Star Trek: Erin

Part 5: Messy Business

     "Over my dead body," I told him.

     He shrugged. "Okay. Does the Vulcan share your feelings?"

     I felt Nowak's shoulders tense. "The Vulcan can think for himself. State the reasons for your claims or we will fire." I maintained a neutral expression as Glasgow rolled his eyes. Glasgow probably thinks he's dealing with a normal Vulcan. If we can hold that advantage—

     Glasgow tilted his head. "You don't seem like a normal Vulcan."

     "You have one minute before we fire. Resist and you will see how green my blood is."

     "Oh, so I'm right." Glasgow raised his hands. "And you would fire at an unarmed person? The Enterprise's famous diplomacy. No wonder you have some of the highest altercation numbers in the fleet." Stupid mind games. If he thinks he looks innocent with those hands up, I'll rip them off. He dropped his hands. "I guess I need to be the diplomat. Section 31 requires the Enterprise's munitions. There's an interdimensional issue that needs neutralizing."

     I snorted. Nowak glanced over our shoulders at Glasgow. "Why is Starfleet not dealing with this 'interdimensional issue?'"

     "It is. Section 31 is sanctioned by Starfleet. Not officially, but..." He shrugged. "Believe me on not."

     "What did you do to the ship?"

     "Modified alien technology. Section 31 gets the experimental equipment. Locks an area in time. We toned it down here to make it easier to transport the munitions, but that means you two are not locked. So we need your cooperation."

     I felt a light jab at my elbow. In a smooth, practiced movement, Nowak and I switched places. "Good team," said Glasgow. I could hear a smile in his voice.

     We ignored the compliment. "If you legitimately needed these munitions, you would have gone through the proper channels," Nowak said. A slight squeak as Nowak's glove tightened around his phaser. "We are not giving you the munitions." I tapped my approval on the back of his other hand. Right call. Fire, Nowak.

     The electric pulse buzzed out. I glanced over my shoulder and was just in time for Glasgow to punch me in the face. I reeled and slammed into the wall. I dimly saw Nowak stumble, one hand clutching his neck, the other fist snaking towards Glasgow. Glasgow sidestepped and slammed Nowak into the wall. Nowak lay where he fell. Glasgow glanced at me. "You couldn't do it the nice way, huh? Now, do you want to open this door or upgrade to a concussion?"

     I spat blood on the floor. "I don't have a fucking key."

     Glasgow didn't miss a beat. "Who does?"

     "I wouldn't tell you."

     "What if Nowak dies if you don't?"

     I met his eyes. "I'd grieve." The ringing in my ears was making it hard to think, but a shock ran down my spine. How did he know Nowak's name?

     Phzzzzt. The green phaser light shot over my head and hit Glasgow in the chest. He crumpled. "You really make a mess of things, Cobos."

     Hell yeah, Sprite. I grinned over my shoulder.

     "You're bleeding."

     "No shit." Sprite hauled me to my feet. I looked him up and down. "Why aren't you locked?"

     "Is that what he called it?" Sprite poked Glasgow's body with a boot. "Fitting. I tested the comms and basically the whole ship is severed except the transporter room. I was with Tetra, and they wanted her. She was taken prisoner, but I got out." I raised an eyebrow. He sighed. "They let me go."

     "Ominous. So, can we move around the ship without being locked?" I dropped down to check Nowak. Breathing steadily, but it takes a lot to knock out a Vulcan. Who are we dealing with? I'd never met Tetra, but hopefully she was alright too.

    "The Section 31 blokes seem to manage."

    "Right." I made Nowak as comfortable as I could, pocketed Glasgow's black Starfleet badge, and rose. "If we're the only uncompromised personnel, it's our duty to sort this out. You in?"

     He grinned. "Do you have to ask?"

     "Lovely. First things first, Section 31. Ever heard of them?"

     I watched as an expression I'd never seen on him appeared. If eyes are the windows to the soul, the curtains were drawn. "Tetra mentioned them once. Said Starfleet has a policy of ignoring, not ignorance." He avoided my gaze. He's not telling me everything. People need to stop keeping secrets that are vital to missions. Although, I suppose I trust him enough to let him keep his. For now.

     I sighed. "Alright. Glasgow was pretty chatty." I kicked the operative's form. "His name's Glasgow. Not sure if it's a codename though. Anyway, said the locking was experimental alien tech. What they wanted was the munitions in here." I tapped the munitions depot door.

     "Experimental tech usually starts out massive with limited range." Sprite grinned at me. "It must be on board."

     I swore. "Means someone on board put it here."

     Sprite's eyes widened, then narrowed. "Bloody traitors."

     "That's secondary. Let's find this time device and wreck it. Ideas?"

     "Near the engines, I'd bet. Whatever device would need all its power to stop those beasts from breaking through the time-lock."

     "So, the plan is going to the engines and wrecking their experimental tech. I like it. Except for one thing." I jerked my head at the depot. "They want what's in here. We leave it unguarded, I'm sure they'll take the munitions by force. And my entire job at the moment is not letting that happen."

     Sprite's eyes sparkled. "Buuuuuuut?"

     "Safety in numbers." I'm a Starfleet officer first. My duty is to restore the ship first, and to protect my crewmates as long as I can, before fighting them.

     "I happen to not be dead, you know." Nowak sat up and glanced at the body next to him. "I take it Sprite dealt with him?" He got to his feet, much more gracefully than I could ever manage.

     Sprite stared. "Bloody hell, Vulcans are tough. You put a dent in the wall and you're already back at it."

     Should've said this sooner. "Thanks, Nowak. I'd be dead if I took that hit."

     I noticed that hint of a smile. "Indeed," Nowak said. Sprite looked confused, probably at a Vulcan showing emotion.

     I clapped my hands. "Alright. How much did you hear about the plan?"

     "You two need to take out the time tech in engines." Nowak nodded down the hallway. "I will guard the door, stun on sight. They will not be expecting such opposition."

     "Kill setting if you have to." I met his eyes. "And if it makes things difficult for you when this over, pin it on me."

     Nowak's eyes narrowed. "If I must kill, I will take the blame."

     I studied his face. Two playing the noble game. Fun. "Call us if you need to. Munitions is our primary concern."

     "Try not to die, Cobos."