"Looking for answers.."

Posted on Sun Mar 17, 2013 @ 12:27am by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit & Lieutenant Commander Miguel Torres & Ensign Kaden Dylo

3,520 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Refit and Reorganization
Location: U.S.S. Victory
Timeline: 62495.221 {Mon, 19 Nov 2384 14:11}

[Bridge]

Just slightly less than an hour after the XO had departed to prepare for the survey flight, the Captain returned to the Bridge and took her seat. "Mr. Nix, any updates on the current situation?" she asked.

"Nothing to report, captain. The situation remains unchanged," the Ferengi answered.

With a slight shake of her head, she said "With any luck, we'll soon have some additional data from the Valkryie flight which might hold a few answers for us.." She was bothered by what they knew so far, the odds were astronomically against the Ithauri having developed the type of technology which their scans had detected on their own at all, much less in so short a time..

She was willing to concede that the civilization could have had a major technological breakthrough based on their own research readily enough.. but they would not have developed what they were seeing.. technology, ships and weapons which their sensors immediately identified as being of Earth origin.. roughly 22nd century to be exact. It was painfully apparent that some form of interference with the natural development of these people had taken place..

And that the violence apparent on the planet surface from their long range scans was the result.. Radiation in the atmosphere, areas of the planet surface which were devastated by war...

Part of her wished to take the Victory straight into planetary orbit. Put an intergalactic foot up the Ithaurian peoples backsides so to speak and kick some sense into them now.. while they still had a chance to listen to reason and back away from the course which they seemed to be following..

Doing so however would violate the Prime Directive even further.. and she could not.. would not cross that line until she had a full idea of the situation in this system. Once LtCmdr. Hunter returned from his survey flight, once she had the full picture she could report back to Starfleet.. Until then they would remain hidden, and watch.

"Ens. Dylo," the Captain said softly. "I'd like for you to try and get an analysis of the cultural impact on the civilization based on the communications we're picking up. Mixed in with reports on the war taking place there are other reports from the civilian population.. see what you can find out.." Kennit said.

Looking towards Ens. Scott next, she asked "Ensign Scott, what about the impact on the planetary biosphere? I realize that what I'm asking for you can't give me in full but.. based on current information available what impact has the sudden acquisition of this type of advanced technology and the resulting hostilities had on the planetary environment?"

Blinks and seems to think for a moment. “Well, Captain, it really depends on what they’ve decided to shoot -the fallout from enough of those weapons could devastate entire regions.” Blushes and fidgets a bit at her own directness, quickly adopting a more reserved demeanor “But, anything that’s managed to survive the fallout in a region targeted by those weapons would begin to show signs of enhanced genetic drift which could kill off entire populations within a matter of generations. Basically if anything survived we would be looking at a possible power shift that could easily rival Earth’s shift from a reptile dominant planet to a mammalian dominant planet…” she rambles on. “That’s, um, considering a worst case scenario in which something actually survives the attacks…. Not to mention with heavy destruction of vegetation comes major problems in the carbon and phosphorus cycles of the planet. Oh! And we should determine whether they’re manufacturing their own missiles and weapons or using alien ones. Given their isolation, if they’re using ones bought from other species that haven’t been properly sterilized they could be introducing alien single celled organisms to their environment which could easily start plagues even before they start cross breeding and creating disease that could possibly pose major threats to us as well. Until we’re aware of that you may want to consider prescribing hazard suits to anyone who might come in contact with anything on the alien planet... just to be safe.”

And then finally, she looked towards her Intel officer and said "I need to know who had access to the technology we're seeing.. who could have obtained the specifications and technical data necessary for these people to have built those ships and weapons platforms.. I also need an idea of how they obtained the more sophisticated components because some of those materials are not native to this system they had to have come from the Sol system as they are man-made, manufactured materials which could only have been provided from someone with access to Federation materials specificially originating from Earth.."

"Who has access to this tech?" Devereaux repeated with a chuckle. "Who doesn't? Mid-22nd century tech was appropriated by just about every human government, freighter fleet, and merc outfit in the quadrant for a good eighty years. And then sold to, or stolen by, just about every less-developed alien species they rubbed shoulders with until the more strict laws of the 23rd century. So there's a lot of possibilities there... but we're way too far out for any of them to have reached here by conventional means; or at least conventional for their time.

"I've got Vickie running research on any exploration ships of that era that disappeared under mysterious circumstances... and there's no shortage of them. The Chaplin, Columbia, Kurosawa, Magellan... the list is a mile long of old Earth exploration vessels that simply disappeared or were presumed destroyed with no wreckage found. Interstellar travel was new to them back then, so who knows what could have happened to them. A rogue wormhole, soliton wave, or god knows what other kind of stellar anomaly could have tossed ships of that time all the way out here and Earth Base wouldn't have a clue what to make of it."

The Captain nodded thoughtfully, "I hadn't considered that option, it's been such a long time since those ships were lost.. it's definitely an option we need to pursue but, if that's the case then.. what.. did they discover wreckage? Why the sudden jump in technology now? If they did discover wreckage then we need to find out where somehow.. if no reason than to put some closure for those who were lost so long ago.. to give them that last final chapter in their history.."

Nix sensed the captain silently beckoning his input, and surrendered with a shrug of his uniform. “There’s simply not enough data to form a proper hypothesis,” he told her. “Our facts are few: metals originating from zero-zero-one have been fashioned into orbital weapons using 22nd century technology and are being fired upon a neighboring world. We are far too many lightyears away from the Alpha quadrant for 22nd Century Earth vessels to have voyaged here on their own, so the mystery remains of how the materials arrived here and how a primitive world developed the faculties to deploy this technology.”

The Ferengi paused in thought, arms folded across his chest and slowly stroking the bottom of his wide ear in contemplative thought. “Rule of Acquisition Number sixty-three, more commonly known as Obrak’s Razor, states When faced with the unknown, the simplest path to profit is the most likely to have been exploited. Although several stellar and subspace anomalies could have transported the Earth materials here, as Lieutenant Devereaux posits, I would consider it statistically unlikely. Therefore, given our limited information, the simplest path to this world's new-found prosperity would be the technology and materials were either sold to, or stolen by, the world’s inhabitants. In either case, there is a third party to this transaction who remains unidentified.”

A few minutes passed, then toggling the comm system she said "Bridge to Lt.Cmdr. Hunter. Are you ready for launch?"

Inside the fighter, Alec was finishing his checklist as Rhea's voice sounded in his ear. "Hunter to bridge. I am ready to rock and roll. See what this baby can actually do."

"Just remember your mission orders.." Kennit replied. "No contact. We're looking for information not an interstellar incident.."

"Yes. I know Rhe..... Captain. No contact, no asking for a cup of sugar. Just observe and collect. Of course I can always test the Valkyrie while I'm at it."

"You are clear for launch when ready.." she told him then. Pausing, she added "And be careful. Come back in one piece.." It was as close as she could come to expressing her personal concern for his safety as she was comfortable with on the Bridge..

"Will do. I'm always careful...... well almost always." he quipped as the ship controls were transferred to him. "Oh wait. I need my song. Oh, I've got it." As he placed a small disc into the data reader. Soon 'Holding out for a Hero' could be heard playing in the fighter.

"Much better." As he sang along. "Where have all the good men gone? And where are all the gods?"

Back on the bridge, Nix's face clenched in a scowl and his palms pressed desperately against his oversized ears. "By the Seven Sacred Treasurers of Elysium, what is that noise?? Some manner of insidious sonic distortion probe infecting our comm systems??"

"Most likely racing for a sound-proof chamber to escape your singing.." the Captain retorted with an exaggerated wince for the benefit of the watching and listening Bridge crew.

"Singing? That is what passes for singing among you hoo-mons?" Nix gasped in disbelief and slowly righted his posture. "Would you please inform the good Commander, at your earliest convenience of course, that not all species have such blunt and unsophisticated hearing as you hoo-mons??"

"Jealous, that's all that is, just pure jealousy." Alec bantered, "And here I thought you liked music." As the Valkyrie left the bay and was now coming along the Victory's port side. A mosquito compared to the Victory but a mosquito with a deadly bite. "That for giving me the keys to the car Captain."

"As if I had a choice.." she answered with a smile. "Now get going and bring me back some information .."

"Yes Captain." He replied in a sing song voice. "Just keep a light in the window and the home fires burning. I'll be back in no time. " He quipped as he increased the speed of the fighter and rocked off from the Victory, disappearing from sight but not it's sensors.

Inside the fighter Alec mused, "Now lets see what we can see. Gotta keep mama happy." As he drove the ship closer to the planet. It was there he got the first glimpse of the ship. In fact, he did a double take thinking it was an old NX class. Doubling back and making sure he wasn't being tracked he slowed to get a better look of the ship and record the images.

The ship was similar to the NX but with a few noticeable differences. The hull was more circular than the oval shape of the NX. The hull color was also different, with different markings but that was to be expected, this wasn't a Federation starship. Than there were the nacelles, they were short and stubby, looking like cigars or sausages they also looked powerful. He continued his observations while keeping a respectful distance.


[U.S.S. Victory - Bridge]

From the bridge, the images being sent back by the Valkryie were visible on the main view screen in a corner display which allowed them to maintain their surveillance of the sensor data relating to the area around them while looking at what the closer sensor data for the system indicated. "Mr. Nix, Please make a copy of this to send to Starfleet Command," Kennit said softly. "We'll continue our analysis here but I want to send the raw data and image files back for a second opinion as well.."

Lt. Nix's fingers summoned tiny electric chimes from his station's panel as he began to access the ship's comm array. "Certainly, captain."

She smiled at him, "Thank you Mr. Nix.."

The Captain turned her attention back to the images being relayed back from the XO's flight, so much so that she didn't notice the little amber blip which entered the sensor display as a ship crossed into the sector.

Alec continued to record, collect and send the images the Victory. It seemed (at least to him) that someone had gotten hold of the NX class specs and making a few minor changes had sold? Them to the Ithaurians.

At the operations console, Lt. JG Villa frowned slightly upon noticing that a contact alert had just flared into life on his console. Focusing the sensors on the new contact, he studied the data being displayed and then looked up. "Captain? We've got company. There's a Federation flagged civilian transport, MV Thraki; classification reads it's a converted frigate now being used as a small cargo ship for the transfer of rare and exotic goods. It crossed the sector border 2 minutes ago and is currently on a direct heading which if she doesn't alter course is going to bring straight into the system here."

Kennit turned back towards the ops station, "The Thraki? Put it on the display.."

"Aye aye Captain.." Villa answered. On the screen, after a moment the image of the MV Thraki appeared.

Gazing thoughtfully at the screen, Kennit said "Helm, break position and move to intercept if they get too close. Hold comm silence for now, they don't know we're here yet so.. let's wait a moment and see what they do.."

"Shall I initiate scans, Captain?" Nix asked from the science station.

"Please do," she answered him. "Passive scans only.. I don't want to alert them that we're here until I'm ready to announce our presence.."

"Aye, captain. Passive scans only..."

Then, "Open a secure, shielded frequency to Commander Hunter."

"Channel open.."

Over the shielded channel which would not be picked up by the incoming civilian, or the locals.. the Captain relayed the new development, ending with "Be advised, we're going to move positions for a possible intercept. We'll update your ship's nav systems with our location so you don't get lost on the way home.."

"Why thank you Captain, that's certainly better than leaving breadcrumbs out for me to follow." Alec looked at his nav. computer, no new updates had come in yet. "I'll continue to transmit images back to you. Unless you have something else you'd like me to do."

"Hold position for now and maintain a low profile, don't draw attention to yourself from either our unknown guest or the natives.." she told him.

"Sage advice, maintain a low profile eh? Going to full stealth mode, now you see me, now you don't." Alec quipped as he powered the Valkryie down. He was next to invisible now.

Back on the Bridge, the Captain just shook her head slightly then turned back toward her Science team. "Got anything interesting you can tell me about our unexpected guests out there Mr. Nix?"

"Her transponder identifies the vessel as the MV Nevada registered to one Sebastian Xavier," Nix replies while scrolling through the limited data on his screen. "Armaments appear limited to phaser banks, and is listed with a standard crew compliment of fifty-five, although cargo space could be converted to provide additional berths, if needed." He paused his review and pivoted in his chair to face the main view screen. "And she appears to be angling to enter orbit, captain. Dare I assume the Prime Directive has been tossed out the proverbial window?"

The turbolift doors opened and Miguel exited. He slowly walked over to where the Captain. "So anything interesting yet?"

"Nice of you to join us.." the Captain drawled as she shot a glance over her shoulder towards Torres as he walked across the Bridge. "And yeah.. you could call recent developments .. interesting. We've got company. A Federation flagged merchant ship currently heading towards orbit around Ithauri." she added with a jerk of her chin towards the data being displayed on the right corner of the main viewscreen.

Miguel nodded as he took in what he saw. "It kind of makes sense. After all a civilian merchant vessel wouldn't be bound by the Prime Directive." he comment

On the viewscreen, the tiny amber diamond icon which represented the MV Nevada slowed, two Ithaurian cruisers having spotted the inbound ship and moved to intercept. It rapidly became evident that the Nevada was expected; their sensors picked up a brief communications exchange though the message was encoded and then, the Nevada continued on its course.

"All right.. time to act. The damage here has already been done.. " Katrijn muttered. Then, louder she said "Helm! Take us in.. hail the Nevada and order them to stop their propulsion systems and hold position as we approach. Yellow alert.. raise shields.." she added. Looking at Miquel, she said "No sense giving the Ithaurian ship's a tempting target to test their weapons on.."

"I doubt those ships would be able to put much of dent in our hull much less our shields." Miguel offered. "Do you want me up here or in engineering?" he asked.

"Oh by all means.. take your post.." Kennit replied with a nod towards the engineering console on the Bridge. "If I let you go back down to engineering you'll just go waste more time on that still you're trying to put together without me knowing about it.."

Miguel gave her a who me look and then a full smile as he walked over and relieved the junior officer on station.

From operations came a soft chirp. "Captain, the Nevada is slowing and coming to a halt as ordered."

Kennit turned to look at operations, then nodded "Thank you Ensign. Mr. Davenport," she ordered the helm officer. "Bring us into position between that ship and the planet. Request that her captain come aboard to .. conference with me." she added, looking back towards the operations officer once again.

"Captain I have the main tractor beam ready if they decide they don't want to cooperate with us." Miguel said as he looked her way from his station and just waited for any further orders.

"Very good Mr. Torres, hopefully they won't push us to that extent." Kennit answered. Part of her wished Alec was aboard, she didn't like that he was off-ship, in a small fighter while they confronted the merchant ship. Civilian or not.. the Nevada was armed and there was no guessing what was going to happen next.

"And now that our presence is known, I will conduct a full and proper scan of their vessel," Lt. Nix commented while pivoting his chair back around to his station.

"Give that ship a good look over and tell me what you find.." the Captain answered with a quick smile.

Tags Nix if you wanna.. anyone else?
Tag Captain -- as before, I'll need you to tell me what the active scans show as I have no idea who these people are or what's going on.

"Captain, we have received an acknowledgement from the Nevada's Captain. He is awaiting transporter coordinates to come aboard.."

"Excellent.. send over transporter coordinates and have two officers from security present to greet him. Mr. Torres, you have the bridge.." she said. "I'm going to go down and meet our guest.. Mr. Devereaux," she added. "Care to join me?"

"Don't see why not," Valen replied with a shrug of his shoulders and followed the commander into the turbolift. Then again, he wasn't really certain he understood why she'd need him along either. "So, this a good cop, bad cop sort of thing? Just want me to stand over your shoulder and stare menacingly?"

She grinned at that, "That's one possible course but, actually I was hoping that your training with Intel would give you an advantage during our meeting. I don't expect the man to come right out and admit he sold or gave the Ithurian's the specifications for those modified NX class ship's they're now using but, it's my hope that while he's focused on covering his trail talking to me you'll be watching for more subtle indications I might miss. Body language, a shift in his gaze, a muscle twitch.. anything that might indicate that he's lying, or trying to hide something.."

Devereaux fought back a grin. "I think you have the wrong idea about me," he told the commander. "I'm just a simple analyst, not an investigator or agent... and definitely not an interrogator. My area of expertise is disseminating data and managing subspace communication networks. But I'm more than happy to pretend that I know what I'm doing, if you like."

"Just do your best," Kennit replied. "And if the situation demands it.. we can always fall back to 'good cop / bad cop'."

 

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