Stardate 2271.3.24: 2000h (still)
Countdown on Chowdhury's chronometer: 18 minutes
Chowdhury bravely dashes into the reactor chamber, still zipping up his suit as the door whisks shut behind him. His mind a conflagration of memories, questions and regrets, he purges himself of everything beyond the present, just for the moment. "Your orders, Sir?"
The two work in tandem. Through the glass, Chief Endilev monitors energy readings through his tricorder and offers helpful warnings; through their suits, Dr. Ryerson's cool-warm voice buzzes soothingly in their ears, weaving a tall tale of heroic Earth that echoes eerie parallels to their own dire situation.
A tube of wiring sizzles. Chowdhury struggles to keep both ends grounded against their connectors.
A pipe hisses. Nadix tightens it just enough to avoid fracturing.
A console glitters with terrible lights. Endilev warns the others about a faulty automatic pressure governor that threatens to drop the radioactive solutions below stable temperatures.
Wild radiation brushes every surface of the chamber. Ryerson spells the end of Big John.
…A golden coil slides into place—with his last breath Nadix locks it down! "…nOw… cOmMaNdEr…" The Edosian collapses to the floor, no longer seeing the dark gases swirl through the coils, sending their rejuvenating nectar throughout the sickly reactor; nor does he see Endilev rush to the master computer terminal, hammering out executive commands to cancel all processes; deaf to the sound of the entire complex shutting down power; insensate to Chowdhury dragging him out of the reactor chamber to safety.
The crew sit huddled on the floor, in utter darkness, absolute silence; presently, a pale blue emergency light awakens in the ceiling, probably the result of some backup generator that has not been activated in a million years.
Dr. Ryerson, now fully healed, sweeps his scanning apparatus over Nadix. "He's still alive. Barely." Nadix's radiation suit is removed, soaked in sweat. A quick injection stabilizes his vital functions, at least until he can be transported back to the ship.
Slowly, carefully, the three human officers carry their tripedal comrade to the elevating platforms, and out of the claustrophobic confines of the dead Slaver Outpost. Someone flips open his communicator:
"Janus: four to beam up."
Rolls:
- Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), MN 9, LK 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — HtH 4, plasma pistol (12/12)
- Nadix Ar Eth — DX 13/16 (+3), MN 9, LK 9, CT 1/12 — HtH 2, phaser II (24/24), Radiation suit (0/10)
- Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 12/13 (+0), MN 7 (-2), LK 12, CT 12/12 — HtH 3, phaser II (24/24), Radiation suit (0/10)
- Ensign Li— DX 13 (+1), MN 9, LK 7 (-2), CT 0/15 — phaser II (24/24) KILLED BY URSUNOID
- Ensign Chowdhury — DX 11, MN 11, LK 17 (+5), CT 13/13 — phaser II (24/24)
