Disappointment
Casey Ti Miran
"Shore leave has been canceled." The words shattered her hopes and plans. Miran wanted to see Bajor. Everything that had happened during the time when the obelisk had sent them to a past, she remembered. She wanted to find out if it was true what she saw. Deep down she hoped that she truly had another brother she didn't know about.
Now that was going to not happen. She could see that Deiran knew the disappointment she felt. She bit her lower lip in effect not to cry. She had wanted this so bad. Technically she could stay and see Bajor since she owed no obligation to Starfleet any more but she felt that she had an obligation to her marriage.
The trip back to the Galaxy was a silent affair. She couldn't look back at her husband and daughter. She was really upset that she hadn't been able to see the planet of her birth.
The trip back to the Galaxy was a silent affair. She couldn't look back at her husband or daughter. She was really upset that she couldn't see the planet of her birth.
Deiran went to work; she was alone. Not working was really different and would take Miran sometime to get used to. Wanting to be alone but not knowing anyone who could watch Lara while Deiran worked, she took her daughter to the ship's nursery.
She roamed the ship, not knowing what to do. Nothing interested her enough to engage in any activity. She stopped in Ten- Forward. It was mostly empty being early in the day. Should she stay or go back to her quarters?
She decided to stay- at least for now. She took a drink and went to the window. She hadn't been to sit here in a long time. She let the stars become her focus.
"People come, People go"
by Lt. Thomas
Earlier that day Chris had received a promotion from Captain price to Lt. He had worked hard to reach this level, but he still felt the absence of Gwyen who meant so much to him. He had managed to work through some of his frustrations, about what happened. He felt that he still lacked something, no he knew what he lacked and there was no way he was every going to be able to feel the void.
Chris had spent most the down time either sleeping or working on implementing new programs. Starfleet Engineering had developed some recent upgrades due to the continued threat from the Borg and the Dominion. Normally he'd have taken the chance for shoreleave, but he'd not really felt like it, Dev had been transferred to KDS. A place that he had been to twice, not exactly the best place for someone to be. She had sent Colby to Betazoid for schooling. However there was a disturbing report, Colby had not boarded the shuttle that would help get him to his destination. Which meant he was on the ship most likely, but where was a good question.
Chris had just learned of this only a few hours ago and had set internal sensors to begin a deck by deck search for Colby, but there wasn't anyway he could guarantee they'd locate him. The Galaxy was a very large ship with a lot of good hiding places for people and even better ones for younger small people. Like kids, for instance namely Colby. Though Colby was technically no longer any of his concern, he couldn't just walk away and forget about him.
He would have to inform Captain Price of this at once.
** On his way to the Bridge **
Chris was still trying to understand why Colby was still on the ship, Dev had already departed the ship for KDS and few others on the Galaxy had really interacted with him. He had his doubts that Colby had stuck around for his sake. They'd never really hit off, when they first met. Chris knew all to well that was his fault and he needed to take responsibility for it, even if it was too late. He had already come up with some new possible ways to look for Colby. He figured that after he talked with the captain, he would begin a deck by deck search for him. He only hoped that nothing had happened too him, as the medical department had not reported him being brought in, so he could only assume that Colby was still loose on the ship. He needed to find him, before something terrible happened.
Chris Patton
A.K.A Lt. Christopher Thomas - USS Galaxy
By: Price
"Piece meal"
The time flew quickly. Those that had been authorized for shore leave just a few days earlier were quickly recalled to the Galaxy as she prepared to break port of Starbase 357. Things were jumping on board the Galaxy Class Starship. People were scrambling both to get on board, and to depart before the ship left the space station.
"Common! The airlock will be closing soon. If we are going to make it onto Starbase 357 and to our awaiting shuttle, we have to go now." A crewman explained to his young son.
Crowds of people passed back and forth through the main airlock of the Galaxy in the final minutes before she prepared to leave Starbase 357 for her new assignment.
*****
*** Bridge, USS Galaxy ***
"We have authorization to depart Captain." Lieutenant Blair explained.
"Very good Lieutenant." The Captain acknowledged, then glanced at the helm, "Lieutenant Bancroft, prepare to take us out of space dock 'mate."
"Aye Captain." Tebrianne responded, tapping the appropriate controls to pilot the Galaxy free of the docking platform of Starbase 357. "We are clear sir."
"Take us clear of the Starbase docking lanes at one quarter impulse Lieutenant. Then plot a course for sector 291. Warp factor 3."
"Yes sir." The Lieutenant replied. Moments later the ship was streaking along at warp.
Captain Price turned and noticed Lieutenant Thomas entering the bridge from the turbolift. Lee pivoted in his chair to look at the newly promoted Operations officer. "Lieutenant Thomas, what can I do for you 'mate?"
"Captain," Chris started, "I need to have a word with you about Colby."
Lee nodded and pointed at his ready room. "Let's go in my office 'mate. Lieutenant Blair, you 'ave the conn."
Moments later the two men were alone in the Captain's ready room. Lee walked over to the replicator and got himself a mug of Bajoran coffee. "Can I get you anything Lieutenant?"
"No thank you Captain." Chris declined. "Sir, I am concerned over this report I just received from Starbase 357."
"What's that 'mate?" the Captain asked while sitting down behind his desk and cradling his mug in his hands.
"It says that not everyone has checked in for the shuttle scheduled to depart Starbase 357 in route for Bajor. I'm worried that Colby didn't make it to his shuttle sir."
"When is it scheduled to depart 'mate?" Lee asked noting Chris' concern.
"Well, it doesn't leave for another two hours Captain, but most of the passengers have already checked in. With Dev's sudden departure, and our reassignment to patrol duty, I..." Chris paused for a moment to regain himself, "..I just wish that someone could of seen Colby off sir."
"I understand your concern 'mate. But I know how thorough Counselor Salshyar is. I'm sure she made arrangements for someone to show Colby to the right terminal. I wouldn't doubt that they are both having lunch somewhere right now." The Captain paused for a moment and could see he wasn't being very successful at consoling Chris. "Look 'mate, the shuttle is scheduled to leave in a couple of hours. It will probably take 'er a good 20 hours to reach Bajor. By then we should be safely in our patrol territory, so I might be able to bend the rules a bit and let you break radio silence and send a message to Bajor to check on the boy. Would that help relieve your worries 'mate?"
"Aye sir. Thank you. But if it's all the same, I'd like to conduct a search of the Galaxy just in case Colby didn't make it to the Starbase on time."
"Fair enough Lieutenant. Just be sure you are covering your duty assignment. We are no longer in port 'mate. I need all of my officers in their proper places now more than ever. You never know when a Cardassian or Jem'Hadar warship is going to challenge us with this blasted war going on."
"Will do Captain. I'll start soon as my shift ends. Thank you sir." Chris added.
"No worries 'mate. Dismissed."
"Opening A New Chapter"
Chris always seemed to return here, to where he was able to allow his talents to flourish without causing to many problems. Dev had moved on and he was sad to see her go, but there wasn't anything that he could do about it now. He had to let her go and move on with his life, of course this usual meant he returned to the holodeck. However this was were he was most happy to be expect when he was on the bridge.
He activated the program and entered the holodeck he had work to do. He decided his first project would to work on the holo programs and attempt to improve their reaction capabilities. Next he would start working on his next project that he had decided to start this morning. A self encrypting program that would allow Starfleet to communicate without worrying about someone intercepting any critical messages. This was a long term project as creating the necessary programming would not be easy.
"Greetings." Thomas said as activated the two assistants that had able him to create some of the programs that he had created. They had been crucial in helping him bounce ideas across.
His help came from two holographic minds, Data and Soong. Through it had been nearly two months since he had last access the program. He however felt that this was needed this time around considering. They were now on patrol, something that every Federation Starship seemed to be doing these days. Thus causing a lot of tension and anxiety considering the threat of being attacked by the Dominion. The Galaxy had three of her shield generators swapped out for new ones, and two additional generators where added. They had also installed some new shielding around sensitive equipment. Despite the pounding and role the Galaxy class starships had played, there was concern about the damage they had taken and the loss of life.
Chris had helped to over see the installment of some of the equipment, as he chose not to take shoreleave. He found the need to do so only when either ordered or absolutely wore out, neither of which occurred. Those that had remained and came form the Starbase had worked hard to install the equipment and prepare the ship. He personally had no doubt that the Galaxy would see more combat before this war was over.
Chris went to work on his project, time was of the essence. Though he knew any of his ideas would take time to develop and implement properly. However he would or couldn't do it alone, nor did he have any gurantee his recent ideas would work. The only way would be to develop them and then if possible field test the eventually.
Chris Patton
By: Scene23@aol.com
…the simulation was somehow jamming his signal…
As Matthew absorbed this discovery, the business of battle continued on the Flying Predator class Klingon starship. The air circulation system clicked into higher gear, to compensate for the high smoke content of the bridge’s air. Klingons shouted orders at each other, while energy crackled from the exposed guts of several panels. The smell of burning Klingon flesh filled the officer’s nostrils.
Rom was looking around the room frantically, appearing afraid and confused. He asked, "That was your plan? A riddle? Don’t quit your day job, Matthew Albrecht." The Ferengi stood up again, and got his arms under the Galaxy crewman. Helping him to stand, the small alien assisted Matthew out the door and off the bridge.
In the hall outside the bridge, Matthew found himself thinking about his leg, and how much time might have to pass before he could get medical attention. "I wonder if the computer will answer queries," he said aloud, and got no response from Rom, who seemed more interested in wringing his hands. "Computer, what is the remaining duration of this scenario?" he ventured to ask.
"This scenario has no set duration," replied the holosuite’s computer.
He struck his hand to his forehead in frustration. With no pre-programmed end time, there was no telling how long they would be aboard the Klingon vessel. As if to punctuate his thoughts, the ship jerked again from another blast, quickly followed by three more. The lighting in the hallway went out, plunging the two into darkness. The humming of the warp core dropped in pitch to almost nothing, before resuming a moment later. Surrounded by blackness, he wondered if the ship would die in battle, and if they would die with it.
Intruding on his thoughts, Rom asked, "Why would Kharem program his holosuite with no ending?"
Inspired, Matthew replied, "That’s it! Rom, there’s no end time, because he programmed this scenario with a specific Mission Objective!! He must have failed to accomplish it, and trashed the control panel in anger. Now all we have to do is complete his mission objectives, and we can get out of here!" He was bleeding, in severe pain from standing on his wounded leg, but suddenly filled with confidence.
Like a sharp needle, Rom burst his balloon. "Right, so we just find out what goal a large, powerful Klingon warrior couldn’t accomplish when environment, experience, and planning were all in his favor! Excellent plan, hyoo-mon." Matthew was surprised by the soft-spoken Ferengi’s sarcasm, a trait he generally ascribed to people with some backbone.
Undaunted, though a little deflated, Matthew said, "Computer, state mission objectives for this scenario." Just as he finished the question, the warship shuddered under the impact of a torpedo, knocking Matthew onto his rear against a bulkhead. He heard Rom thud to the deck as well. Shouting came through the bridge doors, as the Klingons in there struggled to keep their ship together against a more numerous foe.
The computer replied, "Mission objectives for current scenario are: Defeat two Cardassian Destroyers."
The hallway lights came back on, allowing Matthew to see Rom crouching against a bulkhead. The two of them stood, Matthew standing on one leg while wincing at the effort to rise onto his feet again. As they walked and hobbled over to the bridge doors, they both thought about the seeming impossibility of their task. The ship had been buffeted by fire from the Cardassians since the scenario began. Neither of them had any idea how they could turn this battle around before the Klingon ship was destroyed.
The bridge doors opened, and the two men gasped involuntarily at what they saw in the room. The captain was hunched over the weapon’s control console, alternately coughing up blood and punching at controls. The rest of the bridge crew lay dead at their smoking stations. On the viewscreen, one of the two Cardassian ships appeared to be slowly spinning on its long axis, as plasma burned around a gaping wound in its side. The second enemy ship was off-screen.
The Klingon commanding officer pounded the weapons panel with one fist, then ripped the top open with both hands. Energy sparked for a moment, then he plunged his left hand into the jumble of wires. On the screen, the remaining Cardassian destroyer swept in from one side, and fired its disruptors at the Klingon Predator’s dorsal forward quadrant. Matthew and Rom held tight to the doorway, while the weapon’s panel exploded around the captain. They were now alone on the bridge, among the bodies of eight Klingon warriors who had failed to do what must be done if they were to survive.
"Get to the helm, Rom. I’m going to see about tactical," ordered Lt jg Albrecht. Rom rushed forward to the helm station, and groaned at the mess there. When Matthew arrived at tactical, the readings were changing rapidly. He had no idea how accurate the readings were, but they weren’t good at all. The Flying Predator was down to six-to-fourteen pe
rcent shields, and all weapons systems were off-line. He activated a comm button on the captain’s chair. "Torpedo control, this is the bridge. Get those torpedoes on line immediately! We haven’t got any weapons!" He was taking control, just as a Klingon officer would.
Rom spoke from the helm, "I have helm control at thirty percent, most thrusters are down. You know what a Klingon would do now, don’t you?" he asked. His voice held that disconnected quality that people adopt in extremely tragic circumstances.
Matthew yelled, "Exactly, we ram them!!" He was so excited and frightened, he attempted to behave as much like a Klingon as possible. *If I’m going to command a Klingon vessel, I’ve got to act like one. Now, how to ram a destroyer that has more maneuverability than we do?* he wondered. He noticed Rom had them facing the intact destroyer, and was accelerating toward it. A sensor panel next to Matthew suddenly sprang back to life, and indicated that the Cardassian was again powering disruptors.
He thought aloud, "The only honorable thing to do here is to sacrifice ourselves in glorious battle, right? So we ram them." He noticed that the destroyer was taking up station next to the wounded destroyer. It must be taking it into tow, perhaps to evacuate personnel before some shipboard disaster. His eyes widened at a sudden realization. "No wait! Rom, ramming that ship is what any good Klingon would do here, right?"
Rom responded, "I guess so, that is what Kharem would have done anyway." Rom was having no trouble aiming for the destroyer while it maintained a position near its sister ship. He was taking to piloting a warship like a fish to water.
A disruptor blast streaked toward them from the Cardassian ship, and they met it square on. Matthew’s shield readings dipped to zero, then up to eight again as the ship lurched to port. His leg collapsed under him, and he hit the deck again. Rom compensated for the drift. "If that’s what Kharem would do, then we already know it won’t work! He wrecked the holosuite because he failed his scenario! The last thing we want to do is the typical Klingon thing…" he told Rom. "Bring us about, six degrees to Starboard!" he ordered his Ferengi helmsman.
They were now aimed squarely for the wounded destroyer. Rom asked, "What difference does it make which ship we hit? Our shields are so low we will die no matter what." The Ferengi’s voice was all business now, and Matthew wondered if the little man were much braver than he had thought.
He answered, "We aren’t going to ram him, Rom." Then he triggered the comm unit again. "Bridge to Torpedo control. Prepare to fire on my mark…"
"Torpedo control here, we have no targeting ability, bridge. Give us ten minutes!"
Matthew shouted at the officer at the other end, "You don’t need targeting, just fire straight ahead! Prepare four torpedoes now!" The torpedoes would fire straight into the wounded destroyer, if they stayed their course. Rom looked back in surprise.
"They teach you to fire at wounded vessels in Star Fleet Hyoo-mon?" he asked between clenched, pointy teeth.
Matthew smiled, ordered "Fire one, fire two, fire three, fire four!" to the torpedo room, and said, "Those torps will never make it to the ship." He watched the screen as four torpedoes blared brightly toward the spinning destroyer. As he predicted, the functional destroyer moved to intercept the torpedoes, catching them one after the other. Plumes of plasma and debris fountained from the top of the destroyer. Matthew levered himself back up to check his panel. He saw that the sensors detected the enemy shields were down.
After checking more instrumentation, Matthew instructed, "Rom, full about, let’s put some distance between us." The sensors confirmed that the first Cardassian destroyer was having warp core trouble, and he feared an explosion. A warbling beep tone from a nearby panel caught his attention. "What is that?" he wondered aloud.
Rom said, "I think it’s a hail, from the Cardassians." They both looked toward the panel, and watched it dissolve into black with yellow gridlines. Losing his handhold, Matthew spilled to the floor among several ounces of his own blood. Rom also hit the floor, his seat having vanished with the rest of the bridge.
Matthew, aware that the simulation was over and suddenly allowing himself to relax and pay some more attention to his wounds, tapped his comm badge. "Albrecht to Gakor, I need your help now!" He thought for just a moment how convenient it was to have a doctor you trust travel with you when you are away from your ship. He had only been on DS9 for about two hours, and he already needed medical attention.
Lt jg Matthew Albrecht
By: STEVEN LAURENCE SHARP
Chanor had passed the two weeks in Starbase uneventfully. He'd had the chance to go to Bajor, but felt too far removed from that place now, even to call it home. Besides, it just brought back bad memories of his parents death, and the war with Cardassians.
No, he'd been content to stay on the Galaxy and perform his usual menial tasks, which got even more mundane during the stay at Starbase. He'd tried to use the holodecks, only to find they'd been disabled by Sickbay. He considered trying to work around that problem for a bit, but then thought better. No doubt sickbay would know what they were doing, so he'd accepted it. He'd even asked Ensign Mulich to keep an eye on the holodecks to see if anyone attempted to use them illegally. So far, no attempts had been 'officially' reported, though he suspected a few crew members of working around all the safeguards and protocols and managing to get in without his knowledge. It didn't concern him that much, if they wanted to risk their lifes, then more fool them.
So here he sat, during another dreary Gamma shift, tapping a PADD, containing last months training reports on all the officers in security. Ensign Neg'Puj had performed very well in the training exercise, managing to soundly thrash him in hand to hand. Likewise, Ensign Rios, one of three new arrivals, had managed to batter him into submission very quickly with a very strange Samurai sword, not a weapon normally associated with Klingons. Ensign Rios had even given him a good run for his money on the phaser range, managing to keep with him up the different difficulty levels.
But that was last month. Now, with the holodecks down, most security had to use the gym to train in, so phaser fighting was out. He wished for some action, something to happen in this war, but he remembered what it had been like back on Bajor, and countless other planets in the Universe. War is very quiet for a long period of time, then suddenly, everything happens at once, but before you know it, it's quiet again for another long period.
It felt like that now. Nothing had happened. The patrol was still uneventful, and security felt like it was redundant. Even the transfers had been minor. The loss of Ensign Salt, and the arrival of Ensign Rios. There had also been two promotions, one of Ensign, now Lt. (JG) Lawson. All the other departments had been a hive of activity, but not this one.
He stared back at the PADD, wondering what the patrol would bring, hoping for a little action.
Lt. Paran
By: Daniel Lawrence Josephs
Galaxy has been docked for several days now and things aboard Galaxy were back to normal. David was in Engineering, Alpha shift had just started, everyone seem busy except for David. The repair queue which was so long, has quickly diminished to some minor jobs. David was proud of his team of Engineers, they had done a job quickly and throughly. "Mercury to Boudreau" David tapped his comm badge.
[Melissa here go ahead David.]
"Melissa, dinner tonight, Ten-Forward, after your shift!"
[See you there, I will bring the drinks, you bring the recipe.]
"Fine with me. David out." David sat down and started looking over his crew of engineers, he needed to assign projects for them to do once the queue was empty. As David looked over the list of his crew he realized just how little experienced they were. "I have seven Ensigns, four Lieutenants including myself, Melissa and I who are less than two years out of the Academy, who are supposed to be in charge. Wow, I am surprised the ship is still running!" David put the PADD down and started walking around Main Engineering. David walked back and forth and circled Main Engineering dozens of times. Alpha shift had ended and everyone began filtering in and out and David stilled paced back and forth.
"David is everything, O.K. you look lost?" Melissa asked as she entered Engineering and noticed David.
"Oh, I didn't see you, what's up?"
"I asked if everything was O.K.?"
"Yeah, yeah everything is fine, I will see you tonight."
Once David had left, Melissa couldn't help to wonder what was wrong. She had never seen her friend so distracted at the end of the ship. Usually, he was either really busy working until Melissa kicked him out or he was ready to run out of engineering to have some fun or work on a personal project.
Melissa looked around engineering and wondered how she'd gotten to be so lucky. She was on a ship she loved with lots of friends, doing work she loved and back home she had a great family. She had just sent her family a long letter outlining her promotion and telling them a bit about work. She was considering, perhaps, taking a few days of shore leave on earth after the mission was over.
In any case, now she had to work.
*******************************************************************************
:::THE TIME IS 2345... THE TIME IS 2345... THE TIM.. ::::
David leaned over and pushed the console to turn off the alarm. David quickly got dressed and sat down at his desk. "Where are you, I know you are around here somewhere... Ah, I found you." David picked up the recipe that his mother always used to make him for dinner when he was little. Lemon Chicken which a side dish of Belle peppers in Mom's special sauce. David was halfway down the corridor before he realized that he wasn't wearing any shoes.
*************************************************
By the time David finally made it to Ten-Forward, Melissa was already sitting at a table. He quickly walked over. "Sorry, sorry, I had a little trouble getting dressed, let me just get dinner." David walked over to the bartender to get dinner ready. David gave the bartender detailed instructions about making the special sauce. The bartender understood and told David that it would be a few minutes he was a little busy. David walked back to where Melissa was sitting. "I hope you like chicken, it is quite good but I have to admit it doesn't compare to what my mother used to make me."
"I love chicken. I can't wait to try it." Melissa smiled. "I brought some real wine. It's white wine from earth. Don't drink too much!"
"I won't if you promise not to eat too much."
Melissa laughed. "I could never eat too much." She paused as the bartender brought them the chicken and the wine. "Oh, it looks wonderful!"
For the next little while, they eat and talked about engineering matters. As desert came (mmmm.... chocolate sundays), Melissa told David about a few of her ideas.
"So anyways, I figured that we should have a little engineering party in the next little while so everyone could get to know each other better. We've had a few transfers and such..." Melissa noticed David staring out at the stars. "Hello space case! Is something wrong?"
David woke himself. "Hmm, no. I'm fine."
"Whatever you say!" Melissa said softly. "Just remember, if you need to talk, let me know."
"Melissa, I have a lot on my mind lately but I don't know how to express it in words yet. But when I am ready I know that I will be able to talk to you about it." David held Melissa's hand and assured her that he was fine and that he thanked her for being there for him.
Dan & Amelie
Lt. David Mercury
By: Price
Captain's Log: Stardate 49802.23
The Galaxy has been assigned to patrol duty for the last several weeks. Our assignment, to cruise the area of space between sector 291 through 374 and establish a Starfleet presence. Hopefully dissuading any Cardassian or Jem'Hadar attacks on ships that travel along this busy passage of space. So far, our mission has been very uneventful.
*****
Captain Price glanced around the Bridge of the Galaxy. It was late into Alpha shift. The Beta crews would be reporting for duty inside of an hour.
Lee was glad for the mild assignment the Galaxy was presently carrying out. After the retaking of Deep Space Nine, and then the whole ordeal with the Argonii system, it was nice to be doing something routine again.
A warning tone sang out from Lieutenant Blair's station at tactical. It was a sharp, piercing high-low tone, and was more than enough to gain everyone's attention.
"What 'ave you got Mister Blair?" the Captain asked over his shoulder.
"Captain, I am picking up a general distress signal from sector 321." Troy explained, "I am trying to pin point the source sir."
Lee rubbed a hand across his chin while the tactical officer made the adjustments. Commander Sterner, who had just entered the bridge from the turbolift along with Yeoman York, stopped next to Troy's station.
"It appears to be coming from a small Breen vessel Captain. The Computer seems to be having a hard time identifying the class of the ship, but they are transmitting Breen identification codes." Lieutenant Blair explained.
"All right 'mate." Captain Price said pivoting towards the Helm. "Lieutenant Bancroft, plot an intercept course. Lieutenant Blair will feed you the proper coordinates."
"Aye Captain." Tebrianne responded tapping the controls on her station, "I have them now sir. Ready to engage warp engines."
"Do it 'mate. Maximum warp."
The engines of the Galaxy screamed to life, pushing the Starship to warp.
"We should be careful Captain." Commander Sterner warned, "This could be some sort of a clever trick by the Cardassians."
"Possibly. But I don't think so 'mate. If that were the case, I'm sure they would of used a better source of 'bait' than the Breen."
"Still, it would be a wise precaution to raise the shields sir." the First officer advised.
"Fair enough. Lieutenant Blair, shields please." Lee called out.
"Raising shields Captain." Troy answered, "I am still unable to identify the class of the Breen ship Captain. It must be of a new design unknown to the Starfleet database."
"We will know soon enough 'mate." the Captain Consoled. "How long before we are within visual range Lieutenant Bancroft?"
"In about ten minutes at present speed Captain." Bancroft answered.
"Lieutenant Erikson, see if you can use the ship's long range sensors to help aid Lieutenant Blair at identifying the Breen vessel. Also scan the immediate area for anything else that might be of tactical interest." Captain Price ordered.
"Yes sir." Greer replied before reconfiguring the controls at Science station one.
"Lieutenant Thomas, why don't you give Greer a hand at monitoring the sensory output 'mate?"
"Yes Captain." Chris said raising out of his chair and swiveling the Operations counsel out of his way. A few long strides later, Lieutenant Thomas was at Science Station two watching the readouts.
Minutes later, the Chief Science Officer was scratching his head. "This is odd Captain."
"What is it 'mate? That Breen ship looking like something else? A Gator class warship perhaps?"
"No sir. Lieutenant Blair is correct. It's a Breen ship, but it appears to be of a new design not registered in the database. I'm making a new recorded file of her type now sir. No it's these other readings I am getting. The Breen craft appears to be caught in some kind of spatial vortex. But it's unlike anything I've ever seen before. It's almost fluidic in nature..."
A puzzled look formed on the Captain's face at this new information. Before he had a chance to comment on it, Lieutenant Blair called out.
"I have established a channel with the Breen ship Captain."
"On screen 'mate."
The distorted and static filled image of a Breen officer wearing an environmental suit appeared on the screen. The pulsing lights of the red optical sensors moved back and forth slowly.
["We need assistance Federation Starship. We are unable to break free of the vortex. Our engines are nearing maximum tolerances. Failure is eminent. Repeat, we need assistance..."]
"This is Captain Lee Price of the Federation Starship Galaxy. We are presently in route to your location. We should be arriving in a matter of minutes." The Captain watched and waited for an answer, but was disturbed when the Breen seemed unaware of the hail.
["Repeat, we need assistance. Engines are failing. We are being pulled into the vortex. Help us Federation Starship."]
Price gave Commander Sterner a glance before looking back to Lieutenant Blair, "Are they receiving our transmissions 'mate?"
"We are broadcasting Captain. They may have damaged communications equipment sir." Troy speculated.
"Or this might be a trap." Sterner pointed out again, gaining the Captain's attention.
"There might be another explanation Captain." Chief Science Officer Erikson offered.
"Let's hear it 'mate."
"This spatial vortex may be distorting sub-space and introducing unwanted skip into our signal. The Breen ship might not be able to receive communications signals while trapped within the funnel of the vortex."
"Captain..." Lieutenant Bancroft interrupted, "We are within visual range sir."
All eyes turned to the static filled image of the Breen officer that was repeating the distress message over and over again.
"On screen Lieutenant."
The Breen was replaced by a breath taking sight. It was Lieutenant Erikson's spatial vortex. It spun violently in a counter clockwise direction. Looking at it, it appeared as if you were looking down the funnel of a tornado tilted on it's side. It measured over a hundred kilometers wide at the maul, and radiated in gaseous, neon colors that were reddish orange and green. Trapped in the middle of the Vortex was the Breen ship. Nearly half way down the maul of the spinning vortex, and slowly being pulled towards the convergence point at the base of the spatial phenomenon.
"My god, look at the size of that thing." Yeoman York exclaimed while standing to one side of the Command well.
"Still think this is some sort of a Cardassian trick Commander?" Lee asked his First officer.
"Maybe not sir. You are right, this seems too elaborate." Joerg commented.
"Your orders Captain?" Tebrianne asked from the helm.
"Maintain shields, and take us out of warp Lieutenant." Lee ordered. "Lieutenant Blair, can we erect a tractor beam to pull the Breen ship out of the vortex?"
"We are too far out of range Captain. The magnetic and gravitational fields being caused by the vortex is greatly reducing the range of our systems." Blair explained.
"Well then, looks like we will have to go in closer. Lieutenant, plot a course towards the Breen ship. One quarter impulse 'mate."
"Aye Captain. Plotting course now." Lieutenant Bancroft answered.
"Do it 'mate. Lieutenant Blair will inform us when we are close enough to obtain a tractor beam lock on the Breen ship. Then let's get the hell out of here 'mate."
"Understood Captain." Tebrianne answered as she took the ship in.
By: "Kornan Rios"
Galaxy "Training"
Personal Log:
I have been training on the ship learning the ways of these Starfleet officers. My Section Commander is a honourable opponent, and strong for a human. I used the element of suprise with my commander, he dosn't know that a Klingon can use other weapons besides our traditional ones. I surprised him when I ordered the Traditional Japaneese fighting sword. I gave him an honourable battle. Next time I will have the honour.
End Log
"Incomming Ship message"
"Computer Play message!"
"Dear Kornan. I would like to meet with you if that is possible, I have something I would like to discuss with you. From Dr. Kahn"
I got up and walked out of my quarters. I headed down to Sickbay, As I entered I saw the CMO and Kahn waiting there for me.
By: "Ryak Sullax"
As the medication lost its effect Ryak was finally able to understand everything around him. He noticed that he was in sick bay and that he was alright. Ryak stayed in sickbay for three more days before he was let go. Within that time he was visited by one of the ships counsellor, had many lectures from Dr. Khatroweena, had visits from security about why the safeties were taken off, and a visit from Lt. Erikson to make sure all was ok, as well as to give him some work to do while he was in sick bay.
Ryak got up from the bio bed and stood for the first time since the accident. It felt kind of weird but he got used to it soon. Ryak was told that he would have a slight limp for about a month and that his arms would be a bit stiff but it would all return to normal in time. As he walked out of the sick bay Ryak was also told that his holo deck privileges have been suspended until authorized by the counselling staff.
"Computer, time."
"The time is 0725."
Ryak went directly to the science lab were he would start his shift. After arriving in the science lab Ryak begun his daily routine of getting everything up and going for Lt. Erikson.
This routine kept up for a few weeks. Ryak was starting to get excited for his first real mission. There could be some real combat. Ryak spent his nights working-out in the gym, sharpening his dagger and working on his experiment. Ryak hadn't heard anything else about the echo ship that he had found. But he thought that if he was to know anything about it he would have heard something. While working on his experiment Ryak had also started another one. How to get the Jem'Hadar's cloaking device to be detected before it is too late. this was going to be difficult considering he was unable to use the holo deck.
Ryak had no time to see the counsellor. He kept making excuses for himself everyday on why he couldn't get to see one. The Galaxy was sent on a patrol mission when it received a distress call. Ryak was ready for anything. Being in the science lab he got to see what was going on out in space. Ryak started doing preliminary scans from his station. Ryak started to get some very strong readings as the Galaxy entered warp towards the anomaly.
"Sullax to Erikson."
"Make it quick ensign."
"Sir I want to launch two probes when we arrive at the anomaly. One into it and on around it. I am aware that the second probe will be sucked in but the reading we get could be valuable."
"Excellent idea ensign, I'll look in to it and get back to you soon. Erikson out."
Ryak had the probes ready to go. All he needed was the ok. Until then he would just have to deal with getting the sensors to work on a more sensitive band.
Ryak's reading were coming in so fast he couldn't keep up on the analysis. Everything around him had slowly vanished to a point were there was him and his terminal. Ryak knew that he would need those probes launch.
By: Rob
"Second Officer’s log Stardate 49802.24.
"Captain Price has just taken over for me, Gamma shift for today is complete. It was a slow shift. We have been patrolling sectors 291 through 374. Needless to say our patrols have been uneventful. It has been well over two months since my wife retired from her commission in Starfleet. And I must say it is still strange. It has also been two months since I have officially taken command of Gamma shift. I must admit that I miss Alpha shift. I miss the Ops station even more. But duty and destiny requires me to sit in the command chair. And so a new routine has commenced in my life.
"I don’t know what the future holds. My family’s schedule revolves around my new duties. I still must report for all senior staff meetings with the Captain, conduct my CO duties of the Ops department and my sleep is interrupted at times. My wife and I are on the same schedule. It is taking some effort to get used to this lifestyle. I was hesitant for Miran to retire. But her happiness is more important. I just hope she finds something to occupy her time and that she doesn’t blame me for her decision.
"I am hoping that I get some action on Gamma Shift. I find it slow and tedious. But, the Captain and Starfleet Command are keeping their eyes on me as I sit in the ‘Chair.’ I know it is just a matter of time before I have my own Command. And so I will see taking command of Gamma shift as a step forward to that goal. End log."
Deiran shut down the log program on his computer and began reviewing messages. He had a few from his Ops department personnel. One from his sister Alexa. One from Captain Sisko, whom Deiran met several months ago, the two men hit it off. And then the usual message from his parents. But this had an encrypted code attached to it. Which was unusual for his father, even in wartime.
He went to this message first:
"Hello son. I have good news for you. I have some top secret information for you, which with your new Lt. Commander and Second Officer security clearance I can show you this information.
"I have finally convinced Starfleet Command and the President’s Council that Starfleet must be better prepared and that at least 300 ships must be under construction at any given time, whether in peacetime or in war. So we will be a strong presence in the galaxy from now on. Never again will we be unprepared. This also gives us an advantage now. As more than 600 ships will be ready to join the war with the Dominion in the next 2 months. I am telling you this so that the enclosed report will make more sense to you.
"It also is my pleasure to inform you that out of the many Lt. Commander’s and Commanders in Starfleet you are on the list of possible future Captain’s who will earn a ship to command when the time is right. As you know Starfleet plans ahead because it takes anywhere from 10 to 20 years to build a ship in peacetime. With each new advance we are reducing that time considerably. In effect, Starfleet has decreed that we have a vast Armada for the defense of all Federation-aligned worlds do to the Borg and Dominion threat.
"The real news is I can reveal to you what ship is being prepared for you to command. It is a brand new and updated version Galaxy-class Starship, with some new features being tested. The tentative name for it is USS Constitution. It will be one of the premiere ships Starfleet has to offer.
"I have attached the plans of the ship in this transmission. This encryption is top secret. And only has Command level clearance. Which I’m pleased to say you possess. I am proud of you son."
His father once again had interfered in his career. It burned Deiran up. Yes he had earned his promotions and his place on the Galaxy. But these little news flashes from his father irritated Casey to know end. He should’ve deleted the encryption code so he could’ve never read the message. But it was too late.
Starfleet was considering him for a command. Of course this ship wasn’t even constructed yet, and it would be ten years or so until it was fully operational. It would take a few more years to reach the rank of Commander and then another few years to reach Captain. But, he had advanced knowledge. Few people in Starfleet ever had this kind of knowledge. But then again few people had fathers who were the Chief Tactical Officer of Starfleet Command either. It didn’t look as if his father planned on retiring anytime soon. Deiran wished his father would retire so he could reach Admiral on his own.
He was beyond caring about what people thought anymore. Deiran did his duty and did it to the best of his ability and let his record speak for itself. Even without certain advantages from his father, Deiran would have an impeccable record and career.
Deiran realized what time it was. He had to study for his Science exams. He was almost finished. A few more exams and Deiran would have a degree in Science. Which would make his degrees in Tactical, Operations and Engineering all that more impressive. Many called Deiran a modern Renaissance man. He also had passed Command school, Special Ops school, Marine Warfare school and an Advanced Weapons and Self Defense school. Ah the wonders of Holodeck training. It was like being at Starfleet Academy itself.
Starfleet sent the programs you needed to learn the information required, you studied, took the exams on the holodeck and whalah! You could earn degrees in just about anything. Of course it wasn’t a cake walk. Few officers could pass this type of advanced training. But Deiran wasn’t a typical officer. He had to be the best he could be at everything he did or he saw himself as a failure. Forget just trying, he had to succeed every time.
After he took his Science exam he headed home. He was tired and had a long day. He would eat, read a bit, spend some time with his wife and daughter and then go to bed. This was his new routine. Up to this time it had been monotonous.
By: "Ens O'Hare"
As the the Captained dismissed Jon after the Aft Science Station upgrades he nodded to Sirkahn since there shift was over to follow him. As Jon and Sirkahn entered there quarters Sirkahn took his favorite seat and asked "What is so urgent my friend?" Jon quickly grabbed his head and let out a scream! Sirkahn raise his left eyebrow trying to desern what the problem was with his friend. Jon finally gained his composure and turned toward his old friend and said "I have been having these voice's and images coming to me and I don't know what it means?" Sirkahn shifts in his seat and looks at his old friend "And what are these voices say to you and what do the images look like!" Jon getting really uneasy with this subject replies "The voice kept saying over and over again "She's Alive" and the image is that of a women in a preistist robe. I feel they are telepathic in nature, but I don't reconize the women or the voice and I have never experienced anything like this before!" Sirkahn eyebrow raises again "I see that our exercises have been benificial to you, it appears that your telepathic abilities have extended far beyond the relms of your location, this is good!" Jon suddenly remembered all the sessions that he has had with Sirkahn since reporting onto Galaxy. These sessions where to enhance his telepathic abilities that all Betazoids have buried deep inside them. "Sirkahn do you believe that this voice may have calling and coming to me without me knowing?" Sirkahn responded "Perhaps, now that your telepathic phyci has been stimulated these images are becoming visiable to you" Jon set down at this news "But if this is true who the hell is she and what does she mean by Shes Alive?"
"I do not know OHare" Grump replied "but one thing is certain, that this must is something very important in your life. Have you had any other usual occurances lately?" Jon hesitated and replied "Well, I was in sickbay and met this beautiful women in there, Ensign Neg'Puj" Grump sat up this time with all his attention on Jon's words "I had a very strange feeling that I knew her, and what was even weirder was she told me the same thing" Sirkahn stood and walked over to his computer terminal Jon looked at Sirkahn and was wondering what his Vulcan friend was up too. Sirkahn started to punch buttons into the computer when his comms badge sounded!!
[Lt Erikson to Ltjg Grump] Jon looked funny at Sirkahn as he raised his eyebrow again and quickly tapped his comm badge
"Grump here Sir"
[Ahhh Grump, Your probaly wondering why I hailed like I did, well the Captain has promoted you to Ltjg, Congradulations Sirkhan. Anyways as you know along with promotion generally comes added responsibilities and I would like to talk to you about them in my office now]
Jon smiled at the good news and gave his friend a wink and a thumbs up sign, Sirkahn didn't quite know what Jon was doing
"Aye Sir, I am on my way Grump out"
"Jon" Grump started "I am your friend and very fond of you, but I am not how you would say attracted to you" Jon looked at Sirkahn with a rather puzzled look on his face "ATTRACTED" Jon said out loud "Where in sams name did you get that idea?" Sirkahn started for the door "As I was conversing with Lt Erikson you gave me several physical gesture's to suggest that you are attracted to me, I have been studing terran history, I believe the term utilized homosexual" Jon eyes widen and thinks what he just did and breaks out in a big laugh. Sirkahn eye brows raises puzzled by his roomates response. Jon exclaims while still laughing
"No Sirkahn, that wink and thumbs up was a earth expression of saying Way To Go!! without saying anything" Jon chuckles as Sirkahn heads for the door says "Humor, a difficult concept to understand". Jon get's semi serious "Congradulations on the promotion, and I guess we can continue our conversation at a later time?" Sirkahn paused before exiting the door "Thank You, and yes we will I have something I want to check out" and with that Sirkahn exited the quarters. Jon sat back and contemplated on the conversation that they just had.
By: Stuart Clapperton
Nearing the conclusion of a long jog around the ship, Jack's track suit was covered in sweat. He was tired from the exertion, having not been for a run in a couple of weeks, but it also felt invigorating. He came to a stop and checked his pulse. A female officer from Science came round the corner. Jack noticed her almost as she turned the corner. She smiled as she approached.
"Congratulations Jack." She said, giving him a slap on the shoulder. Jack turned to ask what she was congratulating him for, but she had already turned the corner, continuing on her way. Although he was confused at what had happened, he started walking towards his quarters again. Again it happened, this time a male Andoran congratulated Jack.
"May I ask what for?" Jack asked the blue skinned male.
"That's a funny one Jack" He stated as he started off down the hallway.
Jack punched his code into the access panel on the wall. The doors to his quarters swished open. The darkness within was dispelled by the light from the hallway, giving the room an eerie glow. Jack stepped into the room and let the door close behind him, thrusting the room into darkness once again.
"Lights"
Jack cast a quick glance round the room before removing his clothes, and going to take a shower. He still couldn't work out what was going on, but he was going to get to the bottom of it. Minutes later he stepped into the main area of his room, showered, shaved and completely refreshed. It was only now that he noticed the message waiting for him, a message from Captain Price.
That had been a few weeks back. Shortly after he had read the message, he was asked by Dr Khatroweena to meet her at one of the holodecks, an emergency pertaining to Ensign Sullax of Science, an incident that he, and a few other were in the midst of working on a solution to.
The hallway that Jack was walking along was like every other hallway on the ship, dull and grey. The bleakness of the hallway did nothing to shatter the glow that emanated from Jack. He had just been promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade a few weeks back, another step towards his goal. His hand casually touched the extra half pip on his collar, which made another smile appear on his face. Even after the weeks since, Jack was still happy at his promotion.
Jack entered the turbolift that was located at the end of the corridor, and proceeded to the bridge. Alpha shift was starting in a few minutes and Jack was scheduled to be there. It was to be the start of a new adventure for Jack and the other crew members of the Galaxy today, all starting with a spatial vortex and a new type of Breen ship trapped in the middle of it.
Lt.jg Jack Lawson
Jon was going over the PADDS turned into him from various personnel assigned to him for the computer upgrade project. He walked over to the replicator "Cafe' Conlachie" the hot cup of latin java appeared in the replicator indented shelf. Jon takes a sip of the steaming beverage and sits back down to continue going over his reports. He was looking at Cadets Foster's report on the preparation of the Main Science Station computer upgrade since that was next on the upgrade schedule.
"Hmmmmm" Jon said as he placed his coffee on the desktop "I see Foster has been doing his homework on this particular upgrade, he has covered all the basis" Jon continues looking over the extra-ordinary report. A few minutes later Jon put's the report down, stands up straightens out his uniform, picks up his tool kit. "Well I am due on the Bridge to conduct a check up on the Aft Science Station, let's see how thorough Mister Foster was" with that Jon vacated his quarters and headed for the turbo lift. Jon stepped into the turbo-lift and stated "Bridge" the lift started whinnying toward the brain of the ship. Jon started whistling a little Irish tune he learned when visiting his ancestors homeland on earth. Jon was quite the whistler and had major volume to his tune's as the lift stopped and open to the bridge Jon stepped out still whistling. Everyone on the bridge turned around and gave him a "Be Quite Look" Jon looked up and saw everyone looking at him and he knew right then and there that something was going on and he had disturbed them. Jon instantly stopped his whistling and eased toward the Aft Science Station to check it over. Jon saw on the View Screen that enormous vortex circling with a ship being sucked into it. Jon thinks to himself "Hmmmmm, what is going on here" as he places his tool kit next to the Aft Science Station.
Captain Price speaks, "See if you can get us a little closer Lt Bancroft so that Lt Blair can initiate a tractor beam on the ship to pull it out mate" Jon saw the Chief Helmsman do her stuff as the ship moved closer to the vortex. Jon knew that if the ship got too much closer than they risked being sucked in themselves, but they were still too far away to erect a tractor beam. Jon quickly went to work on the Aft Science Station, he brought up the schematic of the Tractor Beam System. He was looking for a way to extend the tractors reach.
With the faster retrial time the Aft Science Station since the computer update, Jon quickly developed a recommendation to Captain Price "Captain" Jon spoke up. Price turned quickly toward the Computer Specialist direction.
"Yes Mate" the Captain answered sharply turning away from Lieutenant Erikson and Lieutenant Thomas at the forward Science stations.
"Sir I have been doing some calculations here, and I believe I have come up with a way we can extend the Tractors pull without placing the ship in any greater danger"
Lee quickly made his way over to the Aft Science Station to see what the young Ensign had come up with "Let's hear it Mate"
Jon punched up the view for the Captain to see. "Sir, If we turned the ship around, we can direct all the power from the two forward tractor emitters, plus the additional emitters located near each shuttlebay, plus the mooring tractor emitters to the Aft emitters. Since the tractor beams work on the basis of graviton polarity and subspace field, recommend we create a subspace field ahead, superimpose a polarized graviton beam into the tractor beam, aim at the subspace field with these correct calculations" as Jon pointed to the read out on the screen "the tractor beam should hit the subspace field creating a second beam directing it to the distressed ship, thus actually extending the range of our Tractor Beam. Once the distressed ship was within range of the subspace field we can dissipate it by cutting the polarized graviton beam, and the standard tractor beam will take over, plus we will be in position to head away from the Vortex. All power will have to be diverted from non-essential systems to create a subspace field and polarized graviton beam of that magnitude, but I believe we can pull it off" Jon looks up at Price to see what the Captain thought of his idea.
"It's worth a try Ensign." Captain Price commented, "If it will let us establish a tractor beam lock without 'aving to get further inside the vortex, I'm all for it. Do it 'mate."
"Aye Captain." Ensign O'Hare smiled, "If Lieutenants Erikson and Thomas can assist me, we can have this ready to go in no time sir."
Lee nodded.
"Whatever you are going to do gentlemen, you had better make it quick." Lieutenant Blair warned from tactical, "Sensors reading indicate that the Breen ship is loosing it's warp containment field. In a matter of minutes it is going to be too late."
By: Price
Within a matter of moments, Ensign O'Hare with help from Lieutenants Erikson and Thomas had made the modifications to the ships systems and was ready to try establishing the graviton assisted tractor beam onto the sinking Breen vessel.
"I believe we are ready Captain." Ensign O'Hare informed, "We just need to spin the ship around and give this a try sir."
Captain Price gave O'Hare a nod, glancing at both Chris and Greer before turning to face the front of the bridge and Lieutenant Bancroft who sat alone at the Helm.
"Okay 'mate," Lee said while looking at Tebrianne, "let's do an about face. One hundred eighty degrees from mark Lieutenant."
"Aye Captain." Bancroft acknowledged. The Galaxy quickly complied to the Chief Helmsman's commands, spinning around on its own axis. "We are in position sir."
"Right Lieutenant." Lee responded, "Okay Ensign O'Hare, let's do it 'mate. Activate your modified tractor beam."
"Aye Captain." O'Hare answered with a touch of anticipation in his tone.
The graviton assisted tractor beam radiated away from the Galaxy and through the swirling spatial vortex of the phenomenon until it found the Breen ship. The Galaxy gave a slight lurch forward when the tractor beam took hold.
"It's working Captain!" O'Hare called out, almost surprised, "we've latched onto the Breen ship sir."
"Good job 'mate. Lieutenant Bancroft, take us out of this vortex, half impulse."
"Aye Captain, plotting course, half impulse sir." Bancroft relayed.
The Galaxy's secondary engine systems began to whine under the strain of the vortex' pull. In main Engineering, Chief Engineer David Mercury was growing concerned.
["Chief Engineer Mercury to Captain Price."] came through the comm system.
"Price here, what is it Lieutenant?"
["Sir, the ship's engines are straining against the load. I don't think we will be able to maintain this for very long without overloading the systems."]
Lee nodded for a moment. "Lieutenant Bancroft, increase to three quarters impulse."
"Aye sir, three quarters." the Chief Helmsman replied before adding, "It's not helping Captain, we are still not moving sir."
"Can you give us any more output from the impulse engines 'mate?" Captain Price asked Lieutenant Mercury over the comm system.
["She's at maximum output now Captain. You can try full impulse, but if that ship doesn't budge after a minute or so, we will have to shut them down or watch them melt sir. Sorry."]
"Understood. Do your best Lieutenant. Price out." Lee punched the comm button on his command chair with his thumb. Then looking at the main view screen and tilting his head he ordered, "Lieutenant, full impulse. Give it everything we've got 'mate."
"Yes Captain. Pulling out the stops sir." Tebrianne commented while chewing on her gum and letting out a sharp snap.
The Galaxy's floor plates began to vibrate slightly from the strain of the ships engines and the swirling, churning spatial vortex that surrounded them at the mouth of the anomaly. Captain Price and the rest of the bridge crew watched the main view screen closely. The Breen ship was suspended before them, the multi-colored vortex spinning around it and the pale blue-green tractor beam from the Galaxy fanning out and struggling to tow the distressed ship out of danger's way.
"Collapse of the Breen vessel's reactor is imminent Captain. Their engines are starting to overload..." the Chief tactical officer called out while watching the sensor readings.
"Are we making any progress 'mate?" Lee asked.
"Negative Captain. We are barely holding position sir. The pull on the Breen craft is too great given it's closer proximity to the focal point of this spatial vortex singularity." Lieutenant Erikson explained.
"Very well. Lieutenant Thomas, notify our transporters. I want an immediate evacuation beam out of all persons on board that vessel." Lee ordered.
"Right away Captain." Thomas declared, while quickly moving back to the Operations station to initiate the evacuation protocol.
"Captain, with the interference from the spatial vortex, our transporter signal might not be able to reliably retrieve all members on board the Breen craft sir." Greer pointed out.
"We will have to hope we manage to get at least a few of them 'mate. From what Mister Blair is telling us, that ship will be going critical in..." the Captain glanced over to the Chief Tactical officer.
"One minute sir." Troy said flatly.
"Lieutenant Morris is seeing to the transporter Captain. They are having difficulties, but so far have managed to beam some members of the Breen vessel on board." Chris explained from Ops.
"Fair enough. Lieutenant Bancroft, maintain our position as long as possible to buy us time to off load the surviving Breen crew members. Ensign O'Hare, be prepared to disengage the modified tractor beam on my mark."
The two officers acknowledged the Captain's commands while continuing their duties. Just a few seconds later, a bright light was emitted from the focal point of the vortex.
"Sir, detecting a massive energy buildup just beyond the event horizon of the singularity." Lieutenant Erikson called out from Science Station One while staring into the sensory scanner and adjusting the gain.
"What sort of build up 'mate? Is the ship's warp core overloading?..." The Captain asked while looking at the view screen. "Lieutenant Bancroft, magnify."
The image on the main viewer grew in size to focus on the Breen ship still caught in Ensign O'Hare's modified Tractor Beam. The dark hulled craft stood out against the brilliant neon colored spatial vortex that churned beyond it. Then, a strong, white, almost static electric beam emanated from within the vortex focal point, reaching out and striking the Breen craft. The dark ship exploded instantly when the beam came in contact with her weakened hull, releasing the Galaxy from her tethered pull and sending the ship hurdling out of the vortex at full impulse. The ships engines moaned as massive amounts of power was released in propelling the Starship out of the maul of the vortex a safe distance away. Members of the bridge crew and on all decks throughout the Galaxy were shaken from their feet while the internal inertia dampeners struggled to compensate for the sudden, unexpected release of power.
Captain Price gripped the arm of his chair to maintain balance and remain centered in the command well of the bridge. He struggled to watch the main view screen, shielding his eyes from the brilliant explosion by squinting his eyes and holding up his free hand. Lee watched as the brightness faded, and he could see that the spatial vortex had began to decrease in size when the Breen craft had exploded.
"Lieutenant Erikson, what is happening to the vortex?!" Lee yelled out in the excitement.
Greer, who was also struggling against the sudden acceleration of the ship, pulled himself back into position, checking his duty station's displays. "Sir, I'm showing a partial collapse of the singularity that appears to be the focal point of the vortex. Sensors show it's been reduced in size by a full eighty nine percent. It appears to be stabilizing at it's present size Captain."
"Bancroft, reduce power to the impulse engines. Full stop 'mate. Let's hold position here, just outside of the gravitational pull of the Vortex."
"Aye Captain. I'm sure Chief Mercury will be glad to hear that." Bancroft commented before shutting down the Galaxy's engines and maintaining their present position well outside of the maul of the spatial vortex.
"You've deactivated the tractor beam 'mate?" Lee asked glancing at Ensign O'Hare.
"No sir. I mean, well, actually, when the Breen ship exploded, our tractor beam likewise collapsed Captain..." The Ensign said in an unsure tone.
"It's okay Ensign. You did well. I don't think it was the tractor beam that caused that Breen vessel to explode. I thought I saw something else..."
"Yes Captain, I saw it too." Lieutenant Thomas commented, "It looked like some kind of electric discharge from the anomaly itself."
"Exactly!" Captain Price exclaimed with a raised finger. "Like a lightning bolt, or some kind of static charge..."
"Or maybe an unknown weapon." Lieutenant Commander Sterner pointed out.
"Maybe." Lee nodded. "Were you able to record anything on long range sensors Lieutenant Erikson?
"I don't know Captain, I will have to check. I had set all sensors on full record, so if the distortion from the vortex didn't interfere with reception, we should have gotten some usable data." Greer explained before adding, "I still think sending a manned shuttle into the vortex will be the only way we obtain any meaningful data sir."
"So noted Lieutenant." The Captain said bluntly. "Have a look at what the sensors detected and prepare a briefing in thirty minutes. I will call a senior staff meeting and we can discuss your findings and ALL of our options at that time. I need to report this to Starfleet Command. 'Commander Sterner, you 'ave the Conn. Check with Lieutenant Morris and Sickbay to determine how many of the Breen we managed to rescue from the ship."
"Yes Captain. I'll get right on that." Joerg replied. Greer likewise gave the Captain a nod before Price turned and entered his ready room to contact Starfleet Command about this incident.
Ronni sat cross legged on the floor as she finished up the Transporter upgrades. She had about an hour before Beta Shift was to start and she wanted to do one final check of the transporter systems.
"Chief, go ahead and do it again" she said. Chief Jenson activated the controls and the three test modules disappeared in a sparkle of blue.
*breep* ["Ensign Okuda to Lt. Morris."]
Ronni tapped her communicator, "Morris here"
["I received the modules. Diagnostics show a three percent increase in transporter efficiency."] Ensign Okuda said.
"Very good Ensign. Go ahead and beam the modules to my lab, I want to run some spectral analysis on them. Send your report to Lt. Mercury, Chief Jenson, and myself. Well done Okuda." said the Delphinian Practical Sciences Officer.
["Thank you Lieutenant. Okuda out."]
Ronni closed the panel she had been working on and started putting her tools away. The vibrations of the ship changed. Looking up she said, "Chief, did we just drop out of warp?"
"Yes." he said, his fingers flying over the controls. "Tractor beam has been initiated."
Ronni finished picking up the tools and stored them in their cabinet. "I had better get up to the bridge. They may need me." she said. Suddenly the ship jerked forward slightly. Turning toward Chief Jenson, he said, "We're trying to pull a ship free from some sort of vortex, but the pull seems to be too great for the ship. It appears to be a Breen ship, but the design is unknown."
"Chief, lock the transporter on Breen life signs. The Captain may want you to beam them out if things go bad." she said looking over Chief Jenson's shoulder.
"I'm trying to Lieutenant, but the energy fluctuations are making it impossible. Even with the upgrades, I can't get a lock!" he said brusquely.
Lt. Morris went over to the transporter sensor controls in the small alcove to the right of the transporter pad. Activating the backup controls, she hurried and diverted power from some non-critical areas and patched in the lateral sensor arrays to the transporter signal lock controls. Tapping her communicator and said, "Morris to Engineering. I'm trying to increase the transporter signal. I've tied the lateral sensor array into the transporter locking system. Can you see what you can do from there? Morris out."
After several tense minutes, Engineering replied. "Engineering to Transporter Room 1. Try it now!"
*breep* ["Price to Transporter Room 1. Get a lock on the crew of the Breen ship and beam them over!"]
"Aye Captain." said the transporter Chief.
Lt. Ronni Morris watched Chief Jenson. She wanted to cheer as he started the transport, but didn't dare breath for fear of jinxing the situation. The transport seemed to take forever. The process wasn't even finished before Ronni knew that they had problems.
Tapping her comm badge, she said, "Morris to sickbay. Medical emergency in Transporter Room 1."
Rushing over to the transporter pad with Chief Jenson, said, "I lost one during transport. The energy fluctuations increased tenfold during the beam over. " As they got to the pad, one Breen was laying unconscious, but obviously breathing. The second was laboriously breathing. He had been deformed by the transport and was dying.
The emergency medical personnel arrived and took the Breen away. Chief Jenson was in tears. Ronni walked over to him and put her arms around him. Chief Jenson said, "I tried. I tried everything I knew to bring them over safely. I really tried. I've never had an accident. Never. I really tried!"
Ronni just held him and said, "I know. I know." But she knew that her words were cold comfort. Counselor Wilson walked in and came over to them. Ronni just sighed.
By: Daniel Lawrence Josephs
[Boudreau to Mercury]
"Go ahead, Melissa."
[David, we have a situation, a Breen ship has been caught up in some kind of spatial vortex. We have locked onto it with the tractor beam.]
"Melissa I am going to go to the bridge to see what I can do, I will keep you posted from there, see what you can do about boosting the confinement of the tractor beam. You might want to check about using the tractor beam emitters used by the shuttlebays. Once we get close enough they might be in range to help pull the Breen ship out. Good luck." David quickly took the turbolift to the bridge. "Nice of you to join us, Lieutenant, see what you can do about boosting the tractor beam." Captain Lee said as David exitted the turbolift.
"Attempting to now, sir." David walked over to Science Station II. "Computer - Transfer Main Engineering controls to this console. Authorization Code Mercury 1 3 Delta Alpha 7 7." David tapped his comm badge. "Mercury to Boudreau."
[Go ahead David]
"It doesn't look like the Breen ship's engines are going to hold much longer, what the deal with the tractor beam?"
Dan Josephs
****** Transporter pad ******
Jurelle pushed aside a tranporter technician in effort to gain access to the injured Breen. Coaxing a tricorder into action it was evident one was beyond help, she turned her attention to the other two. One would be okay, she was confident she could bring it back to health, but with the other, time would be of the essence. She tapped her com badge while gesturing to the team with her to get the Breen stabilised for transport.
"Nilani, we have a couple of injured Breen here, can you get the temperature decreased in one of the surgical suites, we'll be there as soon as we can stabilise them for transport."
An affirmative came in reply as Jurelle looked at the Breen. The smaller of the two had helmet and environmental suit seemingly intact. It would be better to leave it be for the moment, until they were in sickbay at least. Unfortunately the larger Breen's helmet looked like it had seen better days. The forehead piece was indented and the faceguard broken. Whatever use it once had, it was now a hinderance. It would have to come off. A gentle tug failed to move the headpiece. She was wasting time...
"Okay, lets go people." And the two Breen were on stretchers and on their way to sickbay.
****** Sickbay ******
Jurelle shivered involuntarily as she followed the stretchers into the cooled surgery. She knew Breen usually coped well in the room temperature of federation starships but it seemed only logical that sick, shocked Breen would appreciate temperatures closer to that of their frigid home- world.
Determining with the biobed and tricorder that the larger Breens skeletal system, or at least the cartilage-type material that passed as a skeleton was intact, Jurelle focussed on getting off the head piece, with it on, she couldn't get access to what could possibly be a fatal head injury. She tugged again at the helmet, but still it didn't budge.
"Um, can we get this cut off..." A technician actually heard her in all the bustle and in seconds the helmet was coming off. Jurelle realised she was holding her breath as the Breens face emerged from its protective covering. She had never seen a Breen without its helmet, didn't think she knew anyone who had. Thankfully the head injury didn't look too bad, it was probably just soft tissue damage. It was a little hard to tell, the lack of blood might make it look deceptively mild.
The alien's skin was sort of blueish-gray, how much was the pallor of shock she wasn't sure. The head was humanoid with a much higher forehead than humans. Its ears and nose were small and flat, consessions to the fridgid temperatures of Breen. The three small indented eye sockets, obviously to give eyes protection from wind and cold, would limit the beings range of sight if there were only two, but with three eyes it would have excellent peripheral vision. This Breen had very long eyelashes, another evolutionary advantage. The skin was very smooth, with a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. All in all the Breen was obviously well adapted to its home-world.
Jurelle had a closer look at the head wound, wondering how concussion would effect the four lobes of its brain. She determined, thankfully, that the wound was indeed superficial, the subcutaneous fat obviously adding an advantage of shock protection for the skull. She had little doubt that she herself would have fared as well.
Determining the skull was indeed intact she directed her attention to the rest of the body, glad at the chance to learn more about the reclusive race but a little frustrated that she knew so little.
Dr Jurelle Tash, CMO, USS Galaxy.
"Sir, this phenomenon seems to be a spatial vortex approximately one hundred and twenty seven kilometers in diameter. What we are looking at appears to have similar dynamics to a black hole, such as an intense gravity well, but it isn't a black hole." Greer said as he interpreted the data at the science console.
"Any theories from the long range sensor data Lieutenant?"
"I cannot be entirely sure sir. The sensors are having problems providing readable data." A small series of repetitive beeps sounded at the science station. "The 'skip' I told you about, that seems to be distorting our communications signal, seems to also be interfering slightly with the long range sensors."
"Lieutenant Thomas, magnify the image." the Captain requested.
"Aye sir."
[Sullax to Erikson.] the Romulan said.
"Make it quick ensign." Greer replied.
[Sir I want to launch two probes when we arrive at the anomaly. One into it and on around it. I am aware that the second probe will be sucked in but the reading we get could be valuable.]
"Excellent idea Ensign, I'll look in to it and get back to you soon. Erikson out."
"I think we'd better hold off on the probes for a little while longer Lieutenant." the Captain advised. "Just until we can ensure that they won't collide with the vortex."
"Understood sir. "Greer said, understanding the potential risk. "Erikson to Sullax."
[Yes sir. Sullax here.]
"Ensign, we'll be holding off on sending the probes just for the moment. The Captain is concerned that the vortex might make the probes uncontrollable and possibly damage the Breen vessel."
[Aye sir. Let me know when you're ready. Sullax out.]
"What can the long range sensor tell us." the Captain asked.
"At a glance . . ." Greer said, looking at the unusual data, ". . . unfortunately much in great detail sir. What I can tell you for certain is that it appears to be an intense spatial disruption unlike any that has ever been recorded by a Federation vessel before." Greer pressed a few more buttons to manipulate the sensor data on the display. "An unusual energy generated by the anomaly seems to be able to only distort normal space but subspace as well."
"Confirmed sir." Lieutenant Thomas added. "The warp field on the Breen vessel appears to be fluctuating as a result of the disruption. If they stay there too much longer, they risk a collapse of their warp field and possibly a warp core breach if they lose containment."
"Lieutenant, you look a little puzzled 'mate." Lee said to Greer.
"I cannot be entirely certain sir . . . but I think that the anomaly doesn't originate from our universe. The problem with the sensors and communications appears to be a result of the material properties of the anomaly itself . . . it doesn't appear to be made of normal matter."
"Are you sure about that?" the Captain asked, unsure where the scientist was going with his explanation.
"Yes, I believe so sir. Normal matter is composed of space . . . a static series of particles and wavelengths, such as cosmic radiation or elements ejected from stars, separated by space and vacuum." pressing a few more buttons, Greer further re-reviewed the sensor data, "This phenomenon, however, appears to be made of fluidic space . . . there is no space there between the particles or wavelengths. In effect it is more dense than normal space."
"So our communications signals are being scattered around like a rock skimming over water . . . it will eventually reach a point in space but we can't predict exactly where it will 'land' within the vortex." the Captain surmised.
"Yes sir." Greer replied. "The sensors, although at a different frequency and modulation, are suffering a similar fate. Especially at this distance from the anomaly itself."
"That would explain the lack of initial sensor data you described earlier." the Captain said
[Tash to Price.] the chief medical officer's voice said over the ship's comm system.
"Price here Doctor."
[Sir, Lieutenant Morris and Chief Jensen managed to secure most of the Breen crew from Transporter Room 1.]
"What about the rest?"
[One of the crew was lost and another was disfigured during an energy surge during the transporter cycle. I cannot do anything for him sir . . . the genetic, cellular, and physiological damage is far too great. The remainder of the crew are either still on the Breen vessel, or here in Sickbay undergoing treatment.]
"Thank you Doctor. Price out." he said, tapping his comm badge.
"Captain," Greer started, "A manned shuttle might be able to safely navigate the vortex and return with the readings we seek."
Captain Price seemed to winch at the thought of sending a small Federation shuttle into the violently spinning spatial vortex. "That doesn't sound like a very good idea Lieutenant. It sounds like what that Breen ship attempted, and look what happened to them."
"Yes Captain, but the Breen appear to have just tried entering the vortex with shields alone. I think if we modify the shuttles systems to emit a sort of sub-space bubble and match the frequencies as closely as possible to the fluidic harmonics, it should isolate the craft from the effects of the vortex." Greer suggested punching up his theory on the display of Science Station One.
"The shuttles engines should have plenty of power to generate a bubble like that." Thomas added, "As long as they remain fully functional..."
"I believe that although there's a medium to high level of risk to the shuttle itself, - and would recommend caution..." Greer began, pausing to calculate a few variables, " It should also be noted that a shuttle will have a better chance of receiving useful information. The pilot would be able to correct for the sudden changes in one of many variables that an anomaly of this size and intensity might produce."
"But not without an unnecessary risk to both shuttle and crew." Captain Price pointed out.
"I'm afraid so sir." Greer replied. "It is less of a risk than bringing the Galaxy too close to the vortex though."
"Understood Lieutenant." Lee nodded, "I have to say, I don't like this plan 'mate. But I will keep it in mind."
"Thank you Captain." Greer said glancing at Lieutenant Thomas.
By: john.kirk@cadresource.com (John Kirk)
He did experience a twang of discomfort though when the good doctor ... patted his belly. A gesture of contempt amongst the orion clans of his homeworld, he resisted the urge to snatch her wrist away from his mid-section. He knew the touch to be harmless though and suffered the discomfort.
He entered the turbo-lift, taking small pleasure in the fact that it was empty.
" Crew quarters - deck six. " He announced to the computer. Once the doors closed, he took an awkward glance at his midriff. Was he gaining weight? Perhaps the doctor was right. Maybe he should take the good doctor up on her offer to evaluate his eating habits. He'd never given the matter any serious thought in the past. He ate what he felt like, but never to excess and he also gave his body a thoroughly good work-out. True, the last couple of years he'd been paying more attention to his studies and his duties, but he'd always allowed himself at least a minimum of physical exercise in the holodeck combat simulators to keep up his edge.
He had been looking forward to settling back to his war miniatures, but now he was concerned. He wouldn't be able to sit still. Sunder was never one for sitting around when something was on his mind - action yielded choices, so he was taught by the clan elders. It was time to hit the bricks, figuratively speaking.
Suddenly the walls of the turbo-lift were flooded with a torrent of red light. The red alert signal was never ignored - even by those off-duty.
" Computer: this Lt. Commander Ursa Sunder, security clearance triple alpha-five. Present status of USS Galaxy? " He demanded.
The soul-less voice of the computer responded automatically. " Authorization recognized. The USS Galaxy is presently attempting to rescue a Breen vessel from a gravity and spacial distortion. "
Sunder tapped his badge. " Sunder to Security. "
" This is K'arta. Go ahead. "
" What's the situation Lt. ? " Though Sunder was higher in rank than Lt. K'arta, she still out-ranked him in her position as department head.
" We're trying to pull a Breen ship out of a gravity well, Commander. Right now it's Engineering and Ops' ball. Up to them if they drop it or not. It's stuck in that monster's belly pretty good. " K'arta said in her traditionally blunt style. Sunder always appreciated her non-compromising attitude. It accounted for the way they were able to work together despite the difference in ranks.
" Anything Security should be aware of? " Sunder asked.
" There's a Breen crewman in sickbay. Transporter accident. We tried to pull him out, but the gravity distortion effect scrambled the signal some. The medicos are working on him now. "
" What about ship's systems? "
" We've got it in hand Sunder, don't worry. I'm at the bridge station, and Albrecht is at the office station. All teams are at their posts. You can check in with Mathew and stand by, but it's not necessary at the moment. "
" Roger. Actually, I think it's best if I head to sickbay then. I'll stand a watch over the Breen patient. He's probably not in any shape to give the medics any truck, but I'd feel better with some security presence there anyway. "
" Good idea. Let you know if the situation changes. K'arta out. "
" So much for the heavy work-out. " Sunder muttered to himself and headed to his quarters as quick as possible to get changed into his uniform.
By: "Ryak Sullax"
Ryak kept trying to grab as much information from the vortex as he could. He also tried to get as much info from the vessel trapped. Ryak started finding it hard to stand steady as the Galaxy tried to pull out the ship. The Galaxy was in no way going to be able to pull that ship out of there. Ryak started to watch what was going on outside of the ship on the other monitor. The other ship was not budging. All of a sudden the ship exploded. Ryak was knocked off his feet, smashed his head against the other terminal and landed on the floor.
Ryak slowly pulled himself off the floor to his screen to see that the ship had exploded. There was no reason not to launch the probes. Should he wait as told or do what any Romulan would do and remind the bridge of the value of the data recovered before it was too late.
"Sullax to Erikson."
"Sullax, make it quick."
"Sir, I am just informing you that it would be an excellent time to launch those probes. I was also wondering if we could try to beam a sample of the substance in the vortex aboard for further tests. I am very curious about this. I saw what happened and it seems that it is alive or has something living in it."
"Noted ensign, stand-by, Erikson out."
Ryak felt his patience growing thin. The pain in his neck and head warranted him to go to sick bay. That and the large bump he had expanding on the back of his head, but there was no time for this now. Ryak took a second to get his thoughts back in order and started to get a container set up for a sample. He only had what the external sensors had recorded. Hopefully if they did get a sample the data recorded would be enough to safely contain it.
By: "B'Elanna Torres"
Personal Log of Lt K'Eytyanna Samara, Stardate 49802.24...
My motorcycle project has been progressing without any problems - so far. The chasiss is complete. However, as I expected, the engine will prove far more difficult.
As to the computer core upgrades, they are progressing on schedule as well. Ensign O'Hare's obvious hatred of Klingons has not been a problem.
Lt McKenzie has been otherwise busy. End log.
*******************
Getting up, K'Eytyanna walked over to the section of her quarters that she had made into a makeshift garage. Picking up a plasma torch, K'Eytyanna started welding the chassis's parts together.
After ten minutes of work, she switched the torch off and ran a stress-fracture test over the whole frame using a tricorder.
Satisfied with the work, K'Eytyanna went over to a large green barrel and opened it up. Spreading out a plastic sheet on the ground, she lifted the motorcycle's frame onto the plastic sheet and picked up a large brush.
Dipping it into the black liquid in the barrel, she carefully brushed it over the frame until it was totally black. Putting the brush down on the sheet, she leant the motorcycle against the small support she had made, making sure that it couldn't fall over.
Lt K'Eytyanna Samara, USS Galaxy - Engineer/Shuttle Pilot
By: "Ens O'Hare"
"Disappointment"
"You've deactivated the tractor beam 'mate?" Lee asked glancing at Ensign O'Hare.
"No sir. I mean, well, actually, when the Breen ship exploded, our tractor beam likewise collapsed Captain..." The Ensign said in an unsure tone.
"It's okay Ensign. You did well. I don't think it was the tractor beam that caused that Breen vessel to explode. I thought I saw something else..."
"Yes Captain, I saw it too." Lieutenant Thomas commented, "It looked like some kind of electric discharge from the anomaly itself."
Jon was relieved that Lt Thomas spoke up to concure with the Captain. He was sure that his idea would work but obviously it wasn't meant to be. Jon quickly filed his calculations to his personal directory and grabbed his tool kit and set off to complete what he came to the bridge to do. Since he just put the Aft Science Station through it paces and since there has been no reports of malfunctions he notes on his PADD that particular part of the upgrade had been sucessful and made a note to file I complete report to CSO/CEO Commander Sterner and Captain Price. Now Jon was interested in checking over Cadet Foster's pre-inspection of the Main Science Station, Jon notice that Lt Morris was manning the Science Station, "Lieutenant" Jon said respectfully. Rr'lonii looked up at the tall Ensign and replied "Yes Ensign" Jon continued "I need to ask you to transfer all Science Station control to the Aft Science Station while I inspect the pre-upgrade checks on the station. "Very Well Ensign standby" the Asst CSO stated as she quickly punched in the corrrect authorization codes and transmit button to transfer control from the Main Science Station to the Aft. With a nod and a gesture of open hands Rr'lonii looked at Jon as if to say "It's all yours" and walks over and takes station at the Aft Science Station. Jon quickly starts looking over the Science Station checking out Cadet Fosters report. "Hmmmmmm impressive" Jon thinks to himself. Jon makes a special note to assign Foster to more projects in the future. Jon steps over to Lt Erikson. "Sir, I would like the Bridge Science Officer to utilize the Aft Science Station to run it through it's paces, I also would like permission to start the Main Science Station computer upgrades as soon as possible." Jon stood there with a "All Business Face" Erikson couldn't help but chuckle "Very Well Ensign I will get back to you on this, I will have to run this one up the chain since we are talking about a bridge system. By the way good work on your recommendation of extending the tractor beam, although it didn't work, It showed that you are a invaluable part of this department, not just as some computer specialist, but a Science Officer that can think on his feet and outside of the box" Jon smile and thanked the Lieutenant for the complement and headed for the turbolift. As Jon got into the turbolift he tapped his comms badge
"O'Hare to Ltjg Samara"
[Samara Here] answered the fisty Klingon
I have been looking over your intial reports on the pending Engineering Computer Upgrade that I will be conducting. I would like to meet to disscuss your concerns and recommendations. Where and When would you like to meet?" Jon waited for the Klingons reply........
By: "B'Elanna Torres"
K'Eytyanna jumped as her combadge chirped unexpectedly, causing her to smash her head against the Jefferies tube's roof,
[O'Hare to Lt Samara]
She growled and spat out a Klingon expletive to herself before tapping the badge,
"Samara Here".
As she rubbed her head, she listened to his voice,
[I have been looking over your intial reports on the pending Engineering Computer Upgrade that I will be conducting. I would like to meet to disscuss your concerns and recommendations. Where and When would you like to meet?]
Thinking, she replied,
"I would be off-duty if the Breen incident hadn't happened. How about 20 minutes in Ten Forward?"
Lt K'Eytyanna Samara, USS Galaxy - Engineer/Shuttle Pilot
By: Rob
Deiran couldn’t lay still in his bed. He turned to his left and accidentally bumped into Miran, which woke her up. She leaned close to him, realizing he was tossing and turning.
"Can’t you sleep hon?" she asked, half-asleep.
"I’m sorry Miran, I didn’t mean to wake you. I need to take a jog or maybe go to Ten Forward. You go back to sleep." Deiran stood to his feet and walked to his closet. He removed a clean uniform of an Ops officer, unwrinkled and perfect in appearance and slipped it on. He put on his Lt. Commander pips, checked his appearance in the mirror under low-light and was out the door. Deiran was restless.
He had been on Alpha shift for almost 2 years straight. Every single day, except for a ski vacation 9 months ago and then one day on shore leave to DS9. He lived at the Ops console on Alpha for 2 years. And now he was in the command chair on Gamma. Deiran loved sitting in the ‘Chair’ but he hated being out of the action with a passion.
He was so disoriented and uncomfortable with the situation he couldn’t sleep. He had 12 hours until Gamma shift. And so he would get his sleep. Deiran just wanted to know what was happening on Alpha shift. A visit to the Bridge, discreetly out of the way would help him sleep. He could maybe turn in his weekly Gamma report to the Captain as an excuse.
Just to be there and experience Alpha shift would help him rest.
First, Deiran had to stop by his office to pick up his report. Without it Deiran wouldn’t have an excuse to be on the Bridge. Deiran had his pride after all. He was so into being in command, having his own ship someday, becoming an Admiral and maybe beyond that. But, the fact was that Deiran enjoyed the everyday happenings of being a Starfleet officer. It was like blood in his veins, he needed it, craved it.
He had been on Gamma shift for two months. And it was all he could do to keep from falling asleep during the shift. It was like the Dominion and Romulans and strange phenomena of space knew it was Gamma shift and shut down for the day so everything was slow so that Starfleet officers on Gamma shift would fall asleep. Deiran laughed at the thought as he walked down the corridor to his office.
Sure he enjoyed being in command of the ship for 8 hours of the day. But, it was always so dull and routine. Couldn’t something happen during Gamma to give the poor souls some action? Deiran begged for action.
He couldn’t say anything to anyone. It wasn’t proper. He had to continue doing his duty. Second officer on board the Galaxy was an honor Deiran had earned. He didn’t take that lightly. And because he was second officer it was his duty and obligation to command Gamma shift.
But, Deiran wasn’t adjusting very well at all.
Everyone on the Galaxy knew that Deiran had to be in the thick of things. It was just his personality. Many people hated him for it, while others were amused and others respected him for his devotion. Deiran just had a knack for getting noticed. He had a charisma. A flair for popularity. A confidence that shined. People hated this about him. Usually because of their own insecurities about their own confidence and self-esteem. But Deiran didn’t seem to display these traits.
He just liked being involved.
And so Deiran was on the turbolift to the Bridge. The turbolift doors slid open and he stepped onto the Bridge. The ship rocked as it was thrown back by an explosion. He was thrown into the wall and held himself in place against the tactical station.
This was Alpha shift as he remembered it. Deiran smiled. He and Troy smiled at each other. "Hey Blair, I see that you are having a dull time?" Deiran laughed.
"Oh yeah, its a picnic Casey!" Blair laughed.
Deiran listened as the Captain gave orders to the crew. He understood the situation just by listening to what the Captain said. A Senior staff meeting in 30 minutes. Well, he wouldn’t be going back to bed any time soon.
The Captain went to his ready room leaving Commander Sterner at Conn.
Well, this would be the best time to give the Captain his report. He would wait a few minutes as he heard the Captain say he would be contacting Starfleet Command.
He walked over to Science Station I. "Hi Greer, may I download those readings to a PADD? I’d like to look them over before the meeting," Casey asked. Trying to appear business like as usual. When what he really wanted to do was see if there was something he could do, or come up with an idea to help. Of course Greer was more than capable. Deiran was just feeling left out.
Deiran sat in the Observation lounge looking over the readings. Greer was right. This vortex resembled aspects of Fluidic Space but was acting like it was almost alive. It wasn’t of this universe, Deiran agreed with Greer on that.
And if they were going to study the vortex more closely they would need to enhance the shields around the probes, modify the sensors and figure out a precise entry angle so the probes wouldn’t get caught as the Breen ship had. And if the angle couldn’t be postulated then at least the probes could get close and use modified sensors, enhancing their range so that they could get more detailed sensor readings of what was going on in the vortex itself and maybe find what caused the phenomenon.
And maybe just maybe if the vortex had a spacial frequency they could set the probe’s sensors to it and get precise readings. With that technique Greer and the science department would be giddy with data for months. But it was all speculation. Not even Greer could accurately predict what would happen until further study.
Deiran waited for ten minutes and then called on Captain Price.
Casey heard the Captain tell him to enter. Once inside he stood at attention and handed the PADD containing his report to the Captain.
"I’m sorry to disturb you sir I just wanted to hand in my Gamma report to you, before things get hectic," Casey smiled.
"Thank you ‘mate," the Captain took the PADD and set it down. "You’ve heard about the senior staff meeting ‘Commander?" Lee asked.
"Aye sir, I have and I’m actually looking forward to it." Deiran stood there like a little boy who just had a secret slip off his tongue. He unintentionally showed a bit of his agitation to his CO.
"See you in 20 then ‘mate. Dismissed!"
"Aye sir," Deiran replied, doing a 180 on his heel and exiting the Ready Room.
Deiran went to the nearest replicator, asked for an Espresso with whip cream and went back to the Observation Lounge. He took his normal seat and waited for the meeting to begin. It wasn’t like he had anything else to do. Well he could go back to sleep, but what good would a 15 minute nap do him now?
***** Sickbay *****
Sickbay had returned to its normal peace and quiet. It had been a week since the abrupt wrenching from death that the crew went through. Most of the crew was back in 'business.' Cat had not heard much about the closing of the Holodecks or of any real progress on the Safties Issue. Most people seemed to grumble that they were down, not many people seemed to mention the reason why. Cat herself was missing the Holodeck, she missed dancing in her studio.
Cat looked through her notes on each of her patients that she had over the week. The paperwork had grown during that time. Especially now she had been transferred to Beta, it had increased. Looking through, many of the long-term crew aboard the Galaxy had not had a physical for a while. Getting the computer to search the crew service files, she discovered that a large fraction had not had a physical for more than a year or longer. Cat smiled as she could imagine how many of the people on her list would feel. Next time they access the computer for their messages, they will hear it is time for the 'Dreaded Physical.'
***** Couple of days later *****
For the first time on the Galaxy, besides emergencies, Cat had finally been assigned to Alpha shift, if only for one day. Having to look after the 'store' as her 'superiors' got themselves 'stinking drunk,' as they explained it to celebrate their promotions. Cat was checking over the Sickbay, paperwork almost caught up when the Ship's Computer bleeped and informed her that Lieutenant Commander Ursa Sunder should be here in a few minutes. Cat had not waited for long when the tall security officer walked in.
Cat stared at the tall officer for a little too long. She caught herself and shook her head. Guiltily, she looked around to see if anybody caught her staring at Ursa. Satisfied that no-one had caught her she walked over to him. "Commander, Right on time I see. I was really surprised that you were one of the first few people to make an appointment for a physical."
"Yes, I would like to get this completed as soon as possible. Please Doctor."
"If only more of the crew were like you and please call me Cat" she said with a smile. 'Definitely' another part of her mind agreed. Cat turned quickly to pick up her PADD with Ursa's medical notes on it, to hide the blush she was sure she was showing on her face.
"Well," she turned back to face Ursa, "By this it has been over a year since your last physical, just after your assignment to Outpost 77."
"That's right" responded Ursa.
"Well, OK, Let's get to it then!"
***** Couple of hours later *****
Ursa had finished the yearly physical grind. Cat had peeked, poked and prodded. Had him run on a treadmill to measure muscle and respiratory efficiency. And done everything in her 'power' to push him to the limit. Cat collated all the data and indicated Ursa to a shower, so he could clean up.
He had returned to see Cat press the screen a couple of times and then nodded in satisfaction, her face seemed to go off in the lands of Dreaming, remembering his smooth motion as he ran. Not long after she noticed his presence. "Come in Ursa. Please have a seat."
Ursa found a seat in Cat's office and sat down. "So, how did I do, Doctor?"
"Everything is fine. Muscle efficiency is up by a couple of percent, blah, blah. All in all, it means that you are healthy. Nothing that I should have to worry about anyways."
"Good, Uhh, What do you mean 'Nothing that you should be worried about'?" asked Ursa suspiciously.
Cat moved from behind her desk and sat on the corner closest to Ursa. She crossed her legs and bent a little forward to pat Ursa lightly on the stomach. "Nothing that a bit of "won't power" can't fix." She gave him a smile as she straightened up.
"I assure you Doctor, I don't know what you are talking about" Ursa replied with a small amused smile.
"Oh, you don't? Body fat has increased by a couple of centimetres. I think it would be wise for you to consider your eating habits. Its not much, I'll admit, but work on it now when the problem is easy to deal with."
Ursa raised an eyebrow at that.
"Besides that, you are perfectly healthy. Damn shame, it's people like you that put Doctors out of business" Cat quipped.
"Well, it is good to know I'm that healthy. Is there anything else Doctor?"
"A little thing, what plans do you have for tonight?"
"Why do you ask?"
Cat hid a nervous gulp as she realised what she was doing. Quickly her mind went into overdrive to try and find a reason why a doctor would ask a patient their plans for the 'evening.' 'Couldn't be any less subtle?' she chided herself.
"I noticed, uhh," Cat quickly looked down at Ursa medical notes, hoping for inspiration. "I, uhh, noticed, that you spend a lot of your free time alone. I was wondering on your plans, that's all. You will find that a lot of people who spend much of their free time, independent than others. Can lose perspective on food and drink and either ignore it or indulge." 'That's it, so what's it like being 2' high idiot' Cat was angry at herself."
"I see, Thank You Doctor." On that Ursa left Sickbay. Cat watched him leave and sighed.
A couple of minutes later, Nurse Opel was intrigued to see Cat rhythmically bang her head against the top of her desk.
"Doctor, Cat, Anything wrong?"
"No, Kirsten, I'm fine. If anybody wants me I am checking on our immediate supplies."
"Of course Cat."
Cat left for the Medical Stock, mentally kicking herself, for acting the fool.
*********************
***** Cat's Quarters *****
"Computer, Ready a message for all crew aboard the Galaxy."
[Ready]
"This is Doctor Khatroweena,
For the last couple of weeks the Holodecks have been 'turned off' under medical authority. By now, the ship's grapevine should have informed everybody that I was the one to order this. Effective immediately I am returning the Holodecks to normal function.
This message has another purpose. I am making a plea to all crew to leave the Safety Protocols in the Holodecks. If you are one of the few who has the knowledge, capabilities or competence to remove the Safety Protocols. I beg of you, do not do it. Ensign Sullux was the closest we have come to a fatality caused by the Safeties being removed. We might not be so lucky next time.
If you do consider removing them, please consider the possible consequences and how it may affect, you, your family and friends - both home and on the GALAXY, if something did go wrong.
Thank You"
Cat sat back in her chair, rubbing her nose. It didn't feel enough, but the Holodecks had to go back on-line. They helped kept the crew on the peak of efficiency. Taking down the Holodecks didn't solve anything. All she could do was wait and pray, that next time, no-one dies. Patch 'em up, then send 'em back out was all she could do.
[Tash to Khatroweena. I would like you in Sickbay as soon as you can. We have a couple of wounded Breen. I want you to do an autopsy on a third. I need to know what happened. The survivors aren't doing so well.]
***** Sickbay *****
Cat moved into Sickbay and saw the wounded Breen being brought in. Already a room was being prepared so they could convalesce in. 'Brrrr, its going to be cold in there' Cat thought to herself.
Nilani walked over, "Cat, the dead Breen has been set up in the secondary theatre. We need that information fairly soon." Nilani passed a PADD over to Cat.
"Right, I'll get to it." Cat reported.
Cat looked over the dead Breen. First she had ever seen. With the helmet removed, Cat saw the three eyes and the blue/grey skin. There were lesions on much of the Breen's skin. Looked a lot like radiation damage, but the other indicators of radiation seemed absence. Cat got a sample and had the computer check for the possibility of single-bit errors in the DNA. The PADD talked about problems in transport.
As Cat began her inspections, she felt the smooth surface of the skin - it felt very cool. "Bring this room down to about 0 deg C. I want thermal suits for me and Jenna while I do this autopsy."
"Why you bringing the temperature down?" asked Jenna.
Cat looked up as she was putting on the thin thermal coverall. "You would have heard that the Breen have no blood right."
"Yeah" answered Jenna, putting on her own suit.
"Its not quite true. Oh for sure, they don't have blood, not like ours. They don't have a separate respiratory and circulatory system like most humanoids. The have it combined into one system. They still need to get oxygen to the muscles and other organs and take waste gases away. Right?"
"I never really thought about it, not the most important thing."
"Breen are unique, that they don't use a chemical reaction, cuproglobin or haemoglobin to do the transport. They use a hydro-fluorocarbon with the oxygen dissolved to get to the muscles and organs plus the carbon dioxide to get it out. They breathe air in, the air is dissolved into the HFC and as they breathe out, the air is released."
"Wouldn't have people noticed something as they are cut?" asked Jenna.
Cat began her autopsy on the body and made the first incision before she made the first cut. "The fluid is only a liquid at normal Breen body temperature, it gets a little higher it starts to expand. If the temperature gets hot enough it can vaporise. At what we consider normal temperature, any of the fluid would very quickly evaporate into the atmosphere. Besides, their metabolism is very efficient. The HFC medium is quite efficient in at the temperatures that they live at. They have only about a third of the 'blood' we have.
"Brrr, cold in here." noted Jenna.
"Think warm thoughts Jenna" Cat responded with a grin. "Ah, here, you see this clear liquid," Cat pointed to a pooling of a clear liquid as she cut through the thick subcutaneous fat. "That is what Breen have for blood," and Cat took a sample and had the computer began an analysis of it. "Put that outside of this room and watch it evaporate, much like Freon."
***** Not long later *****
Sometime later Cat had finished her task, tricorder scans complete, bio-samples of all organs taken and prepared for analysis. The dead Breen was placed in stasis and Cat and the computer started to look for any information that could be gleaned from the corpse.
It didn't take Cat long to find the cause of death, she was suspicious of its possibility in the first place. Effectively this Breen had died from caisson disease.
Cat passed her PADD the Jurelle. "Here's my report. Internal body temperature was raised too high and the dissolved gases were released too quickly. Causing blockages to the HFC flow. His death would have been rather painful.
There were some malformation, likely caused by the problem with transport, nothing that would have been life threatening. I heard that the transporter operator took it hard, when he had a dead Breen. It wasn't his fault, this Breen had been dead for a time. There was not enough HFC fluid in his body, I think it had evaporated and lost because the Breen had been in a 'high' temperature environment.
I think it would be a good idea to slowly warm the Breen's room so they can acclimatise to the higher temperatures on the GALAXY. We don't want to have this happen again."
"Anything else?" asked Jurelle.
"Nope, that's it. I am now going for a hot, hot bath. Brr, Try not to have another emergency until I'm finished!" Cat asked with a smile.
"I'll tell the Captain to hold off on all emergencies for an hour or so, fine with you" joked Jurelle.
"Good, Well, I'm off." Cat left thinking of hot long luxurious baths, a smile appeared on her face as she left Sickbay.
*********************
By: john.kirk@cadresource.com (John Kirk)
" Doctor... " Sunder greeted her gruffly. " Good to see you again. "
The Caitian flashed him a nervous smile. " Commander ... I didn't think we'd be running into each other so soon. "
" I'm just on my way to keep an eye on the Breen crewmen who were admitted to sickbay. I'm sure they're not in a state to cause any trouble, but I'd feel better knowing there was some sort of security presence within the vicinity. " Sunder stated.
" Well, you'd better be dressed warmer than that. It's just below zero in there. " Cat mentioned, indicating her thermal suit.
" The cold doesn't bother me all that much, Doctor. I've spent entire nights on the open plains back on the Orion homeworld. Hunting rituals, you see. " He tried a smile. " Besides, I'm sure my extra body fat will serve me well in this instance. "
Sunder may have thought he was smiling, but Cat couldn't tell from his expression. " Sorry if I offended you, Commander. " She said icily.
" Ah no, you misunderstand me Doctor. I suppose I'm not very good at humour. Actually, I was hoping to take you up on your offer - about eating together. " Sunder said clumsily. " You were right. I don't get out with people very often, and perhaps my ... social graces along with my eating habits need to be properly evaluated. "
Cat seemed taken aback. " Sure - any time you like. Wait, isn't this supposed to be your day off? "
Sunder shrugged. " It was, but since it was my idea to keep an eye on the Breen, I can't exactly pull anyone else off their duty positions. "
" Such dedication. " Cat teased.
" Such obsessive behaviour, more like it. " He returned. " I can see myself here for a few hours - after the Breen are in sedation then I'll be able to hand a watch over to a beta shift officer. Perhaps we can have dinner then? A late one, if you don't mind? "
" I'll let you know if there's a problem. I'm going to soak in a hot tub for a while to get the chill out of my bones, so I can be up to a late dinner in Ten-Forward. "
" Fine. " Sunder straightened his tunic top. " If you'll excuse me then, I have a watch to stand. " The two parted company and Sunder walked through the sickbay doors.
Almost immediately he regretted his words. The sudden drop in the temperature was quite shocking as a chilling draft cut through his uniform. He began to rapidly tense and relax his muscles as he had been taught to fight off the cold.
" Hurry up and get in! " A voice shouted from within. Sunder hurried through the doors in response.
Dr. Jurelle Tash was busy working on one of the wounded Breen. Sunder had never seen a Breen before. The greyish-skinned creature was quite disconcerting to look at. Still, to his un-trained eye, the Breen appeared to be fine. There didn't seem to be any indication of bleeding or trauma.
" What can I do for you Commander? " Tash asked, keeping her attention on the patient while speaking. " I'm awfully busy here, as you can see. "
Sunder snapped his attention away from the Breen. " Beg your pardon? Sorry Doctor, I'm just here to keep an eye on the patients. Just in case... you know, ship's regs. "
Tash barely acknowledged his answer, continuing her work on the patient. " Hand me that CO2 extractor. " She said to a nearby nurse. " Fine Commander, but keep out of our way please. Breen physiognomy and physiology are not my specialties and I'd appreciate it if you didn't distract me or my staff. "
Sunder knew he was out of his territory here and could respect where the doctor was coming from. He held up his hands in acknowledgement.
" Not a problem Doctor - I'll keep clear. The last thing I want to do is impede your work. I'll stick to your office doorway if I'm needed. "
Tash nodded quickly. Sunder moved out of their paths and stood in the office doorway, preparing for an uneventful watch.
At least he had his muscle-tensing exercises to keep him occupied...
By: "Tim Stevens"
Zach touched a key on the data padd, entering new text. He never thought Beta Shift would be so hard. He had been on Gamma shift for a few weeks before he was given the spot on Beta Shift.
Not that he was complaining. Beta shift was so much better then the graveyard shift. When Lieutenant Bancroft had informed him of the change, Zach had nearly jumped for joy, but he had recovered quickly. He was a carrer person, and people like that didn't leap for joy, the were composed, cool.
Some of his friends from the Academy had called him a work machine. It was ture that he was devoted to duty, but that was because it was his job. It had to be done, and he would do it better then what was expected. People looked for the best in young officers, if you didn't have it, you would be passed over quickly, left in the dust.
Ensign Emma Kolrami had been assigned to Gamma shift. The Zakdorn had not looked pleased about it, but that was life. But everyone would recover. As for Zach, he was very comfrotable in his new position.
Zach now sat in his quarters, reading over the text he had just written. His report for Lieutenant Bancroft. Everything on Beta shift had gone well today. Nothing out of the norm.
Setting the padd down, Zach moved over to the window of his quarters. His quarters were small. Zach had prefered not to take a roomie, instead he wanted his own private chambers to himself.
He moved over to his replicator, and ordered a glass of Tea. Moving back to his table, he activatied his log.
Personal Log Stardate 49802.26
I have been moved up to Beta shift. This is a great step as I will have a better chance to prove to my superiors that I am a good officer.
I have not made many friends on board the Galaxy. This is mostly due to me as I have been keeping to myself lately. Being on a starship and not on Earth is still a little new to me. I am sure that I will adjust.
Zach ended the log, then saved it. Moving towards his bed he finished the tea, and then lay down. Only seven more hours to Beta shift. He needed to get some sleep.
By: e9226192@student.tuwien.ac.at (Joerg Sterner)
Joerg was sitting in his office and going through a couple of reports from their last adventure. Although several weeks have passed, he still was thinking about the retaking of DS9 and the Galaxy's encounter with the Jem'Hadar. He was just reading a report by Lieutenant K'arta when he heard the door chime.
"Come." he just answered the request.
The door opened and his former assistant, and now head of Security, Lieutenant K'arta entered. Joerg stood up and offered her a seat, the very report he was just reading still in his hand. She sat down at the desk and Joerg approached her pointing at the PADD in his hand.
"Lieutenant, I just went through your final security report on our encounter with the three Jem'Hadar ships in the Argonii system. Although we were able to defeat them, there were some severe mistakes made." Joerg started.
"From what I read here, a small group of Jem'Hadar warriors were able to gain access to vital portions of the ship. This is not acceptable. I want you to work out some ways, possibly simulations of Jem'Hadar attacks, to increase the response time and the effectiveness of the security personal in such situations." Joerg ordered, and K'arta just nodded her approval.
"Don't take this personal Lieutenant, but your men and women are a not at their best." he also added.
"I understand sir. You'll have the improved result on your desk soon." she answered.
"Good. Dismissed." Joerg said, put the PADD on the desk and sat down again.
K'arta then left his office and he continued his work.
***************** Later, near the end of alpha shift *****************
Joerg was nearly finished with his work, when he realized that his shift on the bridge was about to begin soon. So he left his office and headed for a turbolift that would bring him to his destination.
************* Later, after Captain Price left the bridge *************
Joerg sat down in the Captain's chair and pondered the situation with the Breen ship he just witnessed. Then he turned to Lieutenant Thomas.
"Lieutenant, inform all department heads of the upcoming senior staff meeting." he ordered the ops officer, who started to press buttons right after he acknowledged the order with a 'Yes, sir.'
Then Joerg himself pressed the comm button of the Captain's chair to open a comm link to sickbay.
"Commander Sterner to sickbay."
["Tash here."]
"Doctor, can you give me a quick summary of the status of our Breen guests? Both the ones that were beamed over recently and the others." Joerg asked and waited for the reply.
By: Price
Captain Price entered his ready room, sitting down behind his desk. Outside his large observation window to the left, the swirling spatial vortex could be seen looming in the distance.
Lee reached for his data terminal and activated it. The monitor came alight and after a moment, the Federation logo appeared.
"Computer, please establish a priority sub-space channel with Starfleet Command." Lee called out to the Galaxy's computer system.
["Please specify parameters of channel."] came back the dispassionate feminine response.
"Captain's frequency, full security encryption, flagged urgent priority one."
["Working. Security encryption enabled. Channel flagged urgent. Priority one transmissions require a recipient. Please state the name of who this transmission is for."]
Lee leaned back in his chair a moment, pressing his hands together and flexing his fingertips against each other as he thought. "Code it for Admiral Thomas Casey. And be sure to note it's from the Galaxy 'mate."
["Working. Channel parameters established. Broadcasting hail now. Please stand by."]
While the Computer established the connection, Captain Price looked out the observation window at the mysterious vortex. The strange spatial anomaly had already taken the lives of several members of the Breen ship when she was destroyed from a strange energy discharge while caught in the pull of the vortex. The Galaxy had managed to escape, but it was a mighty Starship, and hadn't traveled nearly as close to the focal point as the Breen craft had.
["Working. Admiral Thomas Casey is standing by."]
"On screen." Lee said flatly, giving his duty jacket a tug while preparing to speak to the Admiral.
["Captain Price, what an unexpected pleasure."] Admiral Casey greeted. ["How is everything going my friend? I don't suppose you've called to tell me my son has been promoted to Commander?"] Thomas showed that Casey smile that he and Deiran shared.
"'fraid not 'mate. Besides, I just promoted him to Lieutenant Commander. No that's not what I've contacted you about Admiral." Captain Price explained, his initial smile flattening out to a more serious expression.
["I didn't think so. Your hail is coded urgent Captain. What can I do for you?"] Admiral Casey asked, his tone also turning serious after reading the concerned body language of Captain Price.
"We've come across a strange spatial phenomenon. A kind of vortex that appears to be emanating from a singularity of some kind. We discovered it when we responded to a general distress message from a Breen ship. We managed to rescue a few of their crew members, but the ship was destroyed by some kind of energy discharge that appeared to come from the singularity."
["Not exactly your run of the mill day on patrol duty I take it Captain?"] The Admiral commented.
"No sir. The intense magnetic and gravitational forces in and about this vortex make collecting data difficult. Out communications and sensory signals seem to 'skip' across the singularity without returning any valuable data. We managed to send a class one probe through, but we lost the signal shortly after it reached the focal point of the vortex. Initial readings indicate some sort of fluidic environment beyond the singularity." Price explained.
["That is most interesting Captain. I don't know what to think of that. Do you suppose this could be some sort of life form? I mean, the fluidic readings you were able to detect, could it have been some kind of strange new life we are unfamiliar with?"]
"That could be Admiral, though it is too early to say at the moment. When we were trying to rescue the Breen craft and tractor it out of the vortex, there was an energy discharge, not unlike a static electric discharge. It destroyed the Breen vessel. Presently it is unknown if that was a natural occurrence, or if it originated from a sort of weapon on the other side of the singularity."
["That doesn't sound like a very pleasant thought Captain. A new enemy? With the Cardassian-Dominion war going on? Let's hope it was as you said, a natural discharge of static energy. Tell me, what is happening with this vortex at the moment? Is it increasing in size?"]
"No Admiral. In fact, just after the energy discharge when the Breen craft was destroyed, the vortex shrunk by eighty nine percent. It has been remaining steady since that time, but it's only been a short while since the discharge." Lee explained.
["What does your science department have to say about this vortex Captain?"] Admiral Casey asked in an inquisitive tone.
"They want to study it more closely. At present my Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Erikson, is going over all of the data we recorded while the Galaxy was within the maul of the vortex. Because of the magnetic and gravimetric distortions, a lot of the data is unusable. But he's hopeful that something was recorded while the Galaxy was in close proximity of the anomaly. He has suggested that sending a manned shuttle into the vortex may provide further data, but with the risk of loosing the shuttle and it's occupants to the vortex."
["That sounds just like scientists. Anything to study something more closely. You have a good staff of officers on that ship Price."]
"Thank you Admiral. I'd just like to keep them all in one piece if possible." Lee explained, making his tone obvious that he was against sending anyone from the Galaxy into the vortex. In his years commanding the Galaxy, Captain Price had already lost a number of fine officers. If he could prevent the loss of any more, he was going to try.
["I understand your position Captain..."] Admiral Casey acknowledged Lee's tone, ["...but this spatial vortex warrants further investigation. We at Starfleet need to know what we are dealing with here. Is this just a single oddity in space? Or is it a new life form? If it is alive, what is it doing in the Alpha Quadrant? Is it friendly? Or will it attack us? With the Cardassian-Dominion conflict going on, we need to know if this is a new enemy that we need to worry about or just some gaseous storm that we will be safe to simply chart our ships around by declaring that sector off limits. I need you and the Galaxy to investigate this vortex and find out Captain. You are the only Starship in that area at the moment, and already you know more about this... thing, than anyone else. I can think of no one I'd rather have investigating this. You have your orders Captain."]
Lee nodded. He wasn't happy about being over ruled, but he'd expected as much. Price just wished he didn't have such an uneasy feeling about all of this. "I understand Admiral. We will do our best to get the answers Starfleet requires."
Admiral Casey nodded. ["Of course Captain. We've come to expect that of the premier Galaxy class Starship in the fleet."] Thomas complimented. The Admiral's expression then appeared to grow concerned. ["Captain, if you could grant me one request?"]
"Anything Admiral." Captain Price replied, surprised that the Admiral would bother to ask.
["Make sure Deiran remains safe."]
Captain Price stared blankly at the monitor with a dead pan expression. He couldn't believe the Admiral would make such a request, but as he thought about it, the Captain realized that Deiran was the Admiral's son. Family will make you do uncharacteristic things at times. Especially times like this. "I will Admiral." Lee said evenly, blinking his eyes slowly in a nod.
["Thank you Captain. I won't forget about this Lee. Admiral Casey out."]
The Federation logo reappeared on the display screen. Captain Price stared at the image for a long minute. He dreaded having to send a team of scientists into that vortex, but as Lieutenant Erikson had pointed out, it appeared to be the only way they were going to gain any usable data on what this vortex is, or what could be causing it. Lee again looked out his observation window at the multi-colored vortex. From this distance it didn't look nearly as threatening as it did when the Galaxy was surrounded by it's massive funnel, deep within the vortex' swirling maul.
The Captain's thoughts were interrupted when the entry chime to his office sang out. It was Lieutenant Commander Deiran Casey of all people, come to drop off his Gamma shift report and generally poke around. Lee could tell Deiran wasn't happy about his Gamma shift assignment, though he would never come out and say it. But like all command grade officers with aspirations of becoming Captains of their own vessel, there is no substitute for experience. Commanding Gamma shift would give Deiran that experience, just as it had given Lee that experience many years ago when he was a young, upcoming officer under Captain Shoak.
Deiran and the Captain exchanged small talk for a few minutes before the Chief Operations Officer left. Lee felt it was best not to tell Deiran about his fathers request. He was sure that it would anger him if he were to find out. But being a new father, perhaps in time the young man would grow to understand. Still, the Captain felt uncomfortable about the whole thing and was glad when Deiran finally departed.
Noting the time, Captain Price gathered his padd and coffee mug before rising out of his chair. He needed to make his way to the executive conference room where the senior staff meeting was about to commence.
Reaching across his chest, Lee tapped his comm badge.
"This is Captain Price. I'm on my way to the Conference room now. I should be there in a few minutes."
By: "Ryak Sullax"
After configuring the container for possible containment of substance from the vortex Ryak got the word.
"Sullax, this is Lt Erikson, we are launching one class-one probe. Prepare to monitor it, Erikson out,"
Ryak had an uncontrollable burst of excitement come over him. It was as if he had just received that present he had always wanted. He turned around to his other terminal and tied it in to the probes sensors. The probe was launched. All of the data was similar to that they had received while the ship was in the vortex. The probe moved towards the vortex in a manner that would suggest it was afraid. The probe moved closer and even closer. Ryak's excitement was at its peak as the probe reached the focal point. Nothing. The probe was gone. Ryak started trying to access the probe. It was gone.
"Sullax to Erikson, Sir what happened."
"Sullax the probe disappeared, did you get anything?"
"Nothing more than before sir."
"Ok, it was a good try though. Erikson o....."
Before the Lieutenant could finish Ryak blurted out, "Sir I know that the next course may be to send in a shuttle. I know what could happen if this is done. I want to be on that shuttle sir. I think we could get a sample and even more data."
"Ensign, the shuttle is only an idea, the Captain isn't too fond of it. I do not believe that it'll happen so do not get your hopes up. As for you going it is noted. Erikson out."
Ryak had to be on that shuttle. Ryak started working on the data that he received from the probe and adding it into the reinforcement of the containment of some part of the vortex. Ryak was starting to have trouble focusing. He hated sick bay. Even though he admired Dr. Khatroweena for her directness and forcefulness while he was in sick bay.
"Sullax to Dr. Khatroweena."
"What can I do for you Ensign."
"Ma'am sorry to bother you but I happened to smash my head against a computer terminal when the ship shook. I am having major dizzy spells."
"You should get down here soon Ensign"
Ryak could here the concern in the doctor's voice. "Ma'am I cannot leave my post right now. There is too much for me to do. I have to have this information from the vortex ready for Lt. Erikson. I would very much appreciate it if you could come here." Ryak could sence the doctor saying no. But there was no other way that he'd go see her unless he was to pass out.
By: Stuart Clapperton
Jack stood by the turbolift, phaser buckled to his side, watching the events of Alpha shift unfold. Lieutenant K¹arta had come up to the bridge shortly after Jack, and so he had moved from the Security station, and taken up a post by the turbolift. He would have left the bridge to the Lieutenant, but for the senior staff meeting that was going to take place shortly.
Jack had heard that the holodecks lockout had been recalled by Cat. It would surely increase crew morale, which had been very low recently. As for the new protocol that was being worked on, it would be months away, maybe even years, yet something had to be done now, to stop the crew from turning off the safeties and hurting themselves.
Lieutenant K¹arta motioned for Jack to take over at the Security station. The meeting was going to start soon. Once at the station, Jack started a level 1 diagnostic as he always did when he took over at the station. He had done one earlier, resulting in nothing out of the ordinary, but he always did the diagnostic every time he took over at the station. Again nothing was reported as wrong.
Ever since the battle at DS9, and the business with the Argonii star, crew morale had been low. Having the Holodecks offline as well hadn¹t been helpful with morale either. Jack started entering commands into the station, requesting specific information from the databanks. After entering Security¹s main access code, the data appeared on the screen. It was a breech of Security protocol to use the main Security access code for personal purposes, but Jack took the risk anyway.
As the data scrolled down the screen Jack noticed a very interesting piece of information. He ordered the computer to stop, and re-read the piece of data to make sure he had read it correctly. He had, and a smile crept across his face. After downloading that particular piece of information from the computer to his PADD, Jack returned the Security station back to its correct task.
If he could find the time after his shift, he would set both of his ideas into motion.
Lt.jg Jack Lawson
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
by Lt. Thomas
** Holo Deck **
A.K.A Lt. Christopher Thomas - USS Galaxy
=/\= "Mission Objectives Pt 2" =/\=
By Lt jg Matthew Albrecht
guest starring Rom
Security Officer
USS Galaxy NCC 70637
******** Getting back into it ***********
By. Lt. Paran
USS Galaxy
"Catching Up"
Lieutenants Boudreau and Mercury
Lt. Melissa Marie Boudreau
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galaxy NCC-70637
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galaxy NCC-70637 Cold to the last
"Cold to the last"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
Written By Kahn Nilani
U.S.S. Galaxy
"Without a Doubt"
By: Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer USS Galaxy
"A New Routine"
USS Galaxy
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey
"Telepaths"
The Start Of A New Adventure
By Lieutenant(JG) Jack Lawson
Security Officer
USS Galaxy
"Outlook"
By Ensign Jon O'Hare
additions by Captain Price
"More than meets the eye"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
"Cold Comfort"
by Lt. Ronni Morris
Asst. Chief of Science, USS Galaxy
(reviewed by Captain Price)
"Life Line"
Lieutenant David Mercury
Chief of Engineering
"The Breen - Part 1: An exercise in evolution"
by Jurelle Tash
reviewed by Captain Price
"A Spatial Phenomenon."
by Lt. Greer Erikson
Chief Science Officer, USS Galaxy
additions by Captain Price
So that was a caitian, Sunder thought as he exited sickbay. He'd never seen one before and was surprised at how comfortable he felt around Dr. Khatroweena. He'd always imagined them to be aloof and distant somehow. Perhaps he was just thinking of a Siamese cat.
"Probes?"
By Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer USS Galaxy
"Personal Log - Revision 2"
by Lt K'Eytyanna Samara
By Ensign Jon O'Hare
"Re: Dissapointment"
by Lt K'Eytyanna Samara
"Restless"
USS Galaxy
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey
***** Let's Get Physical *****
by Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, Lieutenant (jg), USS Galaxy NCC-70637
w/ Ursa Sunder, Lieutenant Commander
***** Baby, It's Cold Inside *****
by Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, Lieutenant (jg), USS Galaxy NCC-70637
Sunder was just making his way down the hallway when he caught sight of Dr. Khatroweena coming out of sickbay.
"Life In Beta Shift"
Ensign Zachary Lamarsh
Navigation, USS Galaxy
"First officer duty"
by Commander Joerg Sterner
Executive Officer, USS Galaxy
"Ordered to investigate"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
"Probes Away"
By: Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer USS Galaxy
Bridge Duty
By Lieutenant(JG) Jack Lawson
Security Officer
USS Galaxy