Stardate undefined - Supplemental

He was still unconscious, but seemed to be resting comfortably. His breathing continued to be slow and regular, and she could detect no change to his pulse or skin color. The blood on his face had dried to a dark rust color. She guessed that was normal for Efrosians, as she doubted any infection could have set in so quickly.

Jana wished she had a blanket or something to cover him with, but could think of nowhere in the area where there might be one. For a moment, she considered removing her uniform tunic and using that, but her modesty won out. If he did waken, she was not sure she could face him with dignity in only her undershirt.

She made her way back to what appeared to be the one functioning station. Tapping at the controls, she tried to get an open communications channel.

"Engineering to bridge." She paused a moment before repeating the call. "Engineering to bridge." When no reply came, she switched over to what should be a general frequency. "Engineering to any station, please respond."

Only a faint hum of static answered her. She was disappointed, but not terribly surprised, having expected it when she had not heard the standard acknowledgment signal. She changed the configuration of the console again, this time trying to gain access to the internal sensor array. Although she spent several minutes in the attempt, trying a variety of ways she knew to reroute and otherwise access its systems, it proved to be ultimately unsuccessful. If the internal sensors were working, they were cut off from Engineering.

Jana fought back a swell of claustrophobia that threatened to engulf her. Despite its size and open design, the main Engineering chamber suddenly felt much, much smaller inside. Aside from Wa-Rhayvea’s comatose form, she felt utterly alone. She tried to fight back the urge to escape, to find some way to leave the Engineering deck. Reason told her that the corridors outside were even smaller spaces, but that knowledge did little to help quell her growing anxiety.

She did need to get out at some point, she told herself, trying to rationalize the situation calmly. Despite its size, there were only a limited number of survival supplies available on the Engineering deck. In most emergency situation, it was usually one of the first areas to be evacuated. If the warp core went critical, it was the last place anyone wanted to be who was not looking for a very quick and dramatic death.

Debris shifted near one of the auxiliary access doors to the main aft Jeffries tube. Jana spun on her boot heel, surprised to find a phaser already in her hand. She did not remember pulling it from its holster, which told her just how keyed up she was.

The sound was repeated, although slightly different. Jana swallowed hard, her fingers tightly wrapped around the grip of her phaser. This time, she saw the debris move, falling outward on the deck. She raised the phaser, ready to fire at whatever emerged through the maintenance hatch.