Chapter 10 – Abducted!
The shuttle pod managed to descend into the planet's atmosphere with little trouble. If a Vulcan could be credulous, T'Pol was often baffled at the versatility and stamina of the stocky little crafts. In fact, the pods did not look so far removed in design from the "flying bricks," also called shuttles, that populated earths early 21st century space program. Ensign Mayweather was a competent pilot, yet the Vulcan, used to more fleet and graceful Vulcan craft, always seemed to unconsciously calculate the likelihood of safe landing.
The other two members of the away team seemed unconcerned as the conversed quietly in the aft seating area. None of the members of the away team seemed to have the almost giddy anticipation that marked most away missions for this crew. T'Pol mused that some of the crew's past experiences might have sobered their opinions on adventure. No, T'Pol concluded, more likely, the somber mood was due to the officers' awareness of the fate of planet's inhabitants.
Mayweather negotiated a simple landing, skimming close to the treetops, as he dropped down into a clearing that surely had once been a recreation area near the former capital's center.
After studying information from the Vulcan database about the Jax home world, the captain and T'Pol had decided on attempting to check a government location first, as stored data on what happened would likely be concentrated in such a place.
As they approached, what had seemed intact given the myopia of distance, took on the look of buildings long abandoned. Walkways they crossed, made of an odd gray-green, slightly bouncy substance, showed sun bleaching and a web work of hairline cracks in the surface. Manicured grounds, once tamed by an army of caretakers, had long now gone to seed. An infant forest springing up in its wake.
The environment seemed much more sanitized than what the away team expected after a global epidemic event.
Hoshi gave voice to the surprise of three out of four members of the group. "I thought there'd be bodies or skeletons…" Her voice trailed off. Quietly, almost to herself, she added, "…or something."
Malcolm shot a glance of concern over at Hoshi, but seemed satisfied that she was dealing with the situation.
"Many species are known to retreat to dark, quiet places to expire. As the disease progressed and societal systems started to fail, it is likely that the remaining survivors on the planet turned to familiar surroundings to await the inevitable. " As if aware that her clinical response might not be a comfort to the more sensitive younger members of the party, T'Pol added, "It is not likely that we will need to investigate the residential areas of the city."
Travis seemed relieved. "Thank God for small favors" he murmured to himself. Hoshi, either overhearing the quiet comment or sensing his general relief, beamed at the young pilot. Misery, indeed, loves company.
As they approached one of the buildings that seemed to be at the center of a large complex, T'Pol decided that they we should split into two teams. Hoshi and Malcolm investigate a communication's center near the ground floor. Travis, she decided, would join her and seek out a command center or senior management area that might have housed classified information.
T'Pol and Travis found what they were looking for on one of the highest floors of the building. The secure area was wisely located in the center of a floor away from the external shell of the building. The security system, of a rather primitive keypad style, was easily overridden by T'Pol. As they entered the complex rooms, something odd about their appearance set off warning bells in T'Pol's mind. Thinking of such an irrational mental warning system as bells in her head make T'Pol briefly think of Trip. At the thought of him, the formal lines of her mouth relaxed slightly. She reached out to him for a moment with her mind, hoping even at this distance, he could sense her well-being.
"Ensign, analyze the control console in this room. I would like to establish an interface and see if you can begin downloading data. If our technology is not compatible, call me. I've scanned this floor and detected in a power source located down the hallway. When you are finished here, meet me at that location. I may the need of your assistance.
"Aye, aye, Subcommander. It is unusual to think that something is still powered up and working after all this time."
"Which is precisely why I intend to investigate. If you are curious, I suggest that you proceed with your assignment in all due haste." Travis smiled. From another officer, he might have felt the chastised. From T'Pol, in her way, it almost sounded like encouragement.
* * * _ _ _ * * * _ _ _ * * *
T'Pol proceeded down the dark corridor. Her head down, she gazed intently at the tricorder. Without a doubt, there were power readings coming from the room at the end of the hall. As she stepped into the room, a computer screen glowed eerily in the abandoned office.
And then she realized what had been bothering her since they stepped foot on this floor. Unlike the levels below, these offices looked pristine. Where was the ten years of undisturbed dust? How could someone reach this level without leaving some evidence of his passing on one of the floors below?
T'Pol had barely completed
this thought, when she felt an arm grab her in a chokehold. She immediately attempted to use
her body as a fulcrum to grab her larger opponent
and tip him over her shoulder. Her arm had barely reached
up to his neck when she
felt a sharp pinch
on her neck just above her collarbone. Then everything went black.
TBC…
