Columbus Stories 1.4 - 'Twas A Very Columbus Christmas

[Leanna Mazal]

[Puzzles]

After seeing what happened to the General, Deg'arf had not taken his eyes off Leanna. When she was hit, he became enraged.

"LEANNAHHHHH. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH."

Get out of my way. MOVE NOW. I shall kill you all. What devils are they? They do not bleed!

Deg'arf ran to her, pushing anyone in his way to the floor and narrowly missing phaser fire. When he finally made it to her, he took her deep into his arms. He protected her and sought shelter. He nodded over to Ch'pok as he repositioned Leanna to take a closer look at her phaser wound.

"You are safe now, my Queen. I shall protect you. Death to all that hurt you."

He brushed her long dark brown hair off her face and held her close. His need for her was too great that looking deep into her eyes made him forget himself and where they were. Only the two of them existed, intertwined in agony.

[Puzzles]

Leanna was trying and failing to ignore the pain emanating from the wound on her side as she sat propped up against the cocktail bar counter. Glad that she still had at least one of the phasers as she contemplated her next move knowing that she had to be strong and make sure that everyone was okay not only customers but her staff and Deg'arf. Her defences were low thanks to her injury and the continued onslaught from the evil elves was pushing her to her limit but just when she though she couldn't take anymore she heard a familiar voice clearly enraged echo around her and the next thing she knew he was there protecting her in his strong arms.

Knowing that the words he spoke were true as he then brushed her hair away from her face and held her close. Looking back into his eyes understanding how he felt in that moment as she felt it too and yet didn't want him to feel her pain as time slowed down making it feel as though it was only the two of them.

" I know and that's twice you've saved me tonight, bangwI' " she replied her voice breaking slightly " But before you take my anywhere I need to know if my staff and the others are okay".

[Michael J. Tritter]

[Puzzles]

When Yoduk went down Adeyemi immediately went to his side, propping up the Klingon. He was already struggling to rise.

"General, stay down." Adeyemi ordered.

"I am not under your command, Starfleet," Yoduk growled, but his eyes belied how much pain he was in.

An elf, sensing weakness, leapt at them from the diminishing crowd. Thinking quickly, Adeyemi snatched up Yoduk's dagger, and managed to slash at the homicidal Christmas demon's face. The movement unsettled Yoduk, who growled even louder. The elf took a cut to the cheek but did not bleed.

Analyn had wrestled the polar bear into submission: she had forcibly  jammed its head in between two newels in the Puzzle's staircase. The bear struggled but could not break free. The little girl was soon dispatching the elf accosting them with a lightning fast judo throw, sending it out onto the Promenade through the pub's last remaining window. The glass tinkled onto the blood strewn floor.

"Safest would be shutting down all holographic systems. But we can't." Analyn said in frustration. Had she required breathing she would not have even been breathing hard. Despite the blood of others clinging to her she looked completely unfazed. "I tried. I tried hard, Mack Á¢â,¬ËœEm."

"I know you did. Can weÁ¢â,¬"-"

Wordlessly, the little girl threw herself into him, hugging him so tight the breath was squeezed out of his lungs. Adeyemi gasped and Yoduk was again jostled, and the old warrior grumbled.

"I thought they hurt you. I thought they..." Her cherubic face collapsed into a heart breaking, puppy dog look, and she began to cry. Tears cut a clean path through the blood on her face.

Adeyemi hugged her back fiercely, cupping the back of her head with one of his big hands. When their embrace ended he also cupped her little cheek, and the little girl leaned into his palm and promptly and unthinkingly snorted mucus all over it, such was the force of her sob. Yoduk gave out a laugh that seemed to make him hurt more.

"Analyn, we need a way out. Can you show me and Yoduk and Naira a place to go?" It took a great deal of discipline for Adeyemi to put on his best in-command, officer's tone. He didn't look very composed, either, and it wasn't due to the carnage around him. He had also thought Analyn had been hurt.

"...yes. Yes. Let's go to the fun place. Where we watch the men hit each other." She meant the Newberry Coliseum, the Columbus's state of the art arena for sporting events. Adeyemi often accompanied her there for boxing or any combat sport.

"She's not wrong." Adeyemi told the other two adults. "The arena would be a good place to secure and set up emergency triage. The infirmary is going to be overwhelmed. We can defend it and treat the wounded."

" Adeyemi to all senior officers. We are going to make our stand in the Coliseum. Escort any wounded civilians who can't be treated in the infirmary there. Out. "

"Help me, Commander," He asked Naira, trying to pull Yoduk to his feet.

[Location: Promenande]

Tritter had finished placing a well placed shot at one of the elves, he than heard his comm badge go off. He ducked behind a pillar, listening carefully to the message that came over. It was the Admiral. He than tapped his comm badge and replied with "Aye Sir" He than came out from behind the pillar, dispatching an elf in the process. He than scanned the area, he caught Ryan's eye, he motioned for them to join him. He held down the area and covered his Husband until they came over. Once they were within a few feet of him, he than stated, "We need to get out of her, get the kids and go to the Coliseum asap"

Ryan nodded slightly and the two proceeded to make their way to the back room that they had put their kids at. Tritter keyed in the code for the door and it slid open, he saw the two youngsters huddled up together, quiet, but it was obvious it was stressful for them. He than kneeled down to give them a hug and said "We need to move" He proceeded to scoop up one, Ryan would take the other, each had a phaser rifle in hand. The elves hadn't bothered infiltrating the back passageways that the crew relied on to travel, but they didn't put their guard down at all. The two men proceeded to make their way into the Coliseum, he than scanned the area looked for the Admiral.

[Tanner Lachlyn]

[ Starbase Lift C ]

Molly laughed lightly. She could tell that Tanner was a bit tense. She was glad to have her tag along. "Please come along. I think we both could use some company. Not that I am lonely or stressed myself. Well I am, but for silly reasons," She said. "Plus I love window shopping and talking. One thing me and my significant other do alot. I am told I am a good listener for what it's worth." The thought of making a new friend was nice. She was glad Jenna shooed her away for the day. That way the both of them could get things done."

[ Promenade ]

Jenna was just finishing her tea, when the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She knew something was not right and sure enough, a group of people were running away from something. "T'Prina it looks like our tea will need to be cut short. Looks like a good ole fashioned bit of Christmas chaos is afoot. It's time to investigate,she said hopping up and grabbing her phaser.

Tanner stopped one of the running civilians and got the low down of what was happening. Although from what she heard it sounded more like deranged hysteria than a logical situation.

"You really want to go running into chaos?" Tanner said to Molly as she took a moment to organize her thoughts, "Especially since it sounds like we're dealing with a malfunctioning holo situation. Your phaser probably won't be much good..."

Noticing a nearby mobile vendor's trolley Tanner snapped her fingers, "I have an idea." The vendor was long gone, having ran off amidst the chaos. Of course Tanner would leave a note offering to pay for the items, "Molly can you grab a handful of those...thingies." Tanner pointed to some thick wires, "We're going to need at least five."

Thankfully this vendor kept his repair kit in an unlocked drawer. Tanner grabbed it and two final pieces, "This is the part where having parents who own workshops with lots of bits and pieces laying around comes in handy. I can pretty much make anything out of spare parts."  Quickly kneeling down she merged the pieces together along with Molly's wire.

"These have an internal battery, you just have to switch them on." She handed two to Molly, "I know you have people you're worried about. If you drop these down within their vicinity it should interrupt the holo's photon speed. They'll literally be in slow motion. You may get a bit of a headache as it runs on sound waves but it shouldn't be too bad."

Tanner smiled, "Now you can go running off into danger."

[Naira]

[Puzzles]

When Yoduk went down Adeyemi immediately went to his side, propping up the Klingon. He was already struggling to rise.

"General, stay down." Adeyemi ordered.

"I am not under your command, Starfleet," Yoduk growled, but his eyes belied how much pain he was in.

An elf, sensing weakness, leapt at them from the diminishing crowd. Thinking quickly, Adeyemi snatched up Yoduk's dagger, and managed to slash at the homicidal Christmas demon's face. The movement unsettled Yoduk, who growled even louder. The elf took a cut to the cheek but did not bleed.

Analyn had wrestled the polar bear into submission: she had forcibly  jammed its head in between two newels in the Puzzle's staircase. The bear struggled but could not break free. The little girl was soon dispatching the elf accosting them with a lightning fast judo throw, sending it out onto the Promenade through the pub's last remaining window. The glass tinkled onto the blood strewn floor.

"Safest would be shutting down all holographic systems. But we can't." Analyn said in frustration. Had she required breathing she would not have even been breathing hard. Despite the blood of others clinging to her she looked completely unfazed. "I tried. I tried hard, Mack Á¢â,¬ËœEm."

"I know you did. Can weÁ¢â,¬"-"

Wordlessly, the little girl threw herself into him, hugging him so tight the breath was squeezed out of his lungs. Adeyemi gasped and Yoduk was again jostled, and the old warrior grumbled.

"I thought they hurt you. I thought they..." Her cherubic face collapsed into a heart breaking, puppy dog look, and she began to cry. Tears cut a clean path through the blood on her face.

Adeyemi hugged her back fiercely, cupping the back of her head with one of his big hands. When their embrace ended he also cupped her little cheek, and the little girl leaned into his palm and promptly and unthinkingly snorted mucus all over it, such was the force of her sob. Yoduk gave out a laugh that seemed to make him hurt more.

"Analyn, we need a way out. Can you show me and Yoduk and Naira a place to go?" It took a great deal of discipline for Adeyemi to put on his best in-command, officer's tone. He didn't look very composed, either, and it wasn't due to the carnage around him. He had also thought Analyn had been hurt.

"...yes. Yes. Let's go to the fun place. Where we watch the men hit each other." She meant the Newberry Coliseum, the Columbus's state of the art arena for sporting events. Adeyemi often accompanied her there for boxing or any combat sport.

"She's not wrong." Adeyemi told the other two adults. "The arena would be a good place to secure and set up emergency triage. The infirmary is going to be overwhelmed. We can defend it and treat the wounded."

" Adeyemi to all senior officers. We are going to make our stand in the Coliseum. Escort any wounded civilians who can't be treated in the infirmary there. Out. "

"Help me, Commander," He asked Naira, trying to pull Yoduk to his feet.

[Puzzles]

Naira carefully tucked herself up under the General's arm, trying her best not to further agitate to exposed wound on his shoulder as she attempted to lend her assistance to help him up on his feet. He was easily three times her size, but she hoped with a little support that he could get both his feet underneath him and walk on his own.

Yoduk bared his teeth and sucked in air through a clinched jaw. She could see the look of pain on his face, though he tried his best to hide it. Injured as he was, he didn't want to appear weak in the eyes of his men. He attempted to wrap his arm around Naira and ended up grunting in pain again.

[Puzzles]

Ch'pok refilled her glass, though somewhat reluctantly. He was conflicted. But the woman was still sitting up straight-ish. And, as the Klingon saying went, if you can hold the glass to your mouth, within there should be something to drink.

After he had refilled it, Deg'arf clinked his tankard to it. He was enjoying Flick's company. He had found her bow charming and her laugh adorable. It had been a long time since he had felt 'happy'. Also making fun of Ch'pok was much more fun with Flick beside him. He also found Leanna more intoxicating than the blood wine and imagined various positions and scenes.

What did she mean by many hours, or even weeks, that it may take? I am not some pet targ! Yes, I did wait patiently. This is all becoming too complicated.

Ch'pok was puzzled and would have further discussed if it were not for the strange events that followed. As soon as Flick had reacted to the chaos he was right behind her.

"When we defeat them, we will celebrate."

Ch'pok answered or ordered. He was far too serious for his own good as he actually took her wanting to not drink again seriously. He was also very impressed by her bravery and had enjoyed watching her immediately going straight towards action.

He still could not believe his own eyes. Elves, polar bears, the small girl Analyn jumping on the polar bear. He watched as the General attempted and unsuccessfully fight them. Ch'pok nodded to Deg'arf and then took hold of Flick rather tightly and found cover in order to establish what was going on around them.

"Ahhhhhhhhh."

Just as he was positioning himself to shield Flick, Ch'pok took slight phaser fire to his left side. It burned. Though not in the 'good' way.

After seeing what happened to the General, Deg'arf had not taken his eyes off Leanna. When she was hit, he became enraged.

"LEANNAHHHHH. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH."

Get out of my way. MOVE NOW. I shall kill you all. What devils are they? They do not bleed!

Deg'arf ran to her, pushing anyone in his way to the floor and narrowly missing phaser fire. When he finally made it to her, he took her deep into his arms. He protected her and sought shelter. He nodded over to Ch'pok as he repositioned Leanna to take a closer look at her phaser wound.

"You are safe now, my Queen. I shall protect you. Death to all that hurt you."

He brushed her long dark brown hair off her face and held her close. His need for her was too great that looking deep into her eyes made him forget himself and where they were. Only the two of them existed, intertwined in agony.

[Puzzles]

Leanna was trying and failing to ignore the pain emanating from the wound on her side as she sat propped up against the cocktail bar counter. Glad that she still had at least one of the phasers as she contemplated her next move knowing that she had to be strong and make sure that everyone was okay not only customers but her staff and Deg'arf. Her defences were low thanks to her injury and the continued onslaught from the evil elves was pushing her to her limit but just when she though she couldn't take anymore she heard a familiar voice clearly enraged echo around her and the next thing she knew he was there protecting her in his strong arms.

Knowing that the words he spoke were true as he then brushed her hair away from her face and held her close. Looking back into his eyes understanding how he felt in that moment as she felt it too and yet didn't want him to feel her pain as time slowed down making it feel as though it was only the two of them.

" I know and that's twice you've saved me tonight, bangwI' " she replied her voice breaking slightly " But before you take my anywhere I need to know if my staff and the others are okay".

"Let's get out of here while we still can," Naira directed the others.

Those that had remained within the bar past the initial attack began to file out the back. Naira allowed the quicker moving individuals to go first so that they wouldn't be held up by their slower pace. They focused on taking each step one at a time. She wanted to offer encouraging words to help the General along, but right then, she couldn't think of what to say. She knew that he was in pain and trying his best just to keep going.

For now, the best she could do was to follow the admiral.

[Coliseum]

Once they reached the Coliseum and Naira could see the full scope of those who had evacuated other parts of the station and made their way here, she fell back on her experience as a doctor and directed the flow of those appearing with injuries.

"I want anyone with medical experience over here to assist with the injured. We have limited supplies, so we are going to have to prioritize the severity of injuries."

She slipped out from under Yoduk's arm to direct a few medical officers. "Are you going to be okay?," she asked before leaving his side.

"Go, I will live. See to those that need you."

After acquiring a tricorder from one of the medkits that the coliseum kept on hand to treat injured athletics, she ran over to the large Klingon that had been carrying Leanna. Naira was surprised that the woman had remained conscious despite taking several shots of phaser fire.

"How are you holding up?" Naira attempted to make small talk while checking her injuries. The last thing she wanted was for further panic to set in.

Meanwhile, Yoduk had to forcefully lower himself into a nearby chair. His breathing came in short, ragged breaths. 

[Felicity Ellis]

[Puzzles]
He still could not believe his own eyes. Elves, polar bears, the small girl Analyn jumping on the polar bear. He watched as the General attempted and unsuccessfully fight them. Ch'pok nodded to Deg'arf and then took hold of Flick rather tightly and found cover in order to establish what was going on around them.

"Ahhhhhhhhh."

Just as he was positioning himself to shield Flick, Ch'pok took slight phaser fire to his left side. It burned. Though not in the 'good' way.

[Puzzles]

Once the room stopped spinning Felicity realised she'd been spun around by Ch'pok, and that he was shielding her from the phaser fire. She both heard and felt his pain as he stiffened, but his maneuver had fortunately positioned them at the side of the bar; near its swing-top entrance that staff used for easy access.

She turned and grabbed two fistfuls of Ch'pok's tunic and pulled him down with her into a crouch. Phaser fire flew over their heads, barely missing them and shattering the colourful bottles on the shelves behind them.

"Let's get out of here while we still can," Naira directed the others.

Felicity nodded an affirmative. She could hear blood pumping in her ears as adrenaline surged, serving to clear her mind somewhat of the whiskey haze. She conducted a quick visual examination of Ch'pok's left side; he'd been burned and it looked painful, though not imminently fatal she thought.

"Can you move?" She asked Ch'pok as Deg'arf thundered passed with Leanna in his arms. Felicity re-positioned herself in the crook of Ch'pok's right arm and grasped his elbow before heaving them both, with assistance from the Klingon himself, to a standing position. "Come on, bru, let's get the hell out of here." They started forward, following the small, bedraggled crowd toward the exit, those bringing up the rear providing cover fire to facilitate their escape.

[Coliseum]

Well, an elf attack to the station is one way to sober up. Her mind was whirling with questions, but as she looked around the Coliseum she forced all other thoughts to one side and focused. One problem at a time.

[Coliseum]

Once they reached the Coliseum and Naira could see the full scope of those who had evacuated other parts of the station and made their way here, she fell back on her experience as a doctor and directed the flow of those appearing with injuries.

"I want anyone with medical experience over here to assist with the injured. We have limited supplies, so we are going to have to prioritize the severity of injuries."

"Yes sir," she responded to the command as Ch'pok positioned himself on a nearby bench. She was thankful to find available medkits, as limited as they were, but they would be put to good use in the Coliseum. It seemed as good a place as any to recoup and regroup. With a medical tricorder in hand she returned to Ch'pok, who was being his usual hardened Klingon warrior self.

"Best. Christmas. Ever." She said sardonically to him as she scanned his abdomen. She was steady on her feet but her voice had not yet cleared. "I'll need a dermal regenerator for all the phaser burns." She cast a glance around their vicinity, taking in the extent of the injuries. Ch'pok, the General, Leanna and several others had all taken phaser fire, not to mention others streaming in from elsewhere on the Columbus, some of whom would no doubt also require medical attention. She bit down hard on her bottom lip and got to work.

[Leanna Mazal]

[Coliseum]
After acquiring a tricorder from one of the medkits that the coliseum kept on hand to treat injured athletics, she ran over to the large Klingon that had been carrying Leanna. Naira was surprised that the woman had remained conscious despite taking several shots of phaser fire.

"How are you holding up?" Naira attempted to make small talk while checking her injuries. The last thing she wanted was for further panic to set in.

[Puzzles]

His reaction to her words and term of endearment was more than she could ever hope for and no one had made her feel so connected and alive than he did in that moment. Becoming lost in him and their shared thoughts trying not to let the pain interfere with the tenderness and strength emanating from him until the call came to evacuate the bar. Everything became a blur as she remained in his arms snatching glances of her staff leading the uninjured ahead of them as Deg'arf bounded ahead not wanting any further harm to come to her and made sure to keep her awake.

[Coliseum]

In a surprising short amount of time or perhaps it was because of her Klingon warrior they arrived at the Coliseum and Leanna remembered it from when Seamus had taken her to watch the wrestling but now it echoed with the amount of people seeking refuge within its walls instead of the shouts, boos and cheers.

Deg'arf of course had refused to let her go and she remained close to him as Naira approached with a tricorder to check her injuries and engage in small talk knowing she was trying to put her at ease. Her abilities were still muddled with everything that was happening but did pick up her surprise at her not being unconscious and was there something else but she wasn't completely sure.

" I'm doing as well as I can thanks to Deg'arf making sure I stayed awake" she replied quietly.

[Jenna McKinson]

[ Promenade ]

Jenna began running toward the area where the group of civilians was running from. she didn't say a word to T'Prina and acted on instinct.  She had a knack for always finding the most dangerous situations. She was told this many times by multiple people. She couldn't disagree, but also knew that in this case, it needed to work. As she moved against the screaming crowd she wondered what was causing the issue. She wondered if security was nearby to help. When she finally came to a clearing to where the crowds were thinned out, she raised an eyebrow at what she saw. She also noticed T'Prina had made her way over as well.

"T'Prina what would you say we are looking at?"Jenna asked. While she waited for a response, she surveyed the area. Nearby was a engineering panel she could interface with if things got crazy and it seemed like they were just about to.

The Vulcan took in the carnage and chaos with distaste. Evacuating in a calm and orderly manner would guarantee a higher success rate of survival. "Judging by the screaming and blood, an unplanned violent occurrence. Unless someone has taken up your human pagan rituals that haven't been relevant in nearly a millennium or so. Further investigation is needed for a more exact answer."

"I agree. I'm not rushing blindly in there. We are vastly outnumbered. I do see a panel I can interface with, but I will need a way to sneak by them. If I can interface with it, I can enhance the scanning power of my tricorder. We will know immediately just how many we are dealing with in the immediate area. Not counting the demons in front of us. Do you think some warning shots would suffice?"Jenna asked. She had her phaser already out and set to stun at that point. It was then she felt something cold on her face. She looked up and it was beginning to snow. "Not this again!" As she said this she shook her head. "Hopefully there is no soap involved this time."

"Actually, I think this may be the second round of snow. There are several small piles of accumulation." T'Prina pointed out the red streaked snow mounds rapidly melting into watery pinkish puddles. "I believe there are Earth hymns about desiring a White Christmas. Which is illogical. Snow is a nuisance at best."

"There would be some sadistic assholes who would love a Maroon Christmas instead of a White one. That being said, I think I may have a shot at interfacing from a distance. What would your course of action be?" As Jenna was speaking she was trying to keep quiet. One of the creatures was happily munching on a cadaver that they had freshly picked off. The poor unsuspecting patron had no chance.

The scientist raised a swooped eyebrow. "Well I am no anthropologist, but I suggest we ascertain what matter of creature these imps are and try to send them back where they came from." She rummaged in her satchel and removed a tricorder. "They are not any sort of sentient life form I am familiar with, but perhaps this can help. Assuming I can get close enough to scan one."

"I will go get you that information," Jenna said. Before T'Prina could object, Jenna began to use the nearby shop window and sign to hoist herself up toward the balcony. She was going to use the upper vantage point to see if she could get a good reading. "T'Prina I will use the vantage point not only to get a reading, but maybe hack my way into the panel from here. If I can distract them long enough, you should be able to interface and then call to it from a PADD or my wrist PADD," Jenna said.

Jenna reached out as she leaned over from the balcony she had made her way over to from the balcony she climbed from. She lucky was close enough to interface. She noticed one of the little leather clad demons glitch a little in their moments. She thought it was odd until she scanned the area with the enhanced information she had after she interfaced. She then began to furiously tap away at her wrist PADD until she created a bit of sound in the distance to draw the little buggers away. Once the coast was clear, Jenna watched as T'Prina ran over to the panel and began to interface with it. When T'Prina requested her assistance. Jenna took a moment to climb back down and walk over.

The two of them worked together to get a grasp on the situation. Just when Jenna put in another set of codes, she heard a loud bit of growling. "Please T'Prina hurry. I don't think the distraction I cooked up is holding much longer," Jenna said. T'Prina told her it would only take a moment more. Jenna had her phaser out just in case. Just when T'Prina had gotten what she needed, Jenna pointed out then was a good time to leave.

"These have an internal battery, you just have to switch them on." She handed two to Molly, "I know you have people you're worried about. If you drop these down within their vicinity it should interrupt the holo's photon speed. They'll literally be in slow motion. You may get a bit of a headache as it runs on sound waves but it shouldn't be too bad."

Tanner smiled, "Now you can go running off into danger."

[ Promenade ]

"Thank you Tanner. Please take care," Molly said as she ran off. She didn't know when she was going to use the device, but she immediately got into a bit of trouble. She found a way to dodge a few of the anklebiters, but not without getting bit a few times herself. She was not watching where she was going, but she did keep an eye on her surroundings.While Molly was running there was another party watching from the distance. "Remember the objective. If we can use the current chaos as a perfect cover, our mission will be a perfect success"

Molly was continuing to move with a bit of recklessness. She found herself in a corner, but she noticed that there was a fence she could climb up. She placed the device down at the entrance of the alleyway she found herself in. Sure enough the holograms were starting to slow down. As she began to climb the fence, a figure moved toward her. She felt a sharp pain in her leg and immediately fell down. She tried to get up, but fell instantly.  She cursed under her breath as she felt herself being kicked repeatedly. She used all her strength to grab at the leg of her attacker and pull. The figure went off balance and Molly got up and began to limp toward the device she put down. Once she removed it, the leather clad demons that were causing chaos all over the promenade descended on the figure who screamed as they tried to fight off their pursuers.

She began to limp as she walked. She needed a place to hide and be safe. She knew she needed medical attention that was for sure. As she limped off, her leg dripped rubies of maroon that showed ever so much on the newly fallen snow. This pain she felt was nothing. To her she was very much still in danger. When she came to a clearing, she checked to see that she was safe. She breathed a sigh of relief and then ripped the sleeves of her shirt in order to make a makeshift bandage to stop the bleeding. She then noticed a person passed by and they turned to her.

"Hey it's you! Please be careful as we have a holographic situation! Can you help me get to the medical bay?" she asked. She went to move toward the person who came into view, but she felt herself being thrown into the nearest shop. The  windows shattered around her and a pain in the back of her head. She groaned in pain and there was a cloudiness to the edge of her vision. Her attacker moved toward her only to be swarmed by a group of the leather clad demons. As she slowly blacked out, all she could think of was Jenna smiling at her and saying "I love you Molly"

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Coliseum]

Once they reached the Coliseum and Naira could see the full scope of those who had evacuated other parts of the station and made their way here, she fell back on her experience as a doctor and directed the flow of those appearing with injuries.

"I want anyone with medical experience over here to assist with the injured. We have limited supplies, so we are going to have to prioritize the severity of injuries."

She slipped out from under Yoduk's arm to direct a few medical officers. "Are you going to be okay?," she asked before leaving his side.

"Go, I will live. See to those that need you."

After acquiring a tricorder from one of the medkits that the coliseum kept on hand to treat injured athletics, she ran over to the large Klingon that had been carrying Leanna. Naira was surprised that the woman had remained conscious despite taking several shots of phaser fire.

"How are you holding up?" Naira attempted to make small talk while checking her injuries. The last thing she wanted was for further panic to set in.

Meanwhile, Yoduk had to forcefully lower himself into a nearby chair. His breathing came in short, ragged breaths.

[Newberry Coliseum]

They had taken over the ring, setting up cots and tables of medical equipment. The Christmas creations were wreaking havoc across the entire station. Adeyemi heard the steely determined but tired chatter from his people as he carried Analyn to the center of the ring:

"Four more down in the Habitat Ring. Slashing wounds."

"There's a team of reindeer loose in the cargo bay. They've gored and trampled people."

"Ensign! Synthesize some more plasma for that patient there!"

Analyn was tired. How that could be was beyond Adeyemi, but the little girl had walked up to him with her arms outstretched a few minutes ago. He'd picked her up and now she was snuggled deep into the hollow of his shoulder, awake and alert but silent. Her hazel eyes were wide and shocked.

"Report." The admiral said quietly.

Dr. Odegbami was also a native of Nigeria back on earth, but there the similarities ended. Odegbami was an England educated physician, raised in Port Harcourt; Adeyemi came from Lagos and a much rougher neighborhood. Still, even with this crisis unfolding, it was pleasant to hear a familiar accent. Sometimes the Columbus felt like an alien place to the admiral.

"We're making do, Adeyemi." Odegbami wasn't Starfleet, but even civilians with medical training were pitching in now. He was lucky:  the older Odegbami was a premiere spinal surgeon and had chosen to spend holiday on the Columbus. From the look on his face, he was regretting it.

"Get him on a bed," Dr. Odegbami was saying to Adeyemi.

He gently placed Analyn down and moved to help the Klingon. Wordlessly, the little girl drifted over to Naira and clasped at the woman's hand, still needing comfort.

"See to the other wounded," The hoary old Klingon said automatically.

"You're wounded worse than some of them. Get treatment. That's an order."

"You do not order me, Admiral," Yoduk said with some of his characteristic bluster.

"I am not Starfleet," Dr. Ogedbami told Klingon. "So you don't have to posture with me. On the bed, please."

"He's stubborn," Adeyemi told Naira quietly as the general finally relented. "Are you alright, Commander?"

[Naira]

[Puzzles]

His reaction to her words and term of endearment was more than she could ever hope for and no one had made her feel so connected and alive than he did in that moment. Becoming lost in him and their shared thoughts trying not to let the pain interfere with the tenderness and strength emanating from him until the call came to evacuate the bar. Everything became a blur as she remained in his arms snatching glances of her staff leading the uninjured ahead of them as Deg'arf bounded ahead not wanting any further harm to come to her and made sure to keep her awake.

[Coliseum]

In a surprising short amount of time or perhaps it was because of her Klingon warrior they arrived at the Coliseum and Leanna remembered it from when Seamus had taken her to watch the wrestling but now it echoed with the amount of people seeking refuge within its walls instead of the shouts, boos and cheers.

Deg'arf of course had refused to let her go and she remained close to him as Naira approached with a tricorder to check her injuries and engage in small talk knowing she was trying to put her at ease. Her abilities were still muddled with everything that was happening but did pick up her surprise at her not being unconscious and was there something else but she wasn't completely sure.

" I'm doing as well as I can thanks to Deg'arf making sure I stayed awake" she replied quietly.

[Coliseum]

Naira offered the woman a weak smile as she overlooked the extent of her injuries. Skin and muscle had been burnt away in places, she was bleeding internally and part of her large intestine was just gone. They could fix her, but they'd have to work quickly.

I'm going to need a dermal and vascular regenerator," she called out.

She began to work by repairing the torn arteries and vital tissue. The one positive thing with phaser burns was that unlike blades or antique weapons of the past, they tended not to leave trace amounts of contaminants behind that could lead to infection. Still though, it would be something they would keep their eye on.

[Newberry Coliseum]

They had taken over the ring, setting up cots and tables of medical equipment. The Christmas creations were wreaking havoc across the entire station. Adeyemi heard the steely determined but tired chatter from his people as he carried Analyn to the center of the ring:

"Four more down in the Habitat Ring. Slashing wounds."

"There's a team of reindeer loose in the cargo bay. They've gored and trampled people."

"Ensign! Synthesize some more plasma for that patient there!"

Analyn was tired. How that could be was beyond Adeyemi, but the little girl had walked up to him with her arms outstretched a few minutes ago. He'd picked her up and now she was snuggled deep into the hollow of his shoulder, awake and alert but silent. Her hazel eyes were wide and shocked.

"Report." The admiral said quietly.

Dr. Odegbami was also a native of Nigeria back on earth, but there the similarities ended. Odegbami was an England educated physician, raised in Port Harcourt; Adeyemi came from Lagos and a much rougher neighborhood. Still, even with this crisis unfolding, it was pleasant to hear a familiar accent. Sometimes the Columbus felt like an alien place to the admiral.

"We're making do, Adeyemi." Odegbami wasn't Starfleet, but even civilians with medical training were pitching in now. He was lucky:  the older Odegbami was a premiere spinal surgeon and had chosen to spend holiday on the Columbus. From the look on his face, he was regretting it.

"Get him on a bed," Dr. Odegbami was saying to Adeyemi.

He gently placed Analyn down and moved to help the Klingon. Wordlessly, the little girl drifted over to Naira and clasped at the woman's hand, still needing comfort.

"See to the other wounded," The hoary old Klingon said automatically.

"You're wounded worse than some of them. Get treatment. That's an order."

"You do not order me, Admiral," Yoduk said with some of his characteristic bluster.

"I am not Starfleet," Dr. Ogedbami told Klingon. "So you don't have to posture with me. On the bed, please."

"He's stubborn," Adeyemi told Naira quietly as the general finally relented. "Are you alright, Commander?"

"Hmmm...?" Naira had barely heard the admiral as he spoke to her. She had been concentrating entirely on the patient in front of her that she hadn't been paying attention to what continued to go on around her. "Yes, I am fine. Thank you for asking."

She turned to see Yoduk still attempting to argue with the other doctor over his course of care and felt just a little bit guilty for the way it brought a smile to her face.

"I'll see if I can be of any help."

"Yes sir," she responded to the command as Ch'pok positioned himself on a nearby bench. She was thankful to find available medkits, as limited as they were, but they would be put to good use in the Coliseum. It seemed as good a place as any to recoup and regroup. With a medical tricorder in hand she returned to Ch'pok, who was being his usual hardened Klingon warrior self.

"Best. Christmas. Ever." She said sardonically to him as she scanned his abdomen. She was steady on her feet but her voice had not yet cleared. "I'll need a dermal regenerator for all the phaser burns." She cast a glance around their vicinity, taking in the extent of the injuries. Ch'pok, the General, Leanna and several others had all taken phaser fire, not to mention others streaming in from elsewhere on the Columbus, some of whom would no doubt also require medical attention. She bit down hard on her bottom lip and got to work.

"You there, I'm sorry I don't know your name, but when you are finished can you finish up with this patient?"

By this point, the majority of Leanna's wounds had been mended, but it would take some time for her to heal before she felt like herself again. "I want you to rest here. You are no longer in danger, but we don't need you tearing open any of those repairs I just made. Another doctor will be over shortly to see to you."

She then went to relieve Dr. Odegbami of his troublesome patient.

"I can see to him if you would like to attend to another patient."

When he was gone, she stood there staring at the General as he continued to make a show of how unnecessary it was for him to take up one of the limited number of cots while there were a number of other injured individuals.

"Are you finished now?" He could complain all he wanted, but she knew better. "Take off your top."

His arguing immediately stopped and a smile spread across his face. "Is this how all your exams start?" He tried to pull her down on to the cot with him, but she had a wiggled out of his grasp and scanned him with her tricorder.

"You have three broken ribs and a punctured lung in addition to the damage done to your shoulder. You need to let me treat your wounds."

"I told you and the other doctor, I will live."

"Yes, you will live, but you will risk your ribs healing wrong, the damage to your lung worsening or becoming infected and as it is, you won't regain full use of your arm. Let me treat you and we will have you back to your old self in no time."

She could be just as stubborn as he was, but this was one topic she would not back down from. He grunted and eventually gave in.

"Fine. Do as you please."

[Leanna Mazal]

[Coliseum]

Naira offered the woman a weak smile as she overlooked the extent of her injuries. Skin and muscle had been burnt away in places, she was bleeding internally and part of her large intestine was just gone. They could fix her, but they'd have to work quickly.

I'm going to need a dermal and vascular regenerator," she called out.

She began to work by repairing the torn arteries and vital tissue. The one positive thing with phaser burns was that unlike blades or antique weapons of the past, they tended not to leave trace amounts of contaminants behind that could lead to infection. Still though, it would be something they would keep their eye on.

By this point, the majority of Leanna's wounds had been mended, but it would take some time for her to heal before she felt like herself again. "I want you to rest here. You are no longer in danger, but we don't need you tearing open any of those repairs I just made. Another doctor will be over shortly to see to you."

[Coliseum]

Leanna remained quiet and as still as possible, although was quite aware of what was going on around her especially with the warmth and thoughts coming from Deg'arf who had refused to leave her side as Naira got to work. Slowly feeling more alert and less pain as Naira continue healing her wounds not fully realising the extent to which she had been injured but knew it had been serious and again silently thanked those who had brought Deg'arf to her as if he hadn't saved her when he did she might not be here now.

Once Naira was finished and spoke to her, Leanna responded having no intention of going anywhere until she was given the all clear and the idea of rest sounded good right now. " Thank you and I will " she said quietly before Naira left and Deg'arf carefully moved closer to her. " I know this isn't exactly how we planned for this night to end but I promise I'll make it up to you" she said looking up at him.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Coliseum]

Naira offered the woman a weak smile as she overlooked the extent of her injuries. Skin and muscle had been burnt away in places, she was bleeding internally and part of her large intestine was just gone. They could fix her, but they'd have to work quickly.

I'm going to need a dermal and vascular regenerator," she called out.

She began to work by repairing the torn arteries and vital tissue. The one positive thing with phaser burns was that unlike blades or antique weapons of the past, they tended not to leave trace amounts of contaminants behind that could lead to infection. Still though, it would be something they would keep their eye on.

"Hmmm...?" Naira had barely heard the admiral as he spoke to her. She had been concentrating entirely on the patient in front of her that she hadn't been paying attention to what continued to go on around her. "Yes, I am fine. Thank you for asking."

She turned to see Yoduk still attempting to argue with the other doctor over his course of care and felt just a little bit guilty for the way it brought a smile to her face.

"I'll see if I can be of any help."

"You there, I'm sorry I don't know your name, but when you are finished can you finish up with this patient?"

By this point, the majority of Leanna's wounds had been mended, but it would take some time for her to heal before she felt like herself again. "I want you to rest here. You are no longer in danger, but we don't need you tearing open any of those repairs I just made. Another doctor will be over shortly to see to you."

She then went to relieve Dr. Odegbami of his troublesome patient.

"I can see to him if you would like to attend to another patient."

When he was gone, she stood there staring at the General as he continued to make a show of how unnecessary it was for him to take up one of the limited number of cots while there were a number of other injured individuals.

"Are you finished now?" He could complain all he wanted, but she knew better. "Take off your top."

His arguing immediately stopped and a smile spread across his face. "Is this how all your exams start?" He tried to pull her down on to the cot with him, but she had a wiggled out of his grasp and scanned him with her tricorder.

"You have three broken ribs and a punctured lung in addition to the damage done to your shoulder. You need to let me treat your wounds."

"I told you and the other doctor, I will live."

"Yes, you will live, but you will risk your ribs healing wrong, the damage to your lung worsening or becoming infected and as it is, you won't regain full use of your arm. Let me treat you and we will have you back to your old self in no time."

She could be just as stubborn as he was, but this was one topic she would not back down from. He grunted and eventually gave in.

"Fine. Do as you please."

[Coliseum]
\
As Dr. Odegbami drifted off, Adeyemi noted that Commander Naira was OK and was snatching an intimate moment with General Yoduk. The admiral gave them some privacy. Likely they both needed some comfort in the midst of all of this. He wouldn't begrudge either officer for it. A human security officer was approaching him.

"Sir, we have casualty reports coming in--" The man started to say.

Adeyemi narrowed his brown eyes, and with a tilt of his chin indicated all of the wounded and grieving around them. Wordlessly, the two men walked a respectable distance away.

"Admiral, these things have attacked nearly every deck on the entire station." The officer said. He had taken a razor blade to his chin, resulting in a beveled, deep cut to his face that was already coagulating. A few days of beard growth were speckled on his chin and cheeks and upper lip. Every department had been calling in off duty personal to help out. "The only places that are safe are those without holoprojectors, like the Coliseum here."

"Where else is safe?" The admiral wanted to know.

"Not much." With a sigh, the officer shouldered his phaser rifle and took a PADD from his pocket. "The admiralty suites, the Diplomatic Situation Rooms, the auxiliary galley, guest quarters. No place big enough except for right here."

"Have security officers escort civilians and wounded personnel to those areas if they are closer to them than here," Adeyemi ordered.

"Yes sir, but I am afraid the damage is done. I am not sure how many we can save at this point. We need to destroy these things for good."

"I know that," Adeyemi said with an uncharacteristic gentleness. He glanced over at Analyn, who was making a wounded man laugh and wheeze in pain from laughter from her singing a little song and doing a hopping, goofy dance. The little girl was also giggling and smiling.

"Analyn, I need your help," He said.

[Felicity Ellis]

[Coliseum]

"You there, I'm sorry I don't know your name, but when you are finished can you finish up with this patient?"

By this point, the majority of Leanna's wounds had been mended, but it would take some time for her to heal before she felt like herself again. "I want you to rest here. You are no longer in danger, but we don't need you tearing open any of those repairs I just made. Another doctor will be over shortly to see to you."

She then went to relieve Dr. Odegbami of his troublesome patient.

[Coliseum]

"Ellis, sir. Of course."

Felicity turned her attention back to Ch'pok, running the dermal regenerator over the exposed skin on his side several times before straightening herself and narrowing her eyes to survey the work. He was clutching the bottle of whiskey she'd managed to 'procure', having cited medicinal properties for current circumstances, of course.

"Try not to run back into battle just yet, Ch'pok, give yourself at least five minutes." She laughed and placed a hand on his broad shoulder. "Thank you for the assist back there, I owe you one." The Klingon had most likely saved her life, and had taken a phaser bolt to the side in the process. She would not forget that.

[Coliseum]

Once Naira was finished and spoke to her, Leanna responded having no intention of going anywhere until she was given the all clear and the idea of rest sounded good right now. " Thank you and I will " she said quietly before Naira left and Deg'arf carefully moved closer to her. " I know this isn't exactly how we planned for this night to end but I promise I'll make it up to you" she said looking up at him.

With her medkit in hand, Felicity left Ch'pok to his own devices and approached Deg'arf and Leanna. Deg'arf had positioned himself protectively by the woman's side as she recovered, and Felicity was pleased to note that some colour was returning to Leanna's cheeks as they spoke quietly to each other.

"Deg'arf, Leanna," she greeted the pair as she crouched down before them, tricorder scanner held aloft. The doctor had repaired Leanna's injuries with impressive efficiency and speed, and as a result, Felicity could quickly finish up. "This won't take long," she promised the pair, the corners of her mouth curling upward into a smile. Leanna's vitals looked acceptable overall, though Felicity thought she might attribute the elevated heart rate to the way Deg'arf was looking at her.

"If you experience any nausea, sharp pain, or anything out of the ordinary, just shout. I'm Flick by the way. And I'm very sorry about your bar." I was really enjoying myself before those poxy little elves crashed the party. Despite the turmoil unfolding around the starbase, she was glad that she'd left her quarters that day.

[Leanna Mazal]

[Coliseum]
With her medkit in hand, Felicity left Ch'pok to his own devices and approached Deg'arf and Leanna. Deg'arf had positioned himself protectively by the woman's side as she recovered, and Felicity was pleased to note that some colour was returning to Leanna's cheeks as they spoke quietly to each other.

"Deg'arf, Leanna," she greeted the pair as she crouched down before them, tricorder scanner held aloft. The doctor had repaired Leanna's injuries with impressive efficiency and speed, and as a result, Felicity could quickly finish up. "This won't take long," she promised the pair, the corners of her mouth curling upward into a smile. Leanna's vitals looked acceptable overall, though Felicity thought she might attribute the elevated heart rate to the way Deg'arf was looking at her.

"If you experience any nausea, sharp pain, or anything out of the ordinary, just shout. I'm Flick by the way. And I'm very sorry about your bar." I was really enjoying myself before those poxy little elves crashed the party. Despite the turmoil unfolding around the starbase, she was glad that she'd left her quarters that day.

[Coliseum]

Leanna had never felt so safe and secure until now as Deg'arf continued to protect her and couldn't remember a time when someone was actually bothered about it and treated her as if she was the only woman in the universe. She wanted to make the most of their time together and had no doubt that he wanted the same thing.

Enjoying the closeness as she then heard a female voice greet them both and looked up to see an officer she vaguely recognised from the bar although as her mind became a little clearer realised that she had been stood with Deg'arf and one of the other Klingons and smiled back when she spoke to her. Deg'arf watching as she finished with her scans etc before she advised her of what to do and introduced herself properly and she immediately liked Flick especially with her sincerity over the damage done to the bar.

" I will and it's good to meet you Flick despite the circumstances and thank you although once this over I intend to bring it back bigger and better than ever " she replied knowing she wasn't going to let this defeat her.

[Derek Black]

Ops

Knox continued to review her PADDs whilst Black answered.

She was pleasantly surprised by his offer and thought why not. She got up, walked to the turbo lift and turned to him.

"Very well then, Black. But, you are not sticking that shot of yours in my arse."

[Ops]

"If it only gets progressively worse the further down it goes, I think it'd be better if you kept your pants on anyways." Derek retorted with a perfectly straight face, walking with her to the turbolift and keying the pad. "After you." He commented as the doors slid open, a twitch of a smile ruining his faÁƒ§ade. "Deck 41."

Leaning back against the handrail, Derek folded his arms across his chest. "So when was the last time you spoke with-" He was abruptly cut short as the lift unexpectedly jerked to a halt, his knees buckling from underneath him. "What the hell-!" Derek yelped, slowly getting back to his feet. "Power surge?" He asked, glancing up at the flickering lights.

[Naira]

[Coliseum]

Naira stood over the General with a dermal regenerator in hand. She held the device over the wound on his chest, slowly watching the burnt tissue mend itself. It would have gone quicker had the Klingon held still and not shifted around on the cot so much. Once again, he reached out to try to pull her down beside him. Knowing how stubborn he could be, she decided to give in and sit beside him on the cot as she continued to work.

It lacked the usual sense of professionalism that she held so dear, but this wouldn't be the first time she had crossed that line with him.

"Come with me." Again he used a tone of voice making it impossible to tell if he was asking or commanding her to do so.

"What?"

He had caught her completely off guard. She had known that sooner or later they were going to have to have to talk about the real issue at hand, but right here? Right now? With everything that was going on around them? This didn't seem like the ideal place or time.

"I know you would never agree to marry, so I will not bother to ask. Come with me instead."

"What? What would I even do?" The hand holding the regenerator fell to her lap.

Why am I even entertaining this idea. It's crazy! He's crazy! How? Why does he expect...

"You can stay with me aboard the K'tomoc or we can set you up with a place on Qo'nos, you can bring your children with you, whichever you would like."

He reached up to touch her face, but she practically jumped off the cot.

"No!" Her body nearly shook in anger. "No! How could you ask me such a thing? What do expect me to do? You're asking me to give up my career, forego my research, all my years of study and to..." Her shouting grew louder by the second.

Yoduk braced his arm against the framework of the cot and attempted to use his weight to push himself up and off the cot, but his arm was still badly injured and he only managed to wince at the pain. She was angry and wanted to continue to yell at him, but her words were cut short at the sight of his pain. She could see the look in his eyes. He was hurting, both physically and emotionally, but he wouldn't speak a word of it.

Others in the nearby vicinity had turned to stare at the sight of the shouting. Which further embarrassed her about her sudden outburst.

She sat back down on the cot but wouldn't immediately make eye contact with him.

"I'm sorry," she attempted to apologize, "but what you are asking of me, I can't do it. I can't do it anymore than I could ask you to do the same. You have a job to do. You have a ship full of people who depend on you to do your job, just as I do. It would be unfair for either of us to give up our lives so that the other could live theirs."

He placed his hand on her shoulder and for one long moment they sat in silence.

"Will you at least agree to stay with me aboard my ship until my wounds are mended? I will not be able to maintain order over my ship or crew if they see me as weak and injured. If however, I tell them that I must spend three nights pleasuring an insatiable Orion temptress, filling her womb with strong future warriors, than a great many toasts will be made in our honor."

She couldn't resist breaking out into a smile and laughing at the dead-serious tone in his voice.