Ghost of a Chance - Mark Garland [71]
Shots burned into the trees once more. Janeway picked up Kim's hand phaser, then nodded toward the Televek on the crest of the hill. Tuvok drew his weapon from his waist, and they both rose up and opened fire.
Even before they had dropped back down, a fresh salvo of return fire arrived from their left flank, vaporizing the trunk of a sapling not half a meter behind the three officers. Janeway and Tuvok both took aim and fired a continuous burst at the point of origin. Janeway's phaser went dead. She put it on her belt and started using Kim's weapon.
"This one won't last long," she told the lieutenant.
"Then I am just in time," Tuvok said, putting one of the bands around Kim's upper arm. "I suggest we move Mr. Kim to safety first."
"Agreed," Janeway said, helping him fasten the band.
"I was unable to provide the transporter with sustained minimal operating power, so I activated the system using an automated pulse power curve, which repeats itself every four minutes.
There was no other choice. When the curve peaks, the pulse provides enough energy to transport one person. That is how I was able to join you."
Janeway nodded, impressed with what Tuvok had accomplished in so short a time, and understanding his logic completely. She was already preparing for contingencies. "When is the next power peak?"
Tuvok examined his tricorder. "In exactly fifteen seconds."
"Good. Kim goes first, then you, then me."
"I guess I'll be seeing you guys around, then," Kim said, attempting another grin.
Janeway winked at him, then silently put on the last armband.
Tuvok concentrated on the tricorder. He tapped in the command, then sent it. Four seconds later Kim dematerialized and was gone.
"Keep firing, Mr. Tuvok, and stay down," Janeway ordered. "You have the left flank; I'll take the hill."
They fired several shots, then moved farther down along the massive, battered tree trunks. Janeway checked her weapon. Only a small charge remained. Another shot hashed, biting into bark just above Tuvok's head, this time from their right dank.
Janeway fired two parallel bursts at a dark glimmer of movement, and a figure pulled farther back into cover behind the trees.
She thought she might have hit her target, but there was no way to tell.
"One minute, eleven seconds," Tuvok reported. "Captain, I do not see how you can hope to fend the Televek off by yourself for another ten minutes."
"You're going to leave me your phaser, aren't you?" Janeway asked.
There followed a brief pause. A gentle tremor shook the earth.
Another phaser shot seared into hardwood just inches away.
Tuvok looked at her, his features calm. "Indeed, I insist, Captain."
Vulcan humor was subtle, but Janeway was a fan.
The attack had quieted for a moment. They used the opportunity to return fire in three directions. Then they ducked down once more and waited.
"Ten seconds," Tuvok said. She gave him the go-ahead. He nodded grimly. "Five seconds," he said. "Three." He keyed the tricorder and sent the command. Nothing happened.
Janeway mouthed a silent curse. "What's wrong?"
"It would seem that there is not enough power. My initial calculations were correct. However, the condition of the transporter and the number of variables--" The tree trunk shattered, sending Janeway and Tuvok backward in a fresh shower of splinters and pulp. Janeway found herself lying on her back, looking up at the trees as they waved in the building winds beneath clouds of smoke and ash. She felt the ground start to shake again, harder still. An aftershock, or another full quake. She tried to sit up, discovered Tuvok doing the same beside her.
They looked up the hill together, their eyes drawn to the four Televek rushing down on their position. Janeway could hear more footfalls from their left dank.
"If we remain perfectly still and offer no resistance, they may decide not to shoot us," Tuvok said almost too calmly,