The Retreat: The Adventure Begins

"Lieutenant ! Cascading power failure decks five through two !" Gordon yelled from ops.

For the past 48 hours, the massive Leviathan has had power failure after systems shut down. Shale sat in the command chair as he was the senior officer on board. Captain Devore, Commander Rashad and the rest of the senior officers were at their retreat in the holodeck and not until a few hours ago, had there been communication contact with them.

Stranded in the Andromenda Cirrius galaxy some 50 million light years from the last known contact of Starfleet, the fledgling crew of the Leviathan continuously fought the odds of returning home. The Delta quadrant itself has had Starfleet interaction since the return of Voyager, but the lonely Leviathan plotted her course through the newly discovered galaxy somewhere beyond M2. Now, with the command crew gone, the junior officers who commanded her tried vigilantly to keep her a float, not letting her becoming a drift in the mass expanse of space.

"Lieutenant Gordon...." Began Lieutenant Shale. His uniform now unkempt from the mass error messages now coming one after another. "......sound the general evacuation order. Redirect all crews to the forward lounge and adjacent facilities, then reroute primary life support to those places."

"What about the Bridge ?"

"Janet. Of course maintain as much power here." Shale ordered.

"Aye sir !" She said coldly. That remark rubbed her the wrong way.

On the viewscreen, the demon planet that the Leviathan's sensors had mistakenly identified as a Class M planet came into sight. The planet was thought to be a source of some supplies, but the toxic gases and variable environment proved to unsuitable.

<How could I have mistaken that for a hospitable planet ?> Shale thought.

"Captain..." The tactical officer yelled breaking Shale's concentration. "The transporters have just come on line and someone or something has just been beamed to the holodecks."

"What! Open a channel to the Captain."

"Sorry sir. Intership communications are off line."

"That doesn't surprise me."

Holodeck Two

Captain Devore was curled up next to the smouldering ashes of once was the campfire. The rising sun rising in the east, provided some warmth and definite light that was cast upon the Captain's eyelids. His cloak was wrapped around him tightly trying to keep out the early morning coolness.

Major Phanan was just across from the Captain. He too was sound asleep however, the hilt of the massive bastard sword acted as a pillow as the sheathed blade ran against the rigid marine's body. Early morning dew ran down his cheek.

Commander Rashad was propped up against a tree. She, too, was asleep. Her leather cloak was tightly around her, held closed by her crossed arms from with in the heavy, but warm cape. Her whip was securely fastened to her belt which was out of the way of danger. Some remarks were made about the seemingly ineffective weapon until she masterly swung it around and struck out at the hacklers. Since then, no one dared to jest with her about the whip, not even the Captain.

Dakul's head was propped against a fallen log. His arm and should was amazingly healing well all things concerned. However, Cardassian physiology was still a mystery to most of the crew including Fyrelyn Katts, the ship's doctor.

Morriden had retreated into a tree after the confrontation the night before with the Captain. He himself didn't understand what was going, nor did he care. He just wanted out. His own creation, Darwin, had backfired. Now, he was just as much a victim as the rest of the crew. However, Morriden did hope to get something back in control once he get himself to a master terminal. Darwin, though, camouflaged the terminals and with the safety protocols off line, there was no telling what can happen or what would. To be safe, Morriden just figured to do the best that he could just as the rest of the command crew.

Commander Barker was not one of the original people who entered the holodeck originally, but now it seems that he is just a victim as everyone. Darwin had made it clear that he was to be with them. Little did he know that the science officer has something that could make him no better then ions, and force fields.

Two newcomers to the clearing walked slowly and cautiously to the sleeping crew. Massive in size they carried saplings approximately five inches thick, and about 6 feet long which were at the ready effortlessly. The larger of the two stood about 7 feet tall and 350 lbs. naked. However, the heavy furs made of animals kin to bears with heavy coarse hair draped the muscularly cut humanoid. His head was disproportionate to the rest of his body. Large eyes set deep within a thick skinned cranium peered through long locks of hair.

Long braided goaties, entwined with bead-like ornaments flowed from just under his large nose. Split lips resembling a human with a cleft lip was set in the between the leading edge of their nose to the broad, powerful chin. Small fang- bones protruded through the lips as well along the jaw line circling their face. Their thick skin was a mustard yellow speckled with reddish, orange spots. The more the spots the more orange they looked.

The second was not quite as tall nor was he as big. The eyes were more softer but still deep set in the cranial cavities, but the number of protrusions were half... the ones it had were not as large. Still as intimidating, still as large, he was dressed with more of the bear-like fur. The sapling he carried was almost as large as he was.

"Go that way.." The larger one whispered in deep, husky toned pointing towards Rashad. The big one did as he was told and as he neared the Captain, he stepped on a twig. It snapped causing Devore to roll over on his bag placing his arm over his eyes. "Quiet you idiot !"

"I am sorry !" The smaller one responded quietly in a very soft tone. He walked just passed the Captain. Just as he was ready to clear the Captain, Devore suddenly grabbed the foot that had little weight on it and thrust it upward. Just like an old comedy routine, the other leg came flying up and the smaller man landed on his back with a loud "oof!"

"To your feet." Devore yelled scrambling to his feet. The large creature swung his massive blunt weapon aiming for Devore's head. Devore reacted by ducking low as the bat passed over his head with in inches. Just at it cleared Devore jumped up and conducted a spinning back kick which connected to the massive jaw bone. The kick caused the large humanoid to be forced back about 4 feet and on his back. However the intended result was far from happening. As Devore foot connected, the boney protrusion broke off and embedded itself in the bottom of his boot. Devore landed on his feet and the broken protrusion stuck him in the foot. He yelped as the blunt bone stuck his foot.

The smaller creature got up and began swinging his bat towards Phanan and Barker, both who immediately had their weapons drawn. They attacked, parried, and dodged the different attack of creature, but the creature was a little quicker. Just as Barker ducked, the bat sized stick swung around and hit Phanan in the ribs. Fortunately the plate mail armour he was wearing absorbed most of the damaged, but the impact of the blow sent Phanan flying backwards a few feet. This the opportunity Barker needed.

Taken back by Phanan's misfortunate, Barker wielded his electrical sword over his head. The negative and positive discharges singed the air as it cracked it way to its mark. The creature swung his club to block the sword and as the two mismatched weapons connected there was a little burst of smoke as the log disappeared. The creature's eyes widened in amazement and as the sharp, electrical edge was now so close to him that he can make out the fine print on the edge, he stumbled back.

Devore limping now as the bone protruded even more further through his boot. The larger creature still had his weapon even though a little dazed from the jaw breaking kick that the captain did.

"Enough of this..." Devore said under his breath.

He reached behind him and felt for the boomerang which was near where he had slept. The creature attacked and now Devore frantically looked for his weapon. He now was within 4 feet and well in striking range as Devore grasped the boomerang and used it to block the blow. The large limb sunk into the bladed edge about 3/4 inch almost permitting the log to pass right on through.

Now Devore was ready. He struck back swiftly, but slightly clumsy for the pain was beginning to be unbearable, but the boomerang sang as it cut through the air, and through the remainder of the log. With a quick breathe, hopefully to dull the pain, Devore spun in place and brought the boomerang around. The edge had completed a revolution and just as it came within an inch of the massive creature who, like his friend, was now wide eyed in disbelief, Devore stopped, a lone hair which stuck from the creature split in two.

Knowing now he had been beat, the creature fell to his knees and lowered his head. "I have been defeated. I yield and now am at your mercy," he said solemnly and sincerely.

"Get up !" Devore said lowering the blade. He complied. "Who are you and why did you attack us ?"

"My name is K'los. This is my mate S'qeurei. We are Dalerians. We were at home resting for the Festival of the Moonole when suddenly we came here," he began.

"I am Captain Devore of the USS Leviathan and this is my ship."

"Your ship. You have interesting technology. You make your ships with wood and water, leaves, and animals ?" S'qeurei asked.

"We are in what is called the holodeck. It is a... well sort of recreation room. All that you see around us is made of lights, lasers, and force fields," Barker said.

"K'los.." Began the Captain. "This is my chief science officer, Lieutenant Commander Barker, my commanding Marine officer, Colonel Phanan, and over there is Ensign Morriden."

"Who is the one there against the tree ?"

"That is Lieutenant Dakul, my chief of security. He was injured in an earlier skirmish."

"Oh ? May I take a look. I may be able to help him," S'qeurei volunteered.

"That would be nice. Now K'los. My turn for a question. How did you get aboard my ship and why ?" Devore asked completely puzzled by this prospect.

"Like I said, we were resting...."

"I understand that..." Devore interrupted. "....I just don't understand how you got aboard my ship and from where ?"

"We are from the planet, Yerius III. It is the fourth planet in this system."

"Wait a minute," Barker interrupted as well. "There were no habited planets in this system. I ran a thorough scan of the planets and none are habitable."

"To what standards Commander." K'los responded. "I take it that you are carbon based life forms ? " Devore and Barker responded with nods. "Well we are Nitrogen based."

"The Demon planet ?"

"No not there. We are from the planet closest to the worm hole. "

"Worm hole ?" Barker said laughing. "You must be mistaken. That 'wormhole' is a class four black hole capable of crushing anything that comes within 2000 light years."

"Well whatever you may call it, it is a worm hole none the less," K'los replied slightly offended.

Devore smiled at the quick exchange of quips, however still the fact remains, Darwin somehow and for some reason brought these two Dalerians on board for reason and Devore figured that he must find out. "Well K'los you are here and I guess we need to fill you in on what is going on." The Captain began.

Engineering

In engineering, Commander Taline didn't waste anytime changing. He started right away trying to fix whatever the problem was. Life support was a bare minimum and the oxygen levels in Engineering was minimal to none, so he a respirator and an extreme environmental suit. Lieutenant Tyra was at his side trying also to figure out why the slip stream wasn't working.

"Taline to Lieutenant Shale." Taline said tapping his combadge.

[Go ahead Commander.] Taline replied in a staticky tone. The intership communication was barely restored.

"Tyra and I are at station, but it is difficult to find out what's the matter. I can't even run a diagnostic."

[Do your best. We need some power to the thrusters to counter act the g-forces of the black hole.]

"Are you sure that is where you want me to work first? What about life support ?"

[Commander, no disrespect intended, but if we don't find a way to keep us from going in then whether or not we have life support, it isn't going to matter.]

"Understood, Taline out. Tyra. You begin work on getting the power on line I will work on getting life support."

"Commander. It may be I need to do a cold boot but it will take at least 25 minutes to start it," Tyra replied.

"Maybe so, but as we stand here yapping and not working, that less time we could be using."

"Yes sir." She said snidely.

Sickbay

In sickbay, Doctor Katts was working with minimal power trying to stabilise Brayden. Sierra stood there holding his hand hoping and praying that he will come around. "Sierra. What happened ? If I had a better idea of what caused this injury I may have better chance of fixing him."

"Lyn, I don't know exactly how to explain it. The holodeck safety protocols were off line and something called a 'berserker' attacked him. They were wearing a type of sestis glove that caused quite a bit of damage to trees and stuff around him," Counsellor Devore said through tears.

"Don't worry. I will take care of him. Why don't you sit over there with Junora ?"

"I can't sit down and relax knowing my son my die."

"Sierra ! I am not going to let him die. Go over there and sit down. Junora looks like she may need some reassurance as well."

"I can't..."

"Don't say you can't. Just do it !" Doctor Katts said forcefully.

Devore straightened up and looked at the Doctor whose look on her face said "Go !" She complied and sat down next to Junora who had tears in her eyes.

"Counsellor, is Brayden going to be all right ?" She said.

With eyes wide and full of tears Sierra turned to look at Junora, her arm wrapping around Junora. "Junora, I honestly don't know. It looks bad, but Doctor Katts will take care of my son."

"I hope so, Counsellor I really hope so."

Holodeck Two

The adventurers walked through the woods, climbing a gentle hill. Captain Devore and K'los were in the centre with weapons drawn at the ready. No more were either of them going to be taken by surprise. Phanan, Rashad and Morriden were on point cutting over growth creating a wide enough path. Dakul and S'qeurei brought up the rear along with Barker who was constantly scanning things with the tricorder that he brought with him along with the appropriate dress for the time period.

The sun had risen high in the sky and the moist air and warm temperature created a very hot and muggy atmosphere. For the two Dalerains it didn't seem to face them, but Phanan and Morriden who both were wearing heavy plate mail armour were sweating profusely.

"Ensign, you had better drink some water. I don't want you to get dehydrated or get heat exhaustion," Major Phanan said handing him a canteen with a little bit of water left in it.

"Major. Don't worry about me. It seems that you need more water then I do," Morriden said pointing out that Phanan was sweating a little more then he was."

"Whatever you think Ensign. I just figured you needed some water."

"Thank you but no thank you."

With a final swing of a sword, Rashad broke the crest of the hill. She stopped in amazement. Morriden and Phanan came just behind her and stopped as well. As the team reached the crest they also stopped and looked over the sight. At the crest was a huge valley, littered with bodies, arrows, wooden shreds, and corpses with arrows protruding at deadly and ungodly angles.

"Omigod." Barker said slightly to himself.

"It looks like there was a fight here." S'qeurei said.

"Woman ! Of course there was a fight here. See the dead bodies," K'los retorted quickly.

"I was just saying th..."

"Don't worry about what you think, just do what you need to do," K'los yelled pressing forward, S'qeurei in tow behind him. The exchange drew the attention of the group especially from Rashad.

"Captain," Rashad began. "You are just going to stand there and let that happen."

"Yes Commander. I am." Devore said making his way passed her. Following him was Dakul and Barker.

"Don't worry about it Commander. I don't understand it and I don't like it, but we have to allow them to practice their own culture with know interference from us.

"Yeah, but I don't have to like it." Rashad said sheathing her sword and began to trail Devore.

The valley had the all too familiar stench of death as the group walked amongst the littered bodies. Each of the bodies were massively decayed while some were nothing more then humanoid skeletons plucked clean by the ravenous scavenger the dwell with the landscape. Rusted and broken weapons were strewn about making it difficult for anyone to see the once green hillside. Some weapons were even jutting from the ground their deadly point piercing the earthen ground.

"Captain...." Dakul began interrupting the uneasy feeling of remorse and death. ".....the stench is too much. I don't know just how much more of this I can take."

"Lieutenant. I know what you mean, but there isn't any other way. We need to make it through. Just stay alert. I have a very bad feeling about this," Devore said his ninja-toes at the ready. "That goes for all of you. Stay sharp."

"Aye sir !" Every more or less responded together.

Slowly and surely they zig-zagged the massive carnage trying hard not to step on the corpses' fingers and bones. However, it was a difficult task considering the ground was barely seen.

"Captain...." K'los roared. ".........I am not sure about this, but I swore I saw something move."

"I don't know K'los. I don't think there will too much movement coming from these people."

"I thought I saw something too, but I didn't want to say anything," Commander Barker confirmed. "Captain I don't like this."

"Let's try to pick up the pace. We need to get to the other side."

They began to move faster now paying no attention to the fact that the bones snapped as they stepped on them. The pace was quick and they were now well on their way. The eeriness of the battlefield was now enhanced with dark menacing clouds that suddenly formed over head. Each cloud began to flash with internal lightning bolts forming. Suddenly a flash of lightening followed by the massive roar of thunder struck the ground sending bones and carcasses flying everywhere.

"Let's move everybody." Devore said as he looked at the lightening strike behind them. Just as he began to move quickly and faster, he ran in the back of K'los who had stopped in the path. Devore reacted as if hitting a stone wall and bounced back. "What is going on ?"

"That !" Phanan yelled pointing just ahead of them.

Devore went around K'los and noticed that about eight skeletal remain glowed an eerie orange. "What is going on ?"

"I don't know sir, but I don't like it," Dakul said.

"I know not either Captain," K'los said gripping his log tightly... so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

As if on cue, the skulls of the glowing remain jutted up about six feet their glowing orange taking positions in areas around the adventurers. Then in a massive wall of bones and shards of flesh the remains began to be rebuilt. Every level of life was displayed as the muscle and sinews covered the reconstructed skeletons.

"I can't believe this !" Devore said. "Form up and watch your back !"

They creatures stood before them, each armed with a pole arm and a small buckler shield. They bent slightly over and yelled in unison.

"I really don't believe this !"