A cry from afar [✱27]

Posted on Thu Aug 13th, 2026 @ 3:58am by Petty Officer 1st Class Ayol & Lieutenant Commander Intharia T'Zor & Lieutenant Rune Thul & Master Chief Petty Officer Gaz & Ramielos Volsunga

837 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: UnderMind [4]
Location: USS Faraday crash site - Dreizhen III
Timeline: After 'The Dreizhen Chainsword Massacre'

With the horde of flying insects finally reduced to atoms or charred remains by the two runabouts and their skilled pilots and gunners, they were finally safe to return. By the time they returned, they faced a vastly different scene below.

The dead outnumbered the living among the bugs, more of the large tank-flamethrower bugs lay dead, and Volsunga was still carving through the remaining warriors like they were tissue paper. The Marine team, led by Captain Nema had been able to free themselves from the opening, and their heavy weapons were ensuring those few bugs that avoided the distraction of close-combat with a Space Marine didn't survive their decision for long.

"Nema to runabouts. Glad to see you made it. If you want to give us a hand with the leftovers, we can be out of here shortly."

"I think one of our phaser array couplings is fried," Rune said by way of greeting, "Glad you made it too Captain."

"Understood, Captain. We'll do what we can." T'Zor said, instructing her team to start picking off the stragglers.

Once the firing had died down, and all the bugs were stilled, the Runabouts prepared to land, but before they could do so, a transmission came in across an open channel.

"Yy to Runabouts. This is Commander Yy to Runabouts, do you read?"

"Lipitah here Commander, what can we do for you?" Rune replied, and he hoped his smile was in his tone.

"Go ahead Counsellor." T'Zor said, sensing something suspicious in the fact that Yy was somehow transmitting.

"It's good to hear your voices. I had some firm conversations with the Fraters, and they've revealed that they do in fact possess the technology to cut through the interference caused by the dunes. They've only done so because we've just been attacked by a horde of giant bugs. As far as our scans can tell they're the same sort you've been combatting where you are. The security team was able to hold them back with minimal injuries, but further scans have shown there's a horde of them approaching. Perhaps hundreds of thousands. We need any assistance you can offer, and probably more." Yy explained, the urgency in her voice unmistakable.

"Oh really? That's not going to go down well with any of the Commanders. Especially Creon." Rune said, his tone now utterly annoyed but it faded to something like anticipation. "Once our phasers are repaired, we will get to you as soon as possible." Maybe they could repair them on route? Rune thought as he waited for T'Zor's orders.

"Commander Creon and her team are unaccounted for, Counsellor. We'll give you what help we can, but we can't just leave them here." T'Zor said. A moment later, she realised something. "Chief, can you transmit the signal from the trackers Polyphron left behind to Mr Volsunga?"

"Transmitting. It's weak, but he should be able to pick it up." Gaz tapped at a few controls, and spoke directly to Volsunga. "RV, you picking up the signal I'm transmitting?"

"Affirmative. It leads back into the tunnels beneath one of the spires."

"That's where our people were. It's the closest thing we've got to a trail." Gaz explained.

"I will follow it." Volsunga confirmed. "If they still live, I will find them."

T'Zor thought about the situation for the time required to breathe in and out. She knew there was every chance that Creon and her team were already dead. The clock was ticking for Shitau, and more help was needed than they had to offer. The equation seemed obvious.

"Lieutenant Ulloriaq, what's your status?"

"Our engineers have finally had a chance to diagnose the damage. They're currently working on physically rerouting power away from the damaged areas, we should have main power back inside ten minutes. We won't be going to warp anytime soon, but looks like all the other systems are fine." Ulloriaq relayed.

"We will wait with you for as long as we can afford. If you can't have her ready soon, we'll have to bring your crew aboard and come back for the Faraday later." T'Zor told Ulloriaq.

"Understood ma'am. We'll do our best to get her going." Ulloriaq told T'Zor.

"Lieutenant Thul, take the marines aboard and return to Shitau, get their defences prepared as best you can."

"Understood. Thul to Captain Nema, prepare for transport. We and Fireteam Nautilus are to aid the Vulcan monks," Rune said, "orders from Commander T'Zor." He added after a moment. Rune began preparing the transporter to lock onto the marines.

"Ready when you are, Lieutenant. We appreciate the lift." Nema's synthetic voice came through the comm.

"Mr Volsunga, find out what happened to Commander Creon and her team. I can't guarantee we'll be back soon, but we will be back."

"It shall be done." Volsunga affirmed.

"I'm going to head to the northern outpost. Lieutenant Eldan should have an in with the Atenists. We're going to need reinforcements, and they're the only ones I know of." T'Zor told them all.

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