Okay, I edited the script so you can order the stupid soldier to open the gates when you outrank him. You only meet this condition if you skipped the quest the first time and are affected by the bug.
If you have this problem, place the following code in /Avernum 6/Avernum 6 Files/Scripts/z07westexcadlg.txt
Code:
begintalknode 36; state = 30; nextstate = -1; condition = gf(98,10) == 0 && gf(170,0) >= 2; question = "I order you to open the gates."; text1 = "_Ahhhh ... Well, I suppose you wouldn't make the walk if you didn't have business here._"; text2 = "Belos shouts a command and, a minute later, the gates begin to slowly open. _Welcome to the excavation ... sir._"; code = sf(98,10,1); break;