Part of USS Mariner: M2: All the Voices in My Head

15) Reflection of Fear

USS Mariner - Bridge
May 2401
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The area was a chaos of broken pieces of what had happened after the match. The Mariner was hovering nearby at an observation distance. The debris was out of range of the ship, as chaotic space was noticeable in the far distance. The bridge crew kept the remnants of the station in check while doing their duties in ship operations. Sazra looked over her shoulder and saw Silina entering the bridge, followed by Kossaal. “Commander, Doctor…” She looked back at her console, where she was already writing her report to Starfleet command.

“Captain, I am here to do my debriefing on the given situation,” Silina stated as Miki also entered the bridge, taking his spot at the security station. Silina gave a brief nod in his direction. “The away team has entered L'Talia station with the primary mission of finding any life and explaining what happened to it. While on the station, we encountered communication problems due to an interfering signal.” 

Giving a brief nod, Sazra looked at her XO. She didn't show it on the bridge, but she was glad that Silina was safe and no longer in any kind of danger. “Lieutenant Taritt reported to me that the interference worked one way. We could hear you but not the other way around.” 

“The said device of the information received from Lieutenant Bruno is that it was the primary source of the interference.” While entering the bridge, Valerio stated, “The scan is quite interesting as it is difficult to conclude the device's origin or even how it is constructed. I already gave him a lecture on bashing unknown devices,” Adrián pointed out.

Silina nodded in his direction. “Without communication and Lieutenant Bruno in danger, we had to become creative about what was going on. The creature had captured the Lieutenant, and time was of utmost importance.” She crossed her arms, letting Kossaal do his medical checks on her. 

Then Miki spoke up from his console, “The creature is also unknown in our database; we don't know if they are related to any Delta Quadrant species. However, we have suspicions of a close relationship to such. The creature in question used telepathic to communicate and attack its victims. Overloading their brainwaves to pass out if you are not, like Commander Ruslanovna, trained in mental shielding. Then you get dragged and….will be a feast for the creature.” 

“People on the station are then presumed dead?” Sazra looked around the bridge.

“Initial scans indicate no life on the outer rings. When we went deeper, we found the remnants of the people present on the ship. Potentially, there are more bodies, but seeing how long the station was in the current condition, I can only presume that they are all gone.” Silina concluded her scan report.

Sazra shrugs. “Lieutenant Taritt, do long-range scans of the area. It's better to be sure than sorry.” “Our scans have not been able to find any life, either, but I shall do another sweep of the area,” Drata confirmed, looking back at his console. 

Looking from Drata back to Sazra, Silina continued her report: “The creature eventually faced me, and as Lieutenant Miki stated, my mental protection training helped me take a slight advantage and time for the rest of the team to retreat. It was a gamble….but it worked out.” 

"A dangerous one," Sazra quickly pointed out and leaned back in her chair. “But I am glad the team is back with little to no injuries. I believe Ensign Cho is out of commission for a day?” She looked in the direction of the doctor to get a confirmation of some sort about it. 

Kossaal stopped checking Miki and nodded in the Captain's direction. “The Ensign was exposed to extreme mental exposure by the creature. So I ordered her to take some rest, and I will keep her brain activity in check. The report from my side is that the device or the creature had an impact on the nightmares happening on our ship. I am receiving fewer reports of nightmares, and people are getting more sleep as we speak.” 

Giving a nod at Kossaal, “Good,” Sazra turned to the screen, seeing the station pieces. “Let's stay a bit. Then Lieutenant K'Nala can plot a course away from here. I want those station scans before we leave,” Sazra ordered and looked at Silina. “Get some rest before you return to full service. I think the doctor already cleared you for it?” 

“She is clear but needs some rest to recover her last energy. It was an intense experience to see what I could read from the scans. So do follow my advice and get some rest,” Kossaal pointed out, finishing up on Miki. That also counts for you, Lieutenant.” With that said, and seeing Miki nodding to him, he turned to walk back to the turbolift. Captain, I will be in sickbay. If you need me,” he said. 

“Thank you for your time; everyone else resumed duties. Away team members are ordered to take some rest.” Sazra took a deep breath and gave Silina a nod before looking back at her report. 

Silina and Miki walked to the turbolift to join the doctor and take the rest they needed. As the door closes, K'Nale taps onto the console. “Plot is set, and we can leave upon request.”