This is a little experiment of mine. Depending upon how well it's received
will determine how long I peruse it. This first story is the beginning of
a series of short "cliff hanger" stories I will be doing. The first series
of stories will introduce a new major character for Enterprise.
I hope you enjoy it and keep checking back for new episodes.
"Answers"
by Quills
"Alright, we split up here." Said Archer as he pulled out a data PADD from
a compartment in his EV suit "According to the design specs the engine room
is two decks below this one and straight ahead."
"Right" said Trip as he accessed his own PADD "Since there isn't any power
to the doors or lifts we'll have to use the access stairwells and Jeffrey's Tubes. If you come across any sealed doors or access hatches use the manual over ride and they should open."
"What if they don't" said Ensign Pryce
"That's what we brought these for Ensign." Said Reed as he patted his Phase rifle "Among other things."
"Right" agreed the Captain with a nod "Keep in contact at all times."
"Aye sir" replied Tucker as he Reed and Pryce made their way up the narrow corridor.
"All right gentleman." Said Archer "Let's head for the Bridge."
The two security flanked the Captain and Doctor Phlox. They acted like protective body guards ready to fend of any unwanted visitors. The landing party members led by Captain Archer made their way up the long corridor activating their helmet lights once they left the confines of the ship's emergency lighting areas. Apparently only key sections were equipped with lighting. The rest of the ship was pitch black. Easy hiding for an assailant waiting to attack. Archer's team came to a stop once they encountered a sealed door blocking their way.
Mr. Zukov." Said the Captain as he motioned to the crewman
"Aye, sir" said the crewman as he flipped open the manual access slot and began turning the manual release valve. The Captain and Ensign Zapata held their weapons trained on the door. The door began to steadily slide open as the release valve was turned. The Captain adjusted his helmet light to shine into the murky darkness that laid beyond the opening doors. The light shown on more empty corridor as far as its illumination stretched.
"At the end of this corridor is an access well that will take us to the main deck." Said Archer "From there we can get to the main bridge entrance."
The team proceeded through the doors , continuing their way to the bridge.
*****
Commander Tucker Continued climbing down the access tube. His helmet light shown through the dark passage they were descending. He had never been claustrophobic, but climbing down this dark access tube was making him more uncomfortable than he had ever been. The thought of some homicidal maniac killing the crew didn't help his fears. He tried to remind himself that T'Pol had said she detected no life signs. Still, even T'Pol was wrong every once in a while. He would be happy when power restored.
"This is it." Said Trip as he exited the access tube. He was followed by Reed and then Pryce.
"Which way Trip." Asked Reed
He looked at his data PADD. "Straight ahead." Said Tucker " We should come to the opening to the ship's power plant."
"Alright, I'll lead " said Reed " Stay between Ensign Pryce and myself."
"Whatever you say." Trip told the armory officer. This was one time he was more than willing to delegate responsibility.
The three officers headed into the dark corridor towards the engine room.
****
Archer and his team reached the main deck had proceeded to the main entrance way to the Bridge.
"Kinda odd sir." Said Zapata
"What's that Ensign?" said Archer as he continued scanning the corridor with his eyes, sweeping back and forth waiting for someone or something to come out of the darkness."
"We haven't seen anymore of the crew." Said Zapata
"If they look anything like that guy we found in the main hatch section, I'd just assume we didn't see anymore." Chimed in crewman Zukov
"Don't worry about that right now Ensign." Said Archer "Just focus on our task."
"Aye, sir" said the Ensign
Archer and his team proceed several more feet until they came to pair of doors.
"Ok, this should be the bridge access doors." Said Archer
"They look like they have been ripped open." Said Phlox
"What the hell coulda done that?" asked Zapata
"Gentleman, let's leave the speculation for later." Said Archer " Let's just get in there."
The two security officers each squeezed through the jaggedly torn opening that had been ripped forcefully through inch thick steel security doors. The two officers shined their lights around the perimeter of the bridge, working their way towards the center. Once they were certain it was secure, they signaled the Captain and Doctor.
"All secure sir." Said Zukov
"Alright, lets find the ship's computer access station." Said Archer as he tapped his EV suit communicator "Archer to Tucker, come in Trip."
Silence
"Trip, come in" said the Captain again.
"Yeah Cap'n" responded the engineer " Sorry, I was just tryin to get the ship's power couplers aligned."
"Can you restore power? Asked Captain
"I think so." Said Tucker "But it's a helluva mess down here. Unless I'm wrong someone tried to overload the engine's core and blow this ship to kingdom come."
"How long before you can restore power?" Asked Archer
"Give me a minute." Said Trip " I think I can get ya enough power to access the main computer."
"Ok." Said Archer touching his communicator button again "Archer to Enterprise."
"Enterprise, go ahead Captain." Responded the ship's first officer
"We've made it to the bridge." Said Archer "Were just waiting for Trip to restore power so we can download the ship's log. We'll keep you posted."
"Understood sir." Replied T'Pol
Archer tapped his communicator panel, closing the conversation. Then suddenly, stations along the bridge began to light up.
"Trip, we're getting power up here." Said Archer
"Yes sir" he responded " You should be able to access the main computer now."
Archer looked around. The bridge was completely empty.
"Sir, this should be the main computer access station." Said Ensign Zapata
"Access the ship's log and start downloading them." Said Archer
"Aye sir." Said the Ensign "Sir, I have power to the viewing monitor. Should I play any of the logs?"
"Do it." Said Archer "Access the last few logs. Maybe they'll give us a clue about what the hell happened here."
"Just a minute sir." Said Zapata "Here we go sir."
The viewing monitor flickered momentarily before a human face appeared .
The Doctor scrutinized it for a moment.
"Captain, unless I'm mistaken I would say we have discovered the identity of that poor man we found earlier."
"Turn up the volume." Said Archer
"Yes sir." Replied Zapata
The voice sounded haggard and tired. Dark creases seem to cut into the man's face. Either from exhaustion or stress….or both
"…..we still have no idea what has happened to crewman Carstons. The crew has searched this ship top to bottom and there is no sign of him."
"Try another" said Archer
"Captain's log, This morning a work detail found crewman Carstons or what was left of him inside a storage container in the cargo bay. They had noticed the container had been broken open. It looked like it had been broken open from the inside. Carstons looked like he had been butchered."
"Captain's log, two passengers failed to show up for morning breakfast. A yeoman was sent to see if anything was wrong. He discovered they were in their quarters, dead, just like Carstons. We obviously have a deranged person as a stowaway or among the crew or passengers. I've ordered all crewmembers to travel in pairs. I've also had the ship's remaining 41 passengers all moved to the Cargo bay for their own sake. There should be safety in numbers."
"Captain's Log,. My first officer and I went down to the cargo bay to check on our passengers. We were greeted this morning by the most horrendous sight imaginable. Bodies were strewn everywhere. Some were mutilated. The very flesh ripped from the body. Others were decapitated and still other eviscerated. The smell was indescribable. It was like a slaughter house. All 41 passengers were murdered. I cannot help thinking that it's my fault. By placing them all in the cargo bay I signed their death warrants."
"Captain's Log, we are now five days from the Daltar colony. There are only three members of my crew left…Yeoman Sivelli and Assistant Engineer Trevak. We have all decided that we cannot let whatever is aboard this ship reach the Daltar Colony. I've ordered Trevak to set the Engines on overload. We'll take or chances in the escape pods."
"Captain's Log, This is my final entry. Our plan to overload the engines has failed. Something bypassed the overload and sent the engines into automatic shut down. Trevak was killed trying to escape. It's been two hours since I've heard from Sivelli. I have to assume he's dead as well. Main power is out…back up is failing...life support will be depleted with a few hours. The only thing I can do is wait for whatever is on my ship. I'm the only one left. He'll have to come for me. I have small comfort in knowing that whoever or whatever is aboard will die with the rest of us. This ship is drifting now. It won't be making it to the Daltar Colony. It's ironic, I'm reminded of an old story I read once. It was set on old Earth. A demon stowed aboard a sea vessel. It fed on the passengers and crew until the ship made It's landing at it's destined port bringing with it a scourge. I can only hope that we have faired better. Captain Aiki Subokai, SS Venture.
"That's it sir." Said Zapata
"Finish downloading the rest of the logs." Said Archer "Archer to Tucker."
"Tucker here sir." Responded the Commander
"Meet us back at the shuttle Trip. We've got what we came for." Said Archer "So let's get the hell off this ship."
"I hear that sir." Said Tucker " I'll…Oh my god, Pryce look out!"
Archer could hear weapons fire and screaming coming from his communicator.
"Trip?!" he shouted "Trip, answer me."
Silence
To be continued……………….
will determine how long I peruse it. This first story is the beginning of
a series of short "cliff hanger" stories I will be doing. The first series
of stories will introduce a new major character for Enterprise.
I hope you enjoy it and keep checking back for new episodes.
"Answers"
by Quills
"Alright, we split up here." Said Archer as he pulled out a data PADD from
a compartment in his EV suit "According to the design specs the engine room
is two decks below this one and straight ahead."
"Right" said Trip as he accessed his own PADD "Since there isn't any power
to the doors or lifts we'll have to use the access stairwells and Jeffrey's Tubes. If you come across any sealed doors or access hatches use the manual over ride and they should open."
"What if they don't" said Ensign Pryce
"That's what we brought these for Ensign." Said Reed as he patted his Phase rifle "Among other things."
"Right" agreed the Captain with a nod "Keep in contact at all times."
"Aye sir" replied Tucker as he Reed and Pryce made their way up the narrow corridor.
"All right gentleman." Said Archer "Let's head for the Bridge."
The two security flanked the Captain and Doctor Phlox. They acted like protective body guards ready to fend of any unwanted visitors. The landing party members led by Captain Archer made their way up the long corridor activating their helmet lights once they left the confines of the ship's emergency lighting areas. Apparently only key sections were equipped with lighting. The rest of the ship was pitch black. Easy hiding for an assailant waiting to attack. Archer's team came to a stop once they encountered a sealed door blocking their way.
Mr. Zukov." Said the Captain as he motioned to the crewman
"Aye, sir" said the crewman as he flipped open the manual access slot and began turning the manual release valve. The Captain and Ensign Zapata held their weapons trained on the door. The door began to steadily slide open as the release valve was turned. The Captain adjusted his helmet light to shine into the murky darkness that laid beyond the opening doors. The light shown on more empty corridor as far as its illumination stretched.
"At the end of this corridor is an access well that will take us to the main deck." Said Archer "From there we can get to the main bridge entrance."
The team proceeded through the doors , continuing their way to the bridge.
*****
Commander Tucker Continued climbing down the access tube. His helmet light shown through the dark passage they were descending. He had never been claustrophobic, but climbing down this dark access tube was making him more uncomfortable than he had ever been. The thought of some homicidal maniac killing the crew didn't help his fears. He tried to remind himself that T'Pol had said she detected no life signs. Still, even T'Pol was wrong every once in a while. He would be happy when power restored.
"This is it." Said Trip as he exited the access tube. He was followed by Reed and then Pryce.
"Which way Trip." Asked Reed
He looked at his data PADD. "Straight ahead." Said Tucker " We should come to the opening to the ship's power plant."
"Alright, I'll lead " said Reed " Stay between Ensign Pryce and myself."
"Whatever you say." Trip told the armory officer. This was one time he was more than willing to delegate responsibility.
The three officers headed into the dark corridor towards the engine room.
****
Archer and his team reached the main deck had proceeded to the main entrance way to the Bridge.
"Kinda odd sir." Said Zapata
"What's that Ensign?" said Archer as he continued scanning the corridor with his eyes, sweeping back and forth waiting for someone or something to come out of the darkness."
"We haven't seen anymore of the crew." Said Zapata
"If they look anything like that guy we found in the main hatch section, I'd just assume we didn't see anymore." Chimed in crewman Zukov
"Don't worry about that right now Ensign." Said Archer "Just focus on our task."
"Aye, sir" said the Ensign
Archer and his team proceed several more feet until they came to pair of doors.
"Ok, this should be the bridge access doors." Said Archer
"They look like they have been ripped open." Said Phlox
"What the hell coulda done that?" asked Zapata
"Gentleman, let's leave the speculation for later." Said Archer " Let's just get in there."
The two security officers each squeezed through the jaggedly torn opening that had been ripped forcefully through inch thick steel security doors. The two officers shined their lights around the perimeter of the bridge, working their way towards the center. Once they were certain it was secure, they signaled the Captain and Doctor.
"All secure sir." Said Zukov
"Alright, lets find the ship's computer access station." Said Archer as he tapped his EV suit communicator "Archer to Tucker, come in Trip."
Silence
"Trip, come in" said the Captain again.
"Yeah Cap'n" responded the engineer " Sorry, I was just tryin to get the ship's power couplers aligned."
"Can you restore power? Asked Captain
"I think so." Said Tucker "But it's a helluva mess down here. Unless I'm wrong someone tried to overload the engine's core and blow this ship to kingdom come."
"How long before you can restore power?" Asked Archer
"Give me a minute." Said Trip " I think I can get ya enough power to access the main computer."
"Ok." Said Archer touching his communicator button again "Archer to Enterprise."
"Enterprise, go ahead Captain." Responded the ship's first officer
"We've made it to the bridge." Said Archer "Were just waiting for Trip to restore power so we can download the ship's log. We'll keep you posted."
"Understood sir." Replied T'Pol
Archer tapped his communicator panel, closing the conversation. Then suddenly, stations along the bridge began to light up.
"Trip, we're getting power up here." Said Archer
"Yes sir" he responded " You should be able to access the main computer now."
Archer looked around. The bridge was completely empty.
"Sir, this should be the main computer access station." Said Ensign Zapata
"Access the ship's log and start downloading them." Said Archer
"Aye sir." Said the Ensign "Sir, I have power to the viewing monitor. Should I play any of the logs?"
"Do it." Said Archer "Access the last few logs. Maybe they'll give us a clue about what the hell happened here."
"Just a minute sir." Said Zapata "Here we go sir."
The viewing monitor flickered momentarily before a human face appeared .
The Doctor scrutinized it for a moment.
"Captain, unless I'm mistaken I would say we have discovered the identity of that poor man we found earlier."
"Turn up the volume." Said Archer
"Yes sir." Replied Zapata
The voice sounded haggard and tired. Dark creases seem to cut into the man's face. Either from exhaustion or stress….or both
"…..we still have no idea what has happened to crewman Carstons. The crew has searched this ship top to bottom and there is no sign of him."
"Try another" said Archer
"Captain's log, This morning a work detail found crewman Carstons or what was left of him inside a storage container in the cargo bay. They had noticed the container had been broken open. It looked like it had been broken open from the inside. Carstons looked like he had been butchered."
"Captain's log, two passengers failed to show up for morning breakfast. A yeoman was sent to see if anything was wrong. He discovered they were in their quarters, dead, just like Carstons. We obviously have a deranged person as a stowaway or among the crew or passengers. I've ordered all crewmembers to travel in pairs. I've also had the ship's remaining 41 passengers all moved to the Cargo bay for their own sake. There should be safety in numbers."
"Captain's Log,. My first officer and I went down to the cargo bay to check on our passengers. We were greeted this morning by the most horrendous sight imaginable. Bodies were strewn everywhere. Some were mutilated. The very flesh ripped from the body. Others were decapitated and still other eviscerated. The smell was indescribable. It was like a slaughter house. All 41 passengers were murdered. I cannot help thinking that it's my fault. By placing them all in the cargo bay I signed their death warrants."
"Captain's Log, we are now five days from the Daltar colony. There are only three members of my crew left…Yeoman Sivelli and Assistant Engineer Trevak. We have all decided that we cannot let whatever is aboard this ship reach the Daltar Colony. I've ordered Trevak to set the Engines on overload. We'll take or chances in the escape pods."
"Captain's Log, This is my final entry. Our plan to overload the engines has failed. Something bypassed the overload and sent the engines into automatic shut down. Trevak was killed trying to escape. It's been two hours since I've heard from Sivelli. I have to assume he's dead as well. Main power is out…back up is failing...life support will be depleted with a few hours. The only thing I can do is wait for whatever is on my ship. I'm the only one left. He'll have to come for me. I have small comfort in knowing that whoever or whatever is aboard will die with the rest of us. This ship is drifting now. It won't be making it to the Daltar Colony. It's ironic, I'm reminded of an old story I read once. It was set on old Earth. A demon stowed aboard a sea vessel. It fed on the passengers and crew until the ship made It's landing at it's destined port bringing with it a scourge. I can only hope that we have faired better. Captain Aiki Subokai, SS Venture.
"That's it sir." Said Zapata
"Finish downloading the rest of the logs." Said Archer "Archer to Tucker."
"Tucker here sir." Responded the Commander
"Meet us back at the shuttle Trip. We've got what we came for." Said Archer "So let's get the hell off this ship."
"I hear that sir." Said Tucker " I'll…Oh my god, Pryce look out!"
Archer could hear weapons fire and screaming coming from his communicator.
"Trip?!" he shouted "Trip, answer me."
Silence
To be continued……………….