Chapter 9 USS Dallas Part 2 (Engineering)

The team moved cautiously down a darkened corridor avoiding the blown plasma conduits and fires. The Computer was still functioning and gave a warning. "WARNING LIFE SUPPORT AT 50& EFFICIANCY" it said. The team soon found itself in a room with three large windows. Jurot had her tricorder out when it began to beep.

"I've got life signs, check your tricorder." She said

"Look at all those blips!" said Chell

"The blips are headed this way." Said Franklin

"They're getting closer! They're almost here! They're…." said Chell

"They're going away." Said Jurot as the blips moved away from the team.

"Hey!" complained Chell

"You sound disappointed." Said Franklin

"The only thing worse than an alien attack, is an alien attack that hides when you see it coming." Replied Chell

Even the Chief chuckled in his helmet.

At that a locked door buckled and the Chief gave it a good kick. Half the door ended up flying a few meters down the corridor, near a clear door. It was engineering.

"There's engineering, but it's locked." Said Chell

"These Jefferies tubes lead to an observation lounge near Engineering."

"Lt. Munro, you should take Cortana, she can access the computer systems and door locks faster than a tricorder." Said the Chief

"Good enough for me, stay here." Said Munro

The Chief touched Munro's armor and Cortana moved into Munro's armor. The Lt. moved through a maintenance access door and took the left Jefferies tube. He went down the tube, turned left, then right, then left again. He went up a ladder and was in another corridor. He went around a corner through a lounge and back out into the corridor and saw the other side of Engineering, the door on this side was unlocked. As he approached the door, the lights began to die one section at a time. Munro activated the flashlight on his MA5C rifle. Four…creatures came at him. He put three rounds in the one that dropped from the ceiling in front of him, spun and put three rounds each into three more creatures killing them instantly. He backed up to the door, covering the hallway with his rifle. He hit the door control with one hand and back through it. As the door closed he turned and saw his team fighting a swarm of the creatures and more were coming.

"Munro we're trapped get us in there!" said Jurot.

"Cortana, interface signals?"

"The main table, I can transmit myself through it to the computer. Just put your hand on the table." She replied

Munro slapped his hand on the table.

"Stand-bye… I'm in…accessing door controls….got it!" She said

The door for the team opened and they moved through covering each other as they did so. The Chief tossed a grenade as the door closed. The team saw the last of the creatures die from the explosion.

"Thanks. What were those things?" asked Franklin

"I have no idea." Replied Chell

A moment later Cortana came over the comm. instead of the computer. "Main power restored." she said and the lights in engineering turned on, a forcefield also activated protecting the warp core.

"Their attacks seem savage and instinctual…as if they are not sentient species." Said Jurot

"Sentient enough to hold their attack until we were cornered." Replied Franklin.

Munro opened a channel to the Enterprise through his armor.

"Munro to Enterprise."

"Go ahead Lieutenant." Said Picard

"We've engaged hostile aliens sir. Unknown life forms." Munro said

"Team status?" asked Picard

"Intact." Replied Munro

"And the Dallas?"

"We've restored partial power."

"Proceed to the bridge. Find Captain Galloway."

The team moved out of Engineering and down an adjacent hall. Cortana reported a few minutes later. "Turbo-lifts are operational. You may proceed to the bridge."

"What's the status of the rest of the ship?" asked Munro as they entered the lift and made their way to the bridge.

"Heavy damage, I'm detecting several hull breaches and atmosphere has vented on several decks. I'm not detecting any human life signs. Now this is interesting…." She said

"What?" pressed Munro

"The transporter is operational and there are patterns in the buffer. Some of the crew may have survived after all." She continued

"We'll check it out, but first we need to get to the bridge." Replied Munro

The door opened and they were on the bridge deck…