Chapter Nine
In one hour, the Longfellow would reach Base 6 on the planet Catronis.
Marina sat at her computers, looking up everything she could about the planet. She had wasted the rest of her journey thinking of Julian and dictating her strange dreams to Jake Sisko. The one last night had been particularly strange. She and Julian had been standing by a window, looking out at the stars. And it was raining-- in space! Julian had traced one of the drops with his fingers. A breeze had blown through the station, and Marina had suddenly realized that her hair was shorter, cut to her shoulders. Then Julian had taken her hand and said, "It's all right, darling. The storm will pass."
Marina had smiled. "I don't want it to." The rain had sounded so beautiful, almost like music, on the windows of the station.
Then suddenly, Julian had just fallen over. And suddenly Kira walked in--and fell over. Then Garcia, and Hannah. Marina screamed. The glass shattered, and Marina was sucked out into space, into the rain, helplessly staring down at her fallen comrades, who had fallen for no reason.
"Marina."
Marina jumped as someone touched her shoulder. Then she sighed. "Sorry, Jake. Just thinking about that dream."
Jake settled into a chair near her. He was carrying his writing pad, of course. "I would be jumpy, too. That sure was creepy."
"Yeah." Marina nodded.
"So… what have you figured out about the planet?"
"It's very windy." And in that really creepy dream I had, it was windy… "There are lots of meadows and plains and beaches. There's a really big ocean, almost as big as the one on Earth. There aren't many trees. Lots of rivers. Earth-like grass and flowers, wind resistant of course. And rocky mountains, very tall. That's about all I've learned so far. And that's only from other people's reports. We're not close enough yet for planetary scans."
"Ah." Jake jotted some things down. "And this base we're going to--tell me about it."
"Catronis 6--named that because it's the sixth attempt at a base on this planet." Marina clicked some keys and brought up a picture of the base on the little screen. It was a hardy little group of stone buildings, nestled between a craggy mountain and a small forest of wind-twisted trees. "They have it hard. The atmosphere on Catronis is not naturally supportive of sentient life forms. Not quite enough oxygen. Far too windy. So the settlers have to run all this climate control machinery. And also, they're having problems with the native life forms. Some of the animals have been breaking into the compound and destroying things, seemingly for no reason. So that's why we're going--to help them with the weather and the animals."
Jake frowned. "Why all this fuss over some barren planet?"
Marina clicked another couple of keys, bringing up pictures of beautiful meadows, sparkling rapids, and hauntingly lovely forests of twisted trees. She smiled softly. "It's not barren, Jake. There's life there." She sighed and spun in her chair to face him. "And also, it's close to Cardassian space. Close enough to be a sort of safe house for Federation spies."
"Ah. I see." He smiled sideways at her. "You've fallen in love with the place already, haven't you?"
She nodded. "I think so. It's wild and alive." She crossed her arms and stared off into space--literally. "I've always loved the wind, and the ocean, and those twisted trees that only grow where there's lots of wind."
Jake smiled. "Sounds almost romantic. I could write a story about a girl like you living in a place like that."
Marina winked at him and turned back to her station. "If you write a story about me, Jake, put me there."
"Will do." Jake stood. "Well, off to my bunk to write."
"Okay. See you later." Marina continued studying the planet and the base, soaking up everything she could.
"Lieutenant?"
Marina looked up. "Yes, West?"
"Could you navigate for a while? I need to get some of the security and medical packs ready."
"Sure." Marina stood and went to the front of the small ship to sit in the navigator's chair. She had always been good at navigating. "How are we doing, sir?" she asked Worf, who was piloting the ship.
"We are on schedule," he answered confidently. "It looks like everything will go as planned."
Marina glanced down at the readings. Sure enough, they were perfectly on time.
"How's it going, lieutenant?" came Kira's voice from behind her.
Before she could answer, Marina heard Jake Harris say, "Still pining over that little doctor?"
"Yes," she answered smoothly. "But I'm fine, Harris. No need to be concerned about me."
"Yeah, Harris. Get back there and help West with our packs," Kira ordered.
The sulky ensign muttered something under his breath, but swiftly obeyed, obviously cowed by Marina's nonchalance and sarcasm.
"So you're really fine?" Kira moved to stand between Marina and Worf.
"I'm all right." Marina kept her eyes on her readings. "Still a bit… disoriented from that crazy dream…"
Kira narrowed her eyes. "The one you were telling Jake?"
"Yeah."
"You sure do have some strange dreams, Marina." The Bajoran crossed her arms, frowning. "Didn't you say that you thought they might be visions? Isn't that what you talked to Sisko about?"
Marina nodded and punched a few buttons. "Yes, but I hope they're not." She suddenly looked up. There it was. Catronis. It had probably been there forever, but she had been so busy that she hadn't noticed. It was close now, a huge sphere of white and blue on the horizon, somewhat like Earth and somewhat like Neptune. It made her catch her breath. "Oh. Wow. It's… beautiful." Then suddenly, a wave of feelings washed over her, none of them here own. And none of them good. Anxiety, fear, despair… There's something wrong.
"Marina, what is it?" Kira asked.
Marina sat back in her chair, her face pale. "There is something wrong. Something on the planet. I can feel it. So many emotions… Not good ones…"
"Let me navigate. You get back to your station and get some readings. Maybe we can find out what's going on before we land." Kira nodded towards Marina's station. "Go."
Marina stood and ran to her chair, quickly clicking keys and buttons. She hurriedly began scanning the planet. Everything appeared normal at first. She quickly found the base and scanned for life forms. There were thirty humanoids, all healthy. She backed up her scans to include the area around Catronis 6. Oh no… "Major, Lt. Commander… I'm picking up a large cluster of life forms outside of the base."
"What kind?" Kira called back.
"It looks like large animals, mammal-like, all healthy… No, wait." Marina frowned. "Some of them are sick. Really sick."
"We are entering the atmosphere," Worf said suddenly.
"Everyone, prepare for landing," Kira called. She repeated the call into the com system, and suddenly everyone was on the bridge at their stations.
"West, Harris--are the packs ready?" Worf asked.
"Yes, sir," said Hannah.
"Weapons, Garcia?"
"Everything checks out, sir."
"Marina, how about those readings?" Kira asked worriedly.
Marina felt another nauseating wave of negative emotions, this time with a large dose of anger. "Kira, something's wrong!"
"Well, find it out!" Kira snapped.
"I think--I think the base is surrounded. Oh! Oh no!"
"What is it?"
"Major, there are other humanoids on Catronis! They're approaching the landing zone!" Marina spun in her chair, her hair whipping around her shoulders. "Worf, I think they're waiting for us!"
The ship shuddered as it hit the atmosphere.
"A welcoming party?" Worf asked, frowning.
"No." Marina couldn't keep her voice from shaking. "All thirty Federation officers are inside the compound." She peered closely at her readings. "Oh my gosh. There are Cardassians. And JemHadar spelling?."
"It's a trap! Pull back Worf!" Kira cried.
"I can't!" Worf shouted, fighting for control of the ship.
"What's wrong?" Jake called from his seat.
"The wind is too hard!"
There was a booming noise, and the ship shook violently.
"They're firing at us!" Garcia shouted. "I'm raising shields!"
"Return fire, too!" Kira called.
Before Garcia could do anything, another blast hit the ship. Sparks flew everywhere. Garcia was thrown to the ground.
Marina flung herself to her knees beside him.
"We're going to have to land somewhere else!" Kira exclaimed.
"I'm trying!" Worf shouted. He desperately jerked on the controls, trying to steer away from the landing area.
Just as the Longfellow was almost out of range of whatever was firing at it, another blast hit the ship.
Marina bent over Garcia's still form, shielding him with her body. Her ears rang with screams and crashes, her stomach felt sick from the rate of speed at which the ship was dropping, and her mind screamed with the emotions of those around her.
(LINE)
"I wonder what Marina is doing right now." Julian leaned languidly and elegantly on the table, staring off into the distance.
"They should be on the planet by now," Dax spoke up. She sighed. "I miss Worf."
"And Kira. And Marina. And even Jake. Yeah, me, too." Miles sat back in his chair. "Molly ran up to me today and said, 'Hey, daddy, where are Marina and Aunt Nerys? I drew some pictures for them, and I haven't seen them today.'" He shook his head. "It's sad."
Julian frowned. "I still don't understand why Starfleet didn't ask Sisko to send a medical officer with the team. That doesn't make much sense."
"There are lots of medical officers on Catronis already, Julian," Dax explained.
"I know, I know." Julian leaned back in his chair. "I'm just worried. I've got a bad feeling about this mission."
"You just don't like having Marina so far from you," Miles suggested, lifting his glass to his friend. "I'm always a bit nervous when Keiko's gone."
"Maybe…" Julian sighed irritably. He was momentarily distracted by the sight of Quark and Odo arguing over something at the bar. Even the Ferengi missed Marina, and Odo certainly did as well. It just wasn't right for her to be gone. It was bloody wrong. "I just wish I could know that she is all right."
"They should send some sort of report soon," Dax said. "Something to tell us they arrived safely."
Julian was quiet, running his thumb idly up the side of his glass. His thoughts wandered. He had once been in love with Dax, but now… He was worried sick about Marina, and Dax felt the same about Worf, her husband. At least she probably told him she loved him. And he probably said it back… He felt his throat start to tighten and promptly cleared it.
Miles glanced at his friend. He probably feels extra bad for not telling her he loves her, he thought. Poor Julian.
(LINE)
Marina dared to open her eyes. And then almost wished she hadn't.
The Longfellow's bridge was utterly destroyed. It looked like a mass of broken and tangled wires, smoke, and smashed machinery. And then there were the bodies…
Dear God, help us.
"Is everyone all right?" Marina called anxiously.
There was a shadow of movement in the smoke. "I am fine. I cannot speak for the others." Worf stepped into view, looking dazed. "Are you all right?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
"And Garcia?"
Marina suddenly remembered the man she cradled in her lap. "Carlos?" she whispered, bending down to look at him. She was relieved to find that he was breathing, but he didn't stir. He sported a large bruise on his forehead, and Marina could see burns on his chest through the holes in his uniform. "Garcia is hurt," she called to Worf, who had moved out of sight in search of the others.
"I've found Major Kira. She is unconscious, but seems to only have a small cut on her head."
"I'm all right."
Marina sighed in relief. Jake. "Jake, see if you can find the others!" she called. She looked around for the medical packs Harris and Hannah had prepared. She spotted one lying on its side nearby and grabbed it.
"Worf, Jake, see if you can find medical packs." She opened up the pack and pulled out a medical tricorder. "Don't worry, Carlos," she said quietly. "I'll take care of you." She remembered suddenly how he had followed Harris' lead in teasing her and Julian, then quickly pushed the memory out of her mind. This man was hurt badly. This was no time to be holding grudges.
"Harris is okay, just twisted his ankle," Jake called through the smoke, which was suddenly starting to clear.
It was getting cold inside the crashed ship, and Marina could hear the wind roaring outside. She shivered.
"Ensign West has broken her arm," Worf said. Marina could see him now; he was bending over Hannah, holding a medical tricorder. Hannah was conscious, but badly shaken.
"Jake, are you working with Harris?" Marina called.
"Yeah."
Marina turned back to Carlos. According to the tricorder, he had a concussion, a cracked collarbone, and second-degree burns. Marina was reaching into the medical pack when Worf said the fateful words.
"We need to send a distress signal, then immediately abandon this position. If they shot us down, they will come after us. They won't want to leave us alive."
