Nige stood in the Cargo bay looking into the containment pods at the bodies of the six 'hopefully dead' protectors. After they reactivated themselves five weeks ago, Nige had taken it upon himself to make continuous checks on the protectors to make sure that they didn't somehow reactivate again. The sinister look of their robotic faces sent shivers down Nige's spine. Even after facing opponents as powerful as the Kelvans, Nige still feared walking into this room of dead beings. He walked over to the control monitors as he did every morning to check that they were in effect 'still dead'. Previously this duty fell upon Nige as he was the ships chief of security. However, even with his promotion to first officer, he still felt it was his duty to check up on the protectors. He accessed the panel and began to check their life signs. As with most mornings, he couldn't help but think back to what had happened five weeks ago.
Five weeks earlier....
"Captain, take a look at these readings from cargo bay four" said Lieutenant Harris calling Captain Osagawa over. The freshly promoted Commander Tumock who was now officially the Knight's first officer followed too. "These energy spikes can only mean one thing..."
"The Protectors" replied Tumock.
"Lieutenant Tyran, Lieutenant Beckett, head down to cargo bay four and check it out." Ordered Osagawa with a note of panic in his voice. "Number one, you and Doctor Kira see to evacuating that deck and blocking off all access points to it. Lieutenant Tyran, I also want you to see that security teams are posted at every access point to deck ten."
"Aye Captain" the officers all replied in unison. They left their respective stations and headed for the turbolift. "Sickbay" Tumock ordered.
"Deck ten" added Nige. The door slid open on deck eight and Tumock exited on his way to sickbay. Nige and Beckett continued on their way down to deck ten. They stopped by the nearest weapons locker and took a phaser rifle each along with a tricorder.
"Really think we're going to need these?" asked Beckett
"I sure hope not" replied Nige. The two officers approached Cargo bay four, all the while getting odd looks from the crew as they had no idea, why there should be an armed security team on duty. They reached the cargo bay door and took up position towards each side of the door. Beckett pressed the release for the door and after Nige counted down to one on his fingers, the two swung around and pointed their phasers inward. Nothing was there.
"False alarm?" suggests Beckett.
"No, I'm afraid not. Look, this stasis tube is empty." said Nige pointing towards one of the tubes that the protectors were being kept in.
"Ohh shit! What now?"
"Tyran to bridge" Nige said tapping his comm badge. The comm badge blipped unusually alerting the two officers that something was wrong.
"Beckett to Bridge" Becketts comm badge made a similar sound. "It's blocking our signals"
"Very clever, if we can't get word to the bridge, then it has the element of surprise." The two officers looked at each other in horror. "The Captain!!" they said together. They bolted for the open door, but as they reached it, it closed shut. "Computer! open door!" demanded Nige.
<Unable to comply. Systems for cargo bay doors have been damaged.>
"This isn't going to stop me" said Nige, "Stand back" he said signalling for Beckett to move with his hand. He took his rifle and blasted the door open. "Lets head for the bridge."
Present day....
Satisfied that the protectors were offline, Nige left the cargo bay and headed for the bridge. I don't know why Starfleet want to keep these. They may reactivate again, we should destroy them while we have the chance! Nige walked along the empty corridors of the Knight. The protectors had taken a great toll on the crew of the Knight and many officers had been killed. The ship was almost a ghost ship. Nige felt another chill down his spine as he walked along the same corridor he had done five weeks earlier with Beckett to report the critical news to the captain. "Bridge" he ordered as he stepped into the turbolift. I hope everything is alright up there he thought remembering the sight he and Beckett had returned to.
Five weeks earlier...
"Bridge" shouted Nige as he and Beckett ran for the turbolift. "Lets just hope get there first." The doors slid open to reveal what was left of the bridge. Consoles were completely blown out all over the place. Plasma conduits were hanging from the ceiling and out of bulk heads. They immediately noticed Harris and Churok sprawled across the helm and opps station. As they rushed down to the lower deck, they found Kira and Haakon leaning over the body of Captain Osagawa.
"We're loosing him" cried Haakon
"No we're not" said Kira rolling over the body and started pumping Osagawas chest. "Come on!" cried Kira in desperation"
"He's gone" said Haakon folding up her tricorder and placing her hand on Kira's shoulder. Kira fell back and leaned against the captains chair. Haakon ran her hands over Osagawa's face to close his still open eyes.
"What the hell happened here?" asked Nige.
"The Protector got onto the bridge. It took them completely by surprise." replied Kira
"What of Tom and Churok?" asked Beckett walking over to Harris and taking his pulse. They're going to be fine. They're only sedated." added Haakon
"Sedated?" asked Nige puzzled.
"Your guess is as good as mine Nige" said Kira sitting up and colleting his hyposprays up. "Apparently, they came for the Captain and that was it."
"Wheres Tumock now?"
"He went looking for you two. When we couldn't contact you, the Captain sent him to find you."
"Kira what do we do now?"
"Why you asking me?"
"Your the highest ranking officer here" said Nige pointing to Kiras three pips."
"I have no idea... what do you suggest?"
"The bridge is useless in this state, I say we head for engineering, set up base there." suggested Nige. "We'll post security teams on all access points to that deck. Meanwhile Doctor Marcus and I will round up the crew and get them to safe areas."
"Sounds like a plan to me" said Haakon who was reviving Tom and Churok. "How do you feel Tom?" she asked.
"A little groggy... wha... what happened?"
"The protectors got onto the bridge" answered Nige. "The Captain is dead! we're on our own now. Can you walk?"
"Should think so sir"
"Great, then we're heading for engineering."
Present day...
The turbolift doors opened and Nige stepped out onto the bridge. He walked down onto the lower level and sat in his chair next to Tumock. "All protectors are offline still." Nige reported
"Great" replied Tumock. "Are you alright Nige? You look slightly distressed..."
"No, I'm fine Captain. I'll just feel a hell of a lot better once we get those damn things off the ship"
"Same here Commander."