A/N: Again, a big thanks to my beta-reader Leah!
Chapter 2: The Game Begins
The Mad'an laboratory was stark, bright white, like the skin of the alien standing in front
of the view screen. He was tall and thin and his skin hung from his bones like it was too
big for the frame it was on. The few wiry hairs on his head shot out in no particular
direction, giving him an unkempt appearance. His long, lanky fingers slowly caressed the
top of the console to his left. His movements were fluid despite his size and the fact that
his limbs were slightly too long for his trunk. His yellow eyes narrowed to a point as he
looked at the ship on the screen. It was a new race to this part of the galaxy and he could
already feel the excitement brewing within himself. He loved first contact.
"Gaon, the subjects are secure and the ship is under surveillance," a younger but equally
loose skinned alien addressed his superior. The room was full of these loose skinned
aliens. They were manning dozens of consoles, scanning the sector in which this planet
was found. There was no chatter between the aliens as they worked, with the exception of
brief reports given to their superior. If one knew this race it would have been obvious
how worn out most of the aliens looked. Worked to the bone.
Even without the insignia on his jacket, the Gaon's presence and attitude made it very
clear who was in charge of the Mad'an laboratory. The younger members didn't seem to
have the same confidence as their leader. Burdened with the same body size, they didn't
move as easily as he did, their arms swinging in an awkward manner when they walked.
The Mad'an were an ancient people who had long ago stopped exploring the galaxy in
starships. They had set up laboratories throughout this segment of space to collect
information on other races, without exposing themselves or their homeworld to intrusion
from outsiders.
"I want the Mishnee Unit to begin correlating the data from the ship," the Gaon
continued. "How many life forms are there?"
The subordinate checked his monitor, hoping he responded quickly enough. "There are
81 human life forms, one Vulcan and one Denobulan."
"A Vulcan? That could be interesting," the Gaon mused, "thank you Segen Kamara."
The Segen was taken aback. Did the Gaon actually thank him? He couldn't dwell on the
thought for too long, that's how mistakes were made, that's how lives were lost. He stole
a quick glance at his superior. He was smiling: a horrible, evil smile. The Segen quickly
turned back to his console that showed the read-out of the ship's complement. He
couldn't help but feel sorry for them.
The Gaon looked over the incoming data from the ship. A Vulcan, he thought, that could
make things interesting. A race that suppresses its emotions presented a challenge, but it
was the challenge that made his job so enjoyable.
He glanced back over to Segen Kamara, his smile growing bigger and more grotesque.
"So tell me about the three you have selected for me."
***
Trip looked around the room; Travis wasn't mistaken. Not only was the Captain's chair
empty, but also both Malcolm and Hoshi's stations were abandoned.
"Where the hell did they go?" he asked nobody on particular.
"I've scanned the entire ship, and there's no sign of the Captain, Lieutenant Reed or
Ensign Sato," reported the Ensign who had stepped up to Reed's tactical station.
"This makes no sense," Trip muttered as he stepped next to the Ensign and examined the
scans himself.
"I believe I have located our missing crew," T'pol said. She continued looking at her
instruments.
"Where are they?" Tucker asked as he rushed over to T'Pol's station.
"Beneath the planet's surface,"
Everyone on the bridge looked at the Vulcan.
"Underneath the planet's surface?" Mayweather asked in disbelief. "But how, and why?"
"T'Pol?" Trip asked hesitantly, "Are they alive?"
"Yes, Commander," she replied evenly. "They appear to be in one of the underground
structures."
"Can we get to them?" Trip asked.
"Yes. "We may be able to reach them using the tunnel system."
"What do you mean, may?" Trip asked. "Let's get a shuttlepod down there and get them
out!
"We do not know if we can get inside the large structure to access the tunnel system."
Trip looked at her incredulously, "What do you mean? Why not?"
"We do not have enough information to determine if an away party would be successful."
"We'll never know if we don't go down there and try!"
T'Pol attempted to answer but was interrupted.
"I don't understand this." Travis interjected. "This couldn't be part of some automated
system, could it? Like the probe?" He looked over to T'Pol, "I mean could a computer
just randomly pluck people off a ship in orbit?"
"I don't think this was random. It did scan both our records and us. If it was an automated
response, it is quite logical that the scan was identifying which individuals fit a specific
criteria, possibly depending on the parameters of the computer program."
"I guess that makes sense," Mayweather said softly.
"Nothin' about this makes any sense!" Trip exclaimed. He was about to continue his
argument for going down to the surface with a rescue team but T'Pol cut him off.
"I agree with you Commander." T'Pol said. "Ensign, as soon as the engines are back on
line, move us into a higher orbit.
"Now wait a damn minute T'Pol, we're not leaving the Cap'n there just because it
doesn't make any sense! Let's use the damn transporter!"
"Commander, I am not suggesting we leave anyone, but we are ignoring the most
obvious explanation." Trip looked at her, anger still in his eyes. She continued, ignoring
his glare, "The possibility that there really is someone down there is becoming more
plausible by the minute. Until we better understand what is going on down there, and
what we are up against, it would be best to move the ship into a safer orbit."
***
The Gaon was pleased with the selection that his Segen had made. These humans would
be perfect. They were significantly different from each other, two males and a female; a
range of ages and they were from different locations and cultures on their home world,
yet they all served together on the same vessel and had similar training. But best of all,
they each had a reyfon, a frailty, that could be exploited and manipulated for the Gaon's
personal research. He enjoyed pushing his specimens to their limits, both physically and
mentally. He smiled as he thought of one remarkably delicious experiment he had
recently put a Klingon through. Never had he expected any specimen to last as long as
that Klingon did, and his death was particularly fascinating. The intensity of the
Klingons' will to live and their desire to be victorious over their enemy was mesmerizing.
Now, the Gaon wondered, would these humans have the same kind of self-preservation
as the Klingons?
"Gaon, the other crew have located their missing comrades," a much younger Mad'an
reported, although he never looked at his superior officer as he spoke. The Gaon had a
very well-known malicious streak. Even though it was usually directed at his specimens,
he had been known to release it upon his own crew.
"Yes, I see that, Khanit Liron. Engage shielding, let's see how they react."
***
The thought that someone may be down there, responsible for taking the Captain and the
others, made the rescue even more urgent in Trip's mind. Even though he knew how
much Jon didn't trust the transporter, he was willing to use it if it was their only hope of
bringing them back safely to the ship. "What about it, T'Pol, let's use the trans-"
Before he was able to finish, the young Ensign at tactical interrupted. "Sub-Commander,
some kind of energy shield just went up around the largest structure." She looked back
down to her station, "It's being generated by three of the smaller buildings."
"I guess that leaves us the shuttlepod as the only option." Trip offered, glowering at
T'Pol before he turned his attention back to the Ensign. "Is there shielding around all the
buildings?"
"No," the Ensign responded.
"Then I suggest we send down a team to shut down the energy shield, find our way into
the tunnels and get the Captain and the others the hell out of there." It was more of a
command then a suggestion.
T'Pol stared at the commander. "This still doesn't prove that the Captain or the others
are in any immediate danger. The force field could be a continuation of whatever
program that was initiated when we first came into orbit." His glare didn't relent, and she
finally acquiesced. "Commander, gather your team," she said. Trip nodded and headed
for the turbolift.
Chapter 2: The Game Begins
The Mad'an laboratory was stark, bright white, like the skin of the alien standing in front
of the view screen. He was tall and thin and his skin hung from his bones like it was too
big for the frame it was on. The few wiry hairs on his head shot out in no particular
direction, giving him an unkempt appearance. His long, lanky fingers slowly caressed the
top of the console to his left. His movements were fluid despite his size and the fact that
his limbs were slightly too long for his trunk. His yellow eyes narrowed to a point as he
looked at the ship on the screen. It was a new race to this part of the galaxy and he could
already feel the excitement brewing within himself. He loved first contact.
"Gaon, the subjects are secure and the ship is under surveillance," a younger but equally
loose skinned alien addressed his superior. The room was full of these loose skinned
aliens. They were manning dozens of consoles, scanning the sector in which this planet
was found. There was no chatter between the aliens as they worked, with the exception of
brief reports given to their superior. If one knew this race it would have been obvious
how worn out most of the aliens looked. Worked to the bone.
Even without the insignia on his jacket, the Gaon's presence and attitude made it very
clear who was in charge of the Mad'an laboratory. The younger members didn't seem to
have the same confidence as their leader. Burdened with the same body size, they didn't
move as easily as he did, their arms swinging in an awkward manner when they walked.
The Mad'an were an ancient people who had long ago stopped exploring the galaxy in
starships. They had set up laboratories throughout this segment of space to collect
information on other races, without exposing themselves or their homeworld to intrusion
from outsiders.
"I want the Mishnee Unit to begin correlating the data from the ship," the Gaon
continued. "How many life forms are there?"
The subordinate checked his monitor, hoping he responded quickly enough. "There are
81 human life forms, one Vulcan and one Denobulan."
"A Vulcan? That could be interesting," the Gaon mused, "thank you Segen Kamara."
The Segen was taken aback. Did the Gaon actually thank him? He couldn't dwell on the
thought for too long, that's how mistakes were made, that's how lives were lost. He stole
a quick glance at his superior. He was smiling: a horrible, evil smile. The Segen quickly
turned back to his console that showed the read-out of the ship's complement. He
couldn't help but feel sorry for them.
The Gaon looked over the incoming data from the ship. A Vulcan, he thought, that could
make things interesting. A race that suppresses its emotions presented a challenge, but it
was the challenge that made his job so enjoyable.
He glanced back over to Segen Kamara, his smile growing bigger and more grotesque.
"So tell me about the three you have selected for me."
***
Trip looked around the room; Travis wasn't mistaken. Not only was the Captain's chair
empty, but also both Malcolm and Hoshi's stations were abandoned.
"Where the hell did they go?" he asked nobody on particular.
"I've scanned the entire ship, and there's no sign of the Captain, Lieutenant Reed or
Ensign Sato," reported the Ensign who had stepped up to Reed's tactical station.
"This makes no sense," Trip muttered as he stepped next to the Ensign and examined the
scans himself.
"I believe I have located our missing crew," T'pol said. She continued looking at her
instruments.
"Where are they?" Tucker asked as he rushed over to T'Pol's station.
"Beneath the planet's surface,"
Everyone on the bridge looked at the Vulcan.
"Underneath the planet's surface?" Mayweather asked in disbelief. "But how, and why?"
"T'Pol?" Trip asked hesitantly, "Are they alive?"
"Yes, Commander," she replied evenly. "They appear to be in one of the underground
structures."
"Can we get to them?" Trip asked.
"Yes. "We may be able to reach them using the tunnel system."
"What do you mean, may?" Trip asked. "Let's get a shuttlepod down there and get them
out!
"We do not know if we can get inside the large structure to access the tunnel system."
Trip looked at her incredulously, "What do you mean? Why not?"
"We do not have enough information to determine if an away party would be successful."
"We'll never know if we don't go down there and try!"
T'Pol attempted to answer but was interrupted.
"I don't understand this." Travis interjected. "This couldn't be part of some automated
system, could it? Like the probe?" He looked over to T'Pol, "I mean could a computer
just randomly pluck people off a ship in orbit?"
"I don't think this was random. It did scan both our records and us. If it was an automated
response, it is quite logical that the scan was identifying which individuals fit a specific
criteria, possibly depending on the parameters of the computer program."
"I guess that makes sense," Mayweather said softly.
"Nothin' about this makes any sense!" Trip exclaimed. He was about to continue his
argument for going down to the surface with a rescue team but T'Pol cut him off.
"I agree with you Commander." T'Pol said. "Ensign, as soon as the engines are back on
line, move us into a higher orbit.
"Now wait a damn minute T'Pol, we're not leaving the Cap'n there just because it
doesn't make any sense! Let's use the damn transporter!"
"Commander, I am not suggesting we leave anyone, but we are ignoring the most
obvious explanation." Trip looked at her, anger still in his eyes. She continued, ignoring
his glare, "The possibility that there really is someone down there is becoming more
plausible by the minute. Until we better understand what is going on down there, and
what we are up against, it would be best to move the ship into a safer orbit."
***
The Gaon was pleased with the selection that his Segen had made. These humans would
be perfect. They were significantly different from each other, two males and a female; a
range of ages and they were from different locations and cultures on their home world,
yet they all served together on the same vessel and had similar training. But best of all,
they each had a reyfon, a frailty, that could be exploited and manipulated for the Gaon's
personal research. He enjoyed pushing his specimens to their limits, both physically and
mentally. He smiled as he thought of one remarkably delicious experiment he had
recently put a Klingon through. Never had he expected any specimen to last as long as
that Klingon did, and his death was particularly fascinating. The intensity of the
Klingons' will to live and their desire to be victorious over their enemy was mesmerizing.
Now, the Gaon wondered, would these humans have the same kind of self-preservation
as the Klingons?
"Gaon, the other crew have located their missing comrades," a much younger Mad'an
reported, although he never looked at his superior officer as he spoke. The Gaon had a
very well-known malicious streak. Even though it was usually directed at his specimens,
he had been known to release it upon his own crew.
"Yes, I see that, Khanit Liron. Engage shielding, let's see how they react."
***
The thought that someone may be down there, responsible for taking the Captain and the
others, made the rescue even more urgent in Trip's mind. Even though he knew how
much Jon didn't trust the transporter, he was willing to use it if it was their only hope of
bringing them back safely to the ship. "What about it, T'Pol, let's use the trans-"
Before he was able to finish, the young Ensign at tactical interrupted. "Sub-Commander,
some kind of energy shield just went up around the largest structure." She looked back
down to her station, "It's being generated by three of the smaller buildings."
"I guess that leaves us the shuttlepod as the only option." Trip offered, glowering at
T'Pol before he turned his attention back to the Ensign. "Is there shielding around all the
buildings?"
"No," the Ensign responded.
"Then I suggest we send down a team to shut down the energy shield, find our way into
the tunnels and get the Captain and the others the hell out of there." It was more of a
command then a suggestion.
T'Pol stared at the commander. "This still doesn't prove that the Captain or the others
are in any immediate danger. The force field could be a continuation of whatever
program that was initiated when we first came into orbit." His glare didn't relent, and she
finally acquiesced. "Commander, gather your team," she said. Trip nodded and headed
for the turbolift.