Early 2409 …
Galatea entered the system a short distance from the ringed planet. Resting above the orbit of the icy rings was the focus for the Exeter-class ship and crew.
“Satellite in range of sensors, scanning now.” Omazei, the Trill Science Chief, reported dutifully as her fingers danced upon the console.
Kathryn touched her rank pips absentmindedly and spoke without looking away from the viewscreen. “Anthi, anything on tactical? Being this close to Klingon-space I’m not in the mood to take chances.”
The Andorian First Officer tapped on her console and after a few seconds replied, “Passive scans within the system are negative.”
Anthi’s brother, Thel Ythysi, spoke from the Engineering section of the bridge. “Captain, initial analysis of the satellite reveal it is fully functional within expected parameters.” His tone was slightly incredulous. From his unexpected report, the bridge crew became silent.
Kathryn leaned forward in her chair, visually inspecting the large machine in the void. Slowly rotating on its y-axis, it was a remote research satellite that hosted a myriad array of sensors dedicated to the planet. Several days ago, a request was made from Starfleet Corps of Engineers to investigate possible faulty bio-neural gel packs as telemetry was getting scrambled. USS Galatea answered the call. As innocuous as the situation should be, Kathryn started to feel uneasy about it.
The Captain turned to Omazei, whose face was highlighted by shifting colors from the console, waiting for additional confirmation. Only the dim hum from the ship’s engines could be heard over the next few seconds. She suddenly looked to Kathryn and shouted, “Vessel decloaking, port fifteen degrees!”
The viewscreen added a shimmer to the star field behind the satellite. As the ship coalesced, dread washed over Kathryn and someone unseen gasped. The Vor’cha-class battlecruiser drifted menacingly toward the Federation vessel.
“Open a hailing frequency,” Kathryn ordered. After a few seconds she added, “Klingon vessel, this is Captain Beringer of the USS Galatea on a routine maintenance mission to a Federation satellite. Are you here to assist?” Kathryn swallowed, the query felt stale in her mouth, but she couldn’t invite hostilities as the Klingon ship clearly outclassed her own vessel in many ways.
After a few moments, the Comm Officer acknowledged no response.
An alarm rang from Anthi’s console, starling everyone. “Weapons lock!”
Kathryn whispered a curse, then said, “Raise shields!”
Omazei followed, “Another contact, starboard one-three-five degrees.”
The viewscreen was replaced by a top-down tactical display where a second Vor’cha battlecruiser appeared behind and to the right of Galatea. The screen changed back to the windowed-display view. Green beams appeared from “behind” the camera and obliterated the satellite.
Kathryn spoke quickly. “Someone’s getting a bill; Helm get us out of here, dealer’s choice!”
At the controls, Ian McKinnon swiftly tugged on his gloves and deftly keyed in commands. Galatea banked to port and impulse engines revved louder. The Vor’cha to the front maneuvered to match the Starfleet ship’s vector and fired, disruptor beams belching from emitters until a few found their target. The small ship shuddered from the attack and Kathryn clutched the armrests to keep from being thrown to the floor.
With the klaxon blaring, Anthi roared, “shields at 42-percent, hull damage multiple decks!”
Kathryn noticed the helmsman furiously stabbing the console. Anthi called out, “Brace for impact!”
Multiple torpedo strikes rocked Galatea further, causing a console behind Kathryn to explode, showering her with sparks and small debris. She turned to her Chief Engineer. “Thel, how’s she holding?”
The bulky Andorian wiped sweat off his brow and shook his head, antennae stiff from worry. “We need to get out of here.”
Kathryn jumped to the helm station and forced calm into her voice. “Mr. McKinnon, toot sweet please.”
He pressed a key on the console and the stars on the viewscreen stretched as the ship limped into a Warp tunnel.
+++
Three Hours Later …
The Executive Team sat silently in the Ready-Room as they waited for Thel Ythysi to arrive. Each officer’s uniform was dirty to varying degrees, depending on how much work they performed in the nooks and crannies of the ship. Everyone looked tired as no one was above the paramount need to repair the ship.
The doors swished open and Thel walked in holding several PADDs, his own uniform tattered at the cuffs along with the ubiquitous smudges. Sitting down he handed everyone a PADD. “No need for a presentation, it’s all there and it’s obvious the situation is dire.”
Ian swiveled toward the Captain to get attention. “We are currently in the Arucanis Sector. Navigation is still out so it’s hard to get a precise reading. We’re safe from the Klingons but that’s not a guarantee. After three hours, if they really wanted a kill they could have tagged us.”
The Science Chief spoke up next. “Deflector control will need a few more hours at the least. The primary dish will likely need replacing.” Omazei tucked her short hair behind ears, revealing Trill patterns along her neck. “The damage to comms will take about four hours to fix. Until then, we can only send tight-beam subspace transmissions.” She crossed her arms as a sign she was finished.
Kathryn gazed upon the Chief of Operations, S’Rel. The Vulcan sensed eyes on her and looked away from the PADD. “Captain, considering the structural damage to the ship, I recommend reduced shift time for everyone aboard until we can reach a suitable Starbase to affect substantial repairs. I have prepared a roster rotation and will affix it to Thel’s report.”
“On that note”, Doctor Annika Kramer punctuated, “we have three dead and forty-seven wounded beyond first-aid; twelve being out-of-action. Other than the deceased, we can triage.” She pulled a hair tie, releasing her bright blond hair to fall onto her shoulders without further attention. “We are relatively lucky.”
By this point Kathryn was pinching the bridge of her nose while listening intently. A dull headache was in its second hour and she resolved to persevere without medication. “Anthi, let’s pretend the Klingon’s are on the hunt, what are your chances?”
The proud Andorean First Officer sat straighter. “Slim. Two-beam arrays and the rear torpedo launcher are destroyed. No offense to Galatea, but I don’t believe she could fight-to-win. The sooner we get to a space dock, the better.”
Thel leaned forward. “I agree. Current speed capabilities are Warp two-point-four. Don’t go that fast for more than an hour: the starboard pylon structural integrity is uncomfortably weak. At our current estimated position, it’ll take us two weeks to get to a suitable dry dock. The detail is in the report, of course.”
Kathryn sighed and nodded solemnly. She looked over the PADD briefly before placed her hands on the table as if to fix the ship with her force of will. “We will respect our dead when we reach port. Time is of the essence now. Galatea is beat-up, but not beaten down. As cheesey as that sounds, it’s true.“
She looked to each of the assemble crew. “Take an hour, if your teams do not need your immediate attention. Although this looks bad, I’m confident she’ll get us home.”
---
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Katheryn Winnick
Anthi Ythysi - Monique Ganderton
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Annika Kramer - Abbie Cornish
Showing posts with label S'Rel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label S'Rel. Show all posts
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Saturday, February 10, 2018
A Patriot's Game
Kathryn stood straight while looking at the data scrolling on the display. “No offense S’Rel, but are you sure, absolutely sure?”
The female Vulcan sitting at her Operations station on the bridge nodded at the screen. “Yes, sir. Verification protocols were followed along with my own diagnostic. The worm was manually installed by attaché Motira, shortly after we departed New Romulus.”
Scanning the data, Kathryn whispered to herself, “holodeck, medical, a munitions locker and ... the engine room?” She looked away feeling confused, yet some action had to be done to stop further hemorrhaging of data. “Isolate and five-layer encrypt all records. Use whatever resources you need to purge every nanobyte of that worm code from the core. Then send this information to my ready room.” She turned to the Andorian First Officer. “Anthi, I need to speak with Ambassador V’Sar, immediately.”
“Aye, Captain.”
+++
The Romulan Ambassador finished reviewing the information from the screen, his face contorted with disappointment. Spinning the desktop display toward Kathryn, he sat back into the chair.
Kathryn sat motionless wearing a determined countenance. “I wanted you to see the evidence first. I must admit, it was sloppy work for Tal Shiar agent. Regardless, I trust you will allow me to detain Motira.”
V’Sar sighed uncharacteristically and nodded. “I trust you believe me when I say this is a complete surprise. How the Tal Shiar maintains effort to meddle in Republican affairs disturbs me.”
“How you are certain this is about the Romulan Republic? The worm was a digital recorder of specific sections on this ship, which is a well-known design. Unless –,“ Kathryn had the thousand-yard stare for a brief moment, but long enough for V’Sar to look at her questioningly. She tapped her combadge and stood. “Security, locate Romulan Attaché Motira and escort her to the Brig, expect resistance.”
“Captain?” V’Sar was clearly confused.
She moved around the desk and toward the door and then stopped to look at V’Sar. “The Tal Shiar program was an old one, which is how we were able to find it, and Motira has explicit surveillance for a reason. You can come with me, or you can stay here. Either way, it may not matter unless we stop her.”
V’Sar stood and demanded, “What are your thoughts Captain Beringer?”
“I think Motira plans to blow up the ship.”
+++
Deck 15
Sitting at the bar of the Headsail Lounge, Motira was looking into an empty glass; the Tamarian Frost was very tasty and the spice flavor lingered on her lips. Long dark brown hair fell to cover the sides of her face. As people had been entering and leaving the Lounge, she did not realize the security detail enter the room. Wearing traditional Romulan clothing made her easily stand out, even if she was the only one sitting at the bar.
Only when she noticed the bartender behind the bar back away from the direction of the main entrance, did she gather something was different.
I had hoped to have one more day, she thought to herself. Casually turning in her seat, she took stock of the two human males; one dark-skinned and the other lighter, both bulky and tall enough to prove the intimidation they exuded. Motira scoffed at the idea and then raised an eyebrow noticing they wore phasers at their hips.
The lighter-skinned one took a step forward. “Attaché Motira, please come with us.”
She looked around the Lounge and counted six others, who were looking at the situation calmly and quietly, before responding. “I am a representative of the Romulan Republic. What is the meaning of this?”
“We have been ordered to escort you for safety reasons.”
“Is there an emergency?”
The officer’s hand moved halfway to the phaser. “I do apologize for the inconvenience. Please come with us.”
Motira shrugged and casually strolled past the security detail to exit the Headsail Lounge.
+++
Deck 9
The Turbolift doors opened and Motira stepped into the hallway, the burley security team quietly following her. Turning a corner, she stopped as she noticed V’Sar and Kathryn waiting outside the doors to the Holding Cells several meters away. “Amabssador, do you know what is going on?”
V’Sar’s sneered. “Tal Shiar scum.”
The comment shocked Kathryn and Motria alike. Kathryn raised her hands to calm the Ambassador. “V’Sar, I think we-“
“For the Empire”, shouted Motira. She balled a fist to backhand the security guard to her left, and then side kicked the guard to the right. Both were thrown against walls, arms flailing from the shock attack. She quickly reached for a phaser and swiveled toward the pair down the hallway, quickly pressing buttons to adjust the beam setting.
Kathryn recovered from Motira’s surprise assault on the security team. “Motira, stand down! Whatever you’re plans, it’s done.”
Motira looked to the guards and comforted with them incapacitated, she stalked a few steps forward. “I just needed one more day,” she said aloud.
V’Sar stood motionless and relaxed even with the phaser trained on him. “One day or a thousand years from now, the Star Empire is part of the history books. New Romulus is the future.”
“Maybe so, but patriots like me will make every step to that future more difficult than the last.” She gritted her teeth as she prepared to fire.
The Ambassador pushed Kathryn away, the counter-force propelling him toward Motira. The phaser beam connected the two Romulans and V’Sar was wrapped in a cocoon of light. Not expecting the Ambassador to wear a personal shield, Motira stood surprised.
Without stopping, V’Sar charged Motira. He knocked the phaser out of her hand and then reached to choke the Attaché. She gasped for air and buckled to her knees, struggling against his grip.
A phaser emitter touched V’Sar’s temple, forcing him to pause. He looked to see Kathryn standing over him. “That’s enough Ambassador; I think the Republic is victorious this day.”
V’Sar grinned and released his grip to stand. Motira collapsed as she coughed in defeat. He regained his regal poise before reaching into the folds of his diplomatic uniform. Revealing a small device, he handed it to Kathryn. “Thank you for your assistance, Captain Beringer. I apologize to your crew for the inconvenience.”
Lowering the phaser, she replied, “indeed.” Accepting the cube-shaped shield projector, Kathryn added, “neat trick.”
“A man in my position can make enemies very quickly, wouldn’t you agree?”
Kathryn lifted Motira from the floor. The security team had recovered and escorted the Romulan toward the holding cells. She watched them disappear before turning to V’Sar. “What do you mean, ‘assistance’?”
The Ambassador became smug. “I must apologize, Captain. I knew there was a spy within the Ambassadorial coterie but was unable to discover who it was. Our presence aboard this ship was not only for diplomatic reasons, but also as a vehicle, so to speak, to find, flush and neutralize the agent. Or traitor, depending on who it was, of course.”
Kathryn's eyes narrowed. "Of course."
___
Cast For Crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Katheryn Winnick
Anthi Ythysi - Monique Ganderton
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Ambassador V'Sar - Michael Fassbender
Attaché Motira – Priyanka Chopra
Security Officer 1 - Male street extra 1
Security Officer 2 - Male street extra 2
The female Vulcan sitting at her Operations station on the bridge nodded at the screen. “Yes, sir. Verification protocols were followed along with my own diagnostic. The worm was manually installed by attaché Motira, shortly after we departed New Romulus.”
Scanning the data, Kathryn whispered to herself, “holodeck, medical, a munitions locker and ... the engine room?” She looked away feeling confused, yet some action had to be done to stop further hemorrhaging of data. “Isolate and five-layer encrypt all records. Use whatever resources you need to purge every nanobyte of that worm code from the core. Then send this information to my ready room.” She turned to the Andorian First Officer. “Anthi, I need to speak with Ambassador V’Sar, immediately.”
“Aye, Captain.”
+++
The Romulan Ambassador finished reviewing the information from the screen, his face contorted with disappointment. Spinning the desktop display toward Kathryn, he sat back into the chair.
Kathryn sat motionless wearing a determined countenance. “I wanted you to see the evidence first. I must admit, it was sloppy work for Tal Shiar agent. Regardless, I trust you will allow me to detain Motira.”
V’Sar sighed uncharacteristically and nodded. “I trust you believe me when I say this is a complete surprise. How the Tal Shiar maintains effort to meddle in Republican affairs disturbs me.”
“How you are certain this is about the Romulan Republic? The worm was a digital recorder of specific sections on this ship, which is a well-known design. Unless –,“ Kathryn had the thousand-yard stare for a brief moment, but long enough for V’Sar to look at her questioningly. She tapped her combadge and stood. “Security, locate Romulan Attaché Motira and escort her to the Brig, expect resistance.”
“Captain?” V’Sar was clearly confused.
She moved around the desk and toward the door and then stopped to look at V’Sar. “The Tal Shiar program was an old one, which is how we were able to find it, and Motira has explicit surveillance for a reason. You can come with me, or you can stay here. Either way, it may not matter unless we stop her.”
V’Sar stood and demanded, “What are your thoughts Captain Beringer?”
“I think Motira plans to blow up the ship.”
+++
Deck 15
Sitting at the bar of the Headsail Lounge, Motira was looking into an empty glass; the Tamarian Frost was very tasty and the spice flavor lingered on her lips. Long dark brown hair fell to cover the sides of her face. As people had been entering and leaving the Lounge, she did not realize the security detail enter the room. Wearing traditional Romulan clothing made her easily stand out, even if she was the only one sitting at the bar.
Only when she noticed the bartender behind the bar back away from the direction of the main entrance, did she gather something was different.
I had hoped to have one more day, she thought to herself. Casually turning in her seat, she took stock of the two human males; one dark-skinned and the other lighter, both bulky and tall enough to prove the intimidation they exuded. Motira scoffed at the idea and then raised an eyebrow noticing they wore phasers at their hips.
The lighter-skinned one took a step forward. “Attaché Motira, please come with us.”
She looked around the Lounge and counted six others, who were looking at the situation calmly and quietly, before responding. “I am a representative of the Romulan Republic. What is the meaning of this?”
“We have been ordered to escort you for safety reasons.”
“Is there an emergency?”
The officer’s hand moved halfway to the phaser. “I do apologize for the inconvenience. Please come with us.”
Motira shrugged and casually strolled past the security detail to exit the Headsail Lounge.
+++
Deck 9
The Turbolift doors opened and Motira stepped into the hallway, the burley security team quietly following her. Turning a corner, she stopped as she noticed V’Sar and Kathryn waiting outside the doors to the Holding Cells several meters away. “Amabssador, do you know what is going on?”
V’Sar’s sneered. “Tal Shiar scum.”
The comment shocked Kathryn and Motria alike. Kathryn raised her hands to calm the Ambassador. “V’Sar, I think we-“
“For the Empire”, shouted Motira. She balled a fist to backhand the security guard to her left, and then side kicked the guard to the right. Both were thrown against walls, arms flailing from the shock attack. She quickly reached for a phaser and swiveled toward the pair down the hallway, quickly pressing buttons to adjust the beam setting.
Kathryn recovered from Motira’s surprise assault on the security team. “Motira, stand down! Whatever you’re plans, it’s done.”
Motira looked to the guards and comforted with them incapacitated, she stalked a few steps forward. “I just needed one more day,” she said aloud.
V’Sar stood motionless and relaxed even with the phaser trained on him. “One day or a thousand years from now, the Star Empire is part of the history books. New Romulus is the future.”
“Maybe so, but patriots like me will make every step to that future more difficult than the last.” She gritted her teeth as she prepared to fire.
The Ambassador pushed Kathryn away, the counter-force propelling him toward Motira. The phaser beam connected the two Romulans and V’Sar was wrapped in a cocoon of light. Not expecting the Ambassador to wear a personal shield, Motira stood surprised.
Without stopping, V’Sar charged Motira. He knocked the phaser out of her hand and then reached to choke the Attaché. She gasped for air and buckled to her knees, struggling against his grip.
A phaser emitter touched V’Sar’s temple, forcing him to pause. He looked to see Kathryn standing over him. “That’s enough Ambassador; I think the Republic is victorious this day.”
V’Sar grinned and released his grip to stand. Motira collapsed as she coughed in defeat. He regained his regal poise before reaching into the folds of his diplomatic uniform. Revealing a small device, he handed it to Kathryn. “Thank you for your assistance, Captain Beringer. I apologize to your crew for the inconvenience.”
Lowering the phaser, she replied, “indeed.” Accepting the cube-shaped shield projector, Kathryn added, “neat trick.”
“A man in my position can make enemies very quickly, wouldn’t you agree?”
Kathryn lifted Motira from the floor. The security team had recovered and escorted the Romulan toward the holding cells. She watched them disappear before turning to V’Sar. “What do you mean, ‘assistance’?”
The Ambassador became smug. “I must apologize, Captain. I knew there was a spy within the Ambassadorial coterie but was unable to discover who it was. Our presence aboard this ship was not only for diplomatic reasons, but also as a vehicle, so to speak, to find, flush and neutralize the agent. Or traitor, depending on who it was, of course.”
Kathryn's eyes narrowed. "Of course."
___
Cast For Crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Katheryn Winnick
Anthi Ythysi - Monique Ganderton
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Ambassador V'Sar - Michael Fassbender
Attaché Motira – Priyanka Chopra
Security Officer 1 - Male street extra 1
Security Officer 2 - Male street extra 2
Friday, October 6, 2017
The Sound of Silence
The streaking star field on the main viewscreen abruptly stops and the ship rolls slightly as RCS thrusters adjust to match the system’s elliptical plane.
Kathryn smiles and she taps the rank pips on her collar. “It’s good to be home,” she says quietly to herself. Standing from the center seat of the bridge, she takes a few steps toward the helm station. “Ian, scan the vicinity for traffic and plot a course toward Utopia Planetia, quarter-impulse speed please. We are ahead of schedule and can afford some sight-seeing, so to speak.”
“Aye, Captain.” After a few seconds looking over his console, Ian added, “System traffic is light and course plotted.”
“Excellent, thank you.” She turned to Anthi, her Andorian First Officer. “Anthi, you have the conn, I’ll be in my ready-room until we arrive for docking procedures.”
Anthi nodded, her antennae curled slowly together as a sign she was relaxed. “Aye, Captain.”
+++
After docking …
Exiting the ready-room, Kathryn verified docking procedures were completed without incident with various bridge crew. She then entered the turbo-lift and was about to order a destination when S’Rel appeared and nodded. The Chief of Operations, being Vulcan, was typically subdued as she joined Kathryn in the tube.
“Deck Eight”, Kathryn ordered as the doors closed. The tube hummed slightly as it descended.
“Captain, I wish to speak to you about the personnel transfer scheduled while we are at the shipyards.”
Kathryn looked surprised. “Interesting time to discuss that”, she replied patiently.
“This was an opportune time.” S’Rel produced a PADD from behind her back.
Accepting it with a quiet sigh, Kathryn scanned the short roster. “A few changes since the personnel meeting, yet all Deck Officers have signed off and –“, she hovered a finger over the blinking icon at the bottom of the report. “Do you have any reservations?“
S’Rel's brow crumpled from concentration, or consternation. “A last-minute addition was requested from the Indomitable, sir. Ensign Turkal, a communications specialist. I formally request his denial for transfer to Solaris.”
Looking again, Kathryn reviewed specific details. As the turbolift doors opened, some officers waiting stepped aside. Kathryn smiled and looked to each quickly before returning her attention to the PADD, S’Rel followed behind. Stopping near an intersection, Kathryn turned to the Vulcan. “Forgive me S’Rel, nothing in his record suggests he could not be posted aboard this ship.”
Crossing her arms behind her back, S’Rel looked around the hallway. Kathryn cocked her head to the side as she perceived S’Rel seemed embarrassed. “Turkal broke off our engagement after he admitted to wanting relations with another woman. His partner is on this vessel already.”
Kathryn closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.
+++
On Deck Eleven …
At the end of the hallway the turbolift doors to the dorsal shuttlebay seemed a kilometer away. Kathryn tapped the rank pips on her collar as she strode forward. Crossing an intersection, a female down a sideway called her name. Wincing, Kathryn stopped abruptly a few paces from the turbolift and turned around. Science Chief Omazei turned a corner and stopped. She was holding a PADD and wore a bright smile. Almost thirty centimeters shorter than Kathryn, the Trill was certainly ‘cute’.
“I’m so glad I caught you Captain!” Omazei pushed her chin-length black hair behind an ear revealing brown marks that ran along the sides of her face and disappeared under her uniform’s collar.
“Yes, Commander, what can I do for you?”
Omazei’s demeanor shifted from congenial to professional as she tapped on the PADD. “I was looking over the telemetry from our survey of Wyngus III and noticed some … irregularities.”
There was a pause and Kathryn raised her eyebrows after several seconds as Omazei seemed to be waiting for a response.
“Yes, well, I checked the logs and noticed a calibration differential between the primary and secondary sensor platforms. The calibration was the top of error range, meaning –“
“Meaning the telemetry is not accurate within five,” Kathryn interrupted and sighed, “to ten percent.”
“Exactly. The Sensor and Deflector teams could recalibrate the pylons while we are here! The yards have the tools needed to complete the task within a few days at the most.”
“Complications would be a delay though. Could we complete the recalibration when we leave drydock?”
Omazei looked skeptical. “It could be done, yet we are scheduled to conduct system surveys in the Cestus Sector, so physical handling while at Warp Speed is not recommended.” +++ On Deck Eighteen ... Kathryn stepped out of the turbolift and quickly walked toward the main shuttlebay doorway. As if on cue, Chief Engineer Thel exited a room she passed. “Ah, Captain, good timing! I have the requisition logs for the upcoming weapons refit. There have been some major revisions needing your approval.” Kathryn had stopped to turn to the Andorian and accepted the PADD. She scanned the list and looked up with surprise. “These look less like revisions and more like an overhaul.” “Yes, sir. The Pulse Phasers will require a minimal power routing lattice our current network will be stressed to handle." “Was this known at the time of the initial report?” Thel put his hands behind his back; a sign he was embarrassed about something. “The requisition was made based on our current Mark Twelve configuration. Starfleet has granted the request for Mark Fourteen systems and –“ “It’s better to keep what they gave, than to turn it down,” Kathryn interrupted as she nodded. “Can the lattice network be upgraded before the weapon systems arrive?” “Easily.” He pulled another PADD from a pouch on his work vest and tapped a few keys. “I’ll need the full Engineering team on a rotating twelve-hour shift over two days to keep the weapons refit on schedule.” Kathryn closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. +++ On board the shuttlecraft Yanaze… Kathryn tapped on the console to the right as she completed the pre-flight check. Her combadge chirped and she slapped at the device impatiently. “Beringer here.” She forced calm into her voice. “Captain, this is Bur’ar. There is a concern with the Prisoner transfer.” The Klingon Chief of Security sounded as if he were growling. “Are you alone?” Even though she was the only person on the Yellowstone shuttlecraft, she was compelled to look back into the fuselage. Seeing no one, Kathryn replied, “yes, what’s the problem?” Bur’ar cleared his throat. “As the prisoners were being escorted to shuttlebay one, some words were exchanged with the Orion ambassador who was nearby at an intersection. A physical altercation started between the two. The escort team successfully separated the combatants without injury. The ambassador was sent to quarters. Upon arriving to the transport shuttle, the Orion prisoner started showing signs of illness and is currently in sickbay.” Kathryn sat back into the chair and crossed her arms. “What’s the prognosis for the prisoner?” “Not very good.” “Has anyone questioned Staza?” “Due to her status, protocol dictates you must be present throughout any investigation.” Kathryn closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. +++ At Utopia Planitia Alpha Station … Entering the holodeck, Kathryn removed her combadge and placed it within a small container embedded in the wall next to the control panel. She pressed an icon on the panel and then stepped into the dimly lit chamber. “Computer, lock main door, vocal authorization access only. Begin program: Kathryn-Risa-Lambda-Seven.” The panel on the wall chirped an acknowledgment and the yellow-on-black grid lines were replaced by a serene beach. Water lapped several meters away, with a thick tree-line running perpendicular to the beach. Kathryn could feel the simulated warmth on her cheeks with a slight breeze pulling or pushing her hair. She tugged at the regulation-styled bun of hair and it unfolded to flow over her shoulders. Taking a few paces to a lone beach chair, Kathryn unzipped her uniform jacket and rested it over the chair. She pushed her trousers to her feet then sat down and pulled her boots off. Kathryn reclined the back of the chair and crossed her legs. The sound of the waves and occasional squawking of a Risian parakeet in the background was soothing. She sighed, closing her eyes and licking her lips. “Computer, lower ambient volume, continue until stop command.” The sounds around her diminished until barely audible. “Stop.”
+++
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
Bur'ar - David Ramsay
Ian - Ben Browder
Mentioned but not seen:
Turkal - Male street extra
Thursday, October 20, 2016
What Do We Do?
Unofficial Literary Challenge 24 - Mirror Wars - Prompt 3
---
Kathryn looked at the main viewscreen in shock. The planet’s surface was a wasteland of craters. Small areas of city-scape could be seen between gaping pits, but these were blackened husks. Faint clouds hovered high above the surface. The crew was looking at a dead planet. “Anything?”
Omazei, sitting behind and to the left against the back wall shook her head. “Nothing, not anymore. There are no life-signs on the planet, not even a microbe of algae.”
Kathryn nodded solemnly. “Can we determine how long ago this happened?”
“Readings indicate within ten years.”
Ian whistled from the helm station. “What happened?”
Anthi announced, “Captain, projectile launch from the surface, headed for us!”
Kathryn turned in her chair perplexed by the report. “Identify and time to impact?”
Looking wide-eyed from her console, Anthi almost yelled, “solid deuterium, ten seconds!”
“Helm, whatever it takes! Shields up!” The bridge lights suddenly turned red with the warning claxon blaring. Solaris lurched to port. Standing crew was thrown to the ground and anyone sitting was pushed into arm rests. On the viewscreen and the planet’s curve disappeared, then a bright light grew from one side.
The shock wave crashed against the ship, pushing it along the roll axis. The shield’s either absorbed or deflected the force from the explosion. Inside, inertial dampeners and gravity regulators fought for control of the crew.
Kathryn reached for the command chair’s armrest to lift herself from the floor. “S’Rel, save the damage report for later. Ian, don’t stop, get us out of here. Omazei what just happened?”
The Trill Science Officer sat into her chair and started tapping at her console. After a few seconds, Omazei replied, “fusion detonation, approximately fifty megatons. Data shows a laser beam directed at the projectile from the surface caused the ignition. The source of both seems to be from the same location.”
Ian McKinnon at the helm spoke up. “Captain, we are about to arrive at the moon’s orbit around Kurza III.”
Turning to helm, Kathryn smiled. “Thank you Ian, full stop. Get ready to bolt if we are attacked again.” She looked around the bridge, and then rested her gaze to the MSD console. The image of the Excelsior-class ship above S’Rel started showing red in many places along the ship with increasing amounts. “Okay, go to yellow alert. S’Rel, let’s look at the damage report. I want a staff meeting in thirty minutes.”
+++
Kathryn looked around the room and stopped at the Chief Medical Officer. “How’s the crew?”
Annika Kramer sat forward. “There is not a concern for radiation; the ship’s shielding handled that easily. Although, initial reports declare there are ten serious injuries from the initial evasive maneuver, thirty-seven more from the shockwave and over two-hundred minor injuries over both events, after that, bumps and bruises. Triage teams will be working around the clock.”
“And the ship?”
The Andorian Chief Engineer interlaced his fingers on the table, a sign of concern. “The ship got battered from such close proximity to a thermonuclear explosion. Repairs will be slow, but he’ll fly right.”
“We’ve been through worse, Thel, I’m sure. Analysis of the situation?”
S’Rel raised a Vulcan eyebrow as if to gather attention before speaking. “The Kurza system was mapped by Voyager’s journey through the Delta Quadrant, though only rudimentary information was collected as the system was over fifty light years perpendicular to the path plotted. A study by Starfleet determined faint radio transmissions emanating from the system.”
Kathryn picked up immediately, “which is why we are here: consider First Contact possibilities unless the Prime Directive kicks in. Radio signals are a sign of a developing culture, yet within thirty years, it looks like whatever culture was on Kurza III is now gone, and a giant gun is pointed into space?”
Omazei leaned forward. “Automated planetary defenses are well known throughout recent history. In 2364, when the Enterprise-D visited the planet Minos , for example. This weapon may have been a part of the culture when Voyager passed by.”
“You said, ‘automated’. Have scans revealed anything about our attacker?”
Omazei looked at a PADD. “Back-tracing the trajectory of the attack, the source location is a massive metallic structure on the surface.”
The Andorian First Officer swiveled her chair toward Omazei. “It’s easy to presume the weapon was defending the planet because of our reception. But if the surface looks like a war zone, then could it be that the weapon was used against the planet?”
The room was quiet for a few seconds. Kathryn started to formulate a plan. “Okay, I want to see this through. A small team is going to the surface. Omazei, have Romas Verthir meet me in Transporter Room Three. Thel, can you join me for this one?”
The ship’s engineer nodded.
+++
Three Starfleet officers materialized on the planet and immediately pulled out tricorders from holsters on their environmental suits. Romas turned left while Thel turned right as Kathryn swept in front of her. Occasional strong winds blew dirt and sand in every direction.
Kathryn turned her head within the suit, whose design was inspired by the hellish milieu of Nukara. “Radiation levels are pretty high. We’ll have an hour at best.”
“Captain, look below.” Romas sounded sad and Kathryn had to bend at the waist due to the helmet being fixed to the shoulder harness. She took a step back from seeing the burned skull, only to crush more blackened bone. She looked around again and realized they teleported onto a field of bones.
Thel stepped forward still looking at his tricorder and snapped more bone, seeming to be oblivious to the carnage under foot. “Captain, my readings suggest an entryway to the structure one-hundred meters in this direction.” He was pointing toward the long side of the building that fired upon Solaris, which they chanced to start their survey of the situation. Fortunately, the ship was not greeted by weapons fire as before.
Kathryn and Romas joined Thel as he walked in the direction the tricorder was taking him. She inspected the area as best as the restrictive combat suit would allow. The building itself was almost one-hundred meters tall and three-hundred meters long and covered in rubble and sand from the area. It looked as if debris and soil rained from the surrounding parts of the city. The entire settlement around them was devastated. Large buildings seemed gutted out from massive explosions, revealing only the skeletal structure of beams from foundations. Smaller buildings seemed cleaned away by a massive broom.
As they walked, Romas would briefly stop to examine a skeletal corpse before catching up to the others only to stop again and scan with the tricorder. Kathryn noticed the number of bodies, or the piles of bones seemed to increase as they approached the door.
Thel suddenly raised an arm to stop Kathryn and he gestured to the building. Kathryn watched as a long pole pointed at them and swiveled back and forth, as if to wave them away from approaching further. She increased the audio from external microphones and heard a distinctly familiar sound.
Click. Click. Click.
“Thoughts?”
Thel lifted his tricorder slowly. After a few seconds, he reported, “it’s a ballistic weapon and clearly out of ammunition.”
“That explains the wounds in the nearby bodies,” Romas added and he knelt down to put a finger through a hole in a skull.
Kathryn looked around and noticed more in the same condition nearby and shook her head. She looked up and down the length of the building and started to notice other barrels protruding outward in varying sizes and lengths. Only the one nearby was moving. Leaning back to look toward the top of the building, she could see a large dome at the center with a long cylinder pointing toward the sky. She surmised that was the cannon that shot at her ship. “This structure is made for war.”
Thel took a step forward. “The door is this way.” He placed a hand on the phaser pistol at his waist.
As they reached the door, it hanged by one hinge inward and looked as if it were opened by explosive force. Cautiously, Kathryn entered first and activated the suits headlamps. Inside, the dust and dirt crawled into the structure from several years of exposure. The metallic hallway was only ten-meters long, devoid of any other features and allowed the team to walk in their bulky suits without discomfort. When they reached the door at the other end, it slid open without prompt but with great difficulty. Sand slowly blew into the fresh interior.
She moved her suit to allow the lamps to shine within. Inside the darkened room was packed with conduits, pipes and various conveyors, yet a walkway allowed transit within the metallic guts of the building. The microphones picked up a faint hum inside the structure suggesting it was still powered by some source. Kathryn turned back to Romas and Thel, both were still conducting scans with tricorders.
Kathryn activated the suits communicator. “Solaris, this is the Captain, do you read me?”
Static answered first and then Anthi’s voice responded faintly, “barely, but underst- <shzzt>. We are still <shzzt> to track your loca- <shzzt>. Do you cop- <shzzt>.”
“Yes. Boost signal and check every five minutes.”
“Aye aye, Capta- <shzzt>.”
“Okay, make or break time. Thel, I’ll need another pair of eyes in here, Romas keep scanning and mapping, please. Let’s chat to a minimum.” The others agreed with thumbs-up. Turning to the open door, she entered with a hand resting on her sidearm.
Several uninterrupted minutes passed as they walked the path that seemed to lead to the center of the structure. Communication with the ship was becoming more strained and Romas surmised it was indirect interference. At one point they passed a large area that was clearly used as an ammunition storage room with automated loaders near tracks and conveyors. The room was empty of fuel for the many weapons the site contained.
Eventually, they reached the center of the building. Inside the cavernous room, the walls were covered with display screens, all darkened and a few cracked. Suspended from the ceiling was a large command chair connected by a jungle of cables and wires. Some were not connected to the chair or armature and hanging above the floor. In front of the chair were a few other displays with input terminals. Sitting in the chair rested a single occupant, unmoving.
Slowly walking into the room, Romas continued his scans behind Thel and Kathryn. Checking the chronometer, Kathryn noted they would have very little time to investigate the situation as prolonged exposure was still a concern, yet the radiation levels inside the building were significantly lower than outside. Stepping toward the control chair, Kathryn could tell the occupant was dead from a head wound. In the Kurzan’s lap was an elegant-looking pistol, clearly used for its suicide.
“What happened?” Kathryn though out loud. Looking to Thel, he was already at a nearby console using his tricorder. She checked her suit’s reading once more. “Thel, anything?”
Without looking away from his work, he tapped at the tricorder before responding, “yes, sir. This console seems functional. In fact, most systems within the structure seem to be reasonably operational. I’m attempting to download information, but –“
The deep voice comes from everywhere within the room. Romas and Thel look to Kathryn. She shrugs. “Let me guess Thel, you are unable to download anything because of resistance from the program?”
“Yes, sir.”
Kathryn nods. She clears her throat and then activates the suit’s speakers. “Are you … Concord?”
Romas turned to Kathryn. “Captain, as a war machine, Concord may only recognize military-style phrasing, so conversation may be limited in scope. Yet, I do sense a presence here. I perceive Concord is A. I.”
Kathryn raised a hand absentmindedly to her neck as if reaching for her rank pips. It was a tick of hers as she concentrated. Would Concord respond to further inquiry? “Concord, I am a commanding officer conducting performance evaluation. Action report is ordered.”
The team waited for several minutes. Kathryn started to think the conversation was over before Concord responded.
Thel stood and closed his tricorder. “I’m not getting any data from these terminals. Concord will either need to give us the information or tell us about it.”
Kathryn nodded. “Explain the defeat.”
“Created, then destroyed,” Romas paced toward the dead Kurzan in the center of the room. “What if the Brotherhood were others like Concord? Maybe the Kurzans created these structures as a means of planetary defense that turned against them –“
“An unintended genocide?” Thel interrupted. “Then why would the controller,” pointing to the Kurzan, “kill himself? Wouldn’t he try to stop Concord in some way?’
Romas continued his train of thought. “Maybe he couldn’t stop Concord … or maybe he started it?”
Kathryn looked at the chronometer and waved a hand to stop discussion. “There are too many variables, too many mysteries and we are out of time.” She turned toward the door.
Thel attached the tricorder onto his belt. “What about Concord?”
Turning to look back, Kathryn answered. “Our mission was to determine First Contact protocols. If we were unable to make First Contact, then the Prime Directive kicks in. In this case, P. D. does not apply as we were not aware of Concord until it was too late. We have not contaminated the civilization because it doesn’t exist anymore. So the only question that remained was what happened to the Kurzans.” She opened her arms wide. “This happened.”
Romas turned back to the controller. “That may be so, but what do we do with Concord?”
---
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Romas Verthir- Idris Elba
Annika Kramer - Abbie Cornish
Concord - Tony Todd - the voice
---
Kathryn looked at the main viewscreen in shock. The planet’s surface was a wasteland of craters. Small areas of city-scape could be seen between gaping pits, but these were blackened husks. Faint clouds hovered high above the surface. The crew was looking at a dead planet. “Anything?”
Omazei, sitting behind and to the left against the back wall shook her head. “Nothing, not anymore. There are no life-signs on the planet, not even a microbe of algae.”
Kathryn nodded solemnly. “Can we determine how long ago this happened?”
“Readings indicate within ten years.”
Ian whistled from the helm station. “What happened?”
Anthi announced, “Captain, projectile launch from the surface, headed for us!”
Kathryn turned in her chair perplexed by the report. “Identify and time to impact?”
Looking wide-eyed from her console, Anthi almost yelled, “solid deuterium, ten seconds!”
“Helm, whatever it takes! Shields up!” The bridge lights suddenly turned red with the warning claxon blaring. Solaris lurched to port. Standing crew was thrown to the ground and anyone sitting was pushed into arm rests. On the viewscreen and the planet’s curve disappeared, then a bright light grew from one side.
The shock wave crashed against the ship, pushing it along the roll axis. The shield’s either absorbed or deflected the force from the explosion. Inside, inertial dampeners and gravity regulators fought for control of the crew.
Kathryn reached for the command chair’s armrest to lift herself from the floor. “S’Rel, save the damage report for later. Ian, don’t stop, get us out of here. Omazei what just happened?”
The Trill Science Officer sat into her chair and started tapping at her console. After a few seconds, Omazei replied, “fusion detonation, approximately fifty megatons. Data shows a laser beam directed at the projectile from the surface caused the ignition. The source of both seems to be from the same location.”
Ian McKinnon at the helm spoke up. “Captain, we are about to arrive at the moon’s orbit around Kurza III.”
Turning to helm, Kathryn smiled. “Thank you Ian, full stop. Get ready to bolt if we are attacked again.” She looked around the bridge, and then rested her gaze to the MSD console. The image of the Excelsior-class ship above S’Rel started showing red in many places along the ship with increasing amounts. “Okay, go to yellow alert. S’Rel, let’s look at the damage report. I want a staff meeting in thirty minutes.”
+++
Kathryn looked around the room and stopped at the Chief Medical Officer. “How’s the crew?”
Annika Kramer sat forward. “There is not a concern for radiation; the ship’s shielding handled that easily. Although, initial reports declare there are ten serious injuries from the initial evasive maneuver, thirty-seven more from the shockwave and over two-hundred minor injuries over both events, after that, bumps and bruises. Triage teams will be working around the clock.”
“And the ship?”
The Andorian Chief Engineer interlaced his fingers on the table, a sign of concern. “The ship got battered from such close proximity to a thermonuclear explosion. Repairs will be slow, but he’ll fly right.”
“We’ve been through worse, Thel, I’m sure. Analysis of the situation?”
S’Rel raised a Vulcan eyebrow as if to gather attention before speaking. “The Kurza system was mapped by Voyager’s journey through the Delta Quadrant, though only rudimentary information was collected as the system was over fifty light years perpendicular to the path plotted. A study by Starfleet determined faint radio transmissions emanating from the system.”
Kathryn picked up immediately, “which is why we are here: consider First Contact possibilities unless the Prime Directive kicks in. Radio signals are a sign of a developing culture, yet within thirty years, it looks like whatever culture was on Kurza III is now gone, and a giant gun is pointed into space?”
Omazei leaned forward. “Automated planetary defenses are well known throughout recent history. In 2364, when the Enterprise-D visited the planet Minos , for example. This weapon may have been a part of the culture when Voyager passed by.”
“You said, ‘automated’. Have scans revealed anything about our attacker?”
Omazei looked at a PADD. “Back-tracing the trajectory of the attack, the source location is a massive metallic structure on the surface.”
The Andorian First Officer swiveled her chair toward Omazei. “It’s easy to presume the weapon was defending the planet because of our reception. But if the surface looks like a war zone, then could it be that the weapon was used against the planet?”
The room was quiet for a few seconds. Kathryn started to formulate a plan. “Okay, I want to see this through. A small team is going to the surface. Omazei, have Romas Verthir meet me in Transporter Room Three. Thel, can you join me for this one?”
The ship’s engineer nodded.
+++
Three Starfleet officers materialized on the planet and immediately pulled out tricorders from holsters on their environmental suits. Romas turned left while Thel turned right as Kathryn swept in front of her. Occasional strong winds blew dirt and sand in every direction.
Kathryn turned her head within the suit, whose design was inspired by the hellish milieu of Nukara. “Radiation levels are pretty high. We’ll have an hour at best.”
“Captain, look below.” Romas sounded sad and Kathryn had to bend at the waist due to the helmet being fixed to the shoulder harness. She took a step back from seeing the burned skull, only to crush more blackened bone. She looked around again and realized they teleported onto a field of bones.
Thel stepped forward still looking at his tricorder and snapped more bone, seeming to be oblivious to the carnage under foot. “Captain, my readings suggest an entryway to the structure one-hundred meters in this direction.” He was pointing toward the long side of the building that fired upon Solaris, which they chanced to start their survey of the situation. Fortunately, the ship was not greeted by weapons fire as before.
Kathryn and Romas joined Thel as he walked in the direction the tricorder was taking him. She inspected the area as best as the restrictive combat suit would allow. The building itself was almost one-hundred meters tall and three-hundred meters long and covered in rubble and sand from the area. It looked as if debris and soil rained from the surrounding parts of the city. The entire settlement around them was devastated. Large buildings seemed gutted out from massive explosions, revealing only the skeletal structure of beams from foundations. Smaller buildings seemed cleaned away by a massive broom.
As they walked, Romas would briefly stop to examine a skeletal corpse before catching up to the others only to stop again and scan with the tricorder. Kathryn noticed the number of bodies, or the piles of bones seemed to increase as they approached the door.
Thel suddenly raised an arm to stop Kathryn and he gestured to the building. Kathryn watched as a long pole pointed at them and swiveled back and forth, as if to wave them away from approaching further. She increased the audio from external microphones and heard a distinctly familiar sound.
Click. Click. Click.
“Thoughts?”
Thel lifted his tricorder slowly. After a few seconds, he reported, “it’s a ballistic weapon and clearly out of ammunition.”
“That explains the wounds in the nearby bodies,” Romas added and he knelt down to put a finger through a hole in a skull.
Kathryn looked around and noticed more in the same condition nearby and shook her head. She looked up and down the length of the building and started to notice other barrels protruding outward in varying sizes and lengths. Only the one nearby was moving. Leaning back to look toward the top of the building, she could see a large dome at the center with a long cylinder pointing toward the sky. She surmised that was the cannon that shot at her ship. “This structure is made for war.”
Thel took a step forward. “The door is this way.” He placed a hand on the phaser pistol at his waist.
As they reached the door, it hanged by one hinge inward and looked as if it were opened by explosive force. Cautiously, Kathryn entered first and activated the suits headlamps. Inside, the dust and dirt crawled into the structure from several years of exposure. The metallic hallway was only ten-meters long, devoid of any other features and allowed the team to walk in their bulky suits without discomfort. When they reached the door at the other end, it slid open without prompt but with great difficulty. Sand slowly blew into the fresh interior.
She moved her suit to allow the lamps to shine within. Inside the darkened room was packed with conduits, pipes and various conveyors, yet a walkway allowed transit within the metallic guts of the building. The microphones picked up a faint hum inside the structure suggesting it was still powered by some source. Kathryn turned back to Romas and Thel, both were still conducting scans with tricorders.
Kathryn activated the suits communicator. “Solaris, this is the Captain, do you read me?”
Static answered first and then Anthi’s voice responded faintly, “barely, but underst- <shzzt>. We are still <shzzt> to track your loca- <shzzt>. Do you cop- <shzzt>.”
“Yes. Boost signal and check every five minutes.”
“Aye aye, Capta- <shzzt>.”
“Okay, make or break time. Thel, I’ll need another pair of eyes in here, Romas keep scanning and mapping, please. Let’s chat to a minimum.” The others agreed with thumbs-up. Turning to the open door, she entered with a hand resting on her sidearm.
Several uninterrupted minutes passed as they walked the path that seemed to lead to the center of the structure. Communication with the ship was becoming more strained and Romas surmised it was indirect interference. At one point they passed a large area that was clearly used as an ammunition storage room with automated loaders near tracks and conveyors. The room was empty of fuel for the many weapons the site contained.
Eventually, they reached the center of the building. Inside the cavernous room, the walls were covered with display screens, all darkened and a few cracked. Suspended from the ceiling was a large command chair connected by a jungle of cables and wires. Some were not connected to the chair or armature and hanging above the floor. In front of the chair were a few other displays with input terminals. Sitting in the chair rested a single occupant, unmoving.
Slowly walking into the room, Romas continued his scans behind Thel and Kathryn. Checking the chronometer, Kathryn noted they would have very little time to investigate the situation as prolonged exposure was still a concern, yet the radiation levels inside the building were significantly lower than outside. Stepping toward the control chair, Kathryn could tell the occupant was dead from a head wound. In the Kurzan’s lap was an elegant-looking pistol, clearly used for its suicide.
“What happened?” Kathryn though out loud. Looking to Thel, he was already at a nearby console using his tricorder. She checked her suit’s reading once more. “Thel, anything?”
Without looking away from his work, he tapped at the tricorder before responding, “yes, sir. This console seems functional. In fact, most systems within the structure seem to be reasonably operational. I’m attempting to download information, but –“
Concord calls
Enemies of the state
All within
All without
Only Concord remains
Enemies of the state
All within
All without
Only Concord remains
The deep voice comes from everywhere within the room. Romas and Thel look to Kathryn. She shrugs. “Let me guess Thel, you are unable to download anything because of resistance from the program?”
“Yes, sir.”
Kathryn nods. She clears her throat and then activates the suit’s speakers. “Are you … Concord?”
Victory
In name and duty
Forever
In name and duty
Forever
Romas turned to Kathryn. “Captain, as a war machine, Concord may only recognize military-style phrasing, so conversation may be limited in scope. Yet, I do sense a presence here. I perceive Concord is A. I.”
Kathryn raised a hand absentmindedly to her neck as if reaching for her rank pips. It was a tick of hers as she concentrated. Would Concord respond to further inquiry? “Concord, I am a commanding officer conducting performance evaluation. Action report is ordered.”
The team waited for several minutes. Kathryn started to think the conversation was over before Concord responded.
Pacification accomplished
Enemies of the state
Vanquished
Yet Brothers
Defeated
Only Concord Remains
Enemies of the state
Vanquished
Yet Brothers
Defeated
Only Concord Remains
Thel stood and closed his tricorder. “I’m not getting any data from these terminals. Concord will either need to give us the information or tell us about it.”
Kathryn nodded. “Explain the defeat.”
Enemies of the state
Created the Brotherhood
Then
Destroyed the Brotherhood
Only Concord Remains
Created the Brotherhood
Then
Destroyed the Brotherhood
Only Concord Remains
“Created, then destroyed,” Romas paced toward the dead Kurzan in the center of the room. “What if the Brotherhood were others like Concord? Maybe the Kurzans created these structures as a means of planetary defense that turned against them –“
“An unintended genocide?” Thel interrupted. “Then why would the controller,” pointing to the Kurzan, “kill himself? Wouldn’t he try to stop Concord in some way?’
Romas continued his train of thought. “Maybe he couldn’t stop Concord … or maybe he started it?”
Kathryn looked at the chronometer and waved a hand to stop discussion. “There are too many variables, too many mysteries and we are out of time.” She turned toward the door.
Thel attached the tricorder onto his belt. “What about Concord?”
Turning to look back, Kathryn answered. “Our mission was to determine First Contact protocols. If we were unable to make First Contact, then the Prime Directive kicks in. In this case, P. D. does not apply as we were not aware of Concord until it was too late. We have not contaminated the civilization because it doesn’t exist anymore. So the only question that remained was what happened to the Kurzans.” She opened her arms wide. “This happened.”
Romas turned back to the controller. “That may be so, but what do we do with Concord?”
---
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Romas Verthir- Idris Elba
Annika Kramer - Abbie Cornish
Concord - Tony Todd - the voice
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
If/Then
Unofficial Literary Challenge 22 - The Changeling
---
The woman sitting at the pilot’s seat of the Yellowstone Runabout smiled at Kathryn. Her round face was graced with soft cheeks and thin lips. Yet her cat-shaped eyes relayed a sharp intellect. Brown hair fell straight, ending in curls, halfway down her chest covering Science career pipes on the uniform. Kathryn returned the smile through the small desktop viewscreen. The conversation, so far, had been filled with remembering Academy days.
Snapping her fingers, Kathryn became excited from another recollection. “Speaking of bad boyfriends, I dated a Bajoran with Klingon tattoos on his back, do you remember him?”
Alison Burnett squinted as she searched her memories. Kathryn continued. “I met him at a party and he was all over me. He was so good looking and fun but he did have a mean streak. We dated a few weeks.”
The Lieutenant Commander smirked and then nodded. “I think I remember him, did he wear earrings on both ears?”
Kathryn’s eyes widened, “yes! You may have met him once or twice.”
Alison covered her mouth as if embarrassed. “He asked me to date him while you were seeing him too. I threatened to haul him to the ethics board, and then punched him in the face.”
Kathryn feigned disappointment. “What?!” Both women burst into laughter. Kathryn wiped away a tear. “No wonder he broke it off. What an idiot. Although the board would have laughed you out of the room, I guess I should thank you for that.”
Alison also dabbed at her eyes to keep the thin mascara from running. “Only in the Academy , right?” Sher smile faded. “Shall we get down to business?”
“Yes, yes indeed.” Kathryn wore a seriousness that fit her rank as she interlaced her fingers on the ready-room desk. She sat upright and tried to remain congenial but could not hide her solemnness. “Solaris is en route to your location and we should be there shortly.” Kathryn placed a hand on a PADD next to the screen without looking away. “I’m sure you can guess that my orders are to bring you in –“, she cleared her throat, surrendering to the gravity of the situation. “Dead or alive.”
Alison was not surprised and her countenance hardened. “Starfleet is that serious? Kathy, look at those orders: you are being ordered to kill me if you have to. Defection is not a death sentence.”
“I’ve read them, more times than you think.”
“And yet, they send one of my Academy friends to do their dirty work?”
“Would you rather someone else?”
Turning away from the screen, Alison sighed. “I’d rather not even have that choice –“
“That’s my point Alison, you have a choice! If you choose to turn around, then the punishment won’t be severe.” Kathryn had sat back and opened her arms wide showing some frustration.
Alison was resolute and she shook her head. “I have chosen. So many rules and regulations, my work was being controlled by idiots and pantomimes. The secrecy was almost conspiratorial and the War was a breaking point. The Federation is no longer the shining beacon of order and stability it promotes to the rest of the galaxy … at least not for me anymore.
Leaning forward, Kathryn became animated. “And defecting to the Terran Empire was the best alternative?! You could have resigned, or even told Admiral Quinn to burn in Sto’Vo’Kor. Even the Orion Syndicate in this universe would make a deal you couldn’t refuse with what you know.”
A chime activated and Anthi’s voice coldly declared from the bridge next to Kathryn’s ready-room, “we are at the coordinates as ordered, Captain.”
Alison looked away at a console within the Runabout. “Confirmed. Kathy, you really shouldn’t be here. If you leave, then there will be no more surprises.”
Kathryn looked down as she spoke, her own resolution growing. “The secrets you have about Black Talon are why the Federation sent me. The longer this goes on, the worse it will be for you. Don’t do this.”
A new very familiar voice was heard from Alison’s side. “Okay, that’s enough.” Another woman gruffly pulled Alison out of the pilot seat, sat down herself and started tapping at the console.
Kathryn was genuinely shocked. “You! Are you behind Alison’s defection?!”
Mirror Kathryn smiled mischievously and brushed aside a thick lock of burgundy hair from her face, revealing the black eyepatch across her left eye. “Maybe.”
The door to Kathryn’s room swished open and Anthi stopped at the threshold. “Captain, a Tachyon burst was detected and a Terran ship came through. It’s –“
“The Abyssal”, Kathryn interrupted not looking away from the screen and seething with fury.
Kathryn on the shuttle mocked, “so, Captain Beringer, if you really want to get into a shooting match, then your friend is in the crossfire.”
Ignoring her doppelganger, Kathryn glanced to Anthi, “prepare Pattern Rho Tycho, but hold station otherwise.”
Anthi nodded and left the room quickly as the Terran responded, “Wise move, Captain. Although your style for naming ship maneuvers is so formal. We like things to be simple and straightforward. Next time, just say it: rescue transport.” Alison stood behind the seat into view. Kathryn could not read any emotion on her old friend’s face.
“Go to Hell. You heard my orders; I’ll vaporize the shuttle before it enters Terran space.”
Mirror Kathryn pursed her lips. “Tsk tsk, Captain, that’s not noble at all. In fact, that sounds very … Terran of you.” She laughed at her whimsical verbal parry.
Tapping her combadge, Kathryn hoped for the best outcome, and leapt out of her chair toward the bridge, leaving the laughing in the room behind her. “Anthi, execute!”
She could feel the ship lurch as it quickly moved toward the shuttle. On the main viewscreen, the Terran Advanced Heavy Cruiser also stirred. A tractor beam emitted from the Abyssal and caught the tiny vessel.
Kathryn barked, “S’Rel, do we have Alison?”
The Vulcan was furiously tapping keys on her console. “There is interference, as if she were being transported already.”
In an instant, Kathryn recalled how Alison was one of her first true friends in the Academy; she accepted Kathryn and helped her to push past prejudices and anger made from years of captivity with the Orions. Alison didn’t smile often, but when she did it was inviting and infectious and Kathryn immediately missed her friend and regretted not saying more to her since Graduation Day. Her thoughts turned to the Black Talon suit and the lengths Kathryn went to preserve its secret, yet feeling happy to know Alison was a part of the project. Finally, the words from her orders flashed in front of her.
Dead or Alive.
The Terrans could not have Black Talon. Kathryn frowned with her next words. “Phasers, fire at the shuttle.”
Anthi tapped a key and bright orange streaks reached into the void . The small ship was incinerated and the fireball dissipated quickly.
The Abyssal banked away from Solaris, and accelerated at impulse speed while it’s deflector emitted a beam toward a point in front of the ship.
S’Rel declared they were being hailed and Kathryn nodded.
The large viewscreen changed to show the Mirror Captain’s face, a wide grin mocking Kathyrn. “I’m surprise you went through with your orders. That was very cold-blooded back there.”
Kathryn gulped. “Is Alison with you?”
The Terran shrugged, still wearing her grin. “If you want to look for her, then one day you’ll find out.”
---
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Alison Burnett - Alexa Davalos
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
---
The woman sitting at the pilot’s seat of the Yellowstone Runabout smiled at Kathryn. Her round face was graced with soft cheeks and thin lips. Yet her cat-shaped eyes relayed a sharp intellect. Brown hair fell straight, ending in curls, halfway down her chest covering Science career pipes on the uniform. Kathryn returned the smile through the small desktop viewscreen. The conversation, so far, had been filled with remembering Academy days.
Snapping her fingers, Kathryn became excited from another recollection. “Speaking of bad boyfriends, I dated a Bajoran with Klingon tattoos on his back, do you remember him?”
Alison Burnett squinted as she searched her memories. Kathryn continued. “I met him at a party and he was all over me. He was so good looking and fun but he did have a mean streak. We dated a few weeks.”
The Lieutenant Commander smirked and then nodded. “I think I remember him, did he wear earrings on both ears?”
Kathryn’s eyes widened, “yes! You may have met him once or twice.”
Alison covered her mouth as if embarrassed. “He asked me to date him while you were seeing him too. I threatened to haul him to the ethics board, and then punched him in the face.”
Kathryn feigned disappointment. “What?!” Both women burst into laughter. Kathryn wiped away a tear. “No wonder he broke it off. What an idiot. Although the board would have laughed you out of the room, I guess I should thank you for that.”
Alison also dabbed at her eyes to keep the thin mascara from running. “Only in the Academy , right?” Sher smile faded. “Shall we get down to business?”
“Yes, yes indeed.” Kathryn wore a seriousness that fit her rank as she interlaced her fingers on the ready-room desk. She sat upright and tried to remain congenial but could not hide her solemnness. “Solaris is en route to your location and we should be there shortly.” Kathryn placed a hand on a PADD next to the screen without looking away. “I’m sure you can guess that my orders are to bring you in –“, she cleared her throat, surrendering to the gravity of the situation. “Dead or alive.”
Alison was not surprised and her countenance hardened. “Starfleet is that serious? Kathy, look at those orders: you are being ordered to kill me if you have to. Defection is not a death sentence.”
“I’ve read them, more times than you think.”
“And yet, they send one of my Academy friends to do their dirty work?”
“Would you rather someone else?”
Turning away from the screen, Alison sighed. “I’d rather not even have that choice –“
“That’s my point Alison, you have a choice! If you choose to turn around, then the punishment won’t be severe.” Kathryn had sat back and opened her arms wide showing some frustration.
Alison was resolute and she shook her head. “I have chosen. So many rules and regulations, my work was being controlled by idiots and pantomimes. The secrecy was almost conspiratorial and the War was a breaking point. The Federation is no longer the shining beacon of order and stability it promotes to the rest of the galaxy … at least not for me anymore.
Leaning forward, Kathryn became animated. “And defecting to the Terran Empire was the best alternative?! You could have resigned, or even told Admiral Quinn to burn in Sto’Vo’Kor. Even the Orion Syndicate in this universe would make a deal you couldn’t refuse with what you know.”
A chime activated and Anthi’s voice coldly declared from the bridge next to Kathryn’s ready-room, “we are at the coordinates as ordered, Captain.”
Alison looked away at a console within the Runabout. “Confirmed. Kathy, you really shouldn’t be here. If you leave, then there will be no more surprises.”
Kathryn looked down as she spoke, her own resolution growing. “The secrets you have about Black Talon are why the Federation sent me. The longer this goes on, the worse it will be for you. Don’t do this.”
A new very familiar voice was heard from Alison’s side. “Okay, that’s enough.” Another woman gruffly pulled Alison out of the pilot seat, sat down herself and started tapping at the console.
Kathryn was genuinely shocked. “You! Are you behind Alison’s defection?!”
Mirror Kathryn smiled mischievously and brushed aside a thick lock of burgundy hair from her face, revealing the black eyepatch across her left eye. “Maybe.”
The door to Kathryn’s room swished open and Anthi stopped at the threshold. “Captain, a Tachyon burst was detected and a Terran ship came through. It’s –“
“The Abyssal”, Kathryn interrupted not looking away from the screen and seething with fury.
Kathryn on the shuttle mocked, “so, Captain Beringer, if you really want to get into a shooting match, then your friend is in the crossfire.”
Ignoring her doppelganger, Kathryn glanced to Anthi, “prepare Pattern Rho Tycho, but hold station otherwise.”
Anthi nodded and left the room quickly as the Terran responded, “Wise move, Captain. Although your style for naming ship maneuvers is so formal. We like things to be simple and straightforward. Next time, just say it: rescue transport.” Alison stood behind the seat into view. Kathryn could not read any emotion on her old friend’s face.
“Go to Hell. You heard my orders; I’ll vaporize the shuttle before it enters Terran space.”
Mirror Kathryn pursed her lips. “Tsk tsk, Captain, that’s not noble at all. In fact, that sounds very … Terran of you.” She laughed at her whimsical verbal parry.
Tapping her combadge, Kathryn hoped for the best outcome, and leapt out of her chair toward the bridge, leaving the laughing in the room behind her. “Anthi, execute!”
She could feel the ship lurch as it quickly moved toward the shuttle. On the main viewscreen, the Terran Advanced Heavy Cruiser also stirred. A tractor beam emitted from the Abyssal and caught the tiny vessel.
Kathryn barked, “S’Rel, do we have Alison?”
The Vulcan was furiously tapping keys on her console. “There is interference, as if she were being transported already.”
In an instant, Kathryn recalled how Alison was one of her first true friends in the Academy; she accepted Kathryn and helped her to push past prejudices and anger made from years of captivity with the Orions. Alison didn’t smile often, but when she did it was inviting and infectious and Kathryn immediately missed her friend and regretted not saying more to her since Graduation Day. Her thoughts turned to the Black Talon suit and the lengths Kathryn went to preserve its secret, yet feeling happy to know Alison was a part of the project. Finally, the words from her orders flashed in front of her.
Dead or Alive.
The Terrans could not have Black Talon. Kathryn frowned with her next words. “Phasers, fire at the shuttle.”
Anthi tapped a key and bright orange streaks reached into the void . The small ship was incinerated and the fireball dissipated quickly.
The Abyssal banked away from Solaris, and accelerated at impulse speed while it’s deflector emitted a beam toward a point in front of the ship.
S’Rel declared they were being hailed and Kathryn nodded.
The large viewscreen changed to show the Mirror Captain’s face, a wide grin mocking Kathyrn. “I’m surprise you went through with your orders. That was very cold-blooded back there.”
Kathryn gulped. “Is Alison with you?”
The Terran shrugged, still wearing her grin. “If you want to look for her, then one day you’ll find out.”
---
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Alison Burnett - Alexa Davalos
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Endangering the Mundane
Unofficial Literary Challenge 17 - Prompt 2 "Sheer Boredom"
+++
Kathryn looked from the PADD with raised eyebrows to the two officers standing relaxed before her desk. The blonde female was relatively young wearing Science department colors on her uniform. She was lithe and her long blonde hair was styled with extra volume. The Vulcan’s short midnight black hair was a stark contrast to her uniform’s Operation yellow highlights on an otherwise traditionally black-colored uniform. Sitting, Kathryn put the PADD on her desk and crossed her arms, yet smiled approvingly as she reclined her chair.
“This is a great idea. Why not?”
Counselor Harrington’s smile seemed to brighten the room.
S’Rel’s typically neutral affect almost turned to grimace from the Captain’s judgment and cleared her throat indicating she was about to speak next. “Captain, we are currently on a system charting mission. This event would be a distraction from duty.”
Christa rolled her eyes slightly. “That is fully appreciated. From what I can tell, the Astrometrics teams are the ones doing most of the work and I’m sure they are relishing the experience. All fun and no play make Starfleet a dull -”. She shrugged searching for words, and then settling on the most obvious. “Fleet.”
Swiveling her chair toward the windows, Kathryn mused further on the arguments presented as she absentmindedly rubbed a finger against the rank pips on her collar. Solaris was resting at the second Lagrange point of the largest planet in the current system. As such, there was not much to see. Not being in motion for a few days while various probes and shuttles were used for deep-data scans and measurements did have some crew members itching for duties beyond expectantly mundane tasks. Although times like these are a part of the ‘job’, it was true that Astrometric personnel were the busiest. Even Kathryn caught herself looking for something official to do on occasion. At least her list of things-to-do-when-nothing-else-was-happening was getting shorter.
Looking back to the officers, Kathryn looked to S’Rel. “Your advice is always appreciated, yet I think a little distraction will be good for moral.” She then looked to Christa. “At the same time, the crew needs to stay focused on their duties. This must not have a time frame that will force decisions to be made that could endanger their original task and ultimately the ship. I don’t want discipline to falter because of this.”
Both officers spoke at the same time. “Yes, sir.”
“Christa, with that said, I’ll leave the details up to you. Make sure the Duty Leaders understand the importance to follow-up on their teams as scheduled and to reign in anyone having too much fun. Finally, I request that anything making the list not involve EVA.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Kathryn saluted from her chair. Christa and S’Rel saluted and walked out the room. The doors stayed open as Anthi walked in looking over her shoulder. The doors closed and she walked up to Kathryn’s desk. Pointing a thumb to the door, she asked, “what was all that about?”
Kathryn stood and wore a wry smile on her face. “Ever been on a scavenger hunt before?”
+++
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Christa Harrington - Emily Bett Rickards
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
+++
Kathryn looked from the PADD with raised eyebrows to the two officers standing relaxed before her desk. The blonde female was relatively young wearing Science department colors on her uniform. She was lithe and her long blonde hair was styled with extra volume. The Vulcan’s short midnight black hair was a stark contrast to her uniform’s Operation yellow highlights on an otherwise traditionally black-colored uniform. Sitting, Kathryn put the PADD on her desk and crossed her arms, yet smiled approvingly as she reclined her chair.
“This is a great idea. Why not?”
Counselor Harrington’s smile seemed to brighten the room.
S’Rel’s typically neutral affect almost turned to grimace from the Captain’s judgment and cleared her throat indicating she was about to speak next. “Captain, we are currently on a system charting mission. This event would be a distraction from duty.”
Christa rolled her eyes slightly. “That is fully appreciated. From what I can tell, the Astrometrics teams are the ones doing most of the work and I’m sure they are relishing the experience. All fun and no play make Starfleet a dull -”. She shrugged searching for words, and then settling on the most obvious. “Fleet.”
Swiveling her chair toward the windows, Kathryn mused further on the arguments presented as she absentmindedly rubbed a finger against the rank pips on her collar. Solaris was resting at the second Lagrange point of the largest planet in the current system. As such, there was not much to see. Not being in motion for a few days while various probes and shuttles were used for deep-data scans and measurements did have some crew members itching for duties beyond expectantly mundane tasks. Although times like these are a part of the ‘job’, it was true that Astrometric personnel were the busiest. Even Kathryn caught herself looking for something official to do on occasion. At least her list of things-to-do-when-nothing-else-was-happening was getting shorter.
Looking back to the officers, Kathryn looked to S’Rel. “Your advice is always appreciated, yet I think a little distraction will be good for moral.” She then looked to Christa. “At the same time, the crew needs to stay focused on their duties. This must not have a time frame that will force decisions to be made that could endanger their original task and ultimately the ship. I don’t want discipline to falter because of this.”
Both officers spoke at the same time. “Yes, sir.”
“Christa, with that said, I’ll leave the details up to you. Make sure the Duty Leaders understand the importance to follow-up on their teams as scheduled and to reign in anyone having too much fun. Finally, I request that anything making the list not involve EVA.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Kathryn saluted from her chair. Christa and S’Rel saluted and walked out the room. The doors stayed open as Anthi walked in looking over her shoulder. The doors closed and she walked up to Kathryn’s desk. Pointing a thumb to the door, she asked, “what was all that about?”
Kathryn stood and wore a wry smile on her face. “Ever been on a scavenger hunt before?”
+++
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Christa Harrington - Emily Bett Rickards
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Monday, November 16, 2015
Decrypted Encryption
Unofficial Literary Challenge 15 - Stand For Your Crew
---
S’Rel strode through the doors after permission was granted. Her lithe and diminutive figure hid her fierce intelligence. S’Rel was well suited as the Operations Chief for USS Solaris as Vulcans were well-known for their acumen. She stopped at the desk and handed a PADD to Captain Kathryn Beringer. “As requested, these are the candidates with the necessary qualifications,” S’Rel reported dispassionately.
Kathryn activated the PADD, raised an eyebrow and looked up. “Only three?”
“With the necessary qualifications,” reminded S’Rel.
“Very well. Of these three, do you have a preference?”
“No. Each is fully qualified to resolve the problem.”
Looking back at the PADD, Kathryn queried, “I see one has been on board for only two weeks, transferred directly from the Academy no less. I’m very curious about his selection for this list.”
S’Rel placed both hands behind her back. “Because he is Orion, and the problem may require his knowledge of the Federation, from a certain point of view.”
Kathryn smiled. “I see. Thank you, S’Rel. Your counsel is always appreciated.”
The Vulcan nodded, and then turned on her heels to exit quietly.
+++
On Deck Eleven, Kizan entered the Systems Operations Lab and smiled as he sat at a console. As a Systems Engineer, his duty was to check on various technical routines in Solaris’ Main Computer core. It was a tedious task typically reserved for the ‘green’ crew members. As an Orion, the irony in the Terran expression was not lost on him. Regardless, Kizan was not sure when that status would change, although he presumed with the next group of crew transfers. He expected having to do menial tasks due to his recent arrival to Solaris, because even these responsibilities were necessary for the proper function of a starship. He tapped a code onto a keypad and various darkened displays came to life. He looked around and made mental notes, ultimately deciding on a course of action based on priorities. As he activated his duty manifest, the doors to the room swished open and closed quickly, distracting him to look at who was entering the room.
“Good morning Bolo. Are you ready for yet another busy day?”
The Exocomp floated next to Kizan and landed on a slate that served as a landing pad. Bolo hummed a little louder even though its anti-gravity coils ceased activity. Kizan’s smile was static as he grabbed a few connecting cables and attached them to various ports on Bolo’s shell. More displays closer to Bolo activated. Where Kizan’s screen showed information that could be relatively understood by most other crew members, Bolo’s screen showed complex code patterns and equations: it was the untranslated language of computers.
Looking back to his unread duty manifest, Kizan expected to see a list of tasks to accomplish. Instead, only one was listed. Interested, he opened the file and became surprised to see it come from the Captain herself. “What have we here?” He reviewed the short message quickly and his heart started beating a little faster; he was being tasked to decode an encrypted message, source unknown.
The thought of changing his expected routine thrilled him. Having arrived on the ship only two weeks ago, he didn’t expect to have any special assignments for a little longer. He felt like he had to prove something because he was one of two Orions on a crew compliment of over seven hundred, especially one lead by the “Scarlet Scorpion”. The Captain’s nickname was known by various circles in the Syndicate and was synonymous with viscous vendetta.
And that is what caused trepidation. Before joining Starfleet, Kizan was known as Nazdik. He had grown bored of the Syndicate’s constant demands for code breaking and hacking jobs. Although it paid well, he knew he was on the darker side of the law, even Orion law, much less the Empire’s. He started to learn secrets he shouldn’t know about. Eventually, Nazdik decided to get out of the game before he got in too deep. He figured the best way out was to disappear completely. With his skills, erasing his existence and making a new one was just as easy. What he couldn’t erase was the knowledge he gained about the Syndicate. Nazdik didn’t need to make a fortune to live well, yet Syndicate secrets can get anyone killed fast. Joining Starfleet was the safest place he could think of in the galaxy to hide from the Syndicate.
His results in the Academy were just about average, intentionally. Kizan did not want more attention than his race already attracted. The education was grueling at times and he knew he was being indoctrinated in Federation ways. Even knowing propaganda was being pushed, he started to agree with several policies. Procedures and protocol became routine. Naturally, he excelled in computer-related tasks. After graduation he found a posting on the USS Solaris. Kizan jostled daily whether his transfer to this ship, out of all the others in the Fleet, was serendipity, fate, dumb luck, or random chance.
Although the Syndicate’s reach was long, with his new identity the chances were slim he would be found. Yet, was his past identity revealed? The Ambassadorial attaché, Staza Murai, was the other Orion on the ship and Kizan had no doubt she had connections in the Syndicate (or at least knew who to reach). Or maybe this was a test in some way? The Andorian Chief Engineer was a stern man and did not tolerate mediocrity. Kizan heard the tale of a Lieutenant put in the brig for taking a procedural shortcut that caused damage to the ship. He could have looked in the records to check the veracity of that story, but decided that … what was Terran phrase … ‘ignorance is bliss.’
In another strange twist to his new life, once aboard the ship his lab partner was not even organic. Exocomps were already a rare species (if that was applicable) and Kizan had heard of them before, but never met one until his posting. ‘Bolo’ was the name Kizan gave the Exocomp and he wasn’t sure if that bothered … it. The name rolls off the tongue and personalized the little machine for him. They communicated through a console display: Kizan read the words and verbalized responses.
Bolo replied and Kizan shook his head. “I don’t know yet, I have not read the details. I’m thinking it’s pretty important though; the end line declares this project top secret and results go directly to Lieutenant Commander S’Rel.” He snorted with a grin. “The message also orders the results not go into the rumor mill, so I guess whatever is found here, stays here.”
Another response. “Let me see what I can do on my own. If I need assistance, then I’ll let you know. I’ve started prioritizing tasks, would you mind handling them until I crack this encryption?”
Kizan read the next line from Bolo. “That’s real funny. I have the Latinum bar and raise you another that I can get this done before our duty shift ends.”
+++
Two hours later, Kizan was hunched over a console watching data slowly scroll up the screen. When a particular series were revealed, he entered some code, and then allowed the data to scroll. Finally, two words displayed: Access Denied and his confidence waned from the tenth attempt. His eyebrow twitched at the sight of those words in Terran. Recalling prior attempts, he rearranged letters and numbers in his head to another sequence, and then attacked the data entry display. Sweat beaded down his temple slowly. Another data series appeared, a correction was entered and the data scrolled again. Kizan paused the hacking process and looked away to give his eyes some rest, then turned to face Bolo as he stretched his arms wide.
“Whoever, or whatever, made this encryption really didn’t want anyone else to read it.”
Looking to the chat bar, Kizan nodded. “I suppose so, and no I still want to figure this one out. It’s a challenge directly from the Captain.” More text appeared. “I’d like to think Thel knows about this. He was a part of the Captain’s first command if I recall correctly. So, they’ve been together awhile. Secrets can be deadly to the soul, you know.” He caught the remark and apologized, “Sorry about that.”
Kizan stood and put a hand to his chin as he thought through his typical decryption tools. He recalled an idea tucked away and never used. As the code coalesced into navigable form, visions of the letters and numbers seemed to organize in front of him. He snapped his fingers.
“Bolo, have you ever tried a predetermined modulating algorithm before?”
Smiling from the response, Kizan continued, “I thought about that idea several yea … uh … a long time ago, but never put anything down. I feel like I have tried everything else for this problem though.”
Anti-gravity coils hummed and Bolo lifted enough to turn toward Kizan’s primary workstation.
“Oh, you want to see it?”
Kizan sat down and cracked the knuckles in his hand. He learned the gesture from classmates at the Academy and found it loosened his fingers allowing for quick work. Fingers almost blurred as they flew across the console display to enter the new code string.
Bolo had asked a question and the flashing text caught Kizan’s attention. “If this works, then I’ll tell you more about it. Although I appreciate you are not hacking the display to sneak-a-peak. It’s no secret really, just a few major tweaks in well-known decryption programs.”
After several minutes, the final key was entered and the segregated computer processed the algorithm to the encrypted message. Kizan watched the main display screen with anticipation.
Access Granted
“Success!” Kizan yelped as he sat back into his chair feeling triumphant. Sitting straight, he replaced elation with concentration as the contents of the message appeared, first as garbled code with nonsensical script laced with numbers and chaotic images. As the algorithm decoded the scrambled information, readable text appeared.
Bolo had already sent a flashing note. Being a sentient computer, Bolo’s ability to comprehend was easily faster than the Orion. As the enormity of the message dawned on Kizan, he realized his mouth was open from awe. He looked to the flashing message and nodded. “Yes, of course.” Tapping his com badge, Kizan had to keep his task secret in case the Vulcan was around others, “Sys Ops to Lieutenant Commander S’Rel. The work is complete. Please meet in Systems Operations Lab Two.”
After a paused, Sr’Rel responded, “can the data be sent to my workstation?”
He gulped as he reread parts of the message. “I do not recommend it, sir.”
Three seconds passed before S’Rel replied, “on my way.”
+++
Kathryn Beringer finished reviewing the information on the PADD. She looked to Kizan, who was standing at attention at the front of her desk. She looked to S’Rel standing next to Kizan, also at attention. Bolo floated serenely to the other side of his Orion partner. She then cleared her throat.
“This came directly from the System Operation lab?”
“Yes, sir.” Kizan’s reply was crisp.
Nodding, Kathryn continued, “good. Recall your orders: this is not grist for the mill. Bolo, I trust the record of this event will be erased? Route any queries to me.” Bolo descended a few centimeters before rising back to its original altitude to show its compliance.
She looked to the three standing in front of her desk. Satisfied, Kathryn sat back into her chair. “Very good, dismissed.”
After the doors closed, Kathryn activated her desk comp. “Computer, Priority One message to Admiral Kurita, Starfleet Command. Security engram Kathryn Alpha-Zero-One. Message: Intercepted encoded transmission in Argama Sector. Location of T development compromised. End message. Encrypt and send. Then delete sent file history, authorization Kathryn-Zeta-Eight-Eight.”
The ship’s computer beeped.
---
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Kizan - Theo James
Bolo - Himself
Mentioned but not seen:
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Admiral Takashi Kurita - Ken Watanabe
---
S’Rel strode through the doors after permission was granted. Her lithe and diminutive figure hid her fierce intelligence. S’Rel was well suited as the Operations Chief for USS Solaris as Vulcans were well-known for their acumen. She stopped at the desk and handed a PADD to Captain Kathryn Beringer. “As requested, these are the candidates with the necessary qualifications,” S’Rel reported dispassionately.
Kathryn activated the PADD, raised an eyebrow and looked up. “Only three?”
“With the necessary qualifications,” reminded S’Rel.
“Very well. Of these three, do you have a preference?”
“No. Each is fully qualified to resolve the problem.”
Looking back at the PADD, Kathryn queried, “I see one has been on board for only two weeks, transferred directly from the Academy no less. I’m very curious about his selection for this list.”
S’Rel placed both hands behind her back. “Because he is Orion, and the problem may require his knowledge of the Federation, from a certain point of view.”
Kathryn smiled. “I see. Thank you, S’Rel. Your counsel is always appreciated.”
The Vulcan nodded, and then turned on her heels to exit quietly.
+++
On Deck Eleven, Kizan entered the Systems Operations Lab and smiled as he sat at a console. As a Systems Engineer, his duty was to check on various technical routines in Solaris’ Main Computer core. It was a tedious task typically reserved for the ‘green’ crew members. As an Orion, the irony in the Terran expression was not lost on him. Regardless, Kizan was not sure when that status would change, although he presumed with the next group of crew transfers. He expected having to do menial tasks due to his recent arrival to Solaris, because even these responsibilities were necessary for the proper function of a starship. He tapped a code onto a keypad and various darkened displays came to life. He looked around and made mental notes, ultimately deciding on a course of action based on priorities. As he activated his duty manifest, the doors to the room swished open and closed quickly, distracting him to look at who was entering the room.
“Good morning Bolo. Are you ready for yet another busy day?”
The Exocomp floated next to Kizan and landed on a slate that served as a landing pad. Bolo hummed a little louder even though its anti-gravity coils ceased activity. Kizan’s smile was static as he grabbed a few connecting cables and attached them to various ports on Bolo’s shell. More displays closer to Bolo activated. Where Kizan’s screen showed information that could be relatively understood by most other crew members, Bolo’s screen showed complex code patterns and equations: it was the untranslated language of computers.
Looking back to his unread duty manifest, Kizan expected to see a list of tasks to accomplish. Instead, only one was listed. Interested, he opened the file and became surprised to see it come from the Captain herself. “What have we here?” He reviewed the short message quickly and his heart started beating a little faster; he was being tasked to decode an encrypted message, source unknown.
The thought of changing his expected routine thrilled him. Having arrived on the ship only two weeks ago, he didn’t expect to have any special assignments for a little longer. He felt like he had to prove something because he was one of two Orions on a crew compliment of over seven hundred, especially one lead by the “Scarlet Scorpion”. The Captain’s nickname was known by various circles in the Syndicate and was synonymous with viscous vendetta.
And that is what caused trepidation. Before joining Starfleet, Kizan was known as Nazdik. He had grown bored of the Syndicate’s constant demands for code breaking and hacking jobs. Although it paid well, he knew he was on the darker side of the law, even Orion law, much less the Empire’s. He started to learn secrets he shouldn’t know about. Eventually, Nazdik decided to get out of the game before he got in too deep. He figured the best way out was to disappear completely. With his skills, erasing his existence and making a new one was just as easy. What he couldn’t erase was the knowledge he gained about the Syndicate. Nazdik didn’t need to make a fortune to live well, yet Syndicate secrets can get anyone killed fast. Joining Starfleet was the safest place he could think of in the galaxy to hide from the Syndicate.
His results in the Academy were just about average, intentionally. Kizan did not want more attention than his race already attracted. The education was grueling at times and he knew he was being indoctrinated in Federation ways. Even knowing propaganda was being pushed, he started to agree with several policies. Procedures and protocol became routine. Naturally, he excelled in computer-related tasks. After graduation he found a posting on the USS Solaris. Kizan jostled daily whether his transfer to this ship, out of all the others in the Fleet, was serendipity, fate, dumb luck, or random chance.
Although the Syndicate’s reach was long, with his new identity the chances were slim he would be found. Yet, was his past identity revealed? The Ambassadorial attaché, Staza Murai, was the other Orion on the ship and Kizan had no doubt she had connections in the Syndicate (or at least knew who to reach). Or maybe this was a test in some way? The Andorian Chief Engineer was a stern man and did not tolerate mediocrity. Kizan heard the tale of a Lieutenant put in the brig for taking a procedural shortcut that caused damage to the ship. He could have looked in the records to check the veracity of that story, but decided that … what was Terran phrase … ‘ignorance is bliss.’
In another strange twist to his new life, once aboard the ship his lab partner was not even organic. Exocomps were already a rare species (if that was applicable) and Kizan had heard of them before, but never met one until his posting. ‘Bolo’ was the name Kizan gave the Exocomp and he wasn’t sure if that bothered … it. The name rolls off the tongue and personalized the little machine for him. They communicated through a console display: Kizan read the words and verbalized responses.
Bolo replied and Kizan shook his head. “I don’t know yet, I have not read the details. I’m thinking it’s pretty important though; the end line declares this project top secret and results go directly to Lieutenant Commander S’Rel.” He snorted with a grin. “The message also orders the results not go into the rumor mill, so I guess whatever is found here, stays here.”
Another response. “Let me see what I can do on my own. If I need assistance, then I’ll let you know. I’ve started prioritizing tasks, would you mind handling them until I crack this encryption?”
Kizan read the next line from Bolo. “That’s real funny. I have the Latinum bar and raise you another that I can get this done before our duty shift ends.”
+++
Two hours later, Kizan was hunched over a console watching data slowly scroll up the screen. When a particular series were revealed, he entered some code, and then allowed the data to scroll. Finally, two words displayed: Access Denied and his confidence waned from the tenth attempt. His eyebrow twitched at the sight of those words in Terran. Recalling prior attempts, he rearranged letters and numbers in his head to another sequence, and then attacked the data entry display. Sweat beaded down his temple slowly. Another data series appeared, a correction was entered and the data scrolled again. Kizan paused the hacking process and looked away to give his eyes some rest, then turned to face Bolo as he stretched his arms wide.
“Whoever, or whatever, made this encryption really didn’t want anyone else to read it.”
Looking to the chat bar, Kizan nodded. “I suppose so, and no I still want to figure this one out. It’s a challenge directly from the Captain.” More text appeared. “I’d like to think Thel knows about this. He was a part of the Captain’s first command if I recall correctly. So, they’ve been together awhile. Secrets can be deadly to the soul, you know.” He caught the remark and apologized, “Sorry about that.”
Kizan stood and put a hand to his chin as he thought through his typical decryption tools. He recalled an idea tucked away and never used. As the code coalesced into navigable form, visions of the letters and numbers seemed to organize in front of him. He snapped his fingers.
“Bolo, have you ever tried a predetermined modulating algorithm before?”
Smiling from the response, Kizan continued, “I thought about that idea several yea … uh … a long time ago, but never put anything down. I feel like I have tried everything else for this problem though.”
Anti-gravity coils hummed and Bolo lifted enough to turn toward Kizan’s primary workstation.
“Oh, you want to see it?”
Kizan sat down and cracked the knuckles in his hand. He learned the gesture from classmates at the Academy and found it loosened his fingers allowing for quick work. Fingers almost blurred as they flew across the console display to enter the new code string.
Bolo had asked a question and the flashing text caught Kizan’s attention. “If this works, then I’ll tell you more about it. Although I appreciate you are not hacking the display to sneak-a-peak. It’s no secret really, just a few major tweaks in well-known decryption programs.”
After several minutes, the final key was entered and the segregated computer processed the algorithm to the encrypted message. Kizan watched the main display screen with anticipation.
Access Granted
“Success!” Kizan yelped as he sat back into his chair feeling triumphant. Sitting straight, he replaced elation with concentration as the contents of the message appeared, first as garbled code with nonsensical script laced with numbers and chaotic images. As the algorithm decoded the scrambled information, readable text appeared.
Bolo had already sent a flashing note. Being a sentient computer, Bolo’s ability to comprehend was easily faster than the Orion. As the enormity of the message dawned on Kizan, he realized his mouth was open from awe. He looked to the flashing message and nodded. “Yes, of course.” Tapping his com badge, Kizan had to keep his task secret in case the Vulcan was around others, “Sys Ops to Lieutenant Commander S’Rel. The work is complete. Please meet in Systems Operations Lab Two.”
After a paused, Sr’Rel responded, “can the data be sent to my workstation?”
He gulped as he reread parts of the message. “I do not recommend it, sir.”
Three seconds passed before S’Rel replied, “on my way.”
+++
Kathryn Beringer finished reviewing the information on the PADD. She looked to Kizan, who was standing at attention at the front of her desk. She looked to S’Rel standing next to Kizan, also at attention. Bolo floated serenely to the other side of his Orion partner. She then cleared her throat.
“This came directly from the System Operation lab?”
“Yes, sir.” Kizan’s reply was crisp.
Nodding, Kathryn continued, “good. Recall your orders: this is not grist for the mill. Bolo, I trust the record of this event will be erased? Route any queries to me.” Bolo descended a few centimeters before rising back to its original altitude to show its compliance.
She looked to the three standing in front of her desk. Satisfied, Kathryn sat back into her chair. “Very good, dismissed.”
After the doors closed, Kathryn activated her desk comp. “Computer, Priority One message to Admiral Kurita, Starfleet Command. Security engram Kathryn Alpha-Zero-One. Message: Intercepted encoded transmission in Argama Sector. Location of T development compromised. End message. Encrypt and send. Then delete sent file history, authorization Kathryn-Zeta-Eight-Eight.”
The ship’s computer beeped.
---
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Kizan - Theo James
Bolo - Himself
Mentioned but not seen:
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Admiral Takashi Kurita - Ken Watanabe
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Perplexing Complexities
LC 19 - Perplexing Complexities
---
Kathryn gripped her chair’s armrest as Solaris suddenly decelerated from warp. Inertial dampeners strained as the ship came to a full stop.
The alarm claxon was silenced, yet the red warning lights still flashed.
“Whomever did that thank you for reading my mind.”
First officer Anthi Ythysi did not look up from her console and replied while tapping at various screens. “You’re welcome, sir.”
Looking around, Kathryn could see everyone frantically reviewing data at their stations. “Status report.”
Per standard procedure for an unknown event, Helmsman Ian McKinnon responded first. “Involuntary full stop from warp, engines offline.”
From the Tactical station, Anthi spoke next, frustration easily heard in her voice. “Weapons systems are functional but offline. Shields are also offline.”
Chief Science Officer Omazei quickly turned to Kathyrn to report, her short brown hair rested to the sides of her face as she calmly responded. “Short-range sensors do not detect any ships or stellar phenomena nearby. Log-range sensors are offline.”
Kathryn nodded then spoke into the air. “Engineering, what’s going on?”
Thel Ythysi, Solaris’ Chief Engineer spoke through quick breaths. “Port outboard impulse engine - has sustained massive - structural damage. Port nacelle structural - integrity down ten percent. Warp core – stable but – offline. Batteries operating – at one-hundred percent.”
What happened, Kathryn whispered. She looked around the bridge again and the crew was calming down as the emergency settled into the new phase of recovery. Sitting in her command chair, she activated an armrest console and started reviewing high-clearance reports about the current situation and followed-up on information shared between stations. She noticed everyone was silent as they worked through their duties to assess Solaris’ status.
The Vulcan Chief of Operations, S’Rel broke the relative silence, her calm voice further reducing the excitement. “Captain, repair crews have been routed to the affected areas, we have a visual of the damage from Work Bee Three.”
Kathryn almost dreaded to see the damage, yet it was necessary. “On screen.” The screen flickered to an image of the ship’s primary hull. The Work Bee pilot was still maneuvering into position from the launch bay in the secondary hull, yet the damage seen caused Kathryn to gasp.
A cylindrical trench was dug from the exhaust into the impulse engine housing. It was clean-cut and reminded Kathryn of how a Borg cutting beam could slice through any structure with ease and minimal peripheral damage.
The Work Bee then turned on its x-axis to review the port-side nacelle. Along its length, it looks as if a large ball rolled down the structure, warping metal inward. Electric discharge flashed from random points along the photonic spill-port while green-colored gas vented from various plate joints around the lower half of the subspace field coil system.
Three other Work Bees arrived and started repairs on the nacelle. Kathryn waved a hand to her neck in a chopping motion and turned to Anthi.
“Senior staff meeting in one hour.”
Anthi nodded, “aye, Captain.”
+++
The Chief Engineer was the last to enter the room. His uniform was dotted with dark smoke or stains as he arrived directly from Main Engineering with no time to clean-up. The Andorian wore a stern look on his face, more than normal. “Pardon me.”
Kathryn nodded with understanding. She looked to her staff one-at-a-time before speaking. “So, something happened out there. We’ve all seen the result, now let’s find a cause. First, what can Solaris do … S’Rel?”
The female Vulcan laced her fingers together. “In the time we have had to assess the situation, it is clear the ship is debilitated. Every primary system is offline, yet the batteries are keeping the ship functional. Unless we can get the Warp Core online, then the batteries have thirty-hours to sustain us. Naturally, reducing to minimal service levels will extend their capacity.”
Thel tapped fingers on the table and then added, “about the Warp Core; I can’t explain it, but it and the primary capacitors were fully drained of power. The Dilithium crystals are intact and we are still working to rebalance the matter/anti-matter matrix. The Core was cold-started and when I left Engineering, it was estimated full functionality will be restored within ten hours.”
“What about engines,” Kathryn queried.
“The damaged impulse engine is utterly inoperable. We will need dry-dock to replace it. The port nacelle can be repaired, but I wouldn’t go past warp two.”
Omazei grabbed a PADD on the table and started calculating.
Kathryn waited for a few seconds before turning to her First officer. “Anthi, are we vulnerable sitting out here?”
The Andorian sat straighter in her chair. “Sensor logs put us in the middle of nowhere. Without main shields, it’s the surface defense grid is keeping us safe from any micro-projectiles and radiation. Once the Warp Core power levels reach the minimum threshold, then shields and weapons will be available.”
“Annika, any casualties?”
The Chief Medical Officer brushed a lock of dark blonde hair from her face. “Only a few bruises from the sudden change in speed have been reported.”
The Science Chief had finished her calculations and looked up to join the conversation. “The nearest dry-dock is at Arcturus. Travelling at warp two will get us there in three weeks.”
Everyone in the room seemed to sit into their chairs deeper at the idea of a relatively long journey.
Kathryn let it sink in for a few heartbeats longer before attempting to lighten the mood. “We’ve been in worse situations, so that doesn’t sound so bad. Now that we have an idea where we are, let’s get to what happened. Analysis?”
Ian stood and pressed a key on the table. The wall monitor activated showing a rear-view video from the bridge tower. The scene was motionless and showed all four impulse engines in the fore-ground, with the nacelles pointing to the dark horizon. “Wait ‘till you see this.” Pressing another key the scene showed the stars whizzing past the ship; typical when travelling at warp speed.
Suddenly, the outer port impulse engine and nacelle was damaged. Green gas started leaking from the nacelle, the ship clearly slowed down to stop.
Ian looked from the monitor with a grin. “Catch that?”
Everyone looked to each other and Kathryn spoke for the rest of the officers, “catch what? I didn’t see anything to cause the destruction of the engines.”
“Exactly. There is nothing. I’ve poured over the records and what you saw was unaltered, unfiltered video of the incident. In one microsecond, the ship is fully operational, the next microsecond, [/]boom[/i].” To make his point, Ian looped the video in two second intervals: one second before, then after the event and slowed the playback to take ten seconds total. He stopped the video just before the transition from ‘normal’.
A stream of light in the background was circled. “This is a passing star. THR-KD08 to be exact.” The video moved forward one frame and the damage appeared to the ship, while the streak continued its path. “As you can see, that star, along with the other stars we passed, moved as expected.”
Kathryn was incredulous. “Ian, are you saying the event was instantaneous?”
Ian nodded, “based on the evidence available, yes.”
Omazei added, “Sensor logs do not find a trace of a power source or intervening object along our path.”
Thel continued, “Repair teams did not detect any residual signatures at the contact surface along the nacelles or in the impulse engine.
Kathryn looked at the officers with skepticism. “So … this just … happened?”
Everyone else in the room looked at each other, and then nodded silently.
+++
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Annika Kramer - Abbie Cornish
---
Kathryn gripped her chair’s armrest as Solaris suddenly decelerated from warp. Inertial dampeners strained as the ship came to a full stop.
The alarm claxon was silenced, yet the red warning lights still flashed.
“Whomever did that thank you for reading my mind.”
First officer Anthi Ythysi did not look up from her console and replied while tapping at various screens. “You’re welcome, sir.”
Looking around, Kathryn could see everyone frantically reviewing data at their stations. “Status report.”
Per standard procedure for an unknown event, Helmsman Ian McKinnon responded first. “Involuntary full stop from warp, engines offline.”
From the Tactical station, Anthi spoke next, frustration easily heard in her voice. “Weapons systems are functional but offline. Shields are also offline.”
Chief Science Officer Omazei quickly turned to Kathyrn to report, her short brown hair rested to the sides of her face as she calmly responded. “Short-range sensors do not detect any ships or stellar phenomena nearby. Log-range sensors are offline.”
Kathryn nodded then spoke into the air. “Engineering, what’s going on?”
Thel Ythysi, Solaris’ Chief Engineer spoke through quick breaths. “Port outboard impulse engine - has sustained massive - structural damage. Port nacelle structural - integrity down ten percent. Warp core – stable but – offline. Batteries operating – at one-hundred percent.”
What happened, Kathryn whispered. She looked around the bridge again and the crew was calming down as the emergency settled into the new phase of recovery. Sitting in her command chair, she activated an armrest console and started reviewing high-clearance reports about the current situation and followed-up on information shared between stations. She noticed everyone was silent as they worked through their duties to assess Solaris’ status.
The Vulcan Chief of Operations, S’Rel broke the relative silence, her calm voice further reducing the excitement. “Captain, repair crews have been routed to the affected areas, we have a visual of the damage from Work Bee Three.”
Kathryn almost dreaded to see the damage, yet it was necessary. “On screen.” The screen flickered to an image of the ship’s primary hull. The Work Bee pilot was still maneuvering into position from the launch bay in the secondary hull, yet the damage seen caused Kathryn to gasp.
A cylindrical trench was dug from the exhaust into the impulse engine housing. It was clean-cut and reminded Kathryn of how a Borg cutting beam could slice through any structure with ease and minimal peripheral damage.
The Work Bee then turned on its x-axis to review the port-side nacelle. Along its length, it looks as if a large ball rolled down the structure, warping metal inward. Electric discharge flashed from random points along the photonic spill-port while green-colored gas vented from various plate joints around the lower half of the subspace field coil system.
Three other Work Bees arrived and started repairs on the nacelle. Kathryn waved a hand to her neck in a chopping motion and turned to Anthi.
“Senior staff meeting in one hour.”
Anthi nodded, “aye, Captain.”
+++
The Chief Engineer was the last to enter the room. His uniform was dotted with dark smoke or stains as he arrived directly from Main Engineering with no time to clean-up. The Andorian wore a stern look on his face, more than normal. “Pardon me.”
Kathryn nodded with understanding. She looked to her staff one-at-a-time before speaking. “So, something happened out there. We’ve all seen the result, now let’s find a cause. First, what can Solaris do … S’Rel?”
The female Vulcan laced her fingers together. “In the time we have had to assess the situation, it is clear the ship is debilitated. Every primary system is offline, yet the batteries are keeping the ship functional. Unless we can get the Warp Core online, then the batteries have thirty-hours to sustain us. Naturally, reducing to minimal service levels will extend their capacity.”
Thel tapped fingers on the table and then added, “about the Warp Core; I can’t explain it, but it and the primary capacitors were fully drained of power. The Dilithium crystals are intact and we are still working to rebalance the matter/anti-matter matrix. The Core was cold-started and when I left Engineering, it was estimated full functionality will be restored within ten hours.”
“What about engines,” Kathryn queried.
“The damaged impulse engine is utterly inoperable. We will need dry-dock to replace it. The port nacelle can be repaired, but I wouldn’t go past warp two.”
Omazei grabbed a PADD on the table and started calculating.
Kathryn waited for a few seconds before turning to her First officer. “Anthi, are we vulnerable sitting out here?”
The Andorian sat straighter in her chair. “Sensor logs put us in the middle of nowhere. Without main shields, it’s the surface defense grid is keeping us safe from any micro-projectiles and radiation. Once the Warp Core power levels reach the minimum threshold, then shields and weapons will be available.”
“Annika, any casualties?”
The Chief Medical Officer brushed a lock of dark blonde hair from her face. “Only a few bruises from the sudden change in speed have been reported.”
The Science Chief had finished her calculations and looked up to join the conversation. “The nearest dry-dock is at Arcturus. Travelling at warp two will get us there in three weeks.”
Everyone in the room seemed to sit into their chairs deeper at the idea of a relatively long journey.
Kathryn let it sink in for a few heartbeats longer before attempting to lighten the mood. “We’ve been in worse situations, so that doesn’t sound so bad. Now that we have an idea where we are, let’s get to what happened. Analysis?”
Ian stood and pressed a key on the table. The wall monitor activated showing a rear-view video from the bridge tower. The scene was motionless and showed all four impulse engines in the fore-ground, with the nacelles pointing to the dark horizon. “Wait ‘till you see this.” Pressing another key the scene showed the stars whizzing past the ship; typical when travelling at warp speed.
Suddenly, the outer port impulse engine and nacelle was damaged. Green gas started leaking from the nacelle, the ship clearly slowed down to stop.
Ian looked from the monitor with a grin. “Catch that?”
Everyone looked to each other and Kathryn spoke for the rest of the officers, “catch what? I didn’t see anything to cause the destruction of the engines.”
“Exactly. There is nothing. I’ve poured over the records and what you saw was unaltered, unfiltered video of the incident. In one microsecond, the ship is fully operational, the next microsecond, [/]boom[/i].” To make his point, Ian looped the video in two second intervals: one second before, then after the event and slowed the playback to take ten seconds total. He stopped the video just before the transition from ‘normal’.
A stream of light in the background was circled. “This is a passing star. THR-KD08 to be exact.” The video moved forward one frame and the damage appeared to the ship, while the streak continued its path. “As you can see, that star, along with the other stars we passed, moved as expected.”
Kathryn was incredulous. “Ian, are you saying the event was instantaneous?”
Ian nodded, “based on the evidence available, yes.”
Omazei added, “Sensor logs do not find a trace of a power source or intervening object along our path.”
Thel continued, “Repair teams did not detect any residual signatures at the contact surface along the nacelles or in the impulse engine.
Kathryn looked at the officers with skepticism. “So … this just … happened?”
Everyone else in the room looked at each other, and then nodded silently.
+++
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Annika Kramer - Abbie Cornish
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
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