Date: Wed, 28 Feb 1996 01:02:30 -0500
From: Jeff Finocchiaro <jeff@jhu.edu>
Subject: USS OBERON: Fate
 
 
The fataloxin slowly smoked through the ventilation shafts, working its 
way into the ship.  Soon its infectious march would lead to the bridge.
 
"Computer, activate emergency biological protocols!" shouted Lawrence.  
 
<Protocols engaged> came the steely reply from the computer.  The 
emergency protocols would activate emergency filters in the air system 
and pump fresh air in from reserves.  It would slow the fataloxin 
penetration into the OBERON, hopefully long enough to buy time for the 
crew to think of another option.
 
"Commander, the signals to the shuttlecraft emanated from Richard's 
station," warned a relief science officer.  
 
Iona had a phaser pulled and aimed at Richard's heart.  She took her 
weapon off of him only when a security guard resumed her previous pose.  
Eyes turned to Richard, projecting hateful glances.  He had betrayed them 
- all through Parker's nefarious scheme.  
  
Quickly, Iona put down the weapon and moved to Descartes to check his 
pulse.  It was weak and somewhat shallow; the small, unconscious creature 
most likely had a concussion and probably a few broken bones.
 
Adam put his hands to his chest, nursing the broken ribs.  "Dammit!  They 
biological protocols won't work!  This is a level-4 hot-agent.  We know 
what it can do -- and the viral particles are so small they will pass 
through the filters."  
 
Adam calmed down somewhat and continued.  "We have three options.  Vaccine, 
cure, or biocontainment.  Since choices one and two are not available, we 
need to contain the virus."  Adam wheezed the last phrase and winced at 
the burning pain in his torso. 
 
"Computer," said Lawrence, "project on visual an image of the fataloxin 
penetration."  
 
In an instant, the main viewer switched from the blackness of space to 
a schematic of the ship.  The shuttlebay was shaded red, as were the 
surrounding decks.  But the stardrive was still untouched.
 
"We have to separate the ship.  Now."
 
Adam nodded.  If there was one blessing this circumstance had, it was 
that the OBERON was carrying far less than normal crew.  Most were 
onboard SSE1 or on Earth enjoying shoreleave.  The rest of the crew now 
had the chance to experience one of the most murderous biological agents 
ever created.
 
"Computer, shut off all air-feeds to the stardrive and drop bulkheads in 
all infected areas.  We'll beam the infected crew out and place them 
directly in quarantine."
 
Thomas felt himself shaking, and he supressed the fear that began to 
wrack him.  He'd been in command of the OBERON before, but Lexia or 
Stae-faan were always nearby.  Thomas was a Counselor by trade.  We he 
getting in over his head?  This was a crisis, not a simulator exercise.  
This was *real* and lives depended on what he and the rest of the senior 
staff did.
 
Fighting off anxiety, Lawrence re-collected his thoughts.
 
"Doctor, can you function?"
 
Adam nodded his head.  It wasn't convincing, but there were precious few 
options at this time.  "Pump yourself up with whatever painkiller you 
need and will not hinder you.  I then need you to quarantine all infected 
with the virus.  Set up a sick ward in the stardrive.  Anyone who is 
currently on decks 7 through 11 goes in there."  
 
"Lieutenants Zinoviev and Cochrane, supervise the evacuation.  Use the 
transporters as I indicated for anyone in the hot-zones."  TE glanced 
over at Descartes and prayed that the small simian would be okay and that 
Iona would not be too shaken to carry out her duties.  
 
Iona picked up Descartes, cradling the small, furry body.  Soon they all 
left the bridge with the exception of Lawrence, two security guards, and 
Richard.
 
"You," spat Lawrence.  "You son of a bitch."  
 
"I, I couldn't help it!  But I can help you now!" urged Richard, begging for 
forgiveness.
 
"Oh, sure," mocked Thomas sarcastically.  "I'll definitely just let you 
'help' us again.  You nearly killed us all!  My God, how could I have 
been so naive as to trust you!  Grax was right."
 
"I know where Parker is on the planet!  I promise you, I know!" sobbed 
Richard.
 
"Oh, certainly, Richard.  We'll just beam down into another trap.  Parker 
undoubtedly knows we are here and he'll make the necessary preparations.  
Perhaps you can give me the coordinates and I'll send enough photon 
torpedoes to the surface to turn it into a pool of molten granite."
 
"I, I.."
 
"SHUT UP!" shouted Thomas.  Rage coursed through him, possessed him.  He 
looked at his phaser and thought of disintegrating Richard on the spot.  
He wanted revenge against Parker and this "thing" here was the nearest 
and easiest way.
 
<Cochrane to Lawrence.>
 
Thomas was startled by the interruption.  "Lawrence here."
 
<Preparations are complete.  Infected crew have been transported to a 
quarantine ward, and non-infected crew, save those on the bridge now, are 
all in the stardrive.>
 
"Excellent.  I'll meet you in the battle bridge.  Out."
 
Lawrence turned to a security guard.  "Take Richard to the brig and place 
a signal jammer in the vicinity.  I'm thinking that Parker somehow 
activated a dormant program in his memory."
 
"I didn't mean to do it!" shouted the cyborg.
 
"Perhaps not.  But I need to cool down.  If you do have vital 
information, you'll have the opportunity to share it with us."
 
With that, Lawrence entered the turbolift and headed to the battle 
bridge, and the security guards took Richard to a holding cell.
 
"My God, what is going on?" spoke the Counselor, as tears welled in his 
eyes.  "What is going on!!"  He broke into sobs and cried for the entire 
trip to the stardrive.  Before the doors opened, he wiped his eyes and 
steadied himself, telling himself to be strong.
 
But he wasn't.  He saw the Fataloxin, Adam^2, Thomas^2, and all of the 
darkest memories he had forced into the deepest shadows of his subconscious 
emerging, laughing at him, showing their ugly, grotesque faces.
 
Cmdr. Thomas Lawrence
CNS/SO USS OBERON
 
NRPG -- Susan, that was *wonderful*!!
 
-J