Commander Bridger awakens with a deep breath and looks around frantically. Sparks from nearby consoles were lighting up the usually blackened bridge. Stammering his speech, he calls out “X…XO! Damage report!” Lieutenant Commander Amy Padilla, fully conscious but stunned and sitting against the turbolift door repeats to herself, mouthing the words “We never saw them coming! They came out of nowhere.” Bridger walks stumbles over to her and looks in her face and yells once more, fearing that she had hearing damage. “Damage report!” Amy just keeps repeating the same thing to herself repeatedly “We never saw them coming! They came out of nowhere.” Jack, calm this time tries to talk to Amy once more “Amy…hey Amy.” And touches her shoulder “What happened?” Amy snaps out of her stunned state and looked Jack in the eyes “The Tal Shiar uncloaked an attacked us. They came out of nowhere.” Jack stands up and extends his hand for Amy to grab it. Amy grabs his hand and Jack pulls her to her feet. “Doc? Are you here?” The ship’s doctor runs to them both and gave Amy a scan. “A few superficial wounds. She’s a little shaken up but nothing too serious. She’ll be fine sir.” Jack nods and looks at Amy “I need you to take a second and gather yourself.” Amy nods and paces for a second. “Captain,” says Amy “we have to be prepared for them to attack again.” Jack nods and yells “Helm! Where are we on shields and weapons?” The pilot yells back “Shields are holding at fifteen percent! We are out of torpedoes, but we still have fore and aft phasers.” “Very well! Get ready for another attack” replies Bridger. “Aye Captain!” confirms the pilot.
Bridger orders, “Comms, call for backup. I don’t care if you need to get the flagship down here. We need help…NOW!” “Aye Captain” replies the comms station. “Everyone listen up!” Bridger commanded “The situation is dire. We are losing life support. The call has been put out for backup and if the Tal Shiar comes back, we must be ready. Everyone will head over to the armory in teams of four. We don’t know if we will be boarded. Life support is minimal at best, and we are crippled. We have minimal weapons and shields are almost gone. But as always, we WILL make this work. And if we go down, we’re going to drag these bastards down to hell with us. So, get ready. Get your gear. And get back to your station immediately. Key stations go first. Support stations will go last. Now move as if your life depended on it!” 
An hour passes and everyone is back to their stations fully armed. “Helm, status report.” One of the pilots shouts back toward the captain’s chair “I read three ships. Headed this way. They’re powering up weapons. They don’t look friendly.” Bridger gets up from the captain’s chair and moves toward the viewscreen. Watching the ships approach. “Standard protocol first. Hail them.” The pilot presses a few buttons and there is an error noise. “They are not responding, sir.” Bridger nods angrily “Open a channel to the lead ship.” The pilot presses a bunch of buttons again and the console registers yet another error. “No luck, sir.” Bridger faces toward the security station “Shield and weapons status?” “Shields are at maximum and weapons are powered up.” replies the console operator. Bridger responds with a soft growl. “If it’s a fight they want, then it’s a fight they’ll get.” “Wait Captain! I’m reading another ship. It’s the Odin!” Bridger laughs and puts his face in his hands for a quick second. “Helm,” he barks laughing, contact the Odin and fill them in. These dudes should’ve known who they were messing with.” Captain Nelson pops onto the Fenrir’s viewscreen. “Jack! What have you done this time?” Nelson asks with a smile. “Not much sir. Just getting into a bit of trouble is all. You know us.” Nelson laughs with a reply. “I do know you. I taught you. Hold tight Fenrir. We got you.” The viewscreen goes blank and Odin unleashes hell with phasers and torpedoes, taking out all but one of the enemy ships. The Odin’s transmission can be heard over the secure channel “Take a message back to your leaders. ‘If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us.’ Now get the hell away from here before I board you. An believe me when I tell you: that won’t be enjoyable.” Nobody died that day, and the USS Fenrir was alone in the void. No one will forget today, and this fleet will be stronger for it. Commander Jack Bridger was awarded the Starfleet Medal of Valor for his actions and was offered the rank of Captain. Bridger turned the rank down but told his superiors he’ll keep the consideration for the rank of Captain open in case he is inclined to command his own fleet one day.

Oh they finally got moving multiblocks working? Or those pre-modelled vehicle mods?

Are you thinking of a Creative server or a techy modpack ala Galacticraft with added bells and whistles?

I used to play it, not that into it anymore. If there was a Stonewall server I'd be a big maybe.

Is nikki123 a bot? lol

I was thinking that we could have a world together and build our version of Starfleet Command as well as other Star Trek and Star Wars buildings? I saw that vehicles work in the game so we could make shuttles and our favourite ships. Buzz me if you are interested and we could work it all out.

#WritingContest

Left Behind
A short story by Zander Hawk


I remember when I first arrived at Outpost Recuerdo.  I had joined the Federation Bureau of Administration as an accountant, specializing in ensuring that requisitions for non-Federation currencies were completed in a timely manner.

I loved my job, there was always a certainty about numbers that I enjoyed.  I remember working with Jill in Purchasing, she was great.   Peter in Fiscal was always very thoughtful.  Miranda in Accounting had an infectious laugh, she was a riot.

We would have wild potlucks every month until the new managers took over - I guess they didn’t like food much.

I would go by Jill’s desk often and talk about work stuff.  We did this for many years until she got promoted.  She left to some other outpost near the Beta Magellan system.

I loved strolling through the halls of the building, and especially gazing out the main window that looked out into space.  Pete’s desk was only a few steps away.  I would always drop by his desk and we would chat about the joys of life, it was our routine for the longest time until he passed away.  

I would always rely on Miranda as the comedic relief of the office.  We would often joke about being in one of those old 21st Century sitcoms.  We did that for the longest time until she decided to retire.  I tried keeping in touch with everyone, but life happens and everyone eventually moves on.

Work was like home until it wasn’t.  Eventually everyone I knew was replaced and the new people were very different, they were very focused on their own interests.  I quickly became the old guy in the corner desk.  I was either ignored or forgotten…I could never figure out which one.  I guess I just wasn’t relevant anymore.  I felt discarded.  Everyone I knew moved on except me.

On my last day years later, it was time for me to leave everything behind and so I finally went home.  

I said goodbye to my favorite window, I closed my eyes and I left the building.

I exhaled.

I was transported through the stars at warp speeds until I got home.  

I opened the door and there to my joy and surprise I saw Jill, Peter, and Miranda with open arms.

I guess I finally caught up with them in the end…


_______________________________________________________________________

Great stories, guys. I've enjoyed reading them. Thanks a lot.

I just picked both games up and was looking for folks to play with. :)

Currently, I'm enjoying American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Absolutely stunning thing! 

Right now I'm reading Mikola Khvylyovy's "I'm a Romantic".

#WritingContest 

Together Forever.

“Just breathe..”
Adamis thought to himself as he slowly piloted his shuttle towards the Borg cube now in orbit around the planet of Brunali.
 
“No going back now. Computer beam me to the cube on my mark.”
 
Energize…..
 
“Ok open your eyes on the count of three” Adamis said elated.
 
Kelin slowly opened his eyes to see his Husband holding a rose. Layed out in front of him, was a picnic of all his favorite things, right down to the Tera nut souffle  he absolutely adored.
 
“Aw, Babe you shouldn't have” Kelin said smiling ear to ear. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have found his other half, the person he knew he would grow old with.
 
“Hey I think after being married a decade the least I could do was make sure I got the souffle right., especially after what happened the first time I attempted to replicate it.”   Adamis said laughing.
 
“Oh! Speaking of the replicator I almost forgot! I”ll be right back just gotta grab something out of the shuttle.” Adamis jogged back the short distance to the shuttle craft as his husband smiled watching him fade in the distance.
 
 
“Ok let me just grab..”
 
Adamis’ thought was interrupted by an explosion that shook the entire planet.
 
His next thought was “Kelin.”
 
He darted from the shuttle running back to where he left his husband. As he ran over the last hill his heart dropped.
 
BORG.
 
The last sight Kelin saw was Adamis with panic and fear in his face as he frantically ran towards him.
 
“ADAMIS RUN! I LOVE Y…..” A  Green dematerialzation field  surrounded Kelin as he was held by two Borg drones and beamed aboard a Borg cube orbiting the planet.
 
Adamis dropped to his knees in agony seeing Kelin there one second and then just gone..
 
“No, this can’t… they can’t.. I don’t accept this… there has to be…”  his mind was racing he knew what was going to happen next to Kelin,   but he made a vow and he wasn’t going to lose Kelin without a fight.
 
 
“Good, they don’t consider me a threat.”
 
Adamis walked slowly through the cube carefully following the coordinates in his tricorder which thanks to the tetryon particals in the atmosphere , was not an easy task. 
Luckly Kelin was the only Antarian aboard the vessel besides himself.
 
“Just a little further… and then its a quick grab and transport” Adamis thought trying to calm his anxiety, while also blocking out what he knew was inevitable.
 
He  creeped around the corner and then he saw him.
 
Kelin was in a Borg alcove unconscious. His left eye was no longer his own but instead a Borg implant.
 
“Kelin!, Babe I need you wake up.” Adamis said as he ripped the wiring that held Kelin firmly in the alcove. He injected Kelin with a neurotransmitter and his eye shot open in shock and horror.
 
“Ada.. it hur.. I can hear them.. so many voices… Kill me please” Adamis looked down at Kelvin, tears streaming down his face. The assimilation process had already started.  He could see the nanoprobes were doing their job as Kelin’s skin was already mottling turning    him    into a lifeless pale husk of his former self.
 
“It’s ok baby. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere, just listen to my voice”  he wouldn’t leave Kelin, there maybe a thousand voices   and thoughts in the collective, but he would find Kelin among them.
 
Adamis raised his phaser and fired at the nearest Borg alcove. A Borg disconnected from the alcove slowly making his way towards him.  He stood as the Borg extended his arm injecting nanoprobes into his bloodstream through his neck. He fell in pain grabbing Kelin in his arms.
 
“Together forever right?” it took all his strength to hold Kelin through the pain. But hold him he did, as slowly the voices of the collective overtook him and his thoughts faded to darkness.
 
___________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I woke up gasping for air and soaking wet. Four of the cadets in my class that I considered my closest friends were laughing like hyenas and either rolling on the floor or trying to brace themselves on furniture. They had poured ice water on me to wake me and while they think I won’t retaliate; they are very wrong. 

“The Captain said we should see how well you would do with a rough wake up call.” A human male said as he laughed and spoke breathlessly. His name is Talon and I’d consider him my true love but I doubt he’d feel the same.

I dried my hair and finished packing for our final survival mission before graduation from the academy. They had us do these pretty simple missions every year and they weren’t really challenging but more team building. We were the last group to be shipped off and we got really nice planet randomly chosen for us by one of the admirals. 

The four of us got our briefing and strapped in and headed for the planet. We laughed and talked about ships we wanted to work on and ones we didn’t and I was listening attentively. I received a message from Vulcan High Command about my Kolinahr but I hadn’t decided because I enjoy the emotions and feelings I have with my friends and colleagues so I ignore it like before. We have our dinner rations and Anastasia our only Andorian class mate goes to bed, and Rufus our telepathic Betazoid follows behind her giving us the helm of the roundabout so they can get some rest.

Talon and I get comfy in our seats as we plan to finish out the ride to the planet, but I feel a slight burning in my ears and look in the corner of my eyes to see him fidgeting.
  
“Is something wrong? I’ve never seen you so shaky.” I said as I fully turned to him and could tell he was freaking out a little more than I first thought. This wasn’t our first mission so I knew it wasn’t that.

“I, um I think I have feelings for you, Gladiator. I can’t stop thinking about you and I already talked to the assignment officer about putting us together because I don’t want to lose you.” Talon said as he tried to relax. 

“I have really strong feelings for you, Talon and I have for a long time but-“ I couldn’t finish because as soon as I turned he kissed me deeply and I could feel every emotion especially pleasure. I tried my hardest to calm myself but apart of me didn’t want to stop until we came out of warp at the planet and the door to the living quarters opened. Rufus came through the door with a smile of someone knew exactly what they were walking into and Anastasia was behind him with all of our stuff in her hands. 

“Are you two gonna land us or do we need to do it for you?” Anastasia said snarky like and sat at one of the consoles. I regained my composure and took us down in clearing of an unknown forest and opened the door. Anastasia was the first one out the door with her tricorder scanning everything possible. Rufus came out with his taking scans of plants more than anything as he wanted to discover something brand new.

Talon has all his engineering gear along with replicator so I wouldn’t have to eat field rations. I came out with two of our rifles and some simple tactical gear when Anastasia yelled for us so we ran quickly wondering what it was. The 3 of us ran up on her and she was standing in the mouth of a massive cave. 

“The tricorder goes crazy if I point it here so I think we should take a look.” Anastasia says as she points it deep into the cave and it beeps.
“I don’t see why we shouldn’t take a look; maybe it will make good shelter.” I say as I come up to the front beside her and we start making our way through with flashlights. Our tricorders were reading all kinds things. The walls were different colors and textures; we knew we had stumbled onto something new but we weren’t sure what it was because the tricorders told us very little.

After walking for what felt like forever, we finally saw a light at the end of the cave. We finally got to the end of the cave where the light came from and once we walked through we were inside a massive forest with beautiful grass, tall trees, and a waterfall into a river. Rufus turned on his medical tricorder to try to find any life sign that couldn’t be picked up with a normal tricorder, but it didn’t go off until he pointed it at the wall and then it stopped as if it was just a glitch.

“No signs of life of any kind.” Said Rufus as he yawned and put his stuff down.
I looked at my watch seeing it was late and suddenly felt the exhaustion run over means I said to them. “We should probably rest, we can explore later.” 
They all agreed and we formed a circle with our tents and set sentries around us just for precaution.

We had lights for our camp site so we could see where we walked. As I started to falls asleep; the sound of footsteps startled me awake as if I was falling. My tent unlatched and Talon came in quietly with his flashlight shining where he was going. I turned on my lamp to see what he was doing and as soon as I did he was sitting right beside me. My heart started to race and my ears got hot. I’ve been able to keep composure since I was baby; but after our moment in the shuttle a complete shock as went through my system and I can’t help but give in to the emotions I can feel.

He was in his night clothes and he seemed to have a question on the tip of his tongue. 
“I was wondering if you would like to finish what we started in the shuttle? If you don’t want to-“ He tried to finish but I pounced on him before he could and I start to finally give into my feelings for him.
“I’d love to but only if we both get to be bottom.” I said as I rubbed his chest and I start to kiss him deeply. I started taking his clothes off slowly and sensually. 
“Of course, it’s only fair.” He said between kisses and we fell into a deeply passionate love making spree that would have woken everyone up if not for the noise dampeners. We finally fell asleep after having satisfying each other until complete exhaustion.

Talon and I were awaken by a knock on our tent and inside it we could tell sun was shining in the cave we settled in. When we got out of the tent everything in the cave had changed like the trees and plants. Yesterday it was a basic forest environment but now it seems it’s copying the Mycelial Network. Everyone seemed stunned by its beauty; but I couldn’t help but to feel something was wrong.
“I want this whole place scanned and explored. I want to find out what’s going on.” I said as I got my rifle, tricorder, and comm badge.

Anastasia and I went into the Mycelial like path while Rufus and Talon headed the forest way that started to reappear. Anastasia seemed worried as we walked and just as I was about to say something two giant Tardigrades that seemed to be rabid and angry. We started to run for our lives as they charged for us. We tried to scan them the best we could but they just came up as Tardigrades. I quickly dove behind a boulder and shot a charged bolt at one of them and just as I did Anastasia fell and the other was about to get her but turned in time to stun the Tardigrade and get it to chase me. I ran away as fast as I could and charged it as fast as I could. I got some distance and turned around landing on my stomach and shot a charged bolt killing it dead. 

I ran back to Anastasia as she was bandaging some scrapes and cuts.
“You alright?” I ask as I help pick some of the stuff she dropped.
“I’ll be fine, nothings broken.” She said getting up slowly.
I checked her rifle as we walked over to a pond of some glowing substance but before Anastasia could get a sample Rufus came over the comm badge. 
“We need help quick.” Rufus said frantically. 
“We’re on our way.” I said and we walk towards them as fast as we could even being slightly hurt 

We finally got to Rufus but he only one we could see and it wasn’t until we got around a huge multi colored boulder did we see Talon who was trapped under almost completely. 
Anastasia asked Rufus nervously. “W-what happened?” 
“We were scanning this area and as we were about to move on this rock or whatever it is flew at us with crazy speed and I barely missed it.” He said shaken and scared. 
“I-I wasn’t very lucky.” Talon said breathlessly as he tried to move unsuccessfully
“Can we get it off or something?” I asked 
Anastasia started scanning it on every level. 
“I’m not sure, it barely registers it’s there.” She said.
“You can’t touch it either or it’ll shock you enough to put you on the floor.” Rufus said as he showed his slightly burnt hands from trying to move it.

I made the suggestion to use our rifles to destroy it, so we aimed at and had them charged as high as possible and on my command we blasted it. Talon screamed the most blood curdling scream that would frighten anybody. 
“S-STOP oh god please stop!!!” He yelled and pleaded with us.
We stopped and I could feel my emotions swell up and for the first time be on the verge of tears.
Anastasia scanned Talon and the boulder and saw that all the energy from the rifles made the  boulder heavier and was making him bleed internally. I came up an idea to try and beam him out, so I sent them to get the roundabout while I laid down beside Talon to comfort him. I turned on my comm badge so they could track us easier.

“I-I guess I should’ve t-told you how I felt before yesterday. I w-was just never sure about how you would feel.” Talon said trying to keep conscious and tears were starting to run down his face. I could tell that the boulder was draining him but was also some how fusing him into it.
“I should have been the one to say it first but I figured you wouldn’t want to stay with a Vulcan or that you were even gay.” I said choking up a little. 
“Maybe we say it was both our faults.” He giggled a bit and he looked up and watched as the shuttle floated above.
 
We started try beaming him out of it and then the boulder and even moving the boulder itself but it wouldn’t budge. We tried everything we knew we could and even tried new stuff until Talon called us down to him.
“I-it’s time to l-let me go. Leave this place and leave me behind, and tell Starfleet to never come here again. I love you all especially you Gladiator.” Talon said and he disappeared into the boulder. 

We all got back into the roundabout and I plotted course back to Earth Spacedock while Rufus and Anastasia cried in the bunks while I tried to mediate. I’ve never really felt sadness this great and even though everything I’ve been taught should help, but it doesn’t and I just can’t get past it. Anastasia relieves me from the helm so I can get some rest but I decide to stay in my seat and sleep there until we get there and for the first time I feel the wet streak of a tears run down my face.

We finally got to Spacedock and we were interviewed by almost every Admiral and instructor in the sector. Once we were finally done we wrote our reports and were assigned counselors to help us through our friends’ death but it never really felt like it helped. Starfleet put a restriction on the planet we went to and they send survey teams to figure out exactly what is going on. The three of us drifted away pretty fast due to the trauma we suffered but we still congratulated each other when we graduated. 

We had a week off before final exams so I finally decided to complete the Kolinahr to which I finished and purged myself of all emotion. I was no longer hurting or sad but I could still feel the love I had for what I consider my mate that I left behind. When I got back from P’jem I was able to concentrate a lot more  and not be distracted by my emotions that had effected me after what happened. I also met some other classmates; one of which was Elisa Flores who was about the only person who didn’t want to talk about it all the time so I appreciated her presence. I passed all my exams with flying colors but didn’t get to do my ground training but I can do that after graduation. Other Cadets said Captain Taggart is wanting some cadets on his bridge but we won’t know until later on during graduation day.

That day my decision to purge my emotions was made. My friendship with Rufus and Anastasia was left behind that day, and the love of my life was left behind on the day. I will do my absolute best to make sure nobody in my command will be left behind again.

P.S. Also, please make sure that your characters are not currently in a fleet, otherwise STO will not allow us to send your toons an invite.

Thank you.

Thank you.  You will achieve the rank of member tomorrow and so to avoid going back to adjust the rank on your characters, we will send out the invites tomorrow.

Regards,

Zander

KDF Fleet
M'Tissul@tmpek
Maw'da@tmpek
Toj@tmpek

Deep Space Stonewall
Jirad@Tmpek
H'Lai@tmpek
H'Sei@Tmpek
Sapat@Tmpek
Nexali@tmpek
Loron@tmpek

Stonewall Legion
Jiran of Romulan@tmpek
Kazjel@tmpek

Thank you in advance!
-Jir

Hello,

When you make your decision, please send us a list for your characters on here by replying to this message.

Choose (1) primary Fed character to go into our main Stonewall Fleet -your primary character will receive an invite from this fleet.  The rest of your Fed characters will receive an invite from Deep Space Stonewall (depending on space availability) or Stonewall Legion, your KDF characters from The House of Nagh reD, and your Romulan or other characters from Stonewall Legion.  One of our leaders should be able to send an invite to the bulk of your characters later today after 6pm pacific time or as their schedules allow.

Thank you for your patience,

Zander Hawk
Admiral and Chief of Membership Management
Stonewall STO PS4 & XB1 Fleet Administrator

STONEWALL GAMING NETWORK
STONEWALL FLEET
Department of Membership Management

Email: zander.hawk@outlook.com
Website: http://www.stonewallgaming.net/people/Zander_Hawk

Please use the following format (to help us send out the correct invites):

STONEWALL FLEET (Primary Fed Character)
CharacterName @ handle

DEEP SPACE STONEWALL (All Secondary Fed Characters)
CharacterName @ handle

HOUSE OF NAGH RED (All KDF Characters, if space is not available your character will be placed into our alt fleet Legion of House of Nag reD)
CharacterName @ handle

STONEWALL LEGION (All Romulan Characters)
CharacterName @ handle

Not going to lie, I've been pondering this since I joined, is there a limitation to the amount of characters we have in the fleet in Star Trek Online Alt fleet? I may have 18 characters that i play regularly :) 

-Your local alt-aholic
Jir

mexican food near me you on Yelp - see all Mexican Food open now and reserve an open table. Explore other popular cuisines and restaurants near

As night fell in the city of Talis, provincial capital of Yirness, the northern province of the Senate protectorate of Eniripsa, the star ‘Eisn’ known as Romulus to outsiders still pulsed. Her heartbeat was pulsating at a higher rate, some Rihanssu, like Nveidra reported to the medical departments that they felt ill. 

It was theorized that it had to do with the extra radiation coming from the star. The Empire had suspended all activities and put the fleet on standby should the need arise for the evacuation of Romulus and Remus, the last two colonies in the solar system to be evacuated. All remaining colonies had already been evacuated and destroyed, however, there was quite a commotion on where the remainder of the population would go in the Senate. 

Many of the outlying worlds were refusing the refugee’s already and Starfleet was not welcoming any, there were little to no places to go. Yirness and many of the Northern Provinces were directed to the colony world of Vrinat. 

As she began to close her eyes and rest, the Klaxons surrounded her. She sat straight up in her bed, steadying herself by placing her hand down. There was a message that appeared on her military station in her private room. ‘Please Stand By for Orders…’

She could hear her civilian housemates, her brother and his wife summoning her, 

“Nveidra you must wake! Get up and meet us downstairs.” her brother said. 

She quickly slapped on her uniform, she was a bit dizzy, as memories suddenly came flooding back…

“No! Not now!” she cried. Steadying herself she fought against her pre-Borg memories and went to join her brother downstairs. 

“I repeat, report to your evacuation shuttles and listen to the Military personnel there. You are to only take the necessary.” The Senator said on the Communication device. 

“You heard him, let us leave.” her brother said. 

“I can’t, I have to follow my orders.” she said as her implants became more active and itched. 

“But I am not losing you… Not again!” he protested.

“You will not. We will be together on Virinat. I am stationed there. Just now, I have to confirm my orders. Go, I will be behind you.” She looked at his wife. Her brother had to be left behind when she was assimilated as a child. Unfortunately their parents did not survive the un-assimilation process, they were too feeble. 

“No!” he protested, the final time. Her eyes glowed green, and her voice changed, it was like a switch went off,

“You WILL comply.” She replied.

“Not all of us have that ability, dear sister, to turn into an emotionless robot. The switch goes off and you expect us all to follow suit like one of your drones. News to you I will comply, but know, this will be the last time I wait for you.” he said suddenly. 

She had used the ‘comply’ line one too many times. Before she could say anything, she a bright light started to envelop the planet, it was too late and she was transported… 

“Where is he? Where is my brother?” She cried, reaching out when she appeared.

“M’am?” questioned the enlisted officer.

“The people I was talking too, transport them now!” She ordered.

“Stand down Nveidra.” A cold voice came from the doorway.

“You don’t understand, they are all I have.” she began to cry.

“Now you can focus.” he said...

"Look, you need to move NOW." The grizzled army veteran yelled to the confused individual on the ground.
Dazed, confused, the man in his 30's looked around and saw he was sprawled on a gallows. Two nooses hung ominously above him but the most terrifying thing was a meathook (why is there a meathook) on a platform freshly coated in blood. Chills ran down his spine, causing his shoulder to ache.
"Christ, give me a second to get my bearings."

"You don't have a -"

A loud "DONG DONG DONG" rang out from somewhere nearby and a scream that seemed to be as dry as the dusty air itself could be heard.
The older man helped the bespectacled man to his feet and urged him to move forward. Every step made the entire left side of the younger man radiate with pain. The older man took note of this.

"I'll fix you up when we get somewhere safe....well..safer anyway"

Grateful for the help but overwhelmed by his (it smells so) senses, he moved.
When the pair came upon a saloon (no this can't be right) they dove behind the bar and the haze began to give way to something resembling understanding. Terror took away any kind of rationalization and replaced it with (it won't open but i left) strange acceptance to this unusual world.

"Stand still, kid."

"Kid?! I'm Loot-(no I don't belong here)"

The man procured a bandage and some salve from a rusty (ancient) box with a cross on it. He crouched and began to work on the younger bloodied man, patching up the dramatic hole in his shoulder (wounds but safety) and mused as he did.

"Alright, yeah you got a bit of a shock. Can't blame ya. Ok Guy, *grunts* there's a thing out there (but they are) and it wants us dead, we gotta get-"

The younger man cried out as the veteran's hand slips, roughly shoving his apparently fresh shoulder wound."MOVE!"
The two run as they hear a very close "DONG DONG" behind them somewhere (outside).

"Don't look back, kid just keep running, I'll try and run him off!"

He looked back.

Out of a shimmer, a...thing emerged. (not mine) It was horribly scarred and disfigured. It carried an ancient bell in one hand and a (but the war is over) club that seemed to be made of bone in the other. It's eyes glowed brightly blue. (no one escapes death)

The older man vaulted noisily through a window (but I tried) and screamed, hoping to capture the attention of the thing.(but it isn't mine)
The malevolent thing grunted with a horrible chuffing noise, something out of a nightmare, alive yet undead, and lunged at the window, stepping through it, resuming (it won't stop) it's chase with the older man.

The younger man gasped for air, looking ahead and tripping over some deadwood on the ground, littering the path between buildings in this arid twilight world (time is wrong)

The deadwood dressed in a soccer jersey moved in pain and cried out (she did) at this intrusion,
“Please….help me…”

She was clearly younger than him, probably in her mid 20’s...but dressed (incorrectly) in fashion he didn’t quite understand. While not quite dead(wood) this person was clearly on death's door (if it would open for me) 

“I’m sorry I don’t know...I don’t know how!” (dear god her face is her face) he cried at her but he knew he had to. He tried to pick her up and after a few seconds, clumsily, he got her to her feet. “Thank you” she whispered (she couldn’t whisper though open the door why won’t it open) and prompted him to try to help with her wounds as the grizzled thing-chased man screamed out in agony (they always do) somewhere far away.

“I can’t. I…” (I always do butopenthedoor now) He stood up, and ran. He figured there must be a door somewhere. The door will lead to his freedom, he knew somehow. It was starting to come back to him. The trials (the trials never end), the campfire. But no (not yours) what came before this?

Exhausted he took a breath near a propped up pallet. If only he didn’t leave her behind. His daughter. He wouldn’t have needed to escape, it all came rushing back like waves of grief. He knew her face but it was blackened. (explosions)

He realized that he couldn’t go back for the young woman he tripped over, (she’s not real but she wasiswas) nor the old man screaming in agony, no doubt on one of those damned hooks (i never would have left). He had to keep searching for the door. There was no past now. Only the now (now then) and the truth. His daughter’s face a void microcosm of empty (the door hast to respond it hast to why doesn’t it) pain and suffering. (left behind aloneyouleft)

The earth shuddered. A low groan, a booming sound and there were no more screams. 
DONG DONG DONG DONG

He felt the thing (ididn’tmakeit) closing in on him as he attempted to find an escape (it won’t respond why) along the wall. His hands came upon a power box of sorts, desperately he flipped the switch. The shimmer charged closer. The door opened (but I didn’t call for it) and as the man fell through the doorway, he felt his back rip open with that jagged tool (her facewhyherface) and it was a cold, wet sensation. More cold and sudden than he could have expected an impossible to imagine situation to be. (but I didn’t call for the arch I can’t have the arch why is the )
---------

“Any luck this time Elim?”

“Well as you can see, my excellency, Lieutenant Vriess’ spirit has broken. His abandonment of his daughter on Terok Nor has caused a psychic break. Each time we send him back to the campfire, he forgets a little more of who he is...well...was. The technique is astounding in the ability to erase the deeper synapses and leave only the most painful residual emotions when they think they are in control.”

“What do you mean ‘In Control’? Why have you not simply executed this traitor to the alliance?”

“Ah! Yes, Regent, his mind deals with the intense suffering he is experiencing by confusing the now with the holodeck programs he designed long ago. Ones of a camping experience. I just...tweaked those memories and let him think he is in a simulation.”

“But he is.”

“Yes, precisely! But not his own, the illusion of control, combined with his abandonment of his daughter, his deepest regret, he left her behind you know, back when Their Sisko was here and she was nothing more than collateral damage when the rebels tried to take the station. He abandoned ship when the battle began. Left her when things got tough.”

“Bah! What is your point? He is a craven coward”

“Have you not heard? They have a cloaking device we could...acquire and turn the tide. Imagine putting one of the rebels in this simulator…having their darkest fears prey upon them, making them utterly useless after giving us all the information we need, or maybe reprogrammed to unpredictable violent insanity. Letting them return a husk. They always come for their people, this will be their downfall. Eventually the fear would be contagious. The rebels would learn to fear the unknown agony of existential unrelenting terror that we promise them. A fate worse than death would keep the rebel ranks few and far between.”

“You may have proven yourself useful, Cardassian, the rebels will know us as fear, and in that we will destroy their hearts.”

The scream rang out, piercing the reverberating air. He had been caught. She had seen him just moments ago, but he had been caught. As the claws descended from the darkened sky, she knew that there was only one more. One final partner to depend on, or so she hoped. She continued carefully wrapping the bandages around her punctured waist, blood oozing through each layer as she tried to stem the flow. It was as hopeless a task, she thought, as that which stood in the way of her escape. The gates were still closed and, last she had checked, there was still not enough power to open them.

She knew there was still one more. She felt his presence burning into her vision as if he were right there. He was working, trying to quietly evade the encroaching terror that threatened them both. Not long ago, they had been planning to rescue the others. A fruitless task, that ended in despair. Regardless, he was capable, focused, and aware. Perhaps they would get out of here after all.

The enchanting, unholy, unsettling melody flooded her mind. As she crept towards the broken machine, she did everything she could to focus on her task. Connect a wire here, pull that lever there. It was an easy task, and yet here, it took effort just to breathe. The heartbeat started again. Not hers, but another’s. Abandoning her task and creeping away, she knew hiding was the only safe thing to do. Her desperation to escape needed to be tempered with purposeful caution.

A hatchet flew through the air, close enough for her to hear the whistle of the blade as it sliced the sky. Had she been seen? She had been so careful, after all. No, it must have been an attempt to bait her into action. She would hold still until the terror had passed. It worked. The heartbeat faded, then the song. It was safe to return to work.


Safe for her, at least, as she suddenly sensed, through the fog and the oppressive buildings standing amongst them, that he had been hurt. A cry rang out. She tried her best to ignore it and continue working, but it was still disquieting. Somewhere, he was being hunted. The adrenaline would pump, feet would run, both hearts pounding in a vile rhythm. But there was no scream. No sounds of struggle and no horrid feeling that something wicked had happened.


And then, that sound. The warm, shrill blare of a siren, announcing their work was complete. It was time to down tools and head home, after a hard day’s work. She knew where to go. She could see her partner heading there. But she could hear the melody. It crept up on them, as her ally began to open the gate, tearing down that final barrier to freedom. She was feeling stronger, and he had managed to patch his wounds for the moment. But the song grew louder. They were almost out of time. The heartbeat started again, growing loud, more ominous, more disturbing. The horror had arrived. The loud clanging of metal heralded the opening of the escape.


But it was too late. As the gate came to a rest, she looked down at her stomach. A hatchet, rusty and jagged, was lodged in her side. She hadn’t even had time to react, and she fell to the ground, writhing in pain. Her partner hadn’t been seen; he was hiding behind a wall nearby. She was hoisted from the ground, and in the midst of this movement, she saw him peek round from his safe place, a brief glance as she was draped over the horror’s shoulders. This wasn’t the end, there was still a chance. As she was lifted high, she couldn’t help but hold her breath as she was hung, hopelessly and gruesomely, on the hook, which had been blackened by countless drops of blood over time.


She saw her saviour emerge from his hiding spot. Her eyes grew wide, and a smile almost crossed her face as he began to move towards her. He stopped. Why had he stopped? She could still be saved and he was the only one that would be able to do it. And then, all hope vanished. He had turned away. Turned his back on her, and ran. He ran away. He ran away from her. The pit of her stomach lurched and her head became light. This was it. He had left her. He wasn’t her partner, he was her deserter.








#WritingContest