Lt A.Dewitt-In A Pickle Part I

[Emma Banin]

((Bridge, Deck 1, USS Khitomer))

C. Dewitt: ::nodding:: It’s not a drift. It’s a reacting. ::towards Naxell:: Sir, I suggest we get to a safe distance.

Naxell: We’ll have our backs to Lattice space, but I agree. Lieutenant, maneuver us to keep the derelict between us and that cloud.

Korras: Yes sir.

Stros: Response

The klaxon cut through her thoughts and the  dissonance that hung heavily on the bridge. Sentient or not the cloud had just accelerated.   

C. Dewitt: It’s trying to surround us, Sir.

Naxell: That’s our cue. Get us out of here.

Korras: I suggest we go to warp, sir. We will not make it out in time on impulse speed. The nebula is.. changing too much.

Stros: Response

The Khitomer rocked from side to side as its’ crew desperately carried out orders and tried to escape their ethereal predator; all to no avail. 

Naxell: Any direction but in, Mr. Korras, warp one

Korras: We are at warp.

Stros:Response

As the cloud enveloped the ship lights began to flicker and splutter.

It reminded Ayemet of a childhood memory, a him caught on a marsh ,

Its’ struggles only accelerating its’ demise. Guttural terrified noises came from it as she stood there transfixed with terror unable to do anything. 

C. Dewitt: Power levels are fluctuating.

Naxell: All stop. We’re in the mud. There’s no use wearing ourselves out over it.

Korras: Full stop, yes sir.

Ayemet gave a lopsided smile of resignation.  As Naxell had stated they were stuck in the mud so coming to a full stop was more like giving up on the exertion of running to stand still. The Khitomer might well need the power later and expending it now with no results was a wasted effort.

Stros: Weapons are on standby

C. Dewitt: Keep tactical systems ready.

A. Dewitt: What’s behind this? If this cloud is a tool rather than a sentient being the power required to generate and control it must be incredible. 

She looked around the bridge for answers she knew she would not receive. If the cloud was a weapon of sorts the intelligence behind it thought in a way that most species didn’t. That made them unpredictable and in turn dangerous.

Naxell: I don’t suppose sensors are any more useful from inside the cloud?

Looking at his console, Korras shook his head.

Korras: Navigational sensors are barely registering anything. 

Stros: Unfortunately, we appear to be blind Captain.

She looked at out the cloud before tg. Purple and pinks melded together with flashes of yellow orange, almost like lightning. Was that part of the ‘mechanics of this strange phenomenon, much lome sparks in an old harvester unit back on Bajor, or was it exactly what it  looked like; lightening?

A. Dewitt: Whatever this is or isn’t, it’s beautiful.  

Naxell: =/\= Attention all hands, this is the captain. We are, currently, trapped by some unknown force. But we won’t stay that way. Keep your heads, keep working, and we’ll get out of this together. =/\=

TAG/TBC

Lieutenant Ayemet Dewitt

Ship Counselor

USS Khitomer 

NCC 62400

A239810JA2Q