U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“The Key To Hell's Gates - Part VIII”
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If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
- Sun Tzu, the Art of War
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The red dot in the center of his rifle scope traced the edges of a large open concrete platform. The pad and landing was empty. Devoid of motion or activity for the last few minutes Ramius could see nothing.
“Well what do you think Major”, he softly asked lowering his rifle. The group of marines crouched silently at the near edge of the mine tunnel quietly waiting for additional orders.
“It’s quiet. Too quiet.”
“My sentiments exactly”, Ramius replied taking another look through his scope. “There is a staircase off to the right. It leads down, but I can’t see beyond it from here. There could be almost anything waiting at the base of those stairs.”
“Do you anticipate an ambush captain”, the major asked. “This scientist, Ballentine, he had to have been in a hurry escaping the station. What does a doctor know of tactics?”
“He may not be trained in combat major, but the man is brilliant if such a word can be used to describe him. One does not necessarily require military training to be a suitable opponent. Underestimating the doctor would be foolhardy and hazardous. The man has survived by being ruthless and cunning his entire life. He’s cornered and that makes him especially dangerous.”
“If this is an ambush sir, we should position the men along the lip of the landing. We should be able to move behind the wall without being seen if we’re quiet and careful.”
Ramius considered the situation carefully. “Major, take two thirds of the men and spread them out along the ledge. You’ll have to crawl to avoid being seen. Once you are in position I’ll send up the tram.”
“What about you sir?”
“I’ll take the remaining men. We’ll shadow the tram from the back side. They shouldn’t see us on the far side as we use the tram for cover. Once it comes to a stop we can use the car for cover assuming it works as a suitable decoy. Just keep your men quiet and frosty until I give the word.”
“You can count on us sir.”
Ramius nodded. “Good luck major.”
Tav saluted the marines as they quietly moved out and slowly crawled down the tunnel and along the edge of the concrete landing pad obscured from view from any eyes waiting or watching. After a few minutes the men were in position. Silently motioning to the remainder of his men, Ramius ordered the tram to be started as he and squad of men jogged softly behind the car obscured from view as it slowly emerged from the safety of the tunnel. After a few moments the automatic systems engaged and the tram came to a quiet stop at the landing. Pulling a grenade from his vest, Ramius calmly waited as he pressed his back against the side of the tram car waiting and listening for any signs of movement.
Several long moments passed. There was nothing but silence. Still more time passed and yet the ambush he had anticipated never came. Either the major was correct and NeoDyne had few cards left to play or they were playing things coolly. Ramius would bet his command NeoDyne had laid a trap. They had already set one on the tram car in the form of augmented leeches with supernormal potential to kill. While effective, they could not expect such a measure to completely stop their progress.
As the minutes ticked by, Ramius himself began to question if his initial instincts were wrong. Perhaps they had been clouded by the deep personal attachment he had to this mission. He wanted to believe he could remain objective, but perhaps he was becoming paranoid and overly cautious. With nearly fifteen minutes having passed the odds of a NeoDyne attack were diminishing. That is until Ramius heard footsteps in the distance.
Signaling his men, he resumed his posture clinging to the tram wall as the footsteps grew closer. Moments later several men were above him in the tram.
“Bloodhound to Wolfpack, the tram is empty except for a few dead bodies. The tram car is heavily damaged from the fight. It looks like the doctor’s pets made quick work of many of them.”
“How many bodies do you count, over?”
“Roughly twelve bodies, covered in blood and slime from the doctor’s little surprise. Not much else left, over.”
“Check the bodies. Strip them of their weapons. The doctor’s weapon may have killed many of them, but I doubt they got them all. Look and see if any of the bodies match the description of Ramius. Report back when you’ve cleared the car. Out.”
Ramius silently gave signals to his men to ready themselves. As soon as they indicated they were ready, Ramius cleared his throat just loud enough to be overheard. As the NeoDyne men looked over the side of the tram to check on the noise, Ramius pointed his rifle upwards as the ‘dead’ marines on the tram jumped up and quickly took the five mercenaries by surprise stripping them of their weapons.
[ Some Minutes Later ]
“What’s through those doors”, Ramius asked the five mercenaries who had been tied and set in a circle on the landing guarded by a dozen marines with itchy trigger fingers and resentful expressions.
“I asked you a question”, he shouted kicking the boot of one of the men as he paced around the group.
“Save your breath”, one of the men replied.
“Gentlemen, I happen to know one or two things about mercenaries. First and foremost, you sell your talents. Second of all your loyalty is to those who are furnishing the paychecks. Now I have no idea what NeoDyne is paying you, but I am sure I can easily triple that amount plus ensure your freedom assuming you help me get myself and my team into the remainder of the mines unharmed.”
“Do you actually think I’m going to trust you Starfleet?”
“Well, no, but I’m not exactly with Starfleet”, Ramius answered. “Do you actually think Starfleet would authorize one of its ship to violate the Neutral Zones of the Romulans and Klingons on a wild goose chase to hunt down NeoDyne? Truth of the matter is that I don’t represent the Starfleet. You might consider me and my men as just a private enterprise operation.”
“Private enterprise huh? What sort of guarantee is that? You’ll say anything to get us to talk. No deal.”
Ramius’s face soured and his pushed the tip of his phaser rifle under the man’s chin and lifted it upwards. “Let me make this nice and clear for you and your men. You have one of two options. You can help us and have a chance at surviving to go on to die another day or you can end up a black skid marks on the floor here after I’m though vaporizing you. Now which is it going to be? I’m only going to ask once and due to the day I have had today gentlemen, my patience is extremely limited. You have thirty seconds to make a decision.”
“You kill us and there will just be more of us who will show up. They’ll deal with you.”
Ramius smiled. “You know something. You’re right.” Pacing about the men for a moment he stopped. “Cut the men loose”, Ramius instructed.
“SIR”, the major protested.
“No time to argue. Cut them loose. Meanwhile, you men strip to your skivvies now!” Ramius leveled his weapon at the mercenaries. “If you don’t I’ll send you to hell right now.”
[ Ten Minutes Later ]
“This is crazy Captain”, the major protested as he stared at the five mercenaries now clad in Starfleet uniforms. “This is never going to work!”
“Give it a chance Major”, Ramius said confidently. “You’d be surprised what does and does not work. Deception is an art form.”
“You’re a sick bastard”, one of the mercenaries shouted.
“Call it what you will, but I play to win”, Ramius smugly answered. Pulling a grenade from his vest, Ramius concealed it within the pocket of one of the mercenaries whose hands had again been bound.
“That is a grenade. I’ve set it so I can remotely detonate it from my tricorder here. If you men don’t do exactly what I tell you to, I’ll detonate it which will likely kill or maim all if not most of you. Now I expect your full cooperation.”
Ramius headed toward the doors that led into the mines surveying what he could before heading back to his team. “Major, do you have the communicator?”
“Right here sir.”
Ramius took the NeoDyne communicator and flipped it on. “Quite the welcome party you sent out here to meet us”, Ramius stated with a smug smile. “Although, I can’t say there seem like the most cheerful bunch to send to a party. They’re hearts just don’t seem to be in it.”
“Who is this”, a stern voice shouted over the open channel.
“Your worst nightmare pal. In about two minutes I’m coming for you and your band of sleaze balls on the NeoDyne payroll. Now you can either give up now while you have the chance or you can end up as stains on the deck plates. It’s your choice.”
“Ramius! Where are my men?”
“They’re practicing for new roles. Now what’s it going to be?”
“If anyone is going to end up a stain down here it will be you Ramius!” The channel suddenly went silent.
“What a charming man. And you fellows work for this guy? With a temper like that no wonder you all seem in such foul moods.” Tossing the communicator back at the major Ramius shoved the barrel of his rifle into the mercenaries’ backs as his marines fell in behind the group toward the large doors that led into the converted NeoDyne mines. “You men are going to play Starfleet marines. If you do a good job, I won’t splatter you all over the deck. I had best see five star performances gentlemen. As I’m sure you are aware acting critics can be quite harsh and quite fickle if you catch my meaning. Now start walking!”
[ To Be Continued ]
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
