The ship arrived at the torn planet three days after it received the distress call. There had been a hurricane, which destroyed almost the entire civilization. On
the bridge, Counselor Troi sat, fidgeting in her seat next to the captain as he directed the ship into orbit.
"I am sensing an alarming lack of emotion from there...there can't be very much life down there, Captain." She warned.
"Nonetheless, they called for help, and we must do what we can."
"Captain...there are life signs, but very faint." Data called from his station. Captain Picard got up and looked at the screen, at Data's shoulder.
Geordi La Forge stood beside him.
"I'd say...sixteen people. By the looks of it, they're hiding...or trapped." the engineer said. The captain thought for a moment.
"Number One, take an Away team down there. This planet held a well established orphan colony, those survivors may very well be children."
"Data, Worf, Geordi, come with me." Will Riker ordered. The group headed to the Transporter room.
When they beamed down to the planet, they were met by debris, and wind. Commander Riker instructed all of the members of the away team to split up and
look around.
There wasn't much to look at, this colony was pretty simple. A wide street, which ended with a huge building at the end, facing them. They could see the
remains of the buildings, mostly homes, and a few bodies lay motionless, partially buried. It was eerily silent, like the deafening kind after a loud explosion. A
slight breeze ruffled the shredded curtains in one of the shattered windows as Data passed. Data found the huge building, outside of which there were several
children's playthings scattered about. He smiled slightly, imagining the little kids running to and fro, laughing, and playing. But he felt a pang of sadness as he
looked around, and saw not a single child.
Something on he ground caught his eye. He hurried to it, and crouched down to see it better. It was a large green sign, which held the word "Savior Lake
Children's House." This made him more alert; there could very well be children around. Data pulled out his tricorder and held it up, scanning. None. Wait...no,
there is one! very, very faint.
It seemed like days had passed since the last time I was able to move. I could feel my body going numb already. But I knew it had only been a few hours. It
was dark, except for one thin ray of sunlight, which shone through the rubble, onto my face. The only bit of warmth I felt. I tried to move my head, to look
beside me. I felt my heart sink as I realized I was alone. Riley. She was gone. I didn't bother calling for her; I wouldn't hear her anyway, if she was there. I
knew, in that moment, that I was alone.
Suddenly, the ray of light was blocked. I tried to move, to look, but all I could manage was to hold my head up. A tall, dark haired man was standing over the
rubble. He had on a black suit, with mustard yellow splashed across the front. Finally! The first living thing I'd seen in hours! The man crouched down and, with
inhuman strength, lifted the rubble, piece by piece. I laid still, calmly waiting for him to get the junk off of me. But then he stopped before he got to the last
piece, across my lower half. His yellow eyes stared at me, in alarm.
"I cannot move this. You seem to have been badly injured internally. But do not be afraid, I have called for help." I saw his lips say. Tears fell from my eyes, but
I couldn't wipe them away. The man crouched down and gently touched my cheek. I tried to flinch away.
"Please do not be afraid, I will not hurt you." He gently lifted my head and leaned his knee under me. The man stared at me for a second, and tilted his head,
watching me. I looked up, seeing if there were any other people besides him, but there wasn't. A second later, I felt a hand gently touch my cheek. I looked to
see the man frowning as he looked at me. He asked carefully,
"I must ask you a few questions, please...blink once for no, and twice for yes."
Blink, blink.
"Were you alone when you became trapped under this rubble?" he asked.
My eyes filled with tears once more.
Blink.
"Can...you hear me?" I was waiting for that.
Blink. This seemed to catch him off guard. He blinked and looked down, at the weird badge on his chest. Taping it, he spoke, and crouched down next to me
again.
"You are going to be transported to a sickbay. Try to relax, and do not struggle."
I blinked twice to let him know I understood, and did I was told. The next thing I knew there was a red haired woman standing over me, and
everything went black.