by Avalon (avalon99@telusplanet.net)
http://members.dencity.com/avalon_online
Skinner, Scully, R, 11/12
ODYSSEY XI
THURSDAY, EARLY MORNING
THE ODYSSEY. BRIDGE.
Skinner sways slightly, clutching his shoulder, as Scully stirs. Limping heavily, he crosses the floor to her and kneels down. He reaches out as her eyes flicker open.
SCULLY:
Walter?
SKINNER:
I'm here.
Scully glances around, looking for Josef.
SKINNER:
He's dead.
A look of relief washes over her and she unconsciously leans toward him. She closes her eyes again briefly. When she looks at him again there is a characteristic look of determination in her eyes. Skinner climbs reluctantly to his feet and holds out a hand. She takes it and, biting her lip, also stands up.
SCULLY:
I need a vacation.
SKINNER:
(Smiling tiredly) I've heard that a
Caribbean cruise can be relaxing.
She shoots him a look and releases his hand, then looks at her own which is now covered with blood. Her gaze returns to his shoulder.
SCULLY:
Didn't they teach you how to duck in the
Marines?
SKINNER:
I'm a slow learner.
SCULLY:
We need to get that bleeding stopped.
Suddenly an instrument panel lights up, an alarm goes off, and a digital display begins to countdown starting from 05:00.
SKINNER:
What the hell...?
SCULLY:
Oh my god. They sent the signal.
SKINNER:
What signal?
SCULLY:
There's a bomb on board. We've got to
contact Washington, get them to deactivate
it...
No longer questioning her, Skinner reaches for the radio.
* * *
THURSDAY, EARLY MORNING
WASHINGTON DC
Mulder sits in the brightly-lit room, his eyes watching a corresponding countdown at one end of the table. Two military men still flank the agent, their guns trained on him.
MULDER:
(Hoarsely) You can't do this.
WILLIAMS:
It's already done.
A lieutenant hastily enters the room.
LIEUTENANT:
Sir, we're in contact with the Odyssey!
WILLIAMS::
Patch it through.
Skinner's voice can be heard over the speaker system.
SKINNER:
...repeat, this is the Odyssey. I need to speak
to...
WILLIAMS:
(Breaking in) This is General Williams. What is
your status?
SKINNER:
The leader of the terrorists is dead and we've
retaken the bridge, but we've got more problems.
But then, if you're who I think you are, then
you already know that...
MULDER:
(To Williams) Looks like you were a bit
premature with Operation Cerberus,
General.
Williams shoots him a look.
SKINNER:
Deactivate the bomb, General Williams.
WILLIAMS:
I'm afraid that's not possible,
Mr. Skinner.
SKINNER:
Try. Try hard.
WILLIAMS:
It can't be done.
TREMAYNE:
(Interrupts) There may be a way...
Williams stares at him questioningly. Tremayne continues.
TREMAYNE:
(Into speaker) We can't deactivate the bomb
from here but it's possible you may be able
to defuse it on your end.
SKINNER:
How?
* * *
THURSDAY, EARLY MORNING
THE ODYSSEY. BRIDGE
Tremayne's voice can be heard over the radio.
TREMAYNE:
Are you on the bridge, Mr. Skinner?
SKINNER:
Yes.
TREMAYNE:
Can you reach the main console?
SKINNER:
No, but my partner can.
Without hesitation, Scully moves toward the console. Skinner rapidly relays Tremayne's instructions to her. Step by step she removes a metal panel and begins the slow process of disconnecting the bomb from the main computer.
SCULLY:
(Over her shoulder) How much time left?
SKINNER:
Two minutes and a half minutes.
SCULLY:
Okay, it's disconnected. Now what?
SKINNER:
(Into radio) It's done. Now what?
TREMAYNE:
(To Skinner) She has to disarm it. Tell her to
to remove the casing, but emphasize that the
casing's edge must NOT touch any part of the core.
Inside there will be four wires -- two red, one
green, and a blue. Only two must be cut. Do not,
I repeat not, cut them all. First cut the red one
closest to the timer, and then the...
A gunshot rings out and Skinner jumps back as a hail of sparks erupt from the radio. Skinner and Scully whirl to see Victoria framed in the doorway, a gun in her hand.
VICTORIA:
(Looking at Josef's body) You bastard.
She aims the weapon on Skinner and her finger tightens on the trigger. Skinner tenses. A shot is heard. Without a sound, Victoria crumples to the floor. Henderson appears in the doorway, slowly lowering the gun in his hand.
HENDERSON:
Somebody order a cavalry?
SCULLY:
Good timing. Where's the crew?
HENDERSON:
Mopping up the rest of the terrorists. (The
sound of gunfire can be heard from outside).
SKINNER:
Scully, the radio...
SCULLY:
(To Henderson) Where's the closest radio?
Washington's already sent the signal.
HENDERSON:
There's one near the conning tower.
SKINNER:
We need to contact Washington and find out
which wire to cut.
HENDERSON:
On my way.
Left alone, Scully and Skinner glance at each other, then at the timer, which shows only 22 seconds remaining.
SCULLY:
He'll never make it. We've got to do this
ourselves.
SKINNER:
Cut the red wire closest to the timer.
She does
SCULLY:
Now what?
SKINNER:
We need to cut another wire.
SCULLY:
Which one?
SKINNER:
...I don't know.
There is a long pause, then:
SKINNER & SCULLY:
Blue.
Holding her breath, Scully cuts the blue wire as the final few seconds count down. As one, they reach for each other's hands. Their eyes meet and their grip tightens. The timer reaches zero. An endless moment goes by. Then, Skinner pulls her into his arms. They hold each other tightly for a moment , then Henderson's voice from outside reaches them...
HENDERSON:
Scully -- It's blue. Cut the blue one!
Skinner and Scully break apart as Henderson reaches the bridge. He surveys the scene and realizes that the bomb has been defused.
HENDERSON:
(Wearily) If you were just going to guess, I
could have saved myself the trip.
He sighs in relief and slumps into a nearby chair. Silence descends.
* * *
THURSDAY MORNING
THE ODYSSEY. CAPTAIN'S SEA CABIN
It is dawn. The storm is weakly blowing itself out as the Odyssey heads to the nearest port. Inside the Captain's sea cabin, Skinner is sitting on the bed, bare-chested. Scully, her wrist newly re-bandaged, is standing over him, dressing his wounded shoulder.
SKINNER:
How's your wrist?
SCULLY:
It's fine.
SKINNER:
Scully, I need to know... (She turns away and
searches through the medical bag) What happened
with you and Heinrich? (She stiffens) Did he...?
SCULLY:
(Flatly) I killed him.
Skinner painfully gets up and puts a gentle hand on her shoulder.
SKINNER:
What happened?
There is a long pause before she answers.
SCULLY:
We fought. I won.
He lightly brushes the cut on her throat.
SKINNER:
Did he do this too? (Scully nods.
Grimly) It's too bad he can only die once.
Are you going to be alright?
SCULLY:
I'm fine. Really. (Her voice is
wavering).
SKINNER:
No, you're not.
SCULLY:
No, I'm not.
She turns around. She is biting her lip to keep it from trembling. Gently he wraps his good arm around her. She stiffens then relaxes against him for a brief moment. Then, she pulls away and picks up the rest of the bandage.
SCULLY:
(Trying to lighten the mood) The Bureau
won't appreciate me letting you bleed
to death.
Skinner sits back on the bed.
SKINNER:
(Smiling slightly) And besides...think of
all the paperwork.
Scully returns the smile weakly then tapes down the bandage. Skinner reaches for a spare crewman's shirt with his good hand. Silently Scully helps him maneuver it over his injury.
SKINNER:
Thanks. You seem to have spent this
entire cruise dressing and undressing me,
Agent Scully.
SCULLY:
This trip did have its merits. (She
smiles tiredly. Changing the subject) What
time will we reach the port?
SKINNER:
Dana...
SCULLY:
What time does our flight leave?
SKINNER:
(Pauses then sighs) 9:30.
There is a knock on the door, and a young lieutenant enters.
LIEUTENANT:
First Officer Henderson wanted you to
know that the rest of the terrorists are under
guard in the wardroom. And he wants to see
you both.
SKINNER:
Thank you, Lieutenant. (The Lieutenant leaves).
Silently Scully puts the bandage back in the medical bag and closes it. She turns back to him and squares her shoulders.
SCULLY:
Let's go.
Skinner watches her exit the room, then follows her out into the corridor.
TO BE CONCLUDED