HEIRS TO FATE – VENUS
STARDATE 10.16.22
X-SECTOR
A shimmering flash of light announced the arrival of six individuals on the surface of Petrus-IV. The Landing Party consisted of Captain Ichabeth, Doctor Freya, Science Officer Archimedes, and Security Officers Robinson, Cruse, and Defoe. They were in the center of Outpost Bakira, a remote survey station on the outskirts of the Protectorate.
Outpost Bakira, which consisted only of less than a dozen small buildings, was surrounded by a ring of hills composed of dense, jagged stone. A cold, light breeze blew through the air. There was nothing but silence in the entire Outpost.
Everyone in the Landing Party stared in shock at what they saw all around them. Now they knew the reason why the Protectorate had lost contact with Outpost Bakira.
The officers and scientists of Outpost Bakira were all frozen in mid motion. They were statues, some in running positions, some in walking positions, some in sitting positions. But the most disturbing thing was the fact that they were each covered in a layer of ice, with icicles hanging down from their limbs and faces. Many of them wore a surprised expression.
Quickly, Captain Ichabeth took charge of the situation. “Robinson, Cruse, Defoe, establish a perimeter around the Outpost. Identify and report any threats to our safety. Do not engage on your own. Freya, examine the residents of Outpost Bakira. I want to know what happened here. Archimedes, assess the condition of the Outpost. Make sure it is in working order and report any malfunctions or defects.”
The three Security Officers wearing red shirts fanned out and began walking toward the edges of the Outpost. Archimedes, who looked like a five foot tall, faceless Mannequin made of an unknown metal, walked calmly toward the Outpost’s Command Structure. One could immediately tell that Archimedes was not human, even from a distance, for his strides were perfectly spaced like a machine.
Freya slowly made her way over to the nearest frozen officer. She was covered in an ornate cloak with a long hood, a symbol of her Druidic Heritage. Although she walked with a hunched over posture, like an elderly woman near the end of her days, Freya’s skin and face were smooth and beautiful as if she was in her prime. Freya pulled out her Tricorder, which lit up with lights and beeped when activated.
A worried look came over the Doctor’s pretty face. “Captain…it’s unbelievable. There is Cryogenic Nanotechnology in their blood. I have never seen the like. We must transport one of the frozen officers up to Venus for a more detailed and thorough examination. I need the Advanced Medical Devices aboard Venus for further analysis.”
“Nanotech?” Ichabeth said in a disturbed voice. “Some kind of Bio Weapon? Is it airborne? Are we at risk? If we transport one of them up to Venus will they infect everyone up there?”
“Negative, Captain,” Freya answered while examining her Tricorder results. “The particles don’t appear to be airborne. If they were, we would all have been immediately frozen upon arrival. I don’t think we should jump to the conclusion that this is a Bio Weapon, although we certainly shouldn’t rule out the possibility. I will take every precaution while transporting one of the the officers up to Venus.”
Captain Ichabeth nodded, flipped open her Communicator, and contacted Venus. Her First Officer answered.
“Doctor Freya is beaming back up to Venus with one of the officers from Outpost Bakira. They are all frozen solid by Cryogenic Nanotechnology. Follow Freya’s specific orders in regards to decontamination procedures. I don’t want anyone else from Venus transporting down to the Outpost. Maintain orbit and continue running continuous scans of the surface. Notify me immediately if you discover anything out of the ordinary.”
Ichabeth closed her Communicator. Minutes later, Doctor Freya and one of the frozen officers disappeared in a flash of light.
AND FOR A FEW MOMENTS, ICHABETH HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT ICHADRED, AND WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LAST FAMILY GATHERING…
