Under Stauch's supervision, the squad moved forward, searching the rubble, and uncovering more bodies as they went. Though decomposing the corpses seemed to have fallen to a non-violent
death, seemingly unaware of their fates. Stauch motioned the officers forward, keeping a watchful eye on the seemingly uninhabited village. When Lt. Scott arrived, Stauch relayed what information he
had been able to undercover.
"It's strange, Lieutenant", he said shaking his head, "but there are no signs of battle. No structural damage, no marks on the bodies, nothing." He shrugged, "I don't get it."
"Yeah man", Schrader agreed, "if it wasn't fer all the dead people, this place would be alright."
Number Two regarded Schrader for a moment before responding. "There has to be some clue as to what happened here, Sergeant", he stated with conviction. "People don't just die."
Proteau cleared his throat, "Maybe we could try and download some information from their database."
Stauch and Lt. Scott glanced at each other briefly.
"That's not nearly as dramatic as slogging around through an ocean of dead bodies.", Stauch complained.
Scott sighed, "That's true Sergeant, but it would probably save us a great deal of time."
"Alright", Stauch said resignedly, "but if that doesn't work, can we do it my way?"
Number Two nodded.
Stauch led the team into the heart of the colony, locating the town hall at its very center. More bodies littered the streets as they mounted the steps of the building. Once inside, Lt. Scott went immediately
to the database, attempting to bring it to life.
"I need a power source.", he said distractedly.
Proteau pulled a small, spherical object from his pack, handing it to the Lieutenant.
Scott took it, "What's this?"
"My lighter", Proteau replied, "it has a uranium reinforced heating element that never has to be recharged. It should be able to jump start the computer. In fact, it can go for..."
"Thank you, Mr. Proteau.", Scott said quietly, interrupting his dialogue.
Number Two worked deftly, hooking the device up to the colony's system. He pressed the power button and smiled as the computer came to life, humming with electrical power. He began furiously typing
away at the keyboard, intent on finding the key to the mystery of the colonists' deaths.
"Aha", he said peering at the screen.
Proteau and Stauch looked over his shoulders.
"What is it, Lieutenant?", Stauch asked from across the room.
Number Two turned, "I've found a log, but the last entry is over a week old, but..."
A strange sound interrupted their dialogue, a sound like churning water as it empties from a basin. Lt. Scott paled and clutched his lower abdomen. He looked around at his crewmen. "Uh, I think
I'm going to go look for a bathroom."
Broski pointed to a doorway. "There's one in there."
Number Two thanked the Corporal as he hurriedly made his way through the indicated door. The remaining crewmen looked around at each other, grinning.
"I reckon we'll just have to start without him.", Schrader said, leaning over to look at the computer screen. "Well, I'll be darned.", he said thoughtfully after reading the screen. They
all gathered around to read.
STARDATE 3.1.3010
MORE CASES OF THE VIRULENT DISEASE BEING REPORTED THROUGHOUT THE COLONY. QUARANTINE ZONES ESTABLISHED AND DISTRESS SIGNAL INITIATED. COLONY MEDICAL OFFICER BAFFLED, REPORTS THAT THE STRAIN WAS
INITIALLY A COMPUTER VIRUS THAT MUTATED INTO A BIOLOGICAL STRAIN. DISEASE IS CONTRACTED BY OPERATION OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT. NO KNOWN CURE AND ONLY ONE KNOWN SYMPTOM:
EXPLOSIVE FECAL DISCHARGE.
"Explosive fecal discharge", Schrader read, "what the hell is that?!?"
Broski looked over at the pilot, "Sounds a lot like diarrhea, Lieutenant."
"Let's see what it says on the next day.", Stauch said reaching for the console.
Proteau grabbed his shirt and pulled him away from the computer.
"What the hell, Proteau?", Stauch asked, surprised by the Security Officer's strength.
"Nobody touch the computer.", Proteau ordered, eyeing the rest of the crew.
Schrader looked at Proteau, confused, "Why the hell not?"
"Because", Proteau explained patiently, "the disease that killed these people is spread by contact with these computers." He motioned to the system before them.
They all stood staring at the computer with a new found dread. A shuffling sound came from behind and they all turned to see Lt. Scott reentering the room. He was tucking in his shirt, and a light sheen
of sweat adorned his brow. He waved his hand behind him and looked up at the crew.
