The world seemed to run in slow motion as Tony watched Stephen spin around. For a moment, it almost looked comical; Steve was on one knee then suddenly spun on that knee with his other leg straight out. He landed with a thud face first. It wasn't until Tony saw the missing, large section of Steve's right torso that he realized exactly what happened. Stephen seemed to be looking at him, but there was no movement. Green disruptor fire continued pouring in as the sound of running feet grew louder. "Steve!" he screamed. He stared momentarily in disbelief. Steve had moved in front of him to protect him. That shot was meant for HIM. "Oh, God... Steve! Answer me!" He half stood and reached for his fallen friend.

Tom grabbed him by the shoulder and forcibly pulled him back. "What are you doing?" He asked loudly. "Stay here! They're coming!" He continued firing madly at the sounds of footfalls coming closer. He kicked the bottom panel of the core with his free foot. "Damnit... LAUNCH!"

As if on command, the alarm changed tone. Yellow lights blinked around the top of the engine core. With a loud 'clank', a metal tube shot from the floor, encapsulating the core.

Tony didn't care. The sounds of phaser and disruptor fire crackled around him. The sounds of alarms rang above him. Smoke surrounded him. None of it mattered. All he could see was the blank stare in Steve's eyes. They had been friends for years. Yet, the last conversation he would remember was him being a horse's ass when Steve was just trying to calm him down. A disruptor beam tore through his uniform, grazing his right shoulder. It didn't matter. All he could see was the lifeless body of the friend he'd never get to watch football with again... make fun of T'Nia's anal behavior... sit on the porch outside his apartment and talk about girls... apologize.

A muffled voice of T'Nia came through the commander's comm badge. "Stand by... we're pulling you out."

"I've got medical emergencies here!" Tom yelled. "Beam us straight to sickbay!"