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
(
geocities.com/hollywood)