JP-Ensign Kreshkova and Lt. Tito: Fool Me Once, Shame on You. Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me. Part 6

[btv....@sapo.pt]

((Comet’s Surface, Alien structure))

Tito nodded but tried a reassuring smile. 

Tito: I think you're right. Let's get us out of it then.

Sasch simply nodded her head several times. If she had been on regularly duty, she would have more easily been in business mode, but for some reason this felt different. A little … scarier maybe. It took a moment of deep breathing to calm her nerves.

Tito stepped slowly to the center of the room, heading to what appeared to be a consol.

To his surprise it was just a small display screen with three buttons on his left. 

Raising an eyebrow, tricorder in hand, he began to scan it.

Tito: That’s an interesting console. 

Kreshkova: Vhat do you see?

The Russian plodded over toward the Science officer.

Tito: Overly simple for my liking. ::he tapped his tricorder a couple of times.:: I am having trouble getting a proper scan. Can you use your tricorder, please? 

Kreshkova: Of course.

Sasch took a look at the console. It was strange, but she did as he asked and pulled out her tricorder. She started scans, but just like Tito, she couldn’t get anything.  

Kreshkova: Maybe if I interface zhis tricorder vizh zhis console….

She knelt down and tried to find a panel that she could open to hook her tricorder up to. Feeling around with her bulky gloves, she was able to pry the edge of console and found a junction where she could integrate her tricorder.

But as she did, the console above began to flash brightly. This was a loud clanking sound.

Tito looked up and around. He raised an eyebrow. His usual cold and unemotional expression set on his face.

From his mouth only one word came out. 

Tito: Damn.

Immediately following the clank, the sides of the room and the ceiling began slowly but noticeably creeping in toward them.

Sasch’s throat began to constrict and her breathing sped up exponentially. With obvious panic in her voice, without realizing what name she was using, she called out.

Kreshkova: Vitor? I didn’t know zhis vould happen. I didn’t mean for zhis ta happen. Vhat …vhat do we do?

She could scrap in a dog fight or fly into the tail of a comet seemingly without a care in the world, but this? The she had never told anyone that she hated tight spaces and this space was becoming tighter by the moment.  

Tito moved closer to Kreshkova, raising his tricorder. Without facing her he replied, trying not to be too harsh, as she was clearly scared. 

Tito: I don't like being called Vitor. Tito will do.

She breathed in to a four count and breathed out to a four count. Her natural response was to yank her tricorder away from the console, but her gut warned her not to.  

Kreshkova: Are you good at programming, Tito? Do you vant to take a look at zhis? 

Tito: Yes, let me check.

Tito dropped the backpack, taking out his PADD. Connecting his tricorder to it, he began to link it with Kreshkova's tricorder, and the console. Tito tried to make sense of it, as the tricorder showed some sort of programming. But it wasn't able to completely translate the alien ideograms.

Sasch stepped back and let him in. As he worked, she scrutinized the walls. She tried not to panic as she saw them getting closer and closer. Was there a chink in their armor? Was there a way for them to get out that she just wasn’t seeing?

She walked over to the stone that Tito had stepped on. Slipping her pack off, she knelt down and opened it up, finding a crowbar, she tried to pry it up. It took some effort, but she was able to get the edge up, and then she lifted it the rest of the way with her hands. She saw the large button that was depressed when the stone had been stepped on. Could she pop it back up?

Tapping on his PADD Tito wasn’t able to make any progress. From what he understood of the display it was showing a countdown. 

Tito: I am getting nowhere. You found something?

Kreshkova: Maybe. I’m not sure. Can you come take a look?

Tito shrugged and walked to her. 

Tito: Try it, we are running out of options and I wasn't doing any better. 

Sasch looked up. The ceiling had slowly lowered to the point it was only a foot over Tito’s head while he was standing. The walls had begun to encroach near her position causing her heartbeat to accelerate. With fear in her eyes, she glanced up at the Science Officer and then tipping her head back down, she slipped the toe of the crowbar under the button and tried prying it back up.  

Kreshkova: Can you help me try?

Tito nodded and joined Kreshkova's efforts, grabbing the crowbar, even before he replied. 

Tito: Let’s do it together. 

Working together, the pressed down on the lever and the button popped up. If there had been any atmosphere, the duo would have heard a click followed by a series of clatters. And seconds later, the ceiling started to rise and the walls began to retreat. Sasch heaved a sigh of relief. 

Tito noticed the relieved look in Kreshkova's face. He looked up and around the room, starting to reconsider further investigation. 

Tito: How are you?

Kreshkova: You’ll forgif me if I’m a little leary of remaining here after vhat ve just vent zhrough. Could ve get out of here before the ceiling begins to squash us again?

Tito nodded, packing up his PADD and tricorder. 

Tito: Leave your tricorder and let's get moving. Take point and move as fast as you can.

Kreshkova: Da. You don’t haf ta tell me tvice.

Sasch stood to her booted feet and plodded toward the door as quickly as she could with the grav boots that were meant to keep her feet on the ground. With every step she was afraid that the door would being to slide shut and the ceiling would once again begin to fall. Closer. Closer. Almost there…her pulse continued to pound in her ears. Ten steps…Eight steps….four steps….two steps…One….Outside. She made it, but she stepped aside and turned to make sure that Tito was behind her.

Tito paced quickly, or as quickly as he could in the EV suit, but he was careful to stick close to Kreshkova, only slightly behind. 

Unlike Sasch, he suspected they managed to leave the room without further incident, and he gently tapped her shoulder. 

Tito: Keep it up, let's head back to the shuttle. 

Once she was sure he was by her side, she started walking again though her breaths still came more quickly than usual. At least the shuttle felt safer than the building just had.

Kreshkova: Zhank you for understanding.  

Barely a step behind her Tito only turned when they were safely back on the comet surface. He stopped for a second, looking back at the structure. It was a bit of a disappointment, but at least they learned that the area was a potential danger, he would suggest placing warnings over it when he submitted his report.

And any further investigation would require a larger team. For now, curious as he still was, it was better to stay in one piece, and in his proper size.

Tito: Keep your secrets 

Kreshkova: Vhat secrets did you zhink it held?

Tito shrugged as he looked at her. Tipping his head and gesturing to the shuttle he began to walk. 

Tito: Sometimes we don't get to understand everything, and some mysteries aren't meant to be solved. I am sorry to drag you to this and I am glad you are OK. You did good Kreshkova. 

Kreshkova: Zhank you, Sir. Zhis isn’t exactly vhat I expected vhen I signed up for zhis. But at least I’ll haf an interesting story to tell.

TBC

Ens. Sasch Kreshkova

Helm

SB 118 OPS

O240103SK2

and

Lt. Vitor R.S.Tito 

Science Officer

Starbase 118

O238907VS0