Frantic

Posted on Sat Feb 5th, 2011 @ 11:26am by Captain Benjamin Byrne

Mission: Bug-Eyed Bogies
Location: USS Endeavour, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD07 1156hrs

Benjamin tossed the type-III phaser rifle on the couch as soon as he entered his ready room. He'd made sure on his way off the bridge that the safety was on. As distraught as his thoughts were, he still had his sense about him, and he wasn't about to start shooting holes through his ready room furniture. He immediately began pacing, and slapped his com-badge.

"Benjamin to Sarah, come in." He paused, awaiting a response. "Jacob? Sarah? Can you hear me?!" he repeated the call, slapping the badge again.

There was no response.

"Computer, locate Sarah and Jacob Byrne," he said, trying to keep his racing thoughts in check. What if they've become victims of the alien intruders? Could they not be answering because they're not able to? he fought to quench that line of thought.

"Unable to comply. Internal sensor grid malfunctioning."

Benjamin slammed his fist on his desk. "Status of internal communications?" he asked, running through in his mind the logical systems to check.

"Internal communications at 36 percent efficiency. Unable to localise affected areas of disruption."

The computer's calm, emotionless voice almost made the report worse. At least it didn't sound apologetic, as one of the bridge officers undoubtably would, having automatically assumed the worst. Leaning with both fists on the table, Benjamin focused on taking deep breaths, calming his heart rate down. He had a job to do, a ship to defend and a crew to protect. Following his duty was the best way now of ensuring his family's safety. He questioned not for the first time whether having them live aboard a Starfleet vessel with him was the wisest course of action.

Walking back over toasted his discarded rifle, he checked the power cell and modulation settings, confirming it was in working order and had plenty of shots left. Opening the concealed wall panel, much like the numerous ones dotted around the bridge, he grabbed two more power cells, and a second hand phaser, placing it on the hip opposite the one he already carried, next to his tricorder. Turning, he strolled out of the office, towards the bridge; a man with a purpose he was determined to realise.