Ensign Richard Matthews - MG - 554 - 614
Matthew Gough
((Ceram Archipelago))
Pain, oh god the pain, something gripping so tightly around him that he could feel he bonds grinding together. Feel them straining under the pressure. He could imagine the cracks forming in his humerus, sternum, scapula. Could imagine his lumbar vertebrae slipping out of place. He couldn’t see what was gripping him. But he could feel where it was wrapped around him and he was pretty sure that if it didn’t let go soon. His bones were going to shatter.
His vision swam, at least he had unconsciousness to look forward to before that happened. He didn’t like the idea of being awake for that. For his bones to break and splinter and maybe even puncture his skin, forced out of him as whatever had him kept squeezing.
He coughed, breathing was hard, speaking was hard. He wasn’t sure if his comm was still open. Still in his panic he tried to call for help. His mind slipping, he tried to call out for help from people who hadn’t let him down yet.
It was kind of funny. When had his go-to when he was scared changed to the friends he worked with? He was pretty sure the last time he’d been grabbed up and dragged away he had been yelling for his mom. Or Kellan.
The last time he had been grabbed? Right, he remembered something like this before. Hadn’t hurt as much as this. And he’d been yelling. Unlike now, when all he could do was barely get three words out. Hoping they were broadcast over the comms.
Matthews: Ras - Ezra - help.
Something crunched. He heard it. He felt it. And then he was gone. Surrounded by blissful blackness and not that sickening, ghastly pink.
((Jorogumo's Technological Bay))
Rana: Do our scanners have more information, now that we have brought this Terran on board?
Richard blinked. He’d come too some time ago. He didn’t know when and he didn’t know how long he had been out. One moment there was nothing. The next. Everything hurt and he was desperately trying to go back to sleep again even as pain gripped him tight and dragged him from unconsciousness.
Vidya: Response
Rana: Very well. Let us ask this male what he was doing.
He glanced around. The voices were coming from down the hallway. He’d woken up on an uncomfortable cot. It didn’t even have a mattress. Let alone a pillow. His body hurt. Sitting up had hurt it more. Standing? Oh god, standing had been a mistake. But he stood, staring at the opening that let out of his room, or was it a cell? Into the hallway. He didn’t step forward. Assuming there was an energy field up that would stop him, maybe hurt him more. He just waited until two people came into view.
Vidya: Response
Rana: Speak, male. What were you doing outside your ship?
He let his eyes slowly wander over the two women in uniform. Taking in as much detail as he could regarding the uniform. The ornamentation on it. Trying to glean from that, their ranks. Their disposition from the looks on their faces. Could he make friends with these people? Had they rescued him?
Or had they captured him? Should he try to talk to them? Explain that he was collecting samples of the nebula? This could be first contact with a new species. Shouldn’t he put his best foot forward?
Something told him no. He shouldn’t. Not a memory exactly. Some feeling of dread rising at the thought that he was alone again. Snatched up and taken prisoner even though he should have been safe.
He had been talking to Ras and KP, the captain was right behind him waiting to reel him in, he should have been safe!
Matthews: :: Staring straight ahead :: MG - 554 - 614
Vidya: Response
Rana: Tell us whose orders you follow.
He didn’t shake his head. He didn’t look back at his captors again. Because talking didn’t help. No one would listen. But he would be good and well buggered if he said anything that might hurt the crew.
Let them draw their own conclusions. Whatever they could cook up themselves for what Richard was up to. Would have them worried about what the Khitomer was up to. What she could do.
A vindictive little part in him grinned. Good. Let someone else be scared.
Matthews: :: Still staring straight ahead :: MG - 554 - 614
Vidya: Response
TAGS/TBC
_________
Science Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A238908RM0