Commander Mary Anacostia-Bolling, tapped her index finger on the top left-hand corner of the small panel mounted into the right arm of her Captain’s chair; instantly putting her in touch with every member of the crew, no matter where on the USS da Vinci they were located.

“This is your Captain, all crew prepare for atmospheric operations.  Medical personnel, triage teams and designated orderlies to standby locations, prepare for incoming via ‘all’ Transporters.” She spoke with a clear crisp voice, clearly emphasising the word ‘all’, as they would be using the cargo transporters to bring people up, as well as the standard personnel ones; knowing that everyone aboard the ship would now be moving swiftly to carry out their assigned tasks. “Shields to maximum, go to Blue Alert.”

All throughout the ship alert panel flashed blue three times, accompanied by a warbling sound from the alarms; before the lights glowed steady and the noise ceased.

“Ensign Isaacs, take us in.” The Captain ordered the helm officer; before issuing a second command to the communications office.  “Instruct the Grus to follow us down.”

“Grus acknowledges.”  Ensign Phillanie confirmed.

The shields around front saucer section of both vessels began to glow brightly as they both entered the planet’s atmosphere.  Reds turned to orange, yellow and finally for a brief moment white, as they descended.  Then there came the twin sonic booms, which rolled like thunder across the vast empty sky.  But it wasn’t empty for long as two dots appeared in the distance.

No one looked up, oblivious to what was going on around them, as those two dots resolved themselves into the distinctive silhouettes of two Saber Class scout ships.   They came in, with little grace and even less fanfare, working against gravity and the elements in a situation their designers had probably never contemplated.  These were clearly no Intrepid or any of the other classes of ship built with flying through an atmosphere or landing on a planet in mind.  They were completely out of their comfort zone; yet both ships managed to glide to a halt less than a kilometre, directly above the dig site.

Within seconds of both ships moving into position, their transporters began the process of locking on to the life signs below and beaming them up.

“Multiple small targets inbound.” Lieutenant Grav barked. “Baring 036; range 80 kilometres and closing.”

“Co-ordinate firing solutions with the Grus, and open fire when targets enter range.” Anacostia-Bolling wasn’t taking any chances regarding if whatever was approaching was hostile or not.

“Request permission to deploy security personnel on the ground to cover the rescue?” The Tellarite asked.  “Our ships weapons aren’t designed for this type of situation, and I can’t guarantee complete success.”

“Do it.” She replied.

**********

On the surface, Starfleet personnel and Romulan’s alike, stopped what they were doing.  Some collapsed with exhaustion, others just knelt looking at their hands in confusion, a few even wept.  The forces that had been controlling their minds; first convincing them to come to this planet and then, making them dig frantically in the sand; were finally being counteracted upon by the close proximity of the two ships, now hovering directly above them.

Soon they heard the booming roar of phaser fire as both ships launched the first salvo towards the distant horizon.  The powerful beams of intense energy lanced through the sky; vaporising 20 or 30 of the approaching targets, with each shot fired; and sending numerous others tumbling to the ground.  Yet still they came; metallic objects the size of small birds, numbering over two thousand and being whittled down with each volley as they sped along; heading directly for those on the ground.

T’Linga and Blake both arrived in the glowing beam of the transporters with two other crewmembers, all carrying a type 2 phaser rifle along with additional weapons to hand out to anyone else willing and capable of assisting them in protecting those still waiting to be taken to safety aboard the ships.

A Romulan officer went to grab the spare rifle from T’Linga’s hands, and the Vulcan looked at him. “Are you familiar with the operation procedures for this weapon?”

“If I say yes, you’re only going to get suspicious of me.” The Romulan replied, with a half-smile. “These are my people too, you’re rescuing”

“It was not meant as an insult.” The Vulcan added.

“None taken, I assure you.” Commander Reklak raised the weapon pointing it wards the oncoming swarm.

Above the two Saber’s continued to fire, until the targets had dwindled down to a few dozen, too spread out to engage in more than ones or two’s.  T’Linga was sent the word; it was up to them to hold the line.  With each passing second, more and more were being beamed to safety, but now the enemy had arrived.

Nine beams of energy lanced out into the sky; Ensign Harris having recovered the phaser he’d original brought with him, Ensign Tholakath was one of those at his side, the other he didn’t recognise and must have come from the da Vinci.  His mind was still a little foggy, but his hand remained steady enough to hit most of what he aimed for.

The hostile airborne contraptions returned fire, sending out glowing orbs of purple coloured plasm, which seemed to crackle and hiss as they raced through the air.  Two of the defenders were cut down a third dropped to one knee, holding his leg, but still firing his weapon; other were hit as they waited to be rescued.

No more than twenty-five of these machines remained as they sped past; banking around to make another attack run.  Few remained now, as targets for them to attack, as serval more were whisked away to safety.

“Down.” The Cardassian yelled; those that were unarmed dropped to the sand, as the line of defenders prepared to fire over their head.  But the chance to do so never came, as all those left on the planet were scooped up with on final sequence of transporters.

**********

“Transporter Chief reports everyone accounted for.”  Ensign Phillanie called out from he’s seat at communications.

“Casualties?” Anacostia-Bolling enquired, dreading to know what that answer might be.

“Figures aren’t confirmed.” Words caught in the Ensign’s throat.  “But there have been fatalities.”

Anacostia-Bolling closed her eyes, and balled up her fisted, losing people would never come easy, even if some of them had not been her own.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Lieutenant Beriev from the rear of the Bridge. “I’m picking up a massive planet wide phase shift.”

That could mean only one thing; the entire planet was about to shift out of their reality and if they didn’t act quickly, it was going to take the two Starfleet vessels with it.

“Get us out of here.” She ordered. “Best possible speed.”

Ensign Isaacs, didn’t need ordering twice; his fingers danced across the controls, bringing the relevant thrusters up to full power and sending the da Vinci skyward,  moments later the Grus followed her.  As the two Saber’s bolted for the stars, the world below them rippled and shimmered.  Barely had the broken into orbit and the Commander requested a rear view on the main screen; than the planet dissolved into nothing.

They’d literally escaped with seconds to spare; and now the planet they were sure was Harha’kuva had disappeared, taking its secrets with it.  When would it reappear, ready to ensnare the unwary crew of another passing starship.  What was down there, under those sands waiting to be discovered, and was it far too deadly to risk uncovering, if the chance ever came.

Commander Anacostia-Bolling’s personal feelings were that this place should be left well alone, but then again those in charge didn’t always listen to their captain’s, who’d actually had to face up to the unknown.  For now though, there were more urgent things to deal with.