"In the Closet"

[Col. C.E. Harper 0]

"In the Closet"

Harper Log 06.21.06

July 9, 2397

Vorana 6, Dr. Senok's lab

 

The closet gaped open, the curled edges of the hole in its back wall slowly fading from white to red-orange to sooty grey as they cooled. Beyond, the away team could see the shadowy recesses of a service corridor, lit dimly by the glow of status readouts and widely interspersed lamps. Behind them, the hum of the computers continued unabated, comfortably indifferent to the mystery around them.

 

Something was very wrong here. All her instincts were screaming at her, but what could she do? They had to press on; they had to do all they could to discover what had happened here.

 

Even if it was unwise.

 

Maybe she'd gotten too dependent on technology, she mused, glancing fretfully at the unhelpful tricorder. She'd used to trust her eyes and ears over a little blinking box. But then, she could no more see outside the lab than the tricorder could. Still, Harper felt unaccountable nervous as she regarded that looming hole.

 

None of that showed on her face, of course. Her command mask was well in place, even as her imagination presented her with a variety of unpleasant scenarios. She clamped down firmly on that, forcing herself to focus on the facts.

 

Fact: The lab was undamaged, but showed signs of hasty flight.

 

Fact: There was an unknown life-form somewhere on the base.

 

Fact: They were operating half-blind.

 

Conclusion? Her hands tightened on the phaser rifle. Trouble.