Chapter 17
North and Kostopoulos had been going over possible scenarios for retaking Ops when North and Sylor had arrived, looking worse for wear. They were dishevelled, dirty, their uniforms torn, and Thorpe was limping. The Captain swiftly brought them up to speed on what had been happening in Ops, about Skaal's takeover, his plan, and their subsequent escape thanks to Threv.
North considered their options. "We can't leave our people in there with them much longer. Who knows what this Skaal will resort to; he's already mutilated one of us. Captain, go to the auxiliary command centre on Level 99. Activate the intruder countermeasures in Ops - the anesthizine should knock everyone out quickly."
"Sir, to activate the countermeasures we'll need to release the Code Black lockout," Thorpe said, his voice still raised from the ringing in his ears.
"Skaal may be able to access the comm system and contact his people on the ships above before being rendered unconscious," Sylor added, speaking at a normal volume.
"Then we'll have to be quick. Go."
Thorpe darted off again. North turned to Kostopoulos. "Get us some oxygen masks, we'll breach soon after the lockout is lifted, stun anyone still standing. Post MACOs and security at all entrances, waiting for the order. And get a medical team up here too, for any wounded."
"Yes, sir." Kostopoulos started issuing commands.
North went over to a weapons locker on the wall and keyed in an access code. He removed a phase-pistol and checked its power cell, as per regulations.
Kostopoulos noticed his actions. "Commodore, I think you should stay-"
"I appreciate that you want one last hurrah before you leave, Colonel," North said, snapping the pistol shut again, "but this is my base. I will lead the assault."
"Our time grows short," Sendek said to Skaal. "The Humans may retake the Ops soon, and we still need to enact the final stage."
Skaal took a deep breath, moderating his frustration as he dabbed at the disgusting alien blood on his face thanks to Threv. "My patience, too, grows short." He fingered the small device in his pocket. But now was not yet the time for last resorts. He turned to face the captive starbase personnel.
Thorpe and Sylor had escaped, endangering their plan, but Threv had been recaptured, after stunning some of his followers. Skaal knew he would have to escalate matters, and gestured for the Andorian, still groggy from being stunned himself, to be brought forward.
With Threv on his knees before him, Skaal put his pistol against the alien's skull, setting it to kill. "No more torture. If someone does not assist us within thirty seconds, this Andorian dies."
The Humans stared at him wilfully, but some looked as though they might break.
Before he could carry out his threat, however, the screens in Ops came back online.
"The lockout has been lifted!" Sendek said, sitting at the communications console.
"Access the comm system," Skaal ordered. There was no time to charge the base's weapons, but they could still get word to their allies above. "Send a message-" He stopped at hearing a hissing sound. There was also a faint antiseptic smell in the air. "Gas!" he realised.
Too late, some of his followers around the edges of the room were dropping, as were the Ops staff. Skaal ran to an equipment locker, his sleeve over his mouth and nose, rifling through it until he found an oxygen mask. He applied the mask and turned back to see no one else standing. It was up to him now.
In his desperation, he ran to the comm console and started furiously typing.
The doors opened and both MACOs and Starfleet security rushed in, all wearing similar masks. Their leader, whom Skaal recognised from images as Commodore Zachary North, was shouting at him.
"Get away from the console and put your hands on your head!"
Skaal stepped away but only raised his hand to show the device in it. "Stay back! This is a micro-thermal explosive! It will ignite the very air around us, destroying this entire level and everyone on it!"
This had been his fail-safe, one he had kept from even his own followers. As loyal as they were, none were as committed to the cause as he. The explosive contained no dangerous chemicals, it worked by superheating internal elements, hence why he had be able to bypass security scans. Thorpe had been right - Skaal had no intention of "getting away" with his plan, only making a martyr of himself, so he could not be discredited, and so other Vulcans would ask questions of their new masters without any satisfactory answers. He did not care who else he took out with him.
None of the Humans lowered their weapons. Emotional stubbornness.
"If you try to ignite that, we will put you down," North said, unwavering.
"It is too late, Commodore!" Skaal said, backing towards the rear door. "I have already sent messages to my loyal followers on the Victory and the Loknar. Soon they will order their ships to destroy the Kir-alep, exemplifying alien aggression against Vulcans, and destroying the bonds of your precious Federation! I will make Vulcan prosperous again and there's nothing you can do to stop me! You are out of time!"
He raised the device, preparing to ignite it before anyone could stun him, when a hand gripped his neck, instantly causing all his nerves to relax simultaneously. He turned, barely keeping his eyes open, to see Dr. T'Ling standing in the doorway behind him, one hand preforming the neck-pinch on him while the other snatched the explosive.
"You are the one who is out of time," she said just before he blacked out.
As soon as T'Ling neutralised Skaal, North started barking orders.
"Colonel, dispose of that bomb! And detain these intruders! Doctor, see to Threv and the others. Sylor, hail the ships in orbit! We need to tell them there's traitors aboard!"
North had a dismal suspicion that he knew exactly who was working for Skaal on both the Victory and the Loknar.
Two crewmembers who had passionately expressed some anti-Federation opinions.
Major Kyzo... and his own former XO Captain Cross.
