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What traumatic memories lay buried deep within the unconscious mind?
I hope you enjoy reading!
Leave a comment and let me know what you think please! I love reading them, anything is appreciated! :)
Darkness surrounded him like a deep pool, faint light slowly peering through the shadows. A chill ran over him from the tips of his ear to the base of his tail. There was a sound, a voice? No, just his thoughts he reasoned; it was almost quiet enough for him to hear his heartbeat. He felt as if something important should be weighing on his mind, but the silence was so wonderfully calming.
A content smile rested on the Caitian’s face as he purred softly, opening his eyes to the warmth of the summer sun beaming down on him. Clothed only in his fur, his chest expanded as he filled his lungs and sighed peacefully. Arms up to support his head, he began to hum the first melody that came to mind as the lake carried him in its hands. Time slowed with the stillness of the water. A gentle breeze swept overhead, swaying the surrounding purple trees that provided a canopy of shade, rustling dried leaves and grass. Only the shimmering of dry brush and ripples from fish broke the silence. Floating along the surface of the secluded lake, his stress melted away; this was just what he had wanted. Sa’Rahn missed home dearly, it had been far too long since he had returned. His parents had wanted a visit from him for years now, but the guilt he felt held him back.
Breaking the blue-green barrier that supported him, Sa’Rahn effortlessly plunged his hand beneath him, grasping at the water blindly until he felt the cold bumpy scales of a fish, as if it were planned. Lifting his arm up, his fur soaked and dripping wet, he grinned slyly at the sight of the wriggling meal. It was a big one too, nice and plump! Just as Sa’Rahn opened his jaws, preparing to down the fish whole, a familiar chirp that seemed to come from all around abruptly interrupted him. “Ugh… computer, end program.” He mumbled with a defeated grunt, but not before attempting to toss the poor fish back to its home as everything vanished around him. In a flash of light the world deconstructed into shapes and nothingness, dumping the Caitain back to reality. Even his fur was left dry as he lay on the cold floor holodeck, nude. Licking his chops, at least he had gotten a half-decent meal in the process, even if it was fake and replicated on-the-fly. If only they had been live fish though, he wished.
After attempting to sit up, only to remember that wasn’t really feasible, Sa’Rahn rolled over and pushed himself to his feet, staggering over to the discarded uniform he had left near the entrance. Rummaging through the wrinkled clothes, he was a bit thankful he had had the computer lock the doors, realizing how awkwardly exposed he was. Another chirp rang before finally unearthing his combadge. “Go ahead?” He spoke after giving it a tap, collapsing back down and crossing one leg to catch his breath.
“Commander, we’re approaching our destination, you’re requested on the bridge.” A familiar voice explained.
“That was fast… Understood, on my way.” Sa’Rahn replied, rubbing the bridge of his muzzle. A part of him wished he could just stay in the holodeck and relax more. He still wanted to eat that fourth fish. But Sa’Rahn was well accustomed to his duties and didn’t have any real problem, other than fleeting thoughts of laziness. Besides, he had started the program knowing he would be called away eventually.
Sa’Rahn made a mental note to return and relax more with the program when his duties were finished. Finally decent once more, brushing himself off, he entered his personal code into the holodeck’s arch interface to unlock the doors. Although against Starfleet’s dress code, Sa’Rahn left his jacket undone as he reattached his badge. The top had grown rather tight over the past year, leaving him unable to close it properly. If he sucked it all in, he could still zip it shut, but just barely. Instead of punishing him with the embarrassment of requisitioning a new, larger uniform, the Captain kindly allowed the jacket to remain open during day-to-day activities, understanding of the struggle of his disorder. Though never spoken of, Sa’Rahn was more than thankful his Captain was so lenient on the issue.
Although the halls were mostly empty, the occasional crewmen would nod or exchange a ‘SIr’ as they passed him. Although there had been ample time, most of their names admittedly slipped his mind. That one ‘red-head in engineering’, the ‘guy with the stupid-looking buzzcut’, that one ‘tentacle-thing’ were often how he remembered them. Sa’Rahn would return their greetings, trying his best not to appear out of breath as he made his way to the closest turbolift. The Muhalo was a small escort, but even still, the trek from one area of the ship to the next winded him. Regardless, today he seemed to have more energy than usual for some reason. Sa’Rahn tugged on his exposed undershirt as he activated the lift, making sure it wasn’t riding up on him. Taking a short breath to put his mind in the right place, he clasped his hands behind his back as the turbolift opened to the bridge.
His entrance was met with silence, but was to be expected while officers performed their jobs. Sa’Rahn did however feel a few friendly eyes glance his way in acknowledgement before returning to their duties. Upon hearing the heavy Caitian lumbering down the ramp around the centre, at least one familiar face turned his way to greet him. Sa’Rahn had known Captain Fort’yive for almost a decade now. A slender male Trill with tapered brown hair, he was a strong willed man, standing only slightly shorter than Sa’Rahn himself. He wore the standard Starfleet captain’s uniform with four pips and bright red along his shoulders, common for the era. With a proud and centered demeanor behind his cobalt eyes, the Captain nodded slightly as his first officer arrived. “Commander, nice of you to join us.”
Sa’Rahn bowed his head in return as he turned to take his seat. “Thank you, Sir. Sorry it took me a moment to answer before.”
Fort’yive rolled his head and waved him off as he leaned in his chair, head lifted to the viewscreen ahead. “Don’t worry about it.”
Sa’Rahn had originally met Fort’yive back at Starfleet Academy at the age of eighteen. New to Earth and San Francisco, let alone cultures other than his own, the younger and more bashful Sa’Rahn had great difficulties adjusting to the foreign environment. Treated the same as all other cadets, he was issued housing and assigned a roommate, Fort’yive. Growing up on Cait, Sa’Rahn was well accustomed to the teasing and bullying handed to him in the Militia. While such was still present at the Academy to a degree, it was refreshing to befriend someone of his own age who didn’t choose to berate him for his weight or lack of skill. Over the coming years, the two grew to be close friends, with more memories than he could number.
Unfortunately, Sa’Rahn lost contact with his friend shortly after being expelled from the Academy in a scandal. Retreating back home to Cait, dejected by what he perceived as his own failings, Fort’yive continued his career in Starfleet, training as a Tactical Officer and pilot. Fort’yive had later shared stories of his short time under his own late Captain. Sa’Rahn knew after a tragic incident however, Fort’yive found himself in command far earlier than anyone should. What’s more, the Federation had been in an escalating silent war with the Undine, firefights cropping up with increasing frequency. The threat was only growing bolder each day. Every able ship was needed, leaving Fort’yive’s questionable authority for later discussions that would never happen. It didn’t take long before Fort’yive’s actions were noticed by influential superiors within Starfleet, and he was tasked with sensitive missions pertaining to preventing a war. Granted permission to pursue his orders however he deemed fit, within reason, Fort’yive readily chose to extend a battle commission to his old friend, overturning Sa’Rahn’s dishonorable discharge. While Starfleet was less than pleased by the turn of events, they did little to oppose the promotion.
Sa’Rahn reached behind tucking his tail under himself as he relaxed in the comfy leathery seat to the right of the Captain. While regaining his breath however, something felt different. Discreetly glancing down at himself, he couldn’t help but notice the armrests of his chair weren’t digging into his sides like usual. In fact, his waistline was much smaller too! Granted, his round stomach still spilled out into his lap as always, but he was none the less visibly thinner! Dumbfounded, Sa’Rahn lightly prodded his middle with his fingers, thinking it somehow to be fake. It wasn’t! His breathing grew faster as he began to panic, confused, immediately jumping to the conclusion that he wasn’t in his own body anymore! But, no, he reasoned, despite his size, he otherwise felt fine. He was very much in his own body. Looking at himself, Sa’Rahn examined his hands, his tail, and even his legs. This was definitely him. The realization calmed him slightly, but only for a moment before more dire thoughts of what could have caused this began to flood his mind. Could he have gone back in time somehow? Sa’Rahn had only recently become Iris’s mate; he recalled someone in-the-know once telling him he might experience temporal flashbacks or something along those lines. He couldn’t remember exactly. Was that what this was? No, no that couldn’t be it. Sa’Rahn nodded to himself, vividly remembering his day so far, even what he had for breakfast this morning. The feeling couldn’t be shaken however as he continued to blankly stare at himself. His mouth formed thoughts into words silently without realizing it, not aware he was making a bit of a scene.
“Do you need a moment there, First?” Fort’yive asked quietly as he eyed his officer, making sure he didn’t draw undue attention to him.
Sa’Rahn raised his head at the voice of his Captain, breaking free from his growing list of questions. “Arh, no, Sir. I-… I’m fine.” Sa’Rahn said softly, trying to act as casual as possible, which unfortunately for him, made it all the more clear he was trying to act as casual as possible. Nonchalantly tugging on his undershirt, he slumped back in his chair, leaning comfortably to one side. A chill ran up his back upon realizing he could actually lean to one side with ease! Shaking his head some, he asked, “What-... what’s our status?”
“See for yourself.” The Captain answered, gesturing to the viewscreen.
Floating among the stars ahead hung what at first looked like an excessively large hunk of debris. Squinting some in confusion, Sa’Rahn soon realized the object to be a ship of some kind, box-shaped by design with port and aft maneuvering fins, looking to be carrying multiple cargo containers on the undercarriage. The vessel was dark, all external lights disabled. Only distant stars revealed the faded brown exterior, leaving it ghostly and dead. “It looks abandoned.” Sa’Rahn asked openly.
“Sensors say it’s an Andorian supply freighter, but Zosov back there identified it before the computers could.” The Captain explained, shooting a glance over his shoulder to a rugged Andorian at his station.
Antenna bending slightly to his name, Zosov added, “I once served aboard a freighter similar to this one that frequented this region of the Argelius Sector. It’s a common trade route for food products and livestock for my people.”
Sa’Rahn’s ears perked as he listened. “Food, eh?”
“Easy there, First. Zosov tells me they’re most likely carrying tuber roots, so don’t get too excited.” Fort’yive smirked, returning his gaze ahead.
“Andorian tuber roots are considered a delicacy by many, I would welcome the chance to enjoy one fresh.” Zosov rebutted.
“I’ve had tuber roots, they’re like cold potatoes.” The Captain chuckled at Zosov’s reaction before turning his attention back to his first officer. “Seven hours ago we picked up a distress signal from that ship. We were the closest ship in range able to respond. We’re approaching them now.”
“Do we know what happened?” Sa’Rahn questioned.
Sa’Rahn’s ears turned to Yeriz, a long haired, attractive female Trill sitting off to the side as she began to explain. “It was a standard distress relay. Long-range sensors indicated they were disabled, plasma venting from their engines, possibly a fuel containment leak. I’ve been attempting to hail them, but their communications are down. I’m currently running another scan to see if I can uncover more details of what happened.”
Sa’Rahn harrumphed silently at the dull answer, only his chest and belly heaving to give him away. This seemed like a simple check-in, if one could even call it that, trivial at best. The lazy voice inside his head couldn’t help but wish he was still in the holodeck. Nodding as thanks to Yeriz, he leaned closer to his Captain, asking, “Do we think someone attacked them? The ship looks mostly untouched…”
Fort’yive had known his first officer and friend for many year, so it took little effort to discern the true reasons for such sheepish questioning. Leaning closer to Sa’Rahn, he replied quietly, “Commander, I wanted to hear what you thought about the situation.” Fort’yive paused, gathering his thoughts while looking to the derelict ship, slowly shaking his head. “Something’s not sitting right with me on this...”
“What do you mean?” Sa’Rahn questioned, glancing up at the screen as well, then back.
“It just seems… convenient how we can’t hail them, how their engines are disabled and we were the only ones around for it...” He paused, raising a hand to his mouth momentarily.
Sa’Rahn couldn’t help but smell the light sweat on the Captain’s forehead, how his hand was shaking ever so slightly. Considering his friend a moment longer, he frowned. “It’s just a potato freighter, Sir, in the middle of Federation space too. I doubt it’s a Nicor in disguise this far out. There’s nothing around here they would care about either.” He paused looking over his shoulder before continuing. “Besides, wouldn’t we have detected fluidic… stuff?”
Fort’yive eyed his hefty friend, briefly mulling over his officer’s speculation before nodding in agreement. “I suppose you’re right.” The Trill scratched his chin, his eyes still intently latched on to the viewscreen as the ship grew closer. “I’m just getting bad vibes from what happened on P’jem.”
Sa’Rahn thought for a moment if he ought to respond, but was interrupted by Yeriz before he had a chance. “Captain, I’m receiving data back from the scan now. I’m not sure what I’m looking at here…” Her face tightened as she carefully examined her station’s display. “There are vast quantities of plasma and radiation emitting from their engines as expected, but I’m also picking up trace amounts of rapidly decaying isotopes from another source. They’re faint though, the scan barely can read them.”
“Any idea what caused it?” Fort’yive questioned. “Does it match any known polymorphing discharges used by Undine vessels?”
“I can confirm it’s definitely not of Undine origin, but the isotopes are nearly gone as it is. I can’t get a proper reading.” Yeriz answered.
Shifting in his seat as people talked around him, Sa’Rahn glanced to his Captain. “Sir, um, if there’s radiation leaking over there, their crew might need medical attention. We should get a team to assist them if they need help.”
“Quite right. R’Shee, assemble an away team. Inform sickbay to prepare for potential patients with radiation exposure. Gather for-...” Without warning, a thunderous rumble resonated through the hull! Groans of metal echoed in the walls as lights and displays flickered, quaking the ship, as if seized by an invisible hand! Sa’Rahn’s ears flattened, claws extending on instinct! He clutched the arms of his chair, fearing he might be thrown from his seat! Fort’yive’s head rose sharply, eyes tense, firmly asking to anyone who would provide him an answer first, “What was that!?”
“Sir, there’s a tractor beam holding us in place! It’s not coming from the from the freighter.” Yeriz spoke first.
“Polarize the hull and find the source! Red Alert!” At his command the bridge dimmed and the overhead lights glowed crimson red. Sa’Rahn cringed a little as a single klaxon rang loudly.
“Captain, there’s a feedback pulse that’s being tethered to the tractor beam, systems aren’t responding.” Zosov exclaimed. “I can’t break us free.”
“Use port, aft, and dorsal sensors to detect spikes in the feedback pulse to triangulate the origin. I want to know who’s holding us!” Fort’yive commanded.
Sa’Rahn felt his hackles rise and his stomach drop in fear as he answered his Captain, motioning to the viewscreen. “I don’t think we need to do that...” Stars shimmered and twisted above the disabled freighter like looking through melting glass as a massive ship suddenly appeared! An iridescent shine coated the dulled brown and green hull, sharply curved wings encircled its engines, spanning wide enough as if to fit another smaller ship between them. The thin neck lead from the gaunt body to an enormous pointed beak of a head. Sa’Rahn quickly recognized the ship as a Romulan D’Deridex Warbird! He had seen and studied the terrifying vessels all too many times. The Muhalo, an experimental escort, might as well have been a shuttle in comparison to the behemoth!
Fort’yive’s mild hints of shellshocked worry quickly changed to confusion and brewing anger as he stared at the Romulan vessel facing them head on. His eyes unwavering from the screen, as if locked into a game of chicken, he motioned to Yeriz. “Hail them.” Upon noting she had done so, he continued, “This is Captain Fort’yive of the U.S.S. Muhalo. Identify yourself.”
There was no response.
The bridge grew silent as the Captain arched his neck, repeating himself more firmly. “This is Captain Fort’yive of the U.S.S. Muhalo. Identify yourself.”
Sa’Rahn sat stiffly in his seat and kept his hands in his lap, trying his very best to keep a calm composure while the Captain attempted to raise the Romulans. His heart was pounding inside his chest, his whiskers and tail quivering, terrified of the monstrous ship staring them down. He well knew the Muhalo’s origin, and that it could go toe-to-toe with such a fortress if the need arose. The allures of such reassurances did little to calm him however. While remaining quiet but observant, Sa’Rahn slowly began to notice differences in the D’deridex, compared to others he had seen in the past. Thick slabs of pitted metal fused down the vessel's prow, forming a crude hooked beak. Jagged slashes separated the plates, intersected by sickly glowing tracks of light. Dark shadows like scorch marks marred the hull, intersected by brightly glowing green circuits that seemed to lead nowhere. Most notable however was the deflector, a hexagonal shape recessed into the center, flickering blue-green with countless gaunt cables feeding inward. The colors reminded him of something sinister. It had been some time since he had reviewed D’deridex schematics, but Sa’Rahn was positive such additions were not standard to Romulan warbirds.
“Can they hear us?” Fort’yive turned to ask his science officer.
“You’re broadcasting on all known frequencies, Sir...” Yeriz paused, looking over her station’s readings. “That’s strange, the computer’s unable to identify the ship as Romulan…”
“That is very clearly a Romulan warbird holding onto us, Lieutenant.” The Captain stated flatly.
“Scans of the ship appear mixed. The registration is clearly Romulan, but I’m picking up energy signatures common for the Bor-...”
“Captain! I’m detecting a massive power spike on the warbird!” Zosov interrupted loudly from behind. “They’re accelerating to full impulse from a dead stop... they’re on a collision course straight for us!”
Sa’Rahn’s composure began to crack as he witnessed the enormous vessel quickly barging towards them, intent on ramming them! “Get us out of here, R’Shee. Full reverse!” Fort’yive ordered.
“Sir they still have us in a tractor beam!” Zosov called out. “Fifteen seconds to contact!”
“We’re dead in the water…” The Captain mumbled as he stared ahead, unheard by the bridge, save for Sa’Rahn. Only the slightest hint of panic coating his words, Fort’yive promptly turned and pointed to Zosov. “Divert all power to the forward shields! Engines, auxiliary, life support if you need to!”
“Aye, Sir.” Zosov replied. “Seven seconds to contact.”
“Brace for impact!” The Captain barked as he took his seat once more.
Sa’Rahn could feel his knuckles crack from gripping the arms of his chair, bracing himself as he watched the D’deridex closing in. Giving into his fear finally, he shut his eyes and looked away in dread as the ship violently jolted beneath him on impact, overwhelming the inertial dampeners! Blinding splashes of light and energy pulsed on the viewscreen brighter than the sun as shields collided with the Warbird’s nose! Overhead lights burst as the hull buckled like a rubber band from the backlash, spewing glass and sparks like fountains down on the bridge! Sa’Rahn heard a few, including himself, cry out as shards sprayed upon him! Klaxons blared so loudly it almost drown out multiple stations exploding, sending two officers to the floor! Sa’Rahn tried to cough as smoke from fires that had erupted around him entered his lungs, but was flung from his chair and sent slamming to the ground before he had the chance! He howled loudly, feeling a sharp pain somewhere in his ankle!
The rumbling quickly subsided, leaving the once pristine bridge ravaged! Lifting his head, his heavy body trembling, Sa’Rahn wiped his bleeding nose, searching out others. Hammers pounding in his skull, he was convinced he had a concussion. Yeriz seemed alright, Zosov was bleeding from his temple but also appeared fine. Two other officers were unconscious, including the pilot. Sa’Rahn began to utter a Caitian prayer to himself, scared for his life, knowing the attack surely wasn’t over. He yelped in fear as a strong hand latched onto his shoulder, only afterwards realizing it was the Captain lending a hand to help him to his feet. “What’s our status!?” Fort’yive snapped.
“Shie-... shields at twelve percent... hull breaches on decks three, four, and seven…” Zosov replied seconds later, moving to a station that wasn’t in flames. Wiping at the blue blood dripping from his brow, he continued. “Reports of severe injuries on all decks, no casualties.”
“Are the Romulans still holding us!? Can you get us out of here?”
“Negative. The frontal shields deflected most of the impact, but not without major hull damage... that hit sent feedback though the entire EPS grid, our warp core is offline; we’re on emergency power. Maneuvering thrusters only.” Zosov paused, shaking his head to clear his vision as he read the cracked monitor in front of him. “Wha-... Sir the enemy ship has come about behind us, they’re charging some sort of weapon!”
“That’s not possible...!” Before the Captain could finish speaking, the ship rumbled like a thunderous ocean wave, collapsing Sa’Rahn to his knees. He winced in pain and tried to cover his ears as a piercing hiss flooded the burning air. Bright blue flashes illuminated every inch of the the bridge in a series of pulsing bursts like a strobe light, lasting only a but moment. Then silence. Looking around the bridge once his eyes adjusted, as if searching for a physical answer to what caused the flash, Fort’Yive turned to Yeriz. “What was that?”
Wiping her hair from her face, legs unsteady and swaying at her console, she replied, “Unclear. Internal sensors are detecting ionized radiation, it cut right through our hull... Sir, the isotopes present are decaying at the same rate as the ones around the freighter…” Yeriz panted, raising her hand to her forehead, damp with sweat as she seemed to struggle to keep her eyes open. “I don’t-… I don’t know what-…”
“Captain,” Zosov interrupted, all of a sudden looking equally as ill, “we’ve been boarded! I’m detecting half a dozen lifesigns on decks two and four.”
Sa’Rahn blinked rapidly trying to clear his vision, air and cotton clotting his head. Everything around him glowed with a dim aura, pale blue and green circles fluttered like moths in his eyes. He could feel his heart threatening to burst as his skin began heat up. Fever rushing through his veins, nausea started to settle in his gut. It didn’t take long before he began to heave and whimper as the contents of his stomach drained from his mouth. Why did he taste metal? “C-Captain…” He gurgled.
“Get security to those decks! We need our warp core back online!” Fort’yive ordered to Zosov before turning back to Yeriz. “Initiate a ship-wide radiation cleanse.”
“System’s aren’t respond-... aren’t respo-...” Yeriz stammered breathless, her words slurring. Sa’Rahn could do nothing, powerless as he watched the young woman collapse to the floor shortly after, unconscious.
“S-Sir… Engineering and Security aren’t-...” An unfinished sentence and loud thud to the floor behind him was all Sa’Rahn needed to hear to grasp what was happening to the crew and himself.
Terrified as the world started to blur and enclose around him, Sa’Rahn frantically uttered another Caitian prayer beneath his breath, and another, begging the Gods he didn’t really believe in to save him. Falling to his side with a wet cough, blood still gushing from his nose, he could hear the muffled sounds of his Captain cursing, and then some mechanism like a door slide open. Sa’Rahn reacted slightly as he felt something sharp press into his neck. As if by a hand of the Gods he had bargained with moments before, his heart began to beat faster as he seemed to regain some of his strength. An energy he could physically feel surged through him, itching like ants under his skin. Although diminishing only a little, the nausea in his belly and fever started to subside. “Come on, First…! No sleeping on the job…” Fort’yive grunted, taking his officer’s furry hand and helping him to his feet a second time.
Ears ringing, his fur dripping with sweat, Sa’Rahn wobbled in place as the world spun as if he were drunk. Gasping for air in short, raspy breaths, the dazed Caitian watched as his Captain discard what looked like a pair of oddly shaped hyposprays to the ground, turning to retrieve two hand phasers from an emergency wall panel off to the side of the bridge. “Wha-... what did you… do?” He mumbled, confused by the sudden invigoration in his blood.
“Afte-... After P’Jem… I had the doctor synthesize an adrenaline-based compound, in the event we were exposed to fluidic radiation. Seems my para-... paranoia paid off. It shou-... sho-... it should keep us conscious for a little while, but we need to hurry!” The Captain answered slowly, struggling to swallow with each word. Turning back to grasp Sa’Rahn’s hand, he placed one of the hand-held phasers he had taken into it, closing his fingers around the grip. “If what’s happening to us is any indi-... indication… the whole c-crew is probably unconscious. We… we need to get to engineering, restart the antimatter injectors and re-initialize matrix. We can then... then... use engineering’s manual overrides to warp out of here. Set that to stun and follow me...”
The weapon rattled like a toy in his trembling hand. While trained how to use a phaser, Sa’Rahn tried to avoid it whenever he could, they scared him. Fearfully grasping the small pistol, trying to be brave, he followed his Captain to the turbolift, asking, “R-right… where are we warping to? The nearest spacedock? F-for reinforcements?”
“I’d settle for just about anywhere but here right now...”
Sa’Rahn leaned his heavy body against the wall of the turbolift, panting, trying his best to stay awake. His lungs felt as if they had been pumped full of water, they weighed heavily in his chest. The flickering lights of the turbolift hurt his head as he rubbed his eyes, his vision still doubled and unsteady from the fever he could feel in his temples. “Why... would Romulans attack us? We’re allies with them... And… and in this region of space, too?” Sa’Rahn questioned, slightly slurred as his mouth struggled to form words.
Sa’Rahn slid along the wall and sucked in his stomach as best he could as the turbolift doors opened, trying to expose as little of himself as possible at the directive of his Captain. Cautiously aiming his weapon down sights before peeking out, Fort’yive motioned his first officer to follow, only then answering, “Something tells me the Romulans aren’t behind this... or at least not the ones we know. You saw that warbird, it was modified beyond recognition. Keep your phaser ready, stay behind me.”
The stench of smoke saturated the stale air of the darkened corridor. Wall paneling had buckled and bent like crumpled paper, exposing plasma relays and circuitry along the sides, some of which amazingly hadn’t been destroyed in the attack. Pipes and live wires dangled like exposed entrails from blown ceiling plates. Fiery sparks sprayed from burst LCARS screens along the walls, dancing in the scarlet red emergency lights before fizzling out. Sa'Rahn could clearly smell and feel the warmth of a live fire, somewhere ahead. “What-... what did they hit us with? I feel like my guts are melting! And… why do I taste metal?” Sa’Rahn asked quietly, nervously glancing over his shoulder as he clutched his pounding head. It felt like his brain were going to explode.
“Hard to say, some sort of radiation pulse.” Fort’yive swallowed, never taking his eyes off the corridor ahead. “If you’re tasting metal that’s not good… I don’t know if whatever they shot us with is fatal, but if we don’t get to engineering to reinitialize the warp drive, we won’t-...” The Captain abruptly cut himself short as he rose a hand to stop as they approached a bend in the hallway. Sa’Rahn had been fearfully following so closely behind his Captain he nearly bumped into him upon halting at command. Although confused at first, it didn’t take long before Sa’Rahn understood. Although his ears were throbbing from the ship’s red alert that was still blaring like a screaming child, among other sounds and smells that overwhelmed his senses, he could faintly hear the thumping of boots stamping the floor, growing closer. Sniffing the burnt air he could smell two, no, three people maybe!
Drawing back a step as he quickly planned in his mind, Fort’yive silently motioned to his first officer, pointing to a recessed door nearby for cover. Although he was obviously far too large for the frame to provide any sort of meaningful protection, Sa’Rahn obeyed. All doors around them were on lockdown, leaving only the turbolift as their escape route, there was nowhere else to hide. His heart beating out of his chest, sweat dripping from his fur and into his eyes, Sa’Rahn tried not to make any noise as he started to panic. He could see the looming shadows of three armed figures approached the bend in the corridor! Looking to his Captain for direction, Fort’yive gave a slight nod with a brave glint in his eyes, approval to fire when presented a target.
Sa’Rahn only managed a glimpse of the first Romulan, their sparkly checkered garb and skull-tight haircut reflecting red light in his eyes before Fort’yive fired the first shot, wounding one of them! There was no time to go any other way but through them, they had to be neutralized! Warned with a cry from one of the Romulans, Sa’Rahn quickly found himself pressed against the door frame as flat as he could go! Countless green bolts zipped past, violently striking the walls like explosive raindrops! The wailing of energy echoing in his ears, he could feel the radiant heat of plasma singeing his fur from those that nearly hit him! Too frightened to expose himself any more than he already was, he shot blindly down the hallway! It was impossible for him to tell if any of his shots connected.
After what felt like an eternity of a one-sided barrage, Fort’yive motioned to retreat back down the hall. They were too exposed. Knowing his first officer knew what to do, the Captain lurched out to provide covering fire while backing up as well. Sa’Rahn hurridly ducked and slinked to the other side of the corridor, with more grace than might be expected for his size. He was amazed he hadn’t gotten shot in the process! “Is there another way to engineering!?” He asked, raising his voice over the firefight, shooting down the hallway to dissuade the Romulans from following them.
“None that we can use before the stimulant I gave us wears off.” Fort’yive replied, firing a well-aimed blast upon seeing one of the Romulans peek their head out.
The ear-splitting screeches of plasma rounds piercing the air flooded in his head like needles! His stomach was growing nauseous again; he could feel the effects of the injection beginning to wane. Struggling to breathe left him distracted; he heard only the slightest shuffle of fabric and body before suddenly feeling something hard jabbing into the his ribs! A muscular arm quickly wrapped around his throat, pulling him from behind! He instinctively jerked and yelped, trying to jolt forward, too terrified to understand he was in a headlock! The blood in his veins ran cold and sounds grew faint upon feeling something sharp slice into the fat of his neck! Although Sa’Rahn’s stubby muzzle blocked some of his view, he could tell his captor was holding a multi-edged dagger to his throat, the blade already cutting him from the prior struggle! “Drop your weapon.” A low, grizzled voice rumbled.
Sa’Rahn knew the proper thing would have been to yell out to his Captain, warn him of the flank, try to save him. That’s what a brave soldier would do, he reasoned. Instead, his knees began to wobble and fail under him, tears streaming down his fur as he began to cry. He felt a cold fall over him as he soiled himself from fear. “P-pl-p-please…!” He whimpered, begging for his life! This Romulan was going to kill him, slice his throat open and murder him if he didn’t yield! Sa’Rahn wheezed and sobbed, praying his captor wouldn’t hurt him! Without a moment's hesitation, what grip remained on his phaser loosened obediently until the weapon fell to the ground.
The metallic clack of the gun falling, bouncing a little and striking the wall was enough to alert Fort’yive. Turning his head to the noise, Sa’Rahn witnessed his Captain’s expression shift from that of determination and courage to that of fear for his first officer’s life. “Captain, help me please!” Sa’Rahn wanted to blurt out! But it was too late. The intruders sized the opportunity while Fort’yive had left himself exposed! Adrenaline pumping through his heart, time seemed to slow as Sa’Rahn helplessly watched a pale turquoise bolt strike his Captain in the side with the force of a left-hook, radioactive energy like fairy dust eating through the Starfleet uniform! Injured and confused, the Romulans took no time before blasting a second, and third bolt into his back as Fort’yive collapsed!
Just as he screamed, Sa’Rahn felt a buzzing sensation in his abdomen. It felt soothing and warm at first, like a fizzy drink on a cold day. An almost pleasant sensation until his skin began to bubble and burn, pain splintering from his back! His legs crumbled sending Sa’Rahn to his hands and knees! Fear, sound, and confusion clouded his mind in a dizzying fog from the realization of being shot in the back! He heaved, convulsing as he tried to throw up again. Looking up with what little strength he had left, he could see two of the Romulans kneeling over the body of his Captain, prodding some hand-held device into his neck. Worry for his Captain faded sharp kick to the base of his skull slammed him to the ground. Two sharp stings of pain raced through his neck as the world that around him faded away, colors mixing like oil in water.
Frightened and confused, Sa'Rahn rapidly regained his senses! Struggling to push himself off the dirty ground in a panic, he scrambled to his feet, clouds of dust kicking up as he turned to face the attackers! Head spinning and limbs quivering, his momentum promptly knocked him down again. Sa’Rahn clutched the pain in his neck, looking at his hand afterwards to reveal his fur soaked red with blood. He yelped in fear, frantically clasping his hands over the apparent wound, believing the worst! “You alright there, First?” A familiar voice asked him, strikingly calm given the situation. Gasping at ghostly pains as the filthy air of the planet entered his lungs, Sa’Rahn paused, disoriented as he stared at his Captain’s extended hand. “Tripping over your tail again, eh?” Fort’yive smirked.
Sa’Rahn panted for breath as he took his Captain’s grasp unquestioningly. His trembling legs stabilizing once back on his feet, he held his chest trying to recover. He could feel scum and grime amassing in his nostrils like glue with each breath he took. Glancing up at his surroundings, he readily recognized the mining settlement of Caol, a terribly cramped and dirty pace. All around, shoddily welded buildings encroached on every meter of open space as haphazard girders and makeshift walls stretched to the murky, empty sky. “What-... where…?” Sa’Rahn mumbled, shivering as a his thoughts grew disjointed. “What happened to the ship? An-… and the Romu-… W-where are we...?”
Captain Fort’yive, standing only a few feet in front of him, tilted his head in concern as he looked over his disheveled officer. “We’re... here to find Madran, see if we can get some answers out of him. Remember? First, are you feeling alright? You don’t look so good…”
Hands rising to meet his forehead, Sa’Rahn shut his eyes and tried to sort things out. Memories of being shot, the attack, the burning pain in his back, all faded away. But, that had been almost two weeks ago now! What was he thinking, he had just tripped is all. The thin atmosphere was making him lightheaded. “I… no, no I’m fine. I’m sorry, Sir. I’m-...” Sa’Rahn froze as his hackles rose instinctively, eyes widening upon looking over his Captain. Blood was pouring from the side of the Trill’s neck, nearly half his uniform soaked crimson red! Pointing to his friend, Sa’Rahn’s shuddered as he stammered, “Your-... your neck…!”
Fort’yive squinted and offered the Caitian a confused stare before absently reaching to his throat, feeling to where Sa’Rahn gestured. His hand quickly becoming covered in blood, the Captain casually rubbing his fingers together, as if indifferent to the half-coagulated gore. “What are you talking about, Commander?” He questioned, his eyes looking through his hand as if it were invisible!
He didn’t see it, didn’t feel the blood dripping from his grasp? “I… n-nevermind. It must be the light… my mistake.” Sa’Rahn compulsively lied, trying to convince himself he was somehow wrong!
The Trill glanced at his first officer, regarding the odd behavior a moment before nodding and turning away, motioning him to follow. “... Either way, you dropped your phaser. Pick it up and let’s get going. Caol is a small town, it won’t be difficult to find Madran here I’m sure.”
“Right… right.” Sa’Rahn mumbled, lagging behind as he reached to the cold ground below, retrieving the weapon hesitantly.
This wasn’t the first time Sa’Rahn had visited this mining settlement, if one could call it that. It had been almost a year since he’d been part of the away team assigned to investigate an illegal weapon trading depot, ironically run by the very same Ferengi they were searching for now. Although the mission was rather uneventful in its success, the decrepit colony had impressed in his mind. Sa’Rahn felt his stomach drop a bit, dizzy as he raised his head to the sky, seeing stars sparkling and providing the only source of natural light to the eternal night of the moon. Enormous hunks of debris and countless asteroids orbited above, feeling close enough to touch almost, suspended by invisible threads. Toxic clouds of green and blue billowed from the strip mines before shimmering in the sky, tainting the heavy air. Despite the near freezing temperature, he was burning up inside. “Sir, what makes you think Madran is still here?” Sa’Rahn asked as he wiped the sweat from his forehead, hurrying his pace slightly to match his Captain’s. “... Or if he knows anything...?” He added, hoping to be reminded of what they were doing.
“Because he’s Ferengi. You’ve met him before, Sa’Rahn. Say what you will, but even after last year, I’m sure he’s still skulking around. Had too much of a business going on here to just up and leave...” Fort’yive explained, glancing around as they walked. “Those weapons he was dealing were of Romulan origin, unregistered. Which means he has connections to the Romulan black market, possibly Tal Shiar contacts. While Starfleet Intelligence chases their tails in bureaucratic nonsense trying to figure out what to do about us, Madran is the best lead we have for any possible information about what the nanites were for.”
“Wait, what? Nanites!?” Sa’Rahn asked, his voice cracking in fear.
“Yes, the nanites. The ones those Romulans put into the both of us specifically. We’ve already been over this, remember? Admiral Chotté is the one that gave us clearance from quarantine.”
“Oh, right. That’s right…” Sa’Rahn shook his head, suppressing the urge to argue and ask more questions. How could he forget that?
The mining colony had been a front at first, used to hide the weapon dealing. Madran offered ‘honest’ work to all who came, refugees, aliens, widows and orphans even, all unknowingly signing their lives away to be entrapped in unpayable debt soon after, turned into little more than slaves. It was disconcerting he had gone unnoticed by the Federation for so long. While Fort’yive remained unfazed by the rampant poverty in the streets, Sa’Rahn subconsciously gripped his holstered phaser as the two made their way through a series of narrow alleyways.
The stench of burning garbage and feces in the air made him cough. Local residents huddled around blazing trash fires or were lying on the street in filth and debris. Some of them were dead he knew. Sa’Rahn felt sorry for them, yet was afraid of them too. Most glared, eyeing his relatively clean uniform and the iconic badge with menacing scowls. He could hear murmurs and threats being whispered as they passed. They were of various species, some of which Sa’Rahn didn’t recognize, others too deformed by the intense labor and radiation to identify. Their scent made him feel ill, it was clear most of them hadn’t bathed in any length of time. He couldn’t help but feel self-conscious either, noticing most were scavenging for food, starving and emaciated. All the while he toted around ample evidence of his gluttony. He pulled in his stomach some, sure it only added to their disdain. “I wish we could help these people...” Sa’Rahn said softly, hoping no one but his Captain would hear.
“I know, but there’s nothing we can do right now.” Fort’yive replied coldly.
Sa’Rahn hesitated to respond, his attention caught on a small Bolian child in the distance, cold and almost naked, hiding behind a fallen pile of scrap metal. Almost as soon as their eyes met, the child turned and ran into the shadows without a trace. He sighed and shook his head, “How could the Federation let this happen? Why didn’t-...”
“Sa’Rahn?” Someone said as a hand touched his shoulder from behind.
Startled at the calling of his name, Sa’Rahn spun around to the familiar voice, the world whirling before his eyes. Before he could make sense of what was happening, everything snapped back into focus. He was suddenly greeted with hot and heavy puffs of foul breath inches from his face, reeking with caked lipstick and cheap Saurian Brandy. Sa’Rahn could feel his heart compressing as he choked. He heaved in shock as his eyes focused, now settled on the scantily-clad green-skinned Orion who was pouring herself onto him! A warm, slightly damp hand reached up and stroked his ear, intertwining her fingers with the long brown fur on his cheeks as she whispered, lingering with each word dramatically, “Mmm... well hello there big kitty... I think you could use someone to show you a good time…” Sa’Rahn yelped upon feeling a second hand fondle his underbelly, reaching up his shirt! Without a moment’s hesitation, he instinctively shoved the woman away from assaulting him! The Orion giggled as she stumbled back, staggering a bit, obviously drunk. That was not the voice he had heard!
Head pounding, Sa’Rahn clutched his temples and covered his ears, fumbling backwards blindly. The dry hum of lights around him, every scuffle of motion, even his own breathing was blaringly loud, his senses painfully overstimulated! Although his vision was murky, Sa’Rahn quickly gathered they were no longer in the cold streets of Caol, but in a building he’d seen only once before! The stink of illegal drugs and musk permeated the room, making him dizzy. Dimly lit surroundings felt closed off, as if he were trapped inside a clouded snow globe. Walls, floors, and people appeared to be within arm’s reach, but he could only flail his grasp at the air. “Captain Fort’yive! I thought I had seen the last of you Starfleet types when you ruined me!” A pale, whiney voice spoke from behind. It sounded like doubletalk, his ears stuffed with cotton, yet the sound still resonated in his skull and teeth just the same.
Shaking his head and turning to see, there in front of his Captain sat Madran himself, accompanied by two bulky and very, very tall Nausicaan bodyguards at his sides. Casually lying back on a soiled and battered couch, the plump little Ferengi offered a distasteful sneer at the two. Sa’Rahn felt uneasy inside, readily recognizing his cold and beady eyes, his downturned mouth, and the Consortium tattoo above his right brow. “It doesn’t appear life’s treated you too poorly, Madran.” Fort’yive replied, opening his arms to encompass the debauched life the Ferengi led. “And I can see your slave business seems to be thriving still at that!”
“You have no right being here! This moon is private property!” The Ferengi barked, rubbing his lobes, slowly.
As he watched the two comically peck at each other in what seemed like an absurdly petty argument, Sa’Rahn felt a shiver claw up his back, suddenly feeling a fair bit warm inside. He felt the fur on his forehead and under his pits quickly growing damp. Loosening his jaw and letting his tongue hang free, he began to pant, the rotten scent of toxins in the air lacing his mouth. “Tal Shiar… Khiana… drugs... “ He only heard a few key words among the garbled interrogation as the world seemed to melt around him. Fear overcame him as he heard something churning inside him, buzzing through his veins, his organs bubbling and groaning.
“Eh, not do draw attention away from myself of course... but uh, your tubby friend there isn't looking too well, I might say.” Madran slyly pointed, reaching for a nearby pistol.
As if it were planned to be, moments after Madran spoke, Sa’Rahn suddenly felt his trembling legs buckle beneath him! He helplessly collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud, faintly hearing his Captain shout something as he drew his phaser, flashes of orange and green blazing above his eyes. A deafening ringing screamed in his ears as the world grew brighter. Sa’Rahn gasped for breath as the overhead sickbay lights burned brightly above him! Sweat and blood coated his tongue as he coughed up something warm and red, some of it splashing into his vision. His raspy voice howled in agony as burning pain erupted through tendons like thousands of pins pricking away at his flesh! Something sharp like a butchers knife pierced his neck! The doctor had administered a hypospray injection. “The tri-ox compound should stabilize his cardio system, but his temperature is still too high...” A mildly panicked voice stated.
“Sir he’s choking!” Another called out.
It was the nanites his Captain had mentioned! They burned and tore through his body, replicating themselves and clumped together to form meaningless constructs, clogging and ripping through his veins like paper cuts. Tearing sensations rippled across his skin as his blood began to boil like a fizzy carbonation! Sa’Rahn violently jerked and contoured in any free direction as he lost control of his extremedites, wildly flailing his arms and legs, trying to make the murderous machines stop! Numerous uncaring hands clamped on, causing the pain to spike as the nurses tried to hold him down! Sa’Rahn screamed louder than he knew he could as he believed he felt his veins bursting open, sending chills up his limbs. He could feel things trickling inside him, hot and sticky as the nanites ate away. “They’re replicating too fast, we have to kill these suckers first!” Sa’Rahn wailed at the throbbing agony inside him as he felt someone rip apart his uniform and expose his blubbery chest. Something cold pressed against his flesh before a surge of splintering pangs raced through his skin and erected his fur, causing his spine to arch in a way he didn’t think it could bend! “That slowed them down but they’re still attacking his neuro-pathways, he’s going into neuroleptic shock!” The prior voice shouted. “Give him another 4 cc of synaptizine.”
Sa’Rahn’s eyes welled up with tears, his head threatening to split open, pressure swelling behind his ears like a bloated dam. He suddenly shrieked in horror, he could hear them! He could hear the nanites piercing his eardrums, their tiny metal ratcheting dissolving his flesh like ravenous bugs ripping out of a withered cocoon! Sa’Rahn felt his bladder and colon empty, his remaining uniform quickly soaked with excrement and blood. “Sir he has a fever, he’s burning up!”
“Give him a 0.23 milliliter dose of ryetalyn for the fever, and 0.1 milliliter dose of anesthizine for the pain.”
Things started to darken everywhere he looked. Sa’Rahn believed he was falling unconscious, up until he noticed the hexagonal patterns shadowing his vision as the nanites started clumping inside his corneas! He whimpered in fear, knowing there was nothing he could do as they overtook him. He was going to die like this! A deathly cold fell over him as he laid, unable to move, more cold than he had ever felt in his entire life. Sounds deadened in his ears like listening through wool as the world receded to nothingness, the nanites stealing away the last of his sight. He felt a hand lightly touch him and a familiar voice, worried yet feigning calmness, whisper to him, “You’re going to be alright, Sa’Rahn.”
No, no he wasn’t...
_________________
-To Be Continued...
What traumatic memories lay buried deep within the unconscious mind?
I hope you enjoy reading!
Leave a comment and let me know what you think please! I love reading them, anything is appreciated! :)
Darkness surrounded him like a deep pool, faint light slowly peering through the shadows. A chill ran over him from the tips of his ear to the base of his tail. There was a sound, a voice? No, just his thoughts he reasoned; it was almost quiet enough for him to hear his heartbeat. He felt as if something important should be weighing on his mind, but the silence was so wonderfully calming.
A content smile rested on the Caitian’s face as he purred softly, opening his eyes to the warmth of the summer sun beaming down on him. Clothed only in his fur, his chest expanded as he filled his lungs and sighed peacefully. Arms up to support his head, he began to hum the first melody that came to mind as the lake carried him in its hands. Time slowed with the stillness of the water. A gentle breeze swept overhead, swaying the surrounding purple trees that provided a canopy of shade, rustling dried leaves and grass. Only the shimmering of dry brush and ripples from fish broke the silence. Floating along the surface of the secluded lake, his stress melted away; this was just what he had wanted. Sa’Rahn missed home dearly, it had been far too long since he had returned. His parents had wanted a visit from him for years now, but the guilt he felt held him back.
Breaking the blue-green barrier that supported him, Sa’Rahn effortlessly plunged his hand beneath him, grasping at the water blindly until he felt the cold bumpy scales of a fish, as if it were planned. Lifting his arm up, his fur soaked and dripping wet, he grinned slyly at the sight of the wriggling meal. It was a big one too, nice and plump! Just as Sa’Rahn opened his jaws, preparing to down the fish whole, a familiar chirp that seemed to come from all around abruptly interrupted him. “Ugh… computer, end program.” He mumbled with a defeated grunt, but not before attempting to toss the poor fish back to its home as everything vanished around him. In a flash of light the world deconstructed into shapes and nothingness, dumping the Caitain back to reality. Even his fur was left dry as he lay on the cold floor holodeck, nude. Licking his chops, at least he had gotten a half-decent meal in the process, even if it was fake and replicated on-the-fly. If only they had been live fish though, he wished.
After attempting to sit up, only to remember that wasn’t really feasible, Sa’Rahn rolled over and pushed himself to his feet, staggering over to the discarded uniform he had left near the entrance. Rummaging through the wrinkled clothes, he was a bit thankful he had had the computer lock the doors, realizing how awkwardly exposed he was. Another chirp rang before finally unearthing his combadge. “Go ahead?” He spoke after giving it a tap, collapsing back down and crossing one leg to catch his breath.
“Commander, we’re approaching our destination, you’re requested on the bridge.” A familiar voice explained.
“That was fast… Understood, on my way.” Sa’Rahn replied, rubbing the bridge of his muzzle. A part of him wished he could just stay in the holodeck and relax more. He still wanted to eat that fourth fish. But Sa’Rahn was well accustomed to his duties and didn’t have any real problem, other than fleeting thoughts of laziness. Besides, he had started the program knowing he would be called away eventually.
Sa’Rahn made a mental note to return and relax more with the program when his duties were finished. Finally decent once more, brushing himself off, he entered his personal code into the holodeck’s arch interface to unlock the doors. Although against Starfleet’s dress code, Sa’Rahn left his jacket undone as he reattached his badge. The top had grown rather tight over the past year, leaving him unable to close it properly. If he sucked it all in, he could still zip it shut, but just barely. Instead of punishing him with the embarrassment of requisitioning a new, larger uniform, the Captain kindly allowed the jacket to remain open during day-to-day activities, understanding of the struggle of his disorder. Though never spoken of, Sa’Rahn was more than thankful his Captain was so lenient on the issue.
Although the halls were mostly empty, the occasional crewmen would nod or exchange a ‘SIr’ as they passed him. Although there had been ample time, most of their names admittedly slipped his mind. That one ‘red-head in engineering’, the ‘guy with the stupid-looking buzzcut’, that one ‘tentacle-thing’ were often how he remembered them. Sa’Rahn would return their greetings, trying his best not to appear out of breath as he made his way to the closest turbolift. The Muhalo was a small escort, but even still, the trek from one area of the ship to the next winded him. Regardless, today he seemed to have more energy than usual for some reason. Sa’Rahn tugged on his exposed undershirt as he activated the lift, making sure it wasn’t riding up on him. Taking a short breath to put his mind in the right place, he clasped his hands behind his back as the turbolift opened to the bridge.
His entrance was met with silence, but was to be expected while officers performed their jobs. Sa’Rahn did however feel a few friendly eyes glance his way in acknowledgement before returning to their duties. Upon hearing the heavy Caitian lumbering down the ramp around the centre, at least one familiar face turned his way to greet him. Sa’Rahn had known Captain Fort’yive for almost a decade now. A slender male Trill with tapered brown hair, he was a strong willed man, standing only slightly shorter than Sa’Rahn himself. He wore the standard Starfleet captain’s uniform with four pips and bright red along his shoulders, common for the era. With a proud and centered demeanor behind his cobalt eyes, the Captain nodded slightly as his first officer arrived. “Commander, nice of you to join us.”
Sa’Rahn bowed his head in return as he turned to take his seat. “Thank you, Sir. Sorry it took me a moment to answer before.”
Fort’yive rolled his head and waved him off as he leaned in his chair, head lifted to the viewscreen ahead. “Don’t worry about it.”
Sa’Rahn had originally met Fort’yive back at Starfleet Academy at the age of eighteen. New to Earth and San Francisco, let alone cultures other than his own, the younger and more bashful Sa’Rahn had great difficulties adjusting to the foreign environment. Treated the same as all other cadets, he was issued housing and assigned a roommate, Fort’yive. Growing up on Cait, Sa’Rahn was well accustomed to the teasing and bullying handed to him in the Militia. While such was still present at the Academy to a degree, it was refreshing to befriend someone of his own age who didn’t choose to berate him for his weight or lack of skill. Over the coming years, the two grew to be close friends, with more memories than he could number.
Unfortunately, Sa’Rahn lost contact with his friend shortly after being expelled from the Academy in a scandal. Retreating back home to Cait, dejected by what he perceived as his own failings, Fort’yive continued his career in Starfleet, training as a Tactical Officer and pilot. Fort’yive had later shared stories of his short time under his own late Captain. Sa’Rahn knew after a tragic incident however, Fort’yive found himself in command far earlier than anyone should. What’s more, the Federation had been in an escalating silent war with the Undine, firefights cropping up with increasing frequency. The threat was only growing bolder each day. Every able ship was needed, leaving Fort’yive’s questionable authority for later discussions that would never happen. It didn’t take long before Fort’yive’s actions were noticed by influential superiors within Starfleet, and he was tasked with sensitive missions pertaining to preventing a war. Granted permission to pursue his orders however he deemed fit, within reason, Fort’yive readily chose to extend a battle commission to his old friend, overturning Sa’Rahn’s dishonorable discharge. While Starfleet was less than pleased by the turn of events, they did little to oppose the promotion.
Sa’Rahn reached behind tucking his tail under himself as he relaxed in the comfy leathery seat to the right of the Captain. While regaining his breath however, something felt different. Discreetly glancing down at himself, he couldn’t help but notice the armrests of his chair weren’t digging into his sides like usual. In fact, his waistline was much smaller too! Granted, his round stomach still spilled out into his lap as always, but he was none the less visibly thinner! Dumbfounded, Sa’Rahn lightly prodded his middle with his fingers, thinking it somehow to be fake. It wasn’t! His breathing grew faster as he began to panic, confused, immediately jumping to the conclusion that he wasn’t in his own body anymore! But, no, he reasoned, despite his size, he otherwise felt fine. He was very much in his own body. Looking at himself, Sa’Rahn examined his hands, his tail, and even his legs. This was definitely him. The realization calmed him slightly, but only for a moment before more dire thoughts of what could have caused this began to flood his mind. Could he have gone back in time somehow? Sa’Rahn had only recently become Iris’s mate; he recalled someone in-the-know once telling him he might experience temporal flashbacks or something along those lines. He couldn’t remember exactly. Was that what this was? No, no that couldn’t be it. Sa’Rahn nodded to himself, vividly remembering his day so far, even what he had for breakfast this morning. The feeling couldn’t be shaken however as he continued to blankly stare at himself. His mouth formed thoughts into words silently without realizing it, not aware he was making a bit of a scene.
“Do you need a moment there, First?” Fort’yive asked quietly as he eyed his officer, making sure he didn’t draw undue attention to him.
Sa’Rahn raised his head at the voice of his Captain, breaking free from his growing list of questions. “Arh, no, Sir. I-… I’m fine.” Sa’Rahn said softly, trying to act as casual as possible, which unfortunately for him, made it all the more clear he was trying to act as casual as possible. Nonchalantly tugging on his undershirt, he slumped back in his chair, leaning comfortably to one side. A chill ran up his back upon realizing he could actually lean to one side with ease! Shaking his head some, he asked, “What-... what’s our status?”
“See for yourself.” The Captain answered, gesturing to the viewscreen.
Floating among the stars ahead hung what at first looked like an excessively large hunk of debris. Squinting some in confusion, Sa’Rahn soon realized the object to be a ship of some kind, box-shaped by design with port and aft maneuvering fins, looking to be carrying multiple cargo containers on the undercarriage. The vessel was dark, all external lights disabled. Only distant stars revealed the faded brown exterior, leaving it ghostly and dead. “It looks abandoned.” Sa’Rahn asked openly.
“Sensors say it’s an Andorian supply freighter, but Zosov back there identified it before the computers could.” The Captain explained, shooting a glance over his shoulder to a rugged Andorian at his station.
Antenna bending slightly to his name, Zosov added, “I once served aboard a freighter similar to this one that frequented this region of the Argelius Sector. It’s a common trade route for food products and livestock for my people.”
Sa’Rahn’s ears perked as he listened. “Food, eh?”
“Easy there, First. Zosov tells me they’re most likely carrying tuber roots, so don’t get too excited.” Fort’yive smirked, returning his gaze ahead.
“Andorian tuber roots are considered a delicacy by many, I would welcome the chance to enjoy one fresh.” Zosov rebutted.
“I’ve had tuber roots, they’re like cold potatoes.” The Captain chuckled at Zosov’s reaction before turning his attention back to his first officer. “Seven hours ago we picked up a distress signal from that ship. We were the closest ship in range able to respond. We’re approaching them now.”
“Do we know what happened?” Sa’Rahn questioned.
Sa’Rahn’s ears turned to Yeriz, a long haired, attractive female Trill sitting off to the side as she began to explain. “It was a standard distress relay. Long-range sensors indicated they were disabled, plasma venting from their engines, possibly a fuel containment leak. I’ve been attempting to hail them, but their communications are down. I’m currently running another scan to see if I can uncover more details of what happened.”
Sa’Rahn harrumphed silently at the dull answer, only his chest and belly heaving to give him away. This seemed like a simple check-in, if one could even call it that, trivial at best. The lazy voice inside his head couldn’t help but wish he was still in the holodeck. Nodding as thanks to Yeriz, he leaned closer to his Captain, asking, “Do we think someone attacked them? The ship looks mostly untouched…”
Fort’yive had known his first officer and friend for many year, so it took little effort to discern the true reasons for such sheepish questioning. Leaning closer to Sa’Rahn, he replied quietly, “Commander, I wanted to hear what you thought about the situation.” Fort’yive paused, gathering his thoughts while looking to the derelict ship, slowly shaking his head. “Something’s not sitting right with me on this...”
“What do you mean?” Sa’Rahn questioned, glancing up at the screen as well, then back.
“It just seems… convenient how we can’t hail them, how their engines are disabled and we were the only ones around for it...” He paused, raising a hand to his mouth momentarily.
Sa’Rahn couldn’t help but smell the light sweat on the Captain’s forehead, how his hand was shaking ever so slightly. Considering his friend a moment longer, he frowned. “It’s just a potato freighter, Sir, in the middle of Federation space too. I doubt it’s a Nicor in disguise this far out. There’s nothing around here they would care about either.” He paused looking over his shoulder before continuing. “Besides, wouldn’t we have detected fluidic… stuff?”
Fort’yive eyed his hefty friend, briefly mulling over his officer’s speculation before nodding in agreement. “I suppose you’re right.” The Trill scratched his chin, his eyes still intently latched on to the viewscreen as the ship grew closer. “I’m just getting bad vibes from what happened on P’jem.”
Sa’Rahn thought for a moment if he ought to respond, but was interrupted by Yeriz before he had a chance. “Captain, I’m receiving data back from the scan now. I’m not sure what I’m looking at here…” Her face tightened as she carefully examined her station’s display. “There are vast quantities of plasma and radiation emitting from their engines as expected, but I’m also picking up trace amounts of rapidly decaying isotopes from another source. They’re faint though, the scan barely can read them.”
“Any idea what caused it?” Fort’yive questioned. “Does it match any known polymorphing discharges used by Undine vessels?”
“I can confirm it’s definitely not of Undine origin, but the isotopes are nearly gone as it is. I can’t get a proper reading.” Yeriz answered.
Shifting in his seat as people talked around him, Sa’Rahn glanced to his Captain. “Sir, um, if there’s radiation leaking over there, their crew might need medical attention. We should get a team to assist them if they need help.”
“Quite right. R’Shee, assemble an away team. Inform sickbay to prepare for potential patients with radiation exposure. Gather for-...” Without warning, a thunderous rumble resonated through the hull! Groans of metal echoed in the walls as lights and displays flickered, quaking the ship, as if seized by an invisible hand! Sa’Rahn’s ears flattened, claws extending on instinct! He clutched the arms of his chair, fearing he might be thrown from his seat! Fort’yive’s head rose sharply, eyes tense, firmly asking to anyone who would provide him an answer first, “What was that!?”
“Sir, there’s a tractor beam holding us in place! It’s not coming from the from the freighter.” Yeriz spoke first.
“Polarize the hull and find the source! Red Alert!” At his command the bridge dimmed and the overhead lights glowed crimson red. Sa’Rahn cringed a little as a single klaxon rang loudly.
“Captain, there’s a feedback pulse that’s being tethered to the tractor beam, systems aren’t responding.” Zosov exclaimed. “I can’t break us free.”
“Use port, aft, and dorsal sensors to detect spikes in the feedback pulse to triangulate the origin. I want to know who’s holding us!” Fort’yive commanded.
Sa’Rahn felt his hackles rise and his stomach drop in fear as he answered his Captain, motioning to the viewscreen. “I don’t think we need to do that...” Stars shimmered and twisted above the disabled freighter like looking through melting glass as a massive ship suddenly appeared! An iridescent shine coated the dulled brown and green hull, sharply curved wings encircled its engines, spanning wide enough as if to fit another smaller ship between them. The thin neck lead from the gaunt body to an enormous pointed beak of a head. Sa’Rahn quickly recognized the ship as a Romulan D’Deridex Warbird! He had seen and studied the terrifying vessels all too many times. The Muhalo, an experimental escort, might as well have been a shuttle in comparison to the behemoth!
Fort’yive’s mild hints of shellshocked worry quickly changed to confusion and brewing anger as he stared at the Romulan vessel facing them head on. His eyes unwavering from the screen, as if locked into a game of chicken, he motioned to Yeriz. “Hail them.” Upon noting she had done so, he continued, “This is Captain Fort’yive of the U.S.S. Muhalo. Identify yourself.”
There was no response.
The bridge grew silent as the Captain arched his neck, repeating himself more firmly. “This is Captain Fort’yive of the U.S.S. Muhalo. Identify yourself.”
Sa’Rahn sat stiffly in his seat and kept his hands in his lap, trying his very best to keep a calm composure while the Captain attempted to raise the Romulans. His heart was pounding inside his chest, his whiskers and tail quivering, terrified of the monstrous ship staring them down. He well knew the Muhalo’s origin, and that it could go toe-to-toe with such a fortress if the need arose. The allures of such reassurances did little to calm him however. While remaining quiet but observant, Sa’Rahn slowly began to notice differences in the D’deridex, compared to others he had seen in the past. Thick slabs of pitted metal fused down the vessel's prow, forming a crude hooked beak. Jagged slashes separated the plates, intersected by sickly glowing tracks of light. Dark shadows like scorch marks marred the hull, intersected by brightly glowing green circuits that seemed to lead nowhere. Most notable however was the deflector, a hexagonal shape recessed into the center, flickering blue-green with countless gaunt cables feeding inward. The colors reminded him of something sinister. It had been some time since he had reviewed D’deridex schematics, but Sa’Rahn was positive such additions were not standard to Romulan warbirds.
“Can they hear us?” Fort’yive turned to ask his science officer.
“You’re broadcasting on all known frequencies, Sir...” Yeriz paused, looking over her station’s readings. “That’s strange, the computer’s unable to identify the ship as Romulan…”
“That is very clearly a Romulan warbird holding onto us, Lieutenant.” The Captain stated flatly.
“Scans of the ship appear mixed. The registration is clearly Romulan, but I’m picking up energy signatures common for the Bor-...”
“Captain! I’m detecting a massive power spike on the warbird!” Zosov interrupted loudly from behind. “They’re accelerating to full impulse from a dead stop... they’re on a collision course straight for us!”
Sa’Rahn’s composure began to crack as he witnessed the enormous vessel quickly barging towards them, intent on ramming them! “Get us out of here, R’Shee. Full reverse!” Fort’yive ordered.
“Sir they still have us in a tractor beam!” Zosov called out. “Fifteen seconds to contact!”
“We’re dead in the water…” The Captain mumbled as he stared ahead, unheard by the bridge, save for Sa’Rahn. Only the slightest hint of panic coating his words, Fort’yive promptly turned and pointed to Zosov. “Divert all power to the forward shields! Engines, auxiliary, life support if you need to!”
“Aye, Sir.” Zosov replied. “Seven seconds to contact.”
“Brace for impact!” The Captain barked as he took his seat once more.
Sa’Rahn could feel his knuckles crack from gripping the arms of his chair, bracing himself as he watched the D’deridex closing in. Giving into his fear finally, he shut his eyes and looked away in dread as the ship violently jolted beneath him on impact, overwhelming the inertial dampeners! Blinding splashes of light and energy pulsed on the viewscreen brighter than the sun as shields collided with the Warbird’s nose! Overhead lights burst as the hull buckled like a rubber band from the backlash, spewing glass and sparks like fountains down on the bridge! Sa’Rahn heard a few, including himself, cry out as shards sprayed upon him! Klaxons blared so loudly it almost drown out multiple stations exploding, sending two officers to the floor! Sa’Rahn tried to cough as smoke from fires that had erupted around him entered his lungs, but was flung from his chair and sent slamming to the ground before he had the chance! He howled loudly, feeling a sharp pain somewhere in his ankle!
The rumbling quickly subsided, leaving the once pristine bridge ravaged! Lifting his head, his heavy body trembling, Sa’Rahn wiped his bleeding nose, searching out others. Hammers pounding in his skull, he was convinced he had a concussion. Yeriz seemed alright, Zosov was bleeding from his temple but also appeared fine. Two other officers were unconscious, including the pilot. Sa’Rahn began to utter a Caitian prayer to himself, scared for his life, knowing the attack surely wasn’t over. He yelped in fear as a strong hand latched onto his shoulder, only afterwards realizing it was the Captain lending a hand to help him to his feet. “What’s our status!?” Fort’yive snapped.
“Shie-... shields at twelve percent... hull breaches on decks three, four, and seven…” Zosov replied seconds later, moving to a station that wasn’t in flames. Wiping at the blue blood dripping from his brow, he continued. “Reports of severe injuries on all decks, no casualties.”
“Are the Romulans still holding us!? Can you get us out of here?”
“Negative. The frontal shields deflected most of the impact, but not without major hull damage... that hit sent feedback though the entire EPS grid, our warp core is offline; we’re on emergency power. Maneuvering thrusters only.” Zosov paused, shaking his head to clear his vision as he read the cracked monitor in front of him. “Wha-... Sir the enemy ship has come about behind us, they’re charging some sort of weapon!”
“That’s not possible...!” Before the Captain could finish speaking, the ship rumbled like a thunderous ocean wave, collapsing Sa’Rahn to his knees. He winced in pain and tried to cover his ears as a piercing hiss flooded the burning air. Bright blue flashes illuminated every inch of the the bridge in a series of pulsing bursts like a strobe light, lasting only a but moment. Then silence. Looking around the bridge once his eyes adjusted, as if searching for a physical answer to what caused the flash, Fort’Yive turned to Yeriz. “What was that?”
Wiping her hair from her face, legs unsteady and swaying at her console, she replied, “Unclear. Internal sensors are detecting ionized radiation, it cut right through our hull... Sir, the isotopes present are decaying at the same rate as the ones around the freighter…” Yeriz panted, raising her hand to her forehead, damp with sweat as she seemed to struggle to keep her eyes open. “I don’t-… I don’t know what-…”
“Captain,” Zosov interrupted, all of a sudden looking equally as ill, “we’ve been boarded! I’m detecting half a dozen lifesigns on decks two and four.”
Sa’Rahn blinked rapidly trying to clear his vision, air and cotton clotting his head. Everything around him glowed with a dim aura, pale blue and green circles fluttered like moths in his eyes. He could feel his heart threatening to burst as his skin began heat up. Fever rushing through his veins, nausea started to settle in his gut. It didn’t take long before he began to heave and whimper as the contents of his stomach drained from his mouth. Why did he taste metal? “C-Captain…” He gurgled.
“Get security to those decks! We need our warp core back online!” Fort’yive ordered to Zosov before turning back to Yeriz. “Initiate a ship-wide radiation cleanse.”
“System’s aren’t respond-... aren’t respo-...” Yeriz stammered breathless, her words slurring. Sa’Rahn could do nothing, powerless as he watched the young woman collapse to the floor shortly after, unconscious.
“S-Sir… Engineering and Security aren’t-...” An unfinished sentence and loud thud to the floor behind him was all Sa’Rahn needed to hear to grasp what was happening to the crew and himself.
Terrified as the world started to blur and enclose around him, Sa’Rahn frantically uttered another Caitian prayer beneath his breath, and another, begging the Gods he didn’t really believe in to save him. Falling to his side with a wet cough, blood still gushing from his nose, he could hear the muffled sounds of his Captain cursing, and then some mechanism like a door slide open. Sa’Rahn reacted slightly as he felt something sharp press into his neck. As if by a hand of the Gods he had bargained with moments before, his heart began to beat faster as he seemed to regain some of his strength. An energy he could physically feel surged through him, itching like ants under his skin. Although diminishing only a little, the nausea in his belly and fever started to subside. “Come on, First…! No sleeping on the job…” Fort’yive grunted, taking his officer’s furry hand and helping him to his feet a second time.
Ears ringing, his fur dripping with sweat, Sa’Rahn wobbled in place as the world spun as if he were drunk. Gasping for air in short, raspy breaths, the dazed Caitian watched as his Captain discard what looked like a pair of oddly shaped hyposprays to the ground, turning to retrieve two hand phasers from an emergency wall panel off to the side of the bridge. “Wha-... what did you… do?” He mumbled, confused by the sudden invigoration in his blood.
“Afte-... After P’Jem… I had the doctor synthesize an adrenaline-based compound, in the event we were exposed to fluidic radiation. Seems my para-... paranoia paid off. It shou-... sho-... it should keep us conscious for a little while, but we need to hurry!” The Captain answered slowly, struggling to swallow with each word. Turning back to grasp Sa’Rahn’s hand, he placed one of the hand-held phasers he had taken into it, closing his fingers around the grip. “If what’s happening to us is any indi-... indication… the whole c-crew is probably unconscious. We… we need to get to engineering, restart the antimatter injectors and re-initialize matrix. We can then... then... use engineering’s manual overrides to warp out of here. Set that to stun and follow me...”
The weapon rattled like a toy in his trembling hand. While trained how to use a phaser, Sa’Rahn tried to avoid it whenever he could, they scared him. Fearfully grasping the small pistol, trying to be brave, he followed his Captain to the turbolift, asking, “R-right… where are we warping to? The nearest spacedock? F-for reinforcements?”
“I’d settle for just about anywhere but here right now...”
Sa’Rahn leaned his heavy body against the wall of the turbolift, panting, trying his best to stay awake. His lungs felt as if they had been pumped full of water, they weighed heavily in his chest. The flickering lights of the turbolift hurt his head as he rubbed his eyes, his vision still doubled and unsteady from the fever he could feel in his temples. “Why... would Romulans attack us? We’re allies with them... And… and in this region of space, too?” Sa’Rahn questioned, slightly slurred as his mouth struggled to form words.
Sa’Rahn slid along the wall and sucked in his stomach as best he could as the turbolift doors opened, trying to expose as little of himself as possible at the directive of his Captain. Cautiously aiming his weapon down sights before peeking out, Fort’yive motioned his first officer to follow, only then answering, “Something tells me the Romulans aren’t behind this... or at least not the ones we know. You saw that warbird, it was modified beyond recognition. Keep your phaser ready, stay behind me.”
The stench of smoke saturated the stale air of the darkened corridor. Wall paneling had buckled and bent like crumpled paper, exposing plasma relays and circuitry along the sides, some of which amazingly hadn’t been destroyed in the attack. Pipes and live wires dangled like exposed entrails from blown ceiling plates. Fiery sparks sprayed from burst LCARS screens along the walls, dancing in the scarlet red emergency lights before fizzling out. Sa'Rahn could clearly smell and feel the warmth of a live fire, somewhere ahead. “What-... what did they hit us with? I feel like my guts are melting! And… why do I taste metal?” Sa’Rahn asked quietly, nervously glancing over his shoulder as he clutched his pounding head. It felt like his brain were going to explode.
“Hard to say, some sort of radiation pulse.” Fort’yive swallowed, never taking his eyes off the corridor ahead. “If you’re tasting metal that’s not good… I don’t know if whatever they shot us with is fatal, but if we don’t get to engineering to reinitialize the warp drive, we won’t-...” The Captain abruptly cut himself short as he rose a hand to stop as they approached a bend in the hallway. Sa’Rahn had been fearfully following so closely behind his Captain he nearly bumped into him upon halting at command. Although confused at first, it didn’t take long before Sa’Rahn understood. Although his ears were throbbing from the ship’s red alert that was still blaring like a screaming child, among other sounds and smells that overwhelmed his senses, he could faintly hear the thumping of boots stamping the floor, growing closer. Sniffing the burnt air he could smell two, no, three people maybe!
Drawing back a step as he quickly planned in his mind, Fort’yive silently motioned to his first officer, pointing to a recessed door nearby for cover. Although he was obviously far too large for the frame to provide any sort of meaningful protection, Sa’Rahn obeyed. All doors around them were on lockdown, leaving only the turbolift as their escape route, there was nowhere else to hide. His heart beating out of his chest, sweat dripping from his fur and into his eyes, Sa’Rahn tried not to make any noise as he started to panic. He could see the looming shadows of three armed figures approached the bend in the corridor! Looking to his Captain for direction, Fort’yive gave a slight nod with a brave glint in his eyes, approval to fire when presented a target.
Sa’Rahn only managed a glimpse of the first Romulan, their sparkly checkered garb and skull-tight haircut reflecting red light in his eyes before Fort’yive fired the first shot, wounding one of them! There was no time to go any other way but through them, they had to be neutralized! Warned with a cry from one of the Romulans, Sa’Rahn quickly found himself pressed against the door frame as flat as he could go! Countless green bolts zipped past, violently striking the walls like explosive raindrops! The wailing of energy echoing in his ears, he could feel the radiant heat of plasma singeing his fur from those that nearly hit him! Too frightened to expose himself any more than he already was, he shot blindly down the hallway! It was impossible for him to tell if any of his shots connected.
After what felt like an eternity of a one-sided barrage, Fort’yive motioned to retreat back down the hall. They were too exposed. Knowing his first officer knew what to do, the Captain lurched out to provide covering fire while backing up as well. Sa’Rahn hurridly ducked and slinked to the other side of the corridor, with more grace than might be expected for his size. He was amazed he hadn’t gotten shot in the process! “Is there another way to engineering!?” He asked, raising his voice over the firefight, shooting down the hallway to dissuade the Romulans from following them.
“None that we can use before the stimulant I gave us wears off.” Fort’yive replied, firing a well-aimed blast upon seeing one of the Romulans peek their head out.
The ear-splitting screeches of plasma rounds piercing the air flooded in his head like needles! His stomach was growing nauseous again; he could feel the effects of the injection beginning to wane. Struggling to breathe left him distracted; he heard only the slightest shuffle of fabric and body before suddenly feeling something hard jabbing into the his ribs! A muscular arm quickly wrapped around his throat, pulling him from behind! He instinctively jerked and yelped, trying to jolt forward, too terrified to understand he was in a headlock! The blood in his veins ran cold and sounds grew faint upon feeling something sharp slice into the fat of his neck! Although Sa’Rahn’s stubby muzzle blocked some of his view, he could tell his captor was holding a multi-edged dagger to his throat, the blade already cutting him from the prior struggle! “Drop your weapon.” A low, grizzled voice rumbled.
Sa’Rahn knew the proper thing would have been to yell out to his Captain, warn him of the flank, try to save him. That’s what a brave soldier would do, he reasoned. Instead, his knees began to wobble and fail under him, tears streaming down his fur as he began to cry. He felt a cold fall over him as he soiled himself from fear. “P-pl-p-please…!” He whimpered, begging for his life! This Romulan was going to kill him, slice his throat open and murder him if he didn’t yield! Sa’Rahn wheezed and sobbed, praying his captor wouldn’t hurt him! Without a moment's hesitation, what grip remained on his phaser loosened obediently until the weapon fell to the ground.
The metallic clack of the gun falling, bouncing a little and striking the wall was enough to alert Fort’yive. Turning his head to the noise, Sa’Rahn witnessed his Captain’s expression shift from that of determination and courage to that of fear for his first officer’s life. “Captain, help me please!” Sa’Rahn wanted to blurt out! But it was too late. The intruders sized the opportunity while Fort’yive had left himself exposed! Adrenaline pumping through his heart, time seemed to slow as Sa’Rahn helplessly watched a pale turquoise bolt strike his Captain in the side with the force of a left-hook, radioactive energy like fairy dust eating through the Starfleet uniform! Injured and confused, the Romulans took no time before blasting a second, and third bolt into his back as Fort’yive collapsed!
Just as he screamed, Sa’Rahn felt a buzzing sensation in his abdomen. It felt soothing and warm at first, like a fizzy drink on a cold day. An almost pleasant sensation until his skin began to bubble and burn, pain splintering from his back! His legs crumbled sending Sa’Rahn to his hands and knees! Fear, sound, and confusion clouded his mind in a dizzying fog from the realization of being shot in the back! He heaved, convulsing as he tried to throw up again. Looking up with what little strength he had left, he could see two of the Romulans kneeling over the body of his Captain, prodding some hand-held device into his neck. Worry for his Captain faded sharp kick to the base of his skull slammed him to the ground. Two sharp stings of pain raced through his neck as the world that around him faded away, colors mixing like oil in water.
Frightened and confused, Sa'Rahn rapidly regained his senses! Struggling to push himself off the dirty ground in a panic, he scrambled to his feet, clouds of dust kicking up as he turned to face the attackers! Head spinning and limbs quivering, his momentum promptly knocked him down again. Sa’Rahn clutched the pain in his neck, looking at his hand afterwards to reveal his fur soaked red with blood. He yelped in fear, frantically clasping his hands over the apparent wound, believing the worst! “You alright there, First?” A familiar voice asked him, strikingly calm given the situation. Gasping at ghostly pains as the filthy air of the planet entered his lungs, Sa’Rahn paused, disoriented as he stared at his Captain’s extended hand. “Tripping over your tail again, eh?” Fort’yive smirked.
Sa’Rahn panted for breath as he took his Captain’s grasp unquestioningly. His trembling legs stabilizing once back on his feet, he held his chest trying to recover. He could feel scum and grime amassing in his nostrils like glue with each breath he took. Glancing up at his surroundings, he readily recognized the mining settlement of Caol, a terribly cramped and dirty pace. All around, shoddily welded buildings encroached on every meter of open space as haphazard girders and makeshift walls stretched to the murky, empty sky. “What-... where…?” Sa’Rahn mumbled, shivering as a his thoughts grew disjointed. “What happened to the ship? An-… and the Romu-… W-where are we...?”
Captain Fort’yive, standing only a few feet in front of him, tilted his head in concern as he looked over his disheveled officer. “We’re... here to find Madran, see if we can get some answers out of him. Remember? First, are you feeling alright? You don’t look so good…”
Hands rising to meet his forehead, Sa’Rahn shut his eyes and tried to sort things out. Memories of being shot, the attack, the burning pain in his back, all faded away. But, that had been almost two weeks ago now! What was he thinking, he had just tripped is all. The thin atmosphere was making him lightheaded. “I… no, no I’m fine. I’m sorry, Sir. I’m-...” Sa’Rahn froze as his hackles rose instinctively, eyes widening upon looking over his Captain. Blood was pouring from the side of the Trill’s neck, nearly half his uniform soaked crimson red! Pointing to his friend, Sa’Rahn’s shuddered as he stammered, “Your-... your neck…!”
Fort’yive squinted and offered the Caitian a confused stare before absently reaching to his throat, feeling to where Sa’Rahn gestured. His hand quickly becoming covered in blood, the Captain casually rubbing his fingers together, as if indifferent to the half-coagulated gore. “What are you talking about, Commander?” He questioned, his eyes looking through his hand as if it were invisible!
He didn’t see it, didn’t feel the blood dripping from his grasp? “I… n-nevermind. It must be the light… my mistake.” Sa’Rahn compulsively lied, trying to convince himself he was somehow wrong!
The Trill glanced at his first officer, regarding the odd behavior a moment before nodding and turning away, motioning him to follow. “... Either way, you dropped your phaser. Pick it up and let’s get going. Caol is a small town, it won’t be difficult to find Madran here I’m sure.”
“Right… right.” Sa’Rahn mumbled, lagging behind as he reached to the cold ground below, retrieving the weapon hesitantly.
This wasn’t the first time Sa’Rahn had visited this mining settlement, if one could call it that. It had been almost a year since he’d been part of the away team assigned to investigate an illegal weapon trading depot, ironically run by the very same Ferengi they were searching for now. Although the mission was rather uneventful in its success, the decrepit colony had impressed in his mind. Sa’Rahn felt his stomach drop a bit, dizzy as he raised his head to the sky, seeing stars sparkling and providing the only source of natural light to the eternal night of the moon. Enormous hunks of debris and countless asteroids orbited above, feeling close enough to touch almost, suspended by invisible threads. Toxic clouds of green and blue billowed from the strip mines before shimmering in the sky, tainting the heavy air. Despite the near freezing temperature, he was burning up inside. “Sir, what makes you think Madran is still here?” Sa’Rahn asked as he wiped the sweat from his forehead, hurrying his pace slightly to match his Captain’s. “... Or if he knows anything...?” He added, hoping to be reminded of what they were doing.
“Because he’s Ferengi. You’ve met him before, Sa’Rahn. Say what you will, but even after last year, I’m sure he’s still skulking around. Had too much of a business going on here to just up and leave...” Fort’yive explained, glancing around as they walked. “Those weapons he was dealing were of Romulan origin, unregistered. Which means he has connections to the Romulan black market, possibly Tal Shiar contacts. While Starfleet Intelligence chases their tails in bureaucratic nonsense trying to figure out what to do about us, Madran is the best lead we have for any possible information about what the nanites were for.”
“Wait, what? Nanites!?” Sa’Rahn asked, his voice cracking in fear.
“Yes, the nanites. The ones those Romulans put into the both of us specifically. We’ve already been over this, remember? Admiral Chotté is the one that gave us clearance from quarantine.”
“Oh, right. That’s right…” Sa’Rahn shook his head, suppressing the urge to argue and ask more questions. How could he forget that?
The mining colony had been a front at first, used to hide the weapon dealing. Madran offered ‘honest’ work to all who came, refugees, aliens, widows and orphans even, all unknowingly signing their lives away to be entrapped in unpayable debt soon after, turned into little more than slaves. It was disconcerting he had gone unnoticed by the Federation for so long. While Fort’yive remained unfazed by the rampant poverty in the streets, Sa’Rahn subconsciously gripped his holstered phaser as the two made their way through a series of narrow alleyways.
The stench of burning garbage and feces in the air made him cough. Local residents huddled around blazing trash fires or were lying on the street in filth and debris. Some of them were dead he knew. Sa’Rahn felt sorry for them, yet was afraid of them too. Most glared, eyeing his relatively clean uniform and the iconic badge with menacing scowls. He could hear murmurs and threats being whispered as they passed. They were of various species, some of which Sa’Rahn didn’t recognize, others too deformed by the intense labor and radiation to identify. Their scent made him feel ill, it was clear most of them hadn’t bathed in any length of time. He couldn’t help but feel self-conscious either, noticing most were scavenging for food, starving and emaciated. All the while he toted around ample evidence of his gluttony. He pulled in his stomach some, sure it only added to their disdain. “I wish we could help these people...” Sa’Rahn said softly, hoping no one but his Captain would hear.
“I know, but there’s nothing we can do right now.” Fort’yive replied coldly.
Sa’Rahn hesitated to respond, his attention caught on a small Bolian child in the distance, cold and almost naked, hiding behind a fallen pile of scrap metal. Almost as soon as their eyes met, the child turned and ran into the shadows without a trace. He sighed and shook his head, “How could the Federation let this happen? Why didn’t-...”
“Sa’Rahn?” Someone said as a hand touched his shoulder from behind.
Startled at the calling of his name, Sa’Rahn spun around to the familiar voice, the world whirling before his eyes. Before he could make sense of what was happening, everything snapped back into focus. He was suddenly greeted with hot and heavy puffs of foul breath inches from his face, reeking with caked lipstick and cheap Saurian Brandy. Sa’Rahn could feel his heart compressing as he choked. He heaved in shock as his eyes focused, now settled on the scantily-clad green-skinned Orion who was pouring herself onto him! A warm, slightly damp hand reached up and stroked his ear, intertwining her fingers with the long brown fur on his cheeks as she whispered, lingering with each word dramatically, “Mmm... well hello there big kitty... I think you could use someone to show you a good time…” Sa’Rahn yelped upon feeling a second hand fondle his underbelly, reaching up his shirt! Without a moment’s hesitation, he instinctively shoved the woman away from assaulting him! The Orion giggled as she stumbled back, staggering a bit, obviously drunk. That was not the voice he had heard!
Head pounding, Sa’Rahn clutched his temples and covered his ears, fumbling backwards blindly. The dry hum of lights around him, every scuffle of motion, even his own breathing was blaringly loud, his senses painfully overstimulated! Although his vision was murky, Sa’Rahn quickly gathered they were no longer in the cold streets of Caol, but in a building he’d seen only once before! The stink of illegal drugs and musk permeated the room, making him dizzy. Dimly lit surroundings felt closed off, as if he were trapped inside a clouded snow globe. Walls, floors, and people appeared to be within arm’s reach, but he could only flail his grasp at the air. “Captain Fort’yive! I thought I had seen the last of you Starfleet types when you ruined me!” A pale, whiney voice spoke from behind. It sounded like doubletalk, his ears stuffed with cotton, yet the sound still resonated in his skull and teeth just the same.
Shaking his head and turning to see, there in front of his Captain sat Madran himself, accompanied by two bulky and very, very tall Nausicaan bodyguards at his sides. Casually lying back on a soiled and battered couch, the plump little Ferengi offered a distasteful sneer at the two. Sa’Rahn felt uneasy inside, readily recognizing his cold and beady eyes, his downturned mouth, and the Consortium tattoo above his right brow. “It doesn’t appear life’s treated you too poorly, Madran.” Fort’yive replied, opening his arms to encompass the debauched life the Ferengi led. “And I can see your slave business seems to be thriving still at that!”
“You have no right being here! This moon is private property!” The Ferengi barked, rubbing his lobes, slowly.
As he watched the two comically peck at each other in what seemed like an absurdly petty argument, Sa’Rahn felt a shiver claw up his back, suddenly feeling a fair bit warm inside. He felt the fur on his forehead and under his pits quickly growing damp. Loosening his jaw and letting his tongue hang free, he began to pant, the rotten scent of toxins in the air lacing his mouth. “Tal Shiar… Khiana… drugs... “ He only heard a few key words among the garbled interrogation as the world seemed to melt around him. Fear overcame him as he heard something churning inside him, buzzing through his veins, his organs bubbling and groaning.
“Eh, not do draw attention away from myself of course... but uh, your tubby friend there isn't looking too well, I might say.” Madran slyly pointed, reaching for a nearby pistol.
As if it were planned to be, moments after Madran spoke, Sa’Rahn suddenly felt his trembling legs buckle beneath him! He helplessly collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud, faintly hearing his Captain shout something as he drew his phaser, flashes of orange and green blazing above his eyes. A deafening ringing screamed in his ears as the world grew brighter. Sa’Rahn gasped for breath as the overhead sickbay lights burned brightly above him! Sweat and blood coated his tongue as he coughed up something warm and red, some of it splashing into his vision. His raspy voice howled in agony as burning pain erupted through tendons like thousands of pins pricking away at his flesh! Something sharp like a butchers knife pierced his neck! The doctor had administered a hypospray injection. “The tri-ox compound should stabilize his cardio system, but his temperature is still too high...” A mildly panicked voice stated.
“Sir he’s choking!” Another called out.
It was the nanites his Captain had mentioned! They burned and tore through his body, replicating themselves and clumped together to form meaningless constructs, clogging and ripping through his veins like paper cuts. Tearing sensations rippled across his skin as his blood began to boil like a fizzy carbonation! Sa’Rahn violently jerked and contoured in any free direction as he lost control of his extremedites, wildly flailing his arms and legs, trying to make the murderous machines stop! Numerous uncaring hands clamped on, causing the pain to spike as the nurses tried to hold him down! Sa’Rahn screamed louder than he knew he could as he believed he felt his veins bursting open, sending chills up his limbs. He could feel things trickling inside him, hot and sticky as the nanites ate away. “They’re replicating too fast, we have to kill these suckers first!” Sa’Rahn wailed at the throbbing agony inside him as he felt someone rip apart his uniform and expose his blubbery chest. Something cold pressed against his flesh before a surge of splintering pangs raced through his skin and erected his fur, causing his spine to arch in a way he didn’t think it could bend! “That slowed them down but they’re still attacking his neuro-pathways, he’s going into neuroleptic shock!” The prior voice shouted. “Give him another 4 cc of synaptizine.”
Sa’Rahn’s eyes welled up with tears, his head threatening to split open, pressure swelling behind his ears like a bloated dam. He suddenly shrieked in horror, he could hear them! He could hear the nanites piercing his eardrums, their tiny metal ratcheting dissolving his flesh like ravenous bugs ripping out of a withered cocoon! Sa’Rahn felt his bladder and colon empty, his remaining uniform quickly soaked with excrement and blood. “Sir he has a fever, he’s burning up!”
“Give him a 0.23 milliliter dose of ryetalyn for the fever, and 0.1 milliliter dose of anesthizine for the pain.”
Things started to darken everywhere he looked. Sa’Rahn believed he was falling unconscious, up until he noticed the hexagonal patterns shadowing his vision as the nanites started clumping inside his corneas! He whimpered in fear, knowing there was nothing he could do as they overtook him. He was going to die like this! A deathly cold fell over him as he laid, unable to move, more cold than he had ever felt in his entire life. Sounds deadened in his ears like listening through wool as the world receded to nothingness, the nanites stealing away the last of his sight. He felt a hand lightly touch him and a familiar voice, worried yet feigning calmness, whisper to him, “You’re going to be alright, Sa’Rahn.”
No, no he wasn’t...
_________________
-To Be Continued...
Category Story / General Furry Art
Species Feline (Other)
Size 1280 x 863px
File Size 1.08 MB
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