Chapter Four
"I've managed to de-code the logs from the shuttle's computer," O'Brien said, addressing the senior staff seated around the table. On the monitor before them, the passive face of the Vulcan captain stared back, frozen in time. "There were large portions of the logs' that were so corrupted the computer couldn't decipher them. After all that work, I was only able to salvage the last few minutes' of the captains' final log entry."
"Proceed them," Sisko said, intently watching the screen before him. O'Brien stood up and touched a button on the monitor. The image sprang to life, and the silent Vulcan began to speak.
"...is Captain Sutok, of the ...science vessel, Traven...we are experiencing some difficulty with...warp core. To anyone within range...this communication...request assistance..."
The screen went white with static, and O'Brien adjusted a few controls on the side of the monitor. The image reappeared and the scarred face that greeted them was almost unrecognizable as the Vulcan captain. The image cleared, and the log resumed.
"...this is the...vessel, Traven...my companion…is dead. We are infected...unknown species...to any vessel within range, do not...rescue. Repeat, do not attempt a rescue. I am plotting coordinates...this solar systems' sun..." There was movement fro behind the Vulcan, and he turned to face the sound. A black image crossed in front of the Vulcan, blocking the recording, and a moment later a blood-chilling scream filled the cabin of the Vulcan's shuttle. A few moments later, the screen went blank. The crew sat back in their seats, stunned and appalled by what they just saw.
It was Dax who finally broke the silence. "What could have terrified a Vulcan so much that he would send his own shuttle into a sun?"
"I have gone over the flight path in the shuttle as well," O'Brien spoke up. "The Traven was headed into a gas giant in the Omicron cluster. There was some damage to the navigation console, and instead of burning up in the sun, the shuttle simply drifted off-course."
"Is there any record of where the Vulcan had been?" Sisko asked.
"If there was, it was destroyed along with most of the recorder logs," O'Brien said.
"How can we be certain that whatever attacked the Vulcans on that shuttle is gone?" Odo asked, silent up until now.
"Chief O'Brien and I have gone over every inch of that shuttle," Worf spoke up. "If anything still existed, we would have discovered it."
"I'd still feel a lot better if I could take a couple of security officers and go over that shuttle again. Personally." Odo said.
Sisko nodded. He knew the constable's penchant for detailed work, and he knew that Odo wouldn't rest until he was personally assured of the station's security. "All right, Constable, if it will make you feel better."
"Have your men discovered anything else, Chief?" Sisko asked.
"Lieutenant Hernandez was supposed to check in an hour ago with a report," O'Brien said, shaking his head. "I haven't heard from him yet. Probably got so caught up with his work that he lost track of time."
"That is not like him," Worf said. "However, if there had been any trouble the security guards would have notified us."
Sisko sighed. "I think we've done all we can do for the moment. Until the Vulcan regains consciousness and can answer some questions, I suggest we get back to our normal routines."
"He should be back on his feet by tomorrow," Bashir mentioned from across the table. "You can question him then."
"Good. Until we receive some answers, nobody except the constable is allowed near the shuttle. Dismissed."
The senior staff piled out of the room single file. Sisko stopped O'Brien before he could sneak out the door. "How's the work going on the lower pylon, Chief?"
"I've left Rom with two of my engineers down there, working on the problem. They should have it ready on schedule, Captain."
"Good. Let's just hope that everything goes smoothly until then."
-----
It watched silently from the shadows, and waited. It needed to find a place to settle, a quiet place to hide its children until the proper time. Time was becoming short, and it was growing ever more restless. It had been searching for just such a place when it had stumbled upon these three. It clung to the ceiling like a thick shadow, the lights from their tools mesmerizing the creature. It knew, instinctively, that the place it yearned for was a little farther down this corridor. Its' hunger grew as it watched, ropy strands of saliva dripping from its' massive jaws. It waited a moment longer, feeling the burn and growl in the pit of its' being, and then, with a swiftness that belied its great bulk, moved in for the kill.
-----
The computer chimed in Sisko's office, startling him out of his reverie. He shook his head to clear it, and then touched the button on his console.
"Sisko here," he called.
"This is Odo. We're down in the shuttle bay." The constable sounded sterner then usual, if that was possible. "There's no sign of Hernandez or the security detachment you sent down here."
"Are you sure?" Sisko asked, knowing it was a stupid question the moment he asked it.
"Quite sure, Captain," Odo answered. Then, after a moment, "The computer can't locate them either. I've already checked."
Sisko sat back. It wasn't like Starfleet personnel to turn up missing for no reason. A shudder ran down Sisko's spine. For what reason he wasn't sure, but he hadn't felt right since that shuttle docked.
"Keep searching, Constable," Sisko asked. "But make sure you work in teams. I don't want anyone left alone down there."
"Understood," Odo said.
Sisko sat back in his chair, gazing out at nowhere. He was just about to gather his thoughts when his communicator beeped again.
"Go ahead," Sisko said wearily into the comm.
"Captain, this is Bashir." The doctor's voice sounded hurried, almost frantic.
"Is there something wrong, Doctor?" Sisko asked, only half wanting to hear the answer.
There was a slight pause over the channel. "I think you'd better come down here and see for yourself," the Doctor responded after a moments' pause. "Quickly."
"I'm on my way," Sisko said. He closed the channel and left his office, crossing Ops to the turbo lift. The feelings of unease grew steadily worse by the moment. How much worse could the situation get, he wondered to himself, and then realized that he didn't really want an answer to that question.