Subject: NEW: Odyssey 11/12
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 11/12
Sharon Nuttycombe
avalon@terranet.ab.ca
October 6 , 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.
CLASSIFICATIONS: T R
KEYWORDS: Skinner/Scully Story
RATINGS: 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 11/12
THURSDAY, EARLY MORNING
THE ODYSSEY. BRIDGE.
Skinner sways slightly, clutching his shoulder, as Scully stirs.
Limping heavily, he crosses the floor to her and kneels down. He
reaches out as her eyes flicker open.
SCULLY: Walter?
SKINNER: I'm here.
Scully glances around, looking for Josef.
SKINNER: He's dead.
A look of relief washes over her and she unconsciously leans
toward him. She closes her eyes again briefly. When she looks
at him again there is a characteristic look of determination in
her eyes. Skinner climbs reluctantly to his feet and holds out a
hand. She takes it and, biting her lip, also stands up.
SCULLY: I need a vacation.
SKINNER: (Smiling tiredly) I've heard that a cruise in the
Caribbean can be relaxing.
She shoots him a look and releases his hand, then looks at her
own which is now covered with blood. Her gaze returns to his
shoulder.
SCULLY: Didn't they teach you how to duck in the Marines?
SKINNER: I'm a slow learner.
SCULLY: We need to get that bleeding stopped.
Suddenly an instrument panel lights up, an alarm goes off, and a
digital display begins to countdown starting from 10:00.
SKINNER: What the hell...?
SCULLY: Oh my god. They sent the signal.
SKINNER: What signal?
SCULLY: There's a bomb on board. We've got to contact
Washington, get them to deactivate it...
Without questioning her, Skinner reaches for the radio.
* * *
Scene changes to Washington D.C.
Mulder sits in the brightly-lit room, his eyes watching a
corresponding countdown at one end of the table. Two military
men still flank the agent, their guns trained on him.
MULDER: (Hoarsely) You can't do this.
WILLIAMS: It's already done.
A lieutenant hastily enters the room.
LIEUTENANT: Sir, we're in contact with the Odyssey!
WILLIAMS: Patch it through immediately.
Skinner's voice can be heard over the speaker system.
SKINNER'S: ...repeat, this is the Odyssey. I need to speak
to...
WILLIAMS: (Breaking in) This is General Williams. What is
your status?
SKINNER'S: The leader of the terrorists is dead and we've
retaken the bridge, but we've got more problems.
But then, if you're who I think you are, then you
already know that...
MULDER: (To Williams) Looks like you were a bit premature
with Operation Cerberus, General.
Williams shoots him a look.
SKINNER: Deactivate this bomb now, General Williams.
WILLIAMS: I'm afraid that's not possible, Mr. Skinner.
SKINNER: Try. Try hard.
WILLIAMS: It can't be done.
TREMAYNE: (Interrupts) There may be a way...
Williams stares at him questioningly. Tremayne continues.
TREMAYNE: (Into speaker) We can't deactivate the bomb from
here but it's possible you may be able to defuse
it on your end.
SKINNER: How?
* * *
Scene switches to the Odyssey. Tremayne's voice can be heard
over the radio.
TREMAYNE: Are you on the bridge, Mr. Skinner?
SKINNER: Yes.
TREMAYNE: Can you reach the main console?
SKINNER: No, but my partner can.
Without hesitation, Scully moves toward the console. Skinner
rapidly relays Tremayne's instructions to her. Step by step she
removes a metal panel and begins the slow process of
disconnecting the bomb from the main computer.
SCULLY: (Over her shoulder) How much time left?
SKINNER: Five minutes.
SCULLY: Okay, it's disconnected. Now what?
SKINNER: (Into radio) It's done. Now what?
TREMAYNE: (To Skinner) She has to disarm it. Tell her to
to remove the casing, but emphasize that the
casing's edge must NOT touch any part of the core.
Inside there will be four wires -- two red, one
green, and a blue. Only two must be cut. Do not,
I repeat not, cut them all. First cut the red one
closest to the timer, and then the...
A gunshot rings out and Skinner jumps back as a hail of sparks
erupt from the radio. Skinner and Scully whirl to see Victoria
framed in the doorway, a gun in her hand.
VICTORIA: (Looking at Josef's body) You son of a bitch.
She aims the weapon on Skinner and her finger tightens on the trigger.
Skinner tenses. A shot is heard. Without a sound, Victoria crumples
to the floor. Henderson appears in the doorway, slowly lowering
the gun in his hand.
HENDERSON: Somebody called for a cavalry?
SCULLY: Good timing. Where's the crew?
HENDERSON: Mopping up the rest of the terrorists. (The sound
of gunfire can be heard from outside).
SKINNER: Scully, the radio...
SCULLY: (To Henderson) Where's the closest radio?
Washington's already sent the signal.
HENDERSON: There's one near the conning tower.
SKINNER: We need to contact Washington and find out which
wire to cut.
HENDERSON: (Without pausing) I'll go.
Left alone, Scully and Skinner glance at each other, then at the
timer, which shows only 22 seconds remaining.
SCULLY: He'll never make it. We've got to do this
ourselves.
SKINNER: Cut the red wire closest to the timer. (She does)
SCULLY: Now what?
SKINNER: We need to cut another wire.
SCULLY: Which one?
SKINNER: ...I don't know.
There is a long pause, then:
SKINNER & SCULLY: Blue.
Holding her breath, Scully cuts the blue wire as the final few
seconds count down. As one, they reach for each other's
hands. Their eyes meet and their grip tightens. The timer
reaches zero. An endless moment goes by. Then, Skinner pulls
her into his arms. They hold each other tightly for a moment , then
Henderson's voice from outside reaches them...
HENDERSON: Scully -- It's blue. Cut the blue one!
Skinner and Scully break apart as Henderson reaches
the bridge. He surveys the scene and realizes that the
bomb has been defused.
HENDERSON: (Wearily) If you were just going to guess, I
could have saved myself the trip.
He sighs in relief and slumps into a nearby chair. Silence
descends.
* * *
THURSDAY MORNING
THE ODYSSEY. CAPTAIN'S SEA CABIN
It is dawn. The storm is weakly blowing itself out as the
Odyssey heads to the nearest port. Inside the Captain's sea
cabin, Skinner is sitting on the bed, bare-chested. Scully, her
wrist newly re-bandaged, is standing over him, dressing his
wounded shoulder.
SKINNER: How's your wrist?
SCULLY: It's fine.
SKINNER: Scully, I need to know... (She turns away and searches
through the medical bag) What happened with you and
Heinrich? (She stiffens) Did he...?
SCULLY: (Flatly) I killed him.
Skinner painfully gets up and puts a gentle hand on her shoulder.
SKINNER: What happened?
There is a long pause before she answers.
SCULLY: We fought. I won.
He lightly brushes the cut on her throat.
SKINNER: Did he do this too? (Scully nods. Grimly) It's too
bad he can only die once. Are you going to be alright?
SCULLY: I'm fine. Really. (Her voice is wavering).
SKINNER: No, you're not.
SCULLY: No, I'm not.
She turns around. She is biting her lip to keep it from
trembling. Gently he wraps his good arm around her. She
stiffens then relaxes against him for a brief moment. Then, she
pulls away and picks up the rest of the bandage.
SCULLY: (Trying to lighten the mood) The Bureau won't
appreciate me letting you bleed to death.
Skinner sits back on the bed.
SKINNER: (Smiling slightly) And besides...think of all the
paperwork.
Scully returns the smile weakly then tapes down the
bandage. Skinner reaches for a spare crewman's shirt with his
good hand. Silently Scully helps him maneuver it over his
injury.
SKINNER: Thanks. You seem to have spent this entire cruise
dressing and undressing me, Agent Scully.
SCULLY: This trip did have its merits. (She smiles tiredly.
Changing the subject) What time will we reach the port?
SKINNER: Dana...
SCULLY: What time does our flight leave?
SKINNER: (Pauses then sighs) 9:30.
There is a knock on the door, and a young lieutenant enters.
LIEUTENANT: First Officer Henderson wanted you to know that
the rest of the terrorists are under guard in the
wardroom. And he wants to see you both.
SKINNER: Thank you, Lieutenant. (The Lieutenant leaves).
Silently she puts the bandage back in the medical bag and closes
it. She turns back to him and squares her shoulders.
SCULLY: Let's go.
Skinner watches her exit the room, then follows her out into the
corridor.
* * *
END OF PART 11
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
(
geocities.com/hollywood)