Cobalt had set tore the compound apart and set off a series of explosions. Cobalt and Ice caught sight of Razor and called him over. Panting for breath Razor laid Salen down on the pine needles.

"Is he hit?" Cobalt asked in concern.

"Not that I can tell."

"What's wrong with him?"

"I have no idea, but we need to get him back to the Diamond." Razor growled. "Tyger, how is your team?"

"Intact, there are too many of them fleeing into the woods now for us to take down."

"Never mind, Dankort is dead. We have an emergency here, we are going to beam up to the Diamond, we'll have them pick you up as well."

"Aye, Sir."

Razor put his hand down on Salen's chest as he started to wake. Screaming at the top of his lungs Salen lashed out blindly. Razor felt a familiar tingling sensation and knew that the Diamond had been listening in and was beaming them aboard. He had considered asking to be beamed up the moment he'd found Salen, but it was his responsibility to ensure that the entire team made it back.

Razor and Salen were transported directly to sick bay where the doctor was waiting for them. Razor lifted Salen up and laid him down on the biobed that instantly went crazy with beeping and warnings.

"Switch that goddamn thing to 'Vulcan'!" Razor barked.

"It is set to Vulcan," the doctor replied "he's in critical condition."

"Damn it."

"What is happening in here?" Beckett demanded as he stormed into the infirmary.

A hot flood of anger washed over Razor and before he could stop himself he rushed over and punched Beckett directly in the face. Reeling back Beckett nearly ended up on the floor from the blow. The security guards hadn't been fast enough to stop him, but the pounced on Razor and held him back from attacking Beckett again.

"What the..."

"You did this!" Razor roared. "You're killing him! He didn't want to do this anymore and you forced him to! Salen looked into Dankort's mind and now he's dying!"

"Get him out of here." Beckett barked at the guards. "Give him a chance to cool down."

Razor strained and fought against the men holding him, but they proved able to keep him under control. As they began to drag him away Salen cried out in agony once again. The doc was forced to turn on the ion restraints, and even then he thrashed wildly against them. Razor fought bitterly for freedom once more.

"Salen!" Razor roared in panic. "Salen!"

"Razor, calm down, we are going to care for Salen."

"How can you? None of you know the first thing about Vulcans!"

"Colonel, come here," the doctor called "I think I know what's wrong."

Razor finally managed to tear himself away from the guards. When the guards went to take a hold of him again Beckett waved them away. Trying to prove that he could be civilized Razor calmly walked back to the biobed with Beckett. The doctor had opened Salen's uniform and striped him to the waist.

On Salen's ribs over his heart was a big 'X' of adhesive tape. Salen's chest heaved as his labored breathing became shallower. The doctor carefully pulled the tape off, revealing a small electronic device. With a pair of tweezers the doctor removed the disc shaped device. The moment it was removed Salen's entire frame relaxed as he passed out. The doctor held up the piece and inspected it.

"What is that?" Beckett asked.

"I'm not sure." The doctor admitted.

"I know what it is." Razor whispered in horror.

"What is it?"

"The pain inducing component of a force blade..."