U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“The Key To Hell's Gates - Part V”
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A quick, silent hand gesture stopped the dense column of Marines who were cautiously snaking their way through the unfamiliar bowels of a secret, underground NeoDyne research facility. Having been forced to quickly leave NeoDyne’s orbital station via a questionable Klingon transporter the Marines, led by Captain Ramius, were marooned in the underground complex until they could locate a transporter, shuttles or transports, or communications equipment in order to return to the USS Corsair in orbit high above the shattered remains of a wrecked planet.
Ramius gripped the trigger of his rifle and slowly edged around the corner of the hallway which abruptly ended. A narrow staircase led to an open room that resembled a lobby filled with white columns and little else. NeoDyne logos, corporate propaganda posters, and a few benches were the only objects visible from his vantage point at the top of the stairs. Seeing no movement, Ramius issued the command to continue as he and his men made their way slowly down the stairs. Reaching the bottom, Ramius signaled for the Marines to fan out along the walls of the room in order to secure it. While his men expanded single file on his flanks, Ramius continued into the middle of the room until he suddenly stopped. Looking down he noticed he had stepped into a large puddle of blue ooze which seemed to run the length of the room. Following the trail with his eyes, Ramius tracked the blue substance until his eyes came to rest upon a tram car positioned just outside of a steel tunnel which appeared to lead deeper into the complex. There were several slots for additional cars, but only one car remained.
Stepping out of the unknown sludge, Ramius attempted to wipe his boots clean on the white, sterile flooring of the colorless room as one of his men approached.
“Sir, we’ve secured the area. No sign of any life. We appear to be in some sort of transportation hub. That train car over there appears to lead deeper into the facility.”
“Captain”, suddenly echoed against the walls of the room. “Over here.”
Ramius nodded, but was stopped by the nearby Marine. “What do you think that slime is sir?”
“I don’t know soldier”, Ramius replied, “but I’d steer clear of it. No telling what left that behind. I hope we don’t have to find out.” Heading over to a gathering group of men, Ramius pushed his way through the crowd to see everyone gathered around what appeared to be computers and equipment.
“Communications equipment sir. It is still operational. We’re trying to raise the Corsair now.”
A smile formed on Ramius’s lips. If they could reestablish contact with the Corsair, he could beam down reinforcements and storm this facility properly in force. NeoDyne would give up its secrets and judging by the lengths they had gone to retrofit the old Klingon mines he had a hunch there were many to be found in this place.
“This is Marine Team Alpha calling USS Corsair. Respond over. Alpha team calling Corsair are you receiving us?”
The operator attempted several more calls but was met with silence. “I’m sorry sir, either we’re not getting through or the Corsair is out of range.” The soldier stopped short of saying what was on everyone’s minds. Was the Corsair even out there and still in one piece after the station’s destruction?
Ramius’s smile faded as the attempt to call home seemed to have failed.
“Major, have a squad of men secure that train car. I want to know if it is still operational.”
The Major ordered a few of the men to comply with the captain’s orders as everyone’s attention was focused on the communications equipment. Suddenly a burst of static filled the room followed by a broken, but instantly recognizable voice.
“Al..ha team..this is Commander Novada…what is yo.r stat.us, over?”
A cheer erupted from the Marines as contact with the Corsair had at last been reestablished.
Ramius quickly quieted his men and pushed the operator aside and grabbed the headset. “Number One, this is Ramius. Alpha team and I are somewhere in an underground facility on the planet’s surface. NeoDyne triggered a self destruct mechanism on the station. We barely made it out alive. What is the status of Bravo and Delta teams, over?
“We man.ged to beam them out befor. the sta.ion explod.d. We lost contact with your team a few minu.tes earlier preventing a beam out. It is good to hear your voice again sir. We thought we may have lost you.”
Ramius could here Commander Novada’s concern despite the static filled channel. “You could say the same for us down here commander. What is the ship’s status?”
“Engine..ing is effecting repairs. Shields are sti.l critical and the warp dr.ve is of.line. We are on backup power. The mains are down pending repairs. Sir we are ha.ing trouble lo.ating your signal. High radiation lev.ls in t.e area are cau.ing sommunicat.ons and sen.or pr.blems. “
Ramius silently cursed NeoDyne. The destruction of the station almost certainly contaminated the entire area with debris and radiation which would complicate transporter or shuttle activities.
“Are the transporters working commander?”
“Bar.ly sir. Sai says we ca. br.ng in only a few pe.ple at a time due to the dam.ge.”
His plans for a full scale blitz of the facility were dead upon hearing the damage report. “Capt.in can you bo.st your gain? We might be able to…” A hiss of static filled the small room as the lights went dead along with the equipment bathing everyone in blackness.
“Commander? Commander Novada?” Ramius threw the headset against the useless computer terminal as his men switched on their flashlights providing light in the darkness.
“So much for surprise captain. I would venture to say they know we’re here.”
Ramius switched on the light attached to his rifle. “It would seem that way. Well, since they’ve decided to throw us a party down here I suggest we do our best to crash it and quickly. What do you men say?”
“Beats sitting here hoping the power will return. I think we’re all anxious to dish a little hurt out instead of being on the receiving end of things for a change.”
A ripple of agreement spread through the Marines. “Very well. We press on”, Ramius indicated. “Head to the train. We’ll follow the rail line. I’m hoping the Corsair can reestablish contact. I’m sure there are a fair number of individuals on the Corsair who share your sentiments gentlemen. Fall out.”
Heading to the train car, Ramius stepped inside and surveyed the cramped pod. “More Klingon technology”, he said shining his light about the insides of the car. “NeoDyne appears to be as frugal as they are ruthless. That just makes them that much more dangerous. Any idea if it works?”
“Controls are over here sir. I believe they are online.”
Ramius stepped over to the front of the train and examined the controls with his light before looking up and into the mouth of the tunnel before him. Illuminated by red emergency lights, the tunnel seemed like a giant maw ready to swallow anything that entered. The crimson lights evoked hellish thoughts its lights casting an eerie glow in the blackness that surrounded them.
“Well the transporter was a hell of a trip”, he said thinking back to the vivid imagery which still swam in the back of his mind. “We can only hope this one will be as much fun. Leave it to the Klingons to engineer a quality product. Mount up. We are heading in.”
“Sir, this is obviously a trap. They know we are coming.”
“I believe that is a fair assessment”, Ramius replied his voice filled with some of the cavalier exuberance of his youth. “Coming perhaps. When, where, and how hard we come knocking; that’s another matter. I have a plan. If you want to sit around here in the darkness then be my guest.”
“No sir.”
“Then stop talking and get inside. We don’t want to be late to NeoDyne’s funeral. I wouldn’t miss this for the world”, Ramius said his voice hardening.
The Marines pushed their way into the tram car. Despite its small size the men squeezed inside making it a tight fit.
“Alright, let’s go”, Ramius ordered. The marines at the head of the car activated the controls and with a slight rumble the tram car slowly picked up speed and entered the foreboding reddish depths of the tunnel destined for an unknown and hazardous future.
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
(APB Tav)
