Chapter Twenty-four
"Joanna?"
"Salen? Where are you?"
"I'm sorry I can't meet tonight, I have been missing a lot of classes and the work has piled up."
"Tell me about it." Joanna sighed.
"I just did...do you require more detail?"
"Stop being such a Vulcan."
"Um..."
"Just an expression, Salen, don't worry about it." Joanna chuckled. "So when I can I see you next?"
"Tomorrow night."
"Perhaps we should go for a swim."
"That is a wonderful idea."
"Okay, I'll meet you at the pool after my shift at nine."
"I will be there." Salen agreed. "I love you."
"Stop that."
"Stop what?"
"Stop making me feel guilty for not agreeing to marry you."
"The offer still stands." Salen grinned.
"Go get to work, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Very well, good night Joanna."
"Good night, Salen."
Salen pressed the contact that ended the voice transmission. He hated to lie to Joanna, however, he didn't want her worrying about him if she had tried to call and had been unable to get a hold of him. Dragging his hands through his white hair he sighed heavily, wondering if he'd made the right decision to come on this mission. The hair on the back of Salen's neck suddenly prickled as he felt Razor step up behind him.
"So...correct me if I'm wrong," Razor chuckled with his deep voice "but I do believe that I just heard you lying to your little girlfriend there."
"I certainly could not tell her the truth."
"I thought Vulcans couldn't lie."
"You thought wrong, but at least you are thinking...which is a start."
"Why you little poi..."
"Boys, boys," Beckett broke in "play nice."
"This is insane, Sir." Razor growled. "This green blood is going to get someone killed."
"Why should the color of my blood matter?"
"You idiot," Razor snarled "I meant it figuratively, you're green because you haven't seen a second of field action."
"That's not true." Beckett smiled. "Salen saved the Enterprise from Romulans when he was only thirteen."
"Romulan." Salen corrected.
"Whatever, this is a terrible idea."
"Get used to it, because I'm partnering you two up."
"What?" Salen and Razor said in unison.
"Razor, you're my top fighter, Salen has the best intel on this one. Now stop your childish bellyaching, Razor, and suit up. We're out of here in thirty minutes. Salen, come with me."
"Yes, Sir." The new partners both sighed.
Beckett smiled and threw his arm over Salen's shoulders. Salen glanced back at Razor as he was led away. Razor narrowed his eyes slightly at him and stormed off in the opposite direction. Salen's apprehension about his new partner was painted clearly on his face.
"Don't worry about Razor, he'll keep you safe."
"He looks like he wants to kill me himself."
"Razor just believes that trust must be earned, but he follows orders to the letter and if I tell him to lay his life down for you he will."
"Maybe he's right..."
"Nonsense, no one knows the inside of that compound like you do now that you've looked into that scum's mind. We need you on this."
Salen nodded and followed Beckett into a large locker room where the rest of the team was getting ready. Beckett gave a quick round of introductions, and then hurried Salen over to the far corner. He looked Salen over for a second and then pawed through some pure black uniforms that were hanging in a locker. Beckett pulled on out and held it out for Salen's inspection.
"This should fit."
"I hope so. Considering it has my name on it." Salen pointed out.
"What?" Beckett flipped the uniform over so that he could see the chest where it had 'Pike' embroidered into it in small gray letters. "Shit. They weren't supposed to put your name on it yet."
"Yet?"
"These aren't just uniforms, Salen, and they have to be specially made. I got your measurements from the Academy...just in case, of course."
"Of course." Salen replied doubtfully. "What makes it more than a uniform?"
"Cobalt, come over here." Beckett called.
A young man with hair that at first looked black, but revealed itself to be deep blue, broke away from the others. He was wearing the same kind of skin tight single piece uniform that Beckett had offered Salen. The black fabric had a subtle hexagon pattern stitched into it that only appeared when the light bounced off it just right. Cobalt came to a stop a few feet away and put his hands behind his back.
"Yes, Sir?"
Without a word of warning Beckett pulled out his phaser and shot Cobalt point blank in the chest. The muscular man staggered back a few steps, but he was unharmed. Brushing some white dust off his uniform from where the phaser had struck him Cobalt looked up at Beckett calmly.
"Is that all, Sir?"
"Yes, Cobalt, thanks."
"Anytime, Sir."
"That was amazing, that phaser was set to kill." Salen said in awe. "I did not realize that Starfleet had the technology to deflect phaser energy so efficiently."
"It's new." Beckett shrugged.
"Why is it not standard issue? So many lives could be saved."
"Sadly the material is almost impossible to get a hold of, and I don't even want to tell you what it costs." Beckett pushed the uniform into Salen's arms. "So dry clean only, okay?"
"What?"
"Just a joke, Kid, put it on."
Salen nodded and pulled off the red shirt of his Academy uniform. With his green scars exposed the general chatter in the locker room came to an abrupt end. Salen glanced over and saw that all eyes were suddenly on him.
"What are you girls gawking at?" Beckett barked at the men. "If anyone sees something they like feel free to come over here and blow him, if not then get back to minding your own business."
"Blow?" Salen asked confused. "I do not think I like the sound of that."
"Don't worry about it, Salen, just get dressed."
Nodding once more Salen continued to exchange uniforms. The new black material clung tightly to his skin, expanding with each breath he took. It was an uncomfortably feeling at first, but it quickly began to take on the characteristics of a second skin. Beckett looked Salen over and smiled.
"You look like you were born to wear that." Beckett said with approval. "Oh, here, I almost forgot."
Salen's breath hissed across his teeth as Beckett brought out a small gold command insignia on a silver chain. Beckett offered him the necklace and he took it gently. Salen stared at the insignia and a slight smile touched his lips.
"I thought I had lost this." Salen said quietly. "My father gave it to me when I entered the Academy, after Langin attacked me it was gone."
"The police found it in the leaf litter at the top of the cliff. I got it back for you, but it slipped my mind until now."
"Thank you for returning this to me. It means a great deal to me."
"I thought it might."
Salen secured the necklace around his throat and tucked it into the neck of his new uniform. The second skin stretched over the insignia so that its outline could be seen through the material. Beckett reached back into the locker and brought out a heavy belt that held a wide variety of pouches as well as a phaser. He looped it around Salen's waist and clipped it closed.
"I'll have Tyger brief you on everything in the belt along the way."
"Everyone here has an unusual name."
"Code names...you'll get one someday."
"I am only here for this one mission."
"Of course. In that case, let's get to it. The sun set over the coordinates you gave us two hours ago, we should arrive just after midnight. The perfect time to strike."
The ride towards their destination in the high altitude ship was little more than a blur to Salen. As promised Tyger spent a majority of the time explaining in painful technical detail what all of the devices around Salen's belt were for. Salen memorized ever word of the explanations, however he doubted that he would be able to remember that he had the devices available if he was placed in a life threatening situation.
Unable to fly directly over Ka'scene's new compound they beamed down into a field a few miles away. Salen was no stranger to fast paced runs and was easily able to keep up with the others as they made their way into the hills around Ka'scene's. In the darkness of a nearly moonless night the team of seventeen men huddled in the cover of a grove of trees.
Ka'scene's compound was actually a beautiful sprawling home made of white stucco walls. It looked like little more than a rich man's house at first glance. A closer look through a set of binoculars revealed the high tech security and guards that roamed the grounds. Salen had already given them a basic lay out and a plan was already in place.
Five men acting as scouts moved in on the compound get eyes on all of the guards between the team and the entrance. Hugging the shadows they crept into the compound like a toxic liquid. Ka'scene's greatest weakness was his arrogance in believing that no one would even look for him on Earth. He flaunted this by keeping his house more like a home than a prison. It wasn't long before the team had their in and the scouts called the all clear.
Salen's heart raced as he heard the signal that gave them the go ahead to enter the fray. Taking a deep breath of the cool night air he glanced up at the stars. When he had entered the Academy he had expected his first mission to be among the lights above, not hiding in the shadows. Salen felt Beckett's hand on his shoulder.
"Razor, you watch Salen's back." Beckett whispered. "Salen, you get that little girl. The rest of us are going to circle and lay low until you give us the green smoke to light this place up."
"Yes, Sir." They replied together.
"You two are going to make a great team, I can feel it."
"Stick close, you tell me where to go and I'll make sure we can get there." Razor informed. "Got it, Vulcan?"
"Salen." Salen corrected.
"Right." Razor nodded. "You ready for this, Salen?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Razor looked around one last time before dashing off into the next available cover. Salen wasted no time in following him. The scouts in place gave them constant updates on where the guards were which came up in a small video screen in Razor's contact lens. They each wore a small ear piece that worked in tandem with a voice transmitter that was woven into the collar of the uniform. The communicator was easily switched on with a quick double nod of the head, making it hands free.
It was vital that no shots were fired until they had the girl in hand. Beckett knew Ka'scene well enough to know that he'd kill the girl and flee if he even smelt a rescue attempt. The plan was for the two of them to slip in unnoticed and reach Amelia before the rest of the team descended and caused enough chaos for them to get out.
The lavish home was surround by a lush garden that was filled with statues and fountain, giving the pair the perfect cover. Razor suddenly stopped and whipped around, putting his hands on Salen's chest he pressed him into the trunk of a large tree. Salen was about to protest when he heard someone walking their way. Razor pressed himself against Salen so that they could share the cover.
Salen held his breath as the guard slowly walked past them. Razor's eyes were tracking back and forth as he looked over the information that was being streamed to him. Once the guard was gone he swore under his breath.
"Salen, they've changed the security since we took Garris. Our best entrance is no good now. There are too many of them at all the ground level entrances."
"Fuck," Beckett's voice came over Salen's ear piece "regroup and we'll do this the old fashion way and hope to catch him too much by surprise to give him a chance to think about killing the girl."
"Wait..." Salen said "the drawing room should be empty at this hour."
"The drawing room? On the second floor?" Razor asked. "How the fuck are we supposed to get up there?"
"Wait here."
"Salen, no..."
Salen didn't bother listening to Razor's protests or the ones from Beckett that suddenly buzzed in his ear. Instead he simply turned to the tree that they had been using as cover and scaled into the high branches. Ka'scene wasn't a complete fool and he had made sure that all of the trees near the house had been trimmed back. However, he hadn't counted on a Vulcan attempting an assault on his house.
Climbing as high as he could Salen surveyed the balcony that now lay below. Bunching up his muscles Salen leapt out into the air. The trick was landing without killing himself. Salen put one hand out and allowed himself to roll when he hit the balcony so that his impact was spread out. Getting back to his feet Salen crawled over the metal railing and hooked one foot into it so that he could dangle himself down off the railing to offer his hand to Razor.
Razor glanced around before leaving cover to accept Salen's offer for a hand up. Razor had to jump up to grab Salen's hand, but they were able to grasp one another. Salen lifted Razor up off the ground high enough to allow Razor to grab a hold of his belt. Razor scaled up to the railing using Salen's belt as a purchase and then offered Salen his hand. Salen took his hand and Razor pulled him back up onto the balcony just as another guard rounded the corner on the ground.
"That was insane." Razor smiled. "I'm starting to like you."
"What the hell is going on, boys?" Beckett hissed in their ear pieces.
"We're just bonding, Sir." Razor replied. "We're in."
"Good job, go get her."
"Yes, Sir."
Once inside it was more difficult to move around freely. Without the scouts intel on where the guards were they had to creep slowly through the hallways. Salen grabbed Razor's collar and pulled him back before he had a chance to peek out into the next intersection. With his improved hearing he could hear someone breathing in the hallway. He brought Razor back down the hall to talk to him.
"We must get past that guard, he is in front of the stairs that lead to where Amelia is being held."
"I'll take care of him." Razor assured as he pulled out a knife and a small marble that had a mirror finish on it.
"Are you going to kill him?" Salen asked in alarm.
"That's the plan, unless you have a better idea."
Salen was at a loss for words for a moment so Razor assumed that he didn't have a better idea. Creeping back up to the intersection Razor flicked the small shiny marble into the hallway. It wasn't long before the guard stepped up to inspect the curious object. When he bent over to pick it up Razor jumped him and slashed open his throat.
Although horrified by the sight Salen felt an oddly pleasant sensation run down his spine once again upon witnessing the violent death. Concerned by his reaction he absent mindedly rubbed at the spot behind his ear. Razor gave him an expectant look.
"You coming or what, Salen?"
"I am."
Salen snapped out of his trance and stepped over the dead man. The door to the stairs was locked with a digital code. Razor reached into one of his belt pockets for a small explosive, however Salen stopped him. Stepping up to the door lock Salen punched in the code and it unlocked for him.
"Just how deep into that guy's mind were you?" Razor asked.
"Our minds were one."
"That's messed up."
"It was not pleasant."
"I don't even care to imagine."
Razor shook his head sadly and drew out his phaser before slowly opening the door. With the all clear Salen and Razor made their way down stairs. Salen took them directly to the door that Amelia was trapped behind. This time Salen didn't have the door code so Razor got a chance to use the small explosive. It made only a hissing sound as the thermite based device burned through the lock. When the door opened Razor stepped into the room and looked around.
"Salen, she's not here."
"Yes she is."
Salen went over to the bed and got down on his hands and knees. Amelia caught sight of Salen and she tried to curl up smaller in her hiding place under the bed. Putting on his friendliest smile Salen slowly offered his hand to the frightened girl. Hugging her injured wrist to her chest she shook her head and pressed her back harder into the wall.
"Sta...stay away from me."
"I am not here to hurt you. I am here to take you home."
"Go away."
"I can not leave you with these men, please come with me."
"Are...are you human?" Amelia stuttered.
"No." Salen tucked his hair behind his ear. "I am Vulcan."
Amelia looked at Salen's ear and thought about this new information. Salen remained motionless, waiting for her to make the decision to trust him. He vividly remembered being violently dragged out of his prison home in Wilson's basement. At the time the prospect of leaving familiar territory with unfamiliar people was terrifying, even if the conditions that he was living in were nothing short of a living hell. Amelia looked equally unsure about leaving her hiding spot, however she relaxed slightly.
"You promise you'll take me to my father?"
"I promise." Salen agreed
Amelia glanced nervously from side to side, still unsure if she was willing to trust this new stranger. Razor started pacing back and forth impatiently, but Salen just ignored him. Thinking that she would be more likely to come out on her own Salen went to pull his hand away. Terrified that she was missing her last chance Amelia lashed out and grabbed his hand desperately.
"Please, please don't leave me here." Amelia whimpered.
"I will not." Salen assured. "Come with me, my friend and I will take you home."
Wincing in pain as she moved Amelia slowly uncurled herself and came out from under the bed. Salen gave her a reassuring smile as he sat back. Amelia suddenly threw herself at him and wrapped her arms around him in a powerful embrace. Sobbing uncontrollably Amelia hid her face against his chest. Feeling the sting of tears himself Salen reached up and gently stroke her hair to comfort her.
"It is alright." Salen said softly. "I will keep you safe."
"Alpha," Razor called for Beckett "we got her, we might be abl..."
Razor was cut off as there was suddenly shouting and alarms at the top of the stairs as someone stumbled across the body that they had left behind. Amelia whimpered in fright. Salen put one arm under her legs to support her as he stood up. Despite her injury she put her arms around his neck and held on tight. With his free hand Salen brought out his phaser and walked over to Razor's side.
"Can you hold her and fire?" Razor asked.
"I can."
"Good." Razor clicked his communicator back on. "It's showtime, Alpha, we're in a death trap down here."
"Well get out of there." Beckett replied simply.
"A diversion would be nice."
"Already started."
Salen's sensitive ears picked up the sounds of phaser fire striking the building as the rest of the Dogs descended on Ka'scene's home. Three men came racing down the stairs to check on their captive only to be brought down by Razor's phaser.
"Time to go, Salen. Any minute now they are going to realize that they can't win this one and they'll probably chuck a fire bomb down here...that's what I'd do."
"The shortest route outside is upstairs and to the right."
"Then that's our path."
Razor raced out into the hallway and made sure everything was clear for Salen to follow. Carrying Amelia Salen stayed on Razor's heels as they made their way up the stairs. The main floor had erupted into chaos. Salen suddenly realized that one of the greatest challenges in the fire fight was figuring out who was the enemy and who was a friend with only a split second to decide.
"Razor!" Salen cried as he spotted a man holding the fire grenade that Razor had been worrying about. The man threw the grenade at them before either one of them could get a shot off. Salen tossed his phaser into the air to lashed out to catch the grenade. He threw it back at their attacker as it burst into an intense fire ball. Even Salen was surprised when he managed to catch his phaser on the way back down.
"Nice!" Razor chuckled.
Salen didn't have time to acknowledge Razor's approval as three more men rushed towards them. Razor expertly shot two of them directly through the heart as Salen tagged the last one through the chest as well. The adrenaline rush that followed made the rest of their escape a bit of a blur. Through the smoke and fire Salen was uncertain how many men he killed, after the first it no longer seemed to matter.
Once they were out in the garden the cold night air hit Salen's lungs like a lance. Razor protected his back as he made a break for the tree line. They had instructions to get back to the field where they'd been dropped off no matter what state the rest of the mission was in. However, Razor hesitated at the edge of the woods. The air was filled with the cries of men and the hiss of phaser fire.
"Alpha," Razor called Beckett "Alpha? Someone talk to me."
"Razor," Cobalt's voice came over the communicator "we're getting shredded down here, Alpha's gone after Ka'scene himself."
"Shit." Razor growled. "Salen...can you get her back to the drop point alone?"
"I can, however..."
"Do it."
Razor didn't leave any more room for arguments. Turning back towards the fight he dashed back towards the house. With Amelia still in his arms Salen knew he couldn't follow Razor, however he found himself unwilling to simply abandon the rest of the team to what sounded like a losing battle. Amelia shivered in Salen's arms reminding him that the most important thing at the moment was making sure that she was safe.
Salen ran as quickly as his legs would allow through the dark woods. The high altitude ship that they had arrived in had eyes on him and he'd barely made it to the field when he felt the tingling sensation of being beamed aboard. He looked around the interior of the small ship and caught sight of one of the Officers.
"I have to get back, they're in trouble."
"Orders are for you to stay with Amelia."
"But..."
"Don't worry about Alpha Dog, he can take care of himself. Your job is to keep the girl safe."
Salen wanted to protest further, but he knew it was pointless. Sighing heavily Salen walked over to the far wall and sat down. Amelia was still firmly attached to his chest and shaking with fear. Salen took another breath to relax himself before reaching up gently rubbing between Amelia's shoulder blades to comfort her.
Worried about the others the next ten minutes felt like hours. However, it wasn't too long before Beckett's voice came over the communicator requesting a pick up. Salen counted fifteen of the seventeen who had gone on the mission returning to the ship. Beckett was the last to arrive and he rushed straight to Salen.
"How is she?" Beckett asked anxiously.
"She is frightened, but no further harm came to her."
"Good, no let's go finish this job and get her home."
"Where are the last two?"
"Simmons and Yin were beamed directly to the sick bay, they should live. With your intel this has been one of the most successful missions we've ever had."
"What about Ka'scene?"
"This time I made sure he ended up dead personally."
Razor strode over with a bright grin on his face. He sat down on the floor next to Salen and punched his shoulder playfully.
"You should have seen this guy, Alpha," Razor chuckled "he snatched a fire grenade right out of the air without even losing his phaser."
"Impressive."
Amelia pressed herself against Salen's chest harder. Razor and Beckett noticed that she was becoming increasingly frightened and quieted down. The ship was taken on a course directly to Councilman Ringer's house and when they arrived Amelia was still firmly attached to her rescuer even though she was now fast asleep.
"Come on, Salen, I'd like you to bring Amelia to her father yourself." Beckett offered.
"Yes, Sir."
The reunion between father and daughter was a tearful one. Salen felt a little awkward standing there during the family moment, but Beckett had insisted that they stay. Eventually Amelia was taken to see a doctor about her injuries. Councilman Ringer stepped up and held his hand out to Salen. Salen accepted the offer and Ringer shook his hand before pulling him into a warm embrace.
"I can not thank you enough." Ringer said heartfeltly.
"No thanks are needed, Sir."
"You are Admiral Pike's son, aren't you?"
"Yes, Sir."
"I know him well, he'd be proud of you. I wish I could tell him what you've done for me and my family tonight."
"Councilman..." Beckett warned gently.
"I know, Jack." Ringer sighed. "We can't let anyone know that someone like Ka'scene was able to pull this off right under the Federation's nose. Still, Salen, thank you, if you ever need anything, I am here for you."
"Thank you, Sir." Salen replied. "Right now you should be with your daughter."
"Yes." Ringer nodded. "Yes, and thank you...I don't know what I would have done if...I can't even think about it."
Ringer seemed torn between continuing to thank his daughter's rescuers, and going to be with her. Beckett gave the flustered father a gentle push towards the door and he nodded gratefully. Salen watched him go with slight smile touching his lips. Beckett threw his arm over Salen's shoulders and smiled brightly.
"Tell me truthfully, Salen, what did you think of your first mission with the Diamond Dogs?"
"Truthfully...it was..." Salen searched for the right word "...rewarding."
"Your first mission doesn't have to be your last."
"I need more time to think about it."
"You graduate in three months, this uniform will be ready and waiting for you when you do."
