U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“The Key To Hell’s Gates – Part IX”
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“If you are out of trouble, watch for danger”
- Sophocles
(Continued From Part 8…)
One large steel door loomed ominously before Captain Taverain Ramius and his battered team of weary marines. Beyond the door before them lie a danger-filled unknown of which they had to traverse. However despite the dangers, Ramius felt he had a key to the door and more a final card to play in a high stakes game to remain alive.
Before him under heavy guard were five NeoDyne mercenaries who had been stripped of their uniforms replaced by Starfleet attire graciously donated by five willing marines.
“Captain”, the major, who had caught up with Ramius quietly spoke to avoid being overheard. “Sir, are you sure this is a tactically sound idea. Sir I do not wish to disagree with you in front of the men, but I have reservations about this plan.”
Ramius paused for a moment. “Such as?”
“It is tactically unsound. We are putting our men in harms way on a gamble the enemy will fall for a thin veil of deception. If they do not buy this we are exposing the men to unnecessary danger.”
Ramius only grinned. “They don’t have to buy us”, he said confidently, “they only have to rent us temporarily. That’s the beauty of this whole plan.”
The major sighed realizing it was futile to argue with the Corsair’s cavalier captain.
“Major, have some of your men surround the mercs. Our boys dressed as the mercenaries will follow them in as if they had captured them. Once we’re inside we should have a few minutes to survey the situation.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this”, the major said rubbing his temples. Turning he moved off to assemble the marines in preparation to execute Ramius’s plan.
With final preparations made, Ramius grabbed one of the captured mercenary communication devices and activated it. “Open the blast door, we’ve captured the renegade Starfleet force and have many prisoners. Just as anticipated they walked straight into our ambush. We also managed to secure the Starfleet ship’s captain. Over.”
Ramius waited for a response. “Acknowledged. Standby Team One.”
Tossing the communicator to the major, Ramius joined dozens of his own men who were giving the impression of having surrendered to NeoDyne personnel. Hiding their weapons the marines put their hands up to further play the parts of those who had been captured.
The large steel door that blocked the entrance to the remainder of the mine slowly opened with a metallic grating that echoed within the mine tunnel. Ramius gave the command to move out and his men slowly stepped through the opening at gun point into a large rocky chamber.
The large, underground cavern was filled with equipment, personnel, and crates all lit by overhead construction lights that were haphazardly strung from the rocky ceiling above. Wires and machinery filled the damp, cold space. The floor was smooth having been polished by some heavy equipment long since gone. Its flat, obsidian colored surface was in sharp contrast to the jagged, rocky crags that comprised the cavern the remnants of the Klingon mining operations long since abandoned within the dead planet.
Ramius noticed a large metallic disc embedded at the center of the room. Its purpose was not immediately known, but there were other features of interest. A metallic catwalk surrounded the cavern and upon it were nearly a dozen NeoDyne security guards. Ramius also noticed a large observation structure similar to an old stadium pressbox which protruded from the cavern’s walls. He was confident Dr. Ballentine was located there though the occupants could not be identified from this distance.
Leaning over to the marines nearby, Ramius issued orders on which targets to attack when the word was given. For now he would play his role as prisoner for as long as he could maintain the ruse. The longer he could keep NeoDyne fooled the longer he would have to fine tune his response.
“Shutup”, one of the marines behind him bellowed striking Ramius on the shoulder with his weapon. “Open that mouth again captain and I’ll shut it for you. Permanently.”
Several additional NeoDyne mercenaries, clad in black uniforms, surrounded the marines. “Good work Team One”, the leader said taking stock of the Starfleet marines. “I trust they didn’t give you too much trouble?”
“They killed three of my men, but we paid them back in kind”, the major, posing as one of the mercenaries answered.
“And where is Captain Ramius?”
The NeoDyne officer slowly made his way about the circle of men until he stopped and faced the only man with the badge of captain pinned on his collar. “Captain Ramius. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from the doctor.”
“Indeed. Did that slime happen to mention how much I despise him and the company he works for?”
The NeoDyne mercenary laughed. “He mentioned something to that effect. He also mentioned I was not to underestimate you. I was told you had certain talents which make you quite formidable. I can see that he must have been mistaken. You fell quite easily and predictably into our net. For a well trained group of professional soldiers I expected more.”
“Did you now? Well I am sorry if I disappointed you.”
“Disappointed perhaps. Starfleet tactics are always so predictable.”
Ramius shot a quick glance at the major and then over toward a pile of stacked crates as the NeoDyne mercenary continued to talk.
“Predictable? How so?”
“Alas I’m afraid I do not have the time for a lecture in tactics today Captain. Needless to say you were sloppy and now it will cost you.”
“Well I’ve never been one for long goodbyes. Can we just get this over with?”
“I have no intention of killing you or your men captain. The doctor has plans for all of you. You and your men will no doubt make excellent test subjects for his work. You ruined the station and forced us to destroy millions of credits in staff, equipment, and research. However, once the Chimera arrives you will be taken aboard. I am sure the doctor will find suitable uses for all of you then.”
“The Chimera”, Ramius asked. “What is that?”
“You will find out in due time captain.” Motioning to the other mercenaries the leader smiled at the captain. “Take the prisoners to the rear tunnel. We will guard them from there until the Chimera arrives.” Turning back to the captain the mercenary’s confident grin was still plastered on his face. “Hard to believe someone like you was so easily overpowered. You’ll have plenty of time to contemplate your mistakes while listening to the screams of these men.”
“I’ll enjoy the screams”, Ramius replied with cocky bravado. “Only, my men will not be doing the screaming.”
“Optimism. Good. I like it. You’ll need every bit of it for what lies ahead.”
“You know, you’re right”, Ramius replied. “I will need all I can get, starting right about NOW!”
The major, on cue, quickly turned and fired into the nearby stack of crates which were filled with all manner of flammable research materials and chemicals beamed down from the station. With a flash the crates exploded into a ball of flame as the group of marines scattered pulling their concealed weapons and carrying out Ramius’s earlier orders.
The stunned mercenaries were quickly dispatched just as a storm of weapons fire erupted from the catwalks above the cavern floor as security forces opened fire. Ramius and his men, moving quickly with the element of surprise, took aim at the catwalks themselves firing at the support structures that attached the walkways to the cavern walls. The frightful sound of tearing, twisting metal echoed throughout the vast space as the walkways collapsed along with their occupants. Within thirty seconds the entire skirmish was over. A dozen mercenaries lie dead or wounded no longer posing a threat to the marines. The catwalks that encircled the room were in shambles having been cut apart by Ramius’s earlier orders.
The room was secure except for a small cluster of researchers and NeoDyne personnel who huddled in a corner terrified of the chaos that had so quickly come and gone.
However there was no time to celebrate the victory. Ramius was not nearly as cocky and conventional as had been his NeoDyne counterpart just a few minutes prior. With the threat neutralized, Ramius still sensed danger in so much as they had yet to secure Dr. Ballentine, perhaps the most dangerous man alive in the entire facility. Once they had him at the butt of a rifle barrel only then could he breathe a small sigh of relief.
“Fan out”, Ramius barked as several of the crates behind him burned and exploded with chemical and other flammable agents. “Try to locate the mine’s power source.”
Ramius approached the cowering researchers who wanted no part in the madness around them.
“Where is Dr. Ballentine”, Ramius firmly demanded his intentions all too clear as he leveled his rifle at the group of men and women.
“He’s..he’s up in the control tower”, one man nervously answered. “Just leave now, while you still can.”
Ramius’s gaze was firm and unrelenting. The scientists appeared agitated and disturbed, but something told him it wasn’t the phaser fire or the killing that had struck fear into their hearts. It was something else; something far, far, more sinister.
Ramius grabbed one of the men and harshly shoved him against a nearby equipment crate painfully shoving his rifle barrel into the man’s neck and lower jaw.
“I suggest you start talking”, Ramius shouted gripping the man’s collar. “TALK or else you and this phaser are about to become much more intimate. WHAT else do you know?”
The man trembled beneath Ramius’s grasp. “It’s Ballentine”, the man struggled to say his voice quivering with fear. “He’s done it. He’s actually done it.”
“WHAT”, Ramius bellowed. “What has he done? TALK!”
The scientist never got the opportunity to answer as several large flood lights snapped on temporarily blinding Ramius and his men. There was a mechanical grinding as Ramius’s head snapped back over his shoulder to see the entrance to the cavern seal itself shut as a heavy locking mechanism secured the massive steel door firmly closed.
“Welcome Captain Ramius”, an old man’s voice boomed over a hidden loudspeaker.
Ramius released the scientist and turned his attention toward the control booth high up on the cavern wall.
“Ballentine”, Ramius angrily muttered under his breath.
[ To Be Continued… ]
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
Doctor Artimis Ballentine
Neodyne Research Scientist
