U.S.S. EXODUS
STARDATE 01.14.21
SECTOR ZERO
“FIRE PHASERS!! STUN MODE, WIDE BURST!!!”
Captain Moshe, First Officer Ruth, and Doctor Owusua fired their Hand Phasers, shooting out a blast of red energy. A brief shockwave was felt as the beams impacted with the approaching Ten Possessed Colonists. Still, the Possessed Colonists lumbered forward like Zombies hungry for Flesh.
“TO THE COLONY HEADQUARTERS, QUICKLY!” Captain Moshe yelled. Phasers had limited effect on Possessed Daemon Bodies.
Luckily for the Trio, the Possessed Colonists were slow and clumsy in their movements. It wasn’t too difficult for the Landing Party to outpace the Zombie-like Creatures. Soon, they arrived at the Headquarter’s Front Door, which was unlocked.
“Captain,” Doctor Owusua said while catching her breath. She didn’t get as much exercise as she should. “If there’s any way to Save the Colonists…they’re still Alive…just Possessed by Daemons.”
“I know, Doctor,” Captain Moshe answered with a determined look on his withered, old face. He stroked his grey beard out of habit. “That’s why I gave the order to fire on Stun, and not to Kill.”
“We know that United League Scientists can force the Daemon out of a Possessed Body in a Lab Setting,” First Officer Ruth commented. “But out in the open like this, with them moving in random, unpredictable patterns, it will be nearly impossible. We would need to Capture and Restrain each one. And the Daemon could leave the body at any time to move about as a Spirit.”
“Come, let’s get inside before the Possessed Colonists catch up to us,” Captain Moshe instructed.
The Trio entered the Colony Headquarters and closed the door behind them, locking it firmly. They were inside of a Control Room which included a Stairway to a Second Level that overlooked the surrounding area. There were open windows on the Second Level for easy viewing of the perimeter. Computer equipment, chairs, clipboards, drawers, and filing cabinets filled the First and Second Levels.
“Exodus, come in,” Captain Moshe said as he flipped open his Communicator. “Exodus, do you read? This is the Landing Party. Beam us up immediately.”
“I’m sorry, Captain, but we can’t get a positive lock on you. There seems to be other organisms nearby. They are giving off strange readings, like they are neither dead nor alive. Their close proximity to you is causing interference, preventing a clear lock on. We can’t beam you up!”
Doctor Owusua looked worried. She stroked the two large pieces of her Afro. “Well, I always knew I was going to Die. I just never thought it was going to be by being eaten by Zombies!”
First Officer Ruth stared at Doctor Owusua with slight annoyance. “Really, Doctor, there is no need for over exaggeration. Should the Possessed Colonists apprehend us, I highly doubt they would feast on our flesh. In fact, it is more likely that they would…”
“Quiet, you two!” Captain Moshe barked. “I thought I heard something in here…”
Deitrich and Holland appeared out of the shadows. The Two Security Guards wearing Red Shirts shambled forward unbalanced and uncoordinated. Their eyes glowed with small red dots in the center. Clearly, the Two were Possessed by Daemons.
“I’m sorry, Captain,” Deitrich said in a deep, growling voice while pointing his Phaser at Captain Moshe. Holland also had his Phaser drawn and pointed at Ruth and Doctor Owusua. “But you’re going to have to come with us. The Daemon are going to take great delight in interrogating you to uncover all of your United League Secrets!”
Captain Moshe began to sweat. His grey eyes darted about, looking for something that could help him. Nothing presented itself.
Zombies outside. Zombies inside. The Exodus cannot beam us up. And now we have Phasers pointed at us.
What’s that Old Saying?
OUT OF THE FRYING PAN…INTO THE FIRE.
