Ensign Kovar - Out of the Frying Pan
Kovar
((Observation Bay, near Engineering Annex, Gibaria Outpost))
With the current immediate crisis having been diverted. Momentary calm fell upon the group. Kovar turned his attention to the Commander’s suggestion regarding repair of use of the shuttle that could have ended them all.
Kovar: I will see what I can do. ::He shut down the subspace generator.:: It would be reasonable to conclude that this repair will be reasonably straightforward compared to what has just occurred.
Fenn: I’ll look for some logs or data that might tell us what the scientists were trying to accomplish here.
That was a logical next step. It was still a mystery to them all as to what exactly the personnel here were attempting to accomplish. From Kovar’s cursory knowledge of historic attempts to access other dimensions, they never seemed to end well. As far as he was concerned, the events at Gibaria were just another data set composed of illogical decisions, with the suffering that always came as a result.
Marshall: Good. ::She settled into her own rhythm at her console.:: If there are research logs we should be able to get a beat on what they were working on. Whatever sent that shuttle sideways through dimensional space, it didn't happen by accident.
The Vulcan went about carefully creating a mental diagram of the many connections between the shuttle and the surrounding external equipment. He still was not certain as to the level of difficulty in dismantling the apparatus, or if, in doing so, the possibility of triggering another event. However, he was jostled out of thought by a disconcerting noise.
Kovar’s gaze shot to the door and adrenaline began to course through his body as some…thing continued to smash in the bay entrance door. The commander immediately placed her hand on her phaser, and similarly he had as well, completely by instinct.
Fenn: ::whispering through clenched teeth:: What. Is. That?
Marshall: ::Low and measured,:: Good bloody question.
Marshall repositioned herself in order to gain a clear view of the bay door.
Marshall: ::Low,:: Fallback both of you. Find cover.
Kovar: Aye Commander, moving.
The thing continued to beat mercilessly on the door, frame buckling at the force. Kovar saw Fenn reach for her phaser, her hand trembling. He did not blame her at all. It was all he could do to attempt to maintain control over his own fear. He moved closer to Fenn.
Fenn: What do we do?
Marshall: ::Quietly,:: Hold position. Don't fire unless you have to. And—
Kovar: We should—
Before Kovar could finish his thought, the door exploded in a shower of metal. He ducked behind the shuttle, while attempting to maintain vision on his fellow crewmates. It did not seem that he had been fast enough based upon the damp feeling on his face. He was certain he was bleeding though he felt no pain thanks to the endorphins.
He peeked around the corner to behold their unwelcome guest, and there it stood. He quickly attempted to analyze the creature.
It was a quadrupedal lifeform of unknown classification with dense, dark blue fur. It possessed red eyes, possibly indicative of low-light adaptation. It also displayed pronounced fangs and claws, both consistent with a predatory role. The presence of fluid on the teeth, likely blood, suggested recent feeding activity, likely humanoid. Its posture communicated an obvious aggressive state. In conclusion, current conditions suggested a high likelihood of adverse contact.
Fenn: ::voice pitched higher:: Commander...orders?
Marshall: Wide beam, medium stun if it attacks. ::She steadied her phaser, trained on the creature's centre of mass.:: We don't know what it is, so we don't know what it takes to put it down. Breathe before you shoot.
Kovar: I have you covered, Ensign.
Marshall: Both of you start moving toward the shuttlecraft ramp. Take it slow. Once we're onboard, close the ramp up. The hull can take it, I don't think our bodies could.
Kovar: Copy that.
Fenn: Response
He moved around the shuttle toward the shuttle ramp. It would provide some measure of protection, though he wondered whether it would fare any better than the bay door. However, it was clear that the situation had deteriorated based on the forcefulness of Marshall’s next command.
Marshall: MOVE!
Kovar moved quickly, and as he had been closest to the shuttle, he boarded it moments after the commander’s outburst. Suddenly the bay was a cacophony of phaser fire, bestial snarls, and the screech of metal. He mentally pushed it all to the side and focused solely on powering up the shuttle. Whether it would be used as a weapon or means of escape, he did not know. However, what he did know was that staying put was not an option. He noticed, thankfully, that Fenn had also made it aboard.
Fenn: Response
Marshall fired her phaser one last time as she rushed into the shuttle, and Kovar slammed the door control sealing them within the vessel. He continued working at his console and addressed the commander in typical Vulcan monotone.
Kovar: I am currently powering up the shuttle, Commander. It would seem that remaining here is no longer an option.
Fenn: Response
Kovar: Well. ::he raised both eyebrows:: The decision to leave the phaser systems intact has proven to be unexpectedly prudent. With that in mind, I believe the question before us is fight or flight.
Fenn / Marshall: Response
Engineering Officer
USS Gorkon, NCC-82293
G240302K13