The Final Countdown (Part 1)

Posted on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 @ 9:41pm by Lieutenant Commander Ryuuji Takasu & Commander Thomas Johnson & Lieutenant Commander Febin & Commander Chisato Nishikigi & Major Chiyo Shimada & Lieutenant Commander Moklor ‘Shell Squid’ & Lieutenant Trennek Zakrin & Lieutenant Kylynn Adams & Lieutenant Jasad Yuvek & Lieutenant JG Nezuko & Lieutenant JG Amari & Sergeant Major Vespertine D'hetr & Captain Elizabeth F. "Liz" Beurling & 1st Lieutenant Hann Rudd & Ensign Kehl th’Kaaliq
Edited on on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 @ 9:44pm

1,441 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Descent
Location: Various

[USS Tokyo]

Ryuuji entered the bridge, his face still red from anger. He made his way down to where Lieutenant Yuvek was sat. "Have we had any news from the away teams?" he asked simply.

Lieutenant Yuvek raised from his chair as Lieutenant Commander Ryuuji had gained access to the bridge. The Lieutenant had ordered the computer to seal the doors to only Senior Staff-level Officers as a security precaution.

"Sir, the Elachi beamed onto the station at the same time they launched their attack against us. Sensors are less than reliable. Due to the continuing descent of the station, sensors are having trouble distinguishing life signs from the dead, living, or Elachi." The Cardassian Helmsman said.

"Our Fighter squadron has taken up a defensive posture around the Tokyo in the event that more vessels show up, but so far we're completely stretched to capacity." He added.

"Wh--where is the Captain?" He asked, looking around the man.

Ryuuji didn't answer. Instead he moved over towards the bridge's science station. "She was shot by the Elachi by one of these weapons," he explained as he placed the Elachi pistol on the science station. "I took some readings of them earlier, I believe they are directed transporters. The Captain was transported away." He said simply.

Lt. Yuvek was too stunned to respond for several moments.

"The Captain was shot?" He stated, moreso than actually asked.

"The Captain was shot and you think she was just transported away?" The Cardassian asked incredulously.

"That's just a theory, what we know is that this ship's Commander was shot by enemy forces and her body is nowhere to be found..." He said pointedly as he tried to piece together the current situation.

"The Captain is gone. . .Commander Johnson and Major Shimada are still on the station. . .who is in Command of the ship?" He asked with obvious alarm.

"Thats what I am hoping..." Ryuuji said. He was trying to hold back his anger as he ran more intensive scans of the Elachi disruptor/transporter pistol. "As for who is in command, you're the only remaining bridge officer on board. I guess it falls to you due to position over rank."

Lt. Yuvek took a deep breathe. Then he took another. The almost aloof and non-chalant tone of the Human made Lt. Yuvek grit his teeth as he turned back around and took his seat in the Captain's chair.

"What's the status on shipwide sensors? How many Elachi are still onboard?" Lt. Yuvek called out to the junior Tactical Officer.

"Twenty Three," The security officer replied. "They're mainly contained, security teams are working on driving them off the ship."

"Continue to coordinate with the security teams to secure the more vital areas of the ship: Main Engineering, Propulsion, Computer Core, Sick Bay, and the Docking Bays." Lt. Yuvek said to the officer at the Operations console.

"We need to the Docking Bays open for the evacuees." He said as he watched the station continuing to drop into the planet's atmosphere on the viewscreen.

[Station]

Thomas slowly opened his eyes, first a haze, then things became brighter, a headache was present, and confusion set in. It didn't take long however to realize what happened, looking at the bodies laying next to him. Noticing their chests rise and fall.

"This will be a fun report to do when we get this under control." Thomas replied as he made his way to his feet," He looked around. "Johnson to away team, is there anyone still conscious."

Down in the habitat area Amari was one of the first to begin stirring, she was sprawled out partially on partially off of a chair, looking around she took in her surroundings. Bodies were laying everywhere in various states of unconsciousness, some piled on top of eachother, some locked in grips with the Elachi that had been assaulting them when the gas hit. She slumped down to the floor as her combadge began to speak, It was several seconds before she took in the words coming from her it =/\= Amari here Sir =/\= she said very groggily after tapping her combadge.

"Very well, if you see any hostile immobilize them." He paused, knowing that having her own apparatus, she would not have been affected by the gas. "Johnson to Nezuko, report to ops."

Nezuko had been busy while everyone else was unconscious, having worked with Trennek (the one other officer not to lose consciousness) to check on crewmembers and put Elachi in binders. They couldn’t get to everyone — there hadn’t been much time — but they had a few prisoners now.

She heard the XO’s summons from her place in a mess area and tapped her commbadge three times, such that he would know that she acknowledged and was on her way.

Ensign th'Kaaliq smacked his lips together before his neck rocked back. He had fallen asleep cold on the floor. The effects of the gas seemed to be wearing off. Kehl shook once again before rolling over and waking suddenly. He grabbed his phaser which had fallen nearby.

"Ugh", Kehl called out while clutching his stomach. A pounding headache built pressure up at his temples and sinuses. The gas left him with its harsh effects, still leaving him nauseous and drowsy. In a moment of thought, Kehl figured that the uncontrolled released let all of the gas escape. Effects seemed to be wearing off. The curious science officer had a plan.

He would need to find an unconscious Elachi and scan them. He needed to know if the gas affected them more strongly, or was wearing off.

But first, Kehl ran to Chisato. "Commander", he called out. "Are you okay?" He kneeled beside her and scanned her with his tricorder. The last thing he remembered was ducking just before the blast went off in front of her. The Andorian's antennae twitched from side to side with concern.

Chisato stirred ever so slightly, first opening one eyelid, then the other, before slowly rising to a sitting position.

"Mmm... I was dreaming about puppies," she muttered, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

In other words- she was alright.

"Good job Commander." Thomas replied walking over, grabbing a a weapon. "Ensign, lets get these Elachi taken care of... before we are right back where we started."

"Aye sir!" The Andorian grinned sheepishly through the look of determination in his eyes. He couldn't help but think of how his first thoughts towards the Elachi was to study them. Hints of fear that they could all be waking up began to stir within Kehl.

"I actually wanted to scan some quickly to see if maybe this gas knocks them out harder", Kehl admitted. "Studying their systems might also teach us their weaknesses." The Ensign couldn't help but want to appear useful as a science officer.

Kehl straightened his arm, holding out his phaser and forming up alongside the Commander and Chisato. He was prepared to help gather the others and then head out.

Petra finally sat up and began to rub her head. "That wasn't the nap I needed..." she groaned. "How long do we have until we fall out of orbit?" she asked curiously.

It was around this time that Nezuko sauntered back into Station Ops. She went straight to one of the consoles to find the answer to Petra’s question, which she signed to Johnson.

"We have officially passed the point where the hope of saving this station is gone. We have forty minutes before we plunge into the atmosphere and burn to a crisp" Thomas replied as he looked, "Has anyone noticed Lt Johnson."

"Lieutenant Johnson is gone." Came Liz's groggy voice over the coms. "As is Petty Officer Miyafuji. Both were disintegrated."

Thomas could feel his stomach churn, a ball rising up from his stomach. His fist clenching, his hands trembling. He did not say anything however, just turning to the console, away from others sight.

Rolling over, Liz rustled Chiyo to get her to start moving.

"Come on, Chiyo: Wake up." She said.

"No, don't leave me, Tatsuo..." Chiyo muttered.

"Major Shimada's okay." Liz reported as Chiyo rose to a sitting position, rubbing her eyes.

"What happened?" She asked. "One minute we were kicking Elachi ass, the next.... Poof... Out like a light..."

"I gave Commander Chisato the go ahead to give us a quick nap." Thomas replied beating back anger. "Including the hostiles, we need to contact the Captain." Walking over to a different console. Within seconds the screen of the bridge appeared, albeit staticy. "Captain, hows everything going on your end."

To be continued...

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