"These Are What Nightmares Are Made Of"
[Previous post: "Multiple Surprises", written by the *Surprising* Serena Switt]
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Setting: USS HATHOR, Bridge
To say that Lea had not been looking forward to discovering what this
void had been would have been an understatement. Just the thought of it
maybe being related to the Imperians had been enough to give the CMO
the jitters. Not so long ago Lea had wanted to keep Susan on the ANUBIS
so that she would be safe. Right now the CMO wanted the Cns to be on
the other ship and her there with her.
"Coming into visual range," Derek said breaking the silence that had
been on the bridge. Before then Lea could have heard a pin drop, but her
head had been filled with too many images to be aware of anything else.
A single probe containing only one Imperian could lead to countless
injuries and even deaths. If this thing was as big as Uxtar had said, it
could easily house hundreds of those walking mechanical nightmares.
"Let's see what we are up against," Serenna said, the icy calmness of
her voice not at all betraying her growing concerns. The HATHOR had
been well equipped to deal with opponents several times its size and
power, but not Imperians. What had truly been the problem had been that
everyone on the bridge knew this.
"Sensors are still not picking anything on this thing," David said as
he looked away from his instruments to look at the image. From where
she stood Lea could see the colours drain from the CEO's face as he saw
the cause of the void.
The perfectly black sphere had been reminiscent of a Borg ship. If not
in its appearance at least in the emotional response its simple
presence had triggered in all who had seen it. For a split second the CMO had
almost wished that the object had been Borg in origin, at least that
way they would have a chance. Seeing an Imperian ship of that size, Lea
could already foresee the nightmare that would be theirs to fight.
"No visible markings or access ports or any kind," Uxtar reported. For
a Hirogen the Sec/Tac officer sounded rather unimpressed by the
appearance of this new prey. Lea could not tell if this was because there had
been no visible trophies for him to claim or if it had been because of
something else. Maybe despite all of his hunter bravado, Uxtar had
been like everyone else onboard the HATHOR. Maybe like everyone else he
hated anything to do with the Imperians.
The bridge grew once again still as the image of the dark sphere grew a
little bit larger with each passing second. Feeling a lump developing
in her throat, Lea turned to look at Susan. The CMO had hoped to see
her friend standing there with an expression of confidence on her face.
As the ship's Cns, Susan knew the importance of keeping the crew's
morale high. What Lea saw instead was a reflection of her own fears in her
friend's posture.
"We are being scanned," David reported as if the act had been a affront
to their dignity.
"Doctor, Counsellor," Serenna said as she turned to look at Lea and
Susan. "It might be safer for you both if you returned to Sickbay.
Things may get a little bumpy from this point on."
If it had at all been possible Lea would have asked to have Susan and
her beamed to the ANUBIS. As much as she had wanted to be out of harm's
way, the CMO knew that her place had been here. Like it or not things
were about to get nasty and her skills as a Doctor would likely been
called upon. A lot sooner than Lea cared for.
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Lt. J.G. Lea Summers 2006 post #108
Stardate: 60342.0910
Tiffany Rose {lady_tiffany_rose@mail.com}
Chief Medical Officer
USS HATHOR
