Paint and Powder

A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.

Veracruz: "S.E.R.E."

Written by Nohvarr

"So this…. Has GOT to be the worst-case scenario, right?" Basim, a red headed Orion male said as he took a reluctant bite of the stick like bug his companion had captured for their lunch.

The looming image of their leader, a Brikar named 'Roakn', made a sound that was probably meant to be a soft incredulous snort but sounded a lot like a small rockslide. "If you think this is the EXTENT of Veracruz's creativity and cruelty when it comes to survival training then you have clearly NOT been paying attention." Their squad leader for this exercise said, their eyes continuing to scan beyond the gaggle of bushes and trees they'd taken a breather in after their initial flight.

"He's right." Kal, the female Andorian who'd known which insects were edible, and with a good amount of calories, added. She took a bite of her bug, chewed and swallowed it with a gusto even the Brikar hadn't managed. "We've ALL heard the stories; know how she's whipped MACO's into line for years. There's no reason to think that the Federation's legendary 'Big Boss' has suddenly gone soft."

"Will you ALL keep your voices down!" Daniella hissed, her green eyes glaring at them for a moment before she turned her attention beyond their hiding spot. "All that yammering will give us away."

"You're right." Roakn said in a much softer voice. "Finish up your meal, people. We'll need to get moving soon. Put some distance between us and them before we even think of building a hidden shelter and Pitt for a camp fire."

The group nodded their agreement in silence, and a few minutes later they were again on the move. This time they put more of an emphasis on stealth than when they'd initially been dropped into this forest. Well, more accurately been kicked off the back of a shuttle craft doing a low Passover by their trainers. Back then, speed had been of import or so Roakn had figured, deciding they needed as much distance between themselves and their drop point as possible. Now though, he figured caution was called for, as such he took point with the others following close behind.

"You hear that?" Roakn paused and looked at the speaker, Basim, who'd closed his eyes and tilted his head. "Sounded like… a voice?"

Roakn frowned and was about to speak when Basim began moving away from them "This way!" the Orion called

"Wait!" Daniella hissed but ended up following the Orion, the rest of the team doing the same.

Eventually they came to a Ravine in the forest and found one of their fellow trainees seemingly trying to set their leg using what they'd been able to scrounge.

"Doug?" Roakn said, medical training kicking in as he made his way into the Ravine while motioning his team back "What happened, where's your squad?"

Doug looked up in surprise and then relief "Ah finally was worried I'd be out here alone!" Doug started to move then winced in pain "Veracruz and her pet Kromsapiod, happened to them. They were on us fast began taking us out. Our leader told us to run…. I… fell down here and I guess they missed me."

Roakn was assessing Doug's leg when the last part of that statement caught his attention. "Wait…. Veracruz and the Kromsapoid were in the area…. How long ago?"

"Uhhh…. Not THAT long ago so… perhaps…. Urk!" Doug's eyes went wide then he slumped forward into unconsciousness, a dart sticking out the back of his neck.

"Squad, Scatter!" Roakn roared, knowing they were made and hoping he could draw attention to himself and give the others a chance to flee.

"Oh sh-!" was all Kal managed before a black blur snatched her off the ground and dragged her up into the jungle's canopy. Basim, pushed at a shocked Daniella to get her moving and the two started running as Roakn rose to his full height "Come on…. Face me you-"

The click of something at his feet as he stomped forward was his only warning. He glanced down as some kind of device that'd been hidden in the forest underbrush seized his leg then yanked itself forward and up, leaving him dangling upside down. The little drone that'd seized him beeping happily as it held him aloft. From that vantage point he saw his remaining companions go down, Basim getting knocked out by black blur Roakn know knew was a Kromsapoid, Daniella taking a dart in the back of the neck. The Brikar clenched his fist in impotent anger as the Kromsapoid took a pose and snapped a selfie with his latest 'kill'.

Veracruz dropped from her position in a nearby tree, slung her rifle and casually strolled forward while lighting a cigarette "Congratulations!" she said "You're ALL dead!"

The latest episode of Lower Decks made me realize that Veracruze would probably make REALLY good use of a Kromasapoids need to hunt and their Catch and release policy to train star fleet personnel in "Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape". I can just see Veracruz and her Kromasapoid assistant delighting in telling their trainees all the way's they FAILED... before showing them how to be more successful.

And just to be clear the above group were not future MACO's but Science/Ops Officers going for S.E.R.E. training. Roakn was meant to be Medical, Kal was Xenobiology, Basim was Operations and Daniella was Astro physics.