Literary Challenge 8 - Unknown Anomalies
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"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."
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"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."
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Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
Heard but not seen:
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
---
"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
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