THE IMMUNITY SINDROME
by Soledad
Fandom: Star Trek – The Next Generation
Disclaimer: All Star Trek belongs to Gene Roddenberry and Viacom or whoever owns the rights at this moment. I don't make any profit out of this – I wish I would, but I don't, so suing me would be pointless.
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: G, suitable for all
Series: none.
Summary: The Enterprise is to bring supplies to the USS Beagle, a science vessel surveying the previously uncharted Morgana Sector. All contacts to the Beagle break up before their arrival, though, and they have to find out what happened. Based on a story idea by JD Kurtz. Set in early Season 2, right after the episode "The Child".
Beta read by my dear friend Linda Hoyland, whom I owe my never-ending gratitude.
PRELUDE
Captain's Log, Stardate 42053.7
Linus Haye recording.
The S.S. Beagle is in its death throes. All our efforts to contain the madness that has been spreading on board failed. If the survey team down on the planet's surface doesn't come up with a solution soon, death will be our only hope for freedom…
The characteristic sound of the intercom interrupted his recording. It was Commander Bora Aksu, his executive officer – usually a man of unshakable calm. Right now he sounded almost hysterical.
"Captain, it is spreading exponentially! We won't be able to hold out here much longer!"
Commander Aksu and a few security guards who were unaffected (so far) by the madness had fled to the Auxiliary Control Room and sealed the doors closed. Command was rerouted there after the Bridge had been overrun and Captain Haye got trapped in his Ready Room.
"They have a phaser torch with them," Aksu continued. "With that, they'll have cut through the doors in ten minutes, tops. Maybe twelve, if we are very lucky. Captain, we can't allow the madness to spread over to other ships – or to any inhabited worlds. If we can't stop it, at least we'll have to kill it. Even if it means to kill us."
"I know that, Commander," Haye looked at the sweaty, bearded face of his executive officer. Aksu, too, was clearly affected and held on to his sanity by sheer, stubborn willpower. No, there was no way to save the crew; but they might be able to prevent others from sharing the same fate.
"Very well, commander," he said with a sigh. "Give me external sensors and blow the hatches as long as we can."
"Aye, sir," Aksu paused for a moment before adding. "If I may say so, Captain… it's been an honour to serve with you."
"Likewise, Commander," Haye replied. "I regret that it had to end like this. All right then, you have your orders. Let us not waste what little time we may still have."
"Understood, sir."
The image of Bora Aksu vanished from the screen, giving room to the external view. Captain Haye watched dispassionately as every hatch of his ship exploded out, taking the atmosphere from within with them.
The U.S.S. Beagle died, preserved for all eternity in the empty void.
~TBC~