The Game

ULC 9 - The Game

 

---

 

"Are you sure? The woman in this picture is at the arena?" Bur'ar was deadly serious and imposing. His Klingon demeanor made the Talaxian vendor more timid than before.

Looking at the picture again, the vendor looked to the group of three people starting at him. They wore brown-colored and dirty cloaks that covered their entire head and body. Only a little part of the face could be seen. "Y-y-yes. I'm sure of it. She's won a few fights I think. I put some money for her to win tonight too!" He became excited, hoping his smile would lighten the mood. He knew he failed and looked away.

Bur'ar lowered the PADD and glanced to the Away Team. Ian replied to the vendor, "thanks. I'd cancel that bet if I were you." The three walked away, and then stopped under an alcove to consider their plan. They looked around to see if anyone was looking until S'Rel pulled out a tricorder.

"I'm still not reading her combadge. It's logical her captors have destroyed it."

The other two nodded at the Vulcan. Ian tapped his combadge. "McKinnon to Solaris, we'll need a scan of the arena grounds and structure. Send a schematic to our tricorders. We may have found the Captain and Doctor."

"Good news Ian. Downloading as soon as we can." Anthi's voice sounded relieved.

Bur'ar nodded. "We'll see if we can find our way to them before the next round."

With that, the three exchanged looks then headed toward the arena.

---

The Klingon held a hand to his phaser pistol but did not pull it from the holster. He nodded to S'Rel who then opened her tricorder and scanned the keypad lock. Entering a few codes, the door clicked and she pulled it open. Inside, the room was clearly an infirmary but was not sanitary enough to be healthy for patients; certainly not for Starfleet standards.

Four beds were in the room and two were occupied. S'Rel and Ian went directly to one of them as they recognized the woman on the bed from her blonde hair. Ian looked around the room while S'Rel did a visual inspection. "Doctor Kramer?"

Annika slowly opened one eye, the other was bruised shut. Other bruises were visible on her face and a dirty cloth was taped to her forehead. Dried blood crusted at the edge of the make-shift bandage. "You're late." Even though she whispered, her voice was coarse and gravely.

The Vulcan raised her eyebrows. "You do not have a restraining collar. That will help with egress."

Annika looked down toward her legs. "No need". Ian pulled the sheet and noticed the metal frame holding Annika’s leg straight.

"Doctor, was this injury a result of the arena combat?"

Nodding, Annika replied, "Captain can be a ***** when she's angry."

"The Captain's behavior is from the restraining collar. We've learned it injects the user with a chemical compound that enhances strength and survival instincts while inhibiting memory and judgment. The Captain is not herself wearing the collar."

Annika nodded. "It's more than that; it's an explosive device. There are perimeter sensors that will activate the charge if the user attempts escape."

S'Rel furrowed eyebrows. "That changes our current plans."

Ian lifted the kit already on his back to shift the weight of its contents. "I've got an idea. If I can find high enough ground, then removing the collar is possible, if not challenging. The Captain would not approve, though."

Bur'ar stepped into the room and closed the door. He raised a finger to his lips and the phaser pistol appeared. S'Rel joined him from the other side of the door and pulled out her own pistol. Heavy footsteps were heard approaching toward the door. Some deep laughter boomed in the hallway, and then the footsteps continued away from the door until there was silence. Both lowered their pistols.

S'Rel went back to Annika's bed and pulled a hypospray from her kit. Applying a small dose of pain nullifier to Annika’s neck, she then placed a combadge in the Doctor's hand. Tapping her own, S'Rel ordered, "Solaris, medical emergency, Annika to beam up to sick bay." The Doctor was washed in blue transporter particles and disappeared. She then stepped toward the other bed and scanned the injured gladiator who was so battered it was hard to recognize the female Nezu. She looked to Bur'ar and shook her head.

Covering their heads with the cowls from their cloaks, they left the infirmary.

---

Standing amid the rowdy crowd, two officers positioned themselves at the railing overlooking the arena grounds. Bur'ar growled as he tapped his combadge. "Ian, we're too late." Three combatants entered the arena from separate doors. All were clearly female: a Krenim, Ocampan and Human. Each wore simple leather-like armor in various dull colors covering torsos and lower limbs. They lined up in the center of the arena and faced toward the organizer’s section. A voice boomed through the building announcing the next match.

Ian responded, "I see her. Will this be a 'smash-and-grab'?"

"Yes."

---

Ian locked the scope into place and calibrated the sight. Lifting a leg from the bipod, he brushed away dirt from the ledge used to support the rifle. Activating the power supply, orange-colored photonic stabilizers appeared along the barrel near the emitter. Looking through the scope, Ian sighted his target.

Starfleet Captain Kathryn Beringer.

---

Bur'ar watched a massive four-armed reptilian-like gladiator stomped toward the three women who stood their ground and readied various weapons. Raising a huge spiked club, the gladiator tried to crush the Ocampan. She easily dodged the attack and struck against the fighter's wrist with her long pike. He back-handed the woman who spun from the counter-attack and collapsed to the floor a few meters away. The crowd cheered.

This was a diversion the other two women exploited as they flanked the gladiator. The Krenim used her shield to parry a large sword strike from the gladiator, but the force of the swing pushed her to the ground. Kathryn used the Krenim's fall as a launch pad toward the gladiator's back. Bringing a pair of long knives down, she pierced the gladiator's armored scales. The creature screamed from the pain and the crowd roared.

The first woman recovered, found her pike and charged the gladiator. Stabbing into a leg, the gladiator grabbed the Ocampan's head and lifted her from the ground with ease. She screamed until her head was crushed, spraying the gladiator with blood.

---

Everything was happening quickly. Bur'ar tapped his badge and said, "that's enough." He leaped over the guard rail into the arena, his cloak flowing open revealing the black-colored uniform of Starfleet. Without a word, S'Rel followed soon afterward as the crowd erupted into jeers and cheers. The announcer shouted through the microphone while the swirling combat ensued.

---

Ian saw Bur'ar's jump from peripheral vision, then closed his left eye to focus attention through the scope. Kathryn was moving quickly, but he was able to keep her in his sight. "C'mon, c'mon", he whispered as he knew Bur'ar and S'Rel were getting closer to her.

The combatants became distracted by the uproar from the crowd. When Kathryn paused in her steps, Ian kissed the air and pulled the trigger.

---

S'Rel saw the phaser bolt strike against Kathryn's neck. The restraining collar was blasted toward the gladiator, landed on the ground and exploded, throwing dirt into the air. The gladiator howled and Bur'ar charged into the smoke and dirt cloud. Covering her eyes from the shower of sand, she heard the impact of bodies slamming into each other. She stopped when she realized Bur'ar had tackled Kathryn to the ground.

Pulling out her phaser, she fired into the large shadow through the smoke. Another animalistic shriek responded. Tapping her combadge, S'Rel quickly said, "Solaris three to beam up, now!"

A large spiked club swished into the space evacuated by S'Rel as she was teleported away.

 

---

 

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Bur'ar - David Ramsey
Annika Kramer - Abbie Cornish
Talaxian vendor - male street extra #1
Ocampan fighter - female street extra #1
Krenim fighter - female street extra #2
Gladiator - CGI c/ Weta Workshop
Dead Nezu - female street extra #3

Heard but not seen:
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick

Stranger Than Fiction

LC 15 - First Contact

 

---

The ship almost glowed in the darkness of space. The grey dull metallic color of the boxy hull contrasted sharply against the neon green of the dominating figure. The eagle’s head crested the bow of the ship and its wings embraced both sides to the oversized engine ports. A central spire rose from the hull and was the bridge of the ship. Any elegance of the eagle was marred by the utilitarianism of the rest of the ship.

Kathryn looked at it from the conference room with both fascination and worry.

Anthi rested an arm on the viewport ledge. "Ugly thing, if I do say so myself."

Kathryn did not look away. "Ugly or not, the crew are human and that's ... bothersome."

"What do you think about that?"

Solaris had been on standard patrol routes in the Beta Quadrant. Having a Transwarp Drive meant it was easier to pull the ship to various duties on short notice. Kathryn shrugged. "We're in the Delta Quadrant and that means there is stranger out here than I care to count. I don't know what to think of that at this point."

The door chimed before they swished open. A giant human male confidently entered the room. His feet were sandaled with bare upper legs covered by a leather-like green loincloth. His bare chest was crossed by leather straps connected to ornate pauldrons on each shoulder. A bright golden helmet covered his head and had golden metal wings flaring from the sides. He carried a golden-tipped trident. After a few steps into the room he tapped the trident onto the floor then raised both arms wide.

"Greetings! I am Dorykone, captain of the sacred guard. Hail, Torsis, herald to the Preservers of Truth. Speak when spoken to or perish." He lowered his arms and stepped aside.

Kathryn and Anthi looked to each other, astonished at the man's opening words.

A small, grey-haired man with a hunched back walked into the room. His cane quietly tapped against the carpeted floor. He wore a long turquoise-colored robe that shimmered as he moved. With long greying hair that crowned a balding head, his face twisted into annoyance when he looked up to Dorykone, then transformed into a friendly smile when he saw Kathryn.

"Oh my, you are more beautiful in person!"

Kathryn blushed a little from the sudden informality. She recognized Torsis from the initial contact with the ship and she agreed privately that the main viewscreen did not always accurately represent a person's visage for he looked older now. She bowed her head slightly. "Herald Torsis, welcome aboard the Federation vessel Solaris."

Torsis looked to the ceiling and squinted an eye. "Ah, Latin for pertaining to the sun. Interesting name for a starship, don't you think?"

Kathryn raised her eyebrows. "It's not typical nomenclature, yet it was not my choice."

"And what name do you believe this fine ship deserves?"

Waving to a nearby chair to offer it for her guest, Kathryn said, "I've never really thought about an alternate name, it just seems fitting to me now."

Walking slowly toward the chair, Torsis lifted his cane and pointed toward his ship floating in space. "That boat is called the Ocean Rider. It's not comfortable, but I didn't expect it should be for its maiden voyage." Sitting, he grunted a little as he made the chair comfortable by wiggling into it. Dorykone strode to stand vigilant behind the chair, which caused further annoyance to Torsis.

"If I may Torsis, that is a beautiful name and fitting since you are a descendant of ... Atlantis?"

The old man smiled broadly. "Thank you, I named the ship myself so the compliment is rewarding." He looked around the room and settled on the Andorian First Officer. "It seems the galaxy is much larger, and prettier, than we thought."

Anthi shifted a little in her seat and Kathryn placed a hand on the table as a signal to Anthi. They developed various gestures to help with communication in formal settings. Kathryn disliked keeping her XO on task, but Torsis seemed to be crossing an informal line and Kathryn wanted to steer the conversation in a particular direction.

"About that, the Federation has segmented the galaxy into four quadrants. We are currently in the Delta Quadrant, where the Federation and its allies have started exploring with more ease and intensity. Correct me if I'm wrong, but your people come from Atlantis?"

Torsis smile waned a little. "Our capital city and planet share the name. Ocean Rider is our first successful attempt at faster-than-light travel. We were surprised to bump into you and your ship. It's a very pleasant surprise, don't get me wrong."

Kathryn smiled a little as she decided to abandon formality to get to the point of her concern. "Torsis, are your people ... human?"

The old man's smile disappeared. He turned his head to speak to Dorykone. "Leave us."

The order surprised the large guard. "But Herald, I -"

Torsis raised his hand to interrupt but said nothing. Dorykone stood strait and looked forward. "As you command." He turned and left the room, leaving the three to sit quietly until the doors closed.

"To answer the question, yes, we are."

Kathryn pressed on. "From ... Atlantis?"

Torsis nodded, then shook his head. "Not in the mythical sense. The reason I had Dorykone leave the room was because the Preservers of Truth guard our greatest secret: his ancestors are from Earth."

There was a pause before Kathryn raised her eyebrows and sat forward in her chair.

"We created a culture based on the myth of a great and 'perfect' civilization."

Kathryn shook her head. "There are so many questions ..."

"Why would we do that? Because Earth culture was ravaged by conflict and despair, so much so that it only took a few months for the members Colony Six to choose to leave Earth after the Tunisia Incident of 1947."

Anthi cleared her throat.

Torsis continued and spoke with excitement as if he couldn't hold back the story, "the colony's scientists were able to create a Tachyon wormhole large enough to transport the entire station. Luckily, we arrived in orbit above a habitable planet. The entire population went on-world and solemnly vowed to start over." He waved his arms in front of him to show off the product of the tale. His smile was prideful.

Kathryn looked to Anthi who affect was blank. She could not blame Anthi if she didn't believe Torsis, yet she couldn't waste time with her own incredulity. Grasping for a reply, Kathryn replayed the story in her head and very little made sense.

"I'm curious, what’s the population of Atlantis?"

Surprised by the question, Torsis recovered quickly. "Oh, close to three million by now?"

Anthi voiced what Kathryn thought immediately. "Three million? How is that possible within five hundred years?"

"Well, as you know, the typical colony housed up to four-hundred thousand persons. So, given enough time-", he leaned forward, looked to Kathryn and grinned, "- and the proper motivation to procreate, then a healthy population can grow." He jerked a thumb toward the door and snarled. "It seems we have some very healthy children. He could use a mate to help relax."

"Yes, indeed. Please forgive my impertinence Torsis, but you mentioned earlier that the greatest secret to your culture was guarded by 'Preservers of Truth'?"

Relaxing back into the chair, Torsis nodded. "It is ironic, don’t you think? Atlanteans hold the idea of honesty and truth to others above all else, yet the wise few keep the highest truth from ... everyone."

Anthi replied, again speaking Kathryn's thoughts. "Why are you telling us about this?"

Torsis looked surprised. "Because you are not Atlantean. I'm sure the Federation has a non-interference policy of some sort?"

Nodding, the Captain replied slowly. "Of some sort, yes."

Torsis beamed. "Good! The first from the colony worked very hard to rebuild a civilization founded on higher principles of benevolence toward each other, based on a model that never existed, yet was ideal."

Something about the Herald's story was not adding up at all. He was clearly human and declared he was coming from an mythical human civilization ... then Kathyn became inspired.

"Torsis, the culture you escaped from, did it have a name?"

"The Terran Hegemony. Clearly, it has been overthrown and replaced by the Federation?"

Kathryn looked to Anthi who reflected her own surprise. Turning back to Torsis, she said, "it is ... complicated. Well, I think it's time for a small break. If you wish I can have you escorted to our lounge or dining area?"

Torsis smiled and tapped his cane onto the floor. Dorykone stepped into the room calmly and bowed his head. "Yes, that would be delightful! Would either of you lovely ladies be joining me?" He looked to Dorykone then scowled. "I meant us?"

"I do apologize, Anthi and I must attend to other duties. Can we meet again in one hour?"

"I am looking forward to then. Thank you for your courtesy, Captain." Torsis turned and slowly exited the room.

Kathryn looked to Anthi. "Thoughts?"

Anthi's antennae twitched. "Alternate reality, or ... some other less-respectful option."

"Like I said, it's stranger out here than I care to count."

 

---

 

Cast:

Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Torsis - Mel Brooks
Dorykone - John Cena

First and Fail

She placed both arms on the rests of 'the Chair'. Kathryn smelled the faint odors of fresh paint, new carpet, and that slight burn from fabricated duriplast. She wiped clean a small console on the armrest of smudge marks from the tips of her fingers before realizing it would never stay clean. She smiled at the idea of her wiping the surface clean every few minutes with the cuff of her uniform and that action becoming the defining moment of her career with Solaris.

It was a good ship with a reasonable history for his age. Being the last Excelsior class constructed in the twenty-fourth century was its own status, being the most recent in the class to receive a refit was another one. Now Kathryn Beringer was the newest Captain for this class of starship. Looking around at the bridge crew, she was proud to have almost 90 percent of the surviving crew from the Galatea follow her; most from their own request and several from her own recommendations. But Solaris was a larger ship, so she had to spend a lot of time getting acquainted with new crew during the refit process.

She smiled, absorbing the feeling of the ship, from the almost imperceptible hum from massive engines to the armored skin that gave Solaris its shape.  Ian McKinnon's voice broke her chain of thought. "We are cleared from Space Dock local, switching to impulse."

Kathryn sat straighter in her command seat. "Helm, ahead one-half impulse speed. Take us to LaGrange point beta in Neptune's orbit, then hold station."

Ian looked back with raised eyebrows. When she returned his glance, he turned back around quickly. "Aye, Captain."

Kathryn nodded to herself. It was her second order for the new ship, behind clearing Earth Space Dock. Ian was the newest of her bridge crew for alpha-shift. He was confident and hot-headed on occasion, but his dossier showed him to be a highly skilled starship pilot. Ian was also attractive: sharp jawline framing facial hair that, although shaved smooth, seemed to shadow his skin.  Dark brown eyes that sought truth in words and evaluated action.  Ian was muscular enough to fit the stereotypical 'jock'.  Seeing him pilot the ship, Ian's physique ran counter to the delicate maneuvers required to pilot a starship.

She shook her head from thinking about him further and turned to her Andorian Chief Engineer. Thel Ythysi stood next to the chair at the console with a hand to his chin, clearly deep in thought. Kathryn could tell he was troubled, so she stood to meet him. "A smile for your thoughts?"

Thel looked quickly from the console to Kathryn and back. "You would think, after all these decades, someone at S.C.E. would have made the Transwarp engines fool-proof."

Kathryn rolled her eyes and sighed. "Surely, you don't think the rumors are true?"

"Oh, I'm very sure they are not rumors, sir. 'First and fail', so they say. And my name is Thel."

She feigned surprise. "Is that a joke?"

The Andorian's antennae twitched. "Don't tell anyone."

Kathryn smiled.

Ian interrupted the activity on the bridge with his announcement. "Holding station at LaGrange point Beta, Captain."

"Let's see if the rumors are true. Helm, plot a course for Deep Space Eight and engage Transwarp Drive."

"Plot laid in, Transwarp Drive engaged in 5 ..."

An audible hum slowly filled the room.

"4 ..."

Kathryn could feel the floor vibrate slightly.

"3 ..."

She darted to her chair and switched the main viewscreen –

"2 ..."

-to a rear view camera. The nacelles started to glow.

"1 ..."

Kathryn clenched the arm rest pads with anticipation.

"Warp."

A small grinding sound like a bag of wrenches thrown into a blender underground was heard and the glow from the nacelles dimmed.

Thel slapped his forehead and his console started to light up from damage reports.

Kathryn nodded. "Huh. So I guess the rumors are true."

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder

To Look No Further

Literary Challenge 55

---

 

Solaris turned to Starboard, and toward the enemy's ventral side while increasing speed. Bright beams of orange light laced from Spiral Wave beam banks and struck the Voth cruiser's port shielding, itself bright blue flashes of light as the shielding absorbed the attacks. The Federation vessel crossed the ecliptic and more orange beams quickly filled the space between the ships. The Voth shielding was strained, then failed, as beams chewed into the armored underbelly near the engines. The Bastionclass ship was wounded as internal explosions bubbled the exterior plating. Solaris banked to port and deuterium vented from the impulse engines, accelerating the ship away.

The Voth cruiser stalled and started to fall from the sky. Seven kilometers away, Solaris coughed a quantum torpedo from its aft launcher. It impacted against the nose of the enemy cruiser, further disfiguring the sleek hull. Explosions continued detonating and ripping the ship to pieces. At its current altitude, debris will take ten minutes to fall to the surface, all the while trailing smoke, metal and death.

---

"Well done. Return to Yellow Alert. Helm, plot a course back toward the Allied Zone." Captain Kathryn Beringer smirked as she stood from the command chair. She pulled at her jacket as she watched the aft video of the Voth cruiser disappear from view, then turned to the Engineering station. Chief Engineer Thel Ythysi sat looking at his console. Images of the Excelsior-class ship had red dots scattered in various locations, some turned blue then green as Kathryn walked up behind him. "How's he doing Chief?"

Thel didn't pause. "The ship sustained minor damage overall. The Voth anti-proton weaponry is not impressive and their ships, although quick, are like flying aluminum cans."

Kathryn smiled. "After that fight, I agree." She patted Thel's shoulder then stepped to the Science station where Omazei sat looking over her console. Trill marks were visible from her neck due to short brown hair before disappearing under the color of the uniform jacket. She looked up when Kathryn approached.

"Omazei, may I see you in the Astrometrics lab in fifteen minutes?"

"Of course, sir."

With that, Kathryn nodded and looked toward her First Officer, "Anthi, you have the conn." She entered the turbolift to make sure she was at the lab before Omazei arrived.

---

The doors to the lab swished open and the Science Chief entered the darkened room. A translucent image of the Solonae Dyson Sphere rotated from the center console and it's light illuminated the room, casting dark shadows in every direction. Kathryn was hunched over looking at a screen from the center console then looked through the image at Omazei as she walked toward her Captain.

"Thank you for being prompt. I'm looking at our mission parameters and I'm going to make a recommendation to change them. I wanted your feedback before I send the request."

Omazei nodded then looked at the screen Kathryn was standing over. The ship's current position was dotted on a detailed map with a blue triangle. Various other ships were represented as either green or red triangles for the Romulan and Klingon factions at the Sphere. Whenever Voth ships were reported by real-time feed, then a purple triangle would appear. The Solaris was in the relatively quiet Allied Zone, having just recently exited the orange tinged Contested Zone.

Kathryn looked toward the floating image of the Sphere above them. "What can you tell me of the progress for the Sphere's exploration?"

"It's proving to be a challenge due to the Voth's technical supremacy, thus the efforts of Joint Command have been to maintain control of the Allied Zone." Omazei tapped onto controls at a nearby console and brought up various data. "Yes. Twenty ships have been dispatched to conduct further exploration of the Sphere beyond the Allied and Contested Zones to date. As you know, this is a massive structure that will take many years to fully explore properly. All scientific research is delayed due to the conflict."

"Have they been successful?"

"Relatively. Progress is slow because of the scale. It's easy to chart a star system using long-range sensors and probes. But the Sphere is something completely different: there's the external and internal surface of the shell, with the atmosphere above and space between it and the star it encompasses. There is still argument if the Sphere will require using a new system to measure coordinates! Then there are the Omega Particles -"

Kathryn raised a hand to interrupt, "I see. If we used standard planetary coordinates, could you show me where Dyson Joint Command would be?"

"Yes, sir, but we have to make some assumptions, the first being that the Sphere has poles relative to the galaxial-plane. Given that- ", Omazei entered more commands and the image of the Sphere added a cylindrical line making an axis showing theoretical north and south poles. Then very small areas became highlighted toward the zenith pole. It expanded as Omazei zoomed-in, forcing the Sphere's borders to disappear. "- DJC is approximately at 36 degrees 10 minutes 30 seconds North, 115 degrees 8 minutes 11 seconds West in the northern hemisphere. Give or take several seconds, if not minutes because of the scale."

"Interesting. By chance, have any vessels been catalogued as missing?"

"Yes." More commands were input and more data scrolled on a screen. "The Misericorde, and Kerg'kak. Both deep space science vessels. The Misericorde was sent toward the western border of the Allied Zone and expected to have a 50 degree parabolic arc, whereas the Kerg'kak went north with a 30 degree arc."

Kathryn nodded. "Thank you, Omazei. This will help with my recommendation."

"If I may, sir. What is your recommendation to Command?"

Kathryn's eyes almost sparkled. "To go looking for the Misericorde.

 

---

 

Cast:

Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Omazei - Gemma Arterton

Mentioned but not seen:
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Helmsman - Random extra #1

Assuming Command

Unofficial Literary Challenge 4, Prompt 2
---

The turbolift doors swished open to the bridge of the ship.  Few consoles were active, keeping the bridge dark yet illuminated enough to allow anyone to walk in relative darkness. She touched the rank pips on her collar and quietly stepped into the room as if she were in a library. Once at the Captain's chair she looked into it's leather-like seat and ran a finger from the headrest to the arm controls. Her index finger rested on a button for a few seconds as she closed her eyes. Kathryn imagined the ship from the outside as it rested in the cradle of the shipyards near Earth Space Dock. It was small compared to the more recent designs, and 'ancient' by Starfleet standards, yet had proven itself useful and durable enough to stand the test of time and war.

She pushed a button. Lights activated and more consoles came to life. Kathryn sat down slowly and smiled. She knew the current crew on board the ship were actually refit and repair teams, less than a skeleton compliment. Technically, Kathryn was the only 'official' crew member on board. She requested it be that way and was surprised the request was granted.  Kathryn's other request to hand-pick the entire crew instead of letting a computer algorithm decide the crew for her was relatively easy to accommodate. Or maybe Admiral Felczer's departure had something to do with it.

After the events at the Vega Colony, Kathryn's field-command of a starship was pulled and her Lieutenant rank reinstated. She didn't harbor any ill-will about that as being promoted to Captain in an emergency situation was appropriate. Being bumped down to her natural rank was also acceptable as she also didn't think she earned The Chair at the time. Six months later, after a formal review of her performance during the "Vega Incident", an accelerated course in Starship Leadership, and two more rank bars on her collar, Kathryn Selena Beringer now rightfully sat in the command chair of the Sixth Wave.

The turbolift doors swished open and an Andorian female with Tactical colors stepped through and saluted. "Commander Anthi Ythysi, reporting for duty, sir."

Kathryn stood and smiled widely, then saluted. "Welcome aboard, Commander. At ease, and let's make the rest of this meeting informal, please" The Andorian returned the smile. "It's good to see you again, Kathryn. It's been a long time."

"And you Anthi. Given the chance to make my officer pool, you were first in line."

Andorian antennae moved. "Why?"

"Although we didn't share many points of view, we still teamed well in the Academy, and I never forgot about those tests we took together. Your quick, determined, and methodical. A review of your record since the Academy shows that I'll be the luckiest Captain in Starfleet to have you at my side."

"I'm ... honored."

"Well, I'm glad you accepted." Kathryn motioned to the First officer station and Anthi walked toward the seat. "Now then, I've got a Science Chief transferring from the Axios, but I'm still looking for a Chief Engineer. Your first assignment is to offer a suggestion."

Anthi sat down and raised an eyebrow. "Only one?"

Kathryn nodded. "I need to trust your opinion, so your first suggestion is the one I'm going to follow."

The First officer looked down for a second before looking back with a reply. "My thi, Thel Ythysi."

It was the Captain's turn to raise an eyebrow.

Anthi continued, "I know it's stinks of nepotism, but I can guarantee he is one of the best Engineers in the Fleet."

Kathryn looked into Anthi's eyes. She saw a resolve that was unwavering and it comforted her. "Then I'll make the request and see what happens."

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Mentioned but not seen: Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Mentioned but not named: Omazei - Gemma Arterton

The Final Request By Law

Unofficial Literary Challenge 5, Prompt 1

---

 

"Forgive me, Captain, allow me to say it another way: you shouldn't have done that." The image of Admiral Adam Steiner's affect on the table comp screen was stern. His close-cropped black hair immaculately conformed to regulations and his square jaw throbbed as he clenched his teeth. The conversation had gone well and cordial until Kathryn revealed her recent decision concerning Ensign Ilregan's remains with the Kobali.

Kathryn bristled at the comment and restrained from showing it. "As I mentioned, I considered it an act of good will from the Federation." Besides, I was within the confines of the law."

Steiner looked incredulous. "Please explain."

Quickly looking out the window of her ready-room, the bright light of the Dyson star filled the office. "According to Ensign Ilregan's service contract, her end-of-life clause gives the commanding officer complete discretion to her remains. Assuming remains would be available."

The Admiral from the JAG office still looked surprised. "Captain, that was a highly irregular means to satisfy the Ensign's wishes. Didn't you consider Ilregan's cultural concerns on the matter?"

Kathryn nodded. "Yes, sir, I did. As you are aware, the Bolian culture of death is similar to Vulcan norms. Yet, when in service to Starfleet, cultural differences, altough respected, are superseded by the needs, wishes, or demands of the individual. Ilregan left the final decision up to me."

Steiner nodded a few times in thought. "Respectfully, the family disagrees."

"Respectfully, too bad."

"Captain, it sounds like you don't care about the outcome of this action."

Kathryn shook her head. "To the contrary, I considered this for several days; a review of my logs will show that. After reviewing the R and R, I came to the conclusion that the Ensign's own words took precedence. Also, the Kobali are considered a part of the Alliance. In accordance with the treaty, I determined there was amicable grounds to satisfy the needs of both Ensign Ilregan and the Kobali. Frankly, it was a logical decision to make"

"That's an interesting argument and I knew you would say that." The Admiral shifted some PADDs on his desk. "The family is requesting an inquiry."

Kathryn sat back in her chair. "Then I must comply."

The man cocked his head slightly. "Pardon me, Captain but I expected more fight from you."

With a shrug, Kathryn said, "I've made my case in my logs and to you. I am confident with my decision and wouldn't be in my position if my decisions were not trusted. Ilregan trusted me enough to handle her in life and in death. I have fulfilled my duty to her and to Starfleet."

There was a long pause before the Admiral blinked.

"Thank you Captain Beringer. To use an old saying, 'no news, is good news.'"

 

---

 

Cast:

Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Adam Steiner - Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Facility 4028

Literary Challenge 14 - Facility 4028
---

Stardate 90473.5
TO:  Takashi Kurita, Admiral, Starfleet Operations, Internal Division
FROM: Kathryn Beringer, Captain, USS Solaris
RE: Facility 4028

Admiral,

As requested, what follows is a security assessment for Facility 4028, located in the Ayala System, Regulus Sector Block, Beta Quadrant.

In review: Facility 4028 is a maximum security detainment outpost built into a large asteroid orbiting Ayala IV. Constructed within the years 2340 and 2370, the facility was originally manned by standard security personnel from Starfleet Operations. All live personnel were replaced by I.S.I.S. (Inmate Security and Information System) in 2380. Simply put, Facility 4028 is manned by photonic personnel entirely.

On Stardate 90389.2, USS Solaris was sent to Facility 4028 to transfer a Female Changling from holding to assist negotiations with a Dominion faction. During the transfer process, the facility was attacked by Dominion forces. An Away Team, including myself, repelled the assault, and discovered the I.S.I.S. computer core was compromised from without, allowing the Dominion forces to infiltrate the facility. This also allowed several inmates to be freed from incarceration. The Away Team was able to secure the freed prisoners and bring I.S.I.S. back online.

Based on first-hand experience, I.S.I.S. has been a capable program for the task of maintaining order within the facility. However, exclusive use of photonic personnel proved to be a liability to the Federation. It is not recorded (or unavailable) if similar incidents have occurred previously, but this singular event is evidence its eventuality is possible in the future.

Recommendations:
Facility 4028 be functioned, maintained, and serviced by non-photonic lifeforms, yet using photonic lifeforms as either a needed alternative or by choice (in accordance with the Photonic Lifeform Realization Act of 2399).

Secondary entrance/exit barrier to the holding cells in the form of a physical door, in addition to the prolific shield instance.

Defense patrol outside the facility in the form of either rotating naval defense ship or automated satellite(s).

Admittedly, the above suggestions may be 'simplistic' in nature. Yet, are the most obvious recommendations considering the current state of the Facility in relation to relative success of the Dominion attack before it was thwarted from completion.