Alone

[Erich Jaenke 0]

Alone

 

The PADD video log played for the bridge crew. Erich did not like seeing himself on the large viewscreen. Not this version.

 

"I'm Chief Engineer Jaenke of the Federation vessel Manticore, Stardate 51501.28," he started. The image was dark, indicating it was night where he was. Light rain could be heard in the background, along with his wet footfalls plopping as he walked. The video jumped as he walked.

 

"Something happened to the Manticore... I don't know what hit us: Romulans, Borg, space entity? I don't know. I- oh holy rings, where is everyone?" His face appeared as soaked as the ambient noise. "I don't understand. I beamed down using the emergency protocols. Most everyone that survived the initial blast made it down safely. Whoa...oof!"

 

The perspective changed abruptly, now a low and tilted angle close to the ground. Erich popped up in the distance, then searched for his PADD. After a minute his hand reached for the PADD. His face appeared very large in the frame.

 

"The ground is very wet and the air is humid to the extreme. This planet may be in a very early stage in its life, prehistoric from, say, Earth standards. Like I was saying, how am I alone? I beamed down to the same site as the others."

 

"Damn," he exclaimed, likely in native Betazoid.

 

"I don't know if the ship crashed into the planet or was cut to pieces." He looked up and pointed the PADD in the air. "I should have seen the Manticore streaking through the sky just over there." His hand, barely visible, pointed to a spot high on the horizon.

 

"Nothing...let me try this again." He tapped his comm badge with the hand holding the PADD.

 

"This is Lieutenant Commander Jaenke of the Federation vessel Manticore to anyone who can hear this. Please come in."

 

No one answered. He went back to the camera.

 

"I need to get to higher ground and modify my tricorder to emit a subspace distress call. It uses a lot of power, so I only get two, maybe three attempts. There's a hilltop a few clicks from my position. That's where I'll be. I hope anyone else is in better shape than I am now. Gods...Keb. I don't sense her at all. Damn. Got to save power. Computer, pause log."

 

He plodded on towards the highest point he could see. The camera view steadied to show the point he was walking towards. He knew if anyone found it the image could be enhanced to really see it, as well as location information. Firstly, he had to get a message out from the planet. This moisture-filled pit of smells and slimy plantlife. He saw no creatures, but had a feeling they were out there...waiting.