Club Gulag...

[eagle 0]

Club Gulag

 

A joint Log : Lt.Eagle,Ens.Swan,Ens.Pilot,Special guest visitor /Guard Shev..(Faldek).

 

The away team had just beamed down from the Arcadia. The team members were greeted by the Gulag Commandant...and Goons. They were instructed on their rules in that frozen environment, Some type of device was placed on each member to insure the unlikely event of escape occurring.

 

 

Swan looked back to the guard as she was being nudged by the butt end of a rifle to fall in and follow the others towards the barracks that had been assigned to them. She continued to rub her neck where the device had been implanted...Looking around with a worried expression at the others asking "Do you think the Captain will be able to get us out of here?".

 

Malik rubbed the area on his neck as well from the irritation caused from the device being implanted, Looking at the barracks as the group moved closer to them glanced at Swan replying.."Of course Swan"..as the group continued on.

 

Eagle had been watching as the group filed by, Not only seeing but feeling the same discomfort of the small device as it irritated the skin at the site of implant. He turned and looked again at the Commandant and the Goon squad as they were all herded into their quarters like animals into a stall. Turning his attention back to his shipmates ..."Well welcome to Club deep freeze all ". Lets get busied with the bunk assignments, Malik see if there is any kind of heat for the barracks please.

 

Swan had been briskly rubbing her arms...Frantically she turned to Eagle, The look of exasperation clear on her face..."How can you be so calm with this?,It is so cold and those guards don't look like they are too happy with us here !!!".

 

Pilot had been observing ..Nodded, "Aye sir" As he moved towards the back of the barracks...looking around intently. Pilot eyes caught the shape of something about mid way down the barracks revealing what appeared to be some kind of a old metal pot bellied encasing made from what appeared to be cast iron. "Sir" will that do? ..as he pointed towards the old stove.

 

Looking on at Pilot... "I suppose it will have to."...sighing a bit, "Katherine it will do none of us any good to be in a frantic state of mind right now. We as a group have to trust our superiors and our shipmates, And survive.".."We do that as a team." Eagle smiled and looked at Swan..."You Doc are a very important part of this team."

 

Turning back to Malik, Eagle asked ..."Is there sufficient wood or coal to start a fire and get us some heat going on in here"? Swan looked puzzled,and reiterated her concerns..."But I don't have any equipment..What can I do empty handed?".

 

Malik had continued looking around and spotted some wood stacked in behind the heater next to the wall of the barracks..."Sir, There are some wood logs here... perhaps you should find out if we can cut some of those trees that are out side." He continued rummaging around..."Oh there is Coal here too Sir."

 

Eagle looked at Malik...Suprised to find out there was any type of fuel for the heat generation unit. "Very well Malik...Please do us all the honor of getting us some heat in here, It appears to be getting colder". Turning back to Swan..."Katherine, Just calm down and remember your training...I know and trust you will do your very best". Pilot had gathered some coal and placed it in the stove heater..."Sir, Fire?.".

 

Swan had taken a seat on one of the bunks watching as the other members of the team filed in..."I hope there are enough beds to go around, I also hope we are not going to get into any trouble for starting a fire to get heat going on in here. I wonder what the guards will say when they come in for their inspections , Remember their Commander said they could enter at anytime".

 

The team was discussing the situation...when a guard entered, Carrying an odd looking weapon on his duty belt in a holster. "You say it is cold in here,Yes? "as he looked at the Team. Eagle responded..."Why yes it is, And we have no way of even starting a fire...Would you please help us"? Swan had seen the guard enter and did not desire any attention from him..clamming up tight.

 

The guard turned to Eagle..."Since you asked so nicely, I may be able to oblige your request "as he walked over to the heat stove . Setting what appeared to be a weapon to a lower setting...fired it at the coal in the heater ...heating them and setting them to blaze. Pilot asked.."Sir, What do we do if the fire goes out?".

 

The guard turned to Pilot..."Well it wont go out if you put more coal or wood on it if it begins to run low". Eagle had been watching and listening.."Sir, If I may ask..what was that you ignighted the coal and wood with"? "No you may not ask "was the curt answer he received. Swan was still sitting on the edge of a bunk bed. It was evident even with two coats on she was visibly quivering, Partially due to her own nerves in the situation and in part to the cold that had permeated to her bones.

 

Looking up and eye to eye with the guard... "I understand, However in the likely event we are to be placed on a work detail as the Commandant inferred"...as he pointed at the forest beyond the barracks. "We might not be here to keep the fire burning","It would certainly be beneficial to all concerned if we had a way to re light the fire in the event we returned and the coal bed was out". The guard pondered that statement for a moment before replying..."If you need the fire to be lit again, You can call one of us in and we will light it again for you". Malik looking at Eagle..."Good enough for me Sir'.

 

"I see ...So there will be someone available at all times to do this for us should the need arise"?. "I certainly hope so...You see I do not think the Commandant would be pleased if his high profile prisoners were to be found some morning frozen to death" . Eagle paused..gauging the guards reaction. "Yes we have guards on duty all day and all night"," Besides as I said, If someone just keeps putting fuel on the fire it will not go out".

 

Katherine stood up and moved closer to the stove shivering..."I am freezing all ready ", Her teeth chattering almost uncontrollably..."Th,thank yyou "as she spoke to the guard. Stepping to one side..."Then move closer to the fire, It would help as well if you put more fuel on the fire now to make it bigger". Eagle turned warming his hands and nodding at Malik.."And of course you will guarantee that..I see..So when I have to meet your Commandant as the Senior officer here I must report that to the Commandant the absolute safety of my fellow officers are guaranteed by you...Why Thank You", A small grin appearing as he turned towards the stove.

 

Malik moved over to the stove and placed more wood and coal into it, Looking at the guard... "Sir, Is there more coal and wood available besides the meager amount we have here ?" "Yes" I will have some more brought in shortly."..he turned to Eagle to answer his question..."You bet " was his reply.

 

Swan was totally in a state of shock as she listened and observed what was being said, Wondering why the guard was being so nice to them for one. This is not normal for a situation such as this..From where she came from you did not befriend an enemy, To do so you would be killed immediately. However she was not going to look a gift horse in the mouth on this occasion.

 

The guard looked at Eagle..."I am not guaranteeing your safety, Merely the fact you will not freeze to death if you properly maintain the fire". Watching as the guard moved closer to the stove heater..."Please do warm yourself, I am sure it gets cold out there", "Of course I understand your position...Non the less you are the one that has been placed in charge of us here. I would just hate for the worst to happen...It may not make a good report on your undoubtedly spotless record, That is of course they merely place a reprimand in your record...and not execute you".

 

Eagle turned back towards the rest...smiling, "No I am not in charge of you, You are in charge of yourselves. Just don't get out of line..and I promise you all will most likely survive this". The guards voice seemed a bit less sure as he watched as the rest shivered. Swan was still shivering and could not believe what she was hearing.

Eagle was giving this guy compliments on his record that he cant have known about or does he have something else in mind? Why was this guard being so nice?.

 

Pilot sat next to Swan and placed his coat around her.."You will be warm in a few seconds Doctor". "Thank you Mr.Pilot" Katherine managed through her chattering teeth as the guard watched on a bit nervously.... "Oh alright...Just don't tell anyone I gave it to you"...as he handed the device he started the fire with to Eagle. "I thank You"... "Is there anything we may do for you....Mr..?". "The name is "Shev", "And No, Just don't tell anybody I gave you that for if you do...You will reap the consequences". A stern look on his face as he headed for the door of the barracks.

 

Eagle managed a reassuring look to the guard as he was leaving..."Shev I assure you our lips are sealed, By the by, Should you need to warm up at night...please stop by ". "Thanks" was Shev's reply,smiling curtly..."Have a warmer evening than you have had, I will have more coal and wood brought to you shortly" ...as he left and closed the door.

 

Pilot looked at Katherine and asked..."You want the fire a little higher doc?" as he had watched the guard take his leave. Eagle had seen his bluff through, Thanks to no small part the way Katherine had been reacting to the cold,Wondering if he should tell her thank you for helping out his ploy with her being non the wiser.

 

Turning to Malik..."That's our first break, Malik , You and Tom see what kind of tech this is and what we can get from it besides a fire starter"...."And please throw another log on the fire"; Finally wrapping himself in a blanket...shivering, "Consult with Sam on this as well please". "Aye sir" was Malik's reply as he placed a log and a piece of the coal on the fire stoking it a bit more as he did so...blowing on it to give it a bit more oxygen. Turing back to Eagle he took the device..."We'll get right on it sir".

 

End Log.... :(