Lieutenant Jason Devron, Personal Log Entry

Today I find myself all alone.  On a ship of 72 officers and crew, I am the last one left; the only person aboard the USS Grus not to be completely affected by whatever strange forces have possessed everyone else.  I don’t think anyone realised the full extent of what was going on, until it was too late.

First it had been the headaches, and then the hallucinations followed; if more of the crew had been open and honest about what they’d seen, may be we’d have had chance to escape; instead it drew us closer.  Bring us closer to that planet and closer to our doom.

They’re all down there now, on the planet we were studying.  They beamed down, firstly just a handful; then the numbers grew.  We tried to stop them, but when those that fought so hard to prevent any more crew abandoning the ship, joined their ranks; everything was lost.

I watched the last of them leave, Dinari amongst them. He looked so happy; I think they all did in the end.  This was a ship filled with nightmares and torment, they were all glad to be getting away from this place.

The planet seemed to offer sanctuary; but I can’t help feeling that there is something dark and sinister down there, something that created these horrors in the first place; something that brought us here, long before we realised.

When I close my eyes, sometimes I can hear the shouts and joyous laughter of two kids playing together; I know their names; Alan and George, and they know mine, for they’ve both been in my dreams before.  They belong in a dream of a future that may never come to pass.

To anyone that finds this message; and either my body or this vessel completely empty, I give you just one clear instruction.  ‘Run’.  Run and don’t look back, for this place is evil, and once it has you in its grip, you’ll never want to leave.

And this is how those last days started.

It was mid-morning as the senior staff gathered in the Conference Room for a meeting.  Lieutenant-Commander Chance Vought was already sat at the head of the table; looking for all the world, like a man who’d not slept in several days.  He wasn’t the only one that carried that same haggard look.  Lieutenant Debaere the ships Chief Science Officer, also looked tired.  It was Ensign Cho though, who seemed the worst.

Jason had remembered Chad, her fiancé, remarking at how the young Korea woman had not been herself, these past couple of days.  They’d hardly spoken, and when they did, it was like her mind was distracted by other thoughts; and when the New Zealander had tried to probe her about what the matter was, she’d got angry and dismissive.

The meeting started off slow; they did from time to time; but today’s was like everyone was working at two thirds speed.  Doctor de Havilland commented on the number of crew suffering headaches; the numbers had gone up, yet he appeared strangely less concerned by this fact; than he had, two days ago.  This was despite the fact he had been unable to find any medical reason for it happening.   When asked about using the ships EMH to assist in the diagnosing of the patients; he had to admit that it hadn’t been working.

It was at this point that Jason looked across at Dinari; who as Chief Engineer, was clearly surprised by the fact that a vital part of the ships systems, wasn’t operational.   “You could have mentioned this earlier, doc?”

“Yes I know, but I’ve had rather a lot to do.”  De Havilland replied in a tone that sounded more condescending than apologetic.

“Well this is all very nice.” Their Captain interrupted.   “But there is an important reason as to why I’ve asked you to this meeting.”

“Which is?” Devron asked, having not been told that this was anything more than just a review and update of their current situation.

“Myself and Lieutenant Debaere have been discussing the option of move the ship into orbit around the planet.” Vought announced with a level of enthusiasm Jason had not seen the Captain show in the past.

“Are you sure that’s wise Sir? As XO it was Jason’s job to question the Captains judgement when he felt there was an issue; and the Prime Directive had always been a big issue.

“Are you questioning my judgement, Lieutenant?” The voice was harsh, almost a bark. “You’ve done enough of that in the past; disobeying orders.”

It was a comment, both uncalled for and totally out of character with the Commander.  Yet only Jason and Dinari who replied, seemed to have registered any problem.  “Lieutenant Devron is only thinking of the impact it might have on the planets inhabitant, if we get spotted.”

“I should have known that you’d be one of those to pick his side.”  Vought glared back.

“It’s not a question of picking sides, Sir” Lyambo answered back. “It’s a question of doing the right thing.”

“You officers formerly of the Jaxartes think far too much of yourselves.” Vought’s fist slammed down onto the table.

“Doctor, the Captain is clearly not himself.”  Devron looked towards the CMO.

“On the contrary.” Doctor de Havilland replied.  “It is you who is creating unnecessary conflict.”

“Have you all taken leave of your senses?” Jason yelled.

“I’ve had about all I can take of you.” Vought growled. “Lieutenant Devron you are hereby relieved of all duties and responsibilities and confined to you quarters until further notice.  Is that clear?”

“Crystal clear, Sir.”

Devron stormed out of the Conference Room; Lyambo made to follow him, but Jason waved his friend back down, before exiting.  He was furious; it was like some of the senior staff weren’t acting like themselves, and he wasn’t sure what he could do about it.

First thing he would do though, is head for his quarters.  There he could gather his thoughts; formulate a plan and hopefully with Dinari’s help and that of anyone else not acting weird; take control of the ship.

**********

It was just shy of four hour later, when Jason’s door chimed; he hoped it was Dinari; bringing additional news regarding what else had been said during the meeting.  So as the Lieutenant lay on his bed, Padd in hand, he merely called. “Enter.”

The person who entered the room was not anyone who Jason would have anticipated coming to his quarters; he also wasn’t expecting them to be armed either; and by the time he realised there was a weapon pointed directly at him, it was too late to react.

“Stay exactly where you are.” Crewman Ishan Rahul uttered calmly.

“Crewman, what is the meaning of this?”  Jason question, but other than carefully lowering the Padd, made no effort to move.  “Do you seriously expect to discharge that phaser without setting off the alarms and having security here seconds later?”

“Oh, don’t worry about anyone else.” Ishan gloated.  “They have plenty of other things on their minds, right now.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ve made a packed with the Devil, Lieutenant.  And as my reward I get to kill you.”

“What have you done?” Jason had no idea what this man was talking about; and if he was going to die, he’d at least like to know why.

“Do you know these devices we’ve all been wearing and the sensors dotted around the ship?”

“Yes, what of them?”

“I’ve sabotaged them.” Ishan laughed.

“Why would you do that?”

“Harha’kuva is calling, and they must answer.”

“But what’s that got to do with killing me?”

“You killed my grandmother.”

“How could I?  I have no idea who she is? I’ve probably never met her?” Jason’s counter argument flowed from his lips, as he watched the man in front of him, raise the phaser.

“You will, unless I stop you now.” Ishan stared back.  “Harha’kuva has given me the means and the opportunity to stop you.”

Jason prepared himself for the inevitable shot, but Ishan seemed frozen, mid motion.  Even when the Lieutenant took the gamble of moving; the crewman made no reaction.  Jason could see fear and confusion, written across the man’s face, as if something was preventing him from firing.

At that moment the door to Devron’s quarters opened and in rushed Ensign Tholakath.  “What’s happened to him?”

“I don’t exactly know.” Jason answered. “But he was just trying to kill me.”

“Well surprisingly we’ve got worse things than that going on!” The Cardassian Tactical Officer, informed him. “The Captain just beamed down to the planet, along with Lieutenant Debaere, Doctor de Havilland      and two crewmen.”

“Didn’t anyone try to stop them?” Devron questioned.

“Half the crew have gone crazy, it a nightmare right now!” Tholakath replied.

And indeed with the door being kept open by the close proximity of his Cardassian friend and colleague, Jason could hear the shouts and screams of people in torment.