John slipped it out of his boot. Lynn’s glare cut through him as she raised the phaser. He tossed the forkthrough the doorway and raised his hands in defeat. The phaser remainedpointed at him until Helen had locked the door.
John didn’t breathe until he andTan were alone. He slipped the communicator out from beneath the pillow andlooked at it. It was almost finished. He reached in with a fingernail andteased the bare tip of wire to the chip. The communicator activated. Thehoming beacon was talking to the computer.
Gillespie’s internal securitysystems didn’t miss a thing. “McReidy, someone’s trying to access the maincomputer.”
“Where from?”
“…The brig.”
McReidy smirked and flicked theintercom on. “Nice try, Commander. But you’re not getting out that easy.”
John didn’t bother answering. His communicator switched off and he sighed with frustration. “There’s got tobe another way out of here.”
He looked to Tan.
“This is new territory for me,sir.”
John nodded to himself. Tan wasone crewmember he’d never had any issues with. The man simply didn’t know howto get into trouble. But there was a cunning there, and he certainly knew howto get out of trouble.
John refused to accept defeat. “We might have to take on those girls when they come back. You up for it?”
“Yes, sir.”
John lay down on the bed, hisarms folded behind his head, his feet crossed. He listened in to the bridge,then tried other parts of the ship. After a while, he switched off. Nothinghe heard was of much benefit.
Most departments were cold;clinical. The ship was running efficiently. Orders were only given whennecessary and the ensuing silence had John on edge. He and Tan were the onlyones in the brig. Was everyone affected or were there bodies lying on thefloors or nursing phaser wounds in sick bay?
* * *
The hours dragged. Several timesJohn looked at his watch. Eight hours passed, then nine… ten… He began towonder if Helen and Lynn were coming back. If anyone was coming back.
Lynn’s whole demeanour had warnedhim. But Tan was right – if they wanted them dead, they’d be dead. Lynn hadkept her distance and he had to assume the phaser was only on stun. At worst,he’d be unconscious and wake up back in the cell.
“Commander.”
The whisper broke the silence.
John turned his head. Thecorridor was empty. He looked to Tan, whose interest was outside John’s door.
John sat up, catching sight ofthe uniform at the door controls. “Humphries?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Getting you out.”
“How did –?” John began, theninterrupted his own question. “Make sure you bypass the security system orit’ll show up on Gillespie’s console,” he hurriedly advised.
Humphries pulled back, suddenlyat a loss. “Which one’s that?”
“This one here,” Hartfordanswered.
Humphries stepped clear.
North appeared at the end of thecorridor, his back to them. He turned his head briefly. “Hurry up. We haven’tgot all day.”
“Got it.” The door unlocked andHartford moved to Tan’s lock.
John stepped out and shookhimself clear of the imprisonment feeling. “How did you know we were here?”
“The whole ship knows,” Humphriestold him.
John couldn’t help the suddentwinge of embarrassment. “Any idea what’s going on?”
“No idea, sir. I’ve just spentthe past two days in sick bay with your flu. The injuries were coming in thickand fast, but nothing serious. And the excuses were …” Humphries shook hishead, trying to figure it out. “I don’t know. Trivial at the best. It’s thefight, not the issue, that seems important. But once Lieutenant CommanderMcReidy took control, everything just stopped.”
That seemed to make sense toJohn. Gillespie had taunted him, McReidy had expected resistance, and Giacomocould have killed him had he really wanted to. He still shuddered every timehe thought of that.
Hartford had Tan’s cell open. Tan brushed his shoulders and straightened his jacket, clear intent in hisactions and his eyes.
“Well, let’s not wait around hereuntil they find out I’m out,” John told them. “How many of you can I trust?”
“Us three.” Humphries lookeduncertain. “What are you going to do?”
“Get my ship back.”
Humphries looked even moreuncertain.
John slapped him on the back. “Have a little faith. You were the one who said the injuries weren’t serious.”
Humphries tried to smile.
“That’s better. You and North goto the armoury and get some phasers. Hartford, stay here. When I signal you,I want the alarm here set off.”
His orders were obeyed withoutquestion. It was good to know that he still had some control.
The corridors were quiet as Johnand Tan made their way cautiously to the bridge. Humphries and North caughtthem up before they got there. Phasers were set on stun and only to be firedon John’s order. He didn’t anticipate trouble, but he had no intention ofalerting McReidy to anything.
“I assume the bridge is sealedoff,” John spoke quietly.
“I don’t know, sir,” Humphriesanswered. He spent as much time looking over his shoulder as he did in frontof him.
“If you took command, wouldn’tyou seal it off?”
“If I thought of it.”
“Oh, she thought of it.” Johnwas quite confident in that assumption.
They reached the bridge door. Asolid red light glowed on the keypad confirming the bridge was locked andsealed from the inside.
John flicked his communicator. It was still inactive as far as contact went and he reached across to Humphriesand switched his on. “Mister Hartford.”
“Here, sir.”
“Set off the alarm and get out ofthere.” He didn’t wait for confirmation. “You boys ready?”
The three nodded.
Gillespie’s console lit up. “Alarm’s gone off in the brig.”
McReidy spun John’s chair aroundto face Gillespie. “Well, you better get down there and sort it out.”
“Why me?” Gillespie wanted toknow.
“Because I said so, that’s why.” She turned away as though the subject was closed.
“You’re nearly as bad as he is,”Gillespie complained.
“What?” McReidy spun the chairback around and glared.
Gillespie wasn’t prepared to takeher on. “All right, I’m going,” he grumbled, dragging himself from his seat. He unlocked the bridge door. Before he knew what was happening John’s handswere in the middle of his chest pushing him backwards; one hand had a handfulof jacket, the other had a phaser.
“Back off, Mister Gillespie. Giacomo, don’t you dare move.”
Gillespie backed off, his handsraising as first John’s then Humphries’ phasers pointed at him. John pushedhim back another step and let go his jacket, forcing him to stumble to themiddle of the bridge.
Tan raced behind Gillespie,coming
