Into Darkness (Part I)

Posted on Tue Feb 11th, 2025 @ 7:35am by Lieutenant JG LuAnn Lovegood & Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova & Lieutenant Commander Aaron Marcus & Lieutenant Amanda Rose & Lieutenant Percival Bálor Ph.D & Petty Officer 3rd Class T'Rala H'Zelar

1,706 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Standing By
Location: Cavern

ON

Anahera turned on her phaser's flash light, illuminating the course rock walls. Some lichen shone in the light.

Some had set up a network cables to provide light and power to the caves, but it was currently off-line.

The Security Chief searched the shadows for signs of life, but only found scattered areas of blood.

"I'll see if I can get the lights on," LuAnn said. As a counselor and botanist, she was better doing that than going into the cave. But she also wanted to be available to get the doctor if they needed his help.

Amanda was annoyed. Why had she left the Doctor behind? Why had she let him "get his way"? He was likely to get in trouble with the Captain, did he not understand that? Truly, he was the most annoying and stubborn man that she had ever met.

Really, though, why did it bother her? He had been nothing but unpleasant to her since the moment that he got on the ship. She should be grateful that he was getting himself in trouble. Considering the matter objectively, Amanda decided that the reason that she cared was that it was her duty to assist him to better choices and she hated being a failure. Certainly that was it.

Because there were two counselors on the away team, LuAnn chose to focus on being a botanist. She could get power to the cave and help find any edible plants while Amanda talked with the survivors. Amanda seemed to need to have answers more than find them. LuAnn was happy to stay out of her way. So, for now, she would continue to check the command center and get power and gather information, then examine the plants.

Amanda turned on her light and looked around. "Nothing here," she whispered to everyone.

Anahera tapped her comm. "I've found some foot prints in the sand of the cave floor." She said.

And that was as long as LuAnn's resolve to not get involved lasted. She tapped her combadge. "How many pair of footprints and did they walk in by themselves or were they dragged or carried in?"

"Three. Two appear to be walking together, the other is following at a distance." Anahera said. "The following individual's gait is staggered."

Amanda looked at the tracks. "Someone is injured but why walking together? Not running?"

"They weren't running from someone?" LuAnn offered. She found where to turn on the generators for the caves, but they'd been damaged.

With a sigh, she went out to find Percy. "You're in charge, lieutenant. What are your orders?"

The Chief Science Officer of the Ontario, leader of this away team, and someone who had a personal investment in the missing scientists looked at LuAnn. "We were sent here for a reason. Doctor Marcus may have chosen to neglect and abandon the oaths he's taken, but we will not," replied Percy. "We continue further. Someone or something has gone into this cavern...potentially one or more of our missing archeologist. I believe we're due for some spelunking."

Percy looked at LuAnn. "Despite Doctor Marcus' insisting on staying out of the caves and to himself, I think it would be best if the rest of us banded together if we are to go any further into this network of caves."

"The doctor didn't violate his oath. He does have valid concerns," LuAnn had to point out. "I suggest you let security look first to make sure it's safe before we all go in. But you are in charge, so if you order us all to go, we'll go."

Amanda also rose to the Doctor's defense. "He has not done any harm. He's a stubborn ass but he has done no harm to anyone yet. Let's hurry, shall we?"

Percy wanted to argue that, counter that his lack of willingness to join them put them and the scientists in danger, but he was not simply Percy on this mission, he was placed in a position of responsibility. "Better safe than dead" replied Percy.

He agreed with LuAnn. "Security, scout ahead. Clear it for us, the rest of us will bring up the rear" the Chief Science Officer instructed. In doing so, he proceeded after and caught a whiff of something pungent.

Percy halted in his tracks and swapped the tricorder out for a phaser. "Something is definitely in here and it is far from hygienic."

Rounding a corner, Anahera felt and itch in her mind, and moved just in time to avoid being slammed into the cave wall by a large paw.

Moving her rifle into firing position, she fired twice, causing the creature to back off.

Tapping her combadge. "Chernova to Balor, I just encountered one of the native predators, from what I saw, it appeared to be some kind of bear."

A moment of silence. A moment that was becoming uncomfortably cold before Percy could respond. He was short of breath, his mind racing. It felt as though his whole body was trembling and all he could think about was Gregory. Something was here. Something had caused blood. Gregory and his team were missing. The half-Tellarite's knees buckled and he stumbled lightheaded. He reached out and felt himself being supported upright.

LuAnn was closest to Percy and put an arm around him. "Come on, let's get you inside where you can sit down."

He didn't need Doctor Marcus to diagnose what was happening. It was something Percy had struggled with for years. Panic attack, and it could be crippling. The dread and woe washed over him and pulled him under like a riptide of emotion. "I...can't. I can't do this. I can't be the one to find him," said Percy.

The comm link to Anahera was still open. "Commander, track whatever it is." Percy looked to LuAnn and Amanda "Counselors, I'm not fit for duty. I'm... I am relinquishing command of this away team."

LuAnn looked at Percy for a long moment and nodded. "I agree. With Lieutenant Bálor's permission, I will take over. I'm also a scientist, and I know a bit more about the people we're looking for than the rest of you."

Percy was in no condition to argue. He liked LuAnn, but Lieutenant Commander Chernova had rank going for her. Amanda despite being a thorn in his rear in days that ended in Y, was the Ship's Counselor. Then there was Doctor Marcus, but he was not the least bit helpful. "Do what you need to," Percy replied softly.

LuAnn helped Percy inside to rest. "I'd suggest going back to the shuttle, but I'm not sure you want to sit with the doctor. But you should be safe enough here." She gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. "I'll do what I can and let you know if they find anyone."

She waited until she was back outside before tapping her combadge. "Find out what you can, but don't get yourselves in trouble. Stun the bear if you need to and see if you can find a trail to its lair. I would rather you not kill in in case it has cubs to take care of." LuAnn wasn't going to say feed. The others knew what they might find.

Amanda watched the scene unfold. Part of her was torn for sympathy for Percy and another part of her was angry. Who in the world did LuAnn think she was? Both she and Anahera had rank over LuAnn. Amanda had handled away missions before, so why did LuAnn think that she could take charge?

Playing it back in her head, the damn pig put LuAnn in charge, so for the moment, Amanda could do nothing despite hers and Anahera's seniority. However, Amanda would have to make a report about this and it would likely hinder Percy's career. She also would have to get to the root of his panic attacks. It was her duty.

She spoke up, "I cannot leave the Lieutenant alone in this state. Since he put you in charge..." There was annoyance in the counselor's voice before she continued, "I have to take care of his mental health. I know that will leave you even more short but the crew's health comes first."

"He's laying down in the command center. Right now, he needs answers." LuAnn wasn't going to tell Amanda about Greg. That was for Percy to tell her--if he wanted to. "I'm going back inside to see if I can get power to the cave." At the moment, it was the best thing she could do to help Anahera.

Deeper in the cave, Anahera found herself in a game of cat and mouse. Unfortunately, she was the mouse.

At the moment she was sticking to the shadows, while the bear thing tried to sniff her out. Her rifle was now back on her shoulder, as you didn't need to be a geologist to know the ceiling of the cave was unstable, and the sonic wave caused if she discharged her rifle, could bring it down around her ears.

For now, she had to avoid it, until she could find a way out.

Aaron had been monitoring the life signs of the away team from the shuttle. He could tell by the elevated adrenaline that Commander Chernova was engaged in some sort of combat or other fight or flight response activity. However, those readings were nothing to worry about. What worried the doctor now was the readings coming from Percy Balor. His blood pressure was elevated, blood sugar spiked, and breathing was erratic. These were signs of a panic attack, a condition that Aaron knew Percy suffered from after reading his medical records. Aaron opened a channel to LuAnn.

"Marcus to Lieutenant Lovegood. I am reading Lieutenant Balor in distress. As Chief Medical Officer I am transporting him back to this shuttle for treatment. Stand by for transport." He began to get a lock on Percy's communicator.

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant Amanda Rose
Chief Counselor
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Commander Aaron Marcus
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant JG LuAnn Lovegood
Counselor
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Percival Bálor
Chief Science Officer
USS Ontario

 

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