Literary Challenge 21 - Saying Hello
---
The multicolored lights were bright while cacophonous music roared throughout the room. Several patrons from varying races were dancing on the floor in the center of the room. Those not dancing were either sitting at tables enjoying the view or drinking. Club 47 was where officers came to let off war-weary, stress-filled steam or to relax.
In an adjacent observation lounge, passive lighting created calming moods and thick doors subdued the high energy emanating from the dance floor as a stark juxtaposition. Only a few tables were occupied and Kathryn sat overlooking the cavernous interior of Earth Space Dock. The synthetic Kanar in her hand was a close substitute to the real thing. Taking a sip, she swirled the liquid around her tongue before swallowing it.
With a PADD in hand, she smiled at the words on the slate and could almost recite them from the screen. All of Kathryn’s senior staff and over 70% of the crew from Galatea would follow her to the next assignment floating inside Space Dock. That was atypical, yet somehow Kathryn had overcome the odds. She would have to thank Admiral Felczer for considering and fulfilling her request to transfer most, if not all, of Galatea’s crew. They were family and she wanted them to stay together as much as possible.
Looking up through the large wall-sized window, she could see several ships in various stages of docking or repair. The gigantic doors of the station were slowly closing as an Armitage-class ship cleared the threshold. Her eyes settled on one ship in particular. It was an older design, first introduced in the 22nd century and had sharp corners compared to the current design-style. The ship’s saucer-shaped primary hull was a hall-mark of the Federation and sported the longest nacelles of any starship (relative to the rest of the ship). Primarily used for diplomatic purposes within the past century, its numbers have dwindled due to attrition. But the one capturing Kathryn’s attention was the last of its class constructed in the 24th century.
“She’s beautiful, wouldn’t you agree?”
Startled from her reverie, Kathryn turned to the voice and looked up to a human male. He held a half-full glass of clear liquid as he stared out the window.
“Pardon me?”
The man wore Captain’s bars on his collar with red piping on the jacket. Casually pointing, he explained, “the Excelsior out there. It’s the only one of its kind birthed here and certainly special.”
Kathryn looked out the window and nodded. Regarding the Captain, he stroked a well-manicured moustache to the tip of his goatee, and was clearly focused on the ship. “Um, yes, I suppose so.” She waved to a chair and invited, “care to join me, Captain –“
“Ricol. Hassid Ricol.” He looked down and smiled. “You must be Kathryn Beringer.”
Surprised he knew her by name; Kathryn noticed he had not taken a seat. “I didn’t know I was famous.”
“You’re not, except to me.” Hassid’s smile disappeared. “Tell me, Captain, do you really think you’ve earned the right to Solaris?
Kathryn sat back into her chair, stunned. “Excuse me?”
Hassid rested his glass down on the table with more force than expected. “How long have you been wearing those rank bars anyway? Months, maybe a year or two?” Placing both hands on the table, he leaned in closer and hissed, “I was promised Solaris. I’ve earned the honor to be her Captain.”
Kathryn willfully paused for a few seconds as she absorbed the moment. Feeling pushed into a corner, she decided to push back. Standing, she grabbed the PADD off the table and became resolute against Hassid’s threatening posture. Placing a hand on a hip and shifting her weight to one leg, Kathryn smirked and raised the PADD. “Not according to this,” she parried.
The Captain straightened and rolled his tongue in his jaw as if to keep from saying something or to calm himself down.
Suddenly, another officer arrived and almost stood between Kathryn and Hassid. “Excuse the interruption, but I could tell the conversation was about to get exciting. Let’s have a seat to relax.”
The other Captains glared at the officer. Also wearing Captain pips on the collar, his jacket was filled by muscles on his chest and arms. A square jaw framed sharp facial features under a bald head. His toothy smile was soft, sultry and inviting.
Hassid scoffed, “Captain Daikar. Saving a damsel in distress again?”
Kathryn could feel her restraint waning. “Now look here-“.
“Captains, Daikar interrupted. He looked over his shoulders as if to remind the others they were not alone in the room and to lower voices. With a more calm tone, he asked, “should we keep this civil or take it outside?”
Kathryn ignored Daikar’s attempt to resolve the situation. “I shouldn’t have to remind you, Captain Ricol, that no one owns any ship. I earned my rank and that’s all. If you have a problem with my posting on Solaris, then the answer is simple: too bad.”
Eyes flashed with anger, Hassid lunged toward Kathryn. Daikar stepped up and used Hassid’s momentum to spin him away and toward another table. As he crashed into the furniture, the commotion captured attention from the other patrons in the room. Kathryn watched one officer tap his badge.
Pushing away a chair as he stood, Hassid wiped his short-cut hair. Breathing heavy, he pointed to Daikar. “You’ll pay for that.”
Daikar chuckled. “Bill me.”
Hassid huffed away from the pair and through the doors.
Turning to Kathryn, Daikar extended a hand. “I’m sorry you had to experience that.”
“It’s no bother, I’ve been through worse. Listen, you shouldn’t have done that, Security is sure to be on their way. What was his problem anyway?”
Daikar waved to dismiss the comments and smiled. “I can handle them. Ricol is a brute and a bully. He's has had it coming to him. For what it’s worth, he’s in it for the glory, not the duty.”
Kathryn nodded. “It seems you two have some history?”
“Yes. Would you want to hear about it?” He pulled a seat and began to sit.
Blushing a little, Kathryn acknowledged an urging to sit down. Pride caused Kathryn to resist the invitation; she could have handled Hassid Ricol herself. She looked around the room for an excuse to justify not staying any longer. Finding a holographic chronometer on the wall, she sighed with a little relief. Still, Daikar was surprisingly attractive and she questioned whether it was due to his gallantry or good looks.
“I … can’t, maybe another time.” Kathryn turned on her heels and started walking out the door.
“Wait! I didn’t get your name?”
Kathryn stopped and looked back. Again, she caught herself wanting to sit next to Daikar. “Kathryn Beringer. If you will excuse me Captain, I have a new ship to inspect.”
---
Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Daikar - Billy Zane
Hassid Ricol - Matt Nable
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Friday, July 17, 2015
Gloaming of Light
Unofficial Literary Challenge 13 - The Arrival
---
Rastu rolled his eyes and coughed as he spoke. “Ten <kaff> kilometers east, Highhold Pass, shuttles <kaff> expected to pick up <kaff, kaff> the shipment.”
On the transporter pad, Kathryn stepped over the body of the battered Orion as two nurses entered the room. First Officer Anythi Ythysi arrived as Kathryn pulled off her cloak.
---
“Stop!” Kathryn
skidded to a halt. The sand at her feet
coughed up a cloud as she raised pistols pulled from holsters on her hips. Wearing a brown cloak, it wrapped around her
legs and brushed away any sand that would have risen further. A high collar protected her head up to her ears
from local weather and under the cloak she wore civilian pants and shirt that
was a collection from different sources, yet still within the local style.
She noticed another turn ahead of her mark only a few
meters away. Getting tired and
impatient, Kathryn decided more force was needed in order to subdue the Orion. For his part, the large male kept running and
twisted at the waist to blindly shoot at Kathryn. The pursuit had taken them from the open
streets of Paradise City on Nimbus III to the closed and claustrophobic back
alleyways used by darker elements of scum and villainy.
As the green disruptor beam raced above her head, Kathryn
ducked instinctively, and then squeezed the trigger to both pistols. Orange beams lanced to either side of the
Orion, blasting holes in the walls flanking the lawbreaker and creating a
ferrocrete shower. Covering his head slowed his run, even
stumbling on the blocks that fell from the walls Kathryn shot.
This was her chance.
Kathryn sprinted into the alleyway.
With only a few steps between them, she launched into a high kick that
caught the Orion in shoulder. Bone
cracked and both fell to the ground.
Kathryn recovered and pointed a phaser to the Orion’s head as he groaned
from pain. Holding his left arm, he
rolled onto his back. His grungy brown
vest was tattered at the sleeves, exposing a long scar that ran down his right
arm.
Kathryn bristled at the sight of the scar and willed
herself to stay calm. “You are under
arrest by the authority of the United Federation of Planets.”
“Hmph. Bested by
the Scarlet Scorpion,” the Orion growled.
Kathryn grinned, took a step back and raised her other
pistol. “This is your chance to talk.”
“Or what, you’ll kill me?”
Lowering the power setting on one pistol, Kathryn fired a
beam onto the Orion’s left leg. He
yelped from the attack and the alley quickly filled with the acrid smell of
burnt clothing and flesh.
“Seriously, now is not the time to be tough with
me. Tell me where the shipment is.”
Breathing in through clenched teeth, the Orion was
defiant. “If you plan on rescuing them,
then you’re too late.” He put his good
arm down and started to push himself up.
Kathryn stomped onto his hand, shattering bones. She quickly raised the other leg and placed a
knee to his head which snapped back. He
fell flat to the ground. Kneeling, she
kept her foot on his hand, grinding more bones.
Seeing the Orion groan, revealed she was running out of time: he was on
the edge of either unconsciousness from shock or staying awake from pain.
She placed one phaser emitter to his head, the other to
his groin. “Listen, Rastu. Disintegration is only a trigger-pull away. Just tell me where the girls are and I’ll be
happy to turn a cheek to your … indiscretions.”
Rastu rolled his eyes and coughed as he spoke. “Ten <kaff> kilometers east, Highhold Pass, shuttles <kaff> expected to pick up <kaff, kaff> the shipment.”
She pressed the phaser to his groin deeper. “When?”
The Orion opened his mouth and then passed out.
“Damn”. She stood
and looked around the alley. Not
spotting anyone. She holstered her
pistols and reached for her communicator tucked to the inside of the cloak’s
collar. “Solaris, this is the
Captain. Have a medical team available in
the transporter room. Two to beam up.”
“Acknowledged.”
+++
On the transporter pad, Kathryn stepped over the body of the battered Orion as two nurses entered the room. First Officer Anythi Ythysi arrived as Kathryn pulled off her cloak.
The Andorian’s words were terse. “Welcome Captain. Word of Iconian invasion has reached us.”
Everyone in the room looked to Kathryn. After a few seconds, she looked to the crew
in the room and responded, “as you were.”
She looked sternly to Anthi and nodded toward the door. Once in the hallway, she turned to head
to the main shuttle bay. Anthi
anticipated her Captain’s action and didn’t miss a step to walk alongside
Kathryn.
“Commander, unless Admiral Quinn himself has ordered me
to deal with this, then we are going back down to Nimbus to get those slaves.”
“I understand, Captain.
I think it’s best if you review the message.”
Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Rastu - Jacob Novak
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Rastu - Jacob Novak
Monday, July 13, 2015
Saying Goodbye
Literary Challenge 20 - Saying Goodbye
---
Work Bees flittered about the cruiser. Some were boosting away, with their manipulator arms carrying various bits of the ship. Others were slowly arriving to conduct assigned work on the hull. All of them had one goal: to dissemble the USS Galatea.
Kathryn looked out the viewport of the shuttle as another Bee flew past the window and met with two other Worker Bees shuttles. Her gloomy mood made sadder as she watched their laser cutters activate in succession and cut into the hull plating near the impulse engine assembly. She touched the rank pips on her collar absentmindedly and then pulled at the dress uniform jacket. Kathryn was filled with emotion, from concern for her crew to sadness at having to say goodbye to her first true command post.
Her shuttle had exited the main shuttle bay at a lazy 1.5 knots a few minutes ago. The pilot was gracious toward Kathryn’s wish to survey her ship for the last time. It was not uncommon for Captain’s to make such a request and was certainly not against Regulations. At the same time, Galatea’s slow destruction was also not the safest place for a transport shuttle. Work Bees and Pods tried to keep the space around the ship free from debris, yet flotsam and jetsam were inevitable.
After the battle, the ship literally hobbled back toward Federation space. Thel and the Engineering team toiled to keep the warp core together. It almost seemed like faith and prayer kept the ship from falling apart on the journey. The entire team would be officially commended for their actions. Kathryn would see to that. Omazei and the science crew would receive their fair share of accolades for navigating through contested territory safely. Anthi and the security teams worked to keep morale up along the two week trip. No one rested. Kathryn could not recall reading about any other crew to work so hard to save a ship like hers. She hoped against hope it would be repaired, yet the damage was too extensive. SFCE decided it was better to scrap the ship and use whatever was salvageable, than to resurrect it.
The shuttle had finished arcing around the bridge and was on a path toward the bottom half of the primary hull. From the looks of it, Galatea received damage evenly everywhere. The ship was surrounded and no matter where she moved, disruptor beams found a target. Every defense pattern was used in the book to get away. The planet’s ring served them well to deflect more attacks. After more cat-and-mouse with the four Vor'cha battlecruisers, the helmsman pointed the Federation cruiser perpendicular to the rings and punched full impulse speed to egress the game. Two seconds later they hit warp speed to exit the system. Why the Klingons decided not to follow the debris trail for the kill surprised Kathryn at the time.
Kathryn watched as the deflector dish’s vibrant blue emission faded to grey. Lights within the ship darkened. The shuttle was heading away from the docking cage and she saw the Warp Core slowly pulled from the hull. Her eyes filled with enough water to blur vision, but not enough to slide down her cheeks. She sniffed a little which caught the pilot’s attention. They looked at each other for a few seconds. The pilot gave a sympathetic smile, and then turned to face forward. Kathryn internally thanked him for not adding to the somber moment.
There was just enough window space left to see the port nacelle detach from the pylon before the shuttle’s path was focused toward Space Dock. She put a finger to one eye to catch the tear. Flicking the water away, she looked up as if to pour more tears back into her head and sighed heavily. Looking down, she opened her left hand to look at the only memento of Galatea: a piece of carpet from the hallway to the main shuttlebay.
---
Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Katheryn Winnick
Mentioned but not seen:
Anthi Ythysi - Monique Ganderton
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
Shuttle Pilot: Random male extra
---
Work Bees flittered about the cruiser. Some were boosting away, with their manipulator arms carrying various bits of the ship. Others were slowly arriving to conduct assigned work on the hull. All of them had one goal: to dissemble the USS Galatea.
Kathryn looked out the viewport of the shuttle as another Bee flew past the window and met with two other Worker Bees shuttles. Her gloomy mood made sadder as she watched their laser cutters activate in succession and cut into the hull plating near the impulse engine assembly. She touched the rank pips on her collar absentmindedly and then pulled at the dress uniform jacket. Kathryn was filled with emotion, from concern for her crew to sadness at having to say goodbye to her first true command post.
Her shuttle had exited the main shuttle bay at a lazy 1.5 knots a few minutes ago. The pilot was gracious toward Kathryn’s wish to survey her ship for the last time. It was not uncommon for Captain’s to make such a request and was certainly not against Regulations. At the same time, Galatea’s slow destruction was also not the safest place for a transport shuttle. Work Bees and Pods tried to keep the space around the ship free from debris, yet flotsam and jetsam were inevitable.
After the battle, the ship literally hobbled back toward Federation space. Thel and the Engineering team toiled to keep the warp core together. It almost seemed like faith and prayer kept the ship from falling apart on the journey. The entire team would be officially commended for their actions. Kathryn would see to that. Omazei and the science crew would receive their fair share of accolades for navigating through contested territory safely. Anthi and the security teams worked to keep morale up along the two week trip. No one rested. Kathryn could not recall reading about any other crew to work so hard to save a ship like hers. She hoped against hope it would be repaired, yet the damage was too extensive. SFCE decided it was better to scrap the ship and use whatever was salvageable, than to resurrect it.
The shuttle had finished arcing around the bridge and was on a path toward the bottom half of the primary hull. From the looks of it, Galatea received damage evenly everywhere. The ship was surrounded and no matter where she moved, disruptor beams found a target. Every defense pattern was used in the book to get away. The planet’s ring served them well to deflect more attacks. After more cat-and-mouse with the four Vor'cha battlecruisers, the helmsman pointed the Federation cruiser perpendicular to the rings and punched full impulse speed to egress the game. Two seconds later they hit warp speed to exit the system. Why the Klingons decided not to follow the debris trail for the kill surprised Kathryn at the time.
Kathryn watched as the deflector dish’s vibrant blue emission faded to grey. Lights within the ship darkened. The shuttle was heading away from the docking cage and she saw the Warp Core slowly pulled from the hull. Her eyes filled with enough water to blur vision, but not enough to slide down her cheeks. She sniffed a little which caught the pilot’s attention. They looked at each other for a few seconds. The pilot gave a sympathetic smile, and then turned to face forward. Kathryn internally thanked him for not adding to the somber moment.
There was just enough window space left to see the port nacelle detach from the pylon before the shuttle’s path was focused toward Space Dock. She put a finger to one eye to catch the tear. Flicking the water away, she looked up as if to pour more tears back into her head and sighed heavily. Looking down, she opened her left hand to look at the only memento of Galatea: a piece of carpet from the hallway to the main shuttlebay.
---
Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Katheryn Winnick
Mentioned but not seen:
Anthi Ythysi - Monique Ganderton
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
Shuttle Pilot: Random male extra
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Misplaced
Unofficial Literary Challenge 12 - Misplaced
+++
Thel entered the Captain’s ready-room with a PADD in hand. The Andorian’s dour mood was obvious to Kathryn. She pushed her office chair back to stand for the report her Chief Engineer was prepared to make.
He looked to the PADD before speaking. “Captain, three days ago you mentioned to Lieutenant Taneki you had lost something from your quarters?”
Surprised by the question, Kathryn recalled the conversation with her Bajoran friend. “Well, yes. It was just a side comment though. I’m sure it will turn up eventually.”
“I understand, sir. What was it exactly?” He lifted his other hand to the PADD as if to capture Kathryn’s response for record.
“It was my favorite hair pin.”
Thel tapped on the display. “Please describe it.”
Kathryn raised an eyebrow. Thel was a very serious officer with his duties, yet she started to feel under some interrogation. “It … was long, about twelve centimeters, and metallic. Hand-crafted by an Risian and was a gift from a very good friend from our last lay-over.”
"Metal, I see.” More tapping.
“Commander, what’s going on?” She walked from behind her desk.
Thel looked to Kathryn. “May I use your wall console?”
Kathryn nodded and the Engineer activated the panel from his PADD. Listed on the screen were several items attached to crewmember names. The list scrolled slowly and Kathryn recognized the items immediately. “These are personal items. Wait, some are from the ship itself?”
Nodding, Thel replied, “exactly. All of these have gone missing over the past week. At first I overheard mumblings from the team. It wasn’t until my Guard service pin disappeared that I started to pay attention and ask questions. Scuttlebutt turned to coincidence … and then a pattern.”
At his command, several items on the list were highlighted. “Captain, I believe these items can be manipulated into crafting some … tool or device.”
“Like what?”
“I’m not sure, but the dimensions, materials, and other properties suggest they are useful to that end. I’m concerned we have a thief or a spy within the crew.”
Kathryn looked skeptical. “Thel, I need something more convincing.”
Thel raised a hand to his chin and thought for several seconds. “Our last crew exchange happened over two months ago in the Paradan system. Our last stop was one week ago at the Markia III colony. If we have a spy, then they have been biding their time until now. If it’s just a thief, then they are breaking several regulations in a short amount of time. Unless –“
Kathryn interrupted Thel with eyes widened. “Computer, how many crew are scheduled on board USS Solaris at the current stardate?”
The soft female voice responded, seven hundred forty seven.
“How many lifeforms are currently present on board Solaris?”
A few seconds passed before a small chirp sounded. “Seven hundred forty eight.[/i]
+++
Kathryn activated the wall console while gripping her phaser pistol tighter. The display revealed a tactical schematic of Deck Fourteen. Imposed were several blue dots representing the crew; some dots moved while others were stationary. A cluster of five dots huddled at the security gate between stellar cartography and the enlisted personnel living quarters. Kathryn knew that was her location and could see the security team looking up and down the corridor from the reflection on the console. A lone yellow dot was added and was in the Jefferies Tube between sections three and four, not moving.
“Okay, if we can corral the intruder along this ventral section, then he’ll either be trapped in the Tube or he’ll be trapped in Cargo Bay One. Either way we’ll have it cornered.” She looked to each of the security officers assembled with her. “Bosk move from port-side, Trenu from starboard and Cremeans from stern. Bur’ar and I will head to CB1. Set phasers to stun and shoot if provoked. Good luck.”
The team adjusted their weapons, then split up.
+++
Inside Cargo Bay One, Kathryn and Bur’ar stood near the Jefferies Tube hatch with raised phaser pistols. The locks hissed and the door swung open. A large ball of brown fur fell and clanked as it contacted the floor. Not expecting that, the Starfleet officers took a step back but did not lower their weapons.
Kathryn whispered to Bur’ar, “a Markian.”
Unraveling itself, the humanoid creature pushed the Tube door closed, wiped at its fur, and then sighed. Turning into the cavernous cargo bay, it stopped at the sight of Kathryn and her Klingon Security Chief then raised its hands to surrender.
“Oh. <Ch> Hello.”
Kathryn was reminded of an Earth prairie dog with large ears. It stood just over one meter tall, whose fur flowed grw from head to feet. Wearing a shirt and shirts with a large work belt and bandolier, both straps had numerous pouches that looked full. Based on the bulges on its chest, Kathryn surmised the Markian was female.
Lowering her pistol, Kathryn took a step forward. “Greetings. You are on board the Federation starship Solaris. I am Captain Kathryn Beringer. What’s your name?”
The large ears twitched a little. “<Ch>Tarkap.”
“Okay. What are you doing aboard my ship?”
“<Ch>Would you believe sight-seeing?”
Kathryn shook her head.
“<Ch>Me neither.”
“I see. Well, you are a stowaway on my ship and very far from home. Why?”
Tarkap‘s short muzzle trembled before she spoke. “<Ch> It is a long story.”
Kathryn crossed her arms. “Humor me.”
The Markian placed her arms behind her back and walked a few paces thoughtfully along the wall. “<Ch>Over the septirs, my kind have traveled the stars on other ships. We forage to find parts that will allow us to make a talker. <Ch>It is test of our cleverness. Sending message home proves our skill. Finding way back home is another test.” Tarkap looked back the Kathryn. “<Ch>You see, rite of passage?”
Nodding, Kathryn looked to Bur’ar quickly. After a week of items went missing, it seemed silly to stop Tarkap’s progress. At the same time, she couldn’t allow the Markian to continue. “Are you close to finishing?”
Tarkap smiled wide. She opened a pouch and pulled out a piece of jewelry that looked like a Bolian broach. “<Ch>This color stone may be what I need. Want to see?”
“Yes, please.”
Bur’ar contacted the security team in the Tubes to stand down. The three walked over to a corner in the Cargo Bay. Tarkap pulled on a wall panel and lowered the plate. Reaching into the wall, she retrieved a motley device that looked more like a pile of trash that anything useful. She fixed the broach into the machine and it seemed to fit perfectly. Flipping a switch, it activated and static could be heard from within its core.
Not expecting it would work, Kathryn kneeled down to inspect the contraption as Tarkep spoke to it.
“<Ch>Hello?”
KKKKkkkkZZZZzzzz-llo-zzzzZZZZkkkkKKKK
Tarkap’s ears perked up. “<Ch>Hello?”
KKKkkkZZZzzz-ho is talk-zzzZZZkkkKKK
“<Ch>Tarkap. It is Tarkap!”
KKkkZZzz-ood job-zk-ome back hom-zzZZkkKK
Kathryn found herself smiling when Tarkap looked up from the device. “Looks like you did it.”
+++
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Bur'ar - David Ramsey
Tarkap - Ariel Winters
Bosk - male sidewalk extra 1
Trenu - male sidewalk extra 2
Cremeans - male sidewalk extra 3
+++
Thel entered the Captain’s ready-room with a PADD in hand. The Andorian’s dour mood was obvious to Kathryn. She pushed her office chair back to stand for the report her Chief Engineer was prepared to make.
He looked to the PADD before speaking. “Captain, three days ago you mentioned to Lieutenant Taneki you had lost something from your quarters?”
Surprised by the question, Kathryn recalled the conversation with her Bajoran friend. “Well, yes. It was just a side comment though. I’m sure it will turn up eventually.”
“I understand, sir. What was it exactly?” He lifted his other hand to the PADD as if to capture Kathryn’s response for record.
“It was my favorite hair pin.”
Thel tapped on the display. “Please describe it.”
Kathryn raised an eyebrow. Thel was a very serious officer with his duties, yet she started to feel under some interrogation. “It … was long, about twelve centimeters, and metallic. Hand-crafted by an Risian and was a gift from a very good friend from our last lay-over.”
"Metal, I see.” More tapping.
“Commander, what’s going on?” She walked from behind her desk.
Thel looked to Kathryn. “May I use your wall console?”
Kathryn nodded and the Engineer activated the panel from his PADD. Listed on the screen were several items attached to crewmember names. The list scrolled slowly and Kathryn recognized the items immediately. “These are personal items. Wait, some are from the ship itself?”
Nodding, Thel replied, “exactly. All of these have gone missing over the past week. At first I overheard mumblings from the team. It wasn’t until my Guard service pin disappeared that I started to pay attention and ask questions. Scuttlebutt turned to coincidence … and then a pattern.”
At his command, several items on the list were highlighted. “Captain, I believe these items can be manipulated into crafting some … tool or device.”
“Like what?”
“I’m not sure, but the dimensions, materials, and other properties suggest they are useful to that end. I’m concerned we have a thief or a spy within the crew.”
Kathryn looked skeptical. “Thel, I need something more convincing.”
Thel raised a hand to his chin and thought for several seconds. “Our last crew exchange happened over two months ago in the Paradan system. Our last stop was one week ago at the Markia III colony. If we have a spy, then they have been biding their time until now. If it’s just a thief, then they are breaking several regulations in a short amount of time. Unless –“
Kathryn interrupted Thel with eyes widened. “Computer, how many crew are scheduled on board USS Solaris at the current stardate?”
The soft female voice responded, seven hundred forty seven.
“How many lifeforms are currently present on board Solaris?”
A few seconds passed before a small chirp sounded. “Seven hundred forty eight.[/i]
+++
Kathryn activated the wall console while gripping her phaser pistol tighter. The display revealed a tactical schematic of Deck Fourteen. Imposed were several blue dots representing the crew; some dots moved while others were stationary. A cluster of five dots huddled at the security gate between stellar cartography and the enlisted personnel living quarters. Kathryn knew that was her location and could see the security team looking up and down the corridor from the reflection on the console. A lone yellow dot was added and was in the Jefferies Tube between sections three and four, not moving.
“Okay, if we can corral the intruder along this ventral section, then he’ll either be trapped in the Tube or he’ll be trapped in Cargo Bay One. Either way we’ll have it cornered.” She looked to each of the security officers assembled with her. “Bosk move from port-side, Trenu from starboard and Cremeans from stern. Bur’ar and I will head to CB1. Set phasers to stun and shoot if provoked. Good luck.”
The team adjusted their weapons, then split up.
+++
Inside Cargo Bay One, Kathryn and Bur’ar stood near the Jefferies Tube hatch with raised phaser pistols. The locks hissed and the door swung open. A large ball of brown fur fell and clanked as it contacted the floor. Not expecting that, the Starfleet officers took a step back but did not lower their weapons.
Kathryn whispered to Bur’ar, “a Markian.”
Unraveling itself, the humanoid creature pushed the Tube door closed, wiped at its fur, and then sighed. Turning into the cavernous cargo bay, it stopped at the sight of Kathryn and her Klingon Security Chief then raised its hands to surrender.
“Oh. <Ch> Hello.”
Kathryn was reminded of an Earth prairie dog with large ears. It stood just over one meter tall, whose fur flowed grw from head to feet. Wearing a shirt and shirts with a large work belt and bandolier, both straps had numerous pouches that looked full. Based on the bulges on its chest, Kathryn surmised the Markian was female.
Lowering her pistol, Kathryn took a step forward. “Greetings. You are on board the Federation starship Solaris. I am Captain Kathryn Beringer. What’s your name?”
The large ears twitched a little. “<Ch>Tarkap.”
“Okay. What are you doing aboard my ship?”
“<Ch>Would you believe sight-seeing?”
Kathryn shook her head.
“<Ch>Me neither.”
“I see. Well, you are a stowaway on my ship and very far from home. Why?”
Tarkap‘s short muzzle trembled before she spoke. “<Ch> It is a long story.”
Kathryn crossed her arms. “Humor me.”
The Markian placed her arms behind her back and walked a few paces thoughtfully along the wall. “<Ch>Over the septirs, my kind have traveled the stars on other ships. We forage to find parts that will allow us to make a talker. <Ch>It is test of our cleverness. Sending message home proves our skill. Finding way back home is another test.” Tarkap looked back the Kathryn. “<Ch>You see, rite of passage?”
Nodding, Kathryn looked to Bur’ar quickly. After a week of items went missing, it seemed silly to stop Tarkap’s progress. At the same time, she couldn’t allow the Markian to continue. “Are you close to finishing?”
Tarkap smiled wide. She opened a pouch and pulled out a piece of jewelry that looked like a Bolian broach. “<Ch>This color stone may be what I need. Want to see?”
“Yes, please.”
Bur’ar contacted the security team in the Tubes to stand down. The three walked over to a corner in the Cargo Bay. Tarkap pulled on a wall panel and lowered the plate. Reaching into the wall, she retrieved a motley device that looked more like a pile of trash that anything useful. She fixed the broach into the machine and it seemed to fit perfectly. Flipping a switch, it activated and static could be heard from within its core.
Not expecting it would work, Kathryn kneeled down to inspect the contraption as Tarkep spoke to it.
“<Ch>Hello?”
KKKKkkkkZZZZzzzz-llo-zzzzZZZZkkkkKKKK
Tarkap’s ears perked up. “<Ch>Hello?”
KKKkkkZZZzzz-ho is talk-zzzZZZkkkKKK
“<Ch>Tarkap. It is Tarkap!”
KKkkZZzz-ood job-zk-ome back hom-zzZZkkKK
Kathryn found herself smiling when Tarkap looked up from the device. “Looks like you did it.”
+++
Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Bur'ar - David Ramsey
Tarkap - Ariel Winters
Bosk - male sidewalk extra 1
Trenu - male sidewalk extra 2
Cremeans - male sidewalk extra 3
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
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
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