EPISODE 01: Outbreak [Chapter 06 - Deterioration]
EPISODE 01: Outbreak [Chapter 06 - Deterioration]
"The health of the mind is not less uncertain than that of the body, and when passions seem furthest removed we are no less in danger of infection than of falling ill when we are well."
~ François de la Rochefoucauld (French classical author, 1613-1680)
[Deck 02 | Senior Officer Quarters]
Stepping out into the corridors of the Senior Officer Quarters, everything was silent around them. No one in sight. Yet to some - those in the group that had keen hearing - the noises and cries of carnal delight could be heard from beyond some of the doors they passed by. There was little time to spare, for should they wait for Lt. Stark to open them all they would invite disaster, since Ida and Cir'Cie had promised that they would be coming for the Senior Staff. For with each door opened and phasers fired upon the hidden lovers, they would chance that there would be more than two of them inside - a risk not ventured with a party as small as theirs.
They had left mere four Security guards of Greysons' on Deck 01 to defend it, but they needed the one that was carrying the syringes should they make it through this. Jien had a feeling that with only four uninfected left behind, the puppeteered Ship AI hologram was more than enough to disable them. Yet there had been little choice but to let them fend for themselves and try as best they might to carry out their duty in protecting the Main Bridge.
"This way," he said under his breath and looked before he turned a corner, phaser held low in a double-handed grip. As they headed for 'Commander Rez's quarters, Jien could not help but think about the odds of failure, and how any of the doors on either side could open at any time. Fear is courage once it has said its prayers. The words on their plaque almost seemed mocking right then.
[This is Ida, mmmmhhhh... Can everyone please hear me out?] came the familiar voice that suddenly screamed out of the speakers down both ends of the corridor. [I know that I am distracting you all, and I am soooo sorry for that. I am actually enjoying a flight technician between my legs right of this moment so do not think I don't sympathise with your needs right now.]
Jien gritted his teeth and motioned for everyone to to speed up. With the clamour, they would be able to move quickly without being heard.
[I think we can all agree that its so... nnnggghhh.... marvellous to cast off our duties and focus on the pleasures in life; to not be bound by the restrictions of society and Starfleet any more. Yet there are some who... still have not come to taste true happiness, and it would be such a shame if any of our friends missed out on this feeling of being perfect, and feeling... ah! ...perfect bliss.]
"This way," said Jien and ducked around another corner, finding a Tactical Officer grinding himself into the cunt of a delirious nurse - slamming her up against the wall with each thrust. Wasting no time, Jien shot them both in turn so that they went slack and fell down upon the floor. He motioned for someone behind him to give them the antidote as they passed by the bodies. "Move it."
[Why don't we make sure everyone feels what we feel? In fact, the Senior Staff is entirely oblivious to what they are missing out on... mmmh... and they are running away! Like rats in a maze they scurry across Deck 02 and wish to take this away from us. Anyone of you on Deck 02? They hare heading towards the aft, so quick,, AAHH! ...look outside and make them understand...]
In the distance, they began to hear the sounds of sliding doors hissing open, and Jien cursed to himself. "Lt. Stark, kill the intercom!" Keeping his phaser raised, he rushed on - eyes along the sights and finger on the trigger. Courage is fear... Courage is fear...
[Oh, and another thing... Mmmhhh...Any fighter pilots out there? Hard and tough Tactical Conn? Or anyone with flight experience in shuttles..? This ship is damaged and poor, so slow and so far away from the Federation forces. Why don't all of you fly off... nnnngghhh... and bring the whole of Starfleet here? Or whatever.. you know? Find a starbase or a planet... Don't you all feel the... tug to broaden our horizons beyond this sorry little ship? Go to the hangar... Spread yourselves... Spread the calling...]
Too late... thought Jien as he repeated his order to Lt. Stark. His words were fervent, yet the cold dread overshadowed his ire. It is too late now.
They rounded the last corner and faced a coiling, writhing heap of bodies blocking their path, all of them panting and gasping. It was like a monster of collected limbs and body fluids, and several faces turned their way - all smiling and moaning. Some were even crying in happiness. Jien knew the names of most of them. He bared his teeth and growled like an animal as he began firing his phaser - stinging the beast and making it collapse and lash out towards them. Others than him were firing too, he realised. Not on the orgy but upon infected that had come out of the doors behind them.
[Cir'Cie,] said Ida next over the intercom, [I know you are working in our new Garden of Eden, but could you ask those there in Engineering to raise the temperature all over the ship? I don't... nnnngghhhhhhh.... think I am the only one that feel we need more heat with these new bodies of ours. I really liked the climate down there on the planet surface... Thanks my sweet... Ida... mmmhh.... out...]
Perhaps its not too late, he kept telling himself, perhaps in vain, as he at last dropped the aim of his phaser - every infected before him laying still. They seemed to be in the clear for the immediate moment so he rounded on the Senior Staff with a scowl carved over his face.
"We need to split up right now," said the Captain to his followers, not even taking an inventory as to how many of them was still there, "Lt. Isley, I need you to follow me to the closest Transporter room. We need to get to the Flight Hangar right away. Lt. Stark, you come with us and make sure we can get the Transporter working for us. Amatras and Arcorn, we might need your help on the way too."
Jien then turned to Dr. Nicander and Lt. Commander Greyson. "Medical and Security, head for Edena Rez' quarters and wake her up. Defend your position there until the Transporter comes online and we come to get you. If we have not beamed you out of there in twenty minutes, you need to try and reach the back door through the Jefferies tubes. First priority is to stop anyone that tries to leave via shuttle or fighter, but the back door is the way we can thwart the threat inside the ship. No time for questions, just go!"
And Jien watched the CMO and the Chief of Security rushing off with Jovela, Garen Nelis and those from Security. He did not consider whether the Ash'reem daughter was with them or not, for he had already taken off with the others towards the closest way down to the section of the Theurgy that had been the most damaged during the chase across the Alpha Quadrant. Yet beyond the riven and torn bottleneck of Decks 03 and 04 lay Deck 05, where the Transporter Rooms might help them reach the Flight Hangar.
It was unspoken, but Isley's previous words probably echoed in all their minds. The Junior Lieutenant might be the only one that could save the Galaxy, be it either through shooting down their infected crew over Niga's stratoshphere... or targeting the Theurgy's Warp Core from outside.
OOC: If you feel at a loss and want help with what to write next with your characters given the above development, or if you wonder where or how your new characters should show up, drop me a PM and I'll give you my own suggestions. Still, your own initiatives are more than welcome, so let your imagination run wild!