Subject: NEW: Odyssey 7/12 Sent: 31/01 11:17 AM Received: 31/01 6:14 PM From: Sharon Nuttycombe, avalon@terranet.ab.ca To: dobbo@c031.aone.net.au Odyssey part 7/12 Sharon Nuttycombe avalon@terranet.ab.ca September 5, 1996 ************************************************************ This is a Scully and Skinner action/adventure story. It is not related to my former story, Crossing the Line. (There will be a sequel to Crossing the Line, but this is not it). It is not NC -17 but is rated R for violence. SUMMARY: When Mulder disappears in the Caribbean, Scully and Skinner are drawn into a web of intrigue and danger. I am a permanent resident of the State of Denial -- Avatar never happened. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Alistair Maclean's "The Golden Rendezvous". OK - I shamelessly stole his ideas, but I made lots of changes. Honest. This is an homage... :) I would appreciate any comments or criticism. Many thanks. Acknowledgements: Thanks to Linda Campbell for racking up a huge phone bill helping me plot this monster, and for refusing to let me pack it in when the going got tough... Disclaimer: Scully, Skinner, and Mulder belong to Chris Carter. I don't own them, I'm only borrowing them for a while (But do I have to return Skinner? Can I keep him, huh Chris? Please...?) ************************************************************ Odyssey part 7/12 WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THE ODYSSEY. SICKBAY. Victoria finally emerges from the bathroom looking green. She joins Scully, Skinner, and Henderson who fall silent then resume their conversation. SCULLY: We should decide what our priorities are. SKINNER: We need to warn Washington. (To Henderson) Where is the radio room located? HENDERSON: Near the bridge. I could show you if... SKINNER: Just tell me. HENDERSON: You'll never make it. Josef will have it well- guarded. Besides, how do you expect to get there? You've been shot. SCULLY: He's not going anywhere. I am. SKINNER: No, you're not. VICTORIA: What are you all talking about? (They look at her.) HENDERSON: We're deciding what to do. We're going to try to get to the radio room. SKINNER: Tonight. VICTORIA: But Walter - Josef said he'd let us all go when he gets what he wants. SCULLY: And you believed him? VICTORIA: I...I'm not sure. SCULLY: (To Skinner) You're in no shape to go. And neither is Henderson. I'm the only logical choice. SKINNER: Damn it, Scu...Doctor Kimble, you're needed here. I'll be fine. I can walk. SCULLY: You've been shot -- Walter. If your last attempt was anthing to go by, you'll get about three paces then fall on your face. SKINNER: I'm feeling much better now. VICTORIA: (To Scully) I could go with him. SCULLY: I don't think so. HENDERSON: (To Scully) Why not? She could help him. Besides the Captain needs you. And that terrorist. I have a feeling he's the only thing keeping any of us alive right now. They all look at Scully. Outnumbered, she frowns then gives in. SCULLY: For the record, I still think this is a mistake. SKINNER: Noted, Doctor. Now, let's start going over some details. Henderson...? * * * INTERLUDE WEDNESDAY MORNING. ODYSSEY CRUISE-LINES OFFICE. CROOKED ISLAND. Mulder leaves the hospital then tries to find more information regarding the Odyssey and his attack, but is stonewalled by everyone, including the local police. Finally, in frustration, he books a flight back to Washington, in order to call in some old debts. WEDNESDAY LATE AFTERNOON. WASHINGTON DC. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SKINNER'S OFFICE. Mulder, looking tired and frustrated, leans on the desk while speaking to Skinner's secretary. MULDER: I'm looking for Agent Scully, and I got a message that the Assistant Director wanted to see me. KIMBERLEY: He did. But you missed both him and Agent Scully. MULDER: What do you mean? KIMBERLEY: They've gone to the Caribbean. MULDER: (Blinks) Together? KIMBERLEY: The Assistant Director followed her to Nassau on Monday. MULDER: Why? KIMBERLEY: Apparently they were looking for you, Agent Mulder. MULDER: Looking for me. Uh huh. (Sighs heavily). Could you please book me on the next flight back to Nassau? KIMBERLEY: Hold on. She dials a number, makes the request, and waits a few moments. KIMBERLEY: (Into the telephone) I see. Thank you. (She hangs up the phone and turns to Mulder). I'm sorry, but most of the airports in the Caribbean are in the process of shutting down. MULDER: Why? KIMBERLEY: There's a hurricane on the way. END INTERLUDE * * * WEDNESDAY LATE EVENING THE ODYSSEY. SICKBAY. Night has fallen and the storm continues to toss the ship. Skinner is slowly pulling on his shoes while Scully watches him, a frown on her face. SCULLY: Is that painkiller working yet? Skinner climbs tentatively to his feet and puts some weight on his left leg. SKINNER: No. (He sits back down, looking a little pale.) SCULLY: Give it a few more minutes. Victoria emerges from the galley carefully holding a steaming cup of coffee. VICTORIA: Should I take this out now? Skinner nods. She exits. The muffled sound of voices in the hallway can be heard. Skinner climbs to his feet once more. Cautiously keeping most of his weight on his uninjured leg, he takes a few hobbling steps forward. SCULLY: Well? SKINNER: Just don't ask me to dance a two-step. SCULLY: Could you? Skinner shoots her a look, then takes another careful step. HENDERSON: How long? SCULLY: It's a fairly strong sedative. It should be just a few minutes. Victoria re-emerges. SCULLY: Did he drink it? VICTORIA: Yes. SCULLY: Good. (Walks over to Skinner. Quietly.) Are you sure about this? SKINNER: We don't have a choice. SCULLY: No -- about taking her with you. SKINNER: Why? SCULLY: I just have a feeling... SKINNER: (Brusquely) It'll be fine. (To Victoria) Ready? VICTORIA: As I'll ever be. SKINNER: Then let's go. SCULLY: If you're not back in an hour I'm coming after you. (She moves to stand near the door.) SKINNER: (Over his shoulder) If we're not back in an hour, we're already dead. Scully does not say anything. He hobbles to the door, opens it a crack then eases through it, vanishing from sight. After a moment, he returns, slipping Heinrich's handgun into his waistband. He meets Scully's eyes. SCULLY: (Softly) Be careful. He gives her a faint smile then sets off down the corridor, followed closely by Victoria. Scully watches them until they disappear from sight, then moves back into the room, the door closing quietly behind her. * * * WEDNESDAY LATE EVENING THE ODYSSEY. MAIN DECK. Skinner and Victoria reach the deserted deck of the Odyssey and take cover behind a lifeboat. The storm has increased in magnitude. Sheets of rain lash at them, soaking them both, and lightning illuminates the ship at regular intervals. VICTORIA: (Shouting to be heard over the wind) Which way is the radio room? SKINNER: Over there. (Gestures toward the bow.) Henderson said it's near the bridge. (He staggers as the ship rolls. Victoria supports him and he manages to remain standing.) VICTORIA: Are you okay? SKINNER: I'm fine. Let's go. (He gathers himself, preparing to move out from the shelter of the lifeboat.) * * * WEDNESDAY LATE EVENING THE ODYSSEY. SICKBAY. Scully is pacing anxiously. She checks her watch, for the seventh time since Skinner and Victoria have left. HENDERSON: (Reassuringly) They'll be fine. SCULLY: Of course they will. She does not stop pacing. Henderson shifts a little in his bed and winces. Scully crosses to his side. SCULLY: How's the leg? Do you need another painkiller? HENDERSON: I think I've had more than enough. SCULLY: Let me know if you change your mind. She resumes pacing. After several more minutes, she goes to the door and opens it a crack. HENDERSON: What are you doing? SCULLY: Something's not right. I'm going to make sure that the guard's still unconscious. Back in a minute. HENDERSON: Doctor. (She pauses.) Be careful. She smiles slightly then eases out the door, closing it noiselessly behind her. Once in the corridor, she takes a step forward then freezes as she realizes that the terrorist's chair is empty. Frowning, she takes another step. Without warning, someone seizes her from behind, one hand going up to cover her mouth, stifling her involuntary cry. Struggling, she is dragged from the corridor into a cabin across from sickbay and thrown headlong on the floor. Heinrich locks the door behind him, then moves to stand over her. HEINRICH: Ready for a little fun, Doctor? * * * END OF PART 7 Sharon Nuttycombe avalon@terranet.ab.ca celtic@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca "Knowing's easy. Everyone does that ad nauseum. I just sort of hope." -- Doctor Who Sharon Nuttycombe avalon@terranet.ab.ca --"I have as much respect for the chain of command as the next guy. --Only if you're standing next to Fletcher Christian." -- Adderly