The end is nigh

Posted on Sun Jun 29th, 2025 @ 10:51am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Jennifer Baldric & Commander Jenna Ramthorne & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Commander Dean House & Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali & Lieutenant JG Micheal Stevens & Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell

1,135 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Masimal
Location: Sunfire
Timeline: Current-ish

Captain Kaylen Rhenora left the ready room with the shuttles all on their way back and a plan to resume relocating the Masimal uninfected to clean zones in the morning. The shuttle crews had done an amazing job in scanning and picking up the locals, dropping them in a large camp that the engineers had set up, supplemented by medical and logistical staff. It seemed as though things were finally starting to go their way.

Heading down to the medical labs, she planned on reminding those there that there were rest regulations that should be adhered to. It was the pot calling the kettle black and the dark rings around her eyes proved it.

She entered the medical lab into chaos. Dr Tarsis was frantically working on Dr Wilson who looked more dead than alive, Savar had his weapon trained on Dean and Aurora looked both pained and shocked.

Aurora wasn't surprised that Dean had stepped up to give the entity himself instead of her, question was did the entity itself have the strength left to fully infect either of them more than they already were?

Savar's shot missed, mostly attributed to the fact that Dean was just a little bit faster; When he wanted to be. Everything at this point was to save Sarah and Aurora.

Thankfully, Dean didn't have to kill Sarah as a last step and wish. Now, he had to deal with the thing trying to get into his body. "Aurora, shield!!" Holding one hand out for it, the other holding onto the parasite. "Throw it!"

Savar quickly readjusted his aim as the parasite tried to enter House, seeing him as a new host even as Aurora prepared to throw his shield.

Aurora quickly did as Dean asked, throwing him his shield in hopes that it would protect him.

Dean leaned back on purpose when Aurora threw the shield. The intention was for her to hit the parasite with it, not pass it to him. If that missed or didn't incapacitate it, well...Savar had a phaser after all.

Savar had the phaser up and sighted on the parasite, his finger curled around the trigger, ready to fire with just the slightest pressure if House's gamble didn't pay off. His shot wouldn't miss and Aurora and House would be safe from any further infection.

Between the shield and the phaser, the pathogen stood no chance and was abruptly ended. Tarsis looked up and shrugged before turning his attention back to his dying boss. The pathogen was now the least of his concern.

If the parasite wasn't down at this point, it was about to be. Dean moved quickly to where it landed on the deck and mud-hole stopped the crap out of it. "If you're still alive there, you're damn sure not happy." Yes, Dean was talking to a now squished stain on the deck.

"I believe the parasite is either dead or sufficiently subdued Mr. House for it to be placed in a specimen container." Savar commented succinctly.

"Scrape it up and shove it in the specimen container and seal it" Rhenora ordered, beaming said container inside the quarantine field. "Sorry i can't let you guys out of there until the doc says so."

“We’re not cured yet Captain” Aurora offered Savar a more hopeful smile. “But I hope we will be soon.”



Rhenora was torn between helping Savar capture the pathogen and helping Dr Tarsis bring Sarah back from the brink. Seeing Savar had a phaser and Dean had his shield, she felt Tarsis needed her more, as a precaution she beamed two phasers into the quarantine field with Dean and Aurora so they could better defend themselves if necessary.

She drew a steadying breath and approached Tarsis who had his hands full and was without assistance.
"What do you need?" She asked clearly and with authority, breaking through his stoic exterior.

"Ahhh, an extra pair of hands, a dozen hyposprays, and a miracle" he quipped, his lips tight in a forced smile. The smart arse remark gave light to hope.

"I can give you the hands, and the hypos. Just tell me what to do" Rhenora said calmly, offering support.


Planet Side

The next morning, the Captain briefed the shuttle crews in the shuttle bay, displaying a map and their target region. A new green zone was being established in the mountains to the east of the. next largest city. "We have 36 hours before the cavalry arrives. let's do as much as we can before then."

Michael stood looking out from the ramp of the shuttle, checking that his weapon was fully charged. He looked over at the team and hoped that everyone would come back, taking this as a challenge on his first away mission on the Sunfire.

As the Flight Commander, Jenna was making her rounds to verify crew complement and coverage when she walked up to the Shuttle Michael, which was in. "Lt. Stevens, right?" She checked her PADD while waiting for his response and then carried on. "Looks like you'll be on Commander Baldric's team, shuttle group Alpha. You good with that?"


Michael replied, "Yes, Ma'am." he looked back at the senior officer. He continued," I will bring them back, Ma'am," as he was one of the ship's Security team.

"Alright, team, break off and let's get going. You have your target and grids, same deal as yesterday. Beam up, scan, either retrieve or beam back. Let's not miss the farms from yesterday, we didn't get to" Baldric announced, watching the crew break off into their teams. "Shuttle Alpha over here."

Michael headed over towards the Shuttle. He knew that the commander's life was now in his hands. He walked over to the Commander and said," Sir, if I may have a word?" looking at Commander Baldric.

"Of course," she steered him around to the other side of the shuttle so that they wouldn't be overheard. "What's on your mind?"

"Commander, as the senior officer on this mission and I am the senior Security officer," Michael said, looking at her, " your safety is my primary concern, and if I feel at any time you are in any danger," he stopped before finishing what he was going to say. He said," You are to head back to the shuttle for your safety."

Baldric paused for a moment to consider her response. She was used to doing things her way and to be reminded that she was a senior officer wasn't something she was used to. The 'I'm.more than capable of looking after myself' comment was stifled before it even emerged from.her mouth, and was replaced with. "Thank you for your concern Lieutenant, I'll do my best not to get into trouble" she softened the words with a wry smile.

TBC

 

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