Vulcan High Command

Vulcan

Minister Kau stood passively in the midst of the Situation Room, all eyes on him as he calmly but quickly assessed all relevant information on the half dozen view screens before him. He hadn't been granted his position for lack of ability to assess information quickly and well. And the situation was readily apparent to any discerning eye.

He pointed to screen two. "V'shar dossier concerning Commander McArthur." He ordered, then indicated the screen next to it. "Most recent performance evaluation of Commander Setran, including personal assessment addendums."

He had already reviewed the extremely interesting communication between the two officers. Now to examine why each had displayed the behavior they had. The information appeared almost instantly, prompting Kau to acknowledge and suppress his gratitude for having been assigned a most exemplary staff.

After a several long minutes Kau finally gestured to the main view screen before him. "Visual communication with Commander Setran."

He understood the two men well enough now to proceed. Setran was a fool, operating under a bigoted and obsolete perspective on both Humanity and Vulcan superiority. McArthur was an aggressive commander, prone to utilizing intimidation, whose concern for his crew prompted emotion to rule his command decisions. Setran must be put in his place and removed from the situation entirely. McArthur required alleviation of his emotional concerns and a direct challenge to his assumption that Vulcan command would not escalate the incident.

Screen one soon flashed to Commander Setran, apparently already awaiting his review. Again his staff had anticipated his requirements.

"Minister Kau." Setran replied, somewhat tightly. "It is of course agreeable to…"

"Report." Kau interrupted.

Setran paused for only a moment before complying. "The humans are currently conducting military operations in Vulcan airspace, utilizing a questionable application of Article 12 of the Joint Military Operations Agreement…"

"Six armed MACO, acting on independent authority, inserted at high atmosphere above the Forge." Minister Kau noted. "Their intent is to locate and retrieve possible survivors from the shuttle they have lost in the Forge, is that correct?"

Setran nearly frowned. "That is their claim. However, the entire incident…"

"Then I see nothing questionable in their application of the agreement." Kau concluded. "What steps have you taken to aid in their mission and ensure Vulcan sovereignty in this matter?"

Setran paused again, causing Kau to affirm his suspicions about the man's fitness for command. He'd done nothing to ensure either, of course. Focusing exclusively on hampering Human efforts, regardless of what they were.

"We have several air defense drones monitoring the situation." Setran said at last. "We have placed Air Base 12 on alert and mobilized three in-system cruisers as well."

Minister Kau paused long enough to convey disapproval before continuing. "I have a missive here from the Search and Rescue Department, offering their services and inquiring why the offer seems necessary. Why have you not contacted them?"

"At present, we cannot confirm the Human's accounting of the events they claim as justification for their actions."

"I have reviewed the tactical data stream the Vigilant shared during the incident." Kau pressed on. "As well as current reports from the two Vulcan Air Defense stations monitoring the situation, from both the Sehret and Fo-dan observing from orbit, and even The Vulcan Guard stationed at Mt. Seleya. All have made their observations available and the information at hand confirms that the Human shuttle came under fire from an unidentified Vulcan shuttle. Do you have information that I do not?"

Kau reasoned from Setran's short pause that he was somewhat surprised. Did the fool really think he wouldn't be fully informed? Fleet officers are far too prone to assuming command elements on the surface of Vulcan were entirely ignorant, Kau mused. Most especially those officers convinced of their own necessity.

"The data at hand would seem to support the Human's assertions." Setran conceded. "However, considering their aggressive violation of Vulcan airspace this calls into question…"

"Scanning the unidentified vessel when it first appeared and attempting to destroy it when it initiated hostilities." Kau responded. "Clearly a violation of prior agreements, I agree. However, the command staff of the Vigilant currently are all Human. Their response to the attack on their shuttle should not have surprised you, nor seemed especially suspect. They are a highly emotional and reactionary people. For them to have acted otherwise would have been more suspect."

"Nevertheless, their actions call into question their motives in issuing…" Setran insisted.

"That is enough, I think." Kau interrupted. "You are attempting to distract from your failure. Their violation of Vulcan airspace is a minor issue, in light of the attack that prompted it and your own ineptitude in responding. You have behaved foolishly, with little thought to consequence. "

Setran was visibly taken aback. "I have responded in concordance with protocol…"

"You are relieved of command until further notice." Kau noted calmly. "Summon your second to the screen, then remove yourself from the bridge and await my review once this matter has been properly resolved."

NX-35 Vigilant

Vulcan Orbit

McArthur watched the four figures on screen struggle through the sands from high above. Overwatch couldn't yet be extended to include their pursuers without drawing far enough back that details couldn't be made out. But from Achilla's last report it was only a matter of time. They were gaining and by all accounts would reach the Captain and her crewmen before the MACO could intercept.

He could only imagine the conditions in the Forge that made a simple five mile hike such a life and death struggle. West had already been forced to lean on P'Trell constantly and Rodriguez had been reduced more to stumbling forward than actually walking. And when their pursuers, clearly having little trouble themselves, managed to catch up…Henry doubted his people would be able to put up much of a fight. Even T'Pril was starting to stagger.

Damn it all to hell and back.

All relevant agreements and accords aside, he'd order a phaser strike by the Vigilant. ground zero on the bastards, consequences be damned. If there was any assurance at all it wouldn't do more harm than good, anyway. The Forge's dampening field were sure to twist and splash the beam all over hell and back before sucking the power right out of it. Achilla couldn't even make an educated guess whether she could reach the surface at all, much less kill anything.

Now would be a great time to be able to consult Vulcan command on the matter. Henry was quite sure that was something they could answer authoritatively. They lived here, after all. It was bound to be something they'd gotten around to testing.

Beyond sporadic Morse code communications with the MACO on the surface, the Vigilant was largely powerless to intervene. And it was grating on all involved. Duvall had even been reduced to suggesting dropping crates of rock samples on their heads. He'd made a damned good case for it and Roselyn was fairly confident she could hit them from high enough above the Forge…if Science and Tactical tied in with her…might take a few shots to get them pegged…

Henry was sure as hell tempted…

In fact, to hell with this.

"Duvall." He said. "I'm assumin' you're already running simulations over there. Tie in with Tac' and you two get to work. I want absolute confirmation you can pull it off. Be quick about it."

Henry turned to Summers. "Holler at Roselyn. Tell her to get her folks loading up those geological samples taking up space in the cargo bay. Reckon she won't mind putting in a little overtime."

"Yes, sir." Summers acknowledged. "I've got an incoming transmission, though…Vulcan High Command…Minister Kau, sir?"

Henry scowled in irritation. He'd already had his fill of Vulcans today and didn't really want to get himself into any more trouble that he already had. As it stood Starfleet wasn't going to take kindly to his actions so far. Not officially anyway. He was sure they'd be forced to reprimand him in some fashion or other, if only for political reasons.

Which was fine. Part of the job and all.

Butting heads with a Minister wasn't exactly going to alleviate any of that though.

"Fine." He conceded. "Put him through."

The main view screen lit up, revealing as stodgy an old Vulcan bastard as Henry expected. This guy's face was practically etched with a thousand political conflicts fought and won. Henry braced himself for some serious wranglin'.

"Minister." He began. "Nice to hear from you folks and all but we're a little busy at the moment…"

"I agree, we do not have the luxury of arguing the irrelevant." Minister Kau interrupted. "As it stands the failure of certain individuals to act promptly has rendered us short on effective response time."

Say…wha? "Uh, Minister." Henry responded. "Reckon I don't…"

"Commander Setran has been relieved of command temporarily." Kau continued. "His second, Lieutenant Kervahn, is a capable officer and you are expected to offer any aid that he may require."

Henry was already off balance and he knew it. Better jump in there quick before this old bastard rolled right over him…

"We've kinda got a full plate over here already, Minister." Henry argued. "Don't see the need for us to..."

"At present we have deployed two platoons of ground military personnel alongside two standard Search and Rescue teams. They will arrive and drop into the Forge at the location of your lost crewmen in approximately 35 minutes. I formally request you advise…"

"Now hold on there." Henry interjected. "We've got MACO on the ground already…"

"The MACO detachment will reach your crewmen no sooner than this, having dropped from high atmosphere and to the south, rather than proximal to the upper boundary of the dampening field. I formally request you advise them to expect Vulcan reinforcements en route."

Henry tried again to regain ground. "You seem to overlookin' the fact we're the ones running this search and rescue. Because you folks couldn't be bothered up 'til now. Under Article 12 of the…"

"The Joint Military Operations Agreement." Kau said. "I am quite familiar with it, having participated in the formulation of the agreement myself and in the talks that led to its establishment. Vulcan will meet and exceed all requirements in this regard. As we will be compelled to respond aggressively to any further attempts by you to interfere with this operation."

The hell?

"How the hell have we interfered with the operation?" Henry demanded. "We're the only ones conductin' the damned thing."

"Only Vulcan forces have authority to conduct such operations in Vulcan territory, lending it in this case to the MACO detachment by prior agreement with Earth." Minister Kau replied calmly. "Starfleet has no authority here. To continue to command military operations within our sovereign territory would constitute an act of aggression."

"Well, if you think we're just going to sit on our…" Henry growled.

"Should you continue to violate the Agreement, the Vulcan Fleet has been ordered to disable your vessel, board it and assume control. Under Article 5 of this same agreement, concerning acts of piracy and rogue command elements, you will be placed under arrest pending inquiry."

"Rogue comma…?" Henry exploded. "Do you really think you can get away with…!

"Commander McArthur, I must regretfully inform you that there are three Vulcan cruisers moving into position at the moment, should such an unfortunate and unnecessary action be required. I would recommend you proceed rationally and avoid further emotional decisions at this point."

Well, damned if he was going to knuckle under now…

"I've got people down there, in the Forge of all damned places, and you folks haven't exactly been falling all over yourselves to do something about that. Now suddenly you want to jump in and take over? Ain't no way in hell we're about to let that happen, Minister!"

"I admit, there has been a regrettable failure in our response so far…"

That brought Henry up short. Wait…the hell? Did he just…?

"…and we are now attempting to rectify that failure. It behooves us both to remove any unnecessary impediments to that end."

"No. Absolutely not. And you just back up a damned minute. These are Vigilant's people we're talking about. We're responsible for…"

"Once your personnel have been retrieved, assessed for injury and the criminals pursuing them have been apprehended, your crewmen will be turned over to the custody of the MACO detachment. Agents of High Command on site will then arrange transfer for all personnel to your command aboard the Vigilant."

"Fine. But you've got a few…"

"There is nothing further to discuss." Kau concluded. "We will notify you of any other assistance you may offer in this endeavor."

"We haven't 'discussed'…!"

The view screen went dark as Minister Kau simply disconnected.

McArthur could only stared at the dead screen, more shocked and amazed than angry.

Until, finally…

"Well, you Vulcan som'bitch." He grumbled.

After a long, quiet moment, with nothing forthcoming from Commander McArthur, Achilla Trindi finally broke the silence.

"Sir?" She asked, hesitantly.

"Yeah, Trindi." McArthur responded, running his fingers through his hair.

Achilla found herself at a lost for how to ask what she needed to ask. But Henry spared her.

"Nothing for it." He said, resigned. "Keep up overwatch, Chilly."

Turning to the Communications Officer, he sighed. "Summers, you relay to Morales they've got Vulcan reinforcements on the way. Might want to be careful what they shoot at."

Glancing around at the bridge crew, noting their confusion, he shrugged. "We got buffaloed. Fellah called my bluff. Nothin' we can do about it." He announced.

Turning to face the bridge crew directly, Henry shook his head in sincere regret and clapped his thigh lightly. "Alright, then. Vulcan's got the ball. Let's figure on what we can do to help 'em run it."

Cheleb'khor

Vulcan

Short of breath and approaching the point of fatigue herself, T'Pril experienced some difficulty scaling yet another outcropping of sharp rock that rose to block their progress. But she managed it and turned with Ensign Rodriguez to aid Ensign West in scaling the barrier as well.

Jennifer West, who had already begun to exhibit the dizziness and pain associated with heat stroke. Who would no doubt die soon, barring some miraculous manner of intervention. Which T'Pril could in no way discern how to bring about.

P'Trell followed immediately behind, landing solidly on his feet, still showing no discernible sign of exhaustion. He moved quickly to support West, meeting with some resistance when she suddenly refused to be helped to her feet.

"No…" She gasped weakly. "Can't…"

"Not hearing that." P'Trell growled, still tugging at one arm. "Klazh'tash'as, on your feet, woman!"

"No." She insisted, remaining limp against the rock.

Behind her, T'Pril sensed Rodriguez collapse to the sand herself. Seizing even this opportunity for rest. She was nearing her limits as well, perhaps already having exceeded them.

Jenny suddenly wrenched her arm from P'Trell's grasp.

"Captain…" She panted, her head lolled back against the stone. "Got to…go on…leave…"

"Shut up." P'Trell snapped. "No one's leaving anyone behind. We'll make a stand right here, if we must."

He looked over at Captain Tucker, expecting affirmation.

But she continued to stare passively at West, who stared weakly back at her.

"Captain!" He demanded, prompting her at last to acknowledge him with a short glance.

"Needs…of the many..." West gasped, then yelped weakly, grasping her stomach in pain.

Another sign of her impeding death.

The needs of the many…

T'Pril's eyes closed, her face suddenly contorting in anguish. A multitude of conflicting emotions taking the opportunity to attempt a break for freedom. To leave one to die so that the others might live. Was that really so different than what she sought through logic to escape? She was trapped, she knew. Between logic and emotion. Both had failed her. Both leading to darkness…

But she stifled it quickly. Perhaps her faith in one path was being tested. But she knew very well where the other led. Emotion offered nothing but destruction, straying from the Way of Surak all the more so.

And this was no time to reevaluate the entire foundation she stood upon.

The passing moment was not quick enough that P'Trell didn't witness it, though. Desperation, panic, guilt, horror…the Captain was losing focus, at the very least. Perhaps near to some kind of mental breakdown even.

"Captain!" He snapped. "Clear your head! We have to get them up and move on!"

"Be quiet, Ensign." She responded flatly, completely calm again, considering for a long moment…

Then nodding to herself confidently.

"You will decide now, Ensign West." She announced. "If you refuse to continue on then we will stand here. And we will very likely die here, whether at the hands of our pursuers or the environment itself. Alternatively, you take to your feet and we continue on, seeking the greater likelihood of our survival. It seems then that our fate is yours to decide. I will not abandon you, nor accommodate your despair."

West, still clutching her stomach did not respond for a while. Long enough that P'Trell was sorely tempted to start dragging the woman off by her hair. But he waited, hoping she would make the…as much as he hated to admit…logical choice.

Suddenly West began to cry. Weakly, barely able to keen and entirely unable to produce a single tear. But she cried nonetheless.

"Can't…" She sobbed softly, still clutching at the pain in her stomach.

"Then you will allow Ensign P'Trell to carry you." T'Pril nodded. "Do so now, Ensign." She nodded to him.

Finally! Someone's developed some sense!

P'Trell had Jenny snatched up and was in the process of tossing her up over one shoulder…

…when something whistled in from over the rocks, striking her in the arm. At the sight of red blood splattering, P'Trell instantly changed the course of his movement and had West thrown prone behind the cover of the rock.

"Get down!" He yelled, already scrambling in the sand for something to wield as a weapon. Entirely disgusted when he was forced to grab a fist-sized rock for lack of anything else that might qualify.

T'Pril stepped gracefully aside, taking advantage of the cover the rock outcropping beside her offered. Marisa was forced to simply slump entirely to the sand, having strength for nothing more. At that T'Pril stepped out again quickly, grasping her arm and dragging her swiftly to cover with her.

They waited.

With a quick measured glance, P'Trell assessed West on the ground beside him. That last bit of physical trauma had proven too much atop all the abuse she'd suffered so far. She was, perhaps thankfully, unconscious. Still lodged in her arm, what appeared to be a golden metal star of some sort, a simple throwing blade.

After several moments a voice called out from direction it had come.

"I see we have your attention!" The voice mocked. "You know what we want and we know what you want. We want the device and you want to live! We should think about how we can help one another!"

P'Trell looked over at the captain, finding her meeting his eyes and pointing at the blade in West's arm. What? Did she want him to remove it? Treat the wound?

Ah, a quick look in the direction of the laughing voice communicated her intent. And P'Trell almost objected vehemently…but…all he had was a stupid rock…

Grimacing in disgust, he rolled over to West, already pulling the meager first aid kit from his pocket. He began treating the wound. But his goal, primarily, was to avail himself of the only weapon they had at hand.

"There's nothing to consider, really." The voice taunted. "If you will not help us, then it doesn't seem fair to expect us not to kill you. I don't think we'll have much trouble doing that. We know very well the two Humans with you are already practically dead."

When no one responded, the voice continued.

"We are well armed, are you? Do you suppose the three of us can win a fight with your sorry lot? I think we can, very easily. I think I will give you five minutes to decide. I'm thirsty, you see. So I will enjoy a cold drink of water while I await your decision."

Wicked laughter followed the pronouncement, filling the ravine with threat.

T'Pril watched as P'Trell removed the star-shaped blade from West's arm, tending to the wound. Very likely he'd caused more damage than he would have by leaving it be for now but logic dictated they make use of the weapon. However, pitiful a weapon it seemed to be.

She considered the situation rationally. They wanted the encryption device. And any promise of safe passage hinted at was hardly reliable.

But still. In the end, perhaps even that unreliable offer was more trustworthy than their chances of engaging in combat in their condition. As it was, there was no chance they could keep possession of the device if their enemies came for it. Nor their lives, for that matter.

Very well, then. Logic.

And perhaps they may even manage to evade their pursuers while they are distracted.

"We will leave the encryption device here." T'Pril called out. "You will allow us to depart, claiming it when we are gone."

P'Trell immediately objected from across the shallow ravine. "Don't be a fool!" He hissed. "They can't allow us to escape! They have to kill us! And we have to fight!"

He glared furiously but T'Pril only gazed calmly back, revealing nothing.

"Ah! Excuse me. My mouth was full of water!" The voice replied. "But I think you are in no position to negotiate. No, I think it would be best that we check you over, don't you? To be sure you haven't any copies of the program or something of that nature. Surely you can understand if we are reluctant to trust?"

P'Trell gestured sharply in the direction of the voice. You see?

T'Pril nodded back, speaking quietly so that only he could hear. "Then we must fight. We will lure them in, stall them with attempts at negotiation and seize any opportunity that presents itself."

P'Trell nodded, fully in agreement. He palmed the gold star, stained with Jenny's blood. Eager to return it to its owner…

"Very well." T'Pril called out. "It seems we've no other choice. Come and claim the device but be warned that we will fight if necessary. Whatever your claims of superiority, I am certain at least one of you will lose their life as a result."

Cruel laughter echoed through the ravine in response.

Morales eyed the blinking lifeline in the sky, frowning deeply when the message concluded. He blinked back a simple acknowledgment before clipping the LED to his belt again.

"Alright, Stetson." He said. "Looks like the Vulcans got their asses in gear. We've got reinforcements, ETA in twenty."

"Where?" Stetson asked.

"Right on top of us, if I got that right." He said, nodding skyward.

"Well, good." Stetson grimaced. "They can carry my damned pack, then."

Morales nodded, snorting.

"Okay, get moving!" He barked to the others. "Vulcan teams inbound but we aren't waiting for them."

They had surplus oxygen right through their chin masks, high tech dress gear designed for comfort in desert environments, plenty of water available and otherwise overall were as perfectly outfitted for a hike across the Vulcan Forge as a group of MACO could possibly be. And the damned gravity was still beating the hell out of them after only three miles. They'd be lucky if they could still shoot straight or hold out a canteen to the Starfleet geeks when they found them.

Morales decided he really hated Vulcan. And was more than a little disgruntled with the Captain for deciding to crash here.

Less than a hundred meters away a piercing shriek suddenly let out, jerking at the attention of the MACO on that side of the double line.

"North?" Morales inquired, shouldering his rifle.

"Eyes out!" North replied. "Sehlat, I think."

The squad halted instantly, dropping to one knee, weapons ready facing both directions.

"What are we looking at, Jasper?" Morales asked quietly, scanning the area along the rifle's sights.

"Hunter chaser. That's why they yell first, to get you running and pick off stragglers. So we'd better not run." Jasper answered quickly. "They're quick and damned sneaky, so stay sharp! Real sharp!"

They waited. Eyes out. Sharp.

A subtle sound…Morales shifted his aim to search the sand and rock in that direction…

There? No, nothing…

Nothing.

No movement, no sound.

Just how sneaky are these things…?

To his left, Simms suddenly opened fire, pouring ammo at something…Morales shifted to cover his target…

And found the damned thing running flat out straight for him. Not twenty meters away. A mass of very well camouflaged light brown, with a mouth full of nightmare attached.

He barely had time to throw five rounds at it before the squad had ripped it to pieces. Most of it sliding to a halt almost within his reach, the thing had been moving so insanely fast.

Silence.

Half the squad focused on the mound of twitching, bloody meat. The other shifting back to cover their flank.

"Jasper?" Morales asked, trying very hard not to let his voice tremble.

"I think we're good." North responded. "They're only part time pack hunters. And if they were more than one, they'd be on us already."

Rico sighed, lowering his rifle and standing again. "Good enough. Form up, badasses."

"Hooah!" The squad responded in unison. Standing to form up again, very confident in their abilities and not at all shaken by what had just happened, thank you very much.

North grinned at Morales, patting his inner thigh. "Thank God for the urinary filtration system, aye Major?"

Morales shook his head, trying not to chuckle.

"Hooah, private." He said.

From the rear, Ensign Schaffer suddenly spoke up. His voice very obviously trembling. "Yeah, okay. I think I'm ready to get acquainted with Mrs. Gruesome, North."

Jasper grinned regretfully. "Sorry, doc. Some other time."

"I'm not kidding." Schaffer argued. "That was scary."

"Just stick with me and you'll be fine, no worries." North assured.

Schaffer was not at all convinced.