In Sunshine or In Shadow - Part 8
Creek Johnson & Nance Hurt
Disclaimer: Paramount owns what it owns. We own what we own. No infringement intended - hopefully, none taken.
So far he had been lucky. She had been fairly easy to locate and it did not take long to separate her from the others.
Solids, he thought and wondered how such a genetically inferior species had been able to survive for so long. Weak, pathetic creatures dominated by their physical urges and a uncertain and indefinable thing called love.
Not long now and he would remove her from the equation forever.
Just one more corner and she would walk right into his trap. He stopped just before the juncture of the corridors. Turning, he smiled to himself to see her still following, suspecting nothing. He held his hand out to her and was pleased to see her start running. It was all so simple.
He turned the corner in time to see one Starfleet officer emerge from the corridor nearest the Finneans. There was phaser fire and the man was thrown back into the shelter of the corridor. He paused as a second, younger man stumbled into the line of fire from the Finneans and was killed where he stood.
Smiling as he heard her footsteps drawing closer, he raised his hands to signal to his allies. The smile faded as energy beams sliced through the air around him.
For a moment she thought she was dreaming. He was walking down a corridor when she spotted him. She called his name but he obviously did not hear her because he did not stop. She started to run to catch up with him, but no matter how fast she ran the distance between them stayed the same.
No, she thought, it's not a dream. It couldn't be. If only she had figured out the meaning of the dream before. Or, she thought lengthening her stride, she was now to learn what the Prophets wanted of her. He had reached the end of the corridor. He paused for a moment and turned towards her. She was suddenly irrationally glad that she was armed and prepared to face what ever was to come next.
As in the dream he waited for her. She was close enough now to see the smile on his face, his right arm raised, his hand extended towards her. Then in a blinding flash of light, he was gone.
Curious as to what would happen next, she raced to the end of the corridor and ran straight in to…
John Marshall.
Flato Ray stood in front of the force field and didn't know whether of laugh or cry.
It was bad enough that the night shift had allowed the Finneans not only to escape, but to further attempt the assassination of their key prisoner, she was now finding the search for the fugitives to be an exasperating experience.
Following the end of the war with the Dominion, station drills involving Changeling scenarios had fallen by the wayside. That in and of itself would have been acceptable, however, personnel shifts due to increased Starfleet activity in and around the Bajoran/Cardassian sectors had left Security with more raw recruits and fewer seasoned officers. That coupled with a failure in the communications system left a situation that, in her opinion, qualified as an unmitigated disaster.
So far that evening, teams under her supervision had reported five officers down due to friendly fire, three due to pure clumsiness, and one team that appeared to be simply lost.
And now this.
"I assure you, Captain," said her superior. "I do not find this to be in the least bit amusing."
"Neither do I," she assured him. "I've sent a runner up to Ops and they should be releasing the force field shortly."
"Indeed."
"May I ask how this happened?" she asked.
Marshall gave her a look that would have withered a less experienced officer.
"Apparently one of our teams decided it was a good idea to lock down this section of the Station without first checking to see if anyone was searching the adjacent section. Suffice it to say, Security will be conducting additional emergency drills in the very near future."
Much to her relief, shouts from down the corridor drew her attention. With a nod, she left Marshall. As soon as she turned the corner, she started laughing.
Perhaps the evening wasn't a total loss after all.
"It appears our suspects have taken up position at the end of the corridor," he said. "Just outside docking bay 16."
Kira pulled Marshall down into a more defensive position and cautiously leaned to take a peak around the corner. She was just straightening up when she felt his hand on her shoulder. She gave him a look of irritation.
"My apologies, Colonel." he said quickly. "It would not do for you to lose your balance."
"Thanks," she replied curtly. "Look, there's an adjacent corridor, closer to their position. Let's back track to the last junction and if we're lucky we can pick up another team on the way."
He watched her spring to her feet and move quickly down the corridor.
"Indeed." he said softly to himself.
Flato looked at the empty airlock outside the Defiant and cursed under her breath.
Leaving an officer at the airlock, she made her way to the Infirmary.
Empty.
She headed for the Bridge, with any luck she might be able to reach Ops using an outside comm. line. If not, they were in a world of trouble.
Pain. All he was aware of at first was the pain. It snaked its way through his body and left him helpless.
Eventually, he became aware of his surroundings. The feel of the deck beneath his body. The sound of voices not close, but nearby.
He gradually opened his eyes. He was alone, but there were still voices. He moved his head slightly and realized he was not alone. Another person lay on the deck not far from him. Fighting the pain, he forced his eyes to focus.
His sluggish body finally responded and the pale face came into focus, the eyes fixed, the gaze unfocused. He had seen dead men before. Pity, he thought settling his head back on the deck, I never even learned his name.
"Any sign of our other guest?" asked Kira as they worked their way to the corridor adjacent to docking bay 16.
"No," replied Marshall. "Although I have a feeling he may be a lot closer than you might expect."
"I believe you may be right. You know," she began, but with a shake of her head seemed to change her mind. "No….Never mind."
"What?"
"It's just that it's times like this that I miss him the most. I suppose that may seem a bit odd to you."
"A bit. I would have supposed…."
"Well you wouldn't be alone in that supposition," she said with a slight smile. "But the fact of the matter is, I've slept alone far longer than I've ever shared a bed. It's not as difficult an adjustment as most might think. It's the emotional support he provided that was the hardest thing to get over. The companionship. Knowing that no matter what happened, he'd always be there. You have no idea what I'm talking about do you?"
"No," he said after some consideration. "I believe I do."
They turned the corner and could see two bodies, one where the two corridors intersected and one just beyond.
"This must be the place," said Kira approaching the intersection with caution. "Watch our backs just in case they made a move while we were coming around."
"Certainly."
Leaning cautiously around the corner, she pulled back as phaser fire stuck the wall opposite. Kira thumbed her comm. badge, and cursed as she heard no answering beep. "Communications are still down.," she said. "I hope you are up to doing this without backup."
"What will be, will be."
Flato held her breath as she activated the communications array on the Defiant. Sweet Prophets, she thought, please let this work. She breathed a sigh of relief as the display came to life with an answering call.
"Ops to Defiant," came the reassuring voice of Bryan Landis. "Who the hell is this?"
"Commander," replied Flato. "We've got a bit of a problem."
"Tell me about it Captain. Communications are still down, but Vonda says it shouldn't be too much longer before they're back up. But I really don't have any spare people to release Mr. Marshall right now."
"Don't release him."
"Very funny, but I don't think either you or I want to be on the bad side of John Marshall."
"I'm not kidding. Look, I'm on the Defiant and there's no one else here."
"What do you mean no one?"
"I mean exactly that. No security and no…."
Landis let slip a expletive. "I take your meaning, Captain. Does the Colonel know?"
"I seriously doubt it and that's what's bothering me."
"Understood, but there's not a lot we can do from here. Internal sensors are off-line….Wait a minute. You can scan from the Defiant."
"I don't know how," protested Flato. "Can you get somebody down here….?"
"We don't have time. I'll walk you through it. Now…"
And let's hope we don't run out of time, thought Flato, as she followed Landis' directions.
He became aware of voices and the sound of phaser fire.
Gathering his scattered wits, he attempted to move and found the pain was beginning to recede.
Cautiously pulling his arms closer to his body and pressing his hands against the deck, he lifted his head and shoulders so he could see above the body blocking his view.
Across the corridor, two people were engaging in a fire fight with an unseen opponent.
He closed his eyes and lowed his body back to the deck. It had nothing to do with him. He felt the coolness of the deck beneath his cheek. If Kira and that other man wanted to fight then let them.
He suddenly stiffened. Kira! The name flashed through his fleeting memory like summer lightning.
Lifting his head again, he took another look.
Kira pressed her back firmly against the bulkhead and fired blindly around the corner. Her shots were answered by a volley of returned phaser fire.
"Is that a particularly Bajoran way of fighting?" asked Marshall.
"It is when the last time I stuck my head around the corner I nearly lost it."
She glanced at him sitting next to her, his weapon held at the ready.
"You can step in here anytime you're ready," she said.
He glanced at his weapon and gave her what could only be described as a sheepish grim.
"I don't think I could do much good," he said.
"You can try."
He glanced at her, his thoughts unreadable.
"Very well," he said. "And just when I was starting to enjoy this. But if you insist."
She stood to allow him protected access to the end of the corridor and in so doing, glanced across at the bodies opposite them. Only one of the bodies moved, and she found herself staring into the face of…
John Marshall.
Her blood suddenly ran cold as the realization stuck her, her heart pounding in her ears. She snapped her eyes away from the corridor, her grip on her weapon tightened. She cautiously drew her gaze to the man standing next to her. Her thoughts raced. He could be the real Marshall or he could be a Changeling. She had no way of knowing and she wasn't about to take any chances.
"Maybe you're right after all," she said, doing her best to keep her tone of voice conversational. "Why don't you just stay where you are."
He turned to look at her and then turned to glance away, his eye catching the movement across the corridor opposite. She watched him closely as a slow smile crossed his face.
"I see," he said softly. He held his weapon up for her to see and in the blink of an eye it was reabsorbed into his hand. "I told you I did not think I would be of much use."
Taking a quick step away, she leveled her phaser at him. "What the hell is this all about?" she asked. "And just what the hell have you done with Odo?"
"Believe me Colonel" he replied. "It's a simple matter of death and salvation."
"Well?" asked Brian Landis. "What are you picking up?"
"Give me a minute," replied Flato. "It's not like I was born knowing how to do this."
"None of us were."
"Wait! I've got it. Two Finneans, docking bay 16, or right outside of it, I can't tell. And if I'm reading this correctly, there's one Bajoran and three Humans close by."
"I'll have a team dispatched immediately."
"There's also phaser fire indicated."
"Right," said Landis. "I'll have all available staff to that location."
"That will take too long. Look I'm a lot closer than they are," said Flato. "Have the closest teams rally here at the Defiant and we'll move from here."
"What?" asked Kira. "Who's death, who's salvation?"
"Surely you can guess," he said moving a bit closer.
"Odo," she gasped. "Do not move one step closer."
"Very good, Colonel," he stopped as she raised her weapon. "You see, Colonel, Odo's in trouble."
"The only time Odo has ever been in trouble, it has always been at the Founders instigation."
"That is unfair, Colonel. We've always had Odo's best interest at heart."
"Odo's best interest? A murder on Cardassia, the implied death of a Romulan, all pointing directly at Odo. How does all that serve Odo's best interest? I'll tell you who's best interest we're talking about, the Founders best interest not Odo's"
"They are one in the same, Colonel. Isn't it time you realized that?"
"Okay," she said with a bitter laugh. "And exactly what does Odo's best interest have to do with death and salvation?"
"That is quite easy," he said evenly. "Your death and his salvation."
She barely had a moment to react to his statement before he had launched himself at her, his hand deflecting the phaser the instant she thumbed the trigger, sending the blast harmlessly into the wall.
Kira!
He tried to call out to her, but his voice would not work.
Willing his still uncooperative body to move, he was able to get his knees up underneath his body. He looked up again to find the situation across the hall had changed. The man with Kira had turned and was facing him. He recognized the face as the man who was with him in the infirmary. He was distracted for a moment as he tried to remember the mans name.
Marshall.
As he watched, Marshall had turned back. They were arguing about something, their voices raised. No, he thought, that was not right. Kira was arguing, Marshall's voice remained calm.
Attempting to struggle to his feet, the two changed position slightly and he was able to see Kira holding a phaser, pointing it toward Marshall. The situation did not seem right to him, but he did not know why.
Gaining his feet, he staggered against the wall. Without any warning, Marshall lunged toward Kira, there was the flash of a phaser as the two were locked in a struggle.
Without further thought, he launched himself across the hallway barely noticing the phaser fire that erupted around him.
"Does something about this strike you as odd?" asked Zit.
"You mean other than the fact that that guy can really move fast?" replied Grgor. "I've never seen anyone move like that."
"Well, there is that. But what's bothering me is that guy was the guy who hired us."
"So?"
"So, how'd he get from the corridor on the right all the way to the corridor on the left in so short a time?"
"I don't know, maybe he went the long way around."
"Around where?"
"I don't know."
"I don't like this," said Zit with finality.
The ringing in her ears grew louder, her vision blurred and yet he had superior strength and speed, why did he not just crush her windpipe and be done with it? If she could only work her hand free from his grip and turn her phaser, she could put an end to the slow suffocation. Sweet Prophets, she thought, I don't mind dying, just let me get in one decent shot before hand.
A single tear escaped and began rolling down her cheek.
"Don't worry Nerys," he said softly. "Odo's death will be his salvation. Your death is just, shall we say, the icing on the cake."
If she had any saliva left in her, she would have spat at him. She settled on staring him in the face, determined to show no sign of weakness, to offer no plea for mercy.
The world around her started to fade.
She was faintly aware of a shout and the sound of phaser fire. A voice spoke, closer this time. She experienced a feeling of falling. So, she thought, this is what it feels like to die.
The team pounded down the corridor. Sweet prophets, thought Flato, don't let this turn out to be any worse than it all ready is.
At the sound of a short burst of phaser fire in the distance they picked up speed.
Over the silent form of Kira Nerys, they stared at each other.
"You at last," said the Founder. "I was beginning to think I was wrong, that you hadn't come here after all."
Odo returned his stare without speaking, his eyes betraying the pain and confusion that wracked his body. He had come racing across the corridor, barely escaping the phaser fire that erupted at his appearance. The Founder imitating Marshall, expecting a solid, had dropped the now limp and lifeless Bajoran and turned prepared to dispatch another pathetic Solid. He was quite surprised when his well aimed blow was met by a familiar and unexpected substance. This was no Solid, this was one of his own. Odo it appeared had been as equally surprised at the discovery.
He reached out a hand to caress Odo's face and was pleased when Odo wearily rested his head against the hand.
"You are in pain, Odo," the Founders voice was soft and reassuring. "You wish the pain to end?"
Odo did not speak, but softly nodded his head.
"Poor Odo," he continued. "You've been through so much, suffered so much, and for what?" He withdrew his hand from Odo's face and waived it vaguely in Kira's direction. "For this?"
Odo followed the movement of the hand, his eyes resting on the figure between them, eyes which sparked with sudden recognition. Kira. He started to make a movement toward her and was stopped by a gentle hand upon his shoulder.
"There is nothing you can do for her, Odo," said the Founder with a touch of sadness in his voice. "She is of no concern to us now. Come with me and I will take away all your pain." He attempted to steer Odo away but the Changeling refused to budge.
Kira, Odo thought, memory slowly igniting with the thought of her. No, he could not leave, his place was here. He would sit right here until she woke.
"Come," urged his companion. "There is nothing for you here."
"No," he said, shaking off the Founders grip on his arm. "No, she needs me."
"She's beyond needing anyone, let alone you."
He had reached out to touch her, but drew back at the Founders words. "What do you mean?" he asked, his eyes moving from the Founder to Kira and back.
"It is of no concern. Trust me."
"What do you mean?" demanded Odo taking a step away from him.
"I granted her peace, as I will shortly grant you peace. Now come, we haven't much time."
Realization slowly dawning on him, Odo shook off the hands that restrained him. In all the time he had gazed upon her, she did not move. Panic began to set in, she always moved, even in her sleep. He turned to look at his companion. Wracking his fading memory, he remembered being on the other side of the corridor. He remembered the Founder and Kira had been talking. There was a fight. The Founder. The Founder had done this. With a cry of agony that welled up from inside him, he launched himself at his companion.
Only to be stopped by a hand rammed into his chest.
As a fresh waive of pain coursed through his body, he found his thoughts focusing. Remembering another confrontation such as this with another of his people, he reached out, grabbing his opponent by the shoulders and flung him away towards the juncture. Out in the corridor fresh phaser fire erupted.
Suddenly very weary, Odo dropped to his knees, clutching his chest. Looking up, he saw his opponent recover his balance just inches from danger.
"Don't be a fool," he said. "Your death is your only salvation."
"Right," said Flato as the team reached the corridor outside docking bay 16. "Reynolds, Bek, T'swal. Try and get to the other side while Davis, Aryls and I lay down some covering fire.
At her signal, they opened fire.
Her first thought was that she was in a burning building. Her throat was raw and it was painful to breathe. She could hear voices raised in anger.
She tried to move, but her limbs refused to budge.
Voices. She recognized the voice. Marshall. Her body jerked as she remembered where she was and what had happened. Slowly opening her eyes, she witnessed her Chief of Security fighting…her chief of Security?
Her right hand twitched and she suddenly remembered having seen two Marshalls before. And one had tried to kill her. Moving her fingers, she realized she still was clutching her phaser. They had to be stopped.
She willed her hand and arm to move and slowly they responded. One Marshall was on his knees, quite close to her. The other stood just before the juncture of the two corridors. Which to shoot first, she thought.
Her attention was drawn to the Marshall furthest away.
"Don't be a fool," he said. "Your death is your only salvation."
And so is yours, she thought pressing the trigger. Marshall stood stunned for a moment and them staggered back into a corridor filled with phaser fire. His body jerked once or twice and then lost it's form as phasers from the left and right tore into him.
Gasping for breath, Kira turned the phaser on the Marshall closest to her. He had gained his feet and was slowly approaching. She found she was having difficulty keeping her phaser trained on him. He, on the other hand, was having difficulty keeping on his feet. The last thing she saw was him clutching the heaving amber substance of his chest and staggering towards her.
Flato glanced at the team, now safely on the other side of the corridor. This shouldn't take long, she thought, six against two.
Giving T'swal the signal, they opened fire again on the two Finneans.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw phaser fire from the corridor closest to the Finneans. A figure in a Starfleet uniform staggered out into the crossfire. Poor bastard, she thought, trying not to hit him with her own phaser.
One by one, her team ceased fire as they watched the figure start to turn into an amber mass, and eventually resolve into a pile of black ash.
"What the hell was that?" asked T'swal
"What the hell was that?" asked Grgor. The two Finneans ceased fire as Marshall started to change form.
"Damned if I know," replied Zit. "But I'm not planning on hanging around to see if there's another one like that around."
"Plan B, it is then." Grgor reached for the smoke grenade as Zit prepared to release the doors to the docking bay.
Smoke filled the corridor. She could hear shouting amid the phaser fire. Her lungs burned and her throat felt on fire.
Thinking she should move to safety, she tried to move but her legs would not respond. Opening her eyes, she found her legs trapped beneath a body. She struggled into a sitting position and attempted to free herself. The body stirred.
Reaching for her phaser, she regained a sitting position and found herself face to face with her attacker.
"I know you are a Changeling," she managed to gasp, pushing the barrel of her phaser against the side of his head. "Who are you? And what the hell do you want?"
He stared at her for what seemed an eternity.
"Want?" he said as though not sure of her meaning. "For you to tell me you love me," he said eventually. "That's all I've ever care about." His voice trailed off as though he was lost in thought.
"Odo?"
At the sound of his name, he turned to gaze into her eyes. And sighed.
She dropped her weapon and touched his face. "Is it really you?"
Again he sighed.
There was a shout from the hallway, the scuffle of feet as two figures took shelter from the fire fight.
One turned to briefly glance their way.
She heard his whispered expletive and watched in horror as he raised his weapon.
She tried with all her might to shout an order. To let him know that she was in no danger.
All too late.
Odo stiffened as the energy beam hit him, uttering a shattered sigh, he collapsed into her arms.