Raffi finds La Sirena Empty
Raffi finds La Sirena Empty
As Raffi’s shuttle approached La Sirena, a rush of adrenaline sent her heartbeat into overdrive. She knew she had no need to be nervous. Seven hadn’t messaged her since they’d made their plans, but that was normal for her. She’d honestly worry more if the damn woman started sending regular updates on her progress. But still, it had been a minute since they’d seen each other. 48 days, not that anyone was counting.
And of course Picard had to interrupt with whatever intergalactic crisis was brewing. Never mind - she’d milk his admiral powers for some extra shore leave.
“Computer, hail La Sirena, please.” The computer chirped in acknowledgement. Raffi took a huge breath in, attempting to slow her heart rate.
“No response, Commander.”
“What? Am I early?” Raffi double-checked against Seven’s last message. She’s definitely on time. “Try again.” Chirp chirp.
“Still no response.”
“Scan the ship for life-forms.” Chirp chirp.
“There are no lifeforms on La Sirena.”
Raffi rapidly keyed in an enhanced search request into the terminal. “Try again.” Chirp chirp.
“There are no lifeforms on La Sirena, Commander. Synthetic or organic.”
Raffi ran a systems check on the shuttle scanners. There were no malfunctions. Ok, now she could freak out. In a Starfleet officer kind of way, of course.
La Sirena’s white and red stripes appeared close on the viewscreen. Raffi focused on landing the shuttle - she quickly keyed in Seven’s override codes and the shuttle bay opened. There were no signs of damage on the outer hull - at least not more than normal.
The shuttle bay looked appropriately chaotic - cases and boxes everywhere, just enough space for a perfectly parked short-range shuttle. Though Seven’s was still parked in its normal space.
Raffi locked up and then practically sprinted to the flight deck. If Seven hadn’t taken her shuttle, where could she have gone?
She checked the main computer for any inbound messages. Nothing for days. She tried hailing Seven’s personal comms. Still nothing.
Her stomach lurched and she took a deep breath. Something was wrong, she was certain. Maybe there’d be a clue in Seven’s quarters. She made her way there, her heart pounding in her chest. The door slid open with a hiss.
“Seven?”
There was no answer.
Raffi cautiously stepped inside, her hand shaking slightly.
The room was dark, the only light coming from the viewscreen.
Raffi’s heart beat faster as she saw what was on the screen. Captain’s log. She tapped “play” immediately, her fingers shaking.
“Captain’s log, Seven of Nine.” Raffi felt a chill and closed her eyes as she listened. “Betazed looks beautiful from out here. I’ve been studying the natural formations on the planet, and I believe I’ve done enough research to make this trip meaningful to Raffi. To both of us.”
Raffi’s heart beat even faster, nearly thumping out of her chest.
“As ever, I’m nervous about going planet-side. But Betazed hasn’t had too many run-ins with the Borg.…” Seven stopped and the the ship’s Computer butted in. “Someone is initiating a transporter lock. They’ve taken over the controls.” The transporter’s gossamer crescendo filled the air, and then silence. Dead silence.
Raffi ran back to the flight deck and started an automated review of the ship’s logs. There was no record of the transporter beam - it must have been initiated elsewhere.
“Computer, get me Admiral Picard. Urgently.”