"Counterforce"
By T. Cummins
2001
(Story based on characters and environments created and owned by Paramount and
Marvel)
Chapter Four – "Betrayal"
Tony Stark burst into engineering just as Seven placed a sensor probe against his armor.
He continued to run forward shouting a warning. A moment later electromagnetic energy
erupted from the armor's metal surfaces, filling the entire room with bright, arcing
fingers of deadly force. Seven and B' Elanna were blasted backward against the walls
and Stark leapt to the ground barely avoiding being electrocuted by his own defense
mechanisms. A deafening shriek accompanied the release of energy that made it
impossible for anyone to speak. With tongues of lightning thrashing about everywhere in
the room, Stark attempted to move closer. When he finally reached the edge of the table
upon which his armor lay, he tried to reach up and touch one of the metal boots. A bolt of
energy instantly lashed across his wrist sending him to the deck in a smoking heap of
agony. Even in almost paralyzing pain, Stark knew what was about to happen and pushed
himself back to the edge of the table. The seconds ticked by in Tony's head and he knew
a catastrophe was about to occur. As he slowly curled his body into a crouching position
he saw Seven attempting to do the same. She looked at him and he motioned her to back
away. When she refused he acted as swiftly as he was able. In one fluid motion Stark
launched himself upon the table and slapped his palm down on a secret panel in the side
of the armor. A palm-print scanner instantly read Tony's unique signature and shut down
its defenses. When the power emanations dissipated, engineering was plunged into a near
silent darkness. Every light source save for the rhythmic pulse of the warp core seemed to
have been extinguished.
When Tony Stark awoke he found himself again staring up at the face of the Doctor in
sickbay. "I'm sorry to be a repeat customer Doc." The Doctor smiled in response but
remained silent while he ran a test. Stark turned to see that someone lay on one of the
beds nearby. He instinctively guessed that it had to be the woman he noticed in
engineering with Seven. "How is she Doc?"
The Doctor completed his scan and turned his attention to Tony. "B'Elanna will be fine.
She suffered some minor burns but nothing too troubling for a Klingon."
Stark could only guess what a 'Klingon' was but he let it pass. "I'm truly sorry about
causing so much trouble." He continued to speak as he raised himself into a sitting
position. "When I allowed myself to be removed from my armor I should have found a
way to warn you about its automated defenses."
Seven responded from the open doorway. "Self recriminations are not necessary Mr.
Stark. You were nearly unconscious when you were brought back aboard." She took a
deep breath and shifted her eyes to the ceiling. "If anyone is to blame, I should be held
accountable for meddling in your affairs." An uncomfortable silence filled the room that
made Stark feel like the outsider he knew he was.
"You have recovered nicely Mr. Stark. Your wrist burns are nearly healed and you seem
to be no worse for wear. I commend you on your healthy condition." The Doctor's
attempt to defuse the moment seemed to have worked.
A wry smile flashed across Tony's face. "I thank you Doctor. My lifestyle demands that I
stay in top form. Now if you'll excuse me I would like to examine my armor."
Captain Janeway sat in her command chair listening to the damage reports from Tuvok.
Engineering had not been permanently damaged but many of the consoles and low-level
systems had been temporarily disabled. The warp drive was functional, but needed
repairs as soon as possible. "This doesn't sound good. We're sitting ducks for the next
Borg ship that happens across us and I refuse to allow Mr. Stark to risk himself for us
again."
Harry offered a possibility. "Captain, I have examined the sensor logs. Mr. Stark was
nearly invincible against the other Borg ship. The only problem was beaming him away
before the cube exploded. If it becomes necessary that Mr. Stark assist us again, we can
fit his armor with a signal booster that would make his escape a certainty."
Janeway began to dismiss the idea when Tuvok interrupted. "Captain, another Borg ship
has located us. It is on an intercept course that will intersect ours in two point seven
minutes. May I add that if our Mr. Stark is willing, it is logical to accept his assistance
based on Mr. Kim's assertion that he would not be placed in unacceptable danger."
Moments after Stark was informed of the circumstances he donned his armor and was
again beamed over to the attacking vessel. Before the cube could open fire, Tony was
busy destroying its ability to inflict damage on Voyager.
Seven stood at the science station next to Tuvok, monitoring Stark's progress when she
heard the voices calling her. At first she thought the Borg were trying to re acquire her,
but then before she was able to put up a defense the collective plunged their will deep
inside her thoughts and stole something precious. "Captain!" Seven dropped to her knees.
"No. They've taken it. They know!"
Captain Janeway spun around to face Seven. "What have they taken? Seven!"
A moment later Harry sounded an alert. "Captain, they've captured Mr. Stark. His armor
has been immobilized."
Seven raised her head and revealed the tears streaming down her cheeks. "The Borg have
reached through my implants and taken technical information from my database."
Janeway pleaded with Seven. "What information?"
Seven slowly rose to her feet. "The information I appropriated from my secret scans of
Mr. Stark's armor."
By T. Cummins
2001
(Story based on characters and environments created and owned by Paramount and
Marvel)
Chapter Four – "Betrayal"
Tony Stark burst into engineering just as Seven placed a sensor probe against his armor.
He continued to run forward shouting a warning. A moment later electromagnetic energy
erupted from the armor's metal surfaces, filling the entire room with bright, arcing
fingers of deadly force. Seven and B' Elanna were blasted backward against the walls
and Stark leapt to the ground barely avoiding being electrocuted by his own defense
mechanisms. A deafening shriek accompanied the release of energy that made it
impossible for anyone to speak. With tongues of lightning thrashing about everywhere in
the room, Stark attempted to move closer. When he finally reached the edge of the table
upon which his armor lay, he tried to reach up and touch one of the metal boots. A bolt of
energy instantly lashed across his wrist sending him to the deck in a smoking heap of
agony. Even in almost paralyzing pain, Stark knew what was about to happen and pushed
himself back to the edge of the table. The seconds ticked by in Tony's head and he knew
a catastrophe was about to occur. As he slowly curled his body into a crouching position
he saw Seven attempting to do the same. She looked at him and he motioned her to back
away. When she refused he acted as swiftly as he was able. In one fluid motion Stark
launched himself upon the table and slapped his palm down on a secret panel in the side
of the armor. A palm-print scanner instantly read Tony's unique signature and shut down
its defenses. When the power emanations dissipated, engineering was plunged into a near
silent darkness. Every light source save for the rhythmic pulse of the warp core seemed to
have been extinguished.
When Tony Stark awoke he found himself again staring up at the face of the Doctor in
sickbay. "I'm sorry to be a repeat customer Doc." The Doctor smiled in response but
remained silent while he ran a test. Stark turned to see that someone lay on one of the
beds nearby. He instinctively guessed that it had to be the woman he noticed in
engineering with Seven. "How is she Doc?"
The Doctor completed his scan and turned his attention to Tony. "B'Elanna will be fine.
She suffered some minor burns but nothing too troubling for a Klingon."
Stark could only guess what a 'Klingon' was but he let it pass. "I'm truly sorry about
causing so much trouble." He continued to speak as he raised himself into a sitting
position. "When I allowed myself to be removed from my armor I should have found a
way to warn you about its automated defenses."
Seven responded from the open doorway. "Self recriminations are not necessary Mr.
Stark. You were nearly unconscious when you were brought back aboard." She took a
deep breath and shifted her eyes to the ceiling. "If anyone is to blame, I should be held
accountable for meddling in your affairs." An uncomfortable silence filled the room that
made Stark feel like the outsider he knew he was.
"You have recovered nicely Mr. Stark. Your wrist burns are nearly healed and you seem
to be no worse for wear. I commend you on your healthy condition." The Doctor's
attempt to defuse the moment seemed to have worked.
A wry smile flashed across Tony's face. "I thank you Doctor. My lifestyle demands that I
stay in top form. Now if you'll excuse me I would like to examine my armor."
Captain Janeway sat in her command chair listening to the damage reports from Tuvok.
Engineering had not been permanently damaged but many of the consoles and low-level
systems had been temporarily disabled. The warp drive was functional, but needed
repairs as soon as possible. "This doesn't sound good. We're sitting ducks for the next
Borg ship that happens across us and I refuse to allow Mr. Stark to risk himself for us
again."
Harry offered a possibility. "Captain, I have examined the sensor logs. Mr. Stark was
nearly invincible against the other Borg ship. The only problem was beaming him away
before the cube exploded. If it becomes necessary that Mr. Stark assist us again, we can
fit his armor with a signal booster that would make his escape a certainty."
Janeway began to dismiss the idea when Tuvok interrupted. "Captain, another Borg ship
has located us. It is on an intercept course that will intersect ours in two point seven
minutes. May I add that if our Mr. Stark is willing, it is logical to accept his assistance
based on Mr. Kim's assertion that he would not be placed in unacceptable danger."
Moments after Stark was informed of the circumstances he donned his armor and was
again beamed over to the attacking vessel. Before the cube could open fire, Tony was
busy destroying its ability to inflict damage on Voyager.
Seven stood at the science station next to Tuvok, monitoring Stark's progress when she
heard the voices calling her. At first she thought the Borg were trying to re acquire her,
but then before she was able to put up a defense the collective plunged their will deep
inside her thoughts and stole something precious. "Captain!" Seven dropped to her knees.
"No. They've taken it. They know!"
Captain Janeway spun around to face Seven. "What have they taken? Seven!"
A moment later Harry sounded an alert. "Captain, they've captured Mr. Stark. His armor
has been immobilized."
Seven raised her head and revealed the tears streaming down her cheeks. "The Borg have
reached through my implants and taken technical information from my database."
Janeway pleaded with Seven. "What information?"
Seven slowly rose to her feet. "The information I appropriated from my secret scans of
Mr. Stark's armor."