Into the Unknown, Part 1

Posted on Mon Nov 16, 2015 @ 1:17am by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit & Lieutenant Commander Miguel Torres & Lieutenant Penelope Naroot & Lieutenant Cassandra Kennings & Lieutenant Nicole Anderson

11,200 words; about a 56 minute read

Mission: All this has happened before...
Location: Abora Colony
Timeline: Current

U.S.S. Victory - Shuttle deck

Entering the shuttlebay, the Captain was dressed and ready for the away mission to the planet surface.  Garbed in a form-fitting combat suit, the protective gear she wore included anti-radiation protection as well as additional protection against injury from exposure to damaged buildings.  Designed to prevent cuts, abrasions, and other minor injuries the protective suit included gloves and a breathing mask which when utilized would cover the wearer's nose and mouth, allowing the wearer to speak to other members of the away team or to a ship in orbit if needed.  

A Valkyrie had been prepped for the mission rather than a standard shuttlecraft. The Valkyrie was faster, with more armament should it be needed.

Walking to the ship, the Captain began a slow, meticulous walk-around of the waiting craft checking that the ship was indeed in operational condition as she awaited the arrival of the rest of the mission team.  The ship was capable of carrying 15 passengers, which might not seem very useful in the event of survivors.  The Captain however, did not expect to find survivors.  The levels of radiation indicated a massive orbital assault had taken place.  She was using a ship capable of fighting back in the event whoever had been responsible for the attack had left someone behind.

In the event of survivors, she'd deal with them second after determining the situation on the ground.

Blackburn entered the shuttlebay and approached the captain.  She carried a tricorder and a pulse phaser rifle.  "You really should stay aboard, captain," Nina stated.

Hearing Blackburn's comment, the Captain nodded her head while continuing to run the pre-flight check on the Valkyrie's systems.  "Your opinion is so noted." Kennit replied.

Alec showed up next. He had his own anti-radiation suit on. "I agree with Lt. Blackburn. But since you're disregarding others professional opinions. You need a qualified combat pilot. So I'm going and I'm flying this crate. Please don't argue." He plunged ahead. Thank you very much."

Penny and Nicole walked in, Penny hurrying behind the Doctor who was in a tight-fitting suit and helmet similar to the Captain's. She was gesticulating and motioning between Penny and the ship, then finally jabbed a finger at Alec and the Captain, her mouth moving but no sound coming out of her helmet.

Penny stepped up just behind Nicole and gave the others an apologetic look. "Sorry, I figured we didn't need to hear her just yet so I deactivated the microphone in her suit when she wasn't looking." She pulled her silver wand out and pointed it at Nicole's suit.

"--ucking suit again!" Nicole snarled, then turned back to the bay doors as her team entered to instruct them in setting up.

"Anyway, should be a f-f-fun ride. See you on board," Penny smiled and slid past them into the shuttle. 

Kennit turned back and looked at Alec for a moment, then shrugged. "You don't have to argue with me.  Lt. Naroot will be willing to have your assistance as she's already been tagged as pilot for this mission. Between the two of you, I'm sure we'll make it down through the turbulence in the atmosphere safe and in one piece."

"My assistance? Lt. Naroot is a qualified combat pilot?" Alec glared at Rhea, he wasn't happy, not in the least. She was putting herself in harms way. Acting like she was invincible. All why trying to maintain an air of innocence. It wasn't going to work. However he knew better than to argue in public. "Very well Captain. Thy will be done." He made a mental note that this wasn't over. He and Rhea were going to have a serious talk once they were alone. 

She didn't answer, instead walked around the Valkyrie and boarded the sleek ship.  "As soon as everyone has arrived, we'll launch.  In fact, I want to get underway as soon as possible.  Send a message to the away team members not already present, we are departing in 15 minutes.  With.. or without them."   the Captain paused, then turned to look back at him.  "And contact Mr. Torres.  Let him know he'll be in command while we're away."

"Yes Captain." Alec answered crisply as he climbed into the cockpit. "Hello Lt. Naroot. I'm going to be your co pilot for this mission. I hope you don't mind."

"`A `ole pilikia," she said. "Just remember, we gotta turn in the same direction at the same time or everyone's gonna spew." She grinned at him and began her pre-flight checklist.

Alec nodded and tapped his combadge, =^= Miguel? You're in command. Keep the ship safe and a light on.=^= Then in his next breath he continued. =^= All away team members you have 15 minutes to report to the shuttlebay or you'll be left behind.=^=

Nicole had moved to a rear corner of the bay with her team and was staring them down. "Osika, Mirina, I need floaters between here and Sickbay ready. Fairway and Kelson, I need you two ready to administer radiation treatments as soon as we return. "

There was a chorus of "yes Doctor"s from the team and they began setting up gurneys and equipment for a triage ward. Satisfied, Nicole made her way back to the Valkyrie.

LTJG Halloway entered the shuttlebay in his combat suit. It was a fine addition to his wardrobe that he was already beginning to appreciate. He carried his standard repair kit along with a Type 2 phaser on his hip and his bat'leth slung across his back. "I apologize for the delay, Captain. I held up in sickbay. The nurses seemed extra nervous for some reason and kept dropping things."

That made her pause, "Dropping things?  That's a new one..." she commented before motioning for him to stow his gear and get seated for launch.

Nicole walked by them and as she passed, raised a hand and smacked Chris upside the back of his head. *I'll drop you,* she thought, boarding the shuttle.

Noting the Doctor's response, the Captain turned and fixed her with a bemused gaze.  "Restoring to violence now, Doctor?" she asked.

"I'll try to keep it to rude gestures while in flight," Nicole tossed back before ducking into the shuttle.

Looking forward towards the flight deck of the sleek ship, the Captain called out to Lt. Naroot and Cmdr. Hunter to ask, "What is our status?  Is the ship ready for departure?"

Yarin ran past and entered the shuttle "Apologies Captain there were some sensitive experiments that I had to discontinue very carefully."

Penny huffed slightly, wishing she could've kissed Thomas goodbye before she'd rushed to the shuttlebay, but she'd been too tied up in Sickbay helping Nicole prep radiation treatments. *Warning: Systemic error now at 79%. Primary systems recommended put into protective memory to avoid failure,* her internal diagnostic warned. She quickly began rerouting her primary systems again. *One more mission,* she told herself. "Helm responding, engines ready, Captain," she said from the cockpit. She looked over at Hunter to confirm he was ready.

Alec looked his console over, "We're green across the board Lieutenant. Ready when you." He replied calmly despite his nagging misgivings that Rhea was keeping something from him. Something major.

"Prepare for launch." the Captain ordered.  "Seal the external hatch and begin engine power-up."

"Aye, aye, Captain," Penny said, excitedly. "Sealing hatch, powering engines." A slight vibration ran through the shuttle and she tapped her boards. "Ready to lift off at your go."

U.S.S. Victory - Engineering

Miguel didn't find it a surprise that Rhea was going down. He had known her so long that he knew she wasn't going to stay on the ship. But to hear that the XO was also going down was a bit surprising. "Understood... I'll also give the ship a  wash and a wax while your gone." he replied before closing the channel. "Sam I'll be on the bridge if you need me for anything." he said and then left his station.

Lt. Raylen nodded, "Aye sir.  I think we can keep things under control down here while you're otherwise occupied."

"I'm sure you will, Lieutenant." Miguel said with a smile as he left Engineering.

U.S.S. Victory - Bridge

It was only a matter of minutes and a quick ride in the turbolift before Miguel was on the bridge. He relieved the officer on duty and then looked at the status of the shuttle.

Cassandra walked onto the bridge and quickly crossed to the XO's chair, taking her earpiece out of her handbag and placing it in her ear, bringing up the lifesign readings on the shuttle. "Communications systems on the shuttle functioning," she said, "and all lifesign readings are normal so far, Commander," she said, turning towards Miguel.

"Very good." Miguel said as he moved over towards one of the auxiliary monitors and looked at the readings. Sensors still couldn't cut through the radiation soup down there to tell them what was going on. "Prepare a series of micro-probes and launch them into the planet's atmosphere at different locations. They might help give the shuttle team a head start on what's down there, as well as act as potential boosters for us if coms get spotty." he ordered.

The turbolift doors parted and Thomas stepped out onto the bridge. The luxury of his position allowed him to find a replacement to man the transporter so he could tend to other duties. Not that he was certain what those duties would entail, but knowing most of the senior staff was off the boat without the ability to be transported off the planet left him with little to do. The least he could do was make himself available to the Second Officer should he require it. 

"Anything I can do, Commander?" Thomas asked, stopping beside the Chief Engineer?"

"About to launch some probes to get more detailed scans of the planet.  You can always help with that." Miguel told the Chief of the boat.  One thing he had learned in all his time in Starfleet was never turn down an offer of help from an NCO.

"Gladly," Tom said with a nod. As the Operations station was occupied, Tom pulled up a seat at a vacant science station and took a look at the probe progress. It didn't take long for him to help configure a couple of the probes, transfer them to the launch tubes, and fire them into orbit. "Three Class One probes have been launched through the forward tubes, and two additional Class One probes by the aft launcher. They'll be assuming synchronous orbits in less than five minutes and they'll be matching our speed."

Valkyrie Shuttle

With all expected personnel aboard, the Captain walked to the front where Lt. Naroot and Cmdr. Hunter were seated at the flight controls.  "We are ready to depart.  Contact the Bridge, request that they open the hanger bay doors and grant clearance for departure."

Alec didn't even acknowledge Rhea's presence ~Two can play this game.~ He thought as he toggled the com switch.  "Bridge, Recon/Rescue flight 1 requesting departure as well you opening the hanger bay doors."

"Not necess-s-sarily in that order," Penny said.

Miguel walked up to the center station that contained the helm and ops stations. "Go ahead and open the hanger doors." Miguel ordered the operations officer on duty. "Torres to Valkyrie 1... permission granted. We'll turn on the porch light so you can find your way home."

Through the forward view port, the hanger bay doors could be seen sliding smoothly apart to reveal the dirty, storm-strewn surface of the planet below.  The Captain turned to return to her seat, then paused and said, "lets have a nice smooth trip down hmm?  Don't bang up the paint job." 

"Smooth and swift, aye," Penny said, raising the shuttle off the deck, then shot them forward out of the shuttlebay, curving sharply towards the planet. 

"Of course Captain. We aim to please." Alec replied smoothly.

With the sting of Nicole's head-slap dulling, Chris replayed the events in sickbay. The nurses seem a bit distracted once he had entered. He had sensed giddy anticipation from some of them, but heightened anxiety from most. He couldn't tell why right away. He noticed they tended to pause whenever he and Nicole interacted briefly over the radiation treatment. The nervous ones seemed to loose coordination while attempting to divert their eyes from the relatively mundane process.

Chris adjusted his bat'leth in its sheath across his back as he sat. An air of nervous suspense permeated the Valkyrie, but Nicole's presence still managed to push through. Maybe it was because he had his mind attuned to her. Or she had the strongest personality on the small vessel. Whatever it was, Chris was having a hard time not staring as they awaited their launch. I hope we meet again soon. In a non professional capacity, that is, he thought.

For her part, the Captain seemed remarkably unconcerned as the Valkyrie piloted by the XO and Lt. Naroot dropped towards the planet's surface.  The ship shuddered from time to time, turbulence from the storms they flew through on the way to the designated landing point on the outskirts of the colony structure.  She was leaned back in her seat, eyes closed with her arms crossed over her abdomen.  Idly, she flexed her hand and fingers, stretching the joints slowly then clenched her hand into a fist.  Her eyes opened lazily, and caught Dr. Anderson watching her with a sharp gaze.  A slow smile curved over the Captain's features, and though her expression remained relaxed there was in her eyes, a glimmer of something else.. something mocking.  Something challenging.

Nicole's eyes were two red-hot coals. If looks could kill, the Captain would have been immolated on the spot. If that blazing gaze in any way bothered the Captain,she gave no no sign.  Indeed, she merely seemed amused by it.

Not breaking her gaze from the Doctor's, the Captain called out towards the pair piloting the craft, "What is our ETA to landing?"

"Sorry for the chop."  Alec replied, "Our ETA from now is three minutes."

The ship dipped again and Penny righted them quickly, nosing into it and "swimming" back up like a diving dolphin. 

"Just get us on the ground without hitting anything..." the Captain drawled in response.

"Sage advice." Alec quipped. "We'll do our best to accomplish it." As the ship bounced again and again as the turbulence became more violent as they descended lower and lower into the atmosphere.

"Hang on to your stomachs," Penny said as the sensors showed another front moving at them.

The ship lurched, and for a moment felt as if it was falling straight down towards the battered world somewhere below in the darkness.  The colony currently lay on the planet's night side, and sunrise would not come for almost 22 hours as Abora's day was the equivalent of 52 Earth hours long.

"Commander," Nicole said, ignoring his strain, "did I ever tell you about my Uncle Alan?"

Alec gave her a sideways glance, "No, I don't believe you did Doctor. Please enlighten me."

"He's my Godfather. Brilliant man, if barking. Stubborn as an ox, but shrewd. He used to teach on Earth at the Academy. Taught Advanced Federation Ethics, probably for his own amusement. Was credited as being the only Ethics Professor to nearly be killed by a student. Amazing how history can repeat itself, isn't it?"

Penny looked back at Nicole and then at the Captain as they stared at each other, then back at her controls. Another patch was about to hit, and she didn't see any other way. "Commander, going to push us through this. Keep me stable!" She shoved them forward into the current, hoping getting through it fast would make up for the shake rattle and roll.

"Indeed it is." Alec replied evenly as his attention was drawn back  to the controls as Penny announced her intentions. "Do what you need to Lieutenant. I'll keep us stable and trim." 

Alec wrestled with controls and got the ship under control though it still and lurched and bounced it's way as it passed through the atmosphere. The dips it took put the best amusement park ride to shame. It was a miracle no one lost their lunch on the way down.

"Okay, we're through the w-w-w-w-w-worst of it!" Penny called as they bounced. "Ground approximately in...brace for impact!" She pulled back on the throttle and leveled out the ship, reducing speed as they approached the colony, heading for the main spaceport.

Finally, with a slight jolt the Valkryie landed on the rough, battered and debris strewn landing pad on the outskirts of the colony.  The Captain was on her feet and moving to open the hatch immediately.  The moment the door seal cracked and the hatch slid aside, wind blasted into the interior cabin bringing with it debris, rain and the scent of smoke - acrid and sharp.  Stepping out of the ship, not waiting for the others, Kennit moved out with a tricorder to a point several paces away from the ship and began to scan the immediate area.  The device was set both to search for life signs as well as movement; there was a lot of movement, the strong wind gusts saw to that.  

No life signs.

As soon as the ship landed, Alec was powering down systems throwing them into standby for a quick take off if they needed it. He heard the hatch open and then felt a blast of the outside air as it made it's way into the cramped confines of the shuttle. He also knew that without even seeing it, Rhea was the first one out of the ship. Without even checking to see if it was safe. "Damn hard-headed woman." He muttered as he undid his safety harness and scrambled out after her.

Nicole followed quickly on Alec's heels, keeping her black bag in the ship, but flipping open her tricorder, scanning as well. "Not reading any lifesigns," she said, her voice tinged with regret, but not surprise. 

Alec didn't answer right away, his eyes were taking in the complete and absolute destruction of the colony, the smoke stinging his eyes. Finally he spoke, "An entire colony blasted out of existence. "Could someone have survived in an underground bunker?" He knew it was probably a wild,lost hope but he had to put it out there.

Penny pulled out her silver wand and held it out, turning in a circle. She looked at the readings and started a few steps ahead of the Captain, trying to scan further. "There's no more underground to put a bunker in," she said. 

Alec absorbed the information Penny had relayed. He nodded once. "Thank you Lieutenant. I expected as much." He replied his voice flat, emotionless not showing the emotions that warred inside him and begged for release. He wanted to scream at the heavens.  "We were too late to save them but we can avenge them." He said firmly with a sense of conviction.

Nina closed her eyes, muttering an ancient Native American prayer at those lost.  "We should explore the colony anyways.  Maybe some computer data can still be saved," she said quietly as the rain pelted against her form fitting black Intel suit.

Not speaking, the Captain just started forward once more, walking over the rubble strewn ground avoiding particularly bad areas as she set out towards the colony's administrative building.  All of the official records would have been stored there.  Lightning flashed across the dark sky, followed by a long rumble of thunder.  Each flash of lightning illuminated the destruction around them as they walked.  Once neat buildings now ruined, burned and blasted leaving only rubble and scattered pinpoints of orange light where fires persisted despite the rain.  

The administration building was partially collapsed, one entire wing of the structure was nothing but ruin while the other wing of the building branching off from the main building showed heavy damage from fires which still cast a sporadic red/orange glow through the shattered windows.  The readings from the tricorder told Katrijn that radiation levels were in fact lower than back on the landing field.  She was unconcerned however, the protective gear and medication from the doctor would protect her crew.  She had other means of protection coursing through her veins. "I don't know if we will find anything of value inside," the captain said. "But it is odd. Where are the bodies?  I've seen no bodies as we walked here. What happened to the colonists?"

Alec stopped and looked over the debris as Rhea mentioned not seeing any bodies.  "There isn't any ash or even bone residue where they would have been vaporized nor are they any seared outlines into building walls."  He observed.

"Or they cleared out," Nicole said. "I'm not picking up any organic residue. If anyone was killed, it wasn't in the immediate area."

Nina looked around.  "Perhaps they were taken prisoner and the colony destroyed after the fact...or they took the dead with them as to not leave clues as to their identity." She picked up a PADD only to see it was broken as she tossed it back to the floor.

"There has to be some indication of what happened here.  We keep looking." the captain said.  Pressing forward, she continued to walk further into the ruined structure.  The away team was only able to reach the far end of the floor they were on.  Debris blocked the stairwell leading to the upper levels and tricorder scans indicated that the structure was unstable.  Forced to backtrack through the ruins, once outside the team regrouped once more in the darkness.   

Looking at Hunter, the Captain said, "do we have a reliable ground map of the colony?  Perhaps there are survivors in the living quarters areas..."

Alec met her gaze as he looked at his own tricorder.  "We do Captain." As he pulled the map up and held the  tricorder up for her to see. "According to this, the living quarters are to the northeast."

Katrijn moved to stand next to him, gazing at the data displayed on his tricorder.  "Almost 6 kilometers from here."  She paused a moment, considering and then said "We'll walk it.  There could be evidence along the route, possible survivors or bodies.. "

"Alright." He agreed. "Going to be a strenuous walk. The way is littered with debris and we've got this wind whipping about. Do you want to leave anyone behind to watch over the shuttle? In case we need it quickly."

The Captain just nodded once.  "Lt. Redman. You get the duty.  Remain with the Valkryie, keep the comms open and be ready for a quick exit if needed."

Redman nodded, secretly relieved to be staying with the ship.  "Aye Captain."

It was starting to rain now, cold hard raindrops falling propelled by wind gusts strong enough to make the rain sting as it struck unprotected skin.  If the weather fazed the Captain somehow, it was not evident as she flipped her flashlight to high beam strength and waved the beam of light towards the distant living quarters sector.  "Lets get moving.  We won't learn any answers standing here."

Alec looked over at Redman, as the rain began to pelt his skin. "Keep an ear open on the comms," he stressed. Then to the rest of the away team, "Alright people daylight's still a ways off. Don't want to lose anyone. so stay close." As he fell into step behind Rhea, his own flashlight playing out over the debris field highway they were walking on. The wind and the rain forming an unrelenting combination. With the wind whipping around causing the rain to blow and sting even more along with lightning flashes in the distance. Giving the dark sky and eerie glow.

Blackburn's eyes darted to every movement caused by the wind.  This was a tactical nightmare as the wind and debris could cover the noise of a moving enemy.  She glanced at the captain.  Something wasn't quite right.  She was too determined and taking unnecessary risks. Was there something else going on that she was unaware of? 

The away team was approaching a long row of buildings which lined both sides of the street.  The structures were offices, storage buildings, equipment storage centers, etc.  "We need to split into two groups, one to each side of the street.  Perform a sweep of the buildings, if any bodies are found, or survivors. . sing out." Kennit ordered.  Continuing, she said "Stay alert at all times.  Don't enter a structure until you run an integrity scan on the building.  And be alert for possible hostiles..  we have no idea what happened here so keep your eyes open!"

Pointing at each officer as she said their  names, Kennit said, "Halloway, Naroot, Blackburn, Yarin: you four take the left. Hunter, Doctor Anderson: you're with me. We'll sweep the right."

Nicole nodded and turned right, following her tricorder, gripping her bag tighter.

Penny nodded and followed Nina to the left, holding her wand out, scanning continuously.

"Maintain an open comm at all times.." the Captain added as she gave a jerk of her head towards her own chosen group, a glint of what could be challenge flaring in her eyes for an instant as her gaze swept over the Doctor.

Nicole ignored the Captain as best she could. She had her ace up her sleeve still, and didn't want to give anything away. She tapped her tricorder, increasing the range both in front and behind her.

The first two buildings they came to were too badly damaged to  enter, tricorder scans indicated the buildings were on the verge of collapse and found no life signs inside the rubble.  The third structure was a storage warehouse containing spare components, the building was damaged but safe and cautiously the Captain entered.  Inside the building was pitch black, the only light that which was cast by their lights as the three slowly moved forward.  
Nicole's tricorder beeped and she immediately turned towards the source, her eyes more accustomed to the dark, looking past the palm torches.

Dark stains stood out in stark contrast to the otherwise light colored floor and walls.  Blood.  Around the far side of a stack of crates they found the first body.  A male.  Lying on his back with a dark stain of partially dried blood around his upper body.  The source of the blood was readily apparent, a large hole in the center of his chest.. something had struck the victim, punching through his torso and blasting out of his back destroying his heart.

"Body!" Kennit called out, turning towards Dr. Anderson, but she was missing.

There hadn't been any acceleration. One moment Nicole was standing next to the Captain, she'd seen the body just as the Captain had and the next moment she was immediately was running towards it. She crouched down, extremely glad she couldn't smell anything past her helmet. 

Alec was slowly searching the building for any survivors so far he had found none. He had found evidence that people had been here as blood was  splattered all over the walls and floor. "So much for the colonists being abducted." He muttered. Then at the sound of Rhea's voice, he instantly turned in her direction and made his way over to her, picking his way around the debris strewn floor. His own light adding to hers as it fell on the body. The man's face was frozen in agonizing pain. "Not a phaser." He observed." Doing his best to stay focused and professional. "The edges of the wound aren't cauterized." 

"Impalement," Nicole said. "Stake through the heart, maybe," she quipped, her voice somewhat dry. She cleared her throat. "Projectile was large, blunt and at extreme speed. I'd almost guess a miniature cannon ball."

The Captain nodded but didn't speak.  Studying the body a moment longer, her attention shifted to their surroundings.  Shining her palm-torch around the large open space, she frowned slightly and walked towards a nearby stack of crates.  Closer, with better light on the crates a series of holes punched through the crates could be readily seen.  That answered one question.  

She whirled on her feet, shining the light now across the chamber looking at the walls and crates behind them.  "There..  phaser scoring.." she said aloud.  "Next question is..who or what. was our friend on the floor here fighting?"

Kennit's gaze swept up, "Security cameras..  we need to find where the security feed was stored..and hope the data isn't destroyed or corrupted."

"Should be a security office close by. Perhaps deeper within the structure a more fortified location. Perhaps we'll find survivors there as well." Alec's voice took on a hopeful tone even if it was a wild flight of fancy.

"Anderson to Sickbay," Nicole said, "prep box two. Coordinate with the transporter room and beam up my activator signal when ready."

"Yes, Doctor," a nurse in Sickbay said crisply. 

Nicole pulled a small transponder out of her bag and placed it on the corpse, standing up and giving it no further thought. "If there were security feeds, we may find more bodies. Generally those are places people consider to be 'safe.'

Kennit gave a short nod.  "Be alert.  Even if whoever or whatever was responsible for this is indeed gone, if there are survivors they may be inclined to shoot first.."

Alec looked over at the CMO  as she made her observation.  "True enough Doctor. I only hope in this case it proves to be correct." Giving Rhea a quick look, he continued, "Right you are Captain. I can assure you there will no rushing in. We'll give the area a close look."

Nicole put her back to both of them, scanning to the buildings ahead of them, sighing as she started picking up more organic matter. *Be careful what you wish for,* she thought.

Activating her comm badge, the Captain said "Kennit to away team.  Be advised.  We have discovered a body.  There are clear indications of a struggle.  No indication of who or what attacked...be alert!"

-------------

Blackburn entered the other structure.  She couldn't see how anything could have survived in here.  Debris littered the deck as pieces of ceiling crumbled down before them.  "Not very stable.  Watch your footing," she told the team as her flashlight scanned the room.  She caught a gruesome sight of a lower torso sitting in a chair.  The upper torso and back of the chair was missing.  Nina closed her eyes and forced herself not to linger on the sight save for she might vomit.  "Yarin, can you see or sense anything?"

Yarin looked around the surrounding area, there was definitely radiation; differing from the standard background the whole room was saturated in it.  He walked outside and peered up, yes it was faint but there.  He tapped his combadge, "Yarin to Valkyrie I am picking up radiation down here, nuclear given the color most likely uranium possibly plutonium, I can see a trail going up from the sky into orbit you could probably find the source of the attack if you hurry." 

Penny scanned the body slowly. "Torn," she said, then frowned. There was something familiar about it. Something in her memory banks was attempting to load, but all her bypasses were blocking it. She shook her head as if that would dislodge it, and realized she'd have to settle this systemic error once and for all when they got back on board. 

"Rigor has set in," she said. "It's not-not-not-not--" she stopped herself before she kept stammering, swallowing with uneasiness.

-------------

Listening to the call made to Redman aboard the Valkyrie, the Captain actually snorted aloud but kept walking.  They already knew that the bombardment came from orbit.. had there been any indication of a hostile ship .. or any ship for that matter in orbit or in the area when Victory approached the stricken world they would have detected it.  ::Species 16136..::  That soft, seductive whisper of information and data points rising from the darkest parts of her mind was acknowledged but otherwise ignored.  

Katrijn was used to it after all.

Instead, she said "Kennit to Victory.  We have discovered clear indications of combat on the surface.  Unknown weapons type with at least two casualties located so far.  En route to the security station within the current structure we are investigating to attempt to access the security data feed in hope of obtaining more detailed information on what took place."

=/\= Understood. Is there anything you need us to do to help make things go a bit smoother? =/\= Torres asked.

"Maintain constant surveillance of the sector.  If anything out there moves.. I want to know it." she told him.  "If we are able to access the security feed, we may need to transfer the data to you for analysis.  This place is pretty well torn to bits.."

=/\= Understood Captain.=/\= Not that she needed to tell him that, he was doing that anyway that was one of the reasons he had the microprobes into the planet's atmosphere.

Signing off on the comm, the Captain turned and looked towards Hunter with dark eyes.  "Where's that map of the complex?" she asked as she took a few steps toward him.

"Right here Captain." Alec replied as he held out his tricorder showing the map. Turning his hand to allow Rhea to read it better.

Looking at the map display on the tricorder, she held the device in her right hand, slowly flexing the left for a moment before handing the tricorder back.  "Based on the map, the security offices should be along the east wall of the warehouse... this way.."  

Using her palm-torch to illuminate the path, the Captain set out through the debris strewn darkness toward where they should find the security office.

Alec was silent as he fell into step behind Rhea as they made their way toward the security office. He watched Rhea study the map. He also saw her flexing her left hand. He was tempted to ask if something was wrong but didn't want to be brushed off instead he cast his eyes toward Anderson wondering if she saw what Rhea was doing and more importantly if she knew why.

Nicole's eyes were smoldering behind her helmet and she ran her tricorder again, this time trying to subtly scan the Captain. Unfortunately she wasn't getting much.

Deftly picking her way around, and in some cases.. over the debris Kennit was focused on reaching the security office. They needed to know what happened here, who or what had attacked.. and that meant they had to find something tangible to point at the perpetrator..

It took a little work to locate the security office, the entrance was behind a jumbled pile of fallen crates and storage racks, masking the door way from view. Squeezing through a narrow gap in the jumble, the Captain reached the door to the security office only to find it closed, and without power to open. Undeterred, Kennit located the maintenance panel and with one wrenching motion pulled the panel off and then reached inside to disconnect the door itself from the frozen actuator which opened the door. Once that was done, she moved to the closed door itself and with both hands, braced her feet on the floor and then simply forced the door open to allow them to enter.

Inside the security office was in shambles, shattered and broken consoles showed indications of the same unknown weapons fire noted in the main warehouse area--not a good sign.

Nicole slipped past the Captain, following her tricorder's signal. She approached a side door and put a fist through the side panel, grabbing the manual release and pulling it fast, gripping the doors and opening them quickly, then stepped back as a charred hand fell out through the doorway. "Found them," she said flatly.

"What's left of them at least.." Kennit responded. "It looks like weapons fire triggered an overload and set off the fire.." she added, looking at the holes which riddled the bulkheads and control panels both in the outer chamber and the inner. Walking towards one of the control stations, she ran her left hand lightly over the console, feeling the damaged panel crackle and give way under her fingertips. Though the others couldn't know it, in her fingertips delicate sensors once dormant, now activated told her there was no power remaining in the damaged unit. Not even residual backup power remained.

"We're going to need to find the core, if it's intact we'll pull it and take it back to the Victory to try and see if any of the data stored within can be retrieved." she said.

"The core should be below us." Alec replied, "In an even more fortified location."

"Assuming that hasn't been blown to hell as well," Nicole said, squatting down by one of the half corpses by a blown out control station. She ran her tricorder over the control panel. "Dead as its users," she said. "If there was a power surge, the core might not have survived anyway."

-------------

Penny looked at the destruction and waved her wand again, following Yarin's gaze. As she scanned, she tried putting the pieces together, but her brain was going uncommonly slow. She turned around and stumbled over to Nina. "Tre-tre-tre..." she stuttered, grabbing Nina by the arm. *Systemic error now at 97%* her mind said calmly, but in her head alarms were going off. She was genuinely scared now, not only for what was happening to her, but what they might be up against.

Nina looked at the girl and moved closer. "Take a deep breath and focus on me. What is it?" she reassured Penny, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Penny was shaking like a leaf. "No-no-no wuh-wuh-one s-s-six wuh-wuh-one th-th-three s-s-six." She stopped and shook hard. "Tre-tre-tre....nor-nor-norman co-co-co-co-or-or-din-dinate...." She suddenly stopped, staring blankly then her head tilted to the side and she didn't move.

Assessing the situation Yarin effortlessly picked up Penny. He then turned to Nina, "I will take her to the shuttle and will let you know when I arrive."

Nina held up a hand as she tapped her comm badge. "Blackburn to Captain. Lieutenant Naroot isn't responding. She had some sort of attack and just went unresponsive. Yarin is offering to take her back to the shuttle."

-----------------

Nicole shot to her feet at the comm signal, looking like she was ready to bolt, but looked to the Hunter, then Kennit, waiting for permission.

Alec saw the look Nicole had on her face there was something else on beyond the concern for a fellow crew member but he wasn't sure what and now wasn't the time to figure it out. "Go," he told her. "Report back once you know something."

The Captain shot a look towards her First Officer but opted not to counter his statement, though it seemed pointless to her for the Doctor's sudden rush. After all, Naroot was an android. It was not exactly a 'medical' emergency after all. After a moment, the Captain gave a short nod and jerked her head slightly towards the door as she looked at the Doctor, her eyes holding a hint of that same amused challenge in their depths.

Nicole nodded, glanced at the Captain, then back at Hunter. "God save the Queen," she said and bolted away at full speed. They couldn't see it through her helmet, but her eyes had turned red, her fangs had extended, and she was relying on every ounce of enhanced strength to propel her faster towards her goal. She tapped her combadge quickly. "Tell Yarin to meet me at the shuttle. Anderson out."

Turning back to Alec, the Captain said "Come on. Let's find the computer core and pull it."

Alec was unfazed by Rhea's look, he didn't know why she would object to the Doctor leaving to take care of a ill crew member. He nodded at her statement about the computer core. Aloud he said "Sounds like a plan. Hopefully, it will be able to tell us something." While silently he thought maybe he could find out what was bothering the Captain. At least he hoped so. Though he was confused by Anderson's 'God save the Queen' comment. He guessed she was doing in reference to Rhea being the Captain.

Looking at the building schematic on the tricorder, she said "The computer core should be one level below us. We need to find a service access, without power the 'lifts won't work."

"Should have brought my camping gear." Alec observed even as he began to search in earnest for a service access, inspecting the walls for a tale-tell entry way or at least a big sign that said 'service access here'.

Kennit paused, turned to look at him for a moment then said "Camping gear?"

Alec grinned at her, "Ah, so you are paying attention. That's good to know." He teased. "I meant to say climbing gear."

She looked at him, shook her head and replied "Of course I was paying attention.. " and turned back to searching for an access way that would get them down to the lower level. It took another ten minutes of searching, but finally they located a closed access panel which after being forced open, admitted them into a service tunnel which allowed technicians to check and calibrate computer IODB systems. Once she'd determined that the service tunnel would open up on the lower level, the Captain slipped into the tunnel and jumped down the ladder quickly to land at the bottom on her feet light and graceful. "You waiting for a gilded invitation?" she called up to where Hunter was watching with an odd expression at her careless manner of making her own descent.

Alec now knew something was definitely wrong with Rhea, she was throwing caution to the wind. Being almost foolhardy. He wanted answers just like she did but getting killed in the process wasn't part of the plan. He looked down at her, maybe the Doctor was trying to tell him something? he would continue to pay close attention to Rhea. "Show off." He muttered then in a louder voice he called out,"If it will get me down there faster, then the answer is yes." He entered the tunnel and climbed down the ladder ....like any sane person would have done. Moments later he was standing next to her, "Da ta! The core should be close by."

She just hmmm'd at him, casting her flashlight about until she spied what she was searching for. "There's the primary conduit which carries the connecting cables for the computer system. We follow that.. we'll find it."

He didn't make a comment as Rhea hmmmm'd at him. He just let it slide. His flashlight joining hers in settling on the conduit. "So it is, just like the yellow brick road. It'll take us to the Emerald City, well the computer core but you get what I meant right?"

She nodded, following the cables overhead carefully through the dark passageway. There was no debris here, making it easy to walk, "There..up ahead. There's the core." Ahead of them was a large computer system, racks of memory processing units and redundant power systems. All of the LED lights were dark. No power at all remained. "Well.. there's no power. That should make pulling the core easier.." Kennit commented as she crouched before the closed cabinet door and began to deftly unlock the access door to gain access to the interior of the cabinet and retrieve the core itself.

"Yes it should and it looks intact no obvious damage to it." Alec replied as he watched Rhea get to work on accessing the core. He only hoped it contained information on the attackers that had so completely and thoroughly devastated the colony.

The Captain didn't answer as she lowered herself to the floor in order to access the interior of the cabinet more directly. The core itself was fairly large, with a weight of 13.5 lbs. The unit was not easy to remove, there were several fasteners holding it mounted to the cabinet as well as the various IODB connections branching out from the top of the device. She frowned as she studied the device, "There are indications of arcing burns along the casing.." she told Hunter. Arcing burns were a very bad sign, a power surge had clearly transpired during the attack. The data recorded on the device might be completely erased, or corrupted..

Alec was about to ask if s wanted him to remove the core when Rhea bent down and got to work on attempting to remove it. ~Well do it yourself. Why don't you?~ He thought silently before speaking aloud,"Could have suffered a power surge. Won't know until we get it back to the ship if there's any data left on it or it's been erased." He looked back at the core, "You'll need to release the IODB connections and the cables out of the way first." He said over her shoulder. His flashlight giving added light to the removal process.

As he spoke, she began by first gently releasing the IODB connections and moving the cables out of the way, tucking them neatly up into the retention clips before getting to work removing the fasteners holding it to the brackets which mounted the core into place against the rear wall of the cabinet. "I hate this shit.." she muttered, lying on her back twisted slightly in order to reach the necessary fasteners. "Miserable damn thing was designed by brainless engineers who never considered how hard it is to maintenance the fucking thing when it needs work..much less having to try and get the damn thing out of the fucking cabinet.. Should have made Torres come down here and let him do this.." She fell silent a moment, trying to get a particularly hard to reach fastener loose with no success. "Fuck!" she muttered again, unable to get the necessary force using the fastener tool due to the impossible angle. Flipping the tool in her left hand, she struck the bracket itself with a hard, vicious blow. It took several strikes but the bracket finally snapped off the DIN rails and the core was free..

"Here.. take it.." she called out to Hunter, the core held out towards him as she wasn't able to get out of the cabinet and hold the thing at the same time.

Alec watched as Rhea flipped onto her back to remove the fasteners. ""Rhea, I can do that." He said but was ignored as she began to complain about how difficult it was to remove the core. Then she swore and he knew she was seriously mad and trying to calm her down would only make her madder and he didn't need that. Then suddenly she was handing him the core. "Got it." He announced as he cradled it in one hand, holding it tight against his chest. while extending the other to help her out of the cabinet. "Here take my hand. It will make it easier for you to get out of the cabinet."

Taking his hand with her left, Kennit let him help her slide out of the network cabinet and then pull her up from the floor. "We need to get that back to the Victory for analysis, but from the look of the scoring covering the entire outer surface I'm not sure it's worth the effort."

"Agreed." Alec answered as he the core a look. "You know appearances can be deceiving right? Maybe that's the case here. Maybe it's not as ba.........." He stopped as he looked at Rhea and saw her standing there with her head cocked to one side.

------------

Nicole reached the Valkyrie and could see Yarin still a few paces away, cradling Penny as he ran. She pounded her fingers against the hatch controls, opening the shuttle just as Yarin approached. "How long?" she said without preamble.

"Approximately ten minutes." Yarin said

"What did she say or do before she went quiet?" she said, taking Penny and bringing her onto the shuttle.

"She was stuttering apparently rattling off a series of numbers."

"Excuse me, Doctor," Redman said.

"Shut up or I'll shut you up," Nicole said, putting Penny on the floor. Nicole yanked off her helmet and set it aside, holding out her hand to Yarin. "Your tricorder," she said.

Yarin handed over his tricorder silently hoping that it could provide more answers than he could.

Nicole ran his tricorder over Penny slowly, frowning and refining its sensors as she went. As she passed by Penny's hand she almost smacked herself in the head, tossing Yarin's tricorder aside and plucking Penny's silver wand from her hand. She couldn't read it as finely as Penny could, but she could get some information out of it. "What was it she said exactly?" she asked Yarin as she passed Penny's wand slowly up and down the unconscious girl.

"She said 'No-no-no wuh-wuh-one s-s-six wuh-wuh-one th-th-three s-s-six tre-tre-tre....nor-nor-norman co-co-co-co-or-or-din-dinate.' Do you have any idea what it means Doctor?"

"No," Nicole said flatly. "Sounds like she was having a stroke." She peeled Penny's eyelid back and looked carefully, then turned to Yarin. "Report back to Nina. Tell her I'm dealing with the situation but be prepared to return to the shuttle if I have to take Penny back to the ship."

Yarin tapped his communicator and relayed the message to Nina as he left for the shuttle.

As he left, Nicole eyed Redman. "Get out," she said, her eyes flashing red. He scrambled quickly out of the shuttle and Nicole closed the hatch behind him. She sat back and sighed, reaching for the back of Penny's skull, wishing she was an Engineer.

She stopped as a thought occurred to her. She checked to make sure the shuttle was indeed closed up and then adjusted the settings on Penny's wand. She brought it to her lips and talked into it like a microphone. "Tommy, do you read?" Silence answered back and she shook the slim silver instrument in frustration. "Damnit Tommy Gun, answer me!"

"I'M A LITTLE BUSY HERE DOLL," came a shout from the wand, then in the background, "lock it down! Reroute through the secondary EPS conduits! Well fine get them repaired!"

"Thomas?" Nicole said, concerned.

"Nic if you're reading me, keep as far away from the Abora Colony as you can! The tre--" the line fizzed and went silent. Nicole's eyes widened in panic, both because her family was in danger, and because she was now stuck with no way to help Penny on her own.

-------------

The Captain paused, head cocked to one side as if she were listening intently to something for a moment.

"What? What is is? Do you hear something?" Firing off one question after another.

Kennit didn't answer immediately, instead holding up her right hand toward him as if to say 'hush'. Silent and still, after another moment she pointed to the core with her left and said, "Bring that.." Then started walking, exiting the computer security room and heading deeper into the complex, walking down the dark passageway with near silent steps making almost no sound at all as she moved.

She stopped again, hand held up for him to stop as well and once more just listened.

This time, the faint sound was strong enough for Hunter to hear it too. A distant, rhythmic bang bang bang.. Coming from somewhere further ahead of them in the blackness.

Alec fell instantly silent as Rhea held up her right hand and listened for a moment before telling him to bring the core with them as she left the security room and headed off DEEPER into the complex. "Take this." He muttered to himself, "No, I thought I'd leave it behind. Geez Rhea." Yet he proceeded after her, his steps as silent as hers. Then suddenly she stopped and listened and now he heard it. A rhythmic bang, bang, bang. He looked at her, "Survivors?"

"No idea." she answered. "Could be possible survivors. Could be debris banging around for some reason... as long as it isn't some giant mutated spider in which case I'm throwing you at it and running as fast as possible in the opposite direction.." she told him as she started to walk again, following the distant sound.

"Only one way to find out. We have to go to the sound and it's okay if it's a spider, I'm not afraid of them." As he fell into step beside her.

"I didn't say I was afraid of spiders. I said if it was a giant mutant spider.. I was going to throw you at it.." the Captain retorted. "There's a difference."

"Of course Captain Rhea ma'am. In a pig's eye." Alec bantered. Then was silent for a moment before saying in a sing song voice, "Rhea's afraid of a spider."

"Enjoy yourself now Commander.." she replied as she walked, flexing her left hand and fingers again without consciously thinking about what she was doing, "while you can."

Alec stopped and looked at her, now he knew something was wrong with Rhea and it got him to thinking on the CMO's parting statement as Rhea flexed her left hand and fingers. "Commander? It's me Rhea. You know Alec. Um what's wrong with your hand?" He asked innocently.

She looked at him, shook her head. "Nothing." Pausing to listen again, she then said "I think we need to turn right here.. the sound seems stronger from this direction than to the left.."

Alec sighed mentally. He was being stonewalled and by the woman he loved. "If nothing's wrong why are you flexing it repeatedly?" He pressed. If he couldn't get answers from Rhea he'd find Anderson and get the answers from her. However he went back to her comment on which way to go. "Of course Captain."

"I have no idea what you're talking about.." she retorted as they walked. The banging sound was loud now, whatever it was they were close. "Over there.." the Captain pointed towards a closed door. Whatever was causing the sound was coming from the other side. "Never any backup power when you need it.." she muttered.

"Oh come on Rhea. You've been flexing your hand and fingers for some time now. You have to know that. Furthermore don't treat me like I don't know what I'm seeing." His tone light and calm. "Stand back, I'll go first this time. Time for me to share some of the risks." Rhea might be stonewalling him but he loved her and didn't want anything to happen to her.

"By all means Commander." she answered smoothly. "Please..." she motioned towards the sealed door, indicating he should get to work and try to get it open.

He handed her the core, "Your turn to hold it." He said a she moved past her, looking at her as he did. "Again with the Commander. Have I done something to land in your doghouse Rhea?" While he waited for her reply, he moved to the door. "This is Commander Hunter and Captain Kennit of the Victory. IS there anyone in there?" He looked back at Rhea and shrugged his shoulders, "Never hurts to ask first."

"That is your rank.." she pointed out. After a moment, a faint voice could be heard from inside the closed room. It sounded like a child, a small child at that. The words were not intelligible, but clearly someone was inside.

"I know what my rank is Captain. I also know you've done your damnedest to avoid using my name despite the fact we're alone." He shook his head, "You know what forget it. You're keeping me at arm's length and won't even give me the respect of telling me why." He shook his head and turned back to the door. "We hear you! Stay calm. we'll have you out of there in no time." Though the truth was Alec wasn't actually sure how.

"All right then, Alec," she said sharply. "The door is sealed. We have to find the control mechanism and disable it before that door can be forced open manually."

"Well that's better." He replied, her sharp tone falling on deaf ears. "I know the door is sealed Rhea and finding the control mechanism is one option to opening the door. Why can't we just use a phaser and cut a hole on the door?"

------------

"Sanders to away teams," Cassandra's voice said, spotty through their comm units. "A mass storm front -s headin- for you. --urn to shut- --mediately. Repeat, this is Lieu--ant San-- -assive -front on its way."

Alec along with Rhea heard the call from Sanders and the report of a massive storm front before the message broke up. tapping his own combadge he called the ship. =^= Hunter to Victory. Repeat your previous message. Be aware we may have found a survivor. Also Lt. Naroot has taken ill. Dr. Anderson is seeing to her.=^=

------------

Nicole's hand moved to activate her comm unit, but held back, *We're heading back to the ship,* she thought. She could possibly find help for Penny there. She tapped her comm unit quickly. "Anderson to Captain. I have Lieutenant Naroot stable, but I'm unable to do anything more here. We have to get her back to the ship immediately."

"We have located a survivor, trapped in a sealed chamber within the lower level of the security building," Kennit answered. "From the sound of it, a child. We aren't leaving until Commander Hunter gets this door open and we get whoever is on the other side free.."

"Rhea we can ride out the storm here until passes. Let the shuttle take off and get back to the ship so Anderson can help Naroot.'' Alec suggested as he looked for a junction box that controlled the door. The phaser was a fallback option.

"The primary focus of our mission here is rescue operations.." the Captain answered.

"I know that Rhea. It was a suggestion nothing more." Alec replied as he located the junction box and pulled it open. "Alright! There's a manual override here." he said indicating lever inside. "I'll work this. You get whomever is inside once the door opens far enough."

"I'm waiting.." was the Captain's only response.

Alec gave her a 'we are not amused' glance but said nothing and simply got to work on the lever. It was slow, tedious work to get the lever to move and then finally the door began to slid back ..... slowly. Oh so very slowly. This would be a great work out exercise." He observed, through taking in mouthfuls of air, "It will give you muscles in no time. "Can you see anything yet?"

Kennit looked at him, then stepped over to the barely open door and reached with her left hand to take hold of the edge of the door. With a powerful heave of muscle and body, the Captain forced the door back, teeth bared in a fierce expression for a moment. Once shed opened the door enough to enter she stopped, stepping inside without preamble. "We have survivors!" The Captain called out. "A young boy, an infant, and an injured woman."

Crouching down, she gently picked up the infant in one hand to cradle the unharmed baby in her arm while holding a hand out toward the boy. "It's all right.." She said then in a softer voice. "You're safe."

Alec registered Rhea's savage expression has she forced the door open. He was beside her in an instant, moving past her to help the injured woman. "Your safe." He told her echoing Rhea's statement as he knelt next to her.

The Captain was checking the infant and older child for injuries, finding only bumps and bruises. Once she was sure the children were all right, she looked towards Hunter and asked, "What's her condition? Can you get her out of here on your own or do we need help?"

"Broken wrist, appears to have a concussion. multiple bumps and bruises." He looked at Rhea, "They've been through hell Rhea." he then added, "I can get her out of here as long as you know a way that doesn't involve climbing."

The look she flashed at him was decidedly one of annoyance. "Transporters are inoperative. The lifts are also inoperative. The only way back out is either the same way we came in, or else through an emergency stairwell and whether or not we can even get to one, much less if it's still clear.. is a question open for debate.."

Alec wasn't put off by Rhea's look. "All true." He agreed "Unless, they know another way out of here. That's possible isn't it? Not to mention we need to get moving and back to the shuttle before the storm is on top of us."

As Alec was speaking, the Captain had been busy fashioning an infant sling from the blankets which had swaddled the infant. Once she'd tied them together to form a snug loop around her body, she tucked the infant into the makeshift sling and after a moment held out a hand to the little boy saying, "All right you. Come here, put your arms around me, with your little sister between us so she stays safe. I"ll hold you, you help me and make sure she stays safe.. can you manage that for me?"

"What about Mommy?" the child asked in a soft, shaking voice.

"My friend Alec there is going to make sure your Mommy is safe too. He's stronger than I am, so we'll let him make sure she gets out of here with us okay?"

"I'm going to get in trouble.." the little boy said sadly.

"Oh? Why is that?" the Captain asked, taking time they didn't really have to focus on the scared, upset child before her.

"I was down here playing .. Mommy had to come find me with baby Jess. There was lots of noises and booms and I ran in here cause I was scared and the lights went out. Mommy got hurt .."

"Oh now.. I don't think you're Mommy will be upset at all. You want to know a secret? You saved your Mommy's life.. and your little sister Jess here.. this room is in the strongest part of the building. You're a hero."

He gazed at her, wide-eyed. "I am?"

"You are." Kennit answered. "And double a hero because you're helping me get your sister out of here too.."

Lifting the child up, she held him in her arms with the infant between them. Looking at Hunter, she said "You ready to get moving?"

Alec had found some some PaDDs and used them to make a splint for the woman's hand. He tied them in place with some of the blanket Rhea had used. "That will work until we get you back to the ship. You are all going to be alright. You just lean on me."

"We're ready Captain."

"Th...thank you Alec, thank you both for coming and saving us." The woman said. My name is Kelly."

"Our pleasure." Alec replied but he was thinking he wished they could have gotten here sooner to make a difference. "Now lets get out of here."

With guidance from the injured civilian, the group was able to locate an emergency access stairwell which was for the most part passable leading back up to the ground floor level. Reaching the surface, outside it was clear the storm was starting. Angry clouds rolled overhead, and the steady rumble of distant thunder was undeniably growing closer. It wasn't raining yet, but it was getting dark.. fast..

"Next stop the shuttle." Alex told the small group. He looked to Rhea as thunder rolled and savage lightning lit up the sky. "We're going to have to double time it back Rhea, if we want to reach the shuttle before the storm hits."

The Captain looked at the sky, and rather than voicing her thoughts merely nodded, and got started on the way back to the waiting shuttle in the distance.

Alec turned to Kelly, "Stay close we're almost to the shuttle, don't want to lose anyone now." As he put an arm around her, to keep her close as they fell into place behind Rhea.

Another 15 minutes of walking and the shuttle became visible in the distance.

"LOOK! There's the shuttle! We're almost there. Just a little farther too go." Alec remarked as the thunder grew louder and the lightning more savage.

--------------------------------------

Nicole had just maneuvered Penny into a rear seat when she heard a pounding on the shuttle hatch. She moved back towards the hatch and opened it and was immediately assaulted by a blast of wind. She stumbled backward and Lt. Redman scrambled inside. "It's getting bad out there," he said.

Nicole tapped the communications panel on the shuttle. "Anderson to Blackburn. Get your team back to the shuttle ASAP, we've got a serious storm brewing here."

She set the communication to repeat and closed the channel. "Get us powered up. I'll be back," she said, looking at Redman. She reattached her helmet and grabbed her tricorder. As he slipped into the pilot's chair, she opened the hatch again, bracing herself against the wind and stepping outside.

The sky was dark and her eyes flared red as she scoured the horizon, spotting a small moving blip in the distance. She growled, her hair curling in her helmet as her muscles tensed and she took off like a shot, bobbing and weaving with the gusts of air blowing around her, feeling like she was about to take off from the ground. *Wonder if this is how Mother said she could fly,* she thought idly. As she got closer she could see the Captain and Commander, each burdened with survivors. She leaped over a gap in the ground and came to a skidding halt.

"I recalled Blackburn's group," she said without preamble. "The storm's growing, you won't make it walking." She flipped open her tricorder and scanned the children first, then the adult. "I'm sorry, this is going to hurt a bit," she said to the older woman, then grabbed her, slinging the woman over her shoulder in a fireman's carry. "Each of you take a child and run," she said to Alec and Rhea, moving at a slower, but still brisk clip back to the shuttle.

Alec was about to protest, but he knew Anderson was right, taking the boy from Rhea he whispered, "Now you get to ride in a shuttle." as he hugged the boy close to his chest, protecting him as much as he was able from the wind.

tbc in part two
(splitting this post as it's gotten too long)

 

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