"You have plenty of courage, I am sure," answered Oz. "… There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty." ~ L. Frank Baum
Exactly 32 minutes after they left Bunker Hill, Scotty pulled the gigantic Rolls in front of the Pavilion. He was dressed exactly as a chauffer should be, complete with flat black hat which he tipped as he opened the car door so that Kevet-dutar Spock of Vulcan could exit.
Spock did not spare Scotty a glance as he strode into the Pavilion, an air of superiority surrounding him more fully than the glittering silver and black cape he had assumed with his new title. Spock went directly to the discreet counter labeled "Diplomats / Emissaries." He stopped several feet short of the actual counter, turning to look down his aristocratic nose at Scotty. Scotty hurried up to the counter, his body language displaying the acknowledgment of his error in keeping the Ambassador waiting.
"Sir," the middle aged middle eastern man said to Scotty when he stood just in front of the counter. The man, whose name tag read Jamal, looked past Scotty, taking in Spock, his eyes widening in surprise. Or possibly apprehension. "In what manner may we assist you?"
"Kevet-dutar Spock has reserved the penthouse," Scotty said in a tone that clearly implied they should have known that before they even asked.
"I… there…. an error has been made," Jamal said, shaking his head.
"An error?" Scotty said, glancing anxiously over his shoulder. "The penthouse is not ready for the Kevet-dutar?"
"The penthouse is not available to the Ambassador," Jamal reluctantly stated.
Spock barely looked effected by the news as he approached the desk and the nearly quivering man. "I have the penthouse reserved," Spock said in a tone that indicated that he could own the penthouse if he decided that's what he wanted.
"Sir," Jamal responded, looking over his own shoulder. "The penthouse is occupied."
"That is not possible," Spock informed him evenly. "I have it reserved for the next two weeks. I had intended to arrive yesterday and was delayed."
Jamal shook his head, a line of sweat popping out on his upper lip. "Wait, please, Ambassador. I will return shortly."
Spock raised one imperious eyebrow, scanning the opulent lobby with an expression of utter disdain and clear dismissal. He stood completely still, his hands clasped behind his back as he waited.
"I'm so sorry, Ambassador," Scotty said, wringing his hands. "I should have double-checked."
"Yes you should have," Spock responded in as haughty a voice as anyone had ever heard. It practically dripped ice onto the immaculate marble floor. He watched impassively as another, older man approached the counter.
"Ambassador," the second man said. His name tag read Umar Khalif, General Manager.
"Yes," Spock acknowledged, studying the man with dangerously dark eyes.
"There has been some error," Khalif said.
"On your part," Spock said in a cold voice.
"Quite possibly. However, the penthouse is not available."
"Because I have it reserved," Spock said.
"We have no record of your reservation," Khalif told him regretfully.
Spock snapped his fingers and Scotty produced a tidy index card on which was written a confirmation number. Scotty handed the card to Khalif who accepted it, his eyes widening. He showed it to the first man who shook his head and pulled out a tray which contained a keyboard. He typed in the confirmation, his eyes growing even wider at the results.
"He has a reservation," Scotty insisted, sounding much braver when addressing the men behind the counter.
"I am unable to explain," Khalif said. "The penthouse is occupied."
Spock looked down his nose at the manager and turned for the bank of elevators, Scotty trailing behind. Scotty punched the up button, Khalif stopping abruptly next to them.
"Ambassador, you cannot go up to the penthouse," Khalif said, shaking his head.
"I have it reserved," Spock said as if that explained everything.
"Sir," Khalif protested, standing between Spock and the open lift doors. "You cannot go up to the penthouse."
"I have it reserved," Spock repeated, brushing past him to enter. Khalif followed him on, protesting that it was not possible. He could not go up. He could not enter. As soon as Scotty was on the elevator and the doors were closed, Spock rendered Khalif unconscious with barely an effort.
"Nicely done," Scotty said in admiration.
"There is much to be said for utilizing the Vulcan nerve pinch," Spock agreed, discarding the oversized cloak that had added to his aura. "Can you override the controls so that we can reach the penthouse?"
"Aye. That I can," Scotty said, opening the access panel and checking the wiring. He selected the ones he needed, detaching and reattaching them. "Now they can't override from security."
"Well done," Spock said with a nod. "Do you know if the shuttle has arrived?"
Scotty took out his comm to check their ETA. "Thirty seconds till they land."
Spock nodded at that, looking at the indicator that was slowly getting closer to the top floor. There was a brief lurch as the elevator slowed but then resumed its trip up. Spock raised one eyebrow to Scotty who smirked, just a little.
"They canna override it," Scotty said in satisfaction.
As soon as the elevator stopped on the top floor, they exited, phasers drawn. The elevator deposited them directly into the foyer of the penthouse, huge sliding glass doors opposite that displayed the shuttle which was just landing. Selema, Samantha, and Kameer disembarked and approached the glass door to silently open it. They also had their phasers drawn. Spock indicated the hallway to their left, Kameer nodding and taking the lead.
Using his phaser Kameer quickly dispatched the one man in the corridor. The now unconscious man had been guarding two closed wooden doors. One of the doors had a large window through which they could see Leonard secured to a chair, his nose and mouth covered in blood. He was talking to the short, round man standing in front of him. Whatever he said was not what the man in the black and purple thobe wanted to hear. It earned Leonard a fist to the jaw.
That was enough for them to see. Kameer kicked the door open, shooting the man who was about to hit Leonard again. Selema took care of one of the other guards who looked shocked before he fell to the floor. The third guard raised his hands, babbling in Arabic.
"He surrenders," Kameer said. "Don't shoot."
Spock did not hear him. He could only focus on Jim who was unconscious, suspended by his bleeding wrists. Spock approached slowly, scared that they were too late. He only began to breathe again when Jim moaned very quietly.
"He ain't dead," Leonard said from his chair where Kameer and Samantha were working on opening the handcuffs. Once they were off his wrists, he darted over to stand before Jim. The handcuffs were used to secure the guard they had left conscious. "But he's badly hurt."
Spock nodded, one hand tentatively touching Jim's bruised and swollen face.
"We've got to go," Kameer said in some urgency.
"It won't take long for reinforcements to arrive," Scotty agreed. "Can Jim be moved safely?"
"We have to get him down before I'll know," Leonard said, looking over his shoulder. "Selema and… that other woman guarding the door?"
"They are," Kameer said. "Do you know where Sam is?"
"He was still in the restaurant when they nabbed us," Leonard said, helping Scotty open the locks that secured Jim to the equipment. "I don't know what happened to him after that."
Kameer nodded, helping them detach Jim from the equipment. Spock moved behind Jim's limp body, holding him close as he was freed. At Leonard's instruction, Spock slowly sat on the floor, Jim held securely against his chest.
"Leonard?" Kameer asked in urgency.
"Hold on. I know we've got to go," Leonard said, carefully feeling the more obvious damage to Jim's body.
"Can we move him?" Scotty asked.
"I'd rather we didn't. But I know that's not possible," Leonard said. "If I can find my clothes we can go."
Spock cradled Jim in his arms as Leonard hastily found his clothes. As he was putting on his shoes, they heard Jim moan and stir.
"You are safe, Jim," Spock said quietly into his ear. "We have you."
"Pock?" Jim whispered through swollen and bleeding lips. "Whaa?"
"We have you, Jim. You are going to be all right."
"…ones?" he asked, trying to get his eyes to focus enough to find Leonard.
"I'm right here, kid," Leonard said, squatting before him and putting a hand gently on his cheek. "I'm okay."
"Sure?" Jim asked, squinting past the swelling of his eyes.
"I'm sure. We're going to get you out of here."
Jim nodded, taking as deep a breath as he could manage, coughing as a result. "Hurts."
"I know, kid. I know. As soon as we are on the shuttle, I can help you with the pain."
Jim squeezed his eyes as tightly closed as he could, nodding once. "Pock?"
"Yes, Jim?" Spock said, one arm carefully and gently wrapped around Jim's stomach to hold him close.
"You're here," Jim said in surprise, squinting his eyes open to look at Leonard. "He here?"
"Yeah, kid. Spock's here. He's got you," Leonard said, caressing his cheek. "Don't worry about anything. We're getting you out."
Jim nodded, relaxing back against Spock and surrendering to blissful unconsciousness.
Spock easily picked Jim up, trying to cradle him to minimize the movement to his injuries but they were so numerous, he could not stop from inflicting unintentional pain to him. Jim moaned very quietly several times, shifting in Spock's arms as he carried him to the shuttle. "You are safe, Jim. No more harm will come to you," Spock said in a soothing voice as they entered the shuttle.
Once everyone was on board, Leonard secured Jim to one of the bunks, letting Scotty know they could take off. As they became airborne, Leonard retrieved the medical bag from its secure compartment. The movement of the shuttle roused Jim who slowly and painfully opened one eye.
"…ones?" he whispered.
"I'm right here, darlin'," Leonard said squatting next to his head so Jim could see him.
"Will I live?" Jim asked softly.
"Of course," Leonard assured him, his thumb sweeping Jim's furrowed eyebrows. "You're way too stubborn to let those men win."
"Mmm…" Jim sighed, letting his eyes drift closed. "Can we get a dog?"
Leonard had to laugh softly at the very quiet question. "Yeah, kid. We can get you a dog when we get home."
"Kay. Good. Pock here?"
"I am, Jim," Spock said, touching Jim's bruised cheek very gently. "I will stay as long as you need me."
"Kay," Jim whispered, barely opening one eye to look at Leonard. "Hurts."
"I know, darlin'. I have something to take care of it," Leonard promised.
Jim nodded once, closing his eyes again. He made no reaction as Leonard gave him the injection that would temporarily relieve his pain and render him unconscious for the rest of the trip out of Rahth Mutadaffaq
Spock sat by Jim's head, wanting – needing to touch him, to feel the warmth of his skin under his palm. But he would not risk interfering with Leonard's work. Leonard was carefully touching each part of Jim's battered body, occasionally eliciting a groan from the unconscious man.
"Doctor?" Spock asked in request. The tone of his voice attracted Leonard's attention.
"You want to know?" Leonard asked quietly.
"Please," Spock said, almost reluctant to hear. But he needed to understand.
"His right shoulder is hyper-extended. His left is dislocated. I'm pretty sure he has several fractured ribs. His sternum is bruised and possibly fractured. His jaw may be dislocated but there's so much swelling I can't be sure. His nose is probably broken – again. The last two fingers of his left hand are fractured. I'm sure there are some internal injuries but I won't know how serious until we are in the hospital where I can examine him properly."
"His head?" Spock asked, indicating the bloody tee shirt still wrapped around his skull.
"It's not nearly as serious as it looks. They broke open his scalp and it always bleeds a…" His explanation was interrupted when the shuttle suddenly lurched to the left, Leonard ending up flat on his butt. "What the hell, Scotty?"
"Sorry, Len. Just got word from Chris. We canna land in Bahegmha Smhasahe. He thinks they compromised the mission."
"Good God," Leonard said. "Give a man a little warning."
"Next time," Scotty called back. "How's Jim?"
"Like you'd expect. Where are we going?"
"Prince Sultan Air Force Base. We'll arrive in 16 minutes," Scotty said.
"Does Chris know where Sam is?" Selema asked from her seat behind Kameer.
"Sam called in. He was attempting to follow the Sheik's men and vaulted a wall. When he landed, he broke his ankle," Kameer said, turning around to explain.
"Where is he now?" Selema asked in concern.
"Chris said Sam's on his way to the base. Member of the Consortium is bringing him in for medical care," Kameer said.
"How did this mission go south?" Samantha asked no one in particular. It was a question to which they all wanted an answer.