Legends of Darkover

Chapter 8

-oOo-

“Captain,” said Regis.  “Can't you just beam them over?”

Painfully, Kirk was forced to explain.  “I'm sorry, Dom Regis, but we can't.  We need either their exact location traced via a standard communications signal—this is how we beamed you out of the Legate's office—or their pattern, which can only be obtained by a previous transporter beaming, and neither your paxman or Domna Catriona have ever been on the Enterprise.  We can make an estimate about where they are from the ship's schema, but an estimate isn't good enough for the transporter.”

Qui-gon spoke.  “One of my spybugs has already been inside the Interrogation Center and should be able to confirm the presence of the captives.  I can move one into position through a vent, if you give me a few minutes.” 

Kirk's head came up, his eyes sharp.  “Spock.  Could it be possible to get a communicator lock on the spybug?”  He glanced at Qui-gon.  “It produces an electronic signal, right?  If our transporter could recognize the signal, we could fly a bug right down on top of the captives and beam them over.  Do you have a spare spybug whose signal we could code into our transporter?”

Qui-gon made a slight grimace and Obi-wan's gaze dropped to the floor, unwilling to meet the wild hope in Regis' eyes.

“I'm sorry,” said the Jedi master.  “All the spybugs I have were sent to the Raptor.   Even worse, the signals produced by the spybugs are all individualized.  It is as if one makes a signal like a cricket, another like a bee's humming, and a third like the cry of a cicada.  This was done to ensure that if one spybug were caught, the Sith would not be able to use its signal to trace the others.”

“Do you have any computer records of these signals?” asked Spock.

“I'm afraid not.  The technology behind the spybug is a heavily guarded Jedi secret, and we were not allowed to bring along any data about their specifications.”

“Okay,” Kirk conceded.  “But the spybugs can probably pin down their locations.  We'll beam over rescue teams, then take the Raptor apart.”  He gave a hard smile.  “Master Jinn, can your spybugs add programs to the Raptor's computers as well as read them?”

Qui-gon fixed him with a keen eye.  “I think it's possible.  Darth Tyranus always inserts his own set of overrides into any bit of programming he can get his hands on, and I know his passkeys.  What do you have in mind?”

“First, take down their shields,” said Kirk, “second, lock up their guns, third, lock the controls of their starfighters, fourth, disable every droid on the ship, fifth, drop their cloak, and sixth, disrupt their communications.”

“A long list,” replied Qui-gon.  “It may not be possible to do all.  Undoubtedly Lord Plagueis has a master override of his own, and once the Sith realize there is any interference, Lord Plagueis will take over.  My old master was talented, but I doubt his programming has outwitted Plagueis'.  Nevertheless, I shall start.”  He began to work furiously on his wristcom.

“Dom Regis,” said the Captain.  “Are there any photos or pictures of the prisoners?  I'd like a visual ID of them for the boarding parties so we know who to look for.”

Regis winced.  “It isn't customary among our people to have such things made, except in rare cases.”

“Have you met Catriona?” 

“Only in the Overworld,” admitted Regis, “and my visual memory there is impaired.  I know what she feels like, but not what she looks like.  I'd recognize her matrix instantly, though.”

“What about your paxman?  You ought to be able to describe him.”

“He's--” Regis broke off.  His distress was pathetic to witness.

Kirk waited politely.

“I'm sorry.”  Regis swallowed.  “It's just occurred to me that I might never see him again, and I won't even have a picture to remember him by.”

“Don't despair yet,” replied the Captain firmly. 

Qui-gon interrupted.  “I believe I have them here.  The visual sensor on the spybug is not the best, but they're both in the Interrogation Center.  I am not sure this image should be shown to everyone.”

Kirk glanced at Regis, who was tightening his jaw.  “Show it,” Regis insisted.

With Spock's help, the wristcom signal was connected to the Enterprise's computers.  The viewscreen lit up with the sight of Inculcare leading Danilo over to where Catriona lay. 

“Blur her figure,” said the Captain immediately when he realized what he was seeing.  “Show only her face.”  An angry mutter came from Chekov.  Uhura cursed softly.  Kirk felt a growing wrath as his eyes moved back and forth between the two captives.  He noted Danilo's tear-streaked face, the humiliating sprawl of Catriona's unconscious body. 

Regis was biting his lips.

“We WILL rescue them,” Obi-wan assured Regis.

“Cut the visual,” ordered the Captain.  “We've got the IDs.  Mr. Spock, you and Master Jinn will be heading to the Interrogation Center with a security team.  I assume that if we accidently beam you too far off, we can just beam you back to the Enterprise and out again.  Don't try to fight your way through the entire ship trying to find their location. 

“Mr. Sulu, you are leading a team of saboteurs to their engineering section.  I'm going to lead a team to their bridge.  The goal is to do as much damage as possible as fast as possible, and be a distraction.  Everyone's wearing life support belts.  They may not last long against blaster shots, but they'll help.  Lieutenant Uhura, you'll have the con during the assault.  Mr. Scott is going to be busy working the transporter.”

“Captain?” said Qui-gon.  “Don't try to fight either the Sith lords or apprentices directly, unless Obi-wan and myself are there to do it.  You do not have the defenses to battle against the Dark Side of the Force.  Flee them immediately, though it may seem humiliating.”

“Advice noted, and we intend to follow it,” agreed Kirk.  “I don't intend to lose any of my crew to Darths Crunchy, Punchy and Plonk if I can help it.”

“Master, I have a suggestion,” said Obi-wan eagerly.  “I'd like to take the Wizard and strafe the hanger bays.  I can Fold Space and drop down right on their nose.” 

“A clever notion, Padawan.  However, you have not yet performed a Fold Space manuver unassisted.”

“I've helped you countless times, Master.  I know the technique quite well.”

“It's risky.  I give no command, Padawan.  It is your choice.”

“Master, we need someone to hit the starfighters directly.  If there is a delay in your assault, it does little good to rescue the captives if we have a hundred starfighters pounding the Enterprise in the meantime.  We must stop as many of them as possible in their hangers.  After I strafe them, I can help by boarding the Raptor if I have the opportunity.”

“I'm inclined to agree,” said Kirk.  “I've assault plans for the hanger bays, but this will help as well.”

“Captain?” said Uhura.  “We're being hailed by the Legate.  He says his message is urgent.”

“Put him on, I was just about to order you to raise him.”

-oOo-

Inculcare pushed Danilo close to Catriona's examination table so the boy would have a good view.  Catriona's crimson robe was open all the way, hanging down over the sides of the table.  Her legs were spread apart, and her skin was mottled with bruises.  Danilo was appalled.  He was trying not to cry, but his tears refused to stop flowing. 

“Don't worry,” said Inculcare mockingly.  “She will have a strong Sith child.  Several of them, in fact.  Pregnancies can be accelerated if you remove the fertilized eggs for gestation in an incubator.  Did you know that?”

“No,” said Danilo in a faint voice.  He felt Inculcare's mind withdraw from his own, and for a moment was incredulous.  Then he detected the mental clamp the torturer had left behind.  Inculcare had not relinquished his grip entirely.  However, this did not explain why the torturer had retreated.

-He has withdrawn because he is a coward, and cannot endure the fear he has injected into you.  He suffers from the drug as well.  Stay silent.  Communicate only when necessary.  I am destroying the drug in your veins, but you need to make yourself afraid whenever he tries to read you.-

-Not a difficulty.  I AM afraid, even without the drug.-  Nonetheless, he felt the choking fear wane as Catriona worked.  

-I have you blocked,- came Catriona's mental whisper.  -I have placed a filter around your mind so that if he tries to invade you again, you can pretend to obey and he won't know the difference.-

“Danilo, make yourself useful.  Button her up,” Inculcare said.

Danilo began to fit the bone buttons of Catriona's robe back inside their loops.  It was difficult work with bound hands, and he struggled over the buttons for several minutes.

-Thank you.  I cannot bear the eyes of that cagavrezu.-

The cagavrezu in question was holding some sort of device over Catriona.  “Danilo, my boy, how would you like to be my apprentice?”

Even though the question was jocular, Danilo was appalled.  /I already have Dyan Ardais as a stepfather, and now this hideous madman wants to train me?/  “NO!” he cried.

Inculcare laughed.  “You do not have the temperament to be a Sith, obviously.  Now, where was I?”  He retrieved his datapad and began to review Catriona's testimony.

-I do not know how much longer I can last, Catriona.  I am sick of this madman.-

-You're suffering from laran exhaustion.  Try to find some food.  You will need strength for our escape.  Keep your spirits up and remember Regis and his friends.-

“Do you have anything to eat?” Danilo asked timidly. 

Inculcare paused.  “What did you say?”

“Do you have anything to eat?  Something sweet would be best, candy or something like it.”

Inculcare put down his datapad and faced Danilo directly. “You interrupt me in the middle of an interrogation session to ask me for candy?  By the Immortal Gods of the Sith!  No wonder Darth Tyranus thought you were hopeless.”  Inculcare stared at him for a long moment while Danilo tried not to tremble too obviously.  He had his pride.

Inculcare picked up a medical scanner and waved it across the boy, muttering something about Oliver Twist as he read the results.  With a snort, he reached across Catriona and unreeled a flexible tube out of a wall socket.  The tube had a needle-like tip, and he stabbed it into the back of Danilo's hand. The boy yelped.

“Leave it in,” said Inculcare.  “It's a nutrient drip.”  He slapped a piece of tape across the tubing to hold it in place and returned to his datapad. 

Danilo stared at him.

“What?  You didn't think I was going to hand you a piece of steak on a plate, did you?  I'm a torturer.  If I feed you dinner, it's going to hurt.  Oh, for Force's sake.”  Inculcare punched an invisible button and a drawer slid out of a wall.  He tossed aside an assortment of shock probes and came up with a foil-covered roll which he handed to Danilo.  “Force knows how this got here.  Darth Tyranus must like to suck on the things.  They're fruit disks.  You open it by peeling the foil.  It can't be over a year old so it shouldn't poison you.”

Danilo managed to tear down the side of the roll with his teeth, and three soft colored disks dropped into his mouth.  Together, they combined to make one horrible and alien flavor, but at least they were sweet.

Inculcare retrieved his datapad, then paused to look at Danilo.  “You know what?  You're a bad influence.  I swear you soften the Dark Side.  I think I'd better hand you over to Xiphos before you turn me back into a Jedi.  Now, where were we?  The Temple of Zandru in the Forbidden City.  Where is it, Catriona?”

Danilo tensed.  Catriona did not answer. 

“Catriona?”  Inculcare picked up a scanner and the readings made him scowl.  “It looks like you must detox from all the drugs, my girl.  Blast!  You don't happen to know where the Temple of Zandru is, do you?” Inculcare said to Danilo.

“No.  I've never heard of it,” replied Danilo truthfully.



The torturer made an exasperated noise.

-What did you do?-

-Forced my body into an unresponsive stupor.  It's a healer's trick.  Why does he want to know about the temple?  What have I told him?- Catriona's thoughts were filled with consternation.

A deep, distant boom caught Danilo's attention.  He stopped eating and secreted the candy away in his pocket.  Inculcare ignored the sound, frowning over his scanner.  Booms began to echo throughout the ship's corridors, swelling in sound. 

“Battlestations!” Tyranus' voice bawled from somewhere Danilo couldn't see.

Inculcare put down his scanner and punched a button on his utility belt.  A bed dropped down from a wall next to Catriona.  “Climb on and lie down,” Inculcare ordered Danilo.  As soon as the boy did, the torturer hit another button and shocked Danilo unconscious with the stun cuffs.

  

“Now, what has that idiot Tyranus done?” said Inculcare in disgust as he left the center.

-oOo-

To Kirk's surprise, Daniel Lawton interrupted the Captain's spiel.  The Legate's face was drawn with worry.  “Warning came to us from the tower at Hali about the kidnapping only a couple of hours ago.  Dom Regis,” he added.  “I'm very sorry.  I know how you feel about your paxman.”

“Thank you,” said Regis, “Does my grandfather know yet?” 

“Yes, and he demands your immediate return.”

“No.”

Lawton seemed to be yearning for some head-in-the-arms time.   “Dom Regis, I beg you to come back.”

“I am of legal age and have a designated heir.  That is all my grandfather needs to consider.  Do not raise the subject again.”

Thwarted, Lawton turned his attention to Captain Kirk.  “Dom Danvan Hastur insists on beaming up an official representative for the Darkovan government during this crisis.” 

“Okay.  But he needs to be told he's heading into a war zone.  If we take fire, we might not be able to return him to Darkover in time to save his hide.  Does he know all this?”

“He's been informed of the risks, Captain.  You should already have his pattern in your databanks.  He is waiting for you to beam him up from Castle Ardais.”

“Fine,” said Kirk.  “As for your other concern, I agree with you.  Security, report to the bridge and escort Dom Regis to the transporter room.”  Expecting an enraged yowl, the Captain sprang up with a gesture to Chekov, signaling that it was time to seize Regis and frog-march him off the ship.

“Captain, he's gone!” exclaimed Uhura.

Pained, Kirk leant over his comlink.  “Security, a correction.  Search for Dom Regis and escort him off the ship.  Mr. Lawton, we'll find him soon enough.  Please inform the Regent his grandson will be returning. We'll try to keep you informed of developments.”

“Good luck, Captain,” said the Legate as the link broke.

“Padawan?” said Qui-gon, looking up from his frenetic programming.  “Make for the Wizard and prepare for a fast take-off.  Captain, I've got the overrides entered and ready for activation.”

“Beaming up one from the planet, Captain,” Mr. Scott interrupted over the intercom.  “Ouch!”

Kirk nodded to Qui-gon and asked through his comlink, “What was that, Scotty?”

“You'll find out soon enough, Captain,” replied Scotty wryly.

“Whatever.  How far along are you?”

“Thanks to our well-stocked stores, we already had a decent supply of the goods, Captain.  My lads have already brought them to the transporter room and the devices are armed and ready to go.”

“Very good, Mr. Scott.  All boarding parties report to the transporter room immediately.  Watch your feet as you enter and don't trip or we're going to have some nasty explosions.”

The turbolift doors to the bridge opened, and Kirk turned to see Dyan Ardais stepping out.

/What the fuck?/ thought Kirk.  /How the hell did we end up with him?/

Dom Ardais' pale eyes met the Captain's.  “I am here for Danvan Hastur, and to represent my own interests, that's how.” 

/Telepaths,/ Kirk groaned.

“Correct,” Dyan replied.  He looked as pissed-off as Kirk had ever seen him, and considering the mood Dom Ardais had been in the last time he was on board the Enterprise, that was saying much.  “I wish to join your assault.”

“Dom Ardais,” said Kirk, hanging onto his patience, “I refuse to allow it.  We have no time to brief and arm you properly.  You would be stepping right onto a ship that's alien even to us.”

“I have a laran gift that would be useful!”

Qui-gon was staring hard at Dyan.  If Obi-wan had been there to interpret the expression, he would have recognized the disquiet on his master's face.  “I think it would be better if you stayed here,” said Qui-gon in mild tones.  “The Enterprise itself will be in danger, and needs defenders as well.”

Dyan made a noise of angry contempt.  “Does any of you know what you're doing?  Two lives are at stake!  Where is Regis?”

“He's--,” Kirk hesitated, “--elsewhere on the ship, and will be leaving when my personnel can give him their attention.”

Dyan gave him a frigid look.  “He's run off, you mean, and is leading you on a chase.  Terranan!” he spat.  “If you're not competent enough to track down a lost boy, how can you assault an enemy spacecraft?”

Kirk's reply was equally cold.  “Easy.  Like this.  Teams, report your condition.”

“Mine is ready to go, Captain,” said Sulu via the transporter room comlink. 

“Likewise, Jim,” said Spock through the same connection. 

“We're waiting for you, Captain,” added Lieutenant Freeman.

“Scotty?”

“Everything's lined up and ready to be transported in relays, sir.” 

“My padawan reports he is ready as well,” said Qui-gon.  “It is time.  The programs are in place and I can activate them at a touch.”

“Master Jinn?” The Captain beckoned the other man close. “I presume I'll be talking to this Darth Tyranus?” 

“Most likely. What do you wish to know?”

Kirk leaned forward to mutter in the Jedi's ear.  Qui-gon gave him a low reply. 

“Thank you, Master Jinn.”  The Captain straightened.  “Hail the Raptor,” he said to Uhura.

“What!? You do not warn your prey of its own ambush!” Dyan roared.  “Fool!”

The Captain was unruffled.  “Starfleet boilerplate,” he explained. 

Uhura opened the channel to broadcast wide, and Kirk spoke aloud.  “This is Captain James T. Kirk commanding the USS Enterprise, representing the United Federation of Planets.  We know you are hiding here under a cloaking device.  We have reason to believe your ship illegally captured and murdered the crew of the Federation survey ship Intrepid.  For this crime, we demand you give yourselves up to face trial at the Presidio of San Francisco.” 

A long moment later the viewscreen blinked, and Darth Tyranus' face flashed across it.  The Sith lord was standing on the bridge.  Qui-gon had already stepped out of viewing range to stay hidden from his old master.  Quickly, Kirk memorized Tyranus' appearance and the partial view of the bridge's layout, the real reason he'd made this call.

Tyranus snorted, a sound that was echoed by Lord Ardais.

“Arrest?” said Tyranus.  He chuckled.  “Our level of technology far surpasses yours.  I suppose I ought to give you the courtesy of surrendering yourself.  Far from arresting us, Captain-whatever-your-name-is, we intend to use your primitive little paddleboat for target practice unless you capitulate.”

“As you have refused arrest,” said Kirk,  “phase one begins.  When we get through kicking your ass, you're going to wish you'd stayed on Serrano to force roses, Darth Tyranus.”

Not even Tyranus could hide his startled expression at Kirk's unexpected knowledge.  A shout came from the bridge behind the Sith lord.  “Lord Tyranus!” yelled a crewman, “our shields have fallen and we're out of cloak!”

A large oblong metal canister beamed into view on the Raptor's bridge. 

“Detonate,” ordered Kirk, deadly.

The explosion blew Tyranus across the room.  A spiderweb of cracks blossomed across the viewscreen, showering pin-point colors before going blank.

-oOo-