Power Overwhelming

Posted on Sunday September 14th, 2025 @ 12:42pm by Commander Cael Maz

487 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: Chapter 1: Into the Unknown
Location: Unknown - USS NORMANDY
Timeline: 241207.26

A profound silence fell over the USS Normandy, broken only by the hum of emergency power. The ship, having just burst through the shimmering maw of a gateway, now drifted in an unfamiliar void. The main lights, vibrant and reassuring moments before, had flickered and died, plunging the decks into a somber, reddish glow cast by the emergency systems. More unsettling than the sudden darkness was the disconcerting absence of gravity. Crew members, who had been bracing for the familiar lurch of FTL travel, now found themselves floating aimlessly, their tools and equipment drifting like scattered debris. A nervous cough echoed through the bridge, and the faint murmur of voices could be heard as the crew tried to orient themselves in the disorienting weightlessness. The captain gripped the armrests of his helmsman chair, a frown etched on his face. This was not a standard transit. Something was wrong. He floated over to his command chair and tapped the console, "All stations, Status report." he asked of all his decks as he strapped himself in seatbelt mode.

Lorenzo had managed to secure himself to science station in time, "Looks like we are blind, sir. I have short range sensors down as well as long range. Best I can do is give you a visual using external feeds, at least the ones that work."

"Do it, L." Cael said looking toward the view screen.

Lorenzo nodded, "Aye. Giving foreword footage now." he said tapping the console which was also in emergency power as well.

In front of the USS Normandy, was a feed of a very badly damaged Titan. It looked as though it took more damage than they did. Strange debris was now tumbling around them as the ship slowly rotated itself in a free fall toward the gravity well of the planet below. It was clear that the gateway that was once in orbit of this planetary body had been destroyed and was part of the debris that now floated in orbit of the planet.

"Shit!" Cael said as he tapped on his console, "All crew, prepare for free fall. Ready all escape pods. It appears we are going dow..." Before he could finish the last word in his sentence, a strange glow appeared to emanate from somewhere outside the ship. It began to scan the bridge of Normandy. As if being fed from some power somewhere unknown, the science console came to life.

"Oh hell, it's downloading everything!" Lorenzo said as he began to look over the screen, "It's doing it way to fast I can't lock it out." He said as his fingers ran across the console. That was, until it zapped him. "Oww!" He said pulling his fingers back. Before anything else could be said or done, all power shut off from all sources. The feeling of being pulled 'downward' became stronger.

It was then that all the crew of the Normandy passed out.

 

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