Duty Calls

[Major Sandra Iverson]

Sandy was beginning to come out to the coma each day she heard a little more, it was all disjointed. Parts of sentence, a word here or there.

For the first time since she since she entered the coma her eyes showed movement beyond normal rem patterns.

[MCapt Zarlena Dorius]

She was turning around when she saw him exiting the ready room. Going to attention, "Colonel on the deck"

"Sir I have reduced our travel time by 20 mins, our new ETA is 23 mins."

[Lt Cmdr Melvin Moon]

As the Tarawa drew closer, he began getting some initial scans of tge Superior. As he was about to report them to Colonel MacDouggal, Major Aniri had exited his office and he heard MCapt Dorius call "Colonel on Deck"

He snapped to attention as MacDouggal exited his office behind the Major and he saluted both of them. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw his console register some new information. He reported this to the Colonel, as he remained at attention

"Colonel, Initial scans show that the Superior's systems are working fine but there are no life signs aboard and all escape pods are in place"

[maec]

He looked over to tactical as he gave the report.

"Colonel Mac Donell, I concur with the Ensign. I find this most interesting. According to Star Fleet records this happened once before when a virus infected the crew, causing mass insanity. In that case, an anti viral medication was found and cured the members of the away team."

"I have been monitoring space chatter and have found nothing other then the repeating distress call on a transmission loop."

[***Tarawa Action***]

For a moment, a flicker of a life form appeared on board the Superior. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.

[jimmacdougall]

After silently responding to the Major with a nod, he made his way to his station. Although he appreciated her insight regarding Captain Dorius it also served as a painful reminder of how little he knew about this crew, a fact that only time could alter. “Well done Captain Dorius.”

He leaned back in his chair, wondering what happened to the Superior. Until that question was answered he decided to assume that they were in danger of suffering the same fate.

As the status reports were given he took a seat, his eyes shifting from Moon to Khellian. “Ensign Moon, take us to yellow alert. Mr. Khellian, what precautions would you recommend to ensure the safety of an away team?”

[maec]

He was unaccustomed to being asked such questions, he pondered the question. But before answering he related another entry made by the USS Pegasus, commanded by FMar Weslynes.

"Sir, I came across a recent entry concerning a similar incident aboard the USS Richmond. They also sent out a repeating distress call, on initial scans no life was discovered. It was later found the scans were off due to interference. The crew was hidden on the ship. In various states of mental distress."

"An away team discovered the ship was infested by parasites. A cure was found by the ship doctor."

"I would suggest full EVA suits. And the buffers in the transporters be maximized against all organisms not inherent in the individual. But our science department is better equipped to answer that."

[Major Jaylas Aniri]

After leaving the ready room she went to the security station seeing Saris there she nodded.

"Lt, it seems I will once again assume the action role of XO. You will need to fill in for me. You know what to do, and you'll do fine." With that said she turned and walked to the first officer chair and sat down.

Having listened to Khellian, "I would agree with him on all areas. I strongly suggest we have the input of the science department on this, along with medical."

[MCapt Zarlena Dorius]

Having heard the Colonel she nodded, "Thank you sir." She attempt one more adjustment and found it not worth the effort of the course change.

[valaraelika]

As night fell on the city of Hathon a young girl cradled the body of an infant in the corner of a small hut. The infant was crying and her fourteen year old mother was doing all she could to console her child.

While rocking the baby back and forth she hummed a lullaby. In the opposite corner of the room, Ayize and Iokkoh, the infant’s grandparents, were in the midst of an argument.

“They defiled our daughter, and after the way Nevek was embarrassed in the town square our days are numbered.” Iokkoh insisted.
“Let’s just wait until she’s had some time to recover, she just gave birth yesterday.” Ayize replied.

Running in from the street, Flava was almost completely out of breath. “You haven’t left yet? Come on, we have to hurry."

"Nevek just gave the order to execute all of you. They’re coming for you tonight. I’ll stall them as long as I can, make your way out the back door and head through the Bestri Woods."

"They’re waiting for you at Colar Mountain. Now go.”

After pushing them out the back door Flava stayed behind and stood her ground for at least fifteen minutes. After entering the vast forest a shot was fired from the distance.

At that moment every fear within the heart of the young mother was realized. Unable to resist, she turned back to see who it was. When she made out the silhouette her heart skipped a beat. Nevek.

Before she could finish her thought she took off running. At her father’s insistence, she handed him the baby. A choice she would come to regret for the rest of her life.

As they came to the stream that marked the halfway point the sound of Cardassian footsteps grew louder. Once she had crossed the steam she turned back to see that her parents tripped over a branch.

Her daughter laying helplessly on the ground. As she turned to head back for them she was pulled behind a tree, her assailant covering her mouth to muffle her screams.

He whispered in her ear. “It’s too late. The only thing you’ll accomplish by going back is to die along with them.”

Helplessly, she watched as the Cardassians killed her family. With her heart pounding in her chest she cried out, but no one heard her. “TELANA! NO!”


The dreams were happening more frequently as of late, something they always did at this time of year. Tomorrow would've been Telana's twenty first birthday.

She sprung up from her bed and took a moment to catch her breath. Once that was done, she moved to the dining area of her quarters. Falling onto her knees, she lit a candle and began to pray.

“May the prophets guide me in all that I do, may the prophets guide me in all that I do, may the prophets guide me in all that I do… Why did she have to die, why not take me in her place, please tell me why..”

She continued seeking the prophet's guidance for the rest of the evening, knowing that sleep was now out of the question.

When the morning came she suited up and replicated herself some coffee. After nights like this, that was the only thing that kept her going. Once the coffee was finished she made her way to flight deck.

[jimmacdougall]

"Agreed Major. Have the senior staff report to the observation lounge."

Rising from his seat he tapped his commbadge, "Lieutenant Kaz, please report to the bridge."

[***Tarawa Action***]

Again, sensors detected a the life form on the Superior. This time it lasted for twenty seconds before disappearing again.

[1st Lt Kestra Elbrun]

Kestra was eating a small bowl of fruit as she sat at her desk in her quarters. Placed her fork down and would tap on her console to bring up some new crewmembers that had arrived on board. As she was reading a certain record, Kestra began to sense something a bit off, but she wasn't for sure what it was. In order to clear her mind, she decided she could walk around the ship a bit.

Kestra ate the last piece of fruit and turned off her console. Gets up out of her chair and goes over to the replicator. Placed her empty bowl down and had it recycled. She walked out of her quarters and down the corridor. She decided she could stop by the flight deck to see how the new FPXO is adjusting to her assignment. She stepped into the turbo lift.

"Flight Deck.", she would say. Kestra felt the turbo lift moved to the deck. Shortly there afterwards, she stepped out of the turbo lift and down the corridor. She came up to where the flight deck was and entered. She looked around to find 2Lt Valara Elika and would smile when she sees her. Kestra would go up to her.

"2Lt Elika?", she would ask. "I am First Lt Kestra Elbrun, the ship's counselor.", she would say to her.

[Lt Cmdr Melvin Moon]

He was standing at his console at Tactical when the first flicker of life appeared. His eyes immediately went to MacDouggal

"Sir! Sensors are detecting.. well, maybe not. I was about to say that the sensors registered a life-form, but that signal disappeared as quickly as it came"

He went back to watching the sensors and listening to the conversation on the bridge. A couple minutes later, Another signal indicating a life form. He waited a whole five seconds, making sure it didn't disappear this time before reporting once again;

"Sir, Sensors are detecting a life form aboard the Superior.. again. Not sure if it's the same one or not but..." He paused again as the signal disappeared a second time ".. It's gone again.."

He was beginning to get annoyed at the false sensor readings. He started to think about running a diagnostic on his system

[kasiakaz]

jimmacdougall said:

"Agreed Major. Have the senior staff report to the observation lounge."

Rising from his seat he tapped his commbadge, "Ensign Kaz, please report to the bridge."

Kasia had just finished with that days inventory and clean up when she gets the call.

"Im on my way sir." She replies.

She leaves another nurse in charge. The doctor had dissapeared somewhere, and she figured she would see her on the bridge. Kaz exits sickbay and heads for the nearest turbo lift to the bridge.