Chapter 13

Kostopoulos returned to Excalibur's bridge to find the officers she'd already met still there. Amrani was attending to one of the side consoles, but at tactical was Lieutenant Commander Harald Ragnarsson, her second officer and chief tactical officer. He was a big Norwegian man who looked like a modern-day Viking; broad, bald and bearded, but was soft-spoken so far. Most importantly, he had also been a former MACO, part of the reason Kostopoulos had chosen him for the crew.

At helm was Ensign Sethlan, a young Vulcan. Beside him at navigation was Ensign Worig, a young Tellarite. Both were recommended as part of Starfleet's attempt to diversify now that it was part of the Federation. That alone had not influenced Kostopoulos' selection though, and each officer had an excellent record. Both wore operations yellow.

All turned to regard her as she marched to the centre seat and hit the shipwide intercom button. "Attention, all hands, this is the Captain. We have reason to believe that Commodore North is being held on Berengaria's first moon, so Excalibur is going to recon and, if necessary, effect a rescue. We could very well be going into combat."

She could see the officers around her stiffening at this, but continued. This time with humility.

"I wish I'd gotten to know you all better before now. To go through a less stressful shakedown. But this is our chance to prove what we're made of. Including me." She gave everyone on the bridge a look of both apology and determination. "So, let's get ready. Together."

She closed the channel and started issuing orders. "Mister Worig, lay in a course to Alpha moon. Commander Amrani, make impulse engines and thrusters ready. Mister Sethlan, take us out of drydock when able. Commander Ragnarsson, check all weapons and defences, keep them on hot standby."

There was a chorus of "Aye, sir" all round.

Ensign Worig leaned over to Sethlan and spoke low. "At least this will make a change from staring at the rear end of a Vulcan tug."

"The difference will indeed be notable," Sethlan replied quietly.

Kostopoulos appreciated their enthusiasm but not the distraction. "Eyes on your boards, gentlemen."

The two young ensigns kept their heads down, admonished.

"Thrusters ready," said Amrani. "The deflector should work fine at sub-light speeds."

"Good," said Kostopoulos. "Let's move out." She took a deep breath and sat into the captain's chair.

Now it was time.

Zarah sat in the recreation of Ops on the fake starbase they had built, taking stock of the situation so far. Berengaria VII's volcanic moon had seemed the ideal location. Near enough to relay a transporter signature from the planet, but unlikely to ever be considered in a search, due to its inhospitable atmosphere, which had also concealed their site from sensors. The distance had caused North to pass out from the relayed transporter beam, but that only added to their deception that he had been pulled through time.

She thought about what North had said. She had heard the rumours about her father before, and her son's sudden death had always been suspicious. But Guruk Dolim had been an intimidating man, to challenge him would have been futile. And, later, Zarah had seen how zealously Dolim had fought for their people's survival. Jonathan Archer's brutal murder of him had stung her deeply and set her on a path of vengeance. The deaths of any other Humans along the way would be a bonus. Once she had Archer, nothing else mattered.

"I told you this plan was foolish," said Maxeus, her lieutenant, from beside her. She was in no mood for his arrogance, but at least they all looked normal now that their disguises were unnecessary. "We should have taken the Human and fled, not wasted time with this ludicrous deceit."

Zarah glared straight ahead. "Once the neural parasites take effect, North will tell us everything we want to know. Then, we can kill him and set a course for Earth."

"We should do that now!" Maxeus said. "Every second we remain here risks discovery! We must-"

Zarah suddenly grabbed Maxeus by the neck and thrust his head into the monitor on the console, sending sparks and shards flying. She pulled him back upright, blood trickling down his face.

"Another word of insubordination from you, Lieutenant, and you will share the Human's fate!" she shouted. "Is that understood?"

"Yes, Commander," Maxeus weakly grumbled.

Another soldier spoke up from one of the working consoles. "Commander! An Earth ship is entering orbit of the moon!"

"What!?" Zarah roared. "Have they detected us?"

"I don't think so," said the solider. "But they are scanning the surface."

Maxeus was smart enough not to say anything, but he gave Zarah a look of smug regret. They both knew it wouldn't be long before they were found.

"Battle stations," said Zarah.

"Captain, there's some kind of structure down there," said Amrani, back at the science station over Kostopoulos' left shoulder.

"Any lifesigns?" Kostopoulos asked, staring at the image of the reddish-brown moon on the viewscreen.

Amrani sounded alarmed. "I'm detecting one Human… and fourteen Xindi biosigns!"

"Xindi?" Kostopoulos couldn't believe it and turned in her chair. Amrani's wide-eyed expression confirmed she'd heard correctly. "What in God's name are they doing here?"

"There's also a small Xindi vessel on the surface," Ragnarsson reported, more stoically. "Heavily armed, but not powered up."

"Then we have to be fast," said Kostopoulos. "Can we beam North up?"

Amrani frowned at the readouts. "Too much interference from the atmosphere, sir."

Kostopoulos stood. "Then I'll lead the rescue party down."

Amrani also rose. "Captain, respectfully, I should be the one to lead the rescue. Your place is up here. I understand you have more ground combat experience-"

Kostopoulos held up a hand. "It's not just that, Commander, and I appreciate the offer, but that man down there was my old CO. I owe him a lot. So, I'm taking this one. I hope, one day, you'd do the same for me."

Amrani smiled and nodded. "Okay."

"Besides, you still know this ship better than I do. If things turn ugly while we're down there, I want you in command." She turned to the helm. "Ensign Sethlan, you'll pilot the shuttlepod down."

Sethlan acknowledged and they both made for the door. Kostopoulos addressed Amrani as the First Officer took the helm. "Commander, have Doctor Traze and the security team meet us in the Launch Bay."

"Aye, sir. And, Captain?"

Kostopoulos stopped in the doorway, turning back.

"Good luck."

North could almost feel the parasites gnawing away at his nerves. His brain felt like it was on fire, and he writhed from the inescapable pain. But he must resist. Resist for as long as possible. He knew a rescue was coming. Knew his crew would find him, no matter what Zarah said.

Speak of the Devil, he thought as Zarah entered, pointing a pistol at him. He didn't really feel like any quips right now though.

"We're going to have to leave, I'm afraid, Commodore," she said. "But don't worry, you're coming with us. Can't leave you before those parasites do their work." She reached up to undo his chains. "I can't imagine you'll resist much, but if you do, I won't hesitate-"

Zarah's eyes suddenly widened and she slumped to the floor. Behind her stood the Arboreal from earlier, clutching the now empty cylinder, which he had just used to knock out the large Reptilian.

His hands now freed, North also fell forwards, all feeling gone, but was caught by the Arboreal, who injected him with another hypospray. "This will neutralise the parasites inside you."

"Th-thank you," North said weakly.

The Arboreal dropped the cylinder and pulled North's arm over his shoulder, making for the door. "Your friends are here, in orbit. Everyone is busy dealing with that, so we should be able to sneak out, if we're careful. Did… Did you mean what you said before? About getting me out of here too?"

North nodded. "My crew… will save us…"

"Not if the Reptilians stop us first. Come on!"