"Not Everyone Comes Back"
(continued from David’s "The Plot Thickens")
******************
_______________________
Stardate: 60298.1322
Setting: VALTA System, Inside Asteroid 112
_______________________
Facing the rapid decrease in their powerpack supply, the Marine CO was faced with ever diminishing options. It had come down to making a decision that he was hoping he wasn’t going to have to make. Remembering what General Alvarez had once said about the burden of command and the price that was too often required, Pravat motioned for Tes’Karka to his side.
"The only way we are getting out of here is by taking out the field generator," he said to the Klingon squad leader.
"I understand," she growled back. "It would be my honor to complete the mission."
He quickly glanced at the Klingon before returning his attention to the hirogens he had been firing at.
"I'm not sending you," he said. He didn't need to look over at her to know exactly what the _expression on her face was. "I need you to get the squad back to the freighter after I disable the generator."
"Sir, I…"
"That's an order Tes," he snapped.
Using all of their remaining ammunition the marines would lay down cover fire to allow Pravat to reach the generator in the adjacent room near the position of several Hirogen hunters and disable the source of the interference. Timing would be crucial but if luck was on his side Prav should be able to disable the generator and transport back to the freighter with the rest of his Marines.
______________
Stardate: 60298.1324
Setting: Inside the room with the generator
_________________
Tes'Karka directed the other four members of the Ammut squad in laying down enough fire that the remaining Hirogen hunters retreated back behind the outcroppings they had been using for cover. Using the momentary cessation of Hirogen fire, the 2nd Lieutenant made a dash toward the opening. He knew he didn’t have much time as the intensity of the cover fire would have drained whatever remaining energy there was in the marine’s power packs.
Quickly scanning the room he determined the location of the generator and the best place to set the grenades. The increase sounds of Hirogen weapons fire told him that his men were out of time and if he didn’t get the generator down, none of them were getting out alive.
He activated the five photon grenades he had placing them in the generator and then made a dash for the doorway hoping to be outside the room when the grenades blew.
_________________
Stardate: 60298.1324
Setting: Tunnels, outside generator room
_________________
The last power pack had finally given out and the marines were now defenseless against the Hirogen weapons. When the Alpha finally realized that the intruders were no longer firing back he ordered his men to cease firing, at least until he could figure out why their prey had stopped.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of a human voice coming from the generator room followed by a horrific explosion.
"Initiate emergency transport…" Prav yelled as he ran out, the explosion following him and throwing him to the ground.
Most of the Hirogens were confused by the chaos but the Alpha realized what was happening, albeit to late to prevent the destruction of field generator. He watched as the man who had managed to trick him tried to pulled himself off the ground. The Alpha smiled as he saw that the saboteur had not escaped uninjured.
Prav tried to stand up but a burning sensation in his back made it almost impossible to get his feet under him. He knew he had been hit with shrapnel from the explosion but had no idea as to the extent of the injury. It wasn’t really important, what was important was whether or not it worked. Had the marines transported back or not?
What he didn’t know was at that very moment the Alpha Hirogen was lifting his rifle, zeroing in on the injured marine. What he saw was Private Tony Dyba running toward him.
"Lieutenant," the Private yelled. "Stay down, Sergeant Major has contacted the freighter. We'll be out of here any minute."
Prav stumbled forward and was caught by the Private at the exact moment the Alpha fired his weapon and the VENTURE CAPITAL initiated the transport.
___________
Stardate: 60298.1324
Setting: VENTURE CAPITAL, Transporter Room
___________
Prav saw the beam as it hit the young Private who stepped in to catch the injured Lieutenant and he saw the young man crumple to the ground when they appeared on the transport pad.
"Medic," Prav yelled as soon as he realized he was back aboard the freighter. In a matter of seconds, Dyba was pulled off the padd and whisked away to the make shift sickbay.
"You need to go also," Tes'Karka said helping Prav to his feet.
"I'm fine, just tell those Ferengi to set in a course for TOLAR IV," he said, just before everything went dark.
****************
Matt Kelly (downwitmal@yahoo.com)
Writing for:
2nd Lt. Pravat
MCO
USS ANUBIS
