Sixteen
Stardate 59436.8, Romulan Moon Lleiset, Location Unknown
"Move!" A guard said and jabbed Bullock in the small of her back with his rifle.
Hightower turned but was quickly swatted across the face with the butt of a disruptor pistol.
"It's okay!" She said quickly, while grabbing him and moving faster.
Upon their capture, her captain had immediately been separated from them and they blindfolded. They walked for what seemed like only a few hundred meters, before their hoods were removed as they continued down dark, cavernous tunnels.
"In!" The guard growled.
They were all pushed through the small opening into a cell. With no weapons and their power cells for their armor removed, they could do little more than comply. When they all were beyond the entrance, a bright light flashed and a force field snapped into place.
"Well shit!" Hightower spat. He wiped the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth and began to pace about. "I'm sorry ma'am, I should've seen that coming."
"Don't beat yourself up over it." She said.
V'Riss was growling loudly with each breath. His nostril flared and fangs bared, as he ran over to exam the shield emitter. One touch sent him recoiling in a painful grunt."
"When we get out of here, I want to take care of them with my bare hands!" He shouted.
Daro walked to him and examined his hand. When he looked satisfied V'Riss wasn't badly hurt, he asked, "What about the captain?"
"I'm working on it." Bullock said.
She was about to go on, but a painful groan from across the room got her attention.
"Who's there?" She asked.
Crumpled on the ground in a practical fetal position was Keln. He was bloodied and bruised almost beyond recognition. All of the MACOs immediately went to his side, with Daro checking him over as best he could.
"Doc?" Bullock asked.
"Most of this is superficial. He's taken a real beating, and there are electrical burns covering most of his torso. I would hazards he also has multiple concussions."
"Will he be okay?" Hightower asked.
"He's a Romulan, he'll be fine." Daro said casually.
No one noticed, but Bullock grimaced. She knew that Keln wasn't who he said he was, but not how far that extended. His true identity was a complete mystery, and that could extend to his species as well.
"Can he talk?" She asked.
Daro shook his head. "He should try to conserve his energy. But if you need information Major, please keep it brief."
She nodded. "Give us some room." Everyone left their vicinity and she leaned down to cradle his head. "I didn't think it possible, but you finally look terrible."
Keln gave a harsh chuckled. "Major? Could it be I've finally worn you down?"
"Focus." She said. "I need to know whatever you can tell me."
He groaned painfully. It seemed a spell had taken him but it past. "I don't know. One moment I'm having tea with Y'Borom, the next I'm being tortured."
"For what?" Bullock asked. "What information did they want from you?"
"Nothing." He said. "It seemed to entertain him. He claims that I am not a Romulan."
She leaned in closer. "Keln, I'm not sure who you are, but we figured the same on Aegis. The captain knows as well."
"Major…"
"It's okay." She said reassuringly. "Anyone who take an ass-kicking like you just did for us, is okay in my book."
"Where…the captain?"
"I'm not sure where they took him."
Keln tried to sit up. Bullock wasn't sure where it came from, but he suddenly got a burst of energy and strength he didn't have moment ago.
"Have…to…!"
"Keln stop!" Bullock pleaded.
Daro returned and helped her to make him lie down.
"We're going to get him back." She said. "I promise."
Stardate 59436.8, Romulan Moon Lleiset, Location Unknown
Theus paced about the small room that he had been forced into. His head cover hadn't been removed until he was inside, and his only comforts were a folding metal chair and plain desk with a glass and pitcher of water. He had been waiting what felt like hours, when the bolts locking his door turned and in walked R'Navta and Y'Borom.
"Curiouser and curiouser." Theus said to the two through a scowl.
"Indeed." Y'Borom said. "We haven't known one another long, Captain. But I would hope that you have enough restraint to not attack either of us during our talks. That would be most unwise."
He didn't answer. Instead he took the seat and waited while two more chairs were brought in for his captors. The both sat and poured drinks before continuing.
"I'll do you the courtesy of allowing you to go first." R'Navta said.
"Why?" Theus asked without pretense.
Y'Borom chuckled menacingly. "A direct human. I like it."
"Would you believe that you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?" R'Navta asked.
"Don't insult my intelligence!" Theus said. "We sent out hails weeks in advance of our arrival. Whatever is going on here has been planned."
"I tried." She said with a smile. "You're right, of course. We wanted Starfleet to come, but you surprised us with your new ship. It's technology and weapons are formidable, to say nothing of the new toys your scientists have invented."
"The scans we've done on your portable shield generators will allow us to perfect our own." Y'Borom said.
Theus looked them both over, and seeing their familiarity it hit him.
"C'Ulos doesn't know about this arrangement you two have?"
"He doesn't" He said.
R'Navta smiled. "And as we speak, he and his fleet are battling your Aegis. He may not win, but he will cause enough damage to make it easier for our ships to board and take command.
"Why? What is this all about damn it?!" Theus snarled.
"Independence." Y'Borom said. "I was quite sincere when I said that I was loyal to the Empire. Just not the one you recognize as the speaker for Romulans. The former Emperor and his legion of fools have pushed us to the brink of extinction. But here on this moon, we pull back from the edge!"
"And C'Ulos?" Theus asked to R'Navta.
"He is a fool. Dedicated to independence and foolish notions of equality! He would have our world ruled without a monarchy. To give a voice to everyone!"
"Your world was ruled with a singular vision before, and look where it got you."
"No, Captain." Y'Borom said. "The true power lies with the Senate and Praetor. C'Ulos is too idealistic to be a figurehead while I and R'Navta rebuild our society. No one knows of our fleet, it will look as if he attacked and slaughtered your crew."
Theus shook his head. Their minds were made up, and nothing would get through to them. Still he asked, "Why are you telling me all this?"
They both stood. "Because there's nothing you can do to stop us."
Theus stood, and two guards entered to blind him with a hood again.
Stardate 59436.8, Romulan Moon Lleiset, Location Unknown
"Everyone clear? We may just get one chance." Bullock said to her troops huddled around her.
They all nodded.
"Good."
"Ma'am," Hightower said, "We're with you all the way, but I feel it necessary to point out that we haven't spotted any guards or monitoring devices. They could know about this and stop us before we start."
"I know." She said. "But we have to try."
Bullock heard the footsteps of people approaching. She nodded and they all took up their positions, ready to move. Two Romulans walked up to the force field and one tapped some commands onto a hand-held device, lowering the field and shoving Theus in to the ground.
"Sir!" She shouted and went to help him up.
"Major." He said with a weak smile once his hood was removed.
"That was almost astonishingly easy." Daro said.
Bullock waited for his orders, and just as he was about to speak, Theus noticed Keln on the ground.
"Keln!" He shouted and ran to crouch by his side. "Doc?"
"He will be okay sir, but for now he needs to rest."
"Is everything alright, sir?" Bullock asked.
She saw her captain exam him silently for a few moments, and then called her over to them.
"Did he say why they did this?"
Despite his control, Bullock heard the anger in his voice.
"No sir." She said. "This wasn't interrogation, it was torture."
"That much I gathered." Theus hissed. "R'Navta and Y'Borom are working together. Everything that has happened, has been a direct result of their plan to overthrow C'Ulos and establish themselves as the new Romulan Star Empire."
"They told you that?" Bullock asked.
"They did."
She grimaced. "Sir, that usually indicates that they are going to kill us."
"No one's dying today." He said.
Theus stood and took off his commbadge. He turned it over, and removed a small, filament tool from the longer point of the delta and replaced it on his chest. Like the MACO's, their captors didn't take the equipment they wore, just the power cells. Theus opened a compartment on his harness that had been emptied, and started to touch the circuitry with the filament.
"Sir?"
"They took my power cells for my shield, not my kit. It has a tertiary power supply for emergencies. I'm not taking scans or opening holo-screens, but it will get the job done. Can you attract the guards?" He asked.
Bullock smiled. She looked to her troops who all started to create noise. Daro emitted a high pitch squeal, while Hightower and V'Riss threw loose rocks at the force field while shouting. Soon, the two guards returned and lowered the field.
"You don't need to be conscious to be prisoners!" One said.
"Funny you should mention that." Theus said.
He walked forward, and hit a small button on his harness. At the same time, Bullock signaled her MACOs and they all lay flat on the ground. Before the guards could react, multiple pulses emitted from her captain's harness. They had a blue charge, that knocked the Romulans back. Each pulse hitting after the other and causing severe neuroleptic disruptions.
"What was that?" V'Riss asked.
"Nanite sonic pulses." Theus said. "They'll be out for a day or so from how close I was."
"I think I want one."
"It's non-lethal, Corporal."
"…Never mind, sir."
"Move!" Bullock ordered.
The MACOs moved out of their cell. Each of their guards had a rifle and side pistol so everyone, save for the captain were armed, as he carried Keln. They all dashed into the hallway, hugging the walls as they tried to navigate their way out.
"We need to hurry," Bullock said, "they could be found at any moment."
"Agreed." Theus said. "Did anyone notice anything when they brought us in?"
The shook their heads.
"Captain, I may have an idea." V'Riss said.
"Don't keep us waiting." Theus said.
"With my helmet off, the air is effecting me again. If we're in a mountain or cavern of some sort, then I can smell the water and sense the highest concentrations of moisture with my whiskers."
"Better than nothing." Bullock said. "Lead the way."
The group started to move again. Along the way, they had several close calls, but were able to hide in small dark recesses. The most difficult part being keeping Keln quiet as his body shifted while being carried.
"Hold on." Daro said. His thread ganglia were fully extended and writhing uncontrollably.
Bullock held her breath as a security patrol passed directly in front of them. They were all pressed again a wall, while she gripped the disruptor pistol in her hand tightly.
"We don't get captured again." She said softly.
"Not the time." Theus said. "As much as I appreciate the sentiment, we need to live to warn Aegis and Starfleet." He whispered.
"Hey!" Hightower shouted up from point with V'Riss. "They're gone."
Bullock looked to Theus who returned her gaze.
"This is too easy." She said.
"You see it too?" Theus asked. "I'm not sure what's going on here, but I know if we stay they'll kill us. At least now we have weapons."
Bullock nodded and signaled for them to continue. They wrapped around more tunnels and pathways until finally reaching one that led to an opening where sunlight was pouring through and a breeze brushed past them.
"I see an exit!" V'Riss said.
"Daro?" Bullock asked.
"…If someone is waiting for us, I can't sense it. Even cloaked, I can detect the pheromones associated with stalking from a predator. They are there, or they aren't." He said.
"Take us out, Major."
Bullock nodded, and joined V'Riss and Hightower as they exited the cavern. They emerged to see themselves high up on the other side of the hill. It turned out, they were on a small mountain, as the backside dipped low into a valley.
"I didn't bring any climbing gear." V'Riss said.
"Don't worry, you won't need it." Theus said.
"Captain?" Bullock said.
"Look around, Major." He said.
She took in the area they had exit to. It was large and flat. While it could have easily been naturally made, she doubted it. A look up to the sky also showed no obstructions.
"Let's get it over with then." She said aloud.
She spoke the words, and several transporter beams materialized Romulan guards around them. R'Navta joining them last.
"I was at least hoping you would try to flee first." R'Navta said. "How did you know?"
"There's no reason to allow us to keep our commbadges unless you wanted us to talk to each other." Bullock said. "The only reason we didn't try contacting the captain is because it's a standard tactic to remove all means of communication."
"But you had to try anyway." R'Navta said. She snapped a finger and guards approached to remove their weapons. One took hold of Theus' arm, and dragged him from the group.
"Where are you taking him?!" Bullock demanded, but was answered with weapons trained on her.
"Goodbye, Major." R'Navta said, and they all transported away.
Left alone on the mountain face, Bullock was angry. Angrier than she though herself capable of becoming. She looked to her troops and saw the same conviction. Looked to Keln, who could barely bring himself up to sit.
"Sergeant Hightower!"
"Yes ma'am?" He said, standing tall before her.
"Effective immediately, you are promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. As my highest-ranking staff non-commissioned officer, you are now my 2nd. Do you understand?"
"I do ma'am." He said. "The entire MACO detachment will stand-up to respond to this threat."
"Thank you." She said and tapped her commbadge, not at all surprised that she was able to open a channel. "Bullock to Aegis, five to beam up. Transport Centurion Keln directly to sickbay."
"This is zhNon, Major, is everyone okay?"
"No Commander, we are not. I'll brief you once aboard, but if you haven't done so, go to red alert. The captain has been taken hostage."
"Understood."
The transporter effect began to take them, and to her troops Bullock said, "Time to show them who they're fucking with!"