Disclaimer: The characters and Universe of Star Trek do not belong to me. I am making no financial gain from this story.

Spoilers: 'Damage' (Season 3).

This is a prequel to 'Seascape' and follows 'Firelight' in the Elemental series. However, it also works as a stand-alone story.

My thanks to Rusty Armour who inspired this story and encouraged me.


Elemental: 3 - 'In Vacuum'

By GallyGee

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

A strange emptiness seizes me as we close silently upon our prey - our victim.

My victim.

I stare at my display, noting with accustomed ease the status of our weapons. I see the innocent ship ahead as we steadily track her through the ocean of space.

The Captain looks at me and leaves the bridge to do his part.

I remain at my post. I will be the one to play destructor. I insisted. At my hand, the cannons will spit their deadly charge.

I bite my lip, hoping that I can make a clean hit, hoping that no innocents will die because of me. But if we are successful, if we obtain - no, if we steal - their warp coil, they will be condemned anyway, won't they? Far from home and with no means to evade other raiders, other pirates like us.

The bile rises in my throat. My hand shakes.

They've noticed us. They attempt friendly contact. Why shouldn't they? We are human; we mean no harm.

We ignore their calls, their confusion.

I am already tainted. Soon we all will be, for the sake of our home world - for our species.

I would willingly lay down my life to fulfill my duty.

So why not my honor?

I blink and push the luxury of morality away, embrace compromise and damnation.

I am ready.


END