Challenges #21"
By: Craig Witmore, Engineer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58208.03 0615

BEEEP BEEEP!!! Red alert! Red alert. With a jolt Witmore jumped up and ran for the door. "All personnel report to your duty stations, we are under attack!"

This was what Craig had dreaded, being on vacation and now suddenly the ship was under attack, he belonged in Engineering, especially in these times.

Suddenly he heard foots running behind him. "Witmore, here grab this, come on," DePaul said to him, running past him. "There is a hull breach on deck 4, apparently some corrosive beam has hit the ship!!.

Craig started to run with him. "Do you know who attacked us!!" he shouted then almost tripped over some smouldering conduits and broken bulk plates.

DePaul shook his head. "No from what I have heard they came out of the blue, this way!!!. he pointed.

As they ran into the next corridor they noticed the devastation on the Zion's hull. Some sort of greasy residue had eaten through the hull, exposing the inner plating and wiring. An emergency force field kept space out side.

"What is that?" DePaul said taking his tricorder and scanning the substance. The readings were inconclusive and DePaul snorted. "Oh great, something secret, how should we fix it if we don't know what it is.

"Hey man, come on." Craig commented. "That’s something for science to figure out, its our job to fix this hole. Why don't you tackle it from above and I will start at the bottom. He had put his toolbox on the ground and opened it. Craig could dream the contents of his box, coil spanner, calibrator, adhesive etc.

Without looking he reached in to it and with a scream he withdrew his arm. DePaul looked at him. "What’s the matter Craig?" he said with a funny slow voice. Craig looked at this hand which was filled with mud, grey wet sticky mud. "What the heck?"

He looked up at DePaul, and shook his head. DePaul looked ridged and his face had a greyish look. "Craaiig...yoooou must.... fiiiiiix it." his voice came slurry and slow. DePaul pointed at the wall. "Thereeeee."

Looking at the wall Craig took a step back. It had changed into a soggy greyish mash, he put his hands against, only to discover that they sank into it... the mash erupted between his fingers.. He couldn't stop the gap from opening wider..

NO.......that was impossible, the whole wall was changing in to clay. Craig turned to DePaul who was now completely changed, changed into a statue. Craig hit his combadge whereby he spatted mud in his face, leaving a muddy handprint on his own chest.

"Witmore to the Bridge." No response. "Witmore to Engineering. Nothing. Anybody!!"

By now the wall was pulsating just like something was burrowing its way out of there, he could see little mud puddles forming on the floor until suddenly.......................

BEEEP BEEEp!!!! With a jolt Craig sat up, blinking rapidly. The alarm on his nightstand went off. There was no red alert, there was no beeping. There was no mud on his hands. It was all a dream.