Solaris is GO

Literary Challenge 67 - Delta Rising

Transwarp Gateways were gigantic constructs and simply looked like a large tube bent at six angles. They floated in space, held into a fixed position relative to nearby stars by RCS thruster assemblies and basically automated. Only a few work crews from varying factions arrived for scheduled maintenance and repair.

On board Solaris, Kathryn Beringer looked at the viewscreen to one of the few that sprinkled the known galaxy. The one she marveled at in particular was still under construction and projected to be completed within weeks. In the background was the Solonae Sphere. Being four AU away, she could see it as a massive black dot that blocked out the stars.

A console nearby chirped, adding to the many beeps already present on the bridge. Chief Engineer Thel Ythysi received the message and looked to Kathryn. "Captain, the gate engineer has sent the passcode. The shuttle is enroute and will be requesting docking clearance within five minutes."

Kathryn nodded, "thank you Thel." She looked to her First Officer and smiled. "Just enough time if we run."

Anthi Ythysi grinned, "I could use the exercise."

"Commander Omazei, you have the conn."

"Aye, Captain," the Trill replied and stood from the science station to sit in the Captain's chair as Kathryn and Anthi entered the turbolift.

+++

The Tellarite handed Kathryn a PADD. She was trying not to breathe heavy from the jog needed to arrive in the shuttlebay before the Gateway Engineer could disembark.

"Be careful with that information, this data transfer is not typical and I'm not interested in formalities."

Kathryn took a deep breath before responding. "Sounds like a personal problem, but following orders is what we do in Starfleet, right?"

The Tellarite rolled his eyes and waved off the remark. "Unless we have other business, then I'm already late to fix something else of galactic importance."

"Of course, safe journeys." Kathryn internally winced at the comment and braced herself for the retort.

The Tellarite had already walked back toward the shuttle. "Yeah, yeah."

Anthi and Kathryn waited for the shuttle door to close before walking out of the shuttlebay. Anthi turned to Kathryn and said, "I think he likes you."

Kathryn shrugged then tapped her combadge. "I'm busy. Captain to Senior Staff, meet in my ready-room in ten minutes."

"Thank you for not making me run again."

"Although this is important, I'm not running over my crew to get started."

+++

Please enter passcode.

Kathryn looked from the PADD and entered the alpha-numeric code onto the wall MCD in her office. The screen darkened and was blank. Kathryn expected it per the instructions from the PADD, but it was still atypical. She turned to her Senior Staff.

"So, that's it?" Thel's hands was open.

"That's all I know. Being one of the few Excelsior-class ships left in the fleet, Solaris was chosen to test the first drop-off point out there for the new Gateway using our own T-Drive."

Omazei spoke up next, "where is there?"

Kathryn shook her head. "It's classified to me, but Admiral Quinn did say it would be a safe spot within Janeway's Road. Once we get there, we will know more, yet I presume we'll follow SOP. Quinn also ordered us to do a little exploring while we're out there."

The staff all smiled at that comment, which made Kathryn smile as well.

"I know, exploring before fighting. It's going to be a little exciting around here."

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
Seen but not heard: Annika Kramer - Abbie Cornish
Gateway Engineer - Key Grip #1

Origins

Literary Challenge 66 - The Xindi Paradox, prompt 2
---

2396 ...

She made her case.  She sat forward in the chair, defiant against her captor. Hands bound by rope behind her, cloth strips wrapped thick around the forearms, they protected her from the abrasive action of the drill she had to hold when she worked her shift in the Dilithium mine. Her clothes were torn and filthy, essentially a heavy cloth smock covering her torso and upper legs in a single garment. Kathryn wore tattered leather adult male boots that fit loosely around her feet. Her scarlet hair was tied in a single ponytail made dull and limp from the dust and grime. Six years of servitude and several months planning, then waiting, were about to play out. She hoped not to get caught, yet considered the possibility. Kathryn had pulled a small handmade shiv from one arm-wrap and was working the sharp edge against the rope. She grimaced through the discomfort of making small cuts. She recalled the sharpened bone came from a fellow slave that died shortly after her own arrival to this hellish place. Kathryn used the bone shard as a gruesome reminder of the need to escape.

An Orion male stood from his victim and walked up to Kathryn. He blocked the harsh light in the room with his massive bulk, thus providing a very small amount of relief. His body odor assaulted Kathryn's nostrils, yet it was only slightly worse than the stench of the room they were in. His overly muscular body made his clothing very tight. Kathryn noticed the long scar running down his left arm; it was a symbol of the slaver clan working the mining operation. Some Orions proudly displayed the scar through decoration of varying sorts and the large Orion standing over Kathryn was one of them. His scar was painted a bright red, which contrasted against his olive green skin. It was menacing, and Kathryn tried to ignore it.

Being in his shadow, she quickly looked to her left to see the young girls she tried to help, one Human, one Bajoran and a Trill. Each cowering in fear and crying from their injuries; fresh bruises made by the same Orion standing before Kathryn. Looking to the right, one other Orion male rested against a wall and held a leather whip. He was the slave driver and had been her waking nightmare ever since day one. She grew to hate the man because of the perpetually smug look on his face. The Orion in front of her was the castigator. Both were massive men, but the castigator was the largest person Kathryn had ever seen in her nineteen years of life.

Leaning down to Kathryn, the large Orion said, "see, little girl, the only laws here are our laws. And you dare suggest your Federation citizenship should protect you, and them!?" He slapped her across the face.

I, Kathryn Selena Beringer, do hearby swear to uphold the laws and edicts of the United Federation of Planets.

She yelped from the shock of pain that washed over her face even though she expected it. Kathryn could feel the skin on her cheek throb and each pulse brought renewed pain. She spit onto the ground. The castigator laughed for several seconds. She looked to the slave driver hoping he didn't notice her plan as she continued making small cuts. He just kept smiling.

"So, you have some resolve, some fight. Like a little scorpion trying to sting a dragon." He reached down and grabbed Kathryn's jaw forcing her to look at him and his dirty teeth. "You should save your strength for yourself." His ugly face twisted into disgust and contempt.

May my left arm always be raised as a shelter for the weak ...

Kathryn could feel the rope against her hands loosen. Half-heartedly feigning a shiver in fear to disguise her efforts with the shiv, she questioned her ability to follow-through with the plan and felt her excitement rise. Sweat crawled down her chest with anticipation. Kathryn spoke slowly through squeezed lips. "Starfleet. Will come. For us."

The castigator's eyes widened at the bravado, then released his grip and bent backward howling with laughter. Even the slave driver chuckled.

Her hands became free. She pushed aside doubt and acted. Kathryn quickly launched herself and raised the blade above her head. Screaming with fear, she drove it into the castigator's face.

May my right arm always be raised against the wicked ...

The large Orion collapsed from shock. Orange blood sprayed the air as they landed. The girls screamed from the horror and seemed to shrink upon themselves. The slave driver was surprised by the intensity of the assault then scrambled to untangle his whip.

Kathryn yanked the blade from the castigator's head and charged toward the slave driver, yells of fury burned her throat. The Orion had enough time to raise the whip before Kathryn crashed into him. His breath was lost as Kathryn's blade pushed deep into his chest.

I swear to defend the United Federation of Planets and it's citizens, against all foes.

They flailed but Kathryn's attack did not stop. Years of physical and mental abuse from the slave driver fueled the onslaught until her energy was spent. She slowly stood from the ruined torso, splashed with blood and trembling from the adrenaline drain. Turning to the girls, Kathryn slowly regained a sense of self and realized they were sobbing uncontrollably.

She rushed to them and soothed them into tearful silence. "Please. You've caused enough noise!" Kathryn looked to the door, surprised no one else had entered. "Look, I didn't plan for you to be here with me, but I'm serious about getting out of here."

One girl, the Trill nearest Kathryn's age with long (but unnaturally dirty) blonde hair, shook her head. "I ... I ... can't."

Kathryn immediately slapped her, which surprised the other two. "It's too late for that." She quickly pawed at dirt and patted it onto the wet blood splatters on her garment and skin. "There is an ore freighter that's going to leave as soon as it's hold is full. We need to get to it because it's heading for Federation space. We need to go now, and you have to listen to everything I say. If you don't, then I'm going to have to leave you behind. Now, come on!"

The castigator spasmed and that pushed the three girls into action. They scrambled to their feet and followed close to Kathryn who was at the door to the room and opened it.

I swear allegiance to the Starfleet Charter, and the principles for which it stands, liberty and equality for all lifeforms.

She led them down a small maze of hallways. At several moments they hid from the increasing numbers of Orion patrols by crawling through ventilation ducts in the walls, and on one occasion, blending into lines of other slaves as they headed to 'work'.  Several times the runaways had to help each other change their appearance by applying dirt or scrubbing it away. Hair had to be shaped differently; ponytails let go or tied back up in different patterns. They even changed clothing on one break. Kathryn marveled at their luck, or at least her own.

I dedicate my mind to the search for truth ...

Eventually, they reached the cargo bay. The station was a reasonably large structure built into a large Dilithium-rich asteroid. The Orion Syndicate has sold children from across the Alpha and Beta quadrants into slave labor camps that was run by nefarious mega-conglomerates. For her first year, Kathryn tried to memorize as much detail as she could, for when she was released she would reveal the evil that existed here and elsewhere. Yet, as the years progressed, the likelihood anyone would do something to save her, or anyone, diminished. Past memories transformed to future planning. She started noticing patterns in ore production, work transfers, and incoming or outgoing deliveries. Kathryn started to 'see' a way out of her situation. She stopped accepting her unpleasant existence and started relishing the right moment when she could break free.

Then she would expose this place, and the galaxy would punish the Syndicate.

... and my body to explore new worlds and new civilizations.

Across the large bay, several cargo containers littered the space in between the alcove the four girls huddled in and the docking ring door. Large blast windows revealed the blackness of space. Orange light from the nearby planet lit up one corner of the window and revealed the Trellwan freighter. It was rusty brown and littered with micro-craters, exhibiting its age. It invited her to freedom. She remembered how her family travelled the stars to a new colony on board the same type of ship; how they were boarded by Orion pirates and taken to this asteroid as slaves. Kathryn knew that ship well and she could imagine where they would hide until the ship came to rest in Federation space.

Kathryn surveyed the cargo bay once more before preparing her 'team'. "Okay, the freighter should be empty, the crew typically parties with some of the Orions here. We are going to run through the crates on the floor - shortest path is a straight line thing, you know?"

The girls nodded.

"There may be a twenty meter sprint to the docking door past the crates. Once inside, I'll show you where we'll stow away."

"But, what if we get caught?" The Bajoran whispered loudly.

Kathryn shrugged, yet her response was firm. "I don't know and I don't care. It's a chance I'm willing to take because it'll be better than staying here."

The human girl hmphed, "unless we get blacked out".

"Then you can stay here." Kathryn started to move toward the edge of the alcove but still watched the girl for a retort. She just looked away and shook her head.

I dedicate my heart to the preservation of life ...

They quickly moved as a group around the first crate with Kathryn leading. Excitement laced with fear had her heart racing with each step. She was heading into the cargo bay, surrounded by huge containers filled with Dilithium that created a random maze. Not knowing if any direction would lead them into a dead end, she could only trust her instincts and sense of direction.

After several twists and turns, her instincts lead the group true: they awed at the sight of the docking door to the freighter. It was circular and wide open. The short hallway was bright and lead right into the guts of the ship.

Kathryn could feel herself being pulled by the door as if it had it's own gravity. She whispered to herself, "it can't be that easy." She waited several seconds and the only sounds she could hear was the dull hum of the power generators and the increasing drum-beat rhythm of her heart. Looking to the girls, they only stared back, their eyes asking questions she could not answer except for one.

"Go!"

... and dedicate my soul ...

Their legs filled with uncontrolled energy and they ignored any attempt at stealth. Boots and shoes stomped onto the metal floor and each step echoed against crates and walls. Kathryn heard thunderbolts with each step. Her leg muscles started to flare with pain and saliva ran across her cheeks as she sprinted for her life. She was just slightly aware the other girls were several meters behind her.

Her first step into the docking collar was a triumph with explosions from fireworks and cheering crowds. She felt like she just saved the galaxy and her eyes filled with tears. But she did not stop running.

Inside the ship, Kathryn ignored the sudden temperature change from the humidity of the mine to the chilly air of the freighter. Sweat seemed to freeze on her skin and she turned toward the rear of the ship. That's when she realized she was alone.

Looking back through the docking collar, she could see the other three girls laying on the floor just outside the docking ring, burn marks on their chest or back and smoldering. Kathryn ducked when she saw an Orion appear with a disruptor rifle. She breathed quick and could hear them talking but could not make out what they were saying. Frantically, she looked around recalling the layout of the ship, thoughts flashing like lightning. The three girls did not anchor or drag Kathryn's plan. If anything, their willingness to follow gave her strength. Now they were dead because of her.

Kathryn shook her head. No. Because of them.

The Orions started laughing. That they seemed to revel in the deaths of young girls angered her.

... to the service of ...

Quickly, she stood and delved into the bowels of the freighter. She found the Jeffries tube two junctions away from the galley. She laid down and rested her head on her arms, looking at a blank wall, yet stared into the future.

Kathryn never knew the girls' names. She resigned herself to never know, because it really didn't matter. In the 24th century, there are machines that could do the work here. People, much less children, should not be here at all.

She vowed to return and stop the Orion Syndicate in this place. Some day.

... justice.

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols

Dangerous Relic

Literary Challenge 8 - Unknown Anomalies
---

"Captain." Kathryn Beringer turns her command chair toward her Science Chief's station. The Trill's eyes reflected the data scrolling on her screen as she hunched over the console table extension. "Sensors report a large asteroid is within the Sathir System, 33 parsecs from our position. It's on a collision course with Sathir III, an M-class planet." Omazei's voice is tinged with concern.

Kathryn's curiosity pulled her toward the Science station. First Officer Anthi Ythysi approached as well, the Andorian's professional demeanor could be heard as she walked across the bridge. All three officers reviewed the data as it crawled across three separate monitors.

Kathryn stood straight and crossed her arms. "The asteroid is large enough to do significant damage. What is known about Sathir III?"

Omazei looked up, "records show there is a pre-flight culture established. The USS Misericorde catalogued the system in 2405. I ran a deep space scan and the planet does not have any artificial satellites in orbit. They may be aware of the asteroid though."

Anthi looked away from the console to Kathryn. "Captain, we are expected at Corinth IV and our schedule is already tight. Naturally the Prime Directive prevents us from helping."

"I know. I hate to say it, but we can only hope they don't know what going to hit them. We will have to resume our course and notify Starfleet to conduct a follow-up mission to update records."

A beeping sound chirped from the Science console capturing the officer's attention. Omazei tapped a few keys before looking back to Kathryn. "Captain, new telemetry suggests the asteroid in emitting an energy signature."

Kathryn raised an eyebrow. "That's unusual. Any further details?"

Omazei turned to the station and tapped even more keys. "Unusual is right. It's a nuclear energy source, fission-type and faint but detectable. It's leaving a trail."

"Can we determine where the trail leads?"

Omazei shrugged. "Not yet. More time is needed to evaluate."

Kathryn stood in thought for a few seconds before turning to the Helmsman. "Mister McKinnon, if we accelerated to Warp nine and included a Transwarp jump, how much sooner would we arrive at Corinth IV?"

Ian McKinnon used his console to recalculate travel times. "Three hours, sir."

Anthi stepped closer to Kathryn. "Based on protocols that’s still close, Captain."

She returned Anthi’s stare. "I agree, but an asteroid emitting nuclear fission is not natural. I don't perceive the Prime Directive protects us anymore." Looking back to Ian, Kathryn raised her voice. "Mister McKinnon, change course to heading six-three-seven mark two, warp seven. Omazei, continue scanning that asteroid, I need to know why it's leaking nuclear fission as soon as possible."

+++

"Captain, telemetry indicates the nuclear energy is emanating from a metallic structure embedded on the surface." Omazei sounded incredulous. "Analysis shows the nuclear particles are only a few hundred years old."

"What about the source?" Kathryn’s mind was reeling from the possibilities. The Solaris was on an intercept course and the further he moved away from their expected course the more likely the treaty negotiations with the Kromrif were going to be difficult, at best.

After a few seconds Omazei reported, "details are sketchy but it's a power source on an artificial satellite. I can presume it crashed on the asteroid."

Kathryn's brow furrowed and she looked to Anthi, who only shook her head slightly. "Can we determine who constructed the satellite?"

"If these readings are correct … it originated from ... Earth."

Everyone on the bridge looked to Omazei. Kathryn said what they were all thinking. "What?!"

"The closer we get, the more detailed the information becomes, but I"m reading this was one of the Fesenkov series."

Kathryn raised a hand to her mouth as if trying to avoid saying something. "Omazei, given the relative sizes of the Fesenkov satellite and the asteroid is it possible the asteroid trajectory could have been affected by the impact?"

"Yes, Captain."

"So, technically," Kathryn looked to Anthi. "We're responsible for what's going to happen to Sathir III if we don’t act."

Anthi nodded a few times in thought before responding. "Agreed."

Looking around the bridge Kathryn could see everyone concurred. "Then it is settled. Mister McKinnon, increase speed to warp eight and recalculate for a second Transwarp jump to Corinth IV. Captain to Engineering."

"This is Engineering," replied Chief Engineer Thel Ythysi.

"Thel, I know we are pushing Solaris for this mission, but I am going to need extended maximum warp to get back to Corinth IV with two T-jumps as well."

"It can be done, but I may need to conduct a few repairs at Corinth after this, as well as a promise not to do it again ... ever."

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
Omazei - Gemma Arterton

Heard but not seen:
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo

Revenge

Literary Challenge 59 - Wrath of Betazed
---

The sheet was pulled and Kathryn grimaced at the sight. She turned from the deceased Jem'Hadar to another table where a Betazoid female lay. Between the two, hers was uncovered first. Kathryn looked at the doctor. "You believe these deaths are linked?"

The Bolian nodded as he covered the Jem'Hadar, then turned to the Betazoid to cover her up. "They are the only fatalities to have occurred within three weeks and they both expired within one hour of each other".

Kathryn turned to her Medical Officer standing near her. Romas Verthir was stroking his pointed beard in thought and nodded to his Captain.

Returning to the doctor, Kathryn said, "May I please have your analysis for my team to investigate?"

Doctor Tazan handed over a PADD. "Of course, that's why we called you. These injuries are not like anything I've seen. The station director is hoping to find resolution quickly because he's afraid of hysteria breaking out, much less have a murderer loose on the station."

Kathryn smiled slightly. "I understand. The resources of the Solaris are at your disposal."

Tazan bowed slightly. Kathryn and Romas returned the gesture and walked out of the morgue.

In the hallway, they looked up and down the corridor. Not seeing anyone, Romas spoke first. "I have my suspicions that this is not a random occurrence."

They started walking toward the director's office. Without looking to her Betazoid Lieutenant, Kathryn asked, "Care to elaborate?"

"There is no doubt both were killed deliberately. I'll need to review the data before I can say more. But I can sense the doctor feels he should be able to solve the problem. I sense reluctance to be working with us."

They stopped at the turbolift. "Head back to the ship, I'll see the Director about his concerns. Hopefully the presence of the Solaris will allay further fears."
---

On board Solaris
Romas scanned the information from the station doctor's PADD on a large viewscreen in his office. Looking at images of the deceased Jem'Hadar's skull, he noticed several fractures along the cranium. Highlighting the cracks, Romas noted they were radiating from the temporal lobe. Switching to the Betazoid, her skull showed the same radial fractures.

Shifting images from the bones to the organs, he read the doctor's notes that the Betazoid's vocal cords were traumatized. This suggested she screamed for a prolonged period shortly before or during her death. Both victims brains were half liquefied.

"Oh, no." Romas pushed aside his assumption with hope as he said aloud, "Computer, reference medical records declaring radial fractures to cranium and ... cross reference reported Jem'Hadar non-combat injuries."

There was a brief moment of silence before the ships computer chirped aloud, "there are no public records available."

Romas' eyebrows furrowed. "Refine search, open parameters to include Betazoid race."

The computer returned the same results and Romas decided to sit down. Realization of a dark truth crept into his mind. "No public records" He stared at the medical notes a few minutes longer while twisting his memories and medical training. Reluctantly he stated, "Computer, refine search, open parameters to combat-related injuries."

The ship computer beeped and the female voice gently stated, "there are four-thousand eighty three records available."

Romas sat up straight. A small strand of fear crept into his thoughts. "Is there a time frame these records were generated?"

"Stardates 51249.11 to 53803.07."

"Provide figures localized to within the Beta Quadrant." Fear turned to dread from the response.

"Three thousand eight hundred ninety seven."

Romas felt warm under his uniform coat. He continued on his hunch. "How many of those were localized on Betazed?"

"Three thousand one hundred forty seven."

---

"Yes, Captain, assassination." Romas sat across from Captain Beringer in her ready room. The station doctor's PADD rested between them. He was very calm with his hands clasped together on the table.

Kathryn wore a deep frown as she slumped back into her chair. "This is the first case of it's kind since 2376? Do you know why?"

"I believe a radical faction of patriots from The War have returned. Living weapons whose empathic abilities became heightened, strengthened and ultimately utterly destructive. The psychic energy would be a shockwave felling tens of Jem'Hadar at the cost of the patriot's life. I believe this is what's happened on the station."

"Why weren't anyone else affected by the psychic shockwave?"

Romas spread his hands open. "It's not meant to be used in a large area. According to the report, the Jem'Hadar was on security patrol in the shuttle bay. Very open and very empty at the time of death. The attacker had enough life to crawl away from the scene and died in a nearby hallway."

Kathryn nodded. "Did these ... patriots ... work alone?"

"No. But I can't say there is continued danger anymore because there was only one Jem'Hadar on the station. The only traditional target is dead."

Kathryn leaned forward. "But if free Jem'Hadar continue to join the Federation, then are we witness to a new resurgence of revenge killings?

"I'm unsure, Captain. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait and see."

Kathryn sighed. "These assassins, this faction, did they have a name?"

"The Morituri". Romas looked down as if ashamed.

---

 

Cast:

Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Romas Verthir- Idris Elba

Myths & Lore

Literary Challenge 65 - Myths & Lore, prompt 1

The air was damp and the lighting was weak enough to cast shadows in many directions around the room. It was a decent-sized office and cluttered with artifacts from around the galaxy. All the extra items spread around the room had no discernible order. Layers of dust, or dirt, covered most of the items against the walls; those closer to the desk at the center of the room were obviously 'newer' to their owner. The desk was simple, yet large and metallic. A single desk lamp seemed to struggle staying active as it flickered with any bump against the desk. Several PADDs from multiple origins scattered across the desk top. The man sitting at the desk was slender and sweating profusely. The tattered suit he wore was grungy, as if he never bothered to change clothes. He licked the salty sweat from the top lip as he looked toward his visitor.

"I know beauty when I see it." He expanded his arms as if to show off the wares within the room. His toothy grin was marred by missing teeth.

Staza Murai crossed her legs, revealing more green-toned silky smooth bare legs than her short skirt already revealed. The warmth didn't seem to affect her and she smiled. "Your appreciation is renown, Mr. Berkati -"

"Please, call me Mathis. It is not often I receive glamorous guests."

"Ah, yes ... Mathis. No doubt my contacts informed you of what I was looking for?"

Mathis inhaled deeply before standing and nodded as he walked around the desk to sit at one corner. His grin never faded. "About that, not only is it highly valuable -". He leaned in and stopped grinning, "- it's also very dangerous. Now what would an Orion entrepreneur want with this ... thing." Mathis looked behind Staza quickly before returning his gaze at her cleavage.

A form shifted from the darkness, yet Staza did not take her eyes away from Mathis even though he wasn't looking at her, per se. "You don't need your guards with me. I have no secrets you couldn't get otherwise." She leaned in closer, which only made her cleavage deeper from the simple translucent shirt. His eyes widened slightly. "All you have to do is ask." She relaxed back into the chair. "And since you asked nicely, you know the Federation is hunting for that ... thing. Your reputation suggests you have to hide from legal authorities to prevent capture. So, the truth is I am really here to be your partner for a one-time transaction, one that will surely net you enough profit to get you out of the rare artifact business the rest of your long life. My connections within the Klingon hierarchy would make us both very wealthy, so wealthy you might even be able to buy a planet."

At that, Mathis looked into Staza's eyes, inhaled deeply, and stood. He turned and stretched as he walked back toward his chair. Running a hand through sweat-slick hair, he wiped it on his shirt before saying, "that's a lot of money."

"Only if you agree to the terms." Staza stood, placed both hands on her hips and rested on one leg which angled her other leg out of the skirt.

Mathis looked to the guard again, before looking at a PADD directly in front of him. He nodded slightly then looked up. "You still have not answered my question. What do you want with this?" He kicked something thick and metallic under his desk.

Staza turned and walked away slowly from the table. Looking toward the guard in the shadows she noticed it was a Breen, holding a short-barreled rifle. She couldn't tell what style the weapon was but it looked similar to a Tetryon rifle. Looking back to Mathis, she commented, "I've never seen a Breen up close." She walked toward the soldier swinging her hips as she walked. "Mathis, have you ever seen a female Breen before?"

The dealer breathed audibly then kicked the case again. "I can't say I have, actually."

Staza stood two meters away from the large Breen and looked him up and down. Then slowly turned toward Mathis. "Don't you think the rest of our ... negotiations, should be held in private? There are a lot of details to be worked out. I'd hate for you to lose an opportunity all because you feel the need to be protected. Besides, I speak with Syndicate interests in mind. As you know, they are not often willing to share their concerns with ... well ..."

Mathis took another deep breath and smiled. "Yes, I see your point." He nodded toward the guard.

The Breen simply turned away from Staza. The pathway to the door was a maze of small containers and artifacts he had to navigate, which brought him within arm's reach of the Orion.

Staza lunged toward the Breen's left side and kicked the rifle from his hands. It spun in the air briefly and Staza's arms twisted to catch it. The Breen did not recover fast enough as she placed the rifle barrel under the left arm and pulled the trigger. A bright blue flash engulfed the torso of the Breen and his arm was severed. She fired into the gaping wound as the Breen fell, it's gravelly voice screaming until it collapsed. A third shot disintegrated the helmet.

She spun on her heels to face Mathis. He had fallen back into his chair with both arms covering his head. Quickly, Staza grabbed the Breen's severed arm and threw it onto the desk. It clattered amongst the PADDs, scattering them and causing a lot of noise as they fell to the floor. Mathis yelped in fear.

Walking around the desk, she noticed the metal container, then tapped Mathis with the rifle. He cowered further into his chair. Staza could smell fresh urine.

She tucked the PADD with her fake deal into the waistline of her skirt. "Come now, Mathis Berkati, surely you are tougher than a woman with a gun."

Mathis seemed to recover any sense of bravery he owned. He jumped from the chair and backed a few steps away, his pants wet. "What's going on here?!"

"I'm taking this crate, free of charge."

"But ... you're with the Syndicate!'

Staza looked at Mathis with derision. "Seriously? Did you really think the Syndicate would pay for this? I'm surprised you're even in the business thinking like that. Then again, I bet this was your first really big shake. Nice try, Mathis Berkati. Just let the big boys and girls play the game."

Mathis seemed to sweat more. "What ... do you plan to do with me?"

"First, tell me who got this crate out of Fed space."

"I ... I don't know."

Staza scooped up the Breen's arm with the rifle and flicked it toward Mathis. It slapped him across the face before he tumbled to the floor trying to dodge the lifeless appendage. "The Syndicate doesn't ask twice", she yelled as she pointed the rifle toward Mathis' groin.

"Aiee! Okay, okay. All I know is that a small group of people bust into some storage facility, then shopped the crate using a narrow-band subspace signal. The carrier waves are not monitored by Starfleet."

"Did you meet them?"

"All I did was respond to their hails when they arrived in system three days ago. I met with ... Jortan ... or something. I think he was an ex-Fed MACO gear-head because he had on that armor, you know? He transported the crate directly to this room."

She lowered the rifle and tried to push the crate with one leg. It didn't budge but she wasn't really trying. "What was exchanged?"

Mathis tried to stand until Staza raised the rifle. "All he wanted was civilian shipping information from Qo'noS to the Dyson Sphere. It was too good a deal to pass up!"

Staza squatted near the crate without looking away from Mathis. She reached into her blouse and pulled a small device from her bra, then snapped it onto the crate. It shimmered and hummed, then disappeared. She smiled, "that was a little uncomfortable to wear so I appreciate your brevity."

Mathis rolled his eyes in shame.

"So to answer your question: I'm not going to do anything, but I will let my contacts with the Klingons know about our meeting. Good luck, Mathis Berkati." She threw the rifle onto the desk, then was washed in a familiar blue shower before disappearing.

+++

On board Solaris ...

Staza Murai coalesced on the transporter pad and looked toward the other person in the room.

Captain Kathryn Beringer stood away from the console. "Welcome back. The crate is secured in the Brig."

"Thank you, Captain. That was rather unpleasant."

Kathryn waved toward the door and Staza exited the room first. They took a few steps in the hallway before Kathryn said, "I hope it was worth it. Lore is simply too dangerous to be let loose in clumsy hands."

Staza nodded. "I see."

They stopped at a turbolift and Kathryn turned to Staza. "I appreciate you burning a few contacts within the Syndicate for this. It won't happen again."

Staza looked down and the doors opened. "I agree, but it was worth it." She walked into the turbolift and turned to face Kathryn still in the hallway. "No more favors ... Scarlet Scorpion."

Kathryn nodded sullenly and the doors swished as they closed.

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Staza Murai - Sarah Lind
Mathis Berkati - Robert Davi

The Big Dark

Literary Challenge 64 - The New Frontier
---

“Without any of our sensors, then we’ll have to find another way to figure out where we are.” Kathryn Beringer turned away from Commander Omazei and a science console to look out the main viewscreen. The starless black seemed to seep through the window.

The Trill Science officer nodded. “I have an idea.”

+++

The officers watched as Omazei stood at the monitor. A tactical view of the Solaris rotated to show the dorsal view of the ship. “We would need four shuttlecraft for this operation.” The image added four blips at the front of the ship. “They will be in the forward quadrant and will fly a rectangular-shaped pattern, essentially creating a box between them that Solaris could fly through.” The scene of the four shuttles rotates, with a dotted line connecting them. An outline of an Excelsior-class ship appears within the box. Measurements appeared showing only a few meters between the lines and the outer edges of the ship.

“They will need to be four-point-seven kilometers in front, guiding the ship through the darkness.”

Commander Thel Ythysi spoke up quickly. “Will the shuttles be towing Solaris?”

Omazei folded her arms behind her as she spoke. “No. The sensor network was severely damaged when the power surge destroyed the deflector array. So, the shuttles will be using their sensor package to act as the eyes of the ship.”

First Officer Anthi Ythysi spoke next. “Why not use probes?”

“We have a finite amount of them. The Class I probe launched at arrival revealed nothing was out there. Granted, its sensor range is relatively limited, yet it is still two hundred thousand kilometers. It’s a risk to use them for further reconnaissance or as buoy markers. Manned shuttle craft would serve best until we can figure out more about the space we are in.”

Kathryn turned to Chief Engineer Thel. “How close are we to having the sensors back online?”

The Andorian responded, “one week at the earliest.”

+++

Kathryn looked to Omazei, who nodded an answer. Kathryn then stabbed a button on the armrest of her Captains chair. “Beringer to Shuttle Team, activate Tachyon Grid, ahead one-quarter impulse. Solaris will stay behind in the pocket. Maintain telemetry and keep comm channels open. Good luck.”

The four shuttle pilots acknowledged and slowly accelerated. Above Omazei's station, Kathryn watched four rows of data scroll information as the shuttles "pinged' outward to get a sense of their surroundings.

"Helm, maintain prescribed distance and make it better than textbook."

"Aye, Captain." Ian's hands confidently crawled across the console. If it weren't for the viewscreen showing the shuttles move, no one could tell Solaris was in motion.

+++

Seven hours later ...

Ian yawned.

Anthi's own yawn overpowered her attempt to suppress it. A beeping sound from the tactical console received her attention and she welcomed it over the monotonous drone of the ships engines. She tapped the console to silence the warning, and then looked to the shuttle telemetry above Omazei's station.

"Captain, the Caracal reports their sensors have detected an object fifty-thousand kilometers to port. They are scanning for more detail."

Kathryn sat up straighter in her chair waiting for information to break the dullness of the past seven hours. "Show the data on the main screen." The blank image was replaced with sonogram-like static. From the flat image, a spire suddenly appeared and receded. Its shape was similar enough for Kathryn to gasp in surprise.

"Helm and shuttles, full stop." Everyone held onto railing or console as Solaris quickly decelerated.

Omazei reviewed the image in a loop. Kathryn put a hand to her mouth and muttered, "we are in a Dyson Sphere."

+++

In the conference room ...

Omazei looked relieved as she spoke. "Based on expanded reconnaissance, we have been traveling almost perpendicular to the surface on the Sphere."

"It seems your idea to use shuttles was a good one." Kathryn smiled.

"Thank you, Captain. Once the local area is mapped, we can use the data to move the ship safely closer to the surface until we can find the shell's main doorway. Using the Solanae and Jenolan Sphere's as a topographical template we can make an educated guess where the doorway would be."

"Wait," Ian McKinnon raised a hand to speak. "We've only seen one doorway in those Spheres. Depending on our relative location, we could be days away from the door traveling at full impulse speed."

Omazei nodded. "That is true."

Kathryn looked to the officers in the room. "Then I think we have two options: wait or continue flying forward until the sensors come back online.”

Ian said, "I suggest we wait. What if the door is on the opposite side?"

Thel was quick to respond, “if this Sphere is similar to Solanae, then we would reach it in days at Full Impulse, minutes at Warp one.” Ian nodded to acquiesce to the facts.

“One question I have is why this Sphere does not have a star within it.” Lieutenant Commander Karl Melango had been silent throughout the meeting.

After several seconds, Anthi suggested, “we could send an Away Team to find information about the Sphere or its inhabitants.”

“That would solve a few riddles.” Kathryn nodded. “Maybe it’s a good thing our presence has not alerted the inhabitants of this Sphere.”

Anthi replied, “if there are any.”

+++

Later, in a nearby spire …

Romas Verthir was tapping purple-colored keys on the alien console while also reviewing data from his tricorder, the light from his EV suit able to illuminate the surface area and nothing else. Meanwhile, other members of the away team scanned the walls with the searchlights attached to wrists and helmet. They also waved tricorders when they felt the need. One member of the team stood guard over the rest, clutching a Phaser Battle Rifle to his chest and swiveling at the waist to keep an eye out for threats.

After a few more taps on the console, Romas was satisfied with his research. He tapped a button on his EV suit and the whole team stopped to pay attention. “Captain, I have confirmed this Sphere is just like the Solanae Sphere.”

“Romas, to be sure, this Sphere is almost an exact replica?”

“No, sir. This is an exact replica.”

“Thank you Lieutenant Commander. Await further instructions.”

On board Solaris …

Kathryn turned to Omazei raising an eyebrow. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Omazei smiled brightly. “Yes, sir. On my way.” She stood and entered the turbo lift.

+++

Later, in shuttle Caracal …

Omazei flew the shuttle around the Solaris. She pressed a button on a side console and said, “Omazei to Bridge, activating Tetryon Particle collector.” Within seconds, data scrolled on a screen showing the area was filled with Tetryon Particles. Omazei beamed in her triumph.

+++

Later, in the Captain’s Ready Room …

“Basically, Captain, the Sphere is in subspace. I cannot postulate how it arrived, but clearly the accident with the Bajoran wormhole transported us here. We are out of phase with our reality, so, if we can create a subspace force field around the ship, then we would be one step closer to getting out.”

Kathryn looked away to consider the ramifications. “We would then need to create a spatial rupture large enough for the ship to fly through.” Looking back to Omazei she said, “aren't you curious about how the Sphere exists in Subspace?”

“Not this time, Captain. Being stranded in subspace is not appealing to me."

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Karl Melango - Jeremy Renner
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
Romas Verthir- Idris Elba

Cause Unknown



Literary Challenge 63 - Nightmare Anomaly

 

Captain's Log, Stardate 86782.16. The Solaris has been on a survey mission of SMU-14 in the Zenas Expanse when we received a faint distress signal near the nadir warp point of the system's star. Upon arrival, we discovered the long-lost VSS Kol'Dagnar, a Vulcan science vessel. It was presumed lost with all hands in 2398 during it's mission in the Afehirr Nebula. There are no responses to all hailing frequencies, so I will be sending a Away Team to investigate. How it is on the other side of the Alpha Quadrant is one mystery to solve. What happened to the ship is another one ...

+++

The blue shimmer faded as the five person's coalesced into being. The darkness of environment was complete and each member of the Away Team looked around without a step to attempt to get their bearings. One wrist-light was activated and pierced the darkness, illuminating on a member of the party. In quick succession more wrist-lights brought light to their position. Each member wore the bright whit Federation-issue EV suit and wore field-kits relative to their ship-borne position.

As the beams scanned from floor to ceiling, the layout of the ship's bridge started to become familiar to the team. One member suddenly grabbed the side of the helmet and screamed in terror, causing the others to focus their attention on their team mate. As the screaming became more intense, arms and legs thrashed, striking the other members. Another person suddenly stood from the fray then fell back against a console, cracking glass and spraying dust into the air. A third member tapped a button on their EV suit and all five quickly disappeared in a shower of blue light.

+++

Captain Kathryn Beringer stood looking at her Away Team on the beds. She was still wearing the EV suit and was cradling her helmet. She watched passively as Doctor Annika Kramer pulled the hypospray away from S'Rel's neck then wiped the sweat from her forehead, while Karl Melango and Bur'ar placed a catatonic Romas Verthir on a bio-bed.

The doctor tied her long blonde hair into a ponytail then walked to the other bio-bed where Lieutenant Commander Verthir lay, his medical reading were faint. She turned to Kathryn. "What the hell happened over there?"

Kathryn looked down trying to hide a tear forming. "We were onboard for only seconds before S'Rel started screaming in pain. Moments afterward Romas collapsed in his current state. That's when I called for medevac." She sniffled quietly and quickly.

Karl shifted his weight as Kathryn spoke, his EV suit's material wrinkled. He looked around the room at various items or people and scratched at his chest. Bur'ar stood sentry in the center of the room, his Bat'leth held tight in one hand, with a very determined look upon his face.

Annika looked at the three other members of the Away Team. After a few seconds, she listened to her instinct and pulled out a tricorder from her jacket to start a medical scan. When finished, she looked concerned. "Captain, I strongly recommend you and the others get some rest ... here in sickbay."

Bur'ar lifted his weapon and grumbled, "a true warrior only sleeps in death."

Annika quickly tapped her badge, "Transporter room, emergency transport. Lieutenant Bur'ar to the Brig, no questions, do it now!"

The Klingon Chief of Security lunged toward Annika with a roar and just as quick dematerialized.

Karl had cowered under a bed looking around the room frantically and Kathryn had covered her eyes trying not to cry. Annika recovered from Bur'ar's attempt and pulled her Captain toward a bio-bed. A nurse applied a hypospray and Kathryn drifted to sleep.

Lowering herself to Karl, Annika extended a hand. He recoiled and said through trembling lips, "they will ... always remember ... Please help ... me ... forget ... their ... pain."

+++

Later, in the conference room ...

Science Chief Commander Omazei entered the meeting room, smiled at the four other crew members and sat down next to the First Officer. Anthi's Andorian antennae bowed as she nodded then started the meeting.

"It's obvious the Away Team's brief exposure on board the Kol'Dagnar has affected them psychologically. We need to figure out how and what to do about it."

Helmsman Lieutenant Ian KcKinnon leaned forward and sternly replied, "I suggest we destroy the ship."

Anthi raised an eyebrow. "Well, I don't want to remove options, but I was hoping that would be lower on the list." She turned to Doctor Kramer, "how is the team holding up?"

The Doctor sighed. "They are all under sedation. Whatever the cause, S'Rel and Romas were affected more than the others, relatively speaking."

There was a moment of silence before Omazei spoke next. "Hmm, of the team members, they are more psychologically sensitive."

Annika added, "S'Rel is Vulcan, Romas is Betazoid. Of the two, based on my observations, S'Rel condition is more critical."

"That suggests there a connection to S'Rel and the ship." Anthi placed a hand to her chin in thought. "The only one I can think of is that ship was crewed by Vulcans."

Another few seconds passed before Chief Engineer Thel responded. "We need to expand our scans of the ship. Or send another Team." His Andorian antennae swayed to each side with each suggestion.

"I disagree," replied Ian. "Five top officers were brought low within seconds being on board that ship. I don't need a hypothesis to test for causality. Although more scans may reveal why they were effected, does it matter? The fact is the first team was the test and sending more teams will endanger them. Solaris should blow that ship out of existence."

Omazei was quick to respond, "it does matter. Knowing what happened will help us determine how to help the Away -."

A notification beep interrupted. "Doctor Kramer, you wanted to be notified if there were any further reports of anomalous behaviors. Over the last ten minutes, five crew have reported strong headache-like pains. None incapacitated but treatment requested."

"Thank you. Rhonda, what species are the affected crew?"

There was a pause before the nurse's response. "All Vulcan."

"Thank you again". The officers in the room looked at each other.

Omazei pressed her case. "I'd still like to know the cause."

A notification beep interrupted again. "Doctor Kramer, another seven crew members have reported varying degrees of sudden mental stress. From Human to Xindi, there is no pattern."

Annika bit her upper lip. "Thank you Rhonda. I'm on my way." She turned to the assembled officers. "Something is happening and it has to do with that ship." She stood to leave the room until Anthi raised a hand.

"Doctor, I need an analysis of the recent accounts as soon as possible. We have a duty to the Captain and crew to get more information before further action is taken." Anthi stood as a sign the meeting was over.

The officers walked onto the bridge. As they reached their relative stations, Anthi held her head from a sudden and powerful headache. Her brother, Thel, turned to a wall and punched it, howling in pain from broken bones in his hand. Omazei fell from her chair as she envisioned a Trill symbiote tearing open her stomach, splashing blood and intestine to her feet. She screamed.

Ian's fingers danced across his helm console. The ship lurched to port for a few seconds. He wiped sweat from his forehead and blinked the mental vision of the bridge viewscreen cracking and venting atmosphere. He looked around and nothing was damaged.

Omazei stopped scooping air toward her stomach. "Wha ... what was that?"

Thel held his left hand close to his chest and quickly walked to the main science station. After tapping a few keys one-handed, he stood. "Lieutenant McKinnon has moved the ship two kilometers further from the Kol'Dagnar We are stationed eight point three kilometers away."

"Everyone okay?" Anthi was rubbing her temples. She slapped her badge. "Doctor Kramer, have you received any more reports of aberrant behavior from the crew?"

Annika was breathing heavy as her voice carried across the bridge. "In a word, yes."

+++

Later, in sick bay ...

"Wake him." Anthi stood over Karl Melango laying on the bed.

Annika placed a hypospray to Karl's neck. Seconds later he shifted slightly but the restraining field held him in place. He blinked his eyes open and looked around the room before settling on the Andorian's concerned stare.

"Anthi? Why am I in sick bay?"

The First Officer looked surprised. "You don't remember?"

Karl concentrated for a moment, then shut his eyes as if in pain. "Oh ... it was terrible what happened to the crew! They didn't suffer for long. I've never seen anything like it."

Annika stepped up to Anthi. "This is the same with the rest of the crew."

"Pardon?"  Karl looked to the two officers.

Anthi replied, "Technically, you didn't 'see' anything. The Team experienced extreme psychologically-induced shock. So far we have determined something aboard the ship is causing various effects from headaches to violent hallucinations causing harm to self and others depending on the vision and proximity to the ship itself. During the most recent episode, Ian moved Solaris away from the Vulcan ship and the effects stopped.

Karl looked down at himself and brushed a hand against the shielding. Golden light shimmered in photonic waves from the touch. "Is everyone safe then?"

"As far as we can tell, yes."

+++

Later, on the bridge ...

Omazei pointed to the ship. "Sensor analysis confirms the Kol'Dagnar is emanating a powerful psionic field. Embedded within the wave signature is telepathic information, the terminus is roughly five point seven kilometers from the ship itself.

Kathryn didn't take her eyes off the viewscreen. "Telepathic information ..."

S'Rel stated flatly, "it's the death cries of the crew infused within the hull itself. Whatever happened to them, it must have been ... extraordinary. That ship is a tomb."

The bridge crew was silent for several minutes. Only the steady hum from the Solaris' engines and the occasional beep from a console could be heard.

Kathryn turned to S'Rel. "Lieutenant Commander, do you have any recommendations?"

The Vulcan recalled the image of blistered and punctured skin, erupting organs and blood washing the walls of the ship, then shivered slightly. "There is no logical way to determine what happened to the crew, or how the ship came to rest here. It's a clear and present danger. Although we should catalog the anomaly and our experiences, I recommend pushing the Kol'Dagnar into the sun."

Captain Beringer nodded and looked to the rest of her officers. They looked down as if to agree.

"Mr. McKinnon, maintain this respectable distance and position Solaris accordingly. Omazei, prepare the tractor beam to repulse the Kol'Dagnar.

Both officers responded in unison, "Aye, Captain."

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Karl Melango - Jeremy Renner
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Romas Verthir - Idris Elba
Bur'ar - David Ramsey
Annika Kramer - Abbie Cornish
Nurse Rhonda (heard, not seen) - voice of Meg Ryan

Fare Thee Well

Literary Challenge 62 - All Good Things ...
---

She finished pulling her hair up into a regulation-style bun, then pulled on her white diplomatic jacket. Twisting at the waist to see how her posterior looked in the dress pants, the Captain smiled inwardly.

"Oh, you look beautiful and you know it."

Kathryn Beringer turned away from the window toward the other woman in the room. Behind her, the grand interior of Earth Spacedock revealed several Federation starships ships in various states of mooring or repair. Her own ship, Solaris had the starboard nacelle removed and several Work Bee shuttlecraft buzzing around the hull. Kathryn requested a room with a direct view to her ship to be able to see the status of repairs.

"Thank you for the kind words." Kathryn pushed aside Staza Murai's flirtation.

The Orion smirked and pulled her own long dark-green hair over her left shoulder and tugged at it's length. "I'm being honest. Tales of the infamous "Scarlet Scorpion" are exaggerated. You have a soft side."

Kathryn walked toward the restroom to finish applying make-up. "I hope you can appreciate a need to be strong in the face of adversaries."

Staza nodded to no one in the room. "Oh, I can certainly appreciate that. It's just refreshing to see. Anyway, remind me why we are here?"

"Besides a major repair for the ship? Admiral Felczer is retiring and has decided to personally chart unexplored space. Several Captains have been invited to his send-off."

"So, with so many ship Captains here, doesn't that mean they are not somewhere else? Like defending territory or protecting the innocent?"

Kathryn poked her head out of the bathroom. "What's your point?"

Staza shrugged. "It just seems like a lot of resources are being spent for one man. He is just a man after all."

"From a certain point of view. He is a hero, so to speak, of the Federation. Honestly though, my presence is coincidental." Kathryn thumbed toward the window.

"Ah, so you are not really here for the Admiral?"

Kathryn stepped back into the bathroom. "I never met the man personally. But when Starfleet Command wanted to promote me to Vice Admiral, Felczer supported my appeal to remain as Captain. He didn't have to do that, but he did. And for that, I would have come anyway."

Staza's curiosity was piqued. "You turned down promotion? Why? Doesn't higher rank have prestige?" She stood from the bed and walked to the door, knowing Kathryn was almost finished dressing up.

Kathryn appeared and was fixing a second ruby-red stud earring to an ear while walking to the dresser. "Yes. But I'm not interested in that and the higher responsibility would distract from other obligations."

"Like hunting the Orion Syndicate?" Staza's arms were crossed as she spoke.

The comment stopped Kathryn at the dresser and she looked at herself for a few seconds in the mirror. She turned several responses in her mind while also being satisfied with her appearance.

"I'm not apologizing for what I have accomplished. And the Syndicate has not apologized for what they have done. So I will grind whatever grist the mill requires to fulfill my duty." Kathryn placed her combadge onto her jacket in the regulation distance from the collarbone and armpit above her left breast. She then turned to the Orion ambassadorial attaché from the Klingon Empire and concluded, "to Starfleet and to myself."

The Orion's eyes narrowed slightly. "Indeed, Captain." She then smiled which transformed her countenance into flirtation. "Regardless, you still look beautiful."

Kathryn forced herself not to roll her eyes. "Thank you again. Are you ready?"

Staza shifted her weight to one leg, placed her hands on her hips and smirked. "I'm always ready."

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Staza Murai - Sarah Lind

Apologies

Literary Challenge 61 - The Final Battle
---

Solaris banked around the shattered dedication satellite at Wolf 359. Bright beams followed him and impacted against the debris between the Federation ship and the shooters. Once the sleek Excelsior Refit-class ship appeared from the other side, return fire laced from the saucer section, followed by a salvo from missile pods within the hull. Shileding from Fek'Ihri and Elachi ships lighted up against the barrage, some beams finding their way past the energy defense fields, then missiles slamming against unprotected sections. Internal explosions sprayed metal away from the ships, adding to the growing flotsam of the battle space.

Accelerating, the Federation vessel flew between the conglomerate of enemy ships and vented a green-colored cloud from the nacelles while firing broadsides of orange-yellow beams of havoc. At point-blank range, Solaris raked destruction across multiple ship prows, the gas infiltrating the interiors and killing crew, slowly crippling the enemy further.

"Well done, McKinnon!" Kathryn could barely contain her excitement from the command chair, her knuckles white against the arm rests. She sat at the edge of her seat as she heard the crew around her execute the attack pattern flawlessly, but it was her Helmsman that made it all come together. "Aye, Captain" was his response. She looked around the bridge: red warning lights flooded the room, every console lit up like Christmas trees revealing information in real-time and everyone was sweating from the prolonged combat. Glancing toward S'Rel's station, Kathryn looked at the damage report display of her ship above the Vulcan engineer, pulling a stray strand of hair back into the bun on her head. Not too bad, she thought to herself before returning to the main viewscreen.

As the ship turned away from the exploding wreckage, the stars slowly streaked past. Kathryn noticed a burning Federation escort in the background drifting away from the battle. "Tactical, identify the vessel on the viewscreen."

Karl Melango looked up, then quickly tapped against his console before responding. "USS Rodimtsev, Matthew Calgar as Captain. Sensor scan reveal all escape pods released, but one life sign aboard."

Kathryn's eye's widened. "McKinnon, turn to intercept the Rodimtsev. Anthi, patch me through, audio only."

As the static cleared from the speakers, a male's voice was coughing. "This is Captain Calgar of the USS Rodimtsev, who is calling at this dreadful hour?"

"This is Captain Beringer of the Solaris, can we assist?"

"No, I planned to ram an enemy when it gets nearby, I sent my crew packing after the cannons became disabled."

Kathryn looked to S'Rel. The Vulcan shook her head. Data scrolled at Kathryn's chair of the escort and she knew it wasn't flying anywhere. An idea sparked and she needed to see if it would work.

"Captain, you'll have to forgive me later." She motioned for the line to cut. "Omazei, transport him off that ship."

"Aye, Captain." The Trill tapped a few keys. Moments later she reported Calgar was causing a ruckus in Transporter Room 3 and was on his way to the bridge.

Smirking, Kathryn turned to her Chief Engineer. "Thel, can our tractor beam tow the escort at high turn velocity?"

The Andorian nodded, "it could be done but the emitters might burn out at the attempt."

Kathryn smiled. "Good. Capture that ship. Mr. McKinnon, once the Rodimtsev is one thousand meters from us, plot a course back into battle and get us to the nearest battleship."

"Aye, Captain." Ian's fingers danced across his console as the hum of the tractor beam mingled with the thrum from the quad impulse engines. The damaged escort was washed in the blue of the beam and was pulled toward Solaris. At the designated range, both ships turned back toward the fray.

The doors to the bridge opened and Matthew Calgar stormed through. "Captain, I demand to know what you are doing!"

Kathryn motioned to the empty seat on her left. "Welcome aboard Captain Calgar. The Rodimtsev must have been a fine ship for her Captain to stay aboard. Sensors revealed she was dead in space, but she has not used her last breath yet."

Calgar sat down and scowled as her surveyed the bridge, then quickly took the seat offered. "What do you mean?"

Kathryn looked forward. The viewscreen showed a large Voth dreadnought ahead. "Ian, come about positive z-axis forty-five degrees, impulse at seventy-five percent. Make a parabolic arc toward the dorsal side, then turn to face." She looked at Thel, "is the tractor beam holding?"

"Aye, Captain"

"We need a diversion. Omazei, hail the nearest Federation vessel."

The line opened. "This is Captain Ael t'Kazanak of the Vanguard. This is not a good time to talk."

"Pardon the intrusion Captain. Would you mind getting the attention of the enemy at bearing four-two-four mark four-seven? I have a surprise for them."

Ael looked toward a tactical display. "Acknowledged." The screen switched to viewing. The Vanguard changed course and expelled orange beams and torpedoes toward the dreadnought. In return, dark red lances missed and found their mark against Federation shielding. The two ships exchanged fire for a few seconds before the Vanguard turned away, fulfilling the role. The dreadnought slowly turned to follow.

Calgar looked to Kathryn. "You don't seriously plan to do what I think you plan to do?"

"Again, I'll have to apologize later. Ian, accelerate to full impulse, prepare attack pattern sigma. Thel, set tractor beam to full. On my mark, cancel the beam."

The two acknowledged as Calgar sat back into the chair. Solaris lurched forward, dragging the helpless escort behind it. As the Voth dreadnought turned, its dorsal side was fully exposed to Kathryn's charging vessel. Bright orange beams belched from every emitter available with missiles erupting from tubes, each shot weakening the Voth shield facing until it collapsed from the weight of fire.

At her command, the Excelsior-class ship turned away within several kilometers, the tractor beam silenced and the escort ship continued on it's destructive trajectory. Antiproton beams fired into both ships. The escort slammed into the Voth ship near the engines, it's hull buckling from the kinetic impact.

"Come about, burn that ship from below," Kathryn whooped.

Solaris arced toward the Voth vessel whose guns were silent. As phasers fired into the crippled ship from below, more beams, both green and teal-colored, came from nearby ships as allies discovered weakened prey. The dreadnought's remaining shields failed visibly from the onslaught, then beams and torpedoes tore into the hull. It bubbled before exploding and Allied vessels scattered from the debris, each resuming the battle against other foes.

---

In the future ...

The Klingon's eyes widened. "By Martok ... that was you?!"

Admiral Calgar frowned toward Kathryn who was grinning behind a wine glass. "That was a fine ship you destroyed, you know. They may have been able to salvage the Rodimtsev."

Kathryn shrugged. "We'll never know. So I'll say it again with witnesses this time, Admiral Calgar: I'm sorry."

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Karl Melango - Jeremy Renner
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Matthew Calgar - Conleth Hill
Grannon Trex (Klingon in the end scene) - Orlando Jones
Tracy Kent (not mentioned but in the scene at the end) - Monica Bellucci
Ael t'Kazanak - Cobie Smulders

Replicator Rations

Literary Challenge 10 - Replicator Rations
---

Kathryn stared at the console screen and sighed loudly. S'Rel's Vulcan ears twitched slightly at the sound but otherwise her affect had not changed. Both were watching a remote feed from the hydroponics room on deck eight. Anything not bolted to the room had been washed into the dark vacuum of space when the Breen attack penetrated the shields. The bad situation was made worse when the hydroponics room was hit.

The women stood from the console, each knowing what the other was thinking. "We're limping back to starbase without a back-up food supply," Kathryn said matter-of-factly.

The Chief Operations Officer nodded. "Clearly, Captain, you correctly estimated our greatest internal threat is the power reserves we have for the replicators."

'Even if we launched a Class Nine probe, the response may take a while. We need to establish rationing protocols, so it looks like I picked a good week to stop drinking coffee." Kathryn looked to S'Rel and smiled. S'Rel was obviously impassive to the joke and Kathryn had to enjoy it for herself.
---

Kathryn sipped from her last cup of coffee. She swirled the dark liquid with her tongue then slowly drained it down her throat. The heat warmed her from the inside out and she savored the sharp favor lingering in her mouth. She licked the inside of her teeth and lowered the cup onto the saucer. Looking out the window from her quarters on deck two the stars moved more slowly than she was accustomed to see. Without Warp Drive they were traveling at maximum impulse which was relatively slow.

She smiled thinking of her Chief Engineer as he explained the likelihood of one of the nacelles tearing free if they attempted warp speeds. Thel enjoyed using hyperbole to drive his point if needed, but he didn't have to this time. The Breen worked over Solaris but he still won out.

Merow.

Kathryn tapped the table top and a grey-haired Nebelung cat jumped gracefully onto the table. "Hello, Hector." She ran her hand from neck to tail and Hector responded with a purr and circling back into her palm. After a few more stokes, Hector focused on the contents of the cup and started sniffing.

"Oh, no you don't." She took the cup away from Hector's investigation. "I've promised myself this is my last cup ... and this time I mean it!"

Hector looked away toward the shifting stars outside the ship as if to not dignify Kathyrn's action with a response.

"Actually, this really will be my last cup. Any replicator rations I have must be spent on essentials. That includes your food, you know."

The cat didn't respond.

"Hmph. Typical."

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Hector - my own cat. Image was from mspca though.
Mentioned but not seen:  Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo

Why Not?

Literary Challenge 9 - Shore Leave

"I think the phrase is, 'when the cat's away the mice will play'".

Kathryn looked away from the console and closed her eyes, quietly wishing her solitude was not interrupted. She then turned to face the speaker, not hiding the annoyance on her face.

The female intruder smirked as she ran a finger against another console's edge then looked to her fingertip. "So why is the cat not away while the mice are playing?" Her smirk changed to a small frown as she rubbed away imaginary dust or dirt, then looked to Kathryn.

"Because, Q, they deserve a break."

"Tsk, tsk. Don't you deserve to play too?" Q sauntered closer to Kathryn.

"Maybe I am having fun. Ever consider that humans can enjoy their work?"

"Maybe fun is actually on the planet below?"

Kathryn crossed her arms. "Maybe you should get to the point this time?"

Q pouted. "Aw Kathy, I'm only trying to help! You look stressed. Although you do have a certain amount of grace under pressure that your species would call 'sexy', I stand by my original intent."

Kathryn sighed. "I appreciate that Q, actually." She looked away remembering the recent days. "Ever since we found the Misericorde, the crew has been on edge. Taking a break from the Sphere was needed."

"I warned you not to go there, you know." Q walked over and rested against the console next to Kathryn.

"It was my duty."

"Pfft. Duty shmooty. You humans really don't like taking advice from omnipotent beings. Well, you really should listen to me this time, Kathy. Take a break." She raised her hand and waved as if painting on a canvas. "Can't you imagine it? The clear blue water like a mirror reflecting the azure sky. Verdant trees swaying with a gentle breeze that briefly bushes your hair and tickles your ear. Twin moons lighting your path to the secluded candlelit dinner waiting for you?"

Kathryn could indeed 'see' the imagery described to her and she caught herself nodding slightly then stopped herself. "Risa does have all that I suppose."

Q grinned. "I know." She snapped her finger.

---

Blinking to clear her eyes, Kathryn could tell without looking her uniform was replaced with a summer dress. The white silk-like garment shimmered from the moonlight. She turned toward a window and could see her hair style changed from the regulation bun to a low ponytail style that flowed over a spaghetti-strapped shoulder. Long-stringed earrings danced above the collar bone and her lips were painted with bright red lipstick.

Kathryn rolled her eyes and looked around. At the end of the walkway was a table with two lit candles and half-filled wineglasses. As she walked toward the table her high-heeled shoes clicked and echoed into the night air. For a second, Kathryn let go of the rigors and structure of Starfleet and felt like-

"A woman, like a perfect dream."

Kathryn spun toward the sound of the voice. "Daikar?"

The tall Deltan entered the moonlight from a shadowed pillar. His broad shoulders filled the formal suit but did not seem tight against his frame. His bald head glistened with the slight humidity. He smiled and slowly walked toward Kathryn.

Kathryn's eyes widened and she realized her jaw had dropped. "Did Q bring you here too?"

Daikar stopped a few paces away and stared into Kathryn's eyes. She smiled briefly and started feeling nervous. When she realized she was more concerned than attracted to him is when he stepped forward, wrapped his arms around his waist and kissed her.

At first Kathryn relaxed into Daikar's embrace as she reveled in the moment. Her left ear twitched enough to divert her attention from his tongue-swirling kiss. Kathryn realized Daikar's kissing was becoming painful to her lips and she pushed away. Daikar resisted until Kathryn stepped back with one foot and shoved him away.

Daikar looked surprised. "I thought you wanted this?"

Kathryn was stunned. "I - what?"

"Come now Kathy, I can tell you are attracted to me." He smirked and licked his top lip, "I felt it."

Taking a step back, Kathryn became angry. "This is not like you at all." She wiped her lips, red lipstick smeared across the back of her hand.

Daikar sighed and his shoulders slumped. "Well, I tried." He lifted a hand and snapped his fingers.

---

Blinking to clear her eyes, Kathryn could tell without looking her uniform was replaced with a summer dress. The white silk-like garment shimmered from the moonlight. She turned toward a window and could see her hair style changed from the regulation bun to a low ponytail style that flowed over a spaghetti-strapped shoulder. Long-stringed earrings danced above the collar bone and her lips were painted with bright red lipstick. She looked the same before her encounter with Daikar.

Kathryn looked around, frustrated and angry. "Q!"

A female appeared from around a shadowed pillar. Dressed exactly like Kathryn, Q walked confidently toward Kathryn with a smug look on her face. "I tried to help you relax and yet, you resisted." She stopped a few paces away, crossed her arms and twisted her lips to a wry smile. "But not at first."

"That's not funny. What made you think that's what will help me relax? If anything, I'm more stressed now than when I was working!"  Kathryn realized Q can be anyone she wants to be, and her eyes widened. "Was that you?!"

"Sadly, no. He was literally a figment of your imagination."

"What?!"

Q raised her hands. "Stay calm, nothing a quick review of Starfleet records couldn't help with. Very interesting stuff in those antiquated computers you use. I think Section 31 are the good guys, if I do say so myself."

Kathryn started getting a headache. "Stay with me Q."

"Look. You are overworked. The burden of responsibility weighs you down and even the Continuum sees it. Give yourself a break! Look around you. We are on Risa! Although a barren wasteland compared to ... never mind. This is where humans like to go to relax. I know you really want to come here, but your 'duty' compels you not to. I'm here to try to convince you otherwise."

"Why?"

Q spread her hands out wide, then snapped both fingers. In a flash she was gone and Kathryn could hear her from everywhere. "Why not?

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Q - June Diane Raphael
Daikar - Billy Zane

[REDACTED]

Literary Challenge 58 - [REDACTED]
---

The light was intense. Agent Corin Plys was not only sweating from the heat of the lamp, but also from the gaze of his superior officer standing to his right. The metal table where Corin sat was slowly radiating heat from the lamp as well, making his palms wet. His mind was racing with many thoughts as the temperature was distracting him from the mental exercise. He thought about taking off his shirt and splashing into a cool waters of some perfect lagoon somewhere else. The idea of standing under a frigid waterfall in an arctic area while naked quickly replaced the lagoon. Then the image of an Excelsior-Retrofit class starship burst through the waterfall as Corin forced himself back into the present. It didn't make the discomfort any better and he licked the perspiration from his top lip.

"USS Solaris, Excelsior Retrofit, commission date 2399, Deneb V shipyards ... current command by ... Kathleen Beringer." Corin looked at the PADD on the table. He could see data was available on the subject of his 'interrogation', but the angle of the screen made the PADD useless. he rubbed the bruise on his right hand from his last attempt to use it.

"False! Try again." The superior officer wore the black of Section 31. A patch covered his left eye and a scar ran across his chin from ear to ear. He was leaning close to Corin's ear and smiled as he chided the agent.

Corin licked his lip again. Which part?! His lips trembled slightly as he tried to recall what he studied, then it came to him like a phaser pulse. "Kathryn! Kathryn Beringer."

"Good." The officer stood and took a few steps around the other side of Corin's chair. "Tactical threat assessment."

The agent's confidence surged through the discomfort. He enjoyed learning about starships more than people: there was more order in service records and history in his mind. Corin smiled a little as he recalled what he planned to say. "The hull of Solaris is relatively new and the Retrofit required Duranium reinforcement due to the extra stresses placed on the ship. The four Scarbak IX mass driver impulse engines are made specifically for the Excelsior-type ... " Corin realized he was off track after looking up to his superior and noticed a frown forming.

"Er, the Solaris has been fitted with rare Federation-syle Spiral Wave Beam Arrays. Captain Beringer was authorized to replaced the standard Akira-type photon torpedo launchers with a missile launcher system. Although forward firing only, the wide arc of fire adds to the destructive potential of the ship. She is also favoring the use of mines. Both auxiliary weapons provides a non-traditional offense profile."

"Well done Agent Plys. What of her Captain?"

"Him, sir. Beringer refers to her ships in the masculine tense."

The superior raised an eyebrow. "Impressive note, Plys." He picked up the PADD and scrolled through information. After a few seconds he said, "proceed."

Corin cleared his throat and looked at the PADD. His confidence wavered but he sensed he was on a roll. Somehow the heat was not as intense as before, yet it didn't stop the bead of sweat rolling down his chest. "Kathryn Selena Beringer, 32 years old. Six feet tall, burgundy hair, grey eyes. Born in Las Vegas, Western Corridor. Her family was on the SS Triantar en route to the Hesperus II colony when it was attacked by Orion Syndicate ships. She was the only survivor from her family and sent to the Dilithium mines on Nurga Prime."

The superior did not look away from the PADD. With his frown in-place he only nodded as Corin spoke. "Her record of her time at the mines is incomplete. Why."

The agent shrugged and then quickly looked to the superior hoping he did not see the action. Seeing the superior's back was to him, Corin mentally relaxed. "Even during the entrance assessment at the Academy, Beringer was not forthcoming. In my report is an attachment from a mind-meld session with one Counselor A'Mand. It is her recommendation that Beringer's record be reviewed periodically due to deep-rooted anger against the Syndicate specifically and the slave-trade generally. There are a few records of Beringer taking unusual personal risks or even not follow protocol to satisfy her vendetta. She has been absolved of all action so far because of her otherwise exemplary service record."

The superior turned on his heel and placed the PADD on the table, then leaned in toward the agent. "Threat Assessment?"

Corin forced himself not too look away. Licking his lips, he hoped this process was ending soon. "Beringer has a personal agenda but it can be considered to be aligned within acceptable parameters. She is a risk-taker but also within acceptable parameters and is demonstrably well-versed with Starfleet regulations and protocols as befits her rank. My contact on board Solaris says she is well-liked and popular with the crew. I am still researching a potential romantic involvement with another Captain ..."

The superior's eyebrow raised as Corin paused.

"Daniker. Daiker. Daikar! Of the ..." Corin started snapping his fingers trying to recall the name of a starship; an old habit until the words came to him. "U.S.S. Cordorba!

Standing straight, the superior asked, 'so that is not confirmed." It was not a question.

Corin shook his head, a drop of sweat landed on one hand. "So far there is nothing to substantiate the rumor." Logically, it is not fact."

The superior nodded his head. Corin cleared his throat and continued.

"Based on official and anecdotal records, it is my estimation that if backed into a corner, Beringer would not only stay on Starfleet's side, she would do it out of a personal sense of honor, conviction and duty. If any action or orders provide her an opportunity to take action against the Syndicate she would complete the mission with verve."

"Verve?"

Corin blushed under the harsh light and gaze from his superior. 'Yes, sir."

Present From The Past

Literary Challenge 57 - The Sheliak Corporate
---

"Jolan'tru, Captain Beringer".

"Greetings, Ambassador V'Sar. Thank you for coming."

The Romulan nodded his head and entered Kathryn's Ready Room after she waved toward a chair in front of her desk. His hands were clasped in front of his long robes which flowed gracefully as he walked the short distance to the chair and sat down. Following V'sar, Kathryn circled to her seat opposite him and also sat down, then straightened her on-duty jacket.

As Kathryn called the Ambassador to her office she started the conversation. "Concerning the Sheliak, I'm curious about the Romulan perspective."

V'Sar raised eyebrows quickly as he thought. "D'Tan has no quarrel with the Corporate. He is a peaceful man and is designing the Republic to be the same way. Yet, he is not afraid of conflict for the preservation of what is left of the Romulan race, Tal'Shiar notwithstanding. Therefore, it is our interest to maintain good will with the Sheliak. Obviously, I am here to make that a reality, but the Sheliak are ... resistant to our current suggestions for a new treaty."

Kathryn nodded as V'Sar spoke. "If I may, I have a point of view I'd like to share." Seeing V'Sar not respond for a second, Kathryn continued, "as you may know, the Sheliak are afraid."

The Ambassador cocked his head as if unprepared for the statement. "Forgive me, Captain. I wish to understand."

"The Sheliak want a new territorial treaty because the prior treaty involved a government that no longer exists. As you aware, they are an ... exacting ... race. So anything presented to them must not have room for anyone to wiggle. It is my estimation, they are afraid of what D'Tan and New Romulus will do without the legal constraints of the previous treaty. They are afraid of what the Romulan could do, not what is being done. We need to assuage those fears. How far is D'Tan willing to go with the negotiations?"

V'Sar stood and paced the floor for a few steps before turning to Kathryn. "Captain, D'Tan is willing to rewrite the entire treaty in order to maintain the status quo. Any plans to colonize other worlds will be an effort to expand quickly. The territories within the previous treaty would be very challenging to make comfortably habitable even with our natural resistances, so to speak."

Kathryn thought for a moment. "Do the Sheliak know this?"

"Of course not. As you know, negotiating is a power game. If the Sheliak knew this position we would be at a disadvantage."

"But if the status quo is desired, then what is the advantage to secrecy."

V'Sar smiled, "for its own sake, Captain Beringer."

Kathryn frowned slightly. "I see. May I make a suggestion?"

The Ambassador spread his hands out, "of course."

She stood from her chair and handed V'Sar a PADD. He took it and slid his fingers up and down the screen. as he read, his countenance was one of confusion. "This is the exact same treaty but with name changes?"

Kathryn shrugged. "Why not? If the Sheliak are worried about a possible future, and the Romulans want the status quo, then why not introduce an ... update, so to speak, to a perfectly functional treaty from the past?"

"But what if the Romulan Republic ... updates, its position?"

Kathryn looked as neutral as she could toward V'Sar. "I think we should cross that bridge when get there. For now, let's solve one problem at a time and the current problem is dealing with a race that is afraid of what the Romulans might do. Since, as you say, D'Tan wants to handle the future like he is handling the present, then why not give the Sheliak a treaty that honors that idea. The Sheliak may be less resistant to further negotiations ... now."

V'Sar smirked. "Interesting point of view, Captain Beringer."

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Ambassador V'Sar - Michael Fassbender