Disclaimer: I do not own any character from Star Trek nor have I profited from this story.
Survival
Chapter 1
The noise of a nightmarish explosion made Kirk bolt upright in his bunk. The Enterprise shuddered and lurched fiercely, reflexively he reached out a hand and hit the intercom.
"Bridge," Kirk yelled. Getting no answer he swept aside his sheets and crossed the room in two strides. Over the howl of the ships decompression alarm he reached for trousers and a shirt from his bureau. "Bridge," Kirk repeated impatiently as he shoved his feet into his boots. With still no answer he headed for the door. The cabin door slid open to reveal the dim, emergency lighted corridor. He quickly strode to the turbolift, the doors opened silently as he reached them. Turning around to look back toward the officers quarters, he called out, "Bridge."
-
Spock emerged from his cabin and started down the corridor toward the turbolift, but was stopped by Chekov.
"Sair," Chekov said agitated. He approached from the opposite end of the corridor. "The bulkheads have lowered."
Spock checked the Captain's quarters and after not finding him there, he assumed Kirk had gone to the bridge. The door to McCoy's cabin slid open as the rumpled doctor stumbled out.
"What in blazes is going on," he asked gruffly. Looking at the others he asked, "Where's Jim?"
"The Captain is not in his quarters," Spock replied. "I can only assume he is trying to find a way to the bridge."
Uhura stepped quietly to the Doctor's side as Spock sighed loudly over a chorus of worried voices. "The Enterprise seems to have either hit something or something hit us," Spock said calmly. "The ship is currently at a full stop. The bulkheads have lowered which means that decompression has occurred and since we can't get anyone on the bridge, we must assume that it has been destroyed along with the bridge crew."
"But, sair," Chekov said disbelieving. "Sulu was on the bridge."
Kirk had recently indulged Sulu's growing interest in Command by allowing him to take the night bridge shifts. They had no time for grief or McCoy realized suddenly, remorse. He stated to say something, but thought it would be better to wait and see what had become of the bridge and crew first.
Uhura's long black robe rippled serenely as she stepped to Chekov's side. Clutching his hand she reassured him with her calming presence.
"Come on honey," she said softly. "Walk me to my quarters so I can get dressed."
After they had gone, McCoy turned a scowling eye to the first officer.
"You know something, Spock," McCoy said angrily. "For some who has such an analytical brain, you sure don't think before you speak. Were in a tough enough situation with out you having to go and make things worse."
"He is not a child to be sheltered, Doctor," Spock replied. "As you stated, we are in a tough situation."
"You're right, Spock," McCoy said frustrated. He ran a hand through his hair. "So the bulkheads have closed which means that were trapped down here until Scotty can get us out."
"That is correct, Doctor," Spock replied. "And no apparent way to contact him, the captain or the bridge to let them know where we are."
"So what options does that leave us," McCoy asked.
"If they can not come to us," Spock replied. "I suggest we try to make our way to them."
"And how are we going to do that, Spock" McCoy said sarcastically. "Or are you planning on using that Vulcan strength of yours to rip the bulkheads out."
Spock regarded him with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry," McCoy mumbled as he leaned up against the nearest wall. "I don't play well with others at four in the morning."
"I shall take that under advisement for any future emergencies, Doctor," Spock replied. "I believe our best course of action, would be to ascertain whether or not the bridge is accessible."
"The main stairwell," McCoy said quietly, guessing what the first officer was thinking. "But how do we get around the bulkheads."
"With this, sair," Chekov said from behind him.
He turned around to find the ensign returning with Uhura and touting a small generator.
"Where did you find that, Mr. Chekov," Spock asked surprised.
"In Sulu's quarters," Chekov stated and started toward the bulkhead.
"Why does Sulu need a generator in his quarters," McCoy asked curiously.
"It's for his aquarium," Uhura replied. "In case the power goes out, he'll have a back up."
"But the power is out," McCoy protested.
"Would you like me to open the bulkhead, sir," Chekov replied with a look. "Or should I return the generator back to Sulu's quarters to save some fish."
"I'll say a prayer for the fish," McCoy said. "You get us out of here, ensign."
They watched as Chekov worked with his typically small, precise, and un-wasteful movements. Spock fascinated by the jerry-rig job he was performing on the bulkhead conduit, never took his eyes off the ensign as he connected the generator's wires to the appropriate circuits.
"Ready," Chekov announced. He depressed a button on the generator and they watched silently as the bulkhead slowly started to rise. Once it had gotten half way, Spock dove underneath it with Uhura quickly behind him. McCoy followed with Chekov bringing up the rear, still touting the generator, they may need it again later, he thought.
They continued quickly down the corridor but were brought up short by the debris that littered the door way of the turbolift.
"My god," McCoy whispered. "It looks like the whole damn thing just collapsed."