Alien: Lockdown

Part 11~ Deterioration

U.S.S Anna-Lee Status Report
Crew: 19, 29 KIA or unknown
Ship Status: Immobile
Alarm Status: Red

Mess Hall

The surviving crew all gathered in the mess hall. The news of their being more of the alien creatures was a shock to everyone. The bigger shock came from the fact that only nineteen of them remained.

Dietz felt sick to his stomach. His time was dwindling. He felt like at any moment he could birth one of those fucking things. He could imagine the creature ripping from his chest and killing his friends.

He'd rather take himself out that let that happen.

"We need to do something," said Harry.

"No shit. You got any bright ideas?" asked Allen.

"Let's just get the hell out of here. I say we make for the shuttle," said Jim.

"I second that," Payne nodded in agreement.

The survivors were on edge. It was no secret the Marines wanted their pound of flesh. To kill every last one of those fucking things for what they'd done. All noticeably except for Dorens. He was unusually reserved and kept looking at Jenny.

"Okay okay, everyone shut up for a minute!" Wirth barked.

The survivors fell silent. They all looked to Wirth and Stone. It was up to those two to save or doom them all. Dietz had complete faith in both of them.

"No matter what we do, we can't let any of these things get off the ship. It seems clear that the cargo was put aboard with the intention of smuggling the creatures right through Gateway," said Wirth.

"We can scuttle the ship. Set the reactors to blow, there'll be almost nothing left," Grant chimed in.

"Good. Where do we do that at?" Wirth asked.

"The reactor has the manual override there. We can overload the engines and that'll set the ship to blow. We'll have about fifteen minutes to leave after that happens," Stone replied.

"Okay listen up. Allen, Mathers, you're on me. We're going to the reactor. Dorens, Dietz, you two escort the civilians to the dropship. Make sure they get out of here," Wirth ordered.

Dietz and Dorens nodded curtly. Dietz felt he should be going with them to the reactor, given his health. Then again, maybe he'd just get in the way. At least this way he could make sure the civilians get to safety.

"I'm going with you to the reactor," said Evans.

"Chief Laidlaw, if you'll go with Dietz and Dorens. Gather supplies and prep the dropship. I'll take the bridge crew and coordinate our efforts until we leave," said Stone.

"Everyone's got a job to do, so let's get it done. Saddle up," said Wirth.

The survivors gave affirmatives and began to split off. Dietz watched with a heavy heart as the majority of his squad set off for what he knew was a suicide mission. Stone led his crew to the bridge. The remaining eleven crew stood waiting for Dietz or Dorens to take charge.

"Break off into two groups. Payne, take what's left of the engineers and get the shuttle ready. Everyone else will gather food and whatever essentials possible," Dorens took charge.

"You got it," Payne motioned for his guys to follow.

"I should retrieve our lab notes, the information could prove useful," said Faraday.

"Not by yourself. Listen up. In twenty minutes we all meet at the dropship. Stay safe and stay away from the fucking vents," said Dorens.

The group split further.