i forgot how long screening takes... hopefully i can get the last 4 done tonight cause i have a VERY busy next 2 days with dr appts for little one.
Episode 2-6 The Doomsday Machine
Saya was in the gym being instructed by the chief security officer in further fighting technique. Part of the training was for her to be able to ignore what was going on in Spock's mind while she fought. However she paused for a millisecond when she heard from him 'Captain, sensors show this entire solar system has been destroyed. Nothing left but rubble and asteroids.' In that moment Freeman flipped her and almost managed to slam her onto the mat. She rolled at the last moment and quickly stood defensively.
"If i had wanted to kill you Ms. Saya, I could have. You can not afford to get distracted for even a fraction of a second." Freeman reprimanded her. Saya quickly appraised him and moved to go for his weak point knowing he would protect it as she relayed the information she had gotten from Spock. As soon as she finished she attempted to take advantage of the shock Freeman registered but his reflexes were too quick and he managed to throw her on her back.
"Darn." Saya gasped as she moved to get up. "You can automatically figure out your plan of attack. I need to practice more." Freeman smiled and offered a hand, pulling her up, as he told her that she had time. "Well, I think I'm going to ice a few more bruises before returning to Mr. Spock on the bridge. Thank you for another rough lesson." Saya said with a grin as she left.
She enjoyed any of the wrestling matches that she got to have. It reminded her of her childhood and gave her a challenge, even though it often left her bruised and sore. Taking a quick hot shower she got most of her muscles to stop complaining and iced the new bruise on her shoulder. She was immensely curious about what was going on but also knew that she was always a distraction to Spock, more so when she was in pain or sore.
Getting dressed again she dried her hair and Spock mentally reminded her that she was due to lessons with Dr. McCoy. Though she had not picked any set career choice, she was learning a little of anything she was apt at. She got to help in the garden as well as sickbay. She also was learning from the security chief and doing well there. She wasn't outstanding at anything but useful at quite a bit.
She went to sickbay as she registered that they were investigating the disappearance of 7 planets. Over the next few hours she practiced handling and aiding Dr. McCoy with the medical equipment as she noted the efforts to figure out what had happened to every planet in multiple solar systems.
Saya was aware of them finding 2 intact planets and some kind of beacon from a star ship She gave it only half her attention as she concentrated on getting all the tools right on the tray and handing them to the doctor as he asked for them. Saya felt Spock's mind go into overdrive, calculating possibilities and answers to the wrecked star ship and tried to put her block up to distract him less. In that moment she missed what McCoy had asked for but thankfully he understood her pause and asked again.
Red alert was called but Saya stayed at her post, practicing helping the doctor. He commented on her calm reaction and she laughed. "Oh, I'm far from calm. I'm freaking out inside but it does no good so I put that energy to doing what is needed to be done." McCoy smiled and they finished that round. McCoy sent her to the bridge, and Spock, with a smile and 'good job.' Saya was glad to be learning so much and doing well. She hoped that next time she could be quite useful.
As she got on the turbolift Kirk called a yellow alert and she stepped off the lift as Kirk stepped on. She started to her station only to stop dead in her tracks and look at the damaged ship on the viewer. "That looks just like the schematics for this one." She breathed as she examined the image. Saya sat down again and heard Kirk ask if the crew could have beamed down to one of the 2 planets.
"Improbable, Captain. The surface temperature of the inner planet is that of molten lead. The other has an atmosphere poisonous to human life." Spock answered. Saya sent him the thought 'i heard that there were 7 planets here last year. Maybe they were beamed down to a planet that got turned to rubble or something?' Spock thought about it but said nothing as Saya started reading her current assignment.
Saya read as Spock worked on the microtapes that had been sent over. After some time Spock called Kirk to inform him "Unable to raise Starfleet Command due to heavy subspace interference." Kirk asked about what attacked the Constellation and Spock answered "She was attacked by what appears to be essentially a robot, an automated weapon of immense size and power. Its apparent function is to smash planets to rubble and then digest the debris for fuel. It is, therefore, self-sustaining as long as there are planetary bodies for it to feed on."
Kirk asked why it would purposely destroy entire solar systems and Spock said it was unknown and relayed that it came from outside their galaxy. He also informed the Captain that if unstopped it would work it's way through the most densely populated section of their galaxy.
Saya looked up as Spock called a red alert and saw on screen a huge funnel looking item with a glowing red mouth so to speak. Saya fought the momentary terror she felt before taking a breath and returning to reading. She felt Spock's approval and smiled. A man came into the room and she observed him a moment before again returning to her book. She knew she couldn't be of much help on this one.
Spock started relaying information to Kirk "It came up on us fast, Captain, but we seem able to maintain our distance. It looks very much like Commodore Decker's planet killer. And it is pursuing us. We are more maneuverable, but it is gaining on us. Sensors indicate some kind of total conversion drive. No evidence of life, subspace interference level incredibly high."
Kirk asked what the chances of deactivating was and Spock answered "I would say none, Captain. The energy generated by our power nacelles seems to attracts it. I doubt we could maneuver close enough without drawing a direct attack upon ourselves. I also believe the nature of this machine precludes the possibility of easy access to its control mechanisms." Saya gave the information she was receiving minimal attention as she continued to read.
Kirk ordered Spock to beam the away team back and Spock relayed the order. As he was about to beam the captain back the doomsday machine fired on them. Saya hit the console hard but there was no real harm to her. Most of the others had gone flying in some way. Spock moved quickly to the console to protect the ship. Saya grabbed a repair kit and sat helping as she could with communications repairs.
Spock informed the captain that the transporter and communications were out right before the interference cut the coms off. Commodore Decker demanded a status report and Spock obliged "Impulse and warp engines operative, transporter and communications under repair. Random chance seems to have operated in our favor"
"In plain, non-Vulcan English, we've been lucky." McCoy snarkily replied and Saya giggled. Spock said that he believed that was what he said. Sulu informed Spock that the thing was back on course for the next solar system. Spock acknowledged and said they would pick up the captain then figure out a strategy. commodore Decker passionately said they could not do that as it was heading for the Rigel system.
"I am aware of the Rigel system's population, Commodore, but we are only one ship. Our deflector shields are strained, our subspace transmitter is useless. Logically, our primary duty is to survive in order to warn Starfleet Command." Spock replied. Saya could feel Spock's irritation at the commodore's irrationality. The commodore and Spock went head to head for control of the ship until the Commodore used a starfleet rank to assume command.
Decker ordered them to about face to attack it and Spock advised against it. "You tried to destroy it once before, Commodore. The result was a wrecked ship and a dead crew." Spock told him. Decker was adamant though and went head first into the attack plan he had his mind set on.
"The idiot is going to get us all killed and doom the galaxy's between here and home with his stupid arrogance!" Saya couldn't help but mutter.
Spock looked at her and said "Ms. Saya, you are relieved. Return to your quarters." Saya saluted and headed for the turbolift willingly. She was rather fond of the idea of punching Decker in the face for his stupidity but Spock didn't approve and she didn't want to cause more trouble.
Saya heard from Spock the battle between McCoy and Decker as Spock worked to formulate a plan. Saya entered their room and started on another of her art projects to pass the time and keep herself contained. She knew Spock was working on how to make sure everyone would survive and she was keeping her mind quiet so she wouldn't distract him. Both of them were quite worried about Scotty, Kirk and the others.
Saya braced when Spock informed Decker of the incoming attack from the machine. Saya could feel him calculating their probability of survival and the number dropping rapidly. She didn't quite know what was going on but when Spock asked after her well being she replied that she was fine. She guessed there were high casualties. She changed to painting figuring the turbulence would add character.
Saya felt the constant calculations and restraint in Spock for a while until she felt clearly from him 'Vulcans never bluff.' Saya smiled and wondered if they were capable of playing poker or any other gambling game. Spock mentally notified her that she was now allowed to return to the bridge. Cleaning up she wondered how she and Spock would work if they didn't have the bond they did. Shrugging it off she finished cleaning up and headed for the turbolift.
She returned to everyone quite morose and found out mentally from Spock that Decker had committed suicide. 'Survivor's guilt.' She replied before taking her station. It saddened her but Decker was off from the start so it was no surprise. Spock took mental note of it to ask later and they continued to try and survive and rescue the away team.
Sulu informed Spock "Mr. Spock, sensors indicate a minute drop in the machine's power emanations. Do you think the shuttle craft explosion might have done some damage?" Kirk latched onto the idea and Spock confirmed the information.
"You know that ship is a mess. Maybe it could be piloted down the machines gullet and since it is much bigger mess the machine up more?" Saya quietly suggested. Kirk ordered Spock to beam the damage control party aboard but leave himself and Scotty. Saya felt a slight irritation at her from Spock for her comment. She was surprised it had actually been heard.
Spock notified Kirk that there was little to be gained by staying aboard the constellation and Kirk replied "Except possibly the destruction of that thing out there. Carry out your orders, Mr. Spock" Spock did as ordered and Kirk asked "Spock, listen. Maybe Matt Decker didn't die for nothing. He had the right idea but not enough power to do it. Am I correct in assuming that a fusion explosion of 97 megatons will result if a star ship impulse engine is overloaded?"
Spock of course corrected it to 97.835 megatons and Kirk asked if it was enough to destroy the machine. Spock informed him that the neutronium hull was not able to blasted through and Kirk said "Not through it, Spock, from inside it. Will it be enough?" Spock informed Kirk that it was insufficient data and he would take further sensor readings. Saya promptly started doing what Spock needed with his mental guidance.
Spock informed the captain that the neutronium hull made sensor readings of the inner mechanism impossible. Spock warned the captain that he was getting dangerously close and Kirk informed him "I intend to get a lot closer. I'm going to ram her right down that thing's throat."
Saya felt a spike of emotion carefully controlled from Spock as he informed Kirk that he would be killed just like Decker. "No. No, I don't intend to die, Mr. Spock We've rigged a delay detonation device. You'll have thirty seconds to beam me aboard the Enterprise before the Constellation's impulse engines blow."
"Your chances of survival are not promising. We don't even know if the explosion will be powerful enough." Spock continued to argue. Kirk said it was a calculated risk and Spock replied "There's another factor, Captain. The transporter is not working at one hundred percent efficiency. Thirty seconds is very slim timing."
Spock ordered the transporter to stand by and they materialized Scotty. Scotty informed them of a malfunction and Saya wondered if she could get there in time to help. With a nod from Spock she bolted for the turbolift grabbing a repair bag on the way. In the lift she took her shoes off knowing she ran better barefoot and in less than 10 seconds she was standing below Scotty offering her help.
At the critical moment the transporter blew and Saya felt Spock's alarm jump. Scotty jumped up into the tunnel and Saya held things for Scotty keeping things easier for him as Sulu was heard through the com near them counting down. At 7 Scotty nodded and Saya called out "Try it now."
Saya felt Spock's relief at the transporter room notifying the bridge that they had gotten Kirk. Saya saluted Scotty and took off running to the bridge, sliding around corners in her socks. She was glad Kirk survived but worried about the machine. She felt Spock's information about it being destroyed as she and Kirk got onto the turbolift. They shared a grin quickly before the doors opened and they darted back to their places on the bridge.
"Welcome aboard, Captain. Sensors show all energy sources deactivated. It's quite dead." Spock said calmly.
Kirk ordered "Mr. Sulu, ease us back to minimum headway. Conserve power as much as possible. Lt. Palmer, tell Mr. Scott to expedite repairs on the warp drive. Poor Matt. He gave his life in an attempt to save others. Not the worst way to go. Ironic, isn't it? Way back in the 20th century, the H-Bomb was the ultimate weapon, their doomsday machine, and we used something like it to destroy another doomsday machine. Probably the first time such a weapon has ever been used for constructive purposes."
Saya snorted and both men looked at her before she turned back to her station trying to keep a straight face. "Appropriate, Captain. However, I can't help wondering if there are any more of those weapons wandering around the universe." Spock said and Kirk answered that he hoped not as one was quite sufficient.
Thankfully the long shift was over. As Kirk, Spock and Saya stepped onto the turbolift Spock picked up her shoes and arched an eyebrow. Grinning Saya replied "I run better without shoes most of the time and i can get them off quickly."
Kirk grinned at the 2 of them and commented "I am curious Missy about your take on the h-bomb." Interrupting the strange half conversation they were prone to.
Saya looked at him and thought about it. "Honestly, i don't remember if It was the h-bomb. I know we had nuclear bombs and there was quite a bit of worry about it." She paused as they stepped out of the turbolift and she put her shoes back on. They walked to the mess hall for dinner and she continued.
"Honestly the biggest fear from nuclear bombs was the aftermath. The deformations, huge damage to the earth, inability to grow anything or even live in that area for decades. The initial thing was massive and devastating but the after effects… those…" Saya looked saddened for a moment before perking back up and ending her sentence "those things were the things of nightmares."
They entered the mess hall and got dinner. Saya quickly finished hers then took off to Sickbay to see if she could aid there. As she entered she was limping and before McCoy could say anything she yanked her shoe off and fixed the mess that was her sock. Once righted she smiled and offered "I'm here to help?"
McCoy sent her back to Spock and she returned to their room in time to see Spock changing from his uniform shirt to the more relaxed, for him, black undershirt. "I was not needed." Saya commented and looked him over. "You look quite appealing in that Mr. Spock"
Spock indicated the spot on their bed next to him as he sat down and Saya joined him, leaning against him. "Your mind is quite fascinating when facing death." Spock informed her.
Saya looked at him in shock and puzzlement for a moment before bursting out laughing. "Mr. Spock, I think I could say the same. Though for both of us, the ones we care about most are on our minds." Spock agreed and they expended the last of their tension in more pleasant pursuits before falling into a well earned sleep.
*END*