The Retreat: The Quest for Darwin

With the introduction of Darwin, Captain Devore just looked at him over the raging campfire. Darwin just stood there and looked into the fire using his sceptre to shift through the wood. Phanan and Rashad sat next to the Captain as Counsellor Devore and Commander Loris tended to Brayden who laid up against the tree sweating profusely. Dakul slept peacefully alongside Taline who seemed to be a heavy sleeper. Not even a raging atmospheric disturbance could wake the sleeping engineer. Ensign Morriden could not be found and Captain Devore had to find him. He needed to find him because there were a lot of questions to be answered.

"So my dear Captain..." Darwin finally said sucking his teeth. "....what do you have to eat here ?"

Devore turned to look at Phanan who just shrugged his shoulders. Finally Devore pointed over to his satchel. "Commander reach in there and see what I have."

"Captain ?" Rashad asked.

"Just do it." Devore said sternly.

"What a strong leader, so demanding and forceful." Darwin said sarcastically.

"Shut up !" Devore snapped. "Any way Darwin, what is that you want ?."

"Well Captain," Darwin said smiling devilishly. Rashad came back into the fire light and handed Darwin a slab of meat that looked like beef jerky. Darwin grabbed it and began tearing into it. With a mouth full of meat Darwin wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "I have come to offer you a chance at reacquiring your ship. Right now, the ship is under my control."

"That is my question, how is it 'under your control' ?" Devore asked.

"Yeah, my Marines would have retaken the ship once we had realised that the ship is not under our control," Phanan added.

"That is true jar head, but you have to realise that the ship has lost control."

Phanan jumped up but was quickly settled by the Captain. "How is the ship out of our control ?" Devore asked.

With a smile, Darwin stood up. He swiftly motioned with his sceptre that glowed yellow and the holodeck control console appeared about five feet from the them just in the darkness. "Okay Mister Devore, you have access to the comm system. Why don't you call the Bridge ?."

Devore stood up. "Devore to the Bridge."

[Go ahead Captain,] Shale said from the Bridge.

"Lieutenant. What is the ship's status ?" Devore asked

[Captain. We have no attitude control, life support is at a bare minimum and every system that is on board is off line. Lieutenant Kyra was working on the problem in engineering but it sure seems like it is in vain. We really could use you back.]

"Understood, Rick. Just try to maintain."

[Captain, also I am not sure if Commander Barker or Counsellor Devore mentioned to you but the Leviathan is heading for black hole.]

"What !" Devore yelled looking at Barker and Sierra who just smirked. Devore turned his attention to Darwin. "Lieutenant what is the estimated time of impact."

[I estimate twelve hours, thirty two minutes.]

"Keep me informed ! Devore out." Devore glared and Darwin who just sat on the log his hands folded over his sceptre which was poking out of the ground. "Darwin, I am not sure but I imagine that this black hole and the ship out of control has something to do with you."

Darwin clapped his hands softly, "Bravo Captain. You are not as dumb as you look."

Devore darted at Darwin and grabbed him by the lapels pulling him close. They were now nose to nose. "Now you listen here you stupid, little troll. I don't know what you are up to and I don't know why, but you had better cut this crap out or I'll........."

"... or you will what ?" Darwin said defiantly prying Devore's fingers from his lapel. He dropped and straightened out his suit. "You will know nothing. You aren't going to do anything and all you are going to do is just listen to what I have to tell you."

"Then speak before I tear out your tongue."

"I am going to give you an assignment and you will have to complete it in.....," Darwin said looking at a 20th century watch. "Exactly twelve hours and thirty one minutes."

Devore didn't say a word. He just looked at the little elf who seemed to be holding all the cards and sat down. "Good. Now here is what I want you to do. Captain Devore the Leviathan is heading towards the black hole and she is going to be crushed. There is nothing that you or your crew can do about it."

"Why ?" Rashad asked.

"You don't know ?" Darwin said smuggle returning his look to Devore. "Well looks like your death will be in vain."

"All right, All right." Devore said turning his eyes downward. "I'm sorry."

"You don't even know why do you ?"

"No !" Devore yelled. "But I will do anything to save my ship and her crew."

Darwin rose from his seat and turned his eyes towards the darkness. After a few minutes of disturbing silence, Darwin returned his gaze to the crew and smiled with his razor teeth exposed and his eyes now glowing a deep violet. "Really! Well good!" Darwin began to rub his hands together. "We are going to play a game of hide and seek. I am going to go hide and you are going to try to find me. Once you find me you are going to have kill me."

"Now we're talking !" Phanan said.

"You think so mush head." Darwin replied. "Don't forget something. I control everything in this world, so it obviously won't be easy."

"Maybe so, but I will have your holographic hide on my holographic wall," Phanan retorted.

"Darwin. Your quarrel is with me and not with them. Let my crew return to the ship," Devore pleaded.

"And lose my edge... I don't think so."

"Come on. Brayden and Dakul are hurt and everyone else isn't where the issue is. You want me so here deal with me," Devore said pleading with Darwin.

Darwin went silent as he rubbed his chin smiling, showing his ghastly teeth. "Come on, Darwin. Be a sport, hell give me a sporting chance." There was silence as Darwin contemplated the decision. "Unless you don't think you can beat any other way."

"You're on !" Darwin yelled angrily. Darwin was now no longer as smug but seemed angry. His patience was put to the test. With a quick wave of his hands, the holodeck's familiar grid on grid was viewed. Near the wall, Ensign Morriden fell from about 15 feet to the floor.

"Ensign !" Devore yelled lurching towards him.

"Captain." Morriden said getting up brushing the dust from his pants. "Yes sir."

"We have been looking for you."

"Devore. Your lady, Brayden and Commander Loris can go." Darwin said.

"What about me ?" Taline asked stunned.

"Yes, I don't think the engineer will be able to help you very much."

"I especially want mush brain," Darwin said pointing to Phanan. "To stay. The rest especially will stay here including you, Ensign Morriden. So leave now."

Counsellor Devore and Junora Loris helped Brayden out. "Marc, be careful." Sierra said.

" 'Marc, be careful,' I think Mrs. Devore you may want to kiss your husband goodbye. You may never see him again."

"You know something, Darwin. My husband will kick your butt," Sierra said passing the archway.

"You had better hope so," Darwin said with his sinister smile. The holodeck doors shut and sealed. "You have until tomorrow morning, so get some rest. Nothing will bother you."

The holodeck returned to the campsite and forest. The darkness of the night engulfed the ambient light except for the fire light. "Your quest begins tomorrow." Darwin said disappearing