Fourteen
Julian couldn't help the wide-eyed expression of terror that fell over his face. He gave Garak a brief glance out of the corner of his eye before slowly shuffling himself around, leaning on the console to support himself, though it did little to ease the strain in his flexor muscles.
The sole act of making eye contact with Martin was enough to make chills run down his spine. He futilely fought his autonomic nervous system as he felt his heart rate rapidly increase, his adrenal glands kicking into overdrive. He felt nauseous when he realised the red stains that decorated Martin's hands was in fact his own blood. Sick bastard…hasn't even bothered to wash it off!…
Martin gave a mock look of surprise, absent-mindedly twirling his phaser in between his fingers. His right eye twitched. "Why, doctor, I must say I am surprised to see you're still alive."
"Tougher than you thought, I presume." Julian's voice was low.
"Indeed you are. Just like the little annoying cockroach I knew you were," A harsh laugh escaped Martin's throat. He stumbled slightly, tightening his grip on the phaser. "Guess it's my job to finish the extermination. Got any last-minute witty comments to throw my way?"
It didn't take a medical degree for Julian to recognise the rapid mental deterioration that Martin was clearly experiencing. He couldn't help the assessments that automatically came to mind. Tachypnoea, dilated pupils, slight incoordination-
No, Julian.
Focus.
He doesn't deserve your care.
"It's over, Martin. Just let us go," Julian spat, ignoring the spray of blood that flew from his mouth. He could feel his legs beginning to wave a white flag as he tightened his grip on the console. Just a bit longer, Julian, come on…keep it together. "…It's only a matter of time before security forces their way in here-"
"NO!" Martin's cry of rage reverberated around the cave, only to be accompanied by his accidental firing of his phaser. To Julian's relief, the blast collided with a nearby console instead of the cavern walls, sending sparks flying into the air as the electronics inside squealed as they burned.
It took Martin a moment to regain what little remained of his composure. "I…I w-will not let them interfere a-anymore than they have! I-I will finish this!"
Oh, for heaven's sake. I'm done with this crap.
"What is there left to finish, Martin?!" Julian raised his voice, his arms shaking as they fought to support him. His knuckles grew whiter the harder he clutched the console. "Huh?! What is there?! You've destroyed my resolve, you've defaced my body with scarring that will no doubt last me for life, and you've spent the last three days ruining my psychological health! I'll admit it! I am broken! Just let us go!"
The longest three seconds of Julian's life flashed in front of his eyes as he waited for Martin's reaction.
Unsurprisingly, he started to laugh. Martin giggled to himself for several seconds, and Julian was expecting him to do so for some time.
But he wasn't expecting him to produce a small vial from his pocket and violently toss it at him. The metallic projectile exploded upon contact with Julian's foot, producing a dark aerosol cloud that covered him and Garak within milliseconds. The gas burnt his lungs as he inadvertently welcomed it into his alveoli; a foul taste began to form at the back of his mouth. He could vaguely make out Garak's coughing amongst his own as their bodies fought to expel the foreign substance. Oh God, what has he done now?…
"Now then, my dear doctor," Martin spat, pacing aggressively as he launched into his monologue, "Let's get to business. This is a specialised chemical weapon that I developed a few years ago. Originally I tried to sell my creation, but no one at the time was interested, so instead it lay forgotten in my lab in Paris. That is, until I realised it would be the perfect way to completely ruin you. I decided to tweak it until I was certain it would kill you."
Julian didn't have to be a genius to know that Martin was referring to his enhanced genetics. Though I do wish he'd skip to the part where I learn how I can stay alive…my lungs really hurt-
"For a normal person, this…'concoction' would make them a bit uncomfortable, maybe even give them a low-grade fever, but they would live. It will kill you. And it will also kill your friend."
Julian allowed his body to collapse on itself, the fatigue and poison quickly overwhelming him. Each breath seemed to take more and more effort to inhale; his chest began to feel tighter with each exhalation. Part of him couldn't help but wonder how Martin had managed to create an aerosol that suppressed the oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange, but most of him decided he should focus on his breathing.
He observed Garak out of the corner of his eye, turning to watch as his friend dropped to the floor, his body spasming as he gurgled in agony. His eyes rolled back into his head, with saliva collecting at the edges of his mouth. "…Garak!…"
Reaching into another of his seemingly-endless pockets, Martin produced a hypospray and another small vial, inserting it into the device with a small click. "Luckily for you, I was kind enough to at least give you a chance to live, so I created an antidote. There is only one dose, and I deliberately destroyed the formula on my personal computer to ensure it remained that way. Your previous injuries ensure that you will die quickly, unless you make your decision now."
With another high-pitched laugh, Martin tossed the hypospray a few metres out of Julian's reach, bouncing off Garak's forehead with a sickening thud.
Julian had realised what Martin was planning before he'd even finished his stereotypical villain rant. Do I sacrifice myself…or do I save Garak?
For him, the answer was obvious.
And I'm not going to give Martin the answer he wants.
With a new resolve, Julian began the slow journey across the floor. It felt like an eternity before he reached the antidote, pulling himself along the ground with his weakening limbs. His airways screamed with each breath, his lungs feeling as though they were crumpling in on themselves.
Panting heavily, his trembling fingers slid around the handle of the hypospray. He could barely force his gaze on the device in his hand, struggling to push himself up onto his hands and knees. Spots of darkness began to appear in his peripheral vision; he knew he was running out of time, for his brain couldn't take the lack of oxygen much longer.
Turning his head to face Martin, Julian gave the man a glare that would have incinerated him, and felt some slight pleasure at the look of horror that quickly crossed the latter's face.
He activated the hypospray as he shoved it against Garak's neck.
Martin's cries of rage barely registered in his ears as he felt himself slam into the ground, his battle for consciousness coming to a rapid end.
