Hello and welcome BACK to our writers' challenges! :cool: I am so excited to bring these back to the forums for yall!
Today we start the two-week run of the eighth Literary Challenge:
Unknown Anomalies
You and your crew have been ordered to rendezvous with peace delegates from the opposite faction aboard a Federation starbase orbiting Corinth IV. On route to the meeting, your Chief Operations Officer informs you that an unknown anomaly has appeared off the starboard bow, 33 parsecs away. The diplomat in you reminds you that you cannot be late for the meeting, while the explorer in you reminds you that you cannot pass up an opportunity to explore. What do you do? If you do choose to waver off course to explore, what do you find? Write a Captain's Log entry letting us know.
This is the writer's thread -- only entries should be made here.
The Discussion Thread can be found
HERE.
We also have an Index of previous challenges
HERE.
The rules may change from one challenge to another, but I'd like to remind everyone what the base rules are. These may grow as we move on, so also feel free to give feedback!
- Each Challenge will run for two weeks. For 2 weeks we will sticky the challenge and let you make your entry.
- There are no right or wrong entry.
- Write as little or as much as you would like.
- Please keep discussion about the entries in the appropriate Discussion Thread.
- In the Discussion Thread, feel free to write what inspired you and what your thoughts on the topic are.
- A few other important reminders:
- Please heed the rest of the forum's rules when submitting your entry! All of them apply to these posts.
- Each poster can have one entry per character. Feel free to edit your post to fix typos or add/ remove content as you see fit during the next two weeks.
- After two weeks time, the thread will be locked and unstickied, as we move on to the next challenge.
- We'll have two threads: One to post the entries in and one to discuss the entries. **Cross-linking between these two threads is acceptable for these challenges ONLY!!**
- I will index your entry by name and title (if you have one) for future reference.
Comments
The USS Froot Loop is en route to peace talks at a nearby Federation starbase. We have detected an anomaly that is slightly off our course. Given my experience of completing prior missions and trusting in my instincts, I have decided that this anomaly is most likely a side quest. Such side quests usually disappear with the resolution of the main quest, which of course is arriving at the talks. Therefore, I am ordering my helmsman to alter our course to stop at the anomaly along the way. I am confident that a typically staffed Federation starbase will have personnel with enough diplomatic training to handle the situation should we be delayed.
Captain's log, supplemental:
We have arrived at the anomaly. It is... nothing. There is a section of the universe that we can see, but simply not enter. Hours have been spent scanning the anomaly with every sensing device at our disposal. Probes launched at this "invisible wall" simply stop. We have traveled several lightyears and find this wall to be a perfect plane that we cannot pass -- it just seems to go on forever.
Betazed is on the other side of this wall. There has been no communication. I fear the worst. I am keeping the situation a secret from the general crewmen. I do not wish to start a panic. I have reported the anomaly to Starfleet and advised them to seek the counsel of Q, who seems to be in a social mood this month.
The USS Froot Loop has resumed course for the peace talks. They seem quite moot now. The delay was considerable. I doubt I'll be getting my white jacket today.
"U.S.S. Martinique
" Was interrupted.
By the Chimes of the Bridge Wing Office fit for a Fleet Science Captain of fine Sundered Stock. A Mid tall Vulcan extract with a Klingon Esque beard with Monk beads.
Sargon looked up from re-evaluating Amr Signs research not meant for the likes of Adm Quinns.
Re-reading Department efficiency Reports Sargon moved small figurines on the Desk Chess board..
Department Heads Status and DOFF behavioural Analysis
Reports were proofread then encoded translated prepared for Adm T'nae's Im not an Undine honest program.
The Command to enter was given and EXEC Sarvik lead the Cast of Seniors in
Take you seats i must complete this task. The Captain moved a DOFF to QKn 3
Your Bishop is in peril. Sarvik noted.. as the Captain TAC made a counter move and hit the timer.
Engineer make your move team Chess in three dimensions may be our new gift to our foes.
Captain the Brinkmanship will gain us much merit with Command but we have a rare opportunity to scan an Anomaly.
We Do? Fascinating. Taking up the Roster Tablet.. Ready the Shuttles Alamo and Paris..
Send Ensign Rickey [yes yes good choice]as Security, O'reilly as Engineer and Schnitzel the new Tellarite Science officer.. Set Paris as a rely to us as we continue to the Diplomatic meeting.
Uniforms Captain?
Yes, we are not going to Betazd or Feringor..
[the captains tried a small joke]
Go over you notes for the Culture and update your assessments .. and look for any sign of Section 31 or the Insurrection movement mentioned by Captain Picard. [trying a Certain dialect]
IT's impossible to roll the R Captain Check.. The Cat Tac grined,
Sargon finished the updates in LAtin with the left hand and french in the right.. And Spun the Tablets around . .then Moved to CheckMAte with his Kings Knight,
Corinth IV has a satisfactory plomeek soup stock up the Mess... The delegates must be scanned fro undine infiltration Savicki leave this delicate matter to you. If you fail we will be shamed P'JEm will disavow us.
Staff Wear Veteran Ships Uniforms Dismissed.
http://www.startrekonline.com/character_profiles/1500170/view
But Captain..?
Yes Luna what is it?
We Aneair like Anomalies my i lead the Research Team?
Very well a Senior officer is prudent council..
Numba One, Make it so.
the Staff left with small talk..
the Engineer "Toni" adjusted her hem.. "Did i ever tell you the time i made my Academy crush a
"Robbie the Robot" it went amok and fell into an alternate dimension called Milleniuam city.
You dotn sya..
Per Starfleet orders I've brought the Stockdale out toward the last known location of the U.S.S. Osiris. Captain Fornik was en route to Starbase 191 in the Corinth system for a meeting with Ambassador S'Tarn, who represents a large Romulan faction opposed to Empress Sela. The situation is delicate, as they are no friends of the Federation, but it was hoped that the recent incidents that appear to involve the Iconians would demonstrate that we have a common enemy.
Unfortunately the Osiris never arrived, and we have been unable to contact it. We have a general location based on the last known transponder reading, and my Science Officer assures me that once we're in the general vicinity, we'll be able to track their engine emissions and pinpoint their location.
Captain's Log, supplemental.
We've been following the trail of the U.S.S. Osiris for two hours now. For most of that time the trail has been exactly what you'd expect from a ship heading to Corinth IV. But then, around 10 minutes ago, it veered almost directly starboard. At approximately the same time, my Science Officer informed me that our instruments detected an unknown anomaly approximately 33 parsecs directly starboard. The logical conclusion is that Captain Fornik chose to alter course and investigate the anomaly, though that would have been a direct violation of orders. Nevertheless I will refrain from drawing conclusions before I have more information. I've ordered Yellow Alert and told the crew to take no unnecessary risks. I've also raised shields as an extra precaution.
Captain's Log, supplemental.
We are now within 4 parsecs of the anomaly. Unfortunately my Science Officer isn't able to give me any more information about it. Sensor scans return either nothing at all or readings so variable they are meaningless. I ordered a class one probe to be sent into the anomaly, but as soon as it reached the approximate location of the anomaly's "edge" it stopped transmitting. We will approach the anomaly, but slowly.
Captain's Log, supplemental.
We have come within 2 million kilometers of the anomaly, and yet we still don't know anything more about it than when we first detected it. However, my Chief Engineer believes she can modify a class one probe with better shielding and an upgraded transmitter so that it can hopefully survive in the anomaly, and send us some useful data. This is expected to take 4 hours, so we will launch the probe in the morning.
Captain's Log, stardate 86951.73. Admiral Davison recording.
The engineering team has finished modifying the class one probe, and we are now launching it. We expect the probe to reach the boundary of the anomaly in 2 hours. I have ordered thrusters at station keeping, but the helmsman has orders to warp us 5 parsecs out should sensors detect anything remotely dangerous.
Captain's Log, supplemental.
Our probe did not survive the trip into the anomaly, but it did manage to transmit information before it was destroyed. It could be weeks before we have a real understanding of the anomaly. I have transmitted the data to Starbase 191 so that their research teams can assist in deciphering...whatever this is.
One other, more disturbing, thing: the probe recovered the log buoy from the Osiris and transmitted the log contents back before it ceased functioning. Captain Fornik's log entries answer a number of questions. I've attached an audio copy here.
Based on a preliminary analysis by my Science Officer, it is very likely that the Osiris would not have experienced the side effects had they simply raised their shields, as we did, prior to approaching the anomaly.
NOTE: BELOW ARE THE LOG ENTRIES FROM CAPTAIN FORNIK
Captain's Log, stardate 86946.60. Captain Fornik recording.
We are en route to Starbase 191 in the Corinth system for a diplomatic meeting with Romulan Ambassador S'Tarn. Sensors have detected an unusual anomaly roughly 33 parsecs off our starboard bow, but we have a schedule to keep. I have logged the precise location so that we can swing by once we're finished at Starbase 191 and check it out.
Captain's Log, supplemental.
Our original intent was to give the anomaly a pass, but I've had a change of heart. Our readings of this anomaly are almost nonsensical. This is too unique to pass up. I thought my senior officers would resist, but if anything they are more excited than I am.
Captain's Log, supplemental.
We are now less than a parsec from the anomaly. Sensor readings still make little sense. The anomaly seems to be putting off a tremendous amount of energy, but we can't be sure as we can't identify the actual type of energy.
Dr. Hendrick tells me the crew is experiencing a higher-than-normal incidents of headaches, but admits this could just be a random event. I'm inclined to agree, at least for now.
I confess to a growing level of excitement as we get closer to what appears to be a unique space-time event!
Captain's Log, supplemental.
This anomaly is SO COOL! It's just pouring out...hell, we don't know what it's pouring out, but there sure seems to be a lot of it. My XO, Commander Hartford, wants to hold a shipwide contest to name the stuff, but I think we should wait until we figure out what it's for.
We're having an anomaly party in Ten Forward tonight. I'm totally going to hit on that new Lieutenant in Astrometrics.
Captain's Log, supplemental.
Okay, so I get to be in charge of posters, because I wanna and I'm the Captain. Billy gets to make snacks, Jeni is going to make some awesome punch, and Varga is doing...I dunno, some stupid origami TRIBBLE.
I got the replicator to make crayons and I am drawing, like, the biggest picture of the anomaly ever. It'll be the first thing anyone sees at the party. It's gonna be awesome.
My Journal
Party. In minutes. Party party party. Anomaly! Nom nom nom nomaly! Yay!
<entry untitled>
Red. Going. Book. No INSURANCE! Ping ping ping ping OCELOT! Overfarb. No LONG. Rough traffic! Or melodrama. TUESDAY! All verdant porcupines. SO DON'T EAT ONE!
<entry untitled>
No hope.
NO FURTHER ENTRIES
Krovennan was on the way to a diplomatic talk to allow civilian transports carrying medical supplies to systems in Klingon-controlled space, the one he was meeting with, a repulsive Klingon known as Lt General Dorg, was waiting for him at the agreed location above Corinth IV, but Commander Anderson Noe Torbert, his Astrometrics Officer, had picked up an uncategorized anomaly while testing his new sensor upgrades.
"I'm not sure sir, its between us and th station but we'd have to take a large detour, we may not make it in time. What shall we do Vice Admiral?"
Krovennan leaned back in his chair, hands clasped together loosely over his chest, Krovennan should not have bheen here anyway, he had gained his ranks through combat and tactics, his ship was bristling with enough weaponry and experimental systems to annihilate a small starbase on its own, and yet because of his role as diplomatic go-between between the Federation and the Vilscaran Empire, he was always called to such things.
Krovennan's hip was hardly designed with the intention of scanning anomalies, but the anomaly was just a little too perfectly placed, Krovennan suspected a trap by the Klingons. After some deliberation Kovennan sat up again to voice his decision.
"Dorryd, divert course to intercept the anomaly, Dale, put the Lt General on screen, Engineering, warp 9 and shields up, divert power from non-essential systems if you must."
"Sir, the Lt General is rceiving our hail."
"On Screen."
The streaking stars on the screen were replaced by the scowling face of Lt General Dorg, from the greasiness of beard Krovennan could tell Dorg had been in the middle of dinner before receiving his hail. Krovennan kept his face stright and stood up from his chair, approaching the screen slowly. Krovennan did not like Dorg, the Klingon was hoping to use the Federation's stance to make sure the deal was heavily in the Klingons favour, Krovnennan did not plan to let him get away with it.
"What is it Vice Admiral? Small talk is not something I am interested in passing up a meal for."
"Well then allow me to speak and you'll get your dinner, I am calling to inform you that we will not be able to make it to Corinth IV at the agreed upon time, we must divert course to investigate an anomaly that has appeared on our sensors."
"Is that so? Maybe I dont believe you, perhaps I should simply calll off the negotaitions now and turn my ship around. You will arrive on time Vice Admiral."
"Will I now? I did not realise fortelling the future was a trait among Klingons, Tallasa make a note in the database of that will you?"
"Your wit will not help you here vice Admiral, if you wish these talks to go forward you will disregard that anomaly and continue on your course for Corinth IV, maybe I'll be gratuitous enough to still consider negotiating after this."
"Lt General Dorg, I am a Vice Admiral of Starfleet and representative of the Vilscaran Empire's interest in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, do not presume to command me in this matter, I attend these talks merely by the request of Starfleet and the Federation. We very well could have not informed you of this development and left you waiting at the table looking like a fool, but instead we thought it courteous to inform you. Perhaps we were mistaken. Besides, you seem very adamant we do not divert to a simple anomaly for a few hours at most, perhaps there is something you are not telling me?"
Dorg's eyes narrowed in anger, before he screamed something in Klingon and slammed his fist against a nearby Bridge console, the red metal resounded with a loud clang against Dorg's metal plated fist. Dorg walked up to the screen, got as close as he could and glared at Krovennan in anger.
"How dare you dispute my honour you worthless filth! The Klingon Empire does not require such trickery to destroy the Federation. I was told to not return until we met at the bargaining table, but no-one will dispute I did my duty if I arrive and you do not. Besides, the Federation does not attack civilians, these talks are nothing but a waste of time. If you are not at the table by the time we arrive, I will return to my ship and destroy the Federation starbase at Corinth IV for your arrogance, we will send armed escorts with each freighter and we will destroy any Starfleet lackey that stands in our way!"
Now it was Krovennan's turn, unlike Dorg, he did not scream and slam pices of shi ship, he merely walked closer until he and Dorg may as well have been staring at each other through a pane of glass.
"Strong Talk Dorg, but ultimately foolish, you forget one small detail, I ultimately answer to the Vilscaran Empire, and unlike the Federation, we do not jeopardize our position in the pursuit of unattainable diplomacy, if you so much as look at any of the people on that station in a threatening manner, I will declare the negotiations a failure, and call for Vilscaran Military tactic Manna Der'svarn 789-1, immediately declaring the borders to your worlds off limits to civilians.
As a result of this, any freighter seeking to supply your worlds, your people, or your ships shall be fired upon and if necessary, destroyed. Should the Federation refuse I will call upon the vessels of the Vilscaran Empire under the Sorinval City Diplomatic Powers Act, declaring your actions as an act of aggression against the Vilscaran Empire and her interests. I say again, you so much as look at someone on that station the wrong way, not only will I destoy any ship trying to pass the borders, I will personally hunt down your ship and destroy it as recompence.
It is my turn to make demands Lt General, you will wait for us while we investigate this phenomenon and your weapons shall power down upon arrival to the station and they shall stay powered down. You shall beam down with the agreed upon accompaniment upon our arrival and te negotiations shall proceed as planned."
Dorg was taken aback slightly at this outburst, believing the Federation to be cowardly, some of Krovennan's officers glanced to each other in the deafening silence, they knew Krovennan would not make an empty threat. Dorg stepped back to his original position, Krovennan however, opted to stay where he was, hands behind his back, chest pushed outwards, staring at Dorg until the Klingon finally spoke up after what seemed like hours.
"You would not dare fire upon civilians Vice Admir-"
"Would I not? Are you willing to take that chance? Are you willing to return to your leaders and explain the bodies of thousands of Klingons I would litter across the sector? Are you willing to risk yet another war to add to the ones fought already? If not, you will wait. Now tell me Lt General Dorg, what shall you do?"
Dorg stepped back somewhat and looked to his own crew, Krovennan was sure at least some of them had family working on civilian freighters, evident by their intens staring at their commanding officer, Dorg looked to the side for a moment, before answering.
"Very well Vice Admiral, we will wait at the starbase for you, and I will see to it our ship's weapons shall be disarmed while in the vicinity of Corinth IV."
"I'm glad we could come to an agreement Lt General, I hop the negotiations go so smoothly so that we may have a mutually beneficial agreement. We will contact the station when we are finished and proceed with all due haste."
As the screen returned to an image of streaking stars, Krovennan merely gazed at the viewscreen for a while before returning to his chair.
"Engineering, engage Slipstream Drive, I want to be at that anomaly three hours ago. Gyzit, take more power from non-essential systems, even the artificial gravity if you must, we'll not require it on our current course."
"Yes sir, diverting now."
"Anderson, full spectrum scan, I want to know what that is."
"On it sir."
Krovennan stared at the enormous rift, he swore that he knew it from somewhere, but he did not remember where, he could not shake this feeling of dread at its presence, but his attention was soon drawn away from such things when Anderson called in.
"Sir, the scan is complete, I'm picking up enormous amounts of chroniton and tachyon particles emanating from the anomaly, it doesnt seem to have any adverse ffect on surrounding space, we should catalogue it and call for a research team to-...sir somethings happening."
"What is it Anderson?"
"Sir, I'm detecting multiple similar anomalies inide the large one, they seem to have some variance in size and only last for a few seconds, but each time they disappear, I detect something of similar size where they just where."
"What kind of something?"
"Sir, those are vessels! Millions of them! they seem to be emanating from...the other side of the rift, but...nothings behind the rift sir, unless..."
"No, it can't be! Not them!"
"Sir? What is it? Whats wrong?!"
"Anderson, direct four chroniton beams at the edge of the rift in a plus formation, calibrate them with the frequency I'm sending you now."
Krovennan moved to Tallasa's console and hastily entered a long series of numbers indicating a frequency, Krovennan sent the frequency to Astrometrics as soon as he was done and sat back in his chair, his body language betrayed intense tension and anxiety, it began to unnerve the officers at seeing their usually calm CO like this.
Soon four gold coloured beams emanated from the deflector array and hit the top, bottom and sides of the rift's edge, Krovennan scanned the rift with his eyes, searching for anysign of what he dreaded before Anderson called in again.
"Sir, the beams are latching onto the rift's edge, what are you planning?"
"No time Anderson, suffice to say we need to close that rift, close the beams together slowly, keep going until they become one beam."
Krovennan watched as the beams slowly moved towards the centre, the rift's edges dragged with it, shrinking the rift slowly, after about twenty seconds, the beams converged into one and the only evidence of the rift was a random flickering at the edge of the beam where the rift's centre had been.
"Sir! The rift is trying to re-open, I'm not sure how long we can hold it closed like this."
"Keep it clsed no matter what Anderson, take power from everything if you have to, just keep that rift closed."
"Aye Sir!"
"Now, send a pulse of chroniton particles along the beam using the opposite frequency to the one I gave you."
"Yes sir, sending."
A small pulse travelled along the beam to the end, when it hit, the end of the beam expanded into a golden sphere almost the size of a Borg Sphere before stopping and contracting lmost immediately, disappearing, with nothing to hold on to, the chroniton beam dispersed.
Krovennan slumped in his chair, finally seeming to relax, his breathing was heavy and laboured, as if he had run 10 miles.
"Sir, the anomaly is gone, what was it?"
"That was no anomaly Anderson, to call it such a thing would imply it was natural. That rift was the herald of an enemy my people long thought gone, something from beyond our galaxy, more numerous than the Borg could ever be. Beings who travel between stars, enslaving or slaughtering every living thing and stripping entire systems of their resources. They emptied their entire galaxy, and now they are coming for ours."
"So that rift was made by them?"
"Yes Tallasa, they do not have warp technology, their ships can open rifts in time and space, travelling between any two points instantaneously, it is used both as a means of transport and as a combat maneuvre.They used it deadly effect against the Vilscaran Empire nearly 40,000 years ago."
"But they were beaten?"
"Yes. thankfully their ship's durability and attack strength was actually quite weak, for every Vilscaran ship that burned or had it's crew taken, 20 more of their ships were defeated, but they just kept on coming, we theorised that there enough of them to overpopulate their own galaxy, hence their push into ours.
We drove them back eventually, and we closed their portals to our galaxy. To create a portal, a ship must be at the point where you need a portal to be, their ships cannot project portals."
"But that means..."
"Yes, that rift was made by one of their ships, a ship that was at one point, right where we are, It took 40,000 years and who knows how many generations for that ship to reach here, theres probably almost twice as many as there were back then, but we've managed to stall them, at least for now, so we can breathe easy for a while."
"What shall we do now sir?"
"We shall continue Dorryd, set a course for Corinth IV, Tallasa, I want you to bring me up the daily reports to my Ready room in half an hour, and bring a clear PADD, I will have to make a report of this, Starfleet needs to know what we are dealing with. Until then we mention this to no-one, the news does not go past the senior staff without my permission, the last thing we need is a ship wide panic."
Krovennan stood up and walked to his Ready Room, the thought of them returning weighed on his heart, they caused so much death and slavery back then, his ancestor fought them back then, it was well recorded in the Ancient Datavault of each Vilscaran city, Krovennan would have to remember to requisition copies of the files on this foe, he needed to know all about what he was up against.
He had a feeling he would be up against them again, and very soon as well.
The USS Tobarrus is en route to Starbase 139 with a number of peace delegates for a conference to discuss the newly penned non-aggression pact with the Klingons. Although we agree in principle that working together against the Borg invasion of the Alpha Quadrant is a good idea, the reality of the situation is a bit more volatile than either faction chooses to admit. The point of the conference is to work out some of the finer details as to how to properly handle discipline among our troops, along with a variety of other pertinent topics. I have to admit that I am not looking forward to this new assignment, but I know that my mother would be proud that I am not only representing our people, but that of hundreds of other worlds.
My mother was a representative to the Pagheep Assembly and was on track to take a position on the Tobarri Council of Elders. She always wanted me to follow in her footsteps and become a politician and diplomat. However, I have always been my fathers son -- a soldier, a defender of the Tobarri people, and all that fell under the jurisdiction of the Tobarri Protectorate. But that was years ago and almost 50,000 light years from here. The fates certainly have a way of forcing a person, a species, an entire quadrant to adapt in order to face the challenges it throws at you like the Borg.
The Borg They destroyed Tobarrus and nearly wiped out my species. They wanted to make an example of us to the rest of the galaxy to illustrate the point that resistance is futile. But, the fates intervened and whisked me and a handful of survivors to a faraway sector of the galaxy. Then, apparently because Im a glutton for punishment, I decided to align the surviving Tobarri people with the Federation in their battle against the Borg. As a result, here I am on diplomatic duty striving to somehow keep this fragile peace agreement with the Klingons from exploding in our faces.
To be honest with you, computer, Id rather be anywhere but here. In fact, a couple of hours ago, our long range sensors detected an unknown anomaly. I would have preferred to go chasing after it, or at the very least, would have liked to have taken a small detour to learn more about it.
Lieutenant Mokal, the young Ferengi female, was at the science station, calibrating the long range sensors, when she detected the anomaly. She notified me immediately, and I had Lt. Commander TRuli confirm the analysis. It wasnt like anything on record. For one brief moment I actually considered abandoning my current mission to go chasing after what may turn out to be little more than radiation and stellar gases. That is until TRuli, that feisty Caitain, informed me that the anomaly was 33 parsecs away.
33 parsecs! Using the computer to help me do some computations, I realized that the anomaly in question was more than 107.5 light years away. At warp 9.975, it would take two days, 10 hours, and 48 minutes to reach the anomaly. It might well have been a 1000 light years away for what good it would do me. The conference is to be held tomorrow morning, and I had direct orders not to be late. It would further jeopardize the fragile peace that lies between our two societies. There was nothing I could do.
Once again, using the computer to help me with the mathematics involved, I ordered Lieutenant Mokal to notify Starfleet Command before preparing a Class 8 Long Range Probe with a full sensor compliment to study the anomaly until the conferences conclusion, or another Starfleet vessel could be pulled from the front lines to investigate. The probe will take four days to get to the anomaly, and another six hours before it transmits its sensor data back to us. Its not a fully crewed starship, but it would have to do for now.
The conference is expected to last for the better part of a week to ten days. Most of that time, I will be too busy to think about that probe. However, I know that I wont be able to keep my mind from wandering and wondering about the discoveries that the probe will uncover as it studies the anomaly. I will persevere and look forward to the data when it comes in. Who know? It could hold a secret that may help us turn the course of the war against the Borg.
The Photonic Torpedo Shockwave testing has exceeded expectations.
I have instructed Tactical to scan the Anomaly for signs of Space Amoeba Containing Section 31 Shuttles.
My Telepathic BOFFS and DOFFS and myself still have headaches from the "Drake Affair" and he never calls. My attempts to find his Drozana agent and her true fate through back channels indicate he may have sent her to the "Library" and a new life.
IF I must continue this arrangement prior to finding Ambassador Spock.. I may have to resort to finding
Mr Picard, SF ,RET for a lead on Ginans location. Her Species has a better temporal grasp on our Paradox.
Research on the "Hobus Effect" on Temporal Stability is still Priority one for this ship and my loyal hand picked crew. My Imperial Operative still has no word on the usurper Sela .. She held promise of recovering her mothers honour and it still puzzles me that someone so willful could be a victim of nature over nurture..
I may Blame Captain Data for not trying harder to remind her of what her mother did to preserve Peace.
The Diplomacy is a necessary Path for the good of the Many.. but we few of the old families still hold that
the Great Vulcan Teacher missed the reality of greater Evils and the need for power .. A shield uncrafted defends nothing.
Programs Emergency Buoy <Computer>
<Working>
IF the ship should self destruct.. direct buoy to nearest Vulcan Intellegence base..
<End Log ,Sargon out->
After discussing the situation with my senior staff, we have decided to allow a small team to investigate the strange readings. We will drop out of warp long enough to let a shuttle leave. Once we are finished with these damned peace talks, we'll rendezvous with the shuttle and see what they found.
End Log
We are en route to Starbase 191 to meet with a Klingon dignitary to discuss a truce which will allow us to work together to defeat the Borg threat to the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Admiral D'Vak has put forward some interesting proposals about integrating the KDF Omega Force and Starfleet's M.A.C.O. together into a single strike force under his command to deal with this common foe. I think this has potential, so I volunteered to go and discuss the details with our Klingon friend. The Admirality did not like the idea of sending me thanks to past history with the Klingon Empire. Too much bad blood, they think. I'll be fine.
*Comm chimes sound in the background*
Computer, pause.
***
Computer, resume log.
Commander Mat has just informed me that we have detected an anomaly off our starboard bow, around 33 parsecs away. It does not seem to conform to any expectations. I would like to go and investigate, but we do not have time if the Nightingale is going to make it to Starbase 191 for tis meeting.
I will assign Rotalaskyo and a few officers to take the U.S.S. Boulder and go and take a look. They can catch up with us at the Starbase. The Runabout can easily cover that kind of range.
Sense: Taste. Plasma. From small vessel. Propulsion, it seems.
Sense: Sight. Movement. Light. Small vessel stopped. Close.
Sense: Touch. Cold. Metal. Push through. In small vessel.
Sense: Sight. Lifeforms. Four. One unclassified. One Vulcan. One Human. One Andorian. Human shows signs of Borg implants.
Alarm!!! Sense: None. Thought. Borg. Flee. Run. Hide. AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rotalaskyo and his team returned to the Nightingale about an hour ago. They approached the anomaly, and it vanished. "Simply disappeared" were his exact words. No signs that there was even an anomaly there in the first place. Of course, we do have sensor logs from before whatever it was left, but they seem to be just as inconclusive. Rotalaskyo is going over them now. I told him he could use anyone he liked from the Science division.
Now, back to D'Vat.
"Commander Talash has informed me of an intruiging discovery... no, no... Computer, strike last sentence." General Odahviing said as he paced in his quarters, in the his Off-duty Uniform, his mate sleeping in the bed behind him. Hearing the confirmatory chime, he began again.
"Commander Talash, first officer on the IKS Var'Kai III, has reported to me that we have an anomaly, 33 parsecs off our starboard bow. He asked leave to investigate, I granted, and he brought the ship in range.
Now, not only can I not raise the bridge, but all non-critical systems have shut down. The only reason the computer is working now is because I managed to reroute a bit of the power going from life-support to check on the state of the Var'Kai. What I saw was not good. It appears the anomaly had a graviton field, and once we got within 5 parsecs, sucked us in with more power then the warp coil could put out. Now I'm left in my quarters, trying to get my door open with my bare hands. With any luck-" The computer chimed loudly, odd... "Computer, pause log entry." the confirmatory chime as he walked over and checked the status screen, Every EPS conduit that the ship had just flared on... good for use. Power was returning, but why?
"Computer, run a scan of the IKS Var'Kai III what are the results?"
"The Var'Kai is running at full power, engines operational, we are warp-capable."
Odd... "Computer, run a scan of the area."
"We are orbiting a class M planet, several ships within sensor range. They are hailing."
"Put it onscreen."
*static as the frequency was decrypted* "IKS Var'Kai III state your intentions, and how you came to be here."
"My intentions? I would Like to know where in Kahless' name am I."
"You are orbiting the planet of Qo'noS, home of the Klingon republic, ally to the United Federation of planets."
"Ally to the United... What is the stardate?"
"89647.87 in the year 2728."
Odahviing's face went white as a ghost "T-Thank you..." he murmered "I... I will get back to you shortly, if you would tractor me into dock..."
*the figure nodded before the comms cut out, and the ship gave a slight lurch*
"Computer, resume log..."
"The log has never been paused captain..."
Captains Log, Stardate 86975.24.
The Ragnarök is en route to Corinth IV, where representatives of several Klingon houses interested in ending the war will be meeting with Federation diplomats. Command believes this might offer a real chance to end hostilities. Perhaps for that reason, Admiral Bailey has passed along intelligence suggesting that the Qan Mang are going to try and disrupt these talks. Hes asked us to provide additional security. Well keep a low profile, as usual, but we should be ready for anything the Klingons have up their sleeves.
Captain Richard Allen Cleary tapped the arm of his command chair, ending the log recording. He glanced at the chronometer. They should be arriving at their destination in about 12 hours.
Commander, he said to his first officer, Thrasa, an Andorian shen currently manning the helm, order the senior staff off duty. I want everyone at their best when we get to Corinth. And that includes you.
Aye, Captain, Thrasa replied, standing and allowing Ensign Oka to take her place. Shall I hold the turbolift for you?
Ill stay on the bridge a little longer. There are several engineering reports I want to go over.
Thrasa grinned. Of course. And since you never use it, I was wondering if we could turn your quarters into a shooting range? I have a few security details that could use the extra practice.
Ill be along, Commander, Cleary smiled back. Now off to get your beauty sleep. In case you havent noticed, Im well beyond it doing me any good.
Before their banter could continue, Lieutenant Ilida called out from the science station, a puzzled look on her face. Captain, Im reading a spatial anomaly forming, about a light year away, bearing 81 mark 7.
Cleary suddenly became serious again. He lifted himself out of his seat and stepped quickly to Ilidas side. Any indication of hostiles?
She studied the readings for a moment, then leaned up so Cleary could see the display. No, sir. It doesnt conform to any known type of anomaly, but theres no sign of any ships in the vicinity or any reason to believe it poses a danger to nearby inhabited worlds.
Cleary studied the display for a moment. He did a quick mental calculationabout 5 hours to intercept at their current velocitythen spoke over his shoulder to Ensign Oka. Maintain our present course, but launch a class 8 probe. Have it broadcast a warning to all starship traffic. Mark the anomalys position on the charts and send all information we collect to command.
Oh for the glory days of Starfleet!
Cleary snapped his head around at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. In the captains chair, empty a moment before, sat a man in a Starfleet uniform, a leg draped over one arm and his elbow propped up on the other, staring at Cleary. His eyes were jovial, but he frowned, then shook his head and clucked his tongue reproachfully.
Wheres your sense of adventure? Your zeal for the great unknown? Picard or Janeway would have been tripping over themselves to examine a new type of anomaly. Sisko, maybe not, but he was never my favorite. Now, what has your beloved Starfleet become? Bean counters and clock watchers. How very, very sad.
Thrasa backed toward one of the emergency weapons lockers near the auxiliary engineering station. Intruder alert, security to the bridge.
The man in the center seat rolled his eyes. Please, Captain, call off your Andorian.
Stand down, Commander. Cleary stepped forward. I believe we have a visitor from the Q Continuum.
A visitor? One disappointment after another. Q swung his leg down and sat up straight. Not just a visitor, Captain, but the Continuums most illustrious, dashing, and handsome member. Im sure youve heard of me in one of those briefings youre so attached to.
Cleary set his jaw and crossed his arms. Ive heard of you. Now, get out of my chair.
Qs eyebrows popped up. Aye, aye, Captain, sir. He rose and motioned graciously for Cleary to sit in his place.
Moving quickly, Cleary took his seat. He called up an engineering report on the arm display and began to scroll down through it.
Q waited patiently for a moment, then gestured expansively toward the main viewscreen. Now, shall we plumb the depths of the universe? Wrest its secrets out of the inky blackness? Reveal the mysteries of time and space?
Cleary tapped a button on his command console. Bridge to Engineering. Id like to schedule a level 2 diagnostic of the phaser coils before we arrive at Corinth IV.
Oh, no, no, no no. Qs expression turned sour. I thought all you needed was a little motivationa pep talk as it were. But now I see the problem is much deeper.
Im aware of your abilities, Q, Cleary said, still scrolling through the engineering report. As much as Id like, I cant get you off my bridge. But I can ignore you.
Ignore ? You ? Why I never. I honestly expected so much more from you, especially you. He leaned down to speak directly into Clearys ear. Yes, I know about you too, about your Federations bumbling attempts at time travel.* I thought a contemporary of the great James Kirk would have been more interesting. But I was wrong. Youre no more engaging than a Argolesian slug.
Ensign Oka, please glsg tstgl blgls slglglgl flsf
In a flash, Cleary was gone. In his place was a large, wet mound of violet polyps. Two drooping antennae shivered slightly and a strangled sound gurgled out of a series of slits underneath them.
Qs eyes narrowed.
Another flash. Instead of the slug, there was now a large furry insect. One of its long legs tapped another button on the chairs command console. tsik kik kik scree kik skik ik
Another flash and there was a swirling mass of glowing neon gasses, filled with flashing lights. whooom oooor reee shassss seee rooosh
Q shook his head sadly.
Another flash and there was a small plant in a yellow pot where Cleary had been. Q smiled until he realized that the plants orange seed pods were emitting a high pitched rattle.
One more flash and Cleary returned. by 0.75 percent. Understood?
Perhaps youre a more interesting subject than I first thought, Captain.
Cleary looked up at Q for the first time since he had sat down. Im sorry to hear that.
Oh, you should be. And with that, Q disappeared in a final burst of light.
* This characters bio follows along the lines of the backstory of the fleet Im in. The basic idea is that theres a secret project to go back and save Starfleet people who died in the past and bring them to 2409, where they can help with all the trouble the Federation is in.
#*%&TRIBBLE^!
Adalaxia Brigid Zeen sat up from under the auxiliary tactical console where shed been working, rubbing her left hand. She knew what shed see, but she looked up anyway. The Ecliptics first officer, Sayvok, watched her from behind the science station, his face deadpan, one eyebrow arched.
Do you require medical attention, Captain?
She rubbed her hand a little harder. No. Just a static discharge. She stood and examined the console, stabbing at its dark surface to no avail. After a deep breath, she took a step back and kicked it hard.
The console flickered and came to life.
She didnt look back over her shoulder this time, but instead grabbed her equipment kit and headed for the mission ops station on the other side of the bridge. Occasional multicolored bursts shimmered along its length, radiating from a large crack down its middle.
Captain, Sayvoks voice came from behind her, I do not believe that we will require use of mission ops during the remainder of our journey. Perhaps your time would be better spent
I appreciate the suggestion, but I think I can decide the best use of my time on my own. She dropped to a knee and tugged at an access panel underneath the station. It popped off with a metal shriek that echoed in the empty bridge. Besides, she thought to herself, like we used to say back home, you break it, you fix it.
And the Ecliptic was broken. After several successful exploratory missions in the Hromi Cluster and the Afehirr Nebula, shed been assigned to a tour through the Eridan Belt. After a dozen system surveys and one first contact, she stumbled on a secret Romulan military base. Even in her prime, the Nova-class explorer was no match for a wing of warbirds. It was a miracle they made it out in one piece, and doubly so that they suffered no casualties.
Except for one, thought Brigid bitterly. The damage to the Ecliptic was so extensive that shed never see active service again. Most of the crew, except for the command staff and a few necessary personnel, were evacuated to the Huo Yuanjia. The Ecliptic was left to limp back to Earth spacedock. If she was lucky, shed become a training vessel or a museum ship.
Brigid could sympathize. She, like a number of her officers, had been offered a position at Starfleet Academy. She liked Earth well enough, but it was hardly home. Besides, she couldnt imagine what she had to teach. It made even less sense to her that, instead of receiving the disciplinary action she expected, she was going to be getting a commendation.
The possibility of resigning her commission and returning to New Umea occurred to her now and then, but there was a doubt deep inside her that Umea would feel like home anymore either. She'd become too used to wandering among the stars to feel settled in one place for long, or so she feared.
She gave the coil spanner in her hand a savage twist. Something popped and the console above her went completely dead. This time, she resisted the temptation of colorful language.
Captain, I am detecting a nearby spatial anomaly. Bearing 27 mark 18.
She dropped the spanner and picked up a phase amplifier. Make a note of it in the sensor logs.
We would be able to intercept it with only a slight course change.
She looked up at Sayvok. She had gotten to know him quite well. His face seemed serene and expressionless, but there was something about the way he held his head and the slight upward turn of his mouth that made her stop and pay attention. She followed his glance toward the center of the bridge and the empty seat there.
Your orders, Captain?
Brigid set down the amplifier and stood. Aside from her and Sayvok, the only other person there was Lieutenant Niles Beacon, sitting at the conn station andwiselyminding his own business.
She stepped toward the Captains chair and took a deep breath. Perhaps, she thought, shes got enough left to scan one more anomaly, after all. When she looked back at Sayvok, he nodded almost imperceptibly, as if in confirmation. Slowly, she sat down.
Lieutenant, set a new course, bearing 27 mark 18. For old times sake, lets see whats out there.
Sorry to be away so long. Ill never understand why the engineers who design places like this seem compelled to make the head as invisible as possible.
Now speaking of being lostwell, this wasnt so much about being lost as it was not wanting to be found.
It was a few years back, when the war with the Klingons was still raging. I was in command of the de Valera, a refit Constitution class. Shed been recommissioned partly because, Id been told, there was a desperate need for ships. That was, I imagined, a polite way of saying she was expendable.
Now I think Ive already given you some indication of the sorts of assignments command had handed over to me and my crew. Wed become specialists at doing the odd jobs that most other people didnt want to do, or rather didnt want to know had to be done.
Wed just finished a particularly nasty mission in the neutral zonethough, in those days, it wasnt anything close to neutraland were returning to the starbase at Corinth IV to meet with the Old Man, that is Admiral Quinn, who was there attending a peace conference. Wed have a chance to resupply, to be sure, and if we were lucky, a moment to catch our breaths, but I was certain that wed be out again in some god-forsaken corner of the galaxy as fast as they could get us turned around.
So it was in that frame of mind that I heard my chief science officera lovely Trill named Darial Adzian, who I dont think Ive mentioned beforeannounce a spatial anomaly just ahead, only a wee bit out of our way.
Now I gather youve had some time in deep space, so you knowyou have to work hard not to detect an anomaly every few minutes. And most of the time, theyre not much more than a cosmic hiccup. This one did look unusual, and Darials curiosity seemed piqued. So did mine, but not for the same reason at all.
So now I had a choice to make. Meet the Old Man on time or detour to have a gander at our anomaly.
Ive never been very good at multiple choice tests, though that might not be quite the right way to say it. Im not good at following the rules of multiple choice tests. When Im given the chance to select between A and B, my instinct is to say C. And so thats what I did here.
I knew we all needed a rest, and getting to the Old Man on time wouldnt give it to us. On the other hand, checking in on our anomaly was likely to be as much fun as running a diagnostic on the waste reclamation system. Still, to borrow a phrase from the Ferengi, it did provide an opportunity.
I had Darial consult the charts to see if any class M planets were nearby. It turned out that one was, a pleasant little world that looked a bit like Risa, but without the need for all that fancy weather control machinery. Why it hadnt yet been colonized or turned into a theme park, I cant say, but it was precisely the sort of spot we all needed.
So here was the plan: wed pass up the chance to call on our anomaly, but wed use it as an excuse to delay our visit to the Old Man.
Now, I was no stranger to juggling companions. I suppose if the Old Man and the anomaly ever met on a street corner and started comparing notes, wed be caught. But that didnt seem likely. There was the little matter of the ships logs, but that was nothing some creative programming couldnt solve.
When we arrived at the planet, we found nothing less than we expected. We chose a semi-tropical area, on the shore of a large inland sea, and, after a brief survey to make certain there were no alien weapon merchants or underground facilities for giving our fantasies form about, we started to beam down anyone who wanted a bit of shore leave.
After a few hours, nearly the only people left on the de Valera were me and, despite my best efforts to persuade her otherwise, my first officer, Vala, who, as an Andorian, tended to avoid sultry climes.
Unfortunately, there was a snake in this particular garden.
As it turns out, the anomaly wed detected had been an effort to lure us into a trap. The author of that plan was a Klingon named Karg. Now wed met him a handful of times up to that point, and though neither one of us had come away totally unbloodied from our encounters, wed had the upper hand more often than not. Apparently, that didnt sit well with him.
Having seen us pass his fake anomaly by, Karg followed us. Hed entered the system under cloak and landed a contingent of warriors on the planet via shuttle.
I was getting ready to head down the planet myself when Kargs ship decloaked and Karg himself hailed me from the surface to tell me he was holding the majority of my crew hostage. He was willing to let them go, of course, if I was to give myself up. Why he didnt blow the de Valera out of the sky first thing, I cant say. By the time he contacted us, wed raised our shields and were occupied in a good old standoff.
I later learned his ship had been pretty heavily damaged in our last encounter, but I cant believe that was the whole story. I suppose our rivalry had become a personal thing to Karg and he wanted to kill me himself. It was the least original thing he might have done, butId learned to appreciate this as a central principle of Klingon designcreativity is, more often than not, just asking for trouble.
So here I was again, in another dilemma. And my response was the same. I figured Id be creative, since I rather enjoy trouble.
So I hopped on a shuttle, said my fond farewells to the crew, and headed planetside. I landed near the spot Karg had directed me to, and stepped out, ready to meet my fate. Well, sort of.
Now theres a little device you might have heard ofthe mobile emitter. Voyager brought it back from the Delta Quadrant all those years ago, and by that time, not much progress had been made replicating it. As soon as I heard of such a thing, I decided Id try to build my own, sort of personal project if you will. I couldnt help but imagine all the trouble such a thing could cause in the wrong hands, or mine.
Id actually created a prototype, though it didnt quite meet the definition of mobile. It was about 20 kilograms and nearly three feet long. I did manage to rig the thing up with an antigrav harness, so it could float around. It wasnt perfect, but it was good enough.
So when I say I stepped out to meet Karg, it wasnt precisely me. It was my photonic doppelganger. The flesh and blood me was tucked away in the back of the shuttle with a cache of weapons in a shielded locker.
Shielded from what?
Well, for good measure, Id attached a few extras to my not-so-mobile emittera couple of stun grenades and an em-generator that Id rigged to send out a strong electromagnetic pulsestrong enough to cook any exposed gear, including disruptors, in a 200 meter radius.
All Karg had to do was trigger it.
I watched from the shuttle as he walked up to the photonic me, growled something, and thrust a knife into my heart. That turned out to be halfway decent trigger. The hologram flickered out and the whole assembly, now exposed, dropped to the ground with a loud clang and a flash as the grenades and the em-generator all went off at once.
I took the opportunity to rush out and distribute weapons to my crew. It wasnt long before the Klingons recovered their own wits. To be sure, they really didnt need a disruptor to win a brawl.
Still, you cant really imagine what its like to see a dozen Starfleet security officers in bikinis with phaser rifles running towards you. I cant blame the Klingons a bit for not being able to focus completely on the fight. I was half tempted to surrender myself.
Karg escaped with the bulk of his landing party. In orbit, his ship slipped back into cloak.
We used shuttles to return everyone to the de Valera rather than trusting in the emptiness of local space and dropping our shields. Within a few hours, sadly, we were all back in uniform and on our way to meet the Old Man.
And whats the moral of the story? I suppose youve come to expect one by now and thats purely my fault. Is it to trust your instincts? Or to defy expectation? Or, perhaps, that down the as-yet-untraveled road theres always an adventure?
In the true spirit of the story, I think I can only choose my favorite answer: none of the above.
I do, however, have much more definite opinions about the next round.
I am going to unsticky this now as I prepare to post #9. If you have not had a chance to post your entry yet, feel free to still do so.
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
...It says here that the separatists attacked one of their aid convoys only last week. The damn thing was a civilian target. How am I meant to work with people who are killing the innocents? he said angrily.
...I think thats what diplomats are meant to do. replied the sharp voice of Commander Jenne, the Andorian first officer.
...He craned his head to the side. Im not a diplomat. The words barely escaping through his teeth.
...I had noticed that, sir, but you are a Cardassian, She threw up here hands when she saw his mouth start to open in protest, and while race should not play a factor, to some it does. These people have been killing each other in the name of honour and duty for three centuries and the only people they have both had any formal relations with are the Cardassians.
...Tanar sighed, so because of my race I have to be thrown into a situation that I am woefully unprepared for.
...We do have three of the finest diplomats in the Federation coming with us.
...Jenne, ones of them is a Horta. Forgive me if Im not overflowing with confidence at a rock giving me advise.
... I thought race did not matter? she said quickly.
...Race? No. Limbs and a head would help. A ripple of laughter echoed round the bridge followed by a familiar chirp from the Ops station.
... Report.
...Sir, Im detecting something. replied Ensign Brown, a young recruit, fresh out of the academy. Thirty-three parsecs away in sector gamma five. It seems to be some sort of subspace anomaly.
... Can you detect any more?
...The young ensign rapidly hit several buttons before shaking his head. No , sir. Im sorry but we are too far away.
...The conference is due to start in one hour sir. The relentless will arrive in thirty-nine minutes. A delay to investigate this normally, even at warp nine would cost us at least one hour. replied the cool, calm voice of the Vulcan, Xen.
...No, no, no, we dont have time to investigate. This conference has been scheduled for months and we are behind enough as it is. He scratched at his long neck scales. Launch a class 2 probe and inform Starfleet command of our find. Someone better equipped with a little more time on their hands will have to deal with this one.
...A second beep sounded from tactical. Baakos voice dominated the room. A distress signal captain. Its coming from the same location as the anomaly. It appears to be from a Deferi transport. They say there ship has been caught in the wake of the anomaly and they can not escape. They estimate their shields will fail in under two hours.
...Are there any other ships in the area? he asked. Tanar knew the reply would be no. Its the way the universe works. The expected reply of no soon followed.
...Damn it! Helm set a course, maximum warp.
...Aye, sir. replied Xen.
..."I'll be in my ready room. Jenne, the bridge is yours." he said.
...Captain Log. Stardate 84362.5
...I have ordered an intercept course for a Deferi transport. They seem to have encountered a sub space anomaly and urgently require our help. This will mean that we will miss our scheduled arrival at Corinth IV. I know how important this conference is and I can only hope that a delay of an hour or so will not greatly affect the peace process, but I can not stand by while innocent lives are placed in danger. A sub space anomaly is both unpredictable and extremely dangerous and could have untold repercussions across this sector. It could even signal the use of as sub-space weapon which is banned by all civilised races.
...I will admit that despite the urgency of the peace talks, part of me is happy to investigate this anomaly, as it could well represent something as yet undiscovered by the Federation. However the prospect of it being a new weapon concerns me greatly, especially if it is being used by either the Corinthian Government of the rebels. The use of such a weapon would do far more damage to the peace process than a couple of hours delay.
"First officers log.
U.S.S. Eagle NCC-1738
Stardate 8152.4
The ship received an all points bulletin this morning from Starfleet Command. We were advised that the USS Enterprise had been stolen from Earth Space Dock by Admiral Kirk. We were ordered to be on the lookout for her and if we located Enterprise we where to use whatever force necessary to regain control of Enterprise and place Admiral Kirk and party in custody.
The captain had the science department begin additional long range scans for any warp signatures in the direction of Sol. the only ships we picked up where 3 merchant vessels and USS Cheetah NCC-1476 en route to starbase 27.
We are still on course for System Tau Rho 813 to investigate a strange set of energy readings we are getting from that system. The System is a Binary system with a main sequence G type star at the center. There is a Second Micro A type star orbiting the Main at approximately 5.2 AU's from the Main.
This is extremely unusual to begin with but we are picking up some strange sensor readings from the La Grange Point 3. The Captain has ordered us in to investigate.
Fortal out."
Just as Shakara shut off the personal log recorder the intercom whistled. Lt. Jensen's voice came over the intercom "Commander Fortal please report to the bridge."
Shakara got up from her desk and grabbed her uniform jacket from the back of her chair. Her mind moving ahead towards the mission at hand. This was would be an interesting scientific discovery. The energy emissions where like nothing the sensors had ever recorded. As she finished buckling her jacket on as she strode out of her quarters and headed for the bridge.
Shakara walked onto the bridge from the turbo lift. As she glanced around she saw that everyone was busy. She stepped around the hand rail and stepped down by Captain Harrison where he was sitting on the conn.
"AH! Shak, youre here, good. These readings are even more unusual that we thought." He said as he nodded toward the science station. "Go take a look." A mischievous grin appearing on his face. His first true love was science and the exploration of space.
Shak smiled back "Good sir, maybe the last 6 months wont have ended as a complete waste of time." They were at the end of a 6 month patrol of the Romulan Neutral zone and during all that time there had been no sign of them at all.
She turned and stepped up to the console and looked over Lt Commander Davies shoulder.
The readings where very odd, as she looked at the sensor output. There was no evidence of Radiation, Energy and Density where all negative. Yet there were particles being emitted in a slow but steady stream. They registered as nothing the sensors had ever seen before.
The only correlation, the computer could find, was that they had some of the same properties as the temporal waves found around the guardian planet that Admiral Kirk had found. Otherwise they where new and there was no reason for them to even be here.
"Captain we are passing 500 thousand kilometers and continuing to close on the location." Mirra called from the helm.
"Very good, reduce speed to 1/4 impulse and continue on course." Harrison said. He then turned back to Shakara "Interesting huh?" he asked.
"Yes sir. There just does not appear to be a reason for these particles to be here. How close in are we going sir?" she asked.
"No more than 250 thousand. Probably more like 300 or 350 thousand instead. No need to get to close. If we need to get closer then we can always send in a..." He never finished the sentence as a slight vibration ran through the ship.
"What was that?" He called as he looked at the sensors but nothing had changed.
"Sir the main Navigational Deflector is acting as if we are hitting something." called ensign Tremaine from the tactical station.
"Helm, all stop and maintain position."
"Aye Aye sir. All Stop" Mirra answered as she immediately neutralized her controls and brought the ship to all stop. The ship shuddered even harder within moments of the board registering all stop.
Shakara immediately moved towards the tactical station. "Captain I respectfully suggest we go to Yellow Alert."
Harrison nodded at her as he headed back to the conn. Sound Yellow Alert Shak."
As Shak walked past Abby at the communications console "Sound Yellow Alert please."
Abby nodded and opened the ships intercom. "All hands yellow alert. This is not a drill! This is not a drill! All hands Yellow Alert. Man Heightened alert stations! All decks report operational status."
"Energize Defense Fields" Shakara said as she stepped up by Ensign Tremaine. "Switch shields from manual to automatic."
She watched as his hands flew over the console. "Shields reset to automatic. Main Tactical reports that Defense Fields energized. Security reports they are setting intruder alert condition 2. Charging all phaser banks" Tremaine said as he began the phaser charging cycle. Once that finished she turned back to Abby.
"Operational status Abby?" Shakara asked as the turbo lift opened and a security guard stepped out and assumed his post by the turbo lift doors.
"All Decks report manned and ready ma'am"
Shakara nodded and stepped down by the captain and said "Condition Yellow Alert set sir." Just as another even harder vibration ran through the ship.
"Sir I'm having trouble maintaining position." Mirra said "We appear to be being pulled into the nexus of the anomaly"
"Confirmed Sir!" Lt Jg Becker confirmed from the navigation console. "We have a 0.4 g acceleration towards the nexus."
"Helm full reverse on impulse. Back us out Mirra!"
"Aye sir!" her nimble light blue hands moving across her console. "Thats doing it sir we are backing away!"
"Sir Deflectors indicate we have a huge wave front incoming, Impact in 22 Seconds." Tremaine called from tactical just as the Shield Automatic setting tripped and the shields began to come up.
Shakara moved to the Science console and again looked at the readings. Davis looked up at her. "Ma'am there is nothing there. Sensors show nothing is there."
"10 Seconds" Tremaine called out.
"Confirmed Captain Sensors show nothing" Shak Called
"9"
Harrison hit the stud on his Chair.
"8"
"All Hands Brace for Impact!"
"7"
Shakara Switched the tactical deflector read out to the science station while cursing the designers who didn't give her a place to sit.
"6"
"Captain the wave is a magnitude 4.5 according to the deflectors." Shakara called.
"5"
The Bridge crew locked down their arm rests to help keep them in place.
"4"
Shak watched as it burned through the navigational deflectors like it was nothing.
Mirra keep her nose into it!" Harrison told her.
"3"
"Aye sir" She said as she and Shakara looked at each other. "Continuing on reverse course."
"2"
Nothing just the sounds of the equipment running.
"1"
The wave hit the ship she was tossed. The effects even for such a small wave where worse than it should have been. Shakara was holding onto the console but even that was tore out of her grasp as she was flung onto the floor next to the security officer. The wind knocked out of her.
"Damage Control Report" She croaked at Abby as the security officer helped her to her feet and started walking back to tactical. Abby immediately got on the comm system to damage control central.
"Sir we are being pulled back into the nexus at 1 g of acceleration!" the navigator called.
"Lets get the hell out of here! Mirra bring us about 180 degrees and stand by to engage warp drive." Harrison snapped.
"New Wave incoming" Tremaine reported Magnitude 7.8 according to deflectors!"
"Coming about sir. She is sluggish." Mirra reported. "We won't be completely about before impact."
"Damage control teams report minor damage." Abby reported
"Go to Red Alert!" Harrison said.
Abby Nodded and hit the alarm klaxon and opened the intercom. "Red Alert! Red Alert! All Hands man your battle stations! This is not a drill! This is not a drill!"
"How far around are we Mirra!"
"Half way sir!"
"Engage warp drive get us the hell out of here!"
"Yes sir!" Mirra grabbed the Warp drive handle on her console.
"10 seconds!" Tremaine called out.
Mirra began to push the handle forward bringing warp power up to the point that the warp drive would kick in.
"9"
as the power climbed Shakara watched the magnitude of the wave increase exponentially.
"8"
it took just a moment for her to realize what she was seeing and the shock that registered in her mind. As she turned to Harrison to warn him.
"7"
"Warp 1" Mirra said.
And the World exploded. Consoles erupted in sparks. The main forward Life-support console exploded. When it did it launched a jagged 18 inch long piece of Duranium. Spinning on its axis like a huge saw blade. it just missed the navigator. It didn't miss the captain. It went through his neck and severed his head from his shoulders as if there was nothing there.
Shakara watched in horror as the ship shook from the impact as blood skyrocketed out of his neck where his head use to be. His body twitching from the effect of the nerve endings being severed. The ships shaking threw his body on the deck and it continued to jet blood from the stump because the heart didn't realize that it was dead yet.
She then realized the security guard was screaming. The jagged metal had done its job on the captain and then had impaled the security officer in the stomach.
As Shak hung onto the guard rail for dear life she yelled at Abby. "Medical emergency on the bridge! Get someone up here now!"
"Medical emergency on the bridge. Medical teams to the bridge!" the communications officer told Damage Control Central. It would be their job to route the closest medics up to the bridge.
Shakara was horrified at what she had to do next but she put it out of her mind as she did. As the shaking subsided she walked over to the captains chair and sat down. She then hit the stud for engineering. "Bridge to Engineering report!" she said as she began to wipe the blood off her hands with her pants leg.
"Just a second exec I'm still picking up the pieces down here." Eric answered.
"Commander," Abby said Damage Control reports inner hull ruptures on decks 4, 5, 15 and 19. They are shoring them up. Gravity is down to .72. Torsional damage to frames 189, 190 and 192. Power is out on deck 12."
"Acknowledged." Shakara replied. She could feel Harrisons blood soaking through her pants. The warm, wet feeling was not something she was enjoying. What amazed Shakara was that she should be horrified at the fact she was sitting in a blood soaked chair. Her mind seemed so detached from what was happening around her.
"Bridge, Engineering. Warp Drive is down. Main Energizer is out! Impulse is at half power. We got phaser coolant leak in forward phaser control room." Eric said over the intercom.
Understood, Do what you can, Bridge out. Shakara said.
Mirra what is our position relative to the anomaly? Her voice was just as calm as if she had just ordered her dinner at the officers club.
The anomaly is almost dead astern of Eagle. We are still being pulled into the anomaly at approximately 3 Gravities of acceleration. Mirra replied as she glanced at the navigator who nodded confirming her statement.
Wave bearing 180 mark 172 incoming called Tremaine from the tactical station. Magnitude 6.56. time to impact 8 seconds Mark
As that report came in Shakaras mind began to try and think of something she could do. There had to be an answer. But try as hard as she could she could not think of anything. Her mind remembered Harrison talking to her once during a training exercise in the Vega system. Shakara Whenever he used her full first name He was telling her something extremely important and she paid very close attention at those times The Captain always knows what to do even when he has no idea. To admit anything else will demoralize and destroy a crew,
At this moment she realized just how important that statement he had told her had been. For she had absolutely no idea what to do. The wave was closing on the ship and she knew Eagle could not take much more of this pounding.
She remembered her trip to the San Francisco zoo when she had been in the academy. It was the first time she had seen an Earth Eagle. They were beautiful graceful creatures when free to roam in the air as they should be allowed to. But when they where caged they where clumsy and so sad looking.
This ship was aptly named. Eagle was a beautiful bird when allowed to fly as she should. Right now she was tethered. She was cruelly tied to this anomaly just like a real eagle being caged. Locked in a place where the sky is only a distant memory. She was trying to fly and beating herself to death trying to escape this cruel cage.
Shakara realized she only had two real options. The first was to continue what they were doing and dying when the ship broke apart. Or turning the ship into the anomaly and hope she could build enough Velocity that when the passed through the anomaly that she could sling shot out of it. Assuming they didnt die because they passed through it. They were probably dead no matter what they did. And, if they were going to die anyway, then Eagle was going to do it flying.
5 Called Tremaine.
Mirra prepare to bring us around. I want maximum power on the port impulse engine forward and full reverse on the starboard engine. Shakara said as she realized she had missed part of the countdown while she had been thinking.
4
Aye Aye Mirra said as she prepared to execute those orders her blue fingers flying over her console.
Engineering, Bridge Shakara said as she hit the stud opening the intercom to engineering
3
Engineering Eric replied.
Bring the emergency saucer thrusters online. Tie them into impulse controls. We will use them to assist us in bringing Eagle around.
2
That will put a lot of stress on the engineering pylon he said critically
Understood, just do it!
1
Brace for Impact! Came across the intercom, as Abby warned the crew of the impending wave front.
The wave hit. The ship bucked as if she where an injured animal. Her frames groaning in pain as the hull took the stress. Eagle was a testament to the strength of the original Constitution class design. She shrugged off the impact.
Now Mirra, bring us around now! We have to get her nose around quickly.
Full impulse She said as she began the turn.
Wave incoming, time to impact 6 seconds Mark!
Its not enough. We wont make it.
5
Engineering we need those thrusters now!
They are lighting off as we speak Eric called back over the intercom.
4
Thats it! We are making the turn! Mirra called from the helm.
Hull stress red lining on the engineering pylon Eric called from the Intercom.
3
Shakara moved forward in her seat. Her Antennas moving forward and her entire soul willing Eagle to finish the turn.
2
Its going to be close! Mirra said. The emotions in her voice ringing across the bridge.
Brace for Impact! Abby called over the intercom to the crew again.
1
The sound of the turbo lift doors hissed in the background. Shakara was amazed she noticed that slight noise as if it was almost anticlimactic.
The Wave Hit. The Bridge lights dimmed then went out. Eagle fought back against the wave. The inertial dampeners screamed. The shields fought against the onslaught of particles.
Full Impulse now Mirra! Let Eagle Fly! She has to get to the nexus before another wave forms! Shakara said as she clung to her chair as the wave was still causing the ship to shudder.
Shakara looked over at Abby Launch the Log Buoy!
Log Buoy away! Abby said as she launched it.
Mirra never replied she just clung to her console with one arm while using her free hand to bring maximum impulse online. Eagle jumped forward. She screamed down on the nexus. It felt as if the ship had decided she wanted to live and was going to do whatever it had to in order for that to happen. Eagle screamed into the nexus her claws ready to grapple it to the death.
When Eagle passed into the nexus the universe seemed to blink out of existence. It was a moment that lasted a fraction of a second and years. It was a moment when eagle and her crew did not exist. Nothing existed. Yet, Shakara knew she did exist. It was a very unnerving feeling.
Stardate: 82235.4
USS Soverign Trust
Heading to Starbase 24 from uncharted space.
Admiral Shaaded Varzec commanding.
The Bridge Ready Room was quiet as Varzec sat there. The PaDD in his hand, providing him the fuel consumption reports to go over. Sometimes he felt that Starfleet forced commanding officers to do all this paperwork as penance for being given the luxury of being away from the confines of Starfleet command. Well if it was, they didnt realize it was worth it. A small smile crossing his lips at the last thought.
Admiral? a voice asked. Varzec looked up and saw the petite blonde trill staff officer he had just been assigned to train as a senior aide.
Yes Tula? he asked.
Sir, communications reports picking up a ships disaster beacon.
Varzecs eyebrow when up.How far?
Approximately 75 light years from our location. On a bearing of 111 mark 13 She replied as she looked at her PaDD. Communications reports the beacon is weak but they did pick up a name, USS Eagle.
Eagle? Varzec looked a little confused. Isnt that Captain Soreks ship? And I thought they were still on the front?
Yes sir and according to Starfleet records she is still there. She replied.
Interesting. Lay in a course, maximum warp. No use in wasting time lets get there and find out what Sorek is doing out here.
Aye Aye, Admiral. She said and left to carry out his orders. Within a few moments Sovereign Trust changed course and velocity as the Admirals orders were carried out.
75 Light years away
Eagle spun on her longitudinal axis in a slow spin. Her windows where dark. She emitted no energy readings other than what the batteries put out. She was essentially dead in space. Her momentum carrying her forward, as she spun on moving through space. Eagle was dancing in the stars. A long slow dance by herself as the stars looked on.
This part of the story isnt finished but im giving you what i have so far.
it is very unpolished and needs a lot of refinement and a lot more added to it.
I also cut out the Flashback section which is something Shakara goes through during the "transition"
*************************************
Larishkal Reborn
Bridge USS Eagle NCC- 1738
Shakara found herself on lying on the deck. She was not sure how she had gotten there but that was where she was, the carpet was rough on her antennas as she moved her head just a bit. A strong stabbing pain came from her left antenna. Great She thought not again.
Slowly pulling herself up she croaked Damage control report Abby!. She saw that Mirra was already moving to get back into her seat at the helm. Her navigator was still unconscious so she moved to help revive him and get him on his feet. As he began to get up she looked over towards Mirra Mirra helm Status and Position Report!
Engineering to Bridge Erics voice came across the comm speaker in her chair. She stepped over to the Chair and pressed the button. Bridge, Fortal here, go ahead.
All Systems are coming back online. However Im receiving a misalignment signal from the warp drive systems control. We have warp power but the Starboard nacelle appears to have been possibly damaged. Im sending out a survey team to check it out.
Understood. Keep me informed. Shakara paused a moment And Eric, Be advised Captain Harrison has been killed. She said quietly. There was a short moment of silence from the comm.
Understood Skipper Eric replied engineering out.
Captain, Damage control central reports that damage control teams are already at work repairing inner hull ruptures. They are sending up a list of estimated consumables lost due to decompression. Abby said to her from the communication station They also report that the torsional damage to support structures are still with in tolerance for continued operation until engineering can free personal for full repair. Shak nodded at her.
Captain Shak turned to Mirra. Position report is we are heading away from the nexus of the anomaly at approximately 46000 Kilometers a second. Our course is 134 mark 54. The ship is in a slow spin to starboard. We appear to be free of the anomaly. It is no longer trying to pull us in.
Alright correct the spin on Eagle and bring us to all stop and station keeping
Aye Aye. Mirra replied and he blue fingers began to move across her board.
Abby standby to record for transmission
Recording
To any Starfleet vessel this is the Federation Starship Eagle, Commander Shakara Fortal commanding. We are in need of assistance. We have encountered an anomaly of unknown origin and have structural damage and Warp Drive is down. We require assistance from any nearby vessel. Our position is embedded in this transmission. Repeat we are in need of assistance. Eagle Out.
Abby attach out current position and transmit that on Starfleet emergency channel 4. Set it to repeat till someone answers.
Aye Aye Captain. Abby replied. Shak was not sure she could get used to being called captain, especially on Eagle. This was Robert Harrisons ship, not hers but right now she had larger things to deal with.
Bridge of USS Sovereign Trust
Admiral Shaaded Varsec was sitting in his command chair as they raced towards the emergency beacon they had picked up. His comm officer turned to him.
Admiral the Emergency Beacon has shut down and we are receiving a visual signal but its on a frequency that Starfleet hasnt used in almost 70 years.
Varsec frowned a bit. Curious, very curious indeed. Put it on screen. He said.
The communication officers hands moved deftly over his console and a moment later the main visual display of warp space was replaced with the image of an Andorian woman. There appeared to be a large bruise on her forehead just under her left antenna. The last time he had seen a uniform like hers was in a museum ship a few years ago.
She began to speak. To any Starfleet vessel this is the Federation Starship Eagle, Commander Shakara Fortal commanding. We are in need of assistance. We have encountered an anomaly of unknown origin and have structural damage and Warp Drive is down. We require assistance from any nearby vessel. Our position is embedded in this transmission. Repeat we are in need of assistance. Eagle Out.
Varsec turned to his science officer with an eyebrow up.
Checking Admiral Lenhod said as the Trill bent over the console of his science station. Varsec got up and walked over to the station. His Vulcan Executive Officer was already there. He looked up at Varsec while the science officer worked.
You smell a trap sir? he asked quietly
Im not sure SeSul He replied and left it at that.
Found something! Lenhod said jubilantly and information began to scroll onto the screen. The image was of the same young woman he had just seen on the main view screen. Information began to scroll up about her. Varsec weeded out the fluff to get the main information he needed.
Fortal, Shakara Tipor
Born: Laibok Andoria
Clan: Fortal
Rank: Commander
Assignment: USS Eagle NCC 1738
Position: Executive Officer
Status : Missing and Presumed Lost With USS Eagle on Stardate: 8152.4. Last communications with ship was notification of theft of USS Enterprise. All contact lost shortly thereafter. Ship was patrolling Romulan neutral zone.
Varsec looked at the information. Would the Romulans actually dig into Starfleets history to pull something like this out to use as bait? If this was a Romulan trap using a distress signal it was awfully elaborate. There were a lot easier ways to achieve the same effect without having to search through Starfleets lost ship files. And if it was a trap why hadnt they used the Captain for their distress call and not the Executive Officer.
Varsec looked up to his communications officer. Open a voice communication to Eagle same channel. Inform them that we are a federation vessel and are in route to assist them. Then get me Starfleet operations Admiral Jamison Ill take it in my ready room. You got the Conn Sesul maintain course and speed. he nodded to his exec.
Admiral Shaaded then walked briskly into his ready room to talk to Starfleet Operations.