Dead in the Water

Toran shook off the pain in the head as the fogginess cleared. *The companel was awfully dirty.* was the last thing he thought as it had come up and hit him. Toran now shook off the pain and realised what was happening !

"Shit." Was the only word that popped into Toran's mind as the Ohio hurtled towards the planet below. Fortunately he had been able to manoeuvre the overgrown shuttle so that it would crash into one of the planet's lakes. The landing would be somewhat softer than if they had hit the ground. Toran also brought what was left of the shields back online. At least modulating the shield shape, he was able to move the ship slightly, sort of like the earth gliders of yesteryear.

The initial jolt from the runabout striking the water was enough to knock everyone on the Ohio out. He again was knocked unconscious. However he was one of the first to come to.

"Report." He ordered as he returned himself to the pilot's seat. Although Phanan had been in command of the ground assault, it was time for Toran to take over.

"I don't think we've lost anyone." Toran heard a rough voice from behind him call. He didn't recognise the voice, but then again, he didn't recognise his own voice at this point.

"I've got a position on us." Toran said. "We're approximately one hundred metres underwater in a lake south of the colony." Phanan was stirring now also. "Welcome back sleeping beauty." Toran snickered."We're in the midst of hell but we have plenty of water."

"Great," Phanan replied, "we won't die from dehydration."

"No, but lack of oxygen might kill us sir." Gleeson said as he stirred.

"Well, let's not look on the bright side Lieutenant." Toran replied sharply'"All right, anyone that's awake, speak up."

Most of the people on the ship replied in some positive manner, while others were still under.

"Everyone to the back but Rashad, Phanan, Truman and Sharpe." Toran ordered.

Commander Loris looked as if she was going to protest but thought better of it. "Commander Loris..." Toran added."....take charge back there, take care of any injuries as best you can."

Loris nodded as the group retreated to the back cabin of the runabout.

"All right people, we have to get the shields back up." Toran said as he pried a panel from the side of the cabin.

Truman looked surprised."The shields, you think we'll be attacked here ?"

"Right now that isn't my primary concern." Toran replied. "Tell me, how much do you know about Naval vessels ?"

"You mean old seafaring ships ? Not much." Truman admitted.

"Well, think of it this way." Toran said as he fiddled with the circuits inside the panel."You can make steel float, but only if it's hollow."

"I still don't understand." Truman said.

"If we get the shields up, we can create a vacuum around the Ohio." Toran explained."That will make us buoyant. We'll float to the top."

"Where do we go from there ?" Rashad asked.

"Well, I hope everyone knows how to swim."

The small group worked feverishly for the next fifteen minutes. Toran had ordered that everyone in the back be sedated. Less activity, less oxygen use. The ship probably had another three to four hours of oxygen before they all died. Finally, they were ready.

"All right, the moment of truth." Toran commented as he brought main power back online.

"Main power online." Phanan reported.

"Rashad, what about those thrusters ?"

"They're ready Commander." Rashad reported.

"We only get one try at this people." Toran said grimly."Activating shields."

"Shields online." Phanan reported.

Toran turned to Truman. "Expand the diameter of the shield bubble."

"Aye sir." Truman replied.

Slowly but surely the shield bubble expanded creating a vacuum around the Ohio. "We're rising." Toran reported happily.

Moments later, the runabout had risen to the surface and the compliment of the Ohio had made it to the shore of the lake. Toran had done most of what he could. It was time again to defer to Phanan. The Marines were the experts, trained to survival whatever the situation.