Into Darkness (Part IV)

Posted on Thu Feb 20th, 2025 @ 2:36pm 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

1,769 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Standing By
Location: Shuttle on Priapus

[PREVIOUSLY]

The Counselor first shot a sharp glare at Percy, warning the pig from saying anything more. More calmly she turned to LuAnn and said, "You are correct to an extent. However, if I can show that the Chief Medical Officer is compromised, then it is my duty to relieve him." She turned to the Doctor and gave him a devilish grin.

[CONTINUED]

She then turned back to LuAnn, " I disagree with him and you that his order is proper because it is a logical impossibility, and I will be addressing this with the Captain, when we return. In the meantime, since we have time to kill, I will conduct the exam here and now. If he is fit, you will no longer be in charge, Lieutenant Lovegood, and the Doctor's order will have been complied with. I'm certain that you both understand that." Once again she gave a satisfied grin at the Doctor.

"Of course. But I will still have to note it in the log." LuAnn shook her head. She had no idea why Amanda was so dead set on taking down the doctor as well. "But that, too, will be taken to the captain when we return."

"Yes, it will," Amanda concluded.

Aaron smiled and turned toward everyone gathered. "In the meantime, I feel we should at least identify our guests. Computer, please materialize pattern one from the transporter buffer. Place the person in a level two stasis field on the bench in the rear of the shuttle." A female Romulan in tattered clothing materialized. She had various claw like wounds. Aaron looked over the body intently and then withdrew a small amount a genetic material. He placed the vial into the computer. "Computer please compare this genetic material with known DNA samples from the science team on Priapus." Aaron stood there smirking as he leaned on his cane. "This should be about a minute." As soon as he finished the computer replied. "The remains belong to Dr Jackra of the New Romulus Science Council." "Excellent, second verse same as the first. Computer return Dr Jackra to the pattern buffer and materialize sample two under the same conditions."

Through the same process it was learned that the next two samples belonged to the aforementioned Jack Michaels a Human, and an exceptional loss of Veruka Salt a joined Trill. Aaron had found the remains of symbiote genetic material within the body to prove that. He told those gathered about his findings. Finally, a human male was materialized. This person had been especially maimed by an animal. After Aaron performed the genetic sample the computer stated. "These remains belong Greg Westfall a Human." Aaron turned to everyone. "Well, I think we can get going now. I have found everyone. Once we are back aboard the Ontario I will perform a full autopsy in accordance with the respective governments and contact the respective families."

It was exactly what LuAnn both feared and expected. "Thank you, doctor. Now, as we can't leave until morning, please, make yourselves comfortable and try to get along." Unfortunately, they would all have to stay on the shuttle until the storm cleared, which was going to make for a very long night.

She went over to Percy and put her arm around his shoulders. "I'm sorry, Percy. You were right that he's gone." She wanted to ask him to behave, but the way he was feeling, she didn't think he would listen.

The Counselor had a PADD that she was just about to hand Percy and said, "Excuse me, Lieutenant Lovegood. Lieutenant Balor is in my care and I would ask you to let him be so I can complete his evaluation."

LuAnn hugged Percy, then stepped back. "Yes, ma'am. You are free to begin."

"Thank you," Amanda told LuAnn. She then stared coldly at Percy. "This is going to take a few hours. I'll let you start with the paperwork and then after I score your answers, we will get to the interview. Understand?"

Percy let out an exhausted snort. "It doesn't look like the weather is going to let us leave any time soon. So, I have plenty of it, Counselor. I'm ready."

Just then, something hard thudded against the side of the shuttle, followed a moment later by another thud.

The half-Tellarite nearly jumped out of his skin. "What in the Galileo Seven is that?!" He had heard tales of shuttle missions, practically modern day ghost stories to tell around a campfire. Then the pungent odor hit his nostrils "We're being attacked," he announced.

"Can we get sensors up to see what is happening?" Amanda asked. Who or what would attack us now?

Percy shrugged. "Swarm of alien bears? Did we anger any of those lately."

"Yes, but I killed it." Anahera said.

"Except that many animals, if you kill one of their kin, they will come after you en masse," Amanda observed. "Perhaps we could send an electric shock through the shields and send them packing," she added hopefully. "Assuming it is alien bears, that is."

"And Doctor Khan did say the predators come out at night," LuAnn reminded them. "As long as they don't break in, it'll just be a noisy night." She didn't think she needed to remind any of them that there was rarely just one predator. Or just one family--unless it was a very large family. "I hope no one planned to sleep."

There was a large thump against the viewport. Startled, LuAnn looked up. Then her eyes widened and she went to the nearest console. "That's an Arctodus simus. Is that what was living in the caves? No wonder scientists want to be here. But if so, they'd need a better observation station than what they currently have. Still..." She turned to Percy. He wasn't in a mental state to appreciate the prehistoric bear, but she did.

Though he may not have been in the mental state to appreciate prehistoric bears, the Chief Science Officer was in the mental state to keep their hides alive. "I know that I'm relieved of duty or whatever, but if I may..." Percy gestured at a console.

"Would one of you be so kind to cut into the electro-plasma system and pull from the batteries if need be. We can electrify the hull and repel this onslaught of bears. At least shock them enough to learn a lesson. We need to hold out until we can get this shuttle back to Ontario."

Anahera moved from the pilot's seat, and grabbed an Engineering Kit. Opening a hatch, she looked inside. Looking up she said. "I have good news, and bad news."

Amanda looked over at Percy. Didn't she just say something just like that? She squinted hard at him, wondering if the tests she gave them were going to adequately reflect his current mental state or if he was completely addled.

"The good news is I can electrify the external hull from here." Anahera said. "The bad news is that the batteries can only be accessed from outside in this shuttle type. So, as long as the batteries are online, they'll be drained too, and we'll be unable to make orbit."

"But if they can't get in, they'll just leave, and the hull is strong enough to withstand their attack," LuAnn countered. Then she had an idea. "Wouldn't loud noise also drive them off? Maybe a rousing march or a rock song?"

Amanda muttered, "Maybe the crocodile rock, unless they're attacking us too."

"Then we'd have to listen to it and I'm not in the mood for Elton John" replied Percy. "But if that keeps us in one piece...Burn down the mission," added Percy with a chuckle.

"I'd rather that 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight,' and we 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." She wryly continued, "But it seems to me that I live my life, 'Like a Candle in the Wind' and if we get through this, I might be a 'Tiny Dancer,' but not for you, Percy, so don't get any ideas."

"I'm a big Elton John fan, but I think AC/DC's Thunder Struck would work better in this situation." Anahera suggested.

"At this point, I'd settle for The Hu or some Klingon Opera," LuAnn added.

Aaron sat in the jump seat at the front of the shuttle. He knew that there simply was nothing to be done. These creatures were animals and would try to get the free meal inside the shuttle. However, a thick skin of tritanium protected them all. Sure, there would most likely be some minor damage to the shuttle come morning. He rolled his eyes at the ridiculous conversation that proceeded in the shuttle. A small twinge of pain creeped up his leg and he thought to take a pill. But he knew better, he could not do that in front of this many people. So for the time being he would have to bear the pain. He closed his eyes and dosed hoping that the next time he opened them he would be aboard the Ontario.

Anahera returned to the pilot's seat. "So, no sing-a-long then?" She asked sadly.

"I don't think singing to those creatures will do any good." But normally LuAnn had no problem with a sing-along. She did check to be sure the force field was activated. It would be another layer of protection during the long night. "Perhaps some classical music might help buffer the sound of their assault..." She looked around. "Or everyone put in your favorite song. I'll start with Barenaked Ladies."

T'Rala was a little on edge. She monitored the Tactical station in case they had to give the creatures outside a bit of not-so-gentle persuasion.

"Music may soothe the savage beast, but that's more often the case when one of their own has not been killed. Right now, I would suggest it is a blind rage," Amanda offered.

"All the more reason to stay inside and sing camp songs," LuAnn countered. Then she selected something ant random and started playing it over the speakers. She wasn't sure if she wanted to drown out the sounds of the thumping, or the rest of the away team. Either way, she doubted she'd get any sleep tonight.


OFF

Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Commander Aaron Marcus
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Amanda Rose
Chief Counselor
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Percival Bálor
Chief Science Officer
USS Ontario

PO3 T'Rala H'Zelar
Security/Tactical NCOM
USS Ontario

Lieutenant JG LuAnn Lovegood
Counselor
USS Ontario

 

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