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Fathom's Phantoms Phantoms

Kamrn was no stranger to the dangers of space but he was unable to recall a time when he had seen the damage the impact of a Freighter could have on an emergency docking shelf... or the structural arms that connected it to a station for that matter. Once the tertiary airlock door was open the Gorumn had the opportunity to watch several lifeless bodies careen off into the cold depths of space... and they weren't just from the landing pad; the Lower Hallway had broken apart.

The arms that connected the convertible docking shelf to the station were fully enclosed corridors with an upper hall and a lower hall. The arms that created the hallway were about 20' thick and separated down the center by a sheet of metal that made up the 'floor' of each hallway. The idea was that no matter which hall a station employee walked down they would walk on that metal, thereby doubling the arm's traffic capabilities by splitting the arm into two separate-but-joined hallways. In the case of the E-3 Pad however Kamrn was glad that he was on the 'right' side of the structural arm-- the one that hadn't been ruptured.

The rest of the security team lead by Lt. Hayward rushed passed Kamrn. The Leonberger was (figuratively) barking orders as everyone emerged from the airlock and onto the uneven, shredded, horribly warped remnants of the landing pad to which, by some miracle, the DCS Largess managed to adhere; it had successfully touched down... even if all five of its landing braces had been crushed by the impact. Kamrn wasn't as interested in the mostly-whole Frigate as he was focused on the only member of Team 3 who was still flailing; the lone individual was tethered to the station by a lifeline, spinning around at the end of it thanks to some kind of pressurized propulsion.

The Gorumn spoke up before it was too late. "Someone's still alive out there."

Lt. Hayward didn't even hesitate in his order. "Aztec-- that's you."

The Jaguar raced past Kamrn, leaping off of the bulkhead even as he acknowledged. "On it, sir."

Kamrn watched as Cpl. Lopez's jump took him in the rough direction of the struggling team member but the unfortunate worker's spiral made it a difficult target. The Gorumn was surprised when two quick pulses of gas corrected the angle and the Jaguar collided with his goal. The moment they were together Aztec's PCD patched the other worker's communications into the group's and Kamrn heard a distinctive gasping rasp amidst the choking voice of a Cytkus. "Can't... breathe... bad... bad seal..."

Mol cursed in her native language, walking out to stand beside Kamrn as she added a very direct, acidic remark to the Jaguar. "Damn Humans and their suits... there's a spot at the base of the neck at the back of the helmet--"

The Gorumn wasn't able to make out much between the spiraling, flailing duo, but he did notice the moment that the spinning finally began to slow. Cpl. Lopez reinforced the presumption of success with a succinct. "Got it."

Kamrn and Mol moved to the side of the platform and, in unison, gave a tug on the tether; in the vacuum of space it took little else to reel them in. Once all four of them were situated safely on the landing pad the rescued worker spoke up. "That's why I prefer to be INSIDE ships... not out in space."

Lt. Hayward didn't waste any time with pleasantries and got straight to the point, "Where's the rest of your team?"

The Cytkus' helmeted head shook back and forth then pointed out into the blackness. "Spaced, Sir... just me left."

The Jaguar brushed a gloved paw across the pressurized gas port on the side of the rescued lizard's suit. "You sound so broken up about it too."

The rescued Cytkus, whose name plaque read only 'Tirzsark' shrugged. "I'm sure they were great people and all but I just met em... I'm not really having the best luck with my squad mates staying alive so you'll have to forgive me if I haven't had the chance to grow attached to anyone just yet."

Kamrn quickly cross-checked the Cytkus' name on his PCD's locally-stored employee roster. "You just got back from a survey assignment a few days ago... loss all but two of the survey team and less than half the crew survived."

The Cytkus gave a salute as Lt. Hayward approached from behind the Gorumn. "First Class Gunner Tirzsark, sir."

Further discussion was cut short at the sound of another PCD being patched into their local comm channel. Everyone paused to look around and saw two figures racing toward them along the hull of the station. Kamrn hadn't recalled anyone having been assigned to a space walk but the two were wearing emergency suits, so it certainly made sense considering the recent impact. The smaller of the two figures, the one in the lead, spoke up first. "What's going on?"

Rather than answering his question, the Lieutenant had one of his own. "What are you doing here? You're not with the landing team."

The smaller individual responded, motioning back the way they'd come, and toward the larger suited individual. "There was a hull breach mid-station... the Comm Tower was torn away. Sherman and I tracked the damage down this way."

Tirzsark turned to look at the newcomers. "Sherman? Is that you, Boone?"

The one in the lead paused. "Tirzsark?"

The Cytkus' helm rotated slightly. "Oh... wow... looks like a reunion."

Cpl. Aztek glanced from the Cytkus to the unidentified individuals. "You two know each other?"

The man nodded, and made introductions for himself and his fellow hull-walker. "Technician Kyle LaGriss... this is Sherman."

Kamrn quickly pulled up the Technician's file, frustrated that it wasn't updated due to the communication blackout. "Kyle LaGriss... part of the survey team that was on board the Apercu... where Tirzark served."

Tirzsark continued looking at the newcomer, then glanced past him toward the imposing figure of a large Geneticon-form EVA suit approaching. "Looks like what's left of your team's still together... I heard your Overseer was moved to consultation on the Executive Deck... lucky her."

Technician LaGriss glanced over his shoulder and held a fist out; the Geneticon laborer with the name plaque of 'Sherman' touched it with his own. The Human then looked back to the Cytkus, "Out of the entire team two isn't really that big of an accomplishment."

Mol broke up the socialization with a very straight-forward "We're here about a shuttle, folks... think maybe we can do the small talk later?"

It didn't take very long for Lt. Hayward to reestablish a plan of action. With the Voljoi Technician nowhere to be seen (and probably Spaced) the Dog obviously had no reservations about taking control of the tactical aspect of troop positioning. He looked to the newcomer human Technician first. "Kyle, was it?"

"Yes, sir."

The Dog nodded and spoke succinctly. "The primary overseer for this operation was a technician and we'll be in need of your know-how. Unless you're on active duty I'm pressing you and your laborer into service."

The Human nodded. "Understood."

Gunner and Specialist 4523 remained by the Freighter where they had been able to identify that nobody had exited it while everyone else was distracted. At the Lieutenant's orders the security force joined up with them by the ship's main crew entrance, leaving Technician LaGriss and his accompanying laborer to stand back at a safe distance.

Specialist 4523 shook her head, repeating the entry command for the third time at the console. "It's not accepting any commands... the override signal isn't going through."

Technician LaGriss stepped forward and motioned with his hand as he spoke. "This is a V-17 class Freighter. It has a reinforced secondary causeway running down the length of the ship from there to there. If the door is offline you should be able to force entry four meters down without endangering anyone inside."

Lt. Hayward glanced back to the Human then nodded. He motioned to the indicated spot. "Gunner... set up a breach... Sgt. Cameron-- Sgt. Mol... open her up."

Everyone moved to fulfill the order; the Rhino set up a basic ballistics charge that would force a contained blast through the hull of the Freighter while Kamrn and Mol stabilized the portable airlock that would keep the ship's atmosphere from escaping into space. Kamrn nodded to Mol and she nodded back before stating "Ready when you are, Lieutenant."

The Leonberger moved up beside the team to further elaborate the plan. "We're clearing the ship sector by sector... Cameron, I want you aft; Mol, you're fore; Gunner you get mid-ship."

Everyone confirmed the first set of orders before the Dog looked to Specialist 4523. "Keep working on that door-- I'd rather have two exits in case there's a problem."

"I'll get it open."

Once he got the confirmation from her Lt. Hayward looked back to the breach team. "Do it."

Kamrn had been through two other breaches in his life but the Largess was the first he experienced in space. The muted blast barely registered as a sound but he felt the shock wave of it in his feet and through his back where he was pressed against the hull of the Freighter. A quick jet of the ship's internal atmosphere escaped before the portable airlock sealed it off and the Gorum waited a moment longer as his helmet's electronic systems booted up a program it was fed into it using access codes assigned to Technician LaGriss.

The Human, still staying close to Specialist 4523 was working from a typing bracer. "Captain Nida had a packet waiting for us at the Comm Station. I have no idea how she knew Sherman and I'd be there or that we'd be joining up with everyone here but it had crew roster for the Largess. I'm not interested in looking a gift horse in the mouth so I'm uploading it to everyone's HUD for facial recognition on any crew you find."

Kamrn had heard the human term about dental identification of equines given as presents before but he still didn't really understand it. He simply responded with a curt "Thanks."

Lt. Hayward acknowledged the statement without bothering to ask any of the many questions that came to Kamrn's mind. "Good work. Alright team, we're going to sweep for survivors. Since our primary team got Spaced we're making use of Technician LaGriss here. This ship gets cleared before we let him get to work. Aztec, you're with Cameron... I want you two to work your way back to the cargo bay and clear everything."

Tirzsark, who had taken a moment to collect himself after his ordeal had since joined the group. "Where do you want me, Lieutenant?"

The Dog didn't even pause before supplying an answer. "You're here. I want you supporting the Technician and covering this breach. Sgt. Mol-- I'm coming with you."

There was little more to be said as Kamrn led the way through the portable airlock. It was not a pleasant experience as far as transition from vacuum to atmosphere went; the clunky-but-still-too-small chamber did little more than give the Gorumn a headache when he was first bombarded by a sudden blast of atmosphere as what was held in the airlock escaped... and then forced to endure a second round of it as the doors to the Frigate proper opened and he was hit again.

Unlike a formal airlock the portable one had no way of actually regulating the atmospheric pressure-- it just made it so that only a little escaped with each use. Once inside the Gorumn moved away from the infernal contraption to avoid any further unpleasant experience with air pressure. He took up a position several meters from the breach and stood watch as the rest of the entry team came into the hall one by one. Cpl. Lopez, who came in last said it best. "God damn. I hope they get that door fixed before we finish up... that portable airlock sucks... LITERALLY."

Lt. Hayward didn't give anyone the opportunity to provide a follow-up comment. "Move it. Keep comm lines open-- I want regular check-ins every ten, otherwise broadcast only when you need to."

The team acknowledged with a clear round of "Yes sir."

The Leonburger quickly checked his PCD and then detached the seal on his helmet. "Atmo readings are clear... save your O2."

Mol was the next to take off her helmet and she scowled. "It's musty in here-- no... smokey... burn scent too."

The rest of her objections were lost to the Gorumn as they parted ways. Kamrn headed immediately toward the back of the ship walking down the long hallway as his helmet depressurized. He quickly popped the seal on it but kept it on with the visor down to benefit from the HUD program the Technician had uploaded; his nose wasn't anywhere near as sensitive as Mol's but he could tell what she meant by smoke-- it smelled like burned metal. An electrical short, he thought likely.

Cpl. Lopez followed right behind but the Jaguar did remove his helmet, running his fingers through the fur on his head. "Can't believe you keep that thing on, man... it KILLS my peripheral vision."

The Gorumn grunted. "Good... then you keep a look out and I'll ID the flight crew."

"Sounds good to me."

The two methodically checked each room in the shuttle slowly clearing their way back to the cargo bay. After a handful of minutes, just when it looked as though the Frigate was a ghost ship from which the crew disappeared without a trace, the first transmission came in; it was from Gunner. "I'm seeing signs of some kind of weapon discharge on a corridor wall."

Lt. Hayward was quick to question. "Firearm?"

"Don't think so, Sir... it looks like some kind of... burn damage."

Aztec piped up. "Flame thrower? Combat Cutting Torch maybe? Plasma welder? Wouldn't something like that be a little excessive?"

Gunner snorted. "No... it's focused... maybe two inches around."

Mol was next to offer an answer. "Laser?"

Specialist 4523 was first to contradict that suggestion. "Lasers are too unwieldy for troop combat... especially in a ship corridor."

There was silence for a moment until Technician LaGriss asked a question. "Sgt. Gunner-- did whatever make that mark get all the way through the wall?"

"No... it just looks like a surface burn."

The Technician continued his questioning. "Can you get to the other side of the wall and see if there's any damage there?"

The Rhino grunted and repeated himself. "It looks like a surface burn."

The Human didn't relent. "If there's enough heat involved at a fast enough speed it's possible that whatever the discharge was could have been conducted through the wall without actually making a complete hole."

Apaprently Lt. Hayward was on the Technician's side. "Do it."

Kamrn and Aztec cleared the last set of rooms between them and the cargo bay. The two turned their attention to the heavy double-doors leading to their final destination before Gunner had a response. "Lieutenant... I found a casualty."

The Leonberger spoke up immediately. "4523, get to Gunner's location and support... Gunner, lock down the area and wait for the Specialist."

Technician LaGriss' voice came on the comm next. "Lieutenant, we have the main doors operational now... Specialist 4523 is heading in that way."

The lines were quiet as Kamrn and Aztec opened the door to the cargo bay. They progressed slowly with their weapons at the ready. They took turns advancing and checking corners as they methodically cleared the large room. Numerous containers two-or-more meters cubed created a maze-like set of aisles and corridors and the Gorumn realized it would take time to check everything... until Cpl. Lopez launched himself up onto one of them with an acrobatic leap. "I think we're pretty clear here, Cameron."

Mol's voice suddenly hissed through the comm, surprising them both. "Got a Voljoi body here... HUD says it's the Project Lead... Doctor Hadas Kyer."

The Lieutenant voiced a question. "Can you identify the cause of death?"

The Cytkus female didn't even need a moment to respond. "Yea... I'd guess it's the same thing as whatever happened to that wall Gunner found."

4523 chimed in. "I'm at Gunner's location now... Human laborer... dossier IDs her as a Ghoul... 114209... Gunner-- is this the burn mark you were describing?"

The Rhino's voice spoke up through the coms. "Yea... but I saw it on the other side of the wall..."

The Neo-Human woman continued reporting. "Lieutenant... the burn mark goes completely through the wall, just like the Tech said it might. There's an identical mark on this woman's back... I'm going to roll--"

There was a pause from the Specialist and Gunner spoke up next. "There's two burn marks on her chest.... that doesn't make any sense."

Cpl. Lopez caught Kamrn's attention immediately with an exclamation that didn't broadcast on the comm due to his helmet being retracted. "HOSHIT!"

The Jaguar backpedaled atop the large metal shipping container as a red-hot circle of heat burned through an adjacent cargo box. Kamrn watched transfixed as a semi-transparent, eerily beautiful, eel-like phantasm emerged from the glowing metal, 'swimming' slowly through the air. It wasn't large by any means, scarcely three inches in diameter and hardly more than a foot long.

The see-through creature glowed bright enough to shed its magenta light through the corridor between the boxes. Like the Gorumn, the Jaguar stood transfixed, staring at the other-worldly apparition... and didn't see a second one rise up through the metal box beneath him. Kamrn shouted a warning. "AZTEK!"

It was too late; moving with far more speed than the first creature's casual floating had suggested the eel-like specter shot forward and disappeared into Cpl. Lopez. The Jaguar immediately went rigid and fell forward off of the cargo box. He did a complete rotation and landed on his back.

The Gorumn quickly raised his gun and fired two shots at the first glowing creature, which had turned its attention to him. Other that two mini fireballs bursting for a split second in front of the being there was nothing-- not even bullets impacting the crate behind it. The Gorumn continued backpedaling and transmitted a quick warning. "We've got trouble in the cargo bay."

The simple comment didn't truly relay the full extent of the trouble... which Kamrn didn't completely comprehend. A few moments after landing Aztec's corpse released the beautiful-and-deadly creature that had killed him as it burned an exit out of his chest... and a second, slightly smaller one emerged beside it, bringing the total of creatures to three. The Gorumn immediately amended his report, "We've got a LOT of trouble in the cargo bay."

Despite the fact that Kamrn knew there was nothing he could do for Cpl. Lopez the Gorumn still hated the idea of leaving a squad mate behind... even if they had practically just met. The Jaguar however was decidedly dead and Kamrn realized if he stayed then he would be quick to join him. Falling back, the Gorumn fired off another volley of shots at the three, mostly-transparent, eel-like creatures 'swimming' through the air at him but, once again, the rounds appeared to incinerate midair.

Lt. Hayward repeated an earlier command that Kamrn had ignored during his fallback. "Sgt. Cameron, report."

Stepping through the doorway leading from the cargo bay to the Largess' primary aft hallway, Kamrn slowed just long enough to close and seal it. "There are some creatures down here... one killed Aztek."

The Leonberger Lieutenant's response was several seconds in arriving but he maintained an even tone as he asked bluntly "What happened?"

The security officer backed away, turning before he moved hastily back toward the exit. "One ran into him... and two came out."

Specialist 4523 spoke up. "That would explain the two burn marks we found on the Ghoul Human woman... whatever those creatures are they will only get more dangerous."

Not bothering to stop, Kamrn took the most direct route to the cargo bay's exit; he had to sidestep the body of a Voljoi. Although the dead Gray had the same burn marks in his chest as the ones he saw caused by those creatures on the Cpl, he also noticed that the Voljoi had been shot. The HD identified him but refused to supply any details-- information he would have to file away for later. He paused only once he reached the first set of doorways. "... also another crewman down here... roster said 'classified', for some reason."

The Lieutenant's orders were straight forward. "Cameron, get out of there and meet back up at the breach."

Kamrn noticed that all three creatures were still in hot pursuit so he quickly closed off the airlock and backed away. He watched as a red-hot, circular glow appeared in the cargo bay's doors and he took a step back when one of the sinewy, glowing creatures wriggled its way through the metal... followed by the second one... then the third. One by one they forced their way through the door leaving scorch rings in their wake, "They're burning through the door."

Sgt. Gunner grunted. "That explains the burn marks on the walls. Guess we won't be locking em in anywhere."

Lt. Hayward was next on comm. "Sgt. Cameron, again, make your way toward the front of the ship. We're going to quarantine the Freighter."

The Specialist objected. "Lieutenant, how are we going to quarantine them if they just burn through the hull?"

Kamrn didn't bother waiting for a response; he passed through the doorway separating the cargo bay hall and the engineering hall. Once through the Gorumn pressed the control panel, closing the door behind himself. "They don't move very fast unless they strike... and going through the doors slows them down even more."

The Leonberger continued his orders. "4523... Gunner... I want that Ghoul's body for the science bay. Seal it up and bring it with. Mol and I are almost done copying the flight recorders and we'll join you at the exit. Mr. LaGriss?"

The Human's quiet voice was quite a change from the authoritative Dog's. "Yes, Lieutenant? I'm here."

"Gunner and 4523 will be heading your way. Once Mol and I finish this download we'll be coming to your location too. When everyone's through the airlock I want you resealing it. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

Lt Hayward continued. "Tirzark, you still at the breach?"

The Cytkus responded affirmatively. "Still here, Sir."

The Leonberger directed the Gorumn. "Kamrn-- you're going to Tirzark. Once you're out close it and lock it down. I want that thing sealed too."

Tirzark objected. "Sir... if we just open the whole thing and vent the entire Largess. Maybe that'll--"

The Dog interrupted him. "And maybe it won't. I don't want to give those things any way to escape. Once we're off the ship Technician LaGriss and his laborer will attach tow line to the front landing skids... we'll deactivate the magnetics and give the Freighter a push off of the pad. Towing it at a safe distance will give Central Command time to learn about what's going on and advise accordingly."

Kamrn couldn't help but object. "What if they burn through the freighter?"

The question didn't phase the Lieutenant. "They probably already would have then... right now we're working under the assumption that they need atmosphere like the rest of us. If we see them burning out of the hull then we'll decouple the freighter and cut it loose... but until then we keep em for study. Understood?"

Specialist 4523 cut into the conversation. "Sir, we have the body and we're making our way to the Technician."

Kamrn continued his quick paced trip through the corridors closing every door behind him that he could. It wasn't until he'd taken about a dozen steps after the Neo-Human woman's broadcast that he realized there was no response from the Lieutenant... and apparently so did the Technician. Kyle was the one to address the issue. "Sir? Lieutenant Hawyard? Are you there?"

Despite only having heard the Gen Bull laborer's voice in passing, it was unmistakable, "Boone... the cockpit."

The Technician quickly narrated his observation. "The Lieutenant and Sergeant just shot through bridge's view screen and they were sucked out of the Freighter."

Mol's transmission was full of static but Kamrn could still hear it "...of those things... -idn't get the flight records... --ey're not following us... -rying to stabilize and vent some... -an get back.... --ation."

Kamrn sealed off the last door before he arrived at the breach entrance. Technician LaGriss continued the discussion. "Sherman... get a tether and see if you can help them before they get too far out of range... I have to wait here for--"

The Neo-Human woman spoke up. "We're here... just have him stay and help you with the door-- I'll get the Lieutenant and the Sergeant."

The communications dimmed as the portable airlock sealed and the Gorumn grabbed the hand-holds. He suffered through another round of suction as the outer door opened and then pushed himself through the opening before nodding to Tirzsark, who remained by the input pad. "That's it... I think those things were still following me. Close it."

The Cytkus nodded in response and closed the airlock. He followed up with a three key sequence that locked out the controls before standing up. "The breach is sealed for now. Boone-- any luck with the Lieutenant?"

Although still intermixed with static, the Leonberger's voice was audible. "We're fine. Mol and I are being reeled in right now. Everybody sound off."

The communication channel was a successive litany of 'here' and 'present' with every member of their group checking in... except Aztek, obviously. Kamrn had just finished sounding off when he was surprised by a new voice talking on the channel, albeit, not at them. The voice was faint, as if not speaking directly into the comm device, "Yes-- I mean...no... I-- I heard them. It.. they sound like a security team."

There was a pause before the voice spoke up again. "...y-yes. He said he's from a-- oh! Uh... channel 42."

Technician LaGriss hailed the speaker before the Lieutenant could say anything, "Burger? Is that you I heard?"

The tentative, almost meek voice responded immediately. "Mr. Boone?"

Lt Hayward wasted no time. "This is Lieutenant Andrew Hayward of DRC ESE Squad 2."

Another pause separated the previous speaker and a new one, whose tone was much more direct and much more authoritative. "This is Lieutenant Cox, DRC ISE Squad 5."

Kamrn saw Specialist 4523 smirk through her face mask. Though her comm was off for the statement, he was fairly certain she was making a comment about internal security. He pushed the consideration of the Specialist's prejudice against internal security forces out of his mind when another voice spoke over the security team; Kamrn recognized it immediately as belonging to the Gen Cat doctor he'd met while on duty at the gathering some time back. "This isn't a social event people. We're here to help with the recovery efforts on the Largess."

Lt. Hayward snorted into the comm. "Mission's scrubbed. Whole crew's dead and there're some kind of alien life forms in there... killed one of my men."

The doctor's voice didn't seem pleased. "You see? If I'd have only been twenty minutes earlier I-"

A blunt, obviously annoyed voice came through, interrupting the Cat. "You probably would have been killed along with whoever they lost."

Lieutenant Cox's voice was firm. "Thank you, Sergeant... that's enough."

The Leonberger pushed forward in the communication, addressing the other team. "Lieutenant Cox-- can you have your non-security personnel use a different channel?"

The other Lieutenant weighed in. "Normally I'd say yes... but we have no idea how stable any of these short range stations are. For now it's best if we can stay in contact... But I WILL require the chatter to stop from my side."

There were a few moments of silence, a good indication that his order was taken to heart and Specialist 4523 spoke up next. "Lieutenant Cox, if you're heading to the E-3 Pad you'll want to take the Upper Hall... the Largess tore out the Lower Hall on its flyby."

As it turned out the team approaching the rescue squad had indeed planned on using the Lower Hall but, at the Specialist's advice they retraced their steps before arriving at the blast doors that would have sealed it off. During the five minute reroute it gave both teams enough time to go through basic introductions so they would know who they'd be meeting.

There were four men in total coming to the landing pad: Burger, the Gen 2 Donkey that had been part of the shuttle crew along with Tirzsark that had taken part in the failed survey mission, the Gen 2 Cat Doctor Victor Cortez that Kamrn had already met, and a 2-man security team: a Gen 2 Dalmatian, Lieutenant Cox, and a Gen 2 Malamute, Lieutenant Cox... apparently no relation.

By the time the newcomers actually arrived the rescue team was just finishing the decoupling of Frigate and the pad's magnetic system. With the new addition of hands to help it was done that much faster, albeit, with that much more chaos. Amidst the logistics of the dozen-or-so working on the separation nobody noticed the single, perfectly circular, red-hot glow in Sigma-Echo's hull before it was quickly flash-frozen by the vacuum of space.