Episode 37
Chapter Six
CAPTAIN’S
LOG, STARDATE 73591.9: With the Federation
task force still seventeen days away, tensions in the Kilka Sector continue to
grow. Though there has been little
military action observed on either side, the possibility of the Elorg invasion
at any moment means many sleepless nights.
While Admiral O’Connor insists we can hold out should the Elorg invade,
most of the others are less optimistic, including myself. Nevertheless, though we have made little
progress, Captain Talbot and I are still discussing battle plans should the
Elorg arrive first.
Captain Christopher hastily ran several possible strategies
through his mind as he strolled through the Starlight’s
corridors en route to the mess hall for lunch.
Despite the fact he had designated this time for thoughts other than
the Elorg, no matter what he did, his mind always came back to the Kilka Sector
and the troubles therein.
If the third fleet moved in conjunction with the fourth and
attempted to outflank the destroyers, they might have an opportunity to
penetrate the Elorg’s defense perimeter with the first, second and fifth
fleets, but still, the losses would be heavy.
Not wanting to see that much bloodshed, Christopher quickly discarded
that particular plan, in favor of the next one that floated into his mind…
But as fate would have it, that particular plan never materialized
in Christopher’s mind. Instead, as he
passed an intersection in the corridor, Christopher suddenly found himself in
the bubbly presence of Erin Keller, who had quietly popped out of the corridor
to join him. “Hey, Alan,” she said
warmly, grabbing her partner’s hand.
Christopher suddenly felt his pulse quicken. “Erin,” he replied, grinning.
“It’s been awhile since we’ve talked,” she said as they turned
down the next corridor and headed for a turbolift.
“It has been busy,” he agreed, recalling the numerous crises they
had faced in recent weeks. “Sometimes
it seems like we’ll never get a break around here.”
“It’s always something, isn’t it?”
Alan nodded. “It is,” he agreed.
“What have you been up to? Are
you…feeling better?”
Slowly, Erin pulled her hand free of Alan’s grasp, and folded her
arms on her chest, nodding indolently as she recalled the “sickness” Alan
referred to. “I still see the Velora
when I sleep,” she said softly. “I
don’t know if I’ll ever truly recover…
But yeah, I’m feeling better.”
She pulled in a deep lungful of air, and expelled it as they came
upon the turbolift at the end of the corridor.
Clearly, she was not comfortable talking about her incident. Still she smiled, and shook it off. “But you know, I did beat my high
score in Metrix last night.”
Alan stopped dead in his tracks.
“I was so close to beating it last night! I mean… I was so close I could smell it!” he
exclaimed. “That is the last
time you’re getting the night shift—at least until I surpass your score. Understood?”
“Yes sir,” she replied sarcastically before turning on her
heel to bring herself face to face with him.
“Face it, Alan, I am the Metrix Goddess. There is nothing you can do beat me!”
“We’ll see about that,” replied Alan defiantly…but inwardly, he
knew that Erin spoke the truth.
Erin glared, and slowly backed away; the look on her face was
clearly her “you’re more than welcome to try” gaze. But as she approached the turbolift doors, the look faded, and a
new conversation began. “So, have you fabricated
a plan to save us from destruction?”
“Several,” said Christopher, recalling the many that had been
floating through his mind prior to his conversation with Erin. “But our beloved Admiral O’Connor still
thinks they’re either too risky…or too stupid. She hasn’t specified which… But quite frankly, we’re not going to
resolve this crisis playing it safe.
Risk is a part of the game.”
“Agreed,” said Erin. “The
sooner this damn war is over, the better.”
Christopher folded his arms, gritted his teeth and smiled. “Watch your language, Commander,” he said
quietly.
Erin mimicked his actions.
“Sorry…the sooner this damn crisis
is resolved, the better,” she corrected in a tone drenched in sarcasm.
Christopher expelled a long sigh as he realized his words were
falling upon deaf ears. But before he
could begin his usual lecture on vulgar language, Lieutenant Bator’s voice
erupted from his communicator.
“Bator to
Christopher,” he said, sounding rather urgent.
He slapped is comm badge.
“What it is?” he demanded.
“You have an
incoming transmission from Ka’Tula Prime.
It is your mother; she says it is urgent.”
Christopher knew his mother well enough to know that she did not panic
often, and when she did, he almost never liked the chain of events that
followed. And so, Christopher did not
take the news lightly.
Seeing the newfound concern rush over Christopher’s normally
placid face, Erin quickly offered assistance.
“My quarters are nearby. You can
take the message there if you want.”
Christopher nodded.
“Thanks, Erin. Bator, patch the
transmission through to Erin’s quarters.
I’ll take it from there.”
“Aye.”
Quickly—much faster than they had been moving before—Alan led Erin
back through the myriad corridors of deck four until he spotted the doors he
recognized as Erin’s. With Erin
following close behind, he burst through the doors and rushed for the computer
terminal at her desk.
Christopher quickly slipped into the chair and activated the
screen; a moment later, his mother appeared.
She looked very worried, very shaken, and held a handkerchief in her
hand. “What is it?” Christopher
inquired.
“It’s Drayan,” she said in a slow, nervous tone. “She’s gone!”
Alan blinked. “Gone?” he
repeated, wondering just how gone his older sister was. His parents’ imprecision often drove him
insane; this was another one of those moments when he wished they would just be
more specific. “What do you mean gone?”
His mother attempted to compose herself by taking several deep
breaths; after a few moments, she sighed, and continued. “She went to the mountains several weeks
ago. It’s been six days since we last
heard from her, and we fear the worst!
Sensors aren’t detecting any life signs!”
Not wanting to jump to
any conclusions, Alan remained calm.
Though his mother’s response was still vague, Christopher knew enough of
his sister’s activities to put together the missing pieces. He knew from their
meeting in the Zephyrus System that Drayan was planning an expedition to the
Farhelian Mountains. She was a
geologist, and such events were common, often long-term and dangerous tasks.
Even so, six days without checking in was odd. Alan had to investigate. “I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he said
evenly. “I’ll bring the Dark Star so we can perform a more in-depth analysis of the mountain
range.”
His mother nodded affirmatively, and though she lacked the words,
her eyes relayed an entire message. And
Alan heard it loud and clear. He had to
get to Ka’Tula Prime, and fast. And as
he felt his own emotional barriers begin to break down, Alan quickly bid
farewell to his mother before terminating the comm channel.
When he looked up, Erin was standing right there. “I’m sorry,” she offered.
“She’s not dead,” said Alan.
“I’m not saying she is,” Erin replied. “But…I know how you feel.
Brian and I were very close, and I would hate for you to lose your
sister… ”
“You’re too kind,” replied Christopher.
Erin only smiled. “I
know,” she said. “But we don’t have
time to glorify me! You’ve got to go!”