just_hex | Before the Crash

Bond had quite enjoyed his time on the station. He’d gotten to know the commander. The workings. The rhythm of life. He’d learned the comings and goings. What the protocols for a delegation of hostile ambassadors was versus what actually happened. What he couldn’t witness himself, he’d used his presence in Q branch to gain access to all the systems he could need.

He watched vids on repeat, watching. Waiting.

And in the mean time, he enjoyed Q. He romanced the droid, tested his limits, and enjoyed his body at every possible opportunity. It was a shame, what was to come. Q was doing so well here, and the station was so crowded. So many souls.

A shame, but never once had that stopped the Double-O.

The order came through in the night, waking him from a dreamless sleep. The tone was different from others and triggered something in Bond’s mind, demanding complusion and obedience. He sat up and stretched, then read the message.

Initiate Protocol 9

A simple statement that had Bond rise, dress, and arm himself. He slipped from his quarters and entered a Jeffries tube. The saboteur crawled through the guts of the station, setting charges at critical points. When the station failed, there would be time for evacuation.

By the time the station failed, they would be so deep into the quadrant that rescue could take time. Too much time. By the time the station failed, the only option may be the Omicron system. There may be a planet or moon close enough by then. By the time the station failed, Bond would have secured passage away, with Q, in a well appointed ship.

He wasn’t going down with the station. That wasn’t part of the protocol. He was going down on Q until the moment they needed to run.

* * *
Hex was oblivious when the agent emerged from the tube access near the med bay. People used them for all sorts of things. And since the agent was in a red shirt, Hex took no note. He was much more concerned with getting back to the nest he shared with Nyx. He’d secured a parcel from Risa, delicacies both sweet and tangy. He hoped Nyx was home, though he never really counted on it. The prince moved about as he pleased and Hex was honored every single time he was chosen.

The doors whooshed open and he held the box as he scanned the room for the prince.

“Nyx?” he called int the dim room.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

just_hex

"They rarely leave survivors, Q. It's expected to decimate the station. Even with defenses, even with escape pods, even with The Veritas en route..."

Even with all that, the charges Bond had placed would see to it the outrage over the fictional attack would be justified. The station would be destroyed.

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"How long have you known about the attack?" Q asked, still working on the lift as he spoke.

From:

just_hex

"Q, you put me in a position when you ask questions like that," Bond replied with a heavy exhale.

"...For a bit."

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

Q looked upset, but said nothing about it.

"I don't think I can get this moving," he said finally.

From:

just_hex

"And I can't reach the evacuation hatch. I can give you a boost," he said, studying the hatch.

"Once you're put, you can fix it from outside. And I'll...wait."

Wait. Every second he was sure he could hear the faint ticking of the timers...

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"That won't be necessary, someone is already working outside, I was simply trying to speed things up. Though if you'd told me about all this earlier..."

He trailed off, giving Bond a look.

From:

just_hex

"...Then I'd be a terrible agent, spilling secrets to my lover. You realize that, don't you? That there are many things I can't tell you," he said.

"Most of what I know, I'll take to my grave, Q. All double o's do."

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"People are going to die, James," Q said softly. "I could have at least increased our shields, or... I don't know. I just don't understand why six would..."

Unless they wanted something to happen to the station.

From:

0_0_7

"You will drive yourself mad trying to figure out why Six does anything," he replied.

"I learned quickly it's best not to ask."

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"Yes, well, you can thank six for leaving you trapped then," he said. "As far as I can tell the lift is jammed. Not a software issue. I can't fix it. Someone's going to have to physically repair it."

From:

0_0_7

"Hopefully quickly. When the commander gets the order, they aren't going to wait to get me out before they evacuate," he replied.

And the weight of that hit him.

All his quick escapes from death, all the chances taken and survived...was this where it ended? In a turbolift on the edge of the quadrant?

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"Us," Q corrected. "They aren't going to get us<./i> out."

He seemed to think a moment.

"We could attempt to get out. If we can get to the roof of the lift, we could access the vent and leave that way."

From:

0_0_7

"I'm sure I could lift you, but you'll never pull me up without help, Q," Bond said, looking up to judge if he could climb it at all.

"You could get help. I'd trust you to," he said, turning to look at Q. To look into his eyes. To beg him with only a glance remain loyal.

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"Let's not get too far ahead, it might be bolted shut anyway. It's only meant for exterior access," Q noted, tensing a little when the lift seemed to try and start moving again.

"Q?" came a call over his com.

"Tanner?" Q replied, sounding hopeful.

"Yes, we see you in the lift. We're going to cycle the power and see if that helps get you moving again. The doors aren't open, are they?" Tanner asked.

"No, I hadn't attempted that yet," Q admitted.

"Good, you might want to brace yourself."

From:

0_0_7

Bond had heard similar before. Perhaps not from Tanner, but the voice was always calm. Always calm, because the voice wasn't the one immediately grabbing Q, grabbing a hand-hold, and bracing for impact.

The speed, the fluid motion, it was clear this wasn't Bond's first time following such an order.

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

Q eased himself against Bond, bracing and trying not to tense too much as everything switched off and then back on. The lift shook roughly as the thrusters adjusted themselves and freed the lift from it's slightly askew position, then settled down once everything was back in line.

And then Q did something he knew he shouldn't.

"We're free, Tanner. Prepare Q branch for evacuation," he said quickly.

"Evacuation?" Tanner repeated, sounding puzzled.

"No time to explain, just trust me, the orders will be coming through shortly. No panic, just get everyone prepared to exit," Q said calmly, knowing Bond would be cross, but not caring. They were his team, they were his responsibility.

From:

0_0_7

Cross, a bit, but once they were sorted was when Bond's heart began to pound. They'd wasted so much precious time. Once they were out, the only option was to evacuate with Q branch.

It was odd the evacuation order hadn't come through yet. Bond was sure Commander Hart should have been informed by now.

"You shouldn't have done that, Q," he scolded, but mildly, and distracted.

He needed a plan, and quick.

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"Yes, and you always play by the rules," Q shot back. "Why hasn't the order come through yet? Should I trigger the evacuation alarms? Should we check on Harry?"

From:

0_0_7

Bond twisted his wrist to look at his shiny time piece. For a long moment he only stared at it, racing through calculations.

"Once we get to Q branch, if it hasn't been sounded, you should," he nodded.

He kept thinking of Protocol 9. Of the "casualties likely" portion...how many did Six think were needed? No alert meant...everyone.

And you always play by the rules

"We need to get as many out as possible. We're running out of time."

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"How do you know that?" Q pressed quietly. "How are you so certain?"

It was more an accusation than a question.

Unwilling to wait longer, Q triggered the evacuation protocol.

"You'd best join us in our pod," he advised Bond. "It's the nearest to our current location and there's room for up to five additional bodies. Tanner, is everyone here and accounted for?"

Tanner nodded, helping another of the team load up the escape pod.

From:

0_0_7

Bond didn't answer. He couldn't.

"Give me a moment to send a message to the commander," he said.

If he were lucky, the man would listen and act, rather than question it and waste time they were running out of.

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"I thought you'd already made him aware," Q said dryly, moving to help Tanner.

From:

0_0_7

"Someone should, Q. It's not my job," Bond snapped. "I should have been gone already."

He'd done his part, and his part wasn't saving anyone. He'd foolishly tried to save Q...

And now they were all doomed.

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"You should then. Now," Q replied firmly.

From:

0_0_7

"You do it," he shot back.

"I have no interest in facing a tribunal, if we survive," he said. "And I'm sure Harry will listen to you. I have no interest in wasting time convincing the man, either."

The way he said the man's name was the first hint of jealousy. He simply couldn't contain it.