SITREP Report, USS Victory TF-38

Posted on Mon Feb 25, 2019 @ 9:39pm by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit
Edited on on Tue Feb 26, 2019 @ 12:48pm

1,579 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Plaga Navis
Timeline: Takes place before the pirate post

FM CMD, USS VICTORY, Captain Rhea K. Kennit
TO TFCO, TF38 Starfleet Delta Quadrant Exploration, Admiral Paka Larem

CLASSIFIED LEVEL 1-BRAVO //N05102//
MSGID/GENADMIN/MSG ORIG/SER
SUBJ/HAZARD REPORT/REPORT SYMBOL 5102-8//
REF/A/ WEAPONIZED BIOHAZARD CLASSIFIED BSL-4
 
***********************************************************
   THIS REPORT IS FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. THIS IS A PRIVILEGED, CONTROLLED DISTRIBUTION, LEVEL BSL-4 HAZARD REPORT. UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS REPORT BY STARFLEET PERSONNEL IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE PUNISHABLE UNDER THE FEDERATION UNIFORM CODE OF JUSTICE.

UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS REPORT BY CIVILIAN PERSONNEL WILL SUBJECT THEM TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION UNDER CIVILIAN PERSONNEL INSTRUCTION 752.

THIS MESSAGE MAY NOT BE RELEASED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, EXCEPT BY THE COMMANDER STARFLEET SAFETY CENTER AND/OR CMC (SD).
***********************************************************

On January 18, a distress call was received from the commercial freighter Maharshi Krishnatreya, a civilian vessel contracted to the Federation carrying supplies, equipment and fresh personnel to a newly established Federation outpost, DQ-X7Tango located in the Tsoukalos star system with a mixed crew of 87 in total aboard.

stricken by an as-yet unidentified viral illness, which has thus far killed 45 of its 87 personnel (comprised of passengers and crew).

Responding to the distress signal, upon reaching the freighters reported location, no communications could be established with the vessel. The ship continued traveling at warp 6, and after attempts to establish contact failed, the freighter’s computer systems were accessed via remote contact using data provided by the vessel’s operating consortium and the warp drive was shut down using the Victory’s controls.

All 87 passengers and crew aboard the Krishnatreya were found to be dead, having contracted an unknown virus which clearly possessed a very high mortality rate. Currently, a medical team is aboard in hazmat gear to collect samples and attempt to determine the nature of the virus.

Taking all necessary precautions, a medical team from the USS Victory was tasked with conducting a thorough investigation aboard the freighter in full hazmat gear to collect samples and attempt to determine the nature of the virus. Once this task was completed, due to the ship being deemed a level one BSL-4 biohazard due to contamination by the virus – the ship was destroyed with two quantum torpedoes fired by USS Victory in an attempt to prevent the spread of the disease.

Having established a secure medical research laboratory aboard USS Victory, Chief Medical Officer Nicole Anderson and her team have identified the virus after 3 days of intense study. The virus is a variant of Parvovirus B-19. It has been deliberately manipulated through genetic modification to become instead of a simple childhood illness, it is now a lethal killer.

At this time there is no indication of who created this genetically modified bio weapon, however it infected and killed indiscriminately among human, Andorian, Bolian, Klingon, and Vulcan victims. Research continues at this time.

Attached are all relevant data regarding the virus. I am requesting a geneticist with experience in genetically engineered viruses be assigned and sent to USS Victory as soon as possible to assist in further research.

***********************************************************

END TRANSMISSION

Admiral Paka Larem had read the report twice now and was still finding it hard to comprehend. Why had someone bothered to make such a benign virus so lethal? Depending on how contagious it was, this had the potential to do damage beyond the Maharshi Krishnatreya. He tapped the console on his desk, opening the intercom to his Yeoman. "Camille, get me a comm channel to the USS Victory 5 minutes ago." Not 20 seconds later, the comm system beeped.

"On the main screen now Admiral."

Her channel closed, and he stepped out from behind his desk to the large wall console on the wall in front of him.


{USS VICTORY - Holodeck 2 - 0412 hours}

After being roused from sleep by her Chief Medical Officer and Chief Science Officer, once they’d left her quarters Kennit had drafted a swift report detailing the potential threat posed by the evidence of a genetically engineered bio-weapon and sent it back to TFHQ marked classified for the TFCOs information only. Now fully awake, she’d resigned herself to the interrupted night and rather than trying for a brief additional hour or two of rest and instead had gone to the holodeck. Thus it was that she was fully engaged in a combat training exercise when the program halted of its own accord, the Victory’s computer announcing “Incoming transmission from Admiral Paka Larem, TF38 Commanding Officer.”

Who? Yet another change in TF leadership evidently... pausing a moment before responding Rhea made a mental note she knew she wouldn’t follow anyway to read the information bulletins which came in more often. Wondering what it was about the job that was so bad that Starfleet Command swapped out the TF command more often than some species changed their undergarments.. Captain Kennit said
“Acknowledged. Computer, prepare holographic interface and display transmission here.”

With the holographic interior of a Hirogen Hunter ship still displayed around her, a large display screen appeared. Dressed in a form-fitting tank top and pants worn for workouts, her long hair in a loose ponytail with a few tendrils having worked loose to frame her face, she absently tucked one of those loose strands behind her right ear as she located and picked up the water bottle she’d brought along, took a long drink to help compose herself and catch her breath. Only then did the Captain tap the acknowledge icon patiently awaiting her action to activate the holographic display and connect the transmission.

Admiral Larem appeared on the screen, seated at a desk. He was Bajoran. Dark hair with a touch of silver at the temples. Young looking for an Admiral..

“Admiral Larem.” Kennit said as she faced the display.

"You look like you are a little busy? Is that a Hirogen ship?" He asked, knowing full well it was. "I just read your report, and I have to say, it has some rather... severe implications. Your request for a geneticist is approved, and I will be dispatching the USS Martinsson within the hour. They should arrive at your position in approximately [insert how many hours/days you estimate here]. What are your thoughts on it Rh.." He paused. He had yet to interact with the Captain and didn't want to assume she would welcome him calling her by her given name. "Captain Kennit?. Do you think someone has created this to use somewhere specifically? The only information I have is from your report, so I would appreciate any other information you can offer."

Kennit half turned to look at the frozen program around her, the upper implant along her spine visible for an instant before she turned back to the display. “This..it’s just a training program. A girl needs to stay in shape after all, especially out here.” she told him. “My thanks for the approval of a geneticist. You are correct in your assessment of the severity of this discovery. As for who might be behind it..” here Kennit shrugged one shoulder. “Take your pick. The Federation’s expansion into the Delta Quadrant is viewed by many civilizations here as an invasion of sorts, and we have definitely had an impact on the balance of power here. Not everyone is interested in being friendly. And at this time I can not discount another possible issue which I have not reported due to a complete lack of verifiable information. However, I have reason to believe that refugees from the Mirror Universe may have successfully transitioned to our universe and are operating in this area. They would be viewed as being Federation species.. which could have a detrimental effect on our own efforts here.”

The Mirror Universe. Something he had never personally dealt with anywhere before. And now in the Delta Quadrant. Probably one of the few places he never expected them to show up. "There are plenty of Federation enemies here, but not many of those would be advanced in this level of genetic manipulation. The Mirror Universe may have the skill. Do you think it likely to be those? What would they have to gain from wiping out entire planets or species in this area of space?" This had so many potential outcomes, he really didn't want to speculate without more hard proof.

"I can think of a number of possibilities, none of which I care to speculate on without further information. At this point, it's only speculation. I intend to 'keep an ear to the ground' and see what more we can learn .." Kennit told him. "As for the races in the Delta Quadrant, don't be so sure that they are not capable of the kind of genetic manipulation we've seen in this virus. We're the newcomers here.. and the Federation has only established itself within a small part of the Delta Quadrant. There are multiple races which the Federation and Starfleet have not encountered."

After another hour of discussion, the Admiral signed off. A transport ship would be dispatched within 48 hours to convey a geneticist to their position to provide assistance with the study of the viral agent discovered aboard the Maharshi Krishnatreya. Because the Admiral would need to determine who was available and presently located in the area, it was unlikely they’d know who was being sent until the transport arrived.

After a moment, the Captain deactivated her training program and left the holodeck to go shower and get ready for the morning,

 

RSS Feed